Patron Saint Of First Communicants

Gifts were piled high for 5-year-old Imelda's birthday. Imelda was delighted, but still she asked, "I was wondering if I could have just one more present." "Greedy girl!" laughed her father. Unfortunately, her parents could not give her this one present--Our Lord in Holy Communion. But Imelda decided to ask Our Lord Himself. What would He reply? This book gives the answer and tells how little Imelda came to be the Patroness of First Communicants.

"Oh, but I must hurry!" thought young Catherine very early one morning as she picked up a loaf of bread and a jug of water from the kitchen. "No one must suspect anything:" Catherine had made up her mind to run away. She wanted to become a hermit in a cave so she could pray and think about God all day long. Catherine slipped out the door and into the court-yard, then out into the cobbled street, then out beyond the city gates. Farther and farther she walked. Several hours went by. The countryside was growing wilder and stranger. "I am miles and miles away from home now;' said Catherine to herself. Suddenly, there it was! A beautiful cave! It looked like the perfect place. Catherine was overjoyed. But was Catherine really old enough to be a hermit? And wouldn't her father come looking for her to take her home? Most of all, was it really God's will for her to be a hermit? This book gives the answers. It also tells how Catherine cut off her hair, how she cared for the rude old woman, how she saved her dear father from Purgatory, and how she advised the Holy Father himself. All in all, this is the wonderful story of how little Catherine became one of the very greatest saints in the Catholic Church.

Increase your family's devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament! St. Therese of the Child Jesus and her family studied and prayed for sixty-nine days in anticipation of Therese's First Holy Communion. In imitation of this model, the Communion with the Saints program is designed to help families find renewed fervor in the reception of the Most Holy Eucharist. This resource includes a chapter-by-chapter study of the following books: . The Little Flower, The Story of St. Therese of the Child Jesus by Mary Fabyan Windeatt-to provide the foundation of God's love for us and to encourage a desire for holiness . The Children of Fatima and Our Lady's Message to the World by Mary Fabyan Windeatt-to show the sinfulness of our world and the need to avoid sin . The Patron Saint of First Communicants, The Story of Blessed Imelda Lambertini by Mary Fabyan Windeatt-to inspire devotion to the sacrament of Holy Communion . Mother Loyola's The King of the Golden City Study Edition by Janet McKenzie-to illustrate Jesus' intimate Presence in our lives as the source of grace necessary to live a holy life Each of the sixty-nine days of preparation includes read-aloud selections with enrichment activities, meditational readings, catechism lessons, and many practical applications to promote a growth in holiness and sanctity. Weekend suggestions include a list of thirty-eight family projects. Begin today to renew your family's devotion to the Blessed Sacrament by imitating St. Therese's "Little Way" while increasing your knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic Faith!

A fascinating tale which breathes into the heart of the child, a deep understanding of Holy Communion and an intimate affection for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

"The child's name is Isabel! That's all there is to it!" Grandma Isabel's voice showed she was in no mood for argument. But Rose's mother was just as insistent: "Her name is Rose!" "It's Isabel!" "Rose, I tell you!" "Isabel!" Mary Fabyan Windeatt Sometimes Senor Flores lost patience with his wife and mother-in-law. "Call the child anything you like," he pleaded-"only let a man have some peace in his own house!" The matter of Rose's name finally got settled, but then there were other things to cause puzzlement and misunderstanding. Why, for instance, did Rose have to turn part of the house into a hospital? And why did she want to live in a tiny little hut in the backyard? Why didn't she just go to a convent and become a nun? This book gives the answers. It also relates what happened when Rose tried to become a nun, describes how she cared for the sick, and tells what happened in the end to Rose's mother. All in all, this is the beautiful story of the little Rose of South America, the first canonized Saint of the New World.

Tom Rastrelli is a survivor of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse who then became a priest in the early days of the Catholic Church’s ongoing scandals. Confessions of a Gay Priest divulges the clandestine inner workings of the seminary, providing an intimate and unapologetic look into the psychosexual and spiritual dynamics of celibacy and lays bare the “formation” system that perpetuates the cycle of abuse and cover-up that continues today. Under the guidance of a charismatic college campus minister, Rastrelli sought to reconcile his homosexuality and childhood sexual abuse. When he felt called to the priesthood, Rastrelli began the process of “priestly discernment.” Priests welcomed him into a confusing clerical culture where public displays of piety, celibacy, and homophobia masked a closeted underworld in which elder priests preyed upon young recruits. From there he ventured deeper into the seminary system seeking healing, hoping to help others, and striving not to live a double life. Trained to treat sexuality like an addiction, he and his brother seminarians lived in a world of cliques, competition, self-loathing, alcohol, hidden crushes, and closeted sex. Ultimately, the “formation” intended to make Rastrelli a compliant priest helped to liberate him.

"The Dumb Ox" was a perfect nickname for young Thomas Aquinas-although it was none too kind. Thomas was big, slow to speak-a quiet and solemn youth. Even Father Albert was inclined to think him rather dull. No one knew about Thomas' amazing memory, or that he knew most of the Bible by heart, or that no subject was difficult for him. One day Thomas decided to amuse himself by writing a paper on a really hard problem in Theology. Then somehow, after writing it, he lost it. A few days later the paper turned up on Father Albert's desk. Father Albert read it, then called Thomas to his cell. `Brother Thomas;' he asked, as the student entered the room, "did you write this?" This book describes what happened next, plus the other events in Thomas' remarkable life. It tells how his mother fought against his vocation, how his brothers kidnapped him and put him in a tower, how his sisters helped him, and how angels brought him some-thing from Heaven. All in all, this book shows how Thomas "The Dumb Ox" came to be the Patron of Catholic Schools and the greatest teacher ever in the history of the Catholic Church.

Sister, it couldnt have happened! declared the priest. It was all a dream, like the other time. But Sister Catherine shook her head with childlike confidence. Oh no, Father! I see the Blessed Virgin as plainly as I see you. And she wants the Medal made right away, so people can wear it and start receiving graces. Father Aladel just could not believe that Our Lady was appearing to Sister Catherine Laboureand asking for a medal to be made too! Why, Sister Catherine was only a novice! Forget the whole thing, he told her. Just say your prayers and try to be like the other Sisters. Catherine obediently tried to forgetbut then the Blessed Mother came again! And again she asked for the Medal to be made. Would Our Ladys request ever be granted? Would Fr. Aladel ever believe she had really come? And what were the great graces she had promised to those who wore the Medal with confidence? This book shows what happened, also telling about Catherines second mother, and about obstinate old Johnwho refused to have anything to do with the Medaland about how Sister Catherine kept her big secret. In short, here is the wonderful story of what happened when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to young St. Catherine Laboure.