The work of catechesis is the task of forming a disciple of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For young people who have been brought to the Lord through baptism in their early years, this means a process of formation that accompanies them as they mature, both physically and spiritually. Programs of catechesis address the nature and demands of the Christian life. We find this special life of discipleship in the teaching of the Church, the sacraments, the moral life, our spiritual life and the wholesome integration of these diverse elements of faith by the person who believes in Christ. One of the key elements of that formation is the proper understanding of how we live out the virtue of chastity.
The virtue of chastity is how we, as disciples, integrate the understanding of our faith and life, most especially in the areas that involve human sexuality. Young people will, at the appropriate times, need to understand the intricacies of the workings of the human body, as well as the moral and spiritual imperatives that flow from the teachings of Christ and a correct understanding of the natural moral law. This program is intended to help meet these needs in keeping with the mind of the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, starting with paragraph #2331, introduces the section that discusses the virtue of chastity under the heading of the Sixth Commandment. Here the text starts with an understanding of human persons by way of their creation as male and female. We are by our very design capable of a unique form of love in the union of husband and wife. The very differences between a man and woman create a natural complementarity between them. Human sexuality is an essential component of the human person. Through the correct understanding and exercise of our sexuality we are able to develop a capacity to love and to generate new life. The Catechism continues with a reflection on the sixth commandment that prohibits adultery and places the teaching of the Decalogue within the context of the additional teachings of our Lord in the Gospels as they relate to the correct understanding of the exercise of human sexuality in thought, word and deed.
The Catechism speaks of a "vocation to chastity". Two key words used in the description are self-mastery and integrity. Chastity, as a virtue, is a part of the cardinal virtue of temperance. The virtue of temperance seeks to guide the passions and appetites of the human person by the use of reason. Chastity, as a specific part of the general virtue of temperance, seeks to order the exercise of our human sexuality through the use of our reason, always guided and informed by faith. Chastity also involves a gift or grace from God to help us in our following of Christ. As self-mastery, chastity involves the ability of a person to deny himself in favor of a higher good. This self-denial is an essential component of love. Integrity means that we have a respect for the human person, both physical and moral. Our body is used in ways that are in keeping with the design given by our Creator. Morally, we direct all of our human actions in accord with the moral law and right reason.
The elements of this program do not simply look at how our human sexuality operates, or a list of the acceptable or unacceptable actions. Our goal is to provide an overview of how our spiritual, social, and physical elements are shaped by a truly Christian understanding of a life characterized by joyfully living the virtue of chastity. As a result, you will note that there are some general teachings on the mystery of God to help ground the teachings related to chastity. All things flow from our very relationship with God, and by living out that relationship as "a being at once corporeal and spiritual". (CCC #362) Areas such as family, vocation, prayer, and a healthy environment for the development of young people all form a part of this approach.
There are many ways in which the topics related to human sexuality have been presented. Many approaches focus on classroom instruction as the primary element or core of their program. In 1995 the Pontifical Council for the Family issued a document entitled " The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality ". This document offers guidance on how the question of forming young people in these critical, yet sensitive areas of human sexuality, should be addressed. At the very heart of this document is the understanding that parents are the primary teachers of their children. This is especially true in the formation of children for a life of healthy and holy chastity. The questions around human sexuality require a certain maturity and development on the part of the child for a proper and healthy understanding. Those best situated to know their children and what they need are the very ones who have given them life and nurture them on a daily basis.
The document specifically notes a concern for the "years of innocence", as Pope John Paul II refers to them. These are the years generally from the age of five to the onset of puberty. Children at this time are generally not overtly interested in sexual matters, and this natural innocence should not be disturbed. They do begin to develop a personal understanding of the distinctions of male and female, especially as they observe the roles of their parents. Parents are best situated to monitor the needs of their child at this stage of his or her life, and are able to provide appropriate and sufficient information for their healthy development and their safety, without going into great details that may not be age appropriate.
The program "Formation in Christian Chastity" has been developed with the understanding that most of the human and religious concepts that revolve around the topics of human sexuality, family, and moral living, are best and most meaningful when coming directly from the parents to their child. For the first four years, parents will be provided with letters that outline a series of teaching points along a particular theme that matches with the general development of their children. For grades five to eight, there will be both parent guides and some basic classroom presentations that focus specifically on the moral teaching of the Church. However, the intimate details of human development are always reserved to parents. This is in keeping with the understanding outlined above about the differing developmental needs of children and the essential role of parents. Safe environment topics have been incorporated into some basic lessons plans for younger children and for older children, and there are parent resources for additional support in this area.
Details for the program are provided by grade level. They will include both materials prepared for a classroom presentation and the materials for the parents. A specific outline for each grade follows:
If you don't have any way to open a pdf file, please download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
For the home:
Parent Letter with general information
Information sheet (PDF files-"Know the Rules" and "Q and A") from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children on safety
General information on God
For the classroom:
Lesson plan on safe environment
For the home:
Parent letter with general information
For the home:
Parent letter with general information
For the home:
Parent letter with general information
For the home:
Parent letter with three components and recommendations
Information sheet (PDF files-"Know the Rules" and "Q and A") from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children on safety
For the classroom:
2 lesson plans for instruction
(Lesson 1, Lesson 2)
Safe environment lesson plan
For the home:
Parent letter with three components and recommendations
For the classroom:
2 lesson plans for instruction
(Lesson 1, Lesson 2)
For the home:
Parent letter with three components and recommendations
For the classroom:
2 lesson plans for instruction
(Lesson 1, Lesson 2)
For the home:
Parent letter with three components and recommendations
For the classroom:
2 lesson plans for instruction
(Lesson 1, Lesson 2)