New Morning Routine

By Charla Misse

For a few years now, I have prayed over my son before he leaves for school.

We ask for the grace of learning God’s holy will for us, the strength to follow his holy inspirations and the protection of our minds, bodies and souls.  We thank him for all the saints and angels who constantly surround us and intercede for us.

Taking a moment in the morning to put ourselves in the presence of Our Lord and recognize the gifts we have before us, especially the opportunity to learn, work and serve, sets a positive, loving and hopeful tone for the day.

With the start of this new school year, I’ve asked my husband to say the morning blessing over us. Because this is new, I gave my husband a printed prayer to read.  The prayer for protection and guidance that immediately came to my mind was St. Patrick’s Breastplate:

“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.”               

I also added a few lines special for us.

I am really excited about uniting with my family like this each morning and really excited about receiving my own blessing each day! Maybe you would like to try this in your home, too.

May God bless you and your loved ones as you transition into the school year.