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║ The Baltimore Catechism ║

║ of Christian Doctrine ║

║ For The Use of ║

║ Sunday-School Teachers and Advanced Classes ║

║ (Also known as Baltimore Catechism No. 3) ║

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by

Rev. Thomas L. Kinkead

These Catechisms of the Baltimore Series are arranged on a progressive plan. No. 00 gives the Prayers and Acts to be learned before the study of the Catechisms begins:-No. 0 contains one half the questions of No. 1 ; No. 1 half the questions of No. 2; No. 2 one-third the questions of No. 3, and No. 4 (an Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism) furnishes much additional information with copious explanations and examples.

The same questions bear the same numbers throughout the series, and their wording is identical. The different sizes of type make the Catechisms more suitable to their respective grades, smaller children usually requiring larger print.

Apart from its educational advantages, the progressive plan aims at lessening the expense in providing children with Catechisms, by furnishing just what is necessary for each grade; it aims also at encouraging the children to learn, by affording opportunity for promotion from book to book.

These Catechisms are intended to furnish a complete course of religious instruction, when, used as follows:

No. 00 for Prayer classes.

No. 0 for Confession classes and certain adults.

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.

Preface To No. 3

I have been requested by several priests to prepare an abridgment of the "Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism" that would be suitable as a classbook for children who have been confirmed or who have completed the study of the Baltimore Catechism No. 2. The "Explanation" itself contains more matter than some of these children can master and it costs a little more than many of them can afford to pay. I have, therefore, selected from the list given in the back of the "Explanation" a large number of the more practical and important questions, to which I have added others, with answers, as full, brief and simple as the matter will permit. These questions and answers are added to those of the Baltimore Catechism No. 2, but with such distinction in type that all may see they are not a part of the Catechism prepared by the Council, but only a development of its meaning.

Whenever questions on the same subject are repeated in the book their object is to bring out some new point or to show their connection with the subject-matter there explained.

AUTHOR.

Catechism of Christian Doctrine

PRAYERS

The Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Angelical Salutation.

Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Confiteor.

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through, my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me. May the Almighty God have mercy on me, and forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen. May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.

An Act of Faith.

O my God! I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that he will come to, judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

An Act of Hope.

O my God! relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

An Act of Love.

O my God! I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

An Act of Contrition.

O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.

The Blessing before Meals.

Bless us, 0 Lord! and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace after Meals.

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, 0 Almighty God, who livest and reignest for ever; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

The Manner in which a Lay Person is to Baptize in Case of Necessity:

Pour common water on the head or face of the person to be baptized say while pouring it: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

N.B. Any person of either sex who has reached the use of reason can baptize in

case of necessity.

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║ THE LESSONS OF THE CATECHISM ║

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LESSON 1: ON THE END OF MAN

LESSON 2: ON GOD AND HIS PERFECTIONS

LESSON 3: ON THE UNITY AND TRINITY OF GOD

LESSON 4: ON CREATION

LESSON 5: ON OUR FIRST PARENTS AND THEIR FALL

LESSON 6: ON SIN AND ITS KINDS

LESSON 7: ON THE INCARNATION AND REDEMPTION

LESSON 8: ON OUR LORD'S PASSION, DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION

LESSON 9: ON THE HOLY GHOST AND HIS DESCENT UPON THE APOSTLES

LESSON 10: ON THE EFFECTS OF THE REDEMPTION

LESSON 11: ON THE CHURCH

LESSON 12: ON THE ATTRIBUTES AND MARKS OF THE CHURCH

LESSON 13: ON THE SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL

LESSON 14: ON BAPTISM

LESSON 15: ON CONFIRMATION

LESSON 16: ON THE GIFTS AND FRUITS OF THE HOLY GHOST

LESSON 17: ON THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

LESSON 18: ON CONTRITION

LESSON 19: ON CONFESSION

LESSON 20: ON THE MANNER OF MAKING A GOOD CONFESSION

LESSON 21: ON INDULGENCES

LESSON 22: ON THE HOLY EUCHARIST

LESSON 23: ON THE END FOR WHICH THE HOLY EUCHARIST WAS INSTITUTED

LESSON 24: ON THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

LESSON 25: ON EXTREME UNCTION AND HOLY ORDERS

LESSON 26: ON MATRIMONY

LESSON 27: ON THE SACRAMENTALS

LESSON 28: ON PRAYER

LESSON 29: ON THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD

LESSON 30: ON THE FIRST COMMANDMENT SAINTS

LESSON 31: THE FIRST COMMANDMENT -- ON THE HONOR AND INVOCATION OF SAINTS

LESSON 32: FROM THE SECOND TO THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT

LESSON 33: FROM THE FOURTH TO THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT

LESSON 34: FROM THE SEVENTH TO THE END OF THE TENTH COMMANDMENT

LESSON 35: ON THE FIRST AND SECOND COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH

LESSON 36: ON THE THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH AND HEAVEN

LESSON 37: ON THE LAST JUDGMENT AND THE RESURRECTION, HELL, PURGATORY, AND HEAVEN

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║ LIST OF QUESTIONS ║

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LESSON FIRST: On the End of Man.

Q.126. What do we mean by the "end of man"?

Q.127. How do you know that man was created for God

alone?

Q.128. In what respect are all men equal?

Q.129. Do not men differ in many things?

Q.130. Who made the world?

Q.131. What does "world" mean in this question?

Q.132. Who is God?

Q.133. What is man?

Q.134. Does "man" in the Catechism mean all human beings?

Q.135. What is a creature?

Q.136. Is this likeness in the body or in the soul?

Q.137. How is the soul like to God?

Q.138. Is every invisible thing a spirit?

Q.139. Has a spirit any other quality?

Q.140. What do the words "will never die" mean?

Q.141. Why then do we say a soul is dead while in a state of

mortal sin?

Q.142. What does our "understanding" mean?

Q.143. Can we learn all truths by our reason alone?

Q.144. What do we call the truths God teaches us?

Q.145. What is "Free Will"?

Q.146. Have brute animals "understanding" and "free will"?

Q.147. What gift in animals supplies the place of reason?

Q.148. What is instinct?

Q.149. Have men as well as brutes "instinct"?

Q.150. Why did God make you?

Q.151. Why is it necessary to know God?

Q.152. Of which must we take more care, our soul or our

body?

Q.153. Why must we take more care of our soul than of our

body?

Q.154. What must we do to save our souls?

Q.155. What does "worship" mean?

Q.156. How shall we know the things which we are to

believe?

Q.157. What do we mean by the "Church, through which

God speaks to us"?

Q.158. Where shall we find the chief truths which the Church

teaches?

Q.159. If we shall find only the "chief truths" in the

Apostles' Creed, where shall we find the remaining

truths?

Q.160. Name some sacred truths not mentioned in the

Apostles' Creed.

Q.161. Say the Apostles' Creed.

LESSON SECOND: On God and His Perfections

Q.162. What is a perfection?

Q.163. What is God?

Q.164. What do we mean when we say God is "infinitely

perfect"?

Q.165. Had God a beginning?

Q.166. Where is God?

Q.167. How is God everywhere?

Q.168. If God is everywhere, why do we not see Him?

Q.169. Why do we call God a "pure spirit'?

Q.170. Why can we not see God with the eyes of our body?

Q.171. Does God see us?

Q.172. Is it necessary for God to watch over us?

Q.173. Does God know all things?

Q.174. Can God do all things?

Q.175. When is a thing said to be "impossible"?

Q.176. Is God just, holy, and merciful?

Q.177. Why must God be "just" as well as "merciful"?

Q.178. Into what sins will the forgetfulness of God's justice

lead us?

Q.179. Into what sins will the forgetfulness of God's mercy

lead us?

LESSON THIRD: On the Unity and Trinity of God

Q.180. What does "unity," and what does "trinity" mean?

Q.181. Can we find an example to fully illustrate the mystery

of the Blessed Trinity?

Q.182. Is there but one God?

Q.183. Why can there be but one God?

Q.184. What does "supreme" mean?

Q.185. When are two persons said to be equal?

Q.186. How many persons are there in God?

Q.187. What do "divine" and "distinct" mean?

Q.188. Is the Father God?

Q.189. Is the Son God?

Q.190. Is the Holy Ghost God?

Q.191. Do "first," "second," and "third" with regard to the

persons of the Blessed Trinity mean that one person

exi