According to the Spanish Bishops, the recipients of adult catechesis no longer have the same mentality as those who lived in previous decades.
Photo: Spanish Bishops’ Conference.
Newsroom(03/12/2023 11:14, Gaudium Press) The Spanish Bishops’ Conference (CEE), through its publishing house EDICE, has published a Catechism that focuses on the adult catechumenate and the revitalization of Christian life.
The work, entitled ‘Seek the Lord’, is part of a collection of four volumes published by CEE: ‘My Encounter with the Lord’, for younger children and their families; ‘Jesus is Lord’, aimed at children; and ‘Witnesses to the Lord’, for teenagers and young people.
Double formation itinerary
The recently published book offers a double itinerary: one aimed at those who know the Lord and wish to be baptized; and another aimed at those who were baptized in childhood, but lost the practice of the Faith and now wish to be reunited with the Lord.
“Although the formation process is the same for both, the liturgical celebrations of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults have been adapted to the different levels and conditions,” explained Father Francisco Torres, a priest from the Diocese of Plasencia (Spain), in an interview with ACI Prensa.
Necessary changes
According to the EEC’s website, these changes were necessary because the people who receive adult catechesis today no longer have the same mentality as those who lived in previous decades. “The context in which they live is new, the social and cultural reality in which they participate demands a simple and clear response to the usual questions, doubts and concerns,” he points out.
This new catechism for adults is divided into four stages: pre-catechumenate (with basic and essential elements on the life of the Faith), catechumenate (content of the Faith proclaimed in a systematic, integral and organic way), purification or enlightenment (doctrinal catechesis aimed at preparing for Baptism or the renewal of its promises) and mystagogy (trying to explain the mystery behind the sacraments and integrating the new believer into the Christian community). (EPC)
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
