Resources to deepen your prayer life
In Bishop Bonnar’s First Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Youngstown, Testify to the Light, he offers five priorities to help shape the future of a diocese rooted in the sacramental life. The first priority is prayer. Continue reading for suggestions on how to enhance your prayer life, based on Bishop Bonnar’s letter.
The Importance of Silence
“Be still and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:11
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"God speaks in the silence of the heart and we listen,"
Mother Teresa |
"Silence prepares us and accompanies us." Pope Francis
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The Value of Faith Sharing
The Sacredness of Parish Life
"The parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God's word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship, and celebration."
-Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel
"The parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God's word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship, and celebration."
-Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel
The Formation of Small Groups
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Visit the North American Forum for Small Christian Communities to learn how small communities can renew and strengthen discipleship HERE.
"The most important reason for gathering in small groups is to place God in a primary spot in their lives, make faith essential to their lives, hear the invitation of Jesus to change themselves, and transform the society around them. In other words to make disciples." |
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Additional Prayer Resources
Learn about the origins and how to pray the Rosary.
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CLICK HERE for "Praying the Rosary" activities and handouts from Loyola Press.
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Plan a scripture-based retreat at home, online, or in the parish,
from Little Rock Scripture Study. |
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CLICK HERE for "Prayer Puzzles," a memorable prayer-learning activity from Catechist magazine.
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Teach your children or grandchildren to pray beautiful Catholic prayers while coloring and connecting with our Catholic faith.
Download from Catholic Relief Services a free Catholic prayer book "Children in Faith: Learning to Pray and Color with José". |
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CLICK HERE for "Practicing Prayer Intergenerationally" from Building Faith.
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Click here for some tips for prayer from "Pop Up Catechesis" by Loyola Press.
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Click Here for Meditative Prayer for Catholic Kids: 10 Ways to Get Started from Teaching Catholic Kids.
Click here for 16 ways to do bedtime prayer with your kids (adapted from the book 77 Ways to Pray with Your Kids.)
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CLICK HERE to download 52 Ways to Pray from Janet Schaeffler, OP
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CLICK HERE for Prayers of Trust & Hope from Thomas Merton and others.
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CLICK HERE for "How to Build in Time to Pray," from Ignatian Spirituality.
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Click Here for "Prayer is Hard, and it's Something We Have to Learn
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Guided Meditation is a wonderful form of prayer for all ages.
All you need are some soft instrumental music, a quiet atmosphere, and one of these scripts below. Here are a few samples:
All you need are some soft instrumental music, a quiet atmosphere, and one of these scripts below. Here are a few samples:
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These resources can help you
to prepare prayer for groups.
There are so many more, but these will
get you started:
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For group prayer for CHILDREN, organized by the Church liturgical year:
Prepare! Celebrate! Live! by Mariette Martineau |
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For MIDDLE-GRADE CHILDREN, organized according to God's gifts of Joy, Love, Wisdom, Trust, Friends, Healing, Light, Perseverance, Animals, Talents, and 15 others:
25 Guided Prayer Services for Middle Graders by Pat Egan Dexter |
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For group prayer for CHILDREN AND YOUTH, with "Traditional Prayers and Practices," "Prayers for the Liturgical Year," "Saints and Celebrations," and "Interactive Prayers for Daily Life":
365 Prayers for Catholic Schools and Parish Youth Groups : Interactive, Seasonal, Traditional by Filomena Tassi and Peter Tassi |
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For TEEN groups, with prayers about prejudice, friendship, happiness, peace, sexuality, forgiveness, failure, hope, choices, suffering, and other themes.
Teen Prayer Services : 20 Themes for Reflection by S. Kevin Regan |
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For INTER-GENERATIONAL groups, organized by "Prayer Services," "Morning Prayers," "Night Prayers," "Seasonal Prayers," "Prayers for Meetings," and "Prayers to Celebrate the Human Journey:"
Together We Pray : Prayers and Services for Gatherings and Groups by Carmen L. Caltagirone |
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For INTER-GENERATIONAL groups, for select Sundays of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, plus Corpus Christi, Sts. Peter & Paul, Transfiguration, Assumption, Triumph of the Cross, All Saints, Christ the King, the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time C, and the 29th Sunday of A:
24 Intergenerational Liturgies of the Word edited by Wanda Scheuermann |
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Over 1,200 prayers FOR ALL AGES from over 560 authors and sources, from every continent and every Christian century. Arranged under subject headings with cross-referencing. The introduction offers advice and encouragement by leading Christian authors on prayer.
The Complete Book of Christian Prayer from the Continuum Publishing Company |
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THE go-to source for preparing prayer for all ages:
Book of Blessings: Approved for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and Confirmed by the Apostolic See Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy. |
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Opening and Closing Prayers for the Liturgical Year.
Lorraine L. Kilmartin. Saint Mary's Press, 2014. A collection of 120 prayers that follow the liturgical calendar, highlighting major Catholic feasts, solemnities, and memorials, as well as secular holidays. Each liturgical season is celebrated with specific prayers ranging from traditional to contemporary, each dedicated to themes and images of the season. |
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eBook
How to Pray the Dominican Way: Ten Postures, Prayers, and Practices that Lead us to God. Stagnaro, Angelo. Paraclete Press, 2012. ". . . unearths the teachings of St. Dominic on prayer . . . Dominic believed that the soul is moved by the body and then the body is able to respond back--the two work together in prayer. Each of the ten forms of prayer, here, is meant to be practiced for one week before moving onto the next" |
These resources can help individuals to pray.
We have a few hundred books about prayer;
these are good beginnings:
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In a series of brief reflections, Fr. Rolheiser clears common misconceptions about prayer and offers both consolation and challenge. The Library has both the print and audio versions, and a study guide that would help a group seeking a deeper prayer life.
Essential Celtic Prayers.
by Thomas McPherson, Paraclete Press, 2017. The early Celts lived in a time and place where nature was ever-present — in the seasonal harvest and disruptions of it, in the sometimes brutal climate, and in all the gifts from the earth. In their simple rural life, they were surrounded by the cycles of nature: the seasons, lunar months, tides, dawn and dusk. This book is a collection of some of the most beautiful prayers of the Celtic tradition that speak to us across the centuries. 
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These guides for groups or individuals do not require an expert on prayer or scripture, because everyone journeys together in scriptural discovery.
101 Place to Pray Before You Die: A Roamin' Catholic's Guide.
by Thomas J. Craughwell, Franciscan Media, 2017. Explores holy sites for Catholic travelers, including unique shrines, retreat houses, and other significant holy places. 
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Children's books
that can help introduce prayer:
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Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise
Tomie dePaola Folk-art-style illustrations and text inspired by scriptures from the Holy Bible offer praise to everything on the land and in the sea and sky. 
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These videos can help children to pray the basic memorized prayers:
These 2-minute animations go phrase by phrase through the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be with illustrations.
Prayed in children's voices.
Prayed in children's voices.
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These videos can kick-start adult prayer life:
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This 2-minute intro by Fr. Jim Martin can give a starting place and confidence to someone uncertain about praying.
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From Franciscan Media, a 1-minute assurance that our prayer should arise from who we are:
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From the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, a down-to-earth 3 minutes on the ease and importance of prayer:
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These videos can deepen an existing prayer life:
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Online Resources for Spiritual Help
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CLICK HERE for a brief online article by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, in Catechist magazine on "Ways a Catechist Might Pray"
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CLICK HERE for prayers from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability to increase the sense of belonging for every one of God's children.
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CLICK HERE to go on an online Ignatian Prayer Adventure from IgnatianSpirituality.com.
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CLICK HERE for Orientations for Spiritual Growth, for "points of departure ... suggestions ... hints ... landmarks ... maps ... etc., to be used or not used in as much as they are helpful for the landscape of the spirit."
From Jesuit fathers in Canada. |
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CLICK HERE for Minute Meditations, from Franciscan Media, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars.
Find "The Other Person is Not Your Problem," "God Makes Grace Out of Grit," "What Can We Do with Our Fear," and much more. |
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CLICK HERE for a variety of simple yet powerful Ignatian Prayers, plus short bits of spiritual advice from Jesuits throughout history. From Xavier University.
Consider this advice: THE SLOW WORK OF GOD Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are, quite naturally, impatient in everything to reach the end Without delay. We should like to skip The intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on The way to something unknown, Something new, And yet it is the law of all progress That it is made by passing through Some stages of instability --- And that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you. Your ideas mature gradually --- Let them grow, Let them shape themselves, Without undue haste. Don't try to force them on, As though you could be today What time will make you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit Gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing That his hand is leading you, And accept the anxiety of Feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.. |
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Book of Blessings: Blessing of Students and Teachers
Description:
522 It is appropriate that students and teachers alike acknowledge that all human wisdom and knowledge have God as their source. Accordingly, this order may be used for blessing both students and teachers at the beginning of the school year or on other occasions.
523 Although both students and teachers are usually blessed at the same time, the prayers should be adapted when either students or teachers alone are blessed.
524 The blessing may be given during Mass or at a celebration of the word of God. If this blessing is given during Mass on Sunday, the Mass of the day is celebrated.
525 The blessing may be given by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister.
Prayer:
I. ORDER OF BLESSING WITHIN MASS
526 After the gospel reading, the celebrant in the homily, based on the sacred text and pertinent to the particular place and the people involved, explains the meaning of the celebration.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
527 The general intercessions follow, either in the form usual at Mass or in the form provided here. The celebrant concludes the intercessions with the prayer of blessing. From the following intentions those best for the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.
The celebrant says: God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Let us ask him to bless those who seek to learn and their teachers. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Or: R. Fill us with your wisdom, Lord.
Assisting minister: For students (as they begin this new school year), that the Spirit of God may grant them the gifts of wisdom and understanding, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For teachers, that they may share their knowledge with gentleness, patience, and concern for their students, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For those who seek knowledge of the things of this world, that they may always pursue God's wisdom, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For parents, the first teachers of their children, that their faith and love may be an example to us always, let us pray to the Lord. R.
PRAYER OF BLESSING
528 With hands extended over the students and teachers, the celebrant says immediately:
Lord our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. In times long past you sent us your prophets to teach your laws and to bear witness to your undying love. You sent us your Son to teach us by word and example that true wisdom comes from you alone.
Send your Spirit upon these students and their teachers and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that during this academic year they may devote themselves to their studies and share what they have learned from others.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
529 Or: Lord God, your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon these students. Let them enjoy their learning and take delight in new discoveries. Help them to persevere in their studies and give them the desire to learn all things well.
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 students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
II. ORDER OF BLESSING WITHIN A CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD
530 The present order may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
531 When the community has gathered, a suitable song may be sung. After the singing, the minister says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All make the sign of the cross and reply: Amen.
532 A minister who is a priest or deacon greets those present in the following or other suitable words, taken mainly from sacred Scripture. May the God of wisdom, knowledge, and grace be with you always.
And all reply: And also with you.
533 A lay minister greets those present in the following words: Let us praise the God of wisdom, knowledge, and grace. Blessed be God for ever. R. Blessed be God for ever.
534 In the following or similar words, the minister prepares those present for the blessing. We gather here today to ask God's blessing on these students and their teachers (as they begin the new academic year). Studies are hard, yet the reward is great. They lead to a knowledge of the world and of God. May God enlighten our hearts and minds as we listen now to the word of God.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD
535 A reader, another person present, or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture. Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the book of Sirach:
6:32-37 If you are willing to listen you will learn.
If you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd. If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise. Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him. Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you. If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep! Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.
536 Or: Wisdom 7:9-21--Learn wisdom. Sirach 4:11-18--The rewards of wisdom. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11--This is the gospel I preached to you.
537 As circumstances suggest, the following responsorial psalm may be sung, or some other suitable song.
R. Great are the works of the Lord.
Psalm 111 I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. R.
Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights. Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. R.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD. He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. R.
He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. R.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, Reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. R.
He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. R.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; prudent are all who live by it. His praise endures forever. R.
538 As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of the celebration.
INTERCESSIONS
539 The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions. From the following those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.
The minister says: God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Let us ask him to bless those who seek to learn and their teachers.
R. Fill us with your wisdom, Lord.
Assisting minister: For students( as they begin this new school year), that the Spirit of God may grant them the gifts of wisdom and understanding, let us pray to the Lord. R7.
Assisting minister: For teachers, that they may share their knowledge with gentleness, patience, and concern for their students, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For those who seek knowledge of the things of this world, that they may always pursue God's wisdom, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For parents, the first teachers of their children, that their faith and love may be an example to us always, let us pray to the Lord. R.
540 After the intercessions the minister, in the following or similar words, invites all present to sing or say the Lord's Prayer. Taught by our Savior's command and formed by the word of God, we pray:
All: Our Father . . .
PRAYER OF BLESSING
541 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched over the students and teachers; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.
Lord our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. In times long past you sent us your prophets to teach your laws and to bear witness to your undying love. You sent us your Son to teach us by word and example that true wisdom comes from you alone.
Send your Spirit upon these students and their teachers and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that during this academic year they may devote themselves to their studies and share what they have learned from others.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
542 Or:
Lord God, your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon these students. Let them enjoy their learning and take delight in new discoveries. Help them to persevere in their studies and give them the desire to learn all things well.
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 students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
543 A minister who is a priest or deacon concludes the rite by saying: May God teach you his ways and lead you to the joys of his kingdom, now and for ever. R. Amen.
Then he blesses all present. And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.
544 A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying: May God teach us his ways and lead us to the joys of his kingdom, now and for ever. R. Amen.
545 It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song.
III. SHORTER RITE
546 All make the sign of the cross as the minister says: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
All reply: Now and for ever.
547 One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example: Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the book of Sirach:
6:32-37 If you are willing to listen you will learn.
If you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd. If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise. Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him. Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you. If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep! Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.
548 Or: Wisdom 7:9-21--Learn wisdom. Sirach 4:11-18--The rewards of wisdom. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11--This is the gospel I preached to you.
549 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched over the students and teachers; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.
Lord our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. In times long past you sent us your prophets to teach your laws and to bear witness to your undying love. You sent us your Son to teach us by word and example that true wisdom comes from you alone.
Send your Spirit upon these students and their teachers and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that during this academic year they may devote themselves to their studies and share what they have learned from others.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
550 Or:
Lord God, your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon these students. Let them enjoy their learning and take delight in new discoveries. Help them to persevere in their studies and give them the desire to learn all things well.
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 students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
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Prayer Source: Book of Blessings by Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops' Conferences, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989
522 It is appropriate that students and teachers alike acknowledge that all human wisdom and knowledge have God as their source. Accordingly, this order may be used for blessing both students and teachers at the beginning of the school year or on other occasions.
523 Although both students and teachers are usually blessed at the same time, the prayers should be adapted when either students or teachers alone are blessed.
524 The blessing may be given during Mass or at a celebration of the word of God. If this blessing is given during Mass on Sunday, the Mass of the day is celebrated.
525 The blessing may be given by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister.
Prayer:
I. ORDER OF BLESSING WITHIN MASS
526 After the gospel reading, the celebrant in the homily, based on the sacred text and pertinent to the particular place and the people involved, explains the meaning of the celebration.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
527 The general intercessions follow, either in the form usual at Mass or in the form provided here. The celebrant concludes the intercessions with the prayer of blessing. From the following intentions those best for the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.
The celebrant says: God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Let us ask him to bless those who seek to learn and their teachers. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Or: R. Fill us with your wisdom, Lord.
Assisting minister: For students (as they begin this new school year), that the Spirit of God may grant them the gifts of wisdom and understanding, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For teachers, that they may share their knowledge with gentleness, patience, and concern for their students, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For those who seek knowledge of the things of this world, that they may always pursue God's wisdom, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For parents, the first teachers of their children, that their faith and love may be an example to us always, let us pray to the Lord. R.
PRAYER OF BLESSING
528 With hands extended over the students and teachers, the celebrant says immediately:
Lord our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. In times long past you sent us your prophets to teach your laws and to bear witness to your undying love. You sent us your Son to teach us by word and example that true wisdom comes from you alone.
Send your Spirit upon these students and their teachers and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that during this academic year they may devote themselves to their studies and share what they have learned from others.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
529 Or: Lord God, your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon these students. Let them enjoy their learning and take delight in new discoveries. Help them to persevere in their studies and give them the desire to learn all things well.
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 students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
II. ORDER OF BLESSING WITHIN A CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD
530 The present order may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
531 When the community has gathered, a suitable song may be sung. After the singing, the minister says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All make the sign of the cross and reply: Amen.
532 A minister who is a priest or deacon greets those present in the following or other suitable words, taken mainly from sacred Scripture. May the God of wisdom, knowledge, and grace be with you always.
And all reply: And also with you.
533 A lay minister greets those present in the following words: Let us praise the God of wisdom, knowledge, and grace. Blessed be God for ever. R. Blessed be God for ever.
534 In the following or similar words, the minister prepares those present for the blessing. We gather here today to ask God's blessing on these students and their teachers (as they begin the new academic year). Studies are hard, yet the reward is great. They lead to a knowledge of the world and of God. May God enlighten our hearts and minds as we listen now to the word of God.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD
535 A reader, another person present, or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture. Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the book of Sirach:
6:32-37 If you are willing to listen you will learn.
If you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd. If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise. Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him. Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you. If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep! Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.
536 Or: Wisdom 7:9-21--Learn wisdom. Sirach 4:11-18--The rewards of wisdom. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11--This is the gospel I preached to you.
537 As circumstances suggest, the following responsorial psalm may be sung, or some other suitable song.
R. Great are the works of the Lord.
Psalm 111 I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. R.
Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights. Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. R.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD. He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. R.
He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. R.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, Reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. R.
He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. R.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; prudent are all who live by it. His praise endures forever. R.
538 As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of the celebration.
INTERCESSIONS
539 The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions. From the following those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.
The minister says: God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Let us ask him to bless those who seek to learn and their teachers.
R. Fill us with your wisdom, Lord.
Assisting minister: For students( as they begin this new school year), that the Spirit of God may grant them the gifts of wisdom and understanding, let us pray to the Lord. R7.
Assisting minister: For teachers, that they may share their knowledge with gentleness, patience, and concern for their students, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For those who seek knowledge of the things of this world, that they may always pursue God's wisdom, let us pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister: For parents, the first teachers of their children, that their faith and love may be an example to us always, let us pray to the Lord. R.
540 After the intercessions the minister, in the following or similar words, invites all present to sing or say the Lord's Prayer. Taught by our Savior's command and formed by the word of God, we pray:
All: Our Father . . .
PRAYER OF BLESSING
541 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched over the students and teachers; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.
Lord our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. In times long past you sent us your prophets to teach your laws and to bear witness to your undying love. You sent us your Son to teach us by word and example that true wisdom comes from you alone.
Send your Spirit upon these students and their teachers and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that during this academic year they may devote themselves to their studies and share what they have learned from others.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
542 Or:
Lord God, your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon these students. Let them enjoy their learning and take delight in new discoveries. Help them to persevere in their studies and give them the desire to learn all things well.
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 students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
543 A minister who is a priest or deacon concludes the rite by saying: May God teach you his ways and lead you to the joys of his kingdom, now and for ever. R. Amen.
Then he blesses all present. And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.
544 A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying: May God teach us his ways and lead us to the joys of his kingdom, now and for ever. R. Amen.
545 It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song.
III. SHORTER RITE
546 All make the sign of the cross as the minister says: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
All reply: Now and for ever.
547 One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example: Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the book of Sirach:
6:32-37 If you are willing to listen you will learn.
If you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd. If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise. Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him. Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you. If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep! Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.
548 Or: Wisdom 7:9-21--Learn wisdom. Sirach 4:11-18--The rewards of wisdom. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11--This is the gospel I preached to you.
549 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched over the students and teachers; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.
Lord our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. In times long past you sent us your prophets to teach your laws and to bear witness to your undying love. You sent us your Son to teach us by word and example that true wisdom comes from you alone.
Send your Spirit upon these students and their teachers and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that during this academic year they may devote themselves to their studies and share what they have learned from others.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
550 Or:
Lord God, your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon these students. Let them enjoy their learning and take delight in new discoveries. Help them to persevere in their studies and give them the desire to learn all things well.
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 students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
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Prayer Source: Book of Blessings by Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops' Conferences, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989
