Visiting the monks

The wife and I have a regular conversation about how to help the kids be open to the religious life. To that end we try to find movies in support of that theme. Two personal favorites are Lilies of the Field and The Trouble with Angels (which I type as the trouble with "angles" no less than three times).

We also try to get as much exposure to religious as is possible. Our oldest two are "volunteered" for every choir, bell ringing, liturgical task that presents itself. Next week our girls will be going with their mother and a homeschool group to meet some nuns that are visiting the area. Then early next year I'll be taking our son to a Coptic monastery down south.

All of this is nice of course, but I am often reminded that it is the example set by the parents that will make the most difference (St. Monica and St. Emily come immediately to mind). It's rather easy to act in religion like a stick shift. Vroom...it's Sunday let's get to church and light some candles. Vroom...the game is on I can't be bothered to do bedtime prayers with the kids upstairs. Vroom...I lost my keys so I need to ask St. Anthony for help. Vroom...you get the picture. What is normal and expected is by and large dictated by what they see their parents do and expect of themselves. In the end, if done with any regularity, you end up being a better person in attempting to make your children better people.