Dad and Mom: The Primary Catholic Educator
In May of 2022, Pope Francis said to Catholic educators: “You cannot give to the young what you do not have within yourselves. The Christian educator, in the school of Christ, is first of all a witness, and he is a teacher to the extent that he is a witness.” To quote Pope Francis again: “We need to remember that all religious teaching ultimately has to be reflected in the teacher’s way of life, which awakens the assent of the heart by its nearness, love and witness.” (The Joy of the Gospel) A parent’s lived, genuine Catholic example is the first and best teacher for his or her child. It silently influences a child for good, like a holy osmosis. A Catholic school or a parish CCD program provides only a secondary help; it cannot be a substitute for the Catholic father and mother. Here’s a great sentence from the Second Vatican Council:
“With parents leading the way by example and family prayer, their children – indeed, all within the family circle – will find it easier to make progress in natural virtues, in salvation and in holiness. Husband and wife, raised to the dignity and the responsibility of parenthood, will be zealous in fulfilling their task as educators, especially in the sphere of religious education, a task that is primarily their own.” (Gaudium et Spes 48)
Sadly, a bad example teaches, too. Apathy in a Catholic parent (or teacher, coach and administrator) will teach a child contempt for the faith. Adult hypocrisy quietly tears down a child’s faith, as an infection undermines one’s health. The Holy Spirit cannot bless duplicity.
Catholic faith is not handed on to children via a textbook; it is handed on by an adult who genuinely lives his or her Catholic faith. Catholic faith can only be lived through the Eucharist.
“The Eucharist is the Heart and the Summit of the Church’s life…by this Sacrifice, Christ pours out the graces of salvation on His Body, which is the Church.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1407) Many parents, unfortunately, decide that the Catholic school (or a weekly catechism class) can magically substitute for Sunday Mass at the parish. It doesn’t. A Catholic school is, after all, simply an extension of the parish, like a branch to the tree. Apart from the tree, the branch dies. Without Sunday Mass, Catholic faith dies. “In the end, education is the work of example. It not only means pushing your children; it means leading them lovingly by the hand.” (Pope Saint John Paul I, Education in the Family, March 1977) ~Fr Loftus