Formation in the Christian life is at the heart of the Church’s mission of evangelisation. Its purpose is to help people get to know and love Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. The Department exists to encourage such Christian formation and give the necessary information, support and encouragement to all who wish to be ‘conformed to Christ’ with the help of the Church.

This task is education in its truest sense, because it prepares us to receive the gift of God’s grace and strengthens us to use that grace as God intends. The main sources for this endeavour are the Scriptures (the Bible) and Tradition of the Church, which is summarised in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the documents of the Magisterium.

The people who bring these documents alive are those who can think with the mind of Christ and His Church and who are willing and able to communicate the message of Christ to others. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we endeavour to live up to these high expectations knowing that our ability to do this comes from God alone. 

The Department for Formation consists of two main offices, the Office for Education and the Office for Youth Ministry.