Ideas for Praying with Children in the Liturgies of Fall

I am always struck by children’s complete openness to God and prayer. I often take care of my great-niece and great-nephew. As I put my twenty-month-old great nephew to bed, I say a prayer of thanks for the simple things of the day, trace the Sign of Cross on his forehead and end by saying, “God loves you and so do I.” He lays there so quietly, all smiles and when I finish, he says, “Thank you.” When his three and a half year old sister prays before meals, he finishes with an enthusiastic “Amen.”

Leading Children to Sunday
As we minister with children these days, we often find ourselves participating in prayer services and “priestless liturgies,” because of the current clergy shortage in our country. The Directory for Masses with Children (DMC) encourages these types of celebrations. It does so for good reason (13–15). Everything we do with children in communal prayer is to lead them to the Sunday celebration, the day of the Church. The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) called for the full, conscious and active participation of all in the Sunday liturgy (see the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy [Sacrosanctum Concilium] 14). Children’s full participation in these celebrations with their peers in catechetical settings helps them to understand and appreciate the various rituals of the Church (DMC 13).

Engaging Children
Children need to be involved; children are touched by participation. Depending upon their age levels: involve them in the planning, invite them to proclaim the Scripture readings and engage them in music-making. They can participate in Gospel processions, dialogue during the homily, use gesture and the rituals of our heritage and share prayers from the gathered community.


Suggestions for Some of the Fall Celebrations with Children—
Back to School Prayer Service:
The DRE or principal would be the logical presiding minister for this prayer.
Blessings and Prayers for Home and Family (Ottawa: CCCB Publications, 2005) gives ideas for blessings at the beginning of the school year, of books, of the school bus, of the class, and of the classroom to spark your ideas for your parish/school. This resource is available online through the Canadian Catholic Bishops’ site:
in English: cccb.ca/site/index.php?lang=eng
in French: cccb.ca/site/index.php?lang=frc

To prepare for the Feast of the Holy Cross, September 14:
Bless each child, making the Sign of the Cross reverently on their forehead. Use that gesture often throughout the year. Encourage them to bless each other within their families.

To prepare for the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4:
Sing “All Creatures of Our God and King,” a song from a prayer of Saint Francis. The children may want to choose roles and take the parts of the various creatures: the sun, the moon, others the fire, the water and the wind.

To prepare for the Solemnity of All Saints, November 1:
As a feast of the Church’s canonized and anonymous saints, involve the children in celebrating those who are well known to all, to the Church and those who are known locally and to their families. Use the Litany of Saints during all of November; include the patrons of the children/youth.

To prepare for the All Souls Day, November 2:
Invite children to write in a beautiful book the names of family and friends who have died. (It could be done at home, connecting the family to the prayer.) Bless the book during the prayer service, keeping it in your meeting place during the month.

To prepare for the Thanksgiving:
Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (Washington: USCCB Publishing, 1989, pp. 186–88) suggests that Ember Days (traditional days of prayer and fasting) be observed for the three days prior to Thanksgiving as days of penance and charity. This would connect gratitude to the needs of others. This resource is available online through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: usccb.org.

Janet Schaeffler is an Adrian Dominican (adriandominicans.org). She is a frequent contributor to periodicals on Catholic education. She is also the associate director of the Office for Catechesis/Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan (aodonline.org).