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MASSES WITH CHILDREN
JESUS SAID, “LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME, AND DO NOT PREVENT THEM; FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE” (MT 19:14)
BY MARIA HALL
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As the new academic year begins, it seems a good time to look at how we celebrate the Mass with children. Liturgy has a wonderful way of marking time: the passing of the day, week, season and year. It is a rite of passage too; as children grow up, they become more involved, they receive the sacraments and move on to secondary school. Each year, schools mark Advent and Christmas, Lent and Holy Week, Easter, feast days and holy days. And all of this continues to accompany us quietly through life.
Vatican II was keen to include reforms for children within the liturgy. The Directory for Masses with Children dates back to 1973 and, in spite of its age, is still very relevant today. It is our start point and reference. It is a mustread for all catechists, teachers and priests. It reminds us that children have a right and a duty (by way of their baptism) to take part in the liturgy, and the church (especially the priest) has a right and a duty to enable this. The Directory addresses celebrating Mass in different circumstances, and while it states clearly that home is the primary place of catechesis for children, we know that for a large percentage, that isn’t the case anymore. I’ve seen how some parishes have tried to address the issue of falling congregations by focusing on the youngest members. Lots of colouring, cutting and sticking, and banging musical instruments. Gimmicks that satisfy in the short term won’t reverse falling congregations and won’t encourage young adults to return to church. People do this with the best of intentions, and it’s absolutely right that we should involve our children, but let’s get it right! Taking a fresh look at the We should be very welcoming of families with very young children. We must exercise patience and accept everything that children bring with them. They are part of the Body of Christ too!
Directory for Masses with Children (DMC) may help us focus and encourage their faith with integrity and authenticity.
There isn’t an easy answer, but what we must do is remain faithful to the magisterium and the liturgy, celebrate and live our lives with faith and passion, and be examples and role models for our young people. They deserve to look up to the beauty and reverence of the Eucharist, and see how it fulfills, inspires and encourages. They need to see the Mystical Body in action and see that they are members too!
There are lots of great ways to teach children about the church building and the Mass. Here is a look at some general principles that encompass parish and school Masses.
CATECHESIS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE CHILD’S ACTIVE, CONSCIOUS AND AUTHENTIC PARTICIPATION (DMC 12)
School has become the primary place of learning for many children because there isn’t that faith element at home. So there is a huge responsibility for teachers to be role models and catechists.
In the 1960s, the church recognised that this was absolutely crucial, and also recognised how pre-teen children learn, and how important it is to accommodate appropriate learning styles and experiences. I have spent 26 years as a teacher, preparing Masses with children, and these are a few points I think are essential among many more: • Teach that we are all members of the church, young and old. I’ve even started to talk about the Mystical Body with junior children (8 to 11 years). They get it! We should never underestimate them. • Explain how we join in: through postures and gestures, singing, listening, and the responses. This is part of our responsibility as the Mystical Body. • Teach the responses and dialogues of the Mass. In the early days of the church, these were deliberately fashioned so that everyone could respond. They are short and easily remembered. Perfect! • It’s really important to know that listening and silence are taking part. Silence needs to be taught, even for adults. (DMC 37) • We should be careful to teach about the
Mass as a meal. Most children would be sorely disappointed! The Mass is so much more, and once an idea has been taught, it’s very difficult to undo.
Remember that the Children’s Liturgy of the Word on Sundays is a liturgy! It should follow the same structure as the main celebration: readings, Profession of Faith, Prayers of the Faithful. A practical activity may be included but it is not the main focus. Any children’s liturgy should always aim towards the Sunday celebration with the entire community.
PARTICIPATION BY MEANS OF GESTURES AND POSTURE SHOULD BE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED (DMC 33)
Physical participation is a wonderful way for children to participate. But of course,
they should know why and what they are doing. Genuflecting is the first thing we do in church (on its own; no need to make the Sign of the Cross at the same time). Standing is a call to attention, we sit to listen, and kneeling is an act of reverence. The Sign of the Cross, and the three crosses we make at the Gospel are a good place to start, then there is the Sign of Peace, striking of the chest during the ‘I Confess’, the reverent bows at the Consecration and before receiving Communion. They should also know that going forward to receive Communion is a procession not a queue!
The Offertory Procession is a great way of involving children. This should be taught and rehearsed; show the children how to walk slowly and hold the gifts up high. This is where dramatic elements elevate and emphasise the liturgical action. On special occasions, children can carry the altar cloth high in procession and lay it on the altar before the other gifts are brought forward. It requires careful practice but is a very powerful action.
PRACTISING IS CRUCIAL
Things shouldn’t just happen at Mass. Explanation and practice is vital for proper understanding. When I taught, the weekly hymn practice was actually a liturgy practice. We practiced all the postures, gestures and the responses regularly. I had a weekly quiz question which covered all manner of liturgical information. It was light-hearted, but at the same time the children knew it was for a serious purpose.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRIEST TO MAKE THE CELEBRATION FESTIVE, FAMILIAL AND MEDITATIVE (DMC 23)
The priest has a massive responsibility to include children and, on occasion, adapt the liturgy to meet their needs. These young people are the future of the church! One of the biggest issues I come across is that the pupils aren’t accommodated when they attend the parish Mass. It’s so important to read the Directory for Masses with Children. When the readings of the day are unsuitable for youngsters, it is absolutely acceptable to select more appropriate readings from the Lectionary or the Bible (see resources).
In order to involve children as much as possible, in addition to the homily it is suggested that the priest might talk to them at various points during the Mass, for example at the Penitential Rite, the Prayer over the Gifts, the Sign of Peace and at Communion.
The priest has a difficult job. He is expected to be all things to all people. Many are brilliant at speaking to children and using ageappropriate language. The Directory suggests that another person may speak to the children after the Gospel if this is more suitable.
The worst thing is to ignore them!
MUSIC, DRAMA, ART, AND TECHNOLOGY (DMC 35)
Singing, children and liturgy are a natural combination. But the aim is for children to have a deep connection with God, not a superficial enjoyment of a song. So, the choice of music for the Mass should start with the text of the Mass. It would be great to have some elements of common repertoire between school and parish; the Gospel Acclamation and Eucharistic Settings are a good start.
Drama is appropriate at school Masses and during the Liturgy of the Word on a Sunday. Acting out a Gospel story, or a reallife scenario, may help explain the point being made, and keep children interested (it’s interesting how many times the Directory refers to children being bored!)
Art can also be very powerful. The church has always encouraged artistic talent and children’s work is often amazing. Paintings, drawings, pillar or wall hangings and sculpture and should be encouraged and shared with the community. Artwork can also be pictured and made into a PowerPoint or video. There are lots of opportunities for creativity with a purpose and effect.
WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY
Those of us who are able must do all we can to facilitate and encourage parents to be involved. Their reluctance might be through ignorance or fear, therefore opportunities for adult formation must be accessible. We should also be very welcoming of families with very young children. We must exercise patience and accept everything that children bring with them. They are part of the Body of Christ too! Pope Francis said, “The cry of a baby is God’s voice; never drive them away from the church.”
RESOURCES
• www.dioceseofkerry.ie (Directory for
Masses with Children and many more useful resources) • 50 Masses with Children, Francesca Kelly (Columba Press) • Hear the Good News: A Book of the
Gospels for Young People, Katie Thompson (Mayhew) • Children in the Worshipping Community,
David Ng and Virginia Thomas (John Knox
Press) • Celebrating Mass with Children, Edward
Matthews (Collins) • ‘Look’ – children’s activity sheet for
Sunday Liturgy of the Word (Redemptorist
Communications www.redcoms.org) • Children’s Mass Sheet (free at dioceseofsalford.co.uk) • Listening for God: Silence Practice for Little
Ones, Katie Warner (a fabulous book for 10s and under) • litmus.dublindiocese.ie/2011/12/resources
