The Future Is to Recover Our Christian Past

Interesting that it was published in 1968. In many ways, that was the beginning of the end. 

From Everyday For Life Canada

Recently, going through my collection of books accumulated over the years, I ran across an old Italian reader that was once used in Grade 2. It's titled, Bimbi Miei. The English translation is My Children. It's 144 pages long and was published for the Italian Ministry of Education in 1968. Its intended use was for Italian public schools. This was just over a generation ago.

Fast forward to today and there is a battle in public schools in Italy to put back the crucifix in every classroom. Political correctness, the sex revolution of the 1960s and secularization have pretty much eroded Christian content in school curricula.

Let's consider some of the content in Bimbi Miei. There is a prayer that can be recited by the entire family. On page 9, we find a prayer to the Guardian Angel (the English translations are mine):

I'm sure that there's
an angel close to me,
that walks next to me
silent, gentle and white.
And should I ask him for help,
he will help even though I won't see him.

Keep in mind that this was meant for children that were 8 years-old. On the same page there is a brief story of St. Francis. On page 5, we find a prayer to be said in front the crucifix in the classroom. Yes, just 50 years-ago there was a crucifix in every classroom in Italy. Now, the prayer:

O my Jesus, on the cross
You see me every moment;
in my heart is your voice;
I listen to it and am happy,
You urge me, holy Jesus,
to do my duty;
I promise you I'll do it, and now,
Bless me o my God.

There are many other references to the Church and the liturgical calendar. There is a prayer for the First Holy Communion. On one page there is a shorty story to teach the pupils about love of country, the meaning of the three colours on the Italian flag and the national anthem. It seems that even in the modern Italy of 1968 patriotism was something that students and teachers could still demonstrate their pride.

And there is so much more. There is an explanation about the celebration of Easter and Christmas. The Easter pages talk about the Holy Week, the arrest of Jesus, his sentence to death, the crucifixion and the Resurrection.

There are numerous summaries of parables and other stories about the work of the Church. Pupils learn about David and Goliath, Cain and Abel, the story of creation and the fall.

On page 77, students are given a lesson on "Jesus the Teacher", that's the title of the page. Here's what is says:

When Jesus turned 30 years-old, he started to preach on the roads and places around Palestine. He taught about love, charity and forgiveness. He taught: "Love God with all your heart. Love your neighbour as yourself.

Often Jesus in order to be better understood would tell brief and simple stories that have a profound meaning. Once he told this story.

A shepherd has 100 sheep. One night coming back to the fold, he counted them. There was one missing. He went looking for the missing sheep in the thick of the woods and called for it on the edge ravines. After some time he found the lost sheep. He placed the sheep on his shoulders, and once home called his friends to say:

Be happy with me, because I found my lost sheep. There will be a feast in Heaven when a sinner is contrite and comes back to the Lord.

In the name of secularism and progressive politics we have sadly surrendered much of our Christian roots and traditions. This not so old Grade 2 Italian reader shows the rich Christian content that children were taught in public schools just over a generation ago. Today children are denied this instruction, but they can be taught in elementary schools about transgenderism, sexual consent, "legalized" abortion, euthanasia, condom use and making a sexual plan. This is hardly progress. The faith that for generations has helped build the common good is now rejected in schools and the public square. Let's hope that not only Italians come to their senses but the rest of the West and begin to recover our Christian roots. The future is in our Christian past. We owe it to our children and past generations, many of whom fought, suffered and died to keep their faith. A good thing to think about this Advent and Christmas. Don't you think?