Young People’s Expectations Towards a High School Catechist. A Research Report

Abstract

Religion teachers play a unique role in educating the young generation. In addition to the tasks assigned to all teachers in general, they are to support students in their spiritual development, condition their ability to understand themselves, build their identity, and give meaning to their lives. Catechists face a difficult task, because young people, although they are very interested in religion and spirituality, also have many doubts, questions, and dilemmas in this sphere. The article aims to present the expectations of high school students towards catechists related to their personality traits, skills, psychosocial competencies, and their approach to pupils. Data obtained in a survey conducted among a group of 70 high school graduates show that young people need a catechist whom they can trust in the most important matter, namely, the meaning of life. Thus, they expect catechists to give a credible testimony of faith, have good substantive preparation, treat them subjectively like partners, and are ready to undertake an open dialogue with them.