I wrote about how I started reading the Baltimore Catechism in a previous article. I’m happy to say that I recently completed the fourth and final volume.
The fourth volume of the Baltimore Catechism was definitely my favorite because it provided the most thorough explanations. The first three volumes are tailored more for memorization and repetition for people preparing for First Communion or Confirmation. The fourth volume is more narrative with stories and analogies. I felt like I was reading homilies. Take notes priests; this is what your congregations need to hear!
One of the many themes that ran through the Baltimore Catechism is emphasizing the amount of respect and reverence we need to give towards God. Everything the Church teaches about the Mass, sacraments, and prayer is oriented towards acknowledging that God created us and loves us, and he asks us to love Him in return. We show this love in the manner we pray, dress, and act.
The Infinite Torments of Hell
The Baltimore Catechism also explains the consequences of not loving God and choosing to not live in communion with Him. It paints a terrifying picture of Hell for those who die in a state of mortal sin. It is hard for us finite beings to imagine eternity. When we think about the afterlife, we can’t fully grasp what eternity means. We live in a reality where everything eventually comes to an end. We can’t comprehend that the billions of years that the universe has existed and the trillions of years it will continue to exist are a speck on the timeline eternity. And yet, there are souls that will forever be tormented in Hell with no hope of a second chance.
I now understand why Catholics in previous generations, having been taught by books like the Baltimore Catechism, practiced their faith so fervently. They would never dare miss Mass or a holy day of obligation and would regularly receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They would fast and abstain when required and knew and followed the 10 Commandments to the best of their abilities. And some of this may have been driven by that grim prospect of spending eternity in Hell. But hopefully, it was driven by a desire to receive God’s grace here on Earth and working towards spending eternity in happiness in Heaven.
It’s Healthy to Acknowledge the Reality of Hell
I know many people claim that following the Church’s teachings out of a fear of Hell isn’t authentic or sincere. But it’s a good starting place. Think of it like how we follow civil laws. We understand that there are severe penalties for breaking serious laws. But for most of us, we follow the laws because we understand it’s the right thing to do and leads to a functional society. We don’t live in constant fear of breaking civil laws. Following the law is just something that comes naturally for most of us.
Similar to how we naturally follow civil laws, we learn how to follow God’s law. We shouldn’t live in a constant fear of going to Hell (that’s the sin of scrupulosity) because following the Church’s teachings should just be something that comes naturally to us. We develop this nature through education and practice. But we need to learn what is right and pleasing to God and what is not first. Once we know those basic principles, we can move on to higher levels of spirituality where we revere God, not out of a fear of Hell, but out of a genuine love for Him.
Now, just because many of our pastors don’t focus on these very consequential directions our souls can take doesn’t mean they are no longer true. A priest not mentioning sin and Hell in his homilies doesn’t make them less real. Not talking about sin and the need for confession doesn’t diminish God’s justice. The Catechism makes it clear that we have an obligation to learn the Catholic Faith and we can’t plead ignorance before God for not following His commandments.
How the Rosary Leads Us to Heaven
Whenever I think about the importance of learning what the Church teaches, I meditate on the Fourth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary — The Assumption of Mary into Heaven. The reason why I contemplate this mystery is because Mary was assumed into Heaven for a very specific reason — to guide us to her son, Jesus Christ. And one way we do that is reading Scripture and other Church documents like the Catechism. Both the Baltimore and modern Catechism clearly state that we have an obligation to learn and defend our faith. I ask Mary to help me on that journey whenever I pray the Rosary.
I have to admit, I was quite unnerved after reading the Baltimore Catechism Volume Four. It made me realize that there have been times in my life where I haven’t lived up to the standard God calls me to. If you want a healthy dose of motivation (and a little bit of fear) to practice our faith daily, I suggest adding volume four of the Baltimore Catechism to your reading list. It will make you a stronger and more determined Catholic.