INSTRUCTION. - Under this name is understood, in the language of sacred eloquence and also in the CIC, a certain manner of expounding the truths of the faith, in such a way as to direct them straight to the practice of Christian morality. The i. thus relates to Christian practice, whereas conferences limit themselves to showing the soundness of the truths of faith. The i. develops according to the traditional plan of the catechism with the twofold purpose of instructing and of impelling to action. It addresses itself to all the faithful and must consequently adapt itself to the different conditions that are encountered. Hence the almost infinite variety of models.
The principal qualities required are clarity and the authority of a true teacher, together with the delicacy and affection of the good shepherd. But above all simplicity remains, together with unction, the fundamental law of the i.
In the CIC special i. are prescribed, periodically (twice a month), for the lay brothers and for the familiars (that is, domestic servants) of religious Orders and Congregations, suited to their capacity: the local superior is held responsible for their execution (can. 509 § 2, n. 2). During the period of novitiate for lay brothers a weekly i. must be added (can. 565 § 2). The subject matter of all these i. must be the catechism itself (christianae cathechesis... instructio). Likewise weekly must be the religious i. not strictly catechetical (de rebus spiritualibus) to be given to the students of the seminary, under the direct responsibility of the bishop (can. 1367, n. 5). The choice of the preacher is at the discretion of the religious superior or of the rector of the seminary and presupposes an assignment given for a certain period (e.g., ad annum), so that an organic development of a program may be possible. For the religious i. to the people, v. PREDICAZIONE; to children, v. CATECHESI.
Bibliography3 works
Pietro Palazzini