Compendium - Catechism of the Catholic Church
This work, by a commission of bishops appointed by Pope John Paul II, over which Benedict XVI (then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) presided, is a synthesis of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church, which contains all the essential and fundamental elements of our faith.
The Compendium was written to make the Catechism more widely known and understood. Using reference numbers, it helps readers to refer back to the Cathechism, if needed.
There are four parts to the Compendium:
1. Profession of Faith
2. Celebration of Christian Mystery
3. Life in Christ
4. Christian Prayer
I love the format of the Compendium, which is question and answer (called dialogue format). This format was chosen for better understanding and easier memorization.
Included throughout the text are beautiful artistic images and pictures, which make it not only informative but a work of art. Lastly, there are traditional Catholic prayers, both in Latin and English, and a section called Formulas of Catholic Doctrine, which includes the Beatitudes, Five Precepts of the Church, Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and more. Softcover, 204 pages.