Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week is held each year in May in 29 Ontario Catholic School Boards. Catholic Education Week 2027 is scheduled to take place during the week of May 2 – May 7.
Catholic Education: Becoming Artisans of Peace
The scripture passage for Catholic Education 2026-2027 is:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
This year’s Catholic Education Week theme, Catholic Education: Becoming Artisans of Peace is inspired by the following:
- Pope Leo XIV, in his message for the 40th World Youth Day, calls us to become active artisans of peace. In a world wounded by conflict, division, and indifference, his message invites us to build bridges where there are divisions and to reflect Christ’s heart in every encounter.
- The recent, Apostolic Letter on Catholic Education: “Drawing New Maps of Hope”, Pope Leo XIV invites us to “disarm our words” in a polarized world; to “raise our gaze toward heaven”; to cultivate spaces of silence, interiority, and contemplation; and to build bridges instead of walls.
- “Peace be with you!” With those words, the risen Jesus greeted His followers after Easter— and with those words, the newly-elected Pope Leo XIV greeted the world as the new Bishop of Rome. From the Church’s beginnings, the desire for deep and lasting peace has been a central pillar of Christian life. Each time at Mass, we exchange a sign of peace with each other before we come forward to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Our Holy Father’s message reminds us that peace is not only something we hope for or pray about—it is something we are called to live.
- Jesus declares in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:9) that those who make peace are blessed by God. Becoming artisans of peace is something which is crafted patiently and lovingly through our daily words and actions.
- The year 2026 marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the saints who most powerfully embodied what peace-making looks like, and Pope Leo has proclaimed a “Franciscan Jubilee Year,” inviting the whole Church to reflect on how the example of Assisi’s most cherished son can still inspire and guide us. We are all keenly aware of the conflicts and uncertainties of our world, which remind us of the urgent need to pray, and work, for just and lasting peace.
The theme invites all associated with Catholic education to grow more deeply in our own baptismal vocation as peacemakers to help radiate Jesus’ peace into our world, and to bring healing, reconciliation, and hope.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, unity; where there is doubt, faith; where there is error, truth; where there is despair, hope; where there is sadness, joy; where there is darkness, light. (Prayer attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi)
May this prayer keep the joy of the Gospel and promise of peace alive in our hearts.
The five sub-themes for Catholic Education Week: Becoming Artisans of Hope are…
- Monday: Peace from God
- Tuesday: Peace within
- Wednesday: Peace with others
- Thursday: Peace in our communities
- Friday: Peace in the world
Monday: Peace from God
Peace be with you. (John 20:19)
Tuesday: Peace Within
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. (John 14:27)
Wednesday: Peace with Others
Seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:15b)
Thursday: Peace in Our Communities
Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ (Luke 10:5)
Friday: Peace in the World
For the kingdom of God is justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)