The catechists have been indeed a great support to the Church in the evangelization of the people. They accompany more closely the life of the communities, especially, where the priest cannot be present continuously.
Normally, our SVD missions, recognizing their presence and the importance of their work in evangelization, once or twice a year, gives them formation and training.
This year we conducted two meetings on Bible formation, with the theme: “Word and Life, Accompanying the Life and Faith of the People of Israel.” We reflected on our own journey in following Jesus. The Caungula Mission has 72 communities; the catechists were invited in two groups, the first group came for the workshop to Caungula and, a week later, the second group came to Cuilo. It was good to see them arrive, tired of having to travel many miles in vehicles through a sandy highway, but happy to be in the place for the meeting, for the exchange of news, and for knowing that they were together to receive Bible formation.
Although many of the catechists do not have enough academic training, they put all their efforts into writing all the content of the meeting. During the conferences, they took time to write down everything. Their thirst for learning was important to them. They did not want be lazy learners or remain in ignorance. The second moment of formation was to deepen the inputs through several dynamics, among them were acting, singing, dancing, etc. Their creativity came out spontaneously, facilitating a clearer and livelier knowledge of the Word of God in the life of the people. On the last day, we deepened in our SVD charism of living and proclaiming the Word of God, looking at the life and work of St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz, models of life, who assumed with their faith, life and commitment the Incarnation of the Word, a Word alive and effective.
In this Bible formation program, the catechists became more aware of the importance of the Word of God in their life and the beautiful mission of accompanying their communities to deepen and to live the Word of God. We were many faces, but were one united in the heart of Jesus, experiencing the joy of the Gospel.
Gustavo Villavicencio SVD, Mission Secretary