What do the Latin, Greek, or uncommon words used in Church documents on catechesis mean in ordinary language?

Although Church documents and the Catechism are generally very readable, they contain language that is not common. You may be a catechist who shares your faith in a catechetical setting (home, school, parish) without "formal" training. You may be a parent trying to teach your child. You may have simply said "yes" when asked to serve as a catechist and are not feeling very well-equipped. This guide is aimed at helping you more easily understand what you read in the Church documents you encounter as you seek to learn more about the faith.

Below are some of the words that appear in documents about catechesis (handing on the faith) "translated" into plainer language. Other words will be added as required. Please let us know if you encounter a word you think should be added to this list.

Methods of catechesis:

• Autochthonous: originating or formed where found
• Didactics: the art or science of teaching
• Exegesis: critical explanation or analysis, especially of a Scripture text
• Hermeneutics: theory and method of interpretation of scripture texts
• Neologism: new word, expression, or usage
• Ontology / Ontological: philosophical study of the nature of being, existence, or reality in general. Part of the branch of philosophy known as metaphysics
• Pedagogy: the art or science of teaching
• Praxis: the agreed practice or custom; the practicing of an art or a skill

Types of catechesis:

• Didache means teaching, or instruction about the Christ event.
• Kerygma means proclamation or public notice. For the Church, it means specifically proclamation of the Christ event, the Good News. For it to be truly kerygma, faith and conversion must be the outcome
• Parenesis means ethical admonitions or cautions.

Assorted others:

• Lex orandi, lex credendi means the “law of prayer, the law of belief." Law here is used more broadly than the legalistic meaning—rather it’s "the way of prayer, the way of belief" or "the manner of prayer, the manner of belief."

It's a principle that the Church uses to indicate that the words of the prayers in the liturgy express what we believe. In other words, the way the Church worships witnesses to the truth of what it professes. That's why the Church is so careful to translate Latin texts precisely: the liturgical prayers are a statement of our faith. In the liturgy, believers worldwide are in union with one another and the communion of saints. Praying the prayers (worshipping) deepens belief. Belief deepens the prayer.

• Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi means the “law of prayer, the law of belief, law of life” or "the way of prayer" and "the way of belief" lead us to "the way of life." These three are tightly interwoven. In addition to the point about the first two phrases, our belief and our prayer determine how we live. Indeed, worship and belief show us how to live!
• Fides quae means knowledge of the faith
• Fides qua means adherence to the faith
• Koinonia means togetherness, fellowship, loving union