Archdiocesan Value Education

Centre - AVEC
Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019
Tel: 24154477 E-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com
Inaugural Prayer Service for the Student community at the start of the New Year 2011

Theme: “Bloom Where You Are Planted”

Quote: “The happiest people don’t necessarily have
everything;
They simply utilize all the potential in what life has to
offer….”
Symbol: LOTUS for growth in harmony

Introduction:

Leader:
"A new year is unfolding - like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty
within. A new year is like an unspoiled page in one’s book of time.

Let us close our eyes and look back on the past year and all that has taken place in our life.
We remember each experience for the good that has come of it and for the knowledge we
have gained; the efforts made and the goals reached. We remember the love, happiness the
laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears we have shared. We celebrate life and learning
as we are now beginning the year 2011-12.

(A Kuthuvilakku / Samai is placed on the stage with 5 wicks test lighted to ensure that they stay lit.
2 test lighted candles and a matchbox for lighting the Kuthuvilakku..

5 members who are informed beforehand are stationed on the stage or nearby. They could be
Principal, 2 Teachers representing Secondary and Primary section, 2 students representing
Secondary and Primary section probably the School Head boy/girl)

Lighting of the lamp:

Reader 1:

Light represents the presence of God. Light is traditionally linked with knowledge and
goodness while darkness refers to ignorance and evil. Light also represents the direction and
guidance of God.

The prayer ‘asato ma sadgamaya’ (Lead me from the asat to the sat).
’tamaso ma jyotirgamaya’ (Lead me from darkness to light).
‘mrtyorma amrtam gamaya’ (Lead me from death to immortality)
is a true prayer. The seeker admits his sense of limitedness and expresses his heartfelt cry for
assistance in transcendence. It is not a prayer for the things of the world as food, shelter,
health, companionship, riches, success, fame, glory or even for heaven.
The essence is: "O, Guru, help me free myself from my diverse misunderstandings regarding
myself, the universe and God and bless me with true knowledge."
*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*
PRAYER SERVICE FROM AVEC
 Archdiocesan Value Education
Centre - AVEC
Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019
Tel: 24154477 E-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com

Leader:
Let us welcome the Divine Presence in our hearts, in our lives and in our midst as the choir
and assembly sing from the Upanishad while the lamp is being lit by honoured persons
………………………………………….(mention persons).

(The Choir and the Assembly sing the slok; after each line the interpretation is read aloud:

asato ma sadgamaya ‘Lead me from the asat to the sat.’

tamaso ma jyotirgamaya ‘Lead me from darkness to light.’
mrtyorma amrtam gamaya’ ‘Lead me from death to immortality.’

Reader 2:
Wisdom can be defined as "applications of God's holiness in all we say, do and think". Like
everything else in the world, wisdom has a single source - God. "For the Lord giveth
wisdom, and from His presence cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6)." Let us
now listen to the scripture read to us from the Book of Proverbs Chapter 4 versicles 5 to 9
on acquiring wisdom and being blessed.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4:5-9

Reader 3:
Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my
mouth. Do not forsake her and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get
understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when
you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory
she will deliver to you." (Allow a pause of 30 seconds.)

Ritual Of Symbol Lotus:

(Lotus flower in a pot/vase or cutout of poster paper on a display board on a stage)

Reader 4:
The symbolism of Lotus Flower
Lotus is a water lily rooted in soil in the body of water, with leaves and flowers floating on
the water surface. The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in
the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving
towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom
and turn into a beautiful flower. The lotus flower have many petals overlapping in a
proportional pattern. Lotus, cherished for its tranquil beauty, is delightful to look at, as its
blossoms open on the pond's surface.

As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into an object of great beauty persons also grow
and change into something more beautiful. The Lotus symbolizes divinity, fruitfulness,
*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*
PRAYER SERVICE FROM AVEC
 Archdiocesan Value Education
Centre - AVEC
Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019
Tel: 24154477 E-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com
wealth, knowledge and enlightenment. Lotus is also symbolic of the purity of heart and mind
in the struggle of life.

Reader 5:
The most important thing about lotus is that even whilst growing in murky waters it is
untouched by its pollution. Lotus is a symbol of transformation. Mud is transformed into the
most beautiful and the most fragrant flower this planet knows about. The flower grows in
muddy waters and rises on a long stalk above the surface to bloom with an unbelievable
beauty. The great feature is that at night the lotus flower closes and goes underwater, only to
stand up in its splendor again at dawn. The Water Lily's leaves shade the water keeping it
cool and thus allowing for more dissolved oxygen. The roots, leaves, flower and seeds are
edible and have medicinal properties.

Reader 6:
Lotus blooms in its purity even in contaminated water inspiring and challenging us that we
have within us the potential, purpose and passion to blossom and flourish wherever we are.
Let us hold on to the truth:
(Let some one hold the placard with the quote for all to see as you state the quote)
“The happiest people don’t necessarily have everything;
They simply utilize all the potential in what life has to offer….”
(Give time for silent reflection/assimilation while the placard is held high)

Intercessory Prayer: (3 students from different sections or classes will read out the prayer and the
final prayer will be read by the school leader or school secretary)

Leader:
Let us pray to God our Creator & Author of every Knowledge to bless this year ahead of us.
Your response after each prayer will be sung; ‘Hear us Oh Lord for we call on your name
and we ask you to be with us Lord! In our needs bless us Lord.’

Let us repeat now the chant as the choir sings …. Hear us Oh Lord for we call on your name
and we ask you to be with us Lord! In our needs blessed Lord

Reader 7: We give you praise, O God, for everything that is new and beautiful, for everything which
holds promise and brings us joy. Bless us as we start this New Year with our friends and
teachers; help us to make the most of every chance we have, to start afresh. May we show
love to one another and to all. Let us pray to the Lord.
Response ( by the choir and the assembly):
Hear us Oh Lord for we call on your name and we ask you to be with us Lord! In our
needs bless us Lord.

Reader 8: May the new beginning of this school year remind us that you give us chances to start all
over again and again. Help us to learn and to work together. Help us to listen when we
should and to use the best words when we speak. We thank you for our friends; help us to
*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*
PRAYER SERVICE FROM AVEC
 Archdiocesan Value Education
Centre - AVEC
Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019
Tel: 24154477 E-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com
be gentle, kind and patient with ourselves and with others. Let us pray to the Lord.
Response ( by the choir and the assembly):
Hear us Oh Lord for we call on your name and we ask you to be with us Lord! In our
needs bless us Lord.

Reader 9: Bless our school and keep us safe. Be with us as we travel each day. Help us to be aware
of your love shown to us in the people around us. Bless all those who care for us in school
and at home. Help us show our care for them and to say sorry when we need to. Protect us
and help us to live the way we should giving thanks and glory to God. Let us pray to the
Lord.
Response ( by the choir and the assembly):
Hear us Oh Lord for we call on your name and we ask you to be with us Lord! In our
needs bless us Lord.

Final Prayer (by the School Leader or School Secretary)

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, Origin of all being, graciously let a
ray of your light penetrate the darkness of our understanding.
Give us a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly
and fundamentally.
Grant us the talent of being exact in our explanations and the ability to express ourselves
with thoroughness and care.
Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion. Amen.

Closing Hymn: Hindi Song (from the film Guddi)

Refer to the – ( link : http://youtu.be/NbchuCfqBls)

hum ko man kee shakt dienaa, man wijay kare

dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare

bhedabhaaw apane dil se saaf kar sake

doston se bhool ho to maaf kar sake
zoothh se bache rahe, sach kaa dam bhare
dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare

mushkile pade to hum pe itanaa karam kar

saath de to dharam kaa, chale to dharam kar
khud pe hausalaa rahe, badee se naa dare
dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare ……………

…….

Requirements:

*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*

PRAYER SERVICE FROM AVEC
 Archdiocesan Value Education
Centre - AVEC
Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019
Tel: 24154477 E-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com
Number of persons: Leader and 9 readers, school leader or secretary
Singers Choir : To sing 2 prayer songs in Sanskrit & from Hindi film Guddi and
the last 3 responses.
Objects: Kutuvilaku with 5 wicks, 2 candles, match box
Lotus flower in a pot /vase or a cutout of poster paper on a display board on a stage.
A Placard with the Quote in a prominent place and to be held when the reader 6 reads his part.

………………………………….

*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*

PRAYER SERVICE FROM AVEC