Roman Catholic schools embrace Book of Life

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — École Marie, a Roman Catholic school attended by more than 1,000 students from Port-au-Prince and the surrounding countryside, has also adopted the Book of Life program in its Religious Education classes, and its director, Therèse André, is as enthusiastic as her evangelical counterparts. So are her older students, who have RE lessons twice a week. The younger children have 20 minutes’ religious instruction a day. Both groups include a minority of Protestants.

“The books are very well presented,” says the Carmelite educator. “For the first time we have the Gospels together in one book.”

“This material is modern and practical. It provides a good transition from the Bible to the pupil’s lives” — Teacher

She also appreciates the book’s faithful translation of the Scriptures. “It reads the same as the Bible,” she says, “there is no discrepancy. I asked the teachers to use it because it was better than our other materials. We used to use the Jerusalem Version, but this is more modern and practical. It provides a good transition from the Bible to their lives.

“One other thing that caught my attention was the moral lessons – the lessons on family life, sex, love, etc. They catch the interest of the children. All ages love the book.

“Other Bibles we’ve had are very expensive, so we have to keep them in the school. But the students can take the O-21 New Testaments home. They can become their own. That is exciting!”

Ms André’s students, like most who have seen the books, are equally enthusiastic. “It doesn’t just talk about Jesus, but about real life – about us,” says Jenifer Alcero, 15. “It really speaks to me.”

“It doesn’t just talk about Jesus, but about real life – about us. It really speaks to me.” — Jenifer Alcero, aged 15

Adds Cassandra St Louis, “It helps me learn more about the Bible and Jesus. It helps me remember to love my parents, how to love others, how to reach out to those who hate me. It teaches me how to love my enemies – and my parents, even when they are angry with me. It also has an e-mail address where we can discuss things with people,” she adds, “and I intend to do that.”