The formation of catechists for child catechesis in Malta : a critical appraisal of the course contents of the formation programme for catechists engaged in child catechesis

Abstract

The notion of formation in our contemporary times has gained a very important role which in previous decades it neither had nor was granted. Formation is taken so seriously that large and small companies pre-dispose considerable amounts of their annual budgets for this activity. This is because the process of the formation of the worker creates a more humane environment in the different places where work is carried out. Through formation the human being becomes aware of his/her potentialities in solving new problems, thus opening the way to the creation and re-creation of oneself. The reason why I have decided to elaborate a dissertation on this theme is that during my studies in catechetics at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome I have become conscious of the inadequacy of professional catechist formation, while being convinced of the necessity of a good catechist formation. Moreover, the documents of the Universal Church and other documents belonging to local Churches emphasise the necessity of up-to date catechist formation programmes. The Church in Malta has responded to the need of the formation of its pastoral agents by setting up an Institute of Pastoral Formation. I am aware that nobody in Malta has ever attempted an in-depth study of the theme in question. Therefore, by this dissertation I hope to offer a small contribution towards the improvement of the formation of catechists engaged in child catechesis in Malta.