Lighthouse: A Reflection on Catholic Education*

Admittedly, “Catholic education is one of the most important challenges for the Church, [who is] committed to new evangelization in a historical and cultural context that is undergoing constant transformation.”[1] Using imageries for the present situation, Catholic education may bring to mind a flickering candle in the dark, or a flashlight that “gets [us] through the night;”[2] but it is actually way beyond these imageries for it is a lighthouse that effectively illuminates not only itself but the vicinity far and wide. Lighthouses are rich in meanings. An educator is like a keeper who keeps watch high above the lamphouse rail and watches the ocean as the storm clouds of ignorance begin to clear in the twilight. Furthermore, an educator must take the risk, face adversity, accept the challenge and be vigilant. However, the lighthouse also offers guidance, safety and salvation. Nothing else speaks of safety and security in the face of adversity and challenge quite the way a lighthouse does. 

The year 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the Conciliar Declaration Gravissimum Educationis which underscores that all people regardless of race, condition or age, by virtue of their dignity as human persons, have an inalienable right to education. It is not difficult to understand this in the Philippine context when a family strives to support the studies of a child even to the point of selling the carabaos they used in the field, or any property for that matter, just to assure that the child will complete his or her studies, with the hope of a better life. This could probably explain why Filipinos have a high literacy rate3 because we place a high premium to education. However, the document Gravissimum Educationis is beyond literacy rate[3] because “Christian education does not merely strive for the maturing of a human person... but has as its principal purpose this goal: that the baptized, while they are gradually introduced the knowledge of the mystery of salvation, become ever more aware of the gift of Faith they have received.”[4]  

It is also a reality that like lighthouses that provide light, “Catholic schools and universities are attended by many students who are not Christian or [non-believers]. Catholic educational institutions offer to all an approach to education that has as its aim the full development of the person, which responds to the right of every person to access to knowledge. However, they are also called upon to offer, with full respect for the freedom of each person and using the methods appropriate to the scholastic environment, the Christian belief, that is, to present Jesus Christ as the meaning of life,”[5] the true Source of light. 

In Medieval times, University studies were regarded as an independent third power in addition to sacerdotium and imperium. The acquisition of a doctoral degree then from one of the leading universities meant equality with the nobility. Interestingly, education truly ennobled a person! But come to think of it, it is nobler to share what one acquired than just to keep it within himself or herself "just as it is greater to illuminate something than merely to shine, so it is greater to pass on to others what we have contemplated (contemplata tradere) than just to contemplate" (S. Th. II-II, 188, 6). Catholic education manifests the light of salvation.

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[1] Pope Francis, Address to the Participants of the Congregation for Catholic Education (for Educational Institutions), Rome, 13 February 2014.

[2] “Flashlight” is a song recorded by British recording artist Jessie J for the soundtrack to the film Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015. The song was written by Sia Furler, Christian Guzman, Jason Moore and Sam Smith.

[3] 96.3% of the Philippine population ages 15 and above can read and write; source: www.cia.gov, 2015

[4] Gravissimum Educationis, 2. 

[5] Ibid.