by Theodore Musco
I had the fortunate opportunity on Sept. 17 to be in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican as a delegate from the U.S. to the Year of Faith International Congress for Catechists. Joining me was Father Joseph Gibino, pastor of Holy Trinity parish, Whitestone. After a day filled with presentations from scholars, I could really see that the themes of the congress were being brought to life. However, the last presentation was brought to a quick conclusion when all of a sudden the announcement was made that the Holy Father was about to arrive.
Fortunately, I was in the right place at the right time. Pope Francis, preceded by cameras and Vatican security, entered the hall that came alive with energy and went to shake the hands of those assembled on the right side of the aisle. As he approached, I snapped a photo and then stuck out my hand. As he shook it, I stood silent and then could only say “Buon Giorno, Papa!” I couldn’t believe it.
Several minutes later, after shaking hands and embracing folks as he went side to side, the Holy Father addressed the assembly. He began by saying, “Thank you for your service to the Church and in the Church. Even if at times it may be difficult and require a great deal of work, and although the results are not always what we hoped for, teaching the faith is something beautiful!”
It was hard to believe that Pope Francis sat at a professor’s desk and spoke as if he was our very own classroom instructor. He did that for about 30 minutes. All the while, the room was silent, everyone listening intently to every word.
He taught us in very simple language what it means to be a catechist. He taught us the way the old-time Jesuits taught: one, two, three points. His first was that we must be close to Jesus. We must be with Jesus, listen to Him and learn from Him. Secondly, we must imitate Jesus by leaving ourselves behind and going out to encounter Jesus. He reminded us that as catechists, we must go out, love others and proclaim Jesus to the world. Thirdly, we must not be afraid to go out even if we are to become part of an “accident.” We must never be afraid. He reminded us that he would rather have a bruised Church than an ill Church. And we will be an ill Church if we do not risk going to the outskirts. One of those outskirts that Francis gave as an example was the children he encountered in Buenos Aires that did not know how to make the Sign of the Cross.
You can read the rest of the Holy Father’s address online at www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/speeches/2013. It forms the foundation for our upcoming Faith Formation Fall Congress 2013 to be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, at St. Edmund Prep, Sheepshead Bay.
The Holy Father concluded his session with these words, “Let us follow Him, let us imitate Him in His movement of love, in His going forth to meet humanity. Let us go forth and open doors. Let us have the audacity to mark out new paths for proclaiming the Gospel.”
The work of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation this year will be to put into action using the great ideas taught by our beloved Pope Francis.[hr]
Theodore Musco is the director of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation.