Why Do We Celebrate Catechetical Sunday?
by John Gaffney | August 20, 2025
Every year, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Catechetical Sunday. This year, the date is Sept. 21.
For those unfamiliar with Catechetical Sunday, let me share why we hope to see Catechetical Sunday celebrated at Masses throughout our Diocese on Sept. 21.
Our bishops have asked that each parish not just recognize catechists but to call them forth at the Mass to be commissioned for this official ministry of the Church. This is also an important time to recognize the family, known as the domestic church, as well. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.
Catechetical Sunday is a time to invite catechists, in fact the entire parish community, to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
This year's theme is: "Always be ready to give an explanation…for a reason for your hope – Estén siempre listos a responder a todo el que les pida razón de su Esperanza” (1 Peter 3:15/1 Pedro 3:15). The 2025 theme encourages us to be prepared to share the basis of our faith, the Lord, and the hope he provides. In the same manner, St. Peter encouraged the believers of his time that the sharing should be done with gentleness and respect.
Why is being a catechist, youth ministry team member, Bible study small group leader, OCIA team member (formerly called RCIA), Catholic school teacher, etc. something that deserves a special day for commissioning?
Catechesis is a distinct and special ministry in the Church. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes clear, “Catechesis is intimately bound up with the whole of the Church’s life . . . her inner growth and correspondence with God’s plan depend essentially on catechesis” (no. 7). This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church has profound dignity, which is why catechists are formally commissioned by the Church. It is only fitting that we set aside a day to highlight this ministry and invite the entire church community to think about our responsibility to share our faith with others.