This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1832 edition. Excerpt: ... PART III. Of our Saviour's Ministry on Earth; of the Mysteries and Doctrines which he came among us to reveal; and of the Duties which he has commanded us to fulfil. Having, as we proposed, brought down the sacred history of the world from the creation, to the birth of our Saviour, we shall now proceed with the last part of our subject, which is, to give an account of his ministry on earth, and the revelation which he came to make to us. In order the more fully to appreciate the loving mercies of God, in sending his only Son to redeem us, let us cast a look behind, that we may be convinced of the many and multiplied instances in which His chosen people had provoked Him to abandon them. We cannot do this more effectually, than by reading the seventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, in which are recorded the words of St. Stephen, reproaching the Jews for their ingratitude, before he suffered martyrdom at their hands. This had all been laid before them from the time of Moses, (Deut. xxviii. Hosea ix. 17, ) and after him by a succession of prophets up to the time of Malachi, the last of them who flourished, about 420 B. C. And yet they had constantly disregarded and despised the mercies of God, so as to merit the reproaches of Stephen, who accused them (v. 51, 52, ) with being "stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ' &c. So unable were they to contradict him, that the same scripture goes on to say, (v. 54, ) "When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth." Here, then, we have at once a proof of the loving mercy of God, that inasmuch as it exceeded the sinfulness of man, "who in times past was suffered to walk in his own way," (Acts xiv. 16, ) he still mercifully determined to...

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Mark Allen found no suitable published book to prepare his son for First Holy Communion. First Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church is something of the greatest significance equivalent to confirmation in the Church of England or Bar Mitzvah for Jewish children. A lot of the material published is trite and worst of all tends to patronise the children for whom it is intended. To help parents and teachers answer questions about the ceremony Mark Allen offers readings and background from scripture and catechism. Children can be hard-headed tend to like stories and facts. The narrative of the Bible provides facts, events which happened, and along with them the objective truths of revelation. The Mass is our sacramental encounter with the person of Jesus. Preparation therefore should be based on him and on the Gospel story of His life. The preparation should reflect the unity of the mass, its liturgy of the Word and the Eucharistic Rite, the mystery of Christ in our community as Church. Routine is the key aid to progress. The course provided in this book is based on a series of half hour sessions for parent and teacher with the child. It is thus both practical and down to earth.

First Holy Communion day is the most important and memorable day in the life of a Catholic child. Eucharist is the ineffable gift, and Holy Communion is the fusion between us and Jesus. Children start longing to receive Holy Communion at an early age but have to wait till they reach the age of discernment. In preparation, they attend a yearlong classes and training, either through the Catholic School or the Sunday School Faith Formation classes. At the end of this lengthy preparation, we still ask the same question: Are we really ready? Family is the domestic church, and parents are the primary catechism teachers. Knowledge is power and education is empowerment. Being involved actively in faith formation, in Holy Communion preparation, being a teacher and director of religious education for the past several years, answering the parents and reassuring them again and again, I thought of putting it together, hence this book, Preparing Your Child for Holy Communion: A Guide for Parents.