Form Time Prayer
Prayer during form time is as important as any lesson in a Catholic School. As The respect and thought which is put into our form time prayer by both pupils and staff is of equal importance as the planning we put into our lessons.
During form time each day pupils and staff come together to pray before we do anything else. The candle is lit and the lights are turned off in order to create a prayerful atmosphere. This reminds us of the importance of prayer in our daily lives and it is the foundation we set for the rest of the school day.
The Examen Prayer
The Examen is a prayer created by St. Ignatius, which gives us a structure for reflection on our daily experiences, and seeing where God has been. In our lives we are constantly busy and sometimes this can be a bit overwhelming. Praying the Examen gives us the time and space to reflect on our lives whilst gaining a perspective.
During lesson 4 each day in school, pupils and staff take part in our daily Examen prayer. Please see below some examples of this
Staff Briefing
Staff come together three times a week to pray. This prayer is led by either staff or pupils. It is always vibrant, varied and thought-provoking. Each member of staff is invited to take part in our daily prayers and reflections. This can include video clips, songs, prayers and special times of reflection.
Pop-Up Prayer: Prayerful Moments, Led by Pupils
At Our Lady and St Bede, Pop-Up Prayer is a simple but powerful way of bringing prayer into the everyday life of our school. Our Faith Leaders visit form groups to lead prayer, helping their peers grow in confidence and encouraging others to take the lead in future.
In addition, our SVP group has led prayer sessions in the prayer garden, inviting form groups to join them in peaceful reflection. These moments of shared prayer—completely pupil-led—bring our school community together in faith, one form at a time.
Eucharist
As Catholics, we believe that the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith: it is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Pope Francis has called it the "Sacrament of Love":
"The Eucharist is at the heart of 'Christian initiation', together with Baptism and Confirmation, and it constitutes the source of the Church’s life itself. From this Sacrament of love, in fact, flows every authentic journey of faith, of communion, and of witness."
