How to approach the catechism

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I’ve had a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for some time now, and have found it quite difficult. I’ve tried dipping into it, particularly the section on prayer, but I’m wondering if I’m approaching it wrong. It’s an enormous tome, and I’m slowly working through it from start to finish, and I do mean slowly. I feel like I’m doing it all wrong. Is there a handy primer that might give me some inspiration, of should I just keeping plugging away with the slow read-through?
 
I’ve been doing the slow plodding through it. I’m about a fourth of the way through it now, after about a month of reading it. I recently decided to take a break from it and read other Catholic faith books, and some of them handily refer back to the Catechism by paragraph number. Lighthouse Catholic Media has companion materials, I believe. Perhaps I’m not the best one to answer since I’m new to the church, but that is my experience with reading it. I’ll go back to plodding through it after I finish “Theology and Sanity,” which was lent to me by one of the teachers of the rcis class I attend.
 
First read CCC 18-22 " Practical Directions For Using This Catechism"

Check out the Glossary starting on page 864. This is a “when all else fails” type section.

While it can be a pain, check out the cross-references in the margins.

The footnotes contain Scripture references. However, they will be more helpful when the context, verses above and below, are read.

The universal Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, is not a page turner.

Take you time. Enjoy what you find! Look for what you will enjoy! The rest will eventually fit in.
 
Also try the compendium of the CCC. Abbreviated version to get you started. 🙂
 
I just use the CCC as a reference–when I first returned to the Church, I got the Baltimore Catechisms (0–2, altho my oldest at the time was only 3 :o) and then moved on to Radio Replies, which gives a lot of the reasoning behind the teachings.

First, the CCC was written to be a document from which local bishops would derive catechisms for use in their particular circumstances, and second, I found the CCC to be somewhat more mystical than I am personally able to comprehend. It’s a matter of the reader’s style, I think, because some people take to the CCC really easily.
 
I have a four volume set (e-book) called “Living the Catechism of the Catholic Church” that is very instructive and useful…the hard copy is available on Amazon.com…you may want to check it out.
 
Eruvande said:
I’ve had a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for some time now, and have found it quite difficult. I’ve tried dipping into it, particularly the section on prayer, but I’m wondering if I’m approaching it wrong. It’s an enormous tome, and I’m slowly working through it from start to finish, and I do mean slowly. I feel like I’m doing it all wrong. Is there a handy primer that might give me some inspiration, of should I just keeping plugging away with the slow read-through?
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While the Catechism has proven invaluable to Catholic laity, it really wasn’t meant to serve as the actual teaching Catechism; it was originally meant to serve as a norm and basis for Episcopal Conferences to develop teaching Catechisms. Examples of such works are the Youth Catechism and the United States Catechism for Adults, which are then supposed to be used by teachers and students.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, I could say it’s not surprising. You may wish to refer to the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or one of the works I mentioned.
 
Ah, so it is more of a reference book than a read-through. That makes sense. i think for the time being, I’ll stick to more accessible books designed for the potential convert, rather than a seasoned pro!
 
Eruvande said:
Ah, so it is more of a reference book than a read-through. That makes sense. i think for the time being, I’ll stick to more accessible books designed for the potential convert, rather than a seasoned pro!
Click to expand...
Yes, exactly. The CCC itself says:
11 This catechism aims at presenting an organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine, as regards both faith and morals, in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church’s Tradition. Its principal sources are the Sacred Scriptures, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church’s Magisterium.** It is intended to serve “as a point of reference for the catechisms or compendia that are composed in the various countries”.**

12 This work is intended primarily for those responsible for catechesis: first of all the bishops, as teachers of the faith and pastors of the Church. It is offered to them as an instrument in fulfilling their responsibility of teaching the People of God. Through the bishops, it is addressed to redactors of catechisms, to priests, and to catechists. It will also be useful reading for all other Christian faithful.

And in the Apostolic Constitution Fidei depositum promulgating the Catechism, Pope St. John Paull II said (emphasis mine):

Therefore, I ask the Church’s Pastors and the Christian faithful to receive this catechism in a spirit of communion and to use it assiduously in fulfilling their mission of proclaiming the faith and calling people to the Gospel life. **This catechism is given to them that it may be a sure and authentic reference text for teaching Catholic doctrine and particularly for preparing local catechisms. **
 
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