CATECHESIS AND THE LIFE 0F LITURGICAL AND PRIVATE PRAYER

25 "Every liturgical celebration, because ibis an action of Christ the priest and of his Body the Church, is a sacred action surpassing ail others. No other action of the Church can match its claim 10 efficacy, nor equal the degree of it" (SC, 7). And the more mature a Christian community becomes in faith, the more it lives its worship in spirit and in truth (cf. John 4, 23) in its liturgical celebrations, especially al the Eucharist.

Therefore, catechesis must promote an active, conscious, genuine participation in the liturgy of the Church, not merely by explaining the meaning of the ceremonies, but also by forming the minds of the faithful for prayer, for thanksgiving, for repentance, for praying with confidence, for a community spirit, and for understanding correctly the meaning of the creeds. Ail these things are necessary for a true liturgical life.

"The spiritual life, however, is not confined 10 participation in the liturgy. The Christian is assuredly called to pray with his brethren, but he must also enter into his chamber 10 pray 10 the Father in secret (cf. Matt. 6, 6), indeed, according to the teaching of the Apostle Paul (cf. 1 Thess. 5, 17), he should pray without ceasing" (SC, 12).

Therefore, catechesis must also train the faithful 10 meditate on the word of God and 10 engage in private prayer.