Liturgy: ever changing, ever new
Photo from Photos.comI’m always intrigued by what impressions children take away from liturgy. When we sing a seasonal psalm or a song tied into the Sunday readings, they wonder why the children’s songs were more fun than upstairs. Some want to know why we can’t have the bread and wine downstairs, too. Liturgy works on many levels for our children. In this year’s articles we’re going to reflect on how each of our senses can help us interpret and appreciate the liturgy we celebrate.
Same but different
You can help children enter the ritual and increase reverence by reminding them how much we repeat in the Mass week after week. There’s always an opening procession, readings after the opening prayer, and a reflection on the readings by the priest or deacon. The table is always set, the meal is always shared, and we are always sent forth to spread the word of God in our daily lives.
So, what elements can you highlight for the children that might be slightly different or special? Sometimes we use incense. When and why? Sometimes we get sprinkled with water as the priest walks up and down the aisle. What does this signify? How does our music change from season to season, and how does that make us feel? What do the liturgical colors tell us about the season we’re celebrating?
Using our senses
Our five senses may, in fact, be the best tools we have to get children to become active participants in the liturgy, particularly as we prepare to introduce the new translation of the Roman Missal at Advent.
Prepare your children to heighten their senses with this simple exercise: Have them look around and tell you everything that’s red, blue, green, or yellow. Then have them sit quietly and listen to the sounds around them. We celebrate children’s liturgy in the church hall, so we can hear people moving upstairs. We can also hear sirens and traffic outside. Ask them what they can smell. Have them hold on to their seats and describe the texture. Ask them to think of their favorite food and describe it to others just by how it tastes.
By encouraging children to use their senses, you begin to awaken their ability to think beyond observation and delve into experiencing what they’re celebrating.
Deborah McCann is a pastoral associate at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in New London, Connecticut. She is the author of "Lift up Your Hearts, 50 Blessings and Prayers for Parish Meetings and Ministries" (Twenty-Third Publications).
