The Catechetical Instructions of St. Thomas Aquinas

Original Contents

The Creed

• Introduction: What is Faith?
• Article 1: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth
• Article 2: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord 
• Article 3: Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary 
• Article 4: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried 
• Article 5: He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead
• Article 6: He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty
• Article 7: From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
• Article 8: I believe in the Holy Ghost
• Article 9: The Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints
• Article 10: The forgiveness of sins
• Article 11: The resurrection of the body
• Article 12: And life everlasting. Amen.

The Sacraments

• Introduction: The Sacraments of the Church
• Baptism 
• Confirmation
• The Holy Eucharist 
• Penance
• Extreme Unction
• Holy Orders
•  Holy Matrimony 
• Conclusion: Summary of the Sacraments

The Ten Commandments

• Introduction: Listing of the Ten Commandments
• The First Commandment: No False Gods 
• The Second Commandment: No Misuse of God’s Name 
• The Third Commandment: Honor the Sabbath 
• The Fourth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother
  
• The Fifth Commandment: No Murder 
• The Sixth Commandment: No Adultery 
• The Seventh Commandment: No Theft
• The Eighth Commandment: No False Witness
• The Ninth Commandment: No Coveting a Neighbor’s Property
• The Tenth Commandment: No Coveting a Neighbor’s Spouse
• Conclusion: Summary of the Ten Commandments

The Lord’s Prayer

• Introduction: Five Qualities of Prayer  
• The Opening Words: “Our Father, who art in heaven”
•  The First Petition: “Hallowed by Thy name” 
• The Second Petition: “Thy kingdom come” 
• The Third Petition: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” 
• The Fourth Petition: “Give us this day our daily bread”
  
• The Fifth Petition: “Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
  
• The Sixth Petition: “And lead us not into temption”
• The Seventh Petition: “But deliver us from evil”
• Conclusion: The Angelic Salutation (The Hail Mary)