If we want our young Catholics to grow into adult Catholics, then maybe we ought to start treating them like “equals.” As catechists, those we teach are typically baptized and in full communion. They may not yet be confirmed but they are no less a disciple of Christ than any of us adults. Perhaps that’s why Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the youth of Brazil in the following terms:
“You are the youth of the Church,” the Pontiff said. “I send you out, therefore, on the great mission of evangelizing young men and women who have gone astray in this world like sheep without a shepherd. Be apostles of youth.”
The pope spoke to them as full members of the Church (because they are) who have a job to do.
Children love to feel trusted with responsibility. I think that as catechists, we can help our Catholic children grow into Catholic adults by entrusting them with the responsibility that is rightly theirs…to participate in the mission of the Church. Let’s not keep them on the sidelines drawing pictures and making crafts. Like the pope, let’s send them forth with a job to do!
I doubt that the average catechist is going to read Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Charity), Pope Benedict XVI’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist. For one, the document is nearly 27,000 words long. For another, most catechists and average Catholics for that matter don’t make a habit of reading Apostolic Exhortations.
For the most part, it is a beautifully written document, presenting the truths about the Eucharist in language that speaks to our times. In other words, there’s very little that’s new here, but there doesn’t need to be. The Pope is simply teaching about the summit and source of the Christian life and its connection to our daily lives. That’s what popes do.
So what should catechists know about this document? In a sentence, the Pope is emphasizing to us that there is a profound unity between what we believe (the mystery of our faith), what and how we worship (the mystery we celebrate; liturgical action), and how we live (the mystery we live; the “new” worship). In my own words, I would say that this document tells us emphatically that the Mass makes it possible to live as we believe.
I think the key line for catechists to recall and to teach emphatically is paragraph 86 in which the Pope states that the Eucharist is “not just a theory or a way of life inspired by Christ, but the gift of his very person.” In other words, we are not teaching ideas about Jesus or ideas from Jesus but rather, we are inviting those we teach to ENCOUNTER JESUS. We are teaching a person and to encounter this person is to be transformed and to live in a way that conforms us to this person.
I don’t want to oversimplify a rather complex and profound document (and I encourage you to read it for yourself). However, I think it is nice to know what the core message is and how it affects our teaching. The Eucharist is the gift of Jesus giving himself to us. As catechists, we help others to recognize this invitation, embrace it, and be transformed by it.
Tonight I have the privilege of attending the Catechetical Ministries Awards Banquet sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry. The banquet is a wonderful way for parishes to show their appreciation to catechists, especially those who have served with longevity. In addition to several archdiocesan-wide awards, each parish is invited to recognize catechists (who meet archdiocesan criteria) as a Parish Recipient of the award.
Usually, Cardinal George is present although with his health problems, I’m not sure he will be able to be present tonight. His presence and the presence of the auxiliary bishops is a strong statement to the catechists that their vocation is supported and appreciated.
I look forward to applauding all of the awardees this evening and I congratulate and thank them and their catechetical leaders for their dedication to proclaiming God’s Word!
I remember with great fondness the May Crownings of my childhood…nothing said “spring is here” more powerfully than a good May Crowning.
Are May Crownings passe? Hopefully not. As catechists, a May Crowning is a good opportunity for us to help those we teach understand that Catholics do no worship Mary but rather honor her.
May Crownings may be considered out of date by some but, with the proper catechesis, they can continue to be a wonderful devotion and a way to bring us closer to Jesus. So what makes for “sound” Marian devotion? In his apostolic exhortation on Mary, Marialis Cultus (To Honor Mary), Pope Paul VI outlined 5 characteristics that are required, saying that sound Marian devotions and good Marian theology must be:
- Biblical - rooted in the testimony of Scripture.
- Liturgical - in tune with the great liturgical seasons. (Paul VI named especially Advent, where Mary joins the Church in expecting the birth of the Messiah, and then Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit of the Church)
- Ecumenical - in harmony with the agreements we have reached with fellow Christian Churches.
- Anthropological - be sensitive to the changing role of women in society (i.e. to present Mary as a woman who was passive and subservient does not resonate with the perception of women in today’s society).
- Theological - have God at the center—with Mary placed in relation to Christ and to the Church.
You can celebrate a simple May Crowning with those you teach by doing the following:
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This Sunday’s first reading (Acts 14:21-27) is an inspiration for all of us catechists. Paul and Barnabas, those pioneer catechists, exude such great zeal and energy, travelling from place to place and proclaiming the word of God. Here’s the line I find most inspiring:
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God.”
Paul and Barnabas did not go about promising that life would be a rose garden. Rather, they offered the only true source of sustenance for life’s journey: the Risen Christ. All of us undergo hardships. As catechists, we can strengthen the spirits of those we teach and exhort them to persevere in faith.
May we take inspiration from Paul and Barnabas to be zealous catechists!
