Children’s Holy Hour, 3-5
Primary: What is God like?
Secondary: Is it good to be me? Ages 2-5
What is the world like? Ages 2-5
What does it mean to be in personal relationship with God? Ages 13-18
How should I live my values? Ages19-35
Description: Specially structured Holy Hours for families and children provides space for children to learn age-appropriate reflections and gestures that help them recognize Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, develop a relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, and recognize that their love for Jesus is very important to Him.
The Children of Hope movement is an international movement that supports adoration of very young children. You can view a message from their founder here (http://www.childrenofhope.org/index.html), and a summary overview of how to get started here (http://www.childrenofhope.org/how_to_start_adoration.htm). This mission is supported by the Brothers of St. John, who are available to travel for children’s Holy Hour events.
The basic structure of a Children of Hope Holy Hour includes an introduction, decade of the Rosary, simple song, bow, meditation, contrition, second song and bow, intercession, and closing words to Jesus. Sample language for each is included in the Leaders’ Guide, which is available for purchase here (http://www.childrenofhope.org/productinfopage.html) or for free download at http://childrenofhope.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Leaders-Guide.pdf.
A similar approach to children/family Holy Hour can be found from the Diocese of Rapid City’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iyB7xt1R5I.
Anecdotal Measures of Success:
- “Children, who previously had only the weekly experience of Mass, discover that the Host is actually the person of Jesus, mysteriously hidden.
- They develop a greater interest in the mysteries of our faith and the liturgy of the Mass.
- They understand, more than other children of their age who have not experienced Eucharistic Adoration, the relationship between the gift of the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus, and His sacrifice on the Cross out of love for mankind.
- When children become friends with Jesus, by spending time with Him, they become living signs of faith in Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist for those who doubt, and therefore also become wonderful signs of hope for [others].”