Living Love 2023 – 2024 – Spiritual Development in Schools

During the academic year 2023 – 2024, we lived, reflected and celebrated the theme of Living Love. Here, you will find various reflections and resources related to the theme.

Prayers for Holy Mass For the Beginning of the Scholastic Year

At the beginning of the scholastic year, the religious counsellor / spiritual director can celebrate Holy mass for educators and the students. You can download the following Prayers and readings for Holy Mass:

Quddiesa għall-Edukaturi (Malti)Download

Quddiesa għall-Istudenti (Malti)Download

Talba ta’ Dedikazzjoni għas-Sena-Skolastika (Malti)Download

Holy Mass For Peace and Justice (English)Download

Forgiveness Prayers

Lord, forgive us for the times we are selfish and rude. Lord have mercy

Lord have mercy

Lord, forgive those people who say hurtful things to others. Christ have mercy

Christ have mercy

Lord, please forgive us for the times we were not instruments of peace with all those around us through our actions. Lord have mercy

Lord have mercy

Prayers of the Faithful

1. Inspire Pope Francis and our Archbishop who lead and serve the church. May they know your guidance and direction. Hear our prayer

O Lord graciously hear us.

2. Show us how to serve one another, to offer love, care, and support. Hear our prayer

O Lord graciously hear us.

3. Help our leaders, parents and those who take care of us, teachers and educators, doctors, social workers and counsellors to be bringers of peace in all situations. Hear our prayer

O Lord graciously hear us.

4. Lead us to be generous with our time, possessions and money. Hear our prayer

O Lord graciously hear us.

5. For the souls of our relatives departed. God grant them eternal rest in peace. Hear our prayer

O Lord graciously hear us.

6. (Let’s spend some time in silence to present to God our personal prayers)

For our own needs and intentions, that we now recall in our hearts [pause], we pray to the Lord:

O Lord graciously hear us.

Prayers-of-the-Faithful-middle-secondary Download

Choose from the following prayers

1. For an end to the violence perpetrated by harsh words, deadly weapons, or cold indifference. May our homes, schools, nation, and all the countries worldwide become havens of peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

2. The grace to see every human being as a child of God, regardless of race, language, or culture. Let us pray to the Lord.
O Lord, graciously hear us.

3. For the wisdom to receive the stories and experiences of those different from ourselves and respond respectfully. Let us pray to the Lord.
O Lord, graciously hear us.

4. To protect all police and first responders who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety, be fair and just, and promote peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

5. For our school, we may cultivate welcome, extend hospitality, and encourage the participation of people of all cultures and beliefs. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

6. For solidarity in our global human family, we may work together to protect those most vulnerable and in need. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

7. For the souls of our relatives departed. God grant them eternal rest in peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

8. (Let’s spend some time in silence to present to God our personal prayers)

For our own needs and intentions, that we now recall in our hearts [pause], we pray to the Lord:

O Lord, graciously hear us.

Choose from the following prayers:

O Lord, graciously hear us.

2. The grace to see every human being as a child of God, regardless of race, language, or culture. Let us pray to the Lord.
O Lord, graciously hear us.

3. For the wisdom to receive the stories and experiences of those different from ourselves and respond respectfully. Let us pray to the Lord.
O Lord, graciously hear us.

4. To protect all police and first responders who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety, be fair, and promote peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

5. For our school, we may cultivate welcome, extend hospitality, and encourage the participation of people of all cultures and beliefs. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

6. For solidarity in our global human family, we may work together to protect those most vulnerable and in need. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

7. For the souls of our relatives departed. God grant them eternal rest in peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

O Lord, graciously hear us.

8. (Let’s spend some time in silence to present to God our personal prayers)

For our own needs and intentions, that we now recall in our hearts [pause], we pray to the Lord:

O Lord, graciously hear us.

1. Lord Jesus, deliver us from self-centeredness and indifference. Help us to be caring and compassionate toward all people, no matter their race, religion, or country of origin. Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy

2. Christ Jesus, deliver us from the silence that gives consent to abuse, violence and oppression. Grant us the passionate desire and strength to risk speaking for the common good and justice. Christ have mercy.

Christ have mercy

3. Lord Jesus, deliver us from apathy, and hardness of heart. Give us sympathetic hearts to reach out to those around us who are in deep grief – especially adolescents and youths who are suffering from fear, confusion, and profound loss. Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy

1. Lord Jesus, deliver us from self-centeredness and indifference. Help us to be caring and compassionate toward all people, no matter their race, religion, or country of origin. Lord have mercy

Lord have mercy

Christ have mercy

Lord have mercy

Readings for Holy Mass for Peace and Justice

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing,
As they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as men make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder,
And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast and forever peaceful,
From David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
By judgment and justice, both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

The word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 122 1-2, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R/. Give us peace, O Lord.

I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the Lord.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R/. Give us peace, O Lord.

To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.

R/. Give us peace, O Lord.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.

R/. Give us peace, O Lord.

Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the Lord, our God,
I will pray for your good.

R/. Give us peace, O Lord.

ALLELUIA
Mt 5:9

R/. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called children of God.

R/. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

My peace I give to you

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
John 20:19-23

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
R/. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ