Mary Lea Hill FSP - Basic Catechism

With the publication of the eighth revised edition of the Basic Catechism, Pauline Books & Media has once again provided us with a doctrinally-sound and reader-friendly basic resource for anyone seeking to learn (more) about the Catholic faith. This is a great tool, especially for use by parents and catechists.

Richard J. Malone, Th.D., S.T.L., Bishop of Buffalo

The Catholic faith is big, beautiful, and mysterious. We can often feel like travelers in a strange land as we explore it. Sr. Mary Lea Hill, FSP, provides a wonderful service for both converts and cradle Catholics alike in this accessible guidebook for the wonderers and adventurers who seek to answer the call of Jesus from the heart of the Church.

Mark P. Shea, author of Salt and Light: The Commandments, the Beatitudes, and a Joyful Life

Anyone looking for information on the Catholic faith needs a copy of Basic Catechism. This handy, easy-to-read book covers the Creed, Sacraments, morality, and prayer. Complete with Scripture citations, cross-references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and an index, this popular handbook will provide you with whatever you need to know about the Catholic Church.

Sr. Lorraine Trouv, FSP, writer for the Ask a Catholic Nun Facebook page and editor of Basic Catechism

Do we need another basic catechism? This one we do. Sister Mary Lea Hill, FSP, and Sister Helen Wallace, FSP, give us a comprehensive explanation of the Catholic faith and a guide to living a faith-filled Catholic life. As expected, answers are annotated to the appropriate Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs as well as Scripture references. Sections on Sacraments and Commandments stand out with a richness that will benefit the scholar, the seeker, and all in between. The detailed but easy-to-read description of the Mass, and the vestments and vessels at Mass, make this an ideal reference for RCIA groups, but it belongs on the shelf of any serious Catholic.

Susan Abbott, Director, Office of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Boston

FAQs About the Catholic Faith

Eighth Revised Edition

In accordance with the
Catechism of the Catholic Church

Mary Lea Hill, FSP
and Susan Helen Wallace, FSP

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hill, Mary Lea.

Basic catechism : FAQS about the Catholic faith / Mary Lea Hill, FSP, and Susan Helen Wallace, FSP. -- Eighth revised edition in accordance with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

pages cm

Rev. ed. of: Basic catechism / Daughters of St. Paul. 7th rev. ed. c1999.

Includes index.

ISBN-13: 978-0-8198-1205-6

ISBN-10: 0-8198-1205-6 1. Catholic Church--Catechisms--English. 2. Catholic Church--Catechisms. I. Title. BX1961.B29 2013

238.2--dc23

2012048228

Old Testament Scripture quotations contained herein are from: Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1965 and 1966 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise specified, the New Testament texts used in this work are taken from The New Testament: St. Paul Catholic Edition, translated by Mark A. Wauck, copyright 2000 by the Society of St. Paul, Staten Island, New York, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America, copyright 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.

Cover design by Rosana Usselmann

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

P and PAULINE are registered trademarks of the Daughters of St. Paul.

Copyright 2013, Daughters of St. Paul

Published by Pauline Books & Media, 50 Saint Pauls Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3491

Printed in the U.S.A.

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Pauline Books & Media is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious serving the Church with the communications media.

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This eighth edition of the Basic Catechism has been expanded and revised to more closely reflect the Churchs teaching on the challenges facing the faithful Christian in todays society. It also reflects changes in the liturgy due to the new translation of the Mass texts that took effect in Advent 2011. The material is divided according to the four sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: the profession of faith, the celebration of the Christian mystery, life in Christ, and Christian prayer.

The numbers in parentheses that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Together with the index, these cross-references will direct the reader to further information on particular topics. A section of basic prayers and guidelines for Christian living serves as a convenient reference.

Does God exist?

Yes, God exists.

One God and Father of us all, who is above all, through all, and in all. (Eph 4:6)

Who is God?

God is the all-powerful Spirit who created everything that exists. He is our Father who is with us always and awaits us in heaven to share his everlasting joys with us. (205221)

For God who made the world and everything in itthe Lord of the heavens and the earthdoes not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor does he need anything we can do for him since he gives everyone life and breath and everything. (Acts 17:24)

How can we know that God exists?

Through reason and revelation we can know that God exists. (35)

What is reason?

Reason is our power to think. (33)

What are some of the ways Gods existence can be known by our power to think and reason?