Prayer integral in our schools, but there’s more that can be done

Part of the mandate of Catholic schools is to ensure that students develop an appreciation and understanding of the role of prayer. 

Actually, that appreciation begins with parents establishing a prayer foundation well before children enter the Catholic school system. That foundation is then built upon by families, parishes and our elementary and secondary schools. 

As part of the catechetical program, schools teach common prayers that students can appreciate and understand. But even before introducing common prayers — the Our Father, Hail Mary and prayers before and after meals — teachers and parents instil that prayer is a conversation, a discussion with God. That leads to many types of prayer being taught in Catholic schools.