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How to Make “Great Books” Education Great

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Modern enthusiasm for “Great Books” programs rests on an assumption that deserves careful examination—namely, that it’s good for students to read all of history’s influential literature. It is suggested that by immersing students in the works of Homer, Plato, Shakespeare, Dickens, etc., they will learn to “think for thmselves” and become wise men and women. Rather than hearing systematic lectures from master-teachers, students are said to benefit from reading on their own and discussing meanings with other students with “teachers” being reduced to discussion moderators. Of course, this was never done in history and is all theoretical. Strangely, to add … Continue

The Duties of Catholic Parents

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The duties of parents, as revealed by God and taught by the Catholic Church, should be the concern of all Catholic parents. Many parents speak of “raising saints” or “preparing children for heaven”, but these tasks require the willing collaboration of the children and, consequently, are not in the parents’ power. What parents should be concerned with are the actual duties of parents to their children. These duties are described for us in paragraphs 2221-2231 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. By studying these duties and focusing their attention on fulfilling them, parents can aim at objectives that are … Continue