Antonin Dvorak was born on the Feast of Our Lady's Nativity, September 8, 1841. Even as a child he was fascinated by music. His father wanted him to follow in his footsteps as an inn keeper and village butcher, but in time he realized what a gift his son had for music.

After graduating from Organ School, he met his future wife. Sorrow was to be a part of their married life when they lost two of their children within two months of each other. Antonin joined his sorrows with the sorrow of Our Lady and wrote the "Sabat Mater."

Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Antonin Dvorak as, even though he was a world famous composer, he remained a humble man until death.

Level 1 books in the Footsteps of the Saints series are about 32 pages each and are written as read-alouds for your beginning readers at about a second grade reading level. The print size is large to make it easier to read for young readers, and there are many wonderful illustrations to give a visual for your younger children who are listening. Br. Ernest, C.S.C