Little Known Church Heroes

Webster’s dictionary defines catechesis from the Greek word katekhesis meaning oral teaching in the basic principles of any religion and catechism as a set of questions and answers of any religious doctrine. The church knows that a child from birth to age 5 get religious teaching from their parents. The parents have their children baptized, received confirmation, they pray the rosary every 6p.m., attend Sunday masses, fiesta, novenas, processions together. The child will be in school from age 5 to 20. The child at age 20 will either be married or working.

From birth to age 5, the child’s time is 95% with his family and 5% in church (masses, fiestas etc.). From age 5 to 20, the child’s exposure is 25% family, 55% school, 15% free, 5% Church. From 20 and above, 25% house, 15% free, 55% office, 5% Church. With this background the church noted that as the child grows older, his time with his family and the church will be less. The child might forget his religious training and knowledge. To make sure that there is continuity in church learning and so that the child will remember his religious life, it created the catechism program for all public elementary and high schools.

Ateneo de Davao opened in 1948. By 1950 it already had a program for public schools with Ateneo High School volunteer catechists. In the 1960s, Davao Archdiocese expanded the program by bringing it to the parish level using parochial lay leaders/students/volunteers who will teach in the public elementary and high school in the territory of the parish.

Very few know about the heroic efforts, hardships and sacrifices of these volunteers. We should include in our prayers the good health and safety of our catechetical teachers. They literally followed the Lord’s plea to go out and spread the good news. We thank them for giving their very best for our youth. Many are called but few are chosen. The catechists are the wonderful and beloved chosen few.