The Catechism of Saint Pius X is a name commonly used for a 1910 English translation of the catechismo maggiore, a portion of the Compendio della dottrina cristiana which Pope Pius X prescribed to be used for catechesis in the Diocese and Province of Rome in 1905. In 1912, Pius prescribed a new catechism for the same use, the Catechismo della dottrina cristiana, which he described as much shorter and better adapted to present-day needs.
Following the Second Council of the Vatican, the Catechism of Saint Pius X fell into disuse. The Dutch Catechism of 1966, authored by theologians Edward Schillebeeckx and Piet Schoonenberg was proposed as a successor to it, but was met by strong opposition by conservative sectors of the Church due to its extreme progressivism.
The SSPX recommends the Catechism of Saint Pius X over the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Joseph Ratzinger, when discussing the forthcoming Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, referred to the catechism of Saint Pius X:
In the general audience of 18 August 2010 Pope Benedict XVI affirmed: