Crimca junior Archives - CRIMCA Publishing House

Magdalena and the Staff of Stories. A Life Story, at the Foot of the Shrine of Saint John the New of Suceava

Ciurciun Stefanel — Thu, July 23, 2026, 12:14:58 PM +0000

Author: Cătălina Gheorghian

Illustrations: Elena Ciolacu

Format: 240×270

Number of pages: 34

Year of publication: 2026

Cover type: hardback

„I never thought I’d be able to write my own story. I mean… I didn’t think I’d have the courage to put down on paper the experiences that shaped me and weave them into a story. It seemed too painful to relive it all.”.

That was until a kind priest challenged me to write a story about the life of Saint John the New of Suceava. I was at the end of an event organized by the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, where I had just launched one of my books, when the priest approached me with this suggestion.

After a few moments of hesitation, I told him I couldn’t. That I simply couldn’t. The Saint’s life is so immense to me—a monument of faith, witness, courage, and martyrdom—that, personally, I cannot „do justice to” it in writing.

But I told the priest that I would ask another writer—a very good friend of the saints—to write it. However, she was unable to do so either, for similar reasons.

And although my father listened sympathetically to all my reasons, he insisted on this idea. And I think he was right to do so because, in the end, I managed to write the story.

I hope you enjoy it! It is profound, full of deep emotional depth, painful, perhaps too honest, but at the same time, it offers hope. I see it as a winding path, full of obstacles, at the end of which the Light appears, enveloping us, step by step, with its goodness, peace, security, and tranquility.

This story is about rebirth. And I’m thinking now of Mother Siluana’s words: „You first encounter Christ in hell,” in the midst of the storm and the turmoil of the soul. Indeed, that is where you can feel His presence and His help the most. It was the same with Magdalene… and with me.

That’s how I felt I should write it. Exactly as it will unfold before you, page by page. And if it seems like too much, please forgive me. That’s just how it came to me. The story. I thank God and the Saint for the courage.

I hope you find this helpful. That's all. And please remember me in your prayers, if you feel so inclined.

”Please ask Saint John the New to watch over us all and keep us in his prayers!"

Cătălina Gheorghian

Articolul Magdalena și toiagul poveștilor. O poveste de viață, la căpătâiul raclei Sfântului Ioan cel Nou de la Suceava apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Hapsânca. The story of a mother facing her own helplessness

Redacția Crimca — Thu, Apr 2, 2026 6:44:27 PM +0000

Hapsânca.The story of a mother facing her own helplessness
Cătălina Gheorghian
Illustrations by Cristina-Diana Enache
„Hapsânca seems a fantastic, grotesque, exaggerated character and yet she is as real as can be.
Huge in proportions, with an insatiable appetite for food, devours everything in its path and has no regard for strangers or its own children!
But Hapsânca doesn't just have a body that she overfeeds with everything that falls into her mouth - deep down, hidden among the layers of fat, her soul is also pulsating tiredly.
Will Hapsânca find it? Will she find a cure for her greed? Will she be able to see beyond food? And most importantly: Will she find peace and joy, without which life can become a chore here on earth?
So let us pray that she will take us with her, on the wings of her mysterious bird, like a guardian angel, and set off on a journey to cure greed!”.
Cătălina GHEORGHIAN

Articolul Hapsânca. Povestea unei mame în față cu propriile neputințe apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Luminola, in search of Light

Redacția Crimca — Thu, Apr 2, 2026 6:44:27 PM +0000

Luminola, in search of light
Cătălina Gheorghian
Illustrations by Cristina-Diana Enache
„Luminola, the mother-luminola in this story, is in danger of losing her luminous garment, the radiance that has always made her beautiful and loving, for herself, her children, her family and those around her, but especially for Heavenly Father.
„How is it possible for a candle to seek its light?” you might ask. „What did it do to lose it?”, „How can it lose its glow - it's only a candle!?!?! Surely the questions wouldn't stop there.
To find out its story, I urge you to grab hold of one end of the glowing thread and follow it, walking delicately, necessarily on the tips. We'll first pass by one of the most beautiful, beloved and well-known stories: The Holy Story of Our Lady. Hold the thread tight and let's follow it! I'll give you a hint: keep it all the way to the left, the way to the heart. There the candles will be waiting for you. Let them tell the story. Luminola, Luminol, Luminol, Lumisoara and Lumânăraș - they're all eager! Some even have storyteller diplomas!”
Cătălina GHEORGHIAN

Articolul Luminola, în căutarea Luminii apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.