CV NEWS FEED // Come Holy Spirit! Pentecost is upon us – the birthday of the Church and the grand finale of the Easter season. If you’re looking for ways to engage your young children in this momentous feast day, we’ve compiled a list of celebratory activities to practice right in your home.
Fifty days after the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended on the Blessed Mother and the Apostles in the form of tongues of fire, enflaming them with boldness to proclaim the Gospel.
Pentecost was originally an octave so feel free to continue celebrating for the next eight days – the kids will love it (and so will you)!
Wear Red!
Red is the liturgical color for the Holy Spirit so have your littles plan to don your best for Pentecost Mass and any festivities after. No red in your closet? No problem – white is also symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s purity, or consider orange or yellow to play off the flame theme. Fruit patterned clothing is also a great pick after the 12 Fruits of the Spirit.
Go Catholics, It’s Your Birthday!
Summon your tiny chefs and throw a birthday party featuring foods based on the symbols of the Holy Spirit. Any red and fiery colored ingredients are perfect (tomato sauce, grilled cheese, roasted meats) or dishes where the ingredients are numbered in relation to the Spirit (3 for third person in the Trinity; 12 for Fruits of the Spirit; 7 for Gifts of the Spirit). Try a 12 Fruit Salad or 7 Layered Dip.
Carry the theme into dessert with ideas like Flaming Cupcakes or Strawberry Pentecost Cake, and don’t forget the birthday candles!
Catechetical Crafting!
Bring out the art supplies for some hands-on fun that will spark the imagination and invite discussion on the Holy Spirit’s power and attributes
- Make and fly a kite to remember how the Spirit came as a rushing wind
- Design some “tongues of fire” paper headbands
- Craft a Pentecost-themed Windsock
Let the Fire Fall!
Kids love fire and so does the Holy Spirit. A backyard bonfire with some fresh, crackling s’mores is fun for all ages and great to engage older kids while keeping an eye on your little ones.
Pray!
End your Pentecost celebration with some family prayer, preferably by candlelight, out in the sunshine, or by the bonfire.
- Come Holy Spirit
- Glory Be
- The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
- Read the Pentecost story in Scripture
- Veni Creator Spiritus
