Pope Francis remembers Sr. Dolores, who prepared him for First Communion, and hopes that children will remember their catechists as people who "sowed good and beautiful things in their heart."

In a meeting where Pope Francis said that he enjoys the Wednesday morning audiences because a bishop is "first and foremost [a] catechist," called "to make the Gospel resonate in the heart of every person," he went on to recall the nun and two laywomen who prepared him for First Communion.

And I would not like to end – I consider it good and right – without remembering my catechists. There [was] a religious sister who [led] a group of catechists; sometimes she taught, sometimes [it was] two good women -- both named Alicia, I always remember.
And this religious sister laid down the foundation of my Christian life, preparing me for First Communion, in the years 1943 to 1944. I don’t think any of you were born at that time.
The Lord also gave me a very great grace. She was very elderly [when] I was a student... studying abroad, in Germany, and after I finished my studies I returned to Argentina, and the day after she died.
I was able to accompany her that day. And when I was there, praying before her coffin, I thanked the Lord for the witness of that sister who spent her life almost entirely in giving catechesis, preparing children and youngsters for First Communion. She was named Dolores.
I let myself say this to bear witness that a good catechist leaves a trace; not only the trace of what he or she sows, but the trace of the person who has sown. I hope that your young people, your children, your adults, those you accompany in catechesis, will always remember you before the Lord as a person who sowed good and beautiful things in their heart.

(Slideshow) Family pictures of Pope Francis

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First Communion

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