The catechism explains this Truth in the light of the Vatican Council as it is believed celebrated, lived and prayed by the Church and does so with the intention of fostering unfailing adherence to the Person of Christ. Such a service to the Truth fills the Church with gratitude and joy, and imparts to her new courage to fulfill her mission in the world. Furthermore, the catechism is a gift deeply rooted in the past. Drawing abundantly on sacred Scripture and the inexhaustible apostolic Tradition, it collects, summarizes and transmits that incomparable richness which, despite difficulties and even differences, throughout 20 centuries of history has become the Church's ancient but ever new patrimony. Thus once again the bride of Christ jealously fulfills her mission to guard the precious treasure which comes from on high and diligently works to make it bear fruit.
Nothing ever changes in the eternal Catholic doctrine.
Whatever was fundamental and essential in it still remains. Therefore, this compendium of Catholic faith and morals is a privileged gift in which we have a convergence and collection in a harmonious synthesis of the Church's past, with her Tradition, her history of listening, proclaiming, celebrating and witnessing to the Word, with her councils, doctors and saints. Thus through successive generations, resounds the enduring and ever timely evangelical magisterium of Christ, light of mankind for 20 centuries. The catechism is a gift for the Church's present. The bond with what is essential and venerable in the Church's past allows her to fulfill her mission among human beings today.