Raising Children in the Catholic Church

As someone who converted to the Catholic Church a few years ago, I make sure my five-year-old daughter knows the Catholic faith is important to our family. As a cradle Catholic, it’s equally important to my wife. As young as my daughter is, she’s more familiar with the differences between Catholic and Protestant theologies than the average Catholic adult.

This isn’t because we see ourselves as greater or closer to God than others. We don’t simply want to make sure our daughter knows she’s Catholic. We want her to know exactly why. As a member of the Catholic Church, I wish this was more important to more of us. 

Both the Catholic and Protestant faiths are often discussed in front of my daughter. I write for several Christian websites, both Catholic and Protestant. I have a podcast show that has a growing audience from both sides of the fence. As a practicing Catholic, I’m still very involved with a non-denominational church and I’m currently studying for my second degree in theology from a Protestant university. I don’t bring all of this up to brag or toot my own horn. I’m just saying, we talk about Christianity in my house.

At the age of five, my daughter knows by name the books in the complete Bible that aren’t found in a Protestant one. She knows the importance of praying through Mary and the other saints and she knows Jesus is present at mass through the Eucharist, something that doesn’t happen when she goes to “daddy’s other church.”

As members of the Catholic Church, each of us needs to be able to say this about our children. We have to make sure they know why they believe what they do. The Catholic Church isn’t a social club, hang out, or somewhere we go to be entertained. It's where we go to both worship and celebrate God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Being Catholic isn’t a social status. It’s something that affects both our identity and destiny. Following Jesus through his Church is the one thing we can teach our children that can have tremendous blessings for future generations of our families. 

As Catholics, we are rescued to become part of the rescue party. We owe it to our children to make sure they’re familiar with this. Again, this is very important. They need to be taught that being Catholic doesn’t make us better than Protestants. It makes us different. There’s a huge difference. Regardless of the doctrine, you associate with, you need to be able to defend what you believe. 

This is especially true for our children who’re so influenced at school and when they’re with other kids. The answer to why we’re Catholic can no longer be because it’s how we were raised. In this generation, each of our children needs to be able to voice out loud what sets them apart from the world they live in.

Before touching on a few things we can do to teach our children why we’re Catholic, I want to share two verses that have made this so important for my family. As I said, we have to be able to back what we believe. The necessity of this can clearly be found in the Sacred Scriptures. 

Deuteronomy 6:6 - 7 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

These verses come from the Shema prayer. In Jewish tradition, this prayer is recited every day. While there’s a difference between being Jewish and Catholic, I think this prayer needs to be just as important to us. I’m just curious, how long’s it been since you’ve read Deuteronomy chapter six verses four through nine?

As significant as this prayer is in its entirety, there are a few words that grab my attention every time I recite this prayer. “You shall teach them diligently to your children.” That word “diligently” is key. Being Catholic isn’t something we briefly discuss when the opportunity arises. It’s not something we simply answer when asked. This means the Catholic faith is something we go out of our way to discuss with our children.

Now, just to save a few people from the urge to scroll down to the comment section, I realize when this was written that it wasn’t about the traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. The Shema was written to declare the Lord alone is Israel’s God, the only one. As Catholics, it can be used to sum up everything about everything we believe concerning our faith. It’s part of what makes us who we are. This prayer isn’t something we recite. It’s something we do.

Knowing What Makes the Catholic Church Different

As someone who writes for both Catholic and Protestant websites, I regularly have discussions with members of both regarding the importance of their faith. One of the things that upset me the most is when someone is unable to make a case for what they believe.

“I’m a Catholic. I know all Protestants are going to hell because my grandmother told me.” As important as family roots and ties are to our faith, this isn’t enough to lead anyone to the truth. We not only need to know how we believe differently as Catholics, but we also have to know why.

If the differences between Catholic and Protestant theology and traditions aren’t something you’re familiar with, have a discussion with your priest or deacon. Spend time reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I strongly advise against taking details from other parishioners too seriously. Once you have a solid footing of this on your own, then start taking part in discussions with other Catholics.

Some of the most well-meaning Catholics are absolutely horrible when it comes to explaining our faith. They allow their opinions and what they want to be the truth to replace what the Church actually teaches. Along with a conversation with a priest and reading the Catechism, there are plenty of other credible books and sources explaining this information. 

I’ll be launching a podcast episode once a week in January walking through the Catechism for those interested in tuning in. I’ll also be writing a blog post every week directly related to what was discussed in the show. If you’re going to “diligently” teach your children about our faith, you need to be sure the Catholic Church backs what you’re teaching.

Making the Church Important

This is equally important to knowing how the Catholic faith is different, if not more. This alone has done more for my relationship with Jesus than anything else. One weekend a few years ago, I caught myself changing what time I went to mass on a Sunday to make sure I was going to be home in time to catch the kickoff of a game. This was much more complicated than it seems. I rescheduled an entire weekend to make sure I wasn’t going to miss one second of the action. It was the playoffs!

The next morning I was at the adoration chapel and it just hit me. Why wasn’t I making the time I spend with God as important as watching my favorite sports team? I took things a little further as soon as I got home and made it to my office. I reviewed my schedule from the previous two months and made an honest list of all the things I took important in my life. Sadly, mass was at the bottom of the list.

Do you realize there are places in this world where it is illegal to go to church and publicly worship Jesus? There are still places on this earth where you can be arrested and thrown in jail, if not worse, simply for having a Bible. 

Yet, in the United States, too many of us rush out of church to make sure we get to a restaurant. We race home to catch our favorite team or television program. Even worse, we skip church altogether because our child’s team has practice or a game of their own. If you’re going to spend time teaching your children what makes the Catholic Church different, make sure the discussion includes time at church being important.

Get Your Children Involved

As important as the previous two topics are, this one definitely takes the cake. If you want the Catholic Church to play a role in your child’s life, make sure they are involved with your faith. Let them see you on your knees praying and ask them to join you. Make sure they notice your nose in a Bible and invite them to join along. Take them with you to the adoration chapel. If you're involved with an activity at church they can’t be, make sure they know why church activities are important.

My daughter and I always read about and discuss the saint of the day. I read the daily readings to her and she does her best to pray the whole rosary with me. She’s completely aware each of these things is part of the Catholic faith. 

Until we are willing to make the Catholic Church an important part of our children’s lives, we have no right to complain about the world’s influence on them. Instead, we should be raising them to go out and influence the world around them. If the Catholic Church isn’t important to them, this will never be accomplished.