Prayer alive in the home

Jessica Fluty believes that it’s important for her young boys ages 2-7 (with one on the way, due in January) to see the faith as their own from an early age.

“I want them to know that Church is home and it’s comfortable and to know that they belong,” said the member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Ellisville.

That’s why Jessica also believes encouraging prayer in the home from a young age is equally important. She offers several ideas for encouraging prayer with toddler-age children:

Pray with the saints: All of the Fluty children have been given a patron saint, as well as a special title for Our Lady, that they can pray to. “When they see us praying specifically to their saints and Our Lady, they know that these are our friends in heaven and we can ask for their help and to help us know Jesus.” The Flutys also celebrate feast days with a small treat or special meal.

Paschal candle: The family has a Paschal candle at home, which is lit on the anniversary of each child’s baptism. They’re invited to light their baptismal candle from the paschal candle (with their parents’ help), and they sing a special baptismal day song to the tune of “Happy Birthday.”

Live liturgically: Using ideas from “The Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life,” by Kendra Tierney, Jessica said she incorporates themes from the liturgical year within the home. That includes decorating with colors for each liturgical season and creating traditions for each season, such as visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday.

Make it hands-on: All of Jessica’s boys have participated in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and Jessica underwent training to become a Level I catechist. The hands-on approach in a sacred space allows children to experience God’s presence and develop their faith. It also reminds them that “they have a capacity for prayer and a relationship with the Lord and the Holy Spirit,” she said. The atrium offers them an opportunity to slow down and process faith and prayer in a way that they can carry over at home, she added.

Keep it brief: Prayer doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process, especially with little ones in tow. Praying one decade of the Rosary is a way to expose small children to the devotional prayer but still hold their attention. Other ideas include making a short visit to adoration or giving them small prayer phrases such as, “Jesus I trust in you.”

This is the first in a six-part series on keeping prayer alive in the home. Future stories will explore ways to foster prayer with elementary school children, teens, adults, multi-generational families, and seniors.