And a Child Led Them

Apr 1

“The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.” Is:6:11

Ok, well maybe not a wolf living with a lamb… Yes, I guess a lion may be a bit, and they aren’t really children anymore, although thank God they have not totally grown up. That was the thought that ran through my mind the other day, “and a little child shall lead them.”

The past two years, in addition to my work at St. Pius X and Rosary Care, I have been supporting Michael Petro, Campus Minister, and his programs at St. Francis de Sales School here in Toledo. Michael decided to hold Exposition, Adoration, and Benediction during every period the other day. Any teacher, particularly those who taught Religion, could bring their students down to the chapel. Four of us Oblate priests assisted throughout the day, and I took the last two periods.

The chapel was dimly lit. Michael explained everything to the students in advance, showed them the monstrance, and told them that all the music and prayers they would need would be on the two screens on either side of the sanctuary, and then we began.

The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the monstrance. They were invited to kneel. On the screen came the words, and a singer began, “Yes, O Salutaris,” in English. Then they were invited to sit for a reading of Scripture and kneel again for a Litany of the Eucharist. Then the quiet time began, and I froze.

Knowing how teenagers can be and how the last periods of the day can be the hardest for students to focus and behave, I prepared myself… I waited for the giggle, and it didn’t happen. I waited for the chair to scrape the floor, and it didn’t happen. I waited for the whisper and could not hear it. I waited for anything, but all I heard was silence. As my anxiety rose, I couldn't truly focus on my own prayers; rather, I kept thinking: “Michael, let’s move on while they are quiet.” But he didn’t, and still, they remained silent.

Finally, the screen came on again with “Tantum Ergo” in English, the Benediction, the Divine Praises, and Reposition of the Eucharist in the tabernacle. Then I thought now! This is when they would break out in the familiar teenage noise, but they didn’t. They just got up quietly and left.

Then, a new group came in and we started all over, except this time I prayed from the depths of my heart during the quiet time. I thought: “and a little child will lead them,” and I thanked God for the guys at St. Francis who yesterday helped me again discover the symphony of silence in the presence of my Eucharist Lord.