Parishes are experiencing a renewed interest in various models of faith formation of adults and children. One model of faith formation that receives a great deal of attention is liturgical catechesis. People sometimes equate liturgical catechesis with lectionary-based catechesis, often considering them interchangeable terms. While related, they are nonetheless distinct. Lectionary-based catechesis is catechesis based on the readings of the Sunday liturgy. While liturgical catechesis does include the Sunday readings, it is much broader in scope and context. The primary source of liturgical catechesis includes the liturgical year, the Sunday liturgy, the sacramental symbols, and the ritual prayers and gestures of the liturgy.

The aim of liturgical catechesis is to help people not only fully encounter the sacramental mysteries they celebrate, but also to reflect and appropriate meaning from those same mysteries once they are celebrated. While liturgical catechesis describes the entire endeavor, mystagogia perhaps best describes the vehicle to accomplish its goal. Mystagogia (uncovering the mysteries) invites conversion-centered reflection on the mysteries celebrated in the annual cycle, the readings that proclaim those same mysteries, the inherent symbols that effect what they signify, and the ritual prayers associated with the liturgy or sacramental celebration.

The church reminds us that liturgy is the privileged place for catechizing the people of God: "Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the whole of liturgical and sacramental activity, for it is in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, that Christ Jesus works in fullness for the transformation of men" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1074). Liturgical catechesis, therefore, not only gleans treasures from the liturgy’s storehouse, but it also invites transformation as it does so.

The liturgical cycle is the first and primary source of liturgical catechesis. The entire mystery of Christ, from his birth through his death, resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Spirit is proclaimed, celebrated, and made manifest in one complete liturgical cycle. The task of liturgical catechesis is to prepare people to encounter those mysteries, celebrate them, and effectively reflect on them in order to live a transformed life in Christ.

Another source of liturgical catechesis is the sacramental symbols that give us our identity as Catholic Christians and the ritual prayers and gestures that define and express our theology of sacramental symbols.

Thus, the yearly cycle, the Sunday liturgy, the symbols, rituals, prayers, and gestures express the fullness of our theoliogy and doctrine. The primary tenets of our faith are set forth in one complete liturgical cycle. The task of liturgical catechesis is to help people mine the liturgy for such doctrinal treasures, to help them discover meaning for their lives, and to help them live the biblical imperatives of justice and the moral life.

Lectionary-based catechesis is a narrowly conceived approach to the formation of adults and children. Liturgical catechesis on the other hand, provides for the fullness of our Catholic treasures and enables a comprehensive presentation of the fundamentals of the faith. TP