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EVANGELIZE
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THE CALL TO EVANGELIZE
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20). The early Church clearly understood that this missionary mandate of Jesus Christ gave the Church its reason for being. The Holy Spirit propelled those who knew Jesus to go out, to teach, to preach, to baptize, to make disciples; in short, to spread the Good News of Salvation to the ends of the known world.
EVANGELIZATION AND CATECHESIS
Catechesis, as an essential moment in evangelization, shares in the central characteristics of evangelization, but expresses them in a particular manner. The intent of catechesis is to make a person’s faith become “living, conscious and active through the light of instruction” (AGD, 14). Our National Directory, quoting Catechesi Tradendae makes it clear that all our evangelizing, catechizing activity has one object or “definitive” aim—“to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ” (CT, 5; NDC p. 55).
Catechesis participates according to its own nature in the effort of evangelization, in order that the faith may be supported by an ongoing maturation and express itself in a way of life that must characterize the very being of the disciple of Christ. Pope Francis in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Guadium, points out distinct characteristics of catechesis to connect it more directly to the proclamation of the Gospel:
1. Kerygmatic Catechesis
All catechesis should proclaim "God's saving love in Jesus Christ, who continues to give himself so that every human being may have the fullness of life" (DC #2). The kerygma is about the person of Jesus Christ and someone making a choice to give their lives to Him - to become his disciple. Children are not exempt from the need to hear the Good News of Jesus in a compelling way.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) The Kerygma can be expressed as simply as, "Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living every day at your side to enlighten, strengthen, and free you” (EG #58).
2. Mystagogic Catechesis
Catechesis should be inspired by the catechumenal model in which a "progressive experience of formation involving the entire community and a renewed appreciation of the liturgical signs of Christian initiation is shared" (EG 166). "Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow him is not only something right and true, but also something beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendour and profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties. Every expression of true beauty can thus be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus" (EG 167).
3. Accompaniment
Catechesis should be “brought about through a process of accompaniment” (#3). Catechesis strives to help each individual to develop his own unique response of faith. This takes compassion and care, listening with an open heart, and provide support and encouragement along the way. Pope Francis explicitly states, “Genuine spiritual accompaniment always begins and flourishes in the context of service to the mission of evangelization” (EG, 173).
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20). The early Church clearly understood that this missionary mandate of Jesus Christ gave the Church its reason for being. The Holy Spirit propelled those who knew Jesus to go out, to teach, to preach, to baptize, to make disciples; in short, to spread the Good News of Salvation to the ends of the known world.
EVANGELIZATION AND CATECHESIS
Catechesis, as an essential moment in evangelization, shares in the central characteristics of evangelization, but expresses them in a particular manner. The intent of catechesis is to make a person’s faith become “living, conscious and active through the light of instruction” (AGD, 14). Our National Directory, quoting Catechesi Tradendae makes it clear that all our evangelizing, catechizing activity has one object or “definitive” aim—“to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ” (CT, 5; NDC p. 55).
Catechesis participates according to its own nature in the effort of evangelization, in order that the faith may be supported by an ongoing maturation and express itself in a way of life that must characterize the very being of the disciple of Christ. Pope Francis in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Guadium, points out distinct characteristics of catechesis to connect it more directly to the proclamation of the Gospel:
1. Kerygmatic Catechesis
All catechesis should proclaim "God's saving love in Jesus Christ, who continues to give himself so that every human being may have the fullness of life" (DC #2). The kerygma is about the person of Jesus Christ and someone making a choice to give their lives to Him - to become his disciple. Children are not exempt from the need to hear the Good News of Jesus in a compelling way.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) The Kerygma can be expressed as simply as, "Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living every day at your side to enlighten, strengthen, and free you” (EG #58).
2. Mystagogic Catechesis
Catechesis should be inspired by the catechumenal model in which a "progressive experience of formation involving the entire community and a renewed appreciation of the liturgical signs of Christian initiation is shared" (EG 166). "Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow him is not only something right and true, but also something beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendour and profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties. Every expression of true beauty can thus be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus" (EG 167).
3. Accompaniment
Catechesis should be “brought about through a process of accompaniment” (#3). Catechesis strives to help each individual to develop his own unique response of faith. This takes compassion and care, listening with an open heart, and provide support and encouragement along the way. Pope Francis explicitly states, “Genuine spiritual accompaniment always begins and flourishes in the context of service to the mission of evangelization” (EG, 173).
OUR OFFICE... recognizes the holiness of every individual and seeks to touch their hearts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our office promotes the vocation to holiness, accompanying those on a journey towards missionary discipleship.
For more information regarding Catechesis in the context of Evangelization see:
- https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2020/09/kerygmatic-catechesis-in-the-new-directory-for-catechesis/
- https://www.burningheartsdisciples.org/the-kerygma/kerygma-resources-2.html
- https://www.sdcatholicdisciples.net/handbook/chapter-1-catechesis-and-evangelization/
- https://www.catechist.com/what-is-evangelizing-catechesis/
- http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/siteimages/reo/NCCL/Article_2_-_Evangelization_and_Catechesis.pdf
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Did you find an interesting article or resource supporting evangelizing catechesis? If so, please share with us so that we might share with others!
Email your findings to aslaven@syrdio.org
Email your findings to aslaven@syrdio.org
Also, visit the Diocese of Syracuse Office of Evangelization.
