As we start the new school year and celebrate the first anniversary of the Papal Visit, many of you will be reflecting on some of the words of the Holy Father on the subject of prayer, this being one of the themes of our Angelus Project. Pope Benedict spoke directly to young people on several occasions during his visit. He asked them to consider what kind of people they would like to be. He urged them to spend time with Jesus in prayer.
"I ask you to look into your hearts, each day, to find the source of all true love. Jesus is always there. Quietly waiting for us to be still with him and to hear his voice. Deep within your heart, he is calling you to spend time with him in prayer, but this kind of prayer, real prayer, requires discipline.
It requires time for moments of silence every day. Often it means waiting for the Lord to speak. Even amidst the business and stress of our daily lives we need to make space for silence, because it is in silence that we find God. And in silence that we discover our true self. And in discovering our true self we discover the particular vocation which God has given us..." (Pope Benedict XVI).
In responding to the Holy Father's encouragement to young people to find "time for moments of silence" we would like to invite our schools to offer some of their children and young people opportunity for silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Many of our young people will have seen coverage of the Hyde Park Vigil during the papal visit and it is hoped that schools and clergy will feel able to provide an opportunity for them to experience this form of devotion from our Catholic tradition at appropriate times. A Benediction and Exposition Service is attached and may of course be adapted to make it more relevant to your particular school. An information booklet for teachers on types of prayer is also attached.
 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction Service for Young People | [for use with primary and secondary age pupils] | 55 Kb |
| Parents Letter | [for Benediction Service] | 25 Kb |
| Prayer Information Booklet for Teachers | [Litanies, Novenas, Benediction, Stations of the Cross and more] | 307 Kb |
