A Litany for the start of the school year
God, bless the children starting school for the very first time.
Give them a great start for their journey as students.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the children starting secondary school for the first time.
Give them good teachers, good friends and good study habits.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the children returning to Primary School.
Help them start the year with confidence.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the children returning to Secondary School.
Give them energy to tackle new subjects with new teachers.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless NN and the children going to Kindy.
Show them how to grow and learn in a group.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the students who have positions of responsibility:
school captains, team captains, and all kinds of helpers.
Inspire them to be good leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the parents of children at school.
Show them how to be good partners in their children’s learning.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the children who need special help to learn.
Bless NN and all the integration aides.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the school principals and school councils.
Show them the right decisions to make for happy, healthy schools.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the schools where all our children will go this year:
(list all the schools where children from the parish will be attending)
and all our local schools.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the teachers, especially (list names of known teachers of school starters)
and the parishioners of St N’s who are teachers too.
Help them to be wise, creative, patient and kind to all their students.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless all the school chaplains (list names of known chaplains in local schools).
Help them to care for students and teachers with Jesus’ love.
Let them shine with your light for people who need you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the young people heading for University, TAFE or the workforce.
Guide them to the best choices for their future.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless all students with confidence in learning.
Give them good teamwork and co-operation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless even the people who are not at school.
Give everyone a life-long love of learning.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless your Church with inspiring teachers.
Guide us through the bible and the wisdom of our faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the Sunday School teachers of St N’s.
Bless them with faith and prayer and love for the children.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the people who are suffering from wars and disasters,
especially the people of South Sudan, Syria and Afghanistan.
Give them peace, and good helpers to rebuild their communities.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless the people who are sick or in trouble today.
Give them health and peace and comfort.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, bless us with St N and all your saints.
Bring us to resurrection life with Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.