It is not our purpose here to analyze this beautiful apostrophe of the Little Flower. There is more than academic value in making clear just what teachers of religion are to impart to those they teach. Whatever else, therefore, a catechist teaches those under religious instruction, the heart of Christian catechesis is instruction in Christian charity. Christian charity is supernatural love. Christian charity is supernatural love because it would be unknown,, except for the supernatural revelation made by God, who is Love, and who became Man to show us the meaning of love.
Christian charity is supernatural love, because it requires supernatural grace to practice.
Catechists have many truths of the faith to teach, but none is more basic, or more important, or more profitable for salvation, or more distinctively Christian, than to teach the meaning and value and practice of selfless love. The most effective way for a catechist to teach Christian charity is to practice Christian charity. There is more locked up in this statement than meets the eye. God will use us as catechists to teach the virtues, in the measure that we ourselves practice them. The most distinctive virtue of Christianity is selfless love of God and selfless love of others out of love for God.