The Catechism of the Catholic Church

1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

2. What is a Catechism? • In common usage, a catechism is a text which contains fundamental Christian truths, formulated in a clear way so that their understanding and reception are made easier. Origin of the word • It derives from "catechesis“ • The Greek word (κατηχιsmός) means • to proclaim loudly • to make an echoing sound • to teach by word of mouth • A word which the ancient Greeks used in the theatre • Use in the early Church (Acts 18; Galatians 6). Editorial Commission of the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INFORMATIVE DOSSIER (http://www.vatican.va)

3. Catechesis Catechesis indicates the primary duty of a Christian – to spread the faith. The deeds and the work had to provoke an "echo" in the mind and in the heart of the listeners, to transform all their life. Catechesis denotes both the act of instructing and the subject-matter of the instruction.

4. The Origins of Catechism • Instruction for the catechumenate in preparation for Baptism • Religious instruction of children • The first manual resembling a modern catechism was used by Alcuino (735-804); • question and answer format • widely used until the 12th Century New Catholic Dictionary (http://www.catholic-forum.com)

5. Famous Catechisms through History • Martin Luther and John Calvin • Catechisms of the Reformation • Peter Canisius • A catechism for the masses • Catholics in exile • Penny Catechism

6. Two Most Famous Catechisms • Roman Catechism Catechism of the Council of Trent - 1566 • not a school-book, but a manual for the catechist and teacher • brought about a greater uniformity of Christian doctrine flowing the rise of the Protestant Reformation. • Baltimore Catechism Third Council of Baltimore, MD – 1885 The establishment of a uniform textbook of Christian doctrine for American Catholics New Catholic Dictionary (http://www.catholic-forum.com) Last universal catechism Only for Catholic Church in America

7. The Penny Catechism • Purpose • Original cost - • question and answer form • 370 questions and answers to be memorized The Penny Catechism: a long lasting text  J. P. Marmion (http://faculty.ed.uiuc.edu/westbury/Paradigm/Marmion3.html) One Penny

8. Sample Questions from the Penny Catechism • Why did God make you? • What must you do to save your soul? • What do you mean when you say that the Pope is infallible? • Why did our Savior suffer?

9. Answers Why did God make you? • God made me to know Him, love Him and serve Him in this world, and be happy with Him forever in the next.

10. What must you do to save your soul? • To save my soul I must worship God by Faith, Hope and Charity; that is, I must believe in him, I must hope in him, and I must love him with my whole heart.

11. What do you mean when you say that the Pope is infallible? • When I say that the Pope is infallible, I mean that the Pope cannot err when, as Shepherd and Teacher of all Christians, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals, to be held by the whole Church.

12. Why did our Savior suffer? • Our Savior suffered to atone for our sins, and to purchase for us eternal life.

13. And Now Four centuries in the making A monumental undertaking The first definitive universal Catholic Catechism since the Council of Trent in 1566 Detailing the doctrine, dogma, and the basic tenets of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

14. Catechism of The Catholic ChurchTimeline • October 1985:The recommendation of the Synod of Bishops:"There were many who expressed the wish that a catechism of all Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals be prepared. • July 1986:Decision of the Holy Father to appoint a Commission of Cardinals and Bishops for the preparation of a catechism. • 1987:40 international experts are consulted • February 1989:A draft is sent to all Bishops for their observations • 1991:There have been seven editions since the beginning of the undertaking • 25 June 1992:Official approval by the Holy Father of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.