Children are very special to Jesus. The Scriptures tell us so. Jesus admonished his apostles: "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs" (Mk. 10:13-16). He even went so far as to say, "Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 18:3).

What are we to do? It seems Jesus is asking us not only to welcome and protect his little ones but also to imitate them in their innocence and listen to them in their simple wisdom. Maryknoll missioners throughout the world take that admonition to heart as they make children and their families a primary concern in their ministries. We invite you meet a few of these missioners in this month's issue.

Read about how Maryknoll Sister Patricia Ryan is assisting indigenous people in Peru to bring public attention to the contamination of their water, which is threatening their families and children as well as their livestock.

Discover how a Taiwanese woman, Mei-Hua Yang, works in her homeland at a center founded by Maryknoll Father Brendan O'Connell to help families enable their special needs children to have a better life.

Find out how, at 84 years old, Maryknoll Father Jack King approaches the world with the wonder of a child as he takes and exhibits photos that reflect the beauty he sees around him.

And hear from the winners of our annual student essay contest, who, in their youthful enthusiasm, give us a fresh perspective on following Jesus in today's self-centered culture.

Jesus' task in his life and ministry was to present an alternative to what his own society was offering. "Love your neighbor as yourself," he told people seeking their own aggrandizement. Our young essayists present many ways to do just this. Let us listen to them and strive to become more childlike on our own spiritual journey.

Robert Jalbert, M.M.