An Introduction to The Douai Catechism, 1649

As of 14.00 yesterday, I have shared the Catechism of St Pius X, and the Baltimore Catechisms #1, #2, #3, and #4 in their entirety. Today we start a less well known catechism, The Douai Catechism (1649), by Fr Henry Tuberville. Wikipedia has to this to say about it:

The Rev Henry Tuberville, DD wrote this catechism in 1649 at the English College of Douay in Flanders. It is based on the Roman Catechism of the Council of Trent and was similarly written with the purpose of teaching Christian doctrine during the tumultuous English Reformation. It is a testament to Rev. Tuberville and his colleagues at Douay that it remains one of the clearest and most direct compendiums of Catholic teaching in the English language.

What follows is the introductory material of the Catechism.

AN
ABRIDGMENT
OF THE
CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE:
WITH PROOFS OF SCRIPTURE ON
POINTS CONTROVERTED
BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER. COMPOSED IN 1649,
BY REV. HENRY TUBERVILLE, D.D.,
OF THE ENGLISH COLLEGE OF DOUAY:
NOW APPROVED AND RECOMMENDED FOR HIS DIOCESE, BY
THE RIGHT REV. BENEDICT
BISHOP OF BOSTON.
"This is the way, walk ye in it." - Isaiah xxx. 21

 NEW YORK:
P. J. KENEDY,
EXCELSIOR CATHOLIC PUBLISHING HOUSE,
5 BARCLAY STREET  

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER

   THE principle part of the Catechism is an Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine; defended and cleared by proofs of scripture, in points controverted between Catholics and Sectaries; and explained by the familiar way of question and answer.

    To this, in the former impressions, was only adjoined a necessary exposition of the Mass, our Lady's Office, and the festival days of the year, but to this last edition is added, an Explanation of certain ceremonies of the Church, which now renders it more complete for instructing the ignorant, in the whole doctrine and discipline of the Catholic Church. Besides I have corrected some false citations, and other errata, which by the printer's negligence, occurred in the former impressions.

    Peruse it, good reader, with such charity as I have penned it, and if by it perusal thou shalt become more knowing in the law of Christ, and in practice more dutiful to God, and thy neighbour, it will abundantly recompense the labour of Thy well-wishing friend and servant in CHRIST.

- H T

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APPROBATIO

 CUM Liber inscriptus, An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine, &c. authore viro docto H. T. mihi probe note, intertia Editione, quam non indiligenter perlegi, nihil contineat contra sanam Doctrinam vel bonos Mores; multa vero partim scitu necessaria, partim valde utilia, dilucide & succincte, in Fide Catholica instituen dis proponat, dignum censeo qui ob publicam utilitatem Typis evulgetur.

Datum Duaci, Martii 11, 1649.
Gulielmus Hydeus, S. T. D., ac professor,
Colligii Anglorum Duacensis Præses
& Librorum Censor.

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APPROBATION.

 WE feel pleasure in recommending to the faithful of our Diocese this edition of "An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine, with proofs of Scripture on points controverted," as we have found it essentially conformable to the Dublin edition of 1820, of the correctness of which we entertain no doubt.

+ BENEDICT, Bp Bn.
Boston, April 24th, 1833

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Next - The Douai Catechism, 1649 - CHAPTER 1. What a Christian is: And of the Blessed Trinity.