Zambia: Solwezi Diocese trains 52 Holy Childhood animators

Vatican News.

The Diocesan Pontifical Mission Societies for Solwezi (PMS) Director, Fr. Wilbroad Musond, has told newly trained lay mission animators to encourage children to understand the importance of the Eucharist in their lives. This would enrich the children's spiritual lives, he said.

Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament

Celebrating the Mass, at which liturgy, the 52 newly trained Holy Childhood animators were recognised with certificates for completing a formation program, Fr Musonda, encouraged animators to embrace the devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.  

The Mass was held at Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Lwawu Mission in Solwezi Diocese.

"Celebrating the Eucharist and also receiving Holy Communion is a significant aspect of Christian life, and it is essential to impart this in children from a tender age. It has immense spiritual nourishment value," Fr. Musonda explained.

Expounding further on the Eucharist, Fr Musonda underscored the need for Holy Childhood animators to internalise their own love and understanding of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in their daily lives.

"The Holy Childhood animator needs at the centre of his or her life, the spiritual nourishment of the Holy Eucharist, which is key to the overall inculcation of the contents learned from the school of Missionary Animation," said Fr Musonda.

Include older persons in animation

The School of Missionary Animation (SOMA-1) Training is the first course designed for those being formed as Holy Childhood animators.

Fr Musonda called for a balance between young adult animators and older persons.

"Older persons provide a unique perspective and wealth of knowledge, making them invaluable educators and mentors for children through instilling in them the important values and morals such as respect, empathy and kindness," stated Fr. Musonda. He added, "Older persons have a rich history of the social, cultural, and religious heritage, which they can pass on to the next generation of children in the context of formation and missionary animation."

What is Holy Childhood?

The worldwide association of Holy Childhood is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies of the universal Church dedicated to fostering children's awareness of the Church's missionary nature. The association gives Catholic children an opportunity to grow in their faith through mission education, sacrifice, and service for others.

Duly trained Holy Childhood parish or school animators focus on the concept of children helping other children. In fact, their motto is, Children helping Children. In this way, children grow in the awareness of their call to bear witness to their faith.