Catechesis of the mentally handicapped based on the educational program "In the Father’s arms"

Abstract

The Church has a mission to fulfil regarding all people, regardless of their state of health or any disability, that is to preach the Gospel of God’s love for man. No one is excluded from God’s love and particularly close to the Divine Heart are the poor, weak, sick and disabled, among these also the mentally handicapped. Religious education of the mentally handicapped demands many efforts both on the part of those catechizing as well as those being catechized. An indispensible aid for the catechesis of these people are an educational programme and matching handbooks. The educational programme "In the Father’s arms" by A.M. Kielar and Fr. J. Tomczak is intended for all the stages of education of children and youth. The purpose of the article is a critical analysis, firstly of the aims and main content and then of the didactical means of this programme, but solely of the I and II educational stage (primary school classes I-VI). The final result of this analysis are the conclusions and catechetical postulates regarding the catechesis of the mentally handicapped persons.