My Path to Heaven: A Young Person's Guide to the Faith

My Path to Heaven is an old-fashioned "retreat-in-a-book" that helps Catholic children, ages 9-12, ponder the truths of the Faith and calls them to live lives of holiness in accordance with those truths.

Based on the traditional St. Ignatius retreat (trusted by Catholics for centuries) and adapted for children, this clear, simple, thoughtful presentation of the Faith is invaluable for parents seeking to form their children in holiness.

My Path to Heaven covers such essentials of the Faith as God s will, angels, Heaven and Hell, the Fall of man, the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the Nativity, the Passion, salvation, the sacraments, faith, hope, love, and contrition, and it teaches children the relevance of these truths in their lives and in the decisions they make.

This unique book is:

Practical: it focuses on proper devotion and right action, not feelings;

Serious: it acknowledges and speaks to the deep seriousness that attentive parents know lies in the hearts of even the very youngest children;

Substantial: it considers central points of the Faith and addresses the issues that face every Christian, even the youngest;

Prayerful: by speaking reverently of holy things, it inspires children to develop in devotion to Jesus, Mary, and the saints;

Scriptural: chapters include numerous Scripture references.

Among the topics:

Three ways to help your child make good choices;

The victory promised to those who try to be holy;

Free will: a great gift (and a great responsibility);

God's overwhelming mercy and patience;

Christ's plan to train children to follow Him;

God's generosity: why He deserves all our love;

Satan: how your child can avoid the Devil's traps;

Heaven: why now is the time to begin seeking it

Fr. Geoffrey Bliss, S.J. (1874-1952) was a Jesuit priest, writer, and teacher. Born in Oxford, England, he was one of twelve children. He entered the Society of Jesus at age 18. Fr. Bliss spent most of his priesthood spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1920, he became the editor of the magazine Messenger of the Sacred Heart. In 1928, he began the magazine Children's Messenger

Caryll Houselander (1901-1954) was an artist, mystic, poet, and the author of more than fifteen books for adults and children. She returned to the Catholic Church in 1925. She wrote for the magazine Messenger of the Sacred Heart. During World War II, doctors sent patients in mental anguish to her for counseling and therapy. She died in 1954.