Rachel Evans
Raising a child with Catholic values is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. It involves instilling virtues, encouraging Mass attendance, and fostering a sense of community within the Church. Parents play a pivotal role in nurturing their children's spiritual growth, imparting values like compassion and critical thinking, and modelling the behaviour they want their children to emulate. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, certain principles can guide Catholic parents in their endeavour to raise their children with a strong moral and spiritual foundation. This includes creating a loving and accepting home environment, answering children's questions about faith honestly, and emphasising cooperation over blind obedience. By embracing these principles, Catholic parents can set their children on a path towards leading meaningful and virtuous lives, even if they ultimately choose a different religious path.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Teachings | Catholic social teaching, primacy of the conscience, community, participation, and the common good |
| Obedience | Cooperation over obedience, listening to one another |
| Parenting | Reparing your inner child, controlling the outcome |
| Family | Shared values, compassion, critical thinking, respectful debate |
| Church | Loved and valued, ground in faith, inclusivity |
| Education | Age-appropriate, honest answers, learning together |
| Prayer | Atmosphere of liturgy, quiet, attentive |
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What You'll Learn
Teaching Catholic values
In addition to leading by example, parents can engage in open and honest conversations with their children about their faith. This includes answering their questions about religion in an age-appropriate manner and sharing their own struggles with faith and overcoming sin. By doing so, parents can create a safe and non-judgmental space for their children to explore their religious beliefs and foster their spiritual growth.
Another way to teach Catholic values is through stories, symbols, and creeds from Christian tradition. Parents can make Bible study enjoyable and interactive, especially for younger children. Catholic homeschool blogs, for instance, often offer craft ideas that can make learning about the faith fun and engaging for children.
It is also beneficial to involve children in the Church community. Attending Mass as a family and participating in adoration can expose children to the liturgy and help them develop habits of prayer and reverence. While some people may prefer children to be absent from church, Jesus wants them there, and the community should embrace and support parents in bringing their children to worship.
Finally, it is important to remember that every child is unique, and their spiritual journey may differ from their parents' expectations. While parents can guide and nurture their children's faith, ultimately, each child will forge their own path in life and within the Catholic Church.
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Attending Mass as a family
There are several strategies that can help parents bring their children to Mass. Firstly, it is important to plan ahead. Pick a day and time that works for your family, and pack your bags with toys, snacks, and colouring books to keep your children occupied during the service. Starting small and working your way up is also a good idea. Begin by attending Mass for a few minutes at a time, and gradually increase the duration until your children are comfortable with the full service.
Another strategy is to sit at the front. This may seem counterintuitive, but it can help you whisper to your children about Jesus and encourage them to pay attention to the liturgy. Smiling at other worshippers and projecting confidence can also help you feel more comfortable and supported. Remember, it is normal for children to make noise and movement during Mass, and most people will be understanding.
In addition to attending Mass, it is important to develop habits of prayer in your children. This can be done by exposing them to the liturgy and consistently encouraging them to be quiet and pay attention. As they get older, you can encourage them to participate more actively in the Mass. It is also beneficial to create family rules that align with your shared values. For example, if you value compassion, you can gently remind your children of this value when they behave in a way that is not compassionate.
Finally, it is important to model a positive attitude towards the Church and to answer your children's questions about the faith in an age-appropriate way. Be honest about your own struggles and let them know it's okay to have doubts. By attending Mass as a family and incorporating Catholic values into your daily lives, you can help your children develop a strong foundation in the Catholic faith.
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Encouraging prayer habits
Encouraging children to pray can be challenging, but there are several ways to make it fun and engaging. Prayer is a form of communication with God, and children can be taught to pray in a variety of ways. Here are some suggestions:
Modelling Prayer and Setting an Example
Children often learn by observing and imitating their parents and caregivers. By praying yourself, you can set an example for your children to follow. They will see that prayer is an important part of your life and will be more likely to adopt it as a habit. This can be done by incorporating prayer into your daily routine and making it a natural part of your day. For instance, you can say a prayer during your morning drive or commute, or before meals.
Making Prayer Intentional and Fun
It is important to make prayer a daily habit for children, but it should also be fun and engaging. You can do this by incorporating movement into your prayers, such as stretching and reaching up to God in praise, or playing a sport they enjoy, like basketball. You can also make it a family activity by shouting a loud and boisterous "thank you" to God together during family dinners.
Teaching Common Catholic Prayers
There are several common Catholic prayers that children can learn and memorise, such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. The Apostles' Creed is also important as it explains the fundamental beliefs of Catholics. You can also teach them the Rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet, as well as the Guardian Angel Prayer and the St. Michael the Archangel prayer, which can help children understand God's love and protection.
Encouraging Imaginative and Reflective Prayer
St. Ignatius advocated for imaginative or reflective prayer, which is recognised as a hallmark of Ignatian spirituality. Encourage children to use their imaginations and place themselves in a story from the Gospels, using all their senses. This helps them to encounter Jesus in a personal way and build a relationship with God.
Prompting Children with Questions
If your child is unsure about what to pray for, you can ask them questions to prompt their thoughts and intentions. For example, you can ask them about their favourite part of the day, if there is anyone they would like to pray for, or what they are thankful for. This helps them to develop their own prayers and intentions over time.
Incorporating Prayer into Daily Life
Teaching children to pray can be integrated into everyday conversations and activities. For instance, when discussing unfair situations or forgiveness, you can talk about how God wants us to forgive others. You can also use everyday language to emphasise the importance of respecting God's name and not taking it in vain.
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Nurturing a child's vocation
Parents are responsible for nurturing the vocation of each child, modelling how to live a virtuous life, and guiding them towards their unique path. This involves teaching them about faith and helping them develop a personal relationship with Jesus and His Church. Attending Mass as a family, celebrating the Eucharist, and seeking reconciliation are ways to encounter God and grow in faith together.
It is important to note that each child's journey is unique, and their understanding and discernment of their vocation will evolve as they grow. As adults, we must provide support and assistance when needed, while also trusting in God's plan. This includes encouraging children to develop their imagination, which is an important aspect of vocation.
In addition to faith, parents can also instil Catholic values in their children, such as compassion, critical thinking, and service to others. Families can decide on their shared values and create rules that align with them. When challenges arise, parents can gently guide their children back to their professed values. This approach emphasises cooperation over obedience, allowing children to learn and make their own choices while still maintaining boundaries for their health, development, and safety.
By nurturing their relationship with God and modelling Catholic values, parents can help their children develop a strong foundation for vocational discernment. This preparation will enable them to navigate their unique path and live out their vocation with joy.
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Modelling the Church as a place of love
Parents can bring their children to the Church, to Sunday Mass, daily Mass, Adoration, and for small visits at any time. Children can be eager to participate in religious rituals, such as blessing themselves with holy water, and they can be comfortable and absorbed in religious-themed toys, colouring books and activities. It is important to be confident when bringing children to Church, sitting at the front, whispering to them about Jesus, and smiling at other worshippers. Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me", and parents can be assured that their children are welcome in Church.
Parents can also teach their children to pray and discover their vocation as children of God. This can be done through daily family prayer, song, and age-appropriate reading. Parents can introduce their children to God's immense love for his people through Bible stories and Catholic music. In doing so, parents can help their children develop a positive relationship with God and a strong, virtuous life.
It is important to note that this process takes time and effort. Parents should be devoted and humble in their faith, and patient as their children learn to discern the voice of love for themselves. This involves letting go of an old-school obedience mindset and instead teaching children to listen to God within their conscience. By modelling love, humility, and devotion, parents can help their children know and value their Catholic identity.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to model the Church as a welcoming place where they are loved. Take them to Mass and expose them to the atmosphere of the liturgy, and consistently encourage them to be quiet and pay attention as they get older. Answer their questions about religion honestly and without judgement, and teach them how to find answers to questions you don't know. Make Bible study fun and nurture their faith by saying prayers as a family.
It's important to remember that Jesus wants your children at Mass. He waits eagerly for them in the tabernacle! Try to ignore any dirty looks or discouragement and focus on bringing your children closer to God.
Families can decide together what their shared values are and then create family rules that keep everyone aligned. For example, you could agree that you value compassion and critical thinking, and then bring them back to these values when they behave in a way that is not compassionate.
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