Duc in Altum

The answer to the question of man's greatest desire and the answers to many other questions based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church are included in the new Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Yesterday, on the eve of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Benedict XVI approved and presented the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. As prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he helped to oversee the writing of this shorter form of the Catechism. Notably, the Catechism is presented in a question and answer format which for Americans will be reminiscent of the Baltimore Catechism which was written in the nineteenth century. Consequently, the more concise, question and answer format will more easily lend itself to memorization.

In the presentation, the Holy Father noted that he desired that the Compendium be given "to every person of good will, who would like to know the unfathomable riches of the salvific mystery of Jesus Christ."

Sample questions include: [Translations provided by Zenit.]

23. What unity is there between the Old and New Testaments?

Scripture is one, as the Word of God is one; the salvific plan of God is one, the divine inspiration of both Testaments is one. The Old Testament is a preparation for the New, and the New is the fulfillment of the Old: both illuminate one another mutually.

482. What is required for peace in the world?

It requires the just distribution and protection of the goods of people, free communications between human beings, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, [and] the assiduous practice of justice and fraternity.

533. What is man's greatest desire?

Man's greatest desire is to see God. This is the cry of his whole being: "I want to see God!" Man attains his authentic and full happiness in the vision and the blessedness of the One who created him out of love and attracts him to Himself by his infinite love.

This last answer alone is worth its own meditation.