Spotlight on Catechesis

New this year in the Logic & Rhetoric School is integrating a type of Christian formation called catechesis into the curriculum. In Mr. Harris's classes in the Rhetoric School and Mrs. Webb's classes in the Logic School, each period begins with the same call-and-response recitation that prepares students for class. The word "catechesis" comes from the Greek and means "instruction by mouth" and is a traditional way of transmitting Christian belief.

"The idea of catechesis and repeating is almost like when you drive a nail into a piece of wood," says Mr. Harris. "One strike of the nail doesn't attach it to the wood, but with multiple strikes, you begin to build something sturdy and strong. The nail of catechesis is building the image and character of Christ into our students."

“This summer, we read a book called Love What Lasts by Josh Gibbs that talked about creating a catechism practice,” said LS/RS Principal Christopher Webb. “Essentially what Josh Gibbs suggests is that you give the students the best of their curriculum at the beginning of the year in your catechesis and you say it every day - and that’s how you give them something they’ll never forget. It’s not graded, but in the process of saying it, we’re embodying and living it out and being transformed by the process of communally reciting it together.” Senior Abigail Keller agrees. “I love that we do catechesis at the beginning of every class,” she said. “It’s a great way to memorize a lot of different Scriptures, and it gets the whole class involved.”

At Recitation Chapel recently, the seniors surprised the school by asking to recite their catechism. “I would say that what the seniors did in Chapel is a reflection of the power of catechism. They’ve so enjoyed this process that they wanted to share it with the larger community,” said Mr. Webb. 

The questions that compose class catechisms focus on“morally, philosophically, and theologically rich content contained in the curriculum.” (Gibbs, 17) They are a way to take information and themes from the class and to apply them to Christian formation. Mrs. Webb’s Medieval Literature catechism (read it here) asks students to memorize key passages from their literature books along with Scripture to answer these questions.

"Catechesis is a great addition to our curriculum this year," says Mr. Webb. "It ensures we begin and end class with our highest priority at Regents School of Charlottesville; which is the cultivation of virtue and Christ in the soul of every student."

Recommended Reading

Love What Lasts; How to Save your Soul from Mediocrity by Joshua Gibbs

Sample Catechism

Student, what do you aim for today?
I aim to be a wise and courageous servant of the Lord Jesus Christ who knows truth, loves beauty, and will practice goodness for the benefit of man and the glory of God.

Student, what are the works of the Devil?
The vices are pride, avarice, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth.

Student, how should you live?
The virtues are faith, hope, love, wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control.

I will not fear. “God has not given me a spirit of fear but power, love, and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 - Today, I will not fear!

I choose hope.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13. I choose hope!

“Why let such cowardice come take your heart? Why are you not a fire and bold and free!?! Canto 2: Line 122-Dante’s Inferno

Read more from Mr. Harris's catechism here.