Little Robert was a Crusader of the Blessed Sacrament. He had heard Mass, said his thanksgiving prayers, and was about to return home when he heard the parish priest say to the sacristan:
“This year there will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during the Forty Hours in Carnival time.”
“But why, Father?”
“Because the Blessed Sacrament would be left alone, as last year…”
“Alone, the Blessed Sacrament!” said little Robert sorrowfully. “No, no, that cannot be; it shall not be.”
With a leap he placed himself at the church door, where the parish priest was leaving.
“What is it, Robert?”
“I heard that you will not have the exposition…”
“Yes, I fear they would leave Jesus alone.”
“Father, have the exposition; they will come.”
“They? Who?”
“The Crusaders.”
“All of them?”
“Yes, Father, all of them; I will bring them.”
“But the exposition lasts the whole day…”
“Yes, we shall be here all day.”
In view of the boy’s firm resolve, the parish priest promised to hold the exposition.
The next day, at seven in the morning, all the Crusaders were ready for Mass and afterward would keep half-hour watches before the Blessed Sacrament, relieving one another in turns. The parish priest had prepared for them beautiful kneelers covered in red.
The Crusaders took turns until noon, some returning to their post even three times.
Robert had said, “I will bring all the Crusaders”; but to himself he added, “The mothers will come too, and the older brothers, and even the fathers.”
And so it truly was. It was a beautiful sight!
For little Robert had gone from house to house of the Crusaders, inviting them fervently to keep watch before the Blessed Sacrament and asking them to pray, make sacrifices, and ask their parents and brothers not to be absent.
Behold what a fervent little Crusader can do.
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