Celebrating the liturgy in the primary school

Abstract

Since children are spending more time in school it is important that they are offered opportunities where they can express their faith in accordance with their religious beliefs. It is just as important that they are also encouraged to participate in religious activities. Through a literature research this dissertation will explore children’s liturgies as practised in the primary school with a special focus on the Mass celebrated according to the rites of Roman Catholic religion. The celebration of Mass is innately fascinating for children: it has the potential of being enjoyable because of its repetitive nature and its various forms of human expression while taking place within a community. Often, however, children have a very opposite experience when they are subjected to dry and unfathomable liturgies. This dissertation will argue that it is possible for children to find the Mass an appealing and attractive experience if effort and creativity are put in to adapt the liturgy to their level of development. This research gives an overview of the factors involved in this activity. It gives a description of the characteristics of children’s liturgies and the various celebrations that take place during the liturgical year. This research also looks into various elements for which preparations are required. Moreover, it discusses resources, both in Maltese and English languages, which are seen as an important aid for these preparations. All of this is discussed in line with the children’s stages of development, their sense of spirituality and their tendency to use all their senses to learn. It is argued that if liturgy is well prepared and well planned to meet the needs of all the children then they will feel part of the congregation as they are encouraged to participate. By making the liturgy more appealing, children will be enthusiastic to participate as they will find it more meaningful and, consequently, more fruitful. Additionally, it is emphasised that, in view of the lack of available resources, one has to be creative. In line with this the researcher has created different liturgy models for use in primary schools.