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REAP
Creating Prayer and Ritual Resources
Contents
1. Rain Sticks
2. Rosary Beads
3. Creation/Gratitude/Friendship Quilt
4. Prayer Candle
5. Candle Holder
6. Season Banner
7. Finger Labyrinth
8. Prayer Flags
9. Giant Paper Bag Puppets
Rain Sticks
Many traditional cultures of South American, Native America and Africa have used rain sticks.
Originally these were crafted from dead cactus branches through which the needles were pressed
and then filled with tiny pebbles or sand. They were used as a part of music and prayer rituals
particularly to invoke rain. When played, the sound is peaceful and meditative and can provide
beautiful soothing background to your prayer in centering and focussing the thought. The rain stick
can be integrated into prayers about water, baptism cleansing, new life and rain.
Rain Sticks
You will need:
A mailing tube with ends
Flat headed nails
Hammer
Masking tape
Paint
Rice, popcorn or tiny pebbles
Hammer or press the nails the length of the tube in a spiral pattern.
Seal one end. Secure with tape.
Pour 1 cup of rice or pebbles into the tube using a funnel
Close the other end and seal with tape
Use masking tape to cover the whole tube. Running the masking tape lengthways along the tube will
result in an effect which resembles wood.
Paint and decorate as desired
Left: Mailing tubes nailed, filled with rice and corn, sealed and decorated Right: Traditional South
American rain sticks made from dried cactus branches
Rosary Beads
Extra-large Rosary Beads (Single decade -Chaplet)
The Rosary is a traditional Catholic prayer of the church. The repetition of the prayers is similar to
that of a mantra. Creating a large single decade of rosary beads will help engage young students
with this prayer.
Teaching young students to pray the rosary
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/rosary.php
Materials:
11 large beads
Cord upon which to thread the beads
Smaller spacer beads
Fimo or Wire to make a cross
Air drying clay for the cross and medal.
Paints for the beads
Method:
Prepare the medal and the cross. Remember to make a hole through them both to thread the cord
through.
Cut 1 metre of cord
Thread the larger beads followed by 2 smaller beads
Repeat until there are 10 large beads on the loop.
Bring the two ends together and tie to form a circle
Thread the two lengths through the medallion
Add two more spacer beads then another large bead
Add two more spacer beads before adding the cross.
With older students the class could work collaboratively to create a full set of rosary beads.
Creation Quilt/ Gratitude quilt/Friendship Quilt
This is an adaptation of the concept of a fabric quilt but created very simply with
drawings on paper and glued to a coloured card background
After reading the creation story bring the ideas back together by asking students to draw a small
picture of a part of the story. These can be glued onto a large coloured sheet of card to create a
quilt.
This idea can be applied to any context:
a friendship quilt with the faces of the children and some words that would help teach about
friendship.
a gratitude quilt could have drawings of things the children are very thankful for. Incorporate
some words to give context.
Materials:
Small squares of paper
Crayons, textas or coloured pencils
Large coloured paper for background
Method:
Read and discuss ideas for the quilt
Have each students draw their square
Use words to fill in any gaps
Glue or attach to backing paper
Prayer Candle
A large candle can be decorated to become a very special candle for use in group prayer
Materials
Large pillar candle
Posca paint pens
Sequins/Buttons
Straight pins (small)
Method
Using the paint pens draw design onto the candle
Thread pin through the sequin and push into the candle
Candle holder
Lighting a candle signifies a special time for prayer. It focuses the attention and signals a change in
the busy routine of the classroom –a special time for prayer. In this activity you will recycle a large
glass jar to create a candle holder. This can be decorated with Posca paint pens or acrylic paint and
the design can reflect the unique character of the class group.
Materials:
1. Large glass jar
2. Acrylic paint
3. Small brushes
Or
4. Posca paint pens
Method:
1. Paint can be applied directly to the glass jar
2. Use a pillar candle or tea light for the candle.
Candle Holder (2)
The use of a candle holder has as much a safety purpose as a ceremonial one. The holder can be
made and decorated to create a very meaningful and personalised object. You may choose to reflect
your class, your schools charism or a liturgical season.
This activity uses paper clay. This is a versatile material made from clay mixed with paper pulp.
Therefore it has the properties of clay when it is wet and when dry has the properties of paper. It
can be moulded, stamped and engraved when malleable (handle like clay) and once dry can be
painted with acrylic paint, things can be glued to it using PVA and it can be sealed with a coat of PVA.
This product can also be used effectively to make figurines.
The candle holder can be painted and decorated in any way. Some ideas could include: beads;
sequins; shells, tiny mirrors. I love the idea of mirrors in religious art as I think it reflects a tiny bit of
whoever looks upon the art –the viewer becomes a part of the artwork.
You will need:
Paper clay
Fishing line or clay cutter
Simple tools (skewers, knife, rolling pin, paddle pop sticks, discarded texta lids)
Acrylic paint
Beads etc
PVA glue
Cut the clay and roll to desired shape. Keep to a minimum thickness of 1cm –the thinner it is the
more delicate.
Impress or write any words, patterns or designs.
Paint with acrylic paint. Dry
Glue on any beads etc.
Once the paint and glue are dry coat thoroughly with PVA and leave undisturbed for 24hours.
Candle Holder (3)
Use tissue paper and diluted PVA glue (50:50) to paste the tissue to the jar
Seasonal banner
A simple banner can signal and promote discussion about a season of the church year. These can be
created very simply using a table runner or length of fabric.
Materials:
Table runner or length of fabric
Coloured felt
Double side tape
Method:
Draw design on paper and the cut the felt into the shapes. Attach using double sided tape. This
allows for the fabric to be reused. Gluing directly onto the backing fabric is also suitable.
Finger Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth is an ancient meditative practice. The most famous labyrinth is in Chartres
Cathedral, built in the early 13th century as a form of pilgrimage. Examples of labyrinths predate
Christianity with Roman mosaic floors dating back to 7th Century BC and patterns found in the
currency of Ancient Greeks.
A finger labyrinth can be used to still the mind and focus the thoughts balancing both left and right
sides of the brain. Young children can sit quietly and trace the patterns in a calm and relaxing way. It
is not a maze, a labyrinth is designed to sooth and still the mind
Drawing a Labyrinth
Understanding how to draw a labyrinth will enable you to create very large ones. In the classroom
this pattern could be used to construct a very large one from blocks, rope, stones or even chalk on
the playground.
Follow the pattern and practice drawing a labyrinth step by step.
Prayer Flags
Borrowed from Tibetan Buddhists traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion,
strength, and wisdom. The Tibetans believe the prayers will be blown by the wind to spread the
good will and blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the
flags which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and blest.
This idea can be adapted for special times:
Mother’s Day Flags –each child could paint or draw a special blessing for their Mother
Beginning of a new school year –flags could be made after speaking about the student’s
hopes for the year
Celebrating nature –flags could be made to celebrate all wonderful aspects of our natural
world
Materials
Light fabric or tyvec. Plain white is suitable for drawing. This can be hung over coloured fabric.
Embellishments: Lace, beads, leaves etc.
Paints
Method
Cut squares or triangles
Paint or draw images onto the flag
Sew or glue these together
Hang in an outdoor area
Making a Cross
The cross is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. As Catholic teachers, we are
challenged with developing awareness in young people about the 2000 year old story behind the
cross. The cross can be a very powerful symbol and a cross created for a specific group can become a
significant part of the prayer rituals.
Some ideas include:
• Create a cross that captures the focus of the group/school/charism
• Feature the cross in the prayer space
• Hold the cross during prayer time and focus on the design/words/images
• Have the children pass the cross to each other with words of a blessing –teach them to look
at each other as they say the blessing and response.
The sign of the cross is a kinaesthetic prayer that can be made purposefully and mindfully. Jack
Miffleton calls it the ‘Sacramental of Sacramentals’ http://www.ocp.org/articles/908
• The sign of the cross is perhaps the most frequently employed of all the sacramentals.
• No liturgy is celebrated without it.
• It is usually the first prayer most Catholics learn.
• It is the first mark on us at baptism and is a part of every sacrament.
• It is a concrete and non-verbal prayer, traditionally Catholic and rich in meaning
A Mini Creed
This ancient prayer carries with it, both in word and gesture, the heart of Christian belief—the Triune
God and the cross of salvation. It is at once a mini-creed and a non-verbal tribute to the Trinity for it
reminds us of the love of God the Father, the sacrifice of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit
within us and others.
Teach children not to hurry
The following words can help bring mindfulness to the making of the sign of the cross.
In the name of the Father Open hand to forehead We remember God our Creator and the God
who knows us and loves us.
And of the Son Hand to the centre of your diaphragm Jesus, the Son of God who loves me and is
the centre of all we do.
And of the Holy Spirit Moving hand from left shoulder to right shoulder Holy Spirit who
moves in our lives as our helper (left shoulder) and friend (right shoulder)
Amen Pressing palm and fingers together I believe.
Cross Workshop
You will need a wooden cross or use clay to make the shape of the cross
A Choice of:
• Decorative papers
• Scissors
• Paper punches
• Paints and brushes
• Gel pens
• Gold or silver leaf
• Paper mosaic tiles
• Sequins
• Crystal adornments
• PVA Glue
• Sealer
Use the paper template to design the features of your cross.
Think about and choose one or two aspects from the following to incorporate into your design:
your school’s charism; your class or school motto; symbols particular to your class or school;
seasons of the church; stories of your community; gospel quotes; significant and inspiring words;
symbolic images that will resonate with your group; a significant event.
Choose one of the following ways to decorate your cross
Painting:
Draw your design lightly on to the cross
If using clay you might think about adding texture
Trace around using stay –anywhere black markers
Paint in the colours (make sure one colour is dry before applying the neighbouring colour)
• Once dry you can add tiny beads or embellishments
• Seal with 2 coats of varnish to protect
Collage:
• Choose coloured papers
• Tear or cut designs
• Lay out and then using PVA and water 50:50, soak the paper and lay carefully on the cross.
• Build the layers carefully
• Add any embellishments
• Use gel pens to add any text or define any features
• Seal with several coats of varnish to protect
