Catechism of the Catholic Church
Conveniently search or browse the Catechism of the Catholic Church. An excellent tool for learning more about the Faith and for research.
Need inspiration? View a random paragraph of the Catechism for personal reflection.
Search
Browse
Note: If you click a very large section to browse, that section will take some time to load. Please be patient....
APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION FIDEI DEPOSITUM PROLOGUE
I. THE LIFE OF MAN—TO KNOW AND LOVE GOD II. HANDING ON THE FAITH: CATECHESIS III. THE AIM AND INTENDED READERSHIP OF THE CATECHISM IV. STRUCTURE OF THIS CATECHISM Part One: The Profession of Faith Part Two: The Sacraments of Faith Part Three: The Life of Faith Part Four: Prayer in the Life of Faith V. PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR USING THIS CATECHISM VI. NECESSARY ADAPTATIONS PART ONE: THE PROFESSION OF FAITH SECTION ONE: "I BELIEVE"-"WE BELIEVE" CHAPTER ONE: MAN'S CAPACITY FOR GOD CHAPTER TWO: GOD COMES TO MEET MAN ARTICLE 1: THE REVELATION OF GOD ARTICLE 2: THE TRANSMISSION OF DIVINE REVELATION ARTICLE 3: SACRED SCRIPTURE CHAPTER THREE: MAN'S RESPONSE TO GOD SECTION TWO: THE PROFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH CHAPTER ONE: I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ARTICLE 1: "I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH" Paragraph 1. I Believe in God I. "I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD" II. GOD REVEALS HIS NAME III. GOD, "HE WHO IS", IS TRUTH AND LOVE IV. THE IMPLICATIONS OF FAITH IN ONE GOD Paragraph 2. The Father I. "IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" II. THE REVELATION OF GOD AS TRINITY III. THE HOLY TRINITY IN THE TEACHING OF THE FAITH IV. THE DIVINE WORKS AND THE TRINITARIAN MISSIONS Paragraph 3. The Almighty Paragraph 4. The Creator I. CATECHESIS ON CREATION II. CREATION - WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY III. "THE WORLD WAS CREATED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD" IV. THE MYSTERY OF CREATION God creates by wisdom and love God creates "out of nothing" God creates an ordered and good world God transcends creation and is present to it God upholds and sustains creation V. GOD CARRIES OUT HIS PLAN: DIVINE PROVIDENCE Paragraph 5. Heaven and Earth I. THE ANGELS The existence of angels - a truth of faith Who are they? Christ "with all his angels" The angels in the life of the Church II. THE VISIBLE WORLD Paragraph 6. Man I. "IN THE IMAGE OF GOD" II. "BODY AND SOUL BUT TRULY ONE" III. "MALE AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM" IV. MAN IN PARADISE Paragraph 7. The Fall I. WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE ABOUNDED ALL THE MORE The reality of sin Original sin - an essential truth of the faith How to read the account of the fall II. THE FALL OF THE ANGELS III. ORIGINAL SIN Freedom put to the test Man's first sin The consequences of Adam's sin for humanity A hard battle. . . IV. "YOU DID NOT ABANDON HIM TO THE POWER OF DEATH" CHAPTER TWO: I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY SON OF GOD ARTICLE 2: "AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD" ARTICLE 3: "HE WAS CONCEIVED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND WAS BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY" Paragraph 1. The Son of God Became Man I. WHY DID THE WORD BECOME FLESH? II. THE INCARNATION III. TRUE GOD AND TRUE MAN IV. HOW IS THE SON OF GOD MAN? Paragraph 2. "Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary" Paragraph 3. The Mysteries of Christ's Life ARTICLE 4: "JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED AND WAS BURIED" Paragraph 1. Jesus and Israel I. JESUS AND THE LAW II. JESUS AND THE TEMPLE III. JESUS AND ISRAEL'S FAITH IN THE ONE GOD AND SAVIOUR Paragraph 2. Jesus Died Crucified I. THE TRIAL OF JESUS Divisions among the Jewish authorities concerning Jesus Jews are not collectively responsible for Jesus' death All sinners were the authors of Christ's Passion II. CHRIST'S REDEMPTIVE DEATH IN GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION "Jesus handed over according to the definite plan of God" "He died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures" "For our sake God made him to be sin" God takes the initiative of universal redeeming love III. CHRIST OFFERED HIMSELF TO HIS FATHER FOR OUR SINS Christ's whole life is an offering to the Father "The Lamb who takes away the sin of the world" Jesus freely embraced the Father's redeeming love At the Last Supper Jesus anticipated the free offering of his life The agony at Gethsemani Christ's death is the unique and definitive sacrifice Jesus substitutes his obedience for our disobedience Jesus consummates his sacrifice on the cross Our participation in Christ's sacrifice Paragraph 3. Jesus Christ was Buried ARTICLE 5: "HE DESCENDED INTO HELL. ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN" ARTICLE 6: "HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER" ARTICLE 7: "FROM THENCE HE WILL COME AGAlN TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD" CHAPTER THREE: I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT ARTICLE 8: "I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT" I. THE JOINT MISSION OF THE SON AND THE SPIRIT THE NAME, TITLES, AND SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The proper name of the Holy Spirit Titles of the Holy Spirit Symbols of the Holy Spirit III. GOD'S SPIRIT AND WORD IN THE TIME OF THE PROMISES In creation The Spirit of the promise In Theophanies and the Law In the Kingdom and the Exile Expectation of the Messiah and his Spirit IV. THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME V. THE SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS ARTICLE 9: "I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH" Paragraph 1. The Church in God's Plan I. NAMES AND IMAGES OF THE CHURCH II. THE CHURCH'S ORIGIN, FOUNDATION AND MISSION A plan born in the Father's heart The Church- foreshadowed from the world's beginning The Church - prepared for in the Old Covenant The Church - instituted by Christ Jesus The Church - revealed by the Holy Spirit The Church - perfected in glory III. THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH Paragraph 2. The Church - People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit I. THE CHURCH - PEOPLE OF GOD II. THE CHURCH-BODY OF CHRIST The Church is communion with Jesus "One Body" "Christ is the Head of this Body" The Church is the Bride of Christ III. THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Paragraph 3. The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic I. THE CHURCH IS ONE II. THE CHURCH IS HOLY III. THE CHURCH IS CATHOLIC What does "catholic" mean? Each particular Church is "catholic" Who belongs to the Catholic Church? The Church and non-Christians "Outside the Church there is no salvation" Mission - a requirement of the Church's catholicity IV. THE CHURCH IS APOSTOLIC Paragraph 4. Christ's Faithful - Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life I. THE HIERARCHICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH Why the ecclesial ministry? The episcopal college and its head, the Pope The teaching office The sanctifying office The governing office II. THE LAY FAITHFUL The vocation of lay people The participation of lay people in Christ's priestly office Participation in Christ's prophetic office Participation in Christ's kingly office III. THE CONSECRATED LIFE Paragraph 5. The Communion of Saints Paragraph 6. Mary - Mother of Christ, ARTICLE 10: "I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS" ARTICLE 11: "I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY" ARTICLE 12: "I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING" PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY SECTION ONE: THE SACRAMENTAL ECONOMY CHAPTER ONE: THE PASCHAL MYSTERY IN THE AGE OF THE CHURCH ARTICLE 1: THE LITURGY - WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY I. THE FATHER-SOURCE AND GOAL OF THE LITURGY II. CHRIST'S WORK IN THE LITURGY Christ glorified . . . . . . from the time of the Church of the Apostles . . . . . . is present in the earthly liturgy . . . . . . which participates in the liturgy of heaven III. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH IN THE LITURGY ARTICLE 2: THE PASCHAL MYSTERY IN THE CHURCH'S SACRAMENTS CHAPTER TWO: THE SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATION OF THE PASCHAL MYSTERY ARTICLE 1: CELEBRATING THE CHURCH'S LITURGY ARTICLE 2: LITURGICAL DIVERSITY AND THE UNITY OF THE MYSTERY SECTION TWO: THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH CHAPTER ONE: THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION ARTICLE 1: THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM ARTICLE 2: THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION ARTICLE 3: THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST II. WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED? III. THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION IV. THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST V. THE SACRAMENTAL SACRIFICE THANKSGIVING, MEMORIAL, PRESENCE Thanksgiving and praise to the Father The sacrificial memorial of Christ and of his Body, the Church The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit VI. THE PASCHAL BANQUET VII. THE EUCHARIST - "PLEDGE OF THE GLORY TO COME" CHAPTER TWO: THE SACRAMENTS OF HEALING ARTICLE 4: THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION I. WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED? II. WHY A SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION AFTER BAPTISM? III. THE CONVERSION OF THE BAPTIZED IV. INTERIOR PENANCE V. THE MANY FORMS OF PENANCE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE VI. THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION VII. THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT VIII. THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT IX. THE EFFECTS OF THIS SACRAMENT X. INDULGENCES XI. THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE ARTICLE 5: THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK I. ITS FOUNDATIONS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION Illness in human life The sick person before God Christ the physician "Heal the sick . . ." A sacrament of the sick II. WHO RECEIVES AND WHO ADMINISTERS THIS SACRAMENT? III. HOW IS THIS SACRAMENT CELEBRATED? IV. THE EFFECTS OF THE CELEBRATION OF THIS SACRAMENT V. VIATICUM, THE LAST SACRAMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN CHAPTER THREE: THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION ARTICLE 6: THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS I. WHY IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED "ORDERS"? I. THE THREE DEGREES OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS Episcopal ordination- fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders The ordination of priests - co-workers of the bishops The ordination of deacons - "in order to serve" II. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION The priesthood of the Old Covenant The one priesthood of Christ Two participations in the one priesthood of Christ In the person of Christ the Head . . . . . . "in the name of the whole Church" IV. THE CELEBRATION OF THIS SACRAMENT V. WHO CAN CONFER THIS SACRAMENT? VI. WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT? VII. THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS ARTICLE 7: THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY MARRIAGE IN GOD'S PLAN Marriage in the order of creation Marriage under the regime of sin Marriage under the pedagogy of the Law Marriage in the Lord Virginity for the sake of the Kingdom II. THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE III. MATRIMONIAL CONSENT IV. THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY V. THE GOODS AND REQUIREMENTS OF CONJUGAL LOVE VI. THE DOMESTIC CHURCH CHAPTER FOUR: OTHER LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST SECTION ONE: MAN'S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT CHAPTER ONE: THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON ARTICLE 1: MAN: THE IMAGE OF GOD ARTICLE 2: OUR VOCATION TO BEATITUDE ARTICLE 3: MAN'S FREEDOM ARTICLE 4: THE MORALITY OF HUMAN ACTS ARTICLE 5: THE MORALITY OF THE PASSIONS ARTICLE 6: MORAL CONSCIENCE ARTICLE 7: THE VIRTUES ARTICLE 8: SIN CHAPTER TWO: THE HUMAN COMMUNION CHAPTER THREE: GOD'S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE SECTION TWO: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS CHAPTER ONE: YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND ARTICLE 1: THE FIRST COMMANDMENT I. "YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND HIM ONLY SHALL YOU SERVE" II. "HIM ONLY SHALL YOU SERVE" Adoration Prayer Sacrifice Promises and vows The social duty of religion and the right to religious freedom III. "YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME" IV. "YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELF A GRAVEN IMAGE . . ." ARTICLE 2: THE SECOND COMMANDMENT ARTICLE 3: THE THIRD COMMANDMENT CHAPTER TWO: YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF ARTICLE 4: THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT ARTICLE 5: THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT You shall not kill. ARTICLE 6: THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT You shall not commit adultery. ARTICLE 7: THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT You shall not steal. ARTICLE 8: THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENTYou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. ARTICLE 9: THE NINTH COMMANDMENTYou shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's. ARTICLE 10: THE TENTH COMMANDMENTYou shall not covet ... anything that is your neighbor's.... You shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant,, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's. PART FOUR: CHRISTIAN PRAYER SECTION ONE: PRAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE WHAT IS PRAYER? CHAPTER ONE: THE REVELATION OF PRAYER ARTICLE 1: IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ARTICLE 2: IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME ARTICLE 3: IN THE AGE OF THE CHURCH CHAPTER TWO: THE TRADITION OF PRAYER CHAPTER THREE: THE LIFE OF PRAYER SECTION TWO: THE LORD'S PRAYER: "OUR FATHER!" ARTICLE 1: "THE SUMMARY OF THE WHOLE GOSPEL" ARTICLE 2: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN" ARTICLE 3: THE SEVEN PETITIONS ARTICLE 4: THE FINAL DOXOLOGYEnglish Translation of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America © 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.
