Baltimore Catechism, No. 3   By: Anonymous

CATECHISM

OF

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

PREPARED AND ENJOINED BY ORDER OF THE THIRD PLENARY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE (In Accordance with the New Canon Law)

No. 3

{For Two Years' Course for Post Confirmation Classes}

SUPPLEMENTED BY Rev. THOMAS L. KINKEAD Author of "An Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism"

Published by Ecclesiastical Authority

NEW YORK, BOSTON, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO, SAN FRANCISCO BENZIGER BROTHERS, INC. PRINTERS TO THE HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE

Imprimatur: JOHN CARDINAL McCLOSKEY, Archbishop of New York. NEW YORK, April 6, 1885

The Catechism ordered by the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, having been diligently compiled and examined, is hereby approved. JAMES GIBBONS, Archbishop of Baltimore, Apostolic Delegate. BALTIMORE, April 6, 1885.

Nihil obstat: REV. REMIGIUS LAFORT, S.T.L., Censor Librorum.

Imprimatur: MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York. NEW YORK, February 21, 1901.

Nihil obstat: ARTHUR J. SCANLAN, S.T.D., Censor Librorum.

Imprimatur: PATRICK J. HAYES, D.D., Archbishop of New York. NEW YORK, June 29, 1921.

{Transcriber's Note: This book is commonly known as "The Baltimore Catechism No. 3" and is part of a four volume e text collection. See the author's note below for the background and purpose of the series. This e text collection is substantially based on files generously provided by http://www.catholic.net/ with some missing material transcribed and added for this release. Transcriber's notes in this series are placed within braces, and usually prefixed "T.N.:".}

NOTE

These Catechisms of the Baltimore Series are arranged on a progressive plan. No. 00 gives the Prayers and Acts to be learned before the study of the Catechisms begins: No. 0 contains one half the questions of No. 1; No. 1 half the questions of No. 2; No. 2 one third the questions of No. 3, and No. 4 (an Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism) furnishes much additional information with copious explanations and examples.

The same questions bear the same numbers throughout the series, and their wording is identical. The different sizes of type make the Catechisms more suitable to their respective grades, smaller children usually requiring larger print.

Apart from its educational advantages, the progressive plan aims at lessening the expense in providing children with Catechisms, by furnishing just what is necessary for each grade; it aims also at encouraging the children to learn, by affording opportunity for promotion from book to book.

These Catechisms are intended to furnish a complete course of religious instruction, when, used as follows:

No. 00 for Prayer classes. No. 0 for Confession classes and certain adults. No. 1 for First Communion classes. No. 2 for Confirmation classes. No. 3 for two years' course for Post Confirmation classes. No. 4 for Teachers and Teachers' Training classes.

PREFACE TO NO. 3

I have been requested by several priests to prepare an abridgment of the "Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism" that would be suitable as a classbook for children who have been confirmed or who have completed the study of the Baltimore Catechism No. 2. The "Explanation" itself contains more matter than some of these children can master and it costs a little more than many of them can afford to pay. I have, therefore, selected from the list given in the back of the "Explanation" a large number of the more practical and important questions, to which I have added others, with answers, as full, brief and simple as the matter will permit. These questions and answers are added to those of the Baltimore Catechism No. 2, but with such distinction in type that all may see they are not a part of the Catechism prepared by the Council, but only a development of its meaning.