Part, Chapter, Paragraph
1 Pref | beloved Priests,~Beloved Catechists,~In this historical period,
2 Pref | directed its attention to lay catechists, in the Plenary Assembly
3 Pref | Assembly of April 1992.~Catechists have always had a very important
4 Pref | observe personally what the catechists offer, especially in mission
5 Pref | undisputed effectiveness of lay catechists. Under the direction of
6 Pref | shortage of priests, the catechists are also entrusted with
7 Pref | the giving of life itself. Catechists are truly the pride of the
8 Pref | missionary Church!~The present Catechists' Guide, fruit of the last
9 Pref | Bishops, Priests and to the Catechists themselves, inviting them
10 Pref | Centres and Schools for catechists, to refer to this document
11 Pref | and faithful use of this Catechists' Guide in all the Churches
12 Pref | Mary,"Mother and Model of Catechists", so that she may become
13 Pref | most particularly to the catechists.~Rome, Feast of Saint Francis
14 Intro, 0,1 | had a special concern for catechists, convinced as it is that
15 Intro, 0,1 | practical directives for catechists, and now, conscious of its
16 Intro, 0,1 | relevance of the work of catechists as a "fundamental evangelical
17 Intro, 0,1 | been missionary activity, catechists have made, and continue
18 Intro, 0,1 | drawn up this Guide for Catechists, which treats in a doctrinal,
19 Intro, 0,1 | principal aspects of the catechists' vocation, identity, spirituality,
20 Intro, 0,1 | to be applicable to all catechists in the young Churches. It
21 Intro, 0,1 | first of all to the lay catechists themselves, but also to
22 Intro, 0,1 | for the activities of the catechists. In the final edition of
23 Intro, 0,1 | unity and encouragement for catechists and, through them, for their
24 Intro, 0,1 | and apostolate of their catechists and as a basis for the renewal
25 I, I,2 | premises it can be seen that catechists in mission territories have
26 I, I,3 | Magisterium, when it speaks of catechists "in mission lands", treats
27 I, I,3 | for instance, describes catechists as "specialized workers,
28 I, I,3 | Canon Law has a canon on catechists involved in strictly missionary
29 I, I,4 | 4. Categories and tasks. Catechists in mission territories are
30 I, I,4 | of catechist: full-time catechists, who devote their life completely
31 I, I,4 | recognized as such; and part-time catechists, who offer a more limited,
32 I, I,4 | part-time than full-time catechists. ~Various tasks are entrusted
33 I, I,4 | main functions entrusted to catechists in Churches dependent on
34 I, I,4 | dependent on the CEP:~- Catechists with the specific task of
35 I, I,4 | connected with catechesis. Catechists with these functions are
36 I, I,4 | development of lay services.~- Catechists who collaborate in different
37 I, I,4 | funerals; training other catechists in special centres or guiding
38 I, I,4 | centres or guiding volunteer catechists in their work; taking charge
39 I, I,4 | schools. There are also Sunday catechists, who teach in Sunday schools
40 I, I,4 | is another consideration. Catechists may be old or young, male
41 I, I,4 | mind that, beside the lay catechists, there is a great number
42 I, I,4 | training and guidance of catechists.~
43 I, I,5 | she performs. The value of catechists and their influence on the
44 I, I,5 | marked by missionary zeal. Catechists, therefore, should be ever
45 I, I,5 | also for the training of catechists. Concrete programs should
46 I, I,5 | secured, so as to provide the catechists with a solid formation.
47 I, I,5 | least a few professional catechists who have been trained in
48 I, I,5 | near future the work of catechists will be still further developed,
49 I, I,5 | encouragement will be given to catechists with a marked missionary
50 I, I,5 | ecclesial communities".~Catechists who are involved in the
51 I, I,5 | distinct from those of the catechists. Hence it will be of great
52 I, I,5 | use to have specialized catechists, for instance, those who
53 I, I,5 | life of faith is not high. Catechists should also be trained for
54 I, I,5 | program for the preparation of catechists for the future, giving special
55 I, I,5 | Church will have both the catechists it needs today and those
56 I,II,6 | spirituality for the catechist. Catechists must have a deep spirituality,
57 I,II,6 | a spirituality proper to catechists springs from their vocation
58 I,II,6 | member of the faithful, catechists are "called to holiness
59 I,II,6 | to Christ".~For married catechists, matrimonial life forms
60 I,II,6 | justly affirms, "married catechists are expected to bear witness
61 I,II,6 | radiates apostolic witness. ~Catechists' spirituality is also conditioned
62 I,II,7 | relationships, behavior etc. Catechists should allow themselves
63 I,II,7 | to the Church, of which catechists are living members, which
64 I,II,7 | the Church requires from catechists a deep sense of belonging
65 I,II,7 | of the particular Church. Catechists should share responsibly
66 I,II,7 | one Spirit (cf. Eph 2:18).~Catechists, therefore, will be open
67 I,II,7 | children of God" (Jn 11:52). Catechists must be filled with this
68 I,II,8 | authenticity of life. The work of catechists involves their whole being.
69 I,II,8 | saw the Invisible".~What catechists teach should not be a purely
70 I,II,8 | It might be objected that catechists, being members of the laity,
71 I,II,8 | It is also important for catechists that they grow interiorly
72 I,II,8 | may be full" (Jn 15:11).~Catechists, therefore, should be bearers
73 I,II,9 | baptism and special vocation, catechists who live in daily contact
74 I,II,9 | overwhelms us" (2Cor 5:14), catechists should have a strong missionary
75 I,II,9 | this faith ever better".~Catechists will try to be like the
76 I,II,9 | St. Paul should inspire catechists to stir up their own zeal,
77 I,II,9 | the cross. The Christ whom catechists have come to know is "a
78 I,II,10 | catechism", "mother and model of catechists".~The spirituality of catechists,
79 I,II,10 | catechists".~The spirituality of catechists, like that of every Christian
80 I,III,11 | require the services of catechists: young people and adults,
81 I,III,11 | an inner-city area, etc.~Catechists will try to promote communication
82 I,III,11 | group, so the training of catechists will have to be adapted
83 I,III,11 | be useful, therefore, for catechists to know in advance the sort
84 I,III,11 | cf. Mt 8:17; Is 53:4). Catechists should visit them frequently,
85 I,III,11 | certain cases, their solitude. Catechists will prepare them for their
86 I,III,11 | our hope in eternal life .~Catechists will also show sensitivity
87 I,III,12 | renewing them from within".~Catechists, like all missionary personnel,
88 I,III,12 | Following the above directives, catechists should contribute to inculturation
89 I,III,13 | especially for the laity. Catechists have an important role in
90 I,III,13 | preferential option for the poor. Catechists, especially those engaged
91 I,III,13 | the financially deprived, catechists should pay special attention
92 I,III,14 | who sent me" (Jn 17:21). ~Catechists, by their very mission,
93 I,III,14 | have good relations with catechists and leaders of other denominations,
94 I,III,15 | spirit of Christ himself. ~Catechists, with their task of communicating
95 I,III,15 | taking part in such dialogue, catechists should not be left on their
96 I,III,15 | Conference or the Holy See. Catechists should not act unilaterally,
97 I,III,16 | renewal of mission itself.~Catechists would seem to be particularly
98 I,III,16 | preferential work-lines for the catechists should be: to study first
99 I,III,16 | Here, as in other areas, catechists should remain firmly within
100 II,IV,17 | by explaining the role of catechists, so as to awaken an interest
101 II,IV,17 | which pastors treat their catechists, giving them worthwhile
102 II, V,19 | sufficient number of suitable catechists for the communities, besides
103 II, V,19 | a specific formation for catechists: general, in the sense that
104 II, V,20 | living out their vocation, catechists, like all members of the
105 II, V,20 | revealed. It follows that the catechists' concern should be to transmit,
106 II, V,22 | educate others in the faith, catechists should themselves have a
107 II, V,22 | only Master (cf. Mt 23:8), catechists serve their brothers and
108 II, V,22 | the actual experiences of catechists, the CEP proposes the following
109 II, V,22 | prayer life at least of the catechists who guide the community
110 II, V,22 | supplementary way, full-time catechists and those working closely
111 II, V,22 | such a life of prayer that catechists will enrich their interior
112 II, V,22 | be a risk of settling for catechists who are not spiritual enough,
113 II, V,22 | in the Church. ~To help catechists in their spiritual life,
114 II, V,22 | interest themselves in the catechists and their work and provide
115 II, V,22 | should be close to their catechists and help them even more
116 II, V,22 | diocesan initiatives for catechists, such as prayer groups,
117 II, V,22 | other on a spiritual level. ~Catechists should also realize that
118 II, V,23 | training is obvious, as catechists must first understand the
119 II, V,23 | the doctrinal formation of catechists will be based especially
120 II, V,23 | given a prominent place, as catechists are to be leaders of community
121 II, V,23 | should bear in mind that many catechists will be working in various
122 II, V,23 | knowledge acquired, to the catechists' personalities and to their
123 II, V,23 | doctrinal preparation of the catechists. In it, in fact, is contained
124 II, V,23 | There is no doubt that the catechists will find in the new Catechism
125 II, V,23 | mission.~Training courses for catechists are best given in centres
126 II, V,23 | view of the importance of catechists, the challenge should be
127 II, V,23 | and intelligent planning.~Catechists should dedicate themselves
128 II, V,24 | the baptized lay person. Catechists will be taught, therefore,
129 II, V,24 | the sacraments, so that catechists will learn how to help the
130 II, V,24 | should not be forgotten, as catechists will often have to help
131 II, V,25 | in the formation program. Catechists should be taught, theoretically
132 II, V,25 | John Paul II concerning catechists who are well trained in
133 II, V,26 | can be applied fully to catechists, whose role is eminently
134 II, V,26 | be stressed when training catechists in this area:~- An attitude
135 II, V,26 | sense of responsibility, as catechists in their ministry are called
136 II, V,26 | full-time and part-time catechists.~- An ability to work with
137 II, V,26 | all levels is essential. Catechists should work in harmony with
138 II, V,26 | type of work in common.~Catechists will be prepared to suffer
139 II, V,26 | spirit will be part of the catechists' training course from the
140 II, V,27 | the field of formation of catechists is that of having suitable
141 II, V,27 | involved in formation.~The catechists should be convinced that:
142 II, V,27 | supernatural activity. ~The catechists themselves can also be considered
143 II, V,27 | grow in wisdom and love. ~Catechists work in communion with,
144 II, V,27 | in the formation of its catechists, providing them with an
145 II, V,27 | the Church to train the catechists, have a most important role
146 II, V,27 | especially from among experienced catechists. Candidates should be able
147 II, V,28 | Christian community in which the catechists live and work will also
148 II, V,29 | teaching methods, all mean that catechists should keep themselves in
149 II, V,29 | can ensure the quality of catechists, avoiding the risk of wearing
150 II, V,29 | covering the various aspects of catechists' work, the development of
151 II, V,29 | or other meeting places, catechists will necessarily accomplish
152 II, V,29 | with opportunities for catechists to meet those of other local
153 II, V,29 | to a large extent on the catechists themselves. They should
154 II, V,30 | Formation. Where possible, catechists should be trained in their
155 II, V,30 | and support schools for catechists, which are to be approved
156 II, V,30 | certain number of their catechists, at least, the cadres in
157 III,VI | VI. REMUNERATION OF CATECHISTS~
158 III,VI,31 | proper remuneration for catechists is generally agreed to be
159 III,VI,31 | paid by the State. But when catechists are paid by the Church,
160 III,VI,31 | is a well-paid one, so if catechists are not well paid they risk
161 III,VI,32 | solutions. Remuneration for catechists must be considered a matter
162 III,VI,32 | full-time and part-time catechists must be paid according to
163 III,VI,32 | to old, invalid and sick catechists. ~The CEP, for its part,
164 III,VI,32 | distribute subsidies for catechists, but each diocese should
165 III,VI,32 | proportion of their budgets for catechists, and in particular for their
166 III,VI,32 | and so funds earmarked for catechists should not be diverted to
167 III,VI,32 | The good will of voluntary catechists, who have another job but
168 III,VI,32 | organization and distribution of catechists. The problem of remuneration,
169 III,VII,33 | support they have given to catechists. Their attitude is a guarantee
170 III,VII,33 | the young Churches. For catechists are, indeed, front-line
171 III,VII,33 | who become evangelizers, catechists have a place of honour...
172 III,VII,33 | need for the ministry of catechists, a ministry with its own
173 III,VII,33 | remarked that "the term 'catechists' belongs above all to the
174 III,VII,33 | belongs above all to the catechists in mission lands". Catechists
175 III,VII,33 | catechists in mission lands". Catechists are among those who have
176 III,VII,33 | the theology of the laity, catechists will necessarily occupy
177 III,VII,33 | urgency to strengthen the catechists with an adequate vocational
178 III,VII,34 | primarily responsible for catechists. Recent documents of the
179 III,VII,34 | their attention and care for catechists, making sure that there
180 III,VII,34 | take an interest in their catechists and, as far as possible,
181 III,VII,34 | the importance and role of catechists.~- Drawing up or renewing
182 III,VII,34 | and the present Guide for Catechists.~- Guaranteeing a minimum
183 III,VII,34 | equipment for the formation of catechists, so that they will be properly
184 III,VII,34 | selection of cadres i.e. catechists who have been well trained
185 III,VII,34 | and guidance of volunteer catechists, and to take leading roles
186 III,VII,34 | activities and maintenance of catechists. ~Above all, Bishops will
187 III,VII,34 | their responsibility for catechists through paternal love, attention
188 III,VII,35 | special responsibility for catechists. As pastors, who should
189 III,VII,35 | particular interest in that of catechists, who share with them the
190 III,VII,35 | community to respect their catechists, help them in their work
191 III,VII,35 | seminary to value and respect catechists as apostles and fellow-workers
192 III,VII,36 | formators. The training of catechists is usually entrusted to
193 III,VII,36 | the mandate to train the catechists, he should consider the
194 III,VII,36 | selection and training of catechists.~ ~
195 Conclu,VII,37| adapted where necessary. ~The catechists are held in great esteem
196 Conclu,VII,37| Pope John Paul II to the catechists of Angola during his visit
197 Conclu,VII,37| followed up, it was you, the catechists, who instructed the catechumens,
198 Conclu,VII,37| impulse to the promotion of catechists, so that their generous
199 Conclu,VII,37| approved the present Guide for Catechists and gave consent to its
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