Children’s Liturgy of the Word – All Saints’ Day

Theme: “We’re all called to be saints!”

Welcome & Gathering

(Gather the children, smile, light a candle.)
Leader:
“Today we celebrate All Saints’ Day — a big feast when we thank God for all the saints, the famous ones and the quiet ones, and we remember that we can be saints too!”

Say together:
Sign of the Cross.
Leader: “Jesus, You call us to be holy. Help us to follow the saints’ example and love You with all our hearts.”
All: “Amen.”

Introduction

Ask:

“Who can name a saint you know?”

“What do saints do?”

Explain:
“Saints are God’s friends who loved Him on earth and now live with Him in heaven. Some wore habits, some wore crowns, some wore aprons — but all had hearts full of love.”

Gospel (Simplified – Matthew 5:1-12a)

(Leader reads slowly and clearly)

Jesus saw the crowds, went up a hill, and began to teach His friends:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit — they belong to God’s Kingdom.
Blessed are those who are gentle and kind.
Blessed are those who show mercy and forgive.
Blessed are those who make peace.
Blessed are those who are pure in heart.
Blessed are those who are sad for what is wrong, for God will comfort them.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Leader: “The Gospel of the Lord.”
Children: “Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Short Homily & Discussion

Ask:

“What word did you hear a lot?” (Blessed!)

“What does blessed mean?”

Explain:
“Blessed means happy — but not the kind of happy that comes from toys or sweets.
It’s the deep joy that comes from loving God and others.”

Story illustration:
“Once a child asked her grandma, ‘What are saints like?’
Grandma pointed to the stained-glass windows in church and said,
‘They’re the people the light shines through.’
That’s what saints are — people who let God’s light shine through their lives.”

Say:
“Saints aren’t superheroes. They’re ordinary people who said yes to God every day.”

Examples:

“St Francis loved all God’s creatures.”

“St Thérèse did small things with great love.”

“St John Paul II forgave the man who hurt him.”

“St Carlo Acutis used the internet to share his faith.”

Ask:
“What small thing could you do this week to shine like them?”

Let them answer: “Help tidy,” “Be kind at school,” “Say sorry,” “Pray for someone sad.”

Summarise:
“That’s what the Beatitudes are about — being like Jesus.
When we live them, we start becoming saints already.”

Profession of Faith (Child-Friendly)

Leader:
“Do you believe in God the Father who made you?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”
Leader: “Do you believe in Jesus, who showed us how to live and who brings us to heaven?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”
Leader: “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, who helps us to be saints?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”

Intercessions

Leader:
“Let us pray to Jesus, our friend and our King.”

For the Church, that all Christians may live like the saints — with kindness, courage, and joy.
Lord, hear us.
For our families and teachers, that God will bless them with peace and patience.
Lord, hear us.
For all people who are sad, sick, or lonely, that they may feel God’s love through us.
Lord, hear us.
For everyone in heaven, the saints we know and the ones we don’t, that they may pray for us.
Lord, hear us.
For ourselves, that we may let God’s light shine through us this week.
Lord, hear us.

(Optional: Hail Mary.)

Leader: “Lord Jesus, You are the joy of all the saints. Help us to follow You faithfully every day. Amen.”

Closing Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You for all Your saints — the famous ones and the hidden ones.
Help us to love You like they did,
to forgive, to share, to pray, and to shine with Your light.
Amen.”

Activity Ideas

Saint Medal Game:
Give each child a card or badge with a saint’s name or picture. Let them share one good thing that saint did.

Let Your Light Shine” Craft:
Trace a candle or halo, write inside: “I can shine for Jesus by…”
Children fill in their promise (helping, sharing, praying).

Beatitude Action Game:
Leader reads: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Children act it out (shake hands etc.).
Do the same for each Beatitude — quick and joyful.

Memory Line:
All repeat together:

“The saints are people who let God’s light shine through!”

Sending Back

Leader:
“Today we met the saints — and we remembered we’re part of their family.
So go and shine like them!”

Sign of the Cross.