Anecdotes and Examples for the Catechism

Roman Catholic Books

by Fr. Francis Spirago


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Rev. Francis Spirago, professor of theology and author of Anecdotes and Examples, states in his introduction: “In the present day, examples are more necessary than ever, because almost all the catechisms and manuals of religion now in use are written in a dry, concise style, with no other aim apparently than that of intellectual improvement.” Indeed, Fr. Spirago points out that the use of examples is in accordance with Our Lord’s method of teaching. He taught by parables. The author weaves over 650 short examples and anecdotes throughout the 36 compact lessons that are drawn from the four traditional areas of catechesis: • creed • sacraments • commandments • prayer

But Fr. Spirago was not content with just any examples. His are carefully selected. Some are taken right out of Sacred Scripture:

Prodigal Son
Pharisee and the Publican

Others from well known literary tales:

“Androcles and the Lion”
“Hercules at the Crossroads”

Others are skillfully gleaned from good books, sermons, spiritual works, even newspapers. A small sampling:

Pius IX and his Charity Toward a Jew
The Testimony of Goethe
A Protestant who quoted Scripture in Confession
A Wager about Confession
Washington and the Cherry Tree
A Protestant Idea of Indulgences (the real meaning of “100 days”)
The Lady who Disapproved of Ceremonies
A Sacrilegious Theatre Performance
The True Catholic Marriage
The Lying Usurer
The End of an Apostate Bishop
The Testimony of Voltaire (how even the Church’s enemies may affirm the Faith)
Children may sometimes Teach their Parents
Servile Work on Sunday
Nude Figures
The Greatest Sinner (on not publishing your own shame)
St. Charles Borromeo Playing at Billiards
A Slight Offense Severely Punished
A Catholic who would Keep only God’s Commandments
The Balance of Divine Justice
Three Days in Purgatory
The Science of the Cross (a child states true philosophy)

The Astronomer and the Globe:The world did not come into existence spontaneously. The celebrated astronomer Athanasius Kirchner had a friend who did not believe in the existence of God, and frequently asserted that the orbs of heaven were self-existent. One day, when this friend visited the astronomer, he noticed in one corner of the room a globe which displayed the hand of a skillful workman. “Who made that globe?” he inquired. “No one made it,” Kirchner answered, “it is self-made.” And when his friend seemed angry at this answer being given him, he added: “If the immense orbs of heaven are selfexistent, why not this insignificant little globe?” The unbeliever looked thoughtful, and presently acknowledged that he now saw that his principles were false.

Bonus: A detailed index allows the reader to zero in on the precise truth of the Faith he is concerned with. A fraction of the entries:

- alms
- anger
- apostasy
- Communion of Saints
- conscience
- death
- envy
- fasting
- honesty
- indulgences
- joy
- mental reservation
- modesty
- predestination
- Protestantism
- relics
- sin
- superstition
- temptation
- virtue

Hardcover