Faith Formation
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Catholic Schools’ Impact on Faith Formation and Sacramental Practice
Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate,
Georgetown University, February 2008- Catholics who attended Catholic schools are significantly more likely to actively practice their faith, including the reception of the sacraments.
- Those concerned about promoting sacramental practice would do well to ensure that Catholic education remains a realistic option for today’s families.
- Those who attended a Catholic elementary school are more likely than those who did not to say the following are “very” important to their sense of what it means to be a Catholic:
– Helping those in need (54% compared to 44%)
– Living a life consistent with Church teaching (46% compared to 30%)
– Having devotion to Mary (41% compared to 35%)
– Receiving the Eucharist (71% compared to 58%)- Those who attended a Catholic high school are more likely than those who did not to say the following are “very” important to their sense of what it means to be a Catholic:
– Helping those in need (56% compared to 46%)
– Living a life consistent with Church teaching (49% compared to 33%)
– Meaningfulness of Holy Orders (62% compared to 45%)- More likely to believe the Eucharist is most meaningful to them (37% compared to 22%).
- Men who attended a Catholic high school are more likely to have considered the vocation of priest or religious brother (32% overall).
- Women who attended a Catholic high school are among the most likely to have considered the vocation of a nun or religious sister (25% overall).
- 63% of those who attended a Catholic high school “strongly” agree that they are proud to be Catholic, compared to 54% who did not attend.
- 64% of those who attended a Catholic high school say their Catholic faith is at least “among the most important parts” of their life, compared to 40% who did not attend.
- Keeping Catholic schools “viable and affordable” leaps out from the data as a pastoral priority.