(ZENIT News / Milan, 01.21.2025).- In a quiet corner of Milan, a 14-year-old Muslim girl named Maryam attends a Catholic high school—the Faes Classical Lyceum, affiliated with Opus Dei. On the surface, her story might seem unremarkable, yet it has sparked conversations that challenge entrenched stereotypes about faith, coexistence, and education.
Maryam’s parents, a Muslim couple—her father is Egyptian and her mother Italian—chose the Catholic institution for its strong values and approach to education. “I’m happy with the choice we made for our children,” Maryam’s mother shared. Her twin brother, in a similar spirit, attends another Catholic school, where respect and acceptance are equally palpable.
The Faes Lyceum, while unmistakably Christian in identity, embodies an ethos of inclusion. Its leaders emphasize that the school’s Christian foundation is precisely what fosters an environment of mutual respect and individual dignity. Alongside Maryam, the school also welcomes another Muslim girl and a Buddhist boy—demonstrating that faith-based education can be a bridge, not a barrier.
Religion classes, a hallmark of Catholic education, are optional but encouraged. Remarkably, Maryam’s parents insist she attend, seeing it as a unique opportunity for growth. “For us, it’s important that Maryam participates,” her mother explained. “It helps her develop, and our children need to grow in understanding.” During these classes, non-Christian students are invited to listen, but not required to pray—an approach that respects their beliefs without compromising the school’s religious identity.
Maryam’s story exemplifies something deeper than mere tolerance. It reflects the Catholic understanding of evangelization not as coercion, but as attraction. As Pope Benedict XVI eloquently put it in 2007, “The Church does not grow through proselytism, but by attraction—like Christ, who draws all people to Himself with the power of His love.”
This quiet magnetism is evident in the school’s embrace of Maryam and her faith. Her headscarf, a visible marker of her identity, has not been a point of contention but a testament to the school’s ability to balance conviction with compassion. This openness to difference is a counterpoint to the hostility sometimes found in secular institutions, where expressions of faith are often met with suspicion under the guise of neutrality.
The significance of Maryam’s experience extends beyond the school walls. It challenges the prevailing narratives about religious institutions being inherently exclusionary. In fact, her journey reveals how authentic faith communities can model coexistence by welcoming others as they are, without sacrificing their own beliefs.
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