Brussels school blesses students’ school supplies
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At the Institut de la Vierge Fidèle primary school in Brussels, Belgium, students began the school year with a “blessing of the backpacks” ceremony.
Students lined up in the school courtyard where Father Antonio, a priest, led a short prayer asking for God’s protection over the children and their learning. He then sprinkled the students with holy water and made the sign of the cross.
The practice echoes an ancient Jewish tradition and reflects a wider return to ritual within Catholicism, as many believers seek concrete ways to express their faith. School director Joëlle Janssens explained that the school aims to integrate these prayers into daily life “without fanfare,” as part of its Catholic identity and 100-year history. Parents reacted with curiosity, support, and reflection.
One Muslim mother expressed happiness that her children were learning to be thankful to God, while others appreciated the school’s emphasis on respect and its overall educational approach. The school hopes to provide students with both a strong sense of identity and the tools they need to succeed in the future. The ceremony signals a trend toward a more embodied, ritualistic expression of faith.
