New youth catechism comes with enthusiastic papal endorsement

February 03, 2011

A new worldwide catechism designed for young people will soon be available in 7 languages, with a preface expressing the hearty endorsement of Pope Benedict XVI.

Youcat-- short for “youth catechism”—is a 300-page volume, derived from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Aimed at teenagers and young adults, the book presents the faith in a direct question-and-answer format, supplemented with commentary, illustrations, and insights from the works of the saints. The youth catechism is the work of an editorial team led by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, who was also the general editor for the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“Some people tell me that the youth of today are not interested in the catechism, but I do not believe this statement and I am certain that I am right,” writes Pope Benedict in his preface for the book. “They are not as superficial as they are accused of being; young people want to know what life really is about.” The Pope says that he hopes young people will be “captivated” by the book, and use it to deepen their understanding of the faith. “You need to know what you believe,” he tells young readers. He stresses the need for young people to develop a healthy spiritual life, “so your faith does not dry up like a drop of dew in the sun, so you do not succumb to the temptations of consumerism, so your love is not drowned in pornography, so you do not betray the weak, the victims of abuse and violence”

Ignatius Press, the American publisher for Youcat, says that the book will be available in March, providing “an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic faith.”

 

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Further information:

• Pope puts his faith in the youth of today (Vatican Radio)
• Pope promotes 'gripping' new Youth Catechism (CNA)
• Youcat: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church (Ignatius Press)