General Directory for Catechesis (Paperback)

~ Congregation For The Clergy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The General Directory for Catechesis provides religious educators, teachers, and catechists with a single point of reference for all aspects of catechetical instruction. (20000630)

From the Back Cover

Related Titles On Catechesis in Our Time (Catechesi Tradendae) Pope John Paul II s timeless apostolic exhortation reflects on the realities and joys of bringing the mystery of Christ to all the world. No. 654-9, 100 pp. Guide for Catechists The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples examines the main aspects of the catechist's vocation, identity, spirituality, selection and training, basic apostolic tasks, and remuneration. English: No. 824-X, 60 pp. Spanish: No. 027-3, 80 pp. Guidelines for Doctrinally Sound Catechetical Materials The U.S. bishops provide guidelines for producing catechetical materials consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church. For use by diocesan offices and publishers of Catholic materials. No. 419-8, 32 pp. On the Permanent Validity of the Church's Missionary Mandate (Redemptoris Missio) Pope John Paul II's encyclical letter addresses the urgency of missionary activity by those in the Catholic Church among the growing number of unchurched throughout the world. No. 424-4, 168 pp. On Evangelization in the Modern World (Evangelii Nuntiandi) Addressing the special commitment of evangelization, Pope Paul VI s apostolic exhortation explores efforts to proclaim the Gospel to a modern people. No. 129-6, 70 pp.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: USCCB Publishing (January 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574552252
• ISBN-13: 978-1574552256
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #225,526 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for Catholic educational leaders, June 19, 2007

By	gpokornywi (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This is an official book of the Catholic Church on "catechesis" or teaching and handing on the faith. It is not a how-to manual, but a statement of vision, goals and methods. Published in 1997, it addresses the contemporary church and the challenges it faces, and it benefits from four decades of catechetical renewal and research following the Second Vatican Council.

Readers in the United States should also read the National Directory for Catechesis, which expands on this general text, applying its principles to the situation in the United States today.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Need companion copy of National Directory for Catechesis, September 11, 2009

By	J. K. Drake (Quantico, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read the General Directory for Catechesis as part of a seminar class. I had an instructor and fellow students to help me read the GDC and make sense of it. Reflecting the ideas from this book with the National Directory of Catechesis was critical to my understanding of the Church's international direction for religious education. The GDC tells you the Church's international plan for religious education, and the NDC applies it to the American situation. I recommend buying them together. That said I was pleased to learn the Church puts adult catechesis above all else and considers all other religious education activities to radiate from the primary emphasis on grown-ups!

7 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not actually bad, but not very useful either, January 17, 2005

By	Stefan Jetchick (Sillery, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

Of course, this book doesn't contain anything bad (it's approved by the Pope). On the other hand:

- It's filled with typos, and the English translation is sometimes hard to understand.
- If you have a classroom filled with kids on one side, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the other side, and you're looking for help to make a connection between both, forget this book.
- With all this talk about "inculturation", adaptation, different cultures, etc., we almost start wondering whether evangelization is even possible! And the funniest thing is that Jesus in the Gospels speaks plainly, and the Gospels are translated in all the languages of the Earth, and everybody understands them, without having a "Ph.D. in Multi-Cultural Inculturation".
- One of the most "insulting" passages of the book is on page 279, footnote 35, were it is proclaimed that many practical textbooks exist, and that they are a treasure for the Church, except none are mentioned! That would have been the most bloody important part of the whole book! The whole book would have been worth it, if it had said: "Here are three good catechesis courses for children, three for adults, and three for special groups (like the handicapped, etc.), each one taken in a different cultural context, yet representative of an important part of the world population. All are approved by the Pope." That would have given us a much better idea of what good catechesis is, rather than a long and boring book.

Disclaimer: my religious affiliations are "www.inquisition.ca"