Walter Ong, S.J., in a 1990 essay, introduced the metaphor of yeast as a model for Catholic education. He likened yeast, which permeates and transforms dough, to faith, which integrates with other disciplines to expand truth and goodness. This contrasts sharply with the metaphor of frosting, which merely decorates without affecting the substance beneath. Frosting represents a model where Catholic identity is superficial, limited to external symbols and rituals that don’t deeply infuse the educational process.

Yeast as a Model for Catholic Education

Ong explained that yeast, like Catholic education, works “throughout the whole,” transforming various disciplines. This integration of faith and reason fosters a deeper understanding of humanity, enhancing both secular knowledge and spiritual growth. Catholic education, in this model, is not isolated to religion courses but interwoven throughout every discipline, enriching the student’s intellectual and spiritual life.

Frosting: A Superficial Approach to Education

In contrast, many modern Catholic schools resemble the “frosting” model, where Catholic identity is only an external layer. The content remains secular, and religious elements like Mass or service programs are secondary. This model, while aesthetically pleasing, lacks the transformative power of yeast, and fails to integrate faith deeply into the academic experience.

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In too many Catholic schools, faith has become like ‘frosting on a secular cake’

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