Cenaculo

"How can you say there are too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers." 

- Mother Teresa

At Casa Guadalupe, children’s ministry is so crucial because giving time and attention to the children is a long-term investment for a better future.  Additionally, earning the trust of the local children provides the friars with a medium to reach out to the parents and families.

Children gather outside Casa Guadalupe for Cenaculo.

One of the main ministries of the friars is “Cenaculo,” a program they began a year ago to serve the impoverished children in the local neighborhood. “Cenaculo” is the Spanish word for dining room, but is also the term for the Upper Room where Christ and his Apostles celebrated the Last Supper.  Three days a week about 40 children come in two groups for lunch, religious education, and activities that range from quiet arts and crafts to rambunctious games of “pelota” and tag. 

The children arrive on foot, walking from their nearby homes. Those who are fortunate enough to be in school come dressed in their school uniforms.    Since the school day in Comayagua is divided into two shifts, the first group will not begin school until after lunch.  This morning, upon arrival, they divided into two groups:  pelota (soccer) and arts and crafts. 

The children enjoy building crafts with Charlene.

Carey and Colin took on some of Honduras’ up and coming soccer talent in the blazing heat.  The kids took to them wholeheartedly but showed them no mercy when it came to soccer.   Later, Colin paid them back with calisthenics from boot camp.

Brother Diego (bottom left), Colin and Carey (right),  do pushups and other calisthenics with the children.

After this time of ferocious activity and creativity, it’s time to cool down for lunch.  The friars use some “Montessori” methods that have helped the children learn self sufficiency and decorum.  When it’s time for lunch they all line up and wash and dry their hands.  They enter the cenacolo (dining room) two at a time and get their plates, silverware and napkins from their assigned cubby holes. 

One child is assigned as an acolyte for the week and lights candles before the blessing.  Then they don “gabachas” (aprons) and take turns serving food to each other.  Today’s menu was rice with vegetables, beans, shredded cabbage, with cheese to top it off, and tortillas on the side.   They ate with gusto.  Dessert was watermelon, always a favorite. 

The friars sit at the tables with the children and engage them in conversation.  Most of it was hard for a non-Spanish speaker to understand, but there was talk of a “raton grandissimo” up a tree at school.  It was determined by Father Paschal that it was a possum. 

Christo, one of the three candidates for entering the Friars of the Renewal, explained to us that the children love for adults to sit down and eat with them. In Honduran homes, it is not common for parents to sit down and eat with their children.

After lunch they ask to be excused to go and wash and dry their own dishes.  Depending on the color of the “gabacha,” some children sweep the floor under their respective tables (it can get pretty messy under there) and some clean the table tops.   When they’ve finished their tasks they can choose a quiet activity like coloring or puzzles.

Juan Carlo - a candidate for entering the Friars - oversees and assists with quiet time after lunch.  

Then Brother Diego to picks up the guitar and the kids make a very joyful noise.   They are enthusiastic singers and enjoy going through the energetic motions.  A favorite is “El Pato” (the duck) with quacking sounds and chicken dance moves.  After the singing the children discuss and meditate on a Bible verse.  They are asked to sit silently, and, amazingly, they do. 

Showing the people of Honduras - especially the children - that God loves them, is a major part of what the friars do.  Their love shines through in their play, their discipline, and their teaching.  It’s a beautiful ministry. 

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” (John 11: 25).