Earlier this morning I lit a candle during Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, to remember all of you as you sit your State Exams.
No exam, no matter how important, defines you as a person. I am so conscious of all of you at this time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I also think very much of your parents, guardians, siblings and friends. I especially think of your teachers, your Year Heads, your Principals and all who have accompanied you on your education journey.
No matter what result you get, you will do your best. Rest a little over these days, keep perspective. Take one exam at a time. When an exam is over, no post mortems, move on, put the exam behind you. While State Exams are an important step in a chosen pathway, they are not the only pathway. Holding all of you in my prayers, not just these days, but throughout the summer and always.
+Denis
Bishop Nulty’s Prayer for those sitting Exams
Lord, as I prepare to sit my exams
send your Holy Spirit to guide me and be with me.
Thank you for the many talents and gifts you have
given me and for the opportunity of education.
Keep me calm.
Help me to do the best I can on the day of my exam.
Help me to remember all that I have studied,
to express it clearly and to answer the questions
as best that I can.
Give me peace, understanding and wisdom and
be with me today and always.
Amen.
As Gaeilge:
A Thiarna, agus mé ag ullmhú do mo scrúduithe,
cuir anuas chugam do Spiorad Naomh
chun mé a threorú agus a bheith liom.
Gabhaim buÃochas leat as na tallana
agus na buanna go léir a thug tú dom
agus as gachdeis oideachais a fuair mé.
Coiméad suaimhneach mé.
Cabhraigh liom mo dhÃcheall a dhéanamh
i rith na scrúduithe.
Cabhraigh liom tabhairt chun cuimhne
gach atá foghlamtha agam, é a chur
trasna go soiléir agus na ceisteanna a
fhreagairt chomh maith is is féidir liom.
Tabhair dom sÃocháin, tuiscint agus gaois.
A Thiarna, bà liom inniu agus i gcónai,
Amen