���ϲ�����

While attending Christmas Mass, ���ϲ����� alumnus and tutor Dr. Andrew Seeley (’87) had a beautiful insight into the nature of the Blessed Mother’s docility to God’s will, and how it should guide him and his fellow educators in their work:

In the midst of this celebration, I was struck by how all of this, all of the Church’s wonderful history and traditions, the spiritual strength she has shown through the ages, began from one simple expression. “Fiat mihi, Let it be done to me.” This was how Mary, who was to become and now is Our Lady, responded to Gabriel’s message inviting her to become the Mother of Jesus. How simple! And I wondered whether this could be what we really want to embrace as teachers, and what we hope our students take away from their time in our Catholic schools.”

As executive director of the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE), Dr. Seeley assists Catholic schools and teachers across the country, offering conferences, development programs, in-service training, and consultation to would-be classical educators. His as a model for educators, published on the ICLE blog, draws on his experience as a member of the College’s teaching faculty:

Teachers share the gifts of knowledge that we have received with the students the Lord has given us as gifts. If this is not unbelievable (how can my daily work in the classroom be all that important?) , it can be scary (my daily work in the classroom is tremendously important!). Zechariah found God’s gift unbelievable, and lost his ability to speak. Our Lady believed, but “was greatly troubled” when Gabriel addressed her with such honor. But in the end, she said, “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.” Let us ask her, who received her gift through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, to beg Him to infuse our spirits with humble obedience in His service and our teaching with His gifts, so that we might come to share in her Fiat, and ultimately, in her Magnificat.

May God bless Dr. Seeley and all Catholic educators!