Catechetics is the science of oral instruction in the elements of the Christian religion, especially by question and answer.

NOTE: This is not an article from the Catholic Encyclopedia. It is provided here for the benefit of those interested in pursuing additional studies in this area.

General Survey

• Introduction
• History - see section I
• Practical catechetics - see section II
• Catechumens - those undergoing a course of preparation for the purpose of initiation into the sacred mysteries

Catechisms

• Early Dominican texts - see "Educational literature" (section II, 1, f, v)
• Roman Catechism - primarily intended for priests having care of souls
• Catechism of Bl. Peter Canisius - written in Vienna, 1555
• Modern catechisms - section III

Associations

• Confraternity of Christian Doctrine - established at Rome (1562) for the purpose of giving religious instruction
• Archconfraternity of Voluntary Catechists - founded to help parish priests in giving religious instructions to children

Notable Authors and Catechists

• St. Augustine - Doctor of the Church; expounded theory of preaching and religious instruction of the people
• Coelde, Theodore - author of the first German catechism (1470)
• Hessels, Jean - Theologian noted for his "Catechism" (1571)

• Hamilton, John - wrote "Archbishop Hamilton's Catechism" (1552)
• Vaux, Laurence - English martyr, largely for having written a catechism
• Bl. Peter Canisius - his chief "masterpiece" is his triple "Catechism"

• Busee, Pierre - expanded the Canisius catechism with scriptural references
• Auger, Edmond - published a Catechism for France
• Gagliardi, Achille - published a popular handbook of religion in Italy (1584)

• Pareja, Francisco - the first to write catechisms for native Americans (early 1600s)
• Stapleton, Theobald - published an Irish Catechism, the first book in which Irish was printed in Roman type
• Goffine, Leonard - author (1690) of a widely-translated catechism

• Saint-Vallier, Jean-Baptiste de - wrote French catechism for Quebec (1702)
• Donlevy, Andrew - published an Irish-English catechism (1742)
• Amort, Eusebius - theologian; author of catechisms (18th cent.)

• Hay, George - noted for his series on Catholic doctrine, "The Sincere, Devout, and Pious Christian" (1781-86)
• Overberg, Bernhard Heinrich - noted German catechism author and catechist
• Furniss, John - systematized the philosophy of religious training for children and catechists

• Deharbe, Joseph - noted German catechism author and catechist
• Haid, Herenaus - catechist, author, and course administrator
• Gaume, Jean-Joseph - French theologian; wrote a series of catechetical works