|
Post by Clotilde on Mar 24, 2017 7:24:25 GMT -5
If it is any consolation, I know that a great number of families, especially of first generation traditionalists, who did everything right. Both parents practiced the Faith, they sent their kids to a traditionalist school, some even homeschooled, their girls didn't wear pants, etc. If I were to keep track of them all, most, statistically speaking, do not keep the Faith as adults. The results are the same for "strict" families and "lenient families." There is no bulletproof formula. I think there is somewhat of an idea out there that there is a formula with all of the answers that produces a desired result, but honestly we can't make someone devout and we can't put the love of God in them. They have to kindle their own fire.
The biggest factor is probably schooling and bad companions, but not always. One of the problems is that the kids cannot see the world and the state of the Church because they didn't have to fight to find the Truth. They don't have a culture that helps them sustain the natural transmission of Faith, either.
If you have been as dutiful as your circumstances permit, so much of this is out of your hands when they are adults. It's still hard and it still hurts. I don't have adult children but some of my friends do and I have watched them suffer, worry, and pray over the years. Until I knew them, I thought such trials would never happen to me, but now I know they can and likely will. I hope that the fact that I can acknowledge this helps me because there is little else I can do to prepare.
|
|
|
Post by RitaMarita on Mar 24, 2017 8:53:25 GMT -5
Well Im in "Pencils up!" Mode...they are adults now. I cant go back and redo it. Its terrifying sometimes. That's a great expression. Yes, it is terrifying but we can storm Heaven with our prayers and sacrifices. There's a great prayer to St. Anne for a wayward child. I'll post it later... I was so confused by the "pencils up" until I saw Lynne's post... One thing to consider is that Archbishop Sheen did say that it is better to send one's children to public schools rather than Catholic schools because at least you know that you need to warn your children and protect them. And that was before things got as bad as they are now... We just do the best we can and leave the rest in God's Hands! As Padre Pio would say, "Pray hope and don't worry. Worry is useless."
|
|
|
Post by RitaMarita on Mar 24, 2017 8:54:45 GMT -5
If it is any consolation, I know that a great number of families, especially of first generation traditionalists, who did everything right. Both parents practiced the Faith, they sent their kids to a traditionalist school, some even homeschooled, their girls didn't wear pants, etc. If I were to keep track of them all, most, statistically speaking, do not keep the Faith as adults. The results are the same for "strict" families and "lenient families." There is no bulletproof formula. I think there is somewhat of an idea out there that there is a formula with all of the answers that produces a desired result, but honestly we can't make someone devout and we can't put the love of God in them. They have to kindle their own fire. The biggest factor is probably schooling and bad companions, but not always. One of the problems is that the kids cannot see the world and the state of the Church because they didn't have to fight to find the Truth. They don't have a culture that helps them sustain the natural transmission of Faith, either. If you have been as dutiful as your circumstances permit, so much of this is out of your hands when they are adults. It's still hard and it still hurts. I don't have adult children but some of my friends do and I have watched them suffer, worry, and pray over the years. Until I knew them, I thought such trials would never happen to me, but now I know they can and likely will. I hope that the fact that I can acknowledge this helps me because there is little else I can do to prepare. This is what I wish I could have figured out how to say...but you said it for me!
|
|
|
Post by Marya Dabrowski on Mar 24, 2017 10:06:26 GMT -5
Hindsight is 20/20 for everyone, especially me! Ten and 15 years ago the schools were even better than now. When I was in school practically no one was doing drugs, just alcohol. Today an investigator for our county said if a kid is busted for marijuana you want to congratulate him for only doing that.
But I know people, friends and relatives, who today are sending their kids to public schools. Sometimes they truly have no choice and wish otherwise, but a lot of times they want their kids to be popular. Its amazing.
|
|
|
Post by chestertonian on Mar 26, 2017 13:25:11 GMT -5
Well Im in "Pencils up!" Mode...they are adults now. I cant go back and redo it. Its terrifying sometimes. At the same time you can reason with them in a way you couldn't when they were younger
|
|
|
Post by RitaMarita on Mar 26, 2017 14:10:10 GMT -5
Well Im in "Pencils up!" Mode...they are adults now. I cant go back and redo it. Its terrifying sometimes. At the same time you can reason with them in a way you couldn't when they were younger That is a good point, Chestertonian!
|
|