St. Anthony of Padua was teaching about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. A farmer overheard him and said, “That can’t be true!” St. Anthony told him he would prove it: “Starve your donkey for 3 days and bring him back here,” he told the farmer. When the farmer brought the very hungry animal back, the donkey bypassed the bag of oats and knelt down in front of the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament. The farmer became a strong believer after this miracle and told everyone to believe FIRMLY in the True Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
To make the scene to depict this marvellous event, first MAKE THE DONKEY by cutting out the pattern from below. Paint two clothespins and the donkey head and body, grey. Glue the head to the body. Add a “mane” of black yarn and googly eyes. Clip the legs to the body so that it stands up. Don’t forget to add a tail!
MAKE THE MONSTRANCE: by copying the pattern from below. Cut out and colour according to the photograph. Make a tiny stand so that the Monstrance will stand up. See photograph for directions for the stand.
TO MAKE THE BAG OF OATS: Cut fabric 4″(10cm) x 3″(8cm). Fold in half and glue the two hems down so that the raw edges are not showing. The top edge remains “unhemmed.” Glue the two hemmed edges so that you form a food bag. Partially fill the bag with rice and tie with a yarn tie. Write the words “oats” on it if you wish. The food bag is ENTIRELY glued! It is not sewn.
