'Gift of counsel' shows students were wrong

Published: March 11, 2010

Article Tools

Font size: [A] [A] [A]

Our Social Networks

Facebook

To the editor: I read about the Lourdes students and their suspension. We should have the right to wear what we want. This led to a big discussion with my parents. They listened to my reasons why I believe the students should not be disciplined. Then they reminded me of my recent confirmation in the Catholic Church. They allowed me to write The News-Item with my response as long as I thought through my response.

I thought about my confirmation and looked through my notes. When confirmed, we are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gift of judgment (counsel) is one gift. "The gift of counsel is to render the individual docile and receptive to the counsel of God regarding one's actions in view of sanctification and salvation. Primarily, this gift enables a person to judge individual acts as good and ought to be done, or as evil and ought to be avoided. The counsel is made in view of one's end. Therefore, this gift prompts the person to ask himself: Will this act lead to holiness? Will this act lead to Heaven?" (Catholiceducation.org)

Wow! I hate to admit it, but the school administration is right. Although the students were not disciplined for what they wore, but for disobeying a request from the administration, they truly did not use right judgment. It's not easy doing right. Do we go for fun, or think about every action we do? These students also serve as ambassadors for Lourdes, and how they act reflects back to their school and their religion.

For a Catholic, or for any Christian, we must follow the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes. These supersede any manmade laws. I guess what the students did was wrong, but maybe there is a solution for future events.

The Lourdes students can create a school spirit team. The students could contact the schools they play and come up with mutually accepted attire. Then, when they wear the attire, it is truly in the light of team spirit and no one gets hurt.

Allie Wagner

12th-grade student

Maryland

Ads by Yahoo!