Church Documents

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Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church has put together a thorough list of the teachings of the Church as transmitted from Jesus. This is an invaluable reference and is also referenced throughout Pathways to Discipleship

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 1, Section 1, Article 2, Chapter 3 "Sacred Scripture"

A brief overview of Sacred Scripture.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 2, Section 2 - The Seven Sacraments of the Church

Church teaching on the seven sacraments.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 1 “The Sacrament of Baptism”

The catechism’s teaching on the Sacrament of Baptism.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 2 “The Sacrament of Confirmation”

The catechism’s teaching on the Sacrament of Confirmation.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 4 "The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation"

The catechism’s teaching on the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 5 “Anointing of the Sick”

The catechism’s teaching on the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 6 “The Sacrament of Holy Orders”

The catechism’s teaching on the sacrament of Holy Orders.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 7 “The Sacrament of Matrimony”

The catechism’s teaching on the sacrament of Matrimony.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 4, Section 1, Chapter 1, Article 3 "In the Age of the Church"

The catechism’s teaching on the various types of prayer, including intercessory prayer.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 4, Section 2 “The Lord’s Prayer”

This is a detailed explanation of the Our Father prayer.

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Discernment of Gifts

A spiritual inventory tool from the Diocese of Cleveland.

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Faith and Reason (Fides et Ratio), encyclical by Pope John Paul II, 1998

The pope explains the relationship between faith and reason in a deeply philosophical document. This can be challenging to read but is rich in meaning to our culture. Additional resources to interpret it may be helpful.

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God is Love (Deus et Caritas), encyclical by Pope Benedict XV1

This was Pope Benedict’s first papal encyclical and is an exploration of divine love.

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Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium), Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, 2013

Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World.

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Letter of Pope John Paul II to Artists, 1999

The Pope wrote this letter to artists to encourage them in their vocations and convey the relationship and importance of beauty and the Gospel.

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Light of the Nations (Lumen Gentium) - Vatican II Constitution, 1964

Lumen gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. Chapters one and two treat the church’s nature and historical existence, chapters three and four treat different roles in the church, chapters five and six treat holiness and religious life, while chapters seven and eight discuss the saints and Mary.

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On Capital and Labor (Rerum Novarum), encyclical by Pope Leo XIII

This was the first social encyclical (1891), and addresses economic questions through the lens of faith and reason. Useful for anyone who wishes to learn more about the just use of money.

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The Eucharist In Its Relationship To The Church (Ecclesia De Eucharistia), encyclical by Pope John Paul II, 2003

The pope explains how the Church draws her life from the Eucharist and joyfully experiences the constant fulfilment of the promise: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20).

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The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church (USCCB) (.PDF)

The US Catholic bishops offer these reflections on the Eucharistic faith and practice of the Church to encourage Eucharistic renewal in parishes and communities. (Visit www.eucharisticrevival.org)

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The Theology of the Body, by St. John Paul II

This document is the text of the 129 Wednesday audiences delivered by St. John Paul II between 1979 and 1984, popularly known as the “Theology of the Body.” His reflections are based on Scripture and contain a vision of the human person truly worthy of man. Emphasizing the theme of love as self-gift, they counteract societal trends which view the body as an object of pleasure or as a machine for manipulation.

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