Catholic Review of: The Song at the Scaffold

Much as a diamond has so many facets, so is true of this gem of a book! It is the true historical story of Carmelite Sisters that were persecuted to the point of death for their faith during the French Revolution. Their convent invaded, property taken, they were eventually tossed out into the streets. After 4 years of staying together as a congregation without habit they were arrested and sentenced to death for living in a religious community. And they die a martyr’s death at the guillotine. Your basic good triumphs over evil story. But looking into the many facets, the characters, the true wealth of lessons comes through and speaks to the readers heart. Each Sister comes to the convent from a varied background and struggles to find her calling, vocation, in the convent. God uses the most profound weakness in each to bring out true strengths. And of the one that was most willing to be martyred, he asks an even greater sacrifice. A sacrifice that is not as quick or glorious as the blade, but more painful and in the shadows were only God know of it. The song of the Lark and the Nightingale are both sweet in the ears of Our Lord.

I could see some tiny bit of myself in each sister and wonder, “ If called, would I have the courage, the grace, to take the short, glorious road or the long, hidden road for the sake of my Master‘s Glory?"

This book is best suited for the high school to adult reader due to the complexity of the story line and the disturbing graphic descriptions of the violent acts. It also has an extensive biblical based study guide in the back that makes it suitable for individual or group in depth learning.

You will want to reread this book many times, as each time you will see a new beauty in it’s many facets.