Unlocking the Renaissance: The Rise of Catholic Classical Liberal Arts Education – Insights from OSV News

Jay Boren, the headmaster of St. Benedict Classical Academy in South Natick, Massachusetts, has served in this role since 2015. He believes that the heart of Catholic classical education lies in nurturing wisdom and virtue while seeking truth and alignment with Christ. Recently, he shared his insights with Charlie Camosy from OSV News about the revival happening in Catholic education.

Charlie Camosy: Many people are hearing more about classical Catholic education now, but what exactly does it mean? It seems more than just learning Latin and reading classic books.

Jay Boren: You’re right! Classical Catholic education is about much more than those subjects. It focuses on cultivating wisdom and virtue, aligning our minds and hearts with what is true, good, and beautiful. Our ultimate goal is to help students know, love, and serve God. We aim for education to reflect timeless truths instead of just preparing students for careers or college. It’s vital to return to the wisdom of our tradition and understand the depth of education beyond immediate outcomes.

Education shouldn’t just be about getting a good job. While we want our students to find meaningful work, that’s not the primary aim. If graduates succeed academically but lack virtue and the pursuit of truth, we’ve failed them. They deserve to thrive fully, engaging with their minds, hearts, and souls to recognize beauty and goodness in the world. As St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” We want our students to live this truth.

Camosy: Is what we’re seeing a true explosion in classical Catholic education? It feels like new schools and conferences are popping up everywhere.

Boren: It’s definitely a renaissance! New schools are being established month after month across the country. I talk to many prospective founders each year, and it’s inspiring to see laypeople taking the initiative to create schools and programs. There’s a real demand for rigorous, faith-based education, and this movement connects Catholics who are eager for renewal in Catholic education.

These new schools are addressing a genuine need. Parents want a robust classical education embedded in authentic Catholic values, and it feels like a pivotal moment for the church. How we respond to this moment is crucial.

This movement invites us to rethink our approach to Catholic schools. Many new institutions are founded and managed by laypeople, shifting away from models reliant on religious orders. This shift allows us to build a vibrant future in Catholic education instead of merely managing decline. As Father Peter Stamm often says, “Healthy things grow.”

Camosy: You’ve been influential in this movement as headmaster. Can you share what you’ve created at your school?

Boren: It’s been an incredible journey! Our school has grown from 60 students to over 320 in just 10 years. We recently transitioned from shared office space to a beautiful, classically designed building. However, what truly matters is the sense of community we’ve built. Families travel considerable distances, passing other schools, because they believe in our mission. We strive to keep tuition affordable and have a robust assistance program, planning to grant over $1 million in aid next year.

The most rewarding part is seeing families committed to this education. The support from our community is heartening, and I cherish my daughters’ friendships with other students. It’s a powerful testament to how many are eager to invest in their children’s potential.

Camosy: What can the broader church do to support this trend in Catholic education, especially to help train new teachers?

Boren: Many initiatives are emerging to meet our needs, like the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, which supports schools in adapting their programming. There’s also the Catholic Talent Project, launched by Tom Carroll, aimed at recruiting and training passionate educators. The church’s support has been invaluable, and I’d love to see more partnerships between seminaries and schools. Additionally, encouraging young people to study liberal arts—literature, history, philosophy—gives them the foundation to explore both personal and professional paths.

It’s been remarkable to see talented young teachers thrive, even if their training isn’t exclusively in education. Through mentorship and professional development, they can quickly become effective educators thanks to their academic backgrounds.

Charlie Camosy is a professor of medical humanities at the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, and serves as a moral theology fellow at St. Joseph Seminary in New York.

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