GROW IN VIRTUE

The word “obey” comes from the Latin oboedire meaning “to hear” and a willingness to listen. Hence, to become a disciple of Christ it is essential to first cultivate the virtue of Docility, which means a willingness to be taught. It enables us to listen to the Word of God with an open mind so we may become eager students. Fr. Bonaventure Perquin, O.P. writes…

“So the adopted children (by Baptism) can begin to know their Father only by being taught by the Son, by ‘going to school’ with him—that is, by becoming his disciples and accepting him as their Master and Teacher… There is so much to learn about him, and as they begin to know him, they grow in docility and eagerness as his disciples: the intensity of their desire to learn is the measure of their love for the Father”

(Abba Father, p. 86).

St. Paul emphasizes the importance of both taking on the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and to be continually renewed (Romans 12:2). Prayerfully reading the Word of God is the best means to ‘go to school’ with Him and learn all He revealed to us about His loving Father.

This attitude, which is an action of the mind and heart, will naturally flow into every aspect of your life and enable you to be a good listener and a person willing to work humbly and collaboratively with others. Once again, Fr. Bonaventure Perquin, O.P. sums it up quite well,

“It is only common sense: our hearts and wills cannot be Christlike unless our minds are Christlike” (Abba Father, p. 96).


Creating Excitement for Students – Disciple Badges

Have you heard of “brag tags” for classroom management?  Mrs. Blausey, an experienced Grade 3 teacher from Spiritus Sanctus Academy, adapted this concept to incorporate the virtues in classroom management. The Disciple Badges are different because they affirm the student for consistent, positive behavior. Affirmation strikes deeper because it is rooted in the recognition of the student’s dignity as a child of God.

Praise is good but it can lead to surface responses of the child. Whereas virtue is the habit of doing good and strives to develop consistent and stable dispositions. Yes, this may sound like splitting hairs so let me put it very simply. When giving out Disciple Badges, take the time to look at the child in the eyes and express what you see in him/her, as opposed to quickly handing out the badge with the virtue. Your personal interaction with him/her will have a lasting, positive impact and help them discover their identity as a disciple of Christ. DOWNLOAD NOW 

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