Helping Our Children To Become Saints

31 Jan

“A good school provides a rounded education for the whole person. And a good Catholic school, over and above this, should help all its students to become saints.” ~ Pope Benedict XVI

To make sure that the other gets to heaven.  That is the goal that marriage mentors often share with those whom they prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony.  They remind the future bride and groom that their primary responsibility in the marriage relationship is to make sure that the other person gets to heaven.

To that end, they will encourage one another to go to Church, to receive the sacraments, and to live as Christian witnesses in the world each and every day of their lives.  That is what they mean when they say that they will love and honor each other.  Their purpose, their intent, is clear and loving.

Catholic schools serve the same purpose.  They do what they do and teach what they teach in order to help the student get to heaven.  Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that  this is one of the great responsibilities of a Catholic school. After all, any school can teach core subjects.  Any school can help students broaden their knowledge. It is Catholic schools that are reminded to help the students focus on the virtues and values of the faith.  That way, a student has a much better chance of getting to heaven and, therefore, becoming a saint.

It is not just the Catholic school that is to teach the core values of our faith.  As a matter of fact, the Catholic school does not teach the faith as much as it reinforces the faith that is — or should be — taught and lived in the home.  It doesn’t do the school a whole lot of good to teach about honesty, integrity, mercy, and love if those values are not embodied and lived by the parents and others in the home.

Thus, Catholic Schools Week reminds each and every person that we all have a responsibility.  It is a grave responsibility to make sure that our brothers and sisters in the Lord get to heaven, to become saints.  By our words and example, we can either point the way and lead the way to the Kingdom or lead others astray.  Pray that we use the grace given to us by God to lead the way.

We pray for those involved in Catholic schools — faculty, administration, aides, students, and volunteers — that God bless them and shower His graces upon them.

FAITH ACTION:  Ask God for the help that you need today to model the faith for others so that you can help your loved ones become saints.