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CATECHISM OF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Aim and Intended Readership
of this Catechism
This catechism aims at presenting
an organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental
contents of Catholic doctrine, as regards both
faith and morals, in the light of the Second Vatican
Council and the whole of the Church's Tradition.
Its principal sources are the Sacred Scriptures,
the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the
Church's Magisterium. It is intended to serve
"as a point of reference for the catechisms
or compendia that are composed in the various
countries."
This work is intended primarily
for those responsible for catechesis: first of
all the bishops, as teachers of the faith and
pastors of the Church. It is offered to them as
an instrument in fulfilling their responsibility
of teaching the People of God. Through the bishops,
it is addressed to redactors of catechisms, to
priests, and to catechists. It will also be useful
reading for all other Christian faithful.
Structure of This Catechism
The plan of this catechism is inspired
by the great tradition of catechisms which build
catechesis on four pillars: the baptismal profession
of faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith,
the life of faith (the Commandments), and the
prayer of the believer (the Lord's Prayer).
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Part One: The Profession
of Faith
Those who belong to Christ through faith
and Baptism must confess their baptismal
faith before men. First therefore the Catechism
expounds revelation, by which God addresses
and gives himself to man, and the faith
by which man responds to God (Section One).
The profession of faith summarizes the gifts
that God gives man: as the Author of all
that is good; as Redeemer; and as Sanctifier.
It develops these in the three chapters
on our baptismal faith in the one God: the
almighty Father, the Creator; his Son Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Savior; and the Holy
Spirit, the Sanctifier, in the Holy Church
(Section Two).
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Part Two: The Celebration
of the Christian Mystery
The second part of the Catechism explains
how God's salvation, accomplished once for
all through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit,
is made present in the sacred actions of
the Church's liturgy (Section One), especially
in the seven sacraments (Section Two).
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Part Three: Life in Christ
and
Part Four: Christian Prayer
Part Three:
The third part of the Catechism deals with
the final end of man created in the image
of God: beatitude, and the ways of reaching
it—through right conduct freely chosen,
with the help of God's law and grace (Section
One), and through conduct that fulfills
the twofold commandment of charity, specified
in God's Ten Commandments (Section Two).
Part Four:
The last part of the Catechism deals with
the meaning and importance of prayer in
the life of believers (Section One). It
concludes with a brief commentary on the
seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer (Section
Two), for indeed we find in these the sum
of all the good things which we must hope
for and which our heavenly Father wants
to grant us.
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Compiled by:
BENJAMIN G. JUAREZ
Media for Christ Foundation, Inc.
Founding Chairman
Media for Christ Foundation,
Inc. is a non-stock and non-profit entity
of dedicated Catholics with the purpose of spreading
God's Word through the powerful use of radio,
television, films, video-audio cassettes and print
media; God's presence in media is given impetus,
primary importance and consideration; foster friendship
and brotherhood among members forged by affinity
to one spiritual Savior; serve as a catalyst for
the realization and implementation of spiritually,
socially and economically significant plans and
projects of the government, religious and non-government
organizations that jive with the stand of the
Church; conduct, pursue and undertake activities
geared toward the uplift of personal relationships
between God and man, help form and develop good
and committed followings of the Catholic faith
through the use of media.
Excerpts in Briefs
From the 1997 Catechism of the Catholic Church
Courtesy of Media for Christ Foundation, Inc.
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