Hoping to draw closer to Christ? Take a tip from a child

Students from Holy Name of Jesus School in Beech Grove wrote letters and shared their artwork with adults who attended a retreat led by the students’ teacher, Benedictine Sister Nicolette Etienne, at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis on April 1.

By John Shaughnessy

As a religion teacher at Holy Name of Jesus School in Beech Grove, Benedictine Sister Nicolette Etienne thrives on the joyous and faith-filled interaction she has with the children.

So she wanted to share their joyful approach to faith as she was leading a retreat for adults at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis on April 1.

After all, Sister Nicolette knew well the direct challenge that Christ gave to adults when he said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).

So, as Sister Nicolette prepared retreat packets for the adults, the first page she put into each of them were the individual messages that her sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students had written for the adults, starting their notes with greetings that ranged from “Happy Retreat Day!” to “You are amazing!”

In their messages, the children shared how their faith life has grown, hoping it would inspire the adults to do the same. Here are 10 of the perspectives that some of the children shared:

Going to confession

“This touches my heart because in this sacrament we are being forgiven from our sins, mortal or venial, and this brings me closer to God,” Kendall wrote. “I don’t have to feel bad for offending him in any way anymore.”

Tapping into lectio divina (a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting on Scripture)

“I remember the first day when we started doing lectio. It feels like a discovery prayer,” Lillian wrote. “Lectio really allows us to focus on who God truly is. Reading a verse from Scripture and then explaining what our favorite word or verse from it was, that was truly amazing. It allowed me to really think deep down.”

Viewing videos focused on Jesus

“Things that get me closer to Jesus at Holy Name School are watching videos by Father Mike Schmitz,” wrote Brandon. “I love when he just tells us to do the right thing that Jesus would want us to do. If you want to get closer to Jesus and you don’t know how, just google Father Mike and listen to him talk. I love how he talks about Jesus and makes it funny. I’m grateful for learning more about Jesus.”

Taking part in Stations of the Cross

“They remind me how big and important Jesus’ sacrifice to us was,” Jayden wrote. “The Bible tells us that the night before his crucifixion, when he was in the garden, he was sweating blood. He was so anxious and nervous that he was sacrificing himself. He knew that what God wanted him to do was right and that he had to save us from our sins.”

“Studying and looking deeper into Scripture”

“This has really impacted me because for the last year I have been questioning getting confirmed,” wrote Max. “This is why I chose St. Peter as my saint’s name. I chose him because he too was uneasy about his faith and dedication toward Jesus.

“For instance, when Jesus called Peter out onto a stormy ocean of waves, Peter was unsure. When he eventually got enough courage to walk out onto the water, he began to sink, but Jesus pulled him up out from under the choppy waves and asked Peter, ‘Why did you not believe?’ [Mt 14:31] This has kind of been how my faith has been through the last couple of years. Now since confirmation is right around the corner, I have really gotten deeper into my faith.

“In a way, I’m like Peter. I have been lost, but my shepherd has found me and has saved me from the wolves … and the choppy waves!”

Going to Mass

“When the Gospel is proclaimed, sometimes it really touches my heart because of how powerful the message is to me. And sometimes it reminds me that God is good in everything he does for us even though we are not perfect like him,” Henry wrote. “During the consecration of the bread and wine, I feel Jesus’ power and warmth around me. This is because he sacrificed himself for me and for everyone from our sins.”

Walking in prayer

“We have the opportunity to go on prayer walks through a trail we have about five minutes from our school,” Greta wrote. “During prayer walks, we like to pray the rosary as a class and just realize Mother Nature was made by God.”

Studying the saints

“Studying the saints has helped me understand what a life with Jesus really is, by showing how many holy things these people have done,” Miles noted.

Praying the rosary

“Praying the rosary touches my heart because you can say it anywhere—at home, at school, in the car, during a test, during a sporting event,” Joseph noted. “It makes me closer to God because whenever I pray the rosary all my problems go away. Like during a big test, I may be stressing out. I start praying the rosary, and I can feel God helping me with every question.”

Taking part in eucharistic adoration

“Adoration helps me get closer to Jesus because it’s a time where I can pray and talk to Jesus privately,” Avery wrote. “Also, during adoration, I pray for all of my loved ones and those who need help in life. Praying for others makes me feel really good.” †