Children`s Day - Daughters of Wisdom
Transcription
Children`s Day - Daughters of Wisdom
Prepared by the Province of Canada Prayer for the International Children’s Rights Day or “Children’s Day” November 20, 2014 Visual: Photos of children Introduction : The International Convention of the rights of the Child is an international treaty written under the patronage of the UN. It was adopted by the UN on November 20, 1989. This treaty’s objective is to recognize, respect and protect the rights of children by civil, economic, political, social and cultural rights. This Convention applies to all children of the world until 18 years without discrimination. Today, 191 countries have signed and ratified the Convention that is all countries of the world except the USA and Somalia. These countries are thus committed to ensuring the human rights of children at home. Situation in Canada Although many laws exist to protect children in Canada, many children suffer from poor nutrition, cold, separation from parents, lack of affection, intimidation at several levels, either in the family, school or society. Since there are also a lot of inequalities in family incomes, children suffer from not being at the same social level as their friends. Many suicides occur among young people because of intimidation, emphasized by the use of modern media and techniques. On the other hand several social welfare organizations are getting organized to help the children but these remain inadequate. Prayer As a prayer we suggest to reflect and pray silently every area of children's rights, to look at our respective countries for compliance or non-compliance with these rights and to end with a chorus of supplication. Refrain : "Give us Lord a new heart, and put in us, Lord, a new spirit." (or other…) Civil rights guarantee - the right to life - the right to gain access to justice - the right to a name and nationality - the right to privacy - the right to protection of disabled children – the right to non-discrimination Economic rights guarantee: - the right to an adequate standard of living - the right to protection against labor exploitation (forced labor) - the right to social security Political rights guarantee : - the right to have opinions and express them (freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion) - the right to protection against abuse (ill-treatment and torture) - the right to protection against deprivation of freedom - the right to protection against separation from parents Social rights guarantee : - the right to be fed and to be cared for by doctors - the right to protection against all forms of exploitation (including sexual exploitation) kidnapping and drugs - the right to protection in war (prohibition to be a soldier for 15 years). Culrural rights guarantee : - the right to education (primary education should be free and compulsory for all) - the right to appropriate information - the right to leisure (games, culture, arts) Prayer for the Children Lord Jesus, you have proclaimed your solicitude for the small and the weak, and it manifested itself particularly to children. They are the very symbols of fragility and their vulnerability makes them easy prey for exploiters. Despite the solemn affirmation of their rights in 1989, children victims of various abuses are numerous worldwide. Lord, we pray : For children who, from an early age, are forced to work in harsh conditions, For the children who are recruited by force into the army and who are taught violence and cruelty, For abandoned children wandering the streets looking for food and shelter, For children who are sexually abused by wicked and unscrupulous individuals, For children accused of being possessed by the devil or of practicing witchcraft, suspected of all evil, and on whom harsh punishment are imposed. For mentally and physically disabled children, who are abandoned or exploited as objects of spectacle or reprisals because of their infirmity, For children who, for lack of nutrition and medicine cannot develop normally, For those children guilty of offences who are kept in prisons in despicable and inhumane conditions. Lord, you said : Let the little children come to me. Do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them, listen to our prayer and give to all the children of the world, the joy of living and hope for a better future. Amen. Visual : Adding the statue of Montfort Montfort as a child among the children Montfort, eldest in the family suffered many difficulties that darkened the everyday life of the Grignion. Yet, he often consoled his mother. In his prayer life, he made a strong impression upon his brothers and friends but especially upon his little sister GuyonneJeanne with whom he loved to pray. At the College in Rennes, after a full week of work, on Saturdays, he assembled a group of young boys for half an hour of catechism. (L’homme venu du vent p. 19 et 27). In his zeal, Montfort was drawn to form youth in order to bring them to know Wisdom like he did. Following his example, do we have the zeal to train young people who in turn will become zealous apostles to help today’s suffering youth? Let us ask him to assist us in our efforts. Let us pray : Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort, pray for us Faithful disciple of Jesus-Christ, Incarnate Wisdom, pray for us Devoted son of the Church, pray for us Model of priests and missionaries, pray for us Formator of laity in the service of the Church, pray for us Friend of the poor and the sick, pray for us Educator of youth, pray for us Visual : Adding the statue of Marie-Louise Marie-Louise Trichet at the service of poor children In one of his letters to her, Montfort wrote: “If you don’t take risks for God, you will never do anything worthwhile for him” and invited her to La Rochelle where she was expected to give classes to children. Soon she will teach to a host of extremely poor little girls. (MarieLouise Trichet, Un chemin de Sagesse page 122). On the footsteps of Marie-Louise, how many Daughters of Wisdom taught poor children and still do in 2014? Let us ask Marie-Louise to give us her zeal for the poor and the little ones Blessed Marie-Louise of Jesus, intercede for us Mother of the poor and the little ones, intercede for us Companion of the weak and the belittled, intercede for us Comforter of those who are excluded, intercede for us Mistress of charity for all, intercede for us Patient educator, intercede for us Final prayer for the wounded child Lord your son was born as a child in the arms of Maryé He came to share our lives. Descending at our level, he experienced violence and on the cross he bore our sufferings. Lord, when a child cries, you suffer with him. Grant to adults, to recognize you in the wounded children and to surround each one with your loving presence. Lord, offer to these little ones joy and hope. Pour your immense love into our hearts. Infuse in us the strength to always bring relief. With you, we will overcome poverty and we will build peace. Final song – optional Annexe Some children’s rights in images Song for the children of the world. Chant pour les enfants du monde entier - Yves Duteil Pour les enfants du monde entier Qui n'ont plus rien à espérer Je voudrais faire une prière À tous les Maîtres de la Terre À chaque enfant qui disparaît C'est l'Univers qui tire un trait Sur un espoir pour l'avenir De pouvoir nous appartenir Je voudrais faire une prière À tous les Maîtres de la Terre J'ai vu des enfants s'en aller Sourire aux lèvres et cœur léger Vers la mort et le paradis Que des adultes avaient promis Mais quand ils sautaient sur les mines C'était Mozart qu'on assassine Si le bonheur est à ce prix De quel enfer s'est-il nourri? Et combien faudra-t-il payer De silence et d'obscurité Pour effacer dans les mémoires Le souvenir de leur histoire? Quel testament, quel évangile Quelle main aveugle ou imbécile Peut condamner tant d'innocence À tant de larmes et de souffrances? La peur, la haine et la violence Ont mis le feu à leur enfance Leurs chemins se sont hérissés De misère et de barbelés Peut-on convaincre un dictateur D'écouter battre un peu son cœur? Peut-on souhaiter d'un président Qu'il pleure aussi de temps en temps? Pour les enfants du monde entier Qui n'ont de voix que pour pleurer Dans vos sommeils de somnifères Où vous dormez les yeux ouverts Laissez souffler pour un instant La magie de vos cœurs d'enfants Puisque l'on sait de par le monde Faire la paix pour quelques secondes Au nom du Père et pour Noël Que la trêve soit éternelle Qu'elle taise à jamais les rancœurs Et qu'elle apaise au fond des cœurs La vengeance et la cruauté Jusqu'au bout de l'éternité Je n'ai pas l'ombre d'un pouvoir Mais j'ai le cœur rempli d'espoir Et de chansons pour aujourd'hui Que sont des hymnes pour la vie Et des ghettos, des bidonvilles Du cœur du siècle de l'exil Des voix s'élèvent un peu partout Qui font chanter les gens debout Vous pouvez fermer vos frontières Bloquer vos ports et vos rivières Mais les chansons voyagent à pied En secret dans des cœurs fermés