The Duties of Parents to Their Children in a Catholic Education and Home

One of the most sacred responsibilities entrusted to parents by God is the education of their children—especially their religious education. In the Catholic tradition, this duty is not merely about academic instruction but about forming souls for eternity. The first and primary educators of children are their parents, and this duty begins from the cradle.

Begin Religious Formation Early

A devout Catholic mother teaches her infant to make the Sign of the Cross before the child can even speak. This early religious instruction is essential. Parents must foster a love for the Faith from the beginning, setting an example through prayer, participation in the sacraments, and living a life aligned with Catholic values.

Choosing a Catholic School

One of the most important decisions a parent will make is the choice of school. It is a grave responsibility. Sending a child to a secular or non-Catholic school can place their soul in danger. Catholic schools are not perfect, but they are grounded in truth and provide an environment where the Faith is taught, nurtured, and defended.

Parents must ask themselves: what kind of formation do I want for my child? A Catholic school offers not only academic instruction but the daily witness of the Faith, frequent opportunities for confession and Mass, and the cultivation of virtues necessary for a holy life.

Careless or indifferent parents who neglect this duty may one day have to answer before God if their children grow up ignorant of the Faith—or worse, hostile to it.

The Struggles of the Faithful Youth

Sadly, even those raised with strong Catholic foundations sometimes turn away from the Church. The temptations of the world are powerful, and many Catholic youth who fall into serious sin begin to resent their formation. Their conscience — formed by truth — condemns their actions, and rather than repent, they rebel against the very moral framework that could save them.

This is precisely why the devil works harder on Catholic youth. The world already has the souls raised in spiritual ignorance; Satan expends more effort on those raised in the light, hoping to pull them into darkness.

The Role of Parents in Supervision

God gave children to parents, not to hired help. Parents must be personally involved in raising their children and not leave them in the care of nannies, daycare workers, or others who may not share or respect the Catholic Faith—especially when those influences come from outside the Church.

It is particularly harmful when children are raised for long hours by those who do not uphold Catholic values or even actively promote Protestant or secular ideologies. Such situations can confuse young minds and plant seeds of doubt or indifference toward their Faith.

Support the School and Teachers

At home, parents must take an active role in their children’s studies and be involved in their academic and religious formation. They should ensure that homework is completed and that discipline and respect for teachers are upheld.

Criticizing a teacher in front of a child undermines the authority of both the school and the parent. Children must learn that teachers are to be respected, especially those entrusted with their spiritual and moral formation.

Educating for the Future

A Catholic education is not just about knowing doctrine. It is about developing the whole person: mind, body, and soul. Parents should ensure that their children receive a well-rounded education that enables them to become self-supporting, responsible, and moral citizens.

This includes teaching them a trade or profession that allows them to live with dignity and independence, while never neglecting the eternal purpose of their life: to know, love, and serve God in this world and be happy with Him in the next.

Discipline, Modesty, and True Love

In today’s permissive culture, many parents mistakenly equate indulgence with love. But giving children everything they want — whether it be toys, entertainment, food, or trendy clothing— is not an act of love; it is often a failure in discipline. True love involves setting boundaries, even when it is difficult. Saying “no” is sometimes the most loving thing a parent can do—for the sake of the child’s soul.

Teaching Modesty to Girls

Girls should be taught the virtue of modesty from a young age. Modesty in dress and behavior reflects the dignity of the soul and honors the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. The common excuse, “everyone is wearing it,” does not justify immodesty. As Catholics, we are not called to follow the crowd, but to follow Christ.

Many modern fashion trends are not only inappropriate but are often rooted in ideologies that promote impurity and rebellion against moral order. Parents must guide their daughters away from styles and behaviors that draw attention to the body rather than reflect the beauty of a virtuous soul.

Modesty is not repression — it is protection. It shields innocence, commands respect, and prepares a young woman for her future vocation, whether that be in religious life or holy matrimony.

Guarding the Eyes and Hearts of Boys

Likewise, boys must be taught to guard their eyes and protect their thoughts. In a world saturated with visual temptations—from billboards and magazines to smartphones and indecent fashion—boys and men are constantly targeted by impurity. A moment’s glance can lead to a lasting wound on the soul.

How can a man truly love his wife, cherish his family, or serve God if his mind and heart are filled with impure thoughts? Sin begins in the imagination and the eyes. If these are not disciplined, the soul is in danger.

A good mother and father will nurture in their son a healthy disgust for sin and a deep respect for purity. From an early age, boys should be coached to turn away from anything that is indecent. They must learn to avert their eyes and protect their soul from corruption. This is not weakness—it is strength, and it is vital for their salvation.

A Home that Forms Saints

The Catholic home should be a place where discipline is consistent, modesty is upheld, and love is rooted in truth. Children who grow up in such an environment will be equipped to stand firm in a world that often mocks virtue and celebrates vice.

Parents must not be afraid to be different. They must be courageous in forming their children to be saints—not according to the world’s standards, but according to God’s.

Adult Children and Independence

Parents are not obligated to support their grown-up children indefinitely. Doing so can foster laziness and dependency. Adult children should be encouraged to take responsibility for their lives and decisions, particularly those that involve their spiritual and professional paths.

Building a Catholic Home

Above all, parents must strive to create a Catholic atmosphere in the home. Prayer, reverence, virtue, and joy in the Lord should be ever-present. This foundation will remain with the child long after they leave the home and begin their own families.

In the end, the goal of every Catholic parent should be to raise children who love God, live moral lives, and carry the Catholic Faith in their hearts with gratitude and conviction.

Let us remember: children are not only gifts from God—they are souls entrusted to us for His glory.

The Influence of Bad and Immoral Companions

One of the greatest threats to a child’s moral and spiritual well-being is the company they keep. Sacred Scripture warns repeatedly about the dangers of evil companions. 

Even a well-formed child can be led astray when surrounded by those who reject the Faith, mock virtue, or live in habitual sin. Immoral companions plant seeds of rebellion, impurity, and disrespect for authority. They normalize sin and desensitize the soul to evil.

No parent can be too cautious in this area. Friends influence not only behavior but thoughts, attitudes, and the condition of the heart. A child who falls into the wrong crowd may soon begin to hide things, lie, rebel, lose interest in the sacraments, and even abandon the Faith altogether.

Friendship is a Moral Choice

True friendship is based on virtue. A good friend helps the soul to grow in holiness and encourages what is good, true, and beautiful. A bad friend leads the soul to ruin. Many saints have spoken about this:

"Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are." — St. John Bosco

St. John Bosco, who worked tirelessly for the salvation of youth, saw firsthand how one bad influence could undo years of good formation. He advised young people to be firm and brave in choosing their companions—and not to fear being alone rather than in the company of those who offend God.

Parents Must Supervise and Discern

It is the sacred duty of parents to know who their children associate with—whether in school, in the neighborhood, or online. Allowing a child to freely choose their companions without guidance or supervision is like handing them a lit candle in a dry forest.

Parents must monitor friendships, correct bad influences, and if necessary, separate their child from certain individuals—even at the cost of temporary upset or emotional resistance. Better a tear now than a soul lost forever.

Teach children that it is not judgmental to avoid immoral influences — it is wise. They must understand that their first loyalty is to God, and that pleasing friends is never worth offending their Creator.

Conclusion: The Sacred Duty of Parents in Catholic Education

The responsibility entrusted to Catholic parents is immense, yet profoundly holy. To raise children who are faithful to God, virtuous in character, and equipped to face the challenges of a sinful world is a task that demands unwavering dedication, prayer, and sacrifice. It is not enough to give our children an education that prepares them for the material world; we must give them an education that prepares them for eternity.

Parents must begin their children's religious formation as early as possible, guiding them in the ways of the Faith with both love and discipline. Every decision—whether it is choosing a Catholic school, nurturing a reverent home environment, or carefully selecting their companions—must be made with the salvation of their souls in mind.

Parents must be vigilant in protecting their children from harmful influences, whether they come from secular society, immoral friends, or the temptations of the digital world. They must model and teach virtue, discipline, and modesty, equipping their children to stand firm in a world that often mocks the very values they hold dear.

The Catholic home must be a place of prayer, love, and moral clarity—a sanctuary where children are nurtured to grow in wisdom, grace, and holiness. In this way, parents do not merely prepare their children for worldly success, but for a life that leads to eternal happiness with God.

As parents, we are called not to seek the approval of the world but the approval of God. We must raise saints, not according to the standards of society, but according to the teachings of Christ and His Church. It is a daunting task, but it is a task that brings immense joy, peace, and eternal reward.

Let us remember that children are not just gifts to be cherished—they are souls entrusted to us by God for His glory. In raising them, we participate in the very work of salvation. May we take this sacred duty to heart and never forget that the foundation we lay for them today will shape the future of the Church and the world.