What does it mean to be a Catechist?

09-15-2024Weekly ReflectionJen Arnold, M.A.

The Church designates the third Sunday of September, “Catechetical Sunday” as an opportunity to remember and pray for those who dedicate themselves to the ministry of catechesis and to renew our commitment to the ongoing formation of disciples. While we do have designated, formal catechists to provide faith formation at all levels, every Catholic is called to be a catechist, depending on the person’s state in life. When we were baptized, we were conformed to Christ in his three-fold role of priest, prophet, and king. These baptismal promises should compel us to lead others to Jesus and share the truth of who he is. To that end, today is a good day to reflect on the nature and importance of catechesis so that we better serve the Church's mission in the salvation of souls.

The word “catechesis” comes from the Greek, meaning “to echo.” At its core, catechesis is the act of echoing or resounding the Church's teachings to the world. As catechists, each of us is called to faithfully transmit the teachings of the Church, allowing them to resonate in the hearts and minds of those we encounter. Catechesis is intimately bound up with the whole of the Church's life, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC #7). Through catechesis, the Church grows internally and corresponds with God's plan for humanity. This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church carries a great dignity that we ought to take seriously.

To form others in the faith, we must first tend to our own formation. After all, we can’t share what we don’t have. We should never stop asking questions and seeking the answers the Church provides.  Abundant resources to facilitate continued learning are available to strengthen your resolve and confidence in knowing the truth. Some examples include books, Church documents, Relevant Radio, faith formation classes, bible studies, trusted Catholic websites, and podcasts. Of course, everyone should also have access to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is a straightforward way to look up what the Church officially teaches on any given topic. While I prefer the physical book, it is also available online and on several Catholic apps for smartphones. Find whatever means of learning suits you best, and always seek opportunities to continue to strengthen your own faith formation journey so that you can use it to serve the Church effectively.

When catechesis is carried out effectively, it bears abundant fruit in the life of the Church and society. Those well-formed in the faith are better equipped to live out their Christian vocations, whether in family life, the workplace, or the public square. They become active participants in the life of the Church, contributing their gifts and talents to build up the Body of Christ. Furthermore, solid catechesis helps to foster vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and dedicated lay ministry. By helping individuals discern God's call in their lives, catechesis plays a vital role in ensuring the ongoing and future vitality of the Church.

In 1979, Pope St. John Paul II issued an apostolic exhortation entitled Catechesi Tradendae: On Catechesis in our Time. St. John Paul stated that his hope for the exhortation was that it:

… should strengthen the solidity of the faith and of Christian living, should give fresh vigor to the initiatives in hand, should stimulate creativity — with the required vigilance — and should help to spread among the communities the joy of bringing the mystery of Christ to the world. (CT 4)

It is a substantial document addressed to all members of the Church, so I highly recommend reading it in its entirety, but here are a few of the key points from the Pope’s thoughts on catechesis.

Pope St. John Paul II emphasizes the Christocentricity (Christ being at the center) of all authentic catechesis in Catechesi Tradendae by stating, “At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a person, the person of Jesus of Nazareth” (CT 5). Everything must be taught as it relates to Jesus Christ. As the Gospel of John says, he is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn14:6), and it is through him that we are united with God. Since he is the truth, no dogma or doctrine in the Catholic Church is unrelated to him. Catechesis is “to seek to understand the meaning of Christ's actions and words and the signs worked by him” (CCC #426). Through this, we seek to understand his mystery and as it’s revealed to us, “he can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity” (CT 5).

Since a person is at the heart of any catechesis — formal or informal — it must help facilitate a personal relationship with Christ. It ought to aim to bring individuals into a deep, intimate communion with the person of Jesus. It should not be about merely imparting knowledge, but rather, fostering a close relationship with Christ. However, to do this authentically, you must nurture your own intimate relationship with Jesus through prayer and formation.

While the catechist is a teacher, Jesus Christ is the true teacher, as everything in the catechism has been handed down from him through apostolic succession. You, as the catechist, are “Christ's spokesman, enabling Christ to teach with [your] lips” (CT 6). To follow in the words of St. Paul, “Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). In catechesis, there is no room for personal opinion, interpretation, or agenda as it relates to the Church’s teachings. We cannot alter the truth Jesus teaches. Whenever we are discussing Church teaching with someone, we must clearly convey how it relates to Jesus Christ to maintain Christocentric catechesis. “My teaching is not my own, but is from the one who sent me” (Jn 7:16).

Even Church teachings on other subjects are still Christocentric in nature. Most notably, all the Church’s dogmas and doctrines regarding Mary point us to her son, Jesus Christ, and protect the truth about who he is. For instance, the Church teaches that Mary was immaculately conceived “by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ” not because of anything she did (CCC #491, emphasis added). Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant, a living tabernacle who carried the holiest of holies in her womb. Therefore, she “was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role” (CCC #490, Lumen Gentium 56) which was consistent with God’s own commands in handling his Holy covenants. So, remember, when you share what the Church teaches on any topic, you need to keep its relationship to Jesus in mind to help connect the dots.

While each of us may not be formally called to be a catechist, we each have a responsibility to catechize some individuals in our lives — children, friends, family, and co-workers — so it is essential to know the truth and communicate it using our specific gifts. Look for opportunities to share your faith with others, whether through formal teaching roles or simply by living as a witness to Christ in your daily life. Take some time today to pray for catechists!