This article comes to you almost exactly on the anniversary of when we first introduced this series on {Catholic} Homeschooling. As we recap the year I would like to take a step back and share some basics which we have brushed upon in the other articles but are worthy of compiling and giving a focus to in this article.

In the Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-6, the Lord tells us, through Saint Paul, “I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, with all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.” The vocation we have been called to by God, the vocation primarily being wife and secondarily being mother is one that requires much sacrifice and love of our part. As we know that Holy Mother Church teaches, in her infinite wisdom, that the man is the head of the home but the mother is the heart of the home. Sadly, this world tells us otherwise; this world teaches that our focus should be on being successful outside of the home. Even when you have the most lovely of professions (as I did instructing children for 15 years), our focus now is on instructing our own children within our home; the children the Lord has entrusted us with. Satan’s plan is to tear motherhood down, he hates our openness to life, he hates our love for our children, and our desire to raise them as God-fearing soldiers of Christ. So he will do what he can to try to tear us down but we must arm ourselves with the necessary gifts the Lord has given us, through Holy Mother Church.

It takes time and practice to train children, it is the most exhausting job in the world but also the most rewarding! Alone we cannot do it, we need all the prayers and graces and intercessions available to raise God fearing children! We must fight for their soul because if we are not vigilant the evil one will snatch their innocence and corrupt their hearts. We must be strong in our own faith by being in a state of Grace, receiving the Sacraments, and setting an example always. I know it is not an easy task as children can be merciless and demanding of us day and night, but it is the right task. We must be completely selfless and devout ourselves 150% to this task at hand. God has entrusted each of us with those little souls to shepherd them to Him, please never give up on your children, ever. Pray for them always, ask for their Guardian Angel’s help with this task, when you cannot do it, turn to the Blessed Mother for guidance, and always keep your eyes on the Crucifix! After all, when God creates a soul the next human to love that child is his mother. Please friends, I beg you, pray for me and all mothers always. As parents need to work together to raise the children, exalting our roles as mothers does not, in any way, negate the important role of the father in the home. It is just that mothers have the power and privilege of preparing the souls of their children.

So it is vital for mothers to train the child to keep order, be self disciplined, and to accept sacrifice. Mothers should wake up each morning and pray for the spirit of fortitude so that she can train her children well and by God’s laws and standards. Ask yourself questions like: “Am I raising a Christian family? Are you raising priests? Bishops? or Religious in your families? If we want to change the world, we must raise up our children IN HOLINESS. Saint John Vianney, over 150 years ago said, “The reason our times are so irreligious is on account of un-Christian families.” The key to restoring order in this world is by raising Christian children by way of obedience and humility within our families. Look to other families whom also were prime examples of these, maybe it is a family in your own parish or there are others like the family of Saint Therese of Lisieux. The Holy Family is the perfect example of this and help us by their influence.

Am I saying we should be super woman or super mom? Not really. See there is a huge difference between a woman who wants to show off and make herself better, bigger, and wiser than others…this is not the woman or kind of mother the Lord is calling us to be. No, my dear sisters, the kind of woman the Lord wants us to be is valiant woman (which is why Catholic Sistas is starting the new Proverbs 31 Catholic Woman Series). The Lord wants us to be a woman always looking to please God and not be a show off to others. A woman that has her homeschool under control, knows what she wants from her homeschool and has a selected, well thought out curriculum and schedule so that there is order in the home.

“For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God; Not of works, that no man may glory. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them,” ~ Ephesians 2: 8-10.

So we are to look for our peace in Christ through our works in our homes. When we fail? Are we to be discouraged? No, because we learn from failure and we are also reminded that God is always in control, not us. We want our children to be Godly by setting an example to them; they will be good if they are being God-like. It is also important that not only do we teach our children but that we also spend quality time with them to establish relationship with our children. Lastly, the quality of events and activities we are involved in matters more than the quantity. Do not over burden yourself or your children by running around all over town each afternoon. We want peaceful families not busy families.

A Year in Recap: Articles on the How’s and Why’s of Homeschooling:

Sources for this article and suggested further reading/listening: