Concept of Catechesis

                                                              Assignment - 1 

                                                         Concept of Catechesis  

വിശ്വാസപരിശീലനത്തിനു മുൻത്തൂക്കം കൊടുത്തുകൊണ്ട് അറിഞ്ഞിരിക്കേണ്ട രേഖകൾ  

1. Trent Catechism Texts 

2. Second Vatican Council, 1968 - വിശ്വാസപരിശീലന സംബന്ധമായ കാര്യങ്ങൾ. 

3. General Catechetical Directory, 1971 - സഭയുടെ ആദ്യത്തെ മതബോധന ഡയറക്ടറി.

4. Catechesi Tradendae, Apostolic letter, 1979  - From Rev. John Paul II, അപ്പസ്‌തോലിക ലേഖനം. 

5. Catechism of the Catholic Church -1992

6. Guide for Catechists, 1993.

7. General Directory for Catechesis, 1997 - 2nd Directory

8. Compendium, 2005

9. Youcat, 2011

10. Directory of Catechesis, 2020 - 3rd Directory

Call and Response Catechetical Directory of the Syro- Malabar Church 2003

Text book series, on the Path of Salvation 1 - X11 from 200-2009, 12 books were made on the basis of this Directory. 

Important words

Katekein (greek) or Katecheo - To resound from above or to echo

Kerygma - First proclamation, first evangelization

Catechumens - Those who are showing initial conversion

Catechumenate - System of formation

Catechesis - Formation of process

Catechism - Text books

Catechetics - Science of catechesis

Mystagogy - Explanation of mysteries

The concept of Catechesis

The church, which is the body of Christ and the community of the people of God is missionary by her very nature, and the basic mission is to evangelize the world. 

"As my Father sent me so also I send you" JN 202:21.

"Go therefore and proclaim the good news to the whole creation" Mk 16 : 16

The Church continues its mission of evangelization through her prophetic, priestly and kingly ministries. Of these catechesis forms the part of prophetic ministry of the World. 

Definition of Catechesis

It is an ecclesial act or ministry of education or instruction in the Christian faith or faith doctrine imparted to the baptized or catechumens, generally in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiate and lead them to the maturity and fullness of Christian life. 

Ecclesial ministry means the ministry of the Church, by the Church and for the Church. 

Of the Church - The catechesis is an ecclesial action within the pastoral activity of the Church.

Church has always looked on catechesis as her sacred duty and an inalienable duty.

By the Church - Catechesis is an action by the Church that is, it is the Church that catechizes or teaches her members officially. She does it also through her member, mainly through her pastors, catechists and parents.

For the Church - Catechesis is always oriented towards the maturation of faith and to initiation and integration of the members into beliefs, values and customs of the ecclesial community by this the individual Christians are slowly made active members of the Church. 

Catechesis is a process of education

The second aspect of catechesis

It is an education given to the baptized