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aussieannie
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I am very eager to start this thread on this new board as I am at the beginning of my school year here in Australia and I am looking at religion for this year - I have in the past used two books for teaching the children the True Devotion, Leading the Little Ones to Mary on a daily basis and St Louis deMonfort, The Story of Our Lady's Slave by Mary Fabyan Windeatt.
I have raised my two eldest on Leading the Little Ones to Mary and my next two children are now reading for the daily readings, so I will start them this year again.
What I would like to know is there any other books out there that present the True Devotion to children that they have found very effective and helpful? Has anyone read these books I have already mentioned and have some personal stories to share - I would love to hear them!
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Helen
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Anne,
I would love to hear how you used Leading the LIttle Ones and the Windeatt book with your children. Could you elaborate?
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Elizabeth
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Annie,
The two you have mentioned are the two that I am using, plus Just Like Mary.
I'm also picking up my Blessed Mother Notebook Project.
I'm looking so forward to this study with my children!
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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JennGM
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How timely is this discussion! I had just found my copy of "Leading the Little Ones to Mary" and also a little pamphlet called "The Secret of Mary Explained to Children" published by the Montfort Fathers. I found some new copies here and a Canadian source when I Googled. It's an excellent little pamphlet.
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aussieannie
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Helen, I found that Leading the little ones to Mary a very good book as it is a short reading each day with the children and a simple consecration prayer each day:
"Holy Mary I want to belong to you. I give you my whole self and all the good things I do,
at home
at school (when schooling)
in church
on the playground (at playtime - the brackets are my adjustments for a homeschooling life)
My Mother, I am all yours and all I do belongs to you."
This is such a simple, easy way to introduce their little souls to this devotion!
I remember when I first started, the lady that recommended the book to me said she had discovered the book midway through her schooling life and started using it with boys no.5 and 6 (she has 8 boys and 1 girl) and she said she definately noticed a difference of behaviour in those two in particular compared to her four older boys. This was a family whose school motto was, "Totus Tuus" Totally Yours and they also lived the True Devotion in their lives.
Girls are 'little Mary's' and boys 'little Mario's' and I so often will say, "is that the way a little Mario behave?' (I said it today in church to my 4 year old) and it really makes them think! (he looked at me and I could see the cogs turning  - I only started last night and concept is new but I see the same reaction of used to get with my older two) The two children I am starting it with at present are my 4 year old Joseph, and 7 year old Angela - it is the perfect age for this book.
This book will cover in time the special stories about Our Lady - Our Lady of Guadalupe, The Holy House of Loreto, St Therese and Our Lady of the Smile, the flying picture of Mother of Good Counsel, The Miraculous Medal, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima and more - in fact it is amazing how much is covered considering it is a small book in size. This book keeps directing the children to identify themselves with Mary and awakening in them a desire to imitate her.
I suppose what I really would say is this book is easy to do - it doesn't take more than 5 mins daily, they will learn their consecration prayer from heart very soon into it and it then becomes part of their daily prayer life.
Here is the preface:
"This Marian program has but one purpose, to imbue the little ones with a genuine devotion to Mary. Therefore, it is not intended as a pious practice for May or October. It is rather a copying of Mary - a way of life. It is the De Montfort Methold simplified for young minds.
There are sixteen series in all. If begun in the fall, the entire series can be covered in a school year. A day or two should elapse between talks to allow time for the children to assimilate the matter. During this time they are gently and joyously reminded of the little practices by slogans which are a tiny digest of something spiritually worthwhile - something the children can cherish in the memory through the years. The teacher's encouraging commendations are also a spur to greater effort as - I saw a little Mary doing something kind today. Our Lady will be looking for her Marios at Mass on Sunday. How many copied Mary over the weekend? etc.
It is not expected that the children retain all the story facts. The real object will be attained if they imbibe a holy and happy love for their holy Mother and can grasp, according to each one's capacity, the meaning of the consecration they make so frequently.
According to the principle, "no impression without its corresponding expression," the children must participate in these talks. This they can do by the comments they give. Thus the matter becomes their own. In this way, the teacher gets a fair estimate of the comprehension of her little listeners.
The program has been widely used in first, second, and third grades with gratifying results. Teachers have enthusiastically reported about the appreciation evinced by their eager little groups.
Mothers and teacher truly in love with Our Lady will be ingenious in including all visual and other aids availbale in the guidance of their little Marys and Mariosto our Holy Mother.
The Author - Sister May Lelia, S.S.N.D"
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aussieannie
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With St Louis deMonfort, The Story of Our Lady's Slave by Mary Fabyan Windeatt, I think this is just the perfect book for the older child, especially if your child is too old to start the Leading the Little Ones to Mary. If your children are young it is the perfect lead-on from Leading the Little Ones to Mary.
I always read with the children, usually a chapter a day but my experience with all of Windeatt's books the children beg me to 'read another chapter Mum, don't stop now!' she was such a talented writer and has given the Catholic world so much in the form of her books.
I cannot recommend this book enough - it was my first introduction to True Devotion as a teenager - look at it this way it is a living book of the devotion and it's founder! By reading it with them you can stop and explain, elaborate and ENJOY the moment with your children, your sharing a spiritual gem, your way of life with them - it's precious!
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We have been using Leading the Little Ones to Mary for years, and my eldest daughter conducted a program for the little ones in our homeschooling group using this book in the Autumn! It is a favorite!
Now that same daughter will be reading True Devotion with me (along with all of you) to prepare for our Consecration.
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aussieannie
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Elizabeth, Just Like Mary is a great book to use too - I forgot to mention it as I have had it for only a short time - but it's good!
I will have a good look at your link to the Blessed Mother notebooks, this would be a good thing for us to start this year for religion - I am sitting down and working this year's approch at present.
Jenn, you have read my mind! I was going to post where could I get it, thank you so much for that link.
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BrendaPeter
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I almost hesitate to post about this little gem as I haven't been able to locate where to purchase a copy  . A very dear friend of mine gave me a copy of "The Secret of Mary Explained to Children". It is published by Montfort Publications in Bay Shore, NY 11706. Basically, it is "The Secret of Mary" by St. Louis de Montfort re-written more simply for children.
We also love "Leading the Little Ones to Mary" & pray the consecration prayer every morning as part of our morning prayers.
Thank you Annie for the recommendation on the Mary Fabyan Windeatt book. We love all her books but haven't gotten to this one yet. It just went to the top of the pile...
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Helen
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I found my copy of Leading the Little Ones to Mary and for the first time, I noticed that at the end of each chapter there is a list of "suggested readings."
We should find out if these books are in print anymore and what they are like!
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Thank you Anne, we read from Leading the Little Ones to day at lunch.
When I tried to refresh my children's memories on what it means to:
play like Mary,
pray like Mary,
help like Mary,
obey like Mary,
and share like Mary.
I didn't have their attention. I didn't even get to the part about renewing their consecration. (At my younger children's baptisms, they were consecrated to Our Lady.) I realized that I needed a way to grab their attention and to make this discussion more tangible.
(Here is one picture of my plan.) I had some unpainted wood pieces which I hadn't used at Christmas time. I asked my daughter to paint them for me. They are currently in a box on the kitchen table. I told the children to pick one of the wood pieces tomorrow at breakfast and I will explain what it means.(I said this at dinner time. I don't think they know that the wood pieces are connected to Leading the Little One's to Mary.)
Tomorrow, I will explain that each wood piece has a special significance.
Play like Mary = palm tree
Pray like Mary= Cross on Calvary
Help like Mary= hand
Obey like Mary= Chalice (Thy Will be done - the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane)
Share like Mary= the unpainted bag like wood piece. (open your bag and share the contents)
Some of the pieces will remind the children to renew their consecration during
school work = the letter M
church= the church wood piece
while home= home sweet home
games= trophy (good winners and losers)
The wood piece will determine what they will focus on during the day. At tea time, we'll have a chance to see who remembered to practice behaving like the Blessed Mother.
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Great ideas, Helen! I love your inspired use of the wood pieces you had right on hand! Just beautiful!!!
The problem with Leading the Little Ones to Mary is that, although it is beautiful and worthwhile, it is written in a style that is perhaps too sing-songy for some kids (I hope you know what I mean by that). I do not think it is necessarily the most engaging read, although it can be, particularly if Mom reads ahead and paraphrases in some places.
Of course, we've only begun, but I was amazed at how receptive the children were to the original text of True Devotion. St. Louis de Montfort writes so earnestly, so passionately that the children, young and old, could not help listening to him. The girls ages 12 (gulp, almost 13) down to 7 were spellbound, and it sparked so many questions and observations.
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Helen
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alicegunther wrote:
| Of course, we've only begun, but I was amazed at how receptive the children were to the original text of True Devotion. St. Louis de Montfort writes so earnestly, so passionately that the children, young and old, could not help listening to him. The girls ages 12 (gulp, almost 13) down to 7 were spellbound, and it sparked so many questions and observations. |
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Good idea Alice, I'll try St. Louis tomorrow. Let's see if the children show more sustained interest.
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aussieannie
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Helen your ideas are always impressive and creative! Finding neat ways to really get to the hearts and minds of children - thank you, I am going to think about how I could incorporate something like that with our children...
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aussieannie
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Helen wrote:
I found my copy of Leading the Little Ones to Mary and for the first time, I noticed that at the end of each chapter there is a list of "suggested readings."
We should find out if these books are in print anymore and what they are like! |
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Just from a brief look and internet search on the suggested reading, I think it would seem alot are out of print.
What might be a suggestion is that as we all come to the end of each chapter, whatever books and their particular chapters/passages that we know of or used in the past, that could help support and develop the current theme and discussion, could be posted? Maybe a thread just for that would be useful.
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I don't mean to jump in like this. I have been reading this forum and "We Pray to the Lord" when I can (getting on the computer is difficult for me lately, but I wouldn't have it any other way). I have found that Leading the Little Ones to Mary is good around age 5 and 6. After that I would recommend The Secret of Mary. It is also online at EWTN. I believe it would be easier for children to understand than True Devotion to Mary. I alternate reading True Devotion and The Secret of Mary each year. I use The Secret of Mary throughout the year for the prayers. My renewal of my consecration is March 25 (The Feast of the Annunciation).
Thank you Helen for moderating this forum.
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Elizabeth
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alicegunther wrote:
The problem with Leading the Little Ones to Mary is that, although it is beautiful and worthwhile, it is written in a style that is perhaps too sing-songy for some kids (I hope you know what I mean by that |
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I do. And so do the five boys in my house. I find myself really, really paraphrasing. and I rely on JPII's devotion as an example to pull the boys in. It's a bit more difficult to help boys understand devotion to mary than it is my girls. Maybe that's just here...
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BrendaPeter
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BrendaPeter wrote:
| I almost hesitate to post about this little gem as I haven't been able to locate where to purchase a copy . A very dear friend of mine gave me a copy of "The Secret of Mary Explained to Children". It is published by Montfort Publications in Bay Shore, NY 11706. Basically, it is "The Secret of Mary" by St. Louis de Montfort re-written more simply for children. |
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Christine,
Thank you so much for recommending "The Secret of Mary" as I'm sure we would enjoy that as well.
I managed to call Montfort Publications today & learned that, if you're interested, you can purchase "The Secret of Mary for Children" by phone - (631)665-0726 or on their website which will be up & running in 2 weeks: http://www.montfortmissionaries.org.
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KellyJ
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This is "just" a board book, but I really like how the book depicts our Lady with a halo or crown of flowers.
It is a sweet little book for little ones, with a different aspect of Mary's life and a very short explanation or prayer (can't remember which) also on the page.
Our Blessed Mother by George Brundage
Also, thank you for the reocmmendation of The Secret of Mary Children's version -- I found it at Sacred Heart books and gifts' site, though I haven't bought it yet.
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MaryM
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I'm going to chime in with Mother Mary, God's Gift to You and Mother Mary, God's Quick & Easy Way to Divine Holiness from Bread of Life Publishing. I didn't mention them when the thread first started because I have not used them and it had been several years since I had seen them. This week I had a chance to read them cover to cover. When I first saw them a few years ago I only scanned them. They didn't really appeal to me at that time - I think mostly due to the cartoony drawings, but I didn't read it carefully enough to give it a chance.
So now in reading them I really think they would be a good resource for teaching our children devotion to Mary. The pictures are still a little hokey and sometimes the language she uses is a little funny, but in general I think they do a wonderful job of explaining devotion to Mary and helping our children to desire it. Regardless of my opinion of the pictures, my 7 year old loves them! And I guess that's who this is appealing to.
I haven't read True Devotion to Mary, though I'm joining the study with you all. So being unfamiliar, I am learning a lot from the clear explanations about consecration to Mary in this Marian catechism for young people. The sections on the rosary and Miraculous Medal are excellent as well as. There are great quotes from various saints and other holy people (St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Louis de Monfort, St. Bernanrd, St. Faustina, St. John Eudes, Sister Lucia, Pope John Paul II, St. Pius, St. Pio, Blessed Dina Belenger, Pope Leo XII, St. Therese) from their writings on Mary.
It's a very Mary friendly book for the novice.
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4Real Forums : Hidden Treasure
Topic: Can we talk about books for children?
