Limerick bishop tells exam students that ‘hope is the most important subject’

BISHOP of Limerick Brendan Leahy said that “hope is the most important subject” that Leaving Cert students should take with them into their exams this week.

Wishing students across the diocese the very best ahead for the exams which started on Wednesday, Bishop Leahy said that whatever the outcome, students have a life full of opportunity ahead of them and it won’t be realised or lost over the coming weeks.

“This is such a tense time for students and I can recall exactly that from my own exams all those years ago. Some tension is probably unavoidable but I remember thinking I’ve just go to ‘hope for the best and just do my best’. In fact, hope is the most important subject of all these coming weeks. 

“We all hope we do well but what I would encourage young people to do is realise the big hope is really their entire life project, and what God is going to help them become, and not just the moment we are in. It is, after all, the Jubilee Year of Hope so it must be our great theme,” said Bishop Leahy.

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The Bishop of Limerick said it is very difficult for students who’ve spent the last six years and more building up to this week to look beyond these exams “but I really do feel that if they can, tell themselves to accept where they are today, do their best today and tomorrow will look after itself”. 

“I would urge them to have hope and have faith in tomorrow. And I would also say to them that the big hope really is the hope that God has for us all.”

The Dublin native  said that he has been struck this year by an increasing interest in spirituality amongst young people and this will stand many in good stead for their exams. 

“I have spoken to some parents who are telling me that their children have more faith now than even they had when they were young.  I am grateful for that, but regardless of whether they come to church or not, I would invite young people doing exams at this time, no matter what pressure they may feel, if they can turn to God, they will get grace, strength and peace of mind at this time.”

Bishop Leahy also used the opportunity to remind students across the diocese of this year’s Jubilee of Hope Pilgrimage to Rome, which takes place from July 28 to August 4.

“Some 30 young adults, from Leaving Cert upwards, from Limerick will be on this pilgrimage to mark the late Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Hope that Pope Francis launched and which Pope Leo is continuing to celebrate. 

“Hope is such a great theme especially for young people. We have a small number of places left and maybe they will be filled by some of our Leaving Cert students.” Contact 086 6071021 or email james.connery@limerickdiocese.org for more information