The Missionary day for children or Holy Childhood day in some parts of the world is celebrated during the Christmas season and on Epiphany Sunday.
There are a lot of lessons drawn from the day of Epiphany of the Lord. The child Jesus, though a baby shows himself to the whole world as light and source of salvation. Our children though young, are also agents of evangelization and have to be respected, accorded the dignity they deserve, be allowed to serve the Church and be witnesses of the Gospel to the ends of the world.
The Pontifical Mission Society of the Holy Childhood takes lead in providing awareness and preparations for the Missionary Day for children. The motto for Holy Childhood is “Children helping Children”. This celebration for children is also a demonstration of the Catholic Church in upholding, promoting and enforcing the four fundamental principles of children’s rights.
1) Non-discrimination (all children are welcome and are given space to live their full potential);
2) Best interest of the child;
3) The right to survival and development;
4) Views of children (and participation /involvement) in life of the Church and Society.
On this day, children in all Catholic Communities take an active role in the Liturgy, singing, reading the word of God, making announcements, making offertory processions etc.
After Mass, the children will be given the opportunity to express what they have learnt at Church and teach fellow children and adults through songs, poems, drama, dances, role-plays etc. It is also important to give a chance to children to talk and discuss issues that affect them as members of the Church and Society.The Holy Father and the Catholic Church through animation emphases three fundamental ways children can do missionary work.
Through Prayer: Prayer is the most important missionary activity or the very first pastoral action that helps transforming the world to Christ.
Through Services: daily services at home, at school, at Church and towards other people, especially the poor, the needy, the sick, the abandoned and fellow children. As friends of Jesus, Children love to do faith actions and serve with passion.
Through contributions and offerings of money: When children are taught to offer and contribute money or material support towards a particular cause, they respond and do it with joy and concern for the one in need.
Today the Catholic Church all over the world have used the funds towards self-help programs involving the building of schools, the provisions of health and nutrition programs and medications, school fees and teaching and learning resources. Children in communities, orphanages, homes for the disabled, refugees and those living on the streets are assisted by the generosity of children who wish to make the love of Jesus known everywhere.
For children to do these three important missionary actions, they must be given proper Christian (missionary) formation.Holy Childhood, on behalf of the Church and The Holy Father, provides this formation during Catechism lessons.
Together, we pray for the children of the world. May they live without fear of violence and war, without hunger or thirst. Without sickness and poverty.
May they experience the joy of faith, the hope of “The Good News” of Jesus and the love that comes from knowing the Lord’s great love for each one of us.May they grow in faith, so that we all walk together as Your children in peace and love.Help us to be better missionaries through our prayers and help we offer to the Holy childhood. Send us Your Holy Spirit to inspire us to work together for a different world, A better world for all.
Mary Pinheiro