I wrote in an earlier post that Pope Benedict XVI had announced that he would begin a series of weekly catechesis during the Wednesday audiences for the Year of Faith. At the time of my post I did not have the link to a source for those audiences. I found it just now in the news section at the Vatican website. Weekly General Audiences by Pope Benedict XVI. On that page you’ll also find the weekly Angelus address. Full texts.
Tag: Catechesis
Pope Benedict XVI begins new weekly series of catechesis for the Year of Faith
Updated Nov 1 2012 to add link to Audiences. Pope Benedict XVI announced a new series of weekly catechesis during the Wednesday audiences for the Year of Faith. Below I’ve posted the first paragraph of the announcement. Read the rest of the story at the National Catholic Register or at Rome Reports. Link to weekly General Audiences, texts in full. Short video below.
From Pope Benedict XVI’s Weekly Audience, St Peter’s Square, October 17 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today I will introduce the new cycle of catechesis, which will be developed throughout the Year of Faith that has just started and interrupt – for this period – the cycle dedicated to the school of prayer. With the Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei I chose this special year, so that the Church would renew its enthusiasm to believe in Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world, revive the joy of walking on the path that He has shown us, and witnesses in a concrete way the transforming power of the faith.
Read the rest of the story at the National Catholic Register or at Rome Reports.
But we want them to lust after us, O, Catechesis, where art thou?
I was listening to Fr. Mitch Pacwa on Open Line this afternoon and a caller was asking him about something he (Fr. Mitch) had said about lust and about how we don’t want people to lust after us. Now I don’t have the podcast downloaded yet and I’m paraphrasing from memory, but I think the caller said that he and his friends decided that oh, yes, uh huh, they certainly do want girls to lust after them. Continue reading “But we want them to lust after us, O, Catechesis, where art thou?”
If it doesn’t feel wrong, then it’s right, right?
(Note: I’m presenting an argument in this post and I think I have the right answer, but I’m not 100% beyond a shadow of a doubt sure. I’m inviting friendly debate because I really am seeking the truth.) How many times have you heard this statement: It doesn’t feel wrong, so it’s right. Maybe you’ve even said it. But let’s think about it some more. If it doesn’t feel wrong, then does that really mean that it’s right? I’ve been pondering this problem for a while and I have some thoughts I’d like to share with you, to bounce off of you, and you can let me know what you think, whether you agree or disagree, whether you find these ideas helpful or not. And we’ll go from there. Alright? Okay, let’s go then. Continue reading “If it doesn’t feel wrong, then it’s right, right?”
Like I’ve been asking, why don’t catechists teach from the Catechism?
I just downloaded an article from the EWTN Library entitled, Why American Catechists Don’t Teach the Catechism, by Russell Shaw. I haven’t read it yet, it’s nearly 1am and time to shut this laptop down and call it a night, er, morning. Whatever. But I’m going to read this in the next couple of days. Yeah, along with the thousand and one other projects on my ever-burgeoning to-do list. Funny, not long ago I was wondering what I was going to do with this blog and now I’ve got so many ideas I’m afraid my head is going to explode. Okay, maybe not that many ideas. But almost!
EWTN Family Celebration, continued, Of Rafts, 3-Legged Stools, and Hope
Fr. Wade Menezes delivered a memorable catechetical instruction disguised as an entertaining talk on Saturday during EWTN’s Family Celebration. And the disguise succeeded. The crowd was certainly entertained and we came away from the concert hall with words of wisdom and light on walking the Catholic path. For all those who think that we have no part to play in our salvation, I’d like to share one of my favorite lines from his talk. Fr. Wade is fond of white water rafting and he quoted his rafting leader as saying: Continue reading “EWTN Family Celebration, continued, Of Rafts, 3-Legged Stools, and Hope”
Just an encyclical, oh yeah?
A follow-up note to my ongoing annoyance with statements I’ve heard from instructors teaching RCIA classes (see earlier post, Just an encyclical?): I’ve been researching the doctrinal nature of The Gospel of Life by the late John Paul II. Here’s what the Vatican says about it.
The encyclical is presented with great doctrinal authority: It is not only an expression, like every other encyclical, of the ordinary magisterium of the pope, but also of the episcopal collegiality which was manifested first in the extraordinary consistory of cardinals in April 1991 and subsequently in a consultation of all the bishops of the Catholic Church, who unanimously and firmly agree with the teaching imparted in it (No. 5). (Quoted from The Vatican’s Summary of Evangelium Vitae on the Priests for Life website. The summary was released by the Vatican on March 30, 1995 along with the encyclical.)
Just an encyclical. Indeed! Give me a break. And a catechist who knows what he’s doing. Oy ve.
Read the full text of the Gospel of Life. Read a study guide. Read the Vatican’s summary of the Gospel of Life.
Awe inspiring rites
Of all the religions I’ve studied (and I’ve studied a few), Catholicism is the most vast, beautiful and truly awe-inspiring. That is, by the way, what the rites of initiation used to be called: the awe-inspiring rites of initiation. And that is what they should be. Awe inspiring.
Continue reading “Awe inspiring rites”Who, sir? Me, sir? A catechist?!
Well, I’m not a catechist. Not yet, anyway. But I’ve been grousing about the deplorable state of catechesis in our parishes for a long time now and my theologian friend asked me today, “Why don’t you do it?”
Do what, I said.
“Be a catechist. You could even train catechists.”
You’ve got to be kidding, I said. Continue reading “Who, sir? Me, sir? A catechist?!”
Handing on the faith and dropping the ball
I have a friend in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and I can feel the frustration growing. It’s a good thing she’s an avid reader; I’ve given her some Catholic books and every time I see her, she’s either ordering books and DVD’s online or she’s heading out the door to look for more. She goes to Mass with me every chance she gets and Catholicism has become our favorite subject to discuss. And it’s a good thing because she would be learning nothing at all about the faith in that class. Continue reading “Handing on the faith and dropping the ball”
Catholic Heart and Mind 