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Catholic Schooling Options

In my current presentation on the family which is part of my book launch, where I expose the tactics of the global organisations who seek to corrupt the innocence of children, I quote from Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical letter ‘Sapientiae Christianae’ on Christians as citizens. I came across this encyclical whilst reading another encyclical, that of Pope Pius XI on Christian Education – ‘Divini Illius Magistri’. Pope Pius XI quotes Pope Leo XIII concerning a particular point regarding the duties of parents in ensuring their children receive a Catholic education. The point is particularly relevant to Catholic parents in Ireland today where the Catholic schools are, by and large, failing in their duty to provide a Catholic education to the children who attend them.

Pope Leo XIII is speaking of the importance of the family and of those who seek to destroy the family and he then speaks directly to parents. It is worth quoting the paragraph in full and I have added emphasis to the particular point I want to stress.

Sapientiae Christianae
“This is a suitable moment for us to exhort especially heads of families to govern their households according to these precepts, and to be solicitous without failing for the right training of their children.

The family may be regarded as the cradle of civil society, and it is in great measure within the circle of family life that the destiny of the States is fostered.

Whence it is that they who would break away from Christian discipline are working to corrupt family life, and to destroy it utterly, root and branch. From such an unholy purpose they allow not themselves to be turned aside by the reflection that it cannot, even in any degree, be carried out without inflicting cruel outrage on the parents.

These hold from nature their right of training the children to whom they have given birth, with the obligation super-added of shaping and directing the education of their little ones to the end for which God vouchsafed the privilege of transmitting the gift of life.

It is, then, incumbent on parents to strain every nerve to ward off such an outrage, and to strive manfully to have and to hold exclusive authority to direct the education of their offspring, as is fitting, in a Christian manner, and first and foremost to keep them away from schools where there is risk of their drinking in the poison of impiety.

Where the right education of youth is concerned, no amount of trouble or labour can be undertaken, however great, but that even greater still may not be called for. In this regard, indeed, there are to be found in many countries Catholics worthy of general admiration, who incur considerable outlay and bestow much zeal in founding schools for the education of youth. It is highly desirable that such noble example may be generously followed, where time and circumstances demand, yet all should be intimately persuaded that the minds of children are most influenced by the training they receive at home. If in their early years they find within the walls of their homes the rule of an upright life and the discipline of Christian virtues, the future welfare of society will in great measure be guaranteed.” (Sapientiae Christianae 42)

Most Catholic schools now allow children to be indoctrinated with the false and dangerous LGBT/gender ideology, therefore, these schools come under Pope Leo XIII’s prohibition as they are “schools where there is risk of the children drinking in the poison of impiety. According to Pope Leo XIII, and re-affirmed by Pope Pius XI, Catholic parents have a moral duty to keep their children away from such schools.

But what are the alternatives?

Their are only two. Home schooling or founding a Catholic school. Both options present Catholic parents with difficulties but these can be overcome with a right frame of mind and a supernatural outlook on life.

 Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Here, Jesus Christ tells us that if we seek first the Kingdom of God, all else will be provided unto us. We can take this promise at face value but it requires us to trust in God’s providence and to make sure that we are seeking first His Kingdom. Making sure that our children are properly educated in the Catholic faith is a primary part of helping to increase God’s Kingdom.

The Hedge School Home Schooling Curriculum
At one time in Irish history, when Catholic education was banned by government, a form of secret schools arose which became knows as the Hedge Schools. Today, Peter and McKenzie Kelly who live in County Clare, have established a home school curriculum with an Irish focus. You can read all about it and purchase the curriculum on their website The Hedge School

Stella Maris Primary School
In Limerick, Richard Casey is the principal of a newly founded Catholic primary school which provides a classical Catholic education. You can find out more about this project on The Stella Maris Primary School website

Both of these initiatives show that it is possible for Catholic parents to provide a Catholic education for their children. There will be costs in terms of the sacrifices needed but as Pope Leo XIII tells parents, “no amount of trouble or labour can be undertaken, however great, but that even greater still may not be called for.”

The demands placed on Catholic parents in these times of growing persecution of the Catholic faith where many of the attacks are subtle and come from within the hierarchical Catholic Church are very great and at times can seem overwhelming. All of us have a role to play in this regard. Catholic families, especially those with young children, need the support and encouragement of the wider Catholic community. The future welfare of our society depends on there being enough strong Catholic families. Our society is collapsing around us and whether or not what replaces the current structures will be Catholic or not is dependent on Catholic families.

“The family may be regarded as the cradle of civil society, and it is in great measure within the circle of family life that the destiny of the States is fostered.” (Pope Leo XIII – Sapientiae Christianae 42)

May God bless you

John Lacken
Legio Sanctae Familiae
Caherea
Lissycasey
Ennis
Co Clare V95 T6D0

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