Living Without School: Catholic education

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Catholic education

Pope Benedict XVI, Ad limina Address to Polish Bishops Saturday, 26 November 2005 - as quoted in L'Osservatore Romano N.49 - 7 Dec 2005, p5

"...[we need to] to devote ever greater attention to the education of young people in the faith. We know that [this education] is not only a matter of didactics, of perfecting methods of transmitting knowledge, but also has to do with an education based on the direct, personal encounter with the person, on witness - that is, on the authentic transmission of faith, hope and charity and the values that directly derive from these - from one person to another. Thus, [Catholic education] is an authentic meeting with another person who should first be listened to and understood. JohnPaul II was a perfect model for us of this encounter with the person."

8 comments:

love2learnmom said...: Wow! Awesome quote!; 10:02 am
Leonie said...: I was struck by the statement below, in particular - "Thus [Catholic education] is an authentic metting with another person who should first be listened to and understoond."

Esp the authentic and listened to...:-); 3:59 pm
love2learnmom said...: Yes, it is so interesting. I'll have to take a look at the entire talk.

I recently read then Cardinal Ratzinger's portion of a book called "Handing on the Faith in an Age of Disbelief" and his book "Gospel, Catechesis, Catechism" (both from Ignatius Press) that cover some similar territory. They both had some really good thoughtful material on education in general though the emphasis was specifically on religious education.

Both works placed significant emphasis on the relationship between the teacher and student and the second book went on to consider that as a role of mediating. The first book laid out what seemed like a simple three-part consideration in providing solid teaching.

1. That the material is solid. 2. That the methods are worked out by the teacher (though guidance is certainly reasonable) in complete accord with the students' needs) and 3. That the teacher is striving to live a life of holiness. Good stuff!; 4:24 pm
Leonie said...: I'll have to see if I can get a copy of one or both of these books - sound very interesting. I've saved the titles for reference - thanks for sharing.; 5:14 pm
Anonymous said...: leonie...

May I borrow this and put on my blog? For a reminder for me.. and just to share more. It is authentic learning to the core!; 12:16 am
love2learnmom said...: I have some notes on both books on Studeo that you can view from searching on the word "Catechesis"; 4:18 am
Anonymous said...: I wonder if the current Pope has spent time at Sophia Cavalleti's atrium in Rome? That quote could have been written by her :-); 1:41 am
Leonie said...: Interesting Beate - I have only read one piece on Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Shannon loaned me a book.; 8:22 am

Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.