Is there a site where I can download the catechism freely ?

-- Christian (anon@anon.com), March 19, 2003

Answers

You can find an online one here:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

-- Prose (arpeggio69@hotmail.com), March 19, 2003.

The Catholic Catechism is approximately 800 pages. If it does cost $8.99 at places like Amazon.com or other bookstores, I'd recommend that one purchase it instead of spending more on an ink cartridge ($20-$30) and paper for a printer.

If you'd like to print extracts, the online copies already mentioned are formatted for printing.

God bless you,

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), March 20, 2003.

Christian,

I've said this so many times, I'm probably beginning to sound like a commercial, but you can often find a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church very reasonably on ebay.

-- Anna <>< (flower@youknow.com), March 20, 2003.

Hi All.

I've seen the $8.95 book at Walden Books. Hang on a second. Are there two different versions of the Catholic Catechism? I've also seen some with hardcovers for around $16.00. The only title I remember is the Baltimore.

rod

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 24, 2003.

The Nazareth Resource Library website provides the text of five Catechisms. Here is an intro they provide:

"The Nazareth Resource Library is pleased to present this integrated, hyperlinked collection of five historic catechisms. It contains the two Church-wide or "universal" catechisms the Church has issued -- the Catechism of the Council of Trent and the new Catechism of the Catholic Church -- plus three "particular" or local catechisms of great historic influence -- the Catechetical Instructions of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Baltimore Catechism (4), and the Catechism of St. Pius X."

In Christ,

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), March 25, 2003.

http://www.kofc.org/faith/catechism/catechism.cfm

The above is a searchable site, that is very easy to use, of the latest catechism. Don't let people lead you astray, this is the newest catechism -- the one from which the modern Church teaches. Notice it is from the Knights of Columbus websit. God Bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), March 25, 2003.

John writes:

"Don't let people lead you astray, this is the newest catechism -- the one from which the modern Church teaches."

John, I'm wondering what you meant by this. Could you explain what you believe could lead someone astray in a mundane discussion about the Catechism?

For the most recent online Catechism, here is readable version from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, instead of the "search only" ability.

In Christ,

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), March 25, 2003.

Hi Mateo.

Does it really matter which Catechism book I get or should it be the one by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops? I was under the impression that Trent, Baltimore, or whatever were the same. I guess not, huh?

(?andas mas calmado?)

rod

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 25, 2003.

Stick with Trent. Go to google search. type in

catechism council of trent

You can burn or download tne whole thing

-- Ed Richards (lozta@yahoo.com), March 25, 2003.

Rod writes:

"Does it really matter which Catechism book I get or should it be the one by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops? I was under the impression that Trent, Baltimore, or whatever were the same. I guess not, huh?"

Word-by-word, the various catechisms may differ; but they all teach the same doctrinal truth. We are fortunate to have a Catechism written only a few years ago. This is some introductory text that explains the various Catechisms:

"The catechisms are presented in historic order. First, the Catechetical Instructions of St. Thomas Aquinas, an introductory work the great saint preached during Lent in 1273 (making it the last thing he ever wrote, as he died a few months later; it is also much simpler to read than his immortal Summa Theologiae). Second, the Catechism of the Council of Trent, first released in 1566 in the wake of the Protestant Reformation (this catechism is also known as the Roman Catechism and the Catechism of St. Pius V, who was pope at the time). Third, the Baltimore Catechism number 4, first released in 1891. Fourth, the Catechism of St. Pius X (this work was suggested by St. Pius X when he was still archbishop of Mantua). Fourth and finally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was released in 1992 and is the current teaching standard of the Church.

Each catechism is uniquely valuable in its own way. Aquinas's and Pius X's catechisms are shorter and useful as summaries, while the two "universal" catechisms are longer and useful for finding in-depth explanations. The Baltimore Catechism (4) is a bridge between the two kinds, as it contains a short catechism (the Baltimore Catechism number 2) with commentary to give a more in-depth explanation.

Aquinas's catechism is written as a brief prose summary of Christian teaching. Trent's catechism is written in a in-depth, informative style and is meant to be used as a basis for priests to preach their homilies from. The Baltimore Catechism (4) is written to help catechists have more detailed background on the lessons they are teaching. Pius X's catechism is written in a memorizable, question and answer format. And the CCC is written in an in-depth, inspirational style for a global audience.

Reading the catechisms in their historical order is very informative, as they are each written to apply the Catholic faith to five very different cultures and historical circumstances. For example, in Aquinas's day, every Christian understood God's use of the sacraments as instruments of his grace, so Aquinas whizzes over this part of Christian doctrine more quickly than the later three catechisms, which were written after a sizable number of Christians had begun to reject this part of the faith of Christ. The CCC, on the other hand, is written to engage a global audience which is largely un-Catholic (secular, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and otherwise), while the four earlier catechisms are written for those in Catholic cultures, except for the Baltimore Catechism, which was written for the Catholic minority in America.

There is also a development in doctrine across the course of the five catechisms, due to the efforts of the Holy Spirit in progressively leading the Church "into all truth" (cf. John 16:13; the development of doctrine across history being something even Protestants recognize).

And there is a shift in the disciplines across the five Catechisms, due to the fact that each time and culture has different pastoral needs which must be addressed. Thus, for example, the regulations concerning matrimony, receiving the Eucharist, the so-called "minor orders" (acolyte, exorcist, rector, and porter, together with subdeacon), and dealing with non-Catholics have changed over time. One should always consult the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as the current Code of Canon Law, to find out the current pastoral regulations. One should not assume the old disciplines are still in force, as they often are not (the situation of the average Christian in Aquinas's Middle Ages being very different from that of the average Christian in the Post-Modern world, with the pastoral needs of the time being correspondingly different)."

Back to your question: does it matter which one you get? Well, you should begin with the 1997 edition of the Catholic Catechism. This web page provides both links to purchase the Catechism (English or Spanish) and FAQs regarding the Catechism.

Rod writes:

"(?andas mas calmado?)"

Siempre soy asi.

In Christ,

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), March 25, 2003.

Hi Mateo.

Your reply is very informative. I've been holding off getting a book, but now I think I know what to look for. I should just get them all, eventually.

(que bueno que andamos asi mismos.) If I could only figure out this keyboard...

rod

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 25, 2003.