Caesar de Bus’s catechetical commitment in favor of the “little ones” (in the evangelical sense) was marked by a new pedagogical method in which he gradually involved priests and lay people, with the intent of “doing catechism together“, in unity of method and spirit. The methodology, innovative for that time, and the means he devised made his catechesis attractive and easy to understand. He used simple and effective tools such as: tablets with evangelical scenes painted by himself, previews of audiovisuals, songs and poems.

With simple, immediate and familiar language, he used the Word of God abundantly, applying it to concrete concepts and situations. Through catechesis, he aimed to induce his listeners to be “good Christians”, not only in words, but in behavior, leading them, through a sincere conversion, to Jesus. Caesar, aware that the “Catechism for Parish Priests”, desired by the Council of Trent, was a tool accessible only to priests, worked to adapt it to the faithful:

• carefully studying how to “propose it in a way that is understandable to people without emptying it of its effectiveness, deeply convinced that catechesis is for the life of the recipients;
• taking his cue from the daily “chronicle” to help reflect on how to shape and orient existence in the light of the Word of God and his love;
• gradually presenting the essence of Christian Doctrine.

He imagined a model based on two pillars:

• Little Doctrine, aimed at those who were completely ignorant of the truths of faith (children and illiterates), teaching them prayers, starting from the sign of the cross, the commandments and the sacraments, through dialogue and memorization.
• Great Doctrine, given from the pulpit on Sundays and solemnities. It was a very simple and extensive explanation of the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Commandments, the Precepts of the Church and the Sacraments.

The Doctrinaries Tradition later added the Middle Doctrine, an intermediate form between the two implemented by the Holy Founder. It was conducted with concrete and realistic language, with abundant references to the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers of the Church, taking care to avoid long monologues. Furthermore, the question and answer method was used to involve those present, summarizing everything with a concrete example related to the theme discussed.
There is no doubt that we are faced with a “classic” program of catechesis, as envisaged by the Council of Trent. De Bus’ originality was to make the exposition lively and engaging through dialogue, free interventions and even sacred representations. He did not fail to donate books, rosaries he had made himself, small crosses and sacred images to arouse commitment and interest. Although criticized and opposed by ecclesiastics close to him, Caesar carried on with dedication his commitment to the catechism; he seemed to be “doing little doctrine” and instead he was collaborating to “build” authentic Christian communities, nourished with the bread of the Word, which the Church breaks to all generations. Paul VI summed it up well in his homily during the beatification of Father Caesar on 27 April 1975, when he said that it is necessary: “promote an accessible, comprehensible and life-affirming catechesis” and “accompany the child or adult in his slow search for God”.

Father César and his method for catechesis

As we have explained, Father Caesar De Bus organizes the exercise of Christian Doctrine into two cycles, the small doctrine and the large doctrine.
The doctrinaries tradition has distinguished itself, along the lines of Father Caesar, for the search for a living and “inventive” catechesis, immediate, communicated with simple words, a few plastic and easy-to-remember formulas. Marcel, the first biographer of De Bus, states that his way of announcing the Word was very simple and therefore within everyone’s reach. He avoided, as if they were dangerous reefs, sophisticated terms, as well as useless and curious arguments, although pleasant to listen to. His catechesis was well structured, balanced, presented with grace and fervor in such a way that not only the simple people, but also the educated people received satisfaction and profit from it. His intent was not to make his listeners learned, but believers. Around this scheme, Paul VI stated, a preaching steeped in Sacred Scripture is forming, presented in such a way that the notions learned are translated into a spiritual attitude and a way of acting.
The original catechetical experience of Father Caesar and the Doctrinaries is entrusted to a rich collection of catecheses (for the use of the catechist), divided into 4 or 5 parts (according to the first and third editions of 1666 and 1685), gathered under the title Instructions familières. The following characteristics of structure and style are found in them:

• adoption of the now classical division (with changed succession) of Christian doctrine into the Creed, Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, deadly sins, Sacraments;
• division into “lessons”, or into topics according to their logical insertion: the articles of faith, the precepts of God and of the Church, the questions of the Pater, the seven deadly sins, the seven Sacraments;
• further subdivision of the individual “lessons” into two, three or four teaching units;
• enrichment of the systematic “lesson” with an introduction, a final practical example and the repetition of the material learned, also intended as a preliminary moment of the subsequent catechism meeting or didactic lesson;
• extremely flexible use of the question and answer technique, not predetermined by a doctrinal booklet or by an interrogation and not flowing into memorization, but into consensual and vital assimilation;
• adoption of a simple and familiar language, fervent and affectionate, with the constant reference to examples and scriptural and patristic sayings;

fusion of “theory”, devotion and practical commitment. The Instructions familières can be considered a catechetical theology, understood as an elementary and living theology for catechists and a lived and stimulating manual of catechetical methodology, imbued with spirituality and rich in pedagogical and didactic ideas. The Family Instructions were republished in four volumes on the occasion of the canonization of Saint Caesar and are available from Edizioni Dottrinari.