Canadian edition, 1954, By Fathers A. Poulin, s.j. &  Jean Laramée, s.j.

(continued)

 

Educating the Youth to Live the Mass

NORMS FOR DIRECTING THE EUCHARISTIC CRUSADE
OF THE APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER

II: MEANS TO BE USED

2. The Sacrifice of the Mass and Holy Communion:

Since the Sacrifice of the Eucharist is the center of the Christian life, all true Christian education must be Eucharistic. Therefore the Eucharistic Crusade strives in the first place to make the teaching and truths contained in the mystery of the Sacrifice of the Mass the basis and the norm of the education of children. It is with all earnestness then, that the Eucharistic Crusade insists that children should receive the Heavenly Bread as early, frequently, and with as great fervour as possible, accustoming themselves to assist at the Eucharistic Sacrifice in a devout and fitting manner. Consequently, unless there be serious difficulties preventing them, let the children approach the Holy Table every week, indeed oftener if possible, and learn to receive Holy Communion with ever increasing worthiness.

In progressive stages - that is, following the gradual approach of maturity - they should be taught more fully the Sacrifice of the Mass and the methods of assisting at it devoutly and fruitfully. The end of this instruction should be not only to make the children's participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice more intelligent and active, but also to make them live the Mass. Indeed, the proper and principal duty of the Eucharistic Crusade should be to train children in such a way that they make the Sacrifice of the Mass the center of their lives. Then, living according to the law of Christ, they share His Sacrifice day by day, when they offer it as victims with Him, with greater worthiness and perfection.

Children should also know that the Eucharistic Sacrifice was instituted by Christ for the glory of God and therefore also for the salvation of souls. Wherefore they should gladly attend Mass with the apostolic intention of praying, through the merits of the Blood of Christ, that the benefits of the Sacrifice of the Cross may assist the needs of the Church and of the whole human race.