Human Formation

I recently spoke with my friend about her experience as an elementary school teacher.

And then I ran across this quote from St. John Neumann (1811-1860). I believe he's the patron saint of the Catholic education system in the U.S.

"Since every man (read “person”) of whatever race is endowed with the dignity of a person, he has an inalienable right to an education that corresponds to his proper destiny and suited to his native talents, cultural background, and ancestral heritage. 

At the same time, this education should pave the way to fraternal association with other peoples, so that genuine unity and peace on earth may be promoted. For a true education aims at forming the human person with respect to the good of those societies of which he is a member and in whose responsibilities, as an adult, he will share."

What an interesting phrase “...that corresponds to his proper destiny...”  It sounds like we, as humans, have a common destiny to which we need to be oriented for our fulfillment, simply because we’re human. Perhaps we share more in common that divides us?

The saint's philosophy's not bad for an early 19th century thinker!

But I wonder if a child educated in this way would succeed in our much more enlightened 21st. century American No Child Left Behind "just-pass-the-bloody-test" educational system?

Joe