Catechetical Sunday

Catechetical Sunday is celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of September to acknowledge and commission those who serve the parish and school community as catechists.

In his Apostolic letter, Antiquum ministerum, Pope Francis describes the role of the catechist as:  “Catechists are called first to be expert in the pastoral service of transmitting the faith as it develops through its different stages from the initial proclamation of the kerygma to the instruction that presents our new life in Christ and prepares for the sacraments of Christian initiation, and then to the ongoing formation that can allow each person to give an accounting of the hope within them. At the same time, every catechist must be a witness to the faith, a teacher and mystagogue, a companion and pedagogue, who teaches for the Church. Only through prayer, study, and direct participation in the life of the community can they grow in this identity and the integrity and responsibility that it entails.”

Annual Theme

“Lord, when did we see you hungry” (Matthew 25:37)

“Señor, ¿cuándo te vimos hambriento? ” (Mateo 25:37)

Commissioning of Catechists

We encourage using Catechetical Sunday to publicly commission and pray for those who will serve as catechists and teachers in the parish community. A commissioning rite is available to use at the Sunday Masses or in a special prayer service:

Commissioning Service (English) 

Servico de Comisión (Spanish)

Catechetical Sunday also offers an opportunity to recall that all the baptized have roles in passing on the faith in their daily lives, families, work and church involvement.

Resources

The USCCB provides resources (prayer cards, certificates, mostly available as free downloads) for parishes to use for the celebration of Catechetical Sunday:

Resources from USCCB