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ourselves to be transformed in Christ through a
life lived âaccording to the Spiritâ (
Rom
8:5).
Kerygmatic and mystagogical catechesis
163.âEducation and catechesis are at the service
of this growth. We already possess a number of
magisterial documents and aids on catechesis is-
sued by the Holy See and by various episcopates.
I think in particular of the Apostolic Exhortation
Catechesi Tradendae
(1979), the
General Catecheti-
cal Directory
(1997) and other documents whose
contents need not be repeated here. I would like
to offer a few brief considerations which I be-
lieve to be of particular significance.
164.âIn catechesis too, we have rediscovered
the fundamental role of the first announcement
or kerygma, which needs to be the centre of all
evangelizing activity and all efforts at Church re-
newal. The kerygma is trinitarian. The fire of
the Spirit is given in the form of tongues and
leads us to believe in Jesus Christ who, by his
death and resurrection, reveals and communi-
cates to us the Fatherâs infinite mercy. On the
lips of the catechist the first proclamation must
ring out over and over: âJesus Christ loves you;
he gave his life to save you; and now he is living
at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen
and free you.â This first proclamation is called
âfirstâ not because it exists at the beginning and
can then be forgotten or replaced by other more
important things. It is first in a qualitative sense
