Loyalty has a lot to do with a person’s rectitude, frankness, constancy, and fidelity to their word, to people, to institutions, and also to their own honor. Well-placed loyalty survives difficulties, whether they be external or internal. It weathers setbacks, resists temptation, and does not cave in to attacks. Loyalty engenders trust and preserves friendships.

Goal:
• Teach the children to be loyal and faithful in the small details of daily life, since this is how they learn to be faithful in the bigger things.
• Help the children to understand the value of fidelity and loyalty in the midst of a world that manipulates them and says that this virtue is outdated.
• Help them to realize that someone who is disloyal in small matters will not be loyal in bigger matters.
• Remind them of the importance of treating others well, just as they themselves would like to be treated.
• On a practical level, foster loyalty first and foremost within the family, to their parents and siblings.

Remember:

Our example as parents matters even more than what we say.  Kids learn from what we do, so we should live the virtue of loyalty the way we want them to live it. We should also remember to value and emphasize this virtue, and not just academic or athletic achievements.

Why form the virtue of loyalty?

• Because being faithful to God, oneself, and others gives meaning to life.
• Because loyalty shows itself in the way we love and value other people. 
• Because it keeps us from being dragged along by instincts, passions, and laziness.
• Because living the virtue of loyalty helps a child learn to give the best of himself out of love and gratitude, and to take on his responsibilities to God, his parents, teachers, friends, and others.
• Because those who live the virtue of loyalty grow in spiritual and human dignity.

Living loyalty means:

• Having a fine-tuned and firm conscience that is loyal to God and to what is true and good above all else.
• Being attentive to the needs of others.
• Understanding that people are not objects that I can use for my own benefit.
• Overcoming obstacles that may make it hard to be loyal to a person, to myself, or to my commitments and ideals.
• Understanding that my actions make an impact on others, for good or for bad.
• Keeping my promises to God, others, and myself.

What makes it hard to live this virtue?

• Selfishness and individualism, which are so prevalent in today’s world.
• A lack of self-giving.
• Being incapable of sacrificing myself for the good of another.