The identity of Catechesis – 4th Webinar

Rome (Italy). From 11 to 17 March 2024, the 4th cycle of Webinars, “Together for a new impulse to catechesis” organized by the Youth Ministry Sector of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and coordinated by the International Commission of Catechesis, was held. It a synodal experience of updating as an Institute (FMA, laity, and young people), to realize a catechesis more attentive to different contexts, following the Magisterium of the Church.

“Catechesis at the service of the new evangelization” is the theme of this 4^th meeting, focused on the Church’s mission in the contemporary world. Evangelization is not a moment or an action, but the nature of the Church and touches each, at a personal and community level.

In the new evangelization, it is central “to proclaim a person, who is Christ.” In fact, “there is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom, the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, are not proclaimed” (Evangelii nuntiandi n.22).

The question arose spontaneously among the participants on how to carry out this new evangelization in a de-Christianized context. The words of John Paul II in his Discourses on this theme, offer in summary a response, inasmuch as he affirms that, “evangelization is new in its ardor through union with Christ, the first evangelizer,” in its methods, thanks to the witness in daily life, the first form of evangelization, in its expressions, because it is always in an attitude of listening to what the Lord can suggest at any moment, suitable for one’s own intellectual and cultural formation.

This is a topic that lends itself to further reflection in the communities, following the invitation of Sister Runita Borja, General Councilor for Youth Ministry. “I encourage you to study in small groups what is transmitted in this webinar, so that the different insights can, little by little, make our catechesis a true ‘place’ at the service of the new evangelization.”

The next Webinar series will be held in December 2024 and will cover the topic: “The identity, vocation, and formation of the catechist”.

All the Webinars of the series: “Together, to give a new impulse to catechesis” are available, in languages, on the YouTube channel of the Youth Ministry Sector: FMA AMBITO PG.