In the parishes of the United States, the third Sunday of September is called Catechetical Sunday. On this day, parishes are encouraged to recognize the importance of catechesis and faith formation in the community of faith and recognize and bless those called to serve as catechists in the parish.  They serve in children’s religious education programs, youth ministry programs, Catholic School teachers of religion, Catechumenate (RCIA) teams, Bible Study leaders, and many other places. The theme for September 2022 is:

“This is my body given for you”
(Luke 22: 19)
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“Esto es Mi cuerpo que se entrega por ustedes”
(Lucas 22;19)

Pope Francis has written: “Catechists are called first to be expert in the pastoral service of transmitting the faith as it develops through its different stages from the initial proclamation of the kerygma [Gospel proclamation] to the instruction that presents our new life in Christ and prepares for the sacraments of Christian initiation, and then to the ongoing formation that can allow each person to give an accounting of the hope within them. At the same time, every catechist must be a witness to the faith, a teacher and mystagogue, a companion and pedagogue, who teaches for the Church.”

Remember these ministers of the Church in your prayer.

Parishes are invited to gather their catechists together on Catechetical Sunday and ask God’s blessing upon them.

Blessing of Catechists

Order of Blessing During Mass in Spanish

Order of Blessing During Mass in English

Order of Blessing Outside of Mass

Order of Blessing of Parents/Guardians

Resources to Mark the Day

• From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• From Loyola Press
• From Sadlier: English / En Español

Also, see “What is the Eucharist?” for catechetical instruction and infographic on the Eucharist. En espanol.