Throughout history and across the globe, lay catechists have been revered as saints, and many were martyred for their refusal to renounce their faith and their vocation to teach the Christian faith to others.
Formally instituting “the ministry of catechist” with a document published May 11, Pope Francis praised “the countless lay men and women who directly took part in the spread of the Gospel through catechetical instruction”.
Men and women of deep faith, authentic witnesses of holiness,” he said, some of those catechists founded churches and “eventually died as martyrs”.
“The long line of blesseds, saints and martyrs who were catechists has significantly advanced the Church’s mission and deserves to be recognised, for it represents a rich resource not only for catechesis but also for the entire history of Christian spirituality,” Pope Francis wrote in the document, Antiquum Ministerium (Ancient Ministry).
The brief document did not mention any of the beatified or canonised lay catechists by name, but many of the Catholic communities they served continue to honour them and keep their memories alive.
