David I. Fulton STD JCD - The Complete Idiots Guide to the Catholic Catechism: The Core Teachings of Catholicism in Plain English

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ISBN: 9781592577071
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2007937308

eISBN: 9781440636585

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For my husband, Dennis, and our children, Noah, Olivia, and Chiara. MDP

For my mother, my mothers mother, and for Blessed Mary, the Mother of all Christians. DIF

Nihil Obstat: Rev. John N. Fell, S.T.D.

Imprimatur: Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop of Metuchen, September 19, 2007

Set aside any preconceived notions you may have about the official Catechism of the Catholic Church, and open your mind to go on an incredible spiritual journey. This operating manual for Catholics is about so much more than rules.

To understand the current Catechism, you need to get the skinny on catechisms in general, and what theyre meant to do and be in the life of a believer.

What makes us want to have a relationship with God? Get a close-up look at faith, divine revelation, and all those things that lead us closer to our creator.

The Apostles Creed summarizes the beliefs of the Catholic faith in one concise prayer. Well start with God the Father and work our way through the Trinity, the central belief of the Christian faith.

If God is so kind and merciful, why is there so much suffering on Earth? Lets look at those age-old questions about good vs. evil, the presence of angels, and the reality of the devil.

Jesus Christ is the Word Incarnate, the second person of the Trinity. What does all that mean? And while were at it, what was the Virgin Marys role in all of this?

To understand Jesus role in Gods plan of salvation, we have to look at the human life he lived, from his birth and childhood, to his years of preaching, to his eventual Crucifixion and Resurrection.

We may think of the Holy Spirit as a dove or fire or wind, but who is the Spirit really, and what is his role in the Trinity and in the Church today?

Catholics profess a belief in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Under-standing these four marks of the Church will help explain the Churchs mission and the role of its members.

The end of the creed covers a wide array of beliefs that often stump non-Catholics: saints, the Virgin Mary, purgatory, confession, and the last judgment. Theyre all right here.

Catholic liturgy is the center of the Churchs life, bringing together signs and symbols, music and sacred images, and a host of earthly elements designed to bring people closer to the heavenly kingdom.

Catholics receive three sacraments over the course of their lives: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. Find out why theyre important and what they mean.

Being human means were going to face struggles of both the spiritual and physical kind. The sacraments of reconciliation and anointing of the sick strengthen Catholics who are facing weakness, illness, or death.

Ordination and marriage are two very different vocations lumped under one heading. Learn about holy orders and why only men are ordained priests, bishops, and deacons, and get the straight scoop on marriage and why the Church says No to divorce.

Before we get to the Ten Commandments, we have to talk about morality in general, starting with that little voice in your head that tells you what you should and shouldnt do.