Francis Xavier Lasance

The Earl of Winsford looked at her searchingly and then he said: "I want a wife to belong to me completely. To be mine exclusively for all time!" He paused before he said very quietly: "And I think, Sorilda, I have found her." Then, as in some miraculous dream, he bent forward and gently sought her lips. It was a tender kiss, almost as a man might touch a flower. "I love you!" she wanted to cry. Again the Earl looked at her searchingly. "Peter said you were the Sleeping Beauty," he said and his voice was deep. "I can promise you, my darling, that I am the man who is going to awaken you." As he spoke his lips found hers. But now he kissed her fiercely, passionately, with new urgency. Suddenly, a little flame of fire awoke within her. It flickered and burned its way through her body, up from her breasts and into her throat. "Teach me," she whispered. "Teach me how to love you."

This book is intended as a guide or escort for First Communicants, and such it is equipped with the means to lead children preparing for the great day of their first holy communion, in an easy and entertaining, yet no less sure and thorough manner, to the happy consummation of their goal. This book was prepared for First Communicants as a useful preparation and a helpful companion before, at, and after their first holy communion. The hope of planting in the hearts of children holy and necessary grains of spiritual seed, that would thrive and grow, with God's grace, into a deeply rooted and vigorous tree, producing the leaves of living faith and tender piety, the flowers of beautiful Christian virtues, and eventually the fruits of celestial peace and eternal happiness. The sanctification of God's beloved little souls, in the most profound reverence and adoration, to the Divine Friend of children, who has said: "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for such is the kingdom of God." --St. Mark X. 14. F.X. Lasance. FEAST of THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, 1898.

A thought for each day of the year. The way of perfection.