William C. Michael

It’s common to hear homeschool parents speak about their plans to “raise saints”, but the results of 40+ years of homeschooling in America suggest we’re not doing that.  We may be raising children who have higher test scores than their public school peers, and children who do well avoid scandalous sins, and children who go to college, establish stable careers and start families–but there are scarcely any religious vocations being raised, and fewer “saints”. I’ll be the first to admit that we Catholics have greatly underestimated the difficulty of the task before us.  We have not prepared for the spiritual … Continue

In another article, I explain, “How to Study for Mastery“, which is necessary for real arts and sciences that are worthy of mastery.  More recently I explained “Mastery vs. Familiarity” in studies.  The study of history belongs to both categories, for we would master as much as possible, but, because of the amount of material that is to be learned, we must patiently progress to that mastery over time–but make sure we acquire familiarity as soon as possible. Cicero said, “To not know what happened before one was born is to remain forever a child.”  In his day, he had … Continue

When a Catholic parent chooses to homeschool, they will face many distractions. Many publishers exploit the anxiety and inexperience of homeschool parents and lead them on an endless pursuit of “the right resources”. Others falsely advertise resources as “traditional” and “classical” that are not so at all. If you don’t ask questions and demand proof for claims made by publishers, you’re going to pay for it. Even worse, there is an incredible amount of ignorance and laziness in homeschool circles that has become the normal culture of homeschooling in many place. Some even give this a name, calling it “unschooling”, … Continue

The Classical Liberal Arts Academy is the only source for the education that existed throughout Church history.  Anything else called “classical” or “Catholic” has no basis in history.  In the Academy, I have provided all of the evidence necessary to support these claims, and add more to it with this post.  The text below is taken from A.F. West’s book “Alcuin and the Rise of Christian Schools”, published in 1910, which clearly demonstrates that the seven classical liberal arts taught in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy are the only subjects ever taught in Christian schools throughout history. -William C. Michael … Continue

by St. Thomas Aquinas Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.  Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.  Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.  Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.  Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion. I ask this … Continue

As a convert from Protestantism, I have struggled through the years to understand and appreciate the Rosary.  Nevertheless, I am wise enough to know that any aversion to a devotion recommended by so many saints and wise men is a problem with me, and not the Rosary.   Before I pray the Rosary, I have asked God to help me understand and appreciate it personally, so that my mind can comprehend and my heart embrace it as I should.  In this article, I’d like to share some of the reflections I have had over time.  I hope that this helps others, … Continue