Religion

At St. Anthony Academy, our religion curriculum seeks to help students know, understand, and love the Catholic faith. Through age-appropriate study of Catholic teaching, Scripture, the Mass, Church history, and the lives of the saints, students develop a strong foundation in the intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Church.

Faith is woven naturally into the rhythm of the school day. We begin each morning with prayer, pray together throughout the day, and gather for the Rosary. Students also learn the traditional prayers of the Church, including several in Latin.

The liturgical year provides a beautiful framework for the life of our school community. Throughout the year, students participate in traditions that bring the seasons and feasts of the Church to life. These include praying for the faithful departed in November, creating a Jesse Tree during Advent, praying the Stations of the Cross during Lent, and learning about the saints in preparation for All Saints Day. Feast days are also occasions for celebration, with special activities, games, and gatherings that help students experience the joy of the Catholic faith.

All students receive daily instruction in religion. In Kindergarten through second grade, students build a foundation in the teachings, prayers, stories, and traditions of the Church, with particular attention given to preparation for First Holy Communion. The Baltimore Catechism serves as one of our resources, alongside Scripture, sacred art, stories of the saints, and other age-appropriate materials.

In third through eighth grades, students continue their study of the Catholic faith in greater depth. Drawing from the Baltimore Catechism and other sources, they study Catholic doctrine, Scripture and Bible history, the Mass and sacraments, Church history, and the lives and writings of the saints.

Through this combination of study, prayer, tradition, and celebration, we hope to form students who not only understand their Catholic faith but recognize its truth, beauty, and richness and carry it with them throughout their lives.