![]() ![]() This is a serious parental responsibility since the primary end or reason for matrimony is the begetting and educating of children. McMahon: There is even more to say on the “what” but given the intended brevity of this interview, we can pass to “how.” Social formation must begin at home, and remain concurrent while a child is at school. The maturity of this man, actually a very serious definition of maturity itself, will be the recognition of reality-reality as God has made it, and as His Divine Providence governs it.įr. A Catholic gentleman-and in the most profound sense there can be no other-is simply a man grounded in reality and common sense with a flowering of virtues both natural and supernatural. This gentleman must be of noble and strong character, one carefully formed and solidly founded upon perennial principles, both of reason and faith. The dictionary can get us started: A man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior. ![]() This concept is so important that it demands definition and explanation. The goal is a well-formed man who understands that he is to serve a good greater than himself, more important than his own likes, dislikes, whims, and desires that he is not “ A#1, top of the list nor king of the hill.” In one word, he is meant to be a gentleman. It is truly a beautiful thing to see a young man blossom from the immature, pure receiver to a generous giver and contributor.įr. In other words, stop thinking only of yourself, your needs, your comfort and be a man-recognize your duties and responsibilities to your neighbor, to your class, to the Academy, and to the Mystical Body. “Get out of your own bellybutton” is a frequent refrain familiar to my students. You can already see that a man must possess humility, knowing he holds a place, plays a role in a larger community, thus accepting a responsibility to fulfill his duties to family, school, country and Church. A great work by teachers and administrators will be their vigilance in first the selfless recognition of neighbor, then of a common good or goal, and one’s own role in being a member and also a servant of both. Thus correct formation in view of the individual taking his proper place within society will focus there constructing an environment which fosters this knowledge and service. The essence of living in society, whether it is in the basic unit of the family or any other group or organization, is an understanding of and service to the common good and proper order of that community. McMahon: Before answering how, it would be first important to describe what. Thus it is incumbent upon those in charge to be cognizant of the need to direct and form their students socially, to form this nature which God has made.Īngelus Press: Father, the need is obvious, as obvious as human nature itself, but how is it done?įr. What goes for the body in physical education and the intellect in the classroom must go as well for social formation. Each hour and facet of the school day must be meticulously planned and supervised with a keen eye to formation. Rolling the balls out, for example, at gym class with no care to order and organization, with no plan or purpose is a dereliction of duty and basically a waste of time. Educators must leave nothing to chance, but must carefully construct a curriculum which aims at forming body, soul and the social aspect of human nature. McMahon: A complete school, one perfect in the philosophical sense, must form a man in the totality of his nature. Walk to your kitchen, open up the refrigerator door and pull out something to eat now stop and think for a moment on the multitude of social interdependencies implied in this simple and mundane action before you eat that piece of mom’s chocolate cake.Īngelus Press: Sounds delicious, but what of the school’s role?įr. The stupidity of “social contracts” and “noble savages” aside, common sense, sound philosophy, and long experience clearly demonstrate the most basic need from cradle to grave of one man for another. This is the very essence created by Almighty God. Simply put, man is meant by his very nature-body and soul-to live in society, in community with his fellow man. McMahon: As we know man is both material and spiritual, having a body and a soul, and this human nature is also social. Angelus Press: What role should the school play in the social formation of a child?įr. ![]()
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