--- title: Celebrate the Presence of Christ in Our Churches description: Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur reviews a new picture book by Susan Joy Bellavance about the presence of Christ in our churches. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20260420%20PMacArthur%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/celebrate-the-presence-of-christ-in-our-churches#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Celebrate the Presence of Christ in Our Churches Apr 20, 2026 6:00:00 AM  |  by [Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/patrice-fagnant-macarthur) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20260420%20PMacArthur%201.png) *Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur reviews a new picture book by Susan Joy Bellavance about the presence of Christ in our churches.* --- ## [*This Little Light of Thine*](https://amzn.to/4tFwktY)  By Susan Joy Bellavance Published by [Sophia Institute Press](https://sophiainstitute.com/product/this-little-light-of-thine/) I remember being a little girl and having my mother point out the sanctuary lamp in church to me. I learned that it was a sign that Jesus was present in the tabernacle. I confess, however, that it is one of those things that I take for granted when I am in a Catholic church. [This Little Light of Thine](https://amzn.to/4tFwktY) is a beautiful new picture book by Susan Joy Bellavance that will educate both children and the adults who read this book to them about the importance of this simple light.   ![This Little Light of Thine](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/This%20Little%20Light%20of%20Thine.jpg?width=1500&height=1490&name=This%20Little%20Light%20of%20Thine.jpg)   ## The Presence of Christ The greatest feature of a Catholic church building, no matter how simple or ornate, is that the True Presence of Christ is there in the tabernacle. The sanctuary lamp serves as an outward symbol of that reality. Bellavance adapts the classic “This Little Light of Mine” song to “This Little Light of Thine,” so that children and adults can pause in the reading of the book and sing the song. It would also be a lovely song to sing during Adoration times geared towards children. Bellavance also discusses how the light shines, comparing it to the light of angels, the heart of the Blessed Mother, the Star of Bethlehem, the faces of children and Mary of Bethany as they came close to Jesus, and the light of truth. She emphasizes that the light shines because Jesus is there and that “There He waits for us to visit Him, to listen to our hearts, and to share His Heart with us!”   ## Luminescent Illustrations While the text is lovely, the most impressive part of this book is the illustrations by Byron Hamilton. They are positively luminescent, with a supernatural quality. They are warm and inviting, a delight to look at and reflect upon. Some of them depict actual churches, such as St. Mary of the Expectation in League City, Texas, and Ste. Marie in Manchester. New Hampshire. Others show Jesus, the Blessed Mother, angels, and scenes from Scripture. [This Little Light of Thine](https://amzn.to/4tFwktY) is a wonderful way to teach children about the Presence of Christ in our churches. It would be a great addition to any Catholic home or parish library.   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20260420%20PMacArthur%20BOOK.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20260420%20PMacArthur%20BOOK.png) Ask for *This Little Light of Thine* at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from [Amazon.com](https://amzn.to/4tFwktY) or the publisher, **[Sophia Institute Press](https://sophiainstitute.com/product/this-little-light-of-thine/).**   Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2026 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Images: (top) detail from cover This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our Catholic Mom writers in this way. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcelebrate-the-presence-of-christ-in-our-churches%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcelebrate-the-presence-of-christ-in-our-churches%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcelebrate-the-presence-of-christ-in-our-churches%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Celebrate%20the%20Presence%20of%20Christ%20in%20Our%20Churches) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcelebrate-the-presence-of-christ-in-our-churches%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcelebrate-the-presence-of-christ-in-our-churches%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Patrice%20Fagnant-MacArthur%202024.jpg) ### [Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/patrice-fagnant-macarthur) Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a master’s degree in applied theology and is the author of The Power of Forgiveness, Our Lady of La Salette: A Mother Weeps for Her Children, and The Life and Lessons of St. Zelie Martin. A mother of three, she is the editor of [TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com](http://TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com) as well as a [freelance writer and editor](http://Pfmacarthur.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Two Charming New Catholic Picture Books Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/two-charming-new-catholic-picture-books) [ Book Review: Champions of the Rosary Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/08/17/book-review-champions-rosary) [ Why You Should Pray to the Choir of Angels Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/why-you-should-pray-to-the-choir-of-angels) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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