A Pocket Catechism for Kids

I use this to teach my kids (5, 4, and 3) the catechism. The questions are notated for age appropriateness, and very brief. We read the question and response every morning, and within 2 weeks my kids have memorized it. It is so easy for us all.

The Church teaches that a child's primary catechist (teacher of the faith) is his parents. That's why Scripture doesn't contain a Letter of St. Paul to "the Children"; it's always been the job of parents to hand on the faith.Mike Aquilina's and Fr. Kris Stubna's little book is an excellent way to do just that. In easy to read and remember questions and answers, they cover the four pillars of the faith: Creed, Sacraments, Commandments and Prayer. There are also terrific descriptions of the Mass and guides to making a good Confession.My children and I make a nightly habit of reading about the saint of the day, a selection from Scripture, and several pages from this pocket catechism. It's become an elemental part of their catechesis.

The title pretty much says it all. This is a "POCKET" catechism. It comes in a pocket size and has brief "pocket sized" explanations of the faith.The first half of the book contains commonly asked questions about God, faith, and the Church along with brief answers.For example, Question 3 reads, "Why did God make you?" along with the response: God made you to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him here on earth, so that I may live with Him forever in Heaven. Each question also lists the corresponding grade level for which that particular teaching is most appropriate.The catechism also includes commonly asked questions about the Rosary, the saints, the Sacraments, and the Commandments.The latter half of the book includes about 20 popular prayers, how to pray the Mass, how to make a good confession, the rite of reconciliation, and a Church calender including Holy Days and major Saints' feast days.It's clear that the pocket catechism is not the end-all and be-all. It is meant only as an entry point into the faith. I can imagine faithful young people carrying this with them as a guide or even as an introduction to the Church for the un-Churched. It would make a great companion book to Our Sunday Visitor's "Where is That in the Bible?"