Baltimore Catechism No. 2

The Baltimore Catechism No. 2 is a cornerstone of traditional Catholic education, first published in 1885 under the direction of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore. This comprehensive catechism offers clear and accessible instruction in the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church.

Designed primarily for older children and converts, it presents the faith in a question-and-answer format that covers:

• The nature of God and creation
• The Trinity and the Incarnation
• The Sacraments and the Commandments
• The teachings and prayers of the Church
• Eternal life and salvation

This online edition preserves the timeless wisdom of the Council of Baltimore, making these treasures of Catholic tradition available for study, reflection, and spiritual growth in the modern world.

The complete text includes 37 lessons with 421 carefully crafted questions and answers, providing a systematic foundation for understanding and deepening one’s faith.

1. Lesson First on the End of Man
2. Lesson Second on God and His Perfections
3. Lesson Third on the Unity and Trinity of God
4. Lesson Fourth on Creation
5. Lesson Fifth on Our First Parents and the Fall
6. Lesson Sixth on Sin and its Kinds
7. Lesson Seventh on the Incarnation and Redemption
8. Lesson Eighth on Our Lord’s Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
9. Lesson Ninth on the Holy Ghost and His Descent Upon the Apostles
10. Lesson Tenth on the Effects of the Redemption
11. Lesson Eleventh on the Church
12. Lesson Twelfth on the Attributes and Marks of the Church
13. Lesson Thirteenth on the Sacraments in General
14. Lesson Fourteenth on Baptism
15. Lesson Fifteenth on Confirmation
16. Lesson Sixteenth on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost
17. Lesson Seventeenth on the Sacrament of Penance
18. Lesson Eighteenth on Contrition
19. Lesson Nineteenth on Confession
20. Lesson Twentieth on the Manner of Making a Good Confession
21. Lesson Twenty-first on Indulgences
22. Lesson Twenty-second on the Holy Eucharist
23. Lesson Twenty-third on the Ends for Which the Holy Eucharist Was Instituted
24. Lesson Twenty-fourth on the Sacrifice of the Mass
25. Lesson Twenty-fifth on Extreme Unction and Holy Orders
26. Lesson Twenty-sixth on Matrimony
27. Lesson Twenty-seventh on the Sacramentals
28. Lesson Twenty-eighth on Prayer
29. Lesson Twenty-ninth on the Commandments of God
30. Lesson Thirtieth on the First Commandment
31. Lesson Thirty-first the First Commandment—on the Honor and Invocation of Saints
32. Lesson Thirty-second from the Second to the Fourth Commandment
33. Lesson Thirty-third from the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
34. Lesson Thirty-fourth from the Seventh to the End of the Tenth Commandment
35. Lesson Thirty-fifth on the First and Second Commandments of the Church
36. Lesson Thirty-sixth on the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Commandments of the Church
37. Lesson Thirty-seventh on the Last Judgment and the Resurrection, Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven

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