I was recently upgrading my computer and am amazed how quickly things have changed and certain things that were once NEW are now OLD. Such can be the case with our faith life. How well do you know your faith? While the Faith has not changed, sometimes how it is articulated can change for better clarification of what we believe. Periodically checking the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) can be a wonderful way of updating ourselves by increasing our knowledge and our ability to articulate our faith when people ask us questions.
The CCC 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”. (CCC 11)
While the CCC 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. (CCC 12)
The plan of the CCC is inspired by the great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four pillars: the baptismal profession of faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith, the life of faith (the Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the Lord’s Prayer).
Countenance of God 