Baltimore Catechism No. 3.

by Anonymous.

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 cla.s.ses.

No. 0 for Confession cla.s.ses and certain adults.

No. 1 for First Communion cla.s.ses.

No. 2 for Confirmation cla.s.ses.

No. 3 for two years' course for Post-Confirmation cla.s.ses.

No. 4 for Teachers and Teachers' Training cla.s.ses.

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 cla.s.sbook 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.

{T.N.: It is not practical below to mimic "such distinction in type"

that exists in the original book. To indicate the questions prepared by the Council I have added in braces their corresponding numbers from Baltimore Catechism No. 2. For example, question 130 below is question 1 in Baltimore Catechism No. 2. Fr. Kinkead's supplemental questions lack this double numbering.}

Whenever questions on the same subject are repeated in the book their object is to bring out some new point or to show their connection with the subject-matter there explained.

AUTHOR.

Catechism of Christian Doctrine

PRAYERS

The Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespa.s.ses as we forgive those who trespa.s.s against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

The Angelical Salutation.

Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of G.o.d, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

The Apostles' Creed.

I believe in G.o.d, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into h.e.l.l; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of G.o.d, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Confiteor.

I confess to Almighty G.o.d, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray to the Lord our G.o.d for me.

May the Almighty G.o.d have mercy on me, and forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen.

May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.

An Act of Faith.

O my G.o.d! I firmly believe that Thou art one G.o.d in three Divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

An Act of Hope.

O my G.o.d! relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

An Act of Love.

O my G.o.d! I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

An Act of Contrition.

O my G.o.d! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of h.e.l.l; but most of all because they offend Thee, my G.o.d, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.

The Blessing before Meals.

+ Bless us, O Lord! and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace after Meals.