A shiver ran through the other friars as they heard these words from a terrified novice.  Then, moments later, came blood-curdling screams not far off in the distance.  The long-dreaded attack had finally come. 

     Father Hyacinth calmly took from the tabernacle the ciborium containing the Consecrated Hosts.  "All will be well," he said.  "Just follow me."  Then he picked up the miraculous statue of Our Lady with his other arm and headed for the street.

     "Christians!" screamed the Tartars as they caught sight of the little band.  "Burn them!  Kill them!" 

     But somehow the barbarians were unable to carry out their bloody intentions.  By some unseen force, their swords clattered to the ground, their torches sputtered out.  What was happening?  Fear was stamped on every pagan face.

     Then Hyacinth spoke again: "Come, my sons.  Down to the water!"

     There were no boats on the river.  What did Father Hyacinth have in mind now?

     "I was wondering if I could have just one more present Mother?"
     "Greedy girl!" laughed her father.  "What more do you want than this?"
     Imelda looked up.  "I'd like to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion," she whispered.

     This was one present that Imelda's parents could not give her.  Back in the year 1327, Holy Communion was not given until age 14.  It seemed that no one would grant Imelda's great desire.  But Imelda knew that Our Lord can do anything.  She would beg Him everyday to come to her. 

     Would Our Lord hear Imelda's prayer?  What answer would He give?  And would He have to perform a miracle in order to answer her?

     This book gives the answers and tells the wonderful story of how little Imelda came to be the Patroness of First Communicants.

      Yet, this is a most improbable story, for here is the story of a saint who, with only two years’ formal education before entering upon his priestly studies, had the greatest difficulty passing his examinations and becoming a priest. And even when he did, he was given one of the poorest, most remote and most run-down parishes in all of France. But within a few short years, he reformed his parish and his town, and in the process established such a reputation, that the world began to seek him out and finally beat a path to his door. The Devil himself once revealed to St. John Vianney that if there were three such men as he alive at one time, his kingdom (the Devil’s) would be destroyed. Just four years after his canonization in 1925, Pope Pius XI named him Patron Saint of Parish Priest.” 

“In the Cure of Ars, we have an incomparable guide. He remains for all an unequalled model both of the carrying out of the ministry and of the holiness of the minister.” - Pope John Paul II
 

“Everyone who thinks Vianney already well known will find not simply new information, but what has new meaning for each discoverer. That meaning may differ for each reader. The descriptions of the Cure’s encounters with Satan and “his lesser angels” and of the hours in the confessional were my own personal crucial rediscoveries. The retreat by Pope John Paul II given at Ars is an extraordinary bonus in this extraordinary work… An important fascinating work by an important, fascinating author.” - John Cardinal O’Conner From the Foreword

     The Little Catechism of the Cure of Ars is an incomparable analysis of the spiritual battle we all face to save our souls and is probably the simplest and most persuasive exhortation ever written admonishing us to renounce our sins and to lead a pure and holy life.
     Divided into 36 short chapters, The Little Catechism covers every basic aspect of our spiritual struggle and the means Jesus Christ has provided through His Church to overcome our spiritual problems.  But more than this, The Little Catechism reflects the wisdom of a lifetime of labor spent in the vineyard of the Lord, wisdom stated in a profound yet simple and direct way that the reader will find nowhere else but in the writing of the Cure of Ars.  For here we find many of the Cure's memorable and epigrammitic sayings, so expressive of spiritual truths, such as, "I know two very certain ways of becoming poor: they are working on Sunday and taking other people's property."  "The Christian lives in the midst of crosses, as the fish lives in the sea."  "We are like little mirrors in which God contemplates Himself.  How can you expect that God should recognize His likeness in an impure soul?"

       Nearly five hundred years later she was canonized and became the patron saint of the country she saved.  It is one of the most astonishing stories in history.  This is an attempt to tell it simply but accurately and to peel away the smothering husk in which some historians have enclosed it.  It is a task I have enjoyed and I hope that what I have done will enable others to feel the magic of those far-off summer days when this young girl, astride her charger, rode conquering through the fields and woods of France.  But it is far more than the story of a conquest, far more than a medieval pageant.  It is the story of a great saint - Joan of Arc."   -  John Beevers

     "I'm going to see Father Prior about this!" sputtered old Father Francis, as the little group of priests and brothers peered into the chapel at Brother John.  Brother John was praying ardently - several feet off the floor!  "There is no need to have these...these acrobatics!  And right in the sanctuary, too!"
     The others did not know what to say.  "Brother John is a saint," ventured on brother.
     Father Francis, however, dismissed the wonder with a wave of his hand.  "I'm quite sure that Brother John is a saint," he declared, "but I still see no reason for him to float about in the air!  Some of our younger brothers may think they should be able to float in the air too!" 
     "Oh, no!" exclaimed one young priest.  "That won't happen!"
     "That's what you think!" came the reply.  "I shall speak to Father Prior and ask him to put a stop to all such exhibitions.  Brother John will have to obey him!"
     What would the Prior say?  Would he agree with Father Francis?