Volunteers around the world dedicate their time to religious education in many forms -- from PSR (parish school of religion) to Sunday school to the formation of adults seeking to become Catholic.
Pope Francis noted their important work on this feast day of Pope St. Pius X.
Today, memorial of Saint Pius X, the day of the catechist is celebrated in many parts of the world. Let us think of our catechists who do so much work and, in some parts of the world, are the first to bring the faith forward. Let us pray today for catechists, that the Lord may make them courageous and that they may continue.
Foundations of Christian life
Pope Francis has a particular esteem for the role of catechists in the Church, in part because he remembers fondly his own catechists, particularly the nun who prepared him for First Communion.
In 2022, he said:
There [was] a religious sister who [led] a group of catechists; sometimes she taught, sometimes [it was] two [other] good women, both named Alicia, I always remember.
And this religious sister laid down the foundation of my Christian life, preparing me for First Communion, in the years 1943 to 1944. ...
The Lord also gave me a very great grace. She was very elderly [when] I was a student... studying abroad, in Germany, and after I finished my studies I returned to Argentina, and the day after she died.
I was able to accompany her that day. And when I was there, praying before her coffin, I thanked the Lord for the witness of that sister who spent her life almost entirely in giving catechesis, preparing children and youngsters for First Communion. She was named Dolores.
I let myself say this to bear witness that a good catechist leaves a trace; not only the trace of what he or she sows, but the trace of the person who has sown. I hope that your young people, your children, your adults, those you accompany in catechesis, will always remember you before the Lord as a person who sowed good and beautiful things in their heart.
