Catechesis Overview

There are many ways in which a course in catechetics could be presented. For this, it is helpful to recall that Catechesis can be understood as the historical term given to the totality of the Church’s efforts to make disciples, to help men believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they might have life in his name, and to educate and instruct them in this life, thus building up the body of Christ . Therefore, the Catechism is an ideal tool in thinking about, coming to know and follow more fully, Jesus Christ the Messiah, ‘the Anointed One’ sent to bring us the ‘Good News’ of God’s love.

The Propaedeutic Year has, as its characteristic theme, the Gospel account of The Road to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24: 13-35).

A particular reading of the Emmaus narrative, identifies four pivotal or essential moments:

1. Two of them were on their way, and they were talking together about all that had happened. And it happened that as they were talking together and discussing Jesus Himself came up and walked by their side; but their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
2. He said to them. ‘What are all these things that you are discussing as you walk along?... What things?’
3. Then He said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe all that the prophets have said!.’ Then starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, He explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about Himself.
4. while He was with them at table, He took the bread He broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; but He had vanished from their sight. They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem.

The Course is structured around these moments and in this way, also provides a catechetical link or background to the work that is done in the spiritual and human development programmes.