Children's Liturgy Guide

All Saints

Year A · Ordinary Time

Jesus Shows Us How to Be Happy

Reading: Matthew 5:1-12a

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Jesus sat on a mountain and taught his friends about real happiness. He said that people who are kind, gentle, and help others are blessed, which means God loves them very much and they will be happy with God forever.

Key Points

  • Jesus teaches us what it truly means to be blessed and happy
  • Being blessed means being loved by God and close to Him
  • The Beatitudes describe the kind of people God especially loves: the gentle, the peacemakers, those who help others
  • All Saints Day celebrates everyone in heaven who lived the way Jesus taught

Background

The Beatitudes are Jesus' vision of the Kingdom of God, presenting a counter-cultural understanding of happiness rooted not in worldly success but in spiritual poverty, mercy, and righteousness. The word 'blessed' (Greek: makarios) means more than happy; it indicates divine favor and participation in God's own life. On All Saints Day, these verses remind us that the saints are those who lived the Beatitudes, now enjoying the fullness of God's presence. For children, emphasize that Jesus is teaching us what makes people truly happy: being kind, gentle, and helping others, and that the saints are friends of God who did these things. Set aside the theological complexity of 'poor in spirit' or 'hunger for righteousness' and focus on concrete examples children can grasp.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear God, thank you for all the saints who loved you and showed us how to be happy. Help us to be kind and gentle like Jesus teaches us today. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

What is something that makes you feel really, really happy inside?

Example: I feel really happy inside when my grandma gives me a big hug and tells me she loves me so much.

Bridge to the reading: Those things do make us feel good! In today's reading, Jesus sits on a mountain and teaches his friends about a special kind of happiness that comes from loving God and being kind to others.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Where did Jesus go to teach his friends?

    Example: Jesus went up on a mountain and sat down there to teach all his friends who came to him.

  2. What special word did Jesus keep saying over and over to describe these happy people?

    Example: Jesus kept saying the word blessed, which means God loves them very much and they are truly happy.

  3. Can you remember one kind of person Jesus said was blessed?

    Example: Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers, the people who help others stop fighting and be friends again.

  4. Why do you think Jesus wanted to teach his friends about this special kind of happiness?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted them to know that being kind and gentle makes God happy and makes us happy too.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How does it feel inside when you are gentle with someone, like a little brother or sister or a pet?

    Example: It feels warm and good inside my heart, and I feel proud of myself for being so gentle.

  2. What could you do to be a peacemaker if two of your friends were having an argument?

    Example: I could help them talk nicely to each other and find a way to share so everyone is happy.

  3. This week, who is one person you could be extra kind to, the way the saints were kind?

    Example: I could be extra kind to my neighbor who is older and help carry something for her.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus teach about what makes people truly blessed and happy. He said that people who are gentle, kind, and help others are loved very much by God. On All Saints Day, we remember all the people in heaven who lived this way. We can be like the saints by being kind and gentle too!

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all children who feel sad today, that they may know God loves them and find true happiness, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

When we pray 'Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb' before Communion, we use the same word 'blessed' that Jesus uses in today's reading, reminding us that receiving Jesus makes us truly happy.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us how to be truly happy. Help us to be gentle and kind like the saints. May we always remember that you love us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Jesus Shows Us How to Be Happy

Matthew 5:1-12a

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

T P K W B F T J F K I N D G S
T Y L M G T P D B O N V K E T
Q P P E A C E K S N W M A N N
H P U R C J Y O L D E Z V T I
A S D N E I R F Q J O V E L L
P C P M O U N T A I N N O E C
P G A P E Y K N N V T G Q L D
Y F C I P A H V D D H G V D N
G B Z W P K H E A R T F I X M
G Z V K U V X U Y Z N C O A S
H E A V E N A X T H O S X S V
U C D S A I N T S S J K L T Z
P I R S V C M L S U S E J V T
P K O B Y J I U G R W I J Q L
T O I U Q M B L E S S E D L W

Words to find

  • blessed
  • happy
  • saints
  • Jesus
  • mountain
  • gentle
  • kind
  • peace
  • heaven
  • love
  • heart
  • friend

ChildrensLiturgy.org