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PONTIFF TALKS ON EDUCATION IN GOODNESSs
“Although it is difficult to educate the children and youth
of today in goodness, it is not impossible.”
Pope Benedicts XVI uttered these words to the families, teachers
and young people present in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City
on Saturday, February 23, 2008. He cited to the audience the letter
he wrote to the Diocese of Rome on January 21 regarding the vital
importance of education.
According to him, education has never been easy, and today it seems
to be becoming more difficult than ever. This means that a lot of
parents and teachers renounce their duty and do not even manage
to understand the true nature of the mission entrusted to them.
There are, in fact, too may uncertainties, too many doubts circulating
in our society and in our culture, too many distorted images propagated
by the social communications media.
He added, "We feel supported by a great hope, a deep trust
that even in modern times it is possible to educate in goodness.
Joyfully shoulder the responsibility with which the Lord entrusts
you, so that the great heritage of faith and culture -- which is
the most authentic treasure of this our beloved city -- may not
be lost in the passage from one generation to another, but rather
be renewed and strengthened, and become a guide and a stimulus on
our journey toward the future."
For the parent, Benedict XVI urged them to remain firm in their
love for one another and to show a coherent witness of life in order
to help new generations clearly distinguish good from evil and,
in their turn, to build solid rules for life that may support them
through future trials. He said that parents will then make your
children rich with that most precious and lasting inheritance which
consists in the example of the daily practice of faith."
For the teachers, the Pontiff said the following words: "Your
task cannot be limited to supplying notions and information while
ignoring the great question of truth, especially of the truth that
can be a guide in life. In close association with parents, you are
entrusted with the noble art of forming the individual."
For the priests, religious and catechists, the Holy Father encouraged
them to be trustworthy friends in whom [children and young people]
can reach out and touch Jesus' friendship with them. At the same
time, be sincere and courageous witnesses of the truth that makes
people free and that shows the new generations the way that leads
to life.
For the children and young people, he reminded them that education
is not just responsibility of the educators and that they too are
called to be participants in their own moral, cultural and spiritual
development. He stated: “It is up to you, then, freely to
welcome in your hearts, minds and lives the heritage of truth, goodness
and beauty that has accumulated over the centuries and that has
its cornerstone in Jesus Christ. It is up to you to renew and develop
this heritage, freeing it from the many lies and distortions that
often make it unrecognizable and provoke diffidence and disillusionment
in you. On this difficult journey you are never alone. Not only
are your parents, teachers, priests and friends near you, but above
all is that God who created us and who is the secret guest of our
hearts. He enlightens from within our intelligence, he orients our
freedom to the good, which we often feel to be fragile and inconstant.
He is the true hope and the solid foundation of our lives. To him,
most of all, can we entrust ourselves." 
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“Jesus’
Baptism”