Inspiration from the mouths of infants
Every day my class begins with a short prayer that I taught the children. It is accompanied by some simple actions. “Dear Jesus, bless me today. Bless my family. Bless my teachers. Bless my classmates. Jesus, I love you.” When they come to the last part of the prayer, “I love you,” they excitedly throw Jesus a sometimes very loud kiss. Their prayer and innocence are very inspiring.
The school children are like sponges. Whatever you tell them, they will really follow. They have already memorized the basic prayers like the Our Father and the Hail Mary. But I also wanted to teach them how to be spontaneous in their prayer. So when I take them to church for their morning prayer time, I let them kneel and be quiet. I encourage them to say something to Jesus, to pray for example, for protection for their mommy and daddy. I could hear one boy’s prayer as he said, “Dear Jesus, please take care of my mommy and daddy, and my baby brother who is sick.” How I wish I could be that simple in my own prayers — without complaint. When they leave the church you can hear them say, “I love you Jesus.” “Bye Jesus! See you around.”
Children have very inquisitive minds. In my religion class when they ask, “Sister, who is Jesus?” I need to go down to their level to try and explain. I use pictures to show that Jesus has a family and explain that Jesus is the Son of God in a language that they will understand. One day, Bishop Larry (Silva) said Mass at our church. One child asked, “Sister, who is that man? Is that Jesus?” “No, that is Bishop Larry,” I then smilingly explained.
One day I asked the class, “Why was Jesus crucified?” A little girl answered, “Because he loved us. And if he wasn’t there, all of us would be bullies and mean.” I did not expect that answer from her. She was so true. Another time I asked them, “What is the greatest gift that God gave us?” The same little girl answered, “It is Jesus.” “Why did he give us Jesus?” I continued to question. “Because, you know, Sister,” she said, “if Jesus was not here, we will be mean to each other. He loves us.”
I am happy the children are learning something about the faith. They understand that Jesus is loving and loves them. They also are taught values such as the importance of going to church, saying “I love you” to their parents while they are still with them, and saying “Thank you.” I find it inspiring to my faith that “Out of the mouths of infants and nurslings you have brought forth praise” (Matthew 21:16).
So every time I go home at the close of the day and reflect, I notice that it is the children who are teaching me. Sometimes I do get irritated and impatient. But when I recall all the things they tell me, it keeps me going. “I love you Jesus. I thank you for today.”
Sister Anielyn Delicana is a Sister of St. Paul of Chartres. Professed 12 years, she is in her third year teaching kindergarten at St. Anthony School in Kalihi where she lives with her religious community in the neighboring convent.