Forward (1976)- by Father Francis Larkin, SS.CC.
"Father Mateo Once said to a boy in France (who later became a priest): "I am the 'bicycle' of the Sacred Heart." By this he meant that he furnished the transportation for Jesus, "pedaling" all over the world so that Jesus - speaking through him - could tell people that He loved them with all His heart.
He also called himself a "globe-trotter," and if you know your geography you will know why when you learn that he preached all over Europe, in many countries in the Far East including Japan, Manchuria, Korea, China, India, Vietnam, Ceylon, the Philippines. He also preached in the Near East, in North America - in Canada and the United States including Hawaii - and in many countries in South America. He wanted to go to Russia but was prevented by the Communists when they took over that country in 1917. He did not go to Africa, but he made up for that by carrying a big map of Africa with him wherever he preached in Europe. He would ask boys and girls to "adopt" an African mission which he would assign to them and to help the missionaries to spread to love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by their prayers, sacrifices, Masses, and Communions, and by sending to the missionaries Sacred Heart pictures, leaflets, and enthronement ceremonials.
But why is he called a "TRAILBLAZER"? We all know that someone who blazes a trail marks the way for others to follow. That is what Father Mateo did. Really he was not blazing a *new* trail. He was only reminding everyone that Jesus had already marked the way to heaven for them, but that many of them had forgotten the road or had gotten off the trail. To them he said, "Jesus is the Way - follow Him."
Everywhere he went people became other trailblazers for the Sacred Heart, especially in their own homes and the homes of others. So many families had strayed from Jesus' trail and had gotten lost in the swamps of sin, or in the dark woods of a family life without God. As a result of the "golden pennies" of boys and girls in all parts of the world (which you will read about in this book), countless families enthroned the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their homes and many sinners came back to the right path, and once again began to follow Jesus. Like Father Mateo they became "missionaries" of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Is it my hope and prayer that every boy and girl who reads this book will want to be, like Father Mateo, a "trailblazer" and a junior missionary of the Sacred Heart, saving sinners for Jesus and helping Him become King and Friend of their homes. If you want to know what *you* can do to blaze a trail for the Sacred Heart in your own home, please write to me."
Father Francis Larkin, SS.CC.
National Director of the Enthronement
Box 111
Fairhaven, MA 02719
