BOOK REVIEW

A Faithful Summary of the Truth

by Laura Roberts

Jesus, the Catechism,
and Me
in faithful conformity with the
Catechism of the Catholic Church
by Rev. Robert J. Levis, Ph.D.
Pillar of Faith
134 pp.; $9.00.
1-814/796-3309.

    Jesus, the Catechism, and Me is a good summary of (or study supplement to) the Catechism of the Catholic Church(CCC). It presents the truths of the Catholic Church in a question and answer format, but the introduction tells us that the reason is not a “nostalgic and sentimental choice of the style of the Baltimore Catechism.” Instead, it is a “fresh recognition and acceptance of the question and answer mode of teaching recently acknowledged by the natural sciences, military science, business administration, government agencies, technical training, driver education, computer training, etc.” The introduction also emphasizes that this book “is meant merely as an aide, a summary, a map through” the CCC.

    The book is broken into four main parts : Section One: What We Catholics Believe includes answers to questions about the Creed as well as answers to some questions about Mary. It explains Mary’s role in the Church. Section Two: Celebration of the Christian Mystery covers questions about the liturgy and the seven sacraments. It explains other names for the sacraments, and offers explanations about sacraments. Section Three: Life in Christ covers the virtues and commandments, among other things. It explains the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. It explains the different kinds of sin, and the conditions necessary for a sin to be mortal. It lists each of the ten commandments, and expands by explaining other sins that fall under the same category of sin as a particular commandment. Section Four: Christian Prayer had answers to questions about prayer, and also included some of the more well-known Catholic prayers at the end of the section.

    Although it is not overly difficult, this book is not an “easy read,” and I would not suggest it as an introductory summary of the CCC for children. However, as it does list the corresponding CCC numbers and summarizes answers from the CCC, it is a good aide to be used with the CCC, or even alone before tackling the entire CCC. Jesus, the Catechism, and Me would be a good next step from the simpler Baltimore Catechism, once the reader is familiar with the basics and is ready to move on to more in-depth material. After reading this book, it is that much easier to undertake the full CCC. The CCC can seem ominous to the average Catholic, who may want to know more about the Church, but be simply overwhelmed by the largeness of the CCC. While reading through Jesus, the Catechism, and Me, if a topic catches the reader’s interest, and he wants to learn more, he can look up that topic in the CCC.

    Rev. Levis includes a “Fundamental Glossary” for the book, probably to aide the upper elementary school grades for whom the book was intended. Students of that age would definitely need guidance and explanation as they worked through this book, however, as they might need clarification of some of the answers. “Children trained with this booklet can gradually grow accustomed and familiar with the larger Catechism until it eventually becomes their favored guide in their relation to God and His Church.” Adults too, both converts and “cradle-Catholics,” can benefit from this book and the assistance it can give while working through the CCC.

Laura Roberts has contributed previously to The Catholic Faith. She lives with her family in Silver Spring, Maryland.