The "all day in the Atrium" day finally arrived and it was celebrated with great peace, periods of remarkable silence, and much joy! To use the new favorite word to describe time in the Atrium...it was "phenomenal." These crosses represent one visible "product" of a long year of intensive preparation for First Communion. Each child designed his/her … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2018
The Garden
"The child, who is the greatest spontaneous observer of nature undoubtedly needs to have placed at his disposal, material in which to work." In addition, "No one of whom I know except for St. Francis, has admired the modest insect and the perfume of the unattractive little plants, as does one of our little ones." Maria Montessori, The … [Read more...]
Second Year Missals
The "big work" of the second year children in the Atrium is their Missals. After laying out articles, pictures, and text cards representing the most important moments of the Mass in the order of the Liturgy, the children then begin the long, careful process of recording, illustrating, and internalizing the individual prayers which make up our most … [Read more...]
6-9 year old “theologians”
"Miracles" The subject of "miracles" has come up repeatedly with the children preparing for their First Communion this year. Early in Lent, the 2nd year children were pondering "The Mystery of Faith" and examining how the following are mysteries: Jesus' death, Jesus' resurrection, Jesus' return to begin Parousia, as well as the bread and wine … [Read more...]
Baptism
Having just celebrated the Liturgy of the Light, the Atrium's most solemn celebration of the year, where the one Risen Light of Christ spreads to many as each child receives a candle lit from the Paschal Candle, the youngest children are led to an encounter with the moment they themselves were first invited into the family of God. Receiving the … [Read more...]
Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!
The Upper Elementary children (E2 / Level III) spent two hours preparing to lead the Liturgy of the Light celebration for the entire school. They read through their assigned readings, they walked through the movements, they practiced both together, and then even had five minutes to spare before the Atrium began to fill with children. Beginning with … [Read more...]
