Catechists: Transmitters of the Faith

On this Catechist’s Day, let us be reminded by Pope Francis: “The history of evangelization over the past two millennia clearly shows the effectiveness of the mission of catechists. Bishops, priests and deacons, together with many men and women in the consecrated life, devoted their lives to catechetical instruction so that the faith might be an effective support for the life of every human being.”

“Recognition should be given to those lay men and women who feel called by virtue of their baptism to cooperate in the work of catechesis,” Pope Francis writes.

“Catechists are called first to be expert in the pastoral service of transmitting the faith as it develops through its different stages from the initial proclamation of the kerygma to the instruction that presents our new life in Christ and prepares for the sacraments of Christian initiation, and then to the ongoing formation that can allow each person to give an accounting of the hope within them.”

“They should also receive suitable biblical, theological, pastoral and pedagogical formation to be competent communicators of the truth of the faith and they should have some prior experience of catechesis.”

Bishops, priests, deacons and religious first received the instructions of our faith from the mouth of our catechist. Our deepest gratitude and prayers to our catechists!