The Catechism begins with the credo, the Apostles' Creed, to understand better all it contains and penetrate further those great Truths that illuminate the path ahead, which is to contemplate the loving plan for us of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – as revealed by Jesus Christ, the Son Incarnate, our Redeemer.

It then continues with a detailed explanation of Grace and the Sacraments, so that we can appreciate these gifts of God and be encouraged to live by them throughout our life's journey on earth.

Finally, we have a study of the Commandments to help us see more precisely what the moral law requires of us, in order that through love of God and our neighbour our life shall find fulfilment, here and in eternity.

The author, the late Hugues d'Orfeuille, in a note introducing this simple yet profound work, said: "I learned (and then taught) an excellent little catechism in my Diocese of Nantes." As the good fruit of his experience, and anxious to pass on "the elements of a serious theology" to young people and others, he produced his own modern catechism, published in Paris in 1983. This is the first English translation of his work.

The translator, Alan Bancroft, is a retired lawyer.