Indian Catechists Urged to Be Witnesses, Not Just Teachers of the Faith

Catechists in central India have been encouraged to see their ministry not simply as teaching Christian doctrine but as a vocation to witness to Jesus Christ and help others encounter the faith.

The Diocese of Indore’s Catechetical Commission held a Catechism Teachers’ Training Seminar on August 26 at St. Paul Primary School in Indore, the commercial and educational center of Madhya Pradesh, under the theme, “Identity and Vocation of a Catechist: Called to Teach, Chosen to Witness.”

Fr. Jolly John, director of the Catechetical Commission, guided the program, while Father Isaac SDV served as the resource person.

Drawing on the biblical callings of Samuel, Mary and the disciples, Father Isaac told participants that God calls those who are willing to respond to his invitation and entrusts them with a mission.

The seminar emphasized that catechesis goes beyond the transmission of religious knowledge. Catechists are called to become witnesses whose lives reflect the Gospel they teach.

An interactive Disciple, Evangelizer and Missionary (DEM) activity helped participants reflect on their identity as catechists and their missionary responsibility.

The training identified prayer, the Eucharist, Scripture and charity as foundations of catechetical spirituality. Participants were encouraged to deepen their personal relationship with Christ so that their teaching would flow from lived faith.

The seminar also addressed practical aspects of catechetical ministry, including preparation, punctuality and confidentiality. Catechists were urged to respect the dignity of every child as an image of God and to create a safe and welcoming environment for faith formation.

They were also encouraged to pursue continuing formation and to recognize and support children's progress in their faith journey.

During the concluding session, Father Jolly John reviewed catechetical experiences and achievements from various parishes and urged the catechists to strengthen their commitment to the Church's mission of passing on the faith.

He also encouraged regular participation in the sacraments and greater attention to accompanying children in their spiritual growth.

Bishop Thomas Mathew of Indore attended the gathering and offered his blessing and encouragement. He thanked the catechists for their generous service and their role in strengthening the faith of the local Catholic community.

Fr.  Manoj Bagsingh, former in-charge of the Commission for Catechism of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in eastern India, stressed that catechists must first live the faith they teach.

“A catechist must be a person of prayer, deeply rooted in the Eucharist and Scripture, and committed to serving others with charity,” Father Bagsingh said. “The faith we proclaim must first be visible in the way we live. Our children should not only hear about Christ from us; they should be able to recognize something of Christ in us.”

He said the Church's responsibility toward children extends beyond classroom instruction.

“Every child entrusted to a catechist is precious in the eyes of God,” Father Bagsingh said. “We must therefore create an environment where children feel welcomed, respected and safe, while helping them discover that faith is not merely something to be learned but a relationship with Christ to be lived.”

“If we want the next generation to remain rooted in the Catholic faith,” he added, “we must form catechists who are not only competent teachers, but convinced disciples and joyful witnesses of the Gospel.”

The seminar concluded with a renewed call for catechists to unite sound teaching with personal witness, so their ministry can help a new generation encounter Christ and grow in the Catholic faith.