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Introduction to Catholicism for Adults Midwest Theological Forum Woodridge, Illinois Copyright © Midwest Theological Forum www.theologicalforum.org
Introduction to
Catholicism for Adults
Midwest Theological ForumWoodridge, Illinois
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Contents v
Table of Contents
xxi Abbreviations Used for the Books of the Bible
xxii General Abbreviations
xxiii Introduction
1 Chapter 1: Called to Holiness1 Thirst for Christ1 Called to Be Perfect3 Close Up: What Is the Catechism of the Catholic Church?4 Called to Holiness5 Close Up: What Was the Second Vatican Council?7 Close Up: St. Augustine, the Convert8 Called to Be Saints9 One Body in Christ
10 Close Up: St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles12 The Gift of Grace13 Close Up: Becoming a Saint15 The Marks of a Disciple16 Close Up: Martyrs for the Faith18 Evangelization19 Close Up: Evangelization vs. Proselytization20 Conclusion21 Living the Faith: St. Josemaria Escriva23 Supplementary Reading: Bl. John Paul II, Seeking Holiness in the
Twenty-first Century: Pastoral Planning in the New Millennium25 For Study and Discussion27 Practical Exercises28 From the Catechism
31 Chapter 2: The Existence of God and Divine Revelation31 God Makes Himself Known to Us32 Knowing God Through the Created World33 Close Up: Religion Is for Religious Beings36 Knowing God Through the Human Spirit37 Close Up: The Problem of Evil38 Objections to Belief in God
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40 Divine Revelation and Salvation History41 Close Up: Motives of Credibility42 Sacred Tradition44 Close Up: Scripture Alone? A Fundamental Difference46 Sacred Scripture48 Close Up: How the Scriptures Came to Be49 Establishing the Canon51 The Magisterium52 Interpreting Scripture53 Close Up: The Canon of Scripture56 Private Revelation57 Close Up: Major and Minor Prophets58 Our Response: Faith59 Conclusion61 Living the Faith: St. Jerome63 Supplementary Reading: Second Ecumenical Council of the
Vatican, Handing on Divine Revelation66 For Study and Discussion68 Practical Exercises69 From the Catechism
71 Chapter 3: The Nature of God: The Blessed Trinity71 Our Mysterious God71 The Blessed Trinity72 Close Up: A Hierarchy of Truths74 One God75 God Reveals His Name77 Close Up: St. Patrick and the Shamrock78 The Trinity Foreshadowed79 The Trinity Revealed80 The Language of the Trinity81 Close Up: Nature and Person83 The Trinity in the Early Church85 Close Up: St. Athanasius, Defender of the Divinity of Christ86 Perfect Attributes of God88 Close Up: Knowing God by Analogy91 Close Up: A Prayer to the Blessed Trinity92 The Blessed Trinity and the Christian Life93 Conclusion94 Living the Faith: Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Introduction to Catholicism
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Contents vii
96 Supplementary Reading: The Athanasian Creed99 For Study and Discussion
101 Practical Exercises102 From the Catechism
105 Chapter 4: Creation, Man, and Original Sin105 God of Love106 God the Creator107 Close Up: The Message of Genesis109 In the Image of God110 Close Up: The Church and Evolution114 The Fatherhood of God115 Close Up: Called to Be His Children116 The Fall117 The Curse of Original Sin118 Close Up: One Set of Parents120 Natural Law121 The First Gospel122 Preparing for the Messiah123 Close Up: Angels in Creation126 Close Up: The Problem of Evil and God’s Providence129 Conclusion131 Living the Faith: St. Albert the Great133 Supplementary Reading: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger,
Understanding Original Sin135 For Study and Discussion137 Practical Exercises138 From the Catechism
143 Chapter 5: Jesus Christ Incarnate of the Blessed Virgin Mary
143 Honoring the Mother of God143 The Redemption Foretold144 Close Up: The Suffering Servant147 The Blessed Virgin148 Close Up: St. Joseph, the Faithful Spouse151 The Incarnation153 Close Up: Behold, Your Mother!156 Attributers and Titles of Mary157 Close Up: Why God Became Man
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158 Close Up: The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto)
161 Close Up: Two Marian Dogmas164 Christ’s Hidden Years165 Close Up: Jesus Christ in Faith and History166 Close Up: The Titles of Jesus Christ168 Conclusion169 Close Up: The Eloquence of Christ’s Hidden Life171 Living the Faith: St. Andre Bessette173 Supplementary Reading: Bl. John Paul II,
The New Adam: Man Cannot Live Without Love176 For Study and Discussion178 Practical Exercises179 From the Catechism
181 Chapter 6: The Paschal Mystery181 To Know Christ181 The Evangelists182 Close Up: Pharisees, Sadducees, and Samaritans184 The Baptism of Christ186 Christ’s Public Ministry187 Close Up: The Nicene Creed190 Close Up: The Twelve Apostles192 Jerusalem193 The Last Supper: The New Passover195 Close Up: The Torture of Crucifixion197 The Meaning of Christ’s Sacrifice199 Close Up: The Origins of the Sign of the Cross201 Resurrection203 Close Up: The Power of Redemptive Suffering204 The Road to Emmaus205 Ascension206 Conclusion207 Close Up: The Cross is Christ’s Exaltation209 Living the Faith: Bl. Chiara Badano211 Supplementary Reading: Christ’s Descent into Hell213 For Study and Discussion215 Practical Exercises216 From the Catechism
Introduction to Catholicism
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Contents ix
221 Chapter 7: The Holy Spirit221 Come, Holy Spirit221 God the Holy Spirit222 Descent of the Holy Spirit223 Close Up: The Holy Spirit in the Creed224 Close Up: The Filioque Question226 The Mission of the Holy Spirit227 Close Up: Symbols of the Holy Spirit229 The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church231 Close Up: Prayer to the Holy Spirit231 Gifts of the Holy Spirit234 The Fruits of the Holy Spirit235 Close Up: The Unforgiveable Sin237 The Charismatic Gifts238 Close Up: The Holy Spirit, the Eucharist, and the Epiclesis241 Conclusion243 Living the Faith: Archbishop Luis M. Martinez245 Supplementary Reading: St. Justin Illuminates Trypho247 For Study and Discussion249 Practical Exercises250 From the Catechism
253 Chapter 8: The Holy Catholic Church253 This is the One Church254 What Is the Church?255 Close Up: The Doctors of the Church257 The Faith of the Church257 The Church Is the Work of the Blessed Trinity259 Close Up: The Fathers of the Church261 Mother and Teacher262 Close Up: How a Pope Is Elected264 The Magisterium266 Close Up: Salvation Outside the Church268 Infallibility270 Church as Mystery271 Close Up: The Precepts of the Church275 Close Up: The Consecrated Life277 The Marks of the Church278 Close Up: The Role of the Laity
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280 Conclusion281 Living the Faith: St. Leo the Great283 Supplementary Reading: First Ecumenical Council of the Vatican,
The Dogma of Papal Infallibility286 For Study and Discussion288 Practical Exercises289 From the Catechism
295 Chapter 9: The Resurrection of the Body and Life Everlasting
295 “What No Eye Has Seen”295 Death of a Christian296 Close Up: The Question of Unbaptized Babies299 Christ Will Come Again300 Close Up: The Question of Universal Salvation304 Close Up: The Scriptural Basis for Purgatory306 Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell307 Close Up: Waiting for the End of Time310 Close Up: The Book of Revelation314 Conclusion316 Living the Faith: St. Catherine of Genoa318 Supplementary Reading: Pope Benedict XVI,
On Human Fear of Eternal Life320 For Study and Discussion321 Practical Exercises322 From the Catechism
325 Chapter 10: Christian Prayer325 Dialogue with God326 Close Up: The Battle of Prayer327 A Life of Prayer329 Types of Prayer330 Close Up: The Liturgical Year332 Methods of Prayer333 Liturgical Prayer334 Close Up: The Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church336 Proper Dispositions for Prayer338 The Fruit of Prayer339 The Mass, Our Greatest Prayer340 Close Up: Liturgical Symbols and Gestures
Introduction to Catholicism
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Contents xi
345 Close Up: The Mysteries of the Rosary346 The Real Presence of Christ347 The Structure of the Mass349 Close Up: The Stations of the Cross349 Transformed by the Liturgy351 Eucharistic Adoration352 Close Up: How to Prepare for Mass354 Popular Prayers and Devotions356 Close Up: The Meaning of the Lord’s Prayer358 Sacramentals360 Sacrifice and Self-Denial361 Conclusion363 Living the Faith: St. Justin Martyr365 Supplementary Reading: Thomas a Kempis, On Meditation368 For Study and Discussion369 Practical Exercises370 From the Catechism
373 Chapter 11: The Sacraments373 Why We Need the Sacraments374 The Meaning of Sacrament375 Close Up: The Institution of the Sacraments in Scripture376 Ex Opere Operato377 Close Up: Signs of the Sacraments379 Close Up: The Sacraments That Leave an Indelible Character379 Matter, Form, and Minister380 Sacramental Grace381 Close Up: The Sacraments Were Tailor-made for Human Beings383 Close Up: Categorizing the Sacraments383 Proper Disposition384 Close Up: Visible Signs385 The Sacraments Are Necessary386 Conclusion388 Living the Faith: Bl. Otto Neururer390 Supplementary Reading: Peter Kreeft,
Understanding Sacramentality393 For Study and Discussion394 Practical Exercises395 From the Catechism
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399 Chapter 12: Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism and Confirmation
399 Enter the Spirit400 I. The Sacrament of Baptism401 Close Up: An Examination of Conscience402 Close Up: The Exorcism at Baptism404 Celebrating Baptism406 Effects of Baptism407 Close Up: Baptizing Converts from
Among Our Separated Brethren408 Close Up: From Catechumen to Neophyte411 Divine Filiation413 Close Up: Other Types of Baptism414 II. The Sacrament of Confirmation416 Celebrating Confirmation417 Close Up: Soldiers for Christ420 Close Up: The Minister of the “Double Sacrament”421 Effects of Confirmation422 Conclusion423 Living the Faith: St. Therese of Lisieux425 Supplementary Reading: Baptized into Christ’s Death427 For Study and Discussion428 Practical Exercises429 From the Catechism
433 Chapter 13: Sacraments of Christian Initiation: The Eucharist
433 His Sacred Presence434 The Sacrament of the Eucharist435 Close Up: An Examination of Conscience437 Close Up: Reserving the Blessed Sacrament439 Close Up: An Act of Spiritual Communion441 Celebrating the Eucharist442 Close Up: Miracles of the Eucharist446 Close Up: Fragments of the Eucharistic Species449 Effects of the Eucharist450 Close Up: Can a “Pro-choice” Politician
Receive Holy Communion?452 Close Up: “Lo! the Angel’s Food Is Given”453 Conclusion
Introduction to Catholicism
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Contents xiii
455 Living the Faith: St. Pius X457 Supplementary Reading: St. John Vianney,
On the Frequent Reception of Holy Communion460 For Study and Discussion461 Practical Exercises462 From the Catechism
467 Chapter 14: Sacraments of Healing: Penance and the Anointing of the Sick
467 Christ the Healer468 I. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation469 Close Up: An Examination of Conscience471 Close Up: An Act of Contrition473 Close Up: Characteristics of a Good Confession475 Close Up: Sins of Omission477 Close Up: Confessing Mortal Sins478 Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation479 Close Up: The Necessity of Confession481 Close Up: A Guilty Conscience484 Close Up: Indulgences486 Close Up: God Stands Ready to Forgive488 Effects of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation488 II. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick490 Close Up: Prayer for a Happy Death492 Celebration of the Anointing of the Sick494 Effects of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick495 Close Up: Testimony of a Dying Cardinal496 Conclusion498 Living the Faith: St. John Nepomucene500 Supplementary Reading: St. Teresa of Avila,
On the Importance of Avoiding Even Venial Sin503 For Study and Discussion504 Practical Exercises505 From the Catechism
509 Chapter 15: Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders
509 At Our Service510 The Sacrament of Holy Orders511 Close Up: An Examination of Conscience
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517 Close Up: Titles in Holy Orders519 Celebrating Holy Orders520 Close Up: Symbols of the Ordained524 The Three Orders525 Effects of Holy Orders526 Close Up: The Development of Clerical Celibacy527 Clerical Celibacy528 Male Priesthood529 Conclusion530 Living the Faith: Bl. John Paul II532 Supplementary Reading: Cardinal Avery Dulles, SJ,
Celibacy in the Priesthood534 For Study and Discussion536 Practical Exercises537 From the Catechism
539 Chapter 16: Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Matrimony
539 Love and Marriage540 The Sacrament of Matrimony541 Close Up: The Blessing of a Large Family545 Close Up: Building Up the Domestic Church547 Celebrating Matrimony549 Close Up: Some Sins Against Marriage552 Effects of Matrimony553 Close Up: Divorce and Reception of the Sacraments556 Marriage as a Path to Holiness557 Close Up: A Declaration of Nullity558 Marriage Between a Catholic and a Non-Catholic560 Submission and the Marriage Covenant562 Conclusion564 Living the Faith: Georges and Pauline Vanier566 Supplementary Reading: Bl. John Paul II,
The Prophetic Role of Marriage and Family568 For Study and Discussion569 Practical Exercises570 From the Catechism
Introduction to Catholicism
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Contents xv
573 Chapter 17: Freedom, Morality, and Grace573 A Still, Small Voice573 What Freedom Is575 Close Up: The Intellect, Free Will, and the Passions576 Freedom Must Be Grounded in Truth578 Freedom and God’s Will579 Close Up: Prayer to Do God’s Will580 Freedom, Sin, and Grace581 What Conscience Is582 Formation of Conscience583 Close Up: Indirectly Voluntary Acts586 Obligation of Conscience586 Types of Conscience587 Close Up: Augustinian Prayer for Discernment588 The Moral Act591 Close Up: Standards of Morality593 The Nature of Temptation594 Close Up: Formal and Material Cooperation596 Errors of Conscience599 The Principle of Double Effect601 The Cardinal Virtues603 Conclusion605 Living the Faith: St. Katherine Drexel607 Supplementary Reading: George Cardinal Pell,
On True and False Conscience611 For Study and Discussion613 Practical Exercises614 From the Catechism
617 Chapter 18: The Decalogue and the Beatitudes617 Keeping the Law619 Close Up: The Ten Commandments619 The Ten Commandments and Christ621 The Beatitudes Are the Perfection of the Moral Law623 Close Up: The Beatitudes624 The Beatitudes in Practice626 Close Up: What the Moral Law Is Not630 Close Up: Examination of Conscience633 Conclusion635 Living the Faith: Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
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637 Supplementary Reading: Pope Benedict XVI, Loving God, Whom We Cannot See, Through the Neighbor That We Can See
641 For Study and Discussion642 Practical Exercises643 From the Catechism
647 Chapter 19: The First Three Commandments647 What God Deserves648 Reverence for the One God649 Close Up: The Right to Religious Freedom650 I. The First Commandment651 The Theological Virtues652 Sins Against the Theological Virtues653 Close Up: Examination of Conscience: The First Commandment655 The Virtue of Religion656 Sins Against the Virtue of Religion657 Close Up: Guarding Against a Loss of Faith658 II. The Second Commandment659 Sins Against the Holy Name of God660 Close Up: Examination of Conscience:
The Second Commandment661 III. The Third Commandment662 Sins Against the Lord’s Day663 Close Up: Examination of Conscience: The Third Commandment665 Close Up: Worship God Alone665 Conclusion667 Living the Faith: Fr. Christian de Cherge670 Supplementary Reading: Bl. John Paul II,
Why There Is a Sunday Obligation673 For Study and Discussion674 Practical Exercises675 From the Catechism
677 Chapter 20: The Fourth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother
677 Wisdom of Years678 The Fourth Commandment679 Close Up: Obligations Toward Extended Family680 The Old Testament and the Fourth Commandment681 Christ and the Fourth Commandment
Introduction to Catholicism
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Contents xvii
682 Parent-Child Relationships683 Close Up: Some Benefits of a Two-parent Family687 Close Up: The Common Good688 Relationships Between an Individual and Society690 The Church and the State691 Close Up: Duties of the Faithful692 Collaboration Between Church and State693 Separation of Church and State695 Close Up: Examination of Conscience697 Conclusion699 Living the Faith: St. Monica701 Supplementary Reading: Albino Cardinal Luciani,
Educating Children as a Work of Love704 For Study and Discussion706 Practical Exercises707 From the Catechism
711 Chapter 21: The Fifth Commandment: You Shall Not Kill711 The Fifth Commandment712 Respect for Life in the Old Testament713 Close Up: Abortion and the Life of the Mother714 Respect for Life in the New Testament715 Homicide716 Respect for Human Life at Its Beginning718 Close Up: Abortion in Church Teaching723 Close Up: Secondary Victims of Abortion724 Respect for Human Life Until Its Natural End726 Close Up: Discontinuing Medical Treatment728 Self-Defense and Criminal Justice729 “Just War” Doctrine731 Close Up: Examination of Conscience732 Respect for the Health and Integrity of the Body735 Conclusion738 Living the Faith I: Fathi Abboud Baladi740 Living the Faith II: St. Gianna Beretta Molla742 Supplementary Reading: Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, The Moral Dilemma of Frozen Embryos744 For Study and Discussion745 Practical Exercises746 From the Catechism
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749 Chapter 22: The Sixth and Ninth Commandments: Chastity in Relationships
749 The Sixth and Ninth Commandments750 Marital Love in the Old Testament751 Close Up: Chastity, Celibacy, and Marriage752 Marital Love in the New Testament754 Theology of the Body755 Sexuality and Marriage757 Close Up: Couples Who Cannot Conceive758 Sins Against Marriage762 Close Up: The Gift of Natural Family Planning765 The Virtue of Chastity766 Living the Virtue of Chastity768 Close Up: Examination of Conscience770 Sins Against Chastity773 Conclusion774 Living the Faith: St. Maria Goretti776 Supplementary Reading: Pope Paul VI, On the Regulation of Birth780 For Study and Discussion781 Practical Exercises783 From the Catechism
785 Chapter 23: The Seventh and Tenth Commandments: Theft and Desire
785 Disordered Wants785 The Seventh and Tenth Commandments786 Close Up: Lessons in Preferential Love788 Stewardship of Goods792 Close Up: Socialism and Capitalism795 The Just Use of Goods797 Sins Against the Seventh Commandment798 Restitution799 Close Up: Justice in Practice800 Sins Against the Tenth Commandment801 Social Doctrine of the Church803 Social Justice in the Economic Realm804 Close Up: The Trend Toward Globalization807 Internal Solidarity809 Justice and Charity: Love for the Poor810 Conclusion
Introduction to Catholicism
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Contents xix
811 Close Up: Examination of Conscience 814 Living the Faith: Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati 817 Supplementary Reading: Pope Benedict XVI,
Love and the Common Good 819 For Study and Discussion 820 Practical Exercises 821 From the Catechism
823 Chapter 24: The Eighth Commandment: Bearing False Witness
823 Truth and Peace 823 The Virtue of Truth 824 The Eighth Commandment 825 Close Up: Types of Untruth 826 Truth and the Old Testament 827 Truth and the New Testament 828 Close Up: What is Truth? 829 Witnesses to Truth 830 Truth in Charity 831 Truth and Secrecy 832 Close Up: Truth in Social Communication 836 Close Up: The Silent Response 837 Sins Against the Eighth Commandment 840 Gravity of Sins Against the Eighth Commandment 841 Close Up: Examination of Conscience 842 The Duty to Make Reparation 842 Conclusion 843 Living the Faith: St. Peter the Apostle 845 Supplementary Reading: St. Francis de Sales, Curbing the Tongue 847 For Study and Discussion 848 Practical Exercises 849 From the Catechism
851 Chapter 25: The Person and Society 851 Citizens of Two Worlds 852 Holiness Within Our State of Life 853 Close Up: Christians Are the Soul of the World 856 The Vocation of the Laity 857 Close Up: Blessed Are the Merciful 861 Living Our Faith in Society
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862 Close Up: Voting with a Catholic Conscience865 Faith, Law, and Social Justice867 Close Up: The Dangers of Legal Positivism869 Responsibility and Participation871 Close Up: The Morality of Imperfect Laws872 Conclusion875 Living the Faith: Dorothy Day878 Supplementary Reading: St. Augustine,
The Earthly City and the Heavenly City880 For Study and Discussion881 Practical Exercises882 From the Catechism
887 Glossary
963 Art and Photo Credits
969 Index
Introduction to Catholicism
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Chapter 1
Called to Holiness
THIRST FOR CHRIST
There is a spiritual thirst, as we read in one of the psalms: “I thirst for the living God, when will I appear before him?”
As he says “I thirst,” our Lord is thirsting for return to his Father. The night before, at the Last Supper, he prayed to his Father and asked for the glory that was his before the foundations of the world were laid. He told his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them. Now he has this thirst, to return again to his Father.
Applying that spiritual thirst of our Lord to ourselves, what is it that we have if we love the Lord? We have a thirst for holiness. We want to be saints. We want to be happy, to be at peace on the inside, to be one with the Father.
What is sanctity? Sanctity is Christ living in me so that his mind pos-sesses my mind and I am governed by his truth. That’s sanctity. He’s in my will, and all things that are pleasing to him I do. He’s in my body, so that my body becomes a tabernacle.
Sanctity is not only Christ in me, it’s making Christ known to others. It’s being loveable. It’s making Christ loveable. When others see us, they see Christ.
— Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen 1
CALLED TO BE PERFECT
Every Christian, regardless of his or her state of life, profession, or circumstances, is called to holiness, to the fullness of the Christian life, and to the perfection of charity. Jesus Christ himself exhorted us to seek perfection, the ultimate goal of our call to holiness: “‘You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’”2
Perfection is indeed a lofty goal, one that is impossible to achieve in this life. Christ, nevertheless, calls each of us to strive for perfection.
1. Through the Year with Fulton Sheen (Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 1985), 71.2. Mt 5: 48.
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2 Introduction to Catholicism
In fact, God created us to share in his perfect and divine life, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church declares at its outset:
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accom-plish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life. (CCC 1)
To perfect ourselves in holiness means to imitate the example of Christ — to love, to show mercy, and to forgive others just as God loves us, is merciful to us, and forgives us.
In the Gospels, when a rich young man asked Christ how he could attain eternal life, Christ told him to keep the Commandments. When the man persisted in his question, stating that he had obeyed the Commandments all his life, Christ invited him to take the next step: “‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’”3 The journey toward perfection is one not only of external obedience but also of the interior life, and it requires nothing less than becoming a true follower of Christ by committing one’s life completely toward the service of God and neighbor.
The Catechism says this about Christ’s invitation to the rich young man to “be perfect”:
This reply does not do away with the first: following Jesus Christ involves keeping the Commandments. The Law has not been abolished,4 but rather man is invited to rediscover it in the person of his Master who is its perfect fulfillment. (CCC 2053)
To perfect ourselves in holiness, then, means to imitate fully the example of Christ.
Holiness, however, requires more than simple mimicry of Christ’s attributes, more than mere obedience to the Commandments; it requires a true relationship with God. We are called not only to obey his will but also to know him personally and intimately.
3. Mt 19: 21.4. Cf. Mt 5: 17.
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Chapter 1: Called to Holiness 3
It is impossible to keep the Lord’s commandment by imitating the divine model from outside; there has to be a vital participation, coming from the depths of the heart, in the holiness and the mercy and the love of our God. Only the Spirit by whom we live can make “ours” the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.5 (CCC 2842)
5. Cf. Gal 5: 25; Phil 2: 1, 5.
CLOSE UP
What Is the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
The Catechism of the Cathol ic Church is an official summary of Church teaching published by the Vatican and promulgated by Pope Bl. John Paul II in 1992. A second, updated edition was published in 1997.
Another offi cial work, the Compen-dium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, summarizes the key doctrines and teachings of the Cat-echism in a question-and-answer format.
The previous universal catechism was the Catechism of the Council of Trent, also known as the Roman Catechism. It was published in 1566.
The Baltimore Catechism was published as a national cate-chism for the Catholic Church in the United States in 1885. It appeared in several editions and was the common catechism in use in the country for about a century. The present Cat-echism has given rise to another national catechism, the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.
The Catechism is an invaluable source for understanding and explaining the doctrines of the Church and is useful both as a reference book and as a study guide. We will quote from it frequently in the course of this text.
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