GIRL, ARISE!

Dear friends, Hail Mary!

We are offering our readers a special gift: the publication of several stories from the book Treasure of Examples by Fr. Francisco Alves, C.Ss.R., published by Editora Vozes in 1958.

"Exempla magis, quam verba, movent"
("Examples move us more than words.")

Note: We will be publishing the texts in accordance with the original version, so as not to alter the meaning intended by the author.

Author’s Presentation:
Every child loves to hear stories. At home, at school, in church—wherever they may be—children sit quietly, attentively, almost holding their breath when a beautiful story or an edifying example is told to them.
The pastor, the missionary, the teacher, the catechist—all know this from experience.

Now, teaching catechism, leading meetings of little crusaders, preparing a hundred or two hundred children for their First Communion without telling them moving stories is to risk failure. After half an hour, at most, they are bored, distracted, and want to leave. They talk, play, quarrel—it’s chaos, disorder... And shouting, threatening, pinching, or pulling ears will do no good. The next day, there will already be fewer of them: the older ones won’t return, the timid ones will not dare to enter, and the little ones will understand even less and learn nothing.

Yet it is necessary to teach that multitude of children—who do not hear about God, who grow up without catechism, who wander through the streets—the truths of faith, the divine precepts, and the consoling doctrine of salvation.

How can one get restless and lively children to be attentive, to stop talking, to listen, pray, sing, and stay in line?
A powerful means to obtain silence, attention, and interest is to tell them an appealing, suggestive, emotional, and easily understandable story.

Stories as found in books are often brief and lacking action. Naturally—who would buy or read large volumes? Therefore, the catechist, teacher, or priest who tells them should read and meditate on the chosen story, to expand it, describe it vividly, give it life, color, and movement—to dramatize it. Tell it freely, with gestures of hands, arms, head... speak with the eyes... laugh or cry... terrify or inspire... make people laugh or move them to tears—as expressively and passionately as possible!

Whoever can bring life and warmth to the stories through facial expressions, body movement, and tone of voice—such a person rules over children and can do with them whatever he wishes.

After telling the story, take advantage of the children’s attention: ask one of them to retell it, then insert a doctrinal point, an exhortation, advice, or a short prayer.

In this collection, there are no stories invented by us; they are authentic, even when the author is not mentioned. Many of them are told by various authors with slight variations, which is no harm. The storyteller is free to expand, color, or embellish any example. The essential thing is that the story be possible, true, and doctrinally sound.

Finally, it would be most desirable that this collection also reach the hands of mothers and grandmothers, who would do immense good to their children and grandchildren by frequently telling them beautiful stories capable of shaping their hearts and character in the true Christian sense.

To Our Lady of Aparecida, our exalted Queen, we consecrate this small seed of good, asking her to make it grow and bear fruits of salvation among the children of our beloved Brazil.

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GIRL, ARISE!

Jairus, the leader of one of the synagogues in Capernaum, is in great anguish. His twelve-year-old daughter is gravely ill, and her condition is desperate. As his last hope, he turns to Jesus. Knowing that He has just returned from Gerasa, he goes to meet Him.

“Lord,” he says with a trembling voice, “my daughter is dying. Come, lay Your hand upon her so that she may be healed and live.”

The Master, ever merciful and so loving toward children, agrees and immediately sets out. But the crowd presses around Him in the narrow streets, delaying Him more than Jairus desired and more than the girl’s illness could bear. Before they reach the house, some servants arrive with the fatal news of the child’s death.

Poor father! He had gone to the Redeemer full of hope; on the way his faith had grown after witnessing the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage. But now all his hopes collapse. It’s too late. She is dead. His servants are right: why trouble the Master any further?

But Jesus comforts him, saying:
“Do not be afraid; only believe, and your daughter will be saved.”

They arrive at the house. Mourning fills the air. The professional mourners and flute players—pagan customs adopted by the Jews—are already there, as well as relatives and friends.

“Why do you weep and make such a commotion?” says Jesus. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.”

Those who hear Him laugh in scorn, for they have seen the body and are sure she is dead. They do not know that for the Lord of Life, death is but a short sleep whose awakening is near.

Jesus sends everyone out and enters the room with only the girl’s parents and three of His disciples.

There lies the pale, motionless body upon the bed.
He approaches, takes the girl’s alabaster hand, and commands with divine authority:
“Talitha, cumi! Girl, arise!”

To her parents’ great astonishment, the girl stands up and begins to walk. She is not only raised from the dead but completely healed—so much so that she immediately begins to eat.

Having performed the miracle, Jesus departs, instructing them to keep silent, wishing to avoid applause and excitement. Nevertheless, the news of this wonder spread throughout the entire region.