Ahh, back to school time… I remember having to make book covers out of old grocery bags, and then needing to promptly doodle, draw, and/or write on the covers to immediately identify them. Then, I’d scan the book for pictures and see just what was in this new thing.
It’s the time of year and the tykes are heading back into school and getting those shiny new books. I don’t know if kids still do things like cover them, and survey what new fresh work lays ahead of them. But, I did grab my copy of the St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism, No. 2 and look inside just to survey what we are probably NOT telling our children today.
We’ve had some posts on sub-par catechetical materials before. But this should be a fun adventure.
I’m going to post five images out of the No. 2 catechism and I want you to see if that concept is presented at all in your child’s catechism.
Too busy to try it? Then ask you children to compare the image and find the concept in the new books themselves and make a report. These are simple, basic, fundamental concepts — taught to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in the past. I bet there’s a good chance that if you ask some of our older students, in college even, if they’ve ever heard of these concepts that they’d shrug…
Or, am I too cynical on the modern American church catechism? I’ll let you be the judge of that as you consider these ideas:
CONCEPT 1: Imitating the Classic virtues, and Sacramentals such as Statues.
Image from the 1964 St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 depicting a boy seeking to imitate virtue found in a saint.
If I were cynical, I’d mention that the child has a candle in front of the statue.
CONCEPT 2: Concrete Explanation of the Effects of Original Sin
Image from the 1964 St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 depicting a girl taking a doll form another “We are all born selfish”
I’d venture to say that modern books only discuss selfishness in terms of rich people and environmental issues.
CONCEPT 3: The Cross, much less offering our own crosses up
Image from the 1964 St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 depicting a girl ready to do homework but making an intention of offering it up.
If I were cynical, I’d say try to find an image of a crucifix in the newer books. I’ve looked at a few that had none anywhere in the book! (what? that makes me want to scream!)
CONCEPT 4: True representations of Prayer Life and Christian Purpose
Image from the 1964 St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 depicting a boy praying in a church asking for grace to be a better example to others.
Actually, I think you won’t find anything like this at all in newer catechisms. If you do, I’d like to know what it is.
Of course, I think many adults don’t even understand the ideas in that image anymore at all, either. Lord, have mercy on us.
CONCEPT 5: Accepting the circumstances God gives us cheerfully as from his hand.
Image from the 1964 St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 depicting boys commenting on rain having stopped their plans.
Maybe I am cynical, but we can all learn something from that image… That is the principal concept of Fatima right there — cheerfully accepting the sacrifices God asks us to take. At Fatima, Our Lady asked us to offer those in reparation for sinners.
Reparation… now there’s another concept you won’t find other than a brief mention of the word…
Too harsh? Let me know what’s in the books given to your children at their Catholic school. I’m betting there’s little to find on these ideas.
This article, Back to School Challenge: Find these 5 ideas in your child’s catechism! is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/back-school-challenge-find-5-ideas-childs-catechism/
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