Some time ago someone who went through RCIA 'classes' asked me for a good short source book on what Catholics believe (sad isn't it after RCIA) - not as long and scholarly as the Catechism. A highly recommended Catechism (by those more qualified than me) is the Baltimore Catechism. It was written at the Baltimore Council in 1895 (give or take a few years). It contains a list of questions and answers that are quite straightforward and provides Scriptural citations to support the doctrine. (The numbers - No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 - refer to level of detail and depth in the answers.) They can just read the question and short answer or read the more detailed explanation.
The Baltimore Catechism No. 3, Father Connell's Confraternity Edition
- More than 500 questions covering the entire Catholic Faith (following The Apostles’ Creed)
- Clear and concise answers followed by developed explanations
- Use of Scripture and Tradition to defend Doctrine
- Summaries of important truths for each chapter
- Study helps and exercises for students
- 22 illustrations with explanations
- Special "lay-flat" cover for hassle-free studying.
Thanks for your;
"A highly recommended Catechism (by those more qualified than me) is the Baltimore Catechism. It was written at the Baltimore Council in 1895 (give or take a few years). It contains a list of questions and answers that are quite straightforward and provides Scriptural citations to support the doctrine. (The numbers - No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 - refer to level of detail and depth in the answers.) "1895 and still the best! Obviously beliefs have not changed so the fact that it is not in wide use today must stem more from either sly attempts to revise (e.g. 'English translators slanting the readings') or the money greed of publishers to print (e.g. what some here have noted with regard to music revisions, annually). Thanks again,