Catechetical Sunday, September 27, 2026
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...to bring good news to the poor.
The theme of this year’s Catechetical Sunday, from Luke’s Gospel 4.18,
reveals Jesus’ mission and identity. Anointed by the Holy Spirit, he is sent to bring hope, healing, and freedom—especially to the poor, the brokenhearted, and the forgotten. This passage shows that the Messiah comes not with power or status; rather, he comes with compassion, restoring dignity and proclaiming God’s mercy. We continue Jesus’ mission by sharing the Good News and caring for those most in need.
Dear Pastors, Pastoral Administrators, and Parish Secretaries, For the last eighteen years, the third or fourth Sunday of September has been designated as Catechetical Sunday in our Diocese. I know a few parishes will begin faith formation sessions before the end of September, while the majority begin their parish catechetical year after Thanksgiving. This year, you are invited to use the commissioning or prayer of blessing in the link below for your catechists on Sunday, September 26, or on a Sunday that marks the beginning of your parish’s catechetical year. If your parish community includes Catholic Schools, please encourage any Catholic School teachers to stand for the blessing with those who offer catechesis in the parish.