The importance of children’s faith formation cannot be overstated.

Even the most God-trusting among us, does find ourselves wondering if we are doing enough ?

And surely the answer is no. While, there is no need to be anxious; i think it is important that we get our act together nevertheless.

Over the month of August, i hope to publish a series of posts relating to this subject. Sincerely, looking forward to your thoughts.

Questions

Let us ask ourselves what are the key questions relating to children’s faith formation:

  • What is the goal ?
  • How to get there ? What are the challenges ? How to solve them ?

You may have noticed that, in this discussion, i have left out the question of “Why faith formation”, though i understand it is a question a lot of our brethren is asking today. That however is a topic for another day.

What is (should be) the goal ?

The goal for children’s faith formation should be no different from that of the adults. In fact, the question should be so fundamental that, we should consider this on the same footing as, say - what is the purpose of life ?

Well, to know and to love God.

Love is the only way, the famous words of Paul in the movie echoes in my mind as i write this. And beside me, on the table is I believe in Love, with the face of the great Little Flower beaming on the cover.

If our children can get this, and live by it, i would say that is all we want.

But, well, that is God’s work isn’t ? In fact, for each of us, it is our own life’s work too. And so, will it be for our children; may they spend each day of their lives figuring it out !

So, i guess, in the end, what we ought to do is to launch them in the right direction; in the direction of God’s love.

How to get there ?

As we discussed, we don’t really need to get them anywhere; we just need to send them looking in the right places.

And as the great Fulton J. Sheen once explained, children are born with qualities that instinctively helps them to seek out the divine.

Hence, our biggest task is NOT to spoil them ! Because, they are also born with such memetic instincts that they would rather copy whatever they see, than follow their inner calling.

Hence, we also need to help them NOT to spoil themselves !

With that, let me conclude this post; and see you in the next one.