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Easter People!
Includes readings that may be used during Lent and Easter for the eucharistic liturgy, Liturgy of the Word, prayer services, ritual celebrations and in the classroom.
Vivian E. WilliamsWe are an Easter people, the baptized, who share Christ's priestly mission of service to the world. “He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation, so that, united with his people, you may remain for ever a member of Christ who is Priest, Prophet, and King” ( The Rite of Baptism, 62). The Purpose of LentIn Lent as you prepare for Easter, look carefully at the information in your religion books and in the supplementary material about the purpose of Lent. With children or adults, the approach to Lent “is marked by two themes, the baptismal and the penitential” ( Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 109). Some of the Church, called the “Elect” are preparing for baptism at Easter Vigil and some are preparing to renew baptismal promises. The whole Church is on a forty-day retreat, practicing the Lenten disciplines of fasting, almsgiving, and praying that are urged in our Gospel on Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1–6,16–18). Drawing Children into the Season of Lent- Be attentive to a Lenten environment in the classroom by using purple color and images associated with Christ's Passion and death. A bulletin board with cross and thorns, a caterpillar's cocoon, a closed tomb, even plain eggs hidden in grass can be transformed into Easter images of new life. No bunnies, tulips or Easter baskets should be visible yet
- Converse with the children about age-appropriate ways of praying, fasting, and giving alms. Even the youngest children can be encouraged to fast from junk food or video games one or more days a week. The point of fast and abstinence is to feel the “pinch,” to give money saved to the poor, and to remember that nothing is more important than God and the needs of others. We need not fast on Sunday since we are at God’s banquet table!
- Seize the opportunity presented by Valentine’s Day, February 14. It falls in Lent this year. Cards and loving expressions are wonderful, but perhaps the money to be spent on candy could be collected for the poor, or the candy could be collected and given with a Valentine’s Day card to people in a local shelter
- Examine baptism, with the children’s pictures, garments, and candles displayed, as “the basis of the whole Christian life…the gateway to life in the Spirit…the door which gives access to the other sacraments” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213). Talk about the Elect who will be baptized, confirmed and come to first Communion at the Easter Vigil
- Ask the priest to speak with the children about the baptismal promises they will renew. For example, what does it mean to reject Satan's works and to believe in God? Talk about lighting the Easter fire, lighting the new paschal candle and blessing the Easter water at the Vigil. Go to the Church's space, look at the old paschal candle, and talk about how we use it through Easter and at baptisms and funerals. Measure its height
- Celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation with individual confession, but think about scheduling it at night or on a Saturday so families can come together
Drawing Children into the Season of Easter“The fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are celebrated in joyful exultation as one feast day, or better as one ‘great Sunday’” ( General Norms for the Liturgical year and the Calendar, 22). We are the Church, an Easter people formed and called in baptism to follow Jesus in serving others. Since we have fasted for forty days it is right we feast for fifty! - Change the classroom environment to Easter colors and include images of flowers around the cross, or butterflies above broken cocoons, an open tomb or cracked eggs with chicks pecking around, bunnies and Easter baskets
- Invite reflection on the experience of Lent. How did it feel to pray, fast and give alms? Let the children describe their particular acts of penance. Asked them what they learned about themselves during Lent. These might make good journal questions
- Invite reflection on the meaning of Easter and the Christian mission. So what if we are baptized and participate in the Eucharist each week? How should it change us? What does it mean about how we act and speak in our home and school, in the park, or on the block? Who needs us to defend others, give them food, or pray for them? Who are the lonely, unhappy, or sick, and how can we help them?
- Talk about the Pentecost event (Acts of the Apostles 2:1–11). Discuss when the disciples received the Holy Spirit in fire and wind and came to understand their mission. Examine the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2–3) given at baptism and celebrated in confirmation that help us with our mission. Ask why we need wisdom. For example, is there someone we fight with or someone who bothers us? Do we think “fear of the Lord” means we should be afraid of God?
- Visit the church as a group to see the new paschal candle and measure its height. Light congregational candles from it, sing some Alleluias and pray the Lord's Prayer. Take some Easter water for use in the classroom and home
Vivian E. Williams is a workshop facilitator and speaker for the Archdiocese of Chicago and nationally. She also has experience as a Catholic schoolteacher, catechist and parish cantor. She is the author of Classroom Prayer Basics.
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