A friend asked me for guidance on what he can tell his child who is going to a Western secularist university which can undermine the faith of his child. Putting myself in the shoes of the dad, these are the talking points I would bring up to the son or daughter. It will also be good for any teacher or mentor of a graduating High School student to bring up these points in their own way to their students.
You will be going to a university that will give you a great advantage in the world. This is a very good thing, but I would like to make sure that you have some clear ideas.
Despite the excellent secular things you will get, you will be facing dangers for what is most important in your life, in our life. Many of your professors will not believe in God and will undermine your faith and morals, and many of your classmates will be like them. You will therefore face pressures from many sides: from above, from your peers and from the whole environment. This is very strong pressure, and I know many good boys and girls from our country who have succumbed to it. And these were top students, who loved the catechesis they received, and had an above-average spiritual life.
And so it should be very clear to you that the most important thing in life is God and our faith in him. As Jesus himself said: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but suffers the loss of his soul."
This is the purest truth. I hope your school and I have made clear that this is also the most intelligent, rationally-based choice. (See this article for the basis)
God is our everything; he is the source and the end goal of our life. Only through him can we enjoy the greatest possible happiness every day and throughout eternity. Not being with him is therefore the greatest failure. This failure, more than anything else, will be my greatest pain. If you have any doubts in this aspect, given original sin and the pressures of the environment, you can easily succumb. Since I have a grave responsibility before God to give you a solid education, I would like to know what you think about what I just said.
It is important for the parent to listen to what the son or daughter has to say regarding these things and have a frank conversation to clarify things.
The next steps will have to be based on the result of the conversation. It is best if the next steps are considered and determined by the student himself, with guidance from the parent.
Generally, everyone will need continual inputs in both heart and mind to persevere in Christian faith and morals.
- Input of grace and prayer. You will need to go regularly to Mass and Confession, and practice daily humble prayer. A close friendship with Jesus--a relationship of burning love--will be your best support, for this is the very goal of our life. Everything depends, teaches Pope Benedict XVI, on our intimate friendship with Jesus.
- Input of Catholic Christian teachings. Because there will be a continual input of secularist and amoral ideas, you will need a continual input of Christian ideas, to inspire you and motivate you. For example, read the New Testament everyday, so you can get to know the life of Christ. Read a good Christian book every day. Here are lists of good Christian readings.
- Input of good Catholic community. A strong support is the company and encouragement of good Catholic friends.
- Input of the Christian mission. The best defense is a good offense. The first habit of highly effective people, says Stephen Covey is: Be proactive, not reactive. Affect your environment; don't let the environment affect you. We are Christians, so like him, we spread Christianity to the people around us. Go with a sense of mission--of having been placed there by God for a great purpose.
