In this article, Leonard Franchi reminds us of the importance of the great riches and traditions bequeathed to the Church to help us to understand various aspects of Church life and teaching.  He highlights the importance of various Church documents on the theory and practice of education, not only those which emerged after the Second Vatican Council.  In particular he offers some insights into a document from 1929 – Divini Illius Magistri – which highlights links between the praxis of Christina education and the common good of society.