April 5, 2023 WBB Prayers & Practices, WBB Intermediate, WBB Tridumm & Easter, REL Seasons - Triduum/Easter, REL Asset - Activity, REL Catechetical - K–6, REL Catechetical - Jr High, REL Asset - Prayer Experience
By: Allie Johnston
The Easter season begins on Easter Sunday, which this year falls on April 10. Though we celebrate Christ’s resurrection every Sunday, the Easter season is a special time to rejoice over the new life we have in Jesus Christ. In this article, you’ll discover a printable Easter Sunday prayer service designed to help children joyfully and prayerfully celebrate the new life in Jesus Christ during the Easter season. Download available in English and Spanish.
Easter Sunday Prayer Service & Activity for Young Catholics
On Easter Sunday, Mass is festive with the ringing of bells and the inclusion of blooming flowers. Signs of new life fill our parish churches. Outside in many climates, flowers are beginning to bloom on the trees as well. During the Easter season, we sing “Alleluia!” which we have not sung or said during the entire season of Lent.
We invite you to download an Easter Sunday prayer experience and activity designed for young Catholics. In this combination prayer service and art activity, young people in the intermediate grades are invited to joyfully and prayerfully celebrate the new life in Jesus Christ during the Easter season. It is based on the Scripture passage in which the risen Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, as well as beautiful imagery from the Book of Isaiah and Song of Songs. Following the Easter Sunday prayer experience, students are invited to complete a multi-sensory art activity based on the theme of new life. In this activity, the students will exclaim, “Alleluia!” and then create a mixed-media poster of blooming flowers. The Easter: A Blossoming Celebration Prayer Service and Activity is a wonderful opportunity for students to reflect on Scripture and to begin a discussion of signs of new life during the Easter season.
To prepare for the Easter: A Blossoming Celebration Prayer Service and Activity, catechists or parents should have a Bible available. They should also gather plain popped popcorn or white tissue paper, glue, and bare branches. Fallen bare branches can be gathered from outdoors, purchased at a craft store, or even drawn onto poster paper in advance of the activity.
If you are implementing the Easter Sunday prayer service and activity in a parish or school religious education program setting, consider this extension activity: Line a hallway or other designated area with finished posters so that participants can complete a “Blossoming Prayer Walk.” Provide or display copies of the Scripture from the prayer service so that participants can reflect on God’s Word as they walk down a blossoming path created by student artwork!
Download the Easter: A Blossoming Celebration Prayer Service and Activity and share it with the students and families in your religious education program as you prepare to celebrate the season of Easter.