What if a child could not only learn the truths of the Catholic Faith, but see them?
First published in 1862, A Pictorial Catechism takes a very different approach from the familiar question-and-answer catechism. It pairs the truths of the Faith with magnificent woodcuts drawn largely from the stories of Sacred Scripture, allowing children to perceive those truths embodied in people and events they can understand and remember.
The Creed, the Commandments, sin and virtue, the works of mercy, the Sacraments, the Mass, prayer and the Four Last Things are all brought vividly to life. The Sacrifice of Abraham illustrates Faith; the Good Samaritan, love of neighbor; the Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist; the Agony in the Garden, Thy will be done. Doctrine, Sacred History and sacred art continually illuminate one another.
The original editors intended the book not to replace an ordinary catechism, but to make Christian Doctrine easier and more attractive through the Church's ancient practice of teaching by sacred images. Cardinal Wiseman enthusiastically recommended it for Catholic education, praising both the beauty of its illustrations and the simplicity with which they presented their subjects.
For this edition, we lovingly restored all 112 engravings and reorganized the original layout into clearly marked sections. A detailed table of contents arranges the book by doctrine, while a special index arranges the illustrations chronologically according to Sacred History—giving families two different ways to explore this remarkable collection.
And one more delightful advantage to these crisp black-and-white engravings: they make wonderful coloring pages for children.
7.5" x 9.25" hardcover 260 pages
Despite its object “to inculcate the doctrines of Romanism” and its hearty recommendation by Cardinal Wiseman, even the London Art Journal in May 1863--amidst sidehand comments that its texts “differ from those in our authorized Bible”--saw fit to recommend this Pictorial Catechism for its “One hundred and twelve wood engravings, well executed, after the original designs of a distinguished artist of the Dusseldorf school.”
Read our blog post about how we brought this book back into print!