There has been much debate – and heartache – in recent years over the content of catechetical programmes for young Catholics. Thus I am very glad to be able to recommend unreservedly this Course by Dora Nash. In six ‘sessions’ (chapters), she gives a simple, clear and comprehensive guide to Catholic teaching suitable, I would think, for 11-14-year-old confirmandi.

Beginning with a quote from The Imitation of Christ, ‘What can the world offer you without Jesus? Whoever finds Jesus finds a rich treasure, and a good above every good’, her book is rightly Christocentric; one cannot learn to love the teaching of the Faith without first learning to know and love Christ.

The format of the book makes easy reading without being at all patronising – a temptation for books of this kind. At first there is the text giving aspects of the faith that students need to know, followed by questions; then candidates’ opportunity to write their answers to these and ‘boxes’ with questions for debate. These questions are never merely explorations of personal feelings, which have sometimes been a shadow over modern catechesis; they are designed to lead the student to greater knowledge and understanding. Looking up Scriptural references in both Old and New Testaments is an indispensable part of the Course , so that pupils become familiar with the Bible. Whole sessions are given to the Church and to the Sacraments. Some chapters have ‘boxes’ of ‘Words to Know’, so that pupils become familiar – if they are not already – with the basic ‘language’ of Christianity: ‘Redemption’, ‘Sacrifice’, ‘Advocate’, ‘Sacrament’ and so on. Without an understanding of such fundamental concepts, students are left without the tools to explain what they believe.

The author, who has 20 years’ experience of preparing candidates for Confirmation, includes some imaginative supplements to her material: chapters 14 and 15 from CS Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and a short story by Leo Tolstoy, Where Love Is, God Is. The whole book is interspersed with short, well-known Catholic prayers or quotes for students to become familiar with, those of SS Richard of Chichester, Ignatius of Loyola and Francis of Assisi among others, to indicate to confirmandi that in developing their faith the heart has to be engaged as well as the head.

This book is only 56 pages long and is illustrated by beautiful black and white line drawings done by St Michael’s Abbey Press – no ‘chummy’ cartoon drawings that simply trivialise sacred mysteries. For £4.99, it is an excellent investment for parents, teachers and others.

© 2004 Francis Phillips

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