Catholicism for the comprehensively impaired

  • Thread starter Thread starter DrawNearToGod
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DrawNearToGod

Guest
I have a high IQ but due to my mental illness and the effect of my medications, my comprehensive ability is impaired. When reading about my faith, I often struggle to have concepts “click” and I often forget what I’ve read.

My spiritual director knows this better than anyone, and God bless him for being patient with me.

I just don’t know where to turn. I like visual learning and things explained simply but profoundly.

There is a convent of Down Syndrome sister’s in Europe. I always wonder how they would explain Catholicism.

I wish there was Theology For Dummies.

Can anyone help?
 
Consider purchasing children’s books about the faith. Then when a particular topic is of interest, take your time with it. For example, maybe decide one week that you will study one commandment and take ten weeks to work through all of them. You can search specific questions online.

As another option, start a notebook of questions and pick what is most interesting and start looking it up and reading about it.
 
Kindnessmatters said:
For example, maybe decide one week that you will study one commandment and take ten weeks to work through all of them.
Click to expand...
I probably didn’t explain this well… that is perhaps a bit too easy … but the kids book is a great idea.

Isn’t the first Baltimore catechism made for children?
 
Have you tried Catholicism in the for Dummies series? I actually found that to be good, enough depth to get to the concepts but they don’t get lost in the nuances either. That might also give you a starting point. It’s perfectly good to read things multiple times too. I’ll often do this with material which gets thicker. But also just reinforcing the basics. Humans are smart, but we can be a bit dumb too at times…
 
I think how easy it is depends on how thoroughly you study as you can find supporting parables, readings, relevant saints, learn of their lives, and on and on. Perhaps making a list of what you want to learn about, just pace it as is comfortable.

I find it is easier to follow and retain info if I want to know about it…follow your interests.
 
Have you read any private revelations? I’ve found some of them to be helpful in illuminating my faith.
 
Sorry, but, I would advise private revelations only for someone with a mature, solid foundation in Church teaching.
 
In addition to Catholicism for Dummies, Baltimore Catechism, and Formed, check out Youcat, the catechism for young people.

Also try Fr Mike Schmitz’ videos. They’re short, and usually simple.

I agree with Little Lady - skip the private revelations unless you want to read a very short summary of Fatima or Lourdes. I would not go beyond that if I were you.
 
I would suggest starting with one thing, learning piece by piece. One concept at a time and if it takes a long time, that is fine.

There is a story of a religious who stopped for many years on one passage of the Bible, he would not go on until he fully understood it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top