Unpacking the New Directory for Catechesis

The new Directory for Catechesis presents fundamental theological-pastoral principles for the ministry of catechesis while responding to current social conditions and cultural forces that shape the church’s communication of the Faith. Check out some great resources and plan to join us for our webinar series.

Video Reflections on the New Directory

The Directory affirms the presentation of the Catholic faith articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a sound point of reference for instruction while drawing deeply from Scripture and the writings of recent popes, especially Pope Francis’s Evangelii Gaudium. This video series will provide insights into eight new emphases which it proposes.

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Introduction: The Evangelizing Mission of Catechesis
Evangelization and Catechesis Beyond the "Usual"
Renewed Emphasis on the Family
Renewed Emphasis on the Catechumenate Process for all Catechesis
The Importance of the Initial and Ongoing Formation of Catechists
'La Via Pulchritudinis' - The Way of Beauty
Brought to you by the USCCB, Archbishop Emeritus Alfred C. Hughes reflects on the new Directory for Catechesis and the implications for all of us who are called to share the faith.
The new Directory invites us to "expand our audiences" to people on the margins, the peripheries, among them the elderly, persons with disabilities, migrants, and the incarcerated. Bishop David L. Ricken reflects.
How can we better accompany families to be signs of the Gospel? Bishop Daniel Flores reflects.
The new Directory is clear that all catechesis must not only begin with the kerygma, the proclamation of the Good News that Jesus love us and died for us, but needs to be repeated over and over again. Archbishop Emeritus J. Peter Sartain reflects.
The Directory states that catechists need to be continually evangelized and formed and that it starts with their own experience of God. Bishop Michael J. Sis reflects on being a lifelong learner.
What are the various forms of beauty? Do we remember to seek beauty from all cultures? Bishop John O. Barres reflects.

Up Next

Evangelization and Catechesis Beyond the "Usual"
Renewed Emphasis on the Family
Renewed Emphasis on the Catechumenate Process for all Catechesis
The Importance of the Initial and Ongoing Formation of Catechists
'La Via Pulchritudinis' - The Way of Beauty

Study Guides for Directory for Catechesis

Study guides for both leaders and participants are available for download here. We strongly encourage you to set time aside as a parish catechetical leadership team to read and discuss the document.


Leader's Guide (English)    Participant's Guide (English)

Leader's Guide (Spanish)    Participant's Guide (Spanish)