We are going to be starting a children's Mass here. It will be once a month (it will be a daily Mass not a Sunday Mass) and it will be for the children with as many things done by the children as possible.

My question is, what are permissable jobs for the children to do. I would love to have as many kids involved as possible but I don't want them doing things that they shouldn't do. If we're going to teach them about the Mass, I want to do it right.

Any thoughts, opinions or links?

C.

i stumbled into a children's mass once.

the kids did everything but the consecration.

check the GIRM for details, because i think it's covered in there...

Thanks. Is there a GIRM online? I don't want the kids to do something if they are not supposed to. Does it distinguish between kids that have rec'd first Communion, and that are Confirmed as far as what they are allowed to do?

C.

Things kids can do:
1st, 2nd reading and psalm, prayer of the faithful.
music
serve the mass as altar servers
bring up offeratory, handle collection baskets

I think that's about it.
--Ann

I remember going to kids Masses in grade school. We went once a week to a daily Mass. (We got to skip class for it )

Mostly I remember them being readers. 1st and 2nd readings. Prayers of the Faithful. I have also seen them deal with some of the music. Ditto to the offeratory part. Of course serve as alter servers.

Don't know about the collection basket. Never saw it, but I can't see why not. Unless some of the kids are untrustworthy.

So...ditto to what was posted above. Thats been my experience.

http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/re ... nien.shtml

Greetings,

I think there is a directory for mass with children at the front of the sacramentary. I would suggest reading it. You could even just go to the church and read it in the sacristy.

peace

Good suggestion.
I think the following 1973 document is the latest official word, but I am not sure.

Directory for Masses with Children (1973)


Edward Pothier

Also, be aware that there are several different Eucharistic Prayers that are available for use at Children's Masses.

So if the priest is saying something you've never heard before, it doesn't mean he's ad libbing it.

This is an excellent resource--thanks!

C.

At my parish, we have a weekly school Mass. The children serve, bring up the gifts, and lector. Lectoring is taken seriously, and the lectors know that they will be asked before Mass by me "what does it mean?" And of course, they are expected to sing. Sometimes there is a small choir group, but usually not. Occasionally a teacher will arrange that some poor hapless soul play their flute or whatnot as part of the recessional (this usually has bad results!). The homily is given from the floor of the nave, where I make my remarks and then ask them questions about the readings. Then I ask if they have any questions for me. That is a real wild card. Some of them are really theologians in the making. And the younger ones just ask about whatever comes to mind. I can usually bring out some point in any question, and it gives me the best "read" on what the actual religion teaching is like in the classroom. On Holy Days of Obligation the older children act as ushers and take up the collection. On some days, such as All Saints, there is a post-Mass "event:" e.g. several kids dressed in saints costumes who have written a page on the saint they chose, and they read this to the congregation.

I refuse to use the Eucharistic Prayers for Children - they are inane. And we use the regular lectionary of readings, not the Children's Lectionary. We are, after all, trying to teach them that religion is serious adult business that they better know and follow.