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Teaching liturgy to children
1. Teaching the
Sacred Liturgy
to Children
Liturgical Catechesis
and Formation
Information and Preparation
Celebration and Participation
Vocation and Transformation
Reverend Neil S. Sullivan, M.Div., M.A., KHS
November 9, 2013
2. Our Game Plan
• Some Challenges in teaching
Children about the Sacred Liturgy.
• Why is the Sacred Liturgy so
important?
• Why is teaching about the Sacred
Liturgy so important?
• Focus on four catechetical ways to
teach about the Sacred Liturgy.
• Share some ideas that seem to be
working.
4. • How did you learn about
the Sacred Liturgy?
• Who taught you?
• How did they learn?
• Who taught them?
• How did they learn?
• Who taught them?
• How did they learn?
• Who taught them?
• How did they learn?
• Who taught them?
7. To the Emperor Titus Ælius Adrianus
Antoninus Pius Augustus Cæsar,
and to his son Verissimus the
Philosopher, and to Lucius the
Philosopher, the natural son of
Cæsar, and the adopted son of Pius, a
lover of learning, and to the sacred
Senate, with the whole People of
the Romans, I, Justin, the son of
Priscus and grandson of Bacchius,
natives of Flavia Neapolis in Palestine,
present this address and petition in
behalf of those of all nations who are
unjustly hated and wantonly abused,
myself being one of them.
8. On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in
the country gather together to one place, and the
memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the
prophets are read, as long as time permits; then,
when the reader has ceased, the president verbally
instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good
things.
Saint Justin Martyr
155-57, AD
9. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as
we before said, when our prayer is ended,
bread and wine and water are brought,
and the president in like manner offers
prayers and thanksgivings, according to
his ability, and the people assent, saying
Amen; and there is a distribution to each,
and a participation of that over which
thanks have been given, and to those who
are absent a portion is sent by the
deacons
Saint Justin Martyr
155-57, AD
11. Sometimes …
We ignore children completely.
• We see the Liturgy as an Adult
Experience
• If they are ignored in and by the
Liturgy, why would the want to be
interested in it.
We infantilize the Liturgy.
• We create “liturgies” that are
childlike or even childish.
• The Liturgy celebrated with
children should always be modeled
after, flow from, and return to the
Communal Celebration of the Holy
Mass on the Lord’s Day.
12. A Reality and a Goal
• Children are baptized Christians.
• Children have a right to pray and
worship with the assembly.
• This right implies a responsibility
of the Church to help them pray
and worship with the assembly.
• Children should learn more and
more of what it means to be a
member of the worshipping
assembly as appropriate for their
age and development.
14. So how do we teach children
about the Liturgy?
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It takes attention. Liturgy means work!
We can’t rely completely on osmosis.
Be intentional.
Start early … or wherever they are!
The process is ongoing. It bears repeating.
Spiral, rather than linear.
There is no "graduation" from liturgical
catechesis. There may be ebb and flow.
• Balance between the different stages,
expressions, and experiences of
Catechesis.
16. GUIDING PRINCIPLE
Lex Orandi
Lex Credendi
Lex Vivendi
Prayer, Belief, Life
Worship, Faith, Witness
How you pray reflects what you believe.
What you believe calls you
to a certain way of living.
18. THE CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY
• Increases vigor in the Christian life of the
faithful (CSL1)
• Help us manifest the mystery of Christ and the
real nature of the true Church.(CSL2)
• Builds us up into a holy temple of the Lord, the
dwelling place for God in the Spirit (CSL2)
• Brings us to mature measure of the fullness of
Christ. (CSL2)
Second Vatican Council
1963
19. THE CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY
• Strengthens our power to preach Christ and
show the Church to all the nations. (CSL2)
• Gather the scattered children of God together
until there is one sheepfold and one shepherd.
(CSL2)
• Encounter the presence of Christ who is always
present in His Church, especially in her liturgical
celebrations. (CSL7)
• God is perfectly glorified and we are sanctified.
(CSL7)
Second Vatican Council
1963
20. THE CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY
• Is a sacred action surpassing all others; no other
action of the Church can equal its efficacy. (CSL7)
• Is the summit toward which the activity of the
Church is directed and at the same time it is the font
from which all her power flows. (CSL7)
• Gives us a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy. (CSL8)
• Moves the faithful, filled with "the paschal
sacraments," to be "one in holiness" (CSL10)
• Draws the faithful into the compelling love of Christ
and sets them on fire. (CSL10)
Second Vatican Council
1963
21. Why is the Liturgical Catechesis
so Important?
22. THE CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY
11. … Pastors of souls must therefore realize that,
when the liturgy is celebrated, something more
is required than the mere observation of the
laws governing valid and licit celebration; it is
their duty also to ensure that the faithful take
part fully aware of what they are doing,
actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its
effects.
Second Vatican Council
1963
23. THE CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY
14. Mother Church earnestly desires that all the
faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and
active participation in liturgical celebrations
which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.
Such participation by the Christian people as a
chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
redeemed people, is their right and duty by reason
of their baptism.
Second Vatican Council
1963
24. THE CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY
In the restoration and promotion of the sacred
liturgy, this full and active participation by all the
people is the aim to be considered before all else;
for it is the primary and indispensable source from
which the faithful are to derive the true Christian
spirit; and therefore pastors of souls must
zealously strive to achieve it, by means of the
necessary instruction, in all their pastoral work.
Second Vatican Council
1963
25. THE GENERAL DIRECTORY FOR CATECHESIS
85. Christ is always present in his Church, especially
in liturgical celebrations. Communion with Jesus
Christ leads to the celebration of his salvific
presence in the sacraments, especially in the
Eucharist. The Church ardently desires that all the
Christian faithful be brought to that full,
conscious and active participation which is
required by the very nature of the liturgy and
the dignity of the baptismal priesthood.
Vatican Congregation for Clergy
1997
26. THE GENERAL DIRECTORY FOR CATECHESIS
General Directory for Catechesis, 85
85. For this reason, catechesis, along with
promoting a knowledge of the meaning of the
liturgy and the sacraments, must also educate
the disciples of Jesus Christ "for prayer, for
thanksgiving, for repentance, for praying with
confidence, for community spirit, for
understanding correctly the meaning of the
creeds...", as is all of this is necessary for a true
liturgical life
Vatican Congregation for Clergy
1997
27. CATECHESI TRADENDAE
23. Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the
whole of liturgical and sacramental activity,
for it is in the sacraments, especially in the
Eucharist, that Christ Jesus works in fullness for
the transformation of human beings.
Blessed Pope John Paul II
1979
28. CATECHESI TRADENDAE
23. Catechesis always has reference to the sacraments.
On the one hand, the catechesis that prepares for
the sacraments is an eminent kind, and every form
of catechesis necessarily leads to the sacraments of
faith. On the other hand, authentic practice of the
sacraments is bound to have a catechetical
aspect. In other words, sacramental life is
impoverished and very soon turns into hollow
ritualism if it is not based on serious knowledge of
the meaning of the sacraments, and catechesis
becomes intellectualized if it fails to come alive in the
sacramental practice.
Blessed Pope John Paul II
1979
30. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
8. A fully Christian life is inconceivable without
participation in the liturgical services in which
the faithful, gathered into a single assembly,
celebrate the paschal mystery. Therefore, the
religious initiation of children must be in
harmony with this purpose.
Congregation for Divine Worship
1973
31. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
The Church baptizes children and therefore, relying
on the gifts conferred by this sacrament, it must
be concerned that once baptized they grow in
communion with Christ and each other. The sign
and pledge of that communion is participation in
the Eucharistic table, for which children are being
prepared or led to a deeper realization of its
meaning.
This Liturgical and Eucharistic formation may
not be separated from their general
education, both human and Christian; indeed it
would be harmful if their liturgical formation
lacked such a basis.
Congregation for Divine Worship
1973
32. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
9. For this reason all who have a part in the
formation of children should consult and
work together toward one objective: that even
if children already have some feeling for God and
the things of God, they may also experience in
proportion to their age and personal development
the human values that are present in the
Eucharistic Celebration.
Congregation for Divine Worship
1973
33. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
These values include
– the community activity,
– exchange of greetings,
– capacity to listen;
– to seek and grant pardon,
– expression of gratitude,
– experience of symbolic actions,
– a meal of friendship,
– and festive celebration.
Eucharistic catechesis … should develop such
human values.
Congregation for Divine Worship
1973
34. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
10. The Christian family has the greatest role in
instilling these Christian and human values.
Thus Christian education, provided by parents
and other educators, should be strongly
encouraged in relation to the liturgical
formation of children as well. By reason of the
duty in conscience freely accepted at the baptism
of their children, parents are bound to teach
them gradually how to pray. This they do by
praying with them each day and by introducing
them to prayers said privately.
35. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
11. The Christian communities to which the
individual families belong or in which the children
live also have a responsibility toward children
baptized in the Church. By giving witness to the
Gospel, living communal charity, and actively
celebrating the mysteries of Christ, the
Christian community is an excellent school of
Christian and liturgical formation for the
children who live in it.
36. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
12. Even in the case of children, the Liturgy itself
always exerts its own inherent power to
instruct. Yet within religious-education programs
in the schools and parishes the necessary
importance should be given to catechesis on
the Mass. This catechesis should be directed to
the child's active, conscious, and authentic
participation. Suited to children's age and
capabilities, it should by means of the main
rites and prayers of the Mass, aim at
conveying its meaning, including what relates
to taking part in the Church's life.
37. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
13. Various kinds of celebrations may also play a
major role in the liturgical formation of
children and in their preparation for the Church's
liturgical life. By the very fact of such celebrations
children easily come to appreciate some liturgical
elements, for example, greetings, silence, and
common praise (especially when this is sung
together). But care must be taken that the
instructive element does not become
dominant in these celebrations.
38. THE DIRECTORY FOR MASSES WITH CHILDREN
15. While all that has been said remains true,
the final purpose of all Liturgical and
Eucharistic Formation must be a
greater conformity to the Gospel in the
daily life of the children.
39. So how does this all happen?
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Environmental Catechesis (Indirect)
Formal Catechesis (Direct)
Experiential Catechesis
Mystagogical Catechesis
40.
41.
42. Foreign Language Class
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The learning environment. (Environmental)
The vocabulary and grammar. (Formal)
The Overseas Trip: Immersion! (Experiential)
Using the language. (Mystagogical)
43. Liturgical Formation
Lex Credendi
Preparation and Information
Environmental Catechesis
Formal Catechesis
Lex Orandi
Celebration and Participation
Experiential Catechesis
Lex Vivendi
Vocation and Transformation
Mystagogical Catechesis
44. 1. Environmental Catechesis:
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Indirect
Situation/Location
We are products of our environment.
Being out in the sun …
Basic Signs and Symbols
Liturgical Year
Liturgical Colors
Solemnity and Feast vs. Weekday
Ritual experiences.
How do we celebrate birthdays in the
classroom?
• What are we doing for November?
• The Word
46. 3. Experiential Catechesis
• Celebration
• What does celebration mean?
observe, commemorate, make known
publicly, proclaim, praise widely, present
widespread and favorable public notice,
perform with appropriate rites and
ceremonies, solemnize
• Full, Conscious, Active Participation
• Getting their Attention
• If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
• Liturgical Ministries
• Use the Rites and Liturgical Prayers in
the Classroom, too.
47. MUSIC IN CATHOLIC WORSHIP
6. Faith grows when it is well expressed in
celebration. Good celebrations foster and
nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken
and destroy it.
United States Catholic Bishops
1972
48. Reverend
Johannes Höfinger, SJ
“Here is the last and most decisive
reason why teaching through
worship is superior to all other
forms of Christian teaching: the
liturgy gives what it teaches,
it not only presents the
mystery of Christ concretely:
it also lets us immediately
participate in this mystery.”
49. 4. Mystagogical Catechesis
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Transformation and Vocation
Lex Vivendi
Mystagogy: Unpacking the Mystery
What just happened? What does it
mean? To them?
What did you see, hear, say, feel, etc.?
Don’t explain it away before hand.
It’s not just another experience and
then moving on to the next experience.
How are we different or supposed to be
different from what we experienced?
Example: Sacrament of Penance and
Rite of Reconciliation
How do we use it, apply it, live it?
50. From Mystery to Mission
Greco-Roman writers of the ancient world remarked
on the striking manner in which that Christians
assumed responsibility for the poor and suffering.
What motivated the Church to become so distinctive
and prominent in this fundamental obligation of
any civil society?
51. In the 4th Century, Saint John Chrysostom
commended his flock for the reverence they
showed toward the church altar.
That altar is worthy of such veneration, he
explains, “Because it receives Christ’s body.”
But this is not the only altar to be found.
Chrysostom challenged his flock that
whenever they encountered the poor in the
streets outside of Mass, “Imagine that you
behold an altar. Whenever you meet a
beggar, don’t insult him, but reverence him.”
The correlation of the Mass and works of
mercy towards the poor was and is
fundamental to Gospel catechesis.
52.
53.
54. The Witness of the Catechist
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To Echo
Our Mystagogy
Prayerfulness
Full, Active, Conscious
Participation
Enthusiasm
Authentic Testimony
Our own expression of Faith,
Worship, and Witness
Faithful, not perfect.
56. • We best teach Liturgy to children if we are
people of the Liturgy in our own lives.
• Make ritual a part of every class/gathering.
• Do as little explanation about its meaning
as possible before. Unpack following
• Temporarily leave the role of teacher and
be participant. For instance, don’t
discipline children during the Liturgy
unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Assign children and teenagers, as
appropriate, to be readers, candle bearers,
cantors, etc.
• Develop parish-wide or school-wide
rituals.
57. Visible Signs
• Incarnational
• reaches out to the whole person (body
and soul)
• The senses.
• The body is included by actually doing
things:
– going to the Church,
– genuflecting,
– kneeling to pray,
– standing for a Gospel
– using holy water
– and making the sign of the cross
58. Go into the Church!
• The Church building itself!
• Dome, symbolizing the dome of
heaven;
• pointed arches pointing upwards
like hands in prayer;
• The centrality of the altar
• Stained glass windows.
• Images
• Font
• What else?
59. In the Classroom…
• Use a Crucifix, ad crucem
• A prayer table, center, place, or
“classroom altar”.
• Candles
• A beautiful book copy of the
Sacred Scriptures.
• A clean white cloth represents
Christ’s shroud at death and his
swaddling clothes at birth.
• Liturgical colors for the seasons.
• The Saint of the Day
• Advent Wreath, Easter Water, etc.
• Sacred images and icons.
60. Catechize from and for
the Whole Treasury
of the Liturgy
• Its not only the Holy Mass
• The Liturgical Life that flows
from the Mass.
• Adoration and Benediction
• Divine Office
• Sacrament of Penance
• Example: Blessing of Animals
62. Reflecting on Thanksgiving Dinner
Breaking Open the Word
Getting Ready for Sunday
Penance Service
Holy Thursday Morning Prayer
SOME PRACTICAL IDEAS
63. Thanksgiving Dinner
• Where is it?
• What happens to get ready for
dinner?
• Who is there?
• Who isn’t there?
• Who sits where?
• What do you eat?
• Who does the talking?
• What do you talk about?
• What happens when dinner is over?
64. Breaking Open the Word
aka Lunch with Father
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Eighth Graders
Small Group
Lunch or Snack
Readings
Questions for Reflection
Ideas and Images
What would you say in the homily?
What should I say in the homily?
65. Social Media Blast
Get Ready for Sunday
October 20, 2013
This Sunday’s Gospel will encourage us
to be persistent. We know we get results
when we are persistent in our exercise regimen, athletic
training, and practice of a musical instrument. It’s the
same way in our relationship with God. When we are
persistent in our prayer and participation in the Mass and
the Sacraments, we get a very special result: grace, strength,
and courage. Let us be persistent! Masses or the Lord’s Day
at Saint Catherine Laboure Church are Saturday at 4:30
p.m., and Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 7:00
p.m. See you in Church!
66. Penance Service
• The Rite of Rite of
Reconciliation of Several
Penitents with Individual
Confession and Absolution
• Communal Proclamation of
Praise
• Environment
71. •Celebrate what you are already
doing. It is more than you think!
•Use the 4 elements of catechesis
each week. Its not that hard! Try it
during Advent. For example …
•Keep it simple!
•Make the connection between
prayer, belief, and life (the lexes)
•Fall in love with the Liturgy!
•Enter into the mystery!
•Mystagogy: Let the Liturgy
change your life!
•Remember the importance and
the power of what you are
teaching.
72. Reverend
Johannes Höfinger, SJ
“Here is the last and most decisive
reason why teaching through
worship is superior to all other
forms of Christian teaching: the
liturgy gives what it teaches,
it not only presents the
mystery of Christ concretely:
it also lets us immediately
participate in this mystery.”
73. Catechetical Methodology Liturgical Catechesis
by Marianne Cuthbertson and Caroline Farey
http://www.thesowerreview.com/Subscribers/Files/File/pp14-16_Catechetical_methodology.pdf
Liturgy, Catechesis, and Conversion
by Barbara Morgan
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2005/bmorgan_catech1_oct05.asp
76. Teaching the
Sacred Liturgy
to Children
Liturgical Catechesis
and Formation
Information and Preparation
Celebration and Participation
Vocation and Transformation
Reverend Neil S. Sullivan, M.Div., M.A., KHS
November 9, 2013
