The Church has long known one simple, powerful practice: reading Scripture together as a family. This spiritual tradition not only strengthens faith but can be a genuine path to holiness.
St. John Chrysostom, one of the Church’s greatest early teachers, urged parents to immerse their children in the Word of God. “Let everything take second place to our care of our children, our bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,” he said (orthodoxinfo.com). This call to prioritize spiritual formation above all else remains just as relevant today.
A beautiful example comes from the family of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the “Little Flower.” She grew up in a deeply devout home where daily family Bible reading was not just a duty but a joy. Each evening, her saintly parents, Louis and Zélie Martin, gathered their children to read and reflect on Scripture together (discerninghearts.com). This practice laid the foundation for Thérèse’s lifelong faith.
To St. Thérèse, the words of Scripture were seeds planted deeply in her heart, growing into a simple yet profound love for God. She found answers to everyday questions and challenges in the Bible, shaping her spirituality around the “little way” of humility and love (theresadoyle-nelson.blogspot.com).
Reading Scripture together is more than storytelling. It creates moments for meaningful conversations about faith, doubts, and life’s decisions. Parents can gently guide their children with biblical wisdom, helping them build faith that can withstand cultural pressures.
In these moments, families invite God into their homes, allowing His Word to unite, comfort, and guide them. This practice is a true saint-maker.
For families seeking a roadmap to holiness, Forming Families, Forming Saints by Fr. Carter Griffin offers practical advice rooted in Scripture, tradition, and lived Church wisdom. It equips parents and grandparents to create homes where Christ is central and sainthood is the goal (lifegivingwounds.org).
So what can we do to support the holiness of our loved ones? Let’s start by reading Scripture together as a family, just like St. Thérèse’s family did. It’s not just knowledge but a planting of love and faith that can transform lives.
