Paricutin

• RE
• Special Education

Parícutin Volcano

(Christianity)

Learning objective

I am learning about the religion of Christianity and it's links to the Parícutin Volcano in Mexico. 

Starter - Recap from last lesson

What facts can you remember about the Christ the Redeemer statue?

(Where is it? How tall is it? How many visitors visit each year? How long did it take to build? What religion does it represent?

Paricutin Volcanoe 

Today we will be looking at the main religion in Mexico, which is linked with the second natural wonder of the world, Paricutin. 

Parícutin is a cinder cone volcano located in the Mexican state of Michoacán, near the city of Uruapan and about 322 km west of Mexico City. 

What do you think is the most common religion of Mexico?

Catholicism

Catholics also follow the teachings of Jesus Christ but do so through the church, whom they consider as the path to Jesus. They believe in the special authority of the Pope which other Christians may not believe in, whereas Christians are free to accept or reject individual teachings and interpretations of the bible.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis is the Pope (meaning 'Father') and head of the Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State.

Pope Francis

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pope in 2013. He speaks German, Spanish and Italian and is a humble man who rejects luxury. He strongly believes in helping the poor. 

Once elected, the Pope chooses a new name. This name gives people an idea about how he will lead the church. Pope Francis is named after Saint Francis of Assisi.

 

Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi gave up all material goods to live a simple life of poverty. He preached to people about the life of Jesus and was also known for his love of nature. It is thought that he could tame wild animals.

Saint Francis was a dedicated follower of the Catholic Church. He was declared a saint two years after his death.

Who is the head of the catholic church?

1. Jesus
2. The Pope
3. The Buddha
4. Allah

Who is the current Pope?

1. Pope John Paul
2. Pope Bennedict
3. Pope David
4. Pope Francis

What does Pope Francis believe strongly in?

1. Helping the rich to get richer
2. Helping people to buy houses
3. Helping the poor
4. Raising money for the church

Pope Francis facts

• He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 17 December, 1936
  
• He studied chemistry at university
  
• He had a lung removed at the age of 22
  
• He ordained as a Jesuit priest at 32
  
• He became a bishop in 1992
  
• He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 but still took public transport and choses to live in modest accommodation
• He was the first non-European Pope
  
• lives in Vatican City, Rome, Italy.
  

Pope Francis' duties

• weekly blessings for tourists and pilgrims
  
• leading religious celebrations inside St Peter’s
  
• appointing new bishops and meeting with them at least once every five years
  
• receiving visits from heads of state
  
• travelling around the world to spread faith/ understanding
  

Coat of Arms

Each Pope has a coat of arms which is a way of representing things that are important to them. Pope Francis believes it is important to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others, take care of those who are less fortunate and be close to God. He doesn’t see importance in material goods, and thinks people should only own life’s essentials.

The meanings behind the Coat of Arms

TASK

Colour in your Coat of Arms sheet copying the colours from the slide. Around the Coat of Arms, write the things that are important to Pope Francis...

• ask for forgiveness
• forgive others
• take care of those who are less fortunate
• be close to God
• only own life’s essentials

Important to Pope Francis

Not considered good to Pope Francis

Asking for forgiveness

Being close to God

stealing from others

Forgiving others

Spending money on things that aren't essential

Only owning life's essentials

Being selfish

Pope Francis strongly believes in helping the poor

True

False

Pope Francis believes that people should...

1. be close to God
2. forgive others
3. take care of those less fortunate
4. do all of these things

The Lord's Prayer

This is an important prayer in the Catholic faith that people will recite together in Church.

Let's read it through together.