Catechism of the Catholic Church - Questions

[Kanuckistani]

I want to increase my knowledge of the Church and its teachings, and I also want to be a better Catholic. Doing this requires a lot of work on my part (going to church, reading my Bible, etc). With that said, I’ve noticed that there’s a book published by the Vatican called the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Would this book be a good source of information? Mind you, I want a book that dives deep into what Catholicism is. Also, is there anyway to get the Catechism in a non-glossy hard copy (preferably leather and medium size)?

Thank you, and God bless.

PS: Should I use the RSV-2CE as my main Bible, opposed to my current one, the RSV-CE?

 

[PaulfromIowa]

The Catechism is a great resource. It comes in a hardcover version and is also available free online.

 

[bzkoss236]

I want to increase my knowledge of the Church and its teachings, and I also want to be a better Catholic. Doing this requires a lot of work on my part (going to church, reading my Bible, etc). With that said, I’ve noticed that there’s a book published by the Vatican called the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Would this book be a good source of information? Mind you, I want a book that dives deep into what Catholicism is. Also, is there anyway to get the Catechism in a non-glossy hard copy (preferably leather and medium size)?

Thank you, and God bless.

PS: Should I use the RSV-2CE as my main Bible, opposed to my current one, the RSV-CE?

The Catechism is also available or free on the Vatican website as well as the USCCB website (which includes a search feature)

And as to which of those Bible. It is a matter of opinion. Whichever helps you understand the scripture best would be my recommendation.

 

[MaryT777]

I agree the Catechesim is the way to go; free online as well.
Mary.

 

[po18guy]

I agree the Catechesim is the way to go; free online as well.
Mary.

Here is one of the most popular online catechisms. As well, check thrift stores, as I have found several near new catechisms very inexpensively there. As to catechisms, I mush prefer the Vatican edition (Libreria Editrice Vaticana) over the USCCB version, as the subject index is easier to use and the format is larger and easier (ahem!) to read.

 

[Kanuckistani]

Here is one of the most popular online catechisms. As well, check thrift stores, as I have found several near new catechisms very inexpensively there. As to catechisms, I mush prefer the Vatican edition (Libreria Editrice Vaticana) over the USCCB version, as the subject index is easier to use and the format is larger and easier (ahem!) to read.

Thanks! And yes, I’d prefer the Vatican edition as well. Also, I am not too worried about the price.

Thanks for all the links and advice!

 

[Beryllos]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is an excellent source of information. Look for the Second Edition. The changes from the first edition are very slight; there were only small corrections to the translation, and no new material was added. It is available in hardcover. I have not seen it in leather, but you could shop around for that.

I see you are from Ontario, Canada. If your first language is Français, the same catechism is available as Catéchisme de l’Eglise catholique.

If English is your main language, consider also the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA), published by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Some readers find this version more readable or “user-friendly” than the CCC.

For my own study, I have both. I mostly use the CCC because it seems to be more complete and has very precise language. What I like about the USCCA is that it goes into more detail about selected topics.

 

[Gorgias]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a good reference, but I’m not certain that I’d recommend it as a first book to read for a Catholic who wants to start learning more. Instead, I would recommend the United States Catechism for Adults; it’s written in a manner that’s much more friendly for the reader.

 

[fhansen]

I want to increase my knowledge of the Church and its teachings, and I also want to be a better Catholic. Doing this requires a lot of work on my part (going to church, reading my Bible, etc). With that said, I’ve noticed that there’s a book published by the Vatican called the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Would this book be a good source of information? Mind you, I want a book that dives deep into what Catholicism is. Also, is there anyway to get the Catechism in a non-glossy hard copy (preferably leather and medium size)?

Thank you, and God bless.

PS: Should I use the RSV-2CE as my main Bible, opposed to my current one, the RSV-CE?

Ask, seek, and knock. By praying-and studying: the bible, the Catechism, Vat II and other conciliar docs, the writings of early church fathers, lives and writings of the saints, Augustine, Aquinas, theological works such as Ludwig Ott’s “Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma”. But the Catechism is an excellent choice to begin with.

 

[Isaiah45_9]

I want to increase my knowledge of the Church and its teachings, and I also want to be a better Catholic. Doing this requires a lot of work on my part (going to church, reading my Bible, etc). With that said, I’ve noticed that there’s a book published by the Vatican called the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Would this book be a good source of information? Mind you, I want a book that dives deep into what Catholicism is. Also, is there anyway to get the Catechism in a non-glossy hard copy (preferably leather and medium size)?

Thank you, and God bless.

PS: Should I use the RSV-2CE as my main Bible, opposed to my current one, the RSV-CE?

May God Bless you on your journey.

I’d like to echo all the good suggestions given here.

And I’d like to add that you should look for a 2-day retreat in your Parish called: Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP - we like to pronounce it chirp don’t ask, lol). It should greatly help you develop a devoted life plus meet and nurture some great friendships in your Parish.

 

[Joe_5859]

The only place I know to get a nice faux-leather (okay, so its more like vinyl) Catechism is from St. Paul Publications in Australia. It used to be pretty pricy, but it looks like they’ve got a Year of Faith special going.

 

[Joe_5859]

The only real differences between the 1st and 2nd editions of the RSV-CE is that the 2nd edition includes section headings (ie "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand) and it cleans up some of the archaic language (ie the “thee” and “thous”). They did a good job with the second edition and the changes are helpful, but it has always sort of bothered me in that it basically amounts to editorial changes from a publishing company rather than from a body of biblical scholars. But as there are no major changes, it’s really not that big of a deal. If you already have the 1st edition, I wouldn’t necessarily go get the second edition unless the lack of headings is really annoying to you.

 

[Nita]

The only real differences between the 1st and 2nd editions of the RSV-CE is that the 2nd edition includes section headings (ie "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand) and it cleans up some of the archaic language (ie the “thee” and “thous”). They did a good job with the second edition and the changes are helpful, but it has always sort of bothered me in that it basically amounts to editorial changes from a publishing company rather than from a body of biblical scholars. But as there are no major changes, it’s really not that big of a deal. If you already have the 1st edition, I wouldn’t necessarily go get the second edition unless the lack of headings is really annoying to you.

Just a reminder, the OP is looking for the Catechism.
The RSV-CE is a bible, not the Catechism.

 

[po18guy]

The 2CE also reinstates “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14. There may be other differences that I am unaware of.

 

[Mystical777]

The YOUCAT is another great resource!! Not only is the Catechism of the Catolic Church simplyfied for a teen but helps us adults that have a childs mind Understand!!! Anyway my 14 and 17 year old use it and it helps me out as well!
Use it in conjunction with the CCC2 The green Book!!!

 

[Pete_Holter]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is an excellent source of information. Look for the Second Edition. The changes from the first edition are very slight; there were only small corrections to the translation, and no new material was added. It is available in hardcover. I have not seen it in leather, but you could shop around for that.

Greetings in Christ!

One big difference between the two is the definition of lying in paragraph 2483. The first edition says that

“To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead into error someone who has the right to know the truth.”

But the second edition says that

“To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error.”

Ironically, the Vatican website is still running the 1st edition text, but the USCCB and Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church websites both have the 2nd edition text. So it’s best to stick with the latter two for now.

In Christ,
Pete