Catechesi Tradendae

by Pope John Paul II

Publisher:

Libreria Editrice Vaticana

, 1979

The Apostolic Constitutions and Exhortations of John Paul II and Benedict XVI (51 vols.) contains the most important writings of the two pontiffs, next to their encyclical letters. The papal office holds the highest teaching authority in the Catholic Church, and the popes realize this office through a number of channels and through the promulgation of a variety of documents. The most famous of these are the papal encyclical letters, which express the pope’s mind normally on matters of faith and morals. Apostolic exhortations often concern similar topics but do not define doctrine and are normally directed at encouraging certain groups within the Church to certain activities. In recent decades apostolic exhortations have most often been issued at the conclusion of synods of bishops and have served as the popes’ summations and interpretations of those synods’ conclusions. Apostolic constitutions, however, are more juridical in nature. They are formal papal decrees and carry the highest authority. Apostolic constitutions can deal with the structure of the Church, but also the liturgy, pastoral, or dogmatic concerns. Together with encyclicals, apostolic exhortations and constitutions are the most important documents produced by the Holy See, touching all matters of ecclesiastical government and doctrine.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Accordingly, the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.” (source)

“In the first place, it is intended to stress that at the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, ‘the only Son from the Father … full of grace and truth,’(9) who suffered and died for us and who now, after rising, is living with us forever.” (source)

“every catechist must constantly endeavor to transmit by his teaching and behavior the teaching and life of Jesus” (source)

“A person who has given adherence to Jesus Christ by faith and is endeavoring to consolidate that faith by catechesis needs to live in communion with those who have taken the same step. Catechesis runs the risk of becoming barren if no community of faith and Christian life takes the catechumen in at a certain stage of his catechesis.” (source)

“The truths studied in catechesis are the same truths that touched the person’s heart when he heard them for the first time. Far from blunting or exhausting them, the fact of knowing them better should make them even more challenging and decisive for one’s life.” (source)

Product Details

• Title: Catechesi Tradendae
• Author: Pope John Paul II
• Series: Apostolic Exhortations
• Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
• Print Publication Date: 1979
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Catholic Church › Education; Catechetics › Catholic Church
• Resource ID: LLS:CATECHESITRADENG
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:17:34Z

About Pope John Paul II

Pope Saint John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła (18 May 1920–2 April 2005), reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of The Holy See from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005. He was canonized along with Pope John XXIII on April 27, 2014.