One of the candidates in RCIA inadvertently told a joke. Well, not so inadvertently, but it will make you think. We were discussing how the catechism came about. Someone noticed that in the book of Sirach, in the Bible, the introduction states that the
book was used to teach moral teachings to catechumens and the faithful.
So should Sirach be considered the first catechism?
When you think of it, most people couldn't read so there was no written catechism. People taught orally. Hence, statues, stained glass windows, and paintings.
But the educated must have written for instructions for others. St. Augustin wrote the Enchiriodon.
Should that be considered the first catechism?
One of the first things Martin Luther did was write a catechism--but that was the sixteenth century! Luther prompted the Council of Trent to write a Catholic catechism. Still, sixteenth century.
Mmmm.
That's when the class' smart aleck suggested, "Mary."
Mary?
Yes!
Why do you say, Mary?
Because she said, "Do as he tells you."
John 2:5
book was used to teach moral teachings to catechumens and the faithful.
So should Sirach be considered the first catechism?
When you think of it, most people couldn't read so there was no written catechism. People taught orally. Hence, statues, stained glass windows, and paintings.
But the educated must have written for instructions for others. St. Augustin wrote the Enchiriodon.
Should that be considered the first catechism?
One of the first things Martin Luther did was write a catechism--but that was the sixteenth century! Luther prompted the Council of Trent to write a Catholic catechism. Still, sixteenth century.
Mmmm.
That's when the class' smart aleck suggested, "Mary."
Mary?
Yes!Why do you say, Mary?
Because she said, "Do as he tells you."
John 2:5
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