The Catechism of the Catholic Church, issued by the Vatican to establish standards of religious instruction that would apply to all people, will appear in its English-language edition in 1994. Here is a collection of 11 essays by distinguished theologians, educators and linguists that introduces the catechism to American readers and assesses its function.

This is a valuable introduction to the Catechism by the general editor of the Catechism (Schonborn) and the head of the Bishops Commission for the implementation of the Catechism (Ratzinger). Providing helpful insights on how to read and study the Catechism, this book includes a prehistory of the Catechism, an overview of its structure and contents, the major themes and methods in it, a special introduction to the four parts of the Catechism, and specific advice on how to use the Catechism. Ratzinger and Schonborn illuminate the Catechism's teaching on faith, morals, prayer and sacraments, and how a Catholic lives those teachings in today's world. Learn more about Pope Benedict! Visit the

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.

Foreword by Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn The theme of this book is that the Catechism of the Catholic Church, perhaps the most important work on catechesis since the Apostolic Age, offers not only a new, definitive account for our times of the full teaching of the Catholic faith, but also that it is a superbly crafted work from which to learn and to teach the faith. This book reveals the pedagogy embedded in the Catechism, showing every teacher, parent, catechist or student how to discover the key principles that enable one to learn from, and teach from, the Catechism. The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of the "wisdom of the presentation" of the Catechism and of "the depth of its spirituality". These points have rarely been explained in any sustained way and have never before been systematically treated. The unique point about this book is that it focuses on these points, rather than a simple explanation of the content of the Catechism. This book offers a pedagogical approach to the Catechism for handing on the faith of the Catholic Church in any setting, whether home, school and parish. It offers perennially valid teaching points drawn from a perennial text, and an explanation of the 'pedagogy of God' which underpins all authentic teaching methods in the Church. In this way, the book offers a twelve step ‘path to recovery' out of unhealthy catechetical addictions and obsessions which have bedeviled the catechetical world. It is unique in its origin, emerging from a 'catechetical friendship', encouraged by Cardinal Schönborn, between three institutions working in an authentic Catholic catechetical tradition. The three authors display a deep trust and love for the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – words that hold a rich heritage and can be pondered lovingly and searchingly, since they are for our good, for everyone's good.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 540-542) and indexes.

Ratzinger, one of the key persons responsible for the compilation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, offers new insights on the catechetical character and Biblical foundation of the worldwide bestselling Catechism that has had such a positive response from ordinary Catholics across the globe. But he acknowledges that the response of many theologians and "professional religionists" has been negative toward the Catechism. He says that if theologians don't want to be "shut out" of this worldwide development of sensus fidei and lose touch with the common Catholic, they will have to engage the Catechism positively. The main purpose of this book is to offer an invitation to this changed approach to the Catechism. He wants people to see, as he shows here, how the Catechism is an excellent teaching tool that responds to man's deepest questions about the meaning of life, how to live a good life, and how to attain happiness in this life and in eternal life. He shows how the Catechism affirms that man's happiness is love, and that the essence of true love has been manifested in the Person of Jesus Christ. Learn more about Pope Benedict! Visit the

As hunger for the faith continues to grow, Pope Benedict XVI gives the Catholic Church the food it seeks with 598 questions and answers in the