Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J.

This Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is just that. It concentrates all the essentials of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in question and answer form.

The text of the Compendium is taken from the original Catechisme de l’Eglise Catholique issued by Pope John Paul II (October 1, 1992) on two memorable anniversaries:

The 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ bringing the Catholic faith to the New World October 11, 1492.
The 30^th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council—October 11, 1962.

Why the publication of this Compendium? In order to provide a reliable digest of all the main areas covered by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Another reason was to offer a ready reference source for finding in capable form what the large Catechism treats at greater length and in more detail.

This Compendium therefore will be a necessary aid to anyone who wants a concise synthesis of the principal teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

My prayer is that those who use the Compendium will find it a valuable means of “getting to the heart” of the Church’s teaching on Jesus Christ, our Way, our Truth, and our Life.