Ooooh! This is exciting: a new, “third edition” of the Catechism, especially designed for teenagers, and cleverly named “YouCat” (short for “Youth Catechism”, but also reminiscent of YouTube etc.).
I don’t know when the English edition will be out, but I am looking forward to it. I was always a bit disappointed at the Compendium, because the language used in it was a bit too “high” for the simple folk (as Luther would have called them). I always wanted an official version of the Catechism which I could give to my daughters and which we could use for teaching here in the home. I hope that this will be it!
In the link above, Magister includes the wonderful words of Pope Benedict lauching this book – well worth a read in full, but here is a taste:
Some people tell me that today’s young people are not interested in the catechism; but I do not believe in this statement, and I am sure that I am right. They are not as superficial as they are accused of being; young people want to know what life is really about. A crime novel is compelling because the fate it draws us into is that of other people, but could be our own; this book is compelling because it speaks to us of our very destiny and therefore concerns each of us intimately.
For this reason I invite you: study the catechism! This is my heartfelt wish.
Yes, it will be interesting how they ‘pitch’ the english translation. If ‘The Lord be with you. And with your Spirit’ is anything to go by, I’d be a bit concerned!
Slightly more seriously such a publication begs the question, what is ‘youth?’.
To me the answer is highly complex and nothing that one book could hope to address.
Finally, I’ve heard that Vatican has announced a new patron saint for email.
…
wait for it
…
St Francis of a CC.
:-)
Groan.
Re the kind of language used: I think there is a world of difference between the kind of language we use to catechise (a big word which means teach…) is quite different from that which we use for public liturgy.
Re: “And with your spirit”, you might like to take a look at this, which Peter M helpfully sent to me recently: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2011/01/27/why-%E2%80%98and-with-your-spirit%E2%80%99-is-right/
The article shows that the use of “spirit” in the response has to do with a lot more than just language. (ie. “spirit” is not just a big word for “you too”).
Groan.
And with you.
I think that should be:
“And may your spirit groan also”
(cf. Romans 8:22-26)
Lol at people that potray themselves as ‘progressives’ but can’t accept this small change on a positive note.