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Catholic Catechism of Saint Pius X

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The Catholic Catechism of Pope Saint Pius X, first published in 1908, proofread and formatted for the Kindle.

Unlike other Catechisms addressed to priests and bishops, this compendium -- in question and answer format -- was intended as a brief, authoritative summary for the Catholic layman and the general public by Pope Pius X, later canonized in 1954.

A favorite resource of traditional Catholics, this book remains a classic of pre-conciliar catechesis.

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1908

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About the author

Pope Pius X

116 books34 followers
Pope Saint Pius X (Ecclesiastical Latin: Pius PP. X), born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox theology. His most important reform was to publish the first Code of Canon Law, which collected the laws of the Church into one volume for the first time. Frequent communion was a lasting innovation of his papacy.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Luís de Santa Maria.
49 reviews16 followers
August 22, 2020
A wonderfully concise explanation of the Catholic Faith; every Catholic should try to read it, not just once but from time to time, so as not to forget the truths contained in it.
7 reviews
June 22, 2023
Being the first Catechism that I’ve read it was very insightful and simple. St. Pious X very simply walks you through through question and answer format some of the basics of Catholic theology.
66 reviews15 followers
September 22, 2020
A very good and useful resource, however I don't think it's well suited for its primary purpose of instructing children -- a lot of the blocks they're expected to memorize are quite long and complex.

I enjoyed it a lot as an adult learning more about the faith though, and it seems like it would be excellent for teens or older kids.
Profile Image for Kezscribe.
459 reviews24 followers
May 28, 2024
Catecismo dispensa comentários…
Que edição excepcional do CDB, ilustrações, qualidade gráfica; tudo impecável!
Profile Image for Will Daly.
147 reviews
November 5, 2019
Clear and simple explanation of the faith, although it’s a little dated by now, and it sometimes uses dry theological language that is less than compelling, even if only because it is rather obscure.

Also, this version, despite its handsome binding, is riddled with typos.

As a newcomer to the Church, I was desperately in need of something like this. I didn’t want to read the entire gigantic catechism on the Vatican website.

Glory be to the Lord Jesus Christ, his Holy Mother, and the Church he established, His beloved bride. May this century see her flower anew ❤️ 💐
Profile Image for Kabian Sadi.
12 reviews3 followers
November 13, 2023
Esta edição é maravilhosa.
Os comentários e ilustrações são valiosíssimos e dão bastante fundamento a obra.
É um catecismo indispensável, de facílima compreensão, muito bom até para crianças.
Para quem está se aprofundando mais na fé Católica, acredito que é um excelente próximo degrau.
Trabalho da editora Dom Bosco foi impecável e digno de aplausos.
Profile Image for Matthew.
3 reviews
January 22, 2015
Excellent Catechism

Could and should still be used today to teach the Faith. In my own opinion this is even better than the current catechism.
158 reviews13 followers
January 27, 2025
What should you do if offered a Bible by a Protestant? Reject it with disgust. If you should happen to discover a Protestant Bible in your possession, you should burn it as soon as possible.

So says the alarmingly detailed, occasionally profound, sometimes pedantic catechism of Pius X.

I read this as part of a project to explore spirituality in general and mystical religions in particular. While Eastern Orthodoxy is my main target, I felt it would be wise to explore Catholicism as well, prior to moving on to other religions and practices.

And did I learn some of the rules of Catholicism? Absolutely.

I learned how to remove a communion wafer stuck to the roof of one’s mouth (only with the tongue, never by using a finger) and also that those who derive happiness primarily from this world cannot be happy, because they have forfeit their soul.

The book veers through biblical exegesis, general advice, a decent overview of the Catholic organizational structure and responsibilities of various members, definitions for a whole host of concepts from sin to confession to the components of the trinity.

My favorite parts were the detailed analysis of core elements of the Catholic faith, such as the “our father”, the Ten Commandments, and the types of sin. This detail shows you a bit what the Catholics have figured out over more than a thousand years. You get a sense for how well they have thought through each component of their faith and how in combination these guidances comprise a system for one’s salvation. There are lessons here for those of any faith (or none) on how to live.

Of course, the above would count as blasphemy by the author himself, who views God and his earthly representative in the form of the Pope to be unerring and unique in their access to Truth. Statements like this are unpopular in the culture I live in and I seldom hear them. It was fascinating to get a sense for how a religion works that so strongly insists on both its discovery of Truth and it’s ability to continue arbitrarily Truth on behalf of God.

Everyone ought to give this a read.
Profile Image for Lucas Valverde.
10 reviews
July 8, 2025
Comprei a versão do Centro Dom Bosco, a qual contém explicações mais profundas das respostas dadas por São Pio X, bem como ilustrações/obras de arte para ajudar no raciocínio. Recomendo fortemente esta edição do CDB deste Catecismo.
Como Catecismo, essa obra é fraca se comparado ao Catecismo moderno (Amarelinho). Como o Conde Loppeux disse: este Catecismo foi feito para o camponês italiano entender o que é a fé católica. São centenas de bullet-points sobre o Cristianismo/Catolicismo. É ridiculamente básico, sem muito aprofundamento teológico e Bíblico. Isto não exclui a utilidade dele. Este livro ainda assim é útil, pois contém muitas verdades sobre a fé, porém ele não serve como instrumento de formação para catequese, por exemplo, devido à superficialidade das explicações contidas nele.
É um bom catecismo para crianças e adultos de fraco intelecto. Ele teve sua importância no século XX, já no século XXI ele recebe seu espaço apenas entre os Tradicionalistas que não enxergam a necessidade que tínhamos de receber um catecismo que contivesse uma explicação aprofundada sobre a fé que professamos, em vez de um catecismo básico e, por isso, fraco em conteúdo.
Profile Image for Stephen Heiner.
Author 3 books114 followers
January 3, 2020
This is a "short" Catechism by Catholic standards, as the comprehensive ones, like the one that came out of the Council of Trent, is easily 3-4 times this size. This is a short and basic one, not just good for younger Catholics studying the faith, but for those who know nothing about Catholicism and want a basic primer for what Catholics actually believe, as opposed to what others say Catholics believe.
Profile Image for Colin Ahearn.
17 reviews11 followers
November 13, 2019
It’s good to read how the saints preached

Pius X is a huge inspiration and insight into the Church’s teachings not so long ago, way before Vatican II change things. We could learn a lot from reading this book.
Profile Image for Valentina.
231 reviews
August 25, 2018
Il Catechismo maggiore di San Pio X non può mancare nella libreria personale di ogni cattolico, tanto quanto il Catechismo della Chiesa Cattolica attualmente in uso. Qualcuno l'ha definito "intramontabile" ed è proprio così, sia naturalmente a livello contenutistico (perfettamente in linea con l'attuale Catechismo, eccetto quelle parti esplicitamente contrassegnate da delle postille), sia in quanto a chiarezza espositiva. Nel libro sono presenti moltissime domande di natura dottrinale con relative risposte da parte dell'allora Sommo Pontefice Pio X, proclamato santo qualche decina di anni dopo. A me è piaciuto tantissimo. E' un libro da leggere, meditare e tenere a portata di mano per poterlo consultare all'occorrenza. Consigliatissimo!
Profile Image for Otis.
1 review1 follower
February 13, 2021
Literalmente necessário para qualquer Catolico
Profile Image for Theoni Bell.
Author 2 books25 followers
March 5, 2021
Riveting!!!
Okay, not really. But necessary. Succinct. Clear. No equivicating.
7 reviews
March 6, 2021
Ótimo catecismo. São Pio X conseguiu explicar discussões dificílimas com uma simplicidade magistral.
Profile Image for Ricardo Portella.
185 reviews
May 25, 2021
Catecismo da Igreja Católica escrito por São Pio X. Uma leitura obrigatória para todo católico verdadeiro. O capítulo final com a história da humanidade é fantástico.
Profile Image for Caroline Weiss.
115 reviews
October 15, 2021
A wonderful Catechism written for the laity in Q&A format by Pope St. Pius X who had a passion for catechizing lay people. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Richard.
8 reviews
October 30, 2021
Concise, clear, and faithful to the Gospel without the heresy of Modernism creeping into the teachings. Oh and did I say NOT AMBIGUOUS about the truth of the Gospel.
Profile Image for Brandi.
165 reviews9 followers
June 6, 2022
A great no nonsense catechisms
Profile Image for Gabriel.
85 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2023
Em linguagem clara, entendi as principais ideias e crenças da Igreja Católica. Espero estar pronto para o batismo.
41 reviews
April 6, 2025
Un classique qui m’aide et m’a beaucoup aidé !
Profile Image for Piero Marmanillo .
331 reviews34 followers
July 5, 2023
"AL SR. CARDENAL PEDRO RESPIGIH

Nuestro Vicario general SEÑOR CARDENAL : La necesidad de proveer cuanto antes a la religiosa institución de la tierna juventud, Nos ha aconsejado la publicación de un Catecismo que exponga de un modo claro los rudimentos de nuestra santa fe y aquellas divinas verdades con que debe informarse la vida de todo cristiano. Por tanto, habiendo hecho examinar los muchos textos ya en uso en las diócesis de Italia, Nos pareció oportuno adoptar, con ligeras modificaciones, el texto ha varios años aprobado por los Obispos del Piamonte, Liguria, Lombardía, Emilia y Toscana. El uso de . este texto será obligatorio para la enseñanza pública y privada en la diócesis de Roma y en todas las demás de la Provincia romana, y confiamos que también las otras diócesis lo querrán adoptar, para llegar de esta manera al texto T(nico, a lo menos para toda Italia, que es el deseo universal. Con esta dulce esperanza os damos de todo corazón, señor Cardenal, la Apostólica Bendición.

Del Vaticano, a 15 de julio de 1905.

PIO, PAPA X"


Poco a poco voy conociendo más sobre la Doctrina Cristiana de mi religión católica. En esta oportunidad he leído el Catecismo Mayor de San Pío X. La instrucción del libro está elaborado mediante preguntas y respuestas desde lo más elemental de la Doctrina Cristiana. La lectura se hace muy comprensible. Asimismo, el Catecismo contiene un resumen de la Historia del Cristianismo, Historia de la Iglesia y también fechas festivas.

Invito a todos a leer el Catecismo.
Profile Image for Sam Doucette.
27 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2019
Excellent synopsis of Catjolicism

This small but powerful catechism has everything both a cradle and convert Catholic needs to know and take to heart about Catholicism. Often I found mysel thinking, "When, if ever, have I heard this preached or taight?" Sadly, not very often. However, it's never too late to (re-)learn the faith that sustained Catholics for 1960 years before Vatican Ii. The "dark ages" weren't dark at all.
Profile Image for Ce.
250 reviews12 followers
January 31, 2017
¿Es mucho pedir utilizar este texto para la preparación a la Confirmación? Supongo que sí, sobre todo cuando se vé unos esperpentos de textos sin pies ni cabeza que DEFORMAN a más "católicos".

Santo Papa Pio X compila de manera sencilla y clara una guía excelente para cualquier católico. El texto está disponible gratis en línea, así que búsquelo y léalo.
Profile Image for Wil Roese.
88 reviews15 followers
August 9, 2025
Best Catechism so far

I have read a few Catechism and so far this is by far the best. This is intend for Cathilic lay adults whereas The Baltimore Catechism is for children, Youcat is for youth an The Catechism of the Council of Trent is for pastors.
Profile Image for Gabriel.
85 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2024
Excelente trabalho do Centro Dom Bosco. As imagens são lindíssimas. Provavelmente um dos livros mais rápidos que li esse ano, pois cada artigo era delicioso de se aproveitar e degustar. Parabéns pela edição única.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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