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Formation General
Spiritual Development
Writers Apostolate
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Around 1980, the Holy See asked Father Hardon to organize a catechetical training program for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity as catechists. Later, Father Hardon founded an association, the Marian Catechists, so that any committed Catholic could benefit from these same training courses. He also provided comprehensive and indispensable guidelines for a member's spiritual life, the Marian Catechist Manual, available from Eternal Life. By diligently following its precepts, one can not only be protected from the wiles and snares of the world, the flesh and the devil, but also become holy and heroic.
As the Marian Catechist Manual makes clear, a Marian Catechist's mission, active or contemplative, is to re-Christianize his or her little corner of a now pagan America.
Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, all of whom have taken the course, give us some idea of the tremendous potential of the Marian Catechist Apostolate when reinforced by the Home Study Courses.
Father Hardon said again and again that in this extraordinary time of salvation history, ordinary Catholics will not survive. Only heroic Catholics will survive and walk, as we walk toward the Cross every day to receive Holy Communion, toward the Cross of Christ and through it find the Resurrection to eternal life. It is the mission of the Marian Catechists to be, and train others to be, heroic Catholics.
Father Hardon defined two specific objectives for the Marian Catechists:
» To cultivate a deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a special loyalty to the Vicar of Christ, the Bishop of Rome.
» To teach the Catholic religion, personally and through the media of social communication, especially to Catholic families throughout the world.
In the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Marian Catechists prepare and train themselves for the service of Christ. Then they offer their services to those whom Christ has placed in charge of His Church, especially the Vicar of Christ through the organized agencies that we identify as the Holy See. Marian Catechists prepare themselves to be available for the service of the Church, but they depend upon the Church's authority to indicate what apostolic work should be done.
The United States national director for the Marian Catechists is Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of the Archdiocese of St. Louis in Missouri.
Candidates for entry into the Marian Catechists must be confirmed adult Catholic lay men or women, whether single, married or widowed. They must be
» Firm believers in the Catholic faith as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
» Adequately educated to be effective communicators of the Gospel, revealed by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church He founded on the Apostles under the authority of Peter and his successors in the papacy.
» Strongly motivated to share with others the true faith which they possess.
» Sufficiently free to devote some time every week to working in the apostolate of the Marian Catechists.
» Willing to follow directives given for the cooperative efforts of the Marian Catechists.
The Episcopal Moderator has the authority to deny or revoke the membership of a Marian Catechist who is not in accord with the purpose and objectives of this association.
In the first stage of Marian Catechist formation, the candidate agrees to gradually adopt these spiritual practices as described in the Marian Catechist Manual:
» Mass and Holy Communion at least three times a week.
» Recitation of the Angelus at least twice a day.
» Daily recitation of five decades of the Rosary.
» The Sacrament of Confession should be received at least once a month.
» Daily recitation of the Morning Offering of the Apostleship of Prayer.
» A five minute examination of conscience each evening, before retiring.
» Spiritual reading for at least ten minutes a day.
» Daily mediation for at least ten minutes, which may be prayerful reflection on the spiritual reading.
» Daily evening Examination of Conscience.
» Study of Fr. Hardon’s Basic Catholic Catechist’s Course
» Study of Archbishop Burke’s Commentary on the General Directory For Catechesis
The candidate will make the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, privately in the home, over the prescribed thirty days. The materials needed include Father Hardon’s book, Retreat with the Lord, and Father Louis J. Puhl's book, Spiritual Exercises. In addition, highly recommended but not required: Father Hardon's 12-audio tape album, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. If purchased together with Father Hardon's book, Retreat with the Lord, and Father Louis J. Puhl's book, Spiritual Exercises, the set of all three items is specially priced.
The Spiritual Exercises (also called the 30-Day at-home Retreat) can be requested following completion of Father Hardon’s Basic Catholic Catechist’s Course. Please contact the National Office when you have completed the course and are ready to make the retreat.
This rigorous spiritual formation is necessary because all catechesis occurs at two levels. We teach most powerfully by example. If we are living a holy life, and through it radiate the interior joy that always accompanies deep holiness, the person will see Catholic life as deeply joyful, as something he wants. That will make him much more receptive to the spoken or written word by which we teach.
The second stage of Marian Catechist formation lasts up to one year.
» The spiritual practices in the first stage are to become habitual, with these additional requirements:
» Mass and Holy Communion should be daily, if possible.
» The Sacrament of Confession should be received at least twice a month.
» Spiritual reading and meditation, or meditative reading, should be at least fifteen minutes a day.
» The Way of the Cross should be made daily.
The candidate completes the more advanced 36 lesson Advanced Catholic Catechist’s Course, available from Eternal Life.
The candidate will also engage in some catechetical activity depending on level of commitment to the Marian Catechists (active or contemplative).
The third stage begins when the candidate participates in a public solemn consecration as a Marian Catechist, which takes place annually on the date chosen by the National Director. This consecration is renewed annually.
The spiritual practices of a consecrated Marian Catechist are the same as in the second stage, except that a solemn commitment has been made to follow these practices faithfully, to the best of one's ability according to one’s state in life.
All those requesting to make or renew the consecration are to write and submit their letter to the National Office at least one month prior to the consecration date.
| The letter is received and reviewed by the National Director of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke. The heading should have the proper title for the Archbishop: Most Rev. Raymond L. Burke. You may use the salutation, “Dear Archbishop Burke” and refer to him as “Your Excellency” in the body of your letter. Your letter requesting consecration should explain:
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Offering a remembrance in your prayers would be a kind and thoughtful way to conclude your letter.
After the above requirements have been met, and the National Director accepts the letter, the candidate is ready to make the consecration.
No one becomes a Marian Catechist for prestige, or to be admired within the community of faithful Catholics. Christ gave such persons fair warning: Mt 6:1 “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Similar consequences can be expected by those who pretend to be Marian Catechists but in secret do not honestly do all the development and work of Marian Catechists. We become Consecrated Marian Catechists in order to work in Christ’s vineyard, to radiate love and catechesis in every direction.
The spiritual commitment is a firm commitment to basic norms of the spiritual life. While not necessary, it is helpful at this stage to complete the Masters of the Spiritual Life Course, available from Eternal Life.
The doctrinal commitment is for the candidate to deepen his understanding of the Catholic faith by reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Holy Scriptures. A useful text is Précis of Official Catholic Teaching, a 12 volume set summarizing the major Vatican documents of the past 100 years, available from Catholics Committed to Support the Pope at (301) 434-3245 for $149 including shipping; Marty Barrack’s review, “The Church Teaches,” appeared in The Catholic Faith magazine, Nov-Dec 2001.
The catechetical commitment is to work with other Marian Catechists in disseminating the revealed truths of the Catholic faith to others as set forth in the General Directory for Catechesis, published by the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy.
Marian Catechists are to use the whole range of techniques available to teach the Catholic faith. We think in terms of two broad categories, oral communication to individual persons or groups, and the media of social communication, including television, radio, books, magazine articles, even letters-to-the-editor. Marian Catechists are to be completely familiar with Inter Mirifica, the Vatican II decree on the means of social communication. In particular, it is recommended that Marian Catechists, and all faithful Catholics, consider entering, or encouraging their children to enter, the value-distributing professions.
Father Hardon had asked Marty Barrack to run a Marian Catechist Writers Apostolate, which would provide support for Marian Catechists interested in writing books or magazine articles. Anyone is welcome to use the How to Write a Book and How to Write a Magazine Article pages, but Father Hardon specifically asked that this apostolate provide personal support only for Marian Catechists. So, while Marty is happy to answer a brief question from any faithful Catholic, only Marian Catechists are eligible for more detailed support.
The conduct of Marian Catechists must always be Christ-like or Mary-like. When we become aware of doctrinal or liturgical errors we do not resort to direct confrontation or harsh criticism. Rather, we respond with charity and grace. For example, we might say, “Father, I noticed during Mass today that you did whatever. Do the rubrics provide for that?” If he says yes, we might follow up pleasantly with, “Father, I've never noticed that. Would you show me where it appears in the rubrics?” If he claims not to have time, we might say, “Of course, Father. I'll make an appointment with your secretary so that we can discuss it when time allows and we have a Sacramentary available.”
Jesus told His Apostles, Mt 10:9 “You received without paying, give without pay.” The basic work of the Marian Catechists is done without financial remuneration. We do not accept payment for the ordinary work of writing, for teaching, preparing lesson plans, consulting, etc.
Marian Catechists may accept a publisher's usual payment for books or magazine articles to defray the cost of research materials not available over the Internet or at a nearby Catholic library, and for other necessary expenses. We donate to a holy Catholic charity the amount of royalty payments that exceed the costs incurred in producing the book or magazine article. Similarly, a Marian Catechist invited to speak at a distant location may accept an honorarium amount up to the actual costs incurred preparing the speech, traveling to and from the event, staying overnight, etc. We donate to a holy Catholic charity that portion of our honorarium exceeding the actual costs incurred. When financial circumstances allow, we donate the entire amount of the royalty or honorarium.
There are three forms of membership:
The actively apostolic members are engaged in the corporate catechetical work of the Marian Catechists.
Spiritually contemplative Marian Catechists complete all steps of formation and make their solemn consecration with the active members. They dedicate their prayers, sacrifices and sufferings to obtain God's blessing on the Church, on bishops and priests, on the work of promoting the Faith, and especially on the Marian Catechist Apostolate.
Faithful Catholics who want to support the Apostolate in some way, but are unable to meet the requirements of an active or contemplative Marian Catechist, can do so as a Marian Catechist Associate. These dedicated men and women follow the spiritual practices to the degree they are able, provide regular financial support and/or assist the Marian Catechists in practical ways.
Anyone interested in becoming a Marian Catechist, or with questions about the Marian Catechist Apostolate, is invited to contact the National Coordinator.
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