SW News: Catechesis is not an abstract communication of theoretical formulas that need to be memorized, instead it is the mystagogical experience of those who meet their brethren where they live and work as they themselves have experienced Christ, said the Holy Father. He was addressing 80 delegates of the European bishops’ conferences who are responsible for catechesis on Friday, September 17.

The delegates had gathered at the Vatican to take part in a meeting on “Catechesis and Catechists for the New Evangelization”. Pope Francis recollected the recent trip to Budapest for the International Eucharistic Congress and said the commitment of catechists can be greatly effective when it comes to evangelization if they direct their focus towards the Eucharistic mystery.

His Holiness said catechists feel more vividly the passion to convey the faith with the creativity of the Holy Spirit. The heart of catechesis is the special stress that the risen Christ loves you and never abandons you, said the pope.
In May, the Holy Father had instituted the ministry of catechist for which the initiation rite is under preparation.

The pope also stressed that the most urgent task of the Church in Europe is to ensure that the Christian tradition of the continent does not become a historical relic.