Unit 3 describes how medieval society in Europe produced traditions that define much of Catholicism today. It also shows how the Church was a part of everyday life and how society revolved around the Church. Chapter 9|Chapter 10|Chapter 11|Chapter 12
		Faith Expressed and Lived Refer to FAMILY TIME, pages 93–94 (Parish Edition), 115-116 (School Edition), in your young teen’s book to help your child prepare for Chapter 9. Learning Goals Participation in this chapter will help the young people • learn the ways by which the Church preserved secular and religious traditions. • know that the human person is called to union with God. • understand that faith is a gift from God that must be continually nourished. Passing on the Faith Chapter 9 discusses the rise of monasticism. The word monasticism stems from a Greek word meaning "one, alone." Perhaps the greatest contribution of the early monasteries is the spirituality they passed on to the secular world. In addition to copying Scripture and preserving the writings of the Church Fathers, monks enhanced the liturgy with chant and taught people the importance of prayer. The monks reminded people of what was truly important---their faith. In this chapter the young people will learn that we keep ourselves open to God's gift of faith by listening to the word of God, by performing works of charity, and by following the traditions and teachings of the Church. Family Activity Invite family members to reflect on their own faith lives and how they can influence others in posi-tive ways. Encourage them to share the personal qualities they feel enable them to affect others. Point out such qualities in your children of which they may not be aware. A good time to remind your children of their good qualities is on their birthdays or Christmas time. You could prepare such a list, place it in a box and wrap it as a special gift for each. Back to top
		Mass in the Cathedral Refer to FAMILY TIME, pages 101–102 (Parish Edition), 127-128 (School Edition), in your young teen’s book for a choice of things to do at home. Learning Goals Participation in this chapter will help the young people • learn about the development of cathedrals and the liturgy in the medieval period. • realize that in the Eucharist they offer thanks to God the Father and recall and make present Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. • understand that, like the Mass of the medieval period, the Mass today expresses their spirituality. Liturgy Today In Chapter 10 the young people will learn more about the spirituality of the medieval Christians, which led to the building of giant Gothic cathedrals. The intricate windows, woodcarvings, and relief sculptures all gave praise to the glory of God. In such a setting the liturgy itself became an expression of mystery and beauty. Today's Mass differs in many ways from medieval liturgies. After Vatican II, attempts were made to return the liturgy to an experience more reflective of its original practice and meaning. The priest no longer prays with his back to the congregation. Most prayers are prayed in the local language instead of in Latin. People actively participate in the celebration of Mass and receive the Eucharist. Despite the many differences, there are also a number of essential similarities. The Eucharist is still the Church's great offering of thanksgiving to God for the gift of salvation. In the Eucharist, we still remember what Jesus did at the Last Supper. We continue to encounter Christ in the Scripture readings, the Eucharist, the priest, and the community. Family Activity Share a printed version of a prayer or hymn written in Latin, such as "Adeste Fideles." Practice reciting it together using correct pronunciation. Point out the words that serve as roots for our English words, such as fidelis for "fidelity" or lumen for "illuminate." Back to top
		The Quest for Salvation Refer to FAMILY TIME, pages 109–110 (Parish Edition), 139-140 (School Edition), in your young teen’s book for a choice of things to do at home. Learning Goals Participation in this chapter will help the young people • understand the historical context and intent of the Crusades. • identify the role of salvation as a motivation for the Crusades. • realize that Christians are called to know, love, and worship God above all things. Christian Love for Others The Crusades, military attempts to liberate the holy places of Palestine from the Muslims, took place between the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Western Christians fought these "holy wars" in the name of Christ and salvation, but the resulting violence was anything but holy. National leaders who engage in warfare often cite religious reasons for their actions. The Nazis used a defense of Christianity as one reason for killing Jews. Protestants and Catholics have been at odds in Ireland for centuries. Bosnians were slain on the pretense that Muslims were about to take over Europe. In truth, such wars are fought for many other reasons—political, territorial, and economic—but because religion is often such an important part of people’s identity, it becomes an easy rallying point for those in need of support for selfish designs. We are called to love and worship God above all things. The heart of faith is love, not war. Christ commands us to live in peace and to love all people as our neighbors, including people who have different religious beliefs. We show the sincerity of our love for God when we imitate Christ and reach out in love to everyone. Family Activity Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., is the author of Slaughterhouse Five, or The Children's Crusade. The book is an antiwar novel that gives a fictionalized account of the firebombing of Dresden, Germany, during World War II. Choose a selection from this or a similar book to read to family members. Discuss how innocent people are casualties of every war. Use this topic as a launching point for a discussion of peace and war. Back to top
		Devotions Refer to FAMILY TIME, pages 117–118 (Parish Edition), 151-152 (School Edition), in your young teen’s book for a choice of things to do at home. Learning Goals Participation in this chapter will help the young people • understand the difference between liturgy and devotion. • experience the Stations of the Cross and understand how they reflect the centrality of the crucifixion in Catholic theology. • know that the Church tried to reform itself in order to deal with abuses that were being committed in its name. The Gift of Piety From the twelfth to sixteenth centuries, many abuses occurred within the Church. The desire for reform led to the rise of religious orders, such as the Franciscans and the Dominicans. Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic led separate movements that stressed simplicity and humility—a return to the central message of Jesus. During this time in church history, printed materials as we know them today did not exist. Most people could not read. But Francis and Dominic wanted to give people access to Jesus and his teachings. So, they went about preaching and introducing their followers to devotions, such as the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary. Piety is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gift of piety helps us express reverence for God and grow in our personal relationship with him. The Church recognizes popular devotions and private prayer as valuable ways to express and develop piety, but as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "These expressions of piety extend the liturgical life of the Church but do not replace it" (CCC 1675). The purpose of such devotions is to enrich Christian life. Family Activity Choose a song about Mary such as one from the Vinny Flynn and Still Waters album titled Merciful Mother. Many songs are traditionally associated with the Blessed Mother. Explain that devotion to Mary as the disciple who said "yes" to God and as the loving mother of Jesus Christ is expressed often in song and images. After playing the music, discuss together how it reflects Mary and her life.