The Anima Christi (“Soul of Christ”) is an ancient medieval Catholic prayer. It was popularized by Saint Ignatius of Loyola and remains a key devotion among Catholics in the world today.

Lead your students in this beautiful prayer and download the worksheet below to help them meditate on the words. This handout is one of the many resources in The Religion Teacher’s Prayer Worksheet Collection.

The Anima Christi Prayer

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds conceal me.
Do not permit me to be parted from you.
From the evil foe protect me.
At the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come to you,
to praise you with all your saints
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Download the Anima Christi Worksheet

Download this Anima Christi Worksheet to reflect on the words of the prayer:

Get The Religion Teacher’s Prayer Worksheet Collection

The Religion Teacher’s Prayer Worksheet Collection includes thirty printable handouts to help kids meditate on the meaning of popular Catholic prayers and devotions. This resource features worksheets with meditations on the Hail Mary, Angelus, Mealtime Prayer, Acts of Faith, Act of Hope, Act of Love, Act of Contrition, Memorare, and more!

Get all 30 worksheets today >

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Teach your students about Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, using the summary and reflection questions below. You can download and print the worksheet below to help your students understand the meaning and significance of this document as it relates to artificial intelligence.

A Short Summary of Magnifica Humanitas

In his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV applies key principles of Catholic Social Doctrine to the technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI). He describes the present moment as a construction site. We can choose to either build a Tower of Babel for our own glory apart from God or a new Jerusalem in the way of Nehemiah who led the Israelites in working together to rebuild their city with the guidance of God. First, he offers five principles of Catholic Social Doctrine to guide us in our building project: common good, universal destination of goods, subsidiarity, solidarity, and social justice. Then he applies those principles to the recent developments in AI to discourage the growing power of the few who control its creation and its moral direction, particularly in warfare. He urges all people to take personal responsibility and participation in the development of AI through our own self-education, advocacy, and protection of the poor.

Magnifica Humanitas Reflection Questions

1. In what ways have you personally used Artificial Intelligence?
2. Would you say we are currently building a selfish Tower of Babel or Nehemiah’s collaborative Jerusalem project with AI today?
3. How can students and families educate themselves about using AI ethically?

Download the Magnifica Humanitas Worksheet

Download a printable copy of this worksheet here:

AI Toolkit for Catholic Schools

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education at an unprecedented pace. As Catholic school leaders and educators, it is crucial to navigate these changes thoughtfully and ethically. The Religion Teacher’s AI Toolkit for Catholic Schools offers a comprehensive resource designed to help teachers and administrators reflect on the responsible use of AI in Catholic education.

Learn more about the toolkit >

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Look back at what went well, what didn’t go well, and what you plan to focus on for next year.

Most importantly, celebrate the times you and your students experienced any moment of encounter with Jesus Christ. That is our ultimate mission as religious educators.

I created this End of the Year Review to guide you through this reflection:

Download a PDF with these questions here

Or answer the following questions in a journal or word document:

1. What were my best teaching moments this year?
2. What activities were most engaging for my students?
3. What will I do more next year?
4. What didn’t go well this year?
5. What will I stop doing?
6. When did I feel most alive as a religious educator?
7. When did my students encounter Christ the most deeply?
8. When did I encounter Christ the most deeply?
9. How do I hope my students will remember me?
10. What is ONE thing I will focus on next year?

Congrats on a great year! Whether you realize it or not, you planted seeds that will bear fruit in God’s time!

God is good!

Go make disciples!

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Here is a comprehensive lesson plan on the Sacrament of Confirmation. It might work best as a final summary of your Confirmation preparation or pick and choose some of the activities to use throughout the year. The main goal of the lesson is to give them a final opportunity to prepare for the actual celebration of their Sacrament of Confirmation.

You can find previously posted and related Confirmation lesson plans here:

• The Rite of Confirmation Lesson Plan
• Post-Confirmation Lesson Plan
• The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Lesson Plan
• Confirmation Activities and Worksheets

Sacrament of Confirmation Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to (SWBAT) define Confirmation.
• SWBAT list the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
• SWBAT summarize the story of Pentecost.
• SWF excited about receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation.

Sacrament of Confirmation Lesson Activities

Hook: Smashing Spiritual Gifts

In many video games with multiple characters, each character has different unique abilities. For example, in Super Smash Bros., each character has different attacks.

You might show a video like this as an example:

But what are your special spiritual gifts?

As you prepare for your Confirmation, we can begin to think about what gifts God is ready to pour into you with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For greater context, share this expert from the popular Confirmation gift book, The Gospel According to Video Games:

Smashing Spiritual Gifts

Super Smash Bros. is unlike other fighting games in one important way. Rather than trying to kill the opponent in a bloody battle, the fighters seek to score more points and eject a player out of bounds. To win, each of the classic Nintendo characters has unique attacks and abilities to remain on the screen. These abilities are wide-ranging and unique. 
According to Saint Paul, each of us has unique spiritual gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. “There are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone” (1 Corinthians 12:4–6). He goes on to describe gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, powerful deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. He then describes the Church as a metaphor for Christ’s body, with each of us serving in unique ways as unique parts of the body, such as hands or feet. 


Ask yourself, what are your spiritual gifts? What are the ways in which the Holy Spirit has called you to serve the Lord? Donkey Kong’s attacks in Super Smash Bros. are very different from those of Pikachu, Jigglypuff, or Mario. In the same way, you have strengths that make you stand out among others. God gives you these gifts not to kill, but to grow and improve. These are gifts not to compare yourself as better or worse, just different. 


You will stand out among others and be recognized for these gifts. Like the last character standing in Super Smash Bros., you will be complimented on your accomplishments. What are these successes? What are your gifts? Recognizing these abilities will help you think about the ways you can serve others and find happiness in the work you do. It will help you grow as an individual and grow in your ability to help carry out God’s will in the world.


Present: The Meaning of Confirmation

Share this short video about the origin and meaning of the word Confirmation:

Then ask students:

1. What other sacrament does Confirmation strengthen?
2. What does the Chrism oil do to us?
3. How do you hope to be more like Christ after Confirmation?

Present: The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Share these videos with the students and have them write down the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit in their notes:

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Video

The best way to help your students remember the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are to come up with hand motions for each gift. For example:

Gifts of the Holy Spirit Hand Motions

1. Wisdom: Scratch your chin.
2. Understanding: Thumbs-up
3. Knowledge: Point to the side of your head.
4. Counsel: Shake your own hand.
5. Fortitude: Flex your muscles.
6. Piety: Prayer hands.
7. Fear of the Lord: Point to heaven.

Use these or make up your own signs. The key is coming up with a physical way to remember and list the ideas.

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit Video

This video uses images to match with each Fruit of the Spirit. Have students write those images down in their notes and use later to remember each fruit.

Practice: Partner Quiz

Using the hand motions for the gifts and the pictures for the fruits, have students quiz each other on listing each of the gifts and fruits of the Spirit.

After the partner practice, check the class memory by quizzing the group with hand motions and images.

Present: The Story of Pentecost

First show this video explanation of the meaning of the word Pentecost:

This will give them some context for reading the stories of Pentecost in the Bible.

Read the story of Pentecost from the Acts of the Apostles 2:1–13 and John 20:19–23.

Practice: Pentecost Pictures

Have students fold a piece of paper in half and label the left John 20:19–23 and the right Acts 2:1–13. Then have the students draw a picture of the scene and label the Holy Spirit in the pictures. Their picture of the scene in John should label the Holy Spirit as Jesus’s breath and the Acts picture as tongues of fire.

Present: Preparing for the Bishop’s Homily

It has become a tradition among many Catholic bishops to ask students questions during the homily of the Confirmation Mass. They usually ask questions about the topics covered in this lesson plan so far. It is helpful, however, to consider distributing these questions for students to review before Confirmation.

Common Bishop Confirmation Questions:

1. What is the definition of a sacrament?
2. What are the Seven Sacraments?
3. What do you receive in the Sacrament of Confirmation?
4. What are the symbols and signs used in the Sacrament of Confirmation?
5. What sacrament does Confirmation complete?
6. What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
7. What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
8. How did Jesus give the Holy Spirit to his Apostles?
9. How did the Holy Spirit come upon the Apostles at Pentecost?
10. How does the Holy Spirit help us live our Catholic faith?

Make sure your students are able to answer these and similar questions leading up to the celebration of Confirmation.

Would you like a printable copy of these Confirmation questions and answers?

Download here:

This is by no means an exhaustive list and many bishops ask many more questions covering the full extent of catechesis from elementary to middle school years.

But don’t make this the ONLY focus of you Confirmation preparation. Invite your students to prayerfully prepare for the sacrament by meditating on the topics they will learn.

Prayer: Asking for a Gift of the Spirit

Whether they feel anything emotionally or not, the sacramental grace of Confirmation will be placed on them. They will be sealed with the Holy Spirit. With that seal comes the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some of these gifts are expressed in each one of us more than others. Some of these gifts are needed as supernatural aid to get through the challenges of life.

Distribute note cards to the students.

One one side have them write the name of the gift that they already have the most. Then draw a picture of one way they use that gift.

On the other side have them write the name of the gift they need the most. Then draw a picture of one situation in which they will need that gift the most.

Give them the time to prayerfully reflect on which gifts to choose.

Then invite them to pray this prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit from this lesson plan:

Lord Jesus Christ, send down your Spirit upon me. 
When I am uncertain, grant me wisdom. 
When I am confused, grant me understanding. 
When I am ignorant, grant me knowledge. 
When I am wandering, grant me counsel. 
When I am afraid, grant me fortitude. 
When I am separated from you, grant me piety. 
When I am selfish, grant me the fear of the Lord. 
I ask for an outpouring of your Spirit with all of these gifts in your name. 
Amen. 

Proof Assessment: Bishop Hot Seats

Break students up into groups. Have them take turns acting as the bishop during the Confirmation holy. They will stand and ask questions from the bishop questions list above. \

The other students will answer then take their turn as the bishop.

Download a Collection of Confirmation Worksheets

There is so much to do to get our students prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They need to know the significance of the sacrament they are preparing for and one of the best ways to do that is learn about and reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the the Rite of Confirmation. This resource includes fourteen worksheets including:

• Confirmation Saint Name Worksheet
• Seal of the Holy Spirit Worksheet
• Renewal of Baptismal Vows Worksheet
• Pentecost Worksheets
• and a worksheet for every one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

Get The Religion Teacher’s Confirmation Worksheets >

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Are your students ready for their First Holy Communion?

Give them the First Communion Readiness Checklist. Based on the classic catechetical formula to know, love, and serve God, students will assess their own knowledge and love for the Lord. It is important to know that their answers do not disqualify them from receiving their First Communion. The items on this list are meant to summarize what students have learned about the Eucharist and its effects on us as Catholics. From there they can continue their lifelong journey of discipleship!

You will also receive The Religion Teacher’s weekly Sunday newsletter with activity ideas for your lesson plans.

Here are the items from the printable checklist:

First Holy Communion Readiness Checklist

Are you ready for your First Communion? Draw a + inside each host O.

⨁⨁⨁ = I am ready and excited! ⨁⨁ = I am still learning. ⨁ = I need some help.

KNOW

I know the Eucharist is truly Jesus.

I know what Jesus did at the Last Supper.

I know Jesus died and rose for us.

I know Jesus acts through the priest at Mass.

I know about the Seven Sacraments.

LOVE

I love Jesus and want to receive him in the Eucharist.

I love Jesus and want to be forgiven for my sins.

I love Jesus and want to be close to him.

I love Jesus and want to be close to his people.

I love Jesus and want to stay away from sin.

SERVE

I serve Jesus by going to Mass on Sundays.

I serve Jesus by going to confession.

I serve Jesus by helping others.

I serve Jesus by being respectful in the church.

I serve Jesus by trying to be like him every day.

Are you ready? It’s okay if you’re still learning. This checklist is meant to help you receive Jesus with love and confidence!

I __________ am ready to receive my First Communion.

Download the First Communion Checklist

Download this First Communion Checklist to distribute to your class. You might even given it to the students at the start of their preparation and at the end to compare how far they have come. I have included the gold-colored version and another version with black text to make it easier to print.

The items in this checklist were inspired by the Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America and Sacramental Preparation Protocol I, First Penance and First Holy Communion (for the second grade) (2013).

Get More First Communion Preparation Resources

The Religion Teacher’s First Communion Activity Pack equips children to prepare for their First Holy Communion with faith and understanding. Featuring lesson plans, worksheets, videos, activities, and assessments, it covers the Seven Sacraments, the Last Supper, Passover and the Eucharist, the Parts of the Mass, the Real Presence, and how to receive the Eucharist.

Buy Now >

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“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

—John 10:11

Use this lesson plan to help students understand and reflect on Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. The shepherd metaphor is used often in both the Old and the New Testaments. Jesus even calls himself the Good Shepherd and uses parables to describe his relationship with us as a shepherd. He saw the crowds of people as “sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). There are also many more subtle connections to Old Testament shepherd imagery throughout the gospels. In this lesson plan, focus on the two main shepherd parables in John 10 and Luke 15 to help your students identify Jesus as their own personal shepherd. (You might also be interested in The Parable of the Lost Sheep Lesson Plan.)

Good Shepherd Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to explain the meaning of Good Shepherd.
• Students will be able to summarize the main parables of Jesus as a shepherd.
• Students will feel grateful for Jesus’s guidance and protection as the Good Shepherd.

Good Shepherd Lesson Activities

Hook: Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is one of the most powerful and popular psalms in the Bible. Through these words we take on the identity of a sheep and look to God as our shepherd. It has become a great comfort for people for many centuries.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
     he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
    I fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

Psalm 23:1–4

Psalm 23 Discussion Questions

After reading the psalm, ask the students:

1. What are some dark valleys people your age experience?
2. What are the green pastures and places that give you peace and comfort?
3. How can you turn to God during difficult times?
4. What would be a good time to recommend this psalm for someone to read?
5. What would be a good time for you to pick it up and read again?

Present: Jesus is the Good Shepherd

First, read the Good Shepherd Sunday reading (Fourth Sunday of Easter): John 10:1–10. Or share the longer version John 10:1–21, which features the full metaphor or a shepherd vs. a hired man.

Then share this video explanation of Jesus as the Good Shepherd vs. the hired man from the parable in John 10:

Members of The Religion Teacher have access to graphic organizer worksheets for this and all videos, but you can download a worksheet for this video here by entering your email:

You will receive a collection of Good Shepherd Worksheets to use for this lesson plan or to supplement your own good shepherd lessons.

Present: The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Next, read the popular parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:3–7.

Share this video summary and explanation of the meaning of the parable:

Practice: Good Shepherd Job Posting & Interview

Review the Scripture passages about Jesus as the Good Shepherd that you have read so far: Psalm 23, John 10, and Luke 15. Show students an example of job posting from Indeed or LinkedIn and have them write a job description for the Good Shepherd.

The job description should quote passages from these or other Bible stories.

You could even take it a step further and have students act out a job interview. Break students into groups of 4-5. One student would play Jesus. The others would be a team of people interviewing Jesus for a job as the Good Shepherd. What are some questions they would ask Jesus in the interview? What are some reasons Jesus would give to be hired for the job?

Good Shepherd Prayer & Meditation

Lead your students in the following meditation.

First re-read Psalm 23 emphasizing this verse: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking through a dark valley. You are all alone and lost. There is no one around. You should feel very afraid. You should be afraid of getting lost. You should feel afraid of something attacking you. Think about the fears you might have.

But now imagine yourself in that valley and you have no fear. You have no fear because you know your shepherd is coming to find you. You walk through that dark valley because he is with you. He is there to comfort you through the darkness.

Now think of a time in your life when you felt afraid or alone. Or, think of a time in your future that would be very difficult to get through alone. Maybe it is in school or sports. Maybe it is among friends. Now, imagine going through that fear with Jesus by your side. He is there to comfort and guide you through the darkness.

Now close with the opening words of Psalm 23. Repeat after me:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
     he restores my soul.”

Proof Assessment: Good Shepherd Trading Card Assessment

Create a trading card in the style of sports or Pokemon using an index card.

Draw a picture of the Jesus the Good Shepherd with a description either below or on the back of the card. Make sure the description shows what it means to be a shepherd for us.

Download a Collection of Good Shepherd Worksheets

Download a collection of worksheets about Jesus the Good Shepherd to use for this or other lesson plans:

You will receive SIX worksheets in this downloadable packet:

• Jesus the Good Shepherd Video Graphic Organizer Worksheet
• The Good Shepherd Worksheet
• Jesus’s Sheep Worksheet
• Sheep without a Shepherd Worksheet
• The Meaning of the Parable of the Lost Sheep Video Graphic Organizer Worksheet
• The Parable of the Lost Sheep Worksheet

The post Good Shepherd Lesson Plan, Activities, and Worksheets appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

I created a set simple stations for my students to reflect on each of the four events in the Paschal Mystery. Each station was short and simple, but really powerful. I wanted to share them with anyone who might be interested.

(Note: Below you will find educational class stations, not to be confused with the traditional Stations of the Cross. For Stations of the Cross activities, go here.)

First, of course, I presented a definition of the Paschal Mystery using this video:

Then I had students break into four groups and rotate through the four stations.

You will need note cards, post-it notes, and a large sheet of paper.

Each station took about 3 minutes for the students to complete, so this went pretty fast.

Paschal Mystery Stations Activities

Station 1: Passion

Jesus suffered . . . for you!

Directions: Create a tent with a note card. On one side write and draw what you are (or could be) giving up for Lent. Then on the other side write the name and draw the person for whom you are giving this up.

Station 2: Death

Jesus died on the Cross.

Directions: You will draw two pictures of yourself on each side of the note card. On one side draw a picture of the worst version of yourself (mean? weak? lazy?). Then on the other side draw a picture of the most successful version of yourself (but not necessarily a good version of yourself). After you finish the two drawings, tear the note card into pieces and throw them in the garbage.

Station 3: Resurrection

Jesus rose from the dead.

Directions: On the board draw a picture of yourself in heaven with one other person you are excited to have with you after your death.

Station 4: Ascension

Jesus went up into heaven.

Directions: Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told his disciples, “Be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.” On the sticky note, write and complete this sentence: I know Jesus loves me because __________.

Download the Paschal Mystery Stations Printout

Enter your email and I will send you a PDF with instructions you can post on the wall for each of these stations.

Get Additional Easter & Holy Week Teaching Tools

Download The Religion Teacher’s Easter & Holy Week Activity Pack for ready-to-use lesson plans, worksheets, videos, prayers, meditations, and assessments to guide students through the most important events of Jesus’s Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension plus Pentecost.

Download today >

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What can kids give up or do for Lent? Here is a list of Lenten ideas for kids to live out the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

There are a few different ways to use the list:

• Pick just one idea to do this year for Lent.
• Pick one in each category for Lent this year.
• Complete the list! Carry out all forty ideas during the forty days of Lent and check them off as you go.

Here are the forty ideas! You can download a printable version below.

Prayer Ideas for Kids during Lent

• Say a short prayer every morning.
• Thank God for three things every night.
• Pray one Our Father slowly and carefully.
• Pray for someone who is sick or sad.
• Pray for your teacher or classmates.
• Pray before homework or schoolwork.
• Say a prayer for people who are hungry.
• Spend one quiet minute with God.
• Pray for someone you find difficult.
• Read one Bible verse and reflect on it.
• Pray a decade of the Rosary.
• Say a prayer while you brush your teeth.
• Pray the Hail Mary three times each day.
• Start your day with the Sign of the Cross.

Fasting Ideas for Kids during Lent

• Give up complaining.
• Turn off screens for 30 minutes.
• Skip dessert or treats after dinner.
• Give up arguing or talking back.
• Give up your favorite video game.
• Give up negative words.
• Choose water not sugary drinks.
• Don’t wear your favorite clothes.
• Stop yourself from interrupting.
• Give up extra snacks between meals.
• Give up your favorite kind of music.
• Give up your favorite breakfast food.
• Turn off all devices after dinner.

Almsgiving Ideas for Kids during Lent

• Share a toy or game with someone else.
• Help your teachers without being asked.
• Donate coins to a charity or church.
• Write a kind note to someone.
• Act kindly to those who feel left out.
• Give away clothes or toys you don’t use.
• Help a sibling or friend with homework.
• Do an extra chore for your family.
• Make a card for someone who is sick.
• Write thank you notes to teachers.
• Save money to give to someone in need.
• Help clean up without complaining.
• Invite someone to play who is alone.

Download the 40 Simple Lenten Ideas for Kids Printable

Enter your email and I’ll send you the list. The downloadable PDF includes a version with a white background to make it easier for printing in class.

The post 40 Simple Lenten Ideas for Kids (Printable) appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.

Explore and reflect on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary with this lesson plan and activity ideas.

Immaculate Conception Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to explain why the Blessed Virgin Mary was immaculately conceived.
• Students will feel inspired to live a holy life by the fiat of Mary.

Immaculate Conception Lesson Activities

Hook Presentation: Statue of Mary

Bring in a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary or point to one in your classroom. (Or take your students to see a statue of the Virgin Mary in another place in your school or parish.)

Ask students to point out the details of the image and the meaning that each detail may have.

After they finish pointing out the details of the statue, direct their attention to two details:

1. White and Blue: The white of Mary’s clothing stand for her purity and the blue stand for her royalty as Queen of Heaven.
2. The Snake: Why is Mary stepping on a snake? This refers to the prophecy about her in Genesis 3:15: “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers, he will strike at your head, and you will strike his heel.” Unlike Eve who gave into the temptation of the fallen angel Satan, the New Eve Mary gives in to God’s will through the Angel Gabriel.

Present: What is the Immaculate Conception?

The meaning of the Immaculate Conception may be one of the most misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Church. While many people improperly use the term to describe the birth of Jesus, the Immaculate Conception refers to the Virgin Mary. It was Mary, the Mother of God, who was immaculately conceived through the union of two human parents.

Jesus was not conceived by human parents. The incarnation was a miraculous event. God is the Father of Jesus and the Virgin Mary is his mother.

If Jesus Christ was born without the stain of Original Sin, then his human mother gave birth to him without that same state of sin. Mary was “full of grace” before she bore her son Jesus Christ.

Here is how the dogma is defined by Pope Pius IX in Ineffabilis Deus:

“We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”

The Gospels, which tell the story of the life of Jesus Christ, do not contain stories of the early lives of Jesus’ mother. The story of Mary’s birth, therefore, is not in the Bible.

The primary Biblical source of the dogma is found in the “proto-evangelium” in Genesis 3:15: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.” Mary is often shown in statues and paintings to be standing on a serpent in reference to this enmity between her and the devil.

Many of the early Church Fathers refer to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the “New Eve” just as Jesus Christ is the “New Adam” (1 Corinthians 5). Through Adam and Eve Original Sin is passed on from one generation to the next, but through Jesus Christ (New Adam), the son of the Virgin Mary (New Eve), grace is bestowed instead.

The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.

Download the Immaculate Conception Video Worksheet

Download the graphic organizer for students to complete while they watch the video about the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Present: Understanding Original Sin

For a better understanding of Original Sin, share this video:

Practice: Correct the Immaculate Conception Sentences

Have students correct each of these sentences about the Immaculate Conception:

1. Jesus Christ was immaculately conceived without Original Sin.
2. The Immaculate Conception refers to the birth of Jesus Christ.
3. Mary is the only human person born without Original Sin.

Meditation: The Fiat of Mary Meditation

Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel’s declaration at the Annunciation is known as the Fiat.

Fiat is the Latin term for the words we read in the Bible as “let it be done.” It is Mary’s “yes” to the angel’s visit at the Annunciation.

Her Immaculate Conception prepared her for this important opportunity.

Invite students to reflect on their “fiat.”

• What is God calling you to do right now?
• What is God calling you to be for others?
• What is holding you back from saying to God, “let it be done to me”?

Prayer: The Hail Mary

Each time we pray the Hail Mary, we affirm our belief in her Immaculate Conception as “full of grace.” Join in praying the words of this popular prayer as we ask for her prayers as sinners:

Proof: Immaculate Conception Assessment

Complete the following IF/THEN statements about the Immaculate Conception, then answer the follow question.

1. If we inherited Original Sin our parents, then our parents inherited Original Sin from __________.
2. If Mary was born with Original Sin, then __________ would have been born with Original Sin.
3. If Jesus Christ was born without Original Sin, then his Mother Mary was born without __________.
4. If we are born with Original Sin, then it must be taken away by __________.
5. Why was Mary immaculately conceived without Original Sin?

[Answers: our parents, Jesus Christ, Original Sin, Jesus Christ (or sanctifying grace)]

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Share this Seven Deadly Sins video, then invite students to go deeper with the worksheet below.

The Seven Deadly Sins Explained

Here is a brief description of the Seven Deadly Sins (vices):

1. Pride (Hubris) = selfishness and a sense of superiority that leads to destruction
2. Greed (Avarice) = excessive desire for money and material possessions
3. Envy = desire for what others have, which is called “covet” in the Ten Commandments
4. Anger (Wrath) = unwarranted or long-lasting desire to hurt or punish someone
5. Lust = intense physical desire for another person
6. Gluttony = overindulgences or overconsumption, especially of food
7. Sloth (Acedia) = inaction based on lack of interest or care

Practicing a virtue is practicing a balance between too much and not enough of some quality. A vice, therefore, is excessiveness.

Pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, and gluttony all express the desire for too much of a good thing. Sloth is lacking the desire. We then commit sins because of these vices.

Seven Deadly Sins Worksheet

Students will watch or re-watch the video in order to complete the worksheet.

Download the worksheet and the worksheet answers here:

Download the Seven Deadly Sins Worksheet:

Seven Deadly Sins Prayer

Close in prayer (from the worksheet):

Lord, forgive me for all the times I have given into the sin of __________. Amen.

The post Seven Deadly Sins Video and Worksheet appeared first on The Religion Teacher | Catholic Religious Education.