Please join us in prayer for our students, teachers, school staff and parents as they begin a new school year. Below are four prayers for the school year, including the Prayer of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the patroness of Catholic Education, a Prayer for Students, a Prayer for Teachers, and a prayer to begin the school year, from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. May all students, those attending diocesan or public schools and those attending college, have a blessed school year!
Prayer of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
O Father,
the first rule of our dear Saviour’s life was to do Your Will.
Let His Will of the present moment be the first rule of our daily life and work, with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment.
Help us to follow it faithfully, so that doing what You wish we will be pleasing to You.
Amen.
Prayer for Students
Lord our God,
in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe.
Send your Spirit upon these students and fill them with your wisdom and blessings.
Grant that they may devote themselves to their studies and draw ever closer to you, the source of all knowledge.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer for Teachers
Lord God,
your spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon these teachers. Let them strive to share their knowledge
with gentle patience and endeavor always to bring the truth to eager minds.
Grant that they may follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, forever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer to Begin a School Year/Semester
Blessed are you, Lord God,
Creator of body and mind and heart;
you have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge
to guide your people in all their ways.
At the beginning of this new school year (or semester/term) we implore your mercy:
bless the students, teachers, and staff of N.,
that together we may grow in faith, hope, and love
as we learn from you and each other
how to follow your Son Jesus.
Expand the horizons of our minds,
that we may grow in wisdom,
understanding, and knowledge;
deepen our commitment to seek the truth of your ways; and enliven our faith to reach out to those in need.
Glory and praise to you, Lord God,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever.
R/. Amen
Prayer taken from the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, Revised Edition (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2007),
300. Copyright © 2007, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
