Holy Childhood Association— Canada Holy Childhood Association— Canada A S H W EDNESDAY! PALM SUNDAY! HOLY THURSDAY! HOLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION 2219 Kennedy Rd. Toronto ON, M1T 3G5 Toll Free: 1-800-897-8865 Web: www.missionsocieties.ca E-Mail: [email protected] GOOD FRIDAY! EASTER SUNDAY! Lenten Prayers and Reflections for Children Lent 2020 52 Lent 2020 Holy Childhood Association— Canada Holy Childhood Association— Canada Lent 2020 2 Lent 2020 51 Holy Childhood Association— Canada Holy Childhood Association— Canada HE IS RISEN! Alleluia! Easter Sunday (April 12) Luke 24: 1-12; John 20: 1-18; Colossians 3: 1-4 EASTER, the third day of the Triduum, began with the Easter Vigil. What a celebration that was! And it didn’t really take all that long! Once again, I loved the blessing and lighting of the new fire. It was exciting hearing the bells rung during the singing of the Gloria. There were several RCIA candidates getting baptized – and 123RF.com confirmed! Now I can enjoy the Easter bunny!! Beliefnet.com REFLECTION & PRAYER Today we celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It is the most important day in the year for Catholics. By rising from the dead, Jesus has shown us what we can expect. We will also rise to share in his eternal life and glory! Once again this year, congratulations on making it through Lent! You did it! Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia! our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! who did once upon the cross Alleluia! suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia! unto Christ our heav'nly King, Alleluia! who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! Lent 2020 50 Lent 2020 3 Holy Childhood Association— Canada Holy Childhood Association— Canada TODAY IS THE DAY TO BE SAVED! THE TOMB WAS CLOSE BY … THEY PLACED JESUS’ Ash Wednesday (February 26) BODY THERE Joel 2: 12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Holy Saturday (April 11) - No day readings Ash Wednesday! Lent already! Actually, I had such an My research shows that today, Holy Saturday, is supposed interesting experience during last to be a day of mourning for Jesus who died on the Cross Advent that I really can’t wait to get yesterday. Certainly, there is nothing happening in our going in preparation for Easter. I know church today. I couldn’t even plan to that there is lots I don’t know, but now go to Reconciliation, as there were that I have experienced how to none scheduled as they usually are. research, I am confident that I will learn However, I think that the quietness of much. this day just allows the anticipation of tomorrow to grow. Tomorrow is REFLECTION & PRAYER Easter! Yes, today is ASH WEDNESDAY, the beginning of the season of Lent. Today’s readings are the same as last year’s, which REFLECTION & PRAYER Pinterest shows how important the ideas are. They reflect several Holy Saturday commemorates the day Lenten themes which you can explore. As you discovered, that Jesus lay in the tomb after his death. Today is a day of there are many visible and popular Advent themes. waiting. Just as the Israelites waited for many years, we However, there are actually more Lenten ones, just not as wait in silence and mourning for Jesus’ resurrection. The well publicized. If you are anxious to research, you may be climax of our 40 days of waiting is tonight, at the EASTER busier than you think! VIGIL. Be there! Lord, help me to honour this day with the ashes on my Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? forehead. They help me remember from where I have come Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? and where I am going. May I acknowledge to you my sins Oh … and my deep need for your loving forgiveness and grace. I Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble; pray that this Lenten season will make me so much more Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? aware of how much I need your healing in my life. Lent 2020 4 Lent 2020 49 Holy Childhood Association— Canada Holy Childhood Association— Canada …YOU WILL PROSPER … THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BLESS YOU THEN HE BOWED HIS HEAD AND DIED Thursday after Ash Wednesday (February 27) GOOD FRIDAY (APRIL 10) - JOHN 18:1 - 19:42 Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25 Today is GOOD FRIDAY, the second part of the Triduum. Ever wonder why it is called good if it is all about Jesus dying on the Last year, I looked at the arrival of Lent with some cross? It wasn’t too hard to dread. I think this was because all I could see were the research. The events that hardships it might cause me. Because my outlook is occurred led to the now more positive, yesterday I was excited to receive Resurrection of Jesus on the Ashes. I hope all children who are Holy Childhood Easter and his victory over Association (HCA) members were able to death and sin. It led to our opportunity to have eternal experience this too either at school or in Christian Book Discounters life. Pretty good, eh? your Parish Church. Ashes: my first research project! REFLECTION & PRAYER The liturgy celebrating the passion and death of Jesus on Good REFLECTION & PRAYER Friday is ancient. It consists today of four parts: Liturgy of the Ashes is one of the most recognizable universitycatholic.ne Word (including John’s account of the passion); special Prayers symbols of Lent. You should not have any difficulty of the Faithful; the adoration of the Cross; the distribution of Holy Communion (hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday). There finding information either on the history of Ashes or it’s is no Mass. Rituals can vary in different locations, but it is always meaning for us today. Receiving the ashes is important very interesting and emotional. to all Catholics. Both readings today predict God’s promise to us, and the ashes remind us of this promise. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh … Lord, it's so easy to get caught up in the day to day of my Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble; life and keep saying, "Tomorrow, I will spend more time Were you there when they crucified my Lord? getting ready for Lent." Help me to use the occasion of We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you; receiving the ashes to motivate me to begin my Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world! preparation seriously. Help me to rely on you for help. Lent 2020 48 Lent 2020 5 Holy Childhood Association— Canada Holy Childhood Association— Canada SHOUT AS LOUD AS YOU CAN! Friday after Ash Wednesday (February 28) CELEBRATE THIS DAY … IT IS THE PASSOVER OF Isaiah 58: 1-9; Matthew 9: 14-15 THE LORD—Holy Thursday (April 9) Exodus 12: 1-14; 1 Corinth. 11:23-26; John 13:1-15 I discovered a few things about ashes. Apparently, ashes Today is HOLY THURSDAY, the first day have been a traditional sign of penitence (sorrow) for a long of the Easter Triduum, I learned. It is time, certainly before the time of Jesus. It’s not just the ashes also called Maunday Thursday, coming themselves, but people actually from the Latin word “mandatum” wearing them! To show sorrow, a which means “commandment”. Of oblates.ie course, I already know that this Mass is person used to wear rough cloth, special as it remembers the Last Supper and the institution of the called sackcloth, and dusted him/ Eucharist. Also, I love it when we herself with ashes. That’s why we dramatize the washing of the feet. wear them on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. REFLECTION & PRAYER the conversation.com The Triduum is the term given to the REFLECTION & PRAYER three days of prayer preceding Easter. Catholic Outlook Do you know from where our ashes today come? Palms from “Mandatum”. Commandment. “Love the previous year are burned to become the ashes for the one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Jesus said this dur- new season. Because the palms have already been blessed, ing the Last Supper, as well as so many other things. Mass today the ashes are a special symbol. They should be treated celebrates so much: Eucharist, washing of the feet (service), ordi- nation, betrayal, love, fellowship, Passover, adoration. How could seriously, and worn all day as a sign to the world that you are anybody miss it? serious about your Lenten observance. Isaiah wants your actions to speak loudly! A new commandment I give unto you That you love one another as I have loved you. Lord, I know how much you love me. It is hard for me to get By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, started on my Lenten plan, but I know your love is always with If you have love one for another. me and will assist me. Help me to use your trust as a way to prepare my Lenten intentions. I know with your help, my We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you; actions can speak to the wider world about your promises and Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world! love. Lent 2020 6 Lent 2020 47 Holy Childhood Association— Canada Holy Childhood Association— Canada I WILL ALWAYS GUIDE YOU AND SATISFY YOU EVERY MORNING HE MAKES ME EAGER TO HEAR WHAT HE Saturday after Ash Wednesday (February 29) IS GOING TO TEACH ME Isaiah 58: 9-14; Luke 5: 27-32 Wednesday of Holy Week (April 8) - Isaiah 50: 4-9; Matthew 26:14-26 So, I have already spent some time I found out something I had never heard of before, and neither had my parents, teachers or friends.