The Marian Catechetical Center, under the direction of the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, National Director of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, will offer spiritual and educational programs for catechists nationwide, in accord with the program established by the late Father John A. Hardon, S. J. a widely-recognized authority and teacher of catechetics. Programs will be open to all catechists, both those who choose to become members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate and also those who either already work as catechists or hope to do so in the future.

The Marian Catechetical Center will consist of a library of resources for the study of catechetics, classrooms for instruction in spirituality and doctrine, and a small studio for Catholic radio broadcasting. Also included at the Center will be work areas for the care of the library materials and preparation of printed and other instructional materials.

HISTORY OF THE MARIAN CATECHIST APOSTOLATE

Around 1980, our Holy Father, observing how many were living and dying without the knowledge and love of Christ, asked Mother Teresa of Calcutta to prepare her beloved Sisters, the Missionaries of Charity, not only to care for the immediate material needs of the poor, but also to evangelize them - to teach them about God's immeasurable love for them in Jesus Christ.

The Missionaries of Charity turned to the late Father John A. Hardon, S.J. for the help needed to prepare the Sisters to catechize the poorest of the poor.

Father Hardon, universal theologian and master catechist, taught the Missionaries of Charity while, at the same time, prepared texts for their home study which cover the rich body of the Catholic faith and its practice.  The Missionaries of Charity continue to use Father Hardon's courses to prepare themselves for the catechesis of children, young people and adults.

HOME STUDY OFFERED TO EVERYONE

From the courses prepared for the Missionaries of Charity, Father Hardon developed the Basic and Advanced Home Study Courses to prepare a corps of catechists for our time, which he eventually termed the Marian Catechist Apostolate.  Information on these courses can be obtained by calling the number listed in the box to the right.