Catholic Chronicles VBS

Day One:

Pevensie siblings get pulled back to Narnia, where they discover it is hundreds of years later in Narnia! They have arrived at Castle Paraval, but it is now overgrown and in ruins. They find the old treasure room, though, and their gifts from Aslan along with armor. All they have to eat are apples from the palace’s orchard. The next day they go to the sea and end up rescuing a dwarf named Trumpkin. It is from him that they learn the story of Prince Caspian and what is going on in Narnia. Prince Caspian’s family, originally from a neighboring land called Telmar, ruled Narnia for 10 generations, but after his father passed away, Caspian’s uncle, Miraz, took control. Miraz was a cruel ruler, he hated Caspian and was plotting to have him killed so Caspian ran away from the Castle but he hit his head in the forest and passed out. Luckily, a few “Old Narnians” rescued him –  Trufflehunter (Badger), Nikabrik (Dwarf), and Trumpkin (Dwarf). Prince Caspian didn’t know if any dwarves or talking animals still existed – Aslan and old Narnia was just a myth by then, not many people believed that it was real, but Prince Caspian did! They took him to meet other Narnia’s (Bear, Reepicheep, Red Squirrel) and learned that King Miraz’s army was setting out to capture Caspian and old Narnia. They knew they needed more help, so they blew Queen Susan’s magic horn and hoped help would come. Trumpkin told the siblings that he was looking for the help that was supposed to come when he got captured and then rescued. They all then set out to meet up with Caspian.

Day Two:

The siblings and Trumpkin are trying to get to “Aslan’s How” – the fortress that has been built on top of the Stone Table. But since hundreds of years have passed in Narnia, nothing looks the same and they get lost and frustrated. Lucy sees Aslan but no one else does. He tells Lucy to follow him, but the others don’t believe her and they go another way. They are trying to get to the river, but it has now become a deep gorge and they find Miraz’ army at the both. They scramble back up and find themselves back to where Lucy saw Aslan. They rest for the night and Lucy wakes up in the middle of the night and sees the trees coming to life and Aslan with them. She didn’t stop to think if he was a dangerous lion, she ran right to him and buried her face in his mane. They talked about what had happened – how the other’s didn’t see him and follow him – and Aslan’s said Lucy should have come anyway. He told her to wake up the others and follow him this time, but Lucy was still afraid they wouldn’t listen. She hugged him again and felt his strength giving her courage. She woke Susan, Peter, Edmond and Trumpkin up, and although they grumbled about it, this time they did follow her, eventhough they still couldn’t see Aslan. Aslan led them right to a shortcut and to the site of the Stone Table and by the end of their journey, everyone could see him, even Trumpkin. They apologized to Aslan for not believing he was with them and he forgave them and gave them courage. He gave a loud roar that all in Narnia heard, then the brothers and Trumpkin went to meet Caspian, while the girls went with Aslan on a mission.

Day Three:

Meanwhile, Caspian has gathered many Narnians to defend Narnia against Miraz. Unfortunately, some Narnians, including Nikabrik the dwarf, want to try to bring the White Witch back from the dead. They didn’t believe in Aslan or think that he would come back. They try to convince Caspian, but Caspian says “no” and a fight breaks out. King Peter and Edmond rush in just at that moment to help, but Caspian is wounded. Trumpkin introduces everyone and King Peter praises Trufflehunter for never doubting help would come. They then decide to challenge Miraz to a one-on-one duel with Peter, since Caspian is hurt. Edmond brings the message and Miraz accepts. Both armies gathered for the duel. It was a very hard fight, both were good soldiers, but Peter knocked Miraz down and Miraz was too weak to get up. Peter won! But all of a sudden, some leaders from Miraz’s army killed Miraz and told everyone that Peter had done it. This caused both sides to start fighting, but soon Aslan himself – along with Susan and Lucy – led trees that had come back to life and more talking animals into the battle, and Miraz’s army surrendered. Prince Caspian and Aslan finally met and Aslan gave Prince Caspian Narnia back to rule over. All of a sudden, a sad parade came up to Aslan. Reepicheep was being carried by other mice. He had been wounded in battle – his tail has been cut off. Lucy healed him with her cordial, but his tail didn’t grow back and he was very embarrassed. The other mice with him vowed to cut off their tails too, to match their leader, but Aslan had pity on them all and made Reepicheep’s tail grow back, but he warned him not to care too much about his looks. Reepicheep was so glad to have such a special gift from Aslan. Miraz’s army was led to Caspian’s castle and put in jail, but treated well. Everyone else feasted and celebrated. In the morning Aslan gave everyone in Miraz’s army a choice – they could either stay in Narnia, under Caspian’s rule, or he could send them to another world, to a deserted island that they could make their own. Many chose to go, and soon it was also Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy’s time to go. Their mission to help Caspian was accomplished. They changed back into their school clothes and all the Narnia’s cheered and cried as they said goodbye.

Day 1: Recognizing Truth 

“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” Matthew 13:3-9 

Summary: Prince Caspian listened to the stories of Old Narnia and allowed his heart to wonder. He became “rich soil” accepting truth and his mission to bring peace to Narnia. We receive the “seed” of our Christian faith at our Baptism. Throughout our lives we have opportunities to cultivate those seeds. We receive the sacraments, listen to God’s Word, and serve those around us.

· Virtue: Docility- Willingness to be Taught; Saint: St. Joseph Cupertino who dedicated his life to prayer, even when it was difficult.

Day 2: Believing Without Seeing 

“Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 

Summary: Lucy recognized Aslan right away when the others did not. Although she tried to convince her siblings and Trumpkin to follow Aslan, the group decides otherwise. She realizes she should have listened to Aslan and not followed along with the crowd. The next time she sees Aslan, she runs to him without hesitation. She receives courage to witness the truth. As Jesus said to St. Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen but believed.” John 20:29. Eventually, all the siblings and Trumpkin can see Aslan. Sometimes we must trust the faith of others and listen to those (like our parents) who assure us of what is truth. We find our way through life by following where Jesus leads us!

· Virtue: Faith- a gift of the Holy Spirit that moves the heart and opens the eyes of the mind to God enabling us to say, “I believe”. Faith is not an emotion; Saint: St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta who saw God’s hand in her life and God’s face in the poorest of the poor.

Day 3: Persevering When Times Get Tough 

Summary: One character, Nikabrik, falls into despair when he doesn’t trust that Aslan will come to save Narnia. From Matthew 13, he represents the seed being choked by weeds. Caspian, as “rich soil”, stands firm in hope and believes Aslan exists, and will come, even though he has never seen him. Peter and Edmund arrive laying out a battle plan. It is a difficult fight which requires stamina. Eventually, Aslan comes and brings peace. He rewards Caspian for his humility. 

· Virtue: Forbearance- patient self-control and tolerance. Overcomes the urge to be driven by one’s emotions; Saint: St. Thomas More who held onto his faith in the midst of persecution.