Virtues in Practice

Virtues in Practice is a program for children in grades pre-kindergarten through eight to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues. It is set up in such a way that a whole school studies the same virtue each month, to provide a whole-school (and at home, whole-family) focus. The program covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle, with 81 saints held up as models of the virtues.

Virtue Formation & Saints

St. Mary’s integrates moral and spiritual formation with everyday life through the Virtue of the Month program, which highlights one virtue school-wide each month. Students study saints exemplifying these virtues in their personal and academic lives, drawing inspiration from their examples.

St. Mary’s integrates moral and spiritual formation into everyday school life through the Virtue of the Month program, helping students develop character and imitate the saints and reinforce the connection between virtue, prayer, and service. Activities include:

• Individual monthly House challenges, in which students learn new prayers and actively practice the virtue of the month.
• School-wide House service projects, providing opportunities for students to live out the call to charity, justice, and service within the broader community.
• Most Virtuous Person (MVP) award – each month, one student from each grade level is recognized in front of the student body for exemplifying outstanding characteristics of the virtue of the month.

Through these practices, students learn that holiness is pursued in daily life, through prayer, service, and faithful participation in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church.