St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism (No. 1): Official Revised Edition

This is an awesome book to teach young Catholics! We love the pictures, the informative text and the review questions at the end of each lesson! Love doing this for conformation prep. To make sure to grab this addition and not the newest addition with the new red cover which only has questions and answers no informative text or photos.

I love the Baltimore catechism. Clear concise instruction. I’m supplementing my granddaughter’s summer school assignments with it.

The Baltimore Catechism was first issued in 1885 as an American Catholic Catechism and was used extensively from 1885 until the 1960s, when (unfortunately) American Catholics moved away from using catechisms. With the advent of the amazing Catechism of the Catholic Church (ISBN: 0385508190), and the brand new Compendium of the Catechism (ISBN: 1574557203), fewer and fewer people are using the Baltimore Catechism. While I love both the new Catechism and the Compendium, I believe that the Baltimore catechism still has an important place. The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 is an edition of the Baltimore Catechism intended for older children, but I have used it frequently as an adult. It is arranged in a useful question and answer format, and the answers are classically Catholic. There is no fudging in any way; the Baltimore Catechism clearly and concisely explains what Catholics believe. While the theology of the Baltimore Catechism is essentially the same as post-Vatican II Catholic Theology, some Catholic discipline has changed since it was written, so it is always helpful to compare what is written with current canon law. At the end of each section are questions and scripture readings related to what was discussed. At the very end of the book is a glossary, excerpts from the Mass, an essay on "why I am a Catholic," the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, and photos of the Holy Land. These make the Baltimore Catechism a helpful Catholic reference. There may be a few potential drawbacks to this book. First, the photos look like they are straight out of another (past) era. While I like them now, when I was a sixth grader, I would have thought they were silly. I know this is superficial, but unfortunately, teens and pre-teens often put a big emphasis on these sorts of things. Second, the biblical names used in the Baltimore Catechism come from the Vulgate / Douay-Rheims translations of the Bible. While I have copies of both translations, most kids and adults these days are not familiar with them. For instance, we refer to Noah, not Noe. Of course, these are minor drawbacks only. Overall, I highly recommend the Baltimore Catechism. While the recent official catechisms are excellent, and should be the foundation of Catholic catechesis, there is still a place for the Baltimore catechism. When I have children, I am going to make sure they are raised on the Baltimore Catechism as well as the official ones. Also, I think that adults, especially those in the RCIA program, could use to hear the clear and concise answers the Baltimore Catechism provides.

The Baltimore Catechism is the "grand slam" of Catholic instruction that should have NEVER neen removed from Catholic Schools. This book is written for 6th to 8th grade students of the 1950s and 1960s but is perfect for adults because of it's simplicity, clarity, completeness and doctrinal soundness. The only thing outdated about this book is the artwork (so what?). It is a must own for anyone who wants to firm up their understanding of Catholic teaching. This is "old school" Catholicism at it's finest. This catechism even teaches about Hell, Purgatory, Indulgences, Penance, Devotions (how to pray) and even "MORTAL SIN". Yes, the church still teaches these things, we just don't hear about them anymore because modern catholic educators don't want anyone to be..... heaven forbid.... "uncomfortable". None of this "feelgoodism" and "new age" confusion that has permeated some catholic schools in the last 30 years. This book is perfect for anyone who grew up in the confusing "Post Vatican II" era and wants to learn their catholic faith the way it should have been taught all along. It is also perfect for catholic parents who want to instruct their children in the fundamentals of catholicism.

Though often dismissed as "pre-Vatican II" and therefore obsolete, the New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism is a terrific way to teach children the Faith. Since the book covers basics like Creed, Commandments, Sacraments and Prayer, the fact that it's pre-conciliar is largely irrelevant. When was the last time you discussed the nuances of Lumen Gentium with an eight year old?Each of the thirty seven chapters covers a topic like "Trinity", "the Eucharist" or "Incarnation" with a reading from Scripture, an explanation of that reading, a Q & A "catechism" and then a series of questions on what the student has just learned. The chapters are about four pages long, so they are perfect for reading to children nightly. (Parents can brush up on their own catechesis by reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church and reflecting on how its passages elaborate on what is contained in the Baltimore Catechism.)Book no. 1 is ideal for first through third graders, while the three subsequent volumes are useful for instructing older children.

It is great to see this book is available again. Some of the most basic Catholic Teachings seem to get leftbehind in todays - social service age - this brings back the basics of Catholic Religious education. Great for recent converts who need specific details. Great reference.

After First Communion, parents need a text book for helping them to teach their children about the faith at a steadily increasing level. The St Joseph Catechism No. 1 does this for children in grades 3-5, or even higher. It takes the truths of the faith in step by step order, and presents them in clear language, with pictures accompanying the teaching. My children found it easy to learn and remember the teachings of the faith by having not only the text but also the pictures.