Borrowed from the Greek, the term catechesis originally denoted oral transmission from teacher to student, or instruction by dialogue. Catechism originated in the Jewish synagogues and Rabbinical schools. The Christian emphasis was from the beginning to pass on articles of faith, or definitions of belief.

Christian tradition holds that catechetical schools were established almost immediately by the apostles themselves. One of the most important of these schools was said to have been established by Mark the Evangelist, in Alexandria, Egypt, between 61 and 68 A.D. Some modern scholarship favors the theory that the four written Gospels of the New Testament were products of Catechetical schools founded by the apostles or disciples of the apostles. The Didache (c. 70–160 C.E.) is possibly the first written catechism.

Structure of this Catechism

The plan of this catechism is inspired by the great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four pillars: the baptismal profession of faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith, the life of faith (the Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the Lord’s Prayer).

Part One: the Profession of Faith

Those who belong to Christ through faith and Baptism must confess their baptismal faith before men. First, therefore, the Catechism expounds revelation, by which God addresses and gives himself to man, and the faith by which man responds to God (Section One).

The profession of faith summarizes the gifts that God gives man: as the Author of all that is good; as Redeemer; and as Sanctifier. It develops these in the three chapters on our baptismal faith in the one God: the almighty Father, the Creator; his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour; and the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, in the Holy Church (Section Two).

Part Two: the Sacraments of Faith

The second part of the Catechism explains how God’s salvation, accomplished once for all through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is made present in the sacred actions of the Church’s liturgy (Section One), especially in the seven sacraments (Section Two).

Part Three: the Life of Faith

The third part of the Catechism deals with the final end of man created in the image of God: beatitude, and the ways of reaching it – through right conduct freely chosen, with the help of God’s law and grace (Section One), and through conduct that fulfills the twofold commandment of charity, specified in God’s Ten Commandments (Section Two).

Part Four: Prayer in the Life of Faith

The last part of the Catechism deals with the meaning and importance of prayer in the life of believers (Section One). It concludes with a brief commentary on the seven petitions of the Lord’s Prayer (Section Two), for indeed we find in these the sum of all the good things which we must hope for, and which our heavenly Father wants to grant us.

Necessary Adaptations

The Catechism emphasizes the exposition of doctrine. It seeks to help deepen understanding of faith. In this way, it is oriented towards the maturing of that faith, its putting down roots in personal life, and its shining forth in personal conduct.

Conclusion

To conclude this Prologue, it is fitting to recall this pastoral principle stated by the Roman Catechism:

The whole concern of doctrine and its teaching must be directed to the love that never ends. Whether something is proposed for belief, for hope or for action, the love of our Lord must always be made accessible so that anyone can see that all the works of perfect Christian virtue spring from love and have no other objective than to arrive at love.

Chilaw Diocesan “Christu Seva”, Missionary Center was established as a result of the implementation of the New Way of Thinking, proposed by the Second Vatican Council. The Most Rev. Edman Peiris, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Chilaw, imparted overseas training to prepare suitable directors for this purpose, with the intent to study the New Way of Thinking. And then entrusted the construction of the Center to the Rev. Fr. Alex Dassanayake. Construction of the Center Occurred during the period 1968 – 1969.

Three main services were launched to achieve this task. Catechism, education and social development. All three services were supervised by a single director, and the first director was Rev. Fr. Philip Setunga appointed in 1970, after further study abroad. During this period Chilaw Diocese was covering the North Western Province and was divided into 6 Deaneries. Later in 1987 the North Western Province was divided into two dioceses, Chilaw and Kurunegala.

Initially the services of the Christ Missionary Center were expanded and a sufficient number of Rev. Sisters and lay missionaries were available for service. The preparation of the Catechists took place at various levels and the Catechists activities were redesigned by inviting them to the Parish level programs and to the Center for residential training. The main mission of the Christ Missionary Center was to prepare the lessons and guide the teachers to understand the child mentality, teaching methods and the situation of the diocese. In addition, the Center provides research, counseling and assistance on school education, as well as services and financial contributions for social, economic and health well-being.

Later, the Education and Social Services were conducted by different offices. All the Directors who were appointed one after the other in the past impart their mission to improve the catechists’ knowledge in the field, using a variety of techniques to reinterpret the services.

Diocesan Bishops and Directors

• Rt. Rev. Dr. Bishop Edmond Peiris – 1940. 4. 25 – 1972. 12. 27
• Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Marcus Fernando – 1972. 12. 27 – 2006. 10. 19
• Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis – 2006. 10. 19 – 2021. 12. 09

Directors

• Rev. Fr. Alex Dassanayake – 1968 – 1969
• Rev. Fr. Philip Sethunga – 1970 – 1979
• Rev. Fr. Srilal Fonseka – 1980 – 1981
• Rev. Fr. Alex Dassanayake – 1982 – 1984
• Rev. Fr. Harold Anthony – 1984 – 1989
• Rev. Fr. Lorence Ananda – 1989 – 1993
• Rev. Fr. Nicholas Lowe – 1993 – 1998
• Rev. Fr. Anthony Ranjith – 1998 – 2004
• Rev. Fr. Linton Nihal – 2005 – 2010
• Rev. Fr. Nelson Samantha – 2010 – 2014
• Rev. Fr. Tharanga Hemal – 2014 – 2018
• Rev. Fr. Benet Shantha – 2019
• Rev. Fr. Jayantha – 2020 – …………