Read a few comments from those who have participated in these meditations
The meditation journey has made me REVITALISE, REALISE AND RECHARGE my vocation as a teacher. I am ‘feeling’ so much more FULL-FILLED as a teacher spiritually now …
- deputy principal in Catholic high school and parent
The relevance of these Meditations to today’s teaching environment on the whole cannot be challenged.
- young high school teacher
It has reinforced my understanding of teaching as a ministry, and the importance of responding to the spiritual needs of each of my students.
- experienced teacher and parent in Catholic girls’ high school
It reminded me to set time aside to just listen to God and give myself quiet time to reflect on life and teaching.
- young teacher in Catholic primary school
The course has helped me to structure a time of prayer and reflection into my day. This has been a huge benefit to me. I often felt that it was selfish to do this, but now I understand the necessity for this, and to be more open in my conversation with God. I think this prayer and time of reflection has made me more centred, and more patient.
- head of department in a Catholic school and parent
The meditative reading helped me recognise that formation in spirituality needs to be an integral part of every teacher’s preparation.
- former assistant to principal, religious education, in Catholic school
The Meditations have encouraged me to revise my thinking about the student/ teacher relationship.
- pastoral coordinator in Catholic high school
I am always a little surprised when children regardless of age are interested in the angels.
- experienced State school catechist
Course intake is limited.
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Sample Meditation
Experience for yourself a short meditation.
Set aside 20 minutes to meditate on this extract from the set of Meditations written for educators of young people by St. De La Salle:
Saint Paul reminds us that, as teachers of the faith, while we plant and water the seed, it is God, through Jesus Christ, who makes it grow and brings it to fulfilment (1 Cor 3:6). Despite all our efforts, there will be times that we feel frustration when the young people in our care seem disinterested in spirituality and the faith.
At such times we picture Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd of the Gospel, who searches for the lost sheep, puts it on his shoulders, and carries it back to restore it to the flock (Lk 15:4-5). Since we are called to share in Jesus’ ministry, we often need to ask him for the ability to touch the hearts of our students.
Indeed, if we are to succeed in this privileged calling, in which we are the instruments of Christ, we need to pray frequently about it, and bring our concerns to Jesus Christ, speaking to him as a friend about the difficulties we are experiencing in guiding these young people. We pray for God’s assistance and ask Jesus to help us be open to his Spirit living within us, since it is he who has chosen us to be his ambassadors (1 Cor 3:9). We pray with confidence, knowing that Jesus will not fail to grant what we ask.
(Meditation 4.1)
Suggested procedure:
… place yourself in the presence of God (3 minutes)
… read chosen text slowly (5 minutes)
… meditate – thinking/reflecting/praying (7 minutes)
… close your meditation with a short prayer (Our Father/Hail Mary/Glory be …)
… summarise in writing what happened for you, perhaps a thought that arose, an experience felt (5 minutes).
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St. De La Salle
(1651- 1719)
Profile
Born and raised in Reims, France, John Baptist de La Salle received a classical education at school. He was ordained priest (1678) and awarded Doctor of Theology (1680).
De La Salle was concerned for the plight of the many boys of the city of Reims who were at a loose end and not receiving a proper education. He became involved in two schools (that is, classrooms in houses) for these boys. At the same time he saw the need for the teachers themselves to be trained, and began by taking a number of them into his home.
Teaching in schools in 1680s and 1690s was very much in the pioneering stage. De La Salle in consultation with the first brothers wrote and revised continuously a manual titled Conduct of the Christian Schools which dealt with the practicalities of running a school. The Conduct is complemented by De La Salle’s vision of teaching as a Christian ministry presented in Meditations for the Time of Retreat (hereafter, the Meditations), a document composed sometime later than 1707.
Patron saint of educators of the young
De La Salle was canonised by Leo XIII (1900) and proclaimed principal patron of educators of the young by Pius XII (1950).
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Our Credo
St. De La Salle (1651-1719) wrote a document, Meditations for the Time of Retreat, comprising an integrated set of 16 Meditations.
The document is addressed to all educators of young people and not only to the consecrated brothers of the Congregation he founded.
St. John Paul II has stated: “the greatness of St. John Baptist de La Salle’s apostolate and Christian vision as an educator … have retained all their timeliness for the contemporary world.”
We believe every teacher in a Christian school has the right to make this meditation journey.
We believe this course is basic and essential for the spiritual formation of teachers in Catholic Schools. State school catechists would also find it immensely valuable.
- The team, Christian Meditations for Educators of the Young
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| Organisation: | Christian Meditations for Educators of the Young | |
| C.M.E.Y. (pronounced “see-may”) | ||
| Phone: | 07 5571 0253 (within Australia) | |
| +61 7 5571 0253 (international) | ||
| Address: | PO Box 3479 | |
| Australia Fair QLD 4215 | ||
| Australia | ||
| Contact: | Karan Varker rsc BA GradDipT MEd MA(ThStuds) PhD | |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | ||
| Contact: | Peter Heaney fsc BAppSc GradDipEd BTh MMin MA(Th) | |
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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