Liturgical Catechesis

(Prof. Jose Vidamor B. Yu, Manila)

Liturgical Catechesis is a method of educating the children, youth and adults to make the rites and sacraments both a participation and a reality in the Christian’s daily life. This catechesis is done in a systematic way to initiate the people to the fullness of the Christian faith as well as to renew oneself in one’s practice of the faith. Liturgical catechesis is characterized by one’s process of maturing in the faith and of searching for a deeper understanding of the mysteries that lie behind the rites and celebration of the sacraments of the Church.

Liturgical catechesis is part of the missionary activity of the Church. Catechesis is never opposed and should not be separated from the evangelizing mission of the Church. Liturgical catechesis advances nourishment on the initial faith of the Christian. The Church has the mission to instruct, promote, and nurture the seed of the Christian faith sown by the Holy Spirit in the individual person. With the help of God’s grace, liturgical catechesis develops a deep sense of God through a profound experience of the mysteries of Christ. Liturgical catechesis was promoted by Vatican II which will take in various forms. An example of a liturgical form within a liturgical celebration which is missionary in nature is the homily. The proclamation of the Word and allowing the Word to be the point of departure for one’s own dialogue with the world is a missionary dimension of the liturgy.

Liturgical Catechesis is at the service of the Gospel and the Church. The Gospel message cannot be purely isolated from cultures therefore the celebration of the liturgy is builds up the Church in various cultures. "There would be no catechesis if it were the Gospel that had to change when it came into contact with the cultures." (CT 53) Any liturgical celebration should have an accompanying catechesis to make evident the empowering effect of the sacrament so that there would be transformation and regeneration of cultures.

Liturgical catechesis leads the Christian towards the renewal of worldviews, mentalities and manner of living. Liturgical catechesis as a preparatory school for genuine Christian Life stirs up within the individual a sense of participation in the Church. His conversion and renewal brings about a charitable self-giving in himself for the building of the Church. This makes catechesis not only Trinitarian but ecclesial in nature.

Liturgical catechesis exists in close connection with the mystery of God. It is Christ whom the Church celebrates, therefore liturgical catechesis proclaims and educates the faithful with the truths of the Christian faith. Liturgical catechesis does not only explain the value of liturgy but it recalls the events of the history of salvation and enables the faithful to recognize how these events work in their lives today. Catechesis allows the faithful to know their duties and obligations to God and the Church. Liturgical Catechesis is oriented towards Christ, the Truth, and disposes the individual to experience and be with the Truth.