Making the Catholic faith fun and accessible to children. That was my goal when I was designing Catholic Color by Mass Item Coloring Pages. I wanted students to be able to learn about and identify the different items used in Mass to help engage them in our faith and in their time spent in Mass.
Coloring is a fun way to make this learning come alive. I've created 5 different versions of these coloring pages so that you can differentiate for your students based on their ability levels. These sheets could be used as an introduction to the vocabulary words important to the Catholic Mass. They could also be used as a review if you've already taught these items.
Even as head altar server of our church growing up, I sure didn't know words like ciborium, credence table, thurible, or purificator. It just wasn't common language and I don't remember ever being taught these items so that I could identify them when I saw them at Mass. That doesn't have to be the case anymore for your students. Teach them the Catholic Mass items in a fun and engaging way!
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There are 5 different sets of these color by mass item pages, but they can be broken down into two categories. The first set has 3 levels and the Mass item pictures that are used are what I would call random - meaning that they don't specifically relate to the overall picture that students are coloring. The point is just to expose students to a variety of different items from the Mass and have them become familiar with that they look like and what they are called.
Random Mass Item Sets
Color by Mass Item Level 1 - Match Picture to Picture
The first version is designed for non-readers. They really just need to know the color names and I solve that problem for my little one by coloring in the key at the top for her and then she just needs to match. No reading required.
In this version there is a picture of a sacred Mass item at the top and those same pictures are in the color by code picture below. So all they need to do is match picture to picture in order to color it in.
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Color by Mass Item Level 2 - Match Words to Words
Students will be introduced to a variety of Catholic vocabulary words. You can show them pictures of these items as they do it, but this level is just familiarizing them with the words.
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Color by Mass Item Level 3 - Match Picture to Word
Level 3 is where we put it all together. In this version, students will need to match the Mass items at the top to the name of that item in the color by code picture. There is a key included that is designed for teachers, but you could also give it to students as a reference tool if they need to look up the different pictures to recall the names.
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Related Word Sets
The second category of color by Mass item pages have related words that help describe or define the picture that is being colored. This includes two different levels - one with a little more support in identifying the item and the other where students have to come up with the item name on their own.Color by Mass Item Level 1 - Match Related Words
This version has some built in support to teach students more about the picture they are coloring. At the top left is the name of the item followed by a short definition for that word. This is designed to be a teaching tool or support to students who need that reminder.
All the words that students will be looking for and coloring in the picture are related to that one main picture. So for example on the picture of the monstrance, students will color the words vessel, adoration, Jesus, Holy Eucharist, monstrance and host.
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Color by Mass Item Level 2 - Word to Word Related Words
The difference is there is no word and definition at the top of the page. Instead there is a line and a question at the bottom of the page asking students to identify the item they just colored. The answer will always be one of the words of the six or so that they used to color the pictures, but they will have to figure out which one.
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What else is included
Included in this Color by Mass Item product, is all five of the versions just described. For each version there is the same 17 pictures. This is done on purpose so that you can differentiate and use the version applicable for each student, yet they can all be coloring the same picture.
The 17 pictures that are included are:
- Bible
- church
- priest
- Roman Missal
- tabernacle
- dove/Holy Spirit
- bread & wine
- sanctuary lamp
- miter
- flagon
- crucifix
- ambo
- Paschal candle
- monstrance
- holy water font
- prayer candles
- altar
I've also included a key that lists all of the items used in the color by code key. I've included a picture, the name and a brief description of that item. Hopefully, this will be a good reference tool to you as the teacher.
The Mass items that I've used in this product are:
altar altar server ambo aspergillum aspersorium bells Bible bread &wine candle chalice church ciborium communion cup corporal credence table crucifix cruet dove flagon Holy Spirit holy water font host incense boat mitre monstrance offertory table Paschal candle paten pews prayer candles presider’s chair priest purificator Roman Missal sanctuary lamp tabernacle thurible |
If you are looking for more resources, check out the book The Sacred That Surrounds Us. This is a great reference tool that showcases some of the items I used in this product and so many more. It has a one page description and real life picture of the item. This is great to quickly look up a name or more information when teaching your students about the different sacred items we use at Mass.
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Try it before you buy it
Do you want to give these Catholic Color by Mass Item Coloring Pages a try before you buy the whole pack? Not a problem. I have included a few of the pages as a free sample for you so that you can see some of what is included in the larger product.
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