Children's Liturgy Guide

Assumption of Mary

Year C · 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 goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth sees Mary, she is so happy! Mary sings a special song praising God for all the wonderful things He has done. Today we celebrate that God brought Mary to heaven to be with Him forever.

Key Points

  • Mary hurried to help her cousin Elizabeth when she learned Elizabeth was going to have a baby.
  • Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and knew Mary was carrying someone very special.
  • Mary's song, called the Magnificat, praises God for doing great things.
  • On the Assumption, we celebrate that God took Mary, body and soul, to heaven.
  • Mary shows us how to say yes to God and praise Him with a joyful heart.

Background

This Gospel recounts the Visitation, where Mary travels to assist her pregnant cousin Elizabeth. Upon Mary's arrival, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaims Mary blessed, recognizing that she carries the Lord. Mary responds with the Magnificat, a canticle of praise acknowledging God's mighty deeds and His preferential love for the humble. The Assumption celebrates the dogma that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. This reflects her unique role in salvation history and her freedom from original sin. For children, emphasize Mary's joyful visit to help Elizabeth and her happy song thanking God. Set aside the theological complexities of the Assumption itself and focus on Mary's love, her willingness to help, and her praise of God.

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, who loved You so much and always said yes to You. Help us to have joyful hearts like Mary and to praise You every day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 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 that you wanted to sing or dance or shout? What made you feel that way?

Example: One time I was so happy on my birthday that I jumped around and sang because I got a special present from my grandma!

Bridge to the reading: That feeling of being so happy you just have to let it out is wonderful! In today's reading, we will hear about Mary feeling so full of joy that she sings a beautiful song to thank God for all the amazing things He has done.

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, who lived in a town in the hills far away from Mary's home.

  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 when she saw her?

    Example: Elizabeth said that Mary was blessed among women and that the baby Mary was carrying was blessed too.

  4. Why do you think Mary sang a song to God after Elizabeth spoke to her?

    Example: I think Mary was so happy and thankful that God chose her for something special that she wanted to praise Him with a song.

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 hurried to visit Elizabeth and help her?

    Example: I think Mary felt excited and happy to see her cousin, and she probably felt good inside because she was being helpful.

  2. What is something kind you could do to help someone in your family this week, like Mary helped Elizabeth?

    Example: I could help my mom carry the groceries inside or help set the table for dinner without being asked to.

  3. When could you tell God thank you, like Mary did in her song?

    Example: I could tell God thank you when I say my prayers before bed, or I could thank Him when something good happens.

Recap

Today we heard how Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was so happy to see Mary, and Mary sang a beautiful song praising God for all the wonderful things He does. Mary had a joyful heart because she loved God. We can have joyful hearts too and thank God every day, just like Mary did.

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 hearts, 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.

Mary's song of praise, the Magnificat, echoes in our liturgy. At Evening Prayer (Vespers), the Church sings Mary's words every single day. When we hear Mary say 'My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,' we join her in praising God, just as the Church has done for centuries.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank You for Mary, who shows us how to love and praise You. Help us this week to have joyful hearts, to help others, and to thank You for all Your blessings. 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.

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

Words to find

  • Mary
  • Elizabeth
  • visit
  • joyful
  • blessed
  • praise
  • song
  • heaven
  • angel
  • love
  • happy
  • baby

ChildrensLiturgy.org