We have a mantra around the newsroom:
A well-formed Catholic is a well-informed Catholic.
It’s
perhaps a catchy way of summarizing our call to catechesis. That’s a
bit of an academic word, and it’s easy to think of catechesis as the
formal religious education related to the sacraments.
Parents take baptism classes.
Children have religion classes.
Engaged couples take marriage preparation.
Priesthood candidates have studies at the seminary.
But
catechesis is much more than that. It’s an “education in the faith of
children, young people, and adults which includes especially the
teaching of Christian doctrine imparted … in an organic and systematic
way…,” wrote St. John Paul II in his 1979 apostolic exhortation
“Chatechesi Trandendae.”
JPII wrote that catechesis is “a sacred
duty and an inalienable right” of the Church, and that we all share the
responsibility of education one another in the faith, particularly
within our roles as clergy, religious, teachers, parents and peers.
This
formation needn’t be particularly academic. While there is certainly a
place for such formality, our personal study and witness of faith could
be the most enriching. We should always be on a joyous journey of
discovery.
This life of formation is a primary reason we produce
this magazine; our weekly newspaper, the St. Louis Review; and share
stories and ideas on digital platforms. We strive to provide inspiring
sources ideas and news that witness God’s Word and help readers develop a
strong relationship with Jesus Christ.
We hope to help you be a well-formed, well-informed Catholic.