The Catechism: A Light Along the Path of Faith

Roxane Salonen shares why she believes the Catechism is for all Catholics—even busy parents.

When the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church was promulgated in the United States in 1994, I was in the middle of a deep dive back into my Catholic origins. And I was quickly captivated.

In the years leading up to this, I was floundering a bit in my faith. I sensed there was something very rich about the faith of my birth, but I’d been challenged a lot in college and still hadn’t grasped how to thoughtfully respond. In addition, my new husband wasn’t Catholic. I was thirsting for spiritual unity but didn’t feel I knew enough about my own faith to make a solid case for it.

But now, I had to know. I had to find out. If not for my husband, and our hoped-for future children, then simply for myself. Despite my immersive work as a newspaper reporter, I spent any extra hour I could find plumbing the depths of the Church.

The resources abounded—Scott and Kimberly Hahn’s testimonies, Karl Keating’s “Fundamentalism and Catholicism,” learning better the Church’s prayer devotions, and, ultimately, the Catechism, which had just become available.

The following year, in part being caught up in my excitement of what I was learning, my husband entered RCIA, and our first child was born. Early in 1996, Troy was confirmed in the Church and our baby, Christian, was baptized.

By the time our little cherub arrived, I’d gotten about halfway through my reading of the Catechism which, in parts, left me gratefully breathless. For the first time, I had a way to explain the Catholic faith to others. If they had questions I couldn’t quite convey, I could turn to the Catechism for thoughtful answers. Its compilation gave me a sense of a long and enduring wisdom, all for the benefit of those searching like me. It was, in a word, beautiful! In another? Brilliant!

At some point, though, motherhood took over. Our family made a move from the West Coast back to the Midwest, and four more children followed. The Catechism has remained a wonderful, rich resource when questions arise, but my full read-through never happened.

Which is why I was so thrilled to hear that Fr. Mike Schmitz agreed to take up the challenge of leading us through the Catechism through Ascension’s Catechism in a Year podcast.

On Day 13, in CCC 89, we read that “Dogmas are lights along the path of faith.” I know that the word “dogma” can be foreboding, but put this way, we find that they are our friends; not meant to intimidate, but to lead and guide. “I see them as signposts and inns,” a friend joining the journey commented. “I see, stop and take a rest while rebuilding the strength of my faith.”

If you’ve wanted to read the Catechism, or have but wished for more guidance, it’s not too late to join Fr. Mike in this exciting journey. A fun sidenote might be to check out this Protestant’s reaction to the Catechism as we go along. I am enjoying hearing her fresh takes and gaining insight on how our fellow non-Catholic Christians approach the faith.

This is a manageable way to learn the depths of the faith, bit by bit, and with others to accompany. There are even groups on Facebook where people bring questions and comments each day.

Click to tweet:
For the first time, I had a way to explain the Catholic faith to others. #CatholicMom

If you still think the Catechism isn’t meant for you, consider these gems from Day 14:

In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children and talks with them. (CCC 104)

Indeed, as we find in CCC 101,

In order to reveal himself to men, in the condescension of his goodness God speaks to them in human words.

“In the condescension of his goodness.” Indeed. Thank you, Lord, for lowering Yourself to us, so that we might know and love You as You do us.

Q4U: Are you on the “Catechism in a Year” 2023 team? I’d love to hear from you how it’s going so far, and some of your takeaways!

Copyright 2023 Roxane Salonen
Images: Canva; Catechism promo image courtesy of Ascension Press