Idoneidad y formación de los catequistas de confirmación e itinerarios formativos en España

Abstract

In the context of the new evangelisation, every task which favours education in the faith, especially catechesis, occupies an prime place. Everything from simple projects to more elaborate plans bear witness to this. Catechists, catechisms and catechetical materials are a serious challenge for the Church in Spain as she tries to respond adequately to the growing difficulties of teaching and shaping the faith of new generations. Through catechesis in general and the process of Confirmation in particular, today as in its earliest times the Church is the «smother that offers her lap to those not regenerated and whose breast feeds the regenerated» (St. Augustine). How does the Church in Spain today strive to exercise this maternity with the adolescents and young people who approach Confirmation? From the point of view of catechetical action the author tries to reply by following the process of the three sections which the title itself offers us: firstly, on the suitability of the catechist: Who are you? What do you say about yourself? What are your attitudes and aptitudes?; secondly, on formation: What must be known? What has to be transmitted? How can this be done; and finally, on the processes: What are the most used materials? Where is the nucleus of their contents? What kind of users are they devised for? The author, a specialist in pastoral catechetical activity, offers us his reflection from what he calls the three tables: that of study, reflection; that of the prie Dieu (kneeler), prayer; and that of the ambo, pastoral involvement. Because of this he is conscious that the saving efficacy of all pastoral activity in the Church depends exclusively on the Holy Spirit. Our job is to be mediators -and intercessors- of this action of the Spirit, trying to accomplish it as best we can.