A Philosophy of Family Faith Formation
A Catholic father’s mission to lead my children in faith, virtue, and wisdom every day
As a Catholic father, I know that my most important job isn’t just providing for my family materially—it’s forming my children spiritually, morally, and intellectually. My home is a domestic church, and my role as a father—working with their mother— is to lead my children toward holiness, wisdom, and virtue. This isn’t just about what we teach in formal moments, but how we live our faith daily.
I’ve learned recently of the importance of developing a philosophy of formation for my family—one that shapes our prayer life, intellectual growth, and daily habits. Here’s the approach I would like to use with my children, tailored to their ages and our homeschooling lifestyle. This is not what we do now in totality, but an ideal. Real life intrudes. Individual children have their own capacities and developmental abilities. This is where I would like to be.
For me it starts with a family mission statement from my perspective as the father:
Our Family Mission Statement
As a Catholic father, I commit to leading my family in faith, virtue, and wisdom. Our home will be a domestic church where prayer, intellectual formation, and service are central. Through daily habits of prayer, study, and acts of love, we will grow in holiness and prepare to serve Christ in the world. We will cultivate a spirit of joy, discipline, and responsibility, encouraging each child to discover and develop their unique gifts for God’s glory.
What follows is a daily formation plan. Again, this is an ideal. In reality, we—and likely most families—would be able to implement a subset of these, depending on particular circumstances. Of course, much would depend on age and number of children, the school and work circumstances and more. This plan would have to adapt and change over time. (I also credit Melanie who developed and does most of the hard work of this daily plan with my support.)
Daily Formation Plan for Our Family
1. Morning Prayer & Intentions
Before the busyness of the day begins, we take time to orient our hearts toward God.
2. Faith & Intellectual Formation
Faith isn’t just about memorizing prayers—it’s about developing a Catholic worldview. We weave formation into daily learning and conversation.
Read about the Saint of the Day and a short Bible passage—possibly the liturgical readings for the day—and discuss their understanding of the saint’s virtue and the Word of God.
Include faith-based reading as part of their studies (apologetics, theology, Catholic history).
Explore Catholic masculinity and femininity, virtues, and leadership.
Discuss faith, beauty, and truth through books or writings by Edith Stein, St. Thérèse, G.K. Chesterton, or C.S. Lewis.
Encourage reflection on Catholic perspectives on culture and media.
For my 18-year-old daughter: Connect faith with her studies or work—discuss how her Catholic worldview informs her choices. Encourage her to take a leadership role in family prayer or mentoring younger siblings.
3. Work & Responsibility: Teaching Virtue in Action
We don’t separate faith from daily life.
Learn to offer up work as a prayer (chores, schoolwork, responsibilities).
Rotate mentoring younger siblings in school or chores.
Take leadership in household tasks & teaching younger siblings.
4. Family Meals & Discussion
Conversation Starters:
Where did you see God at work today?
What was a challenge, and how did you handle it?
Discuss Catholic worldview on current events, culture, and media.
Rotating leadership: Each child picks a virtue or saint for discussion.
5. Evening Prayer & Examination of Conscience
Together as a family: Short prayer, such as Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours + Act of Contrition.
Each child shares a small ‘thank you’ for the day as well as a prayer intention.
Independent reflection: Encouraging personal prayer habits helps them build their faith independently.
Weekly & Seasonal Practices
We incorporate weekly and seasonal traditions to deepen faith:
Sunday Mass and Masses on Holy Days of Obligation together
Regular Confession & Adoration
Celebration of Baptism anniversaries and patron saint days with special desserts and prayers, including lighting of the baptismal candle.
Lighting of the Advent wreath and prayers at dinner during Advent
Would love to begin to incorporate the following as well:
First Fridays devotion (Mass & Eucharistic adoration).
Special Family Prayer Nights (Rosary, Lectio Divina, Catholic movie night).
Quarterly family service projects (helping at church, visiting the elderly, supporting missionaries).
Living the Mission as a Father
Formation isn’t just for the kids—it starts with me. I need to model:
Personal one-on-one time with each child, especially teens. I formalize this, in part, through a monthly #BreakfastWithDad, where each month I take one of the children out for breakfast alone where we catch up.
Catholic fatherhood through daily acts of virtue, prayer, and patience.
Open, meaningful faith discussions that invite questions, not just instruction.
My job as a father is not just to raise children who follow rules, but to form intentional disciples of Christ—men and women who love God, use critical thinking well, live virtuously, and carry their cross with hope. If I can do that, I will have succeeded in the most important task God has given me.
Would you like help developing your own family mission statement or daily formation plan? Let’s discuss!