It’s very important to learn about the different Saints and Blesseds. As their feast days follow along the liturgical calendar, you can make use of the wonderful stories of their lives. One thing you can say about all the Saints and Blesseds is that they loved the Eucharist with all of their being while on earth. And of course, they still love the Eucharist and long to help the children to love Jesus in the Eucharist, too.

Children really love to hear stories. We see how intently they watch TV to hear a story. They love to read and be read to. Children are naturally curious beings. If they can memorize all 151 Pokemon© characters, numerous dinosaurs, all the available Webkinz©, and other such things, then why can’t they learn about the lives of the Saints?

The Saints aren’t boring. In fact, they are so far from it—from St Joseph of Cupertino who levitated over 30 feet off the ground, to St Philip Neri, who loved God with such intensity that his heartbeat shook the ground (he is the patron saint for earthquakes)! They have stories that are incredible, yet while unlike all the fantasy that children are used to, these stories are true! Their lives can be used to show every virtue, deep commitment to Jesus, and of course love for our Eucharistic Lord. As you know, there are Saints for every day of the year. Some days have several to choose from.

Pope John Paul II has raised a total of 461 Saints to the altar (to date, May 2002) during his nearly 24 years of pontificate. To these, must be added 1,288 Beatifications. Thus, he has proclaimed more than half the Blessed and Saints recognized in the history of the Catholic Church. He wants to bring these hidden souls out into the light for all to see how each one practiced heroic virtue in every walk of life.

About the importance of the Saints, please read #956 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life. [St. Dominic, dying, to his brothers.] I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth. [St. Therese of Lisieux, The Final Conversations, tr. John Clarke (Washington: ICS, 1977), 102.]

So, teach them about the Saints! Prepare each week by finding out about a Saint or Blessed whose feast day is coming up. Especially focus on how this Saint manifested his or her love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. And, teach the children to invoke the Saints for all their needs.