St. John Paul II was a prolific teacher on human sexuality, emphasizing its deep connection to the dignity of the human person. Through his writings and Wednesday audiences, he reminded us that human sexuality is not merely a physical act but a profound expression of love that reflects the image of God. St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body sheds light on the beauty, purpose, and sacredness of sexuality when it is rooted in respect for the human person. If you’re new to Theology of the Body and desire to share this beautiful teaching with your children, we’d like to share excerpts of what St. John Paul II says about human dignity and sexuality and how you can explain it to your children.

“The human person, made in the image and likeness of God, cannot be reduced to a mere object of pleasure. Human sexuality must reflect the dignity of the person, a dignity that calls for self-giving love, not selfish exploitation.”
(Theology of the Body, 13:2)

For Children: God created each of us with incredible dignity and worth. This means that we are never meant to be treated as objects for someone else’s pleasure, but always as people to be loved and respected.

“The body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It was created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden since time immemorial in God, and thus be a sign of it.”
(Theology of the Body, 19:4)

For Children: Our bodies are more than just physical things; they have a special purpose. Through our bodies, we can show others love, kindness, and care, which are all signs of God’s presence in our lives.

“Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it.”
(Redemptor Hominis, 10)

For Children: Love is like the air we breathe—without it, life just wouldn’t make sense. God made us to love and to be loved.

“The human body includes right from the beginning…the capacity of expressing love, that love in which the person becomes a gift and—by means of this gift—fulfills the meaning of his being and existence.”
(Theology of the Body, 15:1)

For Children: God gave us our bodies as a gift, and with them, we can share love with others through kind words or a helpful action.

“Man and woman are a complementary pair…the image of God in mankind is realized not only in an individual person, but also in that unique communion of persons which man and woman form right from the beginning.”
(Letter to Families, 6)

For Children: Men and women were both created by God, and each has unique and special qualities that complement the other. When a man and woman come together in marriage, they form a special kind of love and unity that reflects God’s love.

St. John Paul II’s teachings on sexuality are a call for us to recognize the sacredness of our bodies and the divine purpose of human love. Sexuality is not a mere physical act; it is a reflection of our deepest calling to love as God loves. When lived out in accordance with the dignity of the person, sexuality becomes a path to holiness, a way to live out our vocation to love in the most profound way.

In today’s world, what St. John Paul II says about human dignity and sexuality is a profound reminder of our vocation to love well and see Christ in others. Sharing these truths with our children is critical to bringing about a culture founded on respect for the dignity of each person.