Mater Amabilis is a free online Catholic homeschool curriculum that applies Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy while integrating Catholic faith throughout all subjects, from preschool through high school.
What Is Mater Amabilis?
Mater Amabilis (Latin for "Mother Most Lovable"—a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is a free Charlotte Mason-style curriculum created specifically for Catholic homeschooling families. Launched in 2004 after extensive research into Charlotte Mason's original methods, the program provides complete lesson schedules, booklists, and resources from preschool through high school. Unlike secular Charlotte Mason resources, Mater Amabilis weaves Catholic faith naturally throughout all subjects rather than treating religion as a separate class. The entire curriculum is available online at no cost, making classical Catholic education accessible regardless of family budget.
Key Takeaways
- Completely free online curriculum for Catholic homeschoolers
- Combines Charlotte Mason educational philosophy with faithful Catholic teaching
- Covers PreK through high school with detailed scheduling for 36-week years
- Uses living books and literature rather than textbooks
- Does not include math—families must select their own math curriculum
The Charlotte Mason Connection
Charlotte Mason was a British educator whose methods emphasized short lessons, living books, nature study, narration, and respect for children as whole persons. Mater Amabilis takes its name from the Catholic parish in Ambleside, England, where Mason lived and worked—an appropriate connection for a curriculum marrying her methods with Catholic faith. The curriculum preserves Mason's core practices: lessons kept short to maintain attention, high-quality literature replacing dry textbooks, narration (oral retelling) as the primary tool for processing content, and regular nature study connecting children with creation.
How Faith Is Integrated
Rather than adding a "religion class" to secular content, Mater Amabilis approaches all subjects through a Catholic lens. History includes Church history and the lives of saints. Literature selections include Catholic authors and works exploring faith themes. Science marvels at creation while acknowledging the Creator. This integration reflects how Catholic families actually live—faith isn't compartmentalized but woven through everything. The curriculum maintains complete fidelity to the Magisterium, meaning families can trust that content aligns with Church teaching without requiring extensive vetting.
What You Get (and What You Don't)
Mater Amabilis provides comprehensive scheduling—36 weeks of daily lesson plans for each level—along with extensive booklists of recommended living books and resources. Most materials are books you borrow from libraries or purchase; the curriculum itself is the plan and structure. What's notably absent: math curriculum. The program offers suggestions but no actual math instruction. Families must select and implement their own math program. This can feel like a gap for parents expecting a complete all-in-one solution, but it allows families to choose math approaches that match their child's needs.
Who It's Best For
Mater Amabilis works beautifully for Catholic families drawn to Charlotte Mason's gentle, literature-rich approach who want faith integrated throughout rather than separated into a religion period. It suits families willing to invest time in preparation—gathering books, understanding the methods, planning adaptations. The curriculum requires more active parent involvement than open-and-go boxed programs. Families expecting everything provided, those needing complete hand-holding, or those short on planning time may find the format challenging despite its thoroughness.
The Bottom Line
Mater Amabilis offers something genuinely valuable: a complete, free, authentically Catholic curriculum built on Charlotte Mason's proven educational methods. The price (free) and the quality (excellent) make it worth investigating for any Catholic homeschool family, even those who ultimately adapt it rather than follow it completely. The missing math component and required preparation time represent honest tradeoffs rather than flaws. For families who resonate with both Charlotte Mason philosophy and integrated Catholic education, Mater Amabilis may be exactly what you've been looking for.
