WEDNESDAY REFLECTION
Mid-week Reflection:
The Feast of St Ninian
St Ninian was an Englishman but since he came from Cumbria he was not far from being a Scotsman! In the year of Our Lord 394, he was ordained a priest in Rome, probably by Pope Siricius. Today, as we celebrate the Feast Day of our school patron, we can be confident that St Ninian’s High School has deservedly earned a reputation for academic achievement and for promoting a seriously profound religious education. To continue to do so is of paramount importance. The Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum Educationis) issued at the Second Vatican Council on 28th October 1965 teaches that it is a grave obligation to see to the moral and religious education of all our children. What a joy and privilege it is for teachers to take this rôle earnestly. As someone who has been involved for many years in the spiritual life of the school, I have witnessed how good catechesis makes young Catholics who are manifestly good, happy, pleasant and, towards their senior years, not afraid to talk about Christ. We hope that pupils who are not members of our Faith, will benefit from their experience of studying in a Catholic school. A Catechism is a doctrinal manual giving a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers and often, especially in past times, committed to memory. Catechesis is the religious instruction given to pupils. As educators, we have the opportunity and, hopefully, the courage to invite our students to pray. As a priest, I like to encourage teachers and pupils to visit the Oratory for Eucharistic Adoration during free moments in the school day. This practice gives us time to pause in silence. At a Mass during World Youth Day in Australia in 2008, there was close to half a million young people present and yet, after Communion, the silence was so deep and intense that the only noise heard was that of the birds chirping and singing! This from a generation used to machines, iphones, tweeting, emailing, lap-tops and all the modern means of communication. Silence, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, trumped the media. Is there, do you think, a great hunger among students for Truth and for God?
Let us pray:
Lord, our God, in your goodness and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. Send your Spirit upon our pupils 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 in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Monsignor Monaghan
