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Lay catechists
230. The catechetical
activity of the laity also has a proper character which is due to their
condition in the Church: "their secular character is proper and peculiar
to the laity". (182) The laity engage in catechesis on the basis
of their insertion in the world, sharing all the demands of humanity and
bringing to the transmission of the Gospel specific sensitivity and nuances:
"this evangelization, that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the
testimony of life, acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because
it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world".
(183) Indeed by sharing the same form of life as those whom they
catechize, lay catechists have a special sensitivity for incarnating the Gospel
in the concrete life of men and women. Catechumens and those receiving
catechesis can find in them a Christian model for their future as believers.
231. The vocation of the
laity to catechesis springs from the sacrament of Baptism. It is strengthened
by the sacrament of Confirmation. Through the sacraments of Baptism and
Confirmation they participate in the "priestly, prophetic and kingly
ministry of Christ". (184) In addition to the common vocation of
the apostolate, some lay people feel called interiorly by God to assume the
service of catechist. The Church awakens and discerns this divine vocation and
confers the mission to catechize. The Lord Jesus invites men and women, in a
special way, to follow him, teacher and formator of disciples. This personal call
of Jesus Christ and its relationship to him are the true moving forces of
catechetical activity. "From this loving knowledge of Christ springs the
desire to proclaim him, to 'evangelize,' and to lead others to the 'Yes' of
faith in Jesus Christ". (185) To feel called to be a catechist and
to receive this mission from the Church acquires different levels of dedication
inaccordance with the particular characteristics of individuals. At times the
catechist can collaborate in the service of catechesis over a limited period or
purely on an occasional basis, but it is always a valuable service and a worthy
collaboration. The importance of the ministry of catechesis, however, would
suggest that there should be in a Diocese a certain number of religious and
laity publicly recognized and permanently dedicated to catechesis who, in
communion with the priests and the Bishop, give to this diocesan service that
ecclesial form which is proper to it. (186)
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