The First Letter of St. Peter states that the entire Church is “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Pt 2:9). Thus, both the lay faithful and clergy are a priestly people and can exercise the sanctifying function of the Church; this function refers to the manner by which we grow in holiness and closeness to God. Ordained priests share in the ministerial priesthood of Christ (CCC 1547). They are vested with sacred power and exercise the sanctifying function of the Church primarily through the administration of the sacraments and the celebration of the liturgy. The lay faithful, sharing in the common priesthood of Christ, exercise the sanctifying function of the Church in other ways (Lumen Gentium 10). This article will focus on parents and how they exercise in the sanctifying function of the Church through their vocations as mothers and fathers.
Canon 835 §4 explains that all the lay faithful participate in the sanctifying function of the Church by their full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations, especially in the mass. In the liturgy, the laity express their priestly identity by offering prayers to God in worship; they beg His intercession for the needs of the Church. Canon 835 §4 then emphasizes that parents share, “in a particular way in this [sanctifying] function by leading a conjugal life in the Christian spirit and by seeing to the Christian education of their children.” The norm clarifies that the liturgy is not the only way in which parents exercise the sanctifying function. Parents exercise the sanctifying function primarily by the way they live their lives. The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions that parents, “bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. Parents should teach their children to subordinate the ‘material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones’ Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children” (CCC 2223). As spouses, husband and wife are to emulate the generous love that Christ has for the Church. As parents, God has charged mothers and fathers to raise their child/dren in the faith by their witness prayer and Christian life. When children see their parents living a holy and Christian life, they will also be oriented towards the same. The Church further recognizes that by divine and natural law, parents are the primary educators of their children. Priest, religious, and catechists are merely assistants of parents who seek to educate their kids in the faith. As Canon 226 §2 states “since they have given life to their children, parents have a most grave obligation and possess the right to educate them. Therefore, it is for Christian parents particularly to take care of the Christian education of their children according to the doctrine handed on by the Church.” The Church’s doctrine and legislation leave no doubt about the grave responsibility parents have in raising their children. However, more meaningful than carefully worded doctrine and legislation are the small and concrete ways in which parents care for their children. It is through these small, but faithful acts of love and service that parents grow in holiness, sanctify their children, and live the gospel. Consider a few examples:
Changing diapers
Doing chores (dishes, laundry, cleaning) and teaching kids how to do them
Being Active In Children’s education and faith formation (Canon 793)
Praying As A Family
Teaching Children How To Pray
Prioritizing Time With Children
Going To Mass (Canon 1247) (Canon 914)
Going To Confession (Canon 989)
Teaching Children Christian Values And Manners (Forgiveness, Generosity, Service, Kindness etc…)
Supporting Emotional, Physical, and Mental Health of Children
Proverbs says, “train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it” (Prov 22:6). It is not just priests or religious who have a role in fostering people’s holiness, but the laity as well. Parents, in a special way, have a duty to show their children the path of sanctity. The effect parents have on their children is immeasurable. Studies have shown that way in which parents raise their children, take care of them, and journey with them throughout their lives, will have a significant impact on the children’s future. Parents have a responsibility to watch over their children and lead them on the path to which they will discover God’s love. There is no doubt that parents desire only what is best for their children’s success. This desire though, must be grounded in God in whom all find fulfillment and beatitude. Doing the “every day” parental tasks may seem minuscule and ordinary, but they are real and concrete acts by which parents fulfill God’s commandment of love. Recall that St. Theresa of Lisieux emphasized doing, “small things with great love.” By their everyday life, prayer, and witness, parents can participate in the sanctifying function of the Church.