Why don't we use the Baltimore Catechism anymore?

Seeker1961 · #1 Jul 31, '12, 3:35 pm

Not sure if this is the right place for this question so moderator please move if so warranted.

Why did schools stop using the Baltimore Catechism? My school was very traditional and we used it well into the 1970's even though others in the diocese were changing to other religion texts. Our Pastor felt "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so he just let it remain. It wasn't until he left that the school changed texts, and I was in HS.

I know that my religious education was FAR superior to that of my friends in other schools and others my age. I also feel it was superior to what the children are getting now.

thistle · #2 Jul 31, '12, 4:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker1961

Not sure if this is the right place for this question so moderator please move if so warranted.

Why did schools stop using the Baltimore Catechism? My school was very traditional and we used it well into the 1970's even though others in the diocese were changing to other religion texts. Our Pastor felt "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so he just let it remain. It wasn't until he left that the school changed texts, and I was in HS.

I know that my religious education was FAR superior to that of my friends in other schools and others my age. I also feel it was superior to what the children are getting now.

I assume you are talking about the USA?

Seeker1961 · #3 Jul 31, '12, 4:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by thistle

I assume you are talking about the USA?

Is it used in other countries? I do live in the USA so that is my experience.

Indyann · #4 Jul 31, '12, 4:38 pm

In my opinion, the Baltimore Catechism taught students how to memorize, but not how to apply what they had learned.

I used the Baltimore C. until high school. The good nuns rarely discussed the hows and whys of Church teaching. I memorized the book, but didn't know what it meant to live as a Catholic. I just knew the facts.

Lormar · #5 Jul 31, '12, 4:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indyann

In my opinion, the Baltimore Catechism taught students how to memorize, but not how to apply what they had learned.

I used the Baltimore C. until high school. The good nuns rarely discussed the hows and whys of Church teaching. I memorized the book, but didn't know what it meant to live as a Catholic. I just knew the facts.

That was my experience too. The only thing I came away with was a horror for mortal sin and the fear of going to hell. In my archdiocese, we used the Baltimore Catechism until 1967 or 1968.

Seeker1961 · #6 Jul 31, '12, 5:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indyann

In my opinion, the Baltimore Catechism taught students how to memorize, but not how to apply what they had learned.

I used the Baltimore C. until high school. The good nuns rarely discussed the hows and whys of Church teaching. I memorized the book, but didn't know what it meant to live as a Catholic. I just knew the facts.

I have heard that before, but I have never really understood how you could know the facts but not know how to apply them. We studied theology on a deeper level in high school but without the foundational facts, I don't think I would have understood the deeper theology. I know some of the kids from schools that didn't use the BC had a tougher time.

It's kind of like the times tables. You can do algebra without having memorized the times tables, but knowing them makes it a whole lot easier.

Indyann · #7 Jul 31, '12, 5:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lormar

That was my experience too. The only thing I came away with was a horror for mortal sin and the fear of going to hell. In my archdiocese, we used the Baltimore Catechism until 1967 or 1968.

Same here. And I am quite scrupulous till this day. I don't know if that learning fueled it or if scrupulosity is just in my nature.

Lormar · #8 Jul 31, '12, 5:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indyann

Same here. And I am quite scrupulous till this day. I don't know if that learning fueled it or if scrupulosity is just in my nature.

Indyann, it must have been the training, because I suffer from scruples too! I remember this mental image as a young girl of God the Father standing at this lectern with a huge book on it and a big quill pen in His hand writing down all of my sins.

Let's pray for each other.

Indyann · #9 Jul 31, '12, 5:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker1961

I have heard that before, but I have never really understood how you could know the facts but not know how to apply them. We studied theology on a deeper level in high school but without the foundational facts, I don't think I would have understood the deeper theology. I know some of the kids from schools that didn't use the BC had a tougher time.

It's kind of like the times tables. You can do algebra without having memorized the times tables, but knowing them makes it a whole lot easier.

So what about the folks that were not fortunate enough to attend Catholic high school?

If they only knew the 10 Commandments, but did not know why certain things were sins, do you think they were prepared to live as a Catholic?

Indyann · #10 Jul 31, '12, 5:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lormar

Indyann, it must have been the training, because I suffer from scruples too! I remember this mental image as a young girl of God the Father standing at this lectern with a huge book on it and a big quill pen in His hand writing down all of my sins.

Let's pray for each other.

I used to picture all my non-Catholic relatives burning in hell.

My person with the quill pen was at the gates of heaven. And my name could not be found in the "book of life".

Agreed, I will pray for you also.

Seeker1961 · #11 Jul 31, '12, 5:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lormar

Indyann, it must have been the training, because I suffer from scruples too! I remember this mental image as a young girl of God the Father standing at this lectern with a huge book on it and a big quill pen in His hand writing down all of my sins.

Let's pray for each other.

And yet, I do not and I was taught from the same book.

As for the 10 Commandments, does anyone really need a detailed explanation why murder, adultery and theft are sins? Does anyone really need to be told why we must not have other gods or why the Sabbath is holy?

Seeker1961 · #12 Jul 31, '12, 5:45 pm

My real concern is that we have generations of Catholics that seem to know very little about the faith. It seems pretty obvious that what we are doing isn't working.

I truly believe that it was my religious education that brought me back to the Church. That strong foundation sticks with you no matter what happens in life

Indyann · #13 Jul 31, '12, 6:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker1961

My real concern is that we have generations of Catholics that seem to know very little about the faith. It seems pretty obvious that what we are doing isn't working.

I truly believe that it was my religious education that brought me back to the Church. That strong foundation sticks with you no matter what happens in life

I agree that the Baltimore stays with you forever, but it was not until high school that I knew anything at all about the Bible. I didn't know that the prayers said at Mass were mostly scriptural. I didn't even own a Bible, and never once read it until high school.

No wonder Protestants thought we didn't believe in the Bible.

Seeker1961 · #14 Jul 31, '12, 6:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indyann

I agree that the Baltimore stays with you forever, but it was not until high school that I knew anything at all about the Bible. I didn't know that the prayers said at Mass were mostly scriptural. I didn't even own a Bible, and never once read it until high school.

No wonder Protestants thought we didn't believe in the Bible.

We got our Bibles in 4th grade. On Fridays we went over the readings for that Sunday's Mass.

**buffalo** · #15 Jul 31, '12, 6:33 pm

Baltimore Catechism was great. Yeah, indeed I memorized it and it served me well throughout my life.

Some schools are returning to it.