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Catechism of the Catholic Church

by U.S. Catholic Church, The Holy See, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, John Paul II (Foreword by), Catholic Church

4.3 of 5 stars 4.30 · rating details · 3,254 ratings · 121 reviews

Here it is -- the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years, a complete summary of what Catholic throughout the world believe in common. This book is the catechism (the word means "instruction") that will serve as the standarad for all future catechisms.

The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and th...more

Paperback, 864 pages

Published April 15th 1995 by Image (first published 1992)

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Oct 15, 2012 rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reference, meditations

This book will probably be on my currently reading list forever for two reasons. first because it is an invaluable tool for my formation and maturing in my faith....secondly, I can't figure out how to add shelves..LOL

going to finish it this year in the Year of FAith!!

10 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2008 Chary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fyi-reference

For every Catholic and for anyone who has honest questions about Catholicism. "Why the rosary?...Why Mary...Why communion?...etcetera." This book has direct Biblical reference (by Chapter and verse) to every question that could be possible asked of Catholics. A great resource for Apologetic discussions.

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2008 Steven rated it 2 of 5 stars

This catechism is not "user-friendly" in any way. I find it very confusing, and as someone else has noted, far too wordy.

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 26, 2008 Deborah is currently reading it

Geez...it actually makes sense. I think I'm a closet Catholic.

8 likes · like · see review

Feb 21, 2013 Julie Davis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: this-is-gonna-take-a-while-daily-re

I have never actually read through the entire Catechism. The Catechism is often thought of as the Catholic "rule book" and that is true in a way because a catechism is a summary of Catholic belief. However, it is not couched as we would normally think of a "rule book." The Catechism flows through four big ideas: The Profession of Faith, The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Life in Christ, and Christian Prayer. There is a good explanatory article here by Mary DeTurris Poust who wrote The Idi...more

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Nov 22, 2009 Rachel marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: haven-t-finished

What inspired me to read this book was another book. C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters. The book opened my eyes to just how easily one can be led astray, no matter how Christian we believe ourselves to be. All of us slip, it's what we do, and the majority of us don't catch ourselves at it.

I started reading this, because I truly want to answer these questions: What does it mean to be Catholic? If you do not follow the Vatican, are you still Catholic, even if you do live by the Apostle's Creed and th...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 16, 2008 Stephy rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: sheep, millions of sheep, baa baa sheep

Recommended to Stephy by: my former church

Shelves: wasteoftime, history, fiction, political_science, sexually-abused-human-beings

I hardly know where to start. Parts of this book have the potential for much good in the world. the actual Church that comes out of this document, or from which this document comes, depending on your point of view, is so morally bankrupt that one imagines they have had no exposure to the message of Jesus. Much of Christianity falls out based on the writings of Paul, the most successful, long term productive spy of all time. Sent as a Roman spy to destroy the church of Christ from within, he kind...more I hardly know where to start. Parts of this book have the potential for much good in the world. the actual Church that comes out of this document, or from which this document comes, depending on your point of view, is so morally bankrupt that one imagines they have had no exposure to the message of Jesus. Much of Christianity falls out based on the writings of Paul, the most successful, long term productive spy of all time. Sent as a Roman spy to destroy the church of Christ from within, he kind of steals leadership out from under the folks who Knew Jesus, declaring, and then making himself, and his words more import, historically, than those of any other biblical writer almost completely excluding Jesus' words.

The organization of the book makes it nearly impossible to follow a thought inside one chapter, much less connect it to another chapter. And written by men with their heads so deeply into their own importance that you can't believe much they say. never noting that all the religious groups based on Christianity lock onto Paul with all their fangs and claws, ignoring the quiet voice of Jesus to "love one another", to practice what Jesus preaches. Somehow I doubt that Jesus had in mind an annual washing of the feet of the largest donors to the parish annually when he said "As I have done, so you must do," to the disciples, having washed their feet.

So much is wrong about the way Catholicism actually functions. In no place have I found anything that addresses the fact that they are taking up special collections to bail out men whose lives are strictured into such an emotionally crippled state that they are turning to raping children to make sure they don't lean toward that most evil of sexual practices, intercourse (dare we say making love) with a woman. There is so much done badly in a big way that the bits of real goodness are driven away: The good people, the good priests, the good sisters, the good altar servers (the potential for evil befalling an altar server is too great to figure out in numbers. It's figured in millions of dollars.)

I have to stop now, this is too much evil to look at for very long, and I daresay the confused ramblings of this review are at least a match for the confused ramblings of the assorted people who built this book. It makes me crazy, so much evil masquerading as so much good, being filthy rich and bemoaning the fate of the poor. Sell a few rings and feed a small nation, Pope Ben!
Or better still, Sell a few rings and make a small nation self sufficient. And don't insist they become Catholic or die as the trade-off!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Oct 28, 2007 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: truth seekers

i learned about the basic structure of the catholic church, how they understand god, jesus, mary, the sacraments, and really the entire mission of salvation; from an insider point of view, I take solace in the sound writing of the catechism as the church faces so much ridicule; it clarified the purpose, mission, and organization of the church for me; it did nothing to help reconcile the conflict of defining the crux of my existence through one of the church's mortal sins, HOWEVER, it was informa...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars

The CCC was promulgated at a time when there was so much confusion about what the Church actually taught. It's remarkable not only for the breadth and depth of its presentation of the faith, but also for the clarity with which it is presented. While there were some minor revisions made a few years after its publication it can safely be said it was exactly what was needed, when it was needed (OK, to be honest I would have liked it to have been published about 25 years earlier, but still).

The boo...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Andrew rated it 5 of 5 stars

In a former life I used to believe that the Catechism was a collection of rules imposed on believers. At that time I only understood a quarter of the Church's teachings and disagreed with another quarter (. While I still have much theological ignorance, I would be hardpressed to find a passage in the Catechism with which I now disagree. This is not because I have surrendered my intellect to the dictates of an authoritarian Church. Rather, I have come to believe that the teachings contained in th...more

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Jan 23, 2011 pjr8888 added it · review of another edition Recommends it for: no one

Shelves: religion-spirituality

so many rules to follow, so little time!
just for the fun of it, i placed this Catechism of the Catholic Church next to A New Catechism Catholic Faith for Adults and the later seems to take on a halo-like glow!

"anyone who says 'i love god', and hates his brother, is a liar, since a man who does not love the brother that he can see cannot love god, whom he has never seen." I John 4:20

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Sep 12, 2012 Sten-Erik Armitage rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The trouble with reading a book like this one is that it will sabotage all the preconceptions you have so carefully formed over the years about what Catholics really believe. This was an encouraging and often edifying read.

That said, I have many fundamental disagreements with the Roman Catholic church. However, not as many as I thought I possessed!

I would strongly suggest that you read this along with the official documents of Vatican II so that you can see in full the official dogma of Catholic...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 06, 2011 Joshua Nomen-Mutatio rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: religion, theology

Hateful, baseless, garbage. My contempt is limitless for this shit. All people who think they can reconcile true tolerance and respect for homosexuals with Catholicism should check out Part 3 Section 2 Chapter 2 Article 6 Points 2357-2359 and wake the hell up already:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechi...

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Sep 09, 2008 booklady rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, religion, scripture, spiritual, theology, prayer

This book will probably be on my currently reading list forever for two reasons. First because it is an invaluable tool for my formation and maturing in my faith....secondly because I got this great idea for leaving it on my 'currently reading list' from Montanamom! Thanks MM! ☺

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 04, 2007 Madelyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: religious

Essential reading for any Catholic... Helps so many things to click and make sense. A good resource for any Catholic bookshelf. One that you can go back to over and over for any questions that may arise or ongoing faith formation.

6 likes · like · see review

May 18, 2013 JP rated it 5 of 5 stars

This weighty tome merits the time required for anyone who wants to understand Catholocism. I believe it would be fair to call it the official "layman's guidebook." A lot of new ideas were presented to me. It succeeded in conveying the principal tenets of the Catholic Church and at least touched on every major issue or question I have had. Two concepts that were completely new to me and considered with high regard: first, a firm declaration that talents were not distributed uniformly and that thi...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Ryan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

For the "Year of Faith," Sarah and I are attempting to read the Catechism cover to cover. Only 7 paragraphs per day!

You can also do it online: http://www.flocknote.com/catechism

1 like · like · see review

Dec 07, 2007 Chelsie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Megan!!!Come borrow it sometime!

If you are considering catholicism or just curious this is an excellent book to read. Full of information of beliefs and practices. Great tool and source of the catholic faith.

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2009 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Catholics

Shelves: catholicism

It really upsets me that most Catholics haven't read this. Totally shameless.

Read it people!! You never know, you just might learn something.

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 04, 2007 Matt rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Want to know what Catholics believe? Read the Catechism.
And if you have any trouble understanding anything stated, simply look up and read the references.

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Mar 20, 2013 Juan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion-faves

Even if, like a few of my friends, you are a stone-cold atheist, you could still profit immensely from an attentive reading of the catechism. In many ways it's a history of Western philosophy from 325 AD to the Reformation, and you cannot claim to understand the history and development of Europe without at least a rudimentary grasp of the Catholic Church and its theology. Sure, it can be dry and exasperatingly circular, BUT this book is so well indexed and footnoted that you can lay it aside for...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Lynn Mcatee rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you want to know what the Catholic Church teaches, this is THE BOOK that tells it like it is.
No fiction, no false information, but the collective wisdom of the Leaders of the Church and a compelation of the wisdom and truth as taught by Jesus Christ and safeguarded for more than two thousand years by the Teachin Authority of the Catholic Church. Any question you may have is answered somewhere in this Church Document.
Other books that state the teachings of Jesus have been written by:
GK Chester...more

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Oct 07, 2011 TeacherMrLoria rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You know, the religion where the founder said blessed be the humble while the current king lives in a palace and makes people kiss his finger when they meet him. Lies, lies, lies that were once upon a time shoved down my throat.

Religion is the drug of the people. Catholicism is Adderall. Buddhism is oxycodone. Any religion is a fable, some a bit fancier than others (you probably stopped believing in the tooth fairy before you gave up on Santa Claus, right?) Either way, they are all lies. Libera...more

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Dec 20, 2007 Kiki is currently reading it · review of another edition

Shelves: informational, inspirational

a great resource

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2012 Joseph R. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: catholic, read-2012

Started this as spiritual reading thanks to a recommendation from the Happy Catholic. The early part makes me want to read the bible more, for as St. Jerome says, "He who is ignorant of Scriptures is ignorant of Christ."

UPDATE
Finally finished it. It is not the best book to read straight through. It is well organized but a little dry. Not completely dry, though. Many quotes from saints writings (including biographies like Augustine's Confession and St. Teresa's Story of a Soul) are used to illust...more Started this as spiritual reading thanks to a recommendation from the Happy Catholic. The early part makes me want to read the bible more, for as St. Jerome says, "He who is ignorant of Scriptures is ignorant of Christ."

UPDATE
Finally finished it. It is not the best book to read straight through. It is well organized but a little dry. Not completely dry, though. Many quotes from saints writings (including biographies like Augustine's Confession and St. Teresa's Story of a Soul) are used to illustrate or illuminate what's presented. Such quotes gave me a reassuring sense of history and humanity. The sheer number of sources is impressive as is the historical breadth of them. No century of the past 20 seems neglected or overemphasized. The unity of faith throughout the ages is awe inspiring.

That being said, as a comprehensive presentation of the doctrines and life of the Catholic Church, it is necessary to be brief and to the point. The Catechism is a great resource thanks to the thorough indexing and cross referencing. If you have a question or are interested in a specific topic, it is easy to find the information you want. The book is written with paragraph numbers, so citations refer to those numbers rather than page numbers.

To give you a taste, here's the section entitled "Wounds to Unity" (paragraphs 817-819) about the splintering of Christian churches:

817 In fact, "in this one and only Church of God from its very beginnings there arose certain rifts, which the Apostle strongly censures as damnable. But in subsequent centuries much more serious dissensions appeared and large communities became separated from full communion with the Catholic Church - for which, often enough, men of both sides were to blame."269 The ruptures that wound the unity of Christ's Body - here we must distinguish heresy, apostasy, and schism270 - do not occur without human sin:

Where there are sins, there are also divisions, schisms, heresies, and disputes. Where there is virtue, however, there also are harmony and unity, from which arise the one heart and one soul of all believers.271

818 "However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers .... All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church."272

819 "Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth"273 are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements."274 Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him,275 and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."

(less)

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Jan 21, 2013 Marion Miner rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rich in citation from Scripture, the Church Fathers, teachings of the councils, papal encyclicals and more, yet catalogued and presented in a way that makes it very easy to find and read about whatever subject you have in mind. Every Catholic and anyone who ever wonders what or why Catholics believe what they do should have a physical copy of this book on his/her bookshelf.

If you want to know what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, this should be your first resource.

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May 20, 2012 Scott B. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Remarkably, the Catechism achieves both its ends: it sets forth the Faith clearly with verve, intelligence, and beauty. It also answers the pressing dilemmas both ancient and modern with stunning moral integrity. The person who lives by these words will find herself intellectually and emotionally prepared to meet any challenge, no matter how epic. She will die with her soul intact to present to her Creator.

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Aug 04, 2012 Patti Clement rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: catechesis-and-theology, catholic-identity, liturgy-worship-and-sacraments, spirituality-and-prayer, doctrine

Every faithful christian of the Roman Catholic tradition should have this catechism on their bookshelf. Other christians may also find it useful in that it is a wonderful resource with references to source documents which shed light on the history of Christianity. Entire catechism is well written, but 1/4 of the catechism is on prayer and it has lots of jewels in that section.

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Mar 25, 2012 Markkelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was required to read this cover to cover for a graduate school class. I was not happy about it, but once I started, I enjoyed in thoroughly.

It is a great tool for those looking to know more about the faith and why the Church professes what She does. Each paragraph contains the reference on which the teaching is drawn. If you have the time, read the references.

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Oct 19, 2012 Russel rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read large portions of this book while taking Theology and have gone back to it several times over the years. I really enjoy looking here to get a definitive and authoritative understanding of the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. It is really eloquent and their beliefs are clearly dilineated here and with reason.

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