What is catechesis?

Catechesis is a process of formation in faith, hope and charity; it shapes the mind and touches the heart, leading the person to embrace Christ fully and completely.

Its goal is to lead us to embrace Christ and to follow him, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This encounter produces a heartfelt conversion and transformation of our lives. It introduces us to the mystery of the trinitarian life as we begin a new life of humanization following Christ’s example.

For this reason, catechesis must be viewed as an apprenticeship and formation of an entire Christian life; catechesis is an integral Christian formation that encompasses our personal and social life¹.

Catechesis comprises three stages:

• Primary Proclamation or catechesis of awakening to the faith
• Christian Initiation or catechesis of initiation
• Pastoral Activity or continuing catechesis

The table reproduced from the orientations document, JCWH, summarizes these stages.