People often think of studying and praying as two very separate activities.
It’s true that learning calculus or reading a history book might seem worlds apart from visiting the Blessed Sacrament chapel or praying a family Rosary, however, despite their differences, study and prayer share a vital commonality: both are opportunities to invite God into our lives and to glorify Him. St. Josemaria Escriva beautifully expressed this when he said, “An hour of study, for the modern apostle, is an hour of prayer.”
For students seeking encouragement as they strive for excellence this school year, here’s our spiritual guide to thriving this fall:
Don’t snooze your alarm clock.
St. Josemaria calls the first minute of the day the "heroic minute." He says, “It is the time fixed for getting up. Without hesitation: a supernatural reflection and … up! The heroic minute: here you have a mortification that strengthens your will and does no harm to your body. If, with God’s help, you conquer yourself, you will be well ahead for the rest of the day. It’s so discouraging to find oneself beaten at the first skirmish.” To be both a great Catholic and a great student, make it a habit to wake up promptly and offer the first moments of your day to God.
Take an interest in what you are learning.
This may seem obvious, but given the way education is structured, you might have to take classes that don’t particularly interest you. Even if some subjects don’t immediately capture your attention, try to put your heart and mind into your studies. As St. Josemaria advises in The Way, “Study. Study in earnest. If you are to be salt and light, you need knowledge, ability. Or do you imagine that an idle and lazy life will entitle you to receive infused knowledge?”
Set clear and positive goals for yourself.
It’s easy to lose sight of your goals amid writing papers, taking exams, and balancing extracurriculars. However, it’s important to work toward something good and to consider how your knowledge can serve God and others. In The Sanctification of Work, Fr. Jose Luis Llanes quotes Pope Paul VI, saying, “Not only must a man convert his profession into something good, not only must he sanctify it, but the profession itself must be looked upon as something that perfects and leads to holiness.” Reflect on what drives you to succeed in school, refine those motivations as you grow, and most importantly, choose a path that leads to holiness.
We hope this guide helps you to glorify God in your studies! For more inspiration, check out Holiness Through Work as well as the Personal Growth and Leadership catalog on our website.
