Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition
Second Edition
Ignatius Press
ISBN 1574551108

This review will encompass the three volumes listed above as they are so linked and of value together that it would not make sense to review them separately. There are many versions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and even many different editions of each of those versions, so one would beg the question why review a book so readily available and so accessible. That would be a good question to ask. There is the ‘original edition’ the ‘second edition’ and now there is also a ‘definitive edition’ so why would we examine this work?

The answer is that like with Shakespeare, for which there are innumerable editions each reader tends to gravitate towards a specific version or set of editions. In having spent many hours reading these documents over the last few months I can only state categorically that this is the ‘best packaging’ of the Catechism that I have yet to investigate. The larger format makes it easier to work with than many of the smaller pocket version, the wide margins left for personal notes and thoughts is much appreciated. As well this edition is the only one I have found with a glossary and it also has a more extensive index then the other two editions I examined.

The Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Ignatius Press
ISBN 0898704510

The Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a wonderful resource for the inquiring mind or the serious academic. It is a treasure of all of the quote sources from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and allows you to go much deeper in your study without having to carry a giant reference library with you, or to have a stack or 10 or 20 books beside your desk.

Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Pope Benedict XVI – Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Ignatius Press
ISBN 0898704855

The third volume the Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI is an excellent resource in and of itself, it serves as an introduction not only to the history of the Catechism and the Catholic views on truth it also has excellent short introductions to each of the four sections in the Catechism.

These three volumes are essential for any serious Catholic scholar and together they would be amazing resources in any Christian home, or person’s office.

(First Published in Across the Creek the St. Jerome's Students Union newspaper column 'Book Look' March 2006)

For a list of all books that are part of Father Mark Goring's Saint Mark’s School of Reading click here.