Eucharistic Liturgy

Eucharistic Liturgy in the Elementary and Middle Schools

There are a variety of resources available for those in schools or parishes who are involved in the preparation of Eucharistic celebrations. Chief among these are the official liturgical documents of the Church. Because these provide sound guidance in keeping with our Catholic tradition, liturgical planners would do well to be acquainted with them.

The Directory for Masses with Children (DMC) acknowledges that the Church must show a special concern for children and offers foundational principles for the adaptation of the liturgy for children so that they may participate in it more fully and meaningfully. While recognizing the need for adaptations according to age, psychological development and social situations of children, the DMC makes clear that the resulting celebrations are not entirely different rites. “It is always necessary to keep in mind that these Eucharistic celebrations must lead children toward the celebration of Mass with adults, especially the Masses at which the Christian community must come together on Sundays.” ( DMC, #21)

Moreover, since special Eucharistic celebrations for children are meant to lead young people to participate in the liturgical life of the parish, liturgical planners should avoid creating the desire for novelty or other expectations that can never be met in regular parish liturgy.

Beyond Eucharistic liturgies, schools and parishes often engage in communal prayer services for various reasons throughout the year. The Book of Blessings (BB)—another official liturgical document containing an array of blessings, including the Order of Blessing for Teachers and Students, the Order of Blessing for a Catechetical Meeting or Prayer Meeting and many more—indicates that even in these celebrations, liturgical planners need to seek ways of strengthening the connection with the Sunday Eucharistic liturgy. “Due attention must also be paid to the character proper to the liturgical season, in order that the minister’s introductory comments and the people’s prayers and intercessions will be linked with the annual cycle of the mysteries of Christ.” ( BB, # 34)

To find out how to obtain any of the below resources, contact: Director of Worship, Paul Birch
Diocese of Superior 715-394-0233
pbirch@catholicdos.org

Church Documents

The Liturgy Documents, Vol. 1: A Parish Resource 4th edition . Chicago, IL: Liturgical Training Publications, 2004. (Contains a variety of documents including Directory of Masses with Children, the latest version of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Music in Catholic Worship, and more)

The Liturgy Documents, Vol. 2: A Parish Resource . Chicago, IL: Liturgical Training Publications, 1999. (Contains Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, Plenty Good Room: The Spirit and Truth of African American Catholic Worship, and more)