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Introduction

Dear Friend:

The course of instructions contained in this book — in dialogue form — is intended both for Catholics who were deprived, during their youth, of a training in the science of God, and for non-Catholics who are interested in learning what the Catholic Church teaches officially concerning religious doctrine and practices.

But it must ever be remembered that one may have a vast store of religious knowledge gathered from study and still lack faith — because faith belongs to the supernatural order and is a gift of God. Catholics who are convinced that they possess the true Faith, should frequently thank Almighty God that He has so blessed them and should show their gratitude by striving to interest others in their religion. The convert to the true Faith, also especially blessed by God, should show his appreciation by making an effort to share it with his non-Catholic friends.

Both the Catholic and the non-Catholic, while exercising an apostolate for the cause of Christ and of souls, should pray daily that God may draw to Himself those who are near and dear to them. If they are prayed for in this way, indifferent Catholics will be best impelled by God’s grace to take a greater interest in their religion, and non-Catholics will become better disposed to hearken to the voice of God’s Church.

An inquiry into the claims of the Catholic Church, such as you are about to make, results in the conversion of nearly 100,000 citizens of the United States every year, or approximately 250 every day.

Despite the prejudices in which so many have been reared, despite the stricter religious discipline under which Catholics must live, the Catholic Church grows faster than all other churches combined.

As you continue your inquiry you will learn that the Catholic religion claims to be essentially different from others — because it is divine in origin, divine in character, divine in its means of sanctification.

Your instructor will probably question you from the Baltimore Catechism, but if you master this book, which, I believe, you will find extremely interesting, you will be able, in your own words, to answer practically all questions contained in that Catechism.

The author is greatly indebted to the Rev. L. J. Fallon, C.M., of Saint Louis, for the interest he has shown in this work, and for the supervision he has long been exercising over Instructions by Correspondence.

The author feels equally indebted to the Daughters of Isabella who, as a national organization, have contributed most generous funds for the furtherance of the work initiated by Father Fallon.

Praying God’s blessing on all who seek, through this book, to learn Him better and to love Him more, and asking their prayers in return, I am

Yours in Christ,

John Francis Noll, D.D., LL.D.