Teaching Faith to Little Ones

Fénelon recommends teaching religion to the little ones in story form, because the children love stories passionately and because Christianity is one long thrilling story. Stories of the Old and New Testament must be told, and the characters presented in such a real way that children, who have vivid imaginations, may believe that they see and hear them.

The stories of the creation, of the fall of Adam, of the Deluge, of the vocation of Abraham, of the sacrifice of Isaac, of the adventures of Joseph, and of the birth and flight of Moses not only awaken the curiosity of children but also establish in their minds the basis of religion by revealing its origin. Religion is entirely historical; it is by weaving together marvelous facts that we prove its establishment, its perpetuity, and all that tends to make us believe and practice it.

The major duty of Catholic educators is to fill the memories and the hearts of the children with beautiful Biblical stories. The first album of pictures and the first reading book should be Biblical. No child should learn the fundamental principles of science before having heard the story of Our Lord, the Acts of the Apostles, and the most vital features of the Old Testament.

It was a custom in old Catholic families to read the Bible every day. The father's meditation book was the Bible, and from it he gathered principles of living. The wisdom of the Holy Spirit is infinitely superior to the natural prudence of the greatest moralists. Could not the lowering of moral standards be due to the fact that this great book is closed to so many today?

A second principle stated by Fénelon is that of making Our Lord Jesus Christ known as a living Person. This human and divine Person should be presented with so much charm that the children will love Him above all else and understand the real meaning of His life. They should be given a thorough knowledge of what He is in Himself and of what He is to them. Love will lead to imitation, if they are brought "to look upon the life of Jesus Christ as our example, and His word as our law.

The Mother of Jesus should not be separated from Him. Devotion to Mary is one with that given to her Son. To inspire in a child great fidelity in prayer to Mary is to assure, as far as it is possible, their eternal salvation."