If students at Columbus St. Charles Preparatory School had any reason to doubt their Catholic education, Cardinal Timothy Dolan was there to remind them of its benefits.

The cardinal, who has been the archbishop of New York since 2009 and was appointed to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, visited and spoke to students at St. Charles on Oct. 10 about the “value and prize” of Catholic education.

Cardinal Dolan was St. Charles’ featured speaker this year. The school hosts a series of Borromeo lectures named in honor of its patron, St. Charles Borromeo. Previous lectures have focused on themes including civility, integrity, ethics and service.

The cardinal was also part of “An Evening With … ” event later that day, a key fundraising event for the school. The evening included dinner, entertainment and a message from Cardinal Dolan.

He told students, who gathered earlier that afternoon, that he would go “anywhere” to support Catholic schools. Recalling Christ’s words in Scripture, he described Catholic schools as the “pearl of great price when it comes to the Church’s crown of sanctity and formation.”

From the beginning, Cardinal Dolan pointed out that Christ’s bride, the Catholic Church, has supported education. The Church has founded schools across the world that offer strong academics while transmitting the faith to students.

He also reflected on Christ’s final words in Scripture before He ascended to the Father. Jesus, who was called “Rabbi,” meaning, “teacher,” told his disciples to go forth and teach all nations.

“If you ask why I’m here today to glorify, to laud and to support Catholic education, folks, for somebody who considers Jesus Christ my lord and savior, the Way, the Truth and the Life, the beginning and end of all reality, I better listen to Him,” Cardinal Dolan said. “And if I listen to Him, if I watch Him, He loves the apostolate, the ministry of education.”

The cardinal said it is also part of bishops’ and priests’ “sacred responsibility” to be teachers and support Catholic education.

He told students that, from a worldly point of view, there are many benefits to such an education.

“If you look at some of the studies … you’ll see that, just from a worldly point of view, graduates of Catholic schools have healthier lives; they have happier marriages; they are more involved in the community; they’re more likely to volunteer for very worthwhile causes; they’re much more likely to be educated citizens,” he said.

Cardinal Dolan told students that, from a supernatural point of view, the benefits are even greater.

“We always say our Catholic schools don’t exist just to get you into college, our Catholic schools don’t exist just to get you a good job, to get into a good line of work – our Catholic schools exist to get you into heaven,” he said.

Cardinal Dolan poses for pictures with students during a visit to the campus for the annual St. Charles Borromeo lecture.

He said that the schools impart knowledge and wisdom. The cardinal explained that knowledge can be earned, but wisdom is a grace from God.

He also explored faith and reason, which, he said, are the greatest gifts from God. Cardinal Dolan said a Catholic school believes students need both.

“St. Anselm, the great theologian, said, what kind of God would we have if His greatest supernatural gift to us, our faith, was at odds with His greatest natural gift to us, reason?” he recalled. “A place like St. Charles flourishes because faith and reason are working – working together.”

He said sending children to a school where God’s name is never mentioned gives them the impression that God is not essential to their life.

In his address to students, Cardinal Dolan also recognized St. Charles graduate and benefactor Bob Dilenschneider and his wife, Jan, who were present.

Dilenschneider, a 1961 graduate, is the founder and CEO of The Dilenschneider Group and author of several books. He has counseled corporations and professional groups around the globe. He served as host and benefactor of the lecture, and has supported the speaker series at St. Charles for years.

Cardinal Dolan said he learned a lot about St. Charles through Dilenschneider.

“St. Charles Borromeo stands for prayer, faith, service, character and hard work,” he said Dilenschneider told him. “Probably the main reason I’m here is because Bob and Jan invited me, and I love them and admire them, and they are great examples of enlightened, committed, passionate, educated Catholics.

“If that’s what this school supports, put me on the development list,” Cardinal Dolan added jokingly.

The St. Charles student body gathered to hear Cardinal Dolan speak at the school.

After his address, students had an opportunity to ask Cardinal Dolan a question.

Asked why he became a priest, Cardinal Dolan shared that, growing up, he had a fascination with the priesthood.

He said he was blessed to have priests in his home parish who were “happy, effective men.” He also credited his family for never coercing him into the priesthood but supporting his vocation.

“I haven’t regretted a day of it,” the cardinal said.

After his lecture, a press conference with Cardinal Dolan was held in the school.

A student asked the cardinal about discernment, which, Cardinal Dolan said is “a fancy word for figuring out God’s will for you.”

He said it might be difficult for a person to figure out what God wants them to do, but the Lord says what not to do. Cardinal Dolan encouraged reading God’s word in the Bible, which, he said, will give people an idea of the direction the Lord wants them to go.

He also recommended St. Ignatius of Loyola’s guide to discernment and for help in making good decisions.