Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition [Hardcover]

U.S. Catholic Church (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 4, 2003

Here it is -- the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years, a complete summary of what Catholic throughout the world believe in common. This book is the catechism (the word means "instruction") that will serve as the standarad for all future catechisms.

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. 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. Here is a positive, coherent and contemporary map for our spiritual journey toward transformation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is, as Pope John Paul II calls it, "a special gift."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A sure and certain standard for the teaching of the faith." -- Pope John Paul II.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Review

"A sure and certain standard for the teaching of the faith." -- Pope John Paul II.


From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 825 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion; 1st purchase: 8/1/06, Random House, Qty: 100, Unit cost: $5.98, Total: $598 2nd purchase: 7/16/07, Random House, Qty: 100, Unit cost: $5.98, Total: $598 edition (March 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385508190
• ISBN-13: 978-0385508193
• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 1.6 x 7.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (145 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Theology

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

229 of 235 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Catholics Need This September 17, 2005

By A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I grew up Catholic, served as an altar boy, followed the sacraments and thought I was a Catholic.

I received this as a gift from my parents. While thumbing through it, I realized I had no idea what being a Catholic was.

"Catechism of the Catholic Church" -- officially published by the Vatican -- is used by both protestant and Catholic schools to teach what Catholics believe. The top evangelical college in America (Wheaton College) even uses it for their Catholic theology course.

I realized while reading this I had no idea what a Catholic baptism was, what the Catholic Church said about saints, what Rome has to say about Catholics who have converted to another Christian faith. And I learned some things the priest in our Chicagoland parish was not teaching Catholic doctrine.

Whether you are Catholic or not, there is a fair chance you've bought into some of what pop-culture has said Catholic is and is not. This easy-to-read (thick, but well-organized) book will give you the Catholic position on the matter.

I fully recommend "Catechism of the Catholic Church."

Anthony Trendl
[...]

122 of 126 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Articulation of the Catholic Faith December 12, 2004

By Karl B. Erickson

Format:Hardcover

One might expect the Catechism to be dry and difficult to understand, but I am incredibly impressed with how well-written and clear the book is to the reader. It not only clearly explains difficult theological concepts so that the lay reader can understand, but it is filled with wonderful footnotes for further research. It is incredibly insghtful and written with a care which really shines through to bless the reader. Whether one is a Catholic, a searching protestant, or one trying to simply understand the Church more clearly, this is the book for you. Investing in its reading will benefit you in the years to come.

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good little Catechism January 17, 2006

By Veritas Luke

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A good priest I know says every Catholic should own and read at least three books: The Bible, Documents of Vatican II, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (if you're not Catholic and want to learn what the Church really teaches the Catechism is a good place to start). I agree. The Catechism is an invaluable resource in helping one to know and understand their faith and is chocked full of insightful citations to the other two must-read books mentioned above. You can read it from front to back or use the Subject Index to find what you're most interested in. This version is also very small (you can easily hold it in one hand) but the font is still readable.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice price, a bit teensy January 14, 2008

By T. A. Ashley

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this version of the Catechism to replace the original first edition by Ligouri Press that I had before (ahem) "lending" it to someone a few years ago and never getting it back. I miss that first edition for a number of reasons, not the least of which were my rather copious margin notes and highlights I had made, as well as it's overall heft. The only downside was that they subsequently did some revisions and issued a separate addendum containing the corrections. For the record, that addendum always stayed with the main book and is presumed "missing" along with its main volume. Without getting too bogged down in the history of the book, the First Edition was based largely (if not exclusively) on the French translation of the Catechism. Once they completed the Latin version and began cross-checking, they discovered a number of linguistic inadequacies that were later addressed through the addendum then through subsequent issuances (like this one.)

I was pleased to find this 2nd edition printing available (in hard cover, no less) for such a decent price. And to be certain, it is indeed the "revised" (based on the Latin text) version of the new Catechism. The reality of things hit me as soon as I pulled the volume from the box it shipped in. This edition is at least 1.5-2 inches smaller in both height and width than it's Ligouri predecessor. It also seems a skosh thinner than I remember the original being. I'm guessing this is due to smaller margins and MUCH smaller typeface, as well as some apparent content that was trimmed from this edition (primarily indices).

The book does seem to be well constructed; the binding is tight, the leaves appear clean-cut and a casual pass-through noted no noticeable bleeds, smudges or mis-registers.... Aside from my expectations with regard to dimensions, it seems to be a nice, solid publication. The 4-star rating was for the overall size of the volume and typeface. The Catechism itself receives a solid 5-stars for content, and will likely be the Catholic Church's legacy to future generations for many, many years to come. Read more ›

59 of 67 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Caveat Emptor! Incomplete edition May 27, 2006

By Milton T. Walsh

Format:Hardcover

This Doubleday edition of the Catechism is incomplete - it lacks the Index of Citations and Glossary, and the Subject Index is incomplete. It is dishonest to present this as the second edition.

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The authoritative source of what Catholics believe October 14, 2006

By Gabriel E. Borlean VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

While I grew up Protestant (Baptist) I didn't know that any Christian group had such a thing as a Catechism book, a book of their confession, or even by-laws. I thought all that was needed was the Bible (sola Scriptura). As a result all I learned about who the Catholics are and what they believe was from pastors with an anti-Catholic ax to grind, mis-informed or non-practicing Catholic classmates, and biased anti-Romish Protestant literature.

Since I had so many questions from church history and interactions with devout and God-fearing Catholics, I found this book invaluable in understanding certain Roman-Catholic Church (RCC) doctrines.

This Catechism of the RCC is very well organized, with valuable cross-references, and easy to read and understand. While I do not agree with all the doctrines and interpretations, I respect the Catholic Christians who know what their church teaches (i.e. read their Catechism) and love the Lord.