By Susan Ciancio
Holy role models have always been crucial for children, but they are especially important today. Our children’s lives are fraught with battles and temptations we couldn’t have imagined even 20-30 years ago. The rise of social media, the prevalence of screen time, and the amount of half-truths and misinformation they are flooded with on a daily basis can set them up in dangerous situations or even worse if we don’t give them a solid and faith-filled foundation. Even then, there’s no guarantee they will remain in the Church.
As parents, we must take our role as our children’s first educators seriously and teach them not only Catholic values but values that encourage them to respect and cherish all people, from creation until death. To do this well, we can ask our friends in heaven for guidance. The saints lived through difficult times too, and they understood the threats to life, the sorrows, the hardships, and even the choices we must make every day.
Through their lives and their examples, we can learn to follow God even when society is tempting us to follow today’s trends instead.
Knowing how important the saints are to our lives, we at CLSP offer numerous booklets about various saints for kids of all ages. These booklets offer fantastic ways for kids to learn how to act in difficult situations, help them understand the value and sanctity of life, and teach them to do good works for others. As each special feast day approaches, we choose to highlight timely resources so you can learn a bit about their lives before you download the booklet. Because the feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta is this month (September 5), we want to share a bit about the two booklets we offer:
St. Teresa of Calcutta spent her life serving the poorest and most vulnerable people, and she gave us a powerful example of what it means to recognize the dignity of every human person and put our faith into action. In this booklet, middle schoolers will explore her life and her ministry. They will also discover how the Corporal Works of Mercy can become a natural part of everyday life and how simple acts of service can help build a culture of life.
Using the picture book Mother Teresa: A Life of Love by John and Marieta Monette, along with this booklet, children in preschool through second grade will explore St. Teresa’s life and see that she lived this important pro-life truth: Every human being has inherent dignity and deserves to be treated with love and respect. Though her examples were often extraordinary, her life shows children that they don’t have to do something extraordinary to make a difference. Simple acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion can become powerful ways to love others and teach them that they have value.
Both of these booklets impart important pro-life lessons and help kids discover ways they can live them in their homes, schools, and communities. St. Teresa once said, “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” And although this incredible saint can be intimidating because she literally picked up and cared for the very sick and dying, her example teaches kids that their actions matter.
It’s true that we are not all called to do great things, like open hospitals and care for the sick. But we are all called to use the gifts God has given us to care for the people around us. This can look very different for each person, and it’s up to us as parents to teach our children how best to let their gifts shine.
So as we celebrate St. Teresa this month, let us reflect upon her life and her words, let us start great conversations at home, and let us never forget that when we act with love, we can make a huge impact on those around us.