2023 Catholic Schools Week

A principal’s prayer wish for her students comes true

Kelly England, principal of St. Philip Neri School in Indianapolis, prays the rosary with students. (Submitted photo)

By Kelly England (Principal of St. Philip Neri School in Indianapolis)

As a Catholic school, helping our students grow in their faith is central to our existence. We start and end each day in prayer. We gather as a school community for Mass and eucharistic adoration on Fridays. We help prepare students to receive the sacraments. We promote service. But the question remained: What else could we do?  

This year, we decided to try something new. We added Tuesday afternoon prayer to the weekly schedule. Similar to Mass on Fridays, this is a time when we gather as a school over in the church, with the goal of giving our students experience with different forms of prayer. The first prayer we focused on was the rosary.  

I’ll be honest. The first time we prayed the rosary as a school was rough. Kindergartners and first graders were falling asleep. Older students were squirmy. The pacing was off, and we just couldn’t get the hang of letting the leader say the first half of the prayer and then everyone joining in on the second half. And let’s not even talk about the Glory Be! It was clear that we needed practice. And what happened as we practiced was nothing short of grace.

We started by purchasing a rosary guide for all students in grades two through eight so that they could follow along and become more familiar with the words to the prayers. The teachers helped teach the students how to use their fingers to keep track of the Hail Marys or by having students use beads and string to make their own rosaries. We decided to pray the rosary at least once every two to three weeks (every week during October, the month of the rosary). And it was beautiful. 

It didn’t take long for participation to increase. We then started to see participation in our weekly Mass increase as well. Students have been more engaged during prayer and Mass. On any given Tuesday, you can look around the church and see students gripping their rosary beads carefully as they recite the prayers. Our youngest students are often so eager to participate that I have to motion to them to slow down as they pray. And the looks on their faces are simply priceless. It just took a little practice to find the joy in prayer.

If you are ever in need of little extra joy in your day, please join us for a rosary! †