|
Review Summary: Devotional Catechism Easy to Use and Study |
Date: 2008-11-02 |
|
| |
|
Details: This does not have all the doctrinal points of the stock CCC, but that's a good thing. This catechism is more like a high school history book which makes it easier (depending on how you did in history I guess) to get the nuggets of wisdom that we can apply to our every day lives, and to help us grow in the faith. At the beginning of each section is the story of a saint, and this story leads into the topic at hand. Following each topic is a review and quiz. Instead of bogging you down with doctrinal points it clearly and adequately explains several tenets of the Catholic faith in an easy to follow manner. This seems like it could be useful in a classroom setting. I enjoy studying it. |
| |
|
Review Summary: U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults |
Date: 2008-10-08 |
|
|
| |
|
Details: This book is helpful in explaining the Catholic faith, what we believe and why we believe it. In addition to the Holy Bible this book will help you to deepen your relationship with God. It provides the reader with clarity and opens up a better understanding of Catholic tradition that has been handed down over the centuries. |
| |
|
Review Summary: USCC Catholic Catechism for Adults |
Date: 2008-09-29 |
|
|
| |
|
Details: I found this a balanced approach as well as a style which maintains interest, for the RCIA adult reader as well an RCIA Coordinator. Particularly well done is the lead in to each chapter, which contains the life of a saint, thereby providing the new Catholic reader with a form of Church history which inspires and educates. |
| |
|
Review Summary: Introduction to the Catholic Faith |
Date: 2008-08-10 |
|
|
| |
|
Details: The US Catholic Catechism for Adults provides an easy to read and thought-provoking introduction to the Catholic faith. As a person converting to Catholicism, I have found the chapters easy to read and short. Each chapter begins with a story about an American clergy person or saint. From here, the chapters discuss key issues related to faith, sacraments, or living a moral life. The end of each chapter offers interesting discussion questions and a summary of key points. This text can be used for RCIA programs or for individuals wanting an brief introduction to the Catholic faith. For those wanting a more definitive outline of the policies of the Catholic Church (and who have a little bit more reading time), the Cathecism of the Catholic Church (about 822 pages in lenght) should provide that and more. |
| |
|
Review Summary: A Well-Done United States Catechism |
Date: 2008-07-31 |
|
|
| |
Details: This catechism is an "adaptation of the 'Catechism of the Catholic Church,' and is presented to Catholics of the United States, who are members of both Latin and Eastern Churches..." although this catechism is only intended to introduce Latin Christians to Eastern traditions, since it is expected that Eastern Rites will eventually develop their own catechisms. The arrangement of the U.S. Catechism follows that of the universal catechism: the Creed, the Sacraments, Moral Life, and Prayer. Like the universal catechism, it also specifically addresses major aspects of Catholic faith and morality.
So if this catechism is simply an adaptation of the excellent universal catechism, then why even bother with it? I think the best reason to get the U.S. Catechism is its helpful layout and user-friendly presentation. Rather than being a series of numbered points (like the universal catechism), the U.S. Catechism is laid out more like your average non-fiction book, making it possibly more approachable than other catechisms. There are helpful gray boxes spread throughout the book that highlight points from the regular text. Each chapter begins with a biography of a major Catholic figure, many which are important to the development of American Catholicism. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions, concise "doctrinal points" (i.e. what Catholics are expected to believe), meditations (from the Scriptures, Church Fathers, etc), and prayers. Appendix A is a helpful glossary of Catholic terms, and Appendix B is a collection of basic Catholic prayers. All of this means that the U.S. Catechism is a self-contained textbook, useful in a variety of Catholic adult education situations.
Overall, this is a fine catechism that certainly meets its goal of being a local adaptation of the universal catechism. While in the past, the United States Catholic Bishops have been accused of watering-down Catholic Teaching, the U.S. Catechism does not contradict, or water down, what is taught in the universal catechism. Thus, I hope that the U.S. Catechism is used regularly in RCIA classes, marriage-preparation classes, and other adult education situations. While this catechism is excellent, I would still recommend owning both the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church and The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, since the U.S. Catechism is based on these works. |
| |
|
out of 53 Reviews
