The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is a work that aims to summarize the faith, teaching and morals of the Catholic Church, in particular to keep faith intact. It was on October 11, 1992 that Pope John Paul II ordered its promulgation, through the apostolic constitution Fidei depositum. We find in it what the Church believes in.
We all have questions about faith, about God, about life, death … The Catholic Church, through its catechism, gives us valuable elements to better approach these beautiful mysteries.
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No catechism was written following the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), unlike the Council of Trent (1542-1563). Therefore, as a follow-up to the Council, Pope John Paul II convened a synod of bishops in 1985. The report of the Synod Fathers recommended "the drafting of a catechism or compendium of all Catholic doctrine both on faith and on morals, which would be a reference text for the catechisms or compendiums that are composed in the various countries. The presentation of the doctrine must be biblical and liturgical, exposing a sure doctrine and at the same time adapted to the current life of Christians. “In 1986, a commission of cardinals and bishops was formed. After consulting a very large number of experts, and going through several versions, the final text was approved by the commission in February 1992, before Pope John Paul ordered its dissemination on October 11, 1992, through the apostolic constitution Fidei Depositum.
Following this Catechism, an abridged version (a compendium) was published in 2015, as well as a version for young people, known as YouCat.
Number 11 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church deals with the purpose and recipients of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In summarizing this article, the Catechism aims to present a statement of the fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine on faith and morals, in the light of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and the Tradition of the Church.
Its main sources are based on Sacred Scripture, the Holy Fathers, the liturgy, and the Magisterium of the Church, that is to say the authority in matters of morality and faith of the bishops and the Pope.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is composed of four main parts:
1. Part One: The Profession of Faith
2. Part Two: The Sacraments of the Faith (or the Celebration of the Christian Mystery)
3. Part Three: The Life of Faith (or Life in Christ)
4. Part Four: Prayer in the Life of the Faith (or Christian Prayer)
Much more than a book on teaching and morals, the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes it possible, among other things:
The catechism is a statement of the contents of Catholic doctrine on faith and morals.
Catechesis is an initiation and a deepening of Christian life. It makes it possible to make the Word of God resonate so that it can echo within the person and bring them to an encounter with and a path to Christ. Catechesis, which is carried out by trained people called catechists, can therefore come in many forms, not only for young people, but for at all ages.
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We all have questions. But answers ...
Whether it is in the face of existential or more prosaic questions, we are sometimes lost. Voices rise from all sides, but in this confusion, it is difficult to find one’s way.
"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6), Jesus tells us. Christ is the answer to our questions. The catechism helps us to receive his message in our lives.
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