Why do we need another catechism for children - the YOUCAT for Kids? Aren’t there enough faith books for children already?

Only a catechism explains the faith, which has been more and more deeply developed within the long history of the Catholic Church, in its overall context. All other faith books for children only discuss individual elements of faith, such as, for example, the “Life of Jesus” or “individual sacraments.”

What is new and unique about the YOUCAT for Kids?

I do not know of any other faith book, which is slanted towards children and parents at the same time. Furthermore, you have these illustrations by Alexander von Lengerke, which are funny, refreshing, surprising and deeply pious all at the same time. The exemplary stories, quotes by saints, scientists, politicians in the section for the parents turn the book into a store of spritual treasures. The definitions of theological terms turn the book into a theological dictionary. Furthermore, you have all these helpful references to the YOUCAT for those parents, who want to understand the faith of the Church deeper and who would like to be enabled to pass it on.

A catechism deals with questions that do not interest children, doesn’t it?

Many questions are questions that also interest children. Other questions they would not have asked on their own. But these are the questions that arouse their interest and in this way increase their faith knowledge.

Can you tell us about the concrete experiences you made, when you were using the “catechism” in you work with children?

It is very helpful to start with the questions that children are interested in. But the deeper you dive into the topics with them the more their thirst for knowledge grows; they ask and ask, and then start to marvel and rejoice at the fact to exactly call this exciting God their father...

What did other mothers, who tested the YOUCAT for Kids say?

Most of them said, “Oh, if we just have had the YOUCAT for Kids earlier...” Others asked when it would finally be officially released...  Others remarked that they realized that it was at least as of much importance to them as to their children.

What should pastoral workers do with the children’s catechism?

They should look at it without prejudice. If they like it, they should use it to catechism children and then to help other catechists and parents to make use of it. It would be ideal, if they used it to talk about faith with parents of First Communion.

Why do we need the YOUCAT for Kids? What gap does it fill?

Successful catechesis requires not only playful, emotional and community forming moments, but also the imparting of faith knowledge beyond the existing questions of children. If you leave this out, you are not really helping the children. Some say, “But we have the bible.” But if the bible was the only source we would not know anything about the sacraments of the church, nothing about the church, her structures and her tradition of prayer, like for example the rosary or the way of the cross. Without acquiring real faith knowledge, faith will evaporate easily.

What do parents, educators and grandparents have to do? What is expected of them? How much time does one have to invest?

The most important thing is that faith - searching and doubting - is a natural topic of conversations within the family. The passing on of faith is not adding on processes to everything else that is going on in the family, but at best, the organic and automatic permeation of family life and a natural part of the atmosphere within a family.

How can the YOUCAT for Kids be of help? 

The time of the evening prayer is a great occasion to explore a question together. During the advent or lent season you can explore a topic in the YOUCAT for Kids that fits in with these season. A good opportunity might also be when your children are preparing  to receive the sacrament of confession, the eucharist, or confirmation to deepen different topics at bedtime. However, parents should have already taken a look at the respective topic in order to avoid searching for it too long and in that way lose the interest of their child. Many times children do ask the most important questions in passing or while your milk is boiling over. These might be the situation when you do not have the YOUCAT for Kids at hand.

Do you need prior knowledge, do you need to be a trained theologian, or already expert knowledge to work with the YOUCAT?

No, because the YOUCAT for Kids is not only made for children, but also for parents; and at the same time for catechists. 

How come that you authors have the right, the competence and the authority to speak in the name of the Church? 

We authors, mostly theologians, feel obliged towards the teaching of the Catholic Church;  we love our faith and know that we owe it to the Church and her proclamation of the faith. Although we have written the questions and answers of the YOUCAT for Kids so that children can understand them, we are orientating ourselves on the Catechism of the Catholic Church in terms of content and style. This is why the YOUCAT for Kids is a catechism of the Catholic Church. 

The questions were asked by Clara Steber