Sunday, September 20

Catechetical Sunday, which is celebrated on the third Sunday in September each year, was established as a way for the Catholic Church to recognize and celebrate the gift that catechists bring to a parish community. It also provides us an opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. On Catechetical Sunday, parishes are encouraged to recognize the importance of catechesis and faith formation in building up the Church and in the life of the parish. Many parishes will call forward all those who work in faith formation, including religious education teachers, youth ministry coordinators, Bible study group leaders, OCIA coordinators, and others, to receive a blessing. The theme for 2026 is “The Spirit of the Lord us upon me…to bring good news to the poor” (Lk 4:18; cf. Is 61:1).