The proclamation that Christ has died and that He is risen is fundamental to our faith and to our work in the Atrium. We always hold this statement as one, lifting up the unity of action in that His death was the passageway by which He would rise and share His risen life with each of us. In the L1 Atrium, in particular, the imagery used for this proclamation is very intentional. While the Materials Manual lists a "Risen Crucifix" for both the Model Altar and the Baptism areas, the actual image used by Sofia in her Atrium is the San Damiano Crucifix. While some may refer to this crucifix as that of the Risen Christ, it is a very different image from what is typically shown under that title. On the San Damiano image we see Christ crucified and yet standing erect with eyes open, alive. When a young child holds this crucifix what stands out is not the gore and sorrow of His death but His great act of love in laying down His life. In fact, the only crucifix that is specifically to be a crucified Christ image, and not the San Damiano, in the L1 Atrium is the tiny one that stands on the Cenacle table at the end of the Last Supper presentation. It might be worth pondering why that one would be different! In the meantime, here's a link to a great explanation of San Damiano image.
A first grader's follow-up to "The Mystery of Life and Death" presentation. This year allows one of the few opportunities to celebrate Pentecost in the Atrium after having celebrated it as a Church community and the children certainly enjoyed this opportunity to celebrate! The L1 children each chose one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, asking God to stir up that gift within them. The L2 and L3 children did the same, but only after looking at the many ways the Holy Spirit's presence, actions, and gifts are seen and experienced through multiple materials in the Atrium. May the Holy Spirit fill and guide each of them and each of us as we head into the summer months!! During a L3 discussion about the Resurrection the children came up with a list of what they knew about this moment from the Scriptures (see below on the whiteboard). Then, in groups of two or three, they each chose a Gospel, found the Resurrection account, and read, looking to see which of the whiteboard notes were in their Gospel passage. Finally, we gathered again and recorded the following information from each Gospel (see the chart below):
It was really quite fascinating to see the similarities and differences in the accounts. One girl, afterwards, went on to "check" the others' work, reading each Gospel account and even editing the chart where we had recorded our notes. The only common threads which were found were:
Perhaps during this season of Easter you would like to do the same work, pondering what God is saying through these four different Scripture passages. As always when encountering differing versions of one moment we can ask, "What is the deep truth which is being revealed through all of these passages of God's Word?" 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! 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. As we enter the holiest days of the year may we never forget the great gifts we have received from the one who willingly laid down His life from the very moment of His conception. Jesus gave all of His time, His love, His attention, and His presence throughout His life including the night before He died when He spoke new words, words we continue to hear today: "This is my Body, given up for you...This is my Blood, poured out for you." The next day, on Mount Calvary, this same total gift of self was seen in a new way when He breathed His last. Jesus has died, but we also know that He is risen. As we wait in sure hope of the celebration of Easter in just a few days, may we also wait in sure hope of the coming of the Parousia, when God will be "all in all," and His presence will no longer be hidden in the signs of bread and wine but we will see Him "face to face."
In accordance with a tradition which had begun by at least Medieval times, the children have taken time during this past week in the Atrium to write and decorate an Alleluia card. Some of the younger children remembered this event from last year, but for many this was a new experience. We spoke about what "Alleluia" means ("Praise the Lord!) and talked about Lent as a time of quiet and listening as we prepare for Easter, a time to "set aside" and "save up" our Alleluias for that greatest of all feasts! |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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