Last week I attended an extraordinarily encouraging conference put on by the Napa Institute. Topping my highlights list was hearing: Archbishop Chaput and others speak on the topic of religious liberty, Fr. Robert Barron address the philosophical roots of the challenges in our culture, and Hugh Hewitt articulate how to face specific challenges with media communication. And, surprisingly, it was Frank Hanna’s discussion of Catholic education that spoke to me in an especially powerful way.
What I took away from the conference overall was a sense of optimism. No, this was no “rah-rah” event. It was one that really provided solid exploration of the challenges we face. But it also outlined the reasonable actions we can take to turn the tide. The optimism came from both the speakers and the attendees — many of whom are already making a significant impact in the U.S. and the world.
Frank is an entrepreneur and philanthropist with a particular passion for and a successful track record working with educational institutions. His talk was a practical evaluation of the state of Catholic education — and an insightful exploration of ideas that can help us to dig out of the mess we are in. I walked away convinced that part of the answer is in the current rise of small faithful and well managed Catholic universities and parish schools. One college that I have had the recent opportunity to learn more about is The College of Saint Mary Magdalen.
The College of Saint Mary Magdalen teaches students that it is not enough to be faithful in their private lives. Personal integrity in our faith is, of course, an absolute necessity for true happiness: We must make sure that every aspect of our lives is rooted in and faithfully adherent to the teachings of the Church. But there is more. We are also called to do nothing less than transform the culture and the world.
At Magdalen, they have taken up what Fr. Aidan Nichols describes as “integral evangelization.” Through this approach, they call their graduates to (1) embody the truths of the Church and be ready to articulate them in a compelling way within the public sphere, (2) live holy and sacramental lives that stand as signs of contradiction in the secular culture, and (3) enter and transform the institutions of our civil society.
From this conference, I have a strong sense that the tide is turning and that we can retake our culture and our nation from the forces of secularism. At Saint Mary Magdalen and many other colleges and schools focused on true Catholic identity, they are training our students to lead from the front lines, offering their lives to become the fathers, mothers, religious, priests and bishops who will know the truth, love the faith and transform the world.
If your son or daughter is soon to consider where they will participate in the future of our nation and the Church, please keep an eye out for our upcoming September issue of the National Catholic Register, in which we will publish our annual College Guide. You can learn more about The College of Saint Mary Magdalen and many other remarkable universities there.
And if you are disillusioned with the waning faith of your own alma mater and you have the means to help, you might consider joining the battle on a ship that may be much smaller, but one that is guided by a moral compass and powered by the Spirit of God. It is from such institutions that many in the next generations will be well-formed for the battles ahead.
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Mr. Burke,
I would like to say that this is an excellent article! Thank you very much; I enjoyed the read. I am a Sophomore at the College of Saint Mary Magdalen and I believe you hit the nail on the head when you say this college prepares its students with the ability to articulate the truths of the Church to the secular society. I am very happy at the College of Saint Mary Magdalen. I have learned a lot of valuable things I can use in life as well as to defend the Church. Again, thank you for your marvelous article!
God Bless!
Aaron Perkins.
Aaron - What is unique about Magdalen that you have specifically benefited from?
Hi Mr. Burke,
This is just a quick quip to say thanks for talking about my school! I love it, and appreciate it when it’s recognized for being a fine institution! I’m not Aaron, but I know I’ve benefitted in numerous ways from Magdalen. You don’t just “get an education” there; you learn how to live! Three intrinsically related aspects of its program inspired that grandiose statement.
1) An integral and large part of the curriculum are its philosophy and theology classes. Considering that to philosophize is to make distinctions with the ultimate goal of knowing and recognizing the truth, it is a fulfillment of God’s calling to know Him; that we may love and serve and Him, especially in our culture.
2) Students learn how to live in community. Due to the intentionally small school size, students must learn to get along with each other, which entails seeing Christ in every person. Despite the fact that almost 100% of the students are Catholic, it is still a daily exercise. Yet, it is also a continuous exercise in life, one in which we will only get better the more we practice living in virtue, especially in the little ways. There’s no room for selfishness in a community that small; everyone truly looks out for one another, learns how to live with each other and makes good friendships, all by God’s grace. The spiritual dimension is integral to its true community of students.
3) Students learn how to live a Catholic life! A life inspired, strengthened and made joyful by daily sacraments, devotions, the constant
comradery of peers (who when you want to discuss serious issues with, you’re able to because they share your beliefs), teachings on our sacred faith, practical experience in serving others (both inside our community and within the broader community of the town, state, etc…via student activism whether with the prolife club, k of c, or just as students); anyone who’s experienced it wants to live his faith the rest of his life, and more importantly, draw others to do the same. When you truly love something, you’re held by an innate desire to share what you love. I think I can speak for most Magdalenians when I say I love my faith! ...and I also love my school, as you’ve probably noticed :D By the way, I wish I could’ve been at the conference; I love Fr. Barron’s talks! Thanks for sharing
oi veh - Considering I’d like to say many more things about my great school, perhaps you’ll think that was a quick quip? XD
Mr. Burke,
Thank you for your kind (and accurate) article! I’ll be entering my sophomore year at the College of Saint Mary Magdalen next month. It’s such an amazing place. It has become more and more difficult to find institutions of any sort which are truly intellectual and earnestly Catholic.
For me, one of Magdalen’s greatest strengths is its class style. Nearly all of our classes are seminars rather than lectures. I think that studying the Great books in this format is extremely conducive to the search for and understanding of truth (something which our culture is sadly lacking). The root of “education” is the Latin “educare” which mean “to draw out from within.” The professors really understand this and act as guides rather than slave drivers. The professors all take the Oath of Fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church (which is disgustingly rare).
All in all, it’s a great school, and worth recommending to any Catholic high school students who want a really Catholic school where they can go from discussing Platonism in class to singing a pop song (or Gregorian chant) as they walk through our beautiful campus to discuss the Protestant Reformation with a friend before playing a game of Apples to Apples.
Felix Miller
Felix/Ava/Aaron - great feedback. I knew that we had a good number of fans at Ave Maria in Florida (my daughter is there)... Glad to hear from you.
Mr. Burke,
I would have to say that everything for me is unique. I was public schooled with a not so Catholic Family. Needless to say, I did make my mistakes. Coming to Magdalen truly opened my eyes to my Faith; a true call to Holiness. Through this school, I have learned Moral Catechesis, how to live my Faith fully, and many live skills needed to become the best version of myself. This college offers many opportunities; especially the Academia. I am greatly honored to say I attend the College of Saint Mary Magdalen.
Aaron - just curiuos - some with backgrounds like yours who come to faithful Catholic education in college can feel that the faith is being shoved down their throats. Why is this not the case with you?
All Catholic Colleges, Universities, and High Schools (Senior Year), must use the “CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH, Second Edition” as a required student text.
This helps to avert errors being taught or teachings being neglected - accidentally or on purpose.
Check the ciricula for required use of the CCC when choosing a College, also the Newman Guide is very helpful.
“ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved ... and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion. “ – Pope John Paul II. (pg 5)
Catholic University in DC does not require the use of the CCC - as of last year. This is supposed to be the “Bishops” University !?!
I’m delighted to hear such positive words on the college and pray that it will not become victim to Govt funding; perverted altruistic social justice morons; tepid individuals who end up shoving the good guys aside and running the show etc. Here in Australia, we have two supposed Catholic Universities and one is completely lost and the other is heading that way. Campion College has a good reputation but ever so slow to grow beyong a Liberal Arts degree. There are some good people like Jonathan Doyle and Dr O’Shea trying to renew authentic Catholic schools but often the majority of parents are inactive and are clueless about the “Catholic” schools they enrol their children into.
Thank you Mr Burke for writing this piece. Gives us hope and delight to know that people are honestly being formed!
Maria
Gotta love this line: “perverted altruistic social justice morons.” How up to date you are on the Church’s teachings on economics and social justice. Let’s hope St. Peter doesn’t have Dorothy Day working in his front admissions office ... especially if he lets her do some of the preliminary questioning. Dorothy will just gaze those eyes of her and ... you’ll be begging for more time back in Purgatory. And what will you do if you run into Mother Teresa?
I know what you’re getting at, but you’d be surprised at the number of how many old fashioned Catholics we have (union or non-union activists) who also happen to be excellent advocates for a lot of working people who might not otherwise have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting a decent raise now ‘n then, much less half-way-decent portapotties for use in the field. At least the keep the Catholics who forgot where they and their families came from on edge in fear that one day the public will be reminded of how far they’ve strayed in the way they treat their employees, or if elected to office, their constituents. I’m Irish Catholic, second generation, but I never forgot where my roots are and the danger of forgetting them, either. Too many of our suburbanized Catholic Republican pols have fallen victim to this form of socioeconomic/religious variation of sinectitude.
To my dying days, I’ll never forget the sight of one our House of Lords from Wyoming wax on and on about the joys union members will miss out on by not being able to negotiate directly with their bosses. (When a Republican Senator in this country (i.e., our version of Westminster’s House of Lords) pulls in a little under $200K and he sometimes is able to gain a little backdoor payraise now n’ then, even if he didn’t vote for it, or won’t take it, at least he has that kind of set up to fall back on, much less the freedom of deciding whether or not to take it; not like the rest of us proles.
And let’s not forget, he only has to face his boss once every six years; and by the time of his first employee review period, he’s usually stashed more boodle in his war chest to scare the living bejezzuhs out of any prospective would be primary or general election challenger. (Being primaried is like what St. Sebastian had to endure, lots of arrows, although most of them are shot from behind and not necessarily towards the fattest n’ widest part of their intended targets. The arrowheads are invariably poisoned by the latest invective Washington’s or our respective state capitols “think tank” bunch come up with for “talking points.”
And no thanks to “Citizens United,” this lovely sit-down with one’s boss, even for decent long-serving politicians who have do ne their jobs with dignity, never besmirched their reputations, have been turned inside out into virulent ideological cat-fights. Are you familiar with our Ann Coulter? Imagine a lot more of her kind if “Citizens United” isn’t KO’d by the Saving American Democracy Amendment filed by Senators Sanders (I-VT)and Bergich (D-AK) and Rep. Deutsch, (D-FL).
I wouldn’t wish “Citizens” on any other nation ... save for the pre-Mandela South Africa, present day NoKorea and China.
It’s literally a license to buy the worst, sleaziest and most mean-spirited form of loser legislators an oligarch’s money can buy. Literally. And to think it was given to the nation by five out of our six Catholic Supreme Court Justices, including Mr. Chief Justice, John Roberts himself. At least one smart-thinking Latina Justice, Sonya Sotomayor had the brains to see through what it’s been all along.
Only 10% of the teachers in parochial schools accept the teaching that birth controlling is a sin as taught by Holy Mother the Church. Who hires these teachers? They also believe in remarriages and of course annulments are rarely denied. Youth are being used in the U S Bishops’ schools to destroy the Catholic Faith. Randy Engel calls it the raising of the new barbarians in her book, “Sex Education, The Final Plage”.
Correction: “Sex Education, the Final Plague”. See also motherswatch.net about the curriculum “Growing In Love” that teaches youth in graphic details ways to engage in vices. You have to read it to believe it for this is shocking.
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