Looking Forward with Hope at Graduation

It's graduation time.

As we celebrate with our graduates and look forward with hope, let us pray:

A Blessing for Graduates
Eternal God,
in You we live,
and move,
and have our being.
In Your will
we find our purpose,
and in Your wisdom
we find our joy.

Bless these graduates
who have completed
a course of study
and now begin
a new part of their lives.

Let them not be troubled
about the past nor
anxious about the future,
but let them be concerned about the moment they must now live.

Strengthen their faith and ease their fears
that they may courageously follow your Spirit
and live fully the life You give them.

When doubt and confusion about their purpose surround them,
light their way and give them peace in Your plan for them.
Let them use the gifts they have received in their studies
that they may become a source of inspiration
and blessing for the world.

And when each day is ended, give them delight in knowing
that the good work You have begun in them
shall come to completion in You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
-- from the Diocese of San Jose

A Graduation Prayer
Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us.
So be swift to love and make haste to act with kindness and compassion and the blessing of God Almighty.
Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, be with us this day and forever more. Amen.
-- Prayers for Special Help

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.