BEING A CATHOLIC
All about the Catholic faith
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
Here in one volume is the whole teaching of the Church, undiluted and uncompromised. These teachings are eternal. But the Catechism itself is up-to-the minute. From animal experimentation to unemployment, it addresses all the most pressing moral questions of the modern world. The index is a masterpiece in itself, nearly 50 pages of carefully organized references that make it easy to find the Catechism’s treatment of any subject.
Also online at www.vatican.va/archive/ccc
COMPENDIUM OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
“..is a faithful and sure synthesis of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. But this Compendium, with its brevity, clarity and comprehensiveness, is directed to every human being, who, in a world of distractions and multifarious messages, desires to know the Way of Life, the Truth, entrusted by God to His Son’s Church.
Through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church, may everyone who reads this authoritative text recognize and embrace ever more fully the inexhaustible beauty, uniqueness and significance of the incomparable Gift which God has made to the human race in His only Son, Jesus Christ, the “Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jn 14:6).”
28 June 2005 – BENEDICTUS PP. XVI (Pope Benedict XVI)
[Relying on The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Compendium differs from it in that it is in Question-and-Answer format and uses images in its catechesis]
Also available online at www.vatican.va
YOUTH CATECHISM – YOUCAT
Derived from but not aimed at the entirety of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, YOUCAT is written in a more simple language and so suitable particularly for young people. It is published in 30 languages. YOUCAT was written under the direction of the Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Schönborn OP, by German-speaking theologians, religious educators and priests with the participation of over sixty young people, who helped to improve the readability of the text. It is in a conversational Question-and-Answer format with colour photographs and an abundance of hand-drawn illustrations by Alexander Lengerke. It was published in English in 2011 by the Incorporated Catholic Truth Society.
Today I recommend for your reading an unusual book….Should we not attempt to translate the Catechism of the Catholic Church into the language of young people? Should we not bring its great riches into the world of today’s youth?
So I invite you: study this Catechism! That is my heartfelt desire. This Catechism was not written to please you. It will not make life easy for you, because it demands of you a new life. It places before you the Gospel message as the ‘pearl of great value’ (Mt 13:45) for which you must give everything.”
Pope Benedict XVI