Baltimore Catechism
The Baltimore Catechism is a Catholic catechism for American students. The Classical Liberal Arts Academy provides Catholic families with the opportunity to study the Baltimore Catechism with online study materials, quizzes, graded assignments, progress records and support.
History of the Baltimore Catechism
What led to the publication of this unique catechism?
In the early years of America, Catholics were discriminated against. The newly established public school system was influenced by anti-Catholic Protestants and Progressives who wanted nothing to do with Church authority. The pastors of the Catholic Church were forced to find a solution for Catholic families, and the Plenary Council of the Archdiocese of Baltimore brought the Catholic bishops in America together to solve this problem and several others.
This Council led to the development of the Catholic parochial school system and also provided churches, schools and families with a Catholic catechism intended to protect American children from the influences seeking to draw them away from the Catholic faith.
This Catechism, then is unique in that it is Catholic and American. More importantly, it is composed in traditional question and answer format, making it easy for any to teach and all to study. While some may say that the content of a modernized catechism is better for 21st century students, until something is produced that is as effective as the Baltimore Catechism, it is foolish to abandon it.
In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we offer three courses teaching the three books of the Baltimore Catechism. Each is described below.
Baltimore Catechism, Book I
Book I is intended for children preparing for First Communion. It consists of approximately half of the questions that will be studied in Level II. The book includes all prayers recommended for First Communicants, 30+ Catechism lessons, and traditional Catholic hymns. Read online…
Baltimore Catechism, Book II
Book II is intended for students preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. It consists of approximately one-third of the questions that will be studied in Level III. The book includes all prayers recommended for students preparing for Confirmation, 30+ Catechism lessons, and traditional Catholic hymns. Read online…
Baltimore Catechism, Book III
Book III contains the master catechism–over 1400 questions–intended for students who have received the sacrament of Confirmation. The book includes all prayers to be learned, 30+ Catechism lessons, and traditional Catholic hymns. Read online…
Baltimore Catechism, Book IV
Book IV is an exposition of the Catechism, written by Fr. Thomas Kinkead and published at the time the Catechism was first published. It was intended to help Catholic Sunday School teachers explain and teach the Catechism to their students. The book includes excellent commentary on every question in the Catechism–as they were understood by the authors of the Catechism–an incredibly valuable resource.
Study the Catechism in the CLAA
In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we provide complete courses teaching and assessing student mastery of the Baltimore Catechism. Our courses provide resources to help with memorization, challenging examinations, records of student mastery and more.
For video resources on the Baltimore Catechism, visit the CLAA’s Baltimore Catechism channel on YouTube.
Baltimore Catechism III, Lesson 06. Blessing Before & After Meals
In this lesson, we study the prayers known as that “acts” of faith, hope, love and contrition. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson for mastery. Work to memorize the answers to each question. Complete the lesson assessment. To view the entire text of Baltimore Catechism III, visit the Academy Library. Lesson Recite the questions and answers below until the answers are memorized. The Blessing Before Meals Q. 110. Say the Blessing before Meals.A. Bless us, O Lord! and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ … Continue
Baltimore Catechism III, Lesson 05. The Acts of Faith, Hope, Love and Contrition
In this lesson, we study the prayers known as that “acts” of faith, hope, love and contrition. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson for mastery. Work to memorize the answers to each question. Complete the lesson assessment. To view the entire text of Baltimore Catechism III, visit the Academy Library. Lesson An Act of Faith Q. 94. Say the Act of Faith.A. O my God! I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died … Continue
Baltimore Catechism II, Lesson 24. On Baptism
In this lesson, students preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation get into the details of the sacrament of Baptism. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the Lesson. Complete the Memory Work. Complete the Lesson Exam. Lesson 152 Q. What is Baptism?A. Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us from Original Sin, makes us Christians, children of God, and heirs of Heaven. “Christians,” that is, members of the Church of Christ. “Children of God,” that is, adopted children. All men are children of God by their creation, but Christians are children of God, not merely … Continue
Baltimore Catechism I, Lesson 21. On the Sacraments in General
In this lesson, students who are preparing for First Communion are introduced to the Seven Sacraments. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson below, carefully and completely. Complete all memory work. Complete the lesson assessment. Lesson Q. What is a Sacrament?A. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Q. How many Sacraments are there?A. There are seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Q. Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace?A. The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from … Continue
Baltimore Catechism II. On Our Lord’s Passion, Death, Resurrection & Ascension
In this lesson of Baltimore Catechism II, we study Our Lord’s Passion, Death, Resurrection & Ascension. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the Lesson. Complete the Memory Work. Complete the Lesson Exam. Lesson The Passion, that is, the terrible sufferings of Our Lord, began after the Last Supper, and ended at His death. On Thursday evening, Our Lord sat down for the last time with His dear Apostles. He had been talking, eating, and living with them for over three years; and now He is going to take His last meal with them before … Continue
Baltimore Catechism III, Lesson 04. The Confiteor
In this lesson, we study the fourth prayer to be learned by students, going deeper into the details than we did in Baltimore Catechism II. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson for mastery. Work to memorize the answers to each question. Complete the lesson assessment. Lesson Q. 90. Say the Confiteor and verses after it.A. I confess to Almighty God, 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 … Continue
Baltimore Catechism III, Lesson 03. The Apostles’ Creed
In this lesson, we study the third prayer to be learned by students, going deeper into the details than we did in Baltimore Catechism II. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson for mastery. Work to memorize the answers to each question. Complete the lesson assessment. Lesson Q. 49. Say the Apostles’ Creed.A. I believe in God, 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, … Continue
On the Manner of Making a Good Confession
In this lesson, we study the Baltimore Catechism’s teaching “On Making a Good Confession“. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the Lesson for mastery. Complete the Memory Work. Complete the Lesson Exam. Lesson Study each question and answer below, with the commentary that follows. *224 Q. What should we do on entering the confessional?A. On entering the confessional we should kneel, make the Sign of the Cross, and say to the priest: “Bless me, Father”; then add, “I confess to Almighty God, and to you, Father, that I have sinned.” *225 Q. Which are … Continue
Baltimore Catechism I. On the Church
In this lesson of Baltimore Catechism I, we study the catechism’s lesson “On the Church”. We learn about how men are able to enjoy the blessings God offers us, what the Church is, who leads the Church and how the true Church of God may be known. The following questions should be read aloud, and the answer recited until memorized. Q. Which are the means instituted by our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits of the Redemption?A. The means instituted by our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits … Continue