Exceptional Resources

When you sign up for a Guild membership, you’ll gain access to all these incredible resources from the Catechetical Institute, along with some exclusive resources just for Guild members.

Ministry Formation Tracks & Workshops

Discover the world's largest and most impactful Catholic ministry formation collection —for anyone in any role.

Ministry FormationVideos & Webinars

Gain access to exclusive catechetical video resources, excellent conference presentations, and a myriad of webinars.

The Catechetical Review Journal

Gain access to the world's oldest and finest English-language journal on excellence and best-practices in ministry.

Exclusive Resources Just for Guild Members

Podcasts

Do you want impactful and engaging catechetical content, but you don’t have time to sit and watch videos? Whether you have a long commute or are busy doing housework, put on one of our fantastic podcasts to continue focusing on your formation!

Pastoral Accompaniment

Have an opportunity to join a small group online to explore specialty areas in a live discussion format or be mentored through our catechetical workshops and content on Franciscan At Home through our Guild Circles and Live Mentoring.

Discussion Boards

Join discussions answering YOUR urgent questions with other Guild members.

Partner Discounts

Enjoy discounts from Franciscan University Online and some of your favorite vendors.

Personal Accompaniment

Live Mentoring & Certification*

Be mentored by a trained Catechetical Institute mentor experienced in your field and earn a certificate from Franciscan University in a particular ministry area. (Certificates are not for academic credit)

Guild Circles*

Join a small group with other Guild members and be guided through studies of Church documents, catechetical content and approaches, and so much more with an experienced Catechetical Institute facilitator.

St. John Bosco Conference

Visit us here at Franciscan University for our annual St. John Bosco Conference in July and meet other catechists and leaders in person! View the Bosco Conference Flyer for more information!

*Please view the Flexible Pricing section to see costs associated with signing up for guild circles and mentoring.

Key Principles

A guild is an association of people for mutual aid and the pursuit of a common goal, providing a way for skills to be learned and passed down in a context of apprenticeship and mentoring, with clearly defined and shared standards of craftsmanship, methods, and commitment to excellence.

This Franciscan International Guild of Catechists and Leadersis for catechists and teachers in any role and leaders at any level who serve in the Church in the fields of evangelization and catechesis.

Supporting the universal Church in her request for a gathering of energies for a new evangelization and pastoral mission, the Guild is an association of those who rejoice to share in the mission of transmitting the deposit of saving truths, and seek to practice this as a craft grounded in God’s own pedagogy.

Due to the reality of mission drift, it is important to anchor the Guild to principles that are not just set forth as hoped-for ideals by a loose association of individuals in a given moment, but exist currently in a lived institutional form, with a history of holding that ground, and creatively and boldly walking it out into the life of the Church.

Below are six core principles of the Guild, which guide organizational identity, prioritize methods of service, and define best practices:

1. Catechetical subsidiarity in a spirit of solidarity

Respecting the primacy of the family and the need to support, not supplant, local sources of formation.

2. Spiritual primacy within an integrated formation

Ensuring that formation for ministry emphasizes personal spiritual growth and witness of life and does not give the impression that human skill and knowledge attainment alone can sufficiently prepare a person to pass on the faith.

3. Faithful creativity

Seeking new ways forward in ministry in a collaborative not competitive manner, obedient to the graced channels of the Church’s hierarchy, and to the guidance of the Spirit’s voice in the Magisterium and ministry ofPeter. Working for the Church and with the Church.

4. Sacrificial accompaniment within structures of continuity of care

Fostering and deepening the vocation to others in situ, knowing that the faith is most effectively passed on through pathways of familial trust, personal witness, vulnerable friendship, genuine sharing and reciprocal sacrifice, within the strength of a community.

5.Radical affordability to support sustainable patterns of ministry

Forming others for ministry in a fiscally non-exclusivemanner, with a spirit of generosity so that the very best resources can be provided for all, including the poorest institutions and individuals.

6. Under mercy

Depending at all times upon the grace that can elevate our nature for the work of ministry, and therefore fostering sacramental encounters with the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit in order to find authentic peace of soul,joy in trusting, and familial belonging.

The Guild is a way of finding the people and the answers you need, offering creative ways to gather – to circle – to find supportive community.These circles are places to meet those who have the same enthusiasm for catechetical ministry, the same desire to grow, the same commitment to the Church’s Magisterial principles for the communication of the faith, places to make catechetical friendships and to share and receive ideas in ministry together. Join us!

Flexible Pricing

Annual Guild Fee

Pay what you can as your annual fee which gains you access to all of the resources on Franciscan At Home and all of the exclusive Guild resources.

Guild Circles

Guild circle participation pricing varies between $15 - $40 per person depending on the presenter, topic, and duration of each circle.

Live Mentoring

Benefit from a live mentorship from a trained Catechetical Institute mentor and work towards a certification in one of our ministry tracks for just $12.99 per month.