A few weeks ago, Philip suggested that we start bringing two notepads and pens to Mass for Jane and Walt to keep their hands busy since they both like drawing so much. Walt mostly doodles and loses interest quickly, but Jane gets absolutely focused on everything she’s drawing. I encourage her to draw what she sees and hears at Mass to keep her with us at Mass instead of in her mind. The Mass sketch book is proving to be a beautiful reflection of how the Holy Spirit is working in her. Here are a few of her drawings from last Sunday’s Mass (on the Feast of Corpus Christi):
“A wise man”
“Licking a lollipop” Aren’t those shoes fantastic? I especially like the huge lollipop and the tongue.
“This is Pentecost. That’s Mary, and she’s saying, ‘Woah! I have fire on my head!’ The dog under the table is afraid of the fire.” Our pastor spoke about Pentecost during his homily, so that must have been the inspiration for this drawing. I think this picture must be some of what Jesus meant when He said we need to become like children. I wish I could enter into His Word the way Jane does with her amazing imagination.
“That’s Jesus on the cross for us.”
“That’s Jesus’ birthday!”
“That’s the Angel Gabriel.”
Jane poked me during Mass to show me this one. “Look, Mama! I drew those flowers!” She replicated the beautiful rose arrangements on the altar for Corpus Christi.
Another poke. “Mama! Look! I drew that girl!” (She pointed across the aisle to a sweet, freckle faced first communicant dressed in her white dress and veil. The parish first communicants were invited to lead the congregation in following the Eucharistic Procession after Mass.)
This picture is among my top 3 favorite pictures Jane has ever drawn. “That’s Mary trying to protect the Baby Jesus from mean King Herod when he was trying to kill Baby Jesus.” I’m so impressed by her ability to convey movement and emotions so well. Is Herod on a stool to make himself look taller? Perhaps Jane is letting us know that he had a Napoleon complex before that was a thing.
“That’s another one of Jesus on the cross for us.”
“That’s Jesus and the 3 Marys.” Jane must have taken her inspiration from one of our new hallway prints and remembered it at Mass. She positioned the Marys the same.
It’s my goal this summer to make it to weekday Mass at least once per week with Jane on a morning when Philip’s home with the boys. That way, she can get more practice at Mass with me and (in theory) can be a good example to her brothers on Sundays. When she is a good leader, the boys follow suit more often than not. It sure can’t hurt! I know it’s not perfect and that in an ideal world my 5-year-old would be able to sit with her hands folded on her lap, but we’re not there yet. In the meantime, the Mass sketch book has been a beautiful baby step in the right direction. These drawings show me that her ears, eyes, hands, and heart are open to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit. That’s what matters most to me right now.
