Morning Routine

By Greg Zambrano

During the morning hours, while you are preparing to go to work and school, there is plenty of time to pray. If you prepare well enough, you could even attend Mass before school or work.

The way I have set a schedule that makes it possible to pray before school starts is Christ-centered.

First you must have the kids be prepared the night before. They must have dinner by 7 p.m. to make time to shower, place their backpacks by the front door (zippers closed and homework finished inside) and have school uniforms laid out. All this must be done by 8 p.m. in order to have enough hours of sleep.

Wake up is at 6 a.m., and each of us individually prays the morning offering prayer. Everyone gets dressed and ready, and we are in church for Mass at 6:30 a.m.. On the drive to church, we listen to an audio of the readings for that day. It makes a huge difference. It is more meaningful to the kids when they hear the readings before Mass, and they get a chance to ask questions.

Mass is usually over by 7:05 a.m., and, afterwards, we step into the adoration chapel until 7:15 a.m. Those approximate 45 minutes before breakfast gets you nourished by the Eucharist from receiving and consuming Jesus’s body and blood. Being in His presence during adoration is another gift from the Lord.

We are blessed to have the kids go to a parochial school, therefore I just walk them next door from the church to the school. The kids enjoy a wonderful breakfast and have plenty of time to chat and play with their friends before school starts.

An incentive for going to Mass and adoration for kids is breakfast and playtime with friends. An incentive for the parents is that they are in the constant presence of God, building a relationship for a lifetime with the All Mighty Lord.