THE twice-weekly recital of the Angelus will be introduced into every Catholic primary school in Adelaide within months. Catholic Bishop the Most Reverend Gregory O'Kelly introduced the recital of the Angelus, the prayer about Mary's visitation from the Angel Gabriel, into 13 Catholic primary and secondary schools within the Port Pirie diocese last year.
Bishop O'Kelly said the Angelus was an important way to remind students of the reality of Christ's birth and the spiritual significance of the Annunciation - the moment the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary.
"It's an eight century-old prayer, and a reminder of the incarnation and that God became human and dwelt amongst us and this was made possible through the consent of a young woman, Mary," Bishop O'Kelly said.
"It's an effort to remind children that Jesus is more than just a good man of history but is the Son of God and it's a reminder that God so loved us and came to live among us."
He said the Angelus was recited by students in Years 7 to 9 in most Catholic schools in the Port Pirie archdiocese.
A teacher at one of the schools in which the Angelus has been introduced, however, has questioned whether the angelus was the best choice of prayer for schools.
The teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, supported the introduction of a prayer time but said a more modern and relevant prayer may be more appropriate.
"The Angelus is a lovely prayer and an important prayer for Catholics, but with its subject matter and old-style language, I'm worried that students won't connect with it and that it will do more harm than good," he said.
"I think there are other prayers and much more modern prayers that we could use to engage the students but I don't think the Angelus is it."
Bishop O'Kelly said the recital of the Angelus had been well received and the prayer united staff and students.
"I'm encouraged by it and I'm not about trying to introduce old devotions or turning the clock back or any of that but this is a prayer of affirmation and the students seem to be really connecting with it," he said.