PRAYER AND LITURGY
“Lord, teach us to pray.”
Luke 11:1
At St Patrick’s, prayer and liturgy are at the heart of our Catholic identity. Through daily prayer, Scripture, music, reflection, Lectio Divina and Visio Divina, our children are helped to grow in faith, reverence and love of God. Prayer is part of the rhythm of every school day, giving pupils regular opportunities to pause, listen, reflect and speak to God from the heart.
Prayer and Liturgy Policy
At St Patrick’s, children are supported to grow in prayer through Lectio Divina and Visio Divina. These are gentle, reflective ways of praying which help children slow down, listen carefully and become more aware of God’s presence.
Lectio Divina means praying with Scripture. Children listen to the Word of God, reflect on what they have heard, respond from the heart and then rest quietly with God. We use the child-friendly pattern: Read, Reflect, Respond and Rest. This helps children understand that Scripture is not just a story from the past, but God’s living Word speaking to us today.
Through Lectio Divina, children are encouraged to notice a word, phrase, image or feeling that stays with them. They are given time for silence, stillness and personal reflection, so that prayer becomes something meaningful and personal rather than rushed or routine. Children may share their thoughts if they wish, but they are also taught that quiet listening is an important part of prayer.
Visio Divina means praying with sacred images. Children look carefully at a picture, artwork or religious image, notice colours, shapes, light and details, and reflect on what God might be showing them through the image. This helps children engage with prayer in a visual and creative way, especially when an image helps them express thoughts or feelings that may be difficult to put into words.
Both Lectio Divina and Visio Divina help children to pray with their whole selves: their minds, hearts, senses and imagination. They support children to grow in reverence, confidence and spiritual understanding, so that they can speak to God from the heart and recognise that God is with them in their everyday lives.
Children are also encouraged to take an active role in preparing and leading prayer. They may help to prepare the sacred space, read Scripture, guide moments of silence, sound the chimes or lead simple prayers, so that they understand that prayer and liturgy are something they can participate in, contribute to and lead with care.