Catechetical Sunday, a national day to celebrate the ministry of passing on the faith, will be September 19, 2021.
This year's theme is:
Say the Word and My Soul Shall be Healed /
Una Palabra Tuya Bastará para Sanarme
We are familiar with these words which we pray at Mass before receiving holy Communion. The sentence is derived from the Gospel story in which a Roman Centurion expresses his faith that Jesus can heal his ailing servant: "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed" (Mt 8:8). Jesus is amazed at this simple, sincere faith. The role of the Catechist is, first of all, to be a person of faith, a disciple of Jesus, and then to be a witness to others, a companion on the journey of faith. May we who aspire to be effective catechists for others, have such a sincere faith that the Lord will say to us too, "You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you."
Commissioning of Catechists
We encourage using Catechetical Sunday to publicly commission and pray for those who will serve as catechists and teachers in the parish community. A commissioning rite is available for use at Sunday Masses or in a special prayer service:
Catechetical Sunday also offers an opportunity to recall that all the Baptized have roles in handing on the faith in their daily life, families, work, and church involvement. Some parishes include a rededication of all parishioners to catechesis in addition to the commissioning of those called to the particular ministry of catechist.
Catechetical Sunday Resources
Eastern Catholic Churches
The Eastern Catholic Churches of America also celebrate Catechetical Sunday. The Eastern 2021 theme is different though similar to the Latin Rite theme: "Christ: The Physician of our Souls and Bodies."
Past Themes and Archived Resources
Catechetical Sunday is celebrated each year on the third Sunday in September.
2020 - I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you
2019 - Stay With Us
2018 - Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ
2017 - Missionary Disciples
2016 - Prayer: the Faith Prayed / videos
2015 - Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Human Person
2014 - Teaching About God's Gift of Forgiveness
2013 - Open the Door of Faith
2012 - Catechists and Teachers as Agents of the New Evangelization
2011 - Do This in Memory of Me
2010 - Matrimony: Sacrament of Enduring Love
2009 - Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word