Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Feast of the Lateran Basilica

Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Feast of the Lateran Basilica

Theme: “God’s Church is Alive!”

Welcome & Gathering

(Gather the children, light a candle.)

Leader:
“Today we celebrate a very special feast — not for a saint, but for a church building!
We remember the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome, which is the Pope’s own church.
It’s called the ‘Mother Church of all churches.’

But today isn’t just about a building made of stone.
It’s about something even greater: God’s living Church — made of people like you!”

Sign of the Cross.
Leader: “Jesus, help us remember that You live not only in big churches, but in our hearts and homes too.”
All: “Amen.”

Introduction – Talking Together

Ask:

“Have you ever been inside a really big church or cathedral?”

“What did it feel like?”

“Why do we build beautiful churches for God?”

Say:
“We build churches because they remind us that God is holy and close to us.
But the most important church isn’t made of bricks or marble — it’s made of people who love God.
You are part of that Church!”

First Reading (Simplified from Ezekiel 47)

Leader:
“The prophet Ezekiel had a dream about God’s temple.
He saw water flowing out from the temple.
At first it was a little trickle,
then a stream,
then a big river!
And everywhere the water went, life came back —
trees grew, fish swam, and everything was fresh and alive again.”

Ask:
“What do you think that water means?”
(Guide to answer: God’s love, grace, and blessings that bring life everywhere.)

Say:
“That river is like God’s love in the Church — it starts small and becomes a big flood of life and joy!”

Second Reading (Simplified from 1 Corinthians 3)

Leader:
“St Paul says something amazing:
‘You are God’s building.
You are God’s temple, and His Spirit lives in you!’

That means your soul is holy — like a little church where God lives.
When we love, pray, forgive, and do good, we decorate that temple with beauty.”

Gospel (Simplified from John 2:13–22)

Leader reads slowly:

One day, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem and saw people selling animals and exchanging money inside.
He was very sad and angry because God’s house was meant for prayer.
So He made a small whip, drove them out, and said:

“Take all this away! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”

Then Jesus said something strange:

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
People were confused — but He was talking about His body, not the building.
Because when Jesus rose from the dead, He became the new temple —
the place where we meet God forever.

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

Children’s Homily & Reflection

Ask:

“Why was Jesus upset in the temple?”

“What did He want the people to remember?”

“What kind of temple does God really want?”

Explain:
“Jesus wasn’t angry about the building — He was sad because people had forgotten to pray.
The temple had become noisy, busy, and full of greed.
He wanted it to be holy again.

But now we are His temples.
That means our hearts are like little churches for God!

When we say our prayers, show kindness, and forgive —
we are keeping God’s house clean and beautiful inside.

When we sin or forget Him, it’s like filling the temple with rubbish —
but confession cleans it again and makes it shine.”

Illustration:
Show a small picture of a church and a heart.
Say:
“This church is made of stone.
This heart is made for love.
Both are God’s houses — one on earth, one inside you.”

Profession of Faith (Child-Friendly)

Leader:
“Do you believe in God the Father, who made His home with us?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”
Leader: “Do you believe in Jesus, who is God’s living temple?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”
Leader: “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, who makes our hearts God’s home?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”

Intercessions

Leader:
“Let us pray to Jesus, who builds His Church with living stones.”

For the Church everywhere — that we may stay strong and united in love.
Lord, hear us.

For Pope Leo, our bishops and priests — that they may help us to be the Church God wants us to be.
Lord, hear us.

For our parish — that our church building may always be a house of prayer and welcome.
Lord, hear us.

For all families — that homes may be filled with peace, forgiveness, and faith.
Lord, hear us.

For ourselves — that we may keep our hearts pure and our lives open to God’s love.
Lord, hear us.

(Optional: Hail Mary.)

Closing Prayer

“Lord Jesus, You are the living temple where heaven and earth meet.
Make our hearts Your home.
Bless our church and everyone who prays here,
and help us to bring Your love wherever we go.
Amen.”

Activity Suggestions

Building the Church Game:
Give each child a paper “brick.” Write one good thing they can do to build the Church (pray, share, be kind). Stack or stick them into a “church wall.”

Living Stones” Craft:
Write each child’s name on a stone or card brick with the words: “I am part of God’s Church.”

Water of Life Experiment:
Pour clear water into a bowl and add drops of blue food colouring while saying:
“This is God’s love flowing out to bring life to the world.”

Memory Line:
Teach the line:

“God’s Church is alive — and I am part of it!”

Sending Back

Leader:
“Today we remembered that God doesn’t just live in Rome,
or in our church building —
He lives in you!
So go and be a living temple for Jesus.”

Sign of the Cross.