1. Using The Catechism of
the Catholic Church
A complete summary of
what Catholics throughout
the world believe in
common.

2. What is the Catechism?
 The Catechism is a reference book that is
intended to give the reader quick access to
what the Catholic Church believes and
teaches.
 The Catechism provides summaries; footnotes
provide reference to original sources which
serious scholars will consult.
 The word “catechism” means “instruction.”
 This Catechism was published in 1992 under
the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. It was the
first new Catechism published in 400 years.

3. The Four Pillars
The Catechism is arranged in four
sections, called “pillars”

4. Pillar One
What Catholic Believe:
The Profession of Faith: elements of
the faith that are found in the Creed
(creedal elements)

5. Pillar 2
What the Church celebrates:
The Celebration of Christian Mystery:
•Sacraments, including the
Holy Eucharist
•Sacramentals
•Christian Funerals

6. Pillar 3
What the Church lives:
Life in Christ
• The Beatitudes
• Moral Law and Freedom
• Social Justice
• Grace, conscience, sin
• The 10 Commandments

7. Pillar Four
What the Church prays: Christian Prayer
• The Scriptures
• The Lord’s Prayer
• Types of Prayer: petition, thanksgiving,
praise, adoration
• Expressions of Prayer: vocal, meditation,
contemplation

8. The Table of Contents
 Located at the beginning of the book
• Organized by the Four Pillars
• Page numbers are given for particular
sections

9. Inside each Pillar
 Sections are organized by chapters.
 Each paragraph is assigned a number.
 At the conclusion of each chapter, a
section entitled “In Brief” summarizes the
key points of the chapter.

10. Footnotes
 Footnotes provide reference to the Scriptures,
Magisterial documents and writings of saints,
Doctors of the Church, and popes.
 Magisterial documents are official documents
that are the work of a Church Council, a
conference of bishops, a committee of
bishops, or an individual bishop. (Remember
that the Pope is the Bishop of Rome.)

11. Glossary
 Some editions of the Catechism contain
a glossary that explains some terms and
expressions used in the Catechism.

12. Subject Index
 Atthe end of the Catechism, there is a
Subject Index. The numbers listed here
are Paragraph numbers.

13. Online
 You can access the Catechism online at
• www.usccb.org
• www.vatican.va
• The online version is free and available in
several languages.

14. Quick Review
 In which Pillar would you find:
• Information about Confirmation?
• Information about abortion?
• Information about the Trinity?
• Information about how to pray?
• The 10 Commandments?
• Catholic Social Teaching?

15. Quick Review
 In which Pillar would you find:
• Information about Confirmation?: 2
• Information about abortion?: 3
• Information about the Trinity?: 1
• Information about how to pray?: 4
• The 10 Commandments? : 3
• Catholic Social Teaching?: 3

16. Quick Review
 When using the Table of Contents, what
do the numbers listed represent?
 When using the Subject Index, what do
the listed numbers represent?
 When seeking quick information, what
part of the chapter should one first
consult?

17. Quick Review
 When using the Table of Contents, what do the
numbers listed represent? Pages
 When using the Subject Index, what do the
listed numbers represent? Paragraphs
 When seeking quick information, what part of
the chapter should one first consult?
In Brief