Catholic Activity: Teaching About Prayer

A story from the Lives of the Brethren of the Order of Preachers to help children say prayers with devotion.

DIRECTIONS

Often children grow discouraged over the constant saying of prayers because they have no sense of being heard. Here is a tale to help them consider the other end of this conversation with God and His saints.

At the time the Dominican Order was established, it began immediately to be assailed by the devil. The brethren in Bologna and the brethren in Paris were grievously assaulted until it was ruled in desperation that nightly after Compline they would have recourse to their holy Mother Mary, and sing the Salve Regina in procession in her honor.

At once the phantoms were put to flight by her who is to the devil as terrible as an army in battle array, and many tales of wonders seen were told in various houses by holy persons. One woman of Marseilles was caught up in ecstasy one evening during the singing of the Salve and saw "four things deserving of being remembered and prized."

"First of all, as the brethren sang the words, our life, our sweetness, and our hope, she saw the Blessed Virgin graciously return their salutation. As the anthem was continued, at the words, Turn then, O gracious advocate, she observed her fall on her knees before her Son and make intercession for them. At the phrase, thine eyes of mercy towards us, she looked at them with a most gracious and happy smile; and lastly, as they sang, After this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O holy, O sweet Virgin Mary, she saw her clasp her Son as a Child and hold Him out to each in turn.

So — this is how Our Lady looks when we pray to her with love!

Activity Source: Saints and Our Children, The by Mary Reed Newland, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, New York; reprinted by TAN Publishers, 1958