12 Practical Ways to Learn About the Catholic Faith

There are several ways to deepen one’s understanding of the Catholic faith, such as reading the Bible, studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church, exploring the teachings of the Church’s Magisterium, reading spiritual books, participating in programs offered by one’s parish, taking a course through the diocesan office for ongoing formation, learning through KTO and other Catholic media, using resources available online, taking online courses or in-person classes, participating in spiritual retreats, and attending events such as the Mission Congress.



The Bible

The three most common Bibles are the Jerusalem Bible, the Ecumenical Translation of the Bible (TOB), and the Official Liturgical Translation. You can find them online or at a Christian bookstore.

There are also books available to help you explore the Bible more deeply:

  • The Bible in Everyday French: a simple book, ideal for a first encounter with the biblical text.

  • Understanding the Scriptures—A Complete Introductory Course to the Bible (Hahn Scott): a structured course for gradually discovering the Bible.

  • How to Read the Old Testament (Etienne Charpentier): a clear overview of the civilizations of the Ancient Near East and the major events in Israel’s history.

  • How to Read the New Testament (Etienne Charpentier and Régis Burnet): a two-step guide that first introduces a book or group of books, then guides the reader toward a deeper understanding of the texts.

  • My ABCs of the Bible: a collection for studying specific books or particular themes (historical books, prophetic books, Psalms, etc.).

Good to know: Several guides and websites also help you deepen your understanding of the Bible.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is divided into four parts: the profession of faith, the celebration of the Christian mystery, life in Christ, and Christian prayer.

Good to know: Learn how to use the Catechism.

The Official Texts of the Church (the Magisterium)

The Roman Magisterium comprises the official texts of the Catholic Church issued by the popes and bishops. Among them:

  • The texts of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965)

  • Recent encyclicals and apostolic exhortations, for example:

    • Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel (2013)

    • Laudato Si’: Letter on Care for Our Common Home (2015)

    • Amoris Laetitia: Apostolic Exhortation on Love in the Family (2016)

    • Gaudete et Exsultate: Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness in Today’s World (2018)

    • Fratelli Tutti: Letter on Fraternity and Social Friendship (2020)

    • Christus Vivit: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis (2019)

    • C'est la Confiance (It Is Confidence): Exhortation by Pope Francis on Thérèse of Lisieux (2023)

These documents are available on the Vatican website or through an online search.

Spiritual Books

  • Spiritual Books: Story of a Soul (Thérèse of Lisieux), I Want to See God (Marie-Eugène de l’Enfant-Jésus), Introduction to the Devout Life (Francis de Sales), The Wisdom of the Poor One of Assisi (Eloi Leclerc)…
  • Books on the lives of the saints: The Curé of Ars, Thérèse of Lisieux…
  • Books by the Church Fathers: The Confessions by Saint Augustine, etc.

Your Parish

Parishes offer various opportunities for formation: Bible study courses, catechism courses, Alpha (Alpha Classic course), and one-day or half-day retreats during Advent, Lent, or Eastertide. The homily can also contribute to spiritual formation.

Tip: Ask your pastor about the formation programs available and request personalized advice.

The Diocesan Office for Ongoing Formation

Every diocese has a continuing education office, open to anyone wishing to deepen their faith and their relationship with Christ.

Courses may cover:

  • The foundations of the faith and the Church

  • The history of the Church

  • The Bible

  • Mission and evangelization

  • Ecumenical and interfaith dialogue

  • Support for Liturgical Participants (preparation for baptism, marriage, funerals, etc.)

  • Management: Project leadership, team leadership, conflict resolution

Check with your diocese for the annual program.

Other Catholic Media

Vatican Radio, Christian newspapers and magazines, and Catholic news websites.

Internet

The web offers many sites to continue your formation:

  • The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website has many resources available

  • Diocesan websites

  • Video platforms (YouTube) with teachings and resources

Online Courses

A MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is an online course open to everyone. These courses are free and offered for a limited time; they typically consist of instructional videos, supplementary resources, and individual assessments in the form of quizzes. Registration is free.

In addition to MOOCs, there are also webinars—online events that can take the form of training sessions, such as a webinar on prayer, etc.

Courses

Some universities and seminaries offer courses for laypeople.

Courses may be in-person or online and cover a variety of topics: theology, the Bible, spirituality, and catechesis.

Spiritual Retreats

Guided retreats are another way to deepen one’s faith. They take place in charitable centers, spiritual retreats, abbeys, or monasteries, and generally last from a few days to a week.

With Hozana, let’s cultivate a desire to grow

With Hozana, let’s cultivate a desire to deepen our formation in the Christian life, to discover its treasures, to be able to explain them, and to bear witness to them.

In addition to its guides on prayer, the Bible, the lives of the saints, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Hozana offers many communities to help you grow in your faith. You can deepen your faith, for example, through: to learn to pray with the Bible, this , or , and many other options.