Syro Malankara Church marks special children’s day with focus on Year of Liturgy

Eastern Catholic Church urges children to deepen faith through sacramental worship and active participation as part of centenary preparations and Year of Liturgy initiatives.

PARASSALA, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — The Syro Malankara Catholic Church has highlighted its Year of Liturgy initiatives as a way to help children learn more about the liturgy, deepen their faith and actively participate in worship as it marked Malankara Catholic Children’s League Day Feb. 8.

In a message issued for the occasion and read during Holy Mass in all churches and mission centres, the chairman of the Synodal Commission for Faith Formation outlined the church’s vision for the Malankara Catholic Children’s League (MCCL).

“We have envisioned this movement as a practical School of Faith formation for children,” read the message issued by the Syro Malankara’s Chairman of the Synodal Commission for Faith Formation with a note that it should be read during the Feb. 8 Sunday Mass in all churches, mission centres and centres of worship.

Describing the league’s role in nurturing young believers, the message states: “Each one of our children confesses the true faith in worship and grasps its benefits. In the catechism classes they try to understand that faith deeply.” It adds that families provide “the basic training for living this faith by sharing it with their fellow human beings,” while “MCCL continues this training, practically, in more social and ecclesiastical platforms.”

Citing St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, the chairman recalls the apostle’s exhortation to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice acceptable to God” and urges children to live not for themselves alone but for others.

“These are the main aspects of the lifestyle that the apostle recommends in his exhortation in the above chapter,” the message says, encouraging love, patience and steadfastness in suffering.

Responding to a culture of competition

The message warns that “The culture around us is a culture training children in competition among one another, being selfish and hateful.” It adds: “Without realising the warmth of true human relationships they became slaves to internet friendship that could be formed based on their own interests.”

In that context, it says, “it is most essential for our children to learn the lessons of the Christian social perspective taught by Saint Paul.” This is the basic goal of organisations such as the MCCL, it said.

The league’s practical programmes — “praying together, involving in charitable activities, and training and participating in artistic skills” — are intended to foster co-existence and mutual respect. Quoting St. Paul again, the message notes that children receive training “to do all things properly and in order”.

The message, signed by Bishop Thomas Eusebios Naickamparampil of Parassala and Chairman of Synodal Commission for Faith Formation, emphasises that authentic Christian life flows from sacramental grace. Referring to baptism and the Eucharist, he writes that “the basis of all Christian goodness is the graces we receive through the sacramental life which includes baptism and the Holy Eucharist.”

“This year the church is celebrating the Year of Liturgy in preparation for the centenary of its Reunion,” the message says. The general theme is “worship the father in Spirit and in truth.”

“The activities of the Year of Liturgy will help our children to learn more about the liturgy, deepen their faith through it, and actively participate in worship,” the chairman writes. “Let us undertake the activities in a way that helps them deepen their understanding of God’s grace through sacramental worship.”

The bishop calls for Feb. 8 to be observed with “appropriate programs as per the instructions of the eparchial directors and Parish priests,” including “Holy confession, active participation in the Holy Eucharistic celebration, conferences various study forums, special programs related to the Year of Liturgy etc.”

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is celebrating a Year of Liturgy running from 20 September 2025 to 19 September2026 as part of preparations for the Church’s centenary reunion in 2030 — the historic reunion of Archbishop Mar Ivanios and other leaders of the Malankara tradition with the Catholic Church on 20 September 1930, an event marking their entry into full communion with Rome after centuries of separation.