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jm060409

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Hello all.

To give some background, I am Protestant and have been my entire life. I have reached a point in my life where I desire to explore other pathways, namely Catholicism. Over time I have read some books outlining the basic believes. However, I desire something deeper.

Naturally, I would look to the catechism. I was wondering if anyone had an outline of study for the catechism? Or, if anyone has used a certain methodology in studying the catechism?

Mainly, I would like to have a resource that is understandable, but also allows me to really get a feel for Catholicism. I currenty attempt to read the Bible daily and feel that I have some considerable knowledge. Meaning, I feel that I can understand an easy to medium level difficulty of doctrine.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
 
jm060409 said:
Hello all.

To give some background, I am Protestant and have been my entire life. I have reached a point in my life where I desire to explore other pathways, namely Catholicism. Over time I have read some books outlining the basic believes. However, I desire something deeper.

Naturally, I would look to the catechism. I was wondering if anyone had an outline of study for the catechism? Or, if anyone has used a certain methodology in studying the catechism?

Mainly, I would like to have a resource that is understandable, but also allows me to really get a feel for Catholicism. I currenty attempt to read the Bible daily and feel that I have some considerable knowledge. Meaning, I feel that I can understand an easy to medium level difficulty of doctrine.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
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Greetings Jm060409,

I am leading a group on Catholic Answers Groups that is studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We are breaking it down into manageable sections. There are questions and answers in there. You are more than welcome to join.

You can find that link here.

forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=1247

Just hit join group and I will approve the request.

Personally everyday I do about 15 minutes of Lectio Divno with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

My best advice is to find something that interests you and look it up in the index in the back. It is far rather more interesting that way than to read it from beginning to end, though you can do that too.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit
 
The Coming Home Network has a guide for studying the Bible and the Catechism together in one year. www.chnetwork.org. This website is operated by a former Protestant minister, and he and his team help others on the journey toward the Church, especially Protestant clergy, but they assist lay people as well.
 
If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, stay out of BOOKS!

If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, get to know CATHOLICS! People!

The Faith of the Catholic Church does not exist in books. They will only mislead you. Get to know practicing Catholics, a few really well, and many at least a little.

Consider the stories in the New Testament. Are they the stories of people reading books? Jesus traveled around, visited people, and MET and SPOKE personally with PEOPLE. The Apostles Peter and Paul did the same thing.

Pope Benedict XVI wrote this in his first encyclical: “Being Christian is NOT the result of an ETHICAL choice or a lofty IDEA, but the ENCOUNTER with an event, a PERSON…”

The Catholic Faith is incarnated, so to speak, in the Catholic people. Jesus never wrote a single book. Even the Apostles Peter and Paul never wrote anything more than brief letters.

Get to know priests, nuns, deacons, lay people, monks. Go on a retreat. Go to various Catholic masses. The only Catholic Faith that REALLY exists or ever have existed is that which is alive in the hearts, minds, and lives of actual living Catholics.

Get to know really holy Catholics, and get to know really sinful Catholics. There ARE both types, you must realize.

Just reading about Catholicism is like just reading about a certain make and model of car, but never going to actually look at one or test drive it. It’s like just reading travel books about Italy as your vacation, but never actually going to Italy! Ugh!

To me, even the term “Catholicism” is problematic. The faith of Jesus Christ that is followed (or not followed) by Catholics is not really an “-ism.” The faith of Jesus Christ is not a System of Belief. The faith of Jesus Christ is not a beautiful, ornate theology or philosophy or treatise or cathedral or stained glass window. Pope Benedict again: “Being Christian is NOT the result of an ETHICAL choice or a lofty IDEA, but the ENCOUNTER with an event, a PERSON…”

Pray along with the Catholic Mass–it is the most Catholic thing that Catholic do every week. Say the words. Listen to the words. Feel the words. Feel whatever you are feeling as you do. See what you see.

Pope Benedict again: “Being Christian is NOT the result of an ETHICAL choice or a lofty IDEA, but the ENCOUNTER with an event, a PERSON…”

Best wishes.
 
Given the state of Catechesis among Catholics over the last 40 years, I must respectfully disagree with the above post - for now.

First learn the teachings of the Church. This includes the Catechism, attending mass and talking with knowledgeable people.

Welcome to the Forums.

Peace
James
 
jm060409 said:
Hello all.

To give some background, I am Protestant and have been my entire life. I have reached a point in my life where I desire to explore other pathways, namely Catholicism. Over time I have read some books outlining the basic believes. However, I desire something deeper.

Naturally, I would look to the catechism. I was wondering if anyone had an outline of study for the catechism? Or, if anyone has used a certain methodology in studying the catechism?

Mainly, I would like to have a resource that is understandable, but also allows me to really get a feel for Catholicism. I currenty attempt to read the Bible daily and feel that I have some considerable knowledge. Meaning, I feel that I can understand an easy to medium level difficulty of doctrine.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
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You can try also the Compedium of the CCC, to give you a snapshot, then delve deeper in areas that interest you.

And if you want to experience the Sacred Tradition of the CC, you can experience this in the Mass, the various liturgies, devotions, together with your study of the CCC.

God bless. And by the way, the Coming Home network is a great resource too, and EWTN likewise.
 
pablope said:
You can try also the Compedium of the CCC, to give you a snapshot, then delve deeper in areas that interest you.

And if you want to experience the Sacred Tradition of the CC, you can experience this in the Mass, the various liturgies, devotions, together with your study of the CCC.

God bless. And by the way, the Coming Home network is a great resource too, and EWTN likewise.
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Compendium of the CCC
 
catholicapologetics.info/thechurch/catechism/trentc.htm

The Catechism of the Council of Trent. Read this if there is any confusion or ambiguity of your understanding in the CCC.

I am going to suggest you find a priest. I want you to go to an FSSP or ICK priest because they have been taught classically, BUT, if this is not possible, I hope you find a good diocesan parish priest. He has gone through seminary. He can answer your questions. I will pray he will lead you right.
 
Bartolome_Casas said:
If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, stay out of BOOKS!

If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, get to know CATHOLICS! People!

The Faith of the Catholic Church does not exist in books. They will only mislead you. Get to know practicing Catholics, a few really well, and many at least a little.
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Then how the history will be kept intact without corruption 🤷, if we would rely on transferring of knowledge on oral and practising then there is a big chance of changes to the original teaching of Jesus whether that intentionally or by mistake.

Beside if that is true then why GOD gave Moses the written tablets, He would have simply instructed him and that is it…
 
Pope Benedict XVI wrote this in his first encyclical: “Being Christian is NOT the result of an ETHICAL choice or a lofty IDEA, but the ENCOUNTER with an event, a PERSON…”
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And that person is not necessarily the Catholic in the pew.

That ENCOUNTER with an event, a PERSON . . . is the PERSON of Jesus Christ.
 
adstrinity said:
catholicapologetics.info/thechurch/catechism/trentc.htm

The Catechism of the Council of Trent. Read this if there is any confusion or ambiguity of your understanding in the CCC.
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The OP should be warned that this reflects one traditionalist approach within Catholicism. The CCC reflects further doctrinal development, and some of the “ambiguity” which adstrinity claims is “clarified” by Trent may actually reflect a deeper understanding of the Deposit of Faith. Trent’s “clarity” is often only superficial. For instance, many people both Protestant and Catholic have long assumed that Trent endorses a straightforward “two-stream” theory of Sacred Tradition. Vatican II’s more nuanced language shows that this isn’t necessarily the case–the relationship between Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition is more complex than you would think from simply reading Trent.

Edwin
 
Bartolome_Casas said:
If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, stay out of BOOKS!

Pope Benedict XVI wrote this in his first encyclical: “Being Christian is NOT the result of an ETHICAL choice or a lofty IDEA, but the ENCOUNTER with an event, a PERSON…”

Pope Benedict again: “Being Christian is NOT the result of an ETHICAL choice or a lofty IDEA, but the ENCOUNTER with an event, a PERSON…”

Pope Benedict again: “Being Christian is NOT the result of an ETHICAL choice or a lofty IDEA, but the ENCOUNTER with an event, a PERSON…”
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You learned Pope Benedict’s thoughts by reading his printed words. How else would you know what he wrote? Good books are a very good way of learning the Faith. 😃
 
Bartolome_Casas said:
If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, stay out of BOOKS!

If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, get to know CATHOLICS! People!
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I agree with James, this is (sadly) not good advice. It would be great if every Catholic knew their faith well. Some do, but many do not. You should seek authoritative catechesis.

The gold standard for that is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This is the “universal catechism”.

That said, it can be a tough read (although it is an excellent reference). A highly respected, readable book, is Catholicism for Dummies by Fr. John Trigilio.
 
Contarini said:
The OP should be warned that this reflects one traditionalist approach within Catholicism. The CCC reflects further doctrinal development, and some of the “ambiguity” which adstrinity claims is “clarified” by Trent may actually reflect a deeper understanding of the Deposit of Faith. Trent’s “clarity” is often only superficial. For instance, many people both Protestant and Catholic have long assumed that Trent endorses a straightforward “two-stream” theory of Sacred Tradition. Vatican II’s more nuanced language shows that this isn’t necessarily the case–the relationship between Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition is more complex than you would think from simply reading Trent.

Edwin
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Trent is undeniably Catholic. The Catholic Church still teaches what the Council of Trent defined, but, that may not be so clear in the current CCC. I am not saying it is not taught in the CCC, but, it may be obscure.

I am assuming that the OP is coming into the Latin Rite. There is a reason Catholicism calls out to people; they do not want any other religion. People want the fullness of Catholicism as it has been handed down for the past 2000 years.

To the OP, are you checking out any other websites besides this one? May I suggest:

rev-know-it-all.com/index.html#date
wdtprs.com/blog/

There’s so much more we could all give you, but, I do not know how overwhelmed you would get. PLEASE find a good priest (one who teaches about personal sin, the Eucharist as the Real Body & Blood, hears confessions and is loyal and obedient to the church) and ask him questions. You may have to, if you decide to come into Catholicism and are going through a regular diocesan parish, wait until next September to start RCIA. If you are fortunate to contact a priest from the two groups I mentioned before (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priestly_Fraternity_of_St._Peter & en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priestly_Fraternity_of_St._Peter) your catechism will be one on one with a priest.
 
Bartolome_Casas said:
If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, stay out of BOOKS!

If you want to REALLY get to know Catholicism, get to know CATHOLICS! People!

The Faith of the Catholic Church does not exist in books. They will only mislead you. Get to know practicing Catholics, a few really well, and many at least a little.
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I don’t know about that.

Anyway, I always recommend these books, by Fr. John Laux, in the order below:

Chief Truths of the Faith

Mass and the Sacraments

Catholic Morality

That is what was used for my instruction. They teach good, traditional Catholic doctrine.
 
I am a Protestant, and like you I have been all my life. Also, like you, I’ve felt ‘a calling’ if you will to the Catholic Church. At this point I’m not sure where it will lead me, but I decided to learn more about the Catholic faith. Reading books is a great way to learn what the Catholic Church teaches. Handbook for Today’s Catholic is a great little book to get a good overview of those teachings, and so is Catholicism for Dummies. 🙂 I know what you’re thinking about that suggestion 🙂 but it’s a good book that gives a good overview of the faith, it’s easy to read,and very factual. These are good places to start. I also suggest books by St. Augustine, Eusebius, and Ireaneus, and if you are truly interested in converting, look for books by former Protestants who have converted like Evangelical is Not Enough by Thomas Howard, or If Protestantism is True by Devin Rose.

I have also started RCIA classes. You don’t have to convert if you take the classes, and they are open to anyone interested in learning the faith. In the beginning I didn’t learn much that I didn’t already know since I had read a lot, but now we are getting into things that weren’t touched on in the books I have read. It’s been very interesting. From reading various posts here, I understand that some RCIA classes are good, some not so good (like many Protestant Bible studies) so you might want to ‘shop around.’ Where I live that isn’t an option, as we have one Catholic church in our little town. However, our teachers are well-informed and well-taught, it seems to me. The priest is a ‘catchetical lawyer’ (I know there is a correct term for this but I can’t think of it right now) so I have confidence that he knows his stuff.

My last suggestion would be to go to Mass. It’s a beautiful service, very quiet and respectful. There is time for reflection and prayer which will help you find where God is leading.

God bless,
Pam
 
pkrjenkins said:
I am a Protestant, and like you I have been all my life. Also, like you, I’ve felt ‘a calling’ if you will to the Catholic Church. At this point I’m not sure where it will lead me, but I decided to learn more about the Catholic faith. Reading books is a great way to learn what the Catholic Church teaches. Handbook for Today’s Catholic is a great little book to get a good overview of those teachings, and so is Catholicism for Dummies. 🙂 I know what you’re thinking about that suggestion 🙂 but it’s a good book that gives a good overview of the faith, it’s easy to read,and very factual. These are good places to start. I also suggest books by St. Augustine, Eusebius, and Ireaneus, and if you are truly interested in converting, look for books by former Protestants who have converted like Evangelical is Not Enough by Thomas Howard, or If Protestantism is True by Devin Rose.

I have also started RCIA classes. You don’t have to convert if you take the classes, and they are open to anyone interested in learning the faith. In the beginning I didn’t learn much that I didn’t already know since I had read a lot, but now we are getting into things that weren’t touched on in the books I have read. It’s been very interesting. From reading various posts here, I understand that some RCIA classes are good, some not so good (like many Protestant Bible studies) so you might want to ‘shop around.’ Where I live that isn’t an option, as we have one Catholic church in our little town. However, our teachers are well-informed and well-taught, it seems to me. The priest is a ‘catchetical lawyer’ (I know there is a correct term for this but I can’t think of it right now) so I have confidence that he knows his stuff.

My last suggestion would be to go to Mass. It’s a beautiful service, very quiet and respectful. There is time for reflection and prayer which will help you find where God is leading.

God bless,
Pam
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May God bless you Pam in spiritual journey. Remember you may ask anyone here as well.
 
Anathama Sit: Thank you for your reply. I will be joining your group.

I will ask, what are the differences in the Catechism and other resources that were mentioned. For instance, what is the difference in the printed Catechism (I have a personal copy) and Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church- The Council of Trent? I would imagine that the Compendium is a concise summary of the entire Catechism?

Also, I apprepriate the other websites mentioned. I will be referring to them also.

I also have a copy of the Catholicism for Dummies. I have read it and learned a great deal.
 
jm060409 said:
Anathama Sit: Thank you for your reply. I will be joining your group.

I will ask, what are the differences in the Catechism and other resources that were mentioned. For instance, what is the difference in the printed Catechism (I have a personal copy) and Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church- The Council of Trent? I would imagine that the Compendium is a concise summary of the entire Catechism?

Also, I apprepriate the other websites mentioned. I will be referring to them also.

I also have a copy of the Catholicism for Dummies. I have read it and learned a great deal.
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You are correct - the compendium is a summary of the Catechism. As for the difference between Trent and the current Catechism - they were written at different times and for different purposes.
The best advice for now would be to stick with the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” - which you say you already have…👍 If you feel the need, you can tackle Trent later.

Not to overwhelm you - but there are some wonderful recent (relatively) convert writers you might find helpful. First among these is probably Dr Scott Hahn. He’s written about his journey into the Church, also a book on the mass and some others…

A note on “Catholic Church” and “Roman Catholic Church”.
The Name of the Church is “Catholic”. “Roman” is often applied for one of two purposes.
  1. Those Churches in communion with the Holy See in the Vatican (Rome)
  2. The “Latin” or “Roman” Rite Church (as distinguished from the Eastern and Oriental Catholic Churches who are also in union with the Holy See…)
If that sounds confusing - well - it is sometimes:D

Hope you are finding your time here helpful. We will be glad to answer whatever questions you might have…

Peace
James
 
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