“In the Beginning, God”

BRENDAN RONAN for the Integrated Life Journal

"In the beginning, God. Out of nothing created, odd! From nothingness, called me, to be me, to be great, like He!"

More than 200 freshmen stand in rows inside a gymnasium on a warm July morning, reciting this creed as sunlight filters through high windows. Dressed in black shorts and white T-shirts, these young men, barely 14, confront a truth that will guide their next four years: in the beginning, there is God.

God is the Creator who calls each of them into existence—athletic or clumsy, confident or unsure, passionate or hesitant—fashioned in His image, destined for greatness in Him. What begins as a chant becomes a declaration: their education will be more than academic; their growth will be more than temporal; it will be formation ordered to their ultimate end—heaven.

FORMATION AS MISSION

Freshmen Formation Weekend initiates these new Friars into the Servite Way. They learn about themselves, their brothers, and their school community. They are reminded they are beloved made in God's image, and called to greatness. They are challenged to perform acts of faith, rely on one another, and place Christ at the center of their lives. This process immerses them in Servite's culture of honor and leadership and introduces them to the unique Servite charism and fraternity. For example, they are invited to have a devotion to Mary through the daily angelus, and are called to service by begging on behalf of the homeless. But why Servite Formation? Because Catholic education must be more than preparation for college or career. It must form faith-filled leaders—husbands, fathers, and men of service. It must transform ordinary boys into extraordinary men who use their gifts for others. It must nurture the whole person—spiritually, academically, physically, socially, and emotionally—while always keeping Christ at the center.

TWO COMMANDS

Servite Formation is rooted in two commands of the Church. The first is Christ's Great Commission in Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." This mandate is foundational for every Catholic school. Our task is not simply to educate but to form disciples—future saints—who know Christ personally and are prepared to bring His Gospel to the world.

The second command is articulated by the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council in Gravissimum Educationis (1965): "For a true education aims at the formation of the human person in the pursuit of his ultimate end." Servite embraces formation as its educational vision, recognizing that education is not an end in itself but a means to guide souls toward heaven.

Scholarships, championships, and internships, while valuable, are not ultimate goals. Nor are standardized test scores or future earnings performance metrics for Catholic education. The true measure of success is sainthood. Servite sees its students not merely as pupils but as souls entrusted to its care—souls made for eternal union with God.

A COUNTERCULTURAL TASK

This vision sets Servite apart from its peers, both public schools and, unfortunately, some Catholic schools as well. Yet it poses a challenge: how to persuade students and families that true success lies in formation when society offers easier, more immediate paths.

Our culture promotes relativism, individualism, and utilitarianism. It values what is convenient, profitable, or pleasurable, often at the expense of what is true and good. Technology—social media, video games, endless scrolling—tempts boys to remain boys, avoiding responsibility and the challenges needed to mature.

But the results of this culture that sells young men short are clear: increased anxiety and depression, decreased joy and satisfaction. As St. Augustine observed long ago, Our hearts are restless until they rest in You, O Lord." The Servite answer is to invite students to anchor their lives not in passing trends but in Truth.

GROUNDED IN TRUTH

The foundation of Servite Formation is simple: "In• the beginning, God." God created each young man from nothing, with purpose, for greatness. Students are challenged to wrestle with the question, Who am I? and then the deeper question, Whose am I? They are asked to consider how they spend their time, what they consume, how they treat otherespecially the women in their lives—and how they honor God with the recognition and development of their talents. Servites motto, credo ut intelligam-I believe so that I may understandcaptures this mission. Faith is not opposed to reason; rather, faith opens the way to true understanding. In classrooms, on athletic fields, in the arts, and in daily interactions, students are reminded that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). Servite Formation helps them recognize their gifts and weaknesses alike, giving thanks for both, since God works through them to accomplish His will.

CHRIST AT THE CENTER

Ultimately, Servite Formation is about Christ. He is not only Truth but also the Way and the Life John 14:6). Students must embrace Him to grow fully, turn to Him to resist cultural temptations, and center their lives on Him to love God and neighbor authentically. The heart of formation, then, is a campus culture that consistently points to Christ—through prayer, sacraments, fraternity, service, and retreats. Students are invited not only to know Christ but to embrace, love, imitate, love, and be Christ in order to draw others to Him.

TOWARD HEAVEN

Nearly 70 years ago, Servite priests and brothers believed deeply that education was more than academics. They dreamed bigger: that ordinary boys could become extraordinary men, formed in Christ, prepared for sainthood. Today, Servite continues that mission. Its formation process is not easy, nor is it convenient. But it is necessary. "In the beginning, God." God created each student with dignity and purpose. He calls them—through formation—to greatness, to holiness, to heaven. This is Servites response to the disintegration impacting our students today. This is the true mission of Catholic education. Nothing less will do.

Brendan Ronan is the Assistant Principal of Catholic Identity at Servite High School. He has served in various capacities during his 18 years at Servite, teaching full time theology, serving as the Senior Class Director of Formation, and leading finally as a member of the Servite Leadership Team as an Assistant Principal. Brendan received his B.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and his M.P.S. from Loyola University New Orleans. He also has a Certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Creighton University. Brendan is blessed with his wife of 16 years and three children who attend a local Catholic school in Brea, CA.

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The Integrated Life Journal, offered by the Integrated Life Foundation, is a quarterly publication focusing on Catholic standards for mental health, psychology, and spiritual wellbeing. It addresses modern life challenges through a faith-based lens, covering topics like emotional health, education, and theology. Learn more here: https://integratedlifefoundation.com/home