Letter to All Unregistered Marian Catechists

by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, D.D., J.C.D.
National Director of the Marian Catechist Apostolate
February 2003

I write to all those who have been associated with the Marian Catechist Apostolate since the time of its foundation by the late, beloved Father John A. Hardon, S.J., and those who have come to know the Marian Catechist Apostolate since the death of Father Hardon on December 30, 2000. I invite you to register officially in the Marian Catechist Apostolate, so that I can be in regular communication with you, and you may receive the special graces which come from participation in the Marian Catechist Apostolate. If you have been wavering about making the commitment to be a Marian Catechist, I invite you to make the decision to give yourself to the service of Christ as a Marian Catechist, either actively as a catechist or contemplatively as one who prays for those who are catechists.

I have a deep concern for sound catechesis, which is at the foundation of the life of the Church. It was my desire to renew and strengthen the teaching of the faith in my diocese, which first led me to Father Hardon. Having heard about the Marian Catechist Apostolate from Father Hardon, I set about the work of encouraging catechists in the Diocese to become Marian Catechists. Thanks be to God, a good number of catechists have made the Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as Marian Catechists.

When he became gravely ill, Father Hardon, with whom I had been working for several years in promoting the Marian Catechist Apostolate in the Diocese of La Crosse, asked me to assume the direction of the Marian Catechists after his death. Father Hardon had instructed me thoroughly and carefully over the years about the essential elements of the Marian Catechist Apostolate. In the Marian Catechist Manual, available through Eternal Life, Father Hardon set forth plainly the origin, purposes and activities of Marian catechists. The Marian Catechist Manual is the vademecum for all Marian Catechists. If you have any questions regarding the status and activities of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, please consult the Marian Catechist Manual.

The Office is temporarily located at Saint James the Less Parish in La Crosse, of which Very Father Roger J. Scheckel, the Spiritual Advisor of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, is Pastor. Theresa Ann Knothe is the National Coordinator of the Marian Catechists. She is assisted by Deborah Crater. They work under my direction and with the spiritual counsel of Father Scheckel. I meet with them regularly, in order that I may understand as fully as possible the actual status of the activities of the Marian Catechists and give them sound direction.

In the future, God willing, the National Office will be located at the Marian Catechist Center adjacent to the Church of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is presently under construction. The Pilgrim Center and Votive Candle Chapel were dedicated on December 12, 2002. Construction of the church, which will be the heart of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, will begin in the Spring of 2004 and is scheduled for completion in 2006. It is hoped that the dedication and blessing of the whole Shrine can take place in 2006. Please pray for that intention.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe will fittingly house a center at which Marian Catechists can gather for private study and reflection, spiritual and doctrinal courses, and meetings. The Marian Catechist Center will be dedicated to the memory of Father John Hardon and will house a complete library of Father Hardon’s writings and manuscripts, and memorabilia of Father Hardon.

It is important now to register officially, if you wish to be known as a Marian Catechist. In the future, in order to be considered a Marian Catechist, a person will need to be registered at the National Office for several reasons. First of all, registration is an effective means of assuring the spiritual and doctrinal formation of the Marian Catechists, in accord with Father Hardon’s directives; second, it makes it possible to share important information and directives with all members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate; and, third, it helps in organizing regional meetings and retreats for Marian Catechists. Please help me to serve all of the Marian Catechists in our nation by registering your name with the National Office.

The Marian Catechist Apostolate has a newsletter, the Tilma, which is sent to all registered members. Please keep in mind that all of the local coordinators, as well as the national coordinator and her assistant, are volunteers. The Marian Catechist Apostolate practices, in accord with Father Hardon’s directives, the evangelical counsel of poverty. Therefore, the Marian Catechist Apostolate also needs the help of your donations. Please be generous in providing for the material needs of the Apostolate.

Please register with the National Office as soon as possible. If you telephone, write or email the National Office, providing your mailing address, an informational brochure and an application form will be sent to you. Please complete the application form and submit it with the annual dues of $25.00.

Finally, one of the greatest needs is the assistance of more priests in assisting Marian Catechists to make the 30-day Ignatian Retreat. If you know a priest who is interested in helping, please inform the National Office. Please pray that more priests will volunteer to assist with the Spiritual Exercises.

Once again I urge you to make the commitment to the Marian Catechist Apostolate by registering as a Marian Catechist. No matter at what stage you are in your formation as a Marian Catechist, if you desire to be a Marian Catechist, please contact the National Office.

Thank you for your consideration of my request. Please pray for the Marian Catechist Apostolate. Please commit yourself to carry out the mission of the Marian Catechists to the glory of God and for the salvation of souls.