General catechetical directory. GENERAL CATECHETICAL DIRECTORY f€6 01l979 imtm *niTicMi rte SACRED CONGREGATION FOR THE CLERGY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/generalcatecheticath Sacred Congregation for the Clergy GENERAL CATECHETICAL DIRECTORY This is the only English translation of the Directorium Catechisticum Generale approved by the Sacred Congregation of the Clergy. 1971 Publications Office UNITED STATES EATHOLIE EQNEERENEE 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.E. ED0D5 Copyright 1971, United States Catholic Conference © All rights reserved. CONTENTS page Foreword 1 Abbreviations 4 PART ONE THE REALITY OF THE PROBLEM Nature and Purpose of This Part 5 The World The Modern World in Continual Development 5 Pluralism Today 6 The Dynamism of Our Age 7 The Situation in Regard to Religious Feeling 7 The Church 'Traditional" Faith 8 Religious Indifferentism and Atheism 9 Faith and Various Cultures 10 The Work of Renewal 11 PART TWO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD Chapter I The Ministry of the Word and Revelation Revelation: God's Gift 13 Revelation: Deeds and Words 13 Jesus Christ: Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation 14 Ministry of the Word or Preaching of the Word of God: Act of Living Tradition 15 page Sacred Scripture 16 Faith: Response to the Word of God 17 Function of the Ministry of the Word 17 Chapter II Catechesis in the Pastoral Mission of the Church (Nature, Purpose, Efficacy) Ministry of the Word in the Church 19 Catechesis and Evangelization 19 Forms of Catechesis 20 Functions of Catechesis 21 Catechesis and the Grace of Faith 21 Catechesis and Performance of the Duties of the Faith 22 Catechesis and Knowledge of the Faith 22 Catechesis and the Life of Liturgical and Private Prayer 23 Catechesis and Christian Light on Human Existence 23 Catechesis and Unity of Christians 24 Catechesis and the Mission of the Church in the World .... 24 Catechesis and Eschatological Hope 24 Catechesis and Development of the Life of Faith 25 Richness of Catechetical Work 25 Efficacy of the Word of God in Catechesis 25 Pedagogy of God in Revealing and of the Church in Catechizing 26 Preserving Fidelity to God and Having Concern for Men ... 27 The Necessity of Ecclesial Witness 27 PART THREE THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE Significance and Purpose of this Part 29 Chapter I Norms or Criteria The Content of Catechesis in relation to the Various Forms of Ecclesial Life, in relation to Different Cultures, and in relation to Different Languages of Men 31 page The Goal of Catechesis is to Present the Entire Content .... 31 The Content of Catechesis forms a certain Organic and Living Body 32 Christocentrism of Catechesis 33 Trinitarian Theocentrism of Catechesis 33 For Us Men and For Our Salvation 34 Hierarchy of Truths to be Observed in Catechesis 34 Historical Character of the Mystery of Salvation 35 Sources of Catechesis 36 General Principles of Catechetical Methodology 36 Chapter II The More Outstanding Elements of the Christian Message The Mystery of the One God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit 38 Genuine Worship of God in a Secularized World 39 Knowledge of God and the Witness of Charity 39 Jesus Christ, Son of God, the Firstborn of All Creation and Savior 40 Creation, the Beginning of the Economy of Salvation 40 Jesus Christ, the Center of the Entire Economy of Salvation 41 Jesus Christ, True Man and True God in the Unity of the Divine Person 41 Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer of the World 42 The Sacraments, Actions of Christ in the Church, the Primordial Sacrament 43 Full Meaning of the Sacraments 44 Catechesis on the Sacraments 44 The Eucharist, Center of the Entire Sacramental Life 45 The Sacrament of Matrimony 46 The New Man 46 Human and Christian Freedom 47 Sin of Man 48 Moral Life of Christians 49 The Perfection of Charity 50 The Church, People of God and Saving Institution 51 The Church as Communion 52 The Church as Saving Institution 53 Mary, Mother of God, Mother and Model for the Church ... 54 Final Communion with God 55 page PART FOUR ELEMENTS OF METHODOLOGY Nature and Purpose of this Part 56 Function of the Catechist 56 Inductive and Deductive Methods 57 Formulations 57 Experience 58 Stimulating the Activity or Creativity of those Catechized ... 59 Groups 60 PART FIVE CATECHESIS ACCORDING TO AGE LEVELS Nature and Purpose of this Part 62 Infancy and Its Importance 63 Childhood and its Importance 64 Children who do not attend School 65 Children who grow up in Families affected by Religious Indifference 65 Adolescence and Early Adulthood, and their Importance . . 66 Pre-adolescence, Adolescence, and Early Adulthood, and their Importance 66 Searching into the Meaning of Life 67 Focusing Attention on Genuine Values 68 Personal Autonomy 68 Groups of Adolescents 68 Intellectual Demands 69 Action 69 Adolescents who do not Attend School 70 Children and Adolescents not adjusted to the Conditions of Life 70 Adulthood 71 Dynamic Notes of Adulthood—Fellowship and Loneliness 71 Full Development of the Personality 72 Old Age 73 Special Forms of Catechesis for Adults 73 The Special Functions of Catechesis for Adults 74 page PART SIX PASTORAL ACTION IN THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD Pastoral Action 76 Chapter I Analysis of the Situation Purpose 78 Object 78 Methods 78 Effects 79 Chapter II Program of Action Program of Action 80 Goals to be Attained 80 Means to be Used 81 Norms 81 Distribution and Promotion of Responsibilities 81 Chapter III Catechetical Formation Catechetical Formation 83 Higher Institutes and Catechetical Schools 83 Continuing Formation 84 Objective of Catechetical Formation 84 Theological-Doctrinal, Anthropological, and Methodological Formation 84 Learning the Art of Catechesis 85 Spiritual Life of Catechists 86 Formation of Catechists 86 Chapter IV Catechetical Aids Aids 88 Catechetical Directories 88 Programs 88 page Catechisms 88 Textbooks 89 Manuals for Catechists 90 Audiovisual Aids 90 Mass Media 91 Programmed Instruction 91 Chapter V Organization for Catechesis Organization for Catechesis 92 Diocesan Structures 92 Regional Structures 93 National Structures 93 Chapter VI Coordination of Pastoral Catechetics with all Pastoral Work Catechesis and Pastoral Action 94 Catechumenate for Adults 94 Chapter VII Necessity of Promoting Scientific Study Scientific Study 95 Chapter VIM International Cooperation and Relations with the Apostolic See International Cooperation 96 Holy See 97 Sacred Congregation for the Clergy 97 page ADDENDUM THE FIRST RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF PENANCE AND THE EUCHARIST 1. 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