Pope Francis will formally confer the lay ministry of catechist to candidates from around the world during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
Among the first people to formally receive this ministry are Martiniano and Victor, who traveled to Rome from Peru to attend the ceremony.
VICTOR HIDALGO CHUMBE
Catechist, Apostolic Vicariate of Yurimaguas (Peru)
'What our Holy Father, Pope Francis, will do in this act is a great privilege, and above all gives importance to all of the catechists in the world, because our work is a vocation, it's one of service.'
They come from the Amazonia region in Peru, which relies on catechists to teach the faith to remote communities not reachable by priests or religious groups.
MARTINIANO DAVILA YALTA
Catechist, Apostolic Vicariate of Yurimaguas (Peru)
'We make it to many communities where many don't reach, not even the Peruvian government, but we as catechists get there, walking two, three, even fifteen or twenty days, walking, but we make it there to share the message of our Lord.'
Pope Francis established the lay ministry of catechist in May 2021 with his Apostolic Letter titled “Antiquum Ministerium,” or Ancient Mystery, stating the invaluable mission of catechists to transmit the faith.
MARTINIANO DAVILA YALTA
Catechist, Apostolic Vicariate of Yurimaguas (Peru)
'The work we do is not paid, we do'nt receive a penny, we like it because we do it from the heart, we do it because it is faith, that faith, or that call that God gives us.'
Martiniano and Victor will join other candidates from Brazil, Ghana, Poland, and Spain in inagurating the institution of the Catechist, before returning to their home countries with a new ministry.
JM
