Matrimonial catechism H C e,(/i ^1/) ^ /j- . —f~ Ho^rf^ovu'oLl CaWk;lv^. I A-J>r as8^ atrimonial Catechism BY RODERICK A. McEACHEN Priest of Columbus Diocese Preface by His Eminence CARD. GIBBONS Published by Ecclesiastical Authority PUBLISHED BY CATHOLIC BOOK COMPANY , WHEELING, W. VA. atrimonial Catechism ^BY RODERICK A. McEACHEN Priest of Columbus Diocese Preface by HU Eminence CARD. GIBBONS Pnblished by Ecclesiastical Authority PUBLISHED BY CAtHOLlC BOOK COMPANY WHEELING. W. VA. Nil|U JOSEPH MULLEN, V. G.. Censor Deputatus. itttftrittmtnr, PATRICK J. DONAHUE, D. D., Bishop of Wheeling. Copyright, 1913 by RODERICK A. McEACHEN All rights reserved. DeaMed PREFACE The family is the foundation of society. Mar- riage is the bond of family union. Hence the well- being of society depends primarily upon the purity and integrity of marriage. In these days, when scarcely any, save the children of Mother Church, consider matrimony more than a mere contract, it is imperative that the faithful be well instructed on the nature and duties of this great Sacrament. A false public opinion has condoned the ever-spreading evil of divorce; the childless home has become the fashion. If society is to endure the ancient sancti- ty of marriage, ever cherished and championed by Mother Church, must be restored to the modern world. This little volume has a great mission; it goes forth to defend the holiness of the marriage state and the dignity of parenthood; to define the duties and mutual relations of man and wife; to warn our people against the abuses that too often surroimd marriage in modern society. It is concise enough for the busiest of men, erudite enough for the most scholarly and simple enough for the humblest of our people. That it may teach many to love and respect the great Sacrament of Matrimony is our ardent wish. I THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. CHAPTER I. 0* What is Matrimony? A. Matrimony is a Sacrament which unites man and woman in Christian mar- riage. Q. Can Christians be married with- out receiving the Sacrament of Matri- mony? A. Christians cannot be married with- out receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony. 0- Are the marriage contract and the Sacrament of Matrimony the same? A. The marriage contract and the Sacrament of Matrimony are the same for Christians. Q. Can the bond of marriage be broken? A. The bond of marris^e cannot be broken by any power on earth except by death. 6 Q. What does St. Paul «ay about the bond of marriage? A. St. Paul says: '‘A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth ; but if her husband die she is at liberty; let her marry whom she will .”—I Cor. 7:30. 0. Has the Catholic Church ever granted a divorce? A. The Catholic Church has never granted a divorce throughout nineteen hundred years. Q. What is to be said of those who have been divorced in a civil court? A. Those who have been divorced in a civil court ^e still husband and wife as they were before. 0. Has tl^ state any right to grant divorce? A. The state has no right to grant divorce. 0* What is to be said of divorced persoi^ who “remarry’’? A. Divorced persons who ^remarry” 7 are not married; they are living in a state of public sin. 0. What does St. Luke say about marriage and divorce? A. St. Luke says (16:18): ^'Everyone who putteth away his wife and marrieth another committeth adultery, and he that marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.’* 0- Does the Catholic Church ever permit married people to separate? A. The Catholic Church sometimes per- mits married people to separate when there are grave reasons, but they always remain husband and wife until death, 0* Are Catholics who have been granted a separation ever allowed to marry again? A. . Catholics who have been granted a separation cannot, for any reason on earth, marry again, and they are obliged to be reconciled if possible. 0* In what case can marriage be annulled ? A. Marriage can be annulled only in case it is invalid. 8 Q. What does St. Augustine say about the separation of husband and wife? A. St. Augustine says: “That wedlock be not dissolved, and that neither if sep- arated be united to another.” 0- What does Tertullian, second century, say of the marriage union? A. Tertullian says: “How can we find words to describe the happiness of that marriage which the Church joins together; and the oblation confirms; and the bless- ing seals; the angels report; the Father ratifies.” CHAPTER II THE JURISDICTION OF THE CHURCH OVER MARRIAGE. 0. Before whom does the Church command Catholics to be married? A. The Church commands Catholics to be married before their own parish priest. 0. May Cat^ olics ever be married 9 before any other than their own parish priest? A. Catholics may always be married before their bishop or before any priest delegated by their pastor or their bishop. 0. Are Catholics really married if they go to anybody else than the priest to get married? A. Catholics are not really married if they go to anybody else than the priest to get married. Q. What is necessary to make the contract of marriage valid? A. To make the contract of marriage valid, both man and woman must be pres- ent, and express their consent, with free will, before the priest and two witnesses. 0* What part does the priest take in marrying people? A. The priest is the official witness constituted by the Church to decide wheth- er the marriage is lawful, to see that the proper form of the Sacrament is used, to see that the parties are properly disposed, and to bless their union. 10 0- Who then are the real minis- ters of matrimony? A. The contracting parties themselves are the real ministers of the Sacrament of Matrimony, since they themselves make the contract. 0* What is the state of Catholics who go to a squire or preacher to get married? A. Catholics who go to a squire or preacher to get married are not man and wife and they live in sin as long as they live together. 0* What must Catholics do who have gone to another than the priest to get married? A. Catholics who have gone to another to get married must go to the priest and arrange to be rightly married. 0. Why has the Church alone power over Christian marriage? A. The Church alone has power over Christian marriage because it is one of the seven Sacraments which Christ gave to the ministry of His Church. 11 0- Has the State any right in regard to matrimony? A. The State has the right to regulate the civil effects of matrimony, especially those that pertain to inheritance. 0- Who has authority to marry the unbaptized? A. The State has authority to marry the unbaptized. 0- Has the Church jurisdiction over the marriage of the unbaptized? A. The Church has no jurisdiction over the marriage of the unbaptized; they are not bound by her laws. CHAPTER III. MIXED MARRIAGE. Q. What is a mixed marriage? A. A mixed marriage is the union of a Catholic with one that is not a Catholic. Q. Does the Church forbid mixed marriages? A. The Church does forbid mixed marriages. 12 0. Why does the Church forbid mixed marriages? A. The Church forbids mixed marriages because they are opposed to the ideal of Christian marriage. 0* What is the ideal of Christian marriage? A. The ideal of Christian marriage is a life-long union of love and concord be- tween husband and wife. 0* Why cannot this union exist in mixed marriages? A. This union cannot exist in mixed marriages because husband and wife are divided on religion, the most important concern of life. 0. Does the Church ever permit mixed marriages? A. The Church sometimes, for grave reasons, permits mixed marriages. Q. Under what condition does the Church grant a dispensation for mixed marriages? A. When there is a grave reason, the Church grants a dispensation for mixed 13 marriages, but only after both parties make the required promises for safe-guard- ing the Faith. Q. What does the Church demand of the non-Gatholic? A. The Church demands that the non- Catholic allow the Catholic party the free and unhindered exercise of his religion. ,Q. What does the Church demand for the children of mixed marriages? A. The Church demands that all the children born of mixed marriages be brought up Catholics. Q. What does the Church hind the Catholic to do for the non-Catholic? A. The Church binds the Catholic to pray for the conversion of the non-Catholic and set him a good example. Q. How are mixed marriages cele- brated? A. Mixed marriages are celebrated with- out Mass, without the nuptial blessing and not in the church. Q. What are the common evils of mixed marriages? A. The common evils of mixed m^~ 14 riages are unhappiness, loss of Faith, and children poorly instructed in religion. Q. What does St. Ambrose, third century, say about mixed marriages? A. St. Ambrose says: “How can that be called a union where there is no agree- ment of Faith?” CHAPTER IV. MARRIAGE IMPEDIMENTS. Q. Is marriage invalid between blood-relations ? A. Marriage is invalid between blood- relations within the fourth degree of kin- dred. Q. What does the fourth degree of kindred include? A. The fourth degree of kindred in- cludes third cousins and great-grand nephews and nieces. 0. Is marriage invalid between re- lations-in-iaw? A. Marriage is invalid between re- lations-in-law to the fourth degree of kindred. 15 Q. Who are the husband’s relations- in-law to the fourth degree of kindred ? A. The wife’s blood-relations to the fourth degree of kindred are the husband’s relations-in-law to the fourth degree of kindred. 0. Who are the wife’s relations-in- law to the fourth degree of kindred? A. The husband’s blood-relations to the fourth degree of kindred are the wife’s relations-in-law to the fourth degree of kindred. Q. Is marriage invalid between sponsors of Baptism and Confirma- tion and their god-children? A. Marriage between sponsors of Bap- tism and Confirmation and their god- children is invalid unless a dispensation has been granted. Q. Is marriage invalid between sponsors and the parents of their god- children? A. Marriage is invalid between spon- sors and the parents of their god-children unless a dispensation has been granted. 16 0. Gan a person marry another whom he has baptized? A. A person can neither marry the one whom he has baptized nor that one’s parents without a dispensation. 0. Are dispensations granted for marriage between relations? A. Dispensations for marriage between relations are sometimes granted for a sufficient reason. 0* Is marriage forbidden at cer- tain times of the year? A. It is forbidden to solemnize marriage from Ash Wednesday until the second Monday after Easter, and from the first Sunday of Advent until after the Feast of Epiphany. 0* May marriage ever be celebrated during these times? A. Marriage may be celebrated during these times but always without Nuptial Mass. 0* When does the promise of mar- riage form an impediment to another marriage? A. The promise of marriage forms an 17 impediment to another marriage when it has been made in writing and signed by both contracting parties together with the pastor or bishop or at least two witnesses. CHAPTER V. THE BANNS OF MATRIMONY AND THE GRACES OF THE SACRAMENT. Q. What are the banns of matri- mony? A. The banns of matrimony are the three public announcements of the marriage made on three successive Sundays or Holy- days. Q. Why are the banns of matri- mony published? A. The banns of matrimony are pub- lished to obtain the prayers of the faithful for those who are about to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, to prevent secret marriages, and to discover any impediments there mightbe to themarriage. 18 Q. Have the faithful anyi obliga- tion arising from the publication of the banns? A. The faithful are bound to make known any impediments they may know to the marriage. Q. Does the Sacrament of Matri- mony give a special grace? A. The Sacrament of Matrimony gives man and wife the grace to live in peace and love and raise up children to God. Q. Why are some marriages un- happy? A. Some marriages are unhappy be- cause husband and wife neglect the grace they have received. Q. What should the husband and wife do to profit by the grace of Matri- mony? A. To profit by the grace of Matrimony, husband and wife should practice meekness and faithfully fulfil the duties of their state. Q. What are the duties of the wife? A. The duties of the wife are to be the 19 queen of the home, the helpmate of her husband, and the mother and guardian of her children. Q. What are the duties of the husband ? A. The husband should provide for his wife and children, be a companion to his wife and an example of Christian virtue to his children. CHAPTER VI. PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. Q. Is marriage a holy state? A. Marriage is a holy state blessed and honored by the Church. Q. What must be the state of your soul to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony? A. To receive the Sacrament of Matri- mony worthily, you must be in the state of grace. Q. How do you make sure that you are in the state of grace? A. To make sure that you are in the 20 state of grace, you should receive the Sacrament of Penance, 0. How should the Sacrament of Matrimony be received? A. The Sacrament of Matrimony should be received at Nuptial Mass in which there is a special blessing for the bride. (See translation of the Nuptial Blessing in the appendix.) 0* How should you pray before marriage? A. Before marriage, you should beg God to give you the grace to receive this great Sacrament worthily. 0* What should be your disposi- tion of mind before marriage? A. Before marriage, you should strive to understand the dignity of marriage and the holy purpose for which God instituted it. 0. Should you receive Holy Com- munion at the time of marriage? A. You should receive Holy Com- munion during the Mass at which you are married . 21 Q. Against what state of mind should you guard on your wedding day? A. On your wedding day you should be not led by the pomp and joviality of the occasion to forget the great graces that you receive in the Sacraments of Penance, Holy Eucharist and Matrimony. CHAPTER VII. THE MARRIAGE VOWS. 0- What vows do those make who marry? A. Those who marry solemnly promise to live together in peace and love and fidelity until death separates them. Q. What kind of love should exist between man and wife? A. There should exist between man and wife a pure love that will make them cling to each other through all trials and afflic- tions. Q. What fidelity should exist be- tween man and wife? A. There should exist between man and 22 wife a fidelity that will make them shrink from even the slightest danger of dis- loyalty. Q. Must man and wife be con- cerned about each other’s soul? A. Man and wife should do all they can to promote each other’s salvation. Q. How can man and wife best preserve peace between them? A. To preserve peace, man and wife should resolve to bear patiently each other’s faults and defects. Q. Is anyone perfect? A. No one is perfect; every one has his defects. Q. What does continuous criticism often cause? A. Continuous criticism of each other’s faults and defects often drives happiness from the home. Q. What is to be said of impatience and scolding? A. Impatience and scolding are evil habits, easily acquired, which drive hap- piness out of many homes. 23 Q. What should be the ambition of husband and wife for their homes? A. Both husband and wife should ever strive to make their home a place of peace and happiness. 0* How does St. Paul describe the relations of husband and wife? A. St. Paul says; “Let women be sub- ject to their husbands, as to the Lord ; for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church. * * Therefore, as the Church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be subject to their husbands in all things. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church and delivered Himself up for it.” — -Eph. V, 22-25. CHAPTER VIII. PURPOSE OF MATRIMONY. 0* What was God’s purpose in establishing Matrimony? A. God’s purpose in establishing Matri- mony was to raise up cbtidrea to Himself, 24 / Q. What is the greatest blessing that can befall husband and .wife? A. The greatest blessing that can be- fall husband and wife is to be blessed with many children. 0* What is to be said of those who complain that they cannot provide for a large family? A. Those who complain that they can- not provide for a large family lack con- fidence in God. Q. What homes often produce the best men and women? A. The homes in which the father and mother are raising their children in want, hardship and self-sacrifice are those which often produce the noblest men and women. 0. What should they do who have prayed in vain for children? A. Those who have prayed in vain for children would do well to consult a good physician. 0. What are the secondary pur- poses of Matrimony? A. The secondary purposes of Matri- 25 mony are to enable man and wife to enjoy the peace and pleasures of domestic and home life. 0- What relation does the family hold to human society? A. The family is the basis of all human society. Q. What relation does the home hold to the Church? A. The success of the Church, in her divine mission, largely depends upon the purity and sanctity of the home. Q. What relation does the home hold to priests and religious? A. The character of our priests and religious depends upon our homes, for they are the fruits of the home. CHAPTER IX. CONJUGAL RELATIONS. 0- What does Christ say of the close union between man and wife? A. Christ says: “God made them male and female; wherefore a man shall leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and there shall be two in one flesh * * what therefore God has joined together let no man put asunder/' — St. Mark, 10:6 0. What mutual right is conveyed in matrimony? A. In rnatrimony, each of the contract- ing parties conveys to the other the right of cohabitation, called the marriage right. 0. Is either party allowed to refuse the marriage right to the other? Neither party is allowed to refuse the marriage right to the other except for grave reasons. 0* Should each party show con- sideration for the other in demanding the marriage right? A. In demanding the marriage right, each party should show every considera- tion for the other. Q. What is a good means for wives to preserve the respect and love of their husbands? A. As a means of preserving the respect and love of their husbands, it is well for 27 wives to observe a certain conjugal mod- esty and always to strive to be neat and tidy when they appear before their hus- bands. Q. May man and wife abstain from the use of the marriage right? A. Man and wife may, by mutual agreement, abstain from the use of the marriage right even perpetually. Q. How should the wife respond to the demands of her husband? A. The wife should respond with ready affection to the demands of her husband. Q. What should the husband re- member in regard to the marriage right? A. The husband should remember that, at times, he should give way to the dis- position of his wife. Q. What thought should sanctify the conjugal relations of man and wife? A. The thought that they are instru- ments of God in the propagation of the human race should sanctify the conjugal relations of man and wife. 28 CHAPTER X. GESTATION AND CHILDBIRTH. Q. When does the human life of a child begin? A. The human life of a child begins at the moment of conception. Q. When is the soul united with the body? A. The soul is united with the body at the moment of conception. Q. Is it a sin to prevent concep- tion? A. It is a grave sin to prevent concep- tion by any means whatsoever. Q. What is to be said of those who use means to counteract conception? A. Those who use means to counteract conception commit the grave sin of des- troying a human life. Q. Would it be a grave sin to coun- teract conception a few moments after it has taken place? A. It would be eis grave a sin to prevent conception, even one moment after it has 29 taken place, as it would be to kill a child after birth. 0. What is to be said of those who procure or commit abortion? A. Those who procure or commit abor- tion are guilty of the most heinous form of murder. 0- What is to be said of maternal impressions? A. It is a mistake to suppose that the deformities and marks which children sometimes bear at birth are due to some- thing that the mother has seen or experi- enced. 0. How can mothers promote the well-being of their unborn babes? A. To promote the well-being of their unborn babes, mothers should, as far as possible, avoid violent anger, dejection, nervous shocks, and all grave disturbances. 0* Is it ever allowed to take the life of an unborn child to save the mother’s life? A. It is never allowed to take the life 30 of an unborn child to save the mother's life. 0. What is to be said of surgical operations at childbirth? A. All necessary operations at child- birth are lawful except those that include a direct killing of mother or child. 0. Is it ever allowed to perform the operation of craniotomy ? A. It is never allowed to perform the operation of craniotomy unless it is sure that the child is dead. Q. Could not the death of a child be hastened to save the motherms life? A. It would be murder to hasten the death of a child, even one minute, to save the life of the best mother on earth. 0. What is to be said of extrauter- ine pregnancy? A. It is allowed to perform the opera- tion by which the hemorrhage due to extrauterine pregancy is stopped even though the child dies. Q. What precaution should be tak- 31 en for Baptism when there is im- minent danger of death at birth? A. When there is imminent danger of death at birth, the child should be baptized on possible part of its body even before it is entirely born. Q. Who should administer Bap- tism to a child not entirely born? A. It would be well to instruct the doctor or nurse to administer Baptism when it becomes necessary before the child is entirely born. Q. What thought should bring con- solation to sulBlering mothers? A. Suffering mothers should be con- soled by the thought that God has a special care for the mothers of His little ones. Q. What is the noblest thought of a mother? A. The noblest thought of a mother is that she unselfishly risks her own life for the life of her child. Q. What should be the state of a mother’s mind before childbirth? A. Before childbirth, a mother should 32 calmly put her trust in God and refrain from all useless worry and fretfulness. CHAPTER XI. PARENTHOOD. Q. What is the dignity of parent- hood? A. Parents take part in the creation of new creatures, made to God’s image and likeness, and are given charge over the body and soul of these children, 0- For what will parents have to answer to God? A. Parents will have to answer to God for the immortal souls entrusted to their care. Q. What is the first and greatest duty of parents? A. The first and greatest duty of parents is to train up their children in the fear and love of God. Q. When should the training of children begin? A. The training of children should 33 begin as soon as they commence to notice the things around them. 0- What is the first virtue that should be instilled into children? A. Purity is the first virtue that dbould be instilled into children. 0. What is the foundation of a virtuous life? A. The formation of a right conscience is the foundation of a virtuous life. 0. When does the formation of conscience take place? A. The formation of conscience takes place in most children, probably before the age of six years. 0- What is meant by the forma- tion of a right conscience? A. The formation of a right conscience means that there should be instilled into the child's mind and heart, from motives of religion, a love for all that is good and pure and abhorrence for all tha^ is evil. 0. What bearing on later life has this conscience formed in childhood? A. This conscience, formed in early 34 childhood, generally makes the basis of moral character throughout life. Q. When do children begin to show instincts to impurity? A.* Children sometimes show instincts to impurity even at two years of age. Q. How should parents guard their children against the evil inclinations of nature? A. Parents should keep a strict watch over the hands and eyes of their little ones and deter them from all that would be immodest in older persons. Q. How should parents deal with children as soon as they are able to talk? A. As soon as they are able to talk, children should be taught that there are certain guards to be placed upon their hands and eyes. Q. What should parents demand of nurses and servant-girls ? A. Parents should demand that nurses and servant-girls be modest even with very young children. 35 Q. What danger is often present from nurses and servant-girls? A. A nurse or servant-girl may give a child a false conscience in regard to purity and modesty that will remain with it through life. Q. Does the danger of impurity cease with early childhood? A. The danger of impurity does not cease but generally becomes greater as the child grows up. Q. What may be said of vicious habits in young men and women? A. Vicious habits in young men and women can almost always be traced back to- some defect in early training. Q. When should children be taught to pray? A. Children should be taught to pray as soon as they are able to talk. Q. What is a beautiful custom followed by many parents? A. A beautiful custom is for the parents to have their little ones kneel at their knee and lisp their prayers with them. 36 0. What other virtues should be taught very young children? A. The fundamentals of all the virtues should be inculcated in the hearts of chil- dren from the beginning. Q. How should parents view the whims and humors of their young children? A. Parents should view the whims and humors of their young children as budding traits of character which they may bear through life. Q. How should parents deal with their children in general? A. Parents should deal honorably and justly with their children and make them feel their trust and confidence. 0. What should a parent do when he has unjustly punished his child or has mistakenly opposed the child’s correct opinion? A. If a parent has unjustly punished a child or has mistakenly opposed the child’s opinion he should frankly admit his mis- take. 37 Q. How should parents instruct their sons and daughters in regard to marriage? A. Parents should instruct their sons and daughters, when they have reached the proper age, in the duties and dignity of marriage. Q. What should young folks do before promising marriage? A. Before promising marriage, young folks should always ask the advice of their parents. Q. What kind of courtship should young folks make before marriage? A. Young folks should avoid long court- ships; they can learn to know each other well by a courtship of six months or a year at most. . Q. What should parents do if they discover a religious vocation amongst their children? A. If they discover a religious vocation amongst their children, parents should strive to foster it by prayer and good advice, and should consider it the greatest blessing that God could send upon their family. 38 THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY. At the proper time, before the Mass begins, the candidates take their place at the altar>railing, or in the sanctuary according to custom. They stand, facing the altar, the bride to the left of the groom. The bridesmaid to the left of the bride and the groomsman to the right of the groom. The priest says to the groom: N., wilt thou take N., here present for thy lawful wife according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church? The groom answers: I will. The priest then says to the bride: N., wilt thou take N., here present, for thy lawful husband according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church? The bride answers: I will. Then the bride and groom join their right hands * and make the following promises: The groom first repeats after the priest: I, N. N., take thee, N. N. for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. 39 Then the bride repeats after the priest: I, N. N., take thee N. N., for my law- ful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for rich- er, for poorer, in sickness and in health, un- til death do us part. Then the priest says in Latin: I join you together in marriage, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then the priest sprinkles them with holy water; then blesses the ring saying: V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who hath made heaven and earth. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, this ring, which we bless in Thy name, that she who shall wear it, keeping true faith unto her spouse, may abide in Thy peace and in obedience 40 to Thy will, and ever live in mutual love through Christ our Lord. Amen. The priest then sprinkles the ring with holy water. Then the groom places it on the third fin- ger of the bride*s left hand, saying: With this ring I thee wed, and I plight unto thee my truth. Then the priest says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then the priest says: V, Confirm, O Lord, that which Thou hast wrought in us. R. From Thy holy temple which is in Jerusalem. V. Lord, have mercy. R. Christ, have mercy. V. Lord, have mercy. Our Father, etc. V. And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil. V. Save Thy servants. R. Who hope in Thee, O my God. V. Send them help, O Lord, from Thy holy place. 41 R. And defend them out of Sion. V. Be unto them, Lord, a tower of strength. R. From the face of the enemy. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Look down with favor, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, upon these Thy servants, and graciously pro- tect this Thine ordinance, whereby Thou hast pro- vided for the propagation of mankind; that they who are joined together by Thy authority may be preserved by Thy help. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. THE NUPTIAL BLESSING. Let us pray. 0 Lord, favorably help our supplications, and graciously protect Thine ordinance, whereby Thou hast provided for the propagation of the human race, that this union made by Thy authority may be preserved by Thy help; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: . 0 God, Who by the might of Thy power didst make all things out of nothing; Who, 42 at the beginning of the world, when man was made to the image of God, didst, out of his flesh, make the woman, and give her to him for a helpmate, thereby teaching us that what it had pleased Thee to fashion out of one, it should never be lawful to disjoin. 0 God, Who by so excellent a mystery, hast consecrated wedlock, and hast been pleased to make it a type of the mysterious union of Christ with His Church: 0 God, by Whom woman is joined to man, and that alliance ordained in the beginning is en- dowed with a blessing, which alone was not taken away, either in punishment of original sin, or by the sentence of the deluge; look down graciously upon this Thy handmaid, here joined in marriage, and who earnestly desires to be taken under Thy protection. May it be to her a yoke of charity and peace; faithful and chaste may she marry in Christ, and be an imitator of holy women; may she be pleasing to her husband like Rachel; prudent, like Rebecca; long-lived and faithful, like Sarah, May the first author of sin have no share in any of her actions. May she remain flrmly attached to the Faith and the commandments, and being joined to one man in we^ock, may she fly all unlawful ad- dresses; may she fortify her weakness by the strength of discipline; may she be grave, in mod- esty worthy of respect, and in heavenly doctrines learned; may she be fruitful in offspring, approved and innocent, and may it be at length her happy lot to arrive at the rest of the blessed in the heav- enly kingdom. May they both see their children's children even to the third and foiuth generation, and attain to happy old age; through our I^rd Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee 43 in the unitj^ of the Holy Ghost, one God world with- out end. Ameru May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you: and may He fulhl His blessing in you: that you may see your children’s children to the third and fourth genera- tion: and afterward enter into the possession of of eternal life, by the help, of our Lord Jesus Christ Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen. 44 Learn about Father McEachen’s Great Catechetical Works Catechism Series for Schools and Sun- day Schools in four parts: 1—Catechism Chart 2—Catechism Primer. 3—^Intermediate CatechisnL 4—^Complete Catechism. Father McEachen's Catechisms have been pro- nounced by many educators the greatest books of our day. Many declare that they are the first Catechisms to be written on true pedagogical principles. They are all built upon one general frame-work. They are suited, in their gradation, to the mental capacity of all from the young child to the ripest scholar. '^Father McEacheo’s Cqtecl)isms will pro- duce a race of sturdy Christians.** 45 CATECHISM CHART—A Complete Course in Christian doctrine for the first year in CatechisnL 34 Large Pages (23 x 34). Pure white paper, all leaves bound by double linen strips. Illustrated with beautiful 7-color lithographs. It presents the doctrine to the child’s eye in beautiful pictures. Already used in nearly 2000 places. All who have it consider it indispensable. It is as simple as the a. b. c. chart, yet every word and phrase is dignified and worthy of being retained throughout life. It is based on the pedagogic principle that the first ideas of knowledge must be presented to the sensory faculties of children. The Catechism Chart appeared little more than a year ago; it has already attained international repute. It has already taught thousands of children not only to know but also to love Catechism. Once you have the Catechism Chart, there is an end to the drudgery and distaste that your little ones have felt toward the study of Catechism. ASK THOSE WHO ARE USING IT. Price (with black enamel iron easel) $10.00 Each. (Sent on approval if desired.) 46 CATECHISM PRIMER,—a well-made little book of 48 pages, with clear type and first quality paper. It is the SEQUEL to the CATECHISM CHART. It is built upon the same frame work as the Chart. It contains about 300 questions and an- swers. These are all so plain and simple that children learn them with delight The question always suggests the answer. It is written in elegant, grammatical language, yet 65 per cent, of its words are monosylables. The Primer has not only simplified its words; it has also simplified its phrases. It avoids com- plex sentences. It gives individual ideas. This precludes the danger of learning by rote. It deals with particulars and not with generalities. No cat- egories appear in the book. The fact that within two years after its publi- cation, the 350th Thousand is already on the market is the best proof of the Primer’s worth. Have pity on your little ones; give them a Catechism suited to their tender years. Teach them to love the Faith. Do not let them grow up with the impression that the teachings of Faith are cumbersome and unintelligible forms. Price $2.50 per hundred (sample sent free) 47 INTERMEDIATE CATECHISM. A book of 128 pages, fine white paper and clear lithograph print It is an easy transition from the Catechism Primer. It does not change the expression of ideas given in the preceding parts. It is easy and simple, yet covers a breadth of detail unknown to other Catechisms. It con- tains nearly 1000 questions and answers. Children like it; they are interested in every page; it unfolds to their young minds the beauties and the mysteries of holy Faith. It is not a mere compilation—nor is any part of the Series such. It is an original work based upon the best and most conservative methods of teaching known to our day. It is not a hurried production; its every word has been weighed and carefully studied. Once you have examined it thoroughly, you will be convinced of all this and more. Price (half cloth) $10.00 per hundred (Sample free) 48 COMPLETE CATECHISM.—a development of the Intermediate Catechism. In its pages are embodied, word for word, every question and answer of the Intermediate Catechism. The de- velopment consists in the addition of new questions and answers. The matter is so carefully interwoven that it is impossible to tell that another book is contained therein. In fact, if you omit the ques- tions, and read the answers alone it sounds like consecutive narrative. In the Complete Catechism are embodied the apologetics and history that are intimately associ- ated with Christian doctrine. This is a new feature in the making of Catechisms. Yet its utility and necessity are self-apparent. How else can we train our people to become defenders of the Faith? How else will our people be able to refute the sophistries .of modem intellectual errors? The Complete Catechism not only depicts the sublime ruths of Faith, but also gives the funda- mental ideas necessary for the refutation of every form of error known to the sphere of religion. It gives the latest false theories as well as the oldest, from Christian Science to Confucianism. In the new edition, now in preparation, will be mentioned such matters as Eugenics and Euthanasia that are com- ing into public notice. It is, par excellence, a Cate- chism complete in extent, depth and breadth, a Cat- echism up-to-date. Look through the double-refer- ence index, which it contains, read it and you will be astounded at the immense store of knowledge contained in its 212 pages. Price (half cloth) $15.00 per hundred. (Sample free.) n CO r-r O- Z o n :r c: o :r CO rj :r o o Z OJ n o t3 n> o r^* D. 3 o 3. n &} S’ o tr n o 3 "2- O P) o tr p rt* 0> »-« 3 a g- S* a> n p S’ o jT- o p ri* r& o 5t w* 3 TJ 3‘ a 0) 0 CD 01 ^ cr 3: o 2 B> 3 K Q S' b: 3 £5 “ 3 fi 3 ifi- K) 0 0 s >H i» O 1 r- 3 o (D D:3 o o _ 3“ Q (t o S 3 p P ri- fl- •C/5- -I o o p- rD g> . 5* OQ p p Ln o Tl oo rr o o a> D £ -ee- ho Ln -Cfi- o o >-i o p o •-{ o 0 p ri" 0> S’ O tJ o p- p- o o p n> p p- Q D- p- p •-< a> 0-cp p o- P- c a- •-4 o 't o a- p a- D- o 0- The Catechism Primer may also be obtained in GERMAN, FRENCH. DUICH, POLISH and ITALIAN. Don*t forget the Little Tots at Home SEND FOR THE Baby Catechism A Wonderful Picture Book for the Little Ones from three to five years of age BEAUTIFUL SEVEN-COLOR LITHOGRAPHS . ^ PAGES 8 X 11 INCHES It depicts the great Truths of Faith in charm- ing simplicity. Sow the good s^ed early in these tender little hearts PRICE, HALF CLOTH, 50c a Copy. Postage 10c CATHOLIC BOOK COMPANY Wheeling, West Va.