The Catholic Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures, and teaches that “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.” She also, “forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ’ (Phil. 3.8) by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.’” (From the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, nos. 9, 21, and 25).

  Many of us today do not know our faith well. But thanks to the loving initiative of Pope John Paul II and the Bishops of our Church, we now have a universal Catechism which explains what Catholics are to believe in a format that is easy to read and addresses current issues. By making a commitment of only twenty to thirty minutes a day, you can prayerfully read through the entire Bible and/or Catechism in one year! Use whatever Bible translation you like that contains the entire Canon of Scripture.

 

This guide is divided by month, but you can start at any time.

 

We encourage you to begin with a short prayer.

For example:

• First, Make the Sign of the Cross. Then pray: † In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

• Then, pray a simple prayer, such as: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen” †

• As you read, listen for themes and challenging statements that speak to your present life and needs.

• When you have finished, meditate silently for a moment on what you have read and then prayerfully respond.

• Check off the readings as you finish them.

• You may consider forming small groups of four or five friends to encourage and support one another, with each person doing the readings alone each morning and then the whole group gathering once per week for discussion and prayer. When used in a larger parish setting, these groups could be formed under the leadership of a priest, deacon or spiritual director.

• Some portions of Scripture are more difficult to read, understand and apply than others (i.e., the books of Leviticus and Numbers). However, be patient and prayerful, remembering that God can speak to us even through a long line of “begats.” • The chapter and verse numbering in this guide is based on the New American Bible. Other versions may have slightly different numberings.

May God bless your reading of His Word and His Church’s Catechism!

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* source; The Coming Home Network International 

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