Introducing YOUCAT, the Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, a groundbreaking resource set to launch on World Youth Day. Designed with the input of young Catholics, YOUCAT is crafted for high-school students and young adults, offering a modern and accessible presentation of the Catholic Faith. Its engaging graphic format features a Questions-and-Answers style, complemented by highly-readable commentary, concise definitions of key terms, Bible citations, and inspiring quotes from Saints and other notable figures in the margins.
YOUCAT is meticulously aligned with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, allowing readers to delve deeper into their faith. It covers essential aspects such as what Catholics believe and why (doctrine), how they celebrate the mysteries of the faith (sacraments), how they are called to live (moral life), and how they should pray (prayer and spirituality). The questions posed are direct and honest, sometimes challenging, while the answers provided are straightforward, relevant, and compelling. YOUCAT is poised to become the definitive resource for young people seeking to understand the Catholic faith.
Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his support for the YOUCAT project, addressing young readers with enthusiasm: "Dear young friends! Today I recommend for your reading an unusual book....Should we not attempt to translate the Catechism of the Catholic Church into the language of young people? Should we not bring its great riches into the world of today's youth?" He acknowledges the diversity among today's youth and commends the efforts of Christoph Cardinal Schoenborn, Archbishop of Vienna, in producing YOUCAT for young people. Pope Benedict XVI hopes that many will be captivated by this book, countering the notion that today's youth are uninterested in such matters.
He passionately encourages young people to engage with YOUCAT, stating, "The youth of today are not as superficial as some think. They want to know what life is all about....This book is exciting because it speaks of our own destiny and so deeply engages every one of us." He urges readers to study the Catechism with dedication, emphasizing that it demands a new way of life and presents the Gospel message as the "pearl of great value" (Mt 13:45). Pope Benedict XVI invites young people to study YOUCAT with passion and perseverance, whether alone, with friends, or in study groups, and to share their faith discussions online.