A number is years ago I attended a presentation on the General Directory of Catechesis (GDC) by Fr. Alfred McBride. I just recently looked at the notes I took from that presentation. I derived a few key points regarding important points that are needed in the work of catechesis today.
1. Catechesis needs a greater appreciation of the Catechumenal Process. The GDC encourages the catechumenal model as the ideal model for catechesis.
2. Catechesis must connect Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium. These three categories go together when teaching the Catholic Faith.
3. Catechesis on Jesus Christ must emphasize both the humanity and divinity of Christ. One aspect cannot be taught at the expense of the other.
4. Catechesis needs to bring forth the realities of grace and sin. Over the last 40 years the reality of sin is too often brushed over and only grace is emphasized.
5. The link between catechesis and liturgy is vital to drawing others into communion with Christ and the Christian life.
6. Catechetical methods need to focus on God’s pedagogy. Too often experience is used at the cost of authentic content. Using experience to draw people into the faith is at the service of what is true. Not truth at the service of experience.
June 7, 2010 at 7:23 PM
Great post, William! Couldn’t agree more on point #1. Last year I had the opportunity to attend a Beginnings Plus workshop sponsored by the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. It opened my eyes to the theological, theoretical, and practical foundations of catechesis and the principals that we should be basing our catechetical programs on. I think all catechetical leaders in parishes and diocese should take the time to learn more about the RCIA. At the very least they should read through the document — there’s some beautiful stuff in there!
June 7, 2010 at 8:08 PM
Thanks Jonathan. You are so right about how much we can learn from the catechumenal process and what the document on RCIA says. Do you oversee RCIA in your diocese?
June 11, 2010 at 7:20 AM
In our diocese RCIA falls under Worship, so it’s included in the department I oversee but not the office I direct. As a department we have been studying the NDC and spent some time examining the RCIA and its implications for our shared work.
June 8, 2010 at 6:46 AM
This is where I see that catechists need help. I often noticed that they would do one of the “activities” in the text that was intended to get the students thinking about the catechetical content – but they would never help the students draw those connections. It was as though the activity was one thing, then the lesson something else.
I try to give catechists a sample script so that they make sure the activities and experiences are directing students to the message.
June 8, 2010 at 6:15 PM
Good point Annie. It is so important to make the connection. We always want to replicate God’s pedagogy. He revealed and then we responded. We want to do the same – share content and then seek students response through practical application/relating it to real life.
June 9, 2010 at 10:17 PM
My lessons are soaking wet with with items 2 through 6. Of course they all beg the question of which catechists understand these concepts well enough to include them in their class content?
For example, I don’t know what #1 is talking about.
June 10, 2010 at 7:56 AM
To give you a brief answer…the catechumenal model which is the model for all catechesis is done in stages:
- Pre-Catechumenate where the locus of first evangelization takes place leading to conversion of mind and heart;
- The Catechumenate where the handing on of the gospel takes place. As this happens, conversion to Jesus Christ is evidenced;
- The time of Purification and Enlightenment which is characterized by more intense spiritual preparation;
- Mystagogy where the sacraments are experienced and the person enters more deeply into the life of the faith community (GDC 88, RCIA 19).
I’m happy to share more if you would like.
June 11, 2010 at 8:23 AM
Oh, ok, I recognize it now from RCIA.