Wouldn’t it be a good idea to teach pre-teen children, for example, the practice of saying the rosary, maybe a decade at a time, during little break times away from online school work or playing games on electronic devices?
The Joyful Mysteries could be introduced with some small commentaries to which the children could relate. For example, the Annunciation could be prefaced with a few questions about announcements they had received, some good news they had heard, and then a brief explanation of Mary’s encounter. Then the Lord’s Prayer and just that decade could be said, just to take up a little break time.
Another time, the Visitation could be introduced with remembering, perhaps, a helpful visit to a friend or relative in the children’s life, and then a short description of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth followed by the Lord’s Prayer and a decade of Hail Marys.
The Birth of Jesus could be easy to talk about with children, and the Presentation of the Lord could be discussed in the context of the children’s own reception of baptism or attendance at the baptism of another child.
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple could be easily compared to parent-child experiences before explaining Jesus’ early ministry. Creating a little dialogue and thoughtfulness about the mysteries could help to make the praying not so rote, but more meaningful. Personal and meaningful prayer intentions could be added as well.
Of course, this idea could also be used with the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, and the Mysteries of Light. With everything so fast and instantaneous in this world of computers and technology, short breaks of prayer might be good to incorporate into a child’s—or, for that matter, an adult’s—day at home.
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, CT. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.
RENEW International is providing free online events and resources to nourish our faith lives during the pandemic. Here's a link to Mary Foy's recent webinar, "Faith Sharing With Your Kids." For upcoming opportunities, go to https://new.renewintl.org/events