After we hung a crucifix in just about every room of our house, this was was leftover with no place to hang. I kept intending to find a spot for it somewhere, but John would find it lying on a table somewhere and play with it (respectfully), so I'd leave it out longer. I've finally realized that there is benefit to John playing with this crucifix, so now I want to leave it out. Often John will grab it and walk with it held high above his head while he sings his own tune: "Exalting the cross, exalting the cross" or "Holy cross, holy cross." Another song I think is charming is, "Altar boy, altar boy, someday I will be one." I would have thought that parents would have to do a lot of propaganda to get such cute behavior out of a three-year-old, but now I don't think so! In this case, I showed John how to exalt the cross once on the last Feast of the Holy Cross and he's been "playing" at it ever since. Warms this Catholic mama's heart and it's a lot better than other games he could be playing!I haven't explained the crucifix to John in detail, only answering questions when asked. A week ago John asked me, "What is Jesus holding?" I had him point and then answered simply, "Nails." I didn't say that Jesus wasn't exactly holding them. But within a few days John was telling me, "Jesus has ouchies." (And you know I'm a square Catholic mama because I answered, "Yes, and when we sin we give him more ouchies.") Lately I've seen him re-enacting when Jesus fell while carrying the cross by taking the crucifix and "walking" it along until "Jesus fell down, Mama!" Then the crucifix "falls over."
Monday night when we prayed a family rosary, we not only lit a candle and dimmed the lights to help create an environment for John to be calm, but Chris let him try burning real incense in his little brass thurifer and censing the cross. John loved it, let me tell you!
Fire? Smoke? What isn't there to love for a three-year-old boy?
OK. You are doing an amazing job of establishing the Catholic Culture at home. You know you are Catholic when...
ReplyDeleteI was told about your blog from my sister Katrina Greca. She's in your Catholic mothers nursing group. Anyway, my 2.5 yr old loves incensing the tall 'alter' candle he made out of blocks. My mom called one day and asked what my son was up to and I replied, "He's been playing Mass." She then preceded to tell me that I need to get him out more. Argh!! My 15 month old kisses any image of Jesus she sees. It's refeshing to see and hear about other moms who are trying to establish a 'firm' foundation.
ReplyDeleteAnna: Keep up the good work! "The world" would think nothing of it if your 15-month-old was already playing/imitating at nasty dances from MTV videos or other worldly things, but playing at Mass gets criticism.
ReplyDeleteOh, how awesome! My kids love to play Mass too. I wear a plain cross, but Rachel always points to it and says excitedly, "Jesus!" They know. Katherine, I love your blog; I never fail to learn something from you! Thanks!
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