It's always so worth it to take kids to visit Jesus. Even if the visits are necessarily incredibly short. When my oldest daughter was a toddler we didn't live near an adoration chapel, but on our way to the local playground we passed by a little mission church. It was always locked and I've never once been inside. But it had a statue of Mary outside and we would stop on our way to the playground and she'd get out of the stroller and open the gate to the area where the statue was and go and say hi. And on the days when I didn't want to take the detour and tried to go straight to the playground, she totally knew it, and whined when I passed the turn we needed to take.
In later years we'd find a homeschoolers monthly adoration group-- we had to drive into Boston to go, but it was a lovely outing. The priest would gather the children in the sanctuary and do a little teaching and preaching, invite them to offer their petitions, praying for friends and family. We'd sing some hymns in Latin and in English and then he'd do benediction, blessing each child in turn. Then we'd sing another song while he put the host away. My oldest daughter loved to help set up the altar, to get things out and put them away.
That little girl is almost 19 now, but she still has a heart for Jesus and Mary. Last year on her 18th birthday she asked me to take her to the adoration chapel after we'd gone out for a birthday breakfast. And so we did. All those visits to churches when my small children would run up and down the aisles, but also would kneel and say a prayer, and gaze at the stations of the cross and the stained glass windows and the statues... it makes an impression. It forms the soul. Little by little, step by step. It's always worth it.
Thank you for sharing this. It got my attention because St. Alfonso is my patron this year. I've usually been away from Adoration at my parish because of my fibromyalgia and constant desire to conserve energy -- not to drive somewhere if I don't have to. But I do miss it. Recently I was reminded of how St. Isidro would pray in the fields while an angel did his plowing. Maybe not a model for every single day, but it wouldn't hurt to have more faith that if I spend on the Lord, it is not a loss.
Angela, YES! The story of St. Isidore praying in the fields is such a beautiful one. A prime example of "wasting" time with the Lord in the midst of our daily labors. And while obviously early motherhood and chronic illness each come with their own challenges, I really relate to that desire to conserve energy and avoid the car as much as possible. I pray the Lord will meet you where you're at, as well as give you the energy to go to Him when you feel called!
It's always so worth it to take kids to visit Jesus. Even if the visits are necessarily incredibly short. When my oldest daughter was a toddler we didn't live near an adoration chapel, but on our way to the local playground we passed by a little mission church. It was always locked and I've never once been inside. But it had a statue of Mary outside and we would stop on our way to the playground and she'd get out of the stroller and open the gate to the area where the statue was and go and say hi. And on the days when I didn't want to take the detour and tried to go straight to the playground, she totally knew it, and whined when I passed the turn we needed to take.
In later years we'd find a homeschoolers monthly adoration group-- we had to drive into Boston to go, but it was a lovely outing. The priest would gather the children in the sanctuary and do a little teaching and preaching, invite them to offer their petitions, praying for friends and family. We'd sing some hymns in Latin and in English and then he'd do benediction, blessing each child in turn. Then we'd sing another song while he put the host away. My oldest daughter loved to help set up the altar, to get things out and put them away.
That little girl is almost 19 now, but she still has a heart for Jesus and Mary. Last year on her 18th birthday she asked me to take her to the adoration chapel after we'd gone out for a birthday breakfast. And so we did. All those visits to churches when my small children would run up and down the aisles, but also would kneel and say a prayer, and gaze at the stations of the cross and the stained glass windows and the statues... it makes an impression. It forms the soul. Little by little, step by step. It's always worth it.
Thank you for sharing this. It got my attention because St. Alfonso is my patron this year. I've usually been away from Adoration at my parish because of my fibromyalgia and constant desire to conserve energy -- not to drive somewhere if I don't have to. But I do miss it. Recently I was reminded of how St. Isidro would pray in the fields while an angel did his plowing. Maybe not a model for every single day, but it wouldn't hurt to have more faith that if I spend on the Lord, it is not a loss.
Angela, YES! The story of St. Isidore praying in the fields is such a beautiful one. A prime example of "wasting" time with the Lord in the midst of our daily labors. And while obviously early motherhood and chronic illness each come with their own challenges, I really relate to that desire to conserve energy and avoid the car as much as possible. I pray the Lord will meet you where you're at, as well as give you the energy to go to Him when you feel called!
Thank you so much, my sweet sister. 🤗
Thanks for shout out!
Also, how cool would be if both girls end up joining the Poor Claire's of Perpetual Adoration in Tonopah, AZ?
Welp, I wrote down this phrase to keep. And also bought your novel on kindle.
<3
Isn’t it beautiful? Something I need to remember so so often.
And eep thanks! I hope you enjoy it!