Activity: Exploring the Role of Saints in Catholic Christianity

Desired Outcome: Children will understand the role of the Saints, the term intercession, and have some knowledge of the journey to Sainthood. They will also reflect on how the stories of the Saints can inspire them to live a more Christian life.

Introduction: 1. Begin the activity by asking the children if they have heard of any Saints before. Allow them to share their knowledge and experiences.

Exploration of Saints: 2. Provide the children with a list of well-known Saints in Catholic Christianity, such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Calcutta, or St. Patrick. Discuss briefly who these Saints were and their contributions to the faith.

1. Divide the children into small groups and assign each group a different Saint to research. Provide them with resources such as books or websites to gather information about their assigned Saint.

2. In their groups, have the children create a poster or a short presentation about their assigned Saint. They should include information about the Saint’s life, their journey to Sainthood, and any miracles or significant events associated with them.

Understanding Intercession: 5. After the groups have completed their research, gather them back together and discuss the concept of intercession. Explain that intercession is when a Saint is believed to pray to God on behalf of someone else.

1. Ask the children to think about a situation in their lives where they might need help or guidance. Have them write a short prayer asking for intercession from a specific Saint they have learned about.

2. Encourage the children to share their prayers with the class, explaining why they chose that particular Saint and how they believe their intercession can help them.

Reflection on Inspiration: 8. Conclude the activity by facilitating a class discussion on how the stories of the Saints can inspire us to live a more Christian life. Ask the children to reflect on the qualities and actions of the Saints they have learned about.

1. Provide each child with a small piece of paper and ask them to write down one way they can incorporate the virtues or actions of a Saint into their own lives. For example, they might write, “I will be more compassionate like St. Francis of Assisi.”

2. Have the children share their reflections with the class, if they feel comfortable doing so. Encourage them to keep their reflections as a reminder to strive for a more Christian life.

Conclusion: 11. Summarize the main points discussed during the activity, emphasizing the role of the Saints, the concept of intercession, and how the stories of the Saints can inspire us to live a more Christian life.

1. Thank the children for their participation and encourage them to continue exploring the lives of Saints and their own faith journey.

Note: This activity can be adapted to suit the specific needs and resources available in your classroom.