Posted on 10/20/2016 7:33:33 PM PDT by marshmallow
Catholics should not simply know what the Church teaches but instead must have a faith based on prayer and recognising their own sins, Pope Francis said this morning.
“Studying the catechism teaches us who Christ is. But this is not enough,” the Pope said in a homily during Mass at his residence, the Casa Santa Marta.
In comments reported by Vatican Radio, Francis said that three elements were needed in order to have a fruitful Christian life: prayer, adoration and getting into the habit of “accusing oneself” of sins.
The Pope particularly stressed the importance of praying in silence, something which he suggested Catholics did not do enough of. And Francis himself wakes every morning at 4.45 am for two hours of silent prayer.
“I think, if I’m not mistaken, that this prayer of adoration is the least known by us, it’s the one we do the least,” the Pope said. “Allow me to say this, waste time in front of the Lord, in front of the mystery of Jesus Christ. Worship him. There in silence, the silence of adoration.”
The catechism is a summary of Catholic doctrine which has traditionally been taught to children as a way of educating them in what the Church teaches.
While in the past children learned the catechism off by heart, critics of the contemporary Church argue that Catholics do not know enough about their faith and greater emphasis should be placed on learning doctrine.
But the Pope has stressed the need for Catholics to live out their faith through prayer and concrete charitable actions or “works of mercy.”
(Excerpt) Read more at lastampa.it ...
It might not be "enough" but it is the foundation on which the house is built. The past 50 years have been notable for a deficiency in sound catechesis and, as a result, the loss of 2-3 generations to the faith.
Who can't see that?
The catechism is not the only thing that Bergolio overrides.
But it would be a start, and there has clearly been a failure of Catechesis since the Council. Modern Catholics don’t know their Faith.
VERY true.
Nothing wrong with taking a positive step.
Nothing wrong with BEING positive.
Beats the heck out of bashing the Pope...for a change. After all, he didn't elect himself. He was elected by all those cardinals who KNEW who he was, KNEW his politics and STILL elected him.
Yep, you can’t leave out The Communist Manifesto.
I was taught the catechism and by some miracle I’m still a practicing Catholic. But the catechism is a dreary ordeal that chases young people away from the faith. Let’s drop the rote and talk to our young Catholic children. Memorizing lessons is not productive. Its insulting. We want them to think!
Who teaches catechism by rote? In my world, that stopped 55 years ago. But you know what? Some of those lessons were better designed than you might think, seeds for meditation, and the answers are with me still. Understanding is important, but we need to accept that some truths are beyond comprehension, and be OK with that.
I can’t believe I actually agree with him on this. I thought it was going to say that in addition to knowing our faith we have to drive electric cars and heal mother earth or something.
The JPII Catechism? Um, no. The JPII Catechism is a summary of the new Vatican II religion.
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