What Are Catechism Classes?
What Are Catholic Classes Called?
Catholic Classes are often called catechism classes. Children's catechism classes are specifically known often as CCD classes or PREP classes in addition to catechism classes. Adults can take catholic classes too, and adults looking to convert to the Catholic Faith take catechism classes specifically known as RCIA classes.
What is the Catechism? What is Catechism for children? What is Catechesis?
If you are not familiar with these terms, do not despair. In times past, these terms were more common but today have been used less and less by the average Catholic. We will break down each of these questions and help you make sense of these terms
What Is Catechism?
Catechism refers generally to the body of Catholic doctrine that make up the Faith that Catholics believe. The Catholic Church is unique in that there are four marks that it possesses to show that it is the true Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself: it is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The catholic mark refers to the universality of the Church since "catholic" means "universal." Christ's True Church must teach the same body of doctrine everywhere in the world since it is not possible to teach two conflicting ideas to two different peoples and have them be true. Whereas all other denominations teach conflicting doctrine that is often up to the "inspiration" — or the whim — of the congregation's leader, the Catholic Church alone teaches the same body of doctrine in all places. The catechism refers to the codification of all of this doctrine into one single book.
Catechism Definition
The Father John Hardon Catholic Dictionary defines "catechism" as follows:
"A popular manual of instruction in Christian doctrine. In the early Church, catechetical instruction was standardized in preparation for baptism as in the writings of St. Augustine (354-430) and St. Gregory of Nyssa (330-95). After the invention of printing, books of catechetical instruction multiplied. The best known catechisms in the Catholic Church are St. Peter Canisius' Summa of Christian Doctrine (1555) and the Catechism of the Council of Trent or Roman Catechism (1566). Numerous catechisms were published in various countries authorized by their respective hierarchies, e.g., the so-called Penny Catechism in Great Britain and the series of Baltimore Catechisms in the United States."
What Was the First Catechism?
The first catechism ever created was written by St. Peter Canisius who wrote the Summa Doctrinae Christianae (Summary of Christian Doctrine), which was an incredibly complete work in multiple volumes meant for clergy and laymen (i.e. average Catholics). He produced a second directed to young men, the Catechismus Minor (Smaller Catechism). Later on, he even produced a third Catechism, the Parvus Catechismus Catholicorum (Small Catechism for Catholics), which is now back in print.
How Many Catechisms Are There?
There are actually many catechisms. While most people today will refer to the 2nd Edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church when they loosely use the word "catechism," they can also be referring to the Baltimore Catechism (which has four different editions depending on the level of the student), the Roman Catechism (also known as the Catechism of the Council of Trent), the Catechism of St. Pius X, and many others. In fact, there are several dozen more catechisms which have been produced. The catechisms do not differ in the doctrine they present — since the Faith is the same and does not change. But, they differ in terms of how they present it. For example, you can learn about the law of gravity from several different science teachers and each of them will describe the law in a slightly different way, but they will still all teach the same universal truth even if their analogies are different. We recommend using a variety of catechisms to get a true understanding of a topic and that is why the CatechismClass.com Programs incorporate several different catechisms in our self-study lessons.
Works such as Luther's Small Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism are protestant works which do not teach the truths of Christ or His established Church. They were created to teach errors and should not be purchased or read.
What Is Catechism for Children?
Children generally are required to take catechism classes, which are Catholic religious education classes, which generally start around the time the child is in first grade and conclude around 8th grade, at which time the child is confirmed. The exact age differs from diocese to diocese. Even in the United States, over a dozen dioceses now confirm children around 2nd grade, which is the practice in the Ancient Church. Others have kept Confirmation at around 8th grade or even as late as 10th grade. However, regardless of the exact age, catechism classes refer to the student taking part in Catholic religious education courses. Even adults take catechism classes that are often called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) before they can join the Church. Some adults even take catechism classes just to refresh or better study the Faith in which they believe.
What Are Catholic CCD Classes?
CCD means "Confraternity of Christian Doctrine," and the term originated in Rome in 1562. CCD refers today to the religious education of children who are in public schools. Whereas children who are enrolled in parochial (Catholic) schools take religion classes each day, children in public school take their catechism classes usually once a week at a parish. Children are also able to be homeschooled by their parents instead in the Faith since parents have the primary role in the education of their children in the Catholic Religion. However, with the Faith under great attack today, parents need to more than ever before strive to be good examples for their children, take them to Mass at least every week at a minimum, pray with them daily, and learn more about the Faith themselves.
What Is Catechesis?
Catechesis refers to the giving of religious education courses to students. Whereas the catechism is the book containing the doctrines of Christ and His Church, catechesis is the education of Catholics. Pope John Paul II summarized catechesis as, "an education in the faith of children, young people and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life."
Who Teaches CCD Classes?
Catechists are teachers of religious education classes — whether they be children's catechism classes or adult catechism classes.
What Is a Catechist?
A Catechist is a person who teaches religion. Some catechists are certified as catechists whereas in some parishes they are just volunteers who wish to help pass on the Faith. In such cases, the volunteers have a great responsibility to appropriately study and prepare for this solemn responsibility. At CatechismClass.com, we produce an innovative Catechist Training Program which is designed to truly prepare catechists to serve in this important role.
How Can Parents Better Teach Catechism?
Like catechists, parents have a solemn responsibility before God to know the Catholic Faith in order to adequately teach it to their children. At CatechismClass.com we produce a number of children's courses so that parents can study with their children. Parents, you are not alone! Rather than having to create lesson programs, find content, and grade tests, CatechismClass.com has put together time-tested catechism courses that incorporate catechisms, bible study, saints, and various prayers in a way that is interesting, complete, and faithful to the Catholic Faith. You may explore the many children's courses we offer on CatechismClass.com's Course Page.