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Children's Catechesis: Nurturing in Children a Love for Scripture

Wonderful Words of Life Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life; Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty. Sweetly echoes the Gospel call, wonderful words of life; Offering pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life; Jesus only Savior, sanctify us forever, Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life; Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life.[1] This favorite hymn from my childhood affirms the life-giving power of God’s Word. The hymn’s simple lyrics lavishly praise Scripture’s goodness and beauty connecting the “wonderful words of life” (Sacred Scripture) to the Gospel call and to Jesus as Savior. Although the author was not Catholic, he clearly found sustenance for life itself, and expects to meet Christ in the words of Sacred Scripture, as have thousands of Christians, young and old wherever they have had access to the Bible. Children’s hearts and minds are especially attuned to the words of Scripture. When properly prepared, children welcome the opportunity to enter into the mysterious reality of Jesus made present in a particular way in the reading of his Word. Today’s parents and catechists are increasingly aware of the capacity of children for a serious life of faith. This capacity includes an ability to receive and be nurtured by the living word of God.

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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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Categorized Under:

Catechizing Children

Scriptural Catechesis

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2.4

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About Franciscan Catechetics

The Catechetics Degree Programs and the Catechetical Institute (CI) at Franciscan University of Steubenville work in concert to prepare clergy, religious and laity to join the “army of catechists” called for by St. John Paul II, eager to help the Church in her mission of making all nations joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We combine a thorough formation in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial documents with training in effective pedagogical techniques to help those we serve to grasp the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Father’s plan, and to bear witness to others faithfully of the wonderful life of grace in the Holy Spirit.

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