A Child's True Story of Jesus 2 sample pages by St. Augustine Academy Press

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o A Child'sp

True Story of Jesus ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC CFGh G G G G G G HC Book 2

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ed b ya

m do

ister an s c i in

o e d i t e d byp

Lisa Bergman owith Add

i t i o n a l T e x t by p

Mother Mary Loyola Rev. Joseph A. Dunney oand ne

w i l l u s t r at i o n s by p

Sam Estrada

2018

St. Augustine Academy Press ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Homer Glen, Illinois

Nihil Obstat: William H. Agnew, S.J. Censor Deputatus Imprimatur: George Cardinal Mundelein Archbishop of Chicago May 11, 1928 Dedication To all the children into whose hands this little book may fall, with the hope that it may help each one of them towards the love of Him who said: “Of Such Is The Kingdom of Heaven.”

ISBN: 978-1-64051-067-8 This book was originally published in 1928 by Lawdale Publishing House. This new revised edition ©2018 by St. Augustine Academy Press. Illustrations ©2018 by Sam Estrada. This newly edited edition of A Child’s True Story of Jesus has been altered slightly from its original format. Besides the addition of decorative features, the following elements were modified: 1. The original illustrations have been retained in most instances, but have been converted to black and white line drawings to allow for coloring by the student. 2. Several illustrations and captions were added from Book 1. Student summary text was composed to accompany these. 3. Three additional episodes in the Life of Our Lord were also added: The Miracle at Cana, The Baptism in the Jordan, and the Institution of the Eucharist. Text was composed for these and illustrations added. 4. The original captions for the illustrations were retained as-is, but have been presented as handwriting practice. 5. All original student summary text has been retained as-is, with the exception of that for the Annunciation, which was split in two to allow for the addition of the Visitation. 6. Instructions for the intended use of this activity book were not provided in the original book; research in contemporary education journals was referred to in order to rebuild as closely as possible the intended method. 7. No teacher narration was provided in the original book, nor has any teacher’s manual been discovered; portions of text from the following public domain sources were therefore incorporated to make this task simpler for the teacher: • By Mother Mary Loyola: Jesus of Nazareth: The Story of His Life Written for Children, First Communion, First Confession, The Soldier of Christ, and Hail! Full of Grace. • By Rev. Joseph A. Dunney: The Mass for Boys and Girls. 8. Priority has been given to ease of use and correspondence with the original student summary text, while also providing an appropriate length and level of detail for each narration; for this reason, standard practice for citation of excerpted passages from the sources listed above has been laid aside. Portions may have been removed or replaced with a brief paraphrase, without indicating the cuts with ellipses. Excerpts from more than one source were also sometimes combined without indication.

InTRoDUCTIon abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h To the Little One Who Uses This Book: c Chicago, Illinois h June 4, 1928 h c My dear little Child: c From this little book, you will learn all about our h Lord and His Blessed Mother. You will also h c dear learn some beautiful lessons about the angels. God c sent angels to tell the good shepherds about the birth h of the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. An Angel watched c the Infant Jesus when He was a little Child like you. h c Your angel takes care of you, too. h I know you want to please Jesus. He will be c happy, h if you never miss going to Mass. The mass will help you follow what the priest is doing h c pictures and the little prayers will help you to think better. c When you are praying for your dear ones, be sure to h Jesus to help others to know Him better. Pray c ask h that He may have more workers to help Him. Jesus c loves little children so much that He will give them h everthing they ask for. c I know that you will enjoy your lessons about our h c dear Lord. Learn them well. They will bring you to h heaven some day. c h Your friend, c h c h c h eggggggggggggf Rev. Daniel F. Cunningham Superintendent of Schools

iii

For Teachers and Parents

ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC A and young children’s attention spans meant that some abridgement of the source texts was unavoidable. As the intent was not scholarly but rather to provide a flowing narrative that fit with the existing student summary text, we freely excerpted material without attempting to make clear where cuts were made, or where phrases were adapted to bridge gaps. In addition, we sometimes used material from more than one source in a single lesson. We hope that the final product excuses itself in its ease of use. We further took the liberty of adding several of the illustrations and captions from the first volume in the series. This added several more episodes in the Life of Our Lord, while also requiring some rearrangement in the existing order of the lessons. We then added three important stories that had been left out: The Baptism in the Jordan, The Miracle at Cana (both being parts of the Epiphany) and the Institution of the Eucharist. Our final modification to this activity book was to add two further opportunities for the child to work in each lesson. We introduced some handwriting practice on the left hand pages, where the caption for each picture is found; and we created line drawings from all of the original illustrations, so that the child could color these before pasting them in the book. One final note: if for any reason the instructor wishes to substitute alternate, perhaps briefer, narratives in place of those provided, this is of course perfectly acceptable; sources we highly recommend for this purpose are The Life of My Savior, edited by Edward A Fitzpatrick, reading directly from the Gospels, or simply reciting the various stories from memory. In Christ, Lisa Bergman St. Augustine Academy Press August 2018

Child’s True Story of Jesus was first published in 1928 as an activity book for young children. It was intended to utilize a method of instruction then in vogue called Arbeitsprinzip, which means “learning by doing.” Here they used a “Story Picture Method,” in which the instructor reads a story to the child to first engage the attention and imagination. Then a picture illustrating the story is shown, and the child is invited to use the picture to help retell the story in his or her own words. Lastly, a simplified version of the story on strips of gummed paper were assembled on the child’s desk. When the teacher had approved the arrangement, it was to be pasted into the book. We were fortunate enough to obtain an unused copy of this second volume in the series, which had all of the illustrations and gummed story strips in a pouch in the back of the book. However, if a teacher’s manual was ever published to provide the instructor with the necessary directions and narratives, no copy— nor even any record of it—survives. Thus, while we had the crucial parts for the child, it was necessary to supply the structure, as well as some sort of narrative, for the teacher. Research in contemporary education journals helped us recover the instructions above, and we found an ideal source for the narrative portion in the many books for children by Mother Mary Loyola, in particular Jesus of Nazareth, First Communion, First Confession, The Soldier of Christ and Hail! Full of Grace. Then, for the parts of the Mass, we found an excellent companion source in Rev. Joseph A. Dunney’s The Mass for Boys and Girls. While we typically are very careful never to modify the works we republish, the inherent necessity of using appropriate sources to provide for the missing parts of this book opened the door to some minor adaptation. When constructing the narratives for the teacher, limitations of space

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How to use this book

ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC There are two sections in this book, with 4 different kinds of pages. Here is how they go together:

section one

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for anything. She is quite calm and mistress of herself. Gabriel has told her that her Son shall be the Son of the Most High, that of His Kingdom there shall be no end—and she is not excited or overjoyed. She knows from the prophecies that the Messiah is to be a Man of Sorrows, and that His Mother will have to share His pains—and she is not frightened. All she wants is to know the Will of God. The great Archangel beholds her with profoundest admiration. There is no holiness in heaven to equal this. He thought he knew how far the love of God and forgetfulness of self can go, but the little Maiden of Nazareth has taken him by surprise. He understands now the full meaning of those reverent words which God Himself put upon his lips: “Hail, full of grace!” He bows lower before her—see how low! This is he who in words of majesty rebuked the aged priest of the Temple. But in Mary’s presence, what a difference! He speaks to her as to one far above him; he waits while she ponders what he has said; he solves her doubts; he waits for her reply. When at length she is satisfied that it is God’s Will she should be the Mother of the Messiah, and that He wants her consent, thinking neither of the dignity nor of the pain this will bring upon her, she bows her head and says: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word.”

An Angel COmes TO mAry

et us go back now to that night in March and see Mary kneeling in her little room in prayer. See! See! in the midst of a dazzling light, not of this world, an Angel stands before her. He comes near, and, kneeling, salutes her: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women!” What glorious praise, and from one so high and holy! For this is Gabriel, one of the seven who stand before God. How will she answer him? There is no answer. A blush, a troubled look is on her beautiful face as she thinks within herself what manner of salutation this may be. She knows we cannot always trust those who speak to us in words of praise, and surely such words as these are not for her. Is this a messenger from God? She will be silent till he speaks again. The Angel sees her trouble and says: “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” See her listening, coming to understand that she, the little handmaid of the Lord, is to be the Mother of the Messiah. Does she break forth into words of thanksgiving and praise? No, she has a question to ask, for she is not sure yet what God wants. Long ago she promised to belong only to Him, to be His little handmaid or servant all her life. She does not know if she can do this and be the Mother of the Messiah as well, and she will not break her promise to God

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abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h Hail Mary, c h c h Full of Grace c h eggggggggggggf

And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us.

And the Angel returned to God who sent him; and all Heaven was made glad that night.

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1. lesson pages

These are meant to be read aloud by a teacher, parent or other friend. Sometimes the lesson comes before the activity page, and sometimes it comes after.

4. activity pages

After hearing the lesson, it is time to find the picture that matches it in Section Two. Now retell the story in your own words using the picture to help you!

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abbbbbbbbbbbbd Lesson 1 c h c h An Angel Comes to Mary c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h eggggggggggggf

Here you will paste the picture and the story that go with the lesson you heard.

section two

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2 2

saying, “Blessed art thou amongst

God to help her. God sent an angel

women, and blessed is the fruit of

to Mary. The angel told Mary that

thy womb.”

God would send her a little Son.

Jesus wants us to ask Mary to help

This is why we say the “Hail Mary.”

us. We say: “Holy Mary, Mother of

The angel said: “Hail Mary, full of

God, pray for us sinners, now and

grace! the Lord is with thee."

at the hour of our death. Amen.”

Mary went to visit her cousin,

Joseph was kind to Mary. He wanted

Elizabeth. Elizabeth was happy

to find her a place to rest for the

to see Mary. She greeted Mary by

night. God sent an angel from heaven

Mary was praying. She was asking

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2. picture pages

 3. story pages ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC You can cut out the picture that matches the story, color it, then paste it on the activity page.

These retell the lesson you have heard. You can cut these out and paste them with the picture.

abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h Hail Mary, c h c h Full of Grace c h eggggggggggggf 2

abbbbbbbbbbbbd Lesson 1 c h c h An Angel Comes to Mary c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h eggggggggggggf 3

ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 1 L

An angel COmes To Mary

And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us. And the Angel returned to God who sent him; and all Heaven was made glad that night.

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ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 2 that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear Him. He hath shewed might in His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.” Mary understood what “great things” God had done for her—things so great that all generations should call her blessed. But all the glory was His. Of herself she was nothing, and had nothing. She rejoiced in God her Saviour as we do, only more, because He had done more for her. She magnified the Lord as we should do, because He had looked down on the humility, that is, the littleness of His handmaid. For three months Mary stayed with her cousin, and all that time God’s richest blessings were poured out upon the family of Zachary, because of her presence there. At the first sound of her voice the Holy Ghost had so inspired Elizabeth that she reechoed Gabriel’s words: “Blessed art thou among women,” adding to them the praise of Mary’s Son: “Blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” When we repeat these words in the Hail Mary, it will help us to remember the reverence with which they were said by an Archangel and a saint at the feet of her whom Elizabeth called “the Mother of my Lord.”

The Mother of Jesus Visits Her Cousin, St. Elizabeth

ary had a cousin, Elizabeth, and she thought it would be kind to go to AinKarim to visit her relatives and make herself useful in the house. And so she set off in haste on her long journey. No one, not even Joseph whom she loved so tenderly, had been told of Gabriel’s visit, for Mary disliked notice as much as some young girls seek it, and she was afraid of honour and praise. We are not told whether she went alone, but it is most unlikely. If Joseph did not go with her, she probably joined some of her relatives who were on their way to the Holy City. At last she came upon the rising ground of Judea, and, climbing the rugged side of a mountain, found herself at the door of Zachary’s home. Elizabeth was standing on the threshold as if expecting someone. Mary hastened towards her, and saluted her with loving words. But what was her surprise when the aged woman, instead of returning her embrace, sank on her knees and cried out: “Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” Her secret, then, was known. God, Himself, must have told Elizabeth. Mary’s heart was full—full to overflowing. She could not keep back its burst of joy and praise: “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” she said, “and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He

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abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h Blessed art thou c h c h among women. c h eggggggggggggf 6

abbbbbbbbbbbbd Lesson 2 c h c h The Mother of Jesus c h Visits Her Cousin, St. Elizabeth c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h eggggggggggggf 7

abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c The Angel Takes Care h c of Mary and Joseph h c h eggggggggggggf 8

abbbbbbbbbbbbd Lesson 3 c h c h Angels Care for Joseph and Mary c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h eggggggggggggf 9

ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 3 Up and down the streets they wandered that bitter night. No one would take her in. Joseph’s tearful eyes looked up into her face. She was utterly worn out, but the smile on her lips told of a peace within that no trouble of this world could disturb. What was he to do? It was no use trying any more. He brushed his sleeve across his eyes and led the ass carefully down the hill again. It was quite dark now, and he had to hold his lantern low to keep a safe footing. A little way out of Bethlehem a cave in a chalk hill opened upon the road. He said to Mary: “Let us go in here.” The cave narrowed into an inner and smaller one, which seemed to be used as a stable, for an ox was there standing over a manger. They went in. Mary dismounted and knelt down in a corner to pray. Joseph hung up his lantern on the damp wall. Its flickering light showed the moisture trickling down on every side, and all the foulness of a neglected Eastern stable. This was the place which from all eternity God had chosen for the birthplace of His only Son. And here at midnight the Son of God was born; the

Angels Care for Joseph and Mary

ne day there was great excitement in the marketplace of Nazareth. A decree had gone out from Rome for the whole world to be enrolled. Augustus Cæsar, the Roman Emperor, who ruled over the greater part of the known world, wanted to find out how many people he governed that he might know the extent of his power, and how much he could tax his subjects. The Jews, who were subject to him, were to go to the city or town which was the home of their ancestors, and there give in their names and take an oath of fidelity to Cæsar. A Roman official went the round of the town, came to the little house at the bottom of the street, found that Joseph was one of the family of David, and ordered him off to Bethlehem, David’s city. Their preparations were soon made; the few things absolutely necessary put together; Mary seated on the ass; the door of the little house fastened behind them; and then Joseph took the bridle in one hand and his staff in the other, and they set out. The two journeyed slowly, and the evening of the fifth day was closing in, when, grey and dim on the hillside, the walls of Bethlehem came in sight. Night was falling as they passed within the walls, but there was light enough to see that it was full—full to overflowing. The better sort had long ago secured all that was to be had in the way of lodging. Poor people like themselves had little chance. Joseph searched diligently everywhere, but to no purpose. Wherever he saw a door open he hastened towards it; he pointed to Mary and held out his hand with the few coins he had left. But all in vain; everywhere the same answer: “No room.”

Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us.

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ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 52 T

The Priest’s Communion

he priest, having said the Agnus Dei, genuflects before the Most Holy, and while rising says:

Inclined, he then gives himself Holy Communion. He receives Jesus into his hearthome where the Lord of Life gladly abides. Gladly, yes. For Our Lord has a yearning, a spoken wish to be with us and stay with us now and forever.

I will take the bread of heaven and will call upon the name of the Lord. What awe, respect and reverence are due the Divine Visitor. No one, not even a saint, is worthy to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. Yet we want Him, need Him, our life craves for Him. And so we run to Him just like the Roman centurion in the Gospel. You remember the incident. “And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented. And Jesus said to him: I will come down and heal him. And the centurion making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thous shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.” (Mt 8:5-8) The priest takes these words of faith and humility out of the mouth of the centurion at Communion time. He holds the two parts of the Host in his left hand, then with his right he thrice strikes his breast and says thrice: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof. Say but the word and my soul shall be healed.

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abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h The Priest Is c h c h Receiving Jesus c h eggggggggggggf 156

abbbbbbbbbbbbd Lesson 52 c h c h The Priestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Communion c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h eggggggggggggf 157

abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c Jesus is Blessing Me h c h c h eggggggggggggf 158

abbbbbbbbbbbbd Lesson 53 c h c h Jesus Is Shown to Me c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h eggggggggggggf 159

ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 53 “I

Jesus Is Shown to Me

f you seek food,” says St. Ambrose, “He is Nourishment.” Yes, we seek food. Our soul, like our body, needs to be refreshed—built up, kept from death, kept in health, strengthened to do its work—by means of food. But on what food can the soul feed? What food has He provided for it Who made it and Who knows all its needs? Himself. He will be the food of the soul. It is not enough to give grace—He must give Himself. Divine Food—Food that is God Himself ! The more we think about it, the more wonderful it is. That He should be true Man, “the Son of Man,” as He loved to call Himself—our Companion, our Friend, our Brother—all this is wonderful. But our Food—who could have believed this to be possible if we had not His own word for it? Food is something beneath us—and that God should be our Food—what a marvel of love! Now the priest shows me the bread that is to be my food, that is God himself. I believe, my God, that You are really present in the Sacred Host I am going to receive— the same Jesus Christ, God and Man, Who was promised in Paradise—and was adored in Bethlehem by the shepherds and the Kings— Who lay in Mary’s lap, and worked in Joseph’s shop—Who went about doing good—and blessed the little children—Who taught from Peter’s boat—and calmed the storm on the Lake—and prayed on the hill-tops for me— Who gave the Twelve their First Communion at the Last Supper—Who died upon the Cross— and rose again—and ascended into Heaven— Who will come again to judge the living and the dead—and Who has come to us meantime in the Blessed Sacrament to prepare our souls for that coming at the Last Day.

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ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 54 “I

The Children’s Communion

f any man shall hear My Voice and open to Me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with Me.” These are the tender words of Jesus in which He speaks of our First Communion—His Communion and ours. He has stood at the door of our hearts and knocked. And we have heard His Voice and opened to Him, and He has come in and supped with us and we with Him. It has been the Supper-room on Mount Sion over again—only my head on His Breast this time instead of John’s, my love to be His joy and His comfort, instead of the love of His youngest there. I to be now the disciple whom Jesus loves. What kind of a welcome have I given Him? There is something very sweet in those words, “I will sup with him and he with Me.” Not dine with him, but “sup.” There is a rest and a stillness, a tender familiarity, and an intimacy of intercourse suggested in that word “sup.” The hour is late; the door closed; the dark world shut out; no noise without breaks the stillness of the little room where the two friends are together; no sound within disturbs their whispered words of confidence and love. They are alone; they may speak freely of their troubles and disappointments; they may tell the secrets that are for each other only. Whatever interests one interests the other; joys and sorrows are shared between them; plans are talked over; difficulties foreseen and provided against. Each feels stronger in the support of the other; help is given freely whenever help is possible, and even when all other help fails, sympathy is unfailing. It is a restful time—there is no need for haste; no duties press; to-morrow’s cares are not yet upon them; to-morrow’s toil has not yet begun. They may enjoy each other’s company; they may

rest in each other’s love. So must it be in the little room of our hearts when our Lord says, “I will come in and sup with him and he with Me.” Oh, let us ask Him earnestly that we may not grieve His Sacred Heart, either by staying away from Him, or by drawing near with careless and unprepared hearts. His Table is always spread for us. We must not stay away. We cannot afford to stay away. Our souls will die if we stay away. He asks us to come to Him. He wants to give Himself to us now, that He may be able to give Himself to us hereafter. Is He to be all eagerness and are we not to be eager at all? Surely not. “Lord, give us always this Bread.” And what does He require of us when we come? One thing only—that we be free from mortal sin. Less than this He could not exact. More we shall surely give Him, but He does not strictly require more. After the Sacrifice of the Mass, Communion is the holiest, the most sublime, the most glorious action we can offer to God in this life. One good Communion can draw down greater graces than all other acts of religion; by one good Communion we can acquire more merit than by all other holy practices put together. One Communion contains grace enough to make us Saints. If we want to know how it was that the Saints became Saints, the answer is, it was by their Communions. They brought good dispositions, and the Blessed Sacrament did much for them—they brought better and better dispositions, and the Blessed Sacrament did more and more, till our Lord’s likeness was perfected in them. No wonder that those who knew by experience what this Divine Food could do for them, hungered after It as they did.

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abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h Jesus Is Happy c h c h c h eggggggggggggf 162

abbbbbbbbbbbbd Lesson 54 c h c h The Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Communion c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h eggggggggggggf 163

abbbbbbbbbbbbd c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c The Little Children h c h Know Jesus Said h c c h â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come to Meâ&#x20AC;? c h eggggggggggggf 164

abbbbbbbbbbbbd Lesson 55 c h c h First Communion c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h c h eggggggggggggf 165

ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 55 T

First Communion

he King is very near now. The hour is come for us to look carefully into ourselves to see if we are ready to go out to meet Him. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, behold thy King cometh to thee meek.” Yes, He is meek and lovable, so winning and so sweet, so anxious to have us as His guests, that His one thought seems to be how He may take away all fear from our hearts as we draw near to Him. His words are words of the tenderest invitation. By the mouth of His Prophet He had said: “My delight is to be with the children of men...If any one is a little one, let him come to Me.” And by His own mouth He says: “Come to Me all you that labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not.” Who can doubt what our Saviour desires? Do not His Own words convey His wishes in our regard? And is it not clear that what we all need is just Jesus! Jesus the All-lovely, the Allloving, the All-lovable. All of us should love Jesus, “because no one has a greater right to our love, and because no one can be so loved with greater advantage.” And if we love Him, we shall want to abide in Him, even as He wants to abide in us. He Who has given us Himself. Now nowhere can that be so fully done as in the Mass. At this part of Mass there is deep silence—it is all so overpowering. But don’t let your mind go to sleep in a fogged daze. Open your soul’s eyes wide in deep far-seeing faith and worship. Think of the silence that prevailed at Communiontime in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. Try to picture the garden, the starlight, the olive trees bending in adoration of the Savior of the World.

If you receive Jesus worthily in Holy Communion, He “will work power in you according to His mighty workings.” And by the power of Jesus-in-your-heart, you can say “I can do all things in Him Who strengtheneth me.” That is what we should be asking for in our Thanksgiving Prayers after Communion: the grace of health and strength to do great things for Our Lord, strength here on earth, and happiness forever in heaven.

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ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 56 A

Last Blessing

ll is ready now for the Last Blessing. The prayers after Communion are said and the Mass Book closed. Then the priest goes to the middle of the altar. Here occur the last acts of our Mass—the good-bye with its fond blessing and the exultant Ite Missa Est. No part of the Mass is charged with more action, movement, deliberate speed. Does any boy or girl with eyes on the altar fail to see that? Observe those acts one by one. The priest, turning to the people, says: P. the Lord be with you. A. And with thy spirit. P. Go, the Mass is ended. A. Thanks be to God. Plainly, it is dismissal time. The custom of old was to proclaim “Missa Est” when assemblies were about to break up. Like the bell rung at the end of your school session, or the last curtain falling on a play, or striking the table with a gavel when the meeting is concluded. Of course it is done with more reverence in the church. At the “Ite, Missa Est” the congregation was on the point of leaving. But today we do not go, at least not just yet. Why this wait? Well, our custom dates back many centuries. Even after people were told they might go, they lingered in the church, their hearts full of praise, saying their private prayers. Then, as now, you could find the priest and many devout people staying after the ceremonies were completed. They are loathe to leave. What to do? Stay and pray: I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house; And the place where they glory dwelleth. (Ps. 25:8)

The custom was very splendid, worthy of highest approval. So, by degrees the prayers they said were crystallized, then actually added on as part of the Mass. That is how you have those glorious prayers of the Last Blessing. Get a clear picture of what happens. See the priest standing there. Watch the people, the play of joy and faith on their countenances. The priest was in the habit of blessing the people as they were going out of church. Even before he left he would bend over, kiss the altar, the relics of the martyrs, say a prayer and then shower his blessings on the faithful. That is how the Placeat found its way into the Mass. May the performance of my homage be pleasing to Thee, O Holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I, though unworthy, have offered up in the sight of Thy Majesty may be acceptable to Thee, and through Thy mercy be a propitiation for me and for all those for whom it has been offered. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

That said, the priest bends down and kisses the altar; then raising his eyes to heaven, extending, raising and joining his hands, he inclines his head, turns round and bestows the Last Blessing: May Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost bless you. Amen.

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ZXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXC Lesson 57 A

Last Gospel

nd now at the end of the great drama of Calvary, the curtain falls on the triumphant Last Gospel. The priest, standing upon the rock of the altar of God, joins with St. John, and views eternity, and also the tide of time and life. Life, he perceives, comes from God, and is a divinely ordered affair. It began with God Who created all things. In Him is life, and He gave life to us. Our life does not end with death; rather it begins with death which is the gateway to life eternal. That is why the priest, and we with him, should be full of joy. Joy in the knowledge that the cross is the key that opens for us the gates of heaven. Joy in the fact that near by, in the tabernacle, is One Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Such is thejoy of the Last Gospel for its message has to do with the Light of Life. Once again the priest moves to the Gospelside of the altar. He utters another blessing, then signs his forehead, mouth and breast with the Sing of the Cross, while saying: P. The Lord be with you. A. And with thy spirit. P. The Beginning of the Holy Gospel according to St. John. A. Glory to Thee, O Lord.

This Gospel surveys the whole of life. It is the last thought, the whole thought of the Mass. It is the story of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for our race. It shows the path and goal of our life with Jesus. It speaks to us of Our Lord, the Living Word. Read this Gospel carefully. Study its four parts. Catch the rays of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light and love, goodness and glory it reveals. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light.

2. This was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 3. But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 4. And the Word was made flesh, (Here all kneel) and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

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Mary was praying. She was asking

God to help her. God sent an angel

to Mary. The angel told Mary that

God would send her a little Son.

This is why we say the “Hail Mary.”

The angel said: “Hail Mary, full of

grace! the Lord is with thee."

Mary went to visit her cousin,

Elizabeth. Elizabeth was happy

to see Mary. She greeted Mary by

thy womb.” Jesus wants us to ask Mary to help us. We say: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

2 2 2 2 2

night. God sent an angel from heaven

to find her a place to rest for the

Joseph was kind to Mary. He wanted

women, and blessed is the fruit of

saying, “Blessed art thou amongst

6 6 6

The Shepherds were kind men.

They watched the sheep. God loved

these good men. Bright angels came

from heaven. The angels sang:

“Glory to God in the highest and

them the place where Jesus was

a beautiful star. The star showed

The wise men from the East saw

thank God for His Gift to the world.

knows he is God’s Son. He and Anna

Old Simeon sees Baby Jesus and

Joseph. Jesus made them happy.

Temple. They present Him to God.

were very poor. God loved Mary and

Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the

called Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph

peace on earth to men.”

God sent Jesus to this little city. It is

to help them. Mary and Joseph rested.

away. Joseph obeyed. Mary obeyed,

The Kings were rich men. They

wanted to bring their riches to

Jesus. They were very kind men.

They followed the star and found

Jesus. Mary was happy to have the

gifts for her little Son. Jesus made

the Kings happy too.

tells him to take Mary and Jesus

wise men obeyed and found Jesus.

story. God sent an angel to help

told the shepherds the wonderful

care of Joseph and Mary. An angel

An angel came to Mary. Angels took

into Egypt.

too. Joseph took Mary and Jesus

too. An angel wakens Joseph and

wanted them to go to Jesus. The

Mary was resting. Jesus was resting,

born. These men knew that God

This was a happy family. Jesus

12 Joseph and Mary obey the law. They 12 went to the Temple to pray. Jesus went 12 with Mary and Joseph. Jesus is happy 12 to be with Mary and Joseph. This 12 makes Mary and Joseph happy, too.

Jesus helped his Mother. Mary kept

the little home of Nazareth very

clean. Jesus helped His Mother

with her work. When the work was

done, Jesus talked to Mary. Jesus

was happy at home. He made his

father and Mother happy, too.

Mother. Jesus was the holy Child.

me. I will ask my angel to help me.

made Joseph and Mary very happy.

Joseph was the father. Mary was the

sends an angel from heaven to help

There was once a Holy Family.

Joseph. Joseph saved Jesus. God