Lent is a rich time in the prayer life of schools but it doesn’t finish at Holy Week. What we do next can immerse us in the Easter words, actions, signs and symbols that can keep the resurrection of Jesus alive.
It is wonderful to celebrate Lent and Holy Week in Catholic schools. The Lenten season genuinely inspires young people to think of others and raise funds for many different charities. Lent is also a rich time in the prayer life of schools. But it doesn’t finish at Holy Week, and we should be careful that it doesn’t become like Christmas; in other words, by the time we reach it, it’s all over. When pupils return to school after Easter, it’s time to celebrate the Resurrection and keep the story alive. And we need to get beyond eggs and bunnies. For many pupils, school is the only link with their faith, so what we do is really important.
Therefore, let’s immerse our young people in Easter words, actions, signs and symbols of substance and not be afraid to keep the season going.
Alleluia
This ancient acclamation meaning ‘Praise the Lord’ has been absent during Lent, so we should use it creatively and abundantly during Eastertide. If you buried the Alleluia at the start of Lent, you have extra cause for marking the occasion; a procession from its place of rest, singing as you go. There might even be an ‘Alleluia’ party.
Scripture:
Alleluia appears 24 times in the Old Testament, mainly in the Psalms. These ‘Hallelujah Psalms’ might be a stimulus for poetry, prayer or creative writing. In the Book of Revelation 7:11-12 the powerful imagery might also be a source of creative inspiration.
Art:
Each class could look at a work of art or clipart based on the Alleluia theme and then create their own art for display, visible around the school during this term. YouTube has a fabulous video on how to paint or draw an illuminated ‘A’. (Search for: The Looming Morrow).
www.illustratedministry.com/ has an ‘Alleluia’ page with downloadable colouring resources.
The following are great to use, but an internet image search will provide many more.
Thomas Cooper Gotch, ‘Alleluia’.
Jen Norton, ‘Sing Alleluia Musical Landscape’.
Sandra Renee Smith, ‘Sing Alleluia’.
Prayer:
School prayer routines tend to remain much the same. Change the schedule during Eastertide and everyone will notice. Pray the ‘Regina Coeli’ (even sing it in Latin). Having responses makes it great for children as they can take turns in leading.
Regina Coeli for young people:
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia.
For you are His Mother, Alleluia.
He has risen as He said, Alleluia.
Pray for us to God, Alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.
For the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.
Let us pray: O God, who gave joy to the world
through the resurrection of your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
grant we ask you,
that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother,
we may obtain the joys of everlasting life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Music:
We should sing Alleluia as much as possible as the weeks of Easter progress. ‘Halle, halle’ halle’ (traditional Caribbean) is fabulous for younger children. But traditional music is wonderful too, including the plainchant Alleluia and the Easter Alleluia (O filii et filiae) which works surprisingly well with guitar (look at the Marty Haugen arrangement). At school liturgies, you could sing Alleluia as an acclamation (like at Mass) before the Gospel reading, to add a sense of importance and to highlight it.
We ought to be including some Latin in the repertoire too; the Taize Surrexit Christus is short and simple, but very beautiful.
Stations of the Cross (Via Lucis)
These stations are a recent addition to popular devotions (first introduced in 1990 and recommended by the Holy See in 2001). They are based on key events after the Resurrection as found in the Four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The stories could form a part of assemblies and class prayer and are another rich source of inspiration for creative work.
One idea is to look at each passage of Scripture in turn and choose a favourite verse, gradually creating a personal list or journal. This could be done by Lectio Divina or Imaginative Prayer. It’s a great way of getting to know Scripture.
The events with hyperlinks below provide further activities and ideas.
Easter Garden
This is a hands-on way of marking the season. We talk about Spring being all about new life, but here we can create it in a garden that includes seasonal plants and crosses, maybe an empty tomb. Perfect for children. These could be individual projects or a larger class/school project. (See resources at the end). Many schools have an outdoor prayer area. Now is the time to refresh them for use in the summer term. Use outdoor space for Scriptural meditation; and each child could have a meditation diary to record their thoughts and favourite passages.
Countdown to Pentecost
Significant numbers help us mark the passage of time and mark special occasions. Here we have 40 days till the Ascension then a further 10 days till Pentecost. Why not have the class computer display a countdown to these feasts. Then the class could pray for specific intentions each day, each pupil taking a turn to lead. That’s 40 or 50 very special prayers.
Sometimes, Pentecost is likened to a birthday party and of course, that’s what children will remember. But celebrating the birth of the Church isn’t just about marking a past event. (As if the Celebration of the Eucharist is only a meal). It’s about Christ giving us the responsibility to be his presence on earth and giving us all the skills we need to live that Mystical, Christian life.
Celebrate the Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) and explore how they help us in the 21st century.
Use the rich symbolism of wind, fire and doves in creative ways.
Look at the many ways artists have depicted the Holy Spirit (if you search online for ‘Pentecost modern images’ you will get a fabulous selection of vibrant art.)
Pray a Novena. As a class, choose a special intention for each day.
Pentecost Novena for Young People
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
And kindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created
And you will renew the face of the earth.
DAY 1 – Acts 1:4–8
While staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
DAY 2 – Ezekiel 36:26–28
I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my laws and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
DAY 3 – Ephesians 4:3-4
Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you.
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
DAY 4 – Romans 15:13
May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him,
so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
DAY 5 – Luke 4: 18-19
The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
DAY 6 – Galatians 5:22-25
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
DAY 7 – Acts 2:1–4
When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
DAY 8 – Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
DAY 9 – Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Silent Prayer
Glory be to the Father…
Resources
Stations of the Resurrection
Evangelisation Brisbane (YouTube) A great set of cartoons for younger children
Full of Grace TV (for older pupils/staff)
www.catholicicing.com/the-stations-of-the-resurrection-great-focus-for-the-easter-season/
Easter Garden
50 Ideas for Easter – https://wau.org/resources
www.catholicicing.com/50-days-of-easter/
Pentecost Novena for Young People – www.mariahall.org/prayer-resources
