Altar Stone

[fellowChristian]

Revelation 6:9
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

When the early Christians were being persecuted some would hide in the Catacombs of the Saints and there they would pray the Mass on the sarcophagus of a saint.

Catacombs of Rome
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombs_of_Rome

 

[bpbasilphx]

The relics in Altars and Altar stnes are supposed to be first-class relics.

 

[Paul2274]

You’re breakin’ my heart here! One of the points that really gets the attention my sixth grade Scripture classes is the beginning-of-the-year tour in which I show them the altar stone and tell them about the martyrs in there. This is one of the really beautiful traditions of the Catholic faith.

Just for fun tell them we need to make more saints… we need more little pieces… ok maybe not very funny but maybe a little chuckle.

Paul

 

[mercygate]

Just for fun tell them we need to make more saints… we need more little pieces… ok maybe not very funny but maybe a little chuckle.

Paul

I kind of DO that. I tell them that in a Church I know, the relic in the altar is 12-year-old Maria Goretti. Since THEY are 12, that sets up the them of my whole year teaching Scripture: Jer. 1:5 “Say not, I am too young!”

 

[Paul2274]

I kind of DO that. I tell them that in a Church I know, the relic in the altar is 12-year-old Maria Goretti. Since THEY are 12, that sets up the them of my whole year teaching Scripture: Jer. 1:5 “Say not, I am too young!”

Do you get some “jaw dropping” reactions, where they are amazed or they have “the light bulb moment”?

Paul

 

[mercygate]

Do you get some “jaw dropping” reactions, where they are amazed or they have “the light bulb moment”?

Paul

The Maria Goretti story sometimes scares them. Bringin’ it HOME that “you are not too young” to know your faith, to live your faith, to witness to Jesus Christ with all you have.

I tell them about child and teen saints: Agnes, Tarcicius, Dominic Savio . . .

The problem is that they are mostly VERY poorly instructed, so it takes a while for the message to sink in.

 

[Paul2274]

Well God Bless you for having the patience and the calling to teach them.

As parents we are the first educators for our children. Not just ABC’s and 123’s but we are as Pope JPII said, the family is the domestic church.

We should, as parents, teach our children and instruct them in the faith. But like so many excuses we find for one reason or another not to do it and all the sudden you have a rebellious 15 year old and you can’t figure out how he/she got that way… .

Anyway, I want to thank you for your willingness to take up the slack for the parents who are not fulfilling their “domestic church” respondsibilities.

Kudos to you

Paul

 

[Phemie]

Do you get some “jaw dropping” reactions, where they are amazed or they have “the light bulb moment”?

Paul

I had her picture on my bedroom wall until I was in my teens but I’m afraid my reaction to her story (when I was about 10) wasn’t anything like that, it was 'Don’t ever expect me to be saint!"