Defining Liturgical Catechesis

Joe Paprocki Approaches/Techniques

Mass

I’m participating in a good discussion about liturgical catechesis at www.catechistconnection.net (site no longer live). Here’s my latest comments on liturgical catechesis in response to someone who defines liturgical catechesis the way I would define lectionary catechesis.

“I think most people use the term lectionary catechesis to refer to what you’re talking about (lessons that flow from the Sunday Scripture readings). From my experience, liturgical catechesis is any form of catechesis that prepares one to celebrate the liturgy more fully. Something as simple as preparing a prayer table for Advent with a purple cloth and an Advent wreath and inviting children to sing the refrain of O Come O Come Emmanuel is a form of liturgical catechesis. Or beginning class by asking the children to trace a cross over their forehead, lips, and heart as together you pray, “May the Word of God be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart” is a form of liturgical catechesis. In other words, any religious education program can incorporate liturgical catechesis into their existing format without having to change the entire curriculum. It is simply a matter of integrating our liturgical life into our catechesis so that we are preparing our young people to participate more fully in the Mass.”

What’s your understanding of liturgical catechesis?

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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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