Book to introduce the Church

[raindogg]

I was born and raised Catholic. My wife, on the contrary, was raised outside of any religious teachings what-so-ever. When we were married it was done outside the Church and we lived outside it for years. Recently we came back to the Church. We had our marriage convalidated this year and our children baptized. My daughter just started Catholic school. We have been going to Church weekly and have become involved. My wife volunteers and my daughter takes part in children activities. My wife has befriended other mothers in the Church and is having a great time.

Next year when the RCIA classes start she is going to participate and officially join the Church. In the meantime, she gets out of the experience as much as she can, but she misses out on a lot because she is not able to experience a lot of what goes on within its context. Being that she was raise with absolutely no religious education or training she has knowledge of the history of the church or scripture. She literally does not know anything about the basis for all of this except what I have taught her. But there is so much.

Can anyone recommend a good introductory book for someone completely new to the faith and its traditions? A book that presents the story of the Church and its traditions in an easy to read format without getting too deep or into too much detail. The detail can come later, but for now just something that provides a good introduction into it all.

Thanks!

 

[freudmacher]

So glad to read your thread…Glad you are back, with your family.

I would suggest the Baltimore Catechism, there are 3 (I think just 3 but I could be wrong) levels and maybe the Introduction one would help.

This give a lot of information in a very very easy way to read. It is a question answer format and in easy to read language. My roommate read a lot of it before coming to the Church (2 years ago). He tried other Catechism ones, but the start was very very elementary (he found it extreamly annoying). The Baltimore does, but doesn’t spend 50 pages on it, just a few.

I do understand this may be a bit traditional, but my roommate found it so helpful and he came from a protestant (nondenominational) background.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

The Compendium on the Catechism. It’s based on the *Catechism of the Catholic Church. *Like the Baltimore Catechism, it is in a question answer format. It was written by Pope Benedict before his election.

 

[St_Isidore]

The Compendium on the Catechism. It’s based on the *Catechism of the Catholic Church. *Like the Baltimore Catechism, it is in a question answer format. It was written by Pope Benedict before his election.

That is probably all that they have in common.

But we can agree, it is definitely not the Baltimore Catechism.

 

[raindogg]

Thank you thank you thank you!

I remember the Baltimore Catechism now. And i will definitely pick it up for her for Christmas.

Its been a long time for me since I left the Church and have come back. I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school my whole life. And I have forgotten much. But since I came back 2 years ago a lot is coming back to me. I think I will read the book as well.

 

[SemperFidelis]

I second the Baltimore Catechism. It is great. In correction though, there are four. I wouldn’t suggest the fourth though to someone just starting to read about the Church as it is a little too extensive. If you go with one of the Baltimores I would recommend Baltimore Catechism #3. You can find it here:

baroniuspress.com/book.php?wid=56&bid=42

or here:

tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/71/keywords/catechism/

I also highly suggest this book:

tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/537/keywords/faith/

Which is also available on CD here:

tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/625/keywords/faith/

Both of these books are probably the best introductions to the Faith, and I highly recommend both of them, but if I was going to have to choose between the two, I would go with the second book I suggested: This Is The Faith by Canon Francis Ripley.

 

[PoliSciProf]

Can anyone recommend a good introductory book for someone completely new to the faith and its traditions? A book that presents the story of the Church and its traditions in an easy to read format without getting too deep or into too much detail. The detail can come later, but for now just something that provides a good introduction into it all.

A book that meets your criteria exactly is Father John Trigilio’s Catholicism for Dummies. Father Trigilio has a show on EWTN. Don’t be put off by the title–it is one of many “____ for Dummies”, a very successful book series.

I have been recommending Father James Martin’s My Life With the Saints to just about everybody. It is a wonderfully written account of the major saints along with observations on their modern relevence. Both you and your wife will enjoy this book.

 

[rwoehmke]

Not a question and answer format and reliable. About 14 bucks from Amazon.com., Catholicism for Dummies. Easy reading clear explanations of some of the unique Catholic ways of doing things. I have nothing against the Baltimore Catechism, but personally find the answers to some questions leaving quite a bit unsaid. I don’t mean in a misleading or incorrect answer, but just not enough for an adult to wrap their brain around.

Do not buy Catholicism for Idiots. It is a poor annd sometimes incorrect explanation of the Catholic Faith.

 

[raindogg]

Not a question and answer format and reliable. About 14 bucks from Amazon.com., Catholicism for Dummies.

I was wondering if the dummies series would be a good book for this… thanks.

 

[SemperFidelis]

I have nothing against the Baltimore Catechism, but personally find the answers to some questions leaving quite a bit unsaid. I don’t mean in a misleading or incorrect answer, but just not enough for an adult to wrap their brain around.

Clearly you haven’t read the fourth Baltimore Catechism.

 

[Rolltide]

I’ve gotta recommend “Catholicism for Dummies” as well. Nothing against the other books at all, they are very good, but Catholicism for Dummies is surprisingly complete, organized thematically, and packs a huge amount into a little space. It’s also a great reference guide.

I will also reiterate what others have said… do NOT get “The Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism.” It is not written by Catholics, has a strong liberal bias, and has several very serious factual errors.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Don’t forget Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth, the “booklet” from right here at Catholic Answers. Costs $1 + shipping.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

That is probably all that they have in common.

But we can agree, it is definitely not the Baltimore Catechism.

Emphasis duely noted. No, it isn’t the Baltimore Catechism. The compendium only possesses the rather halt theological understanding of poor Joseph Ratzinger, whereas the Baltimore catechism has the advantage of being the work of a committee.

 

[Brennan_Doherty]

Emphasis duely noted. No, it isn’t the Baltimore Catechism. The compendium only possesses the rather halt theological understanding of poor Joseph Ratzinger, whereas the Baltimore catechism has the advantage of being the work of a committee.

Hey, just like the New Mass!

 

[DustinsDad]

I was born and raised Catholic. My wife, on the contrary, was raised outside of any religious teachings what-so-ever. When we were married it was done outside the Church and we lived outside it for years. Recently we came back to the Church. We had our marriage convalidated this year and our children baptized. My daughter just started Catholic school. We have been going to Church weekly and have become involved. My wife volunteers and my daughter takes part in children activities. My wife has befriended other mothers in the Church and is having a great time.

Next year when the RCIA classes start she is going to participate and officially join the Church. In the meantime, she gets out of the experience as much as she can, but she misses out on a lot because she is not able to experience a lot of what goes on within its context. Being that she was raise with absolutely no religious education or training she has knowledge of the history of the church or scripture. She literally does not know anything about the basis for all of this except what I have taught her. But there is so much.

Can anyone recommend a good introductory book for someone completely new to the faith and its traditions? A book that presents the story of the Church and its traditions in an easy to read format without getting too deep or into too much detail. The detail can come later, but for now just something that provides a good introduction into it all.

Thanks!

Here’s a great one…not in Q & A format, so it’s a more sit back and read type book - exactly what you’re looking for I think:

ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DYYTTK69L.AA240.jpg
Description: This Is the Faith covers everything the convert or inquirer needs to know about the Catholic faith, and does so with a thoroughness that is at once completely satisfying, but never trying. Moreover, its approach is always dignified, reverent and commanding of respect. The result is that the reader will garner a true picture of the reasonableness, thoroughness and beauty of the Catholic religion that - with grace - will all but guarantee the assent of his will if he approaches the book with honesty and integrity. This book belongs in every Catholic home. It is unparalleled as a review, as a catch-up course for the poorly informed, or as an introduction to the truth of the Catholic Faith for converts. Great, sadly needed and destined to do great good in our time!

 

[DustinsDad]

I second the Baltimore Catechism. It is great. In correction though, there are four. I wouldn’t suggest the fourth though to someone just starting to read about the Church as it is a little too extensive. If you go with one of the Baltimores I would recommend Baltimore Catechism #3. You can find it here:

baroniuspress.com/book.php?wid=56&bid=42

or here:

tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/71/keywords/catechism/

…

Here is my favorite version of Baltimore Catechism no.3…it goes into more depth with the Q & As and the doctrinal summarizations at the end of each lesson are excellent. There’s also a short catechism on the mass at the end of the book. This one often goes with me to adoration and is a permenant fixture on my nightstand
ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SJQMKZBSL.BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20.jpg

 

[KarenElissa]

My RCIA class uses This is Our Faith. It was a good overview of everything. Pretty basic, but that sounds like what you are looking for.

 

[SemperFidelis]

My RCIA class uses This is Our Faith. It was a good overview of everything. Pretty basic, but that sounds like what you are looking for.

My RCIA classes uses this book too. It’s okay, but in comparison to some of the other books mentioned here, I would go with something else.

 

[SemperFidelis]

Here’s a great one…not in Q & A format, so it’s a more sit back and read type book - exactly what you’re looking for I think:

ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DYYTTK69L.AA240.jpg
Description: This Is the Faith covers everything the convert or inquirer needs to know about the Catholic faith, and does so with a thoroughness that is at once completely satisfying, but never trying. Moreover, its approach is always dignified, reverent and commanding of respect. The result is that the reader will garner a true picture of the reasonableness, thoroughness and beauty of the Catholic religion that - with grace - will all but guarantee the assent of his will if he approaches the book with honesty and integrity. This book belongs in every Catholic home. It is unparalleled as a review, as a catch-up course for the poorly informed, or as an introduction to the truth of the Catholic Faith for converts. Great, sadly needed and destined to do great good in our time!

You’re right on here, DustinsDad. I couldn’t possibly recommend this book any more to incoming converts.

 

[SemperFidelis]

Here is my favorite version of Baltimore Catechism no.3…it goes into more depth with the Q & As and the doctrinal summarizations at the end of each lesson are excellent. There’s also a short catechism on the mass at the end of the book. This one often goes with me to adoration and is a permenant fixture on my nightstand
ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SJQMKZBSL.BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20.jpg

Does Fr. Connell’s version different any, from the Tan Books or Baronius Press editions of the third Baltimore Catechism, that I posted links to earlier? I have never actually used or seen this version.