Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Written in 598 questions and answer, this 200-page volume offers a quick synopsis of the essential contents of the faith. It is a unique tool for parents, pastors, teachers, principals, and catechists. It is the perfect companion to your customer's Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church.

In response to requests for greater appreciation of the Catechism and to meet a widespread need that emerged during the 2002 International Catechetical Congress.

The Compendium of the Catechism was prepared by a commission presided by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Following the request for greater appreciation of the Catechism, and in order to meet a widespread need that emerged during the 2002 International Catechetical Congress, in 2003 the Holy Father established a special commission, presided by the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, that he charged with preparing a Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, containing a more concise and dialogic version of the same contents of Catholic faith and morals.

Sometimes refered to as the "Mini Catechism."
 

Quotes from the book:

"The sacred images, with their beauty, are also a proclamation of the Gospel and express the splendor of the Catholic truth.
-Pope Benedict XVI

"Hopefully, the Compendium will "reopen an ideal dialogue between the teacher and the disciple, through an urgent series of questions, which involve the reader, encouraging him to continue in the discovery of ever new aspects of the truth of his faith. The genre of dialogue, moreover, helps to abbreviate the text notably, reducing it to the essential. This might favor the assimilation and possible memorization of the contents."
-Pope Benedict XVI

"Forty years after the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council and in the heart of the Year of the Eucharist, the compendium can be a precious aid for satisfying the hunger for truth felt by every human person of every age and condition."
-Joaquin Navarro-Valls

Catholics' hunger for the faith continues to grow. Pope Benedict XVI gives the Church the "food" that it seeks in the 598 questions and answers in the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This 200-page volume offers a quick synopsis of the essential contents of the faith as promulgated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Like the 1992 Catechism, the Compendium has a four-part structure, and includes a section on common prayers and Catholic doctrinal formulas. Because of the question-and-answer format, catechetical leaders-parents, pastors, teachers, principals, and catechists-have a unique opportunity to dialogue with the faithful, and reinvigorate the Church's ongoing mission of evangelization and catechesis. Individuals can come "to know the unfathomable riches of the salvific mystery of Jesus Christ" by reading, using, and memorizing parts of the Compendium of the Catechism. An essential tool for youth and young adults, the Compendium is the perfect companion to a youth or young adult's Bible, spiritual reading, or textbook. Catechetical leaders in high schools, colleges, and parishes will appreciate its versatility-as a reference book, discussion starter, or core resource for RCIA programs.

Fourteen images taken from masterpieces of Christian art set a tone for each part or section. "The sacred images, with their beauty, are also a proclamation of the Gospel and express the splendor of the Catholic truth," explained Pope Benedict XVI.