1. The National Directory for Catechesis
An Introduction for
Parish Catechists
and
Catholic School Teachers

2. A Document for Our Times
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
MT 28:19-20a

3. Background Renewal of catechesis called for by Vatican II
General Catechetical Directory: 1971
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: 1972
On Evangelization in the Modern World: 1976
U.S. National Catechetical Directory: 1979
Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1987
General Directory for Catechesis: 1998
U.S. National Directory for Catechesis: 2005

4. Goals of the New Directory
To provide basic theological and pastoral principles for catechesis in the U.S.
To offer guidelines for the application of these principles that will continue the renewal of catechesis in the U.S.
To set for the nature, purpose, object, tasks, basic content, and various methodologies of catechesis

5. Relationship to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism provides the content for catechesis.
The National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) focuses on the context, meaning, and methodologies for catechesis.
The NDC also provides a concise summary of the catechesis of the Catechism.

6. General Overview of the NDC
The Context and Meaning of Catechesis
(Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2)
The Content and Method of Catechesis (Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6)
The People Who Do Catechesis
(Chapters 7, 8)
Organization and Resources for Catechesis
(Chapters 9, 10)

7. Chapter 1:Proclaiming the Gospel in the United States
Wide variety of ethnic cultures and religious practices across the United States
The general characteristics of U.S. culture:
freedom, pragmatism, science/technology, globalization, and mobility
The important influence and role of the Catholic family in faith formation

8. Demographics of U.S. Catholics
Population: more than 62 million
Better educated and more affluent than at Vatican II
Ethnic balance similar to that of US.
(Exceptions: slightly fewer African-American; more Hispanic)
More ethnically diverse than Church in any other country
Significant differences in attitudes among generations
Half million Eastern Rite Catholics in U.S.

9. Pastoral Life in U.S. Church
More Catholics, fewer priests
Number of parishes without resident priests has increased 11% since 1980.
Size of parish populations growing
Fewer young people in Catholic schools; more in parish religious education
One third of all parishes minister to more than one ethnic group.
One third of parishes are rural.

10. For Discussion
What are three cultural issues or influences in your parish or school?
What effect do these issues have on how you catechize?

11. Signs of Vitality in Catechesis in the U.S.
Strong published catechetical programs
Increasing ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity
Greater emphasis catechist formation
Growth of lay ministry
Wide implementation of RCIA
Stronger sense of Church’s mission in catechesis
Stronger efforts in adult faith formation

12. More Signs of Vitality Strengthening of Youth Ministry
Outreach of Catholic schools to the poor and disadvantaged
Growing emphasis on Church’s social justice teaching
Attention to communication technology in catechesis

13. Chapter 2: Catechesis and Evangelization
Evangelization is the call of every Christian.
Evangelization to the world and to members of the Church as well
A “New Evangelization”:
Called for by John Paul II
Addressed to the Church herself
To the baptized never effectively evangelized
To those whose faith needs refreshing
To those who are alienated

14. Discipleship: The Goal of Catechesis
Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him.
NDC 1.19A

15. Catechesis as a Moment in the Process of Evangelization
Inspired by baptismal catechumenate
Source of catechesis: Scripture and Tradition
Object: intimate relationship with Jesus Christ
Tasks:
Knowledge of the Faith
Participation in liturgical and sacramental life
Moral formation
Learning to pray
Preparation and participation in community
Developing a missionary spirit

16. Inculturating the Message
Inculturation both adapts the message to each culture and attempts to correct the culture where necessary.
Catechesis must be inculturated so that it will take root effectively.
Inculturation allows faith to connect with life so that people will be disposed to receive Jesus.

17. For Discussion What would make your catechesis more evangelizing?
What is one way that you have tried to inculturate the Gospel message?

18. 3. The Faith of the Church
Chapter 3 summarizes the criteria for authentic presentation of the Gospel message.
Scripture, the CCC, the General Directory for Catechesis, and the NDC are complementary sources for the message.
Scripture guides catechesis.
The NDC looks to the CCC as the norm for catechetical content.

19. Authentic Presentation of the Faith
Trinitarian, yet centered on Christ
Presented as Good News of salvation and liberation
Comes from and leads to the Church
Presents the message within the context of its relationship to salvation history
Comprehensive, yet recognizes the hierarchy of truths
Inculturates the message
Teaches the dignity of the human person
Provides learners with a common language of faith

20. 4. Divine and Human Methodology
God’s methodology:
Engages persons in light of their circumstances and capacity
Realized gradually
Fully achieved in Jesus Christ
Told in Scripture and Tradition
Source and model of the pedagogy of the truth

21. Human Methodologies: The Ways We Come to Faith
Human experience
Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ
Living in a Christian community
Living in a Christian family
The witness of catechists
Learning by heart
Practicing the Christian way of life
Apprenticing oneself to faithful Christians

22. 5. Catechesis in a Worshipping Community
Intrinsically linked with liturgy and sacraments: precedes liturgy and springs from it
Places Eucharist at the center
Incorporates liturgical and personal prayer
Helps to make the signs, symbols, and actions of the liturgy both known and loved

23. Sacramental Catechesis
Appropriate to the age level and maturity of those being catechized
Involves the whole community of faith
Involves parents in the children’s formation
Integrates with a comprehensive catechetical program
Focuses on the symbols, rituals, and prayers in each rite
Offers an experience of mystagogy

24. Art, Music, Time, and Space in Sacramental Catechesis
Acknowledges God’s presence in time
Teaches religious customs and traditions
Uses Christian art to catechize
Teaches the significance of Church architecture and furnishings
Introduces learners to Christian music from the tradition
Incorporates sacramentals and popular piety

25. 6. Morality: Catechesis for Life in Christ
Catholic Morality:
Rooted in the dignity of the human person
Respects every human as a free and responsible agent
Recognizes that humanity is capable of sin
Moral Catechesis:
Presents principles and practice
Integrates principles with lived experience
Demonstrates the social consequences of the Gospel

26. Social Justice Imbedded in the Gospel message
A body of doctrine and a living tradition
A constitutive element of the Magisterium
Individual responsibility for social injustice
Obligation of the Church to train members to apply Christian principles to contemporary problems

27. Content of Moral Catechesis
Ten Commandments and Beatitudes as reference points for moral behavior
Commandments and Beatitudes to be learned by heart
Includes Scripture stories, lives of saints, spiritual and corporal works of mercy, virtues, capital sins
NDC provides guidance for teaching each Commandment or Beatitude

28. For Discussion What and who has influenced your faith the most?
What insights did you gain from chapters 4, 5, and 6 about how to catechize others?
What area of catechesis seems most challenging to you?

29. 7. Catechizing the People of God
Growth in faith is related to human growth.
Catechesis is lifelong.
Adult catechesis is the norm.
Adolescent catechesis promotes active discipleship and spiritual growth.
The role of the family is crucial to faith development.
Structured programs support the family, not vice versa.

30. Catechesis of Children
School-aged children require a structured parish or school catechetical program.
Home-based programs must be coordinated with the parish.
Programs must promote respect for pluralism.
People with disabilities must be included.
Catechesis on ecumenism and religious life must be included, especially regarding Judaism.

31. 9. Norms for Catechists and Religion Teachers
Catechists and teachers of religion must be trained through diocesan-approved programs.
Requirements for catechists:
A love of God and the Church
A faithful practice of the Christian life
Personal prayer life
A missionary zeal to proclaim the Good News
Active participation in a parish, including attendance at Sunday Eucharist
A devotion to Mary and the Eucharist

32. Conclusions about the NDC
Provides the fundamental theological and pastoral principles for catechesis in the U.S.
A source of inspiration for the “new evangelization” and the renewal of catechesis
Guided by the Holy Spirit and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the first and model disciple of Jesus Christ