“Let us be convinced that of ourselves we can do nothing, but that the Lord – who has put us in charge of bringing up our children – can and wishes to grant us to accomplish the task according to His love.”

MOTHER HELEN JAMET
Dominican teaching sister of the Holy Name of Jesus (1902-1982)

“Children can never acquire the sense of noble openness too early. More than scientific discoveries, more than economic changes and revolutions, the education of childhood would do the most for the happiness of a people. To teach children cheerful and courteous manners, a certain way of holding their head and looking straight forward, songs, laughter, courage, while preparing to give them the sense of friendship and the sense of truth. Even in their selfish tricks and their rough games, notice these ten-year-olds: with their lively expressions, almost all of them seem full of intelligence, desire, nobility, full of fire and good will. They are made just as they should be, these great nephews of peasants and knights, to play their part in the Gospels. Why would their eyes be less striking when they turn fifteen? Why would their faces be less vivacious? Well invested would be the money that would acquire for them the vigorous drawings and beautiful books that would awaken these children to strong aspirations, to high morals, and to hope. It is not true that generosity is a quality of childhood which one must leave behind if he is to live. We must teach the little children to awaken their vibrant nobility.”, in La porte du verger, p.65

HENRI POURRAT
Writer (1887 – 1959)