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Children's Catechesis: Ennobling Our Families

Because of the pandemic, instead of working directly with children, many parish catechists are helping parents gain confidence in preparing their children for sacraments without traditional classes. I believe this new process can ennoble families to better assume their role in society.

“Ennoble,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, means to “make noble or elevate.” (“Ennoble,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ennoble.) Kings and queens elevate or “ennoble” a “commoner” to the status of “noble.” One cannot ennoble himself. He receives his nobility either through family inheritance, marriage, or as a gift bestowed by the proper authority.

As Catholics, our ennoblement begins at Baptism when we become members of God’s kingdom family with Christ as King. The liturgical rite itself is an ennobling gift received from the Church. The sacramental signs of candle and flame, water, oil, and white garment are gifts. So are the words of Sacred Scripture, the sign of the cross, and the renewal of baptismal promises.

At the baptism of our youngest grandchild, obligatory facemasks could not diminish the solemn dignity embodied by each member of baby Oliver’s family as we witnessed his two oldest siblings step up as godparents. Three generations were united by word and creed as we left the earthly realm of time and space to enter into the sacred liturgy and Oliver became a child of the King.

We could discuss in detail the ennobling qualities we receive in each of the Church’s sacraments, but let’s turn our attention instead toward ennobling practices Catholics can receive from the Church and adapt to family life.

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Lani Bogart oversees all things catechetical at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a mostly Hispanic urban parish in Glendale, Arizona. She holds an MA degree in Theology. She also co-leads the Committee to Serve Wives and Widows of Deacons for the Diocese of Phoenix. Lani delights in each encounter with her five children and seven grandchildren and enjoys knitting, calligraphy, and singing.

This article is from The Catechetical Review (Online Edition ISSN 2379-6324) and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of The Catechetical Review by contacting [email protected]

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