Teaching children about the Holy Trinity is a dilemma for Catholic educators. How God can be one yet three, how the Trinity can be separate but the same is one of the deepest mysteries of our faith. Some will say, “We’re not supposed to understand it.”
That answer isn’t going to cut it with a curious child. He wants an answer, in black and white, and he wants it now!
St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to introduce the Holy Trinity to children, and to tell them that our faith is full of mysteries that humble us and make us trust in God.
Here are some ways you can illustrate the Trinity to children of all ages.
Shamrock Activity
If you have access to the outdoors, take your class outside to a grassy field and let them look for clover. The three-leafed clover, or shamrock, is the way that St. Patrick explained the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.
Back in the classroom, give each child a green construction paper shamrock and have them write “God” on the stem, and “Father,” “Son” and “Holy Spirit” on each of the three leaves. On the back, have them glue a printed quote (most likely legendary) from St. Patrick: “Even the plants of the field tell about God. The shamrock has three leaves but only one stem. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not three gods, but one God.”
The Triangle
Draw a triangle on the board. The three points are Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Explain that when God sent his Son, Jesus, to us and when he sends the Holy Spirit to us every day, he sends part of himself – part of the triangle as a whole – and not just a separate entity.
The Apple
Cut an apple down the middle from top to bottom. Show the students that an apple is skin, flesh and seeds – three parts. Without any one of them, it wouldn’t be an apple. The Trinity, too, works together as one.
Three Candles
Light three candles. Notice that there are three separate flames. Now, with help from another set of hands, tilt the tops of the candles so that the flames come together as one flame. Together they are one flame, yet three separate flames.
For more on St. Patrick, see The Catholic Forum.
For coloring pages and a crossword activity on the Trinity, as well as other lesson helps, check out Catholic Mom.
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