Kids and Holiness: Making Lent Meaningful to Children

Catholic Educator's Resource Center/CERC ^ | 2001 | Cyndi Montanaro

[Salvation]

Day 29 – Apr. 3

The apostles celebrated their first Communion that night at Jesus' Last Supper, because that was the very first Communion, ever!

Get up an extra 15 minutes early each day and spend that time in prayer.

[Salvation]

Day 30 – Apr. 4

Why did Jesus gather his apostles on that particular night?  Remember that Jesus and his friends were Jewish.  Every year, Jewish families gathered for a special meal, called the "Passover." to remember the difficult times when the Jewish people were slaves in Egypt and how God and Moses led them out of slavery.

Pray for a baby today.

[Salvation]

Day 31 – Apr. 5

Because that was Jesus' Last Supper, he made the Passover meal extra special.  He blessed the bread and wine in a special way and told his apostles, "This is my body and blood.  Do this in remembrance of me."

Make a conscious effort to see everyone with loving eyes today.

[Salvation]

Day 32 – Apr. 6

Do the words Jesus spoke sound familiar?  Of course, every time we go to Mass we hear those same words.  That is why Holy Thursday is such a special day; we are remembering, in a special way, the first Mass.

 

Pray for someone you don't like today.

[Salvation]

Day 33 – Apr. 7

Jesus gave us another example of love at the Last Supper.  That night, he washed his friends' feet.  Jesus wanted to show his followers that the best way to love God is to love others and when we love others as God loves us, we must be willing to serve them.

Eat preztels today as a reminder that Catholics used to fast from milk, butter, eggs, cheese, cream and meat.

[Salvation]

Day 34 – Apr. 8

In some countries, Holy Thursday is called "Maundy Thursday."  Maundy means "command" and the day has this name becaue it's the day Jesus gave us His new command to "love one another."  As I have loved youm, so you also should love one another."
Read the Passion according to St. Mark with your family tonight.

[Salvation]

Sunday #6 – Apr. 9

Locate and write down these words as you find them in the Passion Story that you heard read in Mass today. 

 

Joseph of Arimathea

Magdalene

women

Pharisees

soldier

Peter

Judas

bread

tomb

Barrabas

Golgotha

"I am."

Simon

Jesus

donkey

apostle

cup

Mary

Passover

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”

crowd

Pilate

high priest

“The King of the Jews.”

Son of God

branches

curtain

Place Palms around each of the images of Jesus in your home. Welcome the Messiah into your heart.

[Salvation]

Day 35 – Apr. 10

When the Last Supper was finished, Jesus and the apostles went to the Mount of Olives to pray.  After Jesus finished praying, Judas and the chief priests' men captured Jesus and took him away to be killed.

Recite the Profession of Faith or the Apostle's Creed each day this week.

[Salvation]

Day 36 – Apr. 11

The Friday of Holy Week is called "Good Friday" and this is the day we remember that Jesus died on the cross for us.

Notice someone who may be hungry for love or attention and satisfy that hunger.

[Salvation]

Day 37 – Apr. 12

There is no Mass on Good Friday.  It is the only day of the year when there is no Mass celebrated anywhere in the world.

Try to find a reasonable explanation for some offense you may experience today, and let God be the final judge.

[Salvation]

Day 38 – Apr. 13

You may wonder why the day Jesus died is called "Good" Friday.  It was a very sad day but it is "good" because it led to something very wonderful!

Look for someone who is poor or homeless and share your food.

[Salvation]

Day 39 – Apr. 14

It is wonderful that Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to die for us and our sins.  Good Friday is a day to think about forgiveness.

Meditate on the Stations of the Cross today. Try to imagine yourself at the scene of each one.

[Salvation]

 

Day 40 – Apr. 15

Holy Saturday is a day of waiting and watching.  The Easter Vigil Mass is celebrated in the evening.  The new Easter candle is lit to show that Jesus, the Light of the World, has risen to bring us new life.  The readings at the Vigil celebration tell about all the wonderful things God has done for us!  Sometimes adults and oldler children are baptized at this special Mass.  Some adults who were baptized in another faith might also be confirmed tonight.

Pray for all those who will be baptized or confirmed tonight.

[Salvation]

Sunday, April 16 – EASTER SUNDAY!!

JESUS IS RISEN!!  ALLELUIA!!  ALLELUIA!!