This morning after Mass, I was praying privately with my five year-old son Raymond. I was kneeling on one knee and Ray was sitting on the other knee. I was helping Ray to develop the habit of praying to Jesus in his own words.

So I whispered, "I love you, Jesus." He then very reverently whispered, "I love you, Jesus."

Then I whispered, "Jesus, I trust in You." Raymond followed suit and sweetly whispered, "Jesus, I trust in You."

I was very proud of his effort to pray well. Plus, he was especially well behaved at Mass this morning. So I whispered, "Good boy."  Then Ray looked toward the tabernacle and whispered, "Good boy."

I whispered, "Rayyyy, I was talking to you!" He cheerfully responded, "Okay," and then he bounded back to the church vestibule. Mass (and prayer time) is over, time to go in peace.

The Catechism reminds us that "parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God" (no. 2226). In the early years (and also in the later years!), sometimes I wonder what kind of progress the kids are making. Am I embracing this mission, this responsibility, as fully as I should? Am I modeling a life of prayer to my children?

I think it's important not to beat ourselves up too much about these things, because this is ultimately God's work and in His loving, merciful hands. At the same time, it's good to be reminded of our role as parents in the formation of our children. The Catechism is really good (and concise!) on this topic. Maybe a slow, careful read (or reread) of nos. 2221-31 would be an appropriate Lenten meditation for us parents?