Children's Liturgy Guide

Assumption of Mary

Year B · Ordinary Time

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Reading: Luke 1:39-56

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

Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she was filled with joy. Mary sang a beautiful song praising God for all the wonderful things He had done for her.

Key Points

  • Mary hurried to help her cousin Elizabeth, showing love through action
  • Elizabeth recognized that Mary was carrying Jesus, the Son of God
  • Mary praised God with a song called the Magnificat, thanking Him for His goodness
  • Today we celebrate that God brought Mary, body and soul, to heaven to be with Him forever

Background

This Gospel is proclaimed on the Assumption because it shows Mary's unique role in salvation history. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes Mary as 'the mother of my Lord,' and Mary responds with the Magnificat, a canticle of praise acknowledging God's mighty deeds. The Assumption celebrates the Church's belief that Mary, preserved from sin and united to Christ, was taken body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life. For children, emphasize the joy of the visit between Mary and Elizabeth, Mary's happiness in praising God, and the simple truth that Mary is now with God in heaven. Set aside the theological distinctions between Assumption and Ascension, and the dogmatic details about Mary's sinlessness.

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 giving us Mary, the mother of Jesus, who loved You so much. Help us to be joyful like Mary and to praise You for all the good things You do for us. 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.

Have you ever been so happy about something that you wanted to sing or jump for joy? What made you feel that way?

Example: One time I was so happy when my grandma came to visit that I ran around the house singing and I could not stop smiling all day long.

Bridge to the reading: You know that wonderful feeling when you are so happy you just have to show it! In today's reading, we will hear about Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth, and both of them were so full of joy that Mary sang a beautiful song to God.

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. Who did Mary go to visit in today's reading?

    Example: Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She traveled to Elizabeth's house in the hill country to see her.

  2. What happened when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting?

    Example: When Elizabeth heard Mary say hello, the baby inside Elizabeth jumped for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

  3. What did Elizabeth say to Mary about the baby Mary was carrying?

    Example: Elizabeth said that Mary was blessed and that the baby inside Mary was blessed too. She called Mary the mother of her Lord.

  4. Why do you think Mary wanted to praise God with a song?

    Example: I think Mary was so happy and thankful that God chose her to be the mother of Jesus. She wanted to tell God how wonderful He is.

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 do you think Mary felt when she got to see her cousin Elizabeth after traveling so far?

    Example: I think Mary felt really happy and excited to finally see Elizabeth. It probably felt so good to give her a big hug.

  2. Mary helped Elizabeth by visiting her. Who is someone in your family you could visit or help this week?

    Example: I could help my grandpa by visiting him and maybe I could draw him a picture to make him smile.

  3. Mary thanked God by singing a song. How could you thank God for something good in your life?

    Example: I could say a prayer before bed and tell God thank you for my family and my friends and my home.

Recap

Today we heard about Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was filled with joy, and Mary sang a beautiful song praising God for all the wonderful things He had done. Mary loved God so much, and today we celebrate that she is now with God in heaven forever.

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 mothers and grandmothers, that they may feel God's love and joy in their families, 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.

During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we pray the words 'My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord' in some sung settings of the Mass. These are the very first words of Mary's song, the Magnificat, that we hear in today's reading.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, God, for Mary, who shows us how to love You and praise You with a joyful heart. Help us to be like Mary, always ready to help others and always thankful for Your goodness. 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

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-56

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.

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

Words to find

  • Mary
  • Elizabeth
  • visit
  • joy
  • song
  • praise
  • blessed
  • baby
  • mother
  • heaven
  • happy
  • Lord

ChildrensLiturgy.org