Is it a sin to not read The Catechism after 16 years of age (I heard it's mandatory)

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Angel7

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Is it mandatory to read The Catechism ( or start reading it) after 16 years of age?

If so, how often?

Everyday, once a week, etc…

Is it a sin not to do so? (Read The Catechism of The Catholic Church)

I might have trouble, because I don’t think my parents would buy me a copy of The Catechism of The Catholic Church.
 
It’s not a sin, but I encourage you to read the Catechism to learn the faith. Most Catholics are ignorant of the faith. I am a convert and know this well. Learn your faith, to defend your faith. Read the bible with the Catechism and you will be a force to be reckoned with!:knight2:
 
All Catholics who are capable are obliged to learn the precepts, doctrines and practices of the Faith and of their own sui iuris Church. Whether you do this through the Catechism, or reading reliable articles on the internet or books from the Fathers etc, it’s learning what the Church teaches that is the purpose.
 
It should be mandatory, but it’s not. 😉

In all seriousness, though, it is not obligatory to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). It’s definitely a great idea and a great way to learn more about the Catholic faith (which should be a priority in every Catholic’s life), but it does not carry the penalty of sin if you do not do so.

With Christmas coming up, it would make a great gift idea to suggest to your parents. 😉 Nonetheless, you can read the entire Catechism online right here:

scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

It is also available on the Vatican website (though this is the 1st edition, not the 2nd edition) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) website, but I find it easier to use the first link as it has a great search feature and a well-laid out table of contents.

So nothing is stopping you from reading it every day, provided you have an internet connection. 🙂
 
I’m a 50 year old revert and just this year I attended a Core Compendium Class on the Catechism.

(Perhaps had I more fully understand the Sacraments and the history of Christ’s Church, I wouldn’t have been absent from Her for 20 years).

I’d suggest attending a Core Compendium Class if your parish provides them. It’s an active way to “do” the Catechism and the group interaction is inspiring and educational.

I came to see the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and the Eucharist in whole new Light.

Pope Benedict wrote the Compendium (basically it’s like Cliff Notes for the Catechism) and the book is available online at the Vatican:

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

or can be owned:

amazon.com/Compendium-Catechism-Catholic-Ratzinger-Benedict/dp/1574557203

between $10 to $15.
 
Actually, if you do read the CCC, you’ll see that you are not actually the primary audience. Look at CCC # 12. The CCC is primarily intended for those responsible for Catechesis. It then lists bishops, redactors (adapting that is), priests, catechists, and finally the faithful at number 5.
 
Its not mandatory but personally I think they should make it mandatory. We have too many poorly catechized Catholics out there.
 
The Church grants a partial indulgence for learning one’s faith, e.g. reading the Catechism. Winning indulgences lets you help to fill Our Lady’s “war chest”, relieve the Poor Souls, become a better Christian.
 
Angel7 said:
Is it mandatory to read The Catechism ( or start reading it) after 16 years of age?
Click to expand...
No.

In fact, you could substitute “The Catechism” in the sentence above with any written material . . . and it’s still not a sin - by itself.

Pax,
OA
 
Angel7 said:
What does That mean? (Bolded Underlined Italicized)
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It means the Rite to which you belong. Latin Rite for you, but others might belong to the Byzantine Rite, Maronite Rite, etc, and they are under a different code of canon law, for instance.
 
Angel7 said:
What does That mean? (Bolded Underlined Italicized)
Click to expand...
Don’t worry about it too much. 😉

It’s basically a fancy Latin phrase for talking about the particular Catholic churches that make up the universal Catholic Church. Most of us are only familiar with the Latin Church as that makes up the vast majority of the world’s Catholics. But there are also 22 Eastern Catholic Churches that are also just as much a part of the Catholic Church. These Eastern Catholic Churches have many of their own traditions, and even a separate Code of Canon Law, but, of course, the doctrine is the same.

I think Stuart just meant that every Catholic, regardless of what rite, has a responsibility to learn the practices that may be particular to the rite that he/she belongs to.
 
Yes, a nice Catholic Catechism would be a wonderful Christmas gift. I haven’t heard of it being mandatory to read the Catechism after age 16, either. However, you are supposed to educate yourself (and your children, if you have any) on the teachings of the Catholic Church. So perhaps that is what you are thinking of? I find that going through an examination of conscience can be helpful since it indicates what I should not be doing.
 
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