Someone decided back in the 70s or something to change the way catechesis was done. That meant that the Baltimore Catechism was no longer used. Though my whole life I have heard it references in homilies, and wished that I, too, had memorized it as a child. When M and I were thinking about what sort of religion instruction to give G this year, we turned to the Baltimore Catechism. The first catechism in the series is the
The New Saint Joseph: First Communion Catechism. So, we will spend three years on it, but why not start with something so solid that explains the truths of our faith so well?
To demonstrate the books awesomeness, I share with you a series of pictures from Lesson 7: Jesus Opens Heaven For Us:
See God the Father with the closed Gates of Heaven.
Then when Jesus died fire shot out of His and Mary's hearts and burned up the sin which was barring us from Heaven. This is the best illustration EVER!
Now the gates of Heaven are open! Don't forget about Mary!
Oh yeah, and the Church still is, and always will be, the way Jesus established for us to go to Heaven.
I <3 the Baltimore Catechism's pictures. So much! :D
ReplyDeleteI love those pictures! They make it the teachings so clear and simple!
ReplyDeleteWe used this book for Maria's 1st Communion prep (both at home, and with the Sacrament preparation at our parish) and loved it! It was especially wonderful when I would ask Maria the questions, and Thomas, or even sometimes Edmund, would give the answer.
ReplyDeleteOur Lady of Victory has a great religion series that follows the Baltimore Catechism, it's the best we've found.