Society
Of The Divine Word

Crossing through the Holy Door was deeply meaningful for us, as it is a sign of conversion and symbolizes the desire to begin a new life—one that carries a commitment to be missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. Passing through the Holy Door also expresses our desire to belong to Jesus and enter more deeply into His life, which dwells in the Church.

As pilgrims, we came to Rome to ask for the strength of the Holy Spirit, and that this jubilee might rekindle our commitment as catechists and servants of the Church. We made our pilgrimage with a burning desire to encounter Christ, and through Him, to experience the love of God the Father. We discovered that He sends us forth to bear witness to that same love as:

We discovered that He sends us forth to bear witness to that same love as:

• Witnesses of faith and guardians of God’s memory
• Teachers and mystagogues who introduce others into the mystery of God
• Companions and educators of those we serve
• Faithful and creative leaders in a wounded world
• Signs of hope, encouraging others to fix their eyes on the God who never abandons but walks with His people, revealing Himself in His Word and in creation

We are filled with joy in knowing we are called to live in hope—to live here on earth the promise of heaven, which means anticipating heaven by being signs of God’s love and witnesses of His Light in our daily lives and environments.

Ultimately, living in hope leads us to live in the confidence of knowing we are loved and accompanied. It is knowing that the Triune God enters our home and makes it His dwelling place.

Pastoral Challenges for Catechesis

• Need to focus on personal experience of encounter with Jesus, rather than merely transmitting information
• Secularization and cultural relativism: Faith is seen as a private or irrelevant option; shared values are weakened
• Family crisis and diversity of family models: Fragmented families, single-parent households, blended families, or non-practicing families
• Need for constant updating of language and methodology to reach new generations
• Digital culture and social media: Fragmented attention and rapid content consumption
• Insufficient training of catechists: Volunteers with limited theological and pastoral formation
• care for the planet and integral ecology: Integrating Laudato Si’ into catechesis with concrete actions