As we begin to contemplate the legacy of our Holy Father Benedict XVI on the Roman Catholic Church, I reflect on a recent quote attributed to Pope Benedict: “The ways of the Lord are not comfortable. But we were not created for comfort, but for Greatness.” This quote captures the essence of the Virtue of Magnanimity. This virtue was best explained by St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica: “Magnanimity makes a man [woman] deem himself [herself] worthy of great things in consideration of the gifts he [she] holds from God.” This is such an elegant way to describe what we as Christians are called upon to seek: To have the confidence and the fortitude to take stock of our gifts and seek greatness even though it may be difficult or cause us to personally suffer -- for the benefit of others. We strive to do so with humility and grace.
Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, refers to these individuals as “Level 5 Leaders.” These are the leaders that have that paradoxical combination of humility and a strong will to “do” -- even when it may cause personal tribulation. Jim Collins’ research shows that these types of leaders are the common thread to creating great institutions that endure. What Jim Collins did not mention is that St. Thomas Aquinas described these qualities over seven centuries ago. These qualities and virtues are the ones we seek to build in our students in the Lafayette Catholic Schools.
This past week we registered 92 young boys and girls for next year’s kindergarten class. This is a remarkable start to next year. They represent the lifeblood of our Catholic schools and the future of our society. As these young people develop their gifts at school and at home, they will be shaped and encouraged to “seek greatness” for the benefit of the world around them. They will learn to become the “do-ers” in our society, not for fame or material things, but for the greater glory of God. Thank you all for your gifts of time, talent and treasure which support the Lafayette Catholic Schools in our efforts to shape tomorrow’s great leaders.
