The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism (No. 2)

I am a catechist and I have found that the kids preparing for Confirmation know almost nothing about their faith. There are so few catechist volunteers that there are only classes for First Communion and Confirmation. I tried using the materials provided by the parish for confirmation prep but I found that they would be helpful for kids who grew up going to faith formation each year. I went to catechism twice a week all during grades K-6 and we memorized the questions and responses in Volume 1. People criticize this method of learning, but most of my peers can recall essential teachings 40 years later. "Who made you? God made me. Why? To know Him, to love Him and to serve Him in this world and to be happy with him forever in heaven." Knowing the purpose of my existence at age 5 is a wonderful gift. So many search for meaning their whole life. Another example "What is a sacrament? A sacrament is an external sign instituted by Christ to confer grace." I received permission from my parish to teach my confirmation class using Volume 2. It is a 2 year preparation and so we spent the first year learning the tenets of the faith. Because literacy is so poor in our public schools, I have to explain basic words such as oblige, reverence, martyr. I also give examples from the popular culture to explain blasphemy, heresy, indifferentism, etc. I expand on the 5th commandment to cover abortion, euthanasia using the CCC and the USCCB documents to teach the sanctity of human life. Abortion and euthanasia were not legal when this catechism was written, much less espoused by the president and speaker of the house among others who claim to be devout Catholics.

This book is very useful for both learning and teaching the catholic faith! Suitable for any age

Not sure how old you are – but the Volume 1 was what was used in my childhood. For writing research purposes - I ordered both. Vatican II happened as I dawned adolescence (1963-1965). My father was career military and we were extremely transient. ALL the Catholic schools I attended used volume 1. All catholic schools’ told us ‘when you get confirmed the bishop will ask you any question in this catechism, and you better be able to answer it’ – well no questions were asked – but someone possibly 30 years older than me said when he got confirmed the bishop ASKED QUESTIONS OUT OF THE CATACHISM. My Catholic priest cousin explained volume 1 catechism was put together for American Catholics around the turn of the century of 1900 (adult version and kids version) Volume 1 – is a little entertaining as words are dramatically different in the first couple of pages than volume 2. Volume 1 is shorter than volume 2! I did three school changes in one academic year twice – two schools a year was the norm for us (Cold War military families were extremely transient) We would be at a school – and whatever question number we were on – I’d get to the next school and sometimes I’d be ahead – and breathe easy for a while – OR BE SO BEHIND at the next school – then frantically attempt to catch up! Post Vatican II application of the Baltimore Catechism softened substantially, and Volume II is a lot wordier than Volume I, and personally not as clear. BTW – in second grade - my very first confession I had three venial sins - I GOT TEN HAIL MARYs and TEN OUR FATHERs – the biggest penance in my ENTIRE time participating in confession . . . the monsignor was anti-military and we were the ONLY military family in that Catholic school . . . did not miss it leaving that school.

For someone looking for Catholic teachings simplified this book is handy.

This book will reveal the truth, the way & the life to an everlasting narrow way to Heaven. Because outside the Traditional Catholic Church there is no salvation, period. CMRI.org = SEDEVACANTIST 🌎 +

This teaches the Catholic faith, it explains why we treasure our traditions in a simple and easy way to understand. Amen

Just what i needed, came quick1

I’m using it for RCIA for tweens, and it is fabulous. I learned stuff too! Thanks

Great book well worth learning from.

Arrived quickly and as described

An excellent book to prepare y daughter for her first communion. Highly recommended

Reason is the following:Unfortunately the format that the editor has done is very poor quality, split up into 2 so you can't read it either in landscape or portrait.

Great book.