The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-03-21
JUVENILE COLUMN.
ELS FIRST AND LAST COMMUNION.
From the Young Catholic. ]


Sacred Heart, Manhattanville. Her
home was in Cuba but Isabel aud
b young sisters had come all the
b7n that pretty home in the South to
Etthe convent. There they were to
With many other little girls in the
large classrooms, with the gentle
teach them. There they were to
hr Lord every day in His beautiful
and to learn how to love Him
and how to serve Him perfectly 10
title daily duties. And Isabel was
very hard. She>was only eleven
Id; but she was going to make her
Comm union, and she longed with all
krt to make it in a very holy way.
bad been told by the good nuns that
was like a room, into which the
Eeeus would come ut the moment OF
hnion. He, the great God and Man,
|ly. 30 pure, 80 glorious, coming in a
We into her poor little soul! How
Eha make it clean enough or beauti-
|sfh for Himf In her prayers she
stself that question; then she
|y to the dear Lord-"My sweet
am but poor, little, helpless girl
make my soul very white aud clean
|F coming; please make it like the
III altar in the chapel, full of lights
|wers and splendid things"
|ehe began to take great pains with
DC she did and said and thought.
lay she grew sweeter in her ways,
|eedient to her teachers, more loving
|selfish with her little companions.
|ery day, also, she grew thinner and
and more like one of the white
b the beautiful altar she loved. Her
had never been good and as the
br the children's First Communion
lear, Isabel became very weak. Her
title cheeks were so hollow, and her
|eyes SO large and bright with fever,
last one of the nuns took her into
bm for sick children Called the in
W and put her softly into little
bed.
lay there very still, like one who was
Eorn out; and she looked peacefully
hre statue of our Blessed Lady at the
her bed until the doctor came to
+. He felt her pulse, and looked at
bgue, and said there was no need to
|ghtened the child was growing too
be must rest a good deal she must
on beef and iron and wine, and she
i Oc ptIGcE III d 10" "cthS.
rs the day before the First Commun-
the children. Isabel's white dress
|eil were ready, and the good nuu
vas nursing her had just laid them
10 her little bed, that Isabel nigh,
bm. She smiled sweetly, but turned
bad very slowly on her pillow. She
erV eak and tired still but she
to be stronger to morrow. That
blessed to- morrow How long il
coming! She had talked of it and
led of it for months.
HE she lay in her little white bed
Ing her happy thoughts, good Father
was talking in the parlor downstairs
he Mother Superior.
lei have sick child in the iptirmary
ia said the nun /; 81 think it would d.
treat deal of good if you would &C
q talk to her little"
said Father f; and up
|ent at once, aud stood by littl,
es bed.
was very glad to see him. He sait
Funny, pleasant things that made he
but even while she smiled she CAV,
n cough. Suddenly, she grew yer,
md then very, very pale. Fathe
looked at the sweet young face, an,
thought seemed to strike him. H.
he small hand in his, and spoke in
|sEave voice
b dear little child, how would 70,
the sweet Jesus were to take yOu
very soon, and keep you always will
|5el looked up wonderingly. "Oh
Is T, l am not good enough TO
by not, my cbildf Tell me you
thoughtsf Why should you b.
70 go if Jesus wants you 2"
Es father !"-and the large eyes wer'
light, full of love and desire-''m,
81 j have not made my First Commun
tears came into the good priest
His voice shook little, as he said
|4, if we're to let you make you
ammunition mOU, would you be will
NOT"
b, dear father" she answered and
|she closed her eyes and seemed II
and Father T went quietly
bnt two hours later, the nun at lisa
bedside was shocked to see
Ee look upon the little girls face.
Ike a grey shadow passing over The
vide open eyes, and settling arOunt
|ale lips. The sweet Jesus had sen
agel to call Isabel home, and this wal
badow of the angels wing. 1t wa
9ch of DEATH!
by the nun gave the signal. Yer!
md grave the children of the Firs
Dion band came softly, one by one
tNe room. The nuns were there
Title bell began to tinkle; the wa!
Pc shone along the passage like stars
Llaa good. nriest emma slnnlu tn III.