Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

• Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
• 1 John 3:1-3
• Matthew 5:1-12a

“Oh-h-h-h!”  Dad Pauline winced as he held his ears.   Vincent was doing some early morning practicing of his newly acquired trombone. 

“Hur-um-m-m-fff!” came another blast.

“Hasn’t he learned any songs yet?” Mr. Pauline quizzed his wife.  “That would make all of this more bearable!”

“I think he knows one!” Mrs. Pauline chuckled.  “I heard him play part of it yesterday.  It wasn’t any sharps or flats, just a straight tune.  As a matter of fact … ”  You could tell that Mrs. Pauline had gotten a tremendous idea.  In a flash, she ran upstairs to Vincent’s room and closed the door.  Something was definitely up!

A half hour passed, and Mr. Pauline called everyone into the living room for the Gospel reading they would be hearing for All Saints Day.  The entire family scurried in and sat down, but something was different today … Vincent still had his trombone!

“Today is a very special feast day in the Church!” Dad announced.  “Who can tell me what it is?”

A chorus of “I know!  I know!” filled the room.  Dad singled out little 4-year-old Hillary to answer.

“It’s the day of All Saints!” she shouted.

“Great, Hillary!” Dad replied.  “And why is this so important?”

“Because that’s what we named our dog: Saint!”  she sputtered.

“Rowf!”  Saint exclaimed.  Everyone was laughing.  “True, Hillary!”  Dad chortled.  “But there is even more to it than that!  Who else knows?”

Mary Clare spoke up.  “Today is the feast of All Saints.  It is the day we honor all the saints of the Church.”

“Very good, Mary Clare!” Dad answered.  “We rejoice in the men and women of God who have allowed the holiness of the Lord to shine through their lives.  What a marvelous witness they are to us, and what powerful intercessors!”

“It’s a real day to celebrate, right!” Lucy added.

“You’re right, Lucy!” Mom smiled.  “The saints knew the truth of spiritual happiness.  It is so special that our Gospel reading today teaches us eight of these truths.”

“That’s right!” Dad commented.  “Our reading today is found in Matthew, chapter 5.  It is known as the Sermon on the Mount or the Beatitudes.  Living these Beatitudes will help you live a saintly life.  I pray that each one of you can learn and memorize these Beatitudes.”

“How about ‘sing’ the Beatitudes!” Mom shouted.

“Huh?” everyone said.

“That’s right!”  Mom smiled.  “In honor of All Saints Day, and the Gospel of the eight Beatitudes, Vincent and I have worked up a little ‘musical Gospel lesson!’  Hit it, Vincent!”

Vincent steadied his trombone and gave a fanfare introduction to the only song he knew.  God be praised, it so happened to be “When the Saints Go Marching In!”  Mom began to sing out the verses, and it went something like this!:

(sung to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In!”)

What fun the Pauline family had this morning!  Vincent and his new trombone were a blessing for the entire family!  All the Paulines were praising God, singing the Beatitudes, and joining their voices with the Church Triumphant!  Now it was off to Mass to celebrate even more with the saints-in-the-making on earth!

Would you prefer a print a copy of this story?

Our mission is to help parents respond to the Church’s call to be “the first and foremost educators of their children” and to help families grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living our beautiful Catholic Faith!

Are you looking for more ways to help your family reclaim Sundays and grow closer to Jesus together?

• Help Father dress for Mass with our Priest Paper Doll.
• Learn about the Liturgical Year in a big-picture way with our Liturgical Calendar
• Follow Family Formation’s blog, connect with us on Facebook, and on Instagram.
• Meet the Pauline family.