Catechism

Questions about the Catholic faith? Basic Catechism has answers! Structured around the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church--creed, sacraments, morality, and prayer--this guide presents the fundamentals of the Catholic faith in a handy Q&A format. This 8th edition of a perennial best-seller is updated to reflect the revised Roman Missal and expanded to incorporate Church teaching on challenges facing the faithful Catholic in today's society.

We already have so many catechisms, what do we need of another? We indeed have in abundance, catechisms and religious manuals which appeal only to the intellect; books that do not aim at the warmth of expression and the fervent, persuasive eloquence which appeal to the heart, the force and vivifying power which affect the will through the influence of the Holy Spirit.

This Catechism aims at cultivating all the three powers of the soul: the intellect, the emotions, and the will. It does not therefore content itself with mere definitions. The idea in it is not to teach men to philosophize about religion, but to make them good Christians who will delight in their faith. Consequently questions of scholastic theology, doctrines debated among theologians, are either omitted altogether or merely receive a passing mention.

In this catechism, Fr. Spirago has endeavored to divest religious teaching of the appearance of learning, and to present it in a popular and simple form. Technical terms, in which almost all religious manuals abound, even those intended for children, are carefully eliminated from his pages since, while useful and necessary for seminarians and theologians, they are out of place in a book intended for the laity. Popular manuals of religion ought to be couched in plain and simple language, like that used by Our Lord and the apostles, easy to understand. What we need is something that will touch the heart and influence the will, not merely cram the mind with knowledge.

Attention may also be called to the fact that the teaching of the Church is not presented in a dry, abstract form, but is rendered attractive and interesting by illustrations, comparisons, and quotations from well-known writers. It also has many extracts from the writings of the Father which are quoted mainly to elucidate and illustrate, not to prove the truths that are enunciated.

"The Catechism Explained by Spirago embodies the Catechism of the Council of Trent, yet contains fuller discussions for each point in the language that was developed by the Church, saints and theologians throughout time. Rather than being locked into a specific age or decade, this catechism is an explication of the faith in an almost timeless manner. It is a catechism that any subsequent generation could read and learn the essence of the Catholic faith."

-Fr. Chad Ripperger, PhD

While the Catechism of the Catholic Church is considered "useful reading" for all the faithful, it is often necessary to turn to bishops, pastors, catechists, and scholars for assistance in understanding its meaning and purpose in our lives.

Perfect for priests, deacons, catechetical leaders, teachers, seminarians, and anyone who wants to dive deeply into the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith.

Over 3 million copies sold! Essential reading for Catholics of all walks of life.

Here it is - the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years, a complete summary of what Catholics around the world commonly believe.

The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and the lives of saints. It comes with a complete index, footnotes and cross-references for a fuller understanding of every subject. The word catechism means instruction - this book will serve as the standard for all future catechisms.

Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a positive, coherent and contemporary map for our spiritual journey toward transformation.

This volume is intended to meet a widely felt need for an up-to-date and concise source book on the principal teachings of the Catholic Church. Since the close of the Second Vatican Council, there has been such an accumulation of ecclesiastical constitutions and decrees and so many changes they introduced in Catholic practice that few people have been able to keep up with all that has happened... A parallel purpose of this volume is to offer those who use it a handy guidebook of the Catholic tradition, whether formally documented in ecclesiastical sources or implicitly accepted by the faithful under the aegis of the Church's hierarchial leaders.

The method followed in presenting the Church's doctrine is a combination of history and logic. Doctrines are placed into a historical framework by tracing their origins to the Old and New Testaments and placing their development within the context of persons, places, and times. The doctrine thus becomes more intelligible because it is viewed in the setting of its vital growth over the centuries.

The intended reading audience of this Catholic catechism are all those priests, religious and laity, and above all parents and teachers, who are looking for a concise statement of the faith they profess, the conduct they practice, and the worship they give to the Lord.

--From The Catholic Catechism by John A. Hardon, S.J.

The newest title in the internationally best-selling "YOUCAT" series for youth and young adults, DOCAT is an outstanding social justice resource for today's young people.

Catholic Social Teaching has been called by some the Church's "best-kept secret." DOCAT is "revealing the secret" to young people around the world with the Church's beautiful social teachings.

Lavishly illustrated, DOCAT helps young people to know and to live Catholic Social Teaching. It's an inspiring, practical follow up to YOUCAT, the hugely popular Youth Catechism, based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Drawing on Scripture, YOUCAT, the Catechism, and the Compendium of Catholic Social Teaching, DOCAT shows young people how to work toward building a "civilization of love."

Special Features include:

Popular Q & A YOUCAT style, tackles tough questions about social justice and related issues

Illustrated with lots of full-color photos of young people and other images

Inspirational and insightful quotes, including comments from St. John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict and other saints

Written with help from church leaders, business leaders, social activists, and young people

Guides young people in conscience formation and Catholic action on social and political issues

A superb book for high school classes, for regular faith-formation, for youth ministry and for young adult discussion.

Pope Benedict XVI to youth about the YOUCAT project:
"Study this Catechism with passion and perseverance. Make a sacrifice of your time for it! Study it in the quiet of your room; read it with a friend; form study groups and networks; share with each other on the Internet. By all means continue to talk with each other about your faith."

Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell these are the Four Last Things toward which we are moving each hour of the day and night. Read this book, and you'll have a firm grasp of one of the most important doctrines of Holy Mother Church that holds the truths of Heaven and our own salvation.

Cardinal Christoph SchOnborn, the editor of the monumental Catechism of the Catholic Church, a worldwide best seller, provides a brief and profound commentary on the second part of the Catechism, the sacraments. SchOnborn gives an incisive, detailed analysis of the sacraments, providing a specific meditation for each week of the year on how to better live the Catholic faith with the aid of the sacraments and the Mass, and explained in the Catechism. Through these 52 meditations, SchOnborn's hope is for the reader to not just have a better grasp of the Catholic doctrine and belief, but especially to grow in a greater love of and devotion to the person of Jesus Christ.

"Faith is a whole. It has only one heart, one center, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Christ must therefore also be the center of catechesis whose object is 'putting people...in communion...with Jesus Christ; only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit."
--Cardinal Christoph SchOnborn

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism (No. 2) from Catholic Book Publishing contains the revised text of the official Baltimore Catechism (No. 2) in a user-friendly format and design. Written for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8, this book explains Catholic doctrine with the aid of many exclusive features, including many pictures to help children understand each lesson. Extensive use of Sacred Scripture demonstrates the basis of Catholic doctrine and brings it to life. This book combines a contemporary viewpoint and language with a solid time-tested exposition of Catholic Church teachings.

Pocket-sized, but packed with powerful pronouncements. A bestseller since its release.

YOUCAT is short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is the official catechism for World Youth Day. Written for high-school age people and young adults, YOUCAT is an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic Faith. The popular format includes Questions-and-Answers, highly-readable commentary, margin pictures and illustrations, summary definitions of key terms, Bible citations, and quotes from the Saints and other great teachers. What's more, YOUCAT is keyed to the Catechism of the Catholic Faith, so people can go deeper. It explains: What Catholics believe (doctrine) How they celebrate the mysteries of the faith (sacraments) How Catholics are to live (moral life) How they should pray (prayer and spirituality) The questions are direct and honest, even at times tough; the answers straightforward, relevant, and compelling. After the Bible, YOUCAT will likely become the go-to place for young people to learn the truth about the Catholic faith. Pope Benedict XVI wrote the foreword; Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, the editor of YOUCAT and the Archbishop of Vienna, Austria, wrote the afterword.