The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism

A great reference for Catholic Catechists and other Catholics interested in knowing and learning their faith.

It is a testament to Fr. Hardon's abilities as a teacher that his catechism is still in print over twenty-five years after it was first released. Largely a Q & A version of his monumental Catholic Catechism, this book presents 1701 succinct questions and answers about the Catholic faith. The distinguishing features of "The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism" are its orthodoxy (faithfulness to authoritative Catholic teaching), its excellent composition and readability, and, perhaps most importantly, the pastoral nature of its responses. By "pastoral," I mean that it poses questions that typically come up during conversations about the Catholic faith. "How do we know there is a purgatory?" "Should children receive the sacrament of penance before first Communion?" "What are some forms of self-denial to be practiced during Lent?" "Has the Church forbidden that Mass be said in Latin?" Although this book predates the authoritative Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition and the new Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is entirely consistent with them. In fact, I have found it to be of great benefit to supplement readings of the Compendium and Catechism with Fr. Hardon's pastoral guidance.

Those familiar with the Q & A format of the old Baltimore Catechism will enjoy Fr. Hardon's treatment of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). He takes the 500+ pages of the CCC and distills it to about 270 pages of clear prose.His inspiring introduction suggests ways Catholics should use the Catechism to deepen their faith.

We use this book with our RCIA process. It gives a good overview of the Catholic Faith. Fr. Hardon has taken the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and paraphresed it in shorter form. He holds to the order and layout of the CCC and even references every paragragh to it making it simpole to do further study on any topic you are reading. This is great for the Catholic who wants to know more about their faith or for those who do not understand Catholicism and want a clear overview.

This book is an excellent aid in using the Catholic Catechism. The book is in the same order as the Catholic Catechism and is done in a question and answer format. It provides specific answers to specific questions about the Catechism.I use the book along with my Catechism when I have a question or just need to clarify some things. The book has a nihil obstat and imprimatur that lets you know it is free from doctrinal error.