CATECHIST. — He is the one who teaches Christian doctrine. According to the CIC (can. 1329) the catechist par excellence is the parish priest, who, when necessary, may and must avail himself of helpers and collaborators, who may be the clergy of the parish territory (understanding by “clergy” first of all secular and regular priests) and also “pious lay people” (religious of lay congregations, nuns, secular persons), especially those who belong to the “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine or similar” (can. 1333). The mission, in fact, of teaching Christian doctrine belongs by right to the Church and to its ministers; but the scarcity of these, the ever more pressing needs, the vastness of the task, have always required and will always require more extensive collaboration. This must come first of all from parents with respect to their children; from others in their place or to supplement what they do, such as godfathers, guardians, teachers, educators; and from others still out of a spirit of charity and dedication.
I. THE GIFTS OF THE CATECHIST
These are the same as are required for every teacher, conscious of his mandate, but animated by a higher and supernatural spirit, as befits an office that is a mission and ministry for the salvation of souls.Therefore: 1) Intellectual gifts: a) sound doctrine to avoid errors and confusion; b) knowledge proportionate both to the importance of the subject to be expounded and to the culture of the hearers. This may involve, besides a strict theological knowledge, the need for sufficient competence in other more or less related subjects, so as to be able to combat and refute errors. 2) Didactic gifts, namely: a) knowledge of the developmental psychology of the child and the young person, so as to adapt better to their character and meet their aspirations; b) mastery of the art of keeping the audience attentive and engaged. 3) Moral gifts: a) deep religious conviction, which may make an impression on the minds of the hearers, arouse enthusiasm for the truth, and convince them that the teacher is fully conscious of what he says and inculcates; b) love, not only of God, but of the hearers, whoever they may be, thinking that all have a soul to save and can be useful instruments for the good of others; c) exemplary conduct, because deeds persuade more than words; d) love of sound progress, which leads to embracing all the means that pedagogical didactics can offer.
II. THE CATECHIST IN MISSIONS
In missions the catechists assume a very special importance, even to the point of becoming indispensable to the missionary, performing all those activities and functions for which the priestly ministry is not strictly required: they prepare and instruct catechumens and neophytes, preside at Sunday religious gatherings, baptize in urgent cases, visit the sick, prepare the dying, watch over Christian burials, labor to uproot superstitions, have the material oversight of mission property, direct schools, workshops, dispensaries, farms, etc. European catechists are generally lay religious of both sexes; more effective, because better acquainted with the language and customs of the place, are native catechists.For this reason schools of serious preparation have been established, not only cultural but also moral and spiritual, because the effectiveness of their action will depend greatly on their example of Christian life. For this reason they are often recalled to the center for inspection or to make spiritual exercises and are visited in their residence. Very often religious instruction is combined with that necessary to exercise the office of elementary teachers, agronomists, nurses for common diseases and needs.