What is Catechesis?
I am so glad that you asked that question. Well, I imagined someone asking that question. And that is what this is all about, questions, isn't it? Short and sweet, catechesis is the study of catechism. Well what is catechism? Another great question! Catechism, or in the original Latin catechismus, means book of instruction. So technically any school textbook that instructs you, is a catechism. But in religious terms catechism is a means of teaching religious truths. The catechism is there to help you better understand what your faith teaches, and in a way why it teaches it.
The catechism is very important as it helps you to understand the quantum mechanics of religion in a grade school manner. Just as you wouldn't attempt to learn quantum mechanics on your own, as this will lead to many misconceptions, attempting to learn your faith without direction can lead to many misconceptions. This can be seen in Scripture as well when Philip teaches the Ethiopian about what he was reading on the Prophet Isiah "And rising up, he went. And behold a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore. And he was returning, sitting in his chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet. And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest? Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him." (Acts 8:27-31). Philip guided the eunuch in understanding a portion of the faith in which Philip was spreading. The guiding by Philip, helped the eunuch to stay free of error in the understanding of the faith.
So, please read on in the blog, and if you have questions, please comment, and I will answer as soon as possible!!
So, please read on in the blog, and if you have questions, please comment, and I will answer as soon as possible!!
I remember Catechism. In the final year, we were throwing M & M's at each other rather than listening to the teacher talk about the Bible. Am I going to hell for that? I think the struggle for catechism is instructing a book that is two thousand years old into a society that is very different. Our brains are different, our symbols and language is different, far different from the language they used. That is why it needs to be fun and 99% of the stuff about real Christianity gets left out, and maybe catechism is a test for people and the people who actually like it will stick through anyways and you don't need to drill down 99% of the stuff. Am I right?
ReplyDeleteGoing to hell for throwing M&M's? No. but the Catechism is very important, and there are many versions to choose from. The current Catechism by St. Pope John Paul II is the most recent version, with the annotations by Pope Francis, but my preference for teaching it is the Catechism of St. Pius X (click below) it is in question and answer format. The current catechism is written in a manner that is more suited for Bishops, Priests, and Canon Lawyers to use just due to the way it is written. It is theologically dense in some parts, but as a result of trying to cram most of what the church teaches into a small, inexpensive book, it had to leave stuff out. That is where (properly formed) catechists come in to help fill in the gaps. The entirety of the catechism is to teach you the basics, but it also has to be taught in a good manner.
Deletehttps://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/catechism-of-st-pius-x-1286?keyword=&mt=&loc=9012068&n=g&d=c&adp=&cid=8641161795&adgid=90568226081&tid=dsa-19959388920&gclid=CjwKCAiAsNKQBhAPEiwAB-I5zUoodSycskScQxa3eIdcQEepqcaeGTH8yQ352x2Q6sKRgjWSs9ja7xoCPTsQAvD_BwE