Pocket Catechism for Kids [School & Library Binding]

Kris D. Stubna (Author), Mike Aquilina (Author), Donald W. Wuerl (Preface)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: San Val (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613772512
• ISBN-13: 978-0613772518
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,540,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mike Aquilina is author or editor of more than thirty books, including The Fathers of the Church, The Mass of the Early Christians, and A Year with the Church Fathers. He has co-hosted eight series that air on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He has co-authored books with Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and theologian Scott Hahn. He is past editor of New Covenant magazine and The Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper. He appears weekly on Sirius Radio's "Sonrise Morning Show." Mike and his wife, Terri, have six children, who are the subject of his book Love in the Little Things.

In 2011 Mike was a featured presenter of the U.S. Bishops' Diocesan Educational/Catechetical Leadership Institute. He also wrote the USCCB's theological reflection for Catechetical Sunday in 2011.

His reviews, essays and journalism have appeared in many journals, including First Things, Touchstone, Crisis, Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register, and Catholic Heritage. He contributed work on early Christianity to the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought.

Mike is a also poet whose works have appeared in U.S. literary journals and have been translated into Polish and Spanish. He shared songwriting credits with Grammy Award-winner Dion DiMucci on the forthcoming album "Tank Full of Blues."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Reader's Digest-condensed version of the Catechism, November 12, 2001

By 

Tim Drake "Author and Journalist" (Saint Joseph, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Pocket Catechism for Kids (Paperback)

The title pretty much says it all. This is a "POCKET" catechism. It comes in a pocket size and has brief "pocket sized" explanations of the faith.

The first half of the book contains commonly asked questions about God, faith, and the Church along with brief answers.

For example, Question 3 reads, "Why did God make you?" along with the response: God made you to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him here on earth, so that I may live with Him forever in Heaven. Each question also lists the corresponding grade level for which that particular teaching is most appropriate.

The catechism also includes commonly asked questions about the Rosary, the saints, the Sacraments, and the Commandments.

The latter half of the book includes about 20 popular prayers, how to pray the Mass, how to make a good confession, the rite of reconciliation, and a Church calender including Holy Days and major Saints' feast days.

It's clear that the pocket catechism is not the end-all and be-all. It is meant only as an entry point into the faith.

I can imagine faithful young people carrying this with them as a guide or even as an introduction to the Church for the un-Churched. It would make a great companion book to Our Sunday Visitor's "Where is That in the Bible?"

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An elemental part of children's catechesis, February 22, 2004

By 

Rich Leonardi (Cincinnati, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Pocket Catechism for Kids (Paperback)

The Church teaches that a child's primary catechist (teacher of the faith) is his parents. That's why Scripture doesn't contain a Letter of St. Paul to "the Children"; it's always been the job of parents to hand on the faith.

Mike Aquilina's and Fr. Kris Stubna's little book is an excellent way to do just that. In easy to read and remember questions and answers, they cover the four pillars of the faith: Creed, Sacraments, Commandments and Prayer. There are also terrific descriptions of the Mass and guides to making a good Confession.

My children and I make a nightly habit of reading about the saint of the day, a selection from Scripture, and several pages from this pocket catechism. It's become an elemental part of their catechesis.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect for young kids, February 6, 2007

By 

D. Armour "at home mom" (Grove City, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Pocket Catechism for Kids (Paperback)

I use this to teach my kids (5, 4, and 3) the catechism. The questions are notated for age appropriateness, and very brief. We read the question and response every morning, and within 2 weeks my kids have memorized it. It is so easy for us all.