Lord Jesus, when you lived and worked
and talked amongst the people, they called
you Teacher. Help me to remember the
greatness of the work which has been given
to me to do. Help me always to remember
that I work with the most precious material                                                                                                                                        in the world, the mind of a child. Help me
always to remember that I am making
marks upon that mind which time will
never rub out.
Give me patience with those who are
slow to learn, and even with those who
refuse to learn. When I have to exercise
discipline, help me to do so with sternness
and yet with love. Keep me from the
sarcastic and the biting tongue, and help
me always to encourage and never to
discourage those who are doing their best,
even if that best is not very good.
Help me to help these children, not
only to store things in their memories, but
to be able to use their minds, and to think
for themselves. And amidst the worries
and the irritations and the frustrations of
my vocation, help me to remember that
the future of the Church, the nation and of
the world is in my hands. This I ask for
your love’s sake.