Course 1, Chapter 1: Teaching of Religion. — Catechism

1. What is the design of the Catechism of Perseverance.

The design of the Catechism of Perseverance is to enable those who have made their first communion to persevere in the study and practice of religion.

2. Why is it necessary to persevere in the study of religion after our first communion?

It is necessary to persevere in the study of religion after our first communion: 1st. Because the instructions which precede the first communion are very imperfect and easily forgotten. 2d. Because the salvation of many may perhaps depend upon the further instruction and counsels of their pastors. 3d. Because, \n fine, our life is exposed to many miseries, which retigion alone, well understood and properly cherished, ^an alleviate.

3. Why is it necessary to persevere in the practice of religion after our first communion?

It is necessary to persevere in the practice of religion after our first communion, because our Lord has said: " He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be, saved."

4. How does the Catechism of Perseverance procure us these advantages?

The Catechism of Perseverance procures us these two advantages by the solid instruction it affords, and the pious example of those who learn it.

5. What does the word catechism signify?

The word catechism signifies oral teaching or teaching by word of mouth.

6. Why is the name catechism (oral teaching) given to the elementary teaching of religion?

The elementary teaching of religion is thus called, because from the beginning of the world till the time of Moses, and during the first ages of the church, religion was taught orally and not by writing.

7. Why was religion taught orally in the beginning of the world?

Religion was taught orally in the beginning of the world: 1st, because oral teaching was better suited to religion, which was not so fully explained as at the present day; 2d, because men, living much longer then, found it very easy to be instructed by oral teaching.

8. Why was oral teaching also used in the begin ning of the church?

Oral teaching was also used in the beginning of the church through fear of the pagans, who might have calumniated and turned into derision what they did not understand. Even before catechumens the mysteries of religion were spoken of with great reserve.

9. Of what should the word catechism remind us?

The word catechism should remind us of the pure manners of the patriarchs, and the evangelic virtues and sufferings of the first Christians, and induce us to imitate them.

40 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.