As thousands of young people across the diocese prepare the receive the results of their Leaving Certificate Examination, Bishop Fintan Gavin asks students to remember that exam results are just one stepping stone in the road of life.
“To all of you receiving your Leaving Cert results this week, whether you are celebrating or feeling disappointed, know this: your worth is not defined by any exam or number,” Bishop Gavin said.
Bishop Fintan Gavin of the Diocese of Cork and Ross is Chair of the Council for Pastoral Renewal and Adult Faith Development.
He also offered a message of reassurance to students who may be disappointed by their results.
“If you didn’t get the points or the place you were hoping for, don’t despair. God has a plan for you. Sometimes, it’s in the moments when our own plans fall through that a greater purpose begins to unfold. I want you to remember that there are many paths forward, and each one is valuable. Stay open, stay hopeful, and trust that your journey is only beginning. You are never alone in it.”
Bishop Fintan GavinHis words echo a perspective shared by guidance counsellors and educators, who remind students that the Leaving Cert is only one step on a much longer journey. Alternative pathways such as Post-Leaving Cert courses, apprenticeships, and other third-level education options continue to expand.
As students begin the next stage of their journey - whether in college, training, or employment - Bishop Gavin’s message serves as a powerful reminder that one set of results does not define a lifetime.
