United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

The official local catechism developed by the bishops of the United States—approved by the Holy See and rooted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults presents the fullness of the Catholic faith shaped by the lived experience of the Church in the United States, integrating the richness of both the Latin and Eastern Catholic traditions. Designed for adults seeking to understand, embrace, and live the Catholic faith, this catechism combines doctrinal clarity with pastoral warmth, cultural insight, and practical guidance.

Each chapter follows a proven and engaging structure: a story of a saint or American Catholic witness, a clear presentation of Church teaching with helpful sidebars, reflection on the challenges and opportunities within U.S. culture, questions for personal or group discussion, concise doctrinal statements, and a closing meditation or prayer. This format helps readers not only learn the faith but also apply it, pray with it, and see it lived in real lives.

Features Include:

• An official catechism developed by the U.S. bishops and approved by the Holy See—the authoritative local adaptation of the universal Catechism.
• Organized around the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Creed, The Sacraments, The Moral Life, and Prayer.
• 36 chapters, each with a saint’s story or lesson of faith, clear teaching, cultural reflection, discussion questions, a doctrinal summary, and a closing meditation or prayer.
• Extensive appendices, including a Glossary of key terms, Traditional Catholic Prayers, and recommendations for further reading.
• Comprehensive indexes—a Scriptural Index and a topical Index—making it easy to locate themes, doctrines, and passages for study or teaching.
• Ideal for OCIA, parish formation programs, and personal study, offering clear teaching, cultural relevance, and a prayerful path to deeper conversion.