What do we actually believe as Catholics? Thanks to St. John Paul II we have a “genuine, systematic presentation of the faith[1]” known as the Catechism of the Catholic Church (or CCC).
First, commissioned by John Paul II in the 1980’s, and presented to the faithful in 1992, the Catechism addresses four distinct parts of our faith: The Profession of Faith, The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Life in Christ, and Christian Prayer.
No Home Without
Second, no Catholic home should be without a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. With its handy index and glossary of terms this invaluable reference tool is used to address any questions pertaining to the faith. Also used for continued daily faith formation on the part of believers, as well, the CCC is filled with references to Sacred Scripture, writings of the saints and church documents. Copies of the Catechism can be purchased in bookstores or online. Additionally, one may also opt to view the CCC via the Vatican’s website or the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.
The Catechism and the Third Millennium
Third, in his Apostolic Letter, Laetamur Magnopere, John Paul II foresees the Catechism as being even more important for the third millennium in which we find ourselves. He intuits “an extraordinary commitment to evangelization” will be “urgently needed so that everyone can know and receive the Gospel message and thus grow ‘to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’ (Eph 4:13)[2].” We, Catholics, and people of faith are called to know and share this faith presented in the Catechism. Its wealth of information gives us light to properly understand the faith; helps us to navigate morally and justly in our culture; and guides us in right charity towards our neighbor.
Call to the Faithful
Fourth, calling on the faithful, St. John Paul II the Great ends his letter by giving us a commission:
Through the harmonious and complementary efforts of all the ranks of the People of God, may this Catechism be known and shared by everyone, so that the unity in faith whose supreme model and origin is found in the Unity of the Trinity may be strengthened and extended to the ends of the earth[3].
[1] Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Ed., p. xv). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
[2] Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Ed., p. xv). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
[3] Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Ed., pp. xv–xvi). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
