The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) contains the fundamental truths of Christianity as taught by the Catholic Church. It is structured in a way to focus on the major beliefs which include The Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the sacraments, the commandments, faith, salvation, morality, virtues and Christian Prayer.

The purpose of a catechism is to provide the fundamental Christian truths formulated in a way that facilitates their understanding. There are two categories of catechism: major and minor. A major catechism is a resource or a point of reference for the development of minor catechisms. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an example of a major catechism. The Baltimore Catechism is an example of a minor catechism.

The CCC is divided into four major parts, The Profession of Faith, The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Life in Christ and Christian Prayer. Each part has sections divided into chapters. Each chapter will contain articles. Within all of this, every paragraph is numbered. Many of the numbered paragraphs will have foot notes for reference to scripture and other Christian writings.

In reading the "Catechism of the Catholic Church"

we can perceive the wonderful unity of the mystery of God...

— Pope John Paul II

Finding a reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

In this catechetical series, related catechetical instruction, handouts, books, references and footnotes, there will be references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church as “CCC” followed by a number. The references will point to the numbered paragraph within the CCC.

Example:  CCC 183 – refers paragraph number 183

183  Faith is necessary for salvation. The Lord Himself affirms: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk 16:16)