Do you bring your small children to Mass?
One priest's message at the end of Mass will surely encourage you to continue raising children in the faith and bringing them closer to Jesus in the Eucharist.
Catholic psychotherapist Melissa Tablada shared a difficult moment she and her friend experienced while taking their young children to Mass.
“Yesterday, a friend and I met up for daily Mass. We had an amazing, easier-than-usual experience at Mass on Sunday, and I think I was overconfident, ready for a healthy dose of humility.
“Of our four kids, one ran TO THE ALTAR, another KNOCKED a woman down on her knees praying, and a third ran A COMPLETE LAP around all the pews 🥵. We were both sweating, stressed, and questioning our lives.”
Everything went wrong, but at the end of Mass, the priest smiled from the altar and spoke to them directly.
“To the moms bringing their kids to Mass, thank you. They are welcome here with us. This is where they should be. Not off in a cry room somewhere else. Their noises are welcome, it’s beautiful to hear them. And the one who wanted to be on the altar, she just couldn’t get close enough to Jesus. Keep bringing them!”
The message touched the hearts of both mothers, who could only cry.
“This message is for all of you - mamas of littles, bringing them to Mass, questioning if you should keep trying or just stay home. Keep up the good & faithful work!
And thank you JESUS for good priests and communities that welcome children and families. We are truly grateful."
The message struck a chord with many Catholic families with young children. Social media users pointed out the importance of children participating in the Mass.
"I’ve cried countless times leaving church or in the bathroom during Mass due to people being impatient with my kids when they were babies/toddlers," Instagram user Holly Salerno wrote. "I’ve had an old man tell me we don’t belong in the church and should stay in the lobby. I’ve had an old lady shush us, I’ve had countless glares, etc. My priest and deacon announced that all children are welcome and if they are too loud or bothersome, then the person who is bothered can get up and move. Babies and kids belong in church. It is nice to feel seen and welcomed."
"Love this!" the Instagram page House of Joppa added. "I have received strange looks from others when we had loud babies AND have received so many wonderful and welcoming comments from people about keeping them in Mass. It’s definitely a learning process helping them manage sitting still and quiet. But it’s also a lesson in me not worrying so much about what others might be thinking. I’m there for Jesus with my family and that’s all that matters."
"Children can’t learn how to behave in public or church or wherever if we aren’t exposing and bringing them!" Instagram user Christina said. "They learn by seeing us! Jesus and praying and Mass is learned! I bring a busy book for my almost-three-year-old and [Play-Doh]. We get up and sing and say our prayers, but when we sit, she has something to touch that’s sensory so it’s stimulating while still being present."
"Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, 'Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" - Lk. 18:16