The Spiritual Way Series
This series was developed by Mother Margaret Bolton, who began her career in 1892 as a public school teacher in New York City before entering the Convent of the Cenacle of St. Regis in 1913. Here she soon became Director of Religion, and her method of teaching the novices she soon adapted for use with children.
The system she developed eventually formed the core of this series, contained in four books intended for grades 3 through 7.
As the years went on, the grade levels covered by this series grew as Mother Bolton continued to create materials for ever younger children, gently introducing them to concepts such as the life of the soul, and preparing them for reception of the sacraments.
God's Hour in the Nursery is a pair of books for teacher and student that are designed to introduce the youngest children to the first lessons of the Baltimore Catechism--namely, those related to creation and the life of the soul. Through a series of stories and rhymes interspersed with coloring pages, the child learns to recognize the difference between plant life and animal life, and the difference between animal life and human life. Along the way, he also begins to gain an understanding of God, the Church, The Commandments, the Sacraments and Prayer.
It is important to note that, because this is designed for young children who may not be readers, these books function as a pair, with the Activity Book containing only the student's portion of the lessons, and the Guidance Book containing all the instruction material, which is meant to be read aloud.
Originally conceived as six booklets perfect for little hands, A Little Child's First Communion does double duty in preparing younger children for the Spiritual Way series while also readying them to receive the sacraments of First Confession and First Communion.
Intended to be used either in parochial schools or in parish catechesis programs, this series involves the parents in their child's formation through stories and activities. When paired with its manual, called Foundational Principles for Catholic Doctrinal Action, the parent or teacher is supplied with an overview of the didactic methods as well as the basis for each of the concepts taught in the series, including quotes from Scripture, the Catechism and the Church Fathers.
This brings us to the main books of this series, which are intended for grades 3 through 7.
Covering twenty fundamental doctrines of the Church, ranging from the Creation and Fall to the Church and her Sacraments, this series seeks to lead the child to think deeply about each subject, rather than simply memorize information. Thus, by thinking and learning to express dogma in their own words, young people will come to understand, love and apply it to their everyday lives.
Book One lays a firm foundation for spiritual truth by presenting God as Creator, as Father, and as the Almighty; He is the One Whose Light can Solve the Problems of All People.
Book Two builds on this foundation, introducing Man and God’s plan for him, the effects of grace, Original and Actual Sin, the Ten Commandments, and the Four Last Things.
Book Three proceeds from the known to the unknown, exploring the capabilities of the unseen soul, the mystery of the Trinity, our Redemption and its perpetuation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Book Four is devoted to the teaching of the Sacraments and the channel through which they come to us: the Church. It is an excellent preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Incidentally, this series is used as one of the many resources in the Religion in Life Curriculum, which uses the Highway to Heaven textbooks. Using these together may allow teachers and parents to weave the material found in these books into a larger system of catechetical training, as it may prove challenging to spread this content over an entire year of study.