The Catechism of the The Catechism of the Catholic ChurchCatholic Church

What is a Catechism?What is a Catechism?► In common usage, a catechism is a text which contains

fundamental Christian truths, formulated in a clear way so that their understanding and reception are made easier.

Origin of the word► It derives from "catechesis“

The Greek word (κατηχιsmός) means ► to proclaim loudly► to make an echoing sound ► to teach by word of mouth

A word which the ancient Greeks used in the theatre Use in the early Church (Acts 18; Galatians 6).

Editorial Commission of the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCHINFORMATIVE DOSSIER (http://www.vatican.va)

CatechesisCatechesisCatechesis indicates the primary duty of a

Christian –

to spread the faith.The deeds and the work had to provoke an

"echo" in the mind and in the heart of the listeners, to transform all their life.

Catechesis denotes both the act of instructing and the subject-matter of the instruction.

The Origins of Catechism

► Instruction for the catechumenate in preparation for Baptism

► Religious instruction of children

► The first manual resembling a modern catechism was used by Alcuino (735-804); question and answer format widely used until the 12th Century

New Catholic Dictionary (http://www.catholic-forum.com)

Famous Catechisms through History

►Martin Luther and John Calvin Catechisms of the Reformation

►Peter Canisius A catechism for the masses

►Catholics in exile Penny Catechism

Two Most Famous Catechisms

►Roman CatechismCatechism of the Council of Trent - 1566 not a school-book, but a manual for the catechist and

teacher brought about a greater uniformity of Christian doctrine

flowing the rise of the Protestant Reformation.

►Baltimore Catechism Third Council of Baltimore, MD – 1885

The establishment of a uniform textbook of Christian doctrine for American Catholics

New Catholic Dictionary (http://www.catholic-forum.com)

Last universal

catechism

Only for Catholic

Church in America

The Penny Catechism

►Purpose Purpose

►Original cost -Original cost -

►question and answer formquestion and answer form

►370 questions and answers to be 370 questions and answers to be memorizedmemorized

The Penny Catechism: a long lasting text  J. P. Marmion (http://faculty.ed.uiuc.edu/westbury/Paradigm/Marmion3.html)

One Penny

Sample Questions from the Penny Catechism

►Why did God make you?►What must you do to save your soul?►What do you mean when you say that

the Pope is infallible?►Why did our Savior suffer?

Answers

Why did God make you?

►God made me to know Him, love Him and serve Him in this world, and be happy with Him forever in the next.

What must you do to save your soul?

►To save my soul I must worship God by Faith, Hope and Charity; that is, I must believe in him, I must hope in him, and I must love him with my whole heart.

What do you mean when you say that the Pope is infallible?

►When I say that the Pope is infallible, I mean that the Pope cannot err when, as Shepherd and Teacher of all Christians, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals, to be held by the whole Church.

Why did our Savior suffer?

►Our Savior suffered to atone for our sins, and to purchase for us eternal life.

And NowFour centuries in the makingA monumental undertaking

The first definitive universal Catholic Catechism since the Council of Trent in

1566 Detailing the doctrine, dogma, and the

basic tenets of the Church.

The Catechism of

the Catholic Church

Catechism of The Catholic ChurchTimeline

► October 1985:The recommendation of the Synod of Bishops:"There were many who expressed the wish that a catechism of all Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals be prepared.

► July 1986:Decision of the Holy Father to appoint a Commission of Cardinals and Bishops for the preparation of a catechism.

► 1987:40 international experts are consulted

► February 1989:A draft is sent to all Bishops for their observations

► 1991:There have been seven editions since the beginning of the undertaking

► 25 June 1992:Official approval by the Holy Father of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.