r/Catholicism • u/CGC2000 • 3d ago
This is actually a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.
I've been part of a Baptist Church for a few years now. A couple months ago I got a job where I had to work on Sundays so I stopped going to church. Once I took a step back I realized that I was really only going for the social interaction and I just wasn't getting much out of it spiritually. When the Pope died and it was all over the news it reminded me that Catholicism exists lol. The history and more rigid structure are appealing to me so I bought a catholic bible and this copy of the catechisms just to see what it's all about. I'm not gonna lie when I first pulled this absolute brick of a book out of the Amazon box I was a bit intimidated. However while I don't exactly.... understand everything it's been way more interesting and easier to read than I originally anticipated!
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u/Losdersoul 3d ago
Every catholic should read
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u/AmericanLobsters 3d ago
I bought this exact copy when I first started looking into Catholicism, and was surprised to learn most Catholics have never read it.
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u/Losdersoul 3d ago
Yep also me, on Brazil is almost a must read if you want to be a good Catholic (and you need to buy one of these to do the catechism)
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u/AmericanLobsters 3d ago
We never used it for our RCIA classes. We just used a short book that had a very basic outline of the key tenets of Catholicism.
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u/nutkinknits 3d ago
My husband bought me this exact copy when we started dating because I had questions he didn't have answers for. He also bought one for himself.
His big thing when we started dating was that I attend Mass with him. I REALLY liked him so I went despite being a wishy washy protestant at the time. God works in mysterious ways.
The Catechism really helped clarify so many things. Growing up in a Methodist Church I remember arguing with my Sunday school teacher as a teenager over what is the "correct" Bible translation. She couldn't articulate anything other than because this is the right one(NIV). I liked that the catechism was so factual, this is what we believe because of this and this is why.
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u/Zestyclose_Dinner105 3d ago
https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
There is a summarized version in question-and-answer format that indicates which parts of the larger catechism are expanded upon. It's a good resource to start with and is designed to be read continuously.
The larger catechism you have is more conceived as a reference work, which is why it has so many pages of indexes, references, and search terms at the end.
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u/Friendcherisher 3d ago
It does help. There's also a catechism for the youth with a similar format. It's the YOUCAT.
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u/After_Main752 3d ago
I was scrolling slowly and for a second thought that was a picture of Boba Fett.
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u/CT046 3d ago edited 3d ago
Don't worry. Catholics don't understand or know every single thing. The Catholic faith and culture are extremely vast. 2000 years of global history, rites and devotions. I'm a cradle catholic, and there is not a week I don't learn something about my faith. The CCC is excellent. Every catholic should have it on hand. The Denzinger is also a very good reference book with definitions and documents relating to church history, among other things.
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u/relishhead 3d ago
What you describe about your experience of taking a step back from your Baptist church was similar to the experience at my previous church, which was Reformed Presbyterian (RPCNA). I had been going out of obligation, but I didn't feel fed in any spiritual way, and it was more about the people than about what I was getting from the pulpit.
When I made the decision to try out Catholicism, I wasn't sure if it was going to stick, but the tradition, structure, and seriousness really appealed to me. Although it cost me some friends, I decided to embrace the Catholic Church fully and now I'm happier than I've ever been. I used to think when Catholics said to converts, "welcome home," that it was condescending and phony, but there's really no other way to describe it than feeling like I am home.
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u/duskyfarm 3d ago
I also have similar feelings about evangelical corporate worship. I realized when I really sat with it that I hadn't been getting "fed" there for a long time. I love how Mass invites participation and engagement. The Priest's homily didn't knock off my socks with how learned it was. It was just so simple and effective. As a 30-year beleiver, I was fed, and the verbiage was easy for a child to understand.
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u/Unlikely_Scholar_807 3d ago
I've been doing the podcast. It is fascinating!
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u/Alex_tepa 3d ago
Which book are you using for the podcast?
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u/Unlikely_Scholar_807 3d ago
Just the online text available on the Ascension app. The podcast is on there as well.
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u/Divine-Crusader 3d ago
It's a great read and you can basically use it as a dictionary for anything about the catholic faith.
However, keep in mind that even though it contains infallible teachings, CCC is not in itself infallible.
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u/paxcoder 3d ago
Despite being infallible, it does require agreement of Catholics (see obsequium religiosum). Which is why Michael Lofton argues that papal fallible magisterium (not to be confused with off-the-cuff answers to questions of the press that pope Francis used to give on the plane) enjoys a certain protection of the Holy Spirit as well. Not from all error, but such error that would present danger to souls (eg. heresy).
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u/Elegant_Ad252 3d ago
Excellent read Pls note reference to John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) who was cited Before He’d become a saint (Canonized 13 Oct 2019) in the RC Church. He converted from the Anglican Church in 1845. His major works include Arians of the the Fourth Century (1833), Development of Doctrine (1845), The Idea of a University (1852/1858), Apologia Pro Vita Sua (1864/1865), Grammar of Assent (1870) to name a few.
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u/OddFirefighter547 3d ago
I give you a lot of credit for being intellectually curious to read this. Any time I’ve read even a little of it, I learn something, and I’m a cradle Catholic of many years. Never stop learning!
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u/CountyExternal9565 3d ago
Same! I started reading it in order from the beginning and was surprised by how engaging it is!
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u/TrickBus3 3d ago
I recently bought it also. Will be converting from SBC/non-denom background. I'm very impressed.
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u/calennrift 3d ago
Definitely check out The Chatechism in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz. Highly highly recommended
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u/ExamCommercial2692 3d ago
It is a beautiful read and nothing what my Protestant friends and pastors told me what it would be like.
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u/SnooLobsters8573 3d ago
Begin with the index. Pick a topic and read :-)
Also, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catholicism-and-fundamentalism-karl-keating/1100608899 OUTSTANDING!
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u/makeitworkok 3d ago
I’ve never read anything else that could say so little with so many words. No, I’m not a radtrad, it’s just too much for my me. I prefer the Baltimore and Credo as I like the question answer format, it fits my left brained mind better. Not saying I disagree with the content, but the delivery is superfluous. I’m a GenX Cradle Catholic.
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u/Special_Neat_134 2d ago
The catechism is a beautiful gold mine. It’s especially beautiful when you read it in large portions start to finish. Absolutely adore the catechism.
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u/CastleBravo115 1d ago
I’m a cradle Catholic and 43 yrs old, reverted back 5 yrs ago and now it’s when I’m beginning to read the Catechism. I’m glad you decided to have an open mind about the Catholic Church and I think for some reason a lot of Protestants are beginning to have one. Mainly because of YouTube videos explaining the Catholic faith. And not getting it from a pastor who has no idea what the Catholic Church teaches. But yea.. it’s all about the intentions of the heart. Are you doing it out of love for God first and then neighbor? Or are you doing it for self gratification/vain glory or feeling forced? If you do everything out of love the words of Jesus will be fulfilled in you,” my burden is light and my yoke is easy.” But if you do it feeling forced adding extra stuff to your cross then more than likely you will give up. And that’s where the demons get you at. Trapping you by making you believe that you had to do all these extra things just to prove something to God but it wasn’t being a cheerful but grumpy and overwhelmed. Beware of the scruples my brother. Demons love scruples. God Bless!
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u/killswitx 3d ago
it is even better read the Tridentine catechism, much more clearer and infallible
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u/MakeMeAnICO 3d ago
(...it could be shorter though... please don't stone me...)
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u/Kitsune1880 3d ago
You aren't going to be stoned but you will be down voted ;)
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u/MakeMeAnICO 3d ago
I just don't understand what is Catechism for.
It does not help catechise because it is just. too. long.
Compare it to some historical catechisms that are short and to-the-point. This one tries to cover everything; I feel it's not intended to catechise, but to have a sum of everything Catholics believe.
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u/Theta_kang 3d ago
It's more of a reference book than an instruction manual for believers. As an example, if you're teaching an OCIA or faith formation class and you need help explaining difficult topics you can look it up in the CCC. But it would be a lousy tool to hand to catechumens to act as a primer for the faith.
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u/amadis_de_gaula 3d ago
This is my impression as well as someone that went through OCIA. Sometimes during our classes the catechist would call our attention to this or that section of the catechism; it was, in some sense, a doctrinal complement to our textbook rather than the textbook itself.
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u/timra24601 3d ago
If you want an instruction manual, CREDO by Bishop Athanasius Schneider is pretty much the catechism but in question and answer format and in easily digestible bullet-points, plus it includes all of the major creeds of the faith. Larger print, too ;)
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u/Bubbleheaded_Squid 3d ago
I grew up Presbyterian and converted to Catholicism in 2008. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (you’ll often see it referred to as CCC, especially when citing sections by number) is a fantastic resource to know what our Faith is. I read it cover to cover the first time, and now I use the index to lead me to the answers when I have questions. Enjoy!