The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a wonderful resource, and I really think it should be part of every Catholic's personal library. The Catechism is an excellent guide to what our Catholic Church teaches. A road map of our rich and wonderful faith! I have personally used my copy time and time again to research various topics.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, abbreviated CCC, is divided into four parts, the four pillars of the church.

• Part One: The Profession of Faith
  
• Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery
  
• Part Three: Life in Christ
  
• Part Four: Christian Prayer

Before we get into the four parts, there is an Apostolic Letter - as quoted from the CCC:

"In which the Latin Typical Edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is approved and promulgated."

Then comes the Apostolic Constitution, again quoted from the CCC:

"On the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, prepared following the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council."

The Prologue consists of the following: The Life of Man - To Know and Love God, Handing on the Faith: Catechesis, The Aim and Intended Readership of This Catechism, Structure of This Catechism, Practical Directions for Using This Catechism, and Necessary Adaptations.

Beginning with the prologue, the Catechism is divided into paragraphs and each one is numbered. For example, in part two the beginning of Article 3, The Sacrament of the Eucharist, reads:

1322
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.

The numbered paragraphs make looking up a specific topic much easier, especially since there is an index in the back of the Catechism.

In addition to the subject index, there is an Index of Citations, Abbreviations, and a Glossary in the back for easy reference.

If you don't own a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I highly recommend you add it to your personal spiritual library.

* Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Revised in Accordance With the Official Latin Text Promulgated by Pope John Paul II -- Buy from Amazon

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition -- Buy from Amazon

*Edition used to write this review.

Peace in Christ,
© Melissa Knoblett-Aman