As students across our schools begin this year’s State Examinations, Bishop Michael wishes to offer a message of encouragement, support and prayer to all those preparing for the weeks ahead. Remember that your worth is not measured by examination results. You are valued, loved and supported by your families, your communities and by God. We keep all students, together with their parents, guardians, teachers and friends, in our prayers at this important time.
English
Dear Exam Students of 2026,
I hope that you are well as you enter into this final time of preparation for your upcoming exams.
No exam, no matter how important, can ever define you. You are much more than any exam and much more important in God’s eyes than any grade you might receive.
I know that exam time can be a stressful time. This is all the more so when the exams we are sitting might influence our future path in life. I just wanted to let all the young people involved in this year’s state examination processes know that you are very much in my thoughts and prayers at this significant time in your lives. I am also thinking of the parents, guardians, families, teachers and friends of those sitting examinations. It can also be an anxious time for you.
One of the great things about living in the age in which we live is that your future does not have to be defined by these exams. Although they are an important step in gaining access to the course or career you have dreamed of, don’t forget that there are many other ways and a variety of other paths that can lead you to where you should be in life. It is not “what you are in life” or “what degree you have” but rather the “kind of person you are” that makes all the difference.
Try to get rest, eat well, take time off, relax as best you can. Find a reasonable study schedule. Do your best and then let God do the rest. He will be there with you to calm those nerves, to help you in ways you might not expect and most of all to give you the gift of perspective. No exam, no matter how important, can ever define you. You are much more than any exam and much more important in God’s eyes than any grade you might receive.
Remembering you all in my prayers at this time and indeed throughout the summer and always.
+ Michael G. Duignan
Bishop of Clonfert
Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh
Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora
Gaeilge
A dhaltaí scrúduithe 2026,
Tá súil agam go bhfuil sibh go maith agus sibh anois ag déanamh na réiteach deireanach do na scrúduithe atá romhaibh.
Ní shaineoidh scrúdú ar bith sibh, is cuma cé chomh tábhachtach is atá sé. Tá sibh i bhfad níos mó ná scrúdú ar bith, agus i bhfad níos luachmhaire i súile Dé ná grád ar bith a gheobhaidh sibh.
Tá a fhios agam gur am brúidiúil go maith é am na scrúduithe. Bíonn sé sin níos measa arís nuair a cheapann muid go bhféadfadh na scrúduithe seo tionchar a bheith acu ar an mbealach a rachaidh muid inár saol amach anseo. Ba mhaith liom a rá leis na daoine óga ar fad atá ag déanamh na scrúduithe stáit i mbliana go bhfuil sibh go mór i mo chuid smaointe agus paidreacha ag an am tábhachtach seo in bhur saol. Táim ag cuimhneamh freisin ar bhur dtuismitheoirí, ar bhur gcaomhnóirí, ar bhur muintir, ar bhur múinteoirí agus ar bhur gcairde. Is féidir leis a bheith ina am imní dóibhsean chomh maith.
Ceann de na rudaí maithe faoin saol atá againn inniu ná nach gá go mbeadh bhur dtodhchaí socraithe ag na scrúduithe seo. Is céim thábhachtach iad, cinnte, i dtreo an chúrsa nó na gairme a bhfuil sibh ag brionglóideach fúithi, ach ná déan dearmad go bhfuil bealaí eile ann, agus cosáin eile, a thabharfaidh sibh go dtí an áit a bhfuil sibh le bheith sa saol. Sa deireadh thiar, ní hé “céard a dhéanann tú sa saol” ná “cén chéim atá agat” an rud is tábhachtaí, ach “cén cineál duine thú”.
Déanfaidh iarracht codladh maith a fháil, ithe go maith, sosanna a thógáil, agus bhur n-intinn a ligean ar a suaimhneas chomh maith agus is féidir. Cuirigí plean staidéir ciallmhar le chéile. Déanaigí bhur ndícheall, agus fág an chuid eile faoi Dhia. Beidh Sé in bhur dteannta: ag suaimhniú na néaróg, ag cabhrú libh ar bhealaí nach mb’fhéidir ag súil leo, agus thar aon rud eile, ag tabhairt peirspictíochta daoibh. Ní shaineoidh scrúdú ar bith sibh. Tá sibh i bhfad níos mó ná scrúdú ar bith, agus i bhfad níos luachmhaire i súile Dé ná grád ar bith a gheobhaidh sibh.
Beidh mé ag cuimhneamh oraibh ar fad i mo chuid paidreacha ag an am seo, i rith an tsamhraidh, agus i gcónaí.
+ Michael G. Duignan
Easpag Chluain Fearta
Easpag na Gaillimhe agus Chill Mhic Dhuach
Riarthóir Aspalda Chill Fhionnúrach