Jesus in the classroom

“So the world may know that You have invited me” is the theme chosen by the delegation for the teaching of “Madrid at school” mission. The central days of the initiative are set to represent the Day of Mission, ongoing from February 17 to 21. The initiative is addressed to students of Catholic schools, as well as to pupils in schools that draw inspiration from Christian values and to religion classes in public schools. Live streaming. Five activities, organized by diocesan pastoral education, characterize the Week of Mission. Upon request, schools can follow the live broadcast of the activities online. Targeted initiatives promoted by educational centres, parishes, archpriestoods and vicariates are also part of the program. A final Mass will be celebrated on the square in front of the Madrid’s Cathedral on Friday February 21, at 12.30. The purpose is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a more intense way in the life of students and families of the diocese, thus the broad program of activities is part of a missionary-pedagogical itinerary to which are devoted five days of the Week of Faith. Monday will focus on strengthening the first proclamation to the whole educational community. On Tuesday there is a precise invitation to all the pupils of educational centres to follow Christ. On Wednesday the initiative will be centered on the confirmation of the faith in Jesus. Thursday the youths will be invited to bear witness to faith in missionary action and to Christian love. Friday will be dedicated to communal celebration. An initiative a day. On the first day, February 17, fifth grade and sixth grade students were given the assignment of creating a coloured felt cross attached to a pin. Second and third year Middle School students wrote catch phrases linked to Gospel proclamation and Church mission. Also High School students delved into this topic, summarising the phrases into brief slogans that were transcribed on coloured cardboard strips and placed in envelopes with the crosses, which students will distribute in the street or in homes, to their parents, relatives and friends. High school students wrote a dedicated song. To celebrate the day with the families, the latter were invited to take part in a prayer gathering in the school’s chapel, at 16.00 hrs. The “Pureza de María” school was tasked with implementing the concrete action of the day that the other schools followed online. Short videos were screened on Tuesday 18, followed by a round table with the contributions of young people who shared their experience in the sequela of Jesus and finally, by Eucharistic adoration. Concrete actions, followed via streaming, were carried out in the “Tajamar” Catholic school. Seven thousand students involved. The “San Bernardo” Institute proposed for the day of ecclesial communion, Wednesday February 19, a simultaneous and interactive activity that involves the various schools based on three pillars: ecclesial communion, faith in God, and in the pastors of the Church, prayer. The end goal is to set up a blog where each centre will post initiatives, comments, reflections and ideas implemented by each school course on an interactive message board. Eucharistic adoration and the celebration of the Word in the parish church of St. Fulgencio, with the personal testimony of youths from all the vicarages of Madrid, will close the events of the day. Missionary activity is the theme proposed for Thursday February 20, with the purpose of reflecting and presenting the significance of charity in the framework of Christian religion. The professional institute “Salesianos Carabanchel” will be the setting for the implementation of the initiative. To close the Week of the mission “Madrid in schools”, the entire educational community is invited to actively take part in the final session, celebrated on Friday 21 on the square in front of the Cathedral. The day will begin with music and play, followed by Eucharistic celebration with the participation of 7 thousand students in the diocese from 100 schools accompanied by the teachers.