What Is The Catechism?

Man is made to know and to love God. God the Father, “in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man” (CCC, 1).  In the Death and Resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, God invited all men to become His children, heirs of His divinity.

The Apostles accepted this invitation, and they extended it to others in proclaiming the Good News throughout the world. The Church continues to proclaim this Faith, handing it on to each generation. This “handing on” is called catechesis, which Blessed John Paul II defines as:

…an education in the faith of children, young people, and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life (CCC, 5).

Catechesis is as old as the Twelve Apostles, but it wasn’t until twenty years ago that the Church published the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In his forward to the Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church (YOUCAT), Pope Benedict XVI explains that the twentieth century was a difficult time for the Church. Many people,

…were confused about what Christians actually believe, what the Church teaches, whether in fact she can teach anything at all, and how everything can find its place in a culture that had changed from its very foundations.

Blessed John Paul II saw these problems and boldly decided to publish the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in order to unite the scattered Children of God.

This synthesis of Catholic doctrine draws from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church’s Magisterium. Traditionally, catechesis was built on four pillars: “the baptismal profession of the faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith, the life of faith (the Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the Lord’s Prayer)” (CCC, 13). The Catechism of the Catholic Church follows this structure as well. It is primarily intended for teachers of the faith, but it serves as a point of reference for all Christian faithful.

While the Catechism is meant to be conceived as a whole, we will slowly work our way through its key teachings here on Open Wide the Doors. Together we will gain a better understanding of Church doctrine, so that we can participate in handing it on to others. Can there be a better way to celebrate the Year of Faith?