5 Simple habits to teach kids reverence at Mass
When we go to Mass, my hope is that my kids don’t spend the whole hour longing to be done and get out of there.
I hope they are learning to be fully present at Mass, to use the time for prayer and listening to God’s Word, and to use the gestures of their bodies as part of their worship.
These are 5 little habits I’m encouraging to help my kids worship God with their whole hearts, minds, and bodies.
1. Genuflect when we enter and leave our pew
We genuflect to the tabernacle to acknowledge that Jesus is present there. Even toddlers can learn to do this: Last week I noticed a three-year-old genuflect in a sweet imitation of her dad, who was in front of her.
Why do we do this? I try to explain so my kids can understand: “This is how people greeted kings and queens in the old times, so we are showing that God is our king.”
2. Bow to the altar or tabernacle when we walk across the main aisle
If we need to cross the main aisle during Mass, we pause and bow toward the tabernacle or altar (often both are in the middle of the church).
This simple act acknowledges Christ’s presence every time we pass, whether we are in the front or the back of the church. It shows respect and reverence in God’s house.
3. Make an inner act of worship during the Consecration
During the Consecration, when the priest holds up the Sacred Host, I tell my kids to pray in their hearts, “My Lord and my God.” These words from St. Thomas the Apostle acknowledge the miracle happening during this holiest moment on earth.
After receiving Holy Communion, I encourage them to have a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus, their best friend, while he is so intimately present with them:
Tell Jesus what you’re thinking about. What did you do yesterday? What are you worried about? What are you looking forward to? Now is the time to tell him, when he is so close to your heart.
4. Make an act of reverence when receiving Communion
There are different cultural practices here. Some kneel to receive the Eucharist, a beautiful devotion. Another option is to bow our heads briefly when the minister holds up the Host and says, “Body of Christ.” Then we make the Sign of the Cross after we receive.
These gestures are an outward expression of the wonder and awe we feel in our hearts.
5. Don’t leave the pew until the priest leaves the altar
We have a little song about this that I heard years ago: “We don’t leave the church ‘til the priest leaves the altar. That’s when Mass is through.”
Mass has a proper ending, and we don’t rush out before then unless it’s an emergency. This rule is a little act of patience and respect. This is a fitting moment for a prayer of thanksgiving: “What’s something you want to thank God for right now?”
If the announcements are getting really long, they can look through their MagnifiKid or a book about saints from our Mass bag.
Small steps, big hearts
These habits won’t take root overnight. But the actions we make with our bodies mean something. Added up, these small acts of worship slowly grow into a habit of reverence toward the things of God.
I hope these habits will plant seeds of honor and love that will bloom throughout my kids’ lives. These habits aren’t just about manners or church etiquette. They’re about teaching our kids to be fully present at Holy Mass and to respond to God’s abundant love with our whole hearts.
This article was written by Theresa Civantos Barber for Aleteia.
