HOW WILL THIS NEW EVANGELIZATION SUCCEED?
In a way in which we do not formulate projects, because for the theme we will have our children,
all equally loved by us, a proposal of unequaled power to succeed.
Pope Benedict XV
We cannot overlook the role of children in the Church, but must speak of them with great affection.
They are heaven’s smile entrusted to earth.
SAINT PIUS X
Quam Singulari
Saint Pope Pius X – 1910
For many centuries, the Eucharist was reserved for adults.
Saint Pope Pius X changed this for the children.
His memorandum for peace, dated July 1, 1915, was
unanimously rejected by the nations at war and even
some priests. Some even protested against the
Pope’s initiative.
Above all he opened the door for the children
to receive the Holy Eucharist at the age of seven.
He encouraged the frequent reception of
Holy Communion, and he
lowered the age for First Communion,
which became a lasting innovation of his papacy.
SAINT JOHN PAUL II
Saint John Paul II Christmas Letter to the
Children of the World 1994
CHRISTMAS LETTER TO THE WORLD’S CHILDREN
IMPORTANT QUOTES of SAINT JOHN PAUL II FOR THE CHILDREN OF OUR TIMES
“It is absolutely true…
Jesus and his Mother often choose children and give them important
tasks for the life of the Church and of humanity.
The Redeemer of humanity seems to share with them his concern
for others: for parents, for other boys and girls.”
The following quote is from Saint John Paul II, referring to the
unspeakable suffering of children worldwide.
“It was while I was thinking about these facts, which
fill our hearts with pain, that I decided to ask you,
dear boys and girls, to take upon yourselves the duty of praying for peace.”
”Dear young friends, it is to your prayers that I want to entrust the
problems of your own families and of all the families in the world.”
POPE BENEDICT XV
The Power of Children’s prayerful intercession
Homily of the Holy Father Benedict XV
July 30, 1916
At the end of World War I, the Prayers of the Children
marked the beginning of Our Lady’s appearances at Fatima.
The well-being of the human race is shaken, but don’t despair,
however, of the companionship of Him who feels the
emotions of the people – we look for refuge
in our thoughts as we hope that the
compassion and goodness of the Divine
Father will make Him consider the penance of the adults,
and the innocence of the young children.
Therefore, we call to you Children, to gather
all the love of your parents with which to
form your future, and to gather especially the love of
the Father of the Faithful, and make sweet the bitterness,
which constitutes
HOPE!
“We cannot overlook the role of children in the Church, but must speak of them with great affection.”
“They are heaven’s smile entrusted to earth.”
They are the true gems of the family and society and the Church’s delight.
They are like the “lilies of the field, of which “Jesus said, that
“not even Solomon in all his splendor was arrayed like one of these” (Mt 6:28-29).
They are Jesus’ favorites, and the Church, the Pope, cannot fail to hear
beating in their own heart the feelings of love for them in Christ’s heart.
