Saint Dismas  -- Humility
Feast Day: March 25

His feast day falls in March, but since April is usually the month when Easter falls and since our April virtue is forgiveness, we choose Saint Dismas as saint for this month. Dismas is the name traditionally given to the "good thief" whom Jesus forgave from the Cross. Though his story is brief in the Bible, many long-standing traditions tell the story of Dismas's former life as a thief and his transformative encounter with Christ.

​Below we include Raymond Arroyo's The Thief Who Stole Heaven ​(a synthesis of the legends about St. Dismas into a readable book for children), as well as age-appropriate Passion narratives.

The Thief Who Stole Heaven. Raymond Arroyo. Illustrated by Randy Gallegos. Sophia Institute, 2021. (K-3) Forgiveness, Mercy, Saint of the Month.
A vividly illustrated rendition of the life of "the good thief" nailed on the cross next to Jesus, who asked the Lord to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Arroyo brings together many apocryphal sources, to render a compelling and readable story though at times based on legend (for example, encountering the baby Jesus early in his life.) We trace Dismas's journey from his life as a thief, to the point of the cross where Jesus assures him that "this day you will be with me in Paradise." 

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The First Easter.  Carol Heyer. Ideals Children's Books, 2000. (K-2)
This is a visually arresting book, and an excellent way to introduce children to the major stories of the Christian faith. The simply told 32 page book begins with the Christmas story, proceeds through Jesus's ministry, to Palm Sunday, temple cleansing, Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane, trial before Pilate, crucifixion, empty tomb, and Resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene.  It does so in ways that are moving, but not deeply disturbing to young children.  If this book is prefaced by a teacher who says to her students: "This is what Christians believe about their faith," it can be used in non-religious schools.  ​

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Easter. Jan Pienkowski. Alfred A. Knopf, 2015. (2-6)
The dramatic artistry of this book cannot be overstated.  Pienkowski's black silhouettes and gold ink against jewel-tone backgrounds are a modern illuminated manuscript.  The Easter story is told with  scriptural quotations from the King James Bible and lead the reader from the Last Supper to the Resurrection.

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The Action Bible Easter: 25 Stories about Jesus' Resurrection. Sergio Cariello. David C. Cook, new edition for 2023. (4-6) Forgiveness, Courage, Mercy. 
This book combines 25 episodic, first-person stories in small text (suitable for older children) with action-style illustrations. Among the stories are Bartimaeus, Martha, Joseph of Arimathea, and the good thief. 

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