Quite early on, the name catechesis was given to the totality of the Church's efforts to make disciples, to help people believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they might have life in his name, and to educate and instruct them in this life, thus building up the Body of Christ.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 4)

Themes of Catechesis

The General Directory for Catechesis (Congregation of the Clergy, 1997) puts forth six themes of catechesis, which are:

Promoting knowledge of the faith

Liturgical Formation

Moral formation

Teaching to pray

Education for Community Life

Missionary Initiation

For more information on the ministry of Catechesis, go here.