The Liturgy of the Word for Children is an opportunity for children to gather together during Mass to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, adapted to meet their needs and level of understanding. It seeks to encourage the children’s full, conscious and active participation in the Mass and complement parents’ efforts to raise their children in the practice of the faith.
In 1973, the Church’s then Congregation for Divine Worship issued the Directory for Masses with Children. While much of this document focused on celebrating Masses in contexts such as primary schools, it also offers guidance for celebrating Masses with adults where children are also present (such as Sunday Mass). It is here that what we know as the Liturgy of the Word for Children was first proposed.
The adaptations that are made are focused on helping children understand the Scripture readings. For this reason, participation is open to children of primary school age. Toddlers and preschoolers are yet to be developmentally ready to engage in the readings at this level. As such, they are best supported at Mass by their parents’ encouragement to focus on the actions, simple responses and symbols of the Mass. Similarly, celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with the rest of the assembly will better support older children and teenagers.
Published in our parish bulletin, Carmel, 17 August 2025
Liturgy 