Youth Catechesis

The most important task of the catechesis of children is to provide, through the witness of adults, an environment in which young people can grow in faith. Several pastoral directives should guide the catechists of children:

• Be able to understand children, communicate with them, listen to them with respect, be sensitive t their circumstances, and be aware of their current values.

• Recognized that children have a dignity of their won and that they are important not only for what they will do in the future, but for who they are now.

• Encourage them to know and respect other cultural, religious, racial, and ethnic groups, and use catechetical materials that are adapted to accommodate cultural, racial, and ethnic pluralism; the concerns of particular groups; and persons with special needs.

• Understand that the child’s comprehension and other powers develop gradually, and present religious truths in greater depth and propose more mature challenges as the capacity for understanding and growth in faith increases.

• Provide experiences in which they can live faith and apply the message of salvation to real-life situations; encourage the use of imagination, as well as intelligence and memory.

• Provide experiences that link Liturgy and catechesis and promote appreciation for the community celebration of the Eucharist.

• Stimulate not only exterior but interior activity – a prayerful response from the heart.

• Forster a sense of community that is an important part of education for social life.

• Catechists for older children should • Assist them in the praxis of observing, exploring, interpreting, and evaluating their experiences; in learning to ascribe a Christian meaning to their lives; and in learning to act according to the norms of faith and love – the presence in today’s society of many conflicting values makes it all the more important to help young people to interiorize authentic values

• Emphasize that growth in faith includes growth in the desire for a deeper, more mature knowledge of the truths of faith

• Present private prayer as a means of ‘individual reflection and personal communication with God’

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