Celebrate the Presence of Christ in Our Churches

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 

By Susan Joy Bellavance

Published by Sophia Institute Press

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 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.

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 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.

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Copyright 2026 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Images: (top) detail from cover
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