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Baltimore Catechism #1

Baltimore Catechism Number 1

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Baltimore Catechisms one through four are a progressive presentation of the basics of the Catholic Faith. We are happy to be reproducing the original Baltimore Catechism series as prepared in the late 1800's. This is a textual reproduction of the original. No changes have been made, although a note on a relaxation of the Communion fast is placed in the appropriate section, while the original question and answer are retained unchanged from the original. It should be remembered that a catechism prepared in this manner represents part of the ordinary magisterium or teaching authority of the Church, emanating as it does with the approval of the Bishops. By order of the Second Council of Baltimore, a catechism was prepared for use in Catholic Churches in the United States. This was done by Father Kinkead and issued in four volumes for the various levels of study as the Baltimore Catechism. No. 1 for First Communion classes. No. 2 for Confirmation classes. No. 3 for two years' course for Post-Confirmation classes. No. 4 for Teachers and Teachers' Training classes. This is also known as An Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism and is numbered in harmony with Baltimore Catechism number 2. A chart of the 1950's fast laws has been added to the end of Baltimore number 4.

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1885

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5 stars
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78 (14%)
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58 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Ilya Kozlov.
40 reviews5 followers
March 8, 2011
Church abandoned her teaching function...i have to do it myself....first volume could be read in one night....other three volumes expand same ideas.....u will not touch cathecism of jp2 after this....simple, solid, orthodox
Profile Image for Joshua Rodning McIntyre.
37 reviews5 followers
April 9, 2021
I read this in preparation (many years from now) for the catechesis of my daughter. While she is only three, my wife and I read this with her nightly.

The revised Baltimore Catechism is extremely good, especially since it removed certain things in the original version that, while not erroneous, were not Church Dogma.

Anyone with children or who want the rudiments of the Catholic Faith, I highly recommend this.
Profile Image for Gene Arthur Molloy.
26 reviews2 followers
January 17, 2025
This is the catechism that I was brought up on prior to Vatican II, and the Protestantization of Catholic Church. Reading and studying this will show you a stark difference between The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of pre conciliar Catholicism, and the post conciliar Synodal Catholic/Protestant Hybrid Church of The Modernists.

If we are to approach God as a humble child, this is where we need to begin. The psychobabble claptrap of the JP II Catechism is too convoluted. This is the root of The Vine on which I want to be a branch.
Profile Image for Susan Molloy.
Author 153 books88 followers
February 12, 2019
This Baltimore Catechism is the catechism of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, written for Catholic school children in the United States. This volume begins with the traditional prayers (Apostles Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, Glory Be, Acts of Contrition, Love, et cetera). The chapters are broken down in discussing The Ten Commandments, the Sacraments, sins, Laws of the Church, and the like. At the back of this volume are traditional hymns.

This volume is easy to understand, with questions and answers that relate to the particular subject matter in each chapter. This is the catechism to read to learn (or remind oneself) of the true tenants of the Church, not the New Church of Vatican II.

This volume is written for the younger Roman Catholic student; each successive volume (through number 4) is more in-depth and appropriate to the student’s grade level.

I highly recommend this series.
Profile Image for Michele.
52 reviews
June 15, 2024
Informative

Easy to understand great for the curious and for those who have questions or want to prepare for OCIA. Nicely laid out for ease of reading and finding information. Bonus with pertinent prayers being included
Profile Image for Erika.
33 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2008
It's so basic, but then, it's for little kids. Book 2 builds on Book 1, and Book 3 on Book 2, etc., with Book 4 explaining it all in the end...
Profile Image for JZ.
708 reviews93 followers
August 22, 2019
Well, you know “If you can’t say something nice about something, don’t say anything at all”?

Well, I just can’t say ‘anything’ nice about this book, at all.

Was that ok, Mama?
Profile Image for T..
105 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2021
A good book on the basic teachings of the Catholic church. The book however makes many depictions of the Holy Trinity. Depicting the Father, Son and Holy Spirit which goes against Acts 17:29.
2 reviews
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January 9, 2023
This book is a solid read! Set in the time of Nazi Germany. The narrator named "Death" tells the story of Liesel, an orphan girl, who he nicknames "book thief". Since character Hans Hubermann, Liesel's foster father, teaches her to read, she falls in love with it. As a result, Liesel steals books to fulfill her love for reading, hence "Book Thief." Moreover the dynamic between Death and the main character Liesel, although sad, creates a very interesting and captivative relationship that even confuses the reader's emotions at some points. For example, in some scenes when Death is present, he appears to be compassionate. This contradicts the common initial feeling of fear towards dying and totally changes the readers thoughts towards death overall. Furthermore, although the book is sad and may even draw a tear, it does not reign true for the entire book. For instance, a young boy, Rudy and Liesel also have childish and fun adventures together that humorously always seem to end with Rudy asking her for a kiss. All in all, The Book Theif by Markus Zusak is an entertaining book that changes ones perspective on life and death.
Profile Image for Eliza Sims.
32 reviews15 followers
July 15, 2019
Wonderful! So easy to read and filled with nuggets of wisdom elucidating basic tenets of Catholic faith. The illustrations/cartoons are delightful and actually really helpful in remembering and understanding Catholic dogma.
Profile Image for Joseph Raborg.
202 reviews10 followers
January 13, 2020
Excellent Outline of the Faith

Volume one of the Baltimore Catechism covers all of the essentials of Catholic Faith and worship. I highly recommend it even to those who feel like they understand the Faith well. The Kindle edition is perfect.
Profile Image for Kassie R..
344 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2025
While I think this version does its job of teaching things you need to know l, it isn't my favorite for teaching kids, especially if they struggle with understanding. Some of the questions/answers are great, but others harder to understand. I did, however, learn some things myself!
Profile Image for Anastasia Rozance.
71 reviews
December 16, 2020
We used this text for catechism at church. My kids found the text simple and straight forward. It covers the basics in an honest and forthright way. No frills or fluff.
5 reviews
December 30, 2021
Meaningful

Easy to follow. Very useful. Recommend it. If you haven't already. Give it a try. Nice read. Yes. Quite insightful.
5 reviews
January 23, 2023
Easy to read as this is meant for a younger audience. However, the lessons in it were extremely helpful as I go through RCIA.
Profile Image for Nancy Yen.
4 reviews5 followers
October 11, 2024
best update of the catechism

I have learned much from
The Baltimore catechism and bible in a year
My spiritual beliefs have been renewed in mind and spirit
Profile Image for Don Heiman.
1,090 reviews4 followers
December 24, 2020
The Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 1 which I read was officially revised and published by Catholic Book Publishing in 2012. This edition has explanations and study guides that are ideal for youth and beginning learners. The text is organized into 37 lessons, has discussion questions for each lesson, and uses drawn graphics for visual context. The revised edition is explained by Father Bennet C.P. (P)
Profile Image for Vince Mattaliano.
37 reviews
April 20, 2020
Tradititions

Just as I remember, from my childhood! The basics of Catholicism, in a concise form. Readable and well organized. An essential.
Profile Image for Ven Detta.
4 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2014
If you would like to get a foundational understanding of Catholicism, this series of books are for you. There are 4 volumes and each presents the teaching of the catholic Church in a question and answer format. Yes they were designed for educating children but I believe they will help anyone who want to understand the teaching of the Catholic church. Even if you are not a Catholic take some time and try to understand what the Catholic church actually teaches instead of listening to people tell you what they believe.
Profile Image for Joseph.
1 review
February 12, 2015
The best Catholic Catechism series printed.

I used this Catechism series growing up and I truly feel it is still the best. I taught Catechism for a few years, and the textbook we were given to use was so lacking that I often found myself supplementing with the Baltimore Series. There is so much information that is not available in many of these new Catechism series and often times they have errors in them or at best poorly explained teachings. The Baltimore Series is very to the point and easy for the youth to read and study.
Profile Image for Atlantis.
1,594 reviews
August 13, 2021
Short and sweet. Lessons begin with vocabulary and a list of questions and answers. These are intermingled with prayers, The stations of the cross and Hymns. I can’t remember what catechism I was given when I was young going to CCD but I wish that this was still used and I know my kids haven’t gotten this one. Sharing this with my younger sons to help better explain their path to Faith.

August 2021- re-read and bought a different edition that is illustrated. I wish they would use this at our Parish for the kids. I’m thankful I found it for my kids.
Profile Image for Mary Rubega.
32 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2012
I can recall studying the Baltimore Catechism years ago. This is a collection of basic fundamental beliefs of the catholic church presented in a question and answer format designed for first through fourth graders. I gained a deeper understanding of sin and what I'm suppose to be doing to live my faith.
Profile Image for Stephen.
1,244 reviews9 followers
August 12, 2015
This is an excellent breakdown of the beginnings of the Catholic belief system. I don't like the way it limits the vocab sections to what it will be talking about in the lesson, because it does seem to leave out the proper definitions of the words. On the whole it is a well written and thought out exigesis on the interpretations of mortal and venial sins as well as the 10 Commandments.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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