Catholic Prayers for Students and Teachers for the School Year

As the beginning of a new school year approaches (if it hasn't already started), here are some prayers for students and their teachers.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

Surround your students and teachers with the love of God with these prayers.

Each new school year brings many challenges as well as many blessings. It provides an opportunity for children of all ages to deepen their God-given intellect, propelling them on the path God has marked out for them.

Here is a compilation of many of the Catholic prayers for students and teachers Aleteia has published.

Lord Jesus Christ, who bade your apostles to pray that peace might come on any house they entered, we entreat you to bless this building dedicated for the education of the young. Bestow your peace and blessing on it in full measure, so that its teachers and pupils may experience your saving grace, as did Zaccheus when you came into his home. Bid your angels to keep guard here and to drive away all power of the enemy. Inspire the teachers with knowledge, wisdom, and holy fear. Foster their pupils with grace from on high, so that they may grasp, retain, and put into practice the lessons they are taught. May teachers and pupils alike so please you by a truly virtuous life that they may finally deserve to be received into your everlasting home in heaven; through you, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our God, who live and reign forever and ever.

Ask God to send angels to protect your child’s school building

Under your patronage, dear Mother, and calling on the mystery of your Immaculate Conception, I desire to pursue my studies and my literary labors: I hereby solemnly declare that I am giving myself to these studies chiefly to the following end:that I may the better contribute to the glory of God and to the promotion of your veneration among all people.

I ask you, therefore, most loving Mother, who are the Seat of Wisdom, to bless my labors in your loving-kindness.Moreover I promise with true affection and a willing spirit, as it is right that I should do, to ascribe all the good that shall come to me therefrom, wholly to your intercession for me in God’s holy presence. Amen. 

Prayer for students to Mary, Seat of Wisdom

St. Joseph Calasanz, protector of youth, great servant of Our Lord, who did work such marvels on their behalf; you who, having made yourself a mirror for them of burning charity, of unwearied patience, of deep humility, of angelic purity and of every other heroic virtue, by a holy example, by words full of the Spirit of God, did inspire them to flee dangerous occasions, to hate sin, to detest vicious courses, and to love piety and devotion, and thus did guide countless souls to Heaven.Obtain for us, your humble and devoted servants, help in time of danger, protection from all harmful diseases, and a fruitful school year, so that, by placing our trust in God, we may one day be united with you in Heaven. Amen. 

Prayer for teachers, students and protection from diseases

Grant, O merciful God, that I may ardently desire, prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge, and perfectly accomplish what is pleasing to Thee for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen.

4 Prayers for students

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.

Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.

Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion.

I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Catholic prayer for passing a test

O holy Joseph of Cupertino, who loves to bestow your favors upon all in need of your assistance, I implore your help with my studies and upcoming examinations. Despite my hard work and good will, I am anxious about these tests, and how I will perform. Remember, Saint Joseph, that you too endured a similar difficulty and that through obedience and the powerful protection of your spiritual father, you were providentially helped toward your calling and vocation.

Remember that you found yourself in the same difficulty and that through obedience and the powerful protection of your spiritual father you came out providentially well.
I beg your assistance now; help me to be confident in my testing, and prompt and alert in all of my answers. I ask your prayers for my intention, in the name of Jesus, and also with a special supplication to Mary and Saint Francis, your Holy Father.

O patron saint of academic examinations, I am convinced that my hope in your prayerful assistance will not be disappointed. Amen

Prayer for final exams (for the stressed and the prepared, call on Joseph of Cupertino)

St. John Bosco Friend of the young, Teacher in the ways of God, Your dedication to empowering the needy inspires us still. Help me to work for a better world, where the young are given the chance to flourish, where the poor’s dream for justice can come true, and where God’s compassion is shown to be real. Intercede for me as I bring my needs to you and to our heavenly Mother, the Help of Christians. Amen.

Prayer to St. John Bosco, Patron of School Children