During the Easter Season one of the prayer art extensions introduced to the Level 1 children is that of drawing the Paschal Candle and decorating around it to "show" the great gift of Easter. In this illustration, done by a 5yo who was new to the Atrium this year, you see "The Tomb" with three women approaching as the day is dawning, where they find a man "dressed in white" who tells them to go and tell the disciples that Jesus is risen. To the right of the Paschal Candle are drawn the many who have now come to see the Tomb...and I might note that the sun isn't much higher in the sky so clearly the women hastened to share this amazing news! Another early art material for the Atrium consists of a 1/4 sheet of white paper and three colored pencils. Some children come to the Atrium wanting to draw but not yet knowing how to focus their art as prayer. The limited paper and pencils provides an art opportunity for those who truly need it but it also discourages those who are looking for exciting art materials which would become a distraction to prayer. The following illustrations were done early in the year by a kindergarten child who was in his second year in the Atrium. The child had recently been working at the gestures altar on a regular basis. Below are pictured prayer cards written and illustrated by several different children in the Level 1 Atrium.
The Atrium is a place of prayer, but the prayer of the child often looks different from the prayer of the adult. In addition, the prayer of each individual child is unique as is the prayer of each individual adult. While prayer is often unseen, taking place in the intimacy of the inner room of the soul, in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd we recognize that the art responses of the child often offer a glimpse into their inner life of prayer. This summer I would like to highlight some of these responses of the children, lifting up aspects they have explained/articulated or that seem to shine forth in their work. While there is no "exam" to become a catechist, it has been said that interpreting the prayer art of children might well be a fitting exercise in evaluating our own understanding of the work of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I hope you are blessed by their artwork, as I have been. One of the first "prayer art" opportunities given to the youngest of children comes when they are introduced to writing prayer cards. After copying the text of the prayer card the child is invited to think about how they might "show" this word or phrase of prayer. Below are pictured a booklet of prayer cards written and illustrated by a kindergarten boy.
As we celebrate the end of the school year we also prepare to celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. Last week we ended the Atrium year by pondering and enjoying the work of the Holy Spirit, Who we celebrate during this beautiful solemnity. The children were introduced to or recalled anew the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. The Level 2 and 3 (E1 and E2) children then gathered materials from the Atrium which have helped them to know and enjoy the work of the Holy Spirit. Finally, all of the children were invited to choose a particular gift - having received all seven of them in Baptism - to ask the Holy Spirit to stir up within their hearts and souls. Come, Holy Spirit, and stir up in us all that we need to live well in your Kingdom. Amen. |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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