Whatever happened to the Baltimore Catechism?

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Can anyone recommend a good catechism program? I personally like the New St Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism but its not on our diocese’s approved list of programs.

I’ve been helping with my sons 2nd grade catechism this year using a program called Sadlier We Believe. It’s very unorganized and confusing. I find myself having to teach the basic sacraments and church history from my head to try to give the kids a structured presentation. I think the soft, squishy, meandering lessons of We Believe are almost worse than teaching nothing at all because it mixes the really important truths with mindless feel-good thoughts and commentary.
 
When I first converted to the Catholic Faith in the early 90s, I received a copy of the Baltimore Cathechism from EWTN. You may ask them either on the website or through the mail. I heard on some Catholic Radio show that the Baltimore Chatechism is still valid and has good information even but in a more simple form that the newer Chatechism.
 
Last year we homeschooled three of our children using an Elizabeth Ann Seton course of study, and they taught our sixth grader out of the Baltimore Catechism.

I’m not sure if this is right, but I think setonhome.org/ is the same place we used.

Alan
 
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jeffjuls:
Can anyone recommend a good catechism program? I personally like the New St Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism but its not on our diocese’s approved list of programs.

I’ve been helping with my sons 2nd grade catechism this year using a program called Sadlier We Believe.
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Have you considered doing both? Your children will get everything they need from the Baltimore Catechism (The basics). But if the other one is required for tests or answering questions teach them that too.
 
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jeffjuls:
Can anyone recommend a good catechism program? I personally like the New St Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism but its not on our diocese’s approved list of programs.

I’ve been helping with my sons 2nd grade catechism this year using a program called Sadlier We Believe. It’s very unorganized and confusing. I find myself having to teach the basic sacraments and church history from my head to try to give the kids a structured presentation. I think the soft, squishy, meandering lessons of We Believe are almost worse than teaching nothing at all because it mixes the really important truths with mindless feel-good thoughts and commentary.
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Go here!
ignatius.com/Textbooks/Catechism-FaithAndLife.aspx?SID=1&

They are the world’s best and have actual questions from St. Joseph’s Baltimore catechism in every lesson.
I wouldn’t choose another!!
 
I teach First Communion catechism. I use Baltimore Catechism and Faith and Life. Excellent combination. We have a private catechism, not affiliated with a parish. The group started over 28 years ago due to the complaints regarding texts and some abuses in the parish.

God Bless
Giannawannabe
 
I am surprised that the Baltimore Catechism is not n the approved list of materials to use. Could it be that your Diocese considers it “too old fashioned”? Or, perhaps they just overlooked it. Talk to your DRE and see if you can use it as a guide for yourself to teach from, not one you would have the children use, that way you are not “teaching off the top of your head”.

I know that my Parish uses the St. Joeseph’s Baltimore Catechism for sacramental years and we even have it divided up into “First Penance” and “First Communion” with Confirmation coming much later but still they are given the Catechism for that year.

The problem with the Baltimore Catechism as I see it is that it is a book of memorization and not one of reason. That is why a two prong approach is a good one, memorizing your Faith facts is a good thing but knowing the why is good too. My Grandma had Faith but she had very little actual knowledge, yes, she could spout off her answers from the Catechism but she didn’t understand it! I know many older adults like that and have talked to them about it, they are just now (in their 60’s or older) getting to understand their faith and these are the adults who are going to the classes my Parish puts on, what about all those who don’t see a need for more understanding?

And then there are those who are my age and younger who had nothing but the “touchy. feely, warm fuzzy” religious education 🙂 . We are in a much worse position than those who at least memorized the Faith facts and have a jumping board for more knowledge. I know even more in my age range (47 and younger) who are struggling with their faith but they too are going to the classes my Parish puts on so even though we are starting at somewhat of a disadvantage from the older generation, we have more of a need to learn because we are the ones with the children and we don’t want them to end up where we are or were.
 
The baltimore Chatchism is good, but its ment to memorize…your kids will be able to spit out great definitons but not really take it to heart. The books most CCD use contain little facts but try to get to the heart of the matter…to foster belief insted of defense…use both…
 
Jesus, the Catechism, and Me by Rev. Robert J. Levis

is available through EWTN’s Religious Catalogue.
 
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