Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31337/oz.71.2.1
The Lay Catechist’s Spirituality as Perceived by Society Today
Kata s. Amabilis Jurić
; The Catholic Faculty of Theology, The University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The article describes the determinants of the lay catechist’s identity based on theoretical theological–catechetical literature. Also cited are indicators of research done up to the present time in this area. This approach to the concept of the catechist’s identity pertains to his position as an emissary of the Church and participant in the Croatian
school system into which content of the Catholic faith, religious upbringing and culture have gained entrance. In order that the cited determinants may be applied in the education process, the catechist is regarded as a strong and spiritual person whose authentic life is a testimony of faith and who accomplishes educational tasks within the framework of Catholic catechism class. Christian spirituality represents in this article the fountainhead of the lay catechist’s spirituality. Theoretical research synthesizes the manifold characteristics of the catechist’s spirituality among which
the primary characteristic is functional spirituality, or ‘spiritualità funzionale’ as it is called, and which essentially determines the person, as well as being inherent in the catechist’s ministry both in the school and parish community. Qualitative research carried out by means of the in–depth interview method as described in this essay, and also methodological procedures such as transcription, reduction and presentation of data make possible a deeper understanding of the lay catechist’s spirituality as perceived by society today. The above–mentioned qualitative research represents a departure
from research done up until now because data gained through the in–depth interview conveys innovative knowledge regarding the Croatian catechist’s spirituality in the Republic of Croatia.
Keywords
lay catechist; identity; Christian spirituality; ‘functional’ spirituality; qualitative research; in–depth interviews
Hrčak ID:
165490
URI
Publication date:
9.9.2016.
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