Traditional Catholic Teaching

21 Lessons On The Catholic Faith

Introduction

We offer the following twentyone lessons as an introduction to traditional Christianity. They were formerly used as an instruction series for people preparing to be received into the Roman Catholic Church. We believe they continue to offer an excellent basis to begin building a knowledge of the Faith. We recommend the reader work through them in the sequence given, taking time to reflect on the content. They are suitable for individual as well as group study.

Our Text

The twenty one lessons we offer have been taken from a book written in the mid 1950s by Bishop Dwyer, D.D, D.Th, entitled : The Catholic Faith. No changes whatsoever have been made to that text, with one exception: where a reference is made to a page number. Since pages do not exist on a web site format as in a book, we have substituted them with the location where the original page can be found. The substituted words will be in italics. Although the copyright has expired, we wish to honour the original author and publishers (whoever they were) for the very fine work they produced. The writer of this introduction was, as a convert, instructed from these notes, and continued to practise the Faith accordingly to the pledge signed and witnessed upon entry into the Catholic Church. The Catholic Faith has not changed, and what is explained in these pages remains solid Christian teaching.

It is true that much modern Christianity has largely taken off in a number of different directions and is sometimes uncomfortable with some of what this work contains. We simply continue to believe what we were taught, and about which we publicly signed a declaration promising to honour and obey the teaching for the rest of our lives. If others have departed from 2000 years of well documented teaching traced back to the Apostles, we have no option but to let them follow their own pursuits. Meanwhile, we are well aware that we will have enough of a challenge following the Christian Faith as it has been handed down to us, without moralising about what others choose to follow.

Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur

The book with its 21 lessons has the official approval of the Church, declaring it free from error.

Nihil Obstat: Adrianus van Vliet, STD. Censor Deputatus.
Imprimatur: E. Morrogh Bernard, Vic. Gen. Westmonasterll 1957.

Support Material

Attached to each lesson you will find two sets of notes: Supplements A and B. The first, A, is a commentary on some elements of the lesson and could well serve as an introduction if the reader should choose. The second supplement, B, is a set of Gospel meditation notes to help the reader relate key aspects of the lesson to our Lord's teaching in the Gospels. Both supplements may have appendicies attached which offer further explanation of the lesson material. The "Supplement" collections comprise ideas and materials selected by the compiler of this web site, and should not be considered part of Bishop Dwyer's original work.

Our Warmest Best Wishes

We hope the instruction we offer is helpful to you and fulfils your needs. Although we are unable to correspond with our readers we will continue in prayer to seek God's blessing in the lives of all who try to live the Christian life honestly and fully as best they know how. Readers who wish to know more about traditional Christianity as it has been presented in the Catholic Church will be able to do so through the contact points listed on this web site.

Index of Lessons

RELIGION
How we know there is a God. What are our duties towards Him.
Supplement A
Supplement B
JESUS CHRIST
Christ was truly God and truly Man. His claim and His proof.
The Resurrection of Christ from the dead.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE CHURCH
How Christ's work continues. He founded a Church, an organisation with authority to teach, and guaranteed against error.
Is one religion as good as another?
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE ONE CATHOLIC CHURCH
A picture of the Church as seen from outside by a detached and impartial observer. The astonishing fact that the Catholic Church embraces men of all races, today and for the past two thousand years, who remain united in Faith, Worship and Authority.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE POPE
The Head of the Catholic Church appointed by Christ.
The infallibility of the Pope. What it is and what it isn't.
The problem of bad Popes.
Supplement A
Supplement B
TRADITION AND THE BIBLE
How we know what God reveals. The sources of our Faith. Does the Catholic Church believe in the Bible? Science and the Bible — are they contradictory? Evolution.
How to pray (1) Without words.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE SAVIOUR
What is wrong with human nature and how Christ put it right.
Original Sin. The problem of evil. The Devil.
How to pray (2) In words. Distractions.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE BLESSED TRINITY
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Three Persons in One God.
A mystery with very practical consequences. What is meant by the grace of God.
How to pray (3) Asking for things in prayer.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS
Seven ways in which God helps us at every moment of our lives. What Baptism and Confirmation do for us. The Sacrament of Holy Order and the Catholic attitude towards the priest.
Are ceremonies mumbo-jumbo? Are they magic?
How to pray (4) Consolation and Desolation.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
God's greatest gift to us. Christ is really present in the Catholic Church under the appearance of bread and wine.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE MASS
The central act of worship of the Catholic Faith. To help you to understand what goes on at Mass. Why in Latin?
Supplement A
Supplement B
SIN
The reality, the meaning and the consequences. Sin and God's Justice. Hell, Sin and God's Love. Sorrow and Forgiveness.
Supplement A
Supplement B
CONFESSION
The Sacrament of Penance. Why confess sins to a priest? Can it be sincere? Isn't it impossibly embarrassing? Do Catholics pay for confession? Indulgences.
Supplement A
Supplement B
MARRIAGE (I0)
The Sacrament of Matrimony. Christian marriage. A contract between three – husband, wife and God. Sex and morality. The Sixth and Ninth Commandments.
Supplement A
Supplement B
MARRIAGE (II)
Some problems. Divorce. Birth control. Mixed Marriages.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD (I)
Commandments I, 2, 3. Our duty to God.
Why don't Catholics take part in non-Catholic services? May Catholics read what books they like? Are Catholics compelled to go to Mass? Freemasonry.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD (II)
Commandments 4, 5, 7, 8, 10. Our duty to our neighbour. Loving our enemies, is killing ever justified? Rights and duties of employers and employees. Private property and the State.
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Why Catholics honour Mary. The Virgin Birth.
The Immaculate Conception. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven.
Supplement A
Supplement B
DEATH AND AFTER
Do we live on? Heaven, Hell and Purgatory.
The Sacrament of Extreme Unction. Cremation.
Supplement A
Supplement B
Further Reading
THE CATHOLIC FAITH IN ENGLAND
For a thousand years England was a Catholic country. What happened at the time of the Change of Religion?
Supplement A
Supplement B
THE LIFE OF A CATHOLIC
What the Catholic Faith means to the average good Catholic. How it satisfies the mind and heart, The Rosary.
"Fish on Friday." Disreputable Catholics. Faith.
Supplement A
Supplement B

Additional Reading:
Readers who wish to cover these topics in a more detail would enjoy the outstanding book, "This is the Catholic Failth" by Canon R.J. Ripley, which can be obtained from Tan Books