"My Catholic Faith" is prepared for those who desire to have a concise knowledge of the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church. It is a complete manual of religion for the laity, useful for ready reference, for it takes up in a clear and practical manner the questions and subjects that are likely to arouse the interest of the general reader, whether Catholic or non-Catholic.

In the preparation of the book we had especially in mind those earnest souls who seek to understand the Catholic Church, but not understanding it, cannot yet be completely convinced. And this is also why the book has been found invaluable by catechists and members of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, in their work of teaching both adults and children. We have been assured by priest friends that in getting their catechetical sermons ready they have not seldom taken a lesson or two of "My Catholic Faith" because the matter is well divided and to the point.

At the same time, the form in which topics are presented complete in facing pages, as well as the numerous illustrations and non-technical language, make of "My Catholic Faith" a practical textbook for that important subject, Religion. In fact it has already been adopted in the secondary schools and junior colleges of several dioceses in our country.

"My Catholic Faith" is the last book in our "My Religion Series," consisting of: "My Jesus and I" for little ones of the kindergarten age; "My First Communion" for those preparing for that important event; "My Catechism, Book I" and "My Catechism, Book II" for intermediate grades, to be accompanied by "My Bible History"; and lastly this book that we here offer, "My Catholic Faith."

"My Catholic Faith" follows the strictly logical sequence in subject-matter: (1) the Credo, containing what we must know and believe: (2) the Commandments of God and the Church, containing what we must do; and (3) the Sacraments and Prayer, containing the means of grace by which we can attain God. It is not, however, necessary to follow this sequence when reading, teaching, or studying this book. "My Catholic Faith" is so constructed that one group of topics can be taken up independently of the rest. The Credo, which is the doctrinal part, is generally more difficult for young people to understand than the Commandments. For this reason the first part of the book may be postponed by teachers of religion until the other parts have been thoroughly considered.

Special attention was paid to the selection of appropriate texts from the Bible. These will familiarize the reader with Holy Scripture, and effectively prove the falsity of the anti-Catholic charge that the Church discourages the reading of the Bible. The revised editions of the Baltimore Catechism and of the New Testament, which have been so painstakingly prepared by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D. C., are used in this book.

Two subjects of utmost importance are almost completely dealt with: the Catholic Church (lessons 47 to 74), and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (lessons 130 to 140). Other topics which may be termed not strictly doctrinal -- such as Eastern Churches, Roman Curia, Church and State, Papal Decorations, Science and the Bible, Capital and Labor, Evolution -- are discussed, because we wish to aid our people not only in their devotion, but also in their desire for information about the attitudes and practices of Holy Mother Church.

It is our earnest hope that "My Catholic Faith" will help not only our beloved Catholic people to know their religion exactly, and to practice it according to the teachings of the Church and its Divine Founder, but also non-Catholics, to understand the beliefs and practices of our Church.

Bishop Morrow