Keep Your Teens Engaged at Mass

Maria Riley reviews Hosannah in the Highest, a Sunday Mass journal for Catholic teens.

Hosannah in the Highest Sunday Mass Journal for Teens

By Kathryn Pasker Ineck

Once our kids are finally old enough to sit still and quietly through Mass, we moms are presented with a whole new challenge. How do we keep our teens and tweens actively participating in Mass instead of just zoning out for an hour? The answer is with a Mass journal, and Hosannah in the Highest is designed specifically for teens.  

Creator Kathryn Pasker Ineck, a Catholic Mom contributing writer, invites youth to bring a pen and record what they hear from the Lord during Mass. For every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation throughout the year there is an entry with room for writing. On the left page you find the Scripture reading references so you can look them up in your Bible, along with boxes for teens to fill in a favorite song and prayer intentions. There is also a question based on the readings to help teens connect Scripture directly to their lives.  

On the right side of the page, you’ll find lines for writing response to Scripture and the homily. My oldest, who is 14, loves to sketch on this side. She uses her gift of artistry to depict various people and things she sees in our church, such as Mary, the crucifix, and the tabernacle. I love looking over during Mass and seeing the things she has written and drawn. With this simple journal, she has found a way to encounter the mystery of the Mass in a way that speaks directly to her. 

How to use a Mass Journal

I was introduced to the idea of a Mass Journal several years ago, and I often bring my small notebook with me to church to record the a-ha moments and calls to action I hear during Mass. Once I discovered Hosannah in the Highest, I wanted one for myself! I love the prayers and the different sections, and it’s far more beautiful and engaging than my plain notebook. The journal is specifically written for teens, but anyone who can write would enjoy this resource. [Editor’s note: There is also a version of this journal for adults and several color options are available for each edition.] My youngest daughter is 10 and loves it, though some of her reflections are not as deep as her older sisters.  

One of my favorite things about this journal is that it gives my teen and tween daughters a reference for when we discuss Mass on the way home. My husband and I always ask our girls how God spoke to them during Mass, and sometimes it’s hard for them to remember the readings or homily. With the journal, they have notes and I’ve found our conversations to be significantly more fruitful now.  

If you’re looking for a way for your teen (or tween or yourself) to stay engaged during Mass, Hosannah in the Highest is the perfect tool!  

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Copyright 2025 Maria Riley
Images: Canva