From Information to Formation
Liturgies quoted are taken from Every Moment Holy: Volume 1.
Every day, students and teachers alike at Capstone build their memory palace by reciting words that are true, good, and beautiful. We not only recite psalms, catechisms, and prayers of the ancients, but also historical dates and documents, scientific facts, poems, and grammar definitions. The classical student memorizes to turn information into formation. Therefore, we believe that carefully and intentionally selecting information to recite and memorize for our good will aid in the formation of our souls as we draw on it for the rest of our lives.
In his book, Norms and Nobility, David Hicks states, “The purpose of education is not the assimilation of facts or the retention of information, but the habituation of the mind and body to will and act in accordance with what one knows.” In 5th grade we begin every day by standing and reciting the same morning catechism. It is a simple act of faith; we confess these words together trusting that the Lord will stir in our hearts to act accordingly. So our day begins with the question, “Oh children of the living God, what is your Father’s greatest desire for you this day?”
Even though I ask the question, I answer with my students because this is just as much for me as it is for them. I need to hear the answer and believe it every day too. I need to hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit as we respond together with a simple statement that frames my entire day as a teacher, mother, wife, and friend. So we answer together, “That we should love our eternal King with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our minds, and with all our strength.”
If we look at this catechism as classical students, we know that we cannot stop here. We must define our terms. This is where the simple act of memorization leads to transformation, as the same recited words hit us differently every day by the grace of God and the work of His Spirit in our lives. So I follow the last answer by asking, “And how would you show this love?”
The Lord is faithful, and repetition clears the path of distraction. The truths sink deeply into our hearts. Even if we repeat habitually in the moment, we trust that when we allow something to sink deeply into our hearts and minds, it will not return void.
We answer together,
“By remembering him at all times. By cultivating thankfulness for his many blessings, and trusting in the good providence for the meeting of our needs. By loving all whose lives intersect our own. By choosing to serve rather than to be served, to be wounded rather than to wound, and by bearing patiently with the failings of others, extending the same kindness, mercy, and compassion that God in Christ has so graciously offered us. We would also love him by serving with faithfulness and due passion in our various vocations, by delighting in all things he has created for our benefit and pleasure, and by caring well for all he has given us to steward.”
Dear families, even in April after more than 125 days of repetition, these simple sentences continue to lead to rich, meaningful, and joyful conversations! We have conversations about what it means to bear one another’s burdens and how to serve others rather than expect to be served. We talk about God’s kindness, mercy, and compassion and how that is what allows us to be kind, merciful, and compassionate to others. We brainstorm ways we can care well for all we’ve been given at school, at home, and in our families. We are sharpened by the repetition of words that encourage us to love like Jesus loves.
Our catechism doesn’t end there. It goes on and reminds us that we cannot do any of this apart from the saving work of Jesus. We speak these truths over each other and then move on to whatever else we are learning that day. It is a well-spent two minutes of our day, but memorization for the purpose of formation isn’t only for school.
Fellow friend of Capstone, would you consider memorization for the purpose of formation in your own life? Simply think about what you need to hear every single day. Consider what your children need to hear every day and what would you like them to remember when they leave your home. Write it out and speak it every day. Habits are more easily built when attached to something you already do every day. So print it and leave it on your dining room table to recite at dinner. Hang it on the back door and recite it together before you leave. Take it along in your car. As you recite together, you will be impressing the commandments of the Lord on your hearts. You will be talking of them when you sit and when you walk along the road. You will tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. They will be written on the doorframes of your houses.
And when you do, you will see that the Lord is forming you to be more like Him.