The Death of Socrates

Jacques David
This painting portrays the death of Socrates, condemned as a "corrupter of the youth." He does not fail to proclaim the truth even to the last moment of his life. Clothed in white and bathed in light, the chains that bound him have been discarded. The disciples who have not given in to despair may hear his final words. The anatomically correct figures against the rigid stonework are representative of the Enlightenment period in which the piece was painted.
Doctrine: Philosophy, Truth, The Enlightenment

"Baby"

By George MacDonald

WHERE did you come from, baby dear ?
Out of the everywhere into here.

Where did you get those eyes so blue ?
Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin ?
Some of the starry twinkles left in.

Where did you get that little tear ?
I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high ?
A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose ?
I saw something better than anyone knows.

Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss ?
Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get this pearly ear ?
God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and hands ?
Love made itself into bonds and bands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things ?
From the same box as the cherubs' wings.

How did they all just come to be you ?
God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, my dear ?
God thought about you, and so I am here.

This poem talks about the gift of life, both God’s intricate design in creating life and the gift He bestows on other persons when new life is welcomed into the world.

Doctrine: Dignity of Human Life

Audience: Elementary and above

Use: The poem could be part of the preparation, perhaps in a lesson on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade or during the month of October.

Something Beautiful

Needtobreathe
This song speaks of man's search for beauty. Beauty is experienced in a sacramental context - it will "reach out and touch me."
Doctrine: Beauty, Sacraments, Incarnation

I Am David

Director/Screenplay by Paul Feig; based on novel by Anne Holm

In this scene, David visits a church for the first time in his life. While inside, he has flashbacks of the time in the concentration camp when Johannes took the blame for something David did, the punishment for which was death. As David recalls this act, the choir in the church sings Mozart’s “Ave Verum.” This is a healing experience for David: he realizes that Johannes chose to die in order that he might live. This realization enables him to trust other people.

Doctrine: Eucharist as healing

Audience: junior high

Use: Include the clip in a lesson on the Eucharist, explaining the healing power of the Sacrament. To do this, provide a translation of the “Ave Verum” to show its Eucharistic significance. Ask students how this clip illustrate our words at Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Written by Dr. Seuss, Irv Spector, and Bob Ogle, directed by Chuck Jones and Ben Washam

The Grinch despises Christmas and all the festivities accompanying it. He believes that by taking away the material realities contributing to the day, he can eliminate the holiday. However, he discovers that Christmas is not about things; rather, it “meant a little bit more.”

Doctrine: Conversion, Reasons for Incarnation

Audience: junior high or high school

Use: Show movie to students during Christmas as an example of how God became man to save us from sin. The graces of the Incarnation bring about conversion in the lives of men.

"The Travelling Companion"

Hans Christian Anderson

Full text may be accessed at “Hans Christian Anderson Center”

John, saddened by his father’s death, nonetheless believes that his father has sent him into the wide world in search of his future bride. Always seeking to do good and confident of God’s protection, John takes to the road, and eventually falling into the company of another man who does good likewise. This travelling companion almost seems to have magical powers in his ability to heal and help. John immediately loves the princess of a distant land, but he must save her from the spell of an evil sorcerer in order to win her as his bride. This his does with the help of his travelling companion, who once they are wed, reveals himself as the spirit of one for whom John once did good and vanishes from their sight.

Doctrine: The Trinity. The father watches over John from heaven, John saves his bride by dipping her three times in a pool of water, and he is savior only through the wisdom and counsel of another “Helper,” the Travelling Companion.

Audience: Junior High

Use: Tell a shortened version of the story to the class as part of preparation.

All For You

Written by Ken Block, Jeff Beres, Andrew Copeland, Ryan Carter Newell, Mark E. Trojanowski; sung by Sister Hazel

This song speaks about the recognition of how one’s whole life changes when it is lived for another.

Doctrine: Conversion, personal relationship with Christ

Audience: junior high or high school retreat

Use: Play song after offering students models of conversion. Speak both about initial conversion and daily metanoia.

Finally I figured out
But it took a long, long time
But now there's a turnabout
Maybe 'cause I'm trying

There's been times, I'm so confused
All my roads, They lead to you
I just can't turn and walk away

It's hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
But words can't say, And I can't do
Enough to prove,
It's all for you

I thought I'd seen it all
'Cause it's been a long, long time
But then we'll trip and fall
Wondering if I'm blind

Rain comes pouring down
Falling from blue skies
Words without a sound
Coming from your eyes

 

If Ye Love Me

Thomas Tallis

Lyrics:

If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may bide with you for ever, ev’n the spirit of truth.

Doctrine: Pentecost

Audience: junior high or high school

Use: Make a video using pictures of the Holy Spirit and this song. Use this video in a preparation for a lesson on Pentecost.

San Damiano Cross: A Brief Explanation

Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR

This webpage provides an in-depth look at this icon. Various parts of the crucifix are considered to help the viewer “read” the icon, thus gaining a more thorough appreciation and understanding of it.

Doctrine: Life of Christ

Audience: upper elementary school and above

Use: During Lent, introduce students to the icon as a means of focusing on Jesus during the season. Each week, select a few pieces of the icon to explain to the students.

Solemn Blessing of the Professed

From the Rite of Perpetual Profession

This prayer is prayed by the Bishop over the Sister(s) professing perpetual vows. The prayer outlines how God has wedded human nature to Himself throughout the course of salvation history. The Bishop invokes the Holy Spirit to aid the perpetually professed on their pilgrimage to the “wedding feast of heaven.”

Doctrine: Evangelical Counsels

Audience: Junior high or high school

Use: Include in celebration, asking students to pray for all religious, especially any they know personally. Excerpts could also be incorporated into explanation: the individual cooperates with God’s grace to profess the counsels, thus requiring the divine assistance sought through this prayer.

Father in heaven,

the desire to serve you is itself your gift,

and to sustain it is your care.

For this and all your gifts we give you thanks and praise.

With love no words can tell

you created the human family

through your Word in the Holy Spirit.

You took our human nature into communion with yourself.

You make it your bride,

radiant with your own likeness,

and adorned with the gifts of everlasting life.

Even though your bride was deceived by the devil,

and broke faith

you did not abandoned her.

Love for your servant Noah

moved you to renew the Covenant

you first made with Adam.

(Then from the race of Abraham, the man of faith,

you chose a people destined to outnumber

the stars of heaven.

By the hand of Moses

you sealed a Covenant with them in the tables of the Law.

From age to age

there arose from this favoured people,

holy women renowned for devotion and courage,

sanctity and faith.)

In the fullness of time

you raised up a holy virgin from the stock of Jesse:

the Holy Spirit was to come upon her,

and your power overshadowed her,

making her the Immaculate Mother

of the world’s Redeemer.

He became poor, humble, and obedient

the source and pattern of all holiness.

he formed the Church into his bride,

loving it with love so great

that he gave himself up for it

and sanctified it in his blood.

In your loving wisdom

you have led countless daughters of yours

to follow him as disciples

and be honored as brides.

(With their rich variety

the Holy Church is a garden of many splendors,

a bride adorned with jewels,

a queen robed in grace,

a mother rejoicing in her children.)

Father, we earnestly pray you:

send the fire of the Holy Spirit

to warm into flame

the resolve he has kindled in the hearts of your daughters.

Lord, may the glory of their baptism shine again

with the innocence of newborn life.

Strengthened by the vows of their consecration,

may they be always one with you in fervent love,

faithful to Christ, their only Spouse.

May they cherish the Church as their mother

and love the whole world as God’s creation,

teaching it to look forward in joy and hope

to the good things of heaven.

Lord, holy Father,

guide the steps of your servants

and guard them on their pilgrimage.

At the judgment seat of the King of heaven

let them not fear him as their judge,

but hear the voice of their Bridegroom

inviting them to the wedding feast of heaven.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.