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The Catechism Explained
Retypeset and including Index, this is the timeless traditional catechism of Truth.
Twenty years into the third millennium annis Domini, and most of humanity is lost. A day will come when the whole world will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad they will say, 'You are mad; you are not like us, ' prophesied a Desert Father. It seems we are in those days. Thus, the great need for the present book.
The person who has the light of the Holy Spirit in him is like a traveller performing his journey in sunshine and fair weather; quite otherwise is the case of him from whom that light is cut off by the clouds of sin; he is like the unwilling traveller, forced to make his way through wind and storm. The book in your hands is a clear guide on the royal road to profound joy. No need to stumble along in darkness and confusion, no need to re-invent the wheel - Our Lord has already bestowed everything necessary for the good journey, we have only to take heed and make use of it.
As the Fathers of the Church have said, the Catholic Faith is a seamless garment, thus this Catechism is a marvellously connected system of revealed truth. If Catholics were thoroughly acquainted in their childhood with the fundamental truths of religion; if they were taught to see how all the different parts of this divine edifice combine to form one beauteous structure, the darts of hell would have no power to injure them. Calculated to touch the heart and kindle the flame of charity towards God and one's neighbor, this Catechism aims at the warmth of expression and the fervent, persuasive eloquence which appeal to the heart, the force and vivifying power which affect the will through the influence of the Holy Spirit. It cultivates, to an equal extent, all the three powers of the soul: the understanding, the affections, and the will. It does not therefore content itself with mere definitions. The principal object proposed in it is not to teach men to philosophize about religion, but to make them good Christians who will delight in their faith. From the Preface.
Twenty years into the third millennium annis Domini, and most of humanity is lost. A day will come when the whole world will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad they will say, 'You are mad; you are not like us, ' prophesied a Desert Father. It seems we are in those days. Thus, the great need for the present book.
The person who has the light of the Holy Spirit in him is like a traveller performing his journey in sunshine and fair weather; quite otherwise is the case of him from whom that light is cut off by the clouds of sin; he is like the unwilling traveller, forced to make his way through wind and storm. The book in your hands is a clear guide on the royal road to profound joy. No need to stumble along in darkness and confusion, no need to re-invent the wheel - Our Lord has already bestowed everything necessary for the good journey, we have only to take heed and make use of it.
As the Fathers of the Church have said, the Catholic Faith is a seamless garment, thus this Catechism is a marvellously connected system of revealed truth. If Catholics were thoroughly acquainted in their childhood with the fundamental truths of religion; if they were taught to see how all the different parts of this divine edifice combine to form one beauteous structure, the darts of hell would have no power to injure them. Calculated to touch the heart and kindle the flame of charity towards God and one's neighbor, this Catechism aims at the warmth of expression and the fervent, persuasive eloquence which appeal to the heart, the force and vivifying power which affect the will through the influence of the Holy Spirit. It cultivates, to an equal extent, all the three powers of the soul: the understanding, the affections, and the will. It does not therefore content itself with mere definitions. The principal object proposed in it is not to teach men to philosophize about religion, but to make them good Christians who will delight in their faith. From the Preface.
1107 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1899
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About the author
Francis Spirago
21 books5 followersAlso known as Franz Spirago
Father Francis (Franz) Spirago (1862-1942) was a 19th century Bohemian theologian with a sense of humor who wrote several works to remedy inadequate catechesis among the faithful. Born in the modern Czech Republic, Spirago was ordained a priest for the diocese of Trutnov in 1884 at the age of 22. He worked as a chaplain and a catechist before beginning teaching, during which he began to be a successful writer. Little was written about him, but the surviving anecdotes describe him as an unconventional man who used humor and a more colloquial style of speaking to convey the truths of the faith to the extent that he was called "a pioneer of popular catechesis." He allegedly "hated being bored," so, when he taught, his lessons were described as "an amusing recreation" as he sought to bring the heady truths of the faith down to a level anyone could understand by parables, anecdotes, explanations, and proverbs. Fr. Spirago wrote seven types of catechisms, the chief of which is The Catechism Explained, but he also wrote on a multitude of topics, ranging from works on the end times and prophecies, to rules of prudence and pastoral care.
Father Francis (Franz) Spirago (1862-1942) was a 19th century Bohemian theologian with a sense of humor who wrote several works to remedy inadequate catechesis among the faithful. Born in the modern Czech Republic, Spirago was ordained a priest for the diocese of Trutnov in 1884 at the age of 22. He worked as a chaplain and a catechist before beginning teaching, during which he began to be a successful writer. Little was written about him, but the surviving anecdotes describe him as an unconventional man who used humor and a more colloquial style of speaking to convey the truths of the faith to the extent that he was called "a pioneer of popular catechesis." He allegedly "hated being bored," so, when he taught, his lessons were described as "an amusing recreation" as he sought to bring the heady truths of the faith down to a level anyone could understand by parables, anecdotes, explanations, and proverbs. Fr. Spirago wrote seven types of catechisms, the chief of which is The Catechism Explained, but he also wrote on a multitude of topics, ranging from works on the end times and prophecies, to rules of prudence and pastoral care.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 20, 2022
An excellent follow up for one to read AFTER reading the Roman Catechism (Council of Trent). I only have two objections to Fr. Spirago’s work, one with the content and another with format.
(1) Content- Absolutely superb content. Orthodox and trustworthy for a traditional understanding of Catholic Dogma. The one exception is that he teaches the Limbo of the Infants as if it is itself a dogmatic teaching, which it isn’t (many whom I respect would disagree, but that’s neither here nor there).
(2) Format- Fr. Spirago has compiled a literal TREASURE CHEST of Patristic and Medieval quotations in this work to support his thoughts. But there are NO REFERENCES for one to find the primary source material. Maybe other editions of this work have this, but not this one. If other don’t, it would be a Nobel work to compile it as a companion volume or index for further research.
A MUST READ!
(1) Content- Absolutely superb content. Orthodox and trustworthy for a traditional understanding of Catholic Dogma. The one exception is that he teaches the Limbo of the Infants as if it is itself a dogmatic teaching, which it isn’t (many whom I respect would disagree, but that’s neither here nor there).
(2) Format- Fr. Spirago has compiled a literal TREASURE CHEST of Patristic and Medieval quotations in this work to support his thoughts. But there are NO REFERENCES for one to find the primary source material. Maybe other editions of this work have this, but not this one. If other don’t, it would be a Nobel work to compile it as a companion volume or index for further research.
A MUST READ!
January 20, 2025
The catechism itself is good, obviously, but the commentating author himself is woefully worldy, short sighted, and gullible. Very Victorian too, such as in saying nothing about the vast duties of parents towards children, but much about the reverse. Very full of Science worship, and silliness, such as repeatedly speaking as if Issac Newton is some great spiritual authority because he used the word 'God' with respect (actually referring to himself). Why should I laud some occultist? Why? Because he's a famous 'scientist'? Famous witch, more like.
Also makes the classic Lukewarm Catholic telltale error of referring to people as 'mere mortals' in comparison to saints. No saint or advanced Catholic could or does make such a statement.
Also makes the classic Lukewarm Catholic telltale error of referring to people as 'mere mortals' in comparison to saints. No saint or advanced Catholic could or does make such a statement.
December 14, 2023
Very good in some places, but uneven in others and you can see the influence of the American editors, such as in the Church-State relations section. Also this only lightly touches on sexual sins, possibly a product of the late "Victorian" era. So while good I would never recommend this work as a standalone.
May 11, 2024
I would highly, highly, highly recommend this book if you want to discover a true understanding of the Catholic faith. I will never truly be finished with this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews