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Catechetical Methodology: Pope Benedict XVI on ‘Mystagogical Catechesis’

In the last issue of The Sower, Archbishop Burke drew our attention to Pope Benedict’s statement on mystagogical catechesis. Here, James Pauley unpacks some of the implications of this teaching for our catechetical methodology.

Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 apostolic exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis on the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Church’s life contains the most recently articulated magisterial teaching on the important relationship which exists between liturgy and catechesis. The importance of a deep integration of liturgy and catechesis has been a much frequented theme in these years since the Second Vatican Council highlighted the ‘didactic’ nature of the liturgy[i] and the importance of the faithful participating in liturgical life with ‘minds attuned to their voices.’[ii] Benedict’s immediate predecessor warned of an increasing liturgical participation which lacked liturgical understanding, manifesting itself in a widespread ‘hollow ritualism’ in the liturgical practice of the faithful.[iii] And, the General Directory for Catechesis called for a catechesis which consistently promotes ‘a deeper understanding and experience of the liturgy.’[iv] In a careful reading of the magisterial catechetical vision of the second half of the Twentieth century, it would be difficult to overlook the very important connection between liturgical understanding and liturgical participation.

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Profile image of the Catechetical Review Editor, Dr. James Pauley

Editor, Catechetical Review

Dr. James Pauley is Professor of Theology and Catechetics at Franciscan University and has taught at the university since 2002. He is the author of two books focused on renewing catechesis today: Liturgical Catechesis in the 21st Century: A School of Discipleship (Liturgy Training Publications, July 2017) and An Evangelizing Catechesis: Teaching from your Encounter with Christ (Our Sunday Visitor, August 2020). In 2014, Dr. Pauley was appointed editor of The Catechetical Review, Franciscan University’s journal dedicated to evangelization and catechesis. Dr. Pauley began working as a parish catechetical leader in 1989 and has served professionally in parish, diocesan, and university catechetical formation for more than thirty years. Having received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in 2014, he is a frequent speaker in dioceses and parishes nationwide. James is married to Katrina and they are blessed with three beautiful daughters.

This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

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