Why should children celebrate the Liturgy of the Word separate from the large assembly?
While the practice of having children gather in a separate place is widespread, some parish leaders choose not to provide this option. Their reasons are varied. Some feel that children belong in the assembly and that their experience there is a positive one. They feel that having children leave conveys a message of exclusion. Moreover, some feel that when children leave they disrupt the service. Others argue, on the contrary, that attending to children in a separate place conveys a sense of belonging, which they do not experience in the large assembly. In keeping with the Directory for Masses With Children, they argue that while liturgy can have a positive formative influence on children, it can also be harmful if the experience does not respect and provide for the child’s needs. They feel that inviting children to a separate gathering, when done with ritual care, highlights the significance of the Liturgy of the Word not only for the children but also for those in the large assembly.
