Start a new school year which will be full of bridges, initiatives and new features for both students and teachers.Office of Scholastic Pastoral Care of the Archdiocese of Catania proposed to start the 2023-2024 school year with a very particular initiative that was well received: the blessing of the students and the figures who work in the school world.
The beginning of the school year with a blessing for the world of education
As the date approaches, it varies from school to school but in Sicily starting from September 13th, at the beginning of the new school year as a sign of announcement, prayer and closeness for this important moment in the lives of children, teachers and families, the Diocesan Office for Catechesis and the Diocesan Office for School Pastoral Care of Catania proposed a moment of prayer and blessing.
The ceremony in the chapel of Sant'Agata
Wednesday 13th September, at 18,00pm in the chapel of Sant'Agata VM. inside the Catania Cathedral, the ceremony will be held blessing and entrustment to Saint Agatha of students, teachers and school staff.
Then, on Thursday, September 21st, at 7:00 PM, again in the cathedral, Msgr. Renna will preside over the Educator's Vigil dedicated to Father Pino Puglisi, 30 years after his death, with touching moments such as the testimony of one of his students.
Monsignor Renna's message
The Archbishop of Catania, one of the initiative's promoters, wanted to address his message to the world of education. The pastor of the Catania church has always had the world of education at heart and has paid particular attention to the delicate problem of school dropout, which in Catania reaches the highest levels in Italy. These are his words:
“I wish everyone a new school year brightened by the smile of Don 3P, Blessed Father Pino Puglisi of Palermo, killed by the Mafia thirty years ago right as school begins.”
Click here to see the video message.
The blessing of students and teachers at Santa Maria di Gesù
La parish of Santa Maria di Gesù, during the Eucharistic celebration on Sunday He dedicated a moment of prayer for the boys and girls who are starting the school year at the suggestion of the School Pastoral Office. In the morning, the students, backpacks, and school supplies were blessed. In the evening celebration, the blessing was addressed to teachers and non-teaching staff.
A way to start the school year with a different spirit and a more concrete and incisive presence of the Church which brings as more credible witnesses the martyrs Agatha and Pino Puglisi.
