First Communion.

After school closed Mrs. Allen had a serious conversation with her son on the subject of First Holy Communion. "You are now past eleven, dear child, and I want you and Amy to devote the whole vacation to immediate preparation for your First Communion. Sister Amy is thirteen, but owing to her infirmity, has been deprived of that favor until now. I have made arrangements with the Sisters of Mercy to take you for the next six weeks, that you may be under special instruction and away from mischievous pranks and scrapes like those of last summer, when in company with the village boys."

"But Ma, dear, six weeks! Will I have to be silent and pray all that time?"

"No, no, my son; there are a few nice boys in the Convent who will remain all summer, so you will not be without recreation. Indeed, you will have plenty of fun, for the Sisters play ball with the boys."

Amy came into the room while her mother was speaking.

"I have just been telling Bolax of what we propose doing by way of preparation for that most important event of our lives, viz: the First reception of our dear Lord in Holy Communion."

"You both know your catechism perfectly, and I am sure understand all you have studied. I know you firmly believe all the sacred truths contained in the Gospels and Teachings of the Catholic Church. For the past three years our talks on the subject have been many and earnest. You know how kind our dear Lord was while here on earth, how he fed five thousand people in the wilderness. Well, He is just as loving and kind now, and gives us His precious Body and Blood to nourish and comfort our souls. So, dear children, let all your thoughts, words and actions from this day be offered up as a preparation for that greatest of all events of your life, your First Holy Communion."

"We will give up all reading, except books that lead our thoughts to holy things, not necessarily dull or uninteresting because they are holy. You know how delighted you were with 'Fabiola,' 'Faber's Tales of the Angels,' 'Babies Who Died for Christ,' 'The Little Spouse of the Blessed Sacrament.'"

"I should like to read 'Fabiola' again Ma, dear," said Amy. "I always feel—I don't know exactly how to describe my feelings after reading such a book as 'Fabiola'—happy, calm, a longing to have been one of the first Christians to have loved our dear Lord as did little St. Agnes."

"And I," said Bo, "wouldn't I enjoy going round with the big soldier Quadratus, and tearing down the Emperor's edicts against the Christians. Oh, wouldn't I play tricks on those mean old Pagans; I tell you I'd make them skiddoo."

"Mamma," said Amy, pointing to a painting of Ecce Homo, "I do so love that sad face; sometimes when I sit here and look at it intently, the eyes seem to open. Once I was so sure of it, I got Hetty to take the picture down. Oh, I feel so sorry for our dear Lord, especially his crown of thorns. Why, oh why, couldn't they have taken it off while he was carrying the cross. He must have struck His sacred head against the cross as he staggered under its heavy weight up that awful road to Calvary," and the gentle, tender-hearted girl sobbed aloud.

Bolax, at this, jumped up, dashing a book against the wall and kicking his chair, he exclaimed: "Oh, if I had been there I would have gotten a crowd of boys and thrown stones at those awful executioners! Surely lots of boys must have known and followed Jesus—what cowards they were! You don't hear of any one offering to help Him; every one was afraid except brave, glorious St. Veronica."

"My dear impetuous boy, I am comforted to know you think of and feel for our suffering Savior."

"What you would have done had you been present at the awful scene on the road to Calvary, do now, by making sacrifices of your own will, suffering something for the love of Jesus."

"You must not compare the American boy with the boys of those long ago times; the Roman soldiers who were driving Jesus were naturally cruel and rejoiced in having a victim on which to exercise their cruelty. They would have exterminated even a crowd of men had they dared to interfere, and boys would have been crushed to death instantly. Mercy was an unknown virtue to the people of those days."

"Mamma," said Amy, "thinking of my general Confession, I feel I must ask your advice on one subject; is it a sin to pray for animals?"

"Oh, Ma, dear," interrupted Bolax, "I want to ask about that too."

"Elmer Mullen laughed at me when I told him I always prayed for poor horses, dogs and cats that I saw badly treated. Sometimes I beg men and boys to cease their cruelties; often I fight those that won't stop tormenting animals, then when all fails I just pray for the poor things. And Ma, dear, while I think of it, did you ever see a nanny goat faint?"

Serious little Amy burst out laughing at the odd question, and Bo's earnest expression of countenance when asking it.

"It's nothing to laugh at, Sister. I'll tell you how it happened. Tom Burk and Dan Donavan were trying to make their goat pull them in a little wagon, but she was not able; they beat her and she fell over and shut her eyes. I stooped over her and rubbed her head. Then a man came, and after a long wait she came to, and he ordered the boys to take poor Nanny into the stable."

"My dear, kind boy, we will have to make you President of the 'Prevention of Cruelty Society.' Several people have told me what a little champion you have shown yourself on many occasions."

"Well," said Amy, "I cannot fight to prevent cruelty, but all my life I have prayed for that intention. When I pray for a poor over-laden horse or a homeless, starved dog, I always say, 'Dear God, you made these creatures, surely you cannot be angry if I ask you to have pity on them.'"

Mrs. Allen put her head down on the table to hide her emotion, but the children thought it was because she was shocked at what they had told her about the prayers. Amy put both her hands on her mother's arm, saying: "Ma dear, oh, I hope it was not a mortal sin! And just to think I never confessed it! I never thought it was a sin at all."

Here Mrs. Allen raised her head, tears were in her eyes. Bolax put his arms around her neck, saying: "Dear, dear Ma, is it really so bad a sin as to cause you to weep?"

"My darlings, bless your dear compassionate hearts. I must plead guilty of the very same sin. Without ever letting any one know it, since my childhood I have prayed that the cruel driver might have mercy on his poor horse; that the starving animals might be helped in some way. I prayed that a mercy stroke might be given the dying horses on the battlefield; that the God of Compassion would have pity on the thousands of sheep and cattle who perish miserably on the unsheltered plains. Oh, surely our prayers are not lost! Many saints were renowned for their love of the brute creation; dear St. Francis of Assisi called them his little brothers and sisters. So let us hope our dear Lord will not be offended for what we have done in a spirit of pity and love for His dumb creatures."

CRY OF THE LITTLE BROTHERS.

E. M. Barby.

Bolax Goes to the Convent of St. Imelda.

On July sixth Mrs. Allen took her son to the Convent, where Reverend Mother Gertrude received them cordially, and placed Bolax under the care of Sister Joseph, who was to be his special instructress for Holy Communion.

For a few days he felt homesick, but soon got over it. The good Sisters had always some work or play to occupy their pupils, so that time never seemed long or lonely to the boys.

As the school was only eight miles from Midville, some one went down every week and all the household sent letters to our boy. Reverend Mother gave Mrs. Allen an invitation to spend the three days of the retreat in the Convent with her children, as Amy's health would not permit her to remain away from her mother's care.

Convent of St. Imelda.

Dearest Mother and all at Home: You will be glad to know that I am well and happy. My First Holy Communion is always in my mind, and I am doing all I can to prepare for the great day. I went to Confession to the Chaplain Father Drumgool, and I will make my General Confession in one week's time.

Please come down to see me as soon as you get this, I want to see you particularly, bring Sister Amy, I want Mother Gertrude and the Sisters to see her. I make two visits to the Blessed Sacrament every day, and beg our Lord to make me worthy to receive Him.

Your loving son,

Bolax.

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July 18th.

My Beloved Son: Yours just received, and oh how it gladdens my heart to know you are contented.

I dream of you every night, and my heart longs for you, but I know it is best for your soul to be with the blessed Sisters. The longer you are in such a heavenly place, the less you will feel like leaving it. I look back at my Convent days as the happiest of my life.

Papa has felt less pain in his arm for the last few days, so your prayers are being heard already. God bless you, darling, and make you a good and sincere Catholic.

Mamma.

Offer all your actions, even your play, as so many prayers that your First Communion may be a very holy one. Sister sends her dearest love; pray that she may be able to make her retreat with you at the Convent.

Your loving,

Mother.

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Home, July 26th.

My Dear Little Nephew: Your mother was so glad to see something belonging to you that she actually kissed the bundle of your soiled clothes. Oh, dear child! I wonder if you ever will repay that mother for her adoring love of you. All she asks in return is, that you will always be a fervent Catholic all the days of your life. Don't disappoint her.

Several of the boys were here asking for you, but we did not explain why you were away, as they would not understand about First Holy Communion. Elmer came and was so glad to hear of you being in the Convent.

Amy and I will be down to see you in a day or two. I will then tell all the news, so this letter will have to be short.

Your loving Aunt,

Lucy Allen.

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Dear Little Master: Wherever you be, do stop for a moment and listen to me, while here on this paper I try to relate how sad we dogs are; not knowing your fate. "Mamma Fan" says you're dead, that she ought to know, for all her three puppies told her so.

They miss the big giant who came every day to love them and squeeze them while she was away.

Tot went to your room and snuffed all around, then he cried very loud, for all that he found was just an old shoe, torn inside and out. Oh! said he, now I know Bolax's whereabout, those "Goblins" have caught him, cause he wouldn't "watch out."

Your lovingest dog,

Don.

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My Honey Boy: You' old Hetty miss you night and day. Law! de howse done got so still, even de dogs notis it.

Ef I say you' name dey looks all round, and den dey whynes when they kant find you.

I'se hopen you is goin' to get relijon enuff to last you de rest of you' life. Pat sends love, he kant rite, so he axed me to rite dat for him.

You is prayen for me, I no, bekose dat pane I had in my bak and my nee, is done gone.

God bless you, dis is from you' own old

Hetty.

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August 8th.

Soul of My Heart: Your conduct yesterday showed wonderful improvement.

I noticed your patience on two occasions, then your willingness to go without the candy although I could see you wanted it.

All this shows you are learning the Catholic spirit of mortification, or, as you will better understand it; giving up what is most pleasing to us, and bearing with little privations. You are now I hope doing all this with good will, as a preparation for your First Holy Communion.

Our Lord will notice each act of self-abnegation made for His sake.

How like Heaven that Convent is. Often in dreams I am in my old Convent singing the hymns, walking in the May procession, but most glorious of all were the First Communion days. The hymn for that day comes back to me now and thrills my heart.

O darling; how I would love to shield you from all the trials of the world. O offer myself to our Lord as a victim; to do with me what He will, send me any cross or trial, no matter how hard to bear, if only He receives my children among His chosen ones and secures their eternal salvation.

Be very attentive to all the instructions you receive, and do all in your power to make a perfect preparation for the great grace you will receive.

O my beloved! in after years, when troubled with worldly cares, it will be a consolation to look back on these days of holiness and peace. Thoughts of them will come upon you, long after the heart that dictates these words of love shall have ceased to throb, and the hand that pens them shall be—dust.

Mamma.

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St. Xavier's College.

Dear Little Friend: I congratulate you sincerely on your happy privilege of receiving our Lord. It is a good thing on this occasion to make good resolutions, but you must not rest satisfied with making them, you must turn all the energy of your will to keeping them exactly as you made them.

It is not right to pledge one's word to God, and afterwards take no pains to carry out the promise. If you promised a boy of your own age something and then neglected your word, the boy would despise you.

It is much worse to treat God with neglect. I do hope that after your First Holy Communion you will strive hard to overcome your defects, to correct the faults that your Mother notices in you.

That you will endeavor to give the greatest satisfaction to your parents is our Lord's wish, and mine. They have labored so much for you, suffered so much; your mother especially, they have had so much trouble with you when you were a helpless infant, that it would be the greatest ingratitude now, when you are able, not to seek to give them pleasure and comfort.

Another reason for paying the closest attention to what your parents say is that they are your best friends, all they want from you is for your good; so if you are docile and obedient you will become a good man, and not one that we should be ashamed of in after life.

Say your prayers every evening, renew your good resolutions every morning, and promise to obey in everything, and I am sure you will become a good man.

Your friend in Christ,

Aloysius Rocofort, S. J.

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Marquette College, August 14th.

Master Bolax Allen.

My Dear Little Friend: Your letter has given me a great deal of pleasure. At first I could not think who was writing; then I remembered you are the boy who wished I might live a hundred years. So this is the eve of your First Holy Communion!

Well dear, you have my best prayers that your heart may be adorned with all the virtues that will make it worthy of so great a grace.

You write a nice letter, just the kind Claude used to write. I hope you will love your religion and hate sin as did little Claude Lightfoot.

Your friend in Christ,

F. J. Finn, S. J.

On August 12th the children's Retreat opened, Mrs. Allen and Amy took the train in the morning so as to arrive at St. Imelda's before noon. Their first visit was to the Chapel, then Sister Joseph conducted them over the house and grounds. Bolax insisted on showing the "Most beautiful cows in the world," as he termed the well-kept Convent herd.

The Retreat opened at four in the afternoon, with Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The order of exercises were Holy Mass at half past six. Then breakfast. A walk in the grounds; spiritual reading, Stations of the Cross, not the prayers in books, but some story told at each station, then an act of contrition, and a prayer for the holy souls.

After dinner Bo was asked to help Sister Martha to weed the garden and gather vegetables, so that he might join work to prayer. He was delighted to think he could be of use, but, of course, the dear sister only wanted to give him occupation, that he might not feel the silence of the retreat too monotonous.

Amy made many visits to the Blessed Sacrament, indeed she would have remained hours in the Chapel if allowed. Mrs. Allen read interesting and instructive spiritual books, especially one by PÈre Bordalou on the "Last Supper." This she read every day, because she was anxious that it should be deeply engraven on her children's minds and hearts.

After the evening meal some of the Sisters would sit with the family under the trees in the garden, or walk about the beautiful grounds. One day Amy pointed to a bed of lilies of the valley, saying: "Sister, when I die I want to be buried under those lilies." "My darling," exclaimed her mother, startled by the earnest manner of the child, "don't talk of dying, what would I ever do without my little daughter. Oh, no, my precious, our Lord will surely spare you to help me, besides you know, you are your father's guardian angel. I depend on your prayers, particularly for his conversion."

Lucy and Mr. Allen were anxious to be present at the ceremony on the fifteenth of August, but there was no hotel in the vicinity of the Convent and no train could be had from Midville at so early an hour.

Mother Gertrude said, Miss Lucy could come to the Convent, then she went to see one of her friends, a Mrs. O'Donnell, who lived a short walk from the Convent gate; this lady gladly offered to receive Mr. Allen for the night, so both father and aunt had the pleasure of being present at the ceremony in the morning.

The Feast of the Assumption was celebrated with unusual splendor at St. Imelda's. Five little girls renewed their First Communion, dressed in white and wearing wreaths and veils. Amy's costume was very plain, but spotlessly white and new; her mother did not approve of dressing children in finery for so sacred a function, lest thoughts of their outward appearance should divert their mind from the holy act they were about to perform.

Mr. Allen and kind Mrs. Donald were at the Chapel door just as the Angelus bell was ringing; they were ushered into a seat by one of the Sisters. At ten minutes of six the organ played a grand prelude and all the Sisters and children sang: "Jesus, My Love, is Mine Today."

It was a most impressive scene; the soft, solemn music, the devout attention of the children, even the little boys so still and respectful.

Mr. Allen had never before witnessed such devout Worship.

When the time came to approach the altar, Reverend Mother led the children to the communion rail, while the choir sang soft and low, "Come Into My Heart, Dear Jesus, Come."

Little Amy looked so white and seemed to tremble.

The priest stood with the Sacred Host in his hands; slowly and with evident emotion, repeating the "Domine non sum dignus."

The children then returned to their seats with hands joined and eyes cast down; Amy's cheeks, which had been so pale were now delicately colored. There was such a transformation. It seemed that a smile from heaven played around her lips, to give them angelic grace.

After Mass the children were clasped in their parents' arms, and all the sisters and friends congratulated them on their happiness.

In taking leave Mr. Allen thanked the Reverend Mother most heartily for her kindness to his family and expressed himself as being "almost conquered."

Mrs. Allen remained with her children for the afternoon services, which were: The renovation of the Baptismal vows, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and a short sermon.

The Chaplain's Address to the First Communicants.

Dear children I do not intend speaking to you of Faith. I am sure yours is firm and sincere. I come only to remind you of your promises made to our blessed Lord this morning, to ask you to fill your hearts to overflowing with love. Love for our merciful Jesus in all stages of His life and death, but particularly love for Him in the divine Sacrament.

Love makes all things easy! so dear children, never tire asking the Blessed Mother of Jesus to give you of the love which filled her heart, that yours may ever be adorned with the virtues which will make it a fit abiding place for your merciful and sweet Saviour.

Love for Jesus will give you patience to bear with the contradictions and crosses you meet with; even little children have crosses. They may be reprimanded for a fault which another committed; bear the reproof patiently for the love of Jesus; a companion may be harsh and unjust towards you, be glad that you have something to suffer for love of Jesus. A bouquet of sacrifices to offer at the end of each day, will be more acceptable than if it were the most exquisite flowers culled from your gardens.

Dearest children come as often as you can to the Holy Table, don't be afraid—don't think of your unworthiness, no one ever was entirely worthy of Holy Communion, except the Blessed Mother of Jesus.

Come! I say, eat this heavenly bread that you may be strong to resist all temptations, that you may learn to love our Lord devotedly on earth, so as to be prepared for an eternity of love in Heaven.

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