Raising Saints: Teaching Catholic Traditions to Children

Gentlemen, one of the most profound duties we have as fathers is to instill in our offspring a reverence for the sacred traditions of our faith. An integral part of guiding them down the path of rightful living is teaching them about the saints of the Catholic Church. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). This scripture calls upon us as patriarchs to not only teach our children about our faith, but also to inculcate in them the practices and knowledge that will help them carry this faith into their adult lives.

Let's begin by taking a moment to understand exactly why this is important. Saints are not only figures of veneration in our faith, but they also provide examples of how to live out the Gospel in our everyday lives. Their lessons are timeless and relevant, teaching us virtues such as humility, charity, faithfulness, and perseverance. They are role models, a testament to the workings of divine grace. Reflecting on the lives of the saints can provide our children with valuable insights about what it means to live a virtuous Catholic life. 

We, as fathers, should take it upon ourselves to regularly share the stories of the saints with our children. It’s as simple as setting aside a few times a week to delve into a saint’s life and teachings, perhaps during dinner or before bedtime prayers. Discuss the virtues the saint embodied, the trials they overcame, and how they served the Lord in their lifetime. Apply these lessons to situations your child can relate to - their experiences at school, their relationships with friends, etc. 

Brothers, it's time we took this responsibility to heart. As a concrete step towards fulfilling this obligation, I encourage each of you to choose a saint to study each week with your family. Begin with your favorite saints or those your children may be interested in. The key is consistency – make it a weekly practice. With every story told, every virtue taught, we are molding the minds and hearts of the next generation, shaping them to be strong in the faith, just as our heavenly intercessors the saints have shown us. It's a journey of faith, gentlemen, let's tread this path together for the sake of our children.