Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church [Paperback]

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Author), Pope Benedict XVI (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1574557203 | ISBN-13: 978-1574557206 | Publication Date: October 20, 2005

Catholics' hunger for the faith continues to grow. Pope Benedict XVI gives the Church the "food" that is seeks in the 598 questions and answers in the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This 200-page volume offers a quick synopsis of the essential contents of the faith as promulgated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Like the 1992 Catechism, the Compendium has a four-part structure, and includes a section on common prayers and Catholic doctrinal formulas. Because of the question-and-answer format, catechetical leaders-parents, pastors, teachers, principals, and catechists-have a unique opportunity to dialogue with the faithful, and reinvigorate the Church's ongoing mission of evangelization and catechesis. Individuals can come "to know the unfathomable riches of the salvific mystery of Jesus Christ" by reading, using, and memorizing parts of the Compendium of the Catechism. An essential tool for youth and young adults, the Compendium is the perfect companion to a youth or young adult's Bible, spiritual reading, or textbook. Catechetical leaders in high schools, colleges, and parishes will appreciate its versatility-as a reference book, discussion starter, or core resource for RCIA programs. Fourteen images taken from masterpieces of Christian art set a tone for each part or section. "The sacred images, with their beauty, are also a proclamation of the Gospel and express the splendor of the Catholic truth," explained Pope Benedict XVI. The Compendium of the Catechism was prepared by a commission presided by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Following the request for greater appreciation of the Catechism, and in order to meet a widespread need that emerged during the 2002 International Catechetical Congress, in 2003 the Holy Father established a special commission, presided by the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, that he charged with preparing a Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, containing a more concise and dialogic version of the same contents of Catholic faith and morals.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Here's a perspective from a teenager: The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a HUGE book and is therefore harder for me to approach and read. Yes, when I have a question about the faith I try and consult it, but sometimes topics are hard to find. The language used is very beautiful, but also very hard to understand. Now take this Compendium: The set up involving the question - answer format is very user friendly. It covers all the basics and important information. The language used is closer to the vernacular and therefore much easier for the every day person to read and understand. There are pictures, quotes, and prayer references. I was a bit wary when I bought it, but for the first time I have voluntarily approached the catechism just for the sake of reading it. I have been able to clearly understand things presented. Now, I understand that it doesn't replace the actual Catechism, but here's another plus: There are side notes that link the text to paragraphs in the Catechism. So when you feel ready to move on to further study you can do so. Overall it is an amazing resource for Catholics and for people interested in the faith but who are a bit wary of picking up a ten pound book.

Crux of the News : "It will be an essential tool for youths and young adults, and the perfect companion to a youth or young adult's Bible, spiritual reading, or textbook. Catechetical leaders in high schools, colleges, and parishes will appreciate its versatility as a reference book, discussion starter, or core resource for RCIA programs." --Anna Sproull

About the Author

Now Pope Benedict XVI. At the time worked on the writing commission of the Compendium he was Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith. Pope Benedict XVI, formerly Joseph Ratzinger, was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1951. He was elected pope in 2005.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (October 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574557203
• ISBN-13: 978-1574557206
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

161 of 163 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got Questions? The Compendium Has Answers, April 1, 2006

By 

Rich Leonardi (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paperback)

Bishop Donald Wuerl, past chairman and current member of the American bishops' Committee on Catechesis, had this to say about the Compendium, "[It] offers a concise yet complete presentation of the faith. It presents an overview of the whole Cathechism [of the Catholic Church] without going into all of the details that enrich the Catechism. Its primary focus is to provide ready access in a concise manner to the content of the faith."

To the delight of seekers everywhere, the Compendium reintroduces new generations of Catholics to the reliable Q&A format. Twenty five years ago, Silvio Cardinal Oddi, the Prefect for the Sacred Congregation of the Clergy, defended this time-tested format from the attacks of members of supposedly "progressive" catechetical schools. He wisely observed that "specialists in internal medicine, engineering, and chemistry arm themselves with question and answer manuals to check themselves on recent developments in their respective fields." The good cardinal then addressed the progressive complaint directly:

"Captious critics have objected that the Faith is not a series of answers to contrived questions but a way of life. The answer to this objection might well be another question: How can we live a Christian life until we first 'know the truth' (John 8:32)?"

To that end, the Q&A format enables readers to commit the truths of the faith to memory. Indeed, "memorization" is one of the reasons Pope Benedict cites for issuing the Compendium. And thanks to its beautiful, crisp language, doing so can be a labor of love. Read the following excerpt from the section explaining the "Our Father":

"596. What does 'Lead us not into temptation' mean?

We ask God our Father not to leave us alone and in the power of temptation. We ask the Holy Spirit to help us know how to discern, on the one hand, between a trial that makes us grow in goodness and a temptation that leads to sin and death and, on the other hand, between being tempted and consenting to temptation. This petition unites us to Jesus who overcame temptation by his prayer. It requests the grace of vigilance and of final perseverance."

For about the price of a movie ticket, and in a mere 200 pages, you can learn the path to salvation Christ entrusted to His Church. Bargains don't get any better.

134 of 137 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Answers to Questions, April 1, 2006

By 

Michael Dubruiel "annunciations.wordpress.com" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paperback)

What makes the Compendium so compelling is the format. I pick it up and read a few pages of Questions and Answers and usually find some nugget that stays with me for the rest of the day. For example, Question #43 is: "What does it mean to believe in only one God?" Part of the answer is that it means that we are "living in thanksgiving and trusting in him {God} always even in adversity." That is an awesome and practical answer. It can immediately be used in examining how we are living our lives. Do I live my life like I believe in only one God? Am I giving thanks to God when I'm stuck in traffic or when even worst things happen? How about when good things happen?

The Compendium is not a long book, so one can get an overview of the Catholic faith in 204 pages including a survey of Catholic art, Latin prayers to memorize (most will need a pronounciation guide for these)and prayers in English--even a "Coptic Incense Prayer."

Even those who have the Catechism of the Catholic Church will find the Compendium new and very informative.

I am the author of The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift to the Church, April 8, 2006

By 

J. Clark "Catechist/Theology Student" (Memphis) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paperback)

As a catechist I was overjoyed to see the new Compendium of the Catechism. It is an excellent tool for adult catechesis. Although the big "Catechism of the Catholic Church" is indespensable for the catechist, this new smaller Compendium is less intimidating to those who are new to the Catholic faith and it contains all of the teachings of the larger Catechism in a way that is much more accesible. The Catholic Prayers section is excellent, too.