St. Gerard was five. Small for five, but brave. He would go walking all alone in God's lovely fresh air. Gerard loved to listen to the birds singing in the trees. He would never frighten them or chase them away.

Near where Gerard lived was a little Church. It was so small that only a few people could fit into it. Gerard loved this little Church, because it was a bit like him, it was small and clean and bright.

Gerard would often go and pray to Jesus in this little Church. There he would kneel before a shining white statue of Mary, and he would speak to her. This statue was not an ordinary statue, it was special. Mary looked kind and gentle, and she held the Baby Jesus in her arms. Gerard loved this statue. He would keep looking at it, and he would tell Mary he loved her very much.

One day, Gerard was looking at the statue, when, suddenly - it comes to life. Yes, Mary stands alive in front of Gerard, and the Baby Jesus jumps out of Mary's arms and runs into Gerard's arms. Jesus begins to play with Gerard, and Mary keeps smiling and smiling. Jesus, Mary and Gerard are happy with the happiness of Heaven.

Then Mary bends down, picks up Jesus, holds Him against her heart again, and becomes a statue again. But before Mary picks up Jesus, Jesus gives Gerard a little loaf of bread. The size of the loaf is tiny, and the color of the loaf is like the statue of Mary. It is dazzling white. Gerard is so excited he runs all the way home to tell his mother, and to show her the shining white loaf.

"Who gave you this lovely white loaf?" asks Gerard's mother. Imagine her surprise when Gerard answers, "Jesus gave it to me." Jesus loves all children just like He loved Gerard. We may not see Jesus like Gerard saw Him, but Jesus sees us. He can always see us, even when we are asleep. So when we go to sleep, we can close our eyes and not be afraid, because Jesus and Mary are always watching over us and loving us.

Source: Fr. W.D.Creede, C.Ss.R.