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The Second Sunday after Pentecost - The Great Supper

6/6/2021

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My dear Children:—By the great supper of which the Saviour speaks in today's Gospel is meant, as we all know, the Holy Eucharist, which our Lord instituted on the eve of His passion.

To this feast, wherein the King of angels is Himself the host and the nourishment, God, by the mouth of His servants, the priests, invites all the faithful; and certainly if we consider the great dignity of the Host, and how precious the nourishment is, who should not extol with joy and gratitude the infinite mercy of the Redeemer and approach the holy table as often as possible?

Before the altar of His Holy Church the Lord spreads the holy table for the great supper, and He invites many to the banquet. Such an invitation we should think does not need much urging to bring in the guests as quickly and as frequently as He desires. And yet, as He tells us in the parables, and as we see and hear ourselves, there are many who make little of His invitation, and either do not come at all, or come with such reluctance that it is plain that they are acting more from the fear of punishment than from a motive of love.

When St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi was a little girl, and saw her older companions going up to the altar to receive Holy Communion, she asked her mother if she also might go up with them. "You are too young yet, my child," she answered; "you must wait till you are a little older." This brought tears to her eyes, for she loved Jesus so much and desired so much to be with Him. The manna was the daily bread of the Israelites, and had in it, as the Psalmist tells us, the sweetness of every taste, that is, the flavor of every kind of food. So also does God wish the Blessed Eucharist to be our constant food by a frequent and worthy Communion, giving to us therein every precious grace that can strengthen or delight the heart of man. It is only when we arrive at the "habitable land," our true home in the heavenly Jerusalem, that this Divine Food will no longer be communicated to us under the humble form of bread; for it will then be permitted us to behold our Lord in all His glory, and to possess and enjoy Him by the sweetest and most intimate union for all eternity.

It is related in Holy Scripture that when Elias was fleeing from the persecution of the impious Jezabel, he was overtaken with fatigue and hunger in the desert. And when he was there and sat down under a juniper, he requested for his soul that he might die. And he cast himself down and slept under the shadow of the juniper tree; and, behold, an angel of the Lord touched him and said: Arise and eat. He looked, and, behold, there was at his head a hearth cake and a vessel of water; and he ate and drank and fell asleep again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time and touched him, and said to him: Arise, eat, for thou hast yet a great way to go. And he arose, and ate and drank, and walked in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights unto the mount of God, Horeb.

My dear children, this miraculous bread brought by an angel to Elias in the desert is a significant figure of the Bread of Angels, the Holy Eucharist, which is given to us by our Lord, to nourish and support us in our pilgrimage through the desert of this world. Strengthened by this Divine Food, of which we should eat not once only, but again and again, we shall be able to walk manfully in spite of every obstacle until we arrive at Mount Horeb, which means the vision of God; in other words, the sight and enjoyment of God in the heavenly Jerusalem.

It is a great supper on account of the One who has prepared this heavenly banquet, for He is not a mere man or an angel, but God Himself—great on account of the food, which is nothing less than the true Body and the true Blood of our Lord, with His soul and divinity—great on account of the multitude of the guests, for these are all the Catholic Christians upon earth—great on account of the angels, who invisibly assist at Holy Communion, and adore Jesus with the most profound veneration. Everything is great in Holy Communion; but we are little and unworthy, and yet Christ invites us. Oh, how great is His love for us !

Ought we not to appear at this divine banquet with the greatest joy in order to satisfy our hunger and thirst ? Ought we still to have a desire for the food of the world and of the flesh, which is but deceitful bread?

We read in the life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga that, being permitted by his confessor to receive Holy Communion every Sunday, he divided the week between his thanksgiving and preparation, three days to each. The same is related of another devout soul who, in arranging his devotions, observed the following plan: Sunday, the day of his Communion, was spent by him in union and interior converse with our Lord. Monday was a day of thanksgiving for the rich treasure he had received. On Tuesday he continually offered and consecrated himself to God. Wednesday was spent in constant petitions to our Lord for his own wants and those of the Church. On Thursday he began his preparation for his next Communion, spending that day entirely in acts of faith and adoration: "O, my Jesus, I believe in Thee present in the most Holy Sacrament! O, my Jesus, I adore Thee!" Friday was a day of humiliation and contrition, yet of hope and confidence in the divine mercy: "O Lord, I am not worthy! O Jesus, make me worthy ! In Thee have I hoped, and I shall never be confounded !" Finally, Saturday was devoted to acts of love and desire: "Oh, my Jesus, I love Thee. I long for Thee ! Oh, my Jesus, come and take possession of me." It is such souls as these, souls who spare no trouble to make a good preparation and thanksgiving, that enjoy the full fruit of a good Communion. It is of Communions like these that it may be justly said, "One Communion is sufficient to make a saint."

It is related that when Jesus was about to institute the Holy Eucharist, He sent before Him into the city of Jerusalem two of His disciples to prepare a room in which they might partake of this heavenly banquet. This, my dear boys and girls, is a lesson for us; it teaches us what we ought to do when we intend to approach the Holy Communion. The room is the temple of our souls, into which our Lord is about to enter that He may make His dwelling with us. For some days before Communion we should prepare that room, that is, we should cleanse it and adorn our interior, by carefully abstaining from sin, fighting against our passions, and practicing acts of virtue and self-denial.

Prepare yourselves for every Communion with the greatest care; never approach the altar except with a pure heart, and with the greatest veneration and devotion. Pray that God may bless your good resolutions and keep you in His grace. Blessed are you if you always communicate in such a manner; you will advance from virtue to virtue, persevere in grace to the end, and be united to Jesus forever in Heaven.

Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
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Trinity Sunday - Baptismal Vows

5/29/2021

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  My dear Children:  There is no spot in church more dear to you than the one to which you were brought during the first days of your existence and that place is the baptismal font.  The gospel of this sublime feast of the Blessed Trinity today reminds you most forcibly of that great day on which by the waters of Baptism you were regenerated and born again by the Holy Ghost, and were numbered among the children of God and made heirs of heaven. 

Another great grace bestowed upon you in Baptism is that you were made Christians, or followers, nay, even members of Jesus Christ.  For by Baptism you are united to our Blessed Lord in a most close and intimate union.  In other words you are united with Him by Baptism as closely as the branches of a tree are united with the parent stem.  In the same way as it is from the parent trunk that they derive that sap and nourishment which enables them to produce leaves, and flowers, and fruit, so it is in virtue of this union with Jesus Christ  that you are able, as long as you remain abiding in Him by faith and charity, to produce that abundant fruit of virtuous actions which will merit you the rewards of a blessed eternity.  O happy union, which makes us all one with Jesus Christ, and renders even our most ordinary actions pleasing and meritorious before God.  Yes, my dear boys and girls, to be a Christian is a far higher dignity and a greater happiness than any which the world can bestow.

The venerable Peter Ou,  who suffered death for the faith in China in the year 1814, being arrested and brought before the pagan judge, the latter sought by every means to induce him to trample on the cross in token of his apostasy.  “What harm,” demanded the mandarin, “can there be in this? When you leave the court you can be a Christian, if you choose, as you were before.” Great mandarin,” replied the martyr, “you have spoken the truth, though you know it not.  The character of a Christian is Indelible, he may violate his law, he may deny his God, but the seal of Baptism remains on him forever. To be a Christian is the greatest honor any mortal can bear. My life is in your hands, dispose of it as you please, but it is useless to tempt me any longer to deny my faith, or to renounce a worship which I love from the bottom of my heart".

This noble profession of faith was soon followed by a sentence of death, the generous confessor being condemned to be strangled. With eyes filled with tears, he cried out, "Heaven is opened to me; there is my country, I see its glory. Yes, my Saviour, I now see Thee in reality. Executioner, hasten to procure me this happiness."

With these words on his lips the fatal cord was drawn, and his soul flew to heaven to receive its crown. Children, when you and I and your parents were in front of the font we took the oath of faith in the most solemn hour of our life. Before God, the priest, and the invisibly present angels, we vowed to believe constantly and without doubt in the triune God, and in His holy infallible Church. Oh, let us bear in mind, therefore, all the days of our life this solemn promise and remain faithful to it until death.

In Baptism we promise to God, in return for so many precious graces which He bestows upon us, that we on our part will give up all that may lead us to be unfaithful to our duties as Christians; in other words we engage to renounce the devil with all his works and pomps. By the works of the devil we mean sin, because it is his daily and constant work to lead us to offend God. By his pomps we mean the empty vanities and deceitful pleasures of the world, which are the means which he makes use of to draw us into sin. All these we solemnly promise to renounce and shun; and as we are not then able, on account of our tender age, to speak or act for ourselves, our godfather and our godmother answer for us, undertaking in our name those obligations which are necessary to enable us to receive the precious grace of Baptism. When we are old enough to understand the engagements which our sponsors have undertaken in our name, we should ourselves confirm and may violate his law, he may deny his God, but the seal of Baptism remains on him forever. To be a Christian is the greatest honor any mortal can bear. My life is in your hands, dispose of it as you please, but it is useless to tempt me any longer to deny my faith, or to renounce a worship which I love from the bottom of my heart"

This noble profession of faith was soon followed by a sentence of death, the generous confessor being condemned to be strangled. With eyes filled with tears, he cried out, "Heaven is opened to me; there is my country, I see its glory. Yes, my Saviour, I now see Thee in reality. Executioner, hasten to procure me this happiness." With these words on his lips the fatal cord was drawn, and his soul flew to heaven to receive its crown.

Children, when you and I and your parents were in front of the font we took the oath of faith in the most solemn hour of our life. Before God, the priest, and the invisibly present angels, we vowed to believe constantly and without doubt in the triune God, and in His holy infallible Church. Oh, let us bear in mind, therefore, all the days of our life this solemn promise and remain faithful to it until death.

In Baptism we promise to God, in return for so many precious graces which He bestows upon us, that we on our part will give up all that may lead us to be unfaithful to our duties as Christians; in other words we engage to renounce the devil with all his works and pomps. By the works of the devil we mean sin, because it is his daily and constant work to lead us to offend God. By his pomps we mean the empty vanities and deceitful pleasures of the world, which are the means which he makes use of to draw us into sin. All these we solemnly promise to renounce and shun; and as we are not then able, on account of our tender age, to speak or act for ourselves, our godfather and our godmother answer for us, undertaking in our name those obligations which are necessary tonenable us to receive the precious grace of Baptism. When we are old enough to understand the engagements which our sponsors have undertaken in our name, we should ourselves confirm and ratify them,  but above all we should be ever careful to make them the guiding rule of our lives.

An American captain, with his three children, lived in a Catholic family.  The children attended the nuns school, and after an instruction on the necessity of Baptism, William, the eldest, speaking to one of the children of the Catholic family, said, “Have you been baptized?” “Yes,” replied the other, “in my infancy.”   “Then baptize me,” said William, “for I might die tonight, and I want to go to Heaven.” And it was done; then he in turn baptized his two younger sisters.  When at length the father returned home, all three rushed up to him to tell him what they had done, and to beg him also to be baptized.  To please them he consented, and was baptized.  Would to God it may have been serious and formal, for three days later he had a sudden death, and appeared before his Maker.

When King Clovis, who was a pagan and had a Christian wife by the name of Clotildis, after being successful in battle, was baptized by St. Remigius, archbishop of Rheims, he was addressed thus: “Henceforth adore what you have burned, and burn what you have hitherto adored.” Before Baptism we were by original sin slaves of the devil, and enemies of Jesus Christ.  Henceforth we must renounce the devil and be true Christians, faithful servants of our Lord.  Oh, how happy we should be, if we could carry the white robe of Baptismal innocence unspotted before the judgment seat of God, like a St. Aloysius, a St. Stanislaus, a St. Agnes, and many other saints.

St. Francis de Sales, when yet a child, was distinguished alike for his lively and cheerful disposition and for his sincere piety.  At one time he would join with all the ardor of youth in the games of his playmates; at another he would gather them about thim, and with a sweet and engaging air tell them some pious story.  Sometimes he would lead them to the parish church, and arrange them in a circle around the sacred font where they had in infancy received the Sacrament of Baptism.  “See, my dear companions,” he would then say, “this is a spot which ought to be dearer to us than any other in the whole world, for here it was that we were made children of God. Come let us sing together the Glory be to the Father!" The little band would then join in singing this verse of thanksgiving, and would afterwards on bended knees respectfully kiss the font.

Children, with the holy martyrs, let us be willing to suffer everything, even to die, rather than by infidelity separate ourselves from God and become traitors to the baptismal vows. If seducers, in sheep's clothing, wish to approach you flee from them as from serpents. For they are murderers of the soul, robbers, who wish to snatch from you that which is highest and most precious, your holy faith, and with it your happiness in life, your bliss in eternity. And should you be insulted, slandered, yes, even deprived of your occupation by which you earn your daily bread, tremble not nor grow faint. Remember, it is not as much as the holy martyrs suffered. Prize above all the treasure of faith, promised in Baptism to God and the Church, and before friend and foe profess it as your greatest glory; esteem it your greatest happiness to be children of the Catholic Church.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
 

 


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Pentecost Sunday - The Seven Gifts

5/22/2021

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My dear Children:—The holy feast of Pentecost which we celebrate today as the third principal festival of the Ecclesiastical year is dedicated to the Holy Ghost, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity. I am very much afraid that we do not think often enough of the Holy Ghost, and how much we owe to this Divine Spirit who is the author of all the good that takes place in our souls. There are many things which you ought to know about the Holy Ghost; for example, you do not know, perhaps, of all His goodness to you, or thank or love Him as He deserves. First of all, you would no doubt, like to know why it is that we call the third Person of the Trinity by the name of the Holy Ghost. You know why He is called Holy, for He is God and God is holiness itself. But why is He called Holy Ghost? What is the meaning of the word Ghost? It is an old English word, meaning a spirit; so when you speak of a ghost story, you mean the story of some one whose spirit has appeared after death, as that of the prophet Samuel did to the witch of Endor. Thus you see, that the words Holy Ghost only mean Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit makes our souls or spirits holy by His grace. It is true that He does not do this separately or apart from the Father and the Son, for God is one, and all the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity do conjointly what each one is said to do. The many graces which Jesus Christ has merited for us by His Passion and Death are given to us by the Holy Spirit.

Today is the anniversary of the day when the same Holy Spirit, in tongues of fire, descended upon the apostles. From ignorant and dull of understanding they became suddenly enlightened with Divine Light, and filled with heavenly knowledge; from being weak and timid, so that they all fled away from our Lord when He was taken prisoner in the garden, they became in a moment heroic confessors of the Faith, ready to endure any torment, and death itself, for the Name of Jesus.

The seven precious gifts of the Holy Ghost are bestowed upon all who worthily receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, in the same way as the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity are implanted in the soul by Baptism; their effects, however, are only visible according as circumstances require their special exercise. So that, for example, we should not be afraid if we were called upon, as our forefathers often were, to confess our Faith before persecutors, or even to suffer torments and death for Jesus Christ; since the Holy Spirit will always be ready to assist us to do and suffer what God requires of us.

Saint Arsenius, having become acquainted with an old man of obscure birth and no learning, chose him to be his counsellor. "What," said one of his brethren, "you, well versed in the learning of Athens and Rome, seeking the advice of that ignorant man!" "It may be," replied Arsenius, "that I know something of literature, but I do not yet possess the alphabet of the knowledge of that old man." And, indeed, void as he was of human learning, this old man had a more sublime learning, the knowledge of salvation which comes from the Holy Spirit. He had the art of following the road to heaven and of being able to show it to others; it was this knowledge, Arsenius wished to acquire.

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit enlighten the understanding and strengthen the will of fallen man, thus repairing the injury inflicted by the sin of our first parents and our own manifold sins with those two great powers of the soul. The four gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel and Knowledge, all tend to remove from the soul that black cloud of ignorance with which sin has darkened our understanding, while the other three, Fortitude, Piety and the Fear of the Lord, serve to heal the wounds inflicted by sin in the human will, to extinguish the fire of concupiscence, and to enable us to walk with courage and fidelity in the way of the Divine Commandments. The lives of the saints, my dear boys and girls, furnish us with abundant examples of the admirable effects which the gifts of the Holy Ghost produce in the hearts and minds of God's faithful servants. Their heroic virtues, their charming and amiable qualities, all spring from the same source, and are the fruits of the abundant grace with which the Holy Ghost enriched their souls.

A Vendean, named Repoche, who during the French Revolution served in the royal army, having been taken prisoner by the revolutionary party was conducted by them to a place where a cross had been erected, and there he was thus accosted: "You have been taken with arms in your hands, and so your life is forfeited. There yonder is the cottage in which you were born; your father is still living there; now your life will be spared to you if you will do one thing. Take up that ax and at once cut down that cross." Repoche took up the ax; his fellow prisoners turned aside their heads and trembled, for they thought that Repoche was about abjuring his God. Repoche brandishing the ax over his head, sprung upon the pedestal of the cross, and uplifting his arm, cried out in tones loud enough to be heard by even those who were at a distance: "Death to him who shall insult the cross of Jesus Christ! I shall defend it from ignominy to my last breath." For some minutes he succeeded in warding off the sacrilegious soldiers, but soon he was overwhelmed by numbers, and though transfixed in every part of his body, he still clung fast to the cross, and in this position was put to death.

The Holy Spirit is sometimes called the Paraclete. This word means Advocate, that is to say, one who speaks or pleads for another. This the Holy Ghost does by assisting us in our prayers, for we can make no prayer that is good for anything to please God without the grace of the Holy Ghost. When the Holy Ghost helps us to pray, then our prayers cannot fail to be heard.

You see, my dear boys and girls, how much reason we have to love the Holy Ghost, to thank Him for His graces, and to seek His blessing and guidance in all our undertakings. We should often pray to the Holy Ghost, for which purpose we might repeat one of the beautiful hymns in His honor, to beg His grace to overcome temptation, keep the commandments, and know and accomplish the Divine Will in all things.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
 
 
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Sunday Within the Octave of the Ascension -      The Devil's Best Weapon

5/15/2021

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 My dear Children:—The Holy Ghost whom our dear Lord promised to His apostles in the gospel of this day must be a Spirit of Truth to us; we must love truth and hold firmly to it, and hate and shun nothing so much as untruth and lies. Do you not know that your hearts are the temple of the Holy Ghost and that an untruth or a lie should never proceed from the mouth of a Christian.

And yet lying is a widely spread vice even among Christians. Parents and children tell lies, the rich and the poor, the high and the low, all tell lies; and without fear of contradiction, I may say that there is hardly one amongst us who would not lie if he said that he had never lied. The reason is because people make no account of lying, and look upon it as an excusable fault.

The devil has played the lying game all the time and he who tells lies is a confederate of the devil. Our Lord Himself calls liars children of Satan. St. Ambrose says: "All who love lies are children of the devil, not by nature but by imitation."

A little child of nine years of age was one day weeping bitterly. He had committed a fault by taking something which his father had told him not to touch, and he was afraid that his father would come to know about it, and punish him. The servants of the house who saw him weeping, and who knew the reason of his tears, said to him: "If your father asks you if you took it, you have only to deny it, and you shall not be punished." But the good child, looking at them with much indignation, answered: "What is that you tell me to do? Tell a lie about it? No, never! I would rather be punished a thousand times over than think of doing such a thing. I will never commit such a sin. I do not claim the devil as my father, for he is the father of lies." This should be the answer of every Christian child to anyone who asks him to tell a lie.

You must not tell the smallest He even to save the whole world, for it is better that the world should be destroyed than that God should be offended. Much less, then, should you tell a lie to save yourself from a scolding or beating, which are intended for your good. If you have done wrong, be sorry for it, then you are soon forgiven both by God and your parents; whereas if you try to hide it by a lie, you are guilty of a fresh sin, and one often much greater than the one you first committed.

To tell a lie, is to say a thing that we know to be untrue. If we believe that we are speaking the truth, and happen to be mistaken, it is not a lie; on the other hand, if we say what we believe to be false, and it turns out to be true, it is really a lie in the sight of God. All lies are sinful, because they are directly opposed to the Divine Truth, which is one of the most admirable perfections of the Almighty. Moreover they are an abuse of that most excellent gift of speech, which God has given us to enable us to make our thoughts known to our fellow men; whereas the liar uses his speech to conceal his thoughts and deceive his neighbor.

St. James, the Bishop of Nisibis, travelling one day through the country, was accosted by a beggar to give him an alms to bury a companion who he said had just died by the wayside. The Bishop gave him an alms and went on, praying for the poor man's soul. The beggar, laughing at his success in imposing on the saint, ran back to his companion, who was lying on the ground pretending to be dead. On coming to the spot, he called to him to get up, as the trick had been successful, but he received no answer. He approached nearer, and took his companion by the hand in order to arouse him, but what was his horror at finding that he was really dead. Immediately, with loud cries and lamentations, he ran after the saint, and, throwing himself on his knees before him, acknowledged the deceit which they had practiced, and implored his pardon and intercession.

The servant of God having first reproved him for his sin, betook himself to prayer, and the unhappy man, who had provoked God to deprive him of life, was restored to life at the prayers of the saint.

 Although all lies are sinful, they are not all equally sinful; some are much more grievous than others. The worst lie of all is that which is told in confession by him who conceals a sin, for such a lie is a sacrilegious lie, a lie told to God Himself, and is a profanation of a holy sacrament. The lie next in guilt is that which is told to injure our neighbor's character; for example, when a person gives false testimony in a court of justice, or when he spreads abroad calumnies against his neighbor, accusing him of crimes which he never committed. Such lies are called malicious lies, because they are told through malice on purpose to injure others, and they are very grievous sins. But there are other lies which are much less in guilt, namely lies of excuse and lies of jest. These are sometimes called by foolish people white lies. It is true that they might not cause our neighbor any injury, but still they are displeasing to God and hurtful to the soul. By these jocose lies a habit of lying is formed, which is the foundation, of many vices. If the child is a habitual liar, depend on it that, if not cured of this vice in time, he will grow up both a hypocrite and a thief, for truth is the twin sister of candor and honesty. Children, to tell a lie to excuse yourself is an act of cowardice, and shows a weakness of character and principle, which may well cause us to fear that such a soul will soon fall a prey to the devil. Be always, then, my dear children, most exact in speaking the truth, and pray to God to give you a great love of this excellent virtue which is so pleasing to Him. Remember that if you love and always speak the truth, you are in a special manner the children of God, who is the divine Truth. St. Paul tells the Ephesians to put on the girdle of Truth.

That is the first thing that a man wants to know about a boy. Is he truthful? It is the one thing that we want to know about every girl. Does she always speak the truth? A great educator once said that it did not make any difference how ignorant a child was. He could be taught. It made no difference if he was ill-mannered. He could learn to be a gentleman. But the child that cannot tell the truth is hopeless. There isn't anything to build on. It is like laying the foundations of a house on the sand. It will not stand.

 So, boys and girls, when you go out to fight the battle of life, be sure, first of all, that you have on the Girdle of Truth. Yes, dare to be true. Be brave enough to speak the truth, for it is an act of true courage. Your parents or teachers may punish you, but they will respect and trust you, the saints and angels will look down on you with approval, God will hear and will reward you. Nothing can need a lie because nothing can excuse it—"truth will always out." In conclusion what is more contemptible than the character of a liar, whose word is never taken, whose denials are never believed, whose promises are never trusted ? On the contrary, what is more noble, what more amiable, than the character of a child who is always candid, truthful, and sincere? Such a one wherever he goes, carries with him the esteem, the confidence, the respect of everyone.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921

 
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Fifth Sunday after Easter - The Greatest Power on Earth

5/8/2021

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My dear Children:—In your Bible History you will find one thing repeated very often, of which our divine Lord tells us in today's gospel—it is prayer. You have learned in your catechism that the two chiefs means of obtaining God's grace are prayer and the sacraments. Prayer is spoken of first, because it is suited to all times, to all persons, and to all places; whereas we cannot always have an opportunity of hearing Mass or going to the sacraments.

Our good Lord has provided us with an unfailing resource in all our wants, that is, prayer; promising, moreover, on His divine word, that He will always grant us what we ask, provided that we pray with proper dispositions.

Prayer, my dear children, is the first duty of every Christian. It is a special command of God; but besides that, it is a great privilege, a high honor, and an immense advantage to us to be allowed to speak freely to the divine majesty. The kings of this earth, as St. Teresa beautifully observes, do not allow their subjects to make known their petitions to them, except through their nobles and officers of state; but we may at all times approach to the king of heaven, adore Him, thank Him for His goodness, and lay open to Him all our wants, both for soul and body. And what is the most consoling is, that He is always glad to receive us, ready to hear us, and willing and able to help us; whereas earthly kings sometimes receive the petitions of their subjects with a very bad grace, and very often refuse them.

Your catechism tells you that prayer is the raising of our heart and mind to God. It is the mind which thinks, it is the heart which hopes and loves. Prayer, therefore, consists in thinking of God, in hoping in Him, and loving Him. You see from this that it is not strictly necessary to say any words when we pray. If we only think of God in our minds and love Him with our hearts, we make a good prayer, though we may not say a single word.
 
Father Vianney, the Cure of Ars, speaks of a man who was a simple peasant, poor in the goods of this world and ignorant of its learning, but rich in piety and virtue. He was particularly remarkable for his ardent devotion to our Blessed Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament. Whether going to his work or returning from it, never did that good man pass the church without entering it to adore his Lord. The priest who watched him with delight, could never perceive the slightest movement of the lips. Being surprised at this circumstance, he said to him one day: "My good man, what do you say to our Lord in those long visits you pay Him every day?" "I say nothing to Him," was the reply; "I look at Him and He looks at me."

A beautiful and sublime answer. He said nothing, he opened no book, he could not read, but he had eyes—eyes of the body and eyes of the soul, and he opened them, the eyes of the soul especially, and fixed them on our Lord. He fastened upon Him his whole mind, his whole heart, his memory, his understanding, all his senses, all his affections. This is the secret of becoming saints. God expressly promises protection and deliverance to those who call upon Him in any necessity.

You remember the three young men in the fiery furnace, they prayed and were saved. Daniel in the lions' den subdued the fury of the beasts by prayer. In the year 350 the city of Nisibis was besieged by the Persian king, Sapor II. St. James, bishop of that city, mounted the walls of that city and prayed to the Lord against the unbelievers; God heard his prayer in a miraculous way. Suddenly there came swarms of flies, which attacked the trunks of the enemy's elephants, and the ears and nostrils of the horses, rendering them untractable and causing so great a disorder in the camp that Sapor was reluctantly obliged to give up the siege.

Prayer closes the door of our heart against all the enemies of our soul, that they cannot enter and rob us of the treasure of grace. A young man, named Pacho, retired into the desert, there to do penance for his sins. After several years he suffered such violent temptations that he conceived the idea of taking his own life. With this intention he laid himself before a cave in which were two hyenas, wishing to be devoured by them. But they did not injure him. Then he took a poisonous serpent, bared his breast and irritated the serpent, that its bite might be more deadly; but it had no poison for him. The youth now turned his wrath against heaven and accused God, because He would not let him die. But behold ! on a sudden he hears an interior voice which says to him: "Wretch! what do you mean? Do you think you can overcome temptations by your own strength? Pray, pray, and you will conquer."

The youth followed this advice; he began to pray, and as often as temptation assailed him, he prayed with great fervor, and came off victorious after each conflict.

As long as a Christian prays with fervor and devotion he leads a good life. Temptations may be numerous; he stands firm, for as the stake supports the little tree, so prayer supports him. But if he becomes careless in prayer, and neglects it altogether, or performs it only hastily, he totters and falls. St. Peter denied his Master three different times. Why? Because he neglected prayer. Our Lord had commanded him and the other apostles to watch and pray, but they slept. Therefore, pray without ceasing, for prayer is the most necessary means for the preservation of grace and of perseverance in virtue.

A little boy, whose name was Johnny, asked his mother some very hard and troublesome questions. His parents were not Christians. They did not go to church and they did not pray, but they wanted Johnny to go to Sunday school and to Mass, and taught him to say his prayers. And at the end he would add some words of his own. "God bless papa, God bless mama, God bless Johnny, and make him a good boy." One night after he had said his prayers and kissed his mother good night, he looked up into her face, and said:
"Mama, do you pray?" "No, darling," she said. "Does papa pray?" "I never heard him pray," said his mother. "Then why do you make me pray?" he said. "So that you may be a good boy." "Don't you want to be good, mama ?" he said. "Oh, yes, I want to be good." "Don't papa want to be good ?" he asked. "Oh, I think so." "Then why don't you and papa both pray, too?" he asked. She was not quite ready to answer that hard question, and the little lad went on talking. "Well, mama," said he, "I guess God will hear the prayer of a little boy like me, but don't you think you and papa expect too much of such a little boy ? Do you think that God wants me to do all the praying for this whole family ? It seems to me that you and papa might help me a little." But he was growing sleepy, and he was soon far off in dreamland.

He did not think of it any more, perhaps, and he never asked those hard questions again. Indeed, he didn't need to ask them again, for the father and mother that night, after he was sound asleep, talked it all over and came and knelt by his bed and gave their hearts to God like little children, and prayed that God would answer their little boy's prayer. God does not want little children to be the only ones to pray. He wants fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters, and grandfathers and grandmothers all to pray to Him, for He is our Father and Friend and He loves to have us speak to Him,
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
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Fourth Sunday after Easter - Ambassadors of God

5/1/2021

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My dear Children:—God our Lord and Creator sent us into the world, that we may serve Him and after our death go to Him in heaven. If by perseverance we live up to our destiny and do the will of God in all things, we shall be admitted into the heavenly court.

Being the ambassadors of God we must carefully shun whatever is incompatible with our dignity. Remember well, my dear children, that you act contemptibly, if, unmindful of your dignity, you give way to your passions: when you are self-willed or quarrelsome, when you are jealous, and when you act in other ungodly ways. You dishonor God, whose ambassadors you are, and compel Him, on account of the insult which you offer Him, to deprive you of your dignity. Let us never forget who we are, and in every temptation say to ourselves: I must not, I will not, do this; it would disgrace me, an ambassador of God.

As ambassadors we must defend the honor of our Lord and Master. If any remarks be made in public injurious to His honor, we must defend Him. We must honor God in our heart, and rejoice over the honor and homage given to Him in heaven and on earth, wishing that He may be known, loved and praised by all men. We must honor Him with the mouth, by public and private prayer; by assisting at public worship, by bowing our head when at public worship pronouncing the name of Jesus. We must honor Him in actions by doing all things for His honor and by giving good example to our fellow playmates. St. Francis of Assisi, whenever he found a piece of paper on which the name of God was written, carefully preserved it in his cell with great veneration.

Way off in an out-of-the-way corner of India a missionary had gone to baptize some men and women, and received them into the true Church of God. During the course of the service the missionary noticed a boy about twelve years of age, sitting away Back in the corner of the little church, looking very much interested and listening with all his might. After he had baptized and received into the Church the grown-up converts, the missionary was surprised to see the boy come forward and stand at the railing. The missionary said to him: "What, my lad, do you want; do you also want to be baptized and go to Holy Communion ?" The boy said, "Yes, Father." The missionary looked at him lovingly, and said, "But you are very young, and I know nothing about you, and no one has taught you about the Christian Faith, and after a while you might grow careless and indifferent. Perhaps it will be better for you to wait." The boy said nothing, but turned away to his seat with a sad heart, and the missionary saw that he was very much disappointed. After a while a man stood up and spoke: "Why, Reverend Father, this boy has taught us all we know about Jesus."

And what he said proved to be the truth. That boy had learned the story of the Gospel and his catechism at a mission school in a distant village, and had returned to his heathen home to tell the story of Jesus to his own people. He read to them out of the New Testament until they gave their hearts to God and were consecrated to Jesus. So you see this little lad was a real ambassador of God and a young missionary. I am sure if boys love Jesus and live as He would like to have them live, kind and obedient and true, that they will be able to do more for Him than they could do even if they were able to preach great, eloquent sermons. Many a father and mother were; led back to God by their own little boy or girl.

As ambassadors of God we must have the good of our Holy Mother, the Church, at heart. It is she who made us children of God and heirs of heaven. She constantly instructs us in the divine law, entreats, rebukes, reproves and punishes us, in order to save our soul. She administers to us the sacraments, through which we are justified. She offers up for us daily the glorious sacrifice of the Mass, and petitions God for every good we need for time and eternity.
 
There was in the house of a certain Spanish lady called Gratia a poor slave girl who had been brought up in the religion of Mahomet. There sprang up between the lady and her slave a great friendship. Gratia loved her, and the poor girl showed that she loved her mistress in return by attending to her wants with great diligence. One thing only saddened the affectionate soul of Gratia: she could not look upon the maid without shedding tears, for she knew that her soul was still in the power of the devil.

"O my God give me that soul” she prayed; "let not the soul perish for whose salvation Thy beloved Son died on Calvary."

The pious lady wept and prayed, till at length God granted her request The slave became a fervent child of God's one true Church, and a faithful imitator of the piety of her mistress.
Be mindful, therefore, of the high dignity which you possess as ambassadors of God, and fulfill your duties conscientiously. Well for you, if, as ambassadors of God, you fulfill your duties faithfully; when the time of your departure shall come, you will be able to say with Jesus: I go to Him that sent me.

Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
 


 
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Third Sunday after Easter ~ Our Lord's Farewell

4/25/2021

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 My dear Children: Our dear Lord made a farewell speech to His Apostles before ascending to Heaven. He gave His Apostles His last lessons and instructions. "In a little while," Jesus says, "you shall see me in the land of peace and joy. I precede you to prepare a place for you." Children, you are young and you are looking forward to a long life. Yet, you must remember, from the cradle to the grave it is only a "little while." How quickly do forty, fifty or sixty years pass by. And if we compare our life to eternity, what is it? Not so much as a drop of water compared to the ocean. Thousands and millions of years are hardly a moment when compared to eternity. Truly, our life here below is a little while. And this little while of our earthly life is of infinite importance, because eternity depends on it. If we serve God during this little while with fervor and constancy, we shall receive for our reward the everlasting happiness of Heaven; but if we serve the world, the flesh and the devil, eternal woe await us in hell.

When St. Aloysius had been ill for a long time, the physician, seeing that he was drawing near his end, told him that he could not depend on more than eight days to live. Just then one of his companions came into the room where St. Aloysius lay. "Oh!" he cried out with great joy, "did you hear the news? The doctor has just told me I cannot live longer than eight days. Oh ! come, let us sing a hymn of joy to thank God: the danger of losing my soul will soon be past."

He then wrote a letter to his mother, in which he said: "My dearest mother, I have good news to give you today, and I am sure you will rejoice with me. I am now near the end of my life,—near the time when there shall be no longer any danger of my losing my soul. As for myself, I look upon death as the greatest blessing God could bestow upon me, and I ask you to join me in thanking Him."

Children, what a joyful moment, it will be for you, if, at the last day of your life, when the moment of your judgment comes, you hear these words from the lips of the Great Judge: "Come, thou blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom which was prepared for thee from the foundation of the world." Yet, those who persevere till the end of their lives in the service of God shall one day most certainly hear these blessed words.

Just for a little while we enjoy temporal goods, such as money, honors, comfort. How perishable is beauty; it is just like a flower, it appears today in all its splendor and tomorrow it withers and falls blighted to the ground. How fickle are riches, money, real estate, and stocks ! They can be taken from us by bad men or lost by mishaps. How fleeting are honors and dignities! The wheel of fortune ever turns; today you may be in the first place and tomorrow you may be shifted to the last place. How foolish to plunge ourselves into eternal perdition for the sake of the fleeting and vain goods of the world.

On my travels through the West I met a young boy who was dressed like a soldier. He was only about thirteen years old, and I said to him, "Why, little fellow, how does it happen that you are a soldier?" "I'm not a soldier," he said very proudly, "I am a scout." And sure enough, that's just what he was, with his soldier suit and his strong staff.

Of course you know what a scout is. A scout is taught to be manly, to serve his country, to love God and to do a good turn every day. He is taught to know the weather signs, to find his way at night by the stars, to track men and animals, to hide himself, to signal across the water and from hilltops, to make tents and fires and camp beds, to sleep in the open air, and a thousand other useful things. But the great principle he has to observe is to do a kind act every day.

The motto of all scouts is, "Be prepared" It is a good motto. If you are going to do the world's work, you must have steady nerves and strong muscles. If you are going to take your part in the battle for peace and purity, you must have educated brains and trained minds. If you are going to help God make the world better, you must prepare yourself for service and be ready when He calls. It took Jesus thirty years' preparation to get ready to do three years' work.

See to it that you do not waste your play-days, but get a strong body while you are a boy. Don't waste your school days, but get a strong mind before it is too late. Don't waste your church and Sunday school days, but get ready a strong heart, and conscience, and character, so that you will be ready when God calls you. God will surely call you. Do not be afraid of that. Only be sure you are ready when He does call. "Be prepared."

During his whole life upon earth Christ was going to the Father. Children, may we be able to say with confidence, when about to die: I go to the Father. We shall be able to do so, if now we go to the Father; if we frequently and with joy think of the Father, love to hear His holy word, diligently visit Jesus in the tabernacle,' pray devoutly, and walk in the way of His commandments. Examine yourselves and see whether in such a manner you go to the Father. How deplorable would be your lot if all your life you were on your way to the devil. Do you not shudder at the thought of being obliged at the end of your life to say: "I go to the devil"?

May the God of mercy preserve us all from such a calamity. When St. Teresa was a little girl, not more than seven years old, she used to spend much of her time with her little brother Roderick in reading the Lives of the Saints. The thought of eternity made a deep impression upon their young hearts, and they were never tired of repeating these words: "Forever, for ever, for ever! What! shall the blessed see and enjoy God for ever!" When they read the history of the monks and hermits, they wished like them, to abandon all for God, and tried to build themselves little hermitages in their father's garden, but being only small and weak, they were not able to finish them. It was the history of the martyrs, however, which filled them with the greatest delight. It seemed to them that the martyrs had purchased Heaven very cheaply, since by short sufferings they had secured eternal joys. They wished that they could do all the same and one day, set out severally from home and left the city, intending to make their way to the country of the Moors, to become martyrs. It was, of course, wrong to do this without even asking their parents' permission. As they went along, praying with great fervor, they were met by one of their uncles, and he brought them back to their mother, who was in a state of great distress. Teresa did not escape without a scolding; but Almighty God was, no doubt, pleased with her innocent fervor and forgave her for her fault.

Look upon the Apostles; great was their sorrow for the loss of Jesus, but after three days it was turned into joy, and now they are enthroned in Heaven and enjoy, after the tribulations of this short earthly life, the blessed happiness of Heaven. Take, then, your cross upon your shoulders, and carry it courageously after Jesus, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man shall take from you.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
 
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Second Sunday after Easter - The Good Shepherd

4/18/2021

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 My dear Children: On many occasions our divine Lord described Himself as the Good Shepherd. You all know what a shepherd is; he is the man who takes care of the sheep. Wherever you see a flock of sheep you are sure to find the shepherd. When he takes them from one pasture to another he leads them. Whenever the shepherd and his flock must remain out of doors all night, the sheep will go to rest on the ground under the stars, but the shepherd cannot go to sleep; he must watch to see that no harm befalls his flock, that no wolf nor bear creeps up in the darkness and carries off a sheep or lamb. But it happened one day that the shepherd lost a sheep. When he and the flock reached the sheep-fold in the evening he counted the sheep as they ran in, and whereas there had been a hundred when he led them out in the morning, there were now only ninety-nine; the hundredth was not there, it was lost. It was dark by that time and storming, but without hesitation the shepherd went back over the rough way, leaving the ninety-nine. He carried a lantern in his hand, and he called softly to the lamb as he went. When he got to a deep ravine he heard something. It was the bleating of the little lamb, which had fallen down among the rocks.

Down the shepherd climbed. It was hard work, for it was dark among the rocks. But the shepherd did not mind. It was even harder work getting back, with the little lamb on his shoulders, but he was happy, because he had found the lost lamb. He rejoiced all the way back in the darkness and in the storm. When he reached home he called to his friends. "Rejoice with me, for I have found my lamb which was lost."

It was Jesus who told this story. He wanted to show them how much He loved every one of us. We are all His sheep, His little lambs, and He is the great Shepherd. He loves us even more than a good shepherd loves his sheep. He can save us from worse things than wolves, and when one of us does wrong, that one is the little lamb that gets lost. But if we call to Him He comes and Carries us back in His arms to grace and virtue.

Now if Jesus is so good a shepherd, nothing is more just than that we should endeavor to be good sheep, and the only way we can be good sheep is to play the part of a good guardian over our own souls. Oh, value your soul and keep it as the apple of your eye, that you may not lose it. Watch and pray, for there are many perils of your soul. Guard your senses, especially your eyes, turn them away from sin. Value your soul more highly than all earthly goods, and be always resolved to make any and every sacrifice for its salvation.
St. Agnes was born about the year 292. Her parents were very rich, and they were also good Christians, and brought up their only child in the fear of God. When she was about twelve years old, a pagan met her coming home from school, and tempted her to sin, promising her many valuable jewels. But Agnes rejected the temptation, and told him to be gone, for she would never offend God for anything in the world.

The young man was very angry, and he denounced her to the pagan judge as being a Christian. When the judge told her that torture and death was the fate of Christians, Agnes boldly answered: "Never will I consent to offend my God by sin, and joyfully will I suffer the loss of all things rather than lose my soul."

The firmness of the child filled the judge with wonder, but also with great wrath, and he handed her over to Aspasius, one of his underlings that he might put her to death.
Aspasius commanded a great fire to be kindled, to burn her alive. But God was pleased to work a wonder, for when Agnes was thrown into the fire, the flames made room for her without touching her. The pagans standing near, however, were devoured by the flames. St. Agnes prayed to God, that now, since she had confessed His holy Name, He would be pleased to take her to Himself in heaven. When she had finished her prayer the fire suddenly went out. Then Aspasius gave orders that the executioner should cut her neck with a sword.
 
The executioner gave her a fatal blow, and her happy soul went at once to her God in Heaven, Whom she so tenderly loved. Our soul is a pearl beyond all price. Like Agnes we should be willing to suffer all rather than stain it by sin. She gave to you children a good example how to be a good shepherd of your soul.

Children, we, as faithful followers of the Good Shepherd, must do His bidding and carry out His plan of work. In the Holy Catholic Church He feeds His sheep with the bread of His divine Word, and in Holy Communion with His own Flesh and Blood.

As good shepherds we must pasture our soul, that is, we must furnish it with whatever is necessary for the preservation of its supernatural life. We must feed our soul with the word of God. The word of God enlightens us; it strengthens us to overcome all obstacles in the way of salvation; it comforts in tribulations and raises thoughts to heavenly things. Listen with pleasure to the word of God, and make it the rule of your life.

We must feed our soul with Holy Communion, for this is the best and most nutritious nourishment. It is Holy Communion that increases sanctifying grace, weakens the evil inclinations, and fortifies us with supernatural strength to overcome all temptations. All pious Christians deem themselves happy to be able to go frequently to Communion. Children, be not hirelings, who let their sheep hunger and languish, but be good shepherds and feed your soul; go to Holy Communion as often as your confessor considers you worthy.

Let us be good shepherds of our soul. Our soul is the most precious treasure we possess, for it is created in the image of God and destined to enjoy eternal life in heaven.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
 
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First Sunday after Easter - Holy Melodies of Love

4/10/2021

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My dear Children: On two different occasions Christ said to His Apostles, "Peace be to you." Peace is one of the most precious of all earthly goods and without it men cannot be contented or happy.

We can say with truth that he who has peace is happy. A light-hearted shepherd-boy was tending sheep, one bright spring morning, in a flowery valley, between wooded hills, and singing and skipping about for very joy. The prince of the country, who happened to be hunting in the district, saw him, called him, and said: "Why are you so peaceful and happy, my little fellow?"

The boy did not know the prince and replied: "Why should I not be happy and at peace with the world? Our most gracious prince himself is not richer than I am." "Indeed!" said the prince; "let me hear all that you have." "Why," replied the boy, "the sun in the bright blue sky shines as pleasantly for me as for the prince, and hill and valley are as green for me as for him. I value my hands more than a hundred thousand crowns, and I would not sell my eyes for all the jewels in the prince's treasury. In addition to this, I have all that I desire; because I never wish for anything more than I need. Can you say that the prince has more?" The good prince laughed, made himself known to the lad, and said: "You are right, my good boy; and the prince perfectly agrees with you." What salt is to food, peace is to life. The best dishes do not taste well when salt has been omitted in their preparation, and all we may possess, good health, great riches, honor and reputation, cannot constitute happiness without peace. What an unhappy home where father and mother do not agree. As soon as they open their eyes in the morning, anger and bitterness arise with them, and they quarrel from morning till night. In consequence of such discord families are often reduced to poverty. If there be a happy life it is a peaceable life. Nothing tends so much to make life sweet and agreeable as peace.
 
On the banks of a certain river which flows through the southern part of this country there was, in the year 1834, a village of huts erected by negroes. Through the zeal of missionary fathers who dwelled there, many embraced the Catholic religion. So long as the good fathers remained, these poor negroes gave great edification by their fervor and piety, but when the fathers left, this fervor began to diminish. Strife arose and evil tongues made trouble, especially between a certain man and his wife, and their quarrel was carried so far that they even refused to eat at the same table. Their unholy conduct became a source of scandal to the community.

When one of the missionaries happened to visit the village he was informed of the quarrel of this couple. He directed that they should be brought before him and said unto them: "My children, you must mutually forgive each other. Jesus Christ commanded that you should love one another. In the name of Jesus Christ, therefore, forget the past and renew the love you formerly had for each other."

The missionary's words caused a great change of heart to come upon them, and they exclaimed: "O Father, it is true that we have sinned, and we humbly ask God's pardon." Then, turning towards his wife, the husband said: "I forgive you; will you also forgive me ?" "From my heart!" she answered.

The good Father fervently thanked God for this happy change. "My children," he said, "I feel assured that from this time your lives will be full of peace and harmony." The solemn promise they had made was sincere, as was proved by their fidelity in keeping it.

Children, we must learn to preserve peace by being patient with others. Each and every one of us has his faults. None of us are saints. We may find many things in our companions hard to bear; we must look up to Jesus and the saints, who endured the greatest insults with heavenly patience.

There was a little girl whose name was Louise. One evening after her good mother had tucked her into bed and kissed her goodnight, she said: "I was a peace-maker to-day, mamma." "A what, dear?" said her mother, who had never heard her use that big word before. "A peace-maker," said Louise. "You know what that means, mamma, don't you ?" "But how were you a peace-maker, Louise? I did not know there was any quarreling." "Oh, it was not anything like that," said Louise; "it was just that I knew something and didn't tell it." Then, of course, her mother knew that her little daughter had heard some mean, naughty story about one of her little friends and had kept it to herself and told no one. In the same, beautiful way, you and I, like little Louise, can be peacemakers.

We can suppress bad stories by not telling them. We can kill bad thoughts by not harboring them. We can be silent about the bad, and think and speak and feel only about the good.

The blessing of peace shows itself when we share the joy and sorrow of our fellow man, sharing happiness and pain like the members of one large family. Sympathy unites the hearts, whilst the want of sympathy separates them. Oh, how it does hurt us to see those who are near and dear to us care nothing about our welfare.

Felix Mendelsohn was one of the greatest musicians of the world. His beautiful music is loved and played wherever people love and play music. One day he went to an old cathedral where there was a wonderful organ. Felix had often had a desire to play it. On entering the sacred edifice he found an old man in charge of everything around the church. He asked permission to play the organ, but the old man shook his head, and said, "No, no, no, that can never be;" no stranger can ever be permitted to play that wonderful instrument. Mendelsohn begged so hard to be allowed to play that at last the old man gave his consent and the great musician began to play. The man listened and never in all his life had he heard such wonderful music.

Now, boys and girls, your life and mine are just like a great music instrument. There often comes One to us who asks permission to make use of our talents and of our time. He is not a stranger. His name is Jesus, and if we let Him, He will bring forth from our lives the most beautiful music. He will turn our discords into peace, and fill all life with harmony and happiness.

Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. These words show how dear to God is the cause of peace, since our Lord pronounces blessed those who promote it, and declares that they are the true children of His heavenly Father. Peace with God and peace with one another. Whoever, therefore, promotes this two-fold peace by converting the sinner to God, and by healing or preventing quarrels among men, inherits this blessing, and shows himself to be a true disciple of Jesus and child of God.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
 



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Easter Sunday - Easter Joys

4/3/2021

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My dear Children: Today all Christendom is filled with joy and gladness; and in every land is heard the oft-repeated Alleluia. In all tongues and climes hymns of praise and thanksgiving ascend to the throne of God.

Why this joy? It is on this day the voice of God is heard assuring us that the dead can and will rise again, to enter upon a new and never-dying life. Sometimes a little child dies. That only means that the beautiful angel-like spirit which is in each one of us has left this child's body and flown up to God in heaven. It is bitter for us to lose those we love, but they are happy to go to God. We know that this is true, because after Jesus had died on the cross, after His body had been laid in the grave, His spirit came back to His body, to show us that if we are God's children death is nothing to be afraid of. This is the day Jesus came back to tell His dear friends that they must not be sad because He died.

You have just learned from the gospel how soldiers were placed near the grave to guard it, but the second night, towards morning, when it was beginning to get light, there was a noise and a shaking of the ground, and a beautiful angel came down from heaven and rolled the huge rock back from the cave. The soldiers trembled with fear and ran away.

Among the friends who came to visit Jesus at the tomb was Mary Magdalen. She had loved Jesus with all her heart, for He had been very good to her, making her life, which had been sinful and bad, sweet and good. She came to find the grave empty, and leaving the spot with a heavy heart she turned back. On her way out she met a man in the garden. Her eyes were so full of tears that she could not see plainly, and she supposed that He was the gardener. He asked her: "Why weepest thou ?" She answered:

"Sir, if thou hast borne Him away, tell me where thou hast laid Him?"  Then the man said, in a voice she knew and loved more than any voice on earth, "Mary !" Who do you think it was ? It was Jesus, and when she heard His voice she turned, and knelt at His feet, crying with great joy, "Master!"

So Jesus came to His disciples, to one by one, or two or three together. And at last they all knew that He was really risen from the dead—that He was alive. And they learned, too, what we must learn and never forget, that as Jesus rose from the dead, so we and all those we love rise also. Sometimes when we go to sleep at night it is dark and stormy and we feel tired and fearsome, but when we wake in the morning the sky is blue, the sun is shining and we are cheerful. Dying is very much like this; falling to sleep here, when our course is run, and we are tired after all our trials and tribulations, and waking in heaven with Jesus.

That is why Jesus came back on that Easter morning after He had died on the cross; to show us that death is nothing to be afraid of, for it means going to be with Him.

When the pagans were leading St. Pionius to the place of martydom, they were surprised to see the joy that lighted up his countenance, and how eagerly he ran towards the place of His death.
"What makes you so happy?" they asked him, "and why do you run forward with so much eagerness to death?" "You are mistaken," answered the martyr, "I am not going to death; I am about to begin a life that will never end." This is how the saints spoke of what the world calls death.

However long or sweet may be the pleasure of the draught of life, and health, and prosperity, all finally come to the one bitter drop at the bottom of the cup. And that is death. The Church, the divinely instituted Guardian of God's word, tells us that Christ has conquered death. All who die shall rise again from the dead, because our Saviour Jesus Christ, first of all, rose from the dead, and promised that the change of a similar resurrection should come upon all mankind. Bitter as death may be, the hope of the resurrection is a complete antidote. A "happy death" is a common saying among Catholics. It is a resurrection to eternal life.

In the life of the holy martyr Pamphilius we read that many pagans who saw the great joy that filled the Christians, when they were condemned to die for Jesus Christ, wondered how they could be so happy. And when they were told that it was because they were so soon to see God in heaven and to enjoy the happiness God had prepared for them, they also wished to become Christians, that they might share in that happiness.

They had not long to wait for the martyr's crown. For the Prefect of Cesarea, hearing of what had taken place, sent soldiers to bring them before him. One of the first questions he put to them was: "What country do you belong to ?" "Our country is heaven," was the answer; "it is there where our God and our Saviour dwells. After He had suffered and died, and rose again from the dead, He went up to heaven to prepare a place for us. So heaven is our home."
The Prefect was very angry at the tone of confidence in which they said these words and commanded them to suffer the most inhuman tortures.

Children, many Catholics think so much of the world that they seem to forget that the world is not their proper goal. Judging from the lives of some Christians, a person would not think that they ever think of death.

Many years ago there was a certain lord who kept a fool in his palace, as many great men did for their amusement in those days.

Now, this lord had given the fool a staff and charged him to keep it till he met with one that was a greater fool than himself, bidding him, if he met with such a one, to deliver the staff to him. Not many years after, the lord fell sick, and, indeed, was sick unto death.

The fool came to see him, and the sick master told him that he and hast made no orders for thy comfort in a place from which thou wilt never return? Take my staff, for I am not guilty of any such folly as this."

Children, we will ask ourselves, have I a right to participate in the Easter joy of to-day, or am I only making an outside show, while my conscience tells me I am a hypocrite? What kind of a life would I rise to on the day of resurrection if I died' tonight? What would Jesus Christ find in me that looks like Him, and therefore give me a share in His glorious resurrection ? Dear Children, that is what He wants to find in us all. Let us now rise from all that is deadly or corrupt in the life we are leading, and Jesus will be sure to find in us what will entitle us to a resurrection to eternal happiness.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921


 

 

 
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Palm Sunday - Perseverance

3/27/2021

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"Hosanna to the Son of David," is the joyful acclamation with which the Jews greeted our Lord to-day as He made His entrance into the royal city. But how quickly that has changed, for within a few days after the same people begin to cry out: "Crucify Him." Who would imagine such inconstancy possible? Sad to say, children, this occurs every day. Just think what have you done, for as often as you commit a mortal sin you have rejected Jesus and crucified Him anew. The glorious Hosanna which arose in your heart at the reception of Holy Communion was by your sinful deeds exchanged for the fearful "Away with Him, crucify Him." You have, indeed, done this, and not like the Jews through blindness, but with the full knowledge that Jesus is your Saviour. You have been shamefully inconstant to Him, who has never injured you, who loved you and died for you. Should not the greatest sorrow penetrate your hearts? Should you not with your whole heart renew your resolution to remain loyal to your Saviour.

A pious mother who had brought up her son with great care, seeing him about to leave her to enter the world, desired to give him a lesson. For two days she gave him nothing to eat but sweet food. At first the young man was pleased with it, thinking that his mother was very kind to him before leaving home. But when the evening of the first day had come, he asked her to give him some solid food. But she told him that he must be content.

The next day when he received the same kind of food, he became so disgusted with it that he could not even look at it, and he asked his mother to give him some plain bread. His mother said to him: "My dear child, I had a special object in placing before you all these dainty dishes. You are about to enter the world that is full of wickedness and ungodliness. It will put before your eyes many pleasing things— glory, honor, riches and pleasures. They simply dazzle the eye. They may be very pleasant for the moment, but they engender remorse. Do not allow yourself to be deceived by them. Yesterday I saw how you loved the sweets I placed before you. Today you are filled with disgust. So it is with those who allow themselves to be deceived by the world. Pleasures soon bring bitterness. Learn a lesson, as soon as you are tempted by these things, thrust them aside and be content with the plain food of the Christian—that is bearing patiently with all your crosses here on earth, that you may obtain an eternal reward in Heaven."
What will it avail us to begin in the grace of God if we do not persevere in it? Not the beginning, but the end of life decides our fate. Judas began well, but how did he end? On the other hand, St. Mary Magdalen and the good thief on the cross persevered in good, that is why they ended as elect children of God.

In a certain college there lived a boy by the name of Paul who was remarkable amongst all the other boys for his gentleness, his piety, and his good conduct; every one loved him. To look at him one would have thought that he had never committed any sin. But such was not the case. There had been a time when that boy, now so gentle, so mild and good, had been a slave to sin. The following is the story of his life and conversion; it was himself who told it to one of his masters: "I was once a good boy; so long as I was near my good mother, and until I was eleven years old, I did not know what mortal sin was. At that time it happened that one day when I was in the fields playing with my companion who was a little older than myself, he taught me to do what was a mortal sin. From that moment I became most unhappy; I could find no peace night nor day, because I knew that if I died in that state I should be sent to hell for all eternity.
"What made my state more awful still was this, that I also went and made two other innocent companions commit a grievous sin. When I came to this college I was quite as bad. I was perfectly miserable, and when I saw others who were so pious and so good I wondered if it. were possible that I could be like them.

"Some of my companions came and asked me to become a member of one of the sodalities of the children of Mary. I joined it just for appearance's sake. It was then for the first time I heard of that little prayer: “O my Queen and my Mother, protect me, help me, for I am thine.' I began to say it every day, and it was not long before I went to confession. I made a good confession; and oh, how happy I felt then.

"But I began to think of the terrible things I did in making the two children commit sin, so I am going to become a brother of that religious community which has specially for its object the pious education of the young, that I may be the means of saving more souls than I may have caused to be lost.

"Temptations often come back to me; but when they come I immediately remember the little aspiration: 'O my Queen and my Mother.' I at once say it, and then the temptation soon goes away."

Take away perseverance and what remains ? All else is vain and useless ; to no purpose all your good works and piety, mortification and mercy, to no purpose so many sufferings endured. Perseverance is the crown of all good, for without it we cannot obtain that which alone is good and desirable. Perseverance is the narrow way through which we must force ourselves at any cost. Perseverance is the pearl of all graces, since those who have obtained it now dwell in the land of peace and happiness.

There was once a rich count called Otho, who had a daughter whom he loved with great affection. One day the child was amusing herself with some beads of glass, with which she seemed to be much pleased. Her father was sitting by the fire watching her. My child," he said, "these are pretty beads you are playing with." Yes, papa, they are very beautiful, and I am delighted with them." Well, then," said the father, "take them up and throw them all into the fire." The child looked up into her father's face to see if he was in earnest. One glance told her he was. "Well, dear child, you may do as you please, but you know that when I ask you to do something, it is always because I, who love you so tenderly, see that it will be best for you." The girl at these words gathered up the beads and threw them into the fire. Her father said nothing, but he seemed much pleased at the ready obedience of his dear little girl.

"Now, my child, you will soon see how your father can reward you for that heroic sacrifice you made to please him. He then drew forth from a little draw a little casket and drew out a beautiful necklace, made of glittering diamonds. "This, my child, is for you. I wanted to see if you loved me more than yourself. Take this then, my dearest little one, and when you wear it, it will remind you that your Father in Heaven will reward you with a reward surpassing all understanding in the world to come, if you obey Him in this life, and sacrifice everything rather than displease Him by breaking His commandments."

The saints have persevered unto the end and what they have done we also with a good will can accomplish. Children, we must faithfully cooperate with the graces which our Lord will abundantly grant us for our salvation. We must fight the good fight, scrupulously avoid the dangers and occasions of sin, be diligent in prayer, in the reception of the sacraments and mindful of our last end.

Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921
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Passion Sunday - Jesus Our Model of Meekness

3/20/2021

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My dear children: What a great insult is not offered to the All holy Son of God. The innocent Saviour is told to His face that He had the devil. And yet, what answers our Lord to such a blasphemy? Does He call the lightning from Heaven ? Does He command the earth to open and swallow them? He surely had the power and the right to do so. But the Sacred Heart of Jesus knows no revenge. It breathes only love, meekness and pardon.

Meekness, children, is that virtue which keeps in subjection the emotions of anger, which so often arise within us, by sentiments of peace. It keeps the soul calm and tranquil; it makes us act towards our neighbor with sympathy and kindness, and banishes all harshness from our words and actions.

A young gentleman who did not like St. Francis de Sales went one evening to his house and raised a great tumult under the very window of the room where the saint was sitting by making his dogs bark loudly and his servants cry out most insulting words. He did this that he might show his hatred for the saint; but St. Francis seemed not to pay any heed to what he was doing. Seeing that the saint was not in the least disturbed by the noise, the man had the audacity to go into his house, and even into the room where the saint was sitting, and to utter words of the greatest insolence before his very face. Yet the saint made no reply. This made the man still more angry, and he became even more insolent than before, and continued his insulting language till he became exhausted. At length, seeing he could not make the saint angry, he went away.

As soon as he had gone out, the friends of the saint asked him how he had been able to bear so patiently such insolence. St. Francis answered: "It is not because I did not feel it, for in my heart I was much tempted to rise up and order him away; but I have long ago made an agreement with my tongue that when my heart is disturbed it is to not say one word till the angry feeling has died away. It was in this manner that I was able to bear so patiently with him who spoke to me with so much anger." How do we act when insulted? Have we for our enemies only words of love? How often do we not act contrary to the beautiful example of Christ? At the least insults our proud soul blazes forth like so many darts of fire.

Sad to say, many Christians are transformed into furious animals at any inconsiderate word or a harmless joke. Must we not blush with shame when we consider the meekness of our Redeemer? You curse, your Saviour blesses; you wish to annihilate your enemy and Jesus bestows benefits on him. What can you expect from God in life and death when you trample under foot His commandment of loving your enemy? You deprive yourself of the grace and love of God. Your heart has become a home of Satan.

A woman went to a priest to complain of her husband's passion and temper and angry words. The priest who knew that her tongue also was very busy, gave her a small bottle of pure water. "Take this," he said, "and when next your husband gets angry, take a mouthful and you will soon find the value of it; your husband will remain quiet." An opportunity soon presented itself, and she followed the advice she had received; the same a second time, and a third, with the marvelous results that were promised ! Returning to thank the priest for what she considered a miraculous water, he said: "There's no miracle in the water: your own tongue has done the good by keeping silence for once; the only merit the water has is to have forced you to keep silence, for you were unable to talk whilst you had your mouth full."

The beautiful example of our Saviour teaches us how we should behave when the passions of others fall upon us and we are made the butt of accusations, just or unjust. How worldly is not your conduct on such occasions; the world counts it true valor and justice to give tit for tat, to take tooth for tooth, and eye for eye. A calm denial or a dignified silence is the Christian way, the better way. One word brings on another, you would act like the Jews who began to throw stones-r-you bring about deadly feuds, bodily injuries and perhaps bloodshed and the jail. A cow kicked a lantern over and Chicago was on fire for days. Some frivolous accusation that you pick up, while you should let it fall, starts within, you a fire of anger that makes a ruin for your whole spiritual life and throws disorder all around you. Peace flies from your homes, your social surroundings, your own hearts; the very horrors of hell are around you. Christian charity has been wounded to death and the slightest of blows has done it. One-half of the sins of the world would be done away with if only the lesson of this Gospel were taken to heart and put into practice.

There was once a shepherd boy named David who lived out on the hills day and night, taking care of his father's sheep. He was living so happily, singing and playing his harp. At the same time there lived a king in the city near by, who was as sad as David was joyful. The king lived in a great, beautiful palace, his robes were made of purple and gold, and he feasted on the finest food in the land—yet he was filled with sadness.

"What shall we do for him ?" the people asked. "What will make our king happy again and brave, as he used to be?" A soldier who remembered the shepherd boy out on the hills proposed to send for him. The people could hardly wait for him to come, for they learned that he played a harp and sang so well. This was their last hope of curing the king.

At last David came, his golden hair shining, his face full of joy. His harpstrings were twined with sweet, fresh lilies to keep the strings from breaking in the heat. Do you think he was afraid? He was only a boy, you know. All the people were watching him as he approached the tent where the king lay sick. He was not afraid of the lion that stole the lamb. Whom did he trust to help him then? So now again he trusted God to help him cure the great king. For a moment he knelt in prayer upon the sand outside the tent, then lifting the tent curtain he went in, saying: "Here is David, thy servant." There was darkness, but in the middle of the tent he saw something very dark, an object moving about. It was the king, miserable and half dead leaning upon the wooden bar which went across the tent.

Quickly David took the lilies off the harpstrings and began to play. He played first the tune all the sheep knew, soft and sweet, which brought them home one after another as the stars come out. Then he played other tunes. At last the great figure moved. He moved his head, and the red and blue jewels flashed. And as David began to sing about the king, the wonderful soldier he had been, the king stood up and laid one of his large hands on the boy's head. He was better, David knew, but not well yet. Throwing aside his harp, he began again to sing. He sang about God now, of His love for animals, and of His love for us. It was such a wonderful song, it filled the whole tent with joy and gladness.

When David finished that song he stole quietly out of the tent and ran home in the night, joyfully, oh, so joyfully, for he knew that king Saul was well again. He was the great, brave king he used to be; the shepherd boy had cured him.

We cannot play the harp or sing as David did, but we can all have joyful, shining faces such as his was, and be as meek and as humble. Shall we try to see how bright and cheerful we can look? Remember how one happy boy healed a great, wretched king, and see what we can do.
Fortify yourselves with the armor of holy meekness, and whe ever you are insulted, should you be tempted to take revenge, take immediate recourse to prayer and say: "For the love of you, O Jesus, I will forgive with my whole heart.”  The true Christian wards off, he does not give the thrust, he does not shoot back. He pities his enemies for the evil they do; he forgives them and prays for them, as our Lord has commanded. This is Christian charity and humility as well.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921

 


 

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The Second Sunday of Lent - Our True Home

2/28/2021

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My dear children: Last Sunday we found our dear Lord in the desert, today we see Him on Mount Tabor transfigured. What a change! from fasting and prayer in the desert to glory and beauty on the mountain. Our Lord wants to teach us how well we shall be rewarded if for His sake and for the salvation of our soul we fast and pray; then we shall see God in all His infinite glory and majesty in heaven, and full of rapture we shall cry out: Lord it is good for us to be here.

Although we labor for our temporal life we must not forget to labor for our eternal life. Religion obliges us to keep the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church. The man who obeys God and His Church, if he prays, hears the Word of God and frequently receives the Sacraments worthily, that person labors for eternal life.

I have heard of a lady who had a very strange dream. You know how strange most of our dreams are. And this was a strange dream. She was a very rich woman, and the people said that she was a very good woman. One night she dreamed that she went up to heaven and one of the angels showed her through the streets of the beautiful city. She saw such beautiful houses and palaces as she had never seen before. At last she came to one that was just being built. It was more beautiful than those around it, and she asked her guide whose it was. "Oh," said the angel, "that is for your gardener."

The lady was much surprised, and said : "For my gardener ! Why he is only a poor man and has always lived in a little bit of a house." The angel said nothing, but led her on through the streets and avenues of the city. Soon they came to a plain-looking house, low roofed and very simple. Of course it was beautiful, for everything is beautiful in heaven, but it was not like the other fine palaces she had seen. Then she asked the angel whose the little low cottage house was. The angel said, "This is to be your house." "Mine?"said the lady. "Why, I have always lived in a mansion down on the earth” "Yes, I know," said the angel, "but the Great Builder is doing the best He can with the material that is being sent up."

That is a strange dream, but you know what it means. We are all building our lives and characters for heaven, and we are doing it now. Every kind deed, and every true word and every beautiful thought dedicated to God are stones in the building. The kind of house we will live in will depend on the kind of stuff we are putting into our lives now.

There are many who do not labor for eternal life. They give way to curses and blasphemies, they desecrate Sundays and holidays, they are disobedient to their parents and grieve them; they live in enmity with their neighbors and commit frauds and injustices; they eat meat on Fridays and days of abstinence; they neglect to hear Mass on Sundays and holy days, and they keep away from confession and Holy Communion. Why are there so very many who do not labor for eternal life? It is simply because they never think of heaven, they never say to themselves: It is good to be in heaven. They do not consider what a great blessing heaven is, what unspeakable happiness the saints enjoy.

One day a little boy presented himself before the King of Cochin China, who was persecuting the Church and the Christians. He threw himself on his knees before him and asked permission to speak. The permission being granted, he said : "Mandarin, cut off
my head with the sword, that I may go to my country."

"Where is your country?" asked the judge. "It is in heaven," replied the child. "And where are your parents ?" "They are gone home to heaven, and I want to follow them. Oh, sir, give me a stroke with the sword and send me there too."

The mandarin was struck with admiration at the faith and courage of the boy, but refused to grant him his request. But this child received from God the glory of the martyrs on account of his great desire of being a martyr.

Our Divine Lord tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent bear it away. A pious life has many pains and hardships. The Christian who conquers himself is a greater hero than the general who takes fortresses and subdues mighty kingdoms.

There was once a pious widow who did not enjoy much worldly wealth, but possessed that which is so much more precious, the one true Faith. She had a little daughter by the name of Dorothy, who, when she grew up to be a big girl, began to show signs of thoughtlessness, and many a time did the poor mother weep over the faults of her dear child.

When she was ten years old, her mother, although she was poor, sent her to a convent to live for a time under the care of the pious Sisters. Dorothy remained in the convent for two years, after which time she returned to her mother's home. But what a change had come over her during these two years. People who knew her before she went to the convent could not believe that she was the same girl.

She who had been so disobedient and idle was now an example to all her companions by her gentleness, patience, obedience and piety, although she was only a little more than twelve years old. In a short time the people came to know that she was really good.

The priest of the place was full of joy when he saw in his parish one who gave such good example. One day he said to Dorothy: "Tell me what has made you so good ?" "Father," she meekly answered, "I am not good, but I would like very much to be good, and I am trying very hard to be good. "When I was in the convent, one of the Sisters' asked me if I wanted to be good. I said: 'Yes Sister, I would like to be very pious.' 'Then,' said she, 'the easiest way to be pious is to take Jesus Christ for your model, and whatever you do, do it to please Him!'

So when I rise in the morning and say my prayers I think I see the Child Jesus rising when His mother called Him. When I am at work I think I see Jesus helping St. Joseph or Mary in the house; and when I am told to do anything I think I see my dear Jesus told by His Blessed Mother to do this or that, and that I see Him doing it immediately.' "But my child," said the priest, "when people were speaking against you, and calling you a hypocrite, did you not feel angry with them?" "Ah, dear Father," she replied, "that was a heavy cross; but the Sisters had told me that I would have many crosses to bear if I wanted to be good, so when I heard the falsehoods they were telling about me, and the names they called me, I remembered how the Jews called Jesus names and He said nothing, but only prayed to God for their forgiveness. So I did the same." "Then you do sometimes find it difficult to be good?" "Ah, yes, Father, sometimes I am very much tempted, and sometimes I become so very sad and weary that I often think that it is no use trying to be good. But then I remember that Jesus Himself was sometimes weary and sad, especially that time when He saw so many people turning their backs upon Him and leaving Him. Then I think Him saying to me: 'And you my daughter, are you also going to leave me? Surely you will not sin against me after I have been so good to you ?'
"Then I say, 'No, my God, I will never leave Thee. To whom should I go if I left Thee? I will love Thee in weariness as well as in joy till I die; but O my God, help me." "My dear child," said the priest, "you have learned your lesson well, and what is far better, you know how to practice it. Go on as you are doing, fight the good fight and you will have gained much merit for heaven."
What is better than to take Jesus as our model and do everything as Dorothy did for His sake? As long as we are in this world we must fight against sin and our own evil inclinations, and if we do that we shall one day see God in heaven; that is what is meant by the good fight.

The thought of the joys of heaven should encourage us in all our toil and sufferings. Say frequently: it is good to be in heaven. With this maxim on our lips and in our hearts we will be brave enough to toil and suffer and finally merit heaven.
 
Source: Story Sermonettes for the Children's Mass, Imprimatur 1921


 

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Catechism Stories with Comprehension Questions

2/12/2021

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I came across some beautiful Catechism stories with Questions from a book titled, "Catholic Education Series."  It has an imprimatur of 1908. I made files of them to share with my children during Holy Week as the stories pertain to that time in the Life of Christ.  There are comprehension questions after each lesson that I made worksheets out of as well.  Feel free to print them and use them for your family.  I wish that I had the whole set of these.  They are lovely.
lenten_catechism.docx
File Size: 68 kb
File Type: docx
Download File
lenten_catechism_worksheets.docx
File Size: 22 kb
File Type: docx
Download File
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A Blessed Ash Wednesday - Lenten Printables to Share

2/12/2021

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We would like to share a couple of printables that we use each Lent to help us keep on track.  The child can either mark off each day as it passes or place one of the Sacred Heart stickers on their cross in the appropriate spot.

May you all have a blessed and fruitful Lent.
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my_lenten_cross.pdf
File Size: 232 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
sacred_heart_stickers.pdf
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
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Lent is Just Around the Corner - Sharing a few Lenten Projects Below

2/12/2021

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With Ash Wednesday fast approaching I thought I would share with you some of our past posts with  Lenten printables you may find useful.  May you all have a blessed and fruitful Lenten Season!

My Lenten Cross Printable

Stations of the Cross and Stabat Mater printing book.

Station of the Cross and Stabat Mater handwriting book.

Prayer for Everyday of Lent printing practice.

Prayer for Everyday of Lent handwriting practice.
 
Stations of the Cross Coloring Book.


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Lenten Lapbook and Tutorial

2/12/2021

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Sharing our Lenten Lapbook again for those who have asked for it. 
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Sacrifice after Sacrifice, Prayer by Prayer,
The day of our Redemption
will soon be here.

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As we prepare for Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday we thought we would share a tutorial on piecing together our Lenten Lapbook. At the bottom of this post are the files for the lapbook. Just below is a tutorial on making a single copy of the lapbook.  Thank you to my dear friend CeAnne for making this tutorial for us its beyond my ability.

What you will need:
 - 16 Sheets of Cardstock (regular paper will do if that is what is to be had)
- 2 sheets of Address Labels (We used Avery's 1" x 2 5/8" #8160)
Again if all that is had is card stock or plain paper, use scissors and glue to accommodate.
- 1 or 2 purple file folders (any purple will do,we used this box so that we could use the other colors for things such as blue in May for our Blessed Mother, but these or these over on Amazon will work too.  (And no I'm not an affiliate ;) )
- A color printer (black will do too, just color items in by hand)
- Scissors
- Glue
- 1 sandwich bag that seals
-Stapler
-Small piece of purple ribbon or string
-Willing hands and a Lenten spirit!

Start by Printing and Prepping Your Pieces

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Please note: When printing, check your printer settings. All printers are different, but on mine the default is not set to a specific printer. In my print screen, I have to open the page setup, select my printer. If I print without doing this the size of the image on the paper is not right. Its very important when printing on the address labels that this is done right. 

Print Your Cover - There are two Choices

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1.) Print one of the two Lenten Lapbook covers, for EACH of the Lapbooks you plan on making. Carefuly and slowly color the picture of Our Lord that you chose. Cut out along the edges of the image. 

Print the History of Lent and All for Jesus Booklets

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2.) Print the History of Lent and All for Jesus Booklets, in color, double sided.  Cut along the outside edge of both books, DO NOT CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE (insert mother voice here to children… may need to be repeated, or maybe tri-peated? ;) ) Fold down the middle of each booklet. Either at this point or once your lapbook is put together, read with your child the History of Lent. Then fill out the All for Jesus Book with things that your child plans on doing more of and things that your child will plan on doing less of during Lent. Set aside these books as we will put the lapbook together once all the elements are ready to go.

Print the Countdown Cross

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3.) Print one copy, per lapbook you are making, of the Lenten Countdown Cross. Print in Color, single sided on card stock (if you are using card stock). Cut on the outside edge of the cross. DO NOT (in mother voice again) cut the lines inside the cross. Set aside for later.

Print the Holy Week Matchbox Booklets

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4.) Print the Holy Week Matchbox Booklets AND the Passion Sunday File (with other pieces),   2 sided, in color. Cut each piece out around the outside bounding box. Set aside for later.

Print the Stations Pocket & Resurrection Flip Book

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5.) Print out the Stations Pocket and Resurrection flap book. Single sided, in color. Cut along the outside edges, do not cut the lines inside the book. 

If you want color the outside flaps of the Resurrection Flip book yellow and write He has Risen! On one flap. Using the picture of the Resurrection (printed in the step above), glue it to the inside square of the flap book. Fold the sides in starting with the top flap, then counter clock-wise. The last flap gets tucked under the first to hold it closed. For th e Stations pocket, fold the large flap back on the line then fold in the side flaps. Glue the back of the side flaps to the back flap to make a pocket.5.) Print out the Stations Pocket and Resurrection flap book. Single sided, in color. Cut along the outside edges, do not cut the lines inside the book. 

Print the Stations of the Cross

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7.) Print the Stations of the Cross. Cut to fit the pocket that was printed above, so that they are all similar in size making sure not to cut off any words or parts of the picture. We have one child that was able to do this fine and the other I drew lines around with a ruler and blue pen to give him some guides. If you wish, lovingly, reverently, while meditating on each picture, color the pictures of Our Lord's Way of the Cross. 

Now Print your Stickers

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8.) Print the Sacred Heart and Flower Stickers on the address labels. Make sure to check your printer settings (see above). Print single sided in color. Cut down each set of 5 (with the Avery labels there is a non sticker gutter there) and then cut down each row. Store in a plastic bag. The Sacred Heart Stickers will be used to count down the days of Lent with on the count down cross. The flowers are placed on the Crown of Thorns for every good deed and sacrifice the child does so that by Easter they have turned the Crown of Thorns into a wreath of flowers for Jesus.

Putting it All Together! Lets start with folding the folder!

First open your file folder like a book….

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Next, fold the right side to the middle of the folder...

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Once you have folded the right side in it will look like this...

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Now fold the other side so that it lines up with the cut of the side you just folded.

When you get it folded it will look like this, divided into 4 sections. Since that branding mark was showing inside our folder, I turned it over and creased the folds in the opposite direction.
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Time to start placing the pieces in their new home….

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Glue HALF of your cover piece to the left side, of the front of your file folder.
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Glue the Crown of Thorns to the lower right of the cross. The middle of the Crown will have the crease of the folder behind it, that is ok, it will fold with the folder.
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Open your folder like a book and glue your Lenten Cross Count Down in the center.
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Add the History of Lent Book to the left top side of the folder. Glue the All for Jesus book to the top right of the folder. 
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Fold your Holy Week Match Books: Fold the picture part at the line over the text. For the two small ones that will be the only step, just folding them in half.
If the matchbook is longer, fold UP the bottom part under the picture part.
Glue in your lapbook in order (Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday, Maunday Thursday, Black Friday and Holy Saturday) placing the glue on the back part which should be white allowing the book to still open. 
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Glue the back of the Stations of the Cross pocket to the lower left hand corner. Glue the Prayer in Commemoration of Our Lord's Passion between the Crown of Thorns and All for Jesus book. To the back of the folder staple the bag at the top between the seal of the bag on only the BACK side of the seal. Then place your stickers inside and this will allow you to seal and re-seal the bag while keeping the stickers with the lapbook for the next 40 days.
Punch a hole in the flap of the front cover and also in the side of the file folder just opposite. Tie a ribbon or string in a bow to secure the lapbook closed. Write My Lenten Lapbook and place authors name on it.

Enjoy using your lapbook throughout Lent to encourage sacrifices, to teach children to forget themselves and think of others and also to pray to Our Dear Lord.

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Your Cross

2/1/2021

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                                              YOUR CROSS

The everlasting God has in His wisdom forseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost Heart.

This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His Divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you.  He has blessed it with His holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from Heaven, a special greeting from  God to you, an alms of the all-merciful  love of God.

                                                                 ~ St. Francis de Sales
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Firmness of Faith

1/11/2021

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To be firm in faith is not to be easily shaken and turned aside from what it teaches. Many Catholics live in what may be called an un-Catholic atmosphere. What they hear said around them and what they read are things fitted to make them forget the teachings of their faith, or worse still to make them distrustful of their true Mother the Church. Thus the practice of their faith grows weak, though in theory they remain Catholics. When they judge of things or come to a decision in regard to acting this way or that, it does not occur to them that the Catholic faith should be their guide.

Now, Faith is God's great gift to man, on which depending and by which acting man may rise above the things that are and may lay hold of the things that are to be, in the better world.

It is the "substance of things to be hoped for and the evidence of things that appear not."
This does not mean that reason's work is useless, but rather that divine faith is neither its outcome nor its conclusion. Reason examines the evidence upon which a revelation is guaranteed as coming from God and when that is found to be sufficient, the understanding aided by a good will accepts the doctrine revealed, however impenetrable to the glance of reason, solely on the authority of God revealing it. [Such as the article of Faith which must be believed: One-Holy-Catholic-Apostolic]

Thus faith is a submission, an obedience, a captivity. Thus, also, we find our Blessed Lord demanding the simplicity of "little children" from those whom He invited to enter His Kingdom. It is true He gave proofs of His Mission, of His Divinity, but whenever proposed His doctrine as a matter of discussion: He taught like a master, "like one having authority," and demanded obedience.

When, therefore, we pray for firmness of faith we pray for the subduing of pride, of wilfulness, of prejudice, and for an increase of childlike simplicity and trustfulness — in order that God's revelation may shine with full clearness upon the mind and hold the
understanding and will in firm adhesion to its truth.

Messenger of the Sacred Heart ~ February 1891

                                                         The Victims of Sensuality

EVERY man has two lives: one of the senses, to eat, drink, play and enjoy, and with this he begins as a child; the other of reason, to understand his duty in life and to live up to it, uprightly and honorably, facing difficulties and keeping at peace with God and man, and, since reason is Christian, to lead the life of faith, which is that of the Saints. Some men remain children always in their love of the life of the senses; and as this is against reason, they become unreasonable, and as it is against the law of God, which faith teaches, they become filled with sensual sins. All their thoughts go out to gratifying their appetites.

There is a grave reason why sins of sensuality are become more frequent in our day. It is easy to travel and see all sides of life; and the newspapers bring to everyone's door the knowledge and frequent thought of sins that St. Paul says are not even to be named among Christians. Then comfort is now considered a necessity, and luxuries are easily obtained, while Christian mortification is little thought of. The pride and independence of life, to which men are trained from their youth up, prepare the soul for gross sins. For only the humble fear of God is the beginning and lesson and root of wisdom, even all wisdom itself.

Yet the heart of the sensual man is still open to God's grace, and grace is given to prayer. Sensuality, it is true, hardens, but the soul wearies of its slavery; and the thought of death, when the senses shall rot away in corruption, gives a loathing for the unreasonable and un-Christian life of sin. That these thoughts, and the grace of purity given by God, may have their due effect among the poor victims of sensuality.  If any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God Who giveth to all men abundantly? Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God?

Messenger of the Sacred Heart ~ In the year of Our Lord 1891

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Catholic Family Calendar for the Year of Our Lord 2021

12/7/2020

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Every year I make a Catholic Calendar for our family.  You may view and or print the FREE PDF file below. PLEASE NOTE:  This is not an official calendar of the Catholic Church. It was put together by a lay person for her own family using the Saint Andrew Daily Missal, Imprimatur 1951.  All meditations taken from: Whom the Lord Loveth,” Imprimatur 1919
 

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Prayers for the Advent Wreath

11/29/2020

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Below is a printable file for the Advent prayers we say during Advent when lighting our wreath at dinner.
advent_prayers.pdf
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Prayers for Our Country

11/16/2020

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Dear Readers,

As you probably know our country is in turmoil and we are afraid of things that may be coming.  There are many instances throughout history that evil has been subverted through the intercession of the blessed Virgin and her most holy Rosary.  Please add the good of our country to your Rosary intentions.  Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us! May God's will be done. 

In the Sacred Hearts of our Lord and Lady,
The Willson Family
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Christmas Customs

11/16/2020

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We should strive ever to emphasize the fact that Christmas is the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The greeting cards we send at the holy season should be a manifestation of our Catholic family, season, and a reminder to them that we are praying that they may know Christ more intimately and love Him more ardently. Your cards to non-Christian friends may be a means of causing them to make inquires in regard to the real meaning of Christmas.

Christmas derives its name, "Christ's mass," from the Mass offered in honor of the Birth of Christ. Its early English form was written as "Christes Maesse," and in the course of  the change of the English language it eventually became Christmas. In the earliest days of the Church this feast did not exist. Greater stress was placed on the Feast of the Epiphany, because it commemorates the day on which our Saviour was made known to the Gentiles, when the Wise Men came to adore Him. The Feast of the Nativity came gradually into existence in the fourth century. Its first mention is made by the great Christian writer, Clement of Alexandria, about the year 200, and shows that it was celebrated on May 20. About the year 300, the Latin Church began to observe it on December 25, because an ancient tradition assigns that day as the probable date of the Birth of our Saviour.

Love of the Babe of Bethlehem, who was born to redeem us, caused Catholics, in centuries long gone by, to introduce into our churches a representation of the crib, the Divine babe, the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and the shepherds. St. Francis of Assisi deserves the credit of making this practice popular. His zeal prompted him to place at Graccio a representation of the cave of Bethlehem. His plan permitted the Faithful vividly to grasp the story of Bethlehem and to realize the poverty and suffering of our Saviour in the bleak, cold stable where He was born. The plan has spread to churches in all parts of the world.

On the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, it is customary to put the statues of the Wise Men beside the crib. In the early Church, this feast was celebrated with great solemnity because it was the day on which our Saviour was made known to those who were not of Israel. In the fourth century, the Feast of the Nativity came into its own and was given first importance, though in many Catholic countries the custom exists of giving all Christmas presents on the Feast of the Epiphany, since on that day the Wise Men brought gifts to our Saviour.

The Christmas tree is of recent origin. It represents for us the Tree of the Cross. Bethlehem and Calvary are ever associated together in our Christian thoughts, for Christ was born to die on the Tree of Ignominy and thus redeem a sinful world. The lights placed upon the Christmas tree have for us a symbolical meaning. They portray the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

Our modern Santa Claus, a crude, ridiculous figure, can be traced back to that gentle lover of children - St. Nicholas. This Saint's feast is celebrated on December 6, and parents and friends gave children presents on that day. The Dutch settlers in New York brought this custom with them to the New World, and the giving of presents on December 6 and on Christmas Day became somewhat confused. St. Nicholas was contracted into "Santa Claus" and, with the increasing pagan idea of the Yuletide, became the rollicking, bewhiskered figure so alien to the true Christmas spirit.

Let our children look to the Christ Child for their Christmas presents. There is no need of deception here, and of shattering childish faith. The Christ Child exists; He loves the little ones and He wishes them to love Him. We have no use in a Catholic home for the fraudulent Santa Claus and the pagan Christmas he now symbolizes. Let the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ be for young and old a day of spiritual joy and of close union with the Saviour whom we love.

Source: Could You Explain Catholic Practices, Imprimatur 1937

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All Saints Day - Raise Your Eyes to Heaven

11/1/2020

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On this glorious day the Church opens to our view the gates of heaven, in order to show us the great number of her children who there enjoy the eternal reward of a good life.

There we see the prophets of God, who were faithful to His word; the Apostles who fearlessly preached the word of God all over the world; the holy martyrs who shed their blood and gave their lives for the truth; the confessors who not only in word but in deed practiced virtue; the beautiful virgins who preserved their purity. There we will see saints in every condition of life, from every calling: the young, the old, the rich, the poor, and so great is their number that they cannot be counted. They are clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands, and standing around the throne of God they sing celestial hymns. What a great happiness to celebrate this day in heaven! Will it not be a great joy for us one day to be in paradise, there with the angels and saints to sing the praises of God!

St. Francis heard an angel play on a harp, and he was so enchanted by it that he lost all knowledge of time and forgot where he was. On this earth there are continual trials, but in heaven with the angels and saints we have nothing more to suffer; we shall have the same riches as God, and be glad with His gladness.

"And thus we shall always be with the Lord." consoling thought! Shall we all who are on this earth be in heaven? will no one be excluded? Is it possible that any of my young friends will be excluded from heaven?

Perhaps not a few will meet with that fate; for those only shall possess the kingdom of God who have imitated the lives of the saints: those who have faithfully served God, who have lived a good life, who have not sullied their souls by great sins, or if they have committed any, have repented of them.

Those will go to heaven who have observed the law of God exactly and have done much good. Raise your eyes to heaven. My dear young people, and see those who are there and what they have done. The Apostles who consecrated themselves to the service of religion, and labored incessantly to spread the Gospel over all the world; the martyrs, who were real soldiers in resisting the tyrants in their attempts to make them give up the faith; repentant sinners, who punished their bodies for their sensuality; old men who were faithful to the end of a long life; young men and women who early in life opened their ears to the voice of God, and followed the teaching of Christ; boys and girls, who merited heaven for having pleased the Master of heaven and earth by their beautiful lives and deaths. My dear young friends, how ashamed we ought to be when we read of so many great examples of holy lives while we do so very little, and still expect to get to heaven! These saints avoided sins and even imperfections; and rather than do anything to offend God, they preferred to suffer the most horrible torments. On the occasion of sin, did you say, "I will not commit it?" When you were with a companion who used bad language, did you say to him, "Be silent," or go away from him?

The saints prayed day and night; they did not content themselves with such short prayers as we say. We do not love prayer, we omit it on any excuse. Some of the saints were sinners at one time, but by the grace of God they rose from their fall, and performed the most severe penances until the hour of their death. Once a great sinner went to confession to St. Vincent de Paul. After hearing him the saint gave him a penance for seven years. As the man was really penitent, this did not dismay him; he thought it rather a
small punishment for such grievous faults. "Father," said he, "do you think I can save my soul by doing so small a penance?" "Yes," said the saint. "Fast on bread and water three times a week for these years." The sinner wept bitterly, and thanked God he had obtained pardon so easily. Seeing the sincerity and depth of the man's sorrow the saint remitted the penance and told him to recite three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys. The penitent had scarcely finished his penance when he fell dead at the saint's feet. Afterwards he appeared to St. Vincent and told him that his penance had been accepted by God as sufficient, and that he even did not have to pass through purgatory, because God had taken his real sorrow as full atonement for his sins. We frequently have great difficulty in disclosing our sins; shame, not sorrow, often closes our mouths. The saints did not shrink from suffering as we do; with us the least trouble is a great trial we prefer, come what may, a pleasant life.

The saints looked upon this life as a pilgrimage to their fatherland; they yearned for heaven. Everything in this world disgusted them, while we are attached to the world and its vanities. "We have no longing for heaven, we would live here forever if it were possible. Heaven requires violence and exertion; cowards and lazy people will not get there; if you continue to live in this manner, you will never be saints in heaven. St. Augustine says if you do not do all in your power to imitate the lives of the saints you shall not have a share in their happiness. On this day, then, let us make a firm resolution to imitate the saints, to detest sin, to practice virtue and to do all the good we can. Pray to the saints, and especially to your patrons, that they may intercede for you before Our Lord until you shall have arrived safely in heaven.

Pray also to the Queen of all saints, the most holy Mary, that she, too, may interest herself in your spiritual welfare that you may begin now to work out your salvation and persevere in this work until the end.

"Queen of all saints, pray for us."

Sermons for Children's Masses, Imprimatur 1900
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17th Sunday after Pentecost -        Instruction on the One and Only Saving Faith

9/27/2020

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 Taken from:  “EXPLANATION of the EPISTLES  and GOSPELS  for the SUNDAYS, HOLYDAYS, and FESTIVALS throughout  THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR”  By: Rev. Leonard Goffine, Imprimatur 1918           

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all." (Ephes. iv. 5. 6.)

THESE words of the great Apostle of the Gentiles show clearly, that it is not a matter of indifference, what faith or religion we profess. Yet in our times so poor in faith, we often hear the assertion from so-called enlightened men: "It is all the same to what religion we belong, we can be saved in any, if we only believe in God and live uprightly." This assertion is impious! Consider, my dear Christian, there is but one God, and this one God has sent only one Redeemer, and this one Redeemer has preached but one doctrine, and has established but one Church. Had God wished that there should be more than one Church, then Christ would have founded them, nay, He would not have preached a new doctrine, established a new, Christian Church; for the Jews also believed in one God. But Jesus cast aside Paganism and Judaism, promulgated a new religion, and founded a new Church. Nowhere does He speak of Churches, but always of one Church. He says that we must hear this Church, and does not add, that if we will not hear this Church, we may hear some other. He speaks of only one shepherd, one flock, and one fold, into which all men are to be brought. In the same manner He speaks always of one kingdom upon earth, just as there is only one kingdom in heaven; of only one master of the house and one family, of one field and one vineyard, whereby He referred to His Church; of one rock, upon which He would build His Church. On the day before His death, He prayed fervently to His Heavenly Father, that all who believe in Him, might be and remain one, as He and the Father are one, and He gave His disciples the express command to preach His gospel to all nations, and to teach them all things, whatsoever He had commanded them. This command the apostles carried out exactly. Everywhere they preached, one and the same doctrine, establishing in all places Christian communities; which were all united by the bond of the same faith. Their principal care was to prevent schisms in faith, they warned the faithful against heresy, commanded all originators of such to be avoided, and anathematized those who preached a gospel different from theirs. As the apostles, so did their successors. All the holy Fathers speak with burning love of the necessary Unity of faith, and deny those all claim to salvation who remain knowingly in schism and separation from the true Church of Christ.
    Learn hence, dear Christian, that there can be but one true Church; if there is but one true Church, it naturally follows that in her alone salvation can be obtained, and the assertion that we can be saved by professing any creed, is false and impious. Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, speaks of but one Church, which we must hear, if we wish to be saved. He who does not hear the Church, He says, should be considered as a heathen and publican. He speaks furthermore of one fold, and He promises eternal life only to those sheep who belong to this fold, obey the voice of the shepherd and feed in His pasture. The apostles were also convinced that only the one, true Church could guide us to salvation. Without faith it is impossible to please God, writes St. Paul to the Hebrews, (xi. 6.) and this faith is only one, he teaches the Ephesians. (iv. 5.) If the apostles had believed that we could be saved in any religion, they would certainly not have contended so strenuously for unity, they would not have declared so solemnly, that we should not belong to any other than to Christ alone, and that we must receive and obey His doctrine. As the apostles taught so did their successors and all the Fathers agree that there is no salvation outside of the true Church. St. Cyprian writes: "If any one outside Noah's ark could find safety, then also will one outside the Church find salvation." (De unit. eccl. c. 7.) From all this it follows, that there is only one true Church which insures salvation, out of which no one can be saved.
    But which is this Church ? The Roman Catholic, Apostolic Church, for she alone was founded by Christ, she alone was watered with the blood of the apostles and of thousands of holy martyrs, she alone has the marks of the true Church of Christ, [see the Instruction for the first Sunday after Easter] against which He has promised that the powers of hell shall not prevail. Those who fell away from the Church three hundred years ago, do, indeed, contend that the Church fell into error and no longer possessed the true, pure gospel of Jesus. Were they right, Jesus might be blamed, for He established this Church, promising to remain with her and guide her through the Holy Ghost until the end of the world. He would, therefore, have broken His word, or He was not powerful enough to keep it. But who dare say this? On the contrary, she has existed for eighteen hundred years, whilst the greatest and most powerful kingdoms have been overthrown, and the firmest thrones crumbled away. If she were not the only true and saving Church, founded by Christ, how could she have existed so long, since Jesus Himself said: Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (Matt. xv. 13.) If she were not the Church of Christ, she would have been destroyed long ago, but she still stands today, whilst her enemies who battled against her have disappeared, and will continue to disappear; for the gates of hell shall not prevail against her, says our Lord. He has kept His promise and will keep it, notwithstanding all the oppositions and calumnies of her implacable enemies.
    You see, therefore, my dear Christian, that the Catholic Church is the only true, the only saving Church; be not deceived by those who are neither cold nor warm, and who say: "We can be saved in any religion, if we only believe in God and live uprightly," and who wish to rob you of your holy faith, and precipitate you into the sea of doubt, error, and falsehood. Outside of the Catholic Church there is no salvation; hold this firmly, for it is the teaching of Jesus, His apostles, and all the Fathers; for this doctrine the apostles and a countless host of the faithful have shed their blood. Obey the teaching of this Church, follow her laws, make use of her help and assistance, and often raise your hands and heart to heaven to thank God for the priceless grace of belonging to this one, true Church; forget not to pray for your erring brethren, who are still outside of the Church that the Lord may lead them into her, that His promise may be fulfilled: THERE WILL BE ONE FOLD AND ONE SHEPHERD!
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