On Tuesday, I will have the privilege to celebrate the opening Mass for all the teachers of our Diocese. It is held at the Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport, in part because all who attend will remain for a day of professional development and reflection. As has been true for all the years that I have attended this special event, it is an occasion of great spiritual blessings.
Serving as a teacher, regardless of the school in which the teacher may be, is a challenging vocation. The rise of unbridled technology, the influence of social media and growing up in a culture that does not trust authority and sees oneself as the center of reality all work together to make teaching a more difficult profession. For this reason, let us pray for all teachers as we begin this new school year. Let us pray that they can live their vocation in a selfless and grace-filled manner as described by Saint Joseph Calasanz:
“All who undertake to teach must be endowed with deep love, the greatest patience, and, most of all, profound humility. They must perform their work with earnest zeal. Then, through their humble prayers, the Lord will find them worthy to become fellow workers with him in the cause of truth. He will console them in the fulfillment of this most noble duty and finally will enrich them with the gift of heaven.”
The previous reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly videos.
