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These guided meditations can help children make sense of the rites of
Christian initiation — and
connect their personal experiences to the Jesus story. Each of the 44
meditations is connected to one
or more of the catechumenal rites. They are tested and easy to use. You
get a guided meditation
script that you can use “as is” or adapt, discussion questions
and suggestions for
music that will enhance the children’s experience. Topical and
scriptural indices make this
resource useful for other occasions as well.
About the Author
Sydney Ann Merritt has been involved in catechetical ministry for more than
40 years. She has been
a director of religious education, a youth minister, a retreat leader and a
Gospel drama director.
Outside of parish circles, she is a court-appointed special advocate for
children and recently was cited
as one of the best in the country. She has contributed to the
religious-education curriculum
Celebrating the Lectionary and is the author of Guided
Meditations for Children and
Guided Meditations for Teens.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Introduction to Meditation: The Meeting Place
Part 1: Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
1. We Begin Our Journey of Faith
Gen 12:1–4a
2. We Have Found the Messiah
Jn 1:35–42
Part 2: Period of the Catechumenate
Notes on Meditations During the Period of the Catechumenate
3. Invitation to a Wedding
Jn 2:1–12
4. Jesus Calls Your Name
Mt 4:12–23; Mk 1:14–20
5. Finding Happiness with Jesus
Mt 5:1–12
6. Do This in Memory of Me
Mt 26:26–29; Mk 14:22–25; Lk 22:17–20
7. Our Healing God
Mk 10:46–52
8. John the Baptist Prepares the Way
Mt 3:1–12; Mk 1:1–8; Mk 13:33–37
9. A Morning with Mary
Mt 1:18–25; Lk 1:26–38
10. In the Still of the Night
Lk 2:1–16
11. A Voice over the Water
Mt 3:11–17; Mk 1:7–11; Lk 3:15–16,21–22
12. Who Is Jesus Christ?
13. A Light in the Midst of Darkness
Mt 5:14–16
Part 3: Period of Purification and Enlightenment
Notes on Meditations During the Period of Purification and
Enlightenment
14. Blessing of God’s Children
15. Away from Me, Satan
Mt 4:1–11; Mk 1:12–15; Luke 4:1–13
16. The Cloak of God
Mk 9:2–10; Lk 9:28–36a
17. Parable of the Lost Sheep
Lk 15:1–7
18. Wells of Wonder, Wells of Hope
Jn 4:5–15,19–30
19. Heal My Spirit, Lord
John 9:1–41
20. Welcome Home, My Child
Lk 15:11–32
21. The Death and Life of Lazarus
John 11:1–44
22. Hail to the King!
Lk 22:14–23,56
23. The Gentle Touch of Jesus
Jn 13:1–17
24. Prayer in the Garden
Mk 14:32–42
25. The Gift of Forgiveness
Mt 26:69–75
26. A Reflection of Life Everlasting
Luke 23:24–49
27. Ephphatha! Be Opened!
Mk 7:31–37
28. In the Beginning
Gen 1:1–2:2 (Easter Vigil Reading 1)
29. Do Not Be Afraid!
Gen 22:1–18 (Easter Vigil Reading 2)
30. My Name Is Jehovah
Ex 14:15–15:1 (Easter Vigil Reading 3)
31. A Love Letter
Isa 54:10 (Easter Vigil Reading 4)
32. Step into the Light
Isa 55:1–11 (Easter Vigil Reading 5)
33. Pleasing Father God
Bar 3:9–4:4 (Easter Vigil Reading 6)
34. A New Heart, A New Spirit
Ez 36:16–28 (Easter Vigil Reading 7)
35. Live in the Newness of Life
Rom 6:3–11 (Easter Vigil Epistle Reading)
36. He Is Risen!
Mt 28:1–10 (A); Mk 16:1–8 (B); Lk 24:1–12 (C)
Part 4: Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy
37. Your Touch Is Enough; I Believe!
Jn 20:19–31
38. A Walk in Faith
Lk 24:13–31
39. Shepherd Me, O God
Jn 10:1–10; Jn 10:11–18; Jn 10:27–30
40. The Vine and the Branches
Jn 14:1–12 (A); Jn 15:1–17 (B); Jn 13,31–33,34–35
(C)
41. I Will Come Back to You
Jn 14:23–29
42. As God Sent Me, I Send You into the World
Jn 17:1–11,11–19,20–26
43. The Breath of Life
Jn 20:19–23
Music Resources
Following is the introduction to Guided Meditations for Child
Catechumens. All rights reserved. Copyright © Resource
Publications, Inc.
Introduction: Teaching Children To Experience Jesus Through
Prayer
The meditations presented in this book are an effective method of teaching
children how to experience Jesus within themselves—in their minds
and hearts. The meditations follow through the entire catechumenate
process, including mystagogy. You will also find meditations based on
catechumenate lesson plans as well as the lectionary. The book speaks to
the spiritual lives of children beginning their own journey of faith, teaching
them to establish a place in their imaginations where they can be with Jesus
in the privacy of their hearts. Meditations evoke a child’s vivid
imagination, leading them to their own experience of Jesus and spirituality.
The children are led into a Gospel scene, where they will encounter the
Lord through touch, feel, love, and prayer. They will “hear” the
brush of angel’s wings, experience the wonderment and joy on the
day of Pentecost, and “feel” the chill of the water as they step
into the Jordan River with Jesus.
The meditations can be merged into any catechumenate program. For
those using Celebrating the Lectionary from Resource Publications,
Inc., the meditations can be incorporated into the weekly lesson plan as an
alternate activity or used as introductions or conclusions to a unit. The
book will outline the process for each meditation. Catechists and parents
will be directed to read very slowly with slight pauses to allow the children
time to visualize and feel the scene. Pauses will be indicated by (#.).
Following each meditation, a quiet time is indicated. Allow 30 seconds or
until the children become restless. Above all, don’t be discouraged if
your first attempts do not evoke immediate success. In time, the children will
learn to trust this method of prayer.
Family or class discussion questions will follow each meditation. The book
does not suggest inviting the children to share their own experience of the
meditation. This should remain a personal time with Jesus. However, if a
child volunteers to share his or her experience, you will find that it stimulates
the discussion time.
Suggestions
Teaching children to experience Jesus through prayer should be rewarding
spiritually for the catechist as well as the children. Begin with “The
Meeting Place.” This will create a place in their imagination to meet
Jesus. The following few simple suggestions will help insure your
success.
Reflection
Before presenting a meditation, take a few minutes for personal reflection
on the Gospel scene. What images quicken your imagination? Ask yourself,
“What is Jesus saying to me?”
Practice
To help you become more comfortable with this form of prayer, practice
reading the meditation aloud slowly just as you will be doing with the
children. You may choose to use a tape recorder to record and play back
the meditation, listening for pauses and voice inflection. Are you speaking
too softly or too quickly? Are you pausing long enough? Remember to:
Read slowly with a slight pause where indicated (#.). Longer pauses should
go no more than 30 to 45 seconds, or until you notice the children
becoming restless.
Avoid speaking in a monotone. Change your voice to emphasize a change
in character or scene.
Music
Background music is very important. It sets the tone. You will find music
suggestions at the beginning of each meditation. Don’t be afraid to
experiment with your own favorite instrumentals. The soft strumming of a
guitar or melodious tones of a piano are also helpful.
Space
Allow time to create an atmosphere of prayer for the children. Lower the
lights or pull the shades. Candlelight is helpful. Place an open Bible and
small candle in a prominent space. Will the children have room to find a
comfortable position during the meditation? Some children may prefer to sit
in their own seat or on the floor rather than lying on the floor. Floor pillows or
carpet squares are a great way of indicating private space.
Gospel Presentation and Prayer Format
Encourage spontaneous prayer during prayer services. How God must love
the honesty and directness of a child. When reading from the Bible, try
using more than one reader, telling the story in several voices. Dramatize as
much as possible. A child will long remember a story that he or she took an
active part in. Make sure as many children as possible have parts, even if
that means you have to have talking or moving “rocks,”
“trees,” or “flowers.” Invite the children to put the
story into modern times. Do not be afraid to be inventive. God’s word
has stood the test of time and is meant for all of us to understand.
Echo Format in Reading of the Word as well as for Traditional Prayers
Invite two or three participants to echo (repeat) the last three or four words
of each verse or line of a prayer. Above all, remember that you cannot
“ruin” a prayer. Here are a few examples to try:
Leader: Our Father, who art in heaven
First echo: Who art in heaven
Second echo: Who art in heaven
Leader: Hallowed be thy name
First echo: Holy is thy name
Second echo: Holy is thy name
Or:
Leader: Glory be to the Father
First echo: To the Father
Second echo: To the Father
Leader: And to the Son
First echo: And to the Son
Second echo: To the Son
Divide the room into two sections, asking each one to echo the verse or
line in order. The effect involves each child in creating a meaningful prayer
experience.
Do not become discouraged if your first attempts are not what you hoped
for. Each child will take home his or her visit with Jesus within his or her
own heart and mind. Good luck!
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