Celebrating the Mass Lesson- The Great Amen

(This lesson is in accordance with the new Roman Missal that is to be implemented on November 27, 2011.)

*Be sure to adjust this lesson to fit the needs of your students.


(Please take in consideration that I am just a Mom and I'm providing these lessons and activities to the best of my abilities. I will try to make them as accurate as possible, but I know I will make a few mistakes and it was not intentional.)



A doxology is a Greek word that means “a word of praise”. Every Eucharistic Prayer ends with a great doxology singing praise to God. The glorification of God is expressed and is confirmed and concluded by the people’s acclamation, Amen. We stand during the “Great Amen” and it is usually sung and repeated several times in a joyous manner to emphasize that we agree to the Eucharistic Prayer over and over.


"Amen" is a Hebrew word meaning, "So be it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2856). By saying “Amen” it means that we agree.


The priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and raising both, he says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.

People: Amen.



Questions:

What does Amen mean in Hebrew? (So be it.)

Why do we say Amen after the Eucharist Prayer? (To emphasize that we agree with the Eucharistic Prayer.)

What does the priest hold up when we say or sing the “Great Amen”? (The chalice and paten with the host.)



Craft:

Introduce craft: What does Amen mean in Hebrew? (So be it.) Do you know Sign Language? Who uses Sign Language? Why, etc. and discuss. Do you know how to say “Amen” in Sign Language? (Show students the sign for “Amen” in Sign Language from handspeak.com.) Let’s make a craft that says “Amen” in Sign Language.

catholicicing.blogspot.com- Yes Lord Craft
Make this craft, but omit the cross and write “Amen!” with a glitter gel pen on the thumb.



Games:

Amen Go Fish Card Game

A game for 2-5 players, using a standard 52-card deck. Each player gets seven cards (or five, if more than three players). The object is to make "books" – four cards of the same value (e.g. four 2's or four Queens). Each player asks for cards to complete their books, and if the cards are not available the player has to "Go Fish" (draw a card from the pile). The game ends when all thirteen books have been completed.

Object: Be the first player to discard all of your cards and say AMEN!



Amen! (card game)

If you like the card game Uno, you'll love Amen! The object of this challenging game is to get all your cards into the center pile---but it's not so easy when everyone else is doing the same. Cards like ''Trial,'' ''Sin,'' and ''Temptation'' force you to add to your hand. But if you hold ''Prayer,'' ''Ask,'' and ''Blessing'' cards, give yourself another turn or even reverse the direction of play. For two or more players, ages 7 to adult. Card game made by Bible Games Company.



This game below is free, however it can only to be used for classroom and personal use. It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted.


Amen Game

Ask each student a question (according to their abilities) about Mass (you can use questions from previous lessons). If it is not true, the student answers, “False”. If it is true, the student answers, “AMEN”. You can play this game individually or in teams. The person or team with the most points is the winner.

*This is a great way to review what the students have done thus far.