The Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2685, tells us, “The Christian family is the first place of education in prayer. Based on the sacrament of marriage, the family is the ‘domestic church’ where God's children learn to pray ‘as the Church’ and to persevere in prayer. For young children in particular, daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church's living memory as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.”

 

The faith is truly caught and not taught. I have written before how our children grow up to imitate our actions far more than to heed our words. And we know how many times we have caught ourselves acting or speaking just like our parents.

 

What will your children remember about the faith from you? What have you taught them? What have your actions shown them?

 

A good education is important. A good formation as followers of Christ is far more important. The first and primary formators of children are their parents. It is essential that the parents be role models in the faith.

 

Studies show that it is especially important for fathers to be leaders of the faith within the family. The leading indicator of whether children grow into faithful adults is the faith of the father. If the father attends church weekly and models a life of faith for his children, then the children are far more likely to live out their faith as adults. 

 

Is your home a domestic church for your children? Will your children be faithful adults? First and foremost, that depends on you.