Catechism is a book in the same form treating of religion. It is a
little compendium of the truths of our religion, of all we must believe
and do. It contains, in the simplest form, all that a priest learns
during his many years of study. The theology he learns is only a deeper
and fuller explanation of the Catechism. A whole book might be written
on almost every question. For example, might we not write a book on each
of the first three questions--the World, God, and Man? There is
consequently much meaning in the Catechism, which must be made known to
us by explanation. You should therefore learn the Catechism by heart
now, even when you do not fully understand it; because afterwards, when
you read books on religion or hear sermons, all these questions and
answers will come back to your mind. Sermons will help you to understand
the questions, or the questions will help you to understand the sermons.



Lesson 1
ON THE END OF MAN


The end of a thing is the purpose for which it was made. The end of a
watch is to keep time. The end of a pen is to write, etc. A thing is
good only in proportion to the way it fulfills the end for which it was
made. A watch may be very beautifully made, a very rare ornament, but if
it will not keep time it is useless as a watch. The same may be said of
the pen, or of anything else. Now for what purpose was man made? If we
discover that, we know his end. When we look around us in the world, we
see a purpose or end for everything. We see that the soil is made for
the plants and trees to grow in; because if there was no need of things
growing, it would be better to have a nice clean solid rock to walk