The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-08-01
A Catholic School For Catholic Children


There is on the part of some parents,
the illusion that the religious instruc-
ton given in lower schools is adequate
to all requirements, that children
armed with it, may in safety be ex-
posed to the secularism of higher
schools. The contrary is the obvious
truth. In the grade or grammar school,
pupils are yet immature in mind, and
are, to a great degree, incapable Of
the deeper and more thorough instruc-
ton in religion which they should be
possessed Of As they leave the lower
schools, they are of the age when
their mental faculties lead them to
think and reason, as heretofore they
could not have done. This is the time
when they take to themselves the
more serious studies in worldly
branches of learning the time, conse-
quently, when religion should be pre-
sented to them in its deeper and
broader aspects-and, it is, at this
most critical period of their inteIlec-
tual development, that they are with
drawn from the guidance of the
Church, and placed within an atmos-
phere not merely negative in its in
huences, but frequently tainted with
direct and positive anti-religious and
anti-Catholic teaching. 1t is the time
when those themes of study are made
their daily occupation, which lend to
the teacher the opportunity of easier
divagation from the principles of sound
Catholic thought and conduct. might
go further and remark upon other
perils of non-Catholic schools-so-
called co-education, wild fads proposed
as substitutes for religion in the do
main of morals-from which tender
consc1ences outside the Catholic
Church shrink in fear, which Catholic
parents should never allow to cross
the pathways of childhood and youth
In the cities of st. Paul and Mime
apolis, as in other places in the
Northwest, such provisions for Cath
Ole youth are made, in academies.
commercial high schools, classical col
leges, that no possible excuse exists
for Catholic parents to rob their chill
dren OF the blessings of higher Cath
Ole education. We trust and pray that
no excuse of the kind will be sought
for. If Catholic schools outside the
Diocese or the State, for one consid-
Grafton or another, are deemed more
serviceable, more attractive, let others
be chosen in other parts of the coun-
try. repeat, the question is one of
prlnciple-A Catholic education for
Catholic children, wherever, under
Whatever legitimate conditions this is
given.
am not unaware that now and then
IN quarters otherwise sincerely Cath
Ole, the notion is entertained that
fashion and social ambitions advise
certain non-Catholic schools, public or
private, rather than Catholic What
the dictates of fashion or social ambi-
ton are, do not know, nor do care
to inquire. For this know, that fash
lon and social ambition, running coun-
ter to the dictates of religion, are as
the kingdom offered from the noun
tain-top to the Saviour, as the reward
OF alteration given to Satan-that the
answer to fashion and social ambition
In opposition to religion must be none
other than the answer of the Saviour
to the tempter-"B egone, Satan; for
1t is written: The Lord Thy God thou
shalt adore, and Him only shalt thou
serve"
To Catholic parents I repeat: A
Catholic education for the Catholic
child. Were to say less, were be-
traying the responsibilities of my sa-
cred Office: were the unworthy
guardian of the faith of Holy Church.
/ pray God to bless parents and
children and hold them ever in His
loving care.