You may not have heard of this saint, but do you realize that he and she are among us each Sunday at Mass in the pews? I failed to recognize this possibility decades ago amidst the distraction and commotion.
As a grandmother, I am seeing with new eyes. On blessed and rare occasions, I get to sit surrounded by some of my family at Mass. The grandkids wiggle around, bouncing from cousin to cousin, sometimes reading children’s books, flipping through the missalette or just passing the baby around. I observed a toddler a few rows up doing backbends on his daddy’s shoulders, and another escaping the confines of the pew, by making a run for the altar. Kids weaved in and out of their mothers’ skirts, and some were escorted out, more than once.
The greatest part of all this commotion is that they were present. Their parents knew what they were up against by bringing them, yet were willing to fight the good fight and take the kids to Mass by doing their part in making future saints.
That is heroic in my book.
If the Church isn’t crying, it’s dying.
Getting ready for Mass is filled with messy preparations and I’m convinced, knocks off time in Purgatory.
Where are your shoes?
Did someone take the comb?
You can’t wear that, there’s chocolate all over it.
Get in the car. Get in the car now. We’re leaving, GET IN THE CAR RIGHT NOW!
Parents assume that they aren’t going to get much out of the Mass due to the numerous distractions or needs of their little ones, OR the corrections required for their older ones. The fact that families are there speaks volumes, because it took tremendous effort to get there. I’ve had people say, what’s the point then?
Practice makes perfect, and laying a foundation of faith requires time, repetition, patience, and lots of love.
Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it. Proverbs 22:6
Watching our sons holding their young ones, sometimes a child in each arm, as they head up to Holy Communion is a powerful witness of what is most important to the family. Mothers cradling their babies and setting an example as they teach their young why, week after week, Mass is a priority.
We all should be grateful, because so many don’t.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord. Eph6:4
These future saints need our prayers, and their parents need our encouragement. Their children will face battles we never imagined on fronts never before seen, and the gift of faith will help them withstand and overcome the most trying battles.
When a little one gets out of hand at Mass, pray for grace for the parents and children. Thank parents who bring their families to Mass week after week giving them a priceless witness of active Catholic faith and love of God.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states it best in paragraph 166:
“…faith is not an isolated act. No one can believe alone, just as no one can live alone. You have not given yourself faith as you have not given yourself life. The believer has received faith from others and should hand it on to others. Our love for Jesus and for our neighbor impels us to speak to others about our faith. Each believer is thus a link in the great chain of believers. I cannot believe without being carried by the faith of others, and by my faith I help support others in the faith.”
CCC166
We are all called to be a link in the great chain of believers and help others to an on-going faith through our faithful witness and willingness to talk about why we do what we do, with kindness and love.
Think about inviting others into the greatest relationship ever known to man, Jesus Christ!
Let us pray for those who are undecided and remain unlinked by their own choice or ignorance of the gift. Our prayers make all the difference and are heard before the throne of God. I don’t want anyone missing from the eternal banquet.
To our children, thank you. Seeing you at Mass and being surrounded by the next generation of crazy babies is the greatest gift to us and of great benefit to humanity.
We hope to one day meet lots of Saint Wigglebottom’s in heaven.
SPOT ON, Barb! I am so proud and happy when I see so many young, dedicated Catholic families at Mass! I am grateful for them! I pray for them and I say to myself that our Church is in good, holy hands-even when they’re wiggling!!!