Spirituality of Children and Young People

Responding to Bishop Terence’s invitation, over 150 Headteachers, Clergy, Chairs of Governors, Chaplains and Chaplaincy Co-ordinators from across the Diocese gathered in The Royal York Hotel, York on 15th February for the Bishop’s ‘Study Day’.

After a warm welcome by Bishop Terence, Canon John Lumley introduced Dr Roisín Coll and Fr Ed Hone who led participants in a day exploring the spirituality of children and young people. Roisín has taught and written widely on Catholic Leadership, Faith Education and the use of prayer in school and parish contexts. Fr Ed, a Redemptorist priest, specialises in Creative Liturgy and has also worked widely in schools, and at parish and diocesan level. Together they are authors of ‘All Together – Creative Prayer with Children’ (Veritas 2009).

In the morning, Roisín and Ed explored the features of youth and child culture today. By looking at the greatest danger posed by the culture in which children and young people are growing up alongside the greatest it presents, connections were made between the spirituality of young people and children and popular culture. This allowed new and creative ways of working to be identified. Supporting young people and children to help them develop an authentic, nurturing spirituality, moving them from the virtual where many spend much time interacting with technology, to the ‘real world’ was a major theme.

The second part of the morning focused on key principles for praying with children and young people and a simple structure for prayer was presented. Ideas and resources for prayer using word, music and symbol were also shared.

The afternoon moved focus from principles to practice, looking at a variety of ways of engaging children in prayer. It was a dynamic session where participants were exposed to and experienced for themselves a variety of ways of praying. Through different prayer experiences, different types of spirituality were explored, deepened and expressed. The ‘Sunbathing Prayer’ – where participants imagined being bathed in the warmth of God’s love – was a favourite!

The importance of silence was also emphasised and questions asked such as:

• How introduce it?
• How come out of it?
• How ‘enthrone’ it?
• How create nostalgia for it?
• How to exploit it?

In conclusion, participants were reminded to affirm and nurture the spirituality of young people and children, to tap into the spirit and imagination that they bring and not to be surprised if their own spirituality developed as a result of engaging with others. They were also urged to remember that ‘a child’s prayer is always pleasing to God’.

Participants enjoyed the interactive presentations, the enthusiasm of the speakers and also the opportunity to meet with and talk to colleagues from across the Diocese. The powerpoint presentation used on the day is available from Katherine McKeown at the Curial Office, who can be contacted by e-mail at educationadmin@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk Much of the content of the day can be found in Roisín and Ed’s book mentioned earlier in the article.