The Group of Doctrinaries Lay People of Guaíra in Brazil: catechists in the Footsteps of St. Caesar

Elisete Siqueira

The Group of Doctrinaries Lay People of Guaíra was born a few years ago when, at the invitation of the Doctrinaries Fathers, some lay people embarked on a journey to learn about the exemplary and unusual life of Saint Cesar de Bus.
We meet periodically for Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of the Word of God) and to study volumes that offer the opportunity to understand and deepen our understanding of the life and work of the Founder of the Doctrinarie Family, particularly the books “Saint Cesare de Bus – Priest and Catechist” and “The Word of God in the Life of Blessed Cesare de Bus.”
These meetings are true moments of spirituality and learning, which, in addition to informing us, also give us the strength to reflect and deepen our journey of faith and the great responsibility of being catechists. Saint Caesar, in fact, is an important source of inspiration for us, as his story, especially his life example, encourages us to be true heralds of the Word of God or, as he himself asks us, helps us become “Angels of Light” responsible for evangelization.
As catechists, we have the great responsibility to convert ourselves every day, so that, like Saint Caesar, we can transmit the truths of the Gospel through dialogue, easily understandable words, and examples of life, to awaken the hearts of those being catechized to listen, welcome, and follow Jesus.
We are deeply inspired by the fact that Saint Caesar was a man of prayer and action, always nourished by the Eucharist, celebrated and adored. We love to remember him in his room in the Hermitage of Saint James, which had those two “windows,” one facing the Blessed Sacrament and the other overlooking the city of Cavaillon, where so many people distant from God lived. In that environment, he shaped his mission as a catechist and composed his great catechetical work, which led so many to become true Christians.
For this reason, in addition to our regular formation meetings, we celebrate other moments dedicated to prayer and interiorization: the Holy Hour of Vocation, held once a month; the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, also once a month; the Stations of the Cross with Saint Cesare de Bus during Lent; and the Way of Light with Saint Cesare de Bus during Eastertide.
Thus, inspired by his story and his dedication, we are ever more committed to embracing St. Caesar’s request in our daily lives: “Our life must become a living catechism.” In this sense, we could share several testimonies, including two.
A wife and mother, active in her community, recounts: “When I was invited to learn more about Saint Cesar de Bus, I confess I was a little confused at first, but as we learned more, I began to change my view of the life and mission his story offers us. It’s becoming increasingly clear to me how important it is to know how to save one’s family through a pure, true, simple, and welcoming catechesis, as Saint Cesar de Bus teaches us.”
The testimony of a father and husband, as well as an important leader of his community, is very significant: “In my opinion, despite the abundance of information reaching us, primarily through the media, the way formation is conducted in our Doctrinaries Lay Group is certainly the best approach to understanding and interpreting biblical texts. Furthermore, knowledge of St. Cesar de Bus and his catechesis motivates us to live our faith more authentically and to share with our families and communities a way of living better in the presence of God.”
May all of us catechists and lay doctrinaries, inspired by the life and mission of Saint Cesar de Bus, ever more fully commit ourselves to becoming a Living Catechism and Angels of Light, for the sake of conversion and fullness of life for all. Saint Cesar de Bus, pray for us.