At the heart of Catholic teaching on the family, children are not merely the fruits of human plans, but precious gifts of Divine Providence. This vision, rooted in Sacred Scripture and developed in magisterial documents such as St. John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio, invites us to reflect on how we educate new generations. Do we see them as “projects” to be molded for social and economic success, or as gifts entrusted by God to form disciples of the Gospel? Paragraph 36 of Familiaris Consortio offers us illuminating guidance for navigating this tension, reminding us that parental education is an essential, original, and primary right and duty, founded on paternal and maternal love, which reflects God’s creative love.

In this article we will explore this perspective in a positive and constructive way, highlighting how a holistic education can harmonize human development with faith, fostering not passive consumers of the world, but active disciples of the Kingdom.

Children as a gift: a participation in God’s creative work

Catholic tradition clearly affirms that children are a supreme gift from God, not a product of our ambitions. In the encyclical Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI teaches that “children are undoubtedly the most excellent gift of marriage and contribute greatly to the good of the parents themselves.” This statement is not poetic, but theological: the child arrives as a blessing that enriches family communion, reminding us that human life is sacred and participates in the mystery of divine creation.

Pope Francis, in his general audience of February 11, 2015, elaborated on this, saying that “children are a gift. Each one is unique and unrepeatable and, at the same time, is unmistakably linked to their roots.” Seeing a child as a gift means welcoming them with gratitude, recognizing their inherent dignity as the image of God (Genesis 1:27), not as a blank canvas upon which to impose our expectations.

Didactically, this teaches us to cultivate an attitude of openness. Instead of pressing for external achievements, parents are called to nurture the child’s integral growth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 2226) emphasizes that “parents’ education in the faith should begin from early childhood,” helping family members to grow together in faith. This early education is not a calculated “project,” but an organic process of love, where the child learns to love God and neighbor through daily example. Let us, then, build homes where family prayer, Bible reading, and acts of charity provide fertile ground for this divine gift.

The temptation of elitist education: sacrificing faith for worldly success

In a world obsessed with material success—prestigious careers, social status, and academic achievements—the temptation arises to treat children as “projects” to be optimized. Familiaris Consortio (n. 36) implicitly warns against this by emphasizing that the educational duty of parents is “irreplaceable and inalienable,” not delegable to institutions that prioritize the worldly over the spiritual. This elitist education, which sacrifices faith for “success,” can lead to the formation of selfish consumers instead of generous disciples.

When we prioritize elitist success—for example, by enrolling our children in exclusive schools that disregard moral formation—we risk raising individuals who see life as a marketplace of opportunities, rather than disciples who respond to Christ’s call: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). However, this temptation is not inevitable; it is an opportunity for discernment. The conciliar declaration Gravissimum Educationis guides us by affirming that the Church helps to “fill [children’s] lives with the spirit of Christ,” promoting an education that integrates faith and reason for the common good.

Raising disciples: practical tools for a holistic education

To be didactic, let’s see how to transform this vision into daily action:

1. Let us recognize that raising disciples means forming people who live the Gospel in the world. The Catechism (n. 1814) defines faith as “the theological virtue by which we believe in God and in all that he has said and revealed to us,” and this is transmitted in the home through simple rituals: Sunday Mass as a family, blessing the table, or discussions about the biblical readings.
2. Let us embrace worldly success as a means, not an end. Amoris Laetitia reminds us: “The Triune God is a communion of love, and the family is its living reflection.” Let us encourage our children to pursue studies and careers with excellence, but always with a service-oriented approach.
3. Let us foster supportive communities. The Code of Canon Law (c. 793) affirms that parents have the right and the obligation to choose the means and institutions that best provide for the Catholic education of their children. Let us join with parishes and family groups to share experiences and reinforce that faith is the source of true joy.

Towards parenting that builds the Kingdom

Seeing children as gifts rather than projects frees us to raise disciples who transform the world with the love of Christ. Far from being a burden, this perspective—inspired by Familiaris Consortio 36 and the entire Catholic Magisterium—invites us to a positive education, where human success is intertwined with eternal faith.

Parents and educators, let us trust in the love God has given us: it is the guiding principle that enriches all educational endeavors with gentleness, perseverance, and joyful sacrifice. In this way, we will not only form successful individuals, but saints who will illuminate society. May Mary, model of faithful motherhood, guide us in this beautiful mission.