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The four parts of the Catechism

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I Numbers 1–1065

The profession of faith

What the Church believes

II Numbers 1066–1690

The celebration of the Christian mystery

The liturgy and the sacraments

III Numbers 1691–2557

Life in Christ

The vocation and the commandments

IV Numbers 2558–2865

Christian prayer

The life of prayer and the Our Father

Today's reading

Number 766

The Church is born primarily of Christ's total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. "The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus." 171 "For it was …