Five Essential Marks Of Catholic Schools

What makes a school Catholic in the eyes of the Church? Here are Five Essential Marks of Catholic Schools from Archbishop J. Michael Miller’s Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools.

1-Inspired by a Supernatural Vision

As an institution, Catholic education is the formation of young individuals to be good citizens in the world and also lovers of God and neighbor.  If we do not remember that our vocation has a supernatural vision, then we become not more than ‘a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal’. We must never forget that as academics play an essential part in our job, it is not only be all and end all of our roles.

2- Founded on a Christian Anthropology

Catholic educators are implored to remember both the natural and supernatural elements of those with whom they are charged with care.  It is part of their duty to address the requirements of both parts.  They are called to inspire their teaching to the ‘Christian concept of the person, in communion with the Magisterium of the Church’.  For schools to be worthy of the title Catholic, they must be centred in the person of Christ.

3- Animated by Communion and Community

School’s communal dimension is rooted deeply in the social nature of humans; we are social creatures who are not designed to be alone.  A Catholic school is described as a community in four areas: teamwork among all; cooperation between educators and bishops; and interaction of students with teachers; and school’s physical environment. In outlining these areas, the greatest stress is on the sacramental and prayer life of the school and staff.

4- Imbued with a Catholic Worldview

The spirit of Catholicism should pervade through the whole curriculum, not just be an add-on.  Faith is not to be restricted to Religious Studies classes only the core values of faith should be seen in the pro-life teaching in science, or in appreciation of Catholic iconography in Art, in the understanding Catholic teaching on Social Justice in Social Studies or understanding of caring for the Holy Spirit in Health.

5- Sustained by Gospel Witness

The Holy See states that ‘Catholic educators are expected to be models by bearing transparent witness to Christ and to the beauty of the gospel‘.  If we allow those in our care the best chance of growing in faith they must be role-modeled to. As written by St Pope John Paul II ‘it is of utmost importance, the Church’s institutions are genuinely Catholic’.

You may find many co-ed schools Melbourne, but St Monica’s College is a Catholic co-educational secondary school and is regional in ownership and governance. They promote the truths and values of Jesus Christ and fidelity to the message of the Gospels.