The Children's Charter was Mother Mary Loyola's response to Pope Pius X's 1910 decree Quam Singulari, which lowered the age for reception of First Communion to seven. Addressed directly to the parents and teachers of children, this is a rare peek into the classroom as Mother Loyola would have it. Here the author of The King of the Golden City turns her attention from the children themselves to their catechists, sharing the methods by which she learned to capture the imagination, reach the heart, and awaken in little ones a personal love for Our Lord.
Her advice is wonderfully practical: make instruction vivid and concrete; use stories, pictures, and familiar things; watch children's faces to see whether you have really reached them; keep lessons short; and never blame a wandering child when it is the teacher who has failed to hold his attention.
Above all, she reminds us that sacramental preparation is not merely a matter of imparting the necessary information. The goal is to lead the child to Our Lord Himself, so that knowledge gives rise to desire, and First Confession and First Communion become the beginning of a lifelong love for the Sacraments.
Despite the century that has passed since this book was first published, Mother Loyola's advice remains just as relevant—a testament to how well she understood the hearts and minds of children. This is an invaluable guide for parents, teachers, and catechists entrusted with bringing them to Christ.
5.5" x 8.5" paperback 102 pages
Q. How does this book differ from Mother Loyola's First Communion?
A. First Communion speaks directly to the child, using stories, Gospel scenes, and vivid instruction to prepare the mind and heart for receiving Our Lord.
The Children's Charter speaks to the parent, teacher, or catechist, explaining the methods behind that kind of preparation—how to capture a child's attention, reach the heart through the imagination, and awaken the knowledge and desire necessary for a fruitful First Communion.
The two books therefore make natural companions: First Communion helps form the child, while The Children's Charter helps form the catechist who is guiding the child.
