Raising Righteous Children: A Divine Mandate for Catholic Fathers

Friends, as men of faith and pillars of our homes, we are given a divine mandate to guide our young ones down the path of righteousness. It is our responsibility, not merely by societal standards but as proclaimed in the Scriptures, to serve as spiritual leaders in our families.

In the Holy Book, you may recall Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it”. This does not merely suggest, it commands us to instill in our children the teachings and principles of our precious faith. As the heads of our families, we are called to engage in our children’s religious development, educating them in the doctrines and traditions of the Catholic Church, and likewise, demonstrating these tenets in our daily lives.

We ought to remember that the Covenant is not just taught, but caught. Our children learn not only from what we say but, perhaps more importantly, from what we do. Our daily devotion, our respect for the sacraments, our prayers before meals, these are all opportunities for our children to catch faith. It is in the normal routine of everyday life that we men can fulfill our God-given role of passing Catholic faith to our children. Let them see Christ in us, in our actions and in our words.

Gentlemen, I implore you to make a determined commitment. Just as you undoubtedly allot time in your busy schedule for work or leisure, make it a point to dedicate a moment every night, to read and discuss a Bible passage with your children. This simple act done consistently will not only deepen your family's faith but also strengthen your bond with your children. In doing so, you are fulfilling your divine duty as a father, as a Catholic, as a man.