IV. Structure of this Catechism
13 The plan of this catechism is inspired by the
great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four pillars: the
baptismal profession of faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith, the life of
faith (the Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the Lord's Prayer).
Part One:
the Profession of Faith
14
Those who belong to Christ through faith and Baptism must confess their
baptismal faith before men.16 First therefore the Catechism expounds
revelation, by which God addresses and gives himself to man, and the faith by
which man responds to God (Section One). the
profession of faith summarizes the gifts that God gives man: as the Author of
all that is good; as Redeemer; and as Sanctifier. It develops these in the
three chapters on our baptismal faith in the one God: the almighty Father, the
Creator; his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour; and the Holy Spirit, the
Sanctifier, in the Holy
Church (Section Two).
Part Two:
the Sacraments of Faith
15
The second part of the Catechism explains how God's salvation, accomplished
once for all through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is made present in the
sacred actions of the Church's liturgy (Section One), especially in the seven
sacraments (Section Two).
Part Three:
the Life of Faith
16
The third part of the Catechism deals with the final end of man created in the
image of God: beatitude, and the ways of reaching it - through right conduct
freely chosen, with the help of God's law and grace (Section One), and through conduct
that fulfils the twofold commandment of charity, specified in God's Ten
Commandments (Section Two).
Part Four:
Prayer in the Life of Faith
17
The last part of the Catechism deals with the meaning and importance of prayer
in the life of believers (Section One). It concludes with a brief commentary on
the seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer (Section Two), for indeed we find in
these the sum of all the good things which we must hope for, and which our
heavenly Father wants to grant us.
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