Catechism of the Catholic Church Study 4-10

Catechesis refers to the totality of the Church’s efforts to make disciples, to help men believe in Jesus Christ so that by faith they may have life in His name, to educate and instruct them on the doctrines of God, thus building up the body of Christ. It is the teaching of Christian doctrine in an organic and systematic way to initiate hearers into the fullness of Christian life. Yet I say that catechesis can simply be the teaching of theology in so far it is the correct and soundly taught theology of the Holy Catholic Church to sanctify and deepen one’s relationship with God.

Catechesis is built upon some elements of the Church’s pastoral mission which are not formally identical to catechesis but have an aspect of catechesis. These elements are initial proclamation or preaching of the Gospel, apologetics or examination of the reasons of belief, experience of Christian living, celebration of the sacraments, integration into ecclesial community, and apostolic and missionary witness. All these elements can always be an opportunity for catechesis and catechesis itself is integrally bound up with these elements. For example, the sacraments while formally being liturgical prayer, can indeed impart Christian doctrine according to the disposition of the participants.

The correspondence between the life of the Church and the plan or will of God is dependent essentially on catechesis. For catechesis imparts sound Christian doctrine to the faithful, which constitutes the Church. Since the will of God is found in the doctrines of God, then to teach it is to teach the will of God to the faithful. Moreover, the teachings of God has such a supernatural impact on the soul that a devout study on these teachings shall surely sanctify man and lead them to be more conformed to the will of God. It is for this reason that catechesis is highly important in the life of faith and should be open to all faithful in all stages of their spiritual life, and not just for beginners.

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