This year’s Catholic Education theme, Catholic Education: Becoming Artisans of Peace,

 invites us to actively craft peace every day through our words and actions rather than just waiting for it to happen. 

Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s call to "disarm our words" and build bridges in a divided world, 

this initiative challenges students to reflect Christ's heart in every interaction. 

Grounded in Jesus' declaration that peacemakers are blessed (Matthew 5:9) 

and inspired by the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi, the theme highlights how small, intentional choices create lasting change. 

The 5 sub-themes this year are: 

Peace from God  ➤  Peace within  ➤   Peace with others  ➤   Peace in our communities  ➤   Peace in the world 

And the scriptural passage that ties it all together is 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) 

Catholic Education Week Prayer 

Loving God, 

You place Your peace within each of us 

and call us to share it with the world. 

Help us become Artisans of Peace,

 beginning with peace in our own hearts. 

Teach us to trust in You 

and to seek You in prayer, learning, and love. 

May we build peace in our relationships, 

speaking kindly, listening deeply, 

and showing compassion and forgiveness. 

Help our school communities be places

 where everyone is welcomed, respected, and valued. 

Send us out as artisans of peace in the world— 

working for justice, harmony, and hope. 

May our lives reflect Your love and mercy, 

as we follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace. 

Amen. 

Peace from God – La paix de Dieu

Good and gracious God,

As we begin this new school year, we come to You with our joys, enthusiasm, challenges, and worries. 

You teach us what true and lasting peace is through Your Word and the teachings of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Your peace is a gift and receiving it does not depend on our present circumstances.

Fill us with the assurance of Your presence in our lives and help us to trust in Your perfect peace.

Guide us with Your presence as we work to act with love and justice.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord and may his face shine upon us and give us peace.  Amen.

Good St. Anne. Pray for us.

Peace within – La paix en nous

Loving God,

In the busyness of this new school year, calm our minds and grant us Your quiet strength.

Help us to pause and find peace within our hearts, knowing that we can always rest in Your love.

May the deep peace we find in You today guide our words and actions.

May it touch everyone we meet and continue to spread far and wide.

We ask this through Jesus, the Prince of Peace.   Amen.

 Good St. Anne. Pray for us. 

Peace with others – La paix avec les autres

Loving Jesus, Prince of Peace who said to Your Apostles:

 “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, 

and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will.” (John 14.27)

We welcome Your peace into our school and classrooms as we begin this school year.

Holy Spirit, breathe in us your gifts that guide our thoughts and actions towards ways of living each day in the peace of Christ. 

May we express and extend this peace often.

 May we in and through the peace of God, be united.  Amen.

Good St. Anne. Pray for us. 

Peace in our communities – La paix dans nos communautés

God of harmony and unity,

You gather all people into Your warm embrace.

Be with us this year as we journey to become artisans of peace.

Where there are divisions, guide us to build bridges of understanding.

Where there is loneliness, give us tools to create spaces of belonging.

Where there is hostility, help us to cultivate friendliness.

Where there is discontent, lead us to sow seeds of gratitude.

Where there is worry, inspire us to be models of serenity.

Teach us to be visible signs of Your love in our homes, schools and communities, reflecting Christ’s heart in every encounter.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Good St. Anne. Pray for us. 

Peace in the world – La paix dans le monde

God of every nation and every land,

Peace – shalom – is Your deep desire for all Your children, and You call us to be its builders and ambassadors.

Help us to love this world as You love it, Lord, 

and to seek ways each day to build bridges of compassion and understanding, of respect and dialogue.

Guide us in the art of speaking and acting peacefully, 

and help us to shape schools, homes, and communities which are more peaceful and more just.

We pray in the name of Jesus your Son, who is himself our peace.  Amen.

Good St. Anne. Pray for us.