EDUCATIONAL REVIEW 377 C28 VOLUME XIV Published Monthly Except July and August THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION PRESS Under the Direction of the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D. C. 66627 The Catholic Educational Review JUNE, 1917 RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS No one will deny that the Church has greater need today than ever of young men and women well grounded in the knowledge and love of their religion. They meet with temptations from all sides, once they are removed from the sheltering influence of school environment, and their faith must be strong and vigorous if it grow not cold in the presence of all the chilling influences with which the world greets it. Nor is it sufficient to say that the religious "atmosphere" of a Catholic college will do more towards instilling and strengthening that faith in the young, than any amount of formal instruction. This atmosphere-so-called-is of great value and can do much in creating a reverential attitude towards matters religious. It will go a long way in instilling what we call the "Catholic sense." But "atmosphere" can never create knowledge, and it is knowledge, sound and thorough, that is needed now to meet the attacks of those outside the Church. Further, it is needed not merely to repell attacks, but also to give a reasonable explanation of the teachings and beliefs of our holy faith to sincere inquirers. But the only way knowledge can be acquired is by study, and the question I wish to put is: Are our Catholic high schools, academies and colleges doing all they should in this matter of religious instruction? They are devoting some time to it certainly, and perhaps that time is as much as we can now afford considering the demands of an already crowded curriculum. But in view of the time spent, do we get results? I believe those engaged in teaching this subject or those who come in contact with the product of our Catholic schools after leaving college, will admit that we do not. If it be granted, then, that we do not get proportionate results Ingraha |