Baltimore Catechism, No. 2

Baltimore Catechism #2

by Plenary Councils of Baltimore

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Theology, Reference, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

The Plenary Councils of Baltimore were three national meetings of Catholic bishops in the United States in 1852, 1866 and 1884 in Baltimore, Maryland.

During the early history of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States all of the dioceses were part of one ecclesiastical province under the Archbishop of Baltimore. This being the case, governance of the American church was carried out by provincial councils held in Baltimore. As the church grew and was divided into multiple provinces, it became necessary for a national (or plenary) council of the bishops of the United States to meet to foster common discipline.

The fathers of the Seventh Provincial Council of Baltimore requested the Holy See to sanction the holding of a plenary council. The petition was granted and the pope appointed Archbishop Francis Kenrick of Baltimore as Apostolic Delegate to convene and preside over the council.

Reviews

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade school kids in the 1950s used to know this by heart. Thus proving that yesterday's school kid knew more about Catholicism than today's adult Catholics.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Baltimore Catechism is the catechism of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, written for Catholic school children in the United States. This volume begins with the traditional prayers (Apostles Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, Glory Be, Acts of Contrition, Love, et cetera). The chapters are broken down in discussing The Ten Commandments, the Sacraments, sins, Laws of the Church, and the like. At the back of this volume are traditional hymns.

This volume is easy to understand, with questions and answers that relate to the particular subject matter in each chapter. This is the catechism to read to learn (or remind oneself) of the true tenants of the Church, not the New Church of Vatican II.

This volume is written for the younger Roman Catholic student; each successive volume (through number 4) is more in-depth and appropriate to the student’s grade level.

I highly recommend this series.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tool for teaching CCD classes!!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even when I had to study this volume, I did not like the question and answer format. However, I do remember liking the explanations given by the Catholic Church for their beliefs. They seemed more scholarly that the short answers we had to memorize when we were younger. This was the textbook that I required to study during weekly sessions with my classmates from grades 8 through 10. I quit going after that. We Catholic students going to public schools were released once a week to walk to the church for religious lessons. Usually that meant missing the first class of the morning. I did not like that.

[Trey Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe it is a good concise summary of the faith, but for an adult and someone well acquainted with the faith, it lacks substance. However, this will not deplete my assessment of this work, as it is a wonderful introduction to the faith, and I will use it one day for the instruction of my own children; I will not rate it without regard to the intended audience. I am looking forward to read the fourth volume, as it is oriented towards adults and instructors, rather than to children. Furthermore, I have already read, albeit in a different edition, the third volume, which itself has more substance; it is a good volume for those of a slightly older age than volume one and two.

[TRE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it was meant for school-age children, once you factor in the entropy of our educational system, this book is eminently readable for modern adults. Despite going to Catholic school for 13 years of school-age education in the '90s, we never touched on these basics. It was both great and disappointing to only learn more about the core truths of the Catholic Church from its catechism another 18 years later as an adult in my 30s. Would highly recommend all Catholics read it to know their faith and be able to defend it well.

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2011 edition of Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 was officially revised and published by Catholic Book Publishing based on four earlier editions beginning in 1962. The 2011 edition has explanations and study guides that are for Junior and Senior high school learners. The text has 38 lessons with discussion questions for each lesson, and uses drawn graphics for visual context. The edition also includes an annotated index that includes a dictionary of terms. The appendix features Holy Land pictures with descriptive text. The 2011 edition is explained by Father Bennet C.P. (P)

[Anastasia Rozance · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are using this text as CCD education this fall due to distance learning. As a teacher, I find the text straight to the point and direct for my students. The illustrations are dated and some of the text as well but I find that it is a refreshing to get back to basics. I have taught using book No1 and book No2. I prefer book No1 but this version suits children ages 10-12 whereas book No1 is geared toward 7-10 year olds.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for outlining the Catholic faith to older children.
Do not let the teaching stand on its own, however.
This will be most effective for good formation if each topic is used as the basis of open discussion.
Allow the students to question and discuss.
Activate the spirit within them.

[Michael Laflamme · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old book from my troubled youth and a reminder of parochial school. Still relevant, still idealistic, still calling us to higher things. More impressive at the end of my life than it was at the beginning. May we all reach such ideals of religious faith and fervor.

[Isaac Kofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book and do all of the exercises for a religion class, and it is FASCINATING. I didn't grow up Catholic, and even if I did, I was born about 40 years after Vatican II, so this book showed me a lot about how the reforms affected religious learning.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of those kids who was required to memorize the whole book before making my Confirmation. At the time, it seemed like a huge task, but 55 years later I appreciate the simplicity and wisdom.

[Lester Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of my Faith

The 22nd Baltimore Catechism has been a great review of my Catholic faith. It beings back many fond memories of my Catholic education.

[Father Faceless · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t go wrong with Baltimore.

[Carma Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful in understanding the Catechism!

[Diane Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent review of the facts about the Catholic Church.

[Tosha Denham Schiffli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I prefer this to the updated version.

[Bryan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to become a Catholic without going to mass or to confession or reading the Bible? Then just read the Baltimore Catechism which quickly lays out in language any third grader can understand how to know everything you ever wanted to know about Catholicism and didn't want to ask. Although millions have had to memorize this book, I don't think two people will agree on it. If you want to save time, just memorize the Apostle's Creed. Everything beyond that is church doctrine.

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the simplicity of this book. I use it (in part) to teach my catechism class. Some parts I cannot use, because the Church has "nuanced" their thinking about some of these ideas. The illustrations are priceless! Little red devils with horns and tails.... they get the point across!

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These were both excellent re-fresher courses/re-reads that I'd read/learned as a child in Catholic grammar school many years ago and SO easy to read - I'm determined to read through the adult version of the complete Baltimore Catechism.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

It will take me a year to read all the way through this................

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 1 out of 5]

This makes me thankful for the reformation!

[Kazango · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit more informative than the first volume, intended as it is for older children. Still a valuable resource for catechesis.

[Big H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic information, presented in an easy Q & A format.

[Janet Forte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful to help teach our little children all about our faith, before Vat II. I had taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade CCD, and I alway wrote many of my lesson around this wonderful book.

[Doreen Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Catholic read.