By Susan Ciancio
We all want children who live with giving hearts and who show compassion to those around them. We pray for our children to be faithful not only to Christ but to His teachings, and that means living the virtues of faith, hope, and charity in all they do.
These values are inherently pro-life, as they help us focus on caring for and protecting all people—from the first moment of creation until death.
In order to do this, kids need healthy and holy role models. And there are none better than the saints. So if we want our kids to become saints, we must give them examples that resonate with them. That’s why we have created several booklets about the saints that illustrate their actions and give concrete examples for how kids can emulate them. Here are five of our favorites:
1. Unconditional Love and Respect for Everyone: St. John Bosco
In this booklet, middle school students will learn about the life of St. John Bosco and how he created a home and school for young boys who had nowhere to go and no one to care for them. Through stories about his lessons and his life, your kids will learn to reflect on potential prejudices they have toward certain people based on their appearances, behaviors, or financial status. They will be challenged to think about how their own choices can have a lasting positive impact when they treat all people with respect. This is crucial for forming the next pro-life generation because caring for everyone, regardless of what they have or what they can do, is what God commands of us.
2. St. Carlo Acutis: Extraordinary in the Ordinary
This booklet teaches teenagers about the short yet impactful life of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. He is a phenomenal example to today’s teens, as he lived a life focused on God and on doing good for those around him. Not only did he use his exceptional computer skills to create a website cataloging the Catholic Church’s approved Eucharistic miracles, but he fed the poor, helped clothe the homeless, spoke in favor of chastity and against abortion, and he taught catechism classes to young people. Carlo’s life exemplifies how living an ordinary life focused on God and Church teachings can become extraordinary because of faith, love of Jesus in the Eucharist, and generosity toward others.
3. St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Small Deeds, Big Love
This booklet teaches young children about the short and devout life of St. Thérèse and how they can implement her Little Way into their own lives. She understood that we all have a role to play in building a culture of life here on earth and that we must all help others feel cherished and valued because we are God’s children. Her love and respect for those around her, even those she did not like, serve as a beautiful example for kids as they navigate a world that is often unkind. This booklet offers concrete examples for how your kids can take action now to stand up for others so they can grow in faith and love. These important concepts help build that foundation that kids need so that, as they grow, they also grow in understanding about the value of the preborn, those with disabilities, the elderly, and anyone else whom society deems unworthy of life.
4. St. Ignatius: Cura Personalis
In this booklet, teens will learn about the Ignatian concept of cura personalis—care for the whole person. When God places us in relationships with others, He expects us to love those people as part of loving Him. Likewise, we are called to take care of our own selves, body and soul. Why is cura personalis an important pro-life concept? When teens learn to truly care for the whole person, they will take action within their homes and communities. Because they care for the souls of those around them, their actions will reflect that love, and they will strive to not only protect the vulnerable in all situations but will work to help them attain heaven.
5. When Heroes Become Saints: Saint Damien de Veuster of Molokai
This booklet tells the story of St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai, a heroic priest who volunteered to serve the lepers on the desolate peninsula of Molokai in Hawaii. St. Damien showed his flock that even though they suffered from a debilitating disease they deserved to be treated with dignity and respect and honored as adopted sons and daughters of God. The lessons inside challenge students to think about the outcasts whom they encounter in their own lives—a teased fellow student, a lonely relative, an argumentative sibling—and how they can follow the example of St. Damien by reaching out to them.
You can find these and other great booklets on our site at shop.all.org/collections/culture-of-life-studies-program.