Archbishop Longley’s Lenten Message encourages life-long catechesis

Archbishop Longley

The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, has encouraged Birmingham Catholics to take up part-time courses in catechesis in his Pastoral Letter for the Second Sunday of Lent.

“Catechesis enables us to deepen our knowledge of the faith and so to become more effective evangelisers – leading other people to conversion and to faith in Christ,” the Archbishop said. To effectively share “our faith in the setting of the family or the workplace....we need a clear knowledge and understanding of the faith of the Church and that is why continuing formation is important for everyone.”

The Maryvale Institute is the catechetical centre for the Archdiocese of Birmingham and has received pontifical recognition as a Higher Institute of Religious Sciences. It offers specially designed part-time courses to help people to combine their studies with work and family commitments.

Archbishop Longley said: “Maryvale was Blessed John Henry Newman’s first home in Birmingham as a Catholic, and today it helps to realise Cardinal Newman’s vision for a Church in which the laity really know their faith and can share it confidently with others.” And he encourages “individuals and parishes to take up the opportunities offered at Maryvale.”

Full text: Archbishop Longley’s Pastoral Letter for the Second Sunday of Lent

Last Sunday, at St Chad’s Cathedral, the annual Rite of Election took place. More than two hundred of those who are preparing to be baptised or received into full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter were formally enrolled as members of the elect – people who have been chosen.

The word used there – the elect – reminds us of something that is true for all of us in the Church. Although we may quite properly suppose that we become and remain Catholics by our own free choice, we can only make that choice as a response to having first been called and chosen by the Lord. Jesus himself made this clear when he said to his disciples: you did not choose me, no I chose you. (John 15:16)

That choosing by our Lord is passed on through the Bishop, who acts in the name of Christ in the local Church. Last week each of those men and women were welcomed individually as members of the elect by myself and the assistant bishops while the Church prayed for them. Each of them had already been going through a long period of preparation. Those to be baptised are known as catechumens because they are receiving catechesis – formation in the faith – and their election affirmed their new relationship with the Church as they entered the final stage of their preparation taking place during this season.

This final stage is called the period of Purification and Enlightenment, because Lent is a time not just of preparation, but of conversion. Today’s Gospel highlights the transforming power of God’s grace, enlightening the life of every disciple, as our Lord is transfigured before Peter, James and John. With our catechumens we are also called to be transfigured, to be drawn deeper into the mystery of God’s love and forgiveness, and to be formed afresh in our faith.

Our Christian formation during Lent takes on a more intense character and its aim is to lead us into a continuing personal conversion to Christ. Although that has a particular importance for those who will join the Church at Easter, it is vital for all of us. The Church reminds us that the aim of all catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ. (1) It leads us into an ever-deepening relationship with Christ so that we may fulfil his desire that we should be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. This is the call to the fullness of perfection that is addressed to all the baptised. (2)

In his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium - The Joy of the Gospel - Pope Francis reminds us that the basic Christian proclamation of faith lies at the heart of all catechesis. Jesus Christ loves you, he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side to enlighten, strengthen you and free you. (3) This is a message that the Holy Father says we need to hear again and again and it has the power to lead others to conversion.

Catechesis enables us to deepen our knowledge of the faith and so to become more effective evangelisers – leading other people to conversion and to faith in Christ. I am grateful to those in our parishes who have the recognised role of catechist, leading courses and teaching the faith to adults or children. Many of us also share our faith in the setting of the family or the workplace – explaining to others what we believe and demonstrating it by the way that we live. But to do this effectively we need a clear knowledge and understanding of the faith of the Church, and that is why continuing formation is important for everyone.

In the Archdiocese of Birmingham formation in the faith is provided by our own
catechetical centre, the Maryvale Institute. Maryvale offers specially designed part-time courses so that people can combine their studies with their working and family lives. Maryvale was Blessed John Henry Newman’s first home in Birmingham as a Catholic, and today it helps to realise Cardinal Newman’s vision for a Church in which the laity really know their faith and can share it confidently with others. I would like to encourage individuals and parishes to take up the opportunities offered at Maryvale.

As Lent unfolds and we engage in our annual struggle against evil in the world through prayer, fasting and almsgiving may our faith also deepen. Our prayer should be inspired and enriched through a better understanding of the scriptures. Our fasting purifies the intentions of our hearts and enables us to see more clearly our dependence on God and our responsibilities towards God and our neighbour. Our almsgiving should come from a generous heart prompted by the teaching of Jesus himself so that our faith becomes fruitful in good works.

May the season of Lent stir us up to listen again attentively and fruitfully to the Father’s command: This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.

(1) General Directory for Catechesis §80 quoting Catechesi Tradendae §5

(2) General Directory on Catechesis §56

(3) Evangelii Gaudium §164

(image Peter Jennings)