The Marks of a Truly Catholic Education

Written by Bishop David A. Konderla

As I write this article, two of our Catholic schools have already started the new school year and the rest will follow soon. Home school families and public schools will be right there with them. So as we begin a new school year, we might reflect on some of the marks of a truly Catholic education. 

Our reflection might immediately raise a question because not all children attend a Catholic school.  Is that  the only place you can get a Catholic education?  The answer is no.  Our Catholic schools are excellent, and I think that every family who can utilize them ought to do so, but a child’s Catholic education begins the moment of birth, years before his or her first day of school. 

Consider this from the Catechism: “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children.  They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule.  The home is well suited for education in the virtues.  this requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgement, and self- mastery - the preconditions of all true  freedom….Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children.  Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the ‘first heralds’ for their children.  They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church.  A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one’s life.”  (CCC 2223-2225)

One way of understanding this passage is to say that every family is a “home school” family if only the parents take seriously the gift and responsibility of being able to educate their children and even to evangelize them.  Parents don’t have to be theologians to evangelize their children, but simply intentional disciples. 

In the scriptures, we see evangelization happening through witnesses who share with other people their experience of the risen Jesus.  Parents, think about your own life with Christ, your testimony.  When and how did you first come to know Jesus?  What were the circumstances that first helped you to know that He loved you?  Why do you love Him?  Why are you obedient to Him?  How do you pray?  Why do you pray?  These kinds of questions and their answers are the very heart of a Catholic education and of evangelization.  Reflect on your life in Christ and share your reflections with your children from their very first years.  The most important thing for them to learn throughout their years of education is that Jesus loves them and saves them. 

As the children get older, many parents will enlist the help of schools and religious education programs outside the home to assist them in their responsibility of educating and catechizing their children.  A number of parents will also homeschool.  These schools and programs will provide classes in the various subjects as well as activities with friends and classmates but the primary responsibility for the education and evangelization of the children remains with the parents and must continue in the home.  This is why it is critical to Catholic education that parents continue to grow in their faith and remain engaged with what the school is teaching their children. 

I think, too, that the Eucharist is at the heart of Catholic education.  During the week children are attending various schools and activities; parents are at work in and outside the home, but we come together on Sunday in our common worship.  Here, we learn that the source of all wisdom and the true purpose of Catholic education and life itself is a deeper union with Jesus, the teacher who is also our Savior. 

May God bless all of us and keep us safe during this year of learning.