The Importance of Guiding Virtues in Student Development: The Example of Blessed Karl

As parents and teachers, we understand that the very heart of an authentic Catholic education is nurturing virtue in our young people. By this we mean promoting moral, ethical, and religious thoughts and behaviors which become a central part of the student’s personality and existence. When a rich and engaging curriculum is combined with the practice of Christian virtues, the result is transformative.

Blessed Karl of Austria (1887-1922) is an example of Christian virtue for our time. Blessed Karl served as Emperor of Austria during World War I. More than anything else, he was a peacemaker, and resolved to carry out that Gospel mandate. As a ruler, he was guided by Catholic social teaching, and understood that Christian virtues must be brought into secular society where they are needed most. As a husband and father, he brought Christ into his marriage and into his home in a profound way. Because of his exemplary love for the Eucharist he has been called the “Eucharistic Emperor.” In all he did, he attempted to treat each person justly, while devoting his whole being to the service of God and humanity. Blessed Karl lived Christian virtue to a heroic degree, out in the world, as most of us must do. His example is an example for those of us who live in the modern world, and preparation to live in that world guided by Christian virtue is the ultimate purpose of education.