.:
Konzen Kjar
1961
D323
1889
eharbe's Cate A 555281
A CATECHISM
of FCA
CATHOLIC RELIGION,
S
TOTAGE
OF THE
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
OF
THE REV. JOSEPH DEILARBE, S.J.
Preceded by a Short History of Religion.
EDITED BY THE
RIGHT REV. P. N. LYNCH, D.D
BISHOP OF CHARLESTON,
NEW EDITION.
NEW YORK:
THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY CO.,
9 BARCLAY STREET:
1888.

BX
1961
D323
11889
***.
MIRODO
AATES
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
JOENTU
OF THE
Baha
CQUAL PIS DEKURSULON ANGEHAM
LISTERMEZEN
PRESENTED BY
THE HEIRS OF
NATHAN B. HYDE
:
1
"
A CATECHISM
OF THE
CATHOLIC RELIGION.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
OF
THE REV. JOSEPH DEHARBE, S.J.
PRECEDED BY
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
EDITED BY THE
RIGHT REV. P. N. LYNCH, D.D.,
BISHOP OF CHARLESTON.
NEW EDITION.
NEW YORK:
THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY CO.,
9 BARCLAY STREET.
1889.

Emprimatur,

John Card My Cockay
Archbishop of New Gotte
NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 7, 1878.
Copyright, 1878, by
THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY CO.
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DAILY DEVOTIONS,
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGIÓN.
BEFORE CHRIST,
HISTORY OF CHRIST,
AFTER CHRIST,
CONCLUDING REMARKS,
ON THE END OF MAN,
CONTENTS.
THIRD ARTICLE,
PART L
On Faith.
MEANING, OBJECT, AND RULE OF FAITH,
NECESSITY OF FAITH,
QUALITIES OF FAITH,
•
On the Apostles' Creed.
FIRST ARTICLE,
On God and His Attributes and Perfections,
On the Three Divine Persons,
On the Creation and Government of the World,
On the Angels,
On our First Parents and their Fall,
SECOND ARTICLE,
Jesus Christ the Promised Messias,
Jesus Christ, True God,
TENTH ARTICLE,
ELEVENTH ARTICLE,
TWELFTH ARTICLE,
INTRODUCTION.
•
•
The Incarnation of Christ,
The Youth of Jesus,
The Public Life of Jesus,
FOURTH ARTICLE,
FIFTH ARTICLE,
SIXTH ARTICLE,
SEVENTH ARTICLE,
EIGHTH ARTICLE,
NINTH ARTICLE,
The Marks of the Church,
The Qualities of the Church,
The Growth and Preservation of the Church,
The Communion of Saints,
201
INT ANY
:::
PAGE
...
•..•
145
17
24
28
44.
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8889588II22222288833882875
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63:
65,
67
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68:
69
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74.
76
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90
THE CHIEF COMMANDMENT,
The Love of
The Love of our Neighbor,
Christian Self-Love,
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD,
First Commandment of God,
The Veneration and Invocation of Saints,
Second Commandment of God,
Third Commandment of God,
Fourth Commandment of God,
Fifth Commandment of God,
Sixth Commandment of God,
Seventh Commandment of God,
Eighth Commandment of God,
Ninth and Tenth Commandments of God,
*THE SIX COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH,
First Commandment of the Church,
Second Commandment of the Church,
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Commandments of the Church,
Sixth Commandment of the Church,
GRACE IN GENERAL,
On Virtue,
On Christian Perfection,
1
CONTENTS.
PART II.
The Commandments.
ON THE VIOLATION OF THE COMMANDMENTS,
On Sin in general,.
On the different kinds of Sin,
ON VIRTUE AND CHRISTIAN PERFECTION,
Penance,
On the Grace of Assistance,
The Grace of Sanctification,
Indulgences,
Extreme Unction,
Holy Orders,
Matrimony,
SACRAMENTALS,
PRAYER,
THE SACRAMENTS,
Baptism,
Confirmation,
The Holy Eucharist,
The Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament,
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,
Holy Communion,
Examination of Conscience,
Contrition,
Confession,
Satisfaction,
RECAPITULATION,
•
Our Religion is Divine,
The Angelic Salutation,
The Lord's Prayer,
RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND CEREMONIES,
::
•
•
PART III.
On the Means of Grace.
PAGE
92
92
94
96
97
98
100
102
104
105
107
109
110 ·
112
114
115
116
117
119
120
120
120
122
125
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131
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134
136.
189
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141
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147
150
152
159
157
160
161
162
163
165
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168
173
171
174
177
177
DAILY DEVOTIONS.
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
In nomine Patris, et
Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
Amen.
In the name of the Fa-
ther, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER.
Pater noster, qui es in Our Father, who art in
cœlis, sanctificetur nomen heaven, hallowed be thy
tuum; adveniat regnum name; thy kingdom come;
tuum; fiat voluntas tua, thy will be done on earth
sicut in cœlo et in terra. as it is in heaven. Give
Panem nostrum quotidi- us this day our daily
anum da nobis hodie. Et bread. And forgive us
dimitte nobis debita nos- our trespasses as we for-
tra, sicut et nos dimitti- give them that trespass
mus debitoribus nostris. against us. And lead us
Et ne nos inducas in ten- not into temptation; but
tationem; sed libera nos deliver us from evil.
a malo. Amen.
Amen.
the angeliCAL SALUTATION.
Ave Maria, gratia ple- Hail, Mary, full of grace,
na ; Dominus tecum; the Lord is with thee;
benedicta tu in mulieri- blessed art thou among
bus, et benedictus fructus women, and blessed is the
ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro Holy Mary, Mother of
nobis peccatoribus, nunc God, pray for us sinners,
5
す
​6.
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
麻
​et in hora mortis nostræ. now, and at the hour of
Amen.
our death.
Amen.
THE APOSTLES' CREED.
sus
Credo in Deum, Patrem I believe in God the
omnipotentem, Creatorem Father Almighty, Creator
cœli et terræ. Et in Je- of heaven and earth. And
sum Christum, Filium in Jesus Christ, his only
ejus unicum, Dominum Son, our Lord, who was
nostrum ; qui conceptus conceived by the Holy
est de Spiritu Sancto, na- Ghost, born of the Virgin
tus ex Maria Virgine, pas- Mary, suffered under Pon-
sub Pontio Pilato, tius Pilate, was crucified,
crucifixus, mortuus, et se- dead, and buried; he de-
pultus; descendit ad in- scended into hell; the
feros; tertia die resurrexit third day he rose again
a mortuis; ascendit ad from the dead; he as-
cœlos, sedet ad dexteram cended into heaven, and
Dei Patris omnipotentis; sitteth at the right hand
inde venturus est judicare of God the Father Al-
vivos et mortuos. Credo mighty; from thence he
in Spiritum Sanctum, shall come to judge the
sanctam Ecclesiam Ca- living and the dead. I
tholicam, Sanctorum com- believe in the Holy Ghost,
munionem, remissionem the holy Catholic Church,
peccatorum, carnis resur- the communion of saints,
rectionem, vitam æter- the forgiveness of sins, the
nam. Amen.
resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
GLORIA PATRI.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et
Spiritui Sancto. Sicut
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the
CATECHISM OF CATHOLic Doctrine.
erat in principio, et nunc, Holy Ghost. As it was in
et semper, et in sæcula sæ- the beginning, is now, and
culorum. Amen.
ever shall be, world with-
out end. Amen.
THE CONFITEOR.
Confiteor Deo omnipo- I confess to Almighty
tenti, beatæ Mariæ sem- God, to blessed Mary ever
per virgini, beato Michaeli virgin, to blessed Michael
archangelo, beato Joanni the Archangel, to blessed
Baptistæ, sanctis apostolis John the Baptist, to the
Petro et Paulo, et omnibus holy Apostles Peter and
sanctis, quia peccavi ni- Paul, and to all the saints,
mis, cogitatione, verbo, that I have sinned exceed-
et opere, mea culpa, mea ingly in thought, word,
culpa, mea maxima culpa. and deed, through my
Ideo precor beatam Ma- fault, through my fault,
riam semper virginem, be- through my most grievous
atum Michaelem archan- fault. Therefore I be-
gelum, beatum Joannem seech the blessed Mary
Baptistam, sanctos apos- ever virgin, the blessed
tolos Petrum et Paulum, Michael the Archangel,
'et omnes sanctos, orare the blessed John the Bap-
pro me ad Dominum De- tist, the holy Apostles
um nostrum.
Peter and Paul, and all
the saints, to pray to the
Lord our God for me.
Misereatur mei omnipo-
tens Deus, et dimissis pec-
catis meis, perducat me
ad vitam æternam. Amen.
Indulgentiam, absolu-
tionem, et remissionem merciful Lord grant me
May the Almighty God
have mercy on me, forgive
me my sins, and bring me
to everlasting life. Amen.
May the Almighty and
1
8
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
peccatorum meorum, tri- pardon, absolution, and
buat mihi omnipotens et remission of my sins.
misericors Dominus. Amen.
Amen.
misericordiæ;
SALVE REGINA.
Salve, Regina, Mater
Vita, dulcedo, et spes
nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus, exules
filii Hevæ;
Ad te suspiramus, ge-
mentes et flentes in hac la-
crymarum valle.
Eia ergo, Advocata
nostra,
Illos tuos misericordes
oculos ad nos converte;
Et Jesum, benedictum
fructum ventris tui,
Nobis post hoc exilium
ostende.
"
R. Ut digni efficiamur
promissionibus Christi.
Hail, Queen, Mother of
mercy;
Our life, our sweetness,
and our hope, hail.
To thee we cry, poor
exiled sons of Eve;
To thee we sigh, weep-
ing and mourning in this
vale of tears.
Turn upon us those
merciful eyes of thine;
And show us, after this ·
our exile,
The blessed fruit of thy
womb, Jesus.
O clemens, O pia, O 0 merciful, O kind, O
dulcis Virgo Maria. sweet Virgin Mary !
V. Ora pro nobis, sanc-
ta Dei Genitrix.
V. Pray for us, O holy
Mother of God.
O therefore, our Ad-
vocate,
R. That we
may be
made worthy of the pro-
mises of Christ.
MEMORARE.
Memorare, O piissima Remember, O most gra-
Virgo Maria, non esse au- cious Virgin Mary, that
}
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
ditum a sæculo, quem- never was it known that
quam ad tua currentem any one who fled to thy
præsidia, tua imploran- protection, implored thy
tem auxilia, tua petentem help, and sought thy in-
suffragia, esse derelictum. tercession was left un-
Ego, tali animatus confi- aided. Inspired with this
dentia, ad te, Virgo vir- confidence, I fly unto thee,¨
ginum, Mater, curro; ad O Virgin of virgins, my
te venio ; coram te gemens Mother. To thee I come ;
peccator assisto. Noli, before thee I stand, sinful
Mater Verbi, verba mea and sorrowful. O Mother
despicere, sed audi pro- of the Word Incarnate !
pitia et exaudi. Amen. despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and
Amen.
answer me.
THE ANGELUS.
In Paschal time, instead of the Angelus, the Regina Cœli
is said standing.
w
I. V. Angelus Domini nun-
tiavit Mariæ.
R. Et concepit de Spiritu
Sancto.
Ave Maria, etc.
II. V. Ecce ancilla Domi-
ni.
R. Fiat mihi secundum
verbum tuum.
Ave Maria, etc.
III. V. Et Verbum caro
factum est.
R. Et habitavit in nobis.
Ave Maria, etc.
V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta
Dei Genitrix.
R. Ut digni efficiamur
promissionibus Christi,
I. The angel of the Lord
announced unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of
the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, etc.
II. Behold the handmaid
of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me
according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.
III. And the Word was
made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Pray for us, O Holy
Mother of God!
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of
Christ.
10
CATECHISM of Catholic 'DOCTRINE.
Oremus.
Let us pray.
Gratiam tuam, quæsu-
Pour forth, we beseech
mus, Domine, mentibus thee, O Lord, thy grace
nostris infunde; ut qui, into our hearts, that we,
angelo nuntiante, Christi to whom the incarnation
filii tui incarnationem of Christ thy Son was
cognovimus, per passio- made known by the mes-
nem ejus et crucem ad sage of an angel, may by
resurrectionis gloriam per- his passion and cross be
ducamur; per eundem brought to the glory of
Christum Dominum nos- his resurrection; through
trum. Amen.
the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
W
MORNING PRAYERS.
As soon as you awake make the sign of the cross and
Say:
GLORY be to the Father, who has created me.
Glory be to the Son, who has redeemed me.
Glory be to the Holy Ghost, who has sanctified me.
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity now and
for ever.
Amen.
1
On rising from your bed say:
IN
N the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I arise.
May he bless, preserve, and govern me, and
bring me to everlasting life. Amen.
When dressed, kneel and say:
IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
AN ACT OF ADORATION.
O
GREAT God, the Sovereign Lord of heaven and
earth, I prostrate myself before thee. With
all the angels and saints I adore thee. I acknow.
-4
11
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
ledge thee to be my Creator and Lord, my first be-
ginning and last end. I give thee homage for my
being and life. I submit to thy holy will; and I
devote myself to thy divine service this day and for
ever.
AN ACT OF FAITH.
O
MY God! I firmly believe all the sacred truths
which thy holy Catholic Church believes and
teaches; because thou hast revealed them, who canst
neither deceive nor be deceived.
AN ACT OF HOPE.
O
MY God! relying on thy infinite goodness
and promises, I hope to obtain the pardon of
my sins, the assistance of thy grace, and life ever-
lasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord
and Saviour.
AN ACT OF LOVE.
O
MY God! I love thee above all things, with
my whole heart and soul, purely because thou
art infinitely perfect and deserving of all love. I
love also my neighbor as myself for the love of thee.
I forgive all who have injured me, and I ask pardon
of all whom I have injured.
AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING.
GLORIOUS Trinity! I praise thee and give
thee thanks for the numberless benefits thou
O
hast bestowed upon me. I thank thee, O heavenly
Father! for having created me to thy own image and
likeness, and for having preserved me to this day.
I thank thee, O merciful Son! for having redeemed
me by thy death, and so often fed me with thy
12. CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
precious body and blood. I thank thee, O Holy
Spirit! for having cleansed my soul by thy grace in.
baptism, for having called me into thy Church, and
so often washed me from my sins in the sacrament
of penance. I thank thee, O most bountiful God !
for preserving me during the past night, and grant-
ing me this day to serve thee. What return, O my
God, can I make to thee for all thou hast done for
me? I will bless thy holy name, and serve thee all
the days of my life. Bless the Lord, O my soul !
let all that is within me praise his holy name.
Here call to mind the sins you are most given to, and resolve
to avoid them and all other sins during the day.
AN ACT OF CONTRITION.
MY conscience, O Lord! still reproaches me for
ΜΥ
my weakness and unfaithfulness. I am hear-
tily sorry for having offended thy infinite goodness.
I firmly resolve to avoid sin for the future, and, with
the help of thy grace, to die rather than offend thee
again.
Make a firm resolution to avoid evil and to do good.
ADORABLE Jesus! Divine model of that per-
fection for which we should all strive! this
day I shall try to imitate thee; to be mild, chaste,
zealous, patient, charitable, and resigned. Incline
my heart to keep thy commandments. I am resolv-
ed to watch over myself with the greatest care, and to
live soberly, justly, and piously for the time to come.
I will be careful of my ways, that I may not offend
+
with my tongue. I will turn away my eyes, that they
may not see vanity; and I will be particularly watch-
ful not to fall back this day into any of my usual
M
CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine.
errors, but will struggle against them with thy gra-
cious assistance, Enlighten my mind, purify my
heart, and guide my steps, that I may pass all my
life in thy service. Amen.
13
Here say the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed,
the Confiteor, and the Memorare, pp. 5–8.
GRACE BEFORE MEAT.
V. Benedic, Domine, V. Bless us, O Lord,
nos et hæc tua dona, quæ and these thy gifts which
de tua largitate sumus of thy bounty we are
sumpturi; per Christum about to receive; through
Dominum nostrum. R. Christ our Lord. R.
Amen.
Amen.
GRACE After MEAT.
V. Agimus tibi gratias, V. We give thee thanks,
omnipotens Deus, pro Almighty God, for all thy
universis beneficiis tuis; benefits; who livest and
qui vivis et regnas in sæ- reignest, world without
cula sæculorum. R. end. R. Amen.
Amen.
NIGHT PRAYERS.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and
for ever. Amen.
Come, O Holy Ghost! fill the hearts of thy faith-
ful, and kindle in them the fire of thy love.
Place yourself in the presence of God.
GREAT God, Lord of heaven and earth! I pros-
trate myself before thee. With all the angels
and saints I adore thee. I acknowledge thee to
Ja
14 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
be my Creator and sovereign Lord, my first begin-
ning and last end. I make thee homage for my being
and life. I submit myself to thy holy will; and I
devote myself to thy service, now and for ever.
Amen.
AN ACT OF FAITH.
Here repeat Faith, Hope, and Love, as on page 11.
Give thanks.
How shall
OW shall I be able to thank thee, O Lord! for
all thy favors. Thou hast thought of me
from all eternity; thou hast brought me forth from
nothing; thou hast given thy life to redeem me, and
thou continuest daily to load me with thy favors.
Alas! my God, what return can I make thee for all
thy benefits, and, in particular, for the favors of this
day? Join with me, ye blessed spirits and all ye
elect, in praising the God of mercies, who is so good
to so unworthy a creature.
Ask for light to discover your sins.
HOLY GHOST! Eternal source
O
of light!
remove my darkness, and drive away those
shades that keep me from seeing the enormity of my
offences. Show me, I beseech thee, the sins I have,
committed this day in thought, word, and action.
Grant that I may detest them all from the bottom of
my heart, and that I may fear nothing so much as
ever to commit them again.
}
Examine your conscience. Consider where you have been
this day, and in what company. Call to mind the duties of
your state, and your different offences.
Against God.-By omission or negligence in our
religious duties; irreverence in the church or wilful
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
distractions in prayer; resistance to the divine grace;
oaths; murmurings; want of confidence and resig-
nation.
15
Against our neighbor.—By rash judgments; ha-
tred; jealousy; contempt; desire of revenge; quar-
relling; passion; imprecations; injuries; detrac-
tion; raillery; false reports; damaging either in
goods or reputation; bad example; scandal; want
of obedience, respect, charity, or fidelity.
Against ourselves.-By vanity; human respect;.
lies; thoughts, desires, discourses, or actions contra-
ry to purity; intemperance; rage or impatience; an
useless and sensual life; sloth in not complying with.
the duties of our state.
Say the Confiteor, as on p. 77.
AN ACT OF CONTRITION.
BEHOLD me, O Lord! overwhelmed with confu-
sion; look upon me, a miserable sinner, ac-
cording to the multitude of thy mercies. I acknow-
ledge and confess, and am heartily sorry for, all the
sins of my past life, and of this day in particular.
I cast myself at thy feet, and beseech thee to cover all
my
sins with that infinite love with which thou hast
loved us from all eternity. I grieve from the bot-
tom of my heart that I have been so ungrateful to
thee for thy benefits, and have so often offended thee,
my God and my chief good. Spare me, I beseech
thee, by the death and love of Jesus Christ thy Son;
and mercifully forgive whatsoever sins I have this
day, or heretofore, committed against thee, my neigh-
bor, or myself.
Make a firm purpose of amendment.
1
16 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
O
ETERNAL God! against whom I have sinned,
I wish from my heart I had never offended
thee; but as I have been so unhappy, oh! grant
me now the grace never more to offend thee. Thou
willest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he
be converted and live. Convert me, then, and I shall
be converteď. Have mercy on me according to thy
great mercy, and according to the multitude of thy
mercies blot out my iniquities. I renounce all sin,
and firmly purpose to shun all the occasions of it,
and to walk henceforth in the path of thy command-
ments. This is my fixed resolution, which I hope I
shall faithfully keep, relying upon thy help; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
On going to bed say:
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified,
I lay me down to rest; may he bless, govern, and
preserve me, and bring me to everlasting life.
Amen.
*
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
BEFORE CHRIST.
FROM ADAM TO MOSES.
1. In the beginning God created heaven and earth.
He said, "Let them be made," and they were made.
He made the whole world-the sun, moon, and stars,
the plants and animals, and, last of all, He made
man after His own image and likeness. The first
man was called Adam, and the first woman Eve.
They were good and happy, and dwelt in a plea-
sant land called the Garden of Eden, or Paradise,
and they and their descendants were never to die
(4004 B. C.)
2. God forbade Adam and Eve to eat of the Tree
of Knowledge which stood in the middle of Eden.
But the serpent tempted them, saying: "If you eat
thereof, you shall be as Gods," and they believed the
serpent and disobeyed God. For this sin of dis-
obedience they were immediately punished, and the
punishment fell also upon all their descendants.
Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise; they
were doomed to suffering and death, and to be shut
out from the presence of God for ever. Yet God
took pity on them and promised them a Saviour,
who should reconcile them again to him, and, if they
1. When did God create man? How did He create heaven and
earth? How did He distinguish man from the other creatures?
What were the names of the first man and woman? Where did .
they live? Were they and their children ever to die?
2 What commandment did God give to Adam and Eve? What did
the serpent tell them? What did Adam and Eve do? Were they pun-
ished for it? Were they alone punished? What punishment came
17
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
did penance, would make them partakers of eternal
happiness in heaven (Gen. iii. 15).
3. Our first parents' sons, Cain and Abel, offered
sacrifice to God, and God was pleased with the virtu-
ous Abel's sacrifice, but not with the wicked Cain's.
Cain, being jealous and very angry at this, killed his
brother (3876 B.C.) For this horrible crime God
cursed Cain, who then became a wanderer on the
earth.
18
4. Many of Cain's descendants also were wicked,
and in time so seduced the good that men turned
away from God and sank deep in sin and vice.
For this God destroyed the race of Adam by a
deluge. The rain fell for forty days and forty
nights, and the waters rose above the highest moun-
tains. Every living creature perished in the flood,
except Noe and his family and the animals he had
taken into the ark which God had commanded him
to build (2348 B.C.) When the flood was over Noe
offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord for his
escape, and the Lord promised Noe that "there
should no more be waters of a flood, to destroy all
flesh" (Gen. ix. 15).
5. Noe's descendants became so numerous that
they began to spread into many lands. But before
separating they undertook to build a tower that.
should reach up to heaven. God, however, confused
their language, and, as they could no longer under-
stand one another, they were compelled to stop the
•
*
upon them? Did God then abandon them? What did He promise:
them?
3. Who were Cain and Abel? How did they worship God? Was
God pleased with their sacrifices? What did Cain do, and what be-
came of him?
4. Were the descendants of Cain good or wicked? What evil did
they do? What did God then resolve to do? How long did it rain?
To what height did the flood rise? Did all living creatures perish?
What did Noe do when he came out of the ark? What new kindness
did God show to Noe and his sons ?
5. Did the descendants of Noe_multiply much? What did they at-
tempt to do? How was their undertaking frustrated? What was the
tower called? Did the descendants of Noe remain faithful to God?
{
19
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
work, and the tower was called the Tower of Babel,
or Confusion. Very many of Noe's descendants, in-
stead of adoring the true God, worshipped the sun
and the stars, men and animals, and even idols or
images.
6. But Abraham kept the true faith and a hope in
the Redeemer to come. God made a covenant with
him and promised him that the Messias should be
born of his posterity (1921 B.C.) God distinguished
Abraham and his descendants-who were called
Hebrews, and afterwards Israelites, or Jews-from
other nations, and He often revealed Himself to
them.
7. To try Abraham's faith God commanded him
to offer up his only son, Isaac, in sacrifice on Mount
Moriah. Abraham loaded his son with the wood for
the sacrifice, and the two ascended the mountain.
But when Isaac had willingly laid himself upon the
wood to be offered up, God, through an angel,
saved him and blessed Abraham for his obedience
(1896 B.C.)
8. Isaac had a son, the patriarch Jacob, who dwelt
with his family in the land of Chanaan. Jacob,
who was also called Israel, had twelve sons, and these
became the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel.
One of these sons, who was called Joseph, was sold
by his brothers (1723 B.C.) to some Ismaelite mer-
chants, by whom he was carried into Egypt, where he
was falsely accused and thrown into prison. Upon
regaining his liberty the king made him chief ruler
over all Egypt; and as he, by his wisdom, saved the
country from a dreadful famine, he was called "the,
6. Were the true religion and the hope in the Redeemer entirely to
vanish? How did God prevent it? How were the descendants of
Abraham called? What favor did God bestow on them ?
7. How did God try the faith of Abraham ? How did he fulfil the
command of God? What did Isaac do? Did God suffer him to be
killed? How did God reward Abraham ?
8. Who was Jacob, and where did he live? How many sons had he,
And what did they become afterwards? What happened to him?.
Did Jacob remain in Chanaan? What did he prophesy before his death?
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
Saviour of the world" (Gen. xli. 45). At his in-
vitation his father, Jacob, and all his family went
into Egypt and settled there. Before his death
Jacob (1689 B.C.) prophesied, "the sceptre (supreme
power) shall not be taken away from (the tribe of)
Juda (one of Jacob's sons) till He come that is to be
sent; and He shall be the expectation of nations"
((Gen. xlix. 10).
20
FROM MOSES TO CHRIST.
9. After Joseph's death the Israelites grew so
strong and numerous that the Egyptians, becoming
afraid of them, oppressed them and condemned them
to very severe labor. But one day the Lord spoke to
Moses from the flame of a burning bush, and direct-
ed him to lead the Israelites back again to Chanaan.
The King, or Pharao, of Egypt refusing to let them
go, Almighty God sent dreadful plagues upon the
land, and at last an angel of the Lord in one night
slew all the first-born of the Egyptians. But the
angel spared the Israelites, who had sprinkled the
doors of their houses with the blood of the paschal
lamb which they had eaten that night according to
God's command.
10. Pharao then permitted the Israelites to depart;
but he soon regretted it and set out in pursuit of
Ahem to the Red Sea. Here Moses, by God's com-
mand, stretched forth his rod and the waters opened
before the Israelites, who passed over on dry ground.
Pharao and his army rushed in after them; but
Moses again stretching forth his rod, the waters re-
turned to their place and the Egyptians were buried
in the deep (1491 B.C.)
9. What happened to the children of Israel in Egypt? Whom did God
appoint to deliver them? How did He appear to Moses? Did Moses
meet with any opposition? What did God do to the Egyptians? Did
the angel hurt also the Israelites? Why did he not hurt them?
10. Did Pharao continue keeping the Israelites in bondage? What
did he do soon after? What did the Israelites do? How were they do-
livered?
A SHORT HISTORY OF Religion.
11. After travelling fifty days through the wilder-
ness the Israelites came to Mount Sinai, where God,
amid thunder and lightning, gave them the Ten
Commandments, written on two tablets of stone. He
renewed the covenant He had made with their fathers,
and gave them useful and wholesome laws. But
they soon forgot the Commandments and the bless-
ings of God, and they continually murmured. They
even made themselves a golden calf and adored it as
a god.
12. In punishment of these and other sins the
Israelites were condemned to remain forty years in
the desert until another and better generation should
grow up.
Yet God was always good to them, feed-
ing them with bread from heaven, called manna, and
giving them water from a rock. At length, after
Moses' death, they came to Chanaan, or Palestine,
the promised land, which they conquered and divided
among the twelve tribes (1351 B.C.)
13. The Israelites dwelt happily in Palestine until,
contrary to God's command, they began to marry
with the Gentiles, or pagans, and thereby fell into
the sin of idolatry. But whenever they repented and
left their evil-doing God blessed them, and He raised
up pious heroes called Judges, such as Gedeon,
Jephte, and Samson, who rescued them from their
enemies.
21
14. For more than four hundred years the people
of Israel were ruled by the high-priests and judges,
but they began to desire a king like the other na-
11. Did the Israelites now go on straight to Chanaan? How long
were they journeying from Egypt to Mount Sinai? What happened at
Mount Sinai? Did God give them the Ten Commandments only?
What return did they make for all these benefits?
12. How was their ingratitude punished? Did God abandon them
altogether? What favors did He still show them? When, and how,
did they get possession of Chanaan?
13. How long did the Israelites remain happy in the promised land?
What happened to them when they offended God? How did God help
them when they repented?
14. Who were the first rulers of the people of Israel? How long
→
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
tions. God then appointed Saul for their king
(1095 B.C.), and Saul was anointed by the Prophet
Samuel. But Saul disobeyed God, and he was suc-
ceeded by David (1055 B.C.), who, when only a youth,
had slain the giant Goliath. David extended his
kingdom and served God. He composed those beau-
tiful sacred songs called the Psalms, in which, by
divine inspiration, he prophesied of the Redeemer,
who was to be born of his family. Christ is there-
fore also called the Son of David.
22
15. David's son and successor, Solomon, was a wise
and great king, and built a magnificent temple to the
Lord in Jerusalem (about 1000 B.C.) In the Sanctu-
ary, or Holy of Holies, of the temple were kept the ark
of the covenant, containing the two tablets of the
law which God had given to Moses. The people of
Israel had no other temple than that of Jerusalem,
nor was it permitted to offer sacrifice in any other.
But Solomon fell away from the service of God. He
married pagan wives and gave himself up to idolatry.
16. After Solomon's death the tribes of Juda and
Benjamin formed the kingdom of Juda, of which
Jerusalem was the chief city, while the other ten
tribes made Samaria the capital of their kingdom,
which henceforth was called the kingdom of Israel.
The people of this last built a temple for themselves
at Samaria and fell into idolatry. But God aban-
doned them to the pagan_king Salmanasar, who de-
stroyed their kingdom and led them away into cap-
tivity (718 B.C.) The kingdom of Juda also was
punished for its transgressions.
Nabuchodonosor
were they governed by them? Who was the first King of Israel?
Why was he rejected by God? By whom was he succeeded? What
can you tell me of David? Was he also pious? Why are his Psalms
so very remarkable? Why is Christ also called the Son of David?
15. Who was Solomon? What famous building did he erect? What
was kept in the Sanctuary? What did the Ark of the Covenant con-
tain? Had the people of Israel any other temples, or altars? Did
Solomon remain wise and good? What made him leave the service
of God?
16. What happened after Solomon's death? Which tribes formed
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
(Nebuchadnezzar) II. took Jerusalem and destroyed
the temple and the city (588 B. C.), carrying off the
king, Sedecias, and the people into the Babylonian
captivity. But the kingdom of Juda was not de-
stroyed for ever, like the kingdom of Israel, that.
had forsaken the true religion.
17. Juda had been often warned by prophets who
spoke the words of God, and who promised, pardon
to all who should repent. These prophets foretold
also, many centuries before the time, the birth, life,
teachings, sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascen-
sion of Christ, the descent of the Holy Ghost, the de-
struction of Jerusalem, and the conversion of the
Gentiles. The most remarkable of the prophets.
were Elias, Eliseus, Isaias, Jeremias, Ezechiel, and
Daniel.
23
18. The captivity had lasted seventy years when
Cyrus, King of Persia, took Babylon, and by divine-
inspiration permitted the Jews to return to their
country and rebuild the temple at Jerusalem (536.
B.C.) When the old men complained that the new
temple was not so beautiful as the former one had
been, the Prophet Aggeus foretold that the glory of
the latter house should be the greater, for the "De-
sired of all nations," the Messias, should enter it.
(Agg. ii. 8–10).
19. Esdras and Nehemias now re-established the
divine service and collected the Sacred Scriptures.
►
the kingdom of Juda? Which was its capital? How many tribes con-
stituted the kingdom of Israel? Which was the capital of the king-
dom of Israel? Did it remain faithful to God? How did God punish
it? Did the kingdom of Juda also sin against the Lord? Was it also
chastised, and how? Was not its punishment less severe than that of
the kingdom of Israel, and why?
17. Did the judgments of God come upon them quite unexpectedly?
How did God forewarn the people? Did the prophets announce God's
judgments only? What have they foretold of the Messias? Which.
are the most remarkable among the prophets?
18. How long did the Babylonian Captivity last? How was it brought
to an end? What did the Jews most urgently set about after their re-
turn? Was the new temple as magnificent as the one that had been
demolished? In what was it superior to the first one?
19. What is to be observed about Esdras and Nehemias? How diễ
+
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
The people repented sincerely and did not return to
idolatry. When afterward Antiochus, King of Syria,
commanded the Jews to adore idols, they courageous-
ly resisted; many of them, animated by the example
of the aged Eleazar and of the Machabees, preferred
to suffer death even rather than disobey the law of
God (170-143 B.C.)
24
20. The Jews longed for the coming of the Re-
deemer who had been foretold, and among the Gen-
tiles also there was a vague expectation of His com-
Ang. The Jews still worshipped the one true God,
but sects, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, had
sprung up among them, and many honored God by
forms and ceremonies only, but were corrupt at heart
and evil in their daily life. The rest of the nations,
even the enlightened Greeks and Romans, were given
up to idolatry and were sunk in the most horrible vices.
But as God had promised our first parents, and had
foretold through the prophets, He now sent them a
Redeemer and Saviour.
HISTORY OF CHRIST.
21. The world was at peace; Augustus Cæsar was
Emperor of Rome, and Herod, the Idumean, King of
Judea, when the prophecies were fulfilled. Jesus
Christ, the Son of God and Redeemer of the world,
was born in a stable at Bethlehem in Judea, of Mary,
a virgin, descended from the family of David. His
birth was made known by angels to the shepherds.
about Bethlehem, and a star guided the Wise Men of
the people then behave? Did they remain faithful to their Lord and
God? How did they show their fidelity? Who especially distin-
guished themselves at that time?
20. What was the prevalent feeling of the Jews and the pagans?
How did corruption appear among the Jews? And how amongst the
other nations? Did God help mankind, and how?
21. Under what emperor and what king was the Redeemer born?
Where, and of whom, was He born? Who was first told of His birth.
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
the East who had set out to find and adore Him.
King Herod was eager to discover the Infant and
put Him to death; but, by the Lord's command,
Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, fled with Him
and His mother to Egypt, where they remained until
Herod's death. Jesus then spent His early life at
Nazareth in Galilee, where He was subject to His
parents. When He was twelve years old He went;
up with His parents to Jerusalem for the Passover,
and while there astonished the doctors of the law
in the temple by His wisdom. At the age of thirty
He was baptized in the river Jordan by John the
Baptist. As He came out of the water the Holy
Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove,
and a voice from Heaven said: "This is my Beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. iii. 17).
22. About this time Jesus went into the desert,
where He prayed and fasted for forty days; then, re-
turning, He began to preach the Gospel-that is to say,
the good tidings of God's reign on earth. He proved
His divine mission by His holy life, by the truth and
beauty of His teachings, and by the miracles He
wrought. He chose twelve poor men to be His
Apostles, or messengers, that they might be witnesses
of what He said and did, and might afterwards
preach these things to all peoples. The twelve
Apostles were: Simon, who was called Peter, and
his brother Andrew; James (the elder) and his
brother John, who were the sons of Zebedee; Philip
and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew; James (the
Less) and his brother Thaddeus, sometimes called
Jude, who were the sons of Alpheus; Simon the
25
\
and by whom? What did King Herod try to discover, and why?
What did St. Joseph do? Where did Jesus spend His childhood after
His return from Egypt? How did he live there? What did He do
when he was twelve years old? What did Ho do when He was thirty?
What happened at His baptism?
22. What did Jesus do after His baptism? What does the word
Gospel mean? How did Jesus prove His Divine mission? How many
Apostles did He choose? What does the word Apostle signify? Why.
did He choose them? What are their names? How many other dis
A Short HiSTORY OF RELIGION.
Chanaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who afterwards be-
trayed his Master. He chose seventy-two disciples
also, and these, with the Apostles and the others who
adhered to Jesus, were the beginning of that society.
of the faithful which we call the Church of Christ.
23 But though Jesus wrought many miracles
and relieved much pain and sorrow, He had many
enemies, especially among the Scribes and Pharisees,
who hated Him for His justice and because He ex-
posed their hypocrisy. At length, when He had re-
stored Lazarus to life and had come up to Jerusa-
lem to eat the pasch in conformity to the Jewish law
-for it was then the season-He was received in tri-
umph by the people assembled in the city, and
this only increased the rage and jealousy of His
26
enemies.
24. All this Jesus knew. But He sat down with
His Apostles to the paschal feast. Taking bread, He
gave thanks, blessed and broke it, and gave it to His
disciples, saying: "Take ye and eat; this is my
Body which shall be delivered for you." After that
He took the chalice, or cup, with wine in it, again
gave thanks, blessed it, and gave it to His disciples,
saying: "Drink ye all of this; this is my Blood of
the New Testament, which shall be shed for you and
for many unto the remission of sins. As often as
you do this, do it for the commemoration of me."
Thus did Jesus institute the adorable sacrament of
the Holy Eucharist. Then He promised His Apostles
to send them the Holy Ghost, who should teach them
all things and abide with them for ever. Afterwards,
ciples did he elect, and for what purpose? Who formed the beginning
of the Christian Church? What did Jesus promise to His Church?
23. How did the Jews behave towards Jesus? Why did the Scribes
and Pharisees especially hate him? What special miracle did Jesus per-
form in the third year of His teaching? How was Jesus received by
the people? What effect did this reception of Jesus produce on His
enemies ?
24. How did Jesus meet His approaching Passion? How did He
celebrate the Last Supper with His Apostles? What commandment
did He give them at it? What sacrament did He institute by this ?
1
•
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
rising, He went with His Apostles to pray in the
garden of Gethsemani, on the Mount of Olives.
27
25. As He was praying in the garden a band of
His enemies approached, guided by Judas, who had
gone out from the feast in order to betray Him.
Jesus suffered them to bind Him and lead Him be-
-fore the chief council of the priests, where He was
mocked and ill-used. Thence He was led before
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea,
who sent Him to King Herod; but though none
of these could find any evil in Him, He was
scourged with rods and crowned with thorns. The
next day, which was Friday, Pilate, to please the chief
priests and the rabble, who preferred the murderer
Barabbas to Him, delivered Him up to them to be
crucified.
26. Surrounded by a vile mob and loaded with a
heavy cross, Jesus was led like a criminal to Mount
Calvary, where at noon He was crucified between two
thieves. But He prayed for His enemies: "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do." When
He had hung in agony upon the cross for three hours
He cried out: "It is consummated; Father, into
thy hands I commend my spirit"; and, bowing His
head, He gave up the ghost. One of the Roman sol-
diers who stood near by was overcome with awe, and
exclaimed: "Indeed this was the Son of God."
Thus Jesus became "the propitiation for our sins;
and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole
world" (1 John ii. 2).
What did He promise to His Apostles after the Last Supper? Whither
did He go afterwards?
25. By whom was Jesus betrayed in the garden? How was He appre-
hended? Where did they lead Him then? How was He treated be-
fore the Chief Council? To whom did the chief priests, and to whom
did Pilate, deliver Him up? What did Pilate and Herod think of
Him? What else had Christ to suffor?
26. What did they make Jesus carry? Where, and between whom,
was He crucified? For whom did He pray while on the cross? How
long did He hang on the cross? How did our Lord expire? What
benefit did Jesus confer by His death on us and on the whole world?
28
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
27. Our Lord's body was taken down and laid in a
new sepulchre, and a guard was placed upon it by
the Jews. But on the third day, before sunrise,
Christ arose from the sepulchre. From His resur-
rection to His ascension He often appeared to His
disciples. He commanded them to preach the
Gospel to all nations, and He made Peter the
chief pastor of His flock-that is, the Head of His
Church-saying to him: "Feed my lambs; feed my
sheep" (John xxi. 15, 17). Forty days after His
resurrection He ascended to Heaven from the Mount
of Olives in the sight of His disciples.
A
} }
AFTER CHRIST.
FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST TO THE CONVER-
SION OF CONSTANTINE.
28. Ten days after our Lord's ascension the Apos-
tles, who had in the meantime chosen Matthias to fill
the place of the traitor Judas, were assembled for
the feast of the Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost de-
scended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, and
they began at once to praise God and to preach the
Gospel. Great numbers hastened to be baptized and
profess their faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
29. The preaching of the Apostles and the mira-
cles they wrought only angered the chief priests,
whose hearts were hardened against the truth. They
27. What was done with His sacred body? What did His enemies
then do? When, and how, did Christ rise to life? What did He do after
His resurrection? What did He command His Apostles to do when
He appeared the last time among them? How long did He remain on!
earth after His resurrection? When, where, and how did He ascend
into Heaven?
28. Whom did the Apostles choose in the place of Judas? When
and how, did the Holy Ghost come? What change did He produce in
them? How was the lame man at the temple-gate healed? What of-
fect had this miracle on the Jews?
29. What effect did the preaching of the Apostles have upon the chief
29*
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
ill-treated the Apostles and forbade them to preach in
the name of Jesus. They even stirred up the evil-
minded and the ignorant, so that Stephen, one of the
disciples, was stoned to death. Nevertheless the
Apostles continued to preach with wonderful success,
and among the converts was Saul, afterwards called
Paul, who had at first been a zealous enemy and per-
secutor of the Christians, but who, through the grace-
of God, became an Apostle of Jesus Christ.
30. The converts in and about Jerusalem served
God with great humility, piety, and charity. They
were the first Christian community, and with them
began the Christian Church. They lived under the
law of their country, but in all that concerned reli-
gion they were subject to the Apostles.
31. Although many Jews accepted the doctrine of
Christ, the greater part of that race remained obsti-
nate. Seventy years after the birth of Christ the
Jewish people revolted against the Roman Empire,
and a Roman army, in punishment for this, destroyed
the city of Jerusalem and the temple, and led into
captivity or dispersed the Jews as well as the Chris-
tians who still dwelt at Jerusalem. The Apostles be-
gan to preach to the Gentile or heathen nations, and
with such good effect that within thirty years after
the descent of the Holy Ghost there were Christian
congregations in all parts of the vast Roman Em-
pire and in many countries not subject to Rome. All
these congregations, no matter how far apart, were
united in one faith and in one Catholic—that is, uni-
S
priests? What did they do to the Apostles? Who was the first mar-
tyr? Did the Apostles, on being persecuted, cease preaching? What
can you relate of St. Paul?
30. Of whom was the first Christian community composed? What
was their conduct, and how did they serve God? By what authority,
and how, did the Apostles govern this first community?
31. Were the Jews all converted? Did those who refused to be-
lieve in Christ remain unpunished? What punishment was inflicted
on them? With what success did the Apostles preach to the Gentiles ↑
How did the Apostles organize the new Christian communities? Were-
these communities separated, and independent of one another? Whe
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
versal-Church, under one head, St. Peter. St. Peter,
who was the prince or chief of the Apostles, was at
first Bishop of Antioch, but afterwards became Bi-
shop of Rome. He suffered martyrdom under the
Emperor Nero (67 A.D.), and after this the visible
headship of the Church passed to his successors, the
Bishops of Rome, who are commonly called Popes.
32. The Christians, whose virtuous lives were a
constant reproach to the viciousness of the pagans,
were foully calumniated. They were accused of being
enemies of the established government, and the
priests of the pagan worship, fearful for the down-
fall of their superstitions, fomented the ill-will.
Many thousands of the Christians were thrown into
prisons or were exposed to the cruellest tortures, while
great numbers of men were put to death. But
nothing could tempt or frighten the greater num-
ber of them to deny the faith.
30
•
33. These persecutions lasted, with occasional inter-
vals, for about three hundred years. Yet during all
this time the faith spread, and the very fortitude with
which the Christians suffered made many converts
among the pagans, so that the blood of the martyrs
became the seed of the Church.
34. But at length the Roman Emperor Constan-
tine, while still a pagan, was at war and prayed to
God for assistance. At night, it is said, a bright
cross appeared to him in the heavens (312 A.D.), and
about this cross was the inscription: "In this sign
thou shalt conquer." The next day Constantine had
was their common Head? What do we call all these communities to-
gether? What is the meaning of Catholic? Where was St. Peter
bishop, and where did he die? Upon whom did his supremacy over
the whole Church devolve?
32. What impression did the spread of Christianity make on the
pagans? How did they attempt to exterminate it? Were there many
tortured and killed?
33. How long did these persecutions last? Was the Christian reli-
gion destroyed by them? What convinced the pagans of the Divine
origin of Christianity? With what, then, may the blood of the martyrs
justly be compared?
34. Who was Constantine, and what can you relate concerning his
31
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
an ensign in imitation of this cross carried in front of
his army, and he gained a complete victory over the
enemy. From that day he became the protector of
Christianity.
FROM THE CONVERSION OF CONSTANTINE TO THE
RISE OF PROTESTANTISM.
35. The cross, which had hitherto been the instru
ment of death for those regarded as the most infa-
mous criminals, became the badge of honor and
victory. Rome was the centre of the pagan world
and the mistress of nations, and now the temple of
Jupiter was turned into a shrine of the Christian
faith, and it was crowned with the cross. Beautiful
churches were erected everywhere, and Christianity,
which had before hidden in secret places, became
the religion of the civilized world, while paganism
gave way before it.
36. But heresy had already appeared under diffe-
rent forms. Some of the heretics, among whom
were the Arians, the Nestorians, the Eutychians, the
Pelagians, etc.-called after their founders-gained
the favor of princes and industriously spread their
false doctrines among the people. Councils were
therefore assembled from time to time to settle diffi-
culties among the faithful, to condemn heresy, and to
declare the true teaching of the Church. The first.
council was that which had assembled at Jerusalem
under the presidency of St. Peter. A general or
œcumenical council is a general assembly of the bi-
shops of the whole world, met together to discuss
VAN
V
victory? In what year did Constantine gain the battle and become
the protector of Christianity?
35. What had the cross been before this, and what did it become
now? Where was it particularly seen, and what did it announce to
the world? What became of paganism, and what was established in
its place?
36. Were the contests of the Church now at an end? Who wore her
new enemies? Whence did the sects take their names? How did
they behave towards the faithful? How did the Church oppose these
heresies? What is the name of a general assembly of the bishops of
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
questions of faith or morals, and presided over by
the Pope or his representatives. Such a council's
decisions in matters of faith are infallible.
32
37. During the early ages of the Church there were
many holy and learned men who taught and defend-
ed the truths of religion. They are called the Fathers
of the Church. Among them were St. Athanasius,
Patriarch of Alexandria (d. 373 A.D.); St. Basil the
Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea (d. 379 A.D.); St.
Gregory Nazianzen (d. 389 A.D.) and St. John
Chrysostom (d. 407 A.D.), both Patriarchs of Con-
stantinople; St. Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan (d.
397 A.D.); St. Jerome, who made the Latin version
of the Holy Scriptures known as "the Vulgate
(d. 420 A.D.); St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, in
North Africa, one of the greatest lights of the Church
(d. 430 A.D.); and the holy Popes, St. Leo the Great
d. 461 A.D.) and St. Gregory the Great (d. 604 A.D).
Almost from the beginning of Christianity pious men,
eager to devote themselves more completely to a com-
munion with God, separated themselves from the
world and led a solitary life as hermits, or a life in
community as monks. The first hermit who is
spoken of was St. Paul (d. about 340 A.D.) St. An-
thony, who is called "the Patriarch of Monks,” is
the first who is known to have established a monas-
tery. But the monastic life of Europe is principally
indebted to St. Benedict (d. 543 A.D.), who estab-
lished a monastery at Monte Cassino, in Italy, and
wrote a rule for the guidance of his monks; and to St.
Columba, or Columbkille (d. 597 A.D.), an Írish monk,
who founded at Iona, on the western coast of Scot-
land, a community which sent out missionaries in all
""
the Catholic Church? When and why are the decisions of a General
Council infallible?
37. By whom did God especially illustrate His Church at this time?
How are those holy and learned men called? Can you name any of
them? Did any other men distinguish themselves in the Church about
this time? Who were the hermits? Why did they renounce all com.
forts? Who were the first and most famous hermits? Who built the
$
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
directions. In the course of time the Benedictine
rule prevailed over all the other monastic rules in the
west of Europe.
38. In the fifth century the barbarians of the
north and east of Europe began to invade the
Christian nations. These tribes came in great
numbers and destroyed almost everything before
them. For more than three centuries new tribes
were constantly appearing. One of the most savage
of the invading hordes were the Huns, whose king,
Attila (d. 453 A.D), styled himself "the Scourge of
God." In the fear and disorder produced by these
invasions learning and the arts of peace were almost
entirely neglected, except in Ireland, which for a time
was unmolested, and was therefore, after its conver-
sion, able to supply missionaries and teachers for all
the north of Europe. Yet through all this dark pe-
riod holy and zealous men, principally monks either
of St. Benedict's or of St. Columba's rule, devoted
themselves to the conversion and civilization of the
barbarians. Everywhere monasteries sprang up; and
as the monks cultivated the soil and offered a refuge
to the oppressed or the persecuted, the monasteries
in course of time became the centres of thriving vil-
lages and towns. The monks, in fact, were in this
way the founders of a great many of the cities of
Europe. Gradually the barbarians gave up their rov-
ing habits and formed settled Christian nations.
Prominent among the missionaries of Europe were: St.
Patrick (d. 493 A.D), styled "the Apostle of Ireland,
'
33
first monastery? Who particularly advanced the Monastic Life in
Europe? What rule is generally observed by the monks?
38. What was the cause of the dangers to which the Church was ex-
posed from the fifth century? Which of the barbarian tribes was the
most savage and cruel? Who was their king, and what did he call
himself? By what means did God subdue the barbarians? How
were the monks founders of cities? When was Ireland converted, and
by whom? What peculiarity was there in the conversion of the Irish?
Who is called the Apostle of the Germans? Where was he born? Of
what town was he made Archbishop? What did, then, the monasteries
do for the spreading and strengthening of the faith? What emperor in
•
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
and St. Boniface, or Winfrid (d. 755 A.D.), "the
Apostle of the Germans." St. Patrick (d. 482 A.D.)
was sent to Ireland by Pope Celestine, and had the ex
traordinary grace of converting the entire people, and
that without a single martyr. St. Boniface was born in
England, and was by Pope Gregory III. created Arch-
bishop of Mayence, and was martyred in Friesland
(755 A.D.) To the preaching and teaching of the
Church and its missionaries are due the civilization
of the barbarians and the permanent establishment
of the European nations, and a very great share of
the credit for this is due to the monks. The Em-
peror Charlemagne founded more than twenty-four
monasteries.
34
39. But, unhappily, heresy and schism had sepa-
rated a large part of the Christians of the East from
the Pope, the centre of unity. The Greek or Eastern
Church, through the evil influence of the emperors at
Constantinople and the ambition or turbulence of
some of the patriarchs and bishops, finally seceded
from the unity of the Catholic Church (1054 A.D.)
This became the cause of political as well as religious
misfortune for the East. In the seventh century
(622 A.D.) an impostor, called Mohammed, had be-
gun to preach a new religion in Arabia. The re-
ligion was a mixture of Jewish and Christian doc-
trines and observances with pagan superstitions, and
it very soon me with great success among the ig-
norant and semi-barbarous Arabians. The Moham-
medans, as these new fanatics were called, made war
against the Christian communities of the East, now
weakened and corrupted by schism, and after a
Th
those days interested himself particularly for the prosperity of the
Christian Church, and what did he do?
39. What happened in the East whilst the Christian faith was suc-
cessfully spread in the West? Who was the chief cause of those dis-
turbances? What was the unfortunate result of all this? Did God
suffer all this to remain unpunished? Who was Mohammed? Of
what did he form his new religion? How and where did Mohamme-
danism spread?
35
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
while took possession of most of the countries in
which this existed.
40. Jerusalem very soon (637 A.D.) fell into the
hands of the Saracens, as the Arabians were called.
These held it until it was conquered from them in
turn by the Seljukian Turks (1079 A.D.), who had
become Mohammedans, and were even more cruel than
the Saracens. So harshly were the Christian pilgrims
to the Holy Land treated by the Turks that upon
an account of their sufferings being brought to the
Pope, Urban II., by Peter, surnamed the Hermit, the
Pope appealed to the Christian people of Europe to
interfere. A council of princes and knights was
held at Clermont (1095 A.D.), in France, and when
the Pope called for volunteers he was answered with
the shout of "God wills it!" All who were enrolled
for the Holy War put on a badge of red cloth in the
form of a cross, and were hence called Crusaders, or
cross-bearers. The First Crusade was led by the
brave Godfrey of Bouillon, who took Jerusalem and
was proclaimed king (1099 A.D.) Godfrey refused
to wear a crown of gold where his Redeemer had
worn a crown of thorns. But before many years the
new kingdom was overthrown by Saladin, Sultan
of Egypt (1187 A.D.) Still later (1299 A.D.) fresh
hordes of Turks, known as Ottomans, gained a foo -
hold in the Greek Empire, and finally took posses-
sion of Constantinople itself (1453 A.D.) Thus was
40. In what year did Jerusalem fall under the power of the Moham-
medans? When was Jerusalem conquered by the Turks? Were they
friends of the Christians? What was the cause of the Crusades? Who
was Peter the Hermit, and what did he report to Urban II.? What
did the Pope do? What did he effect at the Council of Clermont? In
what year was the Council of Clermont held? What is the origin of
the name of Crusade? What can you relate of the first Crusade? In
what year was Jerusalem taken? What can you relate of Godfrey of
Bouillon? How long did the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem last?
When, and by whom, was it conquered? About what year, and by
what Turks, were the Seljukians subdued, and how far did they extend
their conquests? In what year, and by whom, was Constantinople
taken ? Who checked the further progress of the Turks? In what
battle, by whom, and in what year were the Turks completely over-
thrown? What was the result of this victory?
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
But
established the Ottoman or Turkish Empire.
the battle of Lepanto (1571 A.D.), where the united
armies of the Pope, Spain, and Venice routed the
Turks, put a permanent check to any further advance
of the Mohammedans against Catholic Europe.
36
**
41. Conspicuous in the Crusades had been the mili-
tary religious orders of knights, among them the
Knights Templars and the Knights Hospitallers
of St. John of Jerusalem, also known later on as
the Knights of Malta. The Knights Templars
were finally suppressed by the Church for their ir-
regularities. During this period, besides the orders
of chivalry, various religious orders and societies came
into existence. Chief among these were the friars,
who differed from the monks in not being confined
to a cloister. These friars were called mendicants,
because they depended for their support upon the cha-
rity of the faithful. St. Dominic founded the Do-
minicans (1217 A.D.), called Preaching Friars also, and
Black Friars; and St. Francis of Assisi founded the
Franciscans (1221 A.D.), called Friars Minor also, and
sometimes Gray Friars. This last order has several
branches-Capuchins, Observantines, Reformed, Con-
ventuals, etc.´ About the same time the Carmelite
monks were changed into friars, and a little later
(1256 A.D.) the Augustinian friars were organized.
In each of these orders are included orders of women.
These orders, by their zeal and learning, helped won-
derfully in the civilizing and Christianizing work of
the Church. Great schools and universities and
charitable institutions arose under the fostering care
of the Church, and men of remarkable learning gave
an increased development to the sciences, and expe-
cially to theology and philosophy, which the monas-
teries had preserved during the troubled times when
·
41. What military religious orders were distinguished in the Cru-
sades? What is the difference between monks and friars? What reli-
gious orders came into existence at this period? What do you say of
their influence? How did the Church encourage learning? What
•
37
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
the barbarian races were invading Europe or settling
gradually down into civilized communities. One of
the greatest of these learned and pious men was
St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar, who, on
account of his almost superhuman intellect, has
been named the Angel of the Schools" (d. 1274.
A.D.) The period from the beginning of the bar-
barian invasions (about 395 A.D.) to the fall of
Constantinople (1453 A.D.) is known as "the Middle
Ages."
66
42. During the Middle Ages numerous and con-
stant efforts were made by emperors, kings, and
others in power to interfere with the liberties of the
Church. Particularly the Emperor Henry IV. of
Germany was accustomed to bestow bishoprics and
other religious offices upon unworthy persons, often
selling these appointments to whoever would pay
the most. But he was sternly resisted by the great
Pope St. Gregory VII., and the right of investi-
ture," as the right of appointing to these religious
offices was called, was finally settled in favor of
the Church, though not till after many severe trials.
New heresies, too, sprang up, such as those of the
Albigenses in the south of France, the Waldenses in
the north of Italy, the Hussites in Bohemia, and
the Wickliffites, or Lollards, in England.
An un-
fortunate schism also broke out, and anti-Popes
divided with the lawful Popes the allegiance of the
faithful. With all these disorders there were con-
tinual wars, which harassed the people and brought
about a corruption of morals and a weakening of the
faith.
learned man of those times can you name? What do we call those
times?
42. How was the Church troubled during the Middle Ages? What
emperor was a bitter enemy of the Church's work? Who opposed him?
How did the Church get out of it? What evil came afterwards in Eu-
rope? Which were the most notorious heretics of that time? What
торе
fresh trouble added to the confusion caused by the heretics? What
was the unfortunate result?
38
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
FROM THE RISE OF PROTESTANTISM TO POPE LEO XIIL
43. Martin Luther, an Augustinian friar, and pro-
fessor in the University of Wittenberg, in Germany,
was a man of great abilities but of an unruly disposi
tion. He began to preach (1517 A.D.) against the
abuses in the publication of the indulgences granted
by Pope Leo X.; but not content with this, he set him-
self up as a reformer and violently attacked the lawful
authority of the Church and the very principles of
that authority. Becoming more reckless as he found
himself supported by ambitious princes, he rejected
many articles of faith. He condemned the holy sac-
rifice of the Mass and Confession, as well as fasting,
prayers for the dead, and other pious practices. He
gave leave to monks and nuns to marry, and he broke
the vow of chastity he had himself made, and com-
mitted the double sacrilege of taking a nun for his
wife. His doctrines he declared to be founded on
the Bible only. He soon had many followers and imi-
tators. The so-called Reformers shortly quarrelled
among themselves, and scarcely any two could be
found to agree long in their religious doctrines. John
Calvin, at Geneva, taught that "God had predes-
tined a part of mankind, without any fault of theirs,
to eternal damnation." The most impious and ab-
surd things were said and done in the name of reli-
gion. The fanatics, carried away by their hatred of
the Catholic religion, attacked the churches, monas-
teries, and convents, and demolished crucifixes as
well as the pictures and statues in the churches,
defiled the tombs of the saints, and destroyed many
precious manuscripts and works of art.
43. Who was the author of Protestantism? What sort of a man was
he? When and how did he begin his conflict with the Church? Did
he stop there? What innovations did he introduce? What did he do
with regard to monasteries, monks, and nuns? Whence did he pre-
tend to take his doctrine? Did any imitate Luther's example? Did
the different sects agree among themselves? Where and what did
Calvin teach? How did the heretics seem to understand religion?
What destruction did they do?
2
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
44. In the hope of peace Charles. V., the Emperor
of Germany, summoned a second diet or assembly at.
Spires (1529 A.D.), where it was decreed that until the
decision of a General Council Lutheranism should be
tolerated wherever it had already spread, and that, on
the other hand, the Catholics should not be molest-
ed in the practice of their religion. Against this de-
cree the Lutherans protested, and thereafter they and
all the other sectaries were called Protestants. The
Protestants appealed to a General Council, which
was at last assembled (1545 A.D.) at Trent, in the
Tyrol. At this council the new doctrines were ex-
amined and condemned, and the many abuses that.
had crept into the discipline of the Church during:
several centuries of disorder were vigorously reform-
ed. But the Protestants refused to appear at the
council and they defied its decrees. The insurrec-
tions and civil wars brought on by the Protestant re-
volt continued, with scarcely any peace, until the end
of the Thirty Years' War (1648 A.D.) Protestantism
took different forms in the different countries. In
France and Switzerland it appeared as Calvinism.
The French Calvinists, who were known as Hugue--
nots, were especially ferocious, and overran most of
the southern part of their country, pillaging churches:
and monasteries, and persecuting all who remained
true to the faith. In England the king, Henry
VIII., being refused by the Pope permission to put.
away his lawful wife and take another, declared him-
self the head of the Church of England, and was
zealously assisted by wicked nobles and scheming
men who desired to plunder the rich property of the
39
44. In what year, and by whom, was the Diet of Spires assembled ?
What famous decree was issued there? How did the name of Protest-
ants originate? Are only the Lutherans now called Protestants? In
what year was the Council of Trent convoked, and what was done by
it? Did the Protestants come to it? What was the effect of Protest-
antism upon Europe? What were the French Protestants called, and
what atrocities did they commit? Who introduced Protestantism into
England, and for what reason? What is to be said of the success of
Protestantism in the south of Europe and in Ireland?
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
monasteries and churches. In Germany, where the
heresy had first broken out, and in the other north-
ern states of Europe, Lutheranism became the prevail-
ing religion. But the heresy, in any form, made little
headway in southern Germany, Italy, Spain, Portu-
gal, or Ireland. It was only successful among the
mass of the people of England after the cruellest
and most wicked system of persecution had been
employed for many years. Still, the same, or even a
worse, system of persecution was pursued against
the Catholics of Ireland for two hundred years with-
out weakening the faith of the people.
45. But God stirred up the zeal of the Catholics,
and a glorious era of missionary enterprise began.
Learned, heroic, and saintly men dedicated them-
selves to the diffusion of true religion, and in the face
of every danger they brought the consolations of the
faith to the numerous Catholics who still remained in
the countries won by Protestantism, and they made
many converts among those even who had been
drawn away by heresy. These missionaries went
into far-off lands also. The Jesuits-that is, the
members of the Society of Jesus-were particularly
zealous in missionary work. Their order had been
founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius of Loyola, a man
filled with the love of God and a desire to bring all
men into the one fold. In India, Japan, and China
millions of converts were made, and in the two for-
mer countries the glorious apostle St. Francis Xavier
was the leader of the missionaries. The Jesuits, Fran-
ciscans, and Dominicans strove with a holy emulation
for the salvation of souls in America. Canada, as
well as the northern and northeastern parts of what is
now the United States, were especially the field of the
Jesuits and Franciscans, while the Franciscans and
40
10
45. How was the Church compensated for her loss in Europe? How
was this effected? What is said of the Jesuits? What is the name of
the Apostle of the Indies? What was the result of his labors? Was
Christianity introduced into China also? What can you relate of the
work of the missionaries in America ?
41
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
Dominicans spread out into all the territories con-
quered in America by Spain and Portugal.
46. Protestantism made no progress after the end
of the first century of its existence, but it soon split
up into numerous sects which mercilessly condemned
one another, though all united in hatred of the true
Church. The principal sects were Lutherans, the
various varieties of Calvinism (such as Presbyterians,
Huguenots, Dutch Reformed, Independents or Con-
gregationalists, etc.), Episcopalians, Baptists, Qua-
kers, Moravians, Methodists, etc. After Protestant-
ism came its natural following, infidelity, which be-
gan in England and soon spread into France. The
wickedness that prevailed in the French court and
among many of the French nobles made the progress
of infidelity easy in France. When at last, in 1789,
the Revolution took place in France, the infidels were
able for a time to suppress the public exercise of the
Catholic religion in that country. Churches and re-
ligious houses were broken into by a fanatical rabble,
and many priests and religious were put to death,
while many others had to flee for their lives. But
Napoleon Bonaparte, possessing himself of the gov-
ernment of the country, restored the Catholic reli-
gion in France and made a concordat, or agreement,
with the Pope (1801 A.D.) Still later (1809 A.D.)
Pope Pius VII. was carried off a prisoner by the
French troops who invaded Rome, but at the de-
feat of Napoleon, in 1814, the Pope returned to his
see. Pius VII.'s successors have been Leo XII., Pius
VIII., Gregory XVI., Pius IX., and the present
Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XIII., raised to the Papal
throne February 20, 1878, the two hundred and
sixty-third successor of St. Peter in an uninterrupt-
ed line.
46. What became of Protestantism? What was the final result of its
alterations and changes? What was the natural result of Protestant-
ism? What did the infidels contrive to do? By whom, and when,
was the Catholic Religion restored in France? How did Napoleon
afterward treat Pius VII.? In what year did Pius VII. return to
J
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
C
47. Although war and disorder almost constantly
prevailed throughout the civilized world, learned and
holy men and women showed great zeal in defence of
the Catholic faith and in works of charity. The en-
lightening and sanctifying work of the Church be-
came only the more active from the opposition of
heresy and infidelity. Among the saints who brought
fresh glory to the Church were St. Charles Borromeo
at Milan (d. 1584 A.D.), St. Philip Neri at Rome
(d. 1595 A.D.), St. Francis of Sales in Switzerland
(d. 1622 A.D.), Pope St. Pius V., St. Francis Borgia,
St. Vincent of Paul in France (d. 1660 A.D.), St.
Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Stanislas Kostka, St. An-
gela of Merici, St. Jane Frances of Chantal, St. Al-
phonsus Liguori, and many others. New religious
societies were formed as fast as new needs arose.
The immense variety of religious bodies sanctioned
by the Church are known, according to their mode
of life, as monks, friars, regular clerks, congrega-
tionalists, brothers, nuns, and sisters. Examples of
monks are Benedictines, Trappists or Cistercians,
etc.; of friars, Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustini-
ans, and Carmelites; of regular clerks, Jesuits, La-
zarists, Redemptorists, Passionists, Priests of the
Holy Cross, etc.; of congregationalists, Sulpicians,
Paulists, etc.; of brothers, Brothers of the Christian
Schools, Brothers of Mary, Xaverian Brothers, etc.
Examples of nuns are Benedictines, Franciscans,
Dominicans, Ursulines, School-Sisters of Notre Dame.
(Our Lady), Nuns of the Visitation, of the Presenta-
tion, Ladies of the Sacred Heart, etc.; of sisters, Sisters
of Charity, of St. Joseph, of Loretto, of Providence,
of Mercy, of Mary, of the Holy Cross, of Notre Dame,
£2
Rome? Who were his successors? Who is the present Pope? How
many Popes have there been from the time of St. Peter ?
47. Did the political disorders stop the work of the Church? Name
some of the saints who have flourished since the outbreak of Pro-
testantism? How were the changing needs of society met? How are
religious divided? Give examples of each sort of religious? What is
said of the religious in the United States?
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A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
Little Sisters of the Poor, etc. Communities of all
these, besides many others, exist in the United States,
and they lend a powerful help to the saving of souls.
48. During the eighteenth century infidelity had
won a foothold in many parts of Europe, and its ef-
fects were soon seen in the disorders that prevailed
nearly everywhere after Napoleon's wars.
Church was constantly harassed in its work.
free exercise of the Catholic religion was prohibited
by the Russian government of Poland, and in the
so-called Catholic countries even of Europe religion
often suffered from the attacks of wicked men who
had influence in the civil government. Yet the pre-
sent century has been full of glories for the Church.
In England, Ireland, and Scotland, where for more
than two hundred and fifty years Catholics had been
subjected to great suffering and humiliation, an act
was passed (1829 A.D.) which not only made the ex-
ercise of the Catholic religion perfectly free, but also
restored to Catholics nearly all their civil rights
in those countries. In the other parts of Europe
Catholicity has been gaining ground, in spite of the
bitter opposition of infidels and others, though in a
part of Germany and in Switzerland very unjust
laws were passed restricting bishops, priests, and
religious in their work, and even confiscating the
property of the Church. In Asia and Africa Catho-
lic missionaries are as active as ever, and the blood
of the martyrs there, as elsewhere, has become the
seed of new Christian communities. In the United
States particularly, under a free government of the
people, our holy religion thrives, and as it becomes
better known is daily becoming better liked by non-
Catholics. Throughout the civilized world there are
indications that Protestantism and infidelity are los-
43
The
The
48. What were some of the effects of the infidelity that spread dur-
ing the eighteenth century? How has the Church recovered herself
in England, Ireland, and Scotland, in Germany, in Asia and Africa, in
the United States? What of Protestantism?
}
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44
{
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
ing their hold on thoughtful people, and there is
every reason to believe that the providence of God is
preparing an era of glory for the Catholic Church.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
ON THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCES OF THE TRUTH OF
OUR DIVINE RELIGION.
"
We have now glanced at the history of our hcly
religion from Adam, our first parent, to our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, and from Him, the divine
head and founder of our Church, to His present
vicegerent, Leo XIII. How sublime and beautiful
is the religion we profess! Everything connected
with it teaches us that God alone could have given
such a religion to mankind.
1. Man has not invented it; God Himself has
taught it to us, and has commanded us to observe it.
He revealed it by holy men in the Old Testament
(¶¶ 6, 11, 17); and in the New, precisely as the pro-
phecies of the Old Testament had foretold. His
Only-Begotten, Eternal Son appeared on earth, and
confirmed His divine doctrine by numerous miracles,
especially by His Resurrection from the dead (¶¶ 21,
22, 23, 26, 27). God has spoken, and no one has
a right to be indifferent to His word.
--
2. The religion to which we belong did not take
rise a few centuries ago only; it dates from the be-
ginning of the world. Its first seeds were laid in
Paradise when God promised a Redeemer to our first.
parents after their fall. The whole of the Old Law,
What have we now glanced at? What have we chiefly considered
in the history of our Religion?
1. Whence does our Religion come? By whom has God revealed
it to us? How did Jesus Christ confirm His Divine Doctrine? Is it
indifferent which religion we profess?
2. How old is our Religion? How do you explain and prove its
great age?
:
}
步
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A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
45
with its sacrifices and wonderful events, was but a
figure of the New Law, which contains the fulfil-
ment and accomplishment of the Old (¶¶ 2, 7, 9, 12,
and others). The Old Law believed in the Redeem-
er to come, and the New believes in Him already
come. But it is the same belief in the same Redeem-
er, and therefore it is essentially the same Religion.
3. Although our Holy Religion began with the be--
ginning of mankind, and its history embraces about
six thousand years, yet its beginning is not lost in
obscure fables of ancient times; on the contrary, its
truth is evident to all. For it exhibits, from the re-
motest antiquity down to the present time, an unin-
terrupted series, as it were, of universally known.
facts, which agree with one another, with the monu-
ments of past ages, with the annals of the various na-
tions of the world, and with the discoveries made by
natural philosophers. We can name the generations
as they succeeded one another from Adam to Christ
(Luke iii.; Matt. i.), and all the Supreme Pastors
or Popes from St. Peter to our Holy Father, Leo
XIII., who is now gloriously governing the Church
established by the Son of God. What a wonderful
chain !
G
4. Even the Jews bear witness to its truth. For
they keep on record, in their Holy Books, the whole-
history and all the prophecies of the Old Testament,
to which we appeal in order to prove the divine origin
of Christianity; so that no one can for a moment
suppose that the Christians have perverted or in-
vented such passages in the Old Testament as refer
to our Saviour (¶ 17).
5. Nor can it be denied that it is through the
help of God that the Christian Religion has spread
3. Is the history of our Religion perhaps uncertain, because it dates
from the origin of the world and embraces so long a period? Why
not?
4. What evidence do even the Jews give to the truth of our Reli-
gion? What does this prove?
5. How do you prove that the Christian Religion was spread through
3
46
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
over the whole earth. The apostles who first preached
it were poor, unknown, even without eloquence or
learning. Their doctrine of the Cross, which con-
tains the mysteries of penance, humility, and morti-
fication, was not likely to please the proud and licen-
tious pagans, who found in their abominable mytho-
logy (ie., fabulous history of their gods) not only,
an excuse, but even a justification, for all their vices.
"The rich and the great looked with disdain upon the
poor fishermen; the witty and the learned laughed
at them; and the mighty rulers of the earth, as even
pagan writers testify, took all possible pains to de-
stroy them with fire and sword. During three cen-
turies persecution and martyrdom were the common
lot of the Christians. Nevertheless, the doctrine of
the poor fishermen, as we have seen, triumphed over
all its enemies, and thus proved to be the doctrine of
God (¶¶ 29–35). It spread so rapidly that, soon after
the death of the apostles, St. Justin ventured to
affirm before the whole world, "There is no people,
either among the barbarians or among the Greeks or
in any other known nation, among whom prayers and
thanksgivings are not offered up to the Father and
Creator of the universe in the name of Christ Cruci-
fied."
6. But not only is the Christian Church founded
on miracles; her duration itself is a continual and
perpetual miracle. Nations, in spite of their power,
perish in the course of time; the dominion of Christ
alone outlasts them all, and is constantly increasing.
If it decreases in one part of the world it spreads the
more in another ( 45). From the time of its foun-
dation it has been assailed by enemies from within
and without. The Church of Christ has no army to
repulse their assaults, no sword to oppose their rude
the help of God? About what time did St. Justin live? What does
he testify of the spread of Christianity?
6. How do you prove that the duration or permanent continuance
of the Christian Church is a miracle }
;
Letod
7
A SHORT HISTORY OF Religion.
violence. Had not the arm of God protected her,
she would long since have been overcome by her ene-
mies (¶¶ 32, 36, 38, 39, 42, 43, 46, 47).
7. The Christian Church appears still more glori-
ous if we consider the benefits and blessings which
she has at all times conferred on mankind. It was
she that subdued the brutality of the barbarians, that
abolished slavery and human sacrifices, and promoted
public and domestic happiness. It was she that found-
ed hospitals and other charitable institutions for the
reception of the sick and distressed; it was she that
amended laws or made new ones; it was she that
taught concord and charity, and diffused learning
and true enlightenment (¶¶ 30, 38, 41, 45, 46). We
know very well what has become of the nations in
Asia and Africa which have lost Christianity, and what
harm has been done by infidels in Europe (¶¶ 39,
37, 47). If "the tree is to be known by its fruits "
(Matt. vii. 16), every one must see that the Christian
faith, which diffuses nothing but happiness and
blessings, is the most valuable gift of God; that, on
the contrary, infidelity, which produces but misery
and vexation, can only proceed from the spirit of
evil.
47
S. Now, this Church which Almighty God has
founded on miracles, nay, which is herself a con-
tinual miracle; this Church which incessantly pours
out the greatest benefits over the universe, can be no
other than the Roman Catholic Church. History
clearly proves that she, and no other, is that com-
munity of the faithful which Christ has estab-
lished for the salvation of the world, in which
the bishops, as the successors of the apostles, under
the supreme authority of the Pope, the successor of
St. Peter, exercise their teaching and pastoral of-
7. What fruits did the Christian Faith produce for mankind? What,
on the contrary, were the fruits which heresy and infidelity brought
forth? What conclusion must we draw from these different fruits?
8. How do you prove from history that the Church established by
God can be no other than the Roman Catholic? What has Christ
12
A SHORT HISTORY OF RELIGION.
fices in an uninterrupted succession (TT 22, 30, 31).
It is impossible that any sect, whatever may be its
name, should be the Church founded by Christ; for
it is well known that every one of them began to exist
long after Christ, and that all the sects owe their
origin to their separation from the Church of Christ
(¶¶ 36, 42, 43). We see, therefore, that in all these
sects the words of Jesus are sooner or later fulfilled
66
48
Every plant which my Heavenly Father hath not
planted shall be rooted up" (Matt. xv. 13). Their
existence is not lasting; they spring up, make some
noise, and disappear again. It is not so with the
Catholic Church. Thousands of years pass away
she does not vanish, nor does she grow old; for to
her our Lord made the promise: " Upon this rock
will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against her" (Matt. xvi. 18).
I
foretold of all Sects? What promise has He given to the Catholic
Church ?
Y
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3
INTRODUCTION.
>
ON THE END OF MAN.
1. By whom were we created?
We were created by God the Sovereign Lord?
2. Why were we created?
We were created that we might know God, love
Him, and serve Him, and thereby attain Heaven.
3. What is meant by serving God'?
6
6
By serving God' is meant doing His holy
will.
4. Are we bound to serve God and to love Him?
Yes; because he is our Creator and Sovereign
Lord, and the highest and best good.
5. What is Heaven?
Heaven is a place of eternal and perfect happi-
ness.
6. Shall all enter into this perfect happiness?
No; only those that know God, love Him with
all their hearts, and serve Him faithfully.
7. What shall become of those who will not
know, love, and serve God?
God will cast them from Him for ever.
8. For what end were the things of this world
given to us?
That we might use them for the purpose of
knowing and serving God.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
9. Can the things of this world make us truly
happy?
No; they cannot make us truly happy.
10. Why not?
1. Because the things of this world are vain and
perishable; and 2. Because man is made for God
and for everlasting happiness in Heaven.
M
11. What, then, is most necessary in this life?
In this life it is most necessary that we should
know, love, and serve God, and thereby obtain
eternal happiness.
12. What must we do to attain this end?
1. We must believe all that God has revealed;
2. We must keep all the commandments which God
has ordered to be kept; and 3. We must use the
means of grace which God has ordained for our
salvation.
13. Where can we get a right knowledge of
these things?
In the Catechism, which contains the Christian
Doctrine in question and answer.
14. What, then, does the Catechism treat of?
It treats: 1. of FAITH; 2. of the COMMAND-
MENTS; and 3. of the MEANS OF GRACE, namely,
the Sacraments and Prayer.
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1
PART I.
ON FAITH.
Questions with this mark * can be omitted, at the option of the teacher
on first going through this Catechism.
§ 1. Meaning, Object, and Rule of Faith.
1. What is Faith?
Faith is a virtue infused by God into our souls,
by which we believe without doubting all those
things which God has revealed and proposes by His
Church for our belief.
2. Why must we believe all that God has re-
vealed ?
Because God is the eternal and infallible truth.
3. What means 'all that God has revealed'?
It means all that God has made known for our
salvation by the Patriarchs and Prophets, and last
of all by His Son Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
*4. How has divine revelation come down to us?
Divine revelation has come down to us partly by
writing-that is, by the Holy Scripture, or the
Bible; partly by word of mouth-that is, by tra-
dition.
*5. What is the Holy Scripture?
The Holy Scripture is a collection of books which
were written by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost,
and are acknowledged by the Church as the Word
of God.
*6. How is the Holy Scripture divided?
The Holy Scripture is divided into the books of
the Old and the New Testament, or of the Old and
the New Law.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
*7. What revelations does the Old Testament
contain ?
.*
The Old Testament contains the Divine Revela-
tions which were made to man before the coming
of Christ.
*8. Of what books does the Old Testament consist?
The Old Testament consists of 1. Twenty-one
historical books; 2. Seven moral books; and 3.
Seventeen prophetical books.
*9. What revelations does the New Testament
contain ?
The New Testament contains the Revelations
which we have received through Jesus Christ and
the Apostles.
*10. Of what books does the New Testament
consist?
The New Testament consists of 1. The four
Gospels according to St. Matthew, St. Mark, St.
Luke, and St. John; 2. The Acts of the Apostles,
by St. Luke; 3. Fourteen Epistles of St. Paul and
seven of other Apostles; 4. The Apocalypse, or the
Revelation of St. John.
2
*11. Is it enough to believe only what is contained
in the Holy Scripture?
No; we must also believe Tradition-i.e., those
revealed truths which the Apostles preached, but
did not commit to writing.
،
St. Paul, therefore, exhorts the first Christians say-
ing: Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the tradi-
tions which you have learned, whether by word or by our
Epistle' (2 Thess. ii. 14).
1
*12. But why must we believe Tradition, as well
as what is contained in the Holy Scripture ?
Because Catholic Tradition, as well as what is
contained in the Holy Scripture, was revealed by
God.
}
T
C
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine. 53
13. What, then, must the Catholic Christian be-
lieve in general?
He must believe all that God has revealed and
the Catholic Church proposes to his belief, whether
it be contained in the Holy Scripture or not.
*14. How do we know that it is only from the
Catholic Church that we have the Holy Scripture
and Tradition?
1. Because the Catholic Church alone has re-
ceived the Scripture and Tradition from the Apos-
tles; and 2. Because it is she alone who gives us
security for their Divine origin.
*15. And why do we say that through the Catho-
lic Church alone we know the true meaning of the
Scripture and of Tradition?
Because the Catholic Church alone is 'the pillar
and ground of the truth' (1 Tim. iii. 15).
*16. May no one, then, explain the Scripture and
Tradition contrary to the opinion of the Catholic
Church?
No; for this would be as if he understood the
Scripture and Tradition better than the Holy Ghost,
who inspires the Church with the true meaning
of them.
§ 2. Necessity of Faith.
17. Is faith necessary to salvation?
Faith is absolutely necessary to salvation; for
• without faith it is impossible to please God'
(Heb. xi. 6).
He that doth not believe is already judged' (John iii.
18).
He that believeth not shall be condemned' (Mark xvi.
16).
18. Will any faith save us?
No; only the true faith, which Christ our Lord
has taught us, will save us (John iii. 36).
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
*19. Why will only that faith which Christ has
taught save us?
Because by that faith alone, and by no other, we
are made partakers of Christ, and without Christ
there is no salvation (Acts iv. 12).
20. Which Church has the true faith taught by
Christ?
The Catholic Church alone has the true faith
taught by Christ.
21. Why is it the Catholic Church alone that has
the true faith taught by Christ?
Because the Catholic Church alone has received
from Christ Himself, through His Apostles, this
faith as a heavenly gift entrusted to her, and has
always preserved it uncorrupted (1 Tim. vi. 20).
Application: Rejoice and often thank God that you
are a child of the Catholic Church; for 'there is,' as St.
Augustine says, 'no greater wealth, no greater treasure,
than the Catholic faith,' provided we live as our faith
teaches us. The truth of this is especially felt by Catho-
lics at the hour of death.
§ 3. Qualities of Faith.
*22. What must be the qualities of our faith?
Our faith must be, 1. Universal; 2. Firm;
P
•
3. Lively; and 4. Constant.
*23. When is our faith universal?
Our faith is universal when we believe not only
some but all the truths which the Catholic Church
proposes to our belief.
*24. When is our faith firm?
Our faith is firm when we believe without the
least doubt.
Examples: Abraham, rewarded for his firm faith: 'In
the promise of God he staggered not by distrust, but was
strengthened in faith; and therefore it was reputed to
him unto justice' (Rom. iv. 20, 22). Moses and Aaron,
punished on account of a doubt (Numbers xx. 12).
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 55
*25. When is our faith lively?
Our faith is lively when we live up to it-that
is, when we avoid evil, and do good in the manner
which our faith directs (James ii. 26).
*26. When is our faith constant?
Our faith is constant when we are ready to lose
all, even our life, rather than fall away from it.
*27. What leads people to fall away from their
faith?
1. Pride and subtle reasoning on the mysteries of
our religion; 2. Neglect of prayer and of the other
religious duties; 3. Reading irreligious books and
intercourse with irreligious people.
28. How do we especially show that our faith is
firm and constant?
By never denying it, even in appearance, and by
candidly professing it on every occasion by word
and deed (Matt. x. 32, 33; Rom. x. 10).
29. Is there also a particular sign by which Catho-
lics profess their faith?
Yes; the Sign of the Cross.
30. When should we make the sign of the cross ?
It is good and holy to make it frequently, as the
first Christians did; especially when we rise and
when we go to bed, before and after prayers, before
every important occupation, and in all temptations
and dangers.
31. Why is it wholesome frequently to make the
sign of the cross?
Because, by devoutly making the sign of the
cross, we arm ourselves against the snares of the
devil, and draw down the blessings of Heaven
upon us.
Application : Never be ashamed of the Catholic faith
or of the sign of the cross; let this be your motto: 'God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ' (Gal. vi. 14). Shun most carefully all in-
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56
Catechism of CATHOLIC Doctrine.
tercourse with irreligious and wicked persons, and espe-
cially beware of such books as might stagger you in the
true faith or lead you astray from the path of virtue.
童
​ON THE APOSTLES' CREED.
32. Where do we learn in a few words the chief
things which all should know and believe?
In the twelve articles of the Apostles' Creed.
33. Say the Creed.
'I believe,' etc. (See page 6.)
FIRST ARTICLE.
'I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.'
§ 1. On God.
34. Who is God?
God is an infinitely perfect Spirit, the Lord of
heaven and earth, the Author of all good.
35. Why do we call God a 'Spirit'?
C
We call God a Spirit because He has understand-
ing and free-will, but no body (John iv. 24).
36. Why do we say that God is 'infinitely per-
feet'?
}
God is infinitely perfect because, unlike created
beings, which are good in a limited degree, He
unites in Himself all good perfections without mea-
sure or number.
37. What are the principal attributes or perfec-
tions of God?
God is eternal and unchangeable, omnipresent,
omniscient or all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful;
He is infinitely holy and just; infinitely good, mer-
ciful, and long-suffering; infinitely true and faith-
ful.
"
}
}
-:
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 57
38. What means 'God is eternal' ?
•
God is eternal means that He exists always, and is
without beginning and without end (Ps. lxxxix. 2),
39. What means God is unchangeable'?
God is unchangeable'?
God is unchangeable means that He remains eter-
nally the same, without any change in Himself or
in His decrees (James i. 17).
•
40. What means God is omnipresent'?
God is omnipresent means that He is everywhere
-in Heaven, on earth, and in all places (Acts xvii.
27, 28).
41. What means God is omniscient' ?
God is omniscient means that He knows all
things perfectly and from all eternity; He knows
all things past, present, and to come, even our most
secret thoughts (Eccles. xxiii. 28, 29).
(
42. What means God is all-wise'?
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God is all-wise means that He knows how to dis-
pose all things in the best way in order to attain
His end (Ps. ciii. 24).
Examples: The child Moses saved; Joseph exalted;
Aman disgraced.
43. What means 'God is all-powerful or al-
mighty'?
God is all-powerful means that He can do any-
thing, and has only to will and the thing is done
(Luke i. 37).
Examples: The Creation; the wonders in Egypt and in
the desert.
(
44. What means God is holy'?
God is holy means that He loves and wills only
what is good, and that He hates what is evil (Ps.
xliv. 8).
Example: The giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.
45. What means God is just' ?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
God is just means that He rewards and pun-
ishes men according to their deserts (Rom. ii.
6, 11).
Examples: The world punished by the Deluge, and
Sodom and Gomorrha destroyed by fire from heaven; but
Noe and Lot saved.
X {
*46. When will perfect retribution be made?
Perfect retribution will be made only in the other
world (Matt. xiii. 30; Luke xvi.); but even in this.
life there is no true happiness for the wicked
(Wisd. v. 7) and no true unhappiness for the just.
(Wisd. iii. 1).
?
Examples: Joseph, Tobias, Susanna, Daniel, St. Paul
(2 Cor. vii. 4).
"
47. What means God is good'?
God is good means that out of love He will do
good to all creatures, and that He really bestows
numberless blessings upon us (Wisd. xi. 25).
*48. Which is the greatest proof of God's love
and goodness?
That He delivered His own Son up to death for
our salvation (1 John iv. 8, 9).
49. What means • God is merciful' ?
God is merciful means that He willingly forgives
all truly penitent sinners (Ez. xxiii. 11).
Examples: The Ninivites; parable of the prodigal son
(Luke xv.)
<
50. What means God is long suffering'?
God is long-suffering means that He often waits
a long while before punishing the sinner, in order
to give him time for repentance.
51. What means " God is true'?
י
God is true means that He reveals only the truth,,
because he can neither err nor lie (Hebr. vi. 18).
52. What means 'God is faithful'?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
God is faithful means that He surely keeps His
promises and executes what He threatens (Deut. vii.
9, 10.)
59
*53. What ought the truth and faithfulness of
God lead us to do?
1. To believe in the Word of God and to trust
in His proinise; and 2. Always to speak the truth
and to keep our promises.
54. Can we see God?
No; we cannot see God with corporeal eyes, be-
cause He is a Spirit.
*55. How, then, have we come to know God and
His perfections, since we cannot see Him?
God has made Himself known to man in various
wavs.
*56. How has God particularly made Himself
known to man?
1. By means of the visible world, which He has
created and always governs (Rom. i. 20). 2. By
the voice of conscience (Rom. ii. 15). 3. Espe-
cially by means of revelations, which He has given
us through the Prophets and finally through His
Son (John i. 18).
57. Is there more than one God?
No, there is but one God (Isaias xlvi. 9).
*58. Why do we say 'I believe in God,' instead
of 'I believe God'?
Because we must not only believe that there is a
God, and that all that He has said is true, but we
must also give ourselves up to God with love and
confidence.
✔
Application: 'My son, give me thy heart' (Prov.
xxiii. 26). Oh! give it to Him, the Eternal, the Infinitely
Perfect, Rich, Good, and Faithful God, without delay, for
ever and ever. God alone has a right to possess it, and
He alone has the power to render it happy through all
eternity.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
§ 2. On the Three Divine Persons.
'I believe in God the Father."
59. Why do we say, I believe in God the
Father'?
1. Because God is our invisible Father in
Heaven; and 2. Because in God there are more
than one Person, the first of whom is called the
Father.
60. How many Persons are there in God?
There are three P'ersons in God: the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost.
61. Is each one of the three Persons God?
Yes; the Father is true God, the Son is true
God, and the Holy Ghost is true God.
62. Are they not, then, three Gods?
No; the three Persons are but one God.
63. Why are the three Persons but one God?
Because all three Persons have one nature and
substance.
64. Is any one of these Persons older or more
powerful than the others?
No; all three Persons are from eternity, all
three are equally powerful, good, and perfect, be-
cause all three are but one God.
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*65. Is there, then, no distinction at all between
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?
As to the Persons they are distinct; but as to
the substance they are one.
*66. How are the three Divine Persons distinct
from one another?
In this: that the Father is begotten of no one
and proceeds from no one; the Son is begotten of
the Father; and the Holy Ghost proceeds from the
Father and the Son.
*67. But if the Son is begotten of the Father,
and the Holy Ghost proceeds from both, why, then,
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
61
is none of the Divine Persons older than the
others?
Because the Son is begotten from all eternity,
and the Holy Ghost also proceeds from all eternity.
68. What works are especially attributed to each
of the three Divine Persons?
1. To the Father is especially attributed the
Creation; 2. To the Son the Redemption; and 3.*
To the Holy Ghost Sanctification; although these
works are common to all three Persons.
69. What do we call the mystery of one God in
three Persons?
We call it the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity.
*70. Can we comprehend this mystery?
No; it is impossible for our weak intellect, which
can understand even created things only in an im-
perfect way, to comprehend a mystery which is in-
finitely above all created things.
Application: That the grace of this saving faith may
not be withdrawn from you, never forget what thanks
you owe to the Most Holy Trinity for the inestimable
benefits of your creation, redemption, and sanctification,
and what you have solemnly promised to the same Trini-
ty in the holy Sacrament of Baptism. (Feast of the Holy
Trinity.)
§ 3. On the Creation and Government of the World.
71. Why is God called 'Creator of Heaven and
earth'?
Because He created the whole world, the heavens
and the earth, and all that is in them.
72. What means 'create'?
To make something out of nothing.
73. How did God create the world?
By His almighty will.
'Thou hast created all things; and for Thy will they
were and have been created' (Apoc. iv. 11).
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50
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
74. Why did God create the world?
1. For His own glory; and 2. For the good of
His creatures.
75. What does God do to keep the world which
He has created from going back into nothing?
He is ever preserving and governing it.
76. How does God preserve the world?
le causes it to continue in the manner most
pleasing to Him and as long as it pleases Him.
77. How does God govern the world?
He takes care of all things, orders all things, and
directs all things to the end for which He has cre-
ated the world.
'God made the little and the great, and He hath
equally care of all' (Wisd. vi. 8). But the very hairs of
your head are all numbered' (Matt. x. 30).
She [the
wisdom of God] reacheth therefore from end to end
mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly' (Wisd. viii. 1).
Example: Deliverance of the Jews through Esther.
78. What do we call the care which God uses in
preserving and governing the world?
Divine Providence.
*79. But if God orders and directs everything in
the world, why is evil done? Does He will it?
No; God does not will evil, but He permits it,
*1. Because He has created man free; and 2. Because
He knows how to turn evil into good.
Examples: The history of Joseph in Egypt: 'You
thought evil against me; but God turned it into good'
(Gen. 1. 20). Thus God, the Almighty, turned even the
murder of our Saviour by the Jews to the salvation of the
world, and the impenitence of the same Jews to the con-
version of the heathens. And thus He still avails Him-
self every day of the designs of the wicked in order to
glorify His Church; 'for there is no wisdom, there is no
prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord' (Prov.
xxi. 30).
—
*80. And if God provides for everything, why is
there so much suffering?
3
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CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine.
1. In order that the sinner may change his ways;
and 2. That the just man may increase in merit,
and thus obtain a greater reward in Heaven.
Examples: The brothers of Joseph: 'We deserve to
suffer these things, because we have sinned against our
brother' (Gen. xlii. 21). Manasses (2 Paral. xxxiii.); Jonas
(Jonas ii.) 2. 'Gold and silver are tried in the fire, but
acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation' (Ecclus. ii.
5). Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and per-
secute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly,
for my sake. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is
very great in Heaven' (Matt. v. 11, 12).
*81. How, then, ought we to receive the suffer-
ings that come upon us?
We ought to receive them as graces of God:
"Whom the Lord loveth He chastiseth' (Hebr. xii.
6); and 'before he be glorified' it (his heart) is
humbled (Prov. xviii. 12).
6
Application: Cast all your care upon the Lord, for
He hath care of you' (1 Pet. v. 7). 'Behold the birds of
the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather
into barns, and your Heavenly Father feedeth them.
Consider the lilies of the field,' etc. (Matt. vi. 26–33).
Take willingly everything that is disagreeable to you as
coming from the hand of God: 'As it hath pleased the
Lord, so is it done; blessed be the name of the Lord'
(Job i. 21); and never be so rash as to complain of the
dispensations of God. Whatever may come, 'To them
that love God, all things work together unto good' (Rom.
viii. 28).
§ 4. On the Angels.
82. Has God created nothing but the visible
world?
God has created also an invisible world—namely,
numberless spirits called Angels (Dan. vii. 10).
83. In what state were the Angels when God
created them?
They were all good and happy and endowed with
excellent gifts.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
84. Did all the Angels remain good and happy?
No; many rebelled against God, and therefore
were cast into Hell.
4
'God spared not the Angels that sinned, but delivered
them, drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell,
unto torments' (2 Pet. ii. 4; comp. Jude vi.)
,
L
85. How do the good Angels act towards us?
The good Angels love us, and therefore protect
us in soul and body, pray for us, and prompt us to
do good.
86. How do we call the Angel who is given to
every man for his protection?
His Guardian Angel.
87. What is our duty towards our Guardian
Angel?
We ought to venerate him with great devotion,
thank him, and wiltingly follow his promptings.
88. How do the wicked Angels act towards us?
The wicked Angels, through hatred and envy, lay
snares for us in order to plunge us into eternal
destruction.
'Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth
about seeking whom he may devour' (1 Pet. v. 8). Ex-
amples: Eve, Job, Sara, the demoniacs, Judas. See also
Luke viii. 12 and Apoc. xii.
89. What must we do in order to render their
snares harmless?
We must pray and firmly resist all temptations:
to evil.
Application: Beware of being like the evil spirits by
sinning, or of being even their accomplice in seducing
others to sin. Imitate the good Angels; be innocent,
docile, pious, devout, and always ready to promote the
welfare of your neighbor. Daily venerate your Guardian
Angel, and recommend yourself to him in all dangers of
soul and body. (Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.)
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Catechism OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
65
§ 5. On our First Parents and their Fall.
90. How did God make the first man, Adam?
God formed a body out of the earth, and breathed
an immortal soul into it; and the first man was
made.
91. How did God make Eve?
Out of a rib of Adam as he lay asleep.
92. How did God distinguish man from all other
creatures?
By creating him after His own image (Gen. i. 27).
93. How was the first man the image of God?
He was endowed with natural and supernatural.
gifts which made him resemble God.
94. In what do the natural gifts consist?
Especially in this: that the human soul is an im-
mortal spirit, endowed with understanding and
free-will.
95. In what did the supernatural gifts consist?
Especially in this: 1. That the first man pos-
sessed sanctifying grace, and together with it the
sonship of God and the right of inheriting the
kingdom of Heaven; 2. That in him the senses
did not rebel against reason; and 3. That he was
not subject to hardships, suffering, or death.
96. Did our first parents preserve these super-
natural gifts?
No; through their sin they lost all these super-
natural gifts for themselves and for their descend-
ants, and thereby plunged the whole human race
into great misery.
97. How did they commit sin?
They believed the serpent rather than God, and
ate of the fruit which they had been forbidden to
eat.
98. Into what misery have our first parents
plunged the whole human race?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
Sin, with its evil consequences, has passed from
Adam to all mankind, so that we all come into the
world in sin.
'By one man sin entered into this world, and by sin
death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all
have sinued' (Rom. v. 12). 'Behold, I was conceived in
iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me' (Ps.
1. 7).
99. What do we call the sin in which we are all
born?
We call it Original Sin; for although we have
not committed it ourselves, we have inherited it
from our first parents.
·
100. Who alone of all mankind has not inherited
the sin ?
The Blessed Virgin Mary, who by a special grace
was preserved free from all stain of sin.
*101. What evil consequences have, with original
sin, passed to all men?
1. God's displeasure, as well as their loss of the
sonship of God and of the inheritance of Heaven;
2. Ignorance, concupiscence, and proneness to evil;
and 3. Hardships, suffering, and death.
102. What would have become of man if God
had not shown him mercy?
No one could have received grace and been
saved.
103. How did God show mercy to man?
He promised him a Saviour, who should take sin
away from him, and regain for him grace and the
right to the kingdom of Heaven.
104. To whom did God first promise a Saviour?
To our first parents immediately after their fall.
'I will put enmities between thee (the serpent) and the
woman';
'she shall crush thy head' (Gen. iii. 15).
Application: My child, be a beautiful image of God and
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
hate sin, which has brought all evil into the world. 'Sim
maketh nations miserable' (Prov. xiv. 34).
SECOND ARTICLE.
'And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.'
105. What does this Second Article of the Creed
teach us?
It teaches us that the Redeemer, whom God
promised and sent us, is the only Son of God, Jesus.
Christ, our Lord.
106. How do we know that Jesus Christ is the
promised Redeemer ?
We know that Jesus Christ is the promised Re-
deemer because in Him was fulfilled all that the
Prophets had foretold of the Redeemer.
107. What had the Prophets foretold of the Re-
deemer.
They had especially foretold, 1. The time and
the place of His birth; 2. The particulars of His
Life, Passion, and Death; and 3. The foundation
and perpetual duration of His Church.
108. What means the name Jesus?
Jesus means Saviour or Redeemer.
'Thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save
His people from their sins' (Matt. i. 21).
109. What means the word Christ?
Christ-in Hebrew Messias-means The An-
ointed.
*110. Why is Jesus called the Anointed?
Because in the Old Law the prophets, high-
priests, and kings were anointed with oil, and Jesus
is our greatest Prophet, Priest, and King.
111. Why is Jesus Christ called the only Son
of God' ?
Because Jesus Christ is by nature and from
eternity the only Son of God, and as truly God as
the Father.
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Catechism of Catholic Doctrine.
112. And are we not children of God, too?
Yes, but not by nature, and from all eternity;
we are only children adopted through grace.
68
'As many as received Him, He gave them power to be
made the sons of God' (John i. 12).
*113. How do we know that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God and true God?
1. From the prophecies; 2. From the testimony
of His Heavenly Father; 3. From His own testi-
mony; 4. From the teaching of the Apostles; and
5. From the teaching of the Catholic Church.
*114. What do the Prophets say ?
6
They call the promised Redeemer God, God
with us, the Most Holy, the Wonderful, the Father
of the world to come."
*115. What is the testimony of His Heavenly
Father?
At the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan, and at
His Transfiguration on Mount Thabor, a voice from
Heaven said: This is my Beloved Son, in whom I
.am well pleased' (Matt. iii. 17 and xvii. 5).
*116. What is the testimony of Christ?
6
Christ testified, 1. That He is the Son of God,
and true God, like His Father; 2. He confirmed
His testimony by the holiness of His life and by
His miracles and prophecies; and 3. He sealed it
with His death.
'I and the Father are one. Believe that the Father is
tin me, and I in the Father' (John x. 30, 38). 'He that
seeth me seeth the Father also' (John xiv. 9). 'All things
whatsoever the Father hath are mine' (John xvi. 15).
'What things he [the Father] doth, these the Son also
doth in like manner. For as the Father raiseth up the
dead, and giveth life, so the Son also giveth life to whom
He will; that all men may honor the Son, as they honor
the Father' (John v. 19, 21, 23). 'Amen, amen I say to
you, before Abraham was made, I am ' (John viii. 58, etc.)
When Peter said to Jesus: Thou art Christ, the Son of
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
the living God' (Matt. xvi. 16), and Thomas said to Him:
'My Lord and my God' (Johu xx. 28), our Saviour con-
firmed the faith and the declaration of both the Apostles.
*117. What do the Apostles teach of Jesus Christ?
The Apostles clearly teach: 1. That Christ is
true God (Rom. ix. 5); 2. That in Him dwells the
fulness of the Godhead (Coll. ii. 9); 3. That all crea-
tures should adore Him (Phil. ii. 10 and Hebr. i. 6).
*118. What is the teaching of the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church has always taught that
Christ is true God, and of one substance with the
Father; and this doctrine she has ever defended as
the chief doctrine of Christianity.
119. Why is Jesus Christ called 'our Lord' ?
Jesus Christ is called, and is, our Lord, 1. Be-
cause He is our God; and 2. Because He is our
Saviour, and has bought us with His blood.
Application: Often call on the name of Jesus with de-
votion, especially when in temptation. Often use the
ejaculation: 'Praised be Jesus Christ'-'For all eternity,
Amen!'
69
THIRD ARTICLE.
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the
Virgin Mary.'
§ 1. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
120. What does the Third Article of the Creed
principally teach us?
It teaches us that the Son of God, through the
operation of the Holy Ghost, became man-that is,
He took to Himself a body and soul like ours.
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'The Word [the Only-begotten of the Father] was made
flesh, and dwelt among us (John i. 14).
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121. What do we call this Mystery?
The Incarnation of the Son of God.
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122. What do we believe concerning Jesus Christ
when we believe the Mystery of the Incarna-
tion ?
We believe that Jesus Christ is both true God
and true man: He is God fron eternity, and be-
came man in time.
123. How many natures, then, are there in Jesus
Christ?
There are two natures in Jesus Christ, the Di-
vine nature and the human nature.
*124. Are there in Jesus Christ two persons also?
No; Jesus Christ is only one Divine Person, for
both natures are inseparably united in the same
Divine Person of the Son of God.
125. From whom did the Son of God take His
human nature?
From Mary, the purest of virgins; therefore she
is called, also, the Mother of God.' (Feast of the
Annunciation B. V. M.)
126. Had Jesus Christ also a father?
As man Jesus Christ had no father, for Joseph
was only His foster-father.
'Jesus being [as it was supposed] the Son of Joseph'
(Luke iii. 23).
127. Why did the Son of God become man?
That He might be able to suffer and die for us;
for as God He could neither suffer nor die.
128. How long since the Son of God came into
the world as man?
Over eighteen hundred years.
129. Where was He born?
In a stable at Bethlehem. (Feast of the Nativ-
ity, Christmas.)
130. Who were the first that came to adore
Him?
There first came shepherds from the neighbor-
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CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine. 71
hood, and then came the Wise Men, or the Three
Kings from the East.
131. How did the shepherds and the Wise Men
learn of the birth of Jesus Christ?
The shepherds learned of the birth of Jesus
Christ from an angel, and the Wise Men through
a star in the heavens.
Application: Give thanks to God with your whole heart
for having taken the form of a servant and become a
poor child for the love of you, especially when you hear
the Angelus-bell ring in the morning, at noon, and at
night. Resolve also to perform all your actions in the
manner you know Jesus did His. If you do this, you will
be sure to please God, whether you be rich or poor.
(Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, or Christmas day.)
§ 2. The Youth of Jesus Christ.
132. What occurred on the fortieth day after
His birth?
On the fortieth day Jesus was offered in the
Temple at Jerusalem. (Feast of the Purification,
Candlemas.)
133. Did the Child Jesus remain at Jerusalem
or in Palestine ?
No; Joseph and Mary fled with Him into
Egypt, because King Herod sought His life.
(Feast of the Holy Innocents.)
134. Where did Jesus live after His return
from Egypt?
He lived at Nazareth, in the house of His parents,
until His thirtieth year, and was subject to them.
135. Why did Jesus, the Son of God, choose to
be obedient?
In order to show by example that children
should be obedient to their parents.
136. What did Jesus do in His twelfth year?
In His twelfth year Jesus went with his parents.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE,
to Jerusalem, and remained three days in the
Temple.
137. Why did He remain in the Temple?
In order to teach us that we should take de-
light in prayer and study, and should cheerfully
spend much time in the house of God.
Application: Often read the life of Jesus and strive to
imitate His example, so that you will grow in grace and.
wisdom.
§ 3. The Public Life of Jesus Christ.
138. Where did Jesus go when He was thirty
years old?
As soon as Jesus was thirty years old He went to
the river Jordan, where He allowed Himself to be
baptized by John, and then went out into the
desert, where He fasted for forty days and nights.
139. What did He do when He had left the
desert?
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He began to teach in public and to collect disci-
ples, from whom He chose twelve for His constant
companions and called them Apostles, or messengers.
140. What did Jesus teach?
He taught everything that we ought to believe,
to hope for, and to do in order to win salvation.
*141. How did Jesus make known that His teach-
ing was true and divine?
Jesus made known that His teaching was true
and divine, 1. By the holiness of His life; and 2.
By miracles and prophecies (John viii. 46 and
x. 38).
*142. Can you mention some of His miracles?
He changed water into wine; with five loaves
He fed over five thousand people; with a word He
stilled the wind and the storm; He healed the sick
and He raised the dead to life.
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CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine. 773
*143. Why do we call such acts miracles?
Because they are beyond the natural power of
man, and can only be done by the omnipotence of
God (John iii. 2).
*144. Can you mention, also, some of the prophe-
cies of Jesus?
Jesus foretold what was known only to God:
1. His betrayal by Judas and His denial by Peter;
2. His passion and death, His resurrection and as-
cension 3. The destruction of Jerusalem; and
4. The spread and duration of His Church.
Application: Hold fast to the teachings of Jesus.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life' (John xiv. 6).
FOURTH ARTICLE.
"Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead,
and buried.'
145. What does the Fourth Article of the Creed
teach us?
It teaches us that Jesus Christ suffered for us,
died on the cross, and was laid in the tomb.
146. What did Jesus Christ suffer for us?
Throughout His entire life He suffered many
things. At last, after a great agony, He was
seized in the Garden of Gethsemani, mocked, be-
trayed, scourged, crowned with thorns, and finally
nailed to the cross.
147. Who sentenced Jesus to death?
The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
148. Where was Jesus crucified?
On Mount Calvary, near Jerusalem.
*149. What happened at His death?
The sun was darkened, the earth trembled, rocks
were rent, graves opened, and the dead appeared
to many (Matt. xxvii. 54).
150. Did Jesus suffer death against His will?
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CATECHISM of Catholic DOCTRINE.
No; Jesus suffered death of His own free will.
'He was offered because it was His own will' (Isaias
liii. 7).
Why did Jesus wish to suffer so much and
1. In order to atone for our sins and to regain
for us grace and Heaven; 2. To show us His
great love for us; and 3. To teach us by His own
example how to suffer patiently (Isaias liii. 5;
John xv. 13; 1 Peter ii. 21).
152. For what sins did Jesus render satisfaction?
For Original Sin and for all the other sins of all
151.
to die?
men.
*153. But why will not all men be saved?
All men will not be saved because all do not do
what is necessary on their part for obtaining sal-
vation; that is, all men do not believe, keep the
commandments, and make use of the graces which
God has given them.
154. What happened after the death of Jesus?
After death His side was pierced with a lance,
then His body was taken down from the cross and
laid in a tomb, and they sealed the tomb and set a
guard of soldiers to watch over it.
Application: Think often of the bitter sorrow and
death of Jesus Christ, and never forget that out of love
for us He underwent all. Live and suffer for Him, and
remember that by sin you crucify Him anew in your
hearts. (Crucifix, Abstinence, and Friday.)
FIFTH ARTICLE
'He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again
from the dead.'
155. What means 'He descended into hell'?
That the soul of Jesus Christ, after His death,
descended into Limbo to comfort and set free the
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
75
souls of the just who had died before (1 Pet. iii.
19).
156. Why were the souls of the just detained in.
Limbo?
Because Heaven was closed through sin, and was
to be first reopened by Christ.
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157. What means the third day He rose again
from the dead'?
That on the third day He reunited His soul to
His body and rose again from the grave. (Feast of
Easter.)
158. How did Christ rise again?
He came forth glorious and immortal from the
tomb, although it was closed with a heavy stone-
and guarded by soldiers.
159. Did His Disciples see Him again?
Yes, they often saw Him, and after His resurrec-
tion touched Him, ate with Him, and spoke with
Him; and they suffered persecution and death rather
than deny or conceal the truth of His resurrection.
*160. How long did Christ remain on the earth
after His resurrection?
He appeared again and again to His Disciples for
forty days after the resurrection.
*161. What did Christ do during that time?
He conferred upon His Apostles, and especially
upon Peter, various powers, and gave various in-
structions for the good of His Church.
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rection of Christ to produce in us?
It ought, 1. To strengthen our belief in His Di-
vinity and our hope of our own future resurrection;
and 2. To incite us to rise from the death of sin to
a new and holy life.
Application: Think of what St. Paul says: As Christ
is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we
also may walk in newness of life' (Rom. vi. 4).
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SIXTH ARTICLE.
“He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of
God the Father Almighty.'
163. What means 'He ascended into Heaven'?
That Jesus Christ, by His own power, with soul
and body, went up into Heaven. (Feast of the As-
cension.)
164. Did Christ ascend alone into Heaven?
No; he took with Him into Heaven the souls of
the just whom He had freed from Limbo (Eph.
iv. 8).
*165. From what place did Christ ascend to
Heaven?
From the Mount of Olives, in the sight of His
Apostles.
*166. Why did Christ ascend into Heaven?
1. To take possession of His glory; 2. To be
our Mediator and Advocate with His Father; and
3. To prepare a dwelling for us.
167. What means 'sitteth at the right hand of
God' ?
It means that Christ, as man also, partakes of the
power and glory of the Divine Majesty.
Application: Often turn your eyes and your heart to-
wards Heaven, ard shun no pains to win this great re-
ward.
SEVENTH ARTICLE.
“From thence He shall come to judge the living and the
dead.'
168. What does the Seventh Article of the Creed
teach us?
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That Jesus Christ, at the end of the world, shall
come again with great power and glory to judge all
men, both the good and the wicked.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
169. What do you call this judgment?
The General Judgment, the Last Judgment, or
the judgment of the world.
170. How shall we be judged?
We shall be judged according to all our thoughts,
words, works, and omissions.
171. How will God make known His justice to
all the world?
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He will make plain to all the good and the evil
that every man has done, even his most secret
thoughts, and also the graces which He has given
to every one.
"The Lord will bring to light the hidden things of dark-
ness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts'
(1 Cor. iv. 5).
172. What will the Just Judge say to the good?
Christ will say to the good: Come, ye blessed
of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world.'
173. What will He say to the wicked?
But to the wicked He will say: 'Depart from
me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which was pre-
pared for the devil and his angels' (Matt. xxv. 41).
174. What shall then happen?

The good shall go to Heaven, but the wicked into
Hell (Matt. xxv. 46).
175. Is there any other judgment than the Gene-
ral Judgment?
3
Yes, there is a particular judgment, at which
every man is judged at once after his death (Hebr.
ix. 27).
*176. Why will a General Judgment take place
besides this particular judgment?
A General Judgment will take place, 1. So that
the wisdom and justice of God may be acknow-
ledged by all men; 2. That Jesus Christ may be
glorified before the whole world; and 3. That the
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
good may receive the reward and the wicked the
punishment which they have deserved (Wisd. v.
1–5).
177. Where does the soul go after the particular
judgment?
To Heaven, to Hell, or to Purgatory.
178. What is Purgatory?
24
Purgatory is a state wherein the soul will be puri-
fied by suffering for a time.
179. What souls go to Purgatory?
Such souls as have departed this life in a state of
venial sin, and such as have still to suffer the
punishment deserved for mortal sins the guilt of
which has been forgiven.
180. Will Purgatory last after the General Judg-
ment?
No; after the General Judgment there will be
only Heaven and Hell.
Application: Do not think that no one sees the evil
you are doing; for nothing escapes the eye of God,
and all things that are done, God will bring into judg-
ment for every error, whether it be good or evil' (Eccles,
xii. 14).
EIGHTH ARTICLE.
'I believe in the Holy Ghost.'
181. By whom is the fruit or grace of the Divinè
Revelation communicated to us?
By the Holy Ghost.
182. Where is this grace communicated to us?
It is communicated to us in the Catholic Church,
to which Christ has, for that very purpose, pro-
mised and sent the Holy Ghost.,
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183. Who is the Holy Ghost?
The Holy Ghost is the Third Person of the
Blessed Trinity, true God with the Father and the
Son.
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Catechism of Catholic Doctrine.
184. From whom does the Holy Ghost proceed?
The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and
the Son as from one source.
79
185. Where is the Holy Ghost?
As God He is everywhere; but as the Author and
Dispenser of grace He is especially present in the
Catholic Church and in the souls of the just.
186. When did Christ send down the Holy
Ghost upon His Church?
On Whit-Sunday, or Pentecost, the Holy Ghost
descended upon the Apostles in the form of tongues
of fire....
*187. Why was the Holy Ghost sent upon the
Church?
To teach, to sanctify, and to rule the Church
unto the end of the world.
188. What graces does the Holy Ghost shed
upon souls?
He enlightens, sanctifies, strengthens, and com-
forts them, wherefore He is called the 'Sanctifier'
and the Comforter."
6
189. How long does the Holy Ghost remain in
the soul?
As long as the soul is free from mortal sin.
190. What are especially the gifts of the Holy
•Ghost?
These seven: 1. Wisdom; 2. Understanding;
3. Counsel; 4. Fortitude; 5. Knowledge; 6. Piety;
7. The Fear of God (Isaias xi. 2).
Application: Shun sin, for by it we lose the Holy
Ghost and His gifts. 'Wisdom will not,' etc. (Wisd. i.
4, 5).
NINTH ARTICLE.
The Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints.'
*191. What did the Apostles do after they had
received the Holy Ghost on Whit-Sunday?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
They went out into the whole world, preaching
and baptizing, and they united all those who be
lieved and were baptized.
*192. What arose from this uniting of believers?
There arose in many places communities of
Christians, whose rulers were the Apostles.
193. What further did the Apostles do when the
communities of Christians increased?
They ordained Bishops and set them as rulers
over the new Christian communities, with the
commission that they likewise should ordain
others.
*194. Were all these communities united with
one another?
Yes, they were all united, professed the same
faith, partook of the same Sacraments, and formed
altogether one great Christian community under
one Head, St Peter.
*195. What did they call this great Christian
community under one Head?
The Catholic-that is, the universal-Church, or,
in one word, the Church.
196. What is the Church?
The Church is, and has always been, the con-
gregation of all the faithful on earth, governed by
their lawful Bishops, and united under one visible
Head, the Pope.
197. Was the Church thus organized by the
Apostles?
The Church was thus organized by Jesus Christ,
her Founder; the Apostles were only the instru-
ments of His will.
*198. How did Christ thus organize His Church?
By conferring His own power upon the Apos-
tles and sending them everywhere, 1. To preach;
2. To baptize; and 3. To govern those who were
baptized, under the supremacy of St. Peter.
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CATECHISM OF Catholic Doctrine.
199. Is not Christ Himself the Head of the
Church?
81
Christ is undoubtedly the Head of the Church,
but the invisible Head.
200. Has Christ given His Church a visible
Head?
Yes; for as the Church is a visible body, so also
must it have a visible Head.
201. How do we know that Christ appointed St.
Peter to be the visible Head of His Church?
1. Christ built His Church upon St. Peter, as
upon the true foundation-stone; 2. Christ gave to
him in particular the keys of the kingdom of
Heaven-that is, the Church; and 3. Christ com-
missioned him alone to feed His whole flock.
*202. Was the Headship of the Church to cease-
after the death of St. Peter?
No; for as the Church was to last for ever, so
also must the Rock upon which He had built it
last for ever.
203. Who has been the visible Head of the
Church since the death of St. Peter?
The Holy Fathers the Popes, who have been
the lawful successors of St. Peter in the Episcopal
See of Rome.
204. Who are the successors of the other Apos-
tles?
The Bishops of the Catholic Church, who ad-
minister their bishoprics in communion with the
Supreme Head, the Pope.
205. Who are the assistants of the Bishops?
The Priests subject to them.
*206. Who gave the Church this arrangement?
Jesus Christ, its Divine Founder.
*207. How are unity and good order maintained
throughout the whole Church?
They are maintained by all rendering a willing
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obedience; those who are not Priests, to their
Priests, Priests to Bishops, and Bishops to the
Pope. Therefore St. Clement, the disciple and
successor of St. Peter, compares the Church to an
army, in which the privates are subordinate to the
captains, the captains to the colonels, and these
again to the general.
Application: Always cherish in your heart a profound
reverence and an humble submission to the Holy Father
the Pope, and to the Bishops and Priests united with
him.
*§ 2. The Marks of the Church.
208. Did Christ establish one Church, or more
than one?
Christ established only one Church, as He taught
but one Faith (Matt. xvi. 18).
209. By what marks may the true Church of
Christ be known?
The true Church of Christ may be known by
these four marks: she is 1. One; 2. Holy; 3.
Catholic; and 4. Apostolic.
210. Which Church has all these four marks?
It is plain that no Church has these four marks
except the Roman Catholic Church; that is to say,
the Church which acknowledges the l'ope of Rome
as her Head.
211. Why is the Roman Catholic Church evi-
dently One?
Because she has always and everywhere, 1. The
same Faith; 2. The same Sacrifice and the same
Sacraments; and 3. A common Head.
212. Why is the Roman Catholic Church evi-
dently Holy?
1. Because her Founder and her doctrine are
holy; 2. Because she preserves and dispenses all
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
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the means of sanctification; and 3. Because she
has now and always has had Saints.
213. Why is the Roman Church evidently Cath-
olic, or Universal?
The Roman Church is Catholic, or Universal, 1.
Because she has always existed from the time of
Christ; 2. Because she is to be spread everywhere;
and 3. Because she is constantly spreading.
214. Why is the Roman Catholic Church Apos-
tolic?
The Roman Catholic Church is Apostolic, 1.
Because her origin and her doctrine are from the
Apostles; 2. Because the Pope and her Bishops
are the rightful successors of the Apostles.
215. If none but the Roman Catholic Church
has the marks of the one Church of Christ, what
follows from this?
That the Roman Catholic Church alone is the
true Church established by Jesus Christ.
Application: Pray often for the peace and welfare of
the Catholic Church and for the conversion of heretics
and infidels.
§ 3. The Qualities of the Church.
216. Why did Christ establish the Church?
Christ established the Church that by her He
might lead all men to salvation.
*217. How has Christ enabled the Church to ful-
fil her mission?
He has, 1. Entrusted the Church with His
doctrine, His means of grace, and His power; and
2. He has sent her the Holy Ghost, so that she
might ever preserve the Divine doctrine uncorrupt-
ed and rightly dispense the means of grace.
218. By whom is the Divine doctrine always
kept pure and uncorrupted in the Church?
By the infallible Teaching Body of the Church.
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219. Who compose this infallible Teaching
Body?
The Pope, and the Bishops united with him.
*220. Who assures us that the Church cannot err?
Christ Himself in the threefold promise which
He made us: 1. That 'He will be with her all days,
even to the consummation of the world' (Matt.
xviii. 20); 2. That the Spirit of Truth will abide
with her for ever' (John xiv. 16, 17); 3. That
'the gates of Hell shall not prevail against her'
(Matt. xvi. 18).
221. By whom are the decisions of the Church
given?
Either by the Supreme Head of the Church, the
Pope, giving a decision ex cathedrâ, or by a Gen-
eral Council confirmed by the Pope.
*222. Why cannot the Pope teach error when he
speaks ex cathedra?
Because Christ will not allow him to do so
for, 1. Christ made the Pope the foundation of
His Church (Matt. xvi. 18); 2. He chose him as
the Pastor and Teacher of the whole Church (John
xxi. 15-17); 3. He promised him that his faith
would not fail, and that he, being confirmed, should.
confirm his brethren (Luke xxii. 32).
223. What ought we to do when disputes arise
in matters of faith?
We must hold to the decisions of the Church.
'And He gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and
other some Evangelists, and other some Pastors and
Doctors, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of
the ministry.
Are all Apostles? Are all Pro-
phets? Are all Doctors?' (1 Cor. xii. 18, 29; Eph. iv.
11, 12).
224. What further must we do in order to be
saved?
In order to be saved we must be obedient chil-
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dren of the Catholic Church; we must believe her
doctrine, use her means of grace, and submit to her
authority.
*225. Who teaches us this obligation?
Jesus Christ Himself in these words: 'If he will
not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the
heathen and publican' (Matt. xviii. 17).
226. What, therefore, do we profess to believe
by these words of the Creed: 'I believe in the Holy
Catholic Church'?
We profess to believe that Christ has established
an infallible Church, which we must believe and
obey without reserve if we wish to obtain eternal
salvation; and that this is no other than the
Roman Catholic Church.
Application: Honor and love the Church as your mother,
and submit humbly to all her decisions, laws, and direc-
tions, for he shall not have God for his Father who will
not have the Church for his Mother' (St. Cyprian, Bishop
and Martyr; d. 258).
*§ 4. The Growth and Preservation of the Church.
227. What was the result of the preaching of the
Apostles?
A most blessed result, such as only a work of
God could have.
228. Why might not this have been the work of
man?
Because the Christian Church in an incredibly
short time spread over the earth, even while every-
where Jews and Heathen, Emperors and Kings,
did their best to check its growth.
229. What did men do to prevent its growth?
Out of hatred for the Christian Church, which
condemned their vices, they persecuted the Chris-
tians for three hundred years, and put them to death
in the cruelest manner.
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230. Who gave freedom to the Church at the end
of three hundred years?
The Emperor Constantine the Great gave her
freedom at last.
231. What led Constantine to do this?
The wonderful appearance of a cross in the
heavens with these words upon it: In this sign
thou shalt conquer'-In hoc signo vinces.
232. How long has the Catholic Church lasted?
It has now lasted over eighteen hundred and
fifty years.
233. Has the Church had no enemies since the
time of Constantine?
The Church has always had many and powerful
enemies, but she has not been, and cannot be, over-
come.
234. Why cannot the Church be overcome ?
The Church cannot be overcome because Jesus
Christ has promised that the gates of Hell shall
not prevail against it.'
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235. Who have been the most dangerous enemies.
of the Church since the time of Constantine?
The most dangerous enemies of the Church have
been the heretics who have fallen away from the
Catholic Church, and have founded heretical com-
munities or sects.
236. Do these sects last as long as the Church?
No; these sects do not last as long as the Church.
They disappear, and others again arise in their
place, as the history of each century shows.
237. Did Christ foretell the rise of sects?
Yes; Christ and the Apostles plainly and re-
peatedly foretold it (Matt. xxiv. 11; 2 Tim. iv. 3;
2 Peter iii. 3; Jude xviii.)
238. Why does God permit sects?
1. Because by their schism from the Church he
rids it of its rotten and diseased members; and 2.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine. 87
Because the doctrine of the Church, through the
opposition of these sects, is strengthened and made
clearer.
239. How does God supply the place left vacant
by the falling away of the sects?
The place of these sects is filled by the conversion
of heathen people, who make better use of the
grace of Faith.
240. How is the doctrine of the Church strength-
ened and made clearer?
The teaching authority of the Church, enlight-
ened by the Holy Ghost, declares infallibly what
are the ancient Catholic doctrines, confirms them,.
and condemns the new heresies.
Application: Thank God from the bottom of your heart
that you are a child of the Catholic Church, which is so
great a blessing. Strive to do honor to your position by
leading a good life, for if you do not it will be of little-
use that you are in the Church.
85. The Communion of Saints.
241. Are only the faithful on earth united as one
Church?
No; with the faithful on earth are spiritually
united the saints in Heaven also, and the souls in
Purgatory.
242. In what does this spiritual union consist?
In this that all are members of one body,
whose Head is Christ Jesus, and that, therefore,
each one shares alike in the spiritual good of the
others (As in one body,' etc., Rom. xii. 4, 5).
243. What is this spiritual union called?
The Communion of Saints.
244. Why are all the members of this commu-
nion styled Saints?
Because all are called to be Saints and have been
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
sanctified by baptism; and many of them have al-
ready arrived at perfect sanctity.
245. What benefit do we enjoy from communion
with the Saints in Heaven?
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We share in their merits and are helped by their
intercession with God for us.
246. What profit do the souls in Purgatory re-
ceive from our communion with them?
We assist them by prayer, alms-deeds, and other
good works, and especially by the Holy Sacrifice
of the Mass and by the application of indulgences.
'It is, therefore, a holy and wholesome thought to pray
for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins' (2 Mach.
xii. 43, 46).
247. What profit have we from the communion
with the faithful on earth?
We share in all the Masses, prayers, and good
works of the Catholic Church, and in all her spir-
itual blessings.
Application: Pray every day for your fellow-Christians
who are striving on earth or suffering in Purgatory, and
ask every morning and night for the protection of the
Saints in Heaven.
TENTH ARTICLE.
'The Forgiveness of Sins.'
248. What does the Tenth Article of the Creed
teach?
That in the Catholic Church we can receive,
through the merits of Jesus Christ, forgiveness of
sins and of the punishment due to them.
249. What sins can be forgiven in the Catholic
Church?
All sins without exception.
250. What must the sinner do to obtain forgive-
ness?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
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1. He must truly repent; and 2. He must
worthily receive the Sacraments instituted by
Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
251. What Sacraments were instituted by Christ
for the forgiveness of sins?
The Sacraments of Baptism and Penance.
/ 252. Who has power to forgive sins in the Sacra-
ment of Penance?
The Bishops of the Catholic Church and the
Priests commissioned by them. For it was to them
only that Christ said: Whose sins you shall for-
give, they are forgiven thein' (John xx. 23).
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Application: Give hearty thanks to God for having
promised you forgiveness of your sins, and go willingly
and frequently to Confession; but first prepare yourself
well for it, that it may be said to you also: Be of good
heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee' (Matt. ix. 2).
ELEVENTH ARTICLE.
'The Resurrection of the Body.'
253. What happens to man at death?
The soul leaves the body and appears before the
judgment-seat of God; but the body returns into
the earth (Eccles. xii. 7).
254. How long will the body remain in the
earth?
The body will remain in the earth until the day
of judgment, when God will raise it again and re-
unite it to the soul for ever.
255. What do we call this raising of the body
to life?
The resurrection of the body.
*256. Why shall our bodies rise again?
That as the body shared with the soul in good
and evil works, so it may also share in the reward
or punishment.
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257. Shall all men rise from the dead?.
Yes, all men, whether good or wicked.
Application: Never abuse your eyes, tongue, ears,
hands, or your other senses by doing evil, that you may
one day rise to everlasting glory, and not to everlasting
perdition.
TWELFTH ARTICLE.
'And life everlasting. Amen.'
258. What does the Twelfth Article of the Creed
teach?
1. That after this life there is another, which
shall last for ever; and 2. That the just shall enjoy
eternal happiness in it.
*259. Can we conceive this eternal happiness?
No; the happiness of Heaven is so great that we
can neither describe nor imagine it.
For 'eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it
entered into the heart of man what things God hath pre-
pared for them that love Him' (1 Cor. ii. 9).
*260. Will all be equally happy?
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No; for every one shall receive his own reward
according to his own labor'—that is, according to
his merits (1 Cor. iii. 8).
261. What will be the life of the wicked for all
eternity?
A life without grace or joy, and full of pains, in
Hell.
262. Who will be condemned to the torments of
Hell?
Every one who dies an enemy to God-that is,
who dies in mortal sin.
*263. How do we know that the pains of the
damned are eternal?
1. From the plain testimony of Christ and the
Apostles (Matt. xxv. 41, 46; Mark ix. 44, 45.•
CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine.
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Apoc. xiv. 11, and elsewhere); 2. From the ex-
press doctrine of the infallible Church.
*264. Why are the pains of the damned eternal ?
1. Because the offence against the infinite Ma
jesty of God requires of His justice an unending
punishment; 2. Because all who die in sin remain
eternally hardened in sin; and 3. Because only the
everlasting pains of Hell are a sufficient means to
deter man, even in secret, from evil.
*265. Will all the damned suffer equally?
No; for each shall suffer according to his sins,
and according to the bad use he has made of the
graces given to him.
266. Will all the damned be damned through
their own fault?
Yes; for all men may be eternally happy, if they
will use the plentiful graces which God gives them.
'God will have all men to be saved, for there is one
mediator of God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who
gave Himself a redemption for all' (1 Tim. ii. 4-6). ´´Be-
fore man is life and death; that which he shall choose
shall be given him' (Ecclus. xv. 18).
*267. What is meant by the Four Last Things?
Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven.
268. What word concludes the Apostles' Creed ?
'Amen,' which means 'So it is,' or 'So be it.'
269. Why do we conclude the Apostles' Creed
with this word?
To declare that we firmly believe all that is con-
tained in the Apostles' Creed, and that we are de-
termined to live and die in this belief.
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Application: 'In all thy works remember thy last end,
and thou shalt never sin.' Consider that once lost, lost
for ever.' 'Momentary joy brings on eternal pain, but
short pain eternal joy.'
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PART II.
THE COMMANDMENTS.
270. To obtain eternal salvation is it enough
to believe all that God has revealed?
No; we must also keep His Commandments.
'If thou wilt enter into life, keep my Commandments'
(Matt. xix. 17).
271. Can we keep the Commandments of God?
Yes, with the help of God's grace, which He
gives to all who ask it.
'His Commandments are not heavy' (1 John v. 3).
"My yoke is sweet, and my burden light' (Matt. xi. 30).
THE CHIEF COMMANDMENT.
272. Which is the chief Commandirent, that in-
cludes all others?
The Commandment of the Love of God and of
our Neighbor. It is also called the Commandment
of Charity.
273. How is this Commandment expressed?
In these terms:
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'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole
heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind,
and with thy whole strength. This is the greatest and
the first Commandment. And the second is like to this:
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself' (Mark xii. 30,
31; Matt. xxii. 37-40).
§ 1. The Love of God.
274. What is the love of God?
It is a virtue by which we give ourselves to Him
who is the Sovereign Good, with all our heart, in
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
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order to please Him by doing His will, and to be
united with Him.
*275. What sort of love must we have for God?
1. Our love must be supernatural; 2. We must
love Him above all things; and 3. Our love must
be active.
*276. When is our love supernatural?
Our love is supernatural when, with the help of
God's grace, we love Him as we know Him, not
only by our reason but by our faith.
'Now the end of the Commandment is charity, from a
pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned
faith' (1 Tim. i. 5).
*277. When do we love God above all?
We love God above all when we would rather
lose all else than be separated from Him by sin.
'For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor an-
gels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present,
nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor depth, nor
any other creature shall be able to separate us from the
love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Rom、
viii. 33, 39).
*278. When is our love active?
Our love is active when we try to please God-
that is, when we keep His Commandments.
'He that hath my Commandments,' etc. (John xiv. 21).
*279. Why should we love God?
1. Because He is the sovereign and most per-
fect Good; 2. Because He has loved us first and
has bestowed numberless blessings upon us in soul
and body; and 3. Because He commands us to love
Hin, and promises us eternal salvation as a reward
for our love.
*280. When is our love of God perfect?
Our love is perfect when we love God above all
things, because He is infinitely good in Himself and
infinitely good to us.
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CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine.
'Let us therefore love God, because God first hath
loved us' (1 John iv. 19).
94
*281. When is our love imperfect?
Our love is imperfect when we love God chiefly
because we expect good things from Him.
282. How is the love of God lessened and driven
away?
By mortal sin the love of God is driven from
our hearts, and by venial sin its fervor is lessened.
Application: In order to exercise yourself in the love of
God often think of Him and pray to Him; do and suffer
everything for His sake, and fear nothing so much as
offending Him.
§2. The Love of our Neighbor.
283. Whom must we love next after God?
Our neighbor-that is, all men without ex-
ception.
*284. Why must we love our neighbor?
1. Because Christ our Lord commands it; 2.
Because He has taught it to us by His own ex-
ample; 3. Because every one is a child and an
image of God, was redeemed by the blood of Christ,
and is called to eternal salvation.
'Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God cre-
ated us? Why then doth every one of us despise his
brother?' (Mal. ii. 10).
285. What sort of love must we have for our
neighbor?
Our love must be, 1. Sincere; 2. Disinterested;
3. General.
286. When is our love sincere?
When we love our neighbor really as ourselves
(1 John iii. 18).
287. When do we love our neighbor as our-
selves?
When we observe the command of Christ: Al
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
things whatsoever you would that men should do
to you, do you also to them' (Matt. vii. 12).
*288. When is our love disinterested?
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When we do good to our neighbor for God's
sake, and not in order to be praised or rewarded
by men (Luke xiv. 14).
*289. When is our love general?
When we love every one, whether friend or
enemy (Matt. v. 46, 47).
Example: The Good Samaritan.
290. Is it enough if we do not take revenge on
our enemies?
No; God commands us to love our enemies-
that is, to wish them well, and to be ready to help
them in their need as inuch as we can.
'But I say to you, Love your enemies; do good to them
that hate you,' etc. (Matt. v.) Example: St. Stephen.
*291. What sort of people does Holy Scripture,
in a particular manner, recommend to our love?
The poor, widows and orphans, and in general
all who are in bodily or spiritual need.
*292. How are we to help them?
By the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
*293. Which are the Corporal Works of Mercy?
These seven 1. To feed the hungry; 2. To
give drink to the thirsty; 3. To clothe the naked;
4. To give shelter to the homeless; 5. To visit
the imprisoned; 6. To visit the sick; 7. To bury
the dead.
*294. Which are the Spiritual Works of Mercy?
These seven: 1. To warn sinners; 2. To instruct
the ignorant; 3. To counsel the doubting; 4. To
comfort the sorrowing; 5. To bear wrongs patiently,
6. To forgive injuries; 7. To pray for the living
and the dead.
Application: Be peaceable and kind with every one,
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
especially with your brothers, sisters, and relations.
Never return evil for evil; but pray for those who have
offended you.
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§ 3. Christian Self-Love.
295. May a Christian love himself also?
Yes, he may and ought to love himself; for
Christ says:
Thou shalt love they neighbor as
thyself!
296. In what does Christian self-love consist?
Christian self-love consists in being above all
things anxious for the salvation of our soul.
*297. What must we be careful to do for the
salvation of our soul?
1. We must avoid sin and all occasion of sin; 2.
If we have sinned we must do penance at once; 3.
We must try to practise virtue and do good works.
298. May we also love our body and the
temporal goods of this life in a Christian manner?
Yes, we may and ought, in a Christian manner,
to love our body and temporal goods, such as
health, property, and our good name.
*299. What is opposite to this Christian self-
love?
Inordinate self-love.
- *300. When is self-love inordinate?
1. When we prefer our own honor and will to
the honor and will of God; 2. When we are more
anxious for our body and temporal things than for
our soul and eternal things; 3. When we seek our
own welfare to the injury of our neighbor.
Application: Take care to avoid that evil self-love
which makes us think, speak, and act only for ourselves,
forgetful of the honor of God and the welfare of our
neighbor.
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UATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 97
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
301. Where is our duty to God and our neigh-
bor most fully stated?
In the Ten Commandments which God gave to
Moses written on two tables of stone.
302. Which are the Ten Commandments?
1. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have
strange gods before me; thou shalt not make to
thyself any graven thing to adore it.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy
God in vain.
3. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath
day.
4. Honor thy father and thy mother, that it may
be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the
earth.
5. Thou shalt not kill,
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbor.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house,
nor his field, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor
his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is his.
303. What Commandments were on the first
table?
The first three Commandments, of the love and
fear of God.
304. What Commandments were on the second
table?
The other seven Commandments, of the love of
our neighbor.
305. What should lead us to keep the Command-
ments?
1. The reverence, love, and thankfulness which
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we owe to God; 2. The fear of eternal punish-
ment and the hope of eternal reward.
FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOD.
'I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange
gods before me; thou shalt not make to thyself any
graven thing to adore it.'
306. What is commanded by the First Com-
mandment?
To pay to Almighty God due honor and adora-
tion.
307. How many kinds of honor do we owe God?
Two: namely, inward and outward honor.
308. How do we honor God inwardly?
1. By faith, hope, and charity; 2. By adoring
Him and thanking Him; 3. By zeal for His honor
and by submitting humbly to His will.
309. How do we sin against faith?
1. By infidelity, heresy, and scepticism; 2. By
speaking and writing against faith, by reading ir-
religious books or by listening to them; 3. By in-
difference in matters of faith, or by actually deny-
ing it.
310. How do we sin against hope?
1. By despair; and 2. By presumption.
311. When do we sin by despair?
When we do not hope at all in God, or when
we do not hope with confidence in Him.
Example: Cain and Judas; Moses and the Israelites
in the desert.

312. What are we to hope for from God?
We must above all hope for everlasting life and
whatever is necessary for it-that is, the grace of
God and the forgiveness of our sins.
*313. Why must we hope for these things?
Because God, who is all-powerful, merciful, and
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
truthful, has promised them to us, and because Je-
sus Christ has merited them for us.
314. What is Christian Hope?
Christian Hope is a virtue from God by which we
confidently expect all that He has promised us
through the merits of Jesus Christ.
*315. May we hope for temporal goods from God?
Yes, so long as they do not hinder us from eter-
nal salvation.
316. When do we sin by presumption?
1. When, relying on the mercy of God, we con-
tinue to sin or put off repentance to the hour of
death; 2. When we rashly expose ourselves to
danger because we think that God will save us
from it.
317. How do we sin against the love of God?
By all mortal sins, but especially by indifference,
hatred, or distaste for God and his fatherly com-
mands.
318. How do we honor God outwardly?
We honor God outwardly when we attend re-
ligious services, by kneeling in prayer, and by
otherwise showing our respect.
Example: Daniel in the den of lions (Dan. vi.)
319. How do we sin against the outward worship
of God?
By neglecting to attend divine service, or by not
behaving reverently when we are present.
320. Can we sin in any other way against the
honor of God?
Yes, by idolatry, superstition, witchcraft, sacri-
lege, and simony.
*321. When do we commit idolatry?
When we pay divine honor to any creature or
thing, as the heathens did.
*322. When do we sin by superstition ?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
1. When we honor God or the Saints in any way
contrary to the teaching of the Church; 2. When
we impute to things, words, or signs a certain power
which they have not by nature, or by the prayers
of the Church, or by the command of God.
*323. When are people guilty of witchcraft?
When they try, by the help of evil spirits, to find
hidden treasures, to injure others, or to work won-
derful things.
100
*324. What is sacrilege?
Sacrilege is a profanation of holy things; persons,
or places.
Examples: Punishment of King Baltassar (Dan. v.), of
Heliodorus (2 Mac. iii.) How Christ cast the sellers out
of the Temple (John ii. 15).
*325. When do we commit simony?
When we buy or sell spiritual things, preferments,
and the like, as Simon the Magician intended to
do (Acts viii.)
Application: Every day make Acts of Faith, Hope,
and Charity. At church behave with reverence, and pray
devoutly on your knees with your hands joined.
FIRST COMMANDMENT (continued).
The Veneration and Invocation of the Saints.
326. What does the Catholic Church teach as to
the veneration and invocation of the Saints?
She teaches that it is right and wholesome to
honor and invoke the Saints.
*327. What is the difference between the honor
we show to God and that which we show the
Saints ?
1. We honor God and pray to Him as our Sover-
eign Lord; but we honor the Saints only as his
faithful servants and friends. 2. We honor God
for His own sake; but we honor the Saints on ac-
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
count of the gifts and advantages which they have
received from God.
101
328. What should be our chief object in honor-
ing the Saints?
To become like them by imitating their virtues,.
in order to share hereafter in their eternal happi-
ness.
329. What is the difference between our prayers
to God and those to the Saints?
We pray to God that He may help us by His
omnipotence; but we pray to the Saints that they
may help us by their intercession with God.
330. Whom should we honor in an especial man--
ner above all the Angels and Saints?
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.
331. Should we honor the images of Jesus Christ
and of the Saints?
Yes, certainly; for if we honor the portraits of
our parents, we should all the more honor the im-
ages of our Lord and of His Saints.
*332. But does not Scripture say: 'You shall not
make to yourselves any idol or graven thing'?
Yes; but it adds, 'to adore it,' as the heathen
1
did.
*333. But is it not superstitious to pray before im-
ages?
Not at all, as long as we pray not to the images,
but to Jesus Christ and to the Saints whom they
represent.
*334. Why do we honor the relics of the Saints?
Because their bodies were temples of the Holy
Ghost, and will one day rise from the dead to eter-
nal glory.
Application: Honor the Saints, and especially the Bless
ed Virgin, St. Joseph, and your patron Saint. Diligently
read their lives and faithfully follow their example.
:
102 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
SECOND COMMANDMENT OF GOD.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in
vain.'
335. What does the Second Commandment for-
bid?
It forbids all profanation of the holy name of
God.
336. How do we profane the name of God?
1. By uttering it disrespectfully; 2. By blas-
phemy; 3. By sinful swearing and by cursing; and
4. By breaking oaths or vows.
337. What is blasphemy?
Blasphemy is contemptuous or abusive language
uttered against God, the Saints, or holy things.
፡
This sin is so great that, in the Old Law, those who
were found guilty of it were put to death. 'He that blas-
phemeth the name of the Lord, dying let him die; all the
multitude shall stone him' (Levit. xxiv. 16).
*338. Can we be guilty of blasphemy in thought?
Yes, when we willingly think with disrespect of
God or the Saints.
339. What is swearing?
To swear or to take an oath is to call God to wit-
ness that we speak the truth or that we will keep
our promise.
340. How do we sin by swearing?
1. When we swear falsely or in doubt; 2. When
we swear without necessity, or induce others to do
30; 3. When we swear to do evil or to omit what
is good; and 4. When we do not keep our oath,
although we can keep it.
'Thou shalt swear in truth, and in judgment, and in
justice' (Jer. iv. 2).
341. What means swearing falsely or in doubt?
1. To assert with an oath that something is true,
103
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
although we know that it is not true, or do not
know whether it is true or not; and 2. To pro-
mise with an oath what we do not intend to per-
forin.
342. What must we think of perjury or false
swearing?
Perjury, especially in a court of justice, is one of
the greatest crimes, because he who commits it, 1.
Mocks the wisdom and justice of God; 2. Destroys
the last means of preserving truth and faith amongst
men; and 3. Almost solemnly renounces God and
calls down His vengeance upon himself.
'There shall come a curse to the house of him that
sweareth falsely in my name, and it shall,' etc. (Zach v.
3, 4).
343. What is cursing?
To curse is to wish evil either to one's self or to
another, whereby the name of God is often dishon-
ored.
*344. What is a vow?
A vow is a free promise made to God to do some-
thing that is agreeable to Him, although there was no
obligation to do it.
*345. Are we bound to keep a vow?
It is a sacred duty to keep a vow, unless it be
impossible to do so.
346. Is it enough not to dishonor the name of
God?
No; we must honor it by thankfully praising it,,
piously calling upon it, steadily professing it, and
always defending its honor.
Application: Carefully avoid the shameful habit of
cursing and swearing. Out of the mouth of a Christian,
a child of God, nothing unholy should go forth. 'A
man that sweareth much shall be filled with iniquity, and
a scourge shall not depart from his house' (Ecclus.
xxiii. 12).
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104 Catechism of Catholic DOCTRINE.
THIRD COMMANDMENT OF GOD.
'Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.'
347. What is commanded by the Third Com-
mandment?
To keep holy the Lord's day by doing works of
piety and refraining from servile works.
348. Why do we Christians keep Sunday as
Sabbath?
Because it was on Sunday that Christ arose from
the dead, and it was on Sunday that He sent down
the Holy Ghost upon His Church.
349. What pious works should we do on Sunday?
We are bound to hear Mass, and, if possible, we
should attend the other services of the Church,
especially the Sermon and Catechism. And we
should worthily receive the Holy Sacraments.
350. What are servile works?
All bodily works which are commonly performed
by servants, day-laborers, and trades-people.
351. Is it never permitted to do servile work on
Sunday?
It is, when the pastors of the Church, for weighty
reasons, give a dispensation, or in case of urgent
need.
*352. Are only those guilty who do such work
themselves?
No; all are guilty who, without need, require
those under them to do such work, or allow them
to do it.
*353. Is Sunday profaned only by servile work,
and staying away from Divine Service?
No; it is likewise profaned by debauchery, in-
temperance, wild sports, and unseemly amuse-
ments.

Application: Always observe the Lord's day and do
not be led to profane it by excessive fondness for amuse-
ment, or by the bad example of infidels, or of wicked men.
Kytys
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 105
FOURTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD.
'Honor thy Father and thy Mother.'
354. What is commanded by the Fourth Com-
mandment?
It commands children and inferiors to show
reverence, love, and obedience to their parents and
superiors.
355. Why should children revere, love, and obey
their parents?
Because next to God their parents are their
greatest benefactors, and supply His place in their
regard.
356. When do children sin against the reverence
they owe their parents?
1. When they despise their parents; 2. When
they speak ill of them; 3. When they treat them
harshly or insolently.
'Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him
not in his life; and if his understanding fail, have patience
with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy
strength; for the relieving of the father shall not be for-
gotten' (Ecclus. iii. 14, 15).
357. When do children sin against the love they
owe their parents?
1. When they do not pray for their parents;
2. When they grieve them or make them angry;
3. When they do not help them in their need;
4. When they do not bear with their faults.
'He that striketh his father or mother shall be put to
death. He that curseth his father or mother shall die
the death' (Exod. xxi. 15, 17). Example: Jesus even on
the cross was watchful for his mother.
358. When do children sin against the obedience
they owe their parents?
;
1. When they obey them badly, or not at all
2. When they do not willingly take their advice;
3. When they resist their corrections.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
'If a man bave a stubborn and unruly son, who will
not hear the commandments of his father or mother, and,
being corrected, slighteth obedience, they shall take him,
and bring him to the ancients of the city, and shall say
to them: This our son is rebellious and stubborn, he
slighteth hearing our admonitions, he giveth himself to
revelling, and to debauchery and banquetings: the
people of the city shall stone him, and he shall die; that
you may take away the evil out of the midst of you, and
all Israel hearing it may be afraid' (Deut. xxi. 18-21).
106
359. What may those children expect who do
not fulfil their duty to their parents?
In this life they may expect the curse of God,
disgrace, and dishonor; and in the life to coine,
eternal damnation.
'Cursed be he that honoreth not his father and mother,
and all the people shall say: Amen' (Deut. xxvii. 16).
360. What have those children to expect who
faithfully obey the Fourth Commandment ?
In this life the protection and blessing of God,
and in the life to come, eternal salvation.
'Honor thy father and thy mother, which is the first
commandment with a promise; that it may be well with
thee, and thou mayest be long-lived upon earth' (Eph. vi.
2,3). Examples: Sem, Isaac, and the young Tobias.
361. Whom must we honor, love, and obey be-
sides our parents?
Our guardians, teachers, employers, and all our
spiritual and temporal superiors.
362. From whom do temporal and spiritual
rulers derive their authority?
From God Himself, who has set them over us for
our own good.
'Let every soul be subject to higher powers; for there
is no power but from God, and those that are, are ordain-
ed of God. Therefore, he that resisteth the power, re-
sisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist pur-
chase to themselves damnation. Wherefore be subject of
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CATECHISM Of Catholic Doctrine.
necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience'
sake. Render therefore to all men their dues: tribute to
whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to
whom fear; honor to whom honor' (Rom. xiii. 1–7).
107
*363. How do we sin against temporal and spirit-
ual authority?
1. By impudence and calumny; 2. By disobedi-
ence and rebellion.
364. When are parents, or temporal or spiritual
authorities, not to be obeyed?
When they ask us to do what is not permitted by
God.
We ought to obey God rather than men' (Acts vii. 29).
Examples: The three young men at Babylon; the Apos-
tles before the Council.
Application: Honor your parents, teachers, pastors,
your lawful rulers, and all whom God has set above you.
Obey cheerfully and willingly as did the divine Child
Jesus.
FIFTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD.
'Thou shalt not kill.'
365. What is forbidden by the Fifth Command-
ment?
All sins by which we may injure our neighbor
or ourselves, bodily or spiritually.
366. When do we injure our neighbor bodily?
1. When we strike, wound, or kill him; 2. When
by annoyance or harsh treatment we embitter and
shorten his life.
*367. Is it ever lawful to kill?
Yes; it is lawful, 1. For the supreme authority
to do so in the execution of criminals (Rom. xiii.
4); and 2. For others, in defence of their country,
or when necessary in protecting life from unjust
attack.
368. Does the Fifth Commandment forbid only
the taking our neighbor's life?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
It forbids also everything which leads to that
crime, such as anger, hatred, envy, quarrelling, in-
sulting words, and imprecations.
'Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer' (1 John
iii. 15).
*369. When do we sin against our own life?
1. When we take away our own life; 2. When
we impair our health by intemperance in eating
and drinking, by violent anger, by immoderate
grief, or in other ways.
*370. Should we never expose our life or health
to danger?
Never; unless a higher duty requires it (Matt.
x. 28).
*371. May we desire our own death?
No; not when the desire comes from dejection
or despair, but we may when we ardently desire to
be united with God in Heaven.
108
'I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ' (Phil.
i. 23).
372. When do we injure our neighbor spiritual-
ly?
When we scandalize him-that is, when we inten-
tionally tempt him to sin, or give him occasion to
commit it.
373. What should keep us from giving scandal?
1. The thought that he who gives scandal and
tempts to sin is a minister of Satan, destroying
those souls which Jesus Christ has redeemed with
His Blood (John viii. 44); 2. The dreadful conse-
quences of this sin, and the awful sentence of Jesus
Christ: Woe to that man by whom the scandal
cometh' (Matt. xviii. 7).
'He that shall scandalize one of these little ones that
believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone
should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be
drowned in the depth of the sea' (Matt. xviii. 6).
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
Examples: Eleazar, who chose to die rather than scan-
dalize young men (2 Mac. vi.), and St. Paul (1 Cor.
viii. 13).
109
374. What must we do when we have injured
our neighbor as to his body or soul?
We must not only repent and confess our sin,
but we must also, as far as we can, repair the evil
we have done.
375. What is commanded by the Fifth Com-
mandment?
We are commanded to live in peace and union
with our neighbor.
Application: Never presume to curse, abuse, or strike
any one. Shun a tempter as you would the devil, for he
seeks to kill your soul. Beware of killing your neighbor's
soul by any scandalous word or deed.
SIXTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD.
'Thou shalt not commit adultery.'
376. What is forbidden by the Sixth Command-
ment?
1. Adultery and all sins of impurity, as unchaste
looks, words, and jests, and everything immodest;
and 2. Everything that leads to impurity (Eph.
v. 3, 4).
*377. Why must we carefully guard against im-
purity?
Because 1. No sin is more shameful, and 2. No
other sin is attended with such dreadful conse-
quences.
*378. What are the consequences of impurity?
1. It robs man of his innocence and infects his
body and soul; 2. It leads him to many other sins,
and often to murder and despair; and 3. It plunges
him into misery, dishonor, and shame, and at last inte
eternal damnation (Ecclus. xix. 3) and (Apoc. xxi. 8).
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
379. What ought we to do when we are in
doubt whether anything is a sin against purity?
We ought to consult our Director, and in the
meantime avoid what we are in doubt of.
380. What is commanded by the Sixth Com-
mandment?
To be decent and modest in all our thoughts,
looks, words, and actions.
*381. What should we do to preserve our purity?
We should, 1. Shun all bad company and all oc-
casions of sin; 2. Often receive the Holy Sacra-
ments; 3. In temptation have recourse to God and
to the Blessed Virgin; and 4. Remember that God
sees everything and that we may die at any mo-
ment.
Application: Think on the words of Holy Scripture:
Oh how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory;
for the memory thereof is immortal, because it is known
both with God and with men' (Wisd. iv. 1). Therefore,
whether you are alone or with others, never do or say
anything that may not be said or done before decent
people.
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD.
Thou shalt not steal.'
382. What does the Seventh Commandment for-
bid?
To injure our neighbor in his property by robbery
or theft, by cheating, usury, or in any other unjust
way.
*383. Who are guilty of robbery or theft?
1. All who take away other people's goods, or
help to do it, and 2. All who buy stolen property,
or do not give up what they have found, or who do
not pay their debts.
*384. Who are guilty of cheating?
Those who impose upon their neighbors by false
weight or measure, with bad money, or bad articles.
1
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 111
*385. Who are guilty of usury?
Those who ask unlawful interest for the money
they lend.
*386. In what other way is the Seventh Com-
mandment broken?
When we damage another's houses, lands, crops,.
or animals, and, in general, whenever we unjustly
injure our neighbor in his property.
387. What must we do when we are in posses-
sion of ill-gotten goods or have wrongfully injured
our neighbor?
We must restore the ill-gotten goods, and, so far
as we can, repair the injury we have done; other-
wise we cannot obtain forgiveness from God.
*388. Who is bound to make restitution or repa-
ration?
1. He who wrongfully holds another's goods, or
has really done the injury; 2. And if he does not.
do it, then those are bound to make restitution or
reparation who have been accessory to the sin by
act or omission.
*389. To whom must restitution of ill-gotten
goods be made?
To the owner or to his heirs; but if this be ia-
possible, they must be given to the poor or devoted
to other good works.
*390. What must one do who cannot make resti-
tution at once?
He must sincerely desire to do so as soon as pos-
sible, and in the meantime he must strive to enable
himself to perform this duty.
391. What are we commanded by the Seventh
Commandment?
We are commanded to give every one what be-
longs to him, and to be charitable to our neighbor.
Application: Never steal anything, no matter how small,
and remember the words: A little of one's own is better
112
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
than much of another's.' Never steal from your parents,
for 'He who takes anything from his father or his mother,'
etc. (Proverbs xxviii. 24). Brothers and sisters and others
of the household are often, through such stealing, unjust-
ly blamed or suspected.
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT OF God.
'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.'
392. What does the Eighth Commandment for-
bid?
The Eighth Commandment forbids above all to
give false evidence-that is, to tell a falsehood in a
court of justice.
'And bringing two men, sons of the devil, they made
them sit against him [Naboth]; and they, like men of
the devil, bore witness against him before the people'
(3 Kings xxi. 13).
forbidden by the
393. What other sins are
Eighth Commandment?
1. Lies and hypocrisy; 2. Detraction and ca-
lumny or slander; and 3. False suspicion and rash
judgment.
394. What is meant by a lie?
To say knowingly and deliberately what is not
true with the intention of deceiving.
395. Is it ever lawful to tell a lie?
It is never lawful to tell a lie, either for our own
sake or for another's.
'A lie is a foul blot in a man' (Ecclus. xx. 26). 'Lying
lips are an abomination to the Lord' (Prov. xii. 22).
Example: Punishment of Ananias and Saphira (Acts
▼.)
396. How do we sin by hypocrisy ?
We sin by hypocrisy by pretending to be better
or more pious than we really are, in order to deceive
others.
Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! be-
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 113
cause you are like to whited sepulchres, which outwardly
appear to men beautiful, but within are full of dead men's
bones, and of all filthiness. So you also outwardly indeed
appear to men just, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy
and iniquity' (Matt. xxiii. 27, 28).
397. How do we sin by detraction?
We sin by detraction when we reveal the faults
of others without necessity.
398. How do we sin by calumny or slander?
We sin by calumny or slander when we impute to
our neighbor faults which he has not at all, or
when we exaggerate the faults which he has.
'If a serpent bites in silence, he is nothing better that
backbiteth secretly' (Ecclus. x. 11). Example: Aman
(Esth. xiii.)
399. What ought we to do when we have in-
jured the character of our neighbor by slander?
We ought to take back the slander and repair all
the injury we have done.
'A good name is better than great riches' (Prov. xxv.
-23).
400. Ought we to retract when we have made
known true but hidden faults?
In such a case we should try to excuse our neigh-
bor, or to repair his honor by some other lawful
means.
401. When do we sin by false suspicion and rash
judgment?
We sin, 1. By false suspicion when without
good reasons we surmise evil of our neighbor; and
2. By rash judgment when without good reasons
we believe the evil to be true and certain.
'Judge not, that you may not be judged' (Matt. vii.
1, 3).
402. What are we commanded by the Eighth
Commandment?
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CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine.
We are commanded to be sincere and always to
speak nothing but the truth.
4
114
Application: Shun lies and falsehoods. Speak kindly
of your neighbor; but do not conceal his faults from
those who can correct them.
NINTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.'
'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.'
403. What does the Ninth Commandment for-
bid?
The Ninth Commandment forbids the desire to
have another's wife, and in general all impure
thoughts and destres.
404. Are impure thoughts and desires always
sins?
They are not sins if they displease us, and we try
to drive them from our mind.
405. What are we commanded by the Ninth
Commandment?
We are commanded to think on such things only
as are modest and holy (Phil. iv. 8).
406. What does the Tenth Commandment for-
bid?
The Tenth Commandment forbids all voluntary
desire of our neighbor's goods.
'The desire of money is the root of all evils' (1 Tim. vi.
10).
407. What are we commanded by the Tenth
Commandment?
We are commanded to be content with our own,
and not to envy what belongs to others.
408. Why does God forbid not only evil actions
but also evil thoughts and desires?
Because evil thoughts and desires defile the heart,
and in the end lead to evil actions.
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Catechism of Catholic DOCTRINE.
Man seeth those things that appear, but the Lord
beholdeth the heart' (1 Kings xvi. 7).
115
Application. Keep your mind free from wicked thoughts
and desires, and always remember that the All-wise God
knows all that passes through our minds and hearts.
THE SIX COMMANDMENTS OF THE
CHURCH.
409. Are there any other Commandments besides
those of God which Christians are bound to keep?
Yes, the Commandments of the Church.
410. Whence does the Church get the right to
give Commandments?
From Jesus Christ Himself, who charged His
Church to guide and govern the faithful in His
name.
*411. Can the Church do no more than give Com-
mandments?
She also has a right to see that these Command-
ments are obeyed, and to punish those who dis-
obey them.
412. Which are the Commandments of the
Church?
These six: 1. To rest from servile work and to
hear Mass on all Sundays and Holydays of obliga-
tion; 2. To fast and to abstain on the days ap-
pointed by the Church; 3. To confess our sins at
least once a year; 4. To receive worthily the Bless-
ed Eucharist at Easter or within the time ap-
pointed; 5. To contribute to the support of our
pastors; 6. Not to marry persons within the for-
bidden degrees of kindred or otherwise prohibited
by the Church, nor to solemnize marriage at the
forbidden times.
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116 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
413. How do these Commandments of the Church
bind us?
They bind us under pain of grievous sin.
'If he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as
the heathen and publican' (Matt. xviii. 17).
Application: Resolve to obey at all times humbly and
conscientiously the Commandments and Decrees of the
Church, so that one day Jesus Christ may own you as a
faithful sheep of his flock, which He has charged St. Peter
and his successors to feed.
FIRST COMMANDMENT OF THE CHURCH.
414. What are we commanded by the First
Commandment of the Church?
By the First Commandment we are commanded
to keep holy the Sundays and the Holydays which
the Church has instituted in honor of our Lord
and of His Saints.
415. Why were the Feasts of our Lord insti-
tuted ?
J
The Feasts of our Lord were instituted so that
we might, 1. Meditate on the mysteries of our
redemption; 2. Thank God for His graces; and 3.
Renew our zeal in his service.
416. Why were the Feasts of the Saints insti-
tuted?
The Feasts of the Saints were instituted so that
we might, 1. Praise the Lord for the graces which he
has bestowed upon them; 2. Resolve to imitate
their virtues; and 3. Implore their intercession
with God.
417. How are we to keep holy the Sundays and
Holydays of obligation?
We are to keep holy the Sundays and Holydays
of obligation by resting from servile work and by
assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with at-
tention, reverence, and devotion.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 112
418. Who are bound to hear Mass on Sundays
and Holydays of obligation?
All are bound to hear Mass on Sundays and
Holydays of obligation who have come to the age
of reason (which is generally about the age of
seven), unless excused by weighty reasons.
419. When do we sin against this Commandment.
of the Church?
We sin against it, 1. When, through our own
fault, we lose Mass, or a part of it; and 2. When
during Mass we willingly give way to distractions,
talk, laugh, or otherwise behave disrespectfully.
'The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep
silence before Him' (Hab. ii. 20).
420. Is it enough if we hear Mass on Sundays
and Holy days of obligation?
No; zeal for the honor of God and the salvation
of our soul prompts us to attend the other religious
services, and especially the sermon and instruction.
in Christian Doctrine.
Application: Make it a rule to assist with devotion at
the Divine Service in the mornings and afternoons on:
Sundays and Holydays, and to prefer your own parish
church to any other.
SECOND COMMANDMENT OF THE CHURCH.
421. What are we commanded by the Second
Commandment of the Church?
We are commanded by the Second Command-
ment to observe the days of fasting and abstinence
appointed by the Church.
422. Which are Fast-days?.
The Fast-days are:
1. The Forty Days of Lent—that is, every day
from Ash-Wednesday to Easter, Sundays excepted;
2. The Ember Days-that is, Wednesday, Friday,
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Catechism of CatholIC DOCTRINE.
and Saturday at the beginning of each of the four
seasons; 3. The Vigils or Eves of certain Feasts;
4. The Fridays of Advent.
In most parts of North America there are five Vigils-
viz., Christmas Eve, Easter Eve, Eve of Pentecost or
Whit-Saturday, the Eve of the Assumption, and the Eve
of All Saints.
*423. Is it sufficient to abstain from flesh-meat
on these fast-days?
No; we must also not eat more than one meal,
and that not before noon. But a small collation
at night is not forbidden.
*424. Who are bound to fast?
All Christians who have completed the age of
twenty-one are bound to fast, unless excused by
some just cause.
425. When are we commanded to abstain from
flesh-meat?
We are commanded to abstain from flesh-meat,
unless dispensed, 1. On all Fridays and Saturdays
(Christmas-day excepted); 2. On the Sundays of
Lent; and 3. On all fast-days.
Our holy mother the Church has judged it expedient
to mitigate the severity of this ancient and general law,
in modern times, by dispensations which vary somewhat,
according to the different conditions of life, in various
countries. In virtue of those for the United States, 1.
Saturday is not a day of abstinence unless it be also a fast-
day; 2. Meat is allowed on all the Sundays of Lent,
without restriction as to times; 3. On some other days
each week in Lent, to be annually appointed for each
diocese by the Bishop, meat is also allowed at the din-
ner or principal meal. But when meat is so used by dis-
pensation at the principal meal on a fast-day or on a Sun-
day in Lent, fish cannot be used at the same meal. Every
one is bound to conform to the regulations and the
practice approved of by the Bishop or ecclesiastical
superior of his diocese.
426. Who are bound to abstain from flesh-meat?
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 119
All Christians who have reached the age of
seven are bound to abstain from flesh-meat, unless
excused by some just cause.
*427. What are those to do who cannot well ab-
stain from flesh-meat?
Those who cannot well abstain from flesh-meat
must apply to the Bishop, through their Pastor,
for a dispensation, and must perform other good
works instead.
*428. Why ought we to keep the days of fasting
and abstinence?
We ought to keep the days of fasting and absti-
nence in order, 1. To follow the example of Jesus
Christ and of all the Saints; 2. To do penance for
our sins; 3. To subdue more easily our wicked de-
sires; and 4. To show our obedience to our holy
Mother the Church.
'Be converted unto me with all your heart, in fasting,
and in weeping, and in mourning' (Joel ii. 12).
Application: Respect the Commandment of fasting and
abstinence as a Commandment which God Himself bas
given you through His Church, and consider it an honor
to observe it strictly.
THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH COMMANDMENTS OF THE
CHURCH.
429. What are we commanded by the Third and
Fourth Commandments of the Church?
We are commanded by the Third and Fourth
Commandments, 1. To confess our sins faithfully
at least once a year; and 2. To receive the Holy
Communion worthily at Easter or thereabouts.
430. To whom must our confession be made?
To any Priest authorized by the Bishop to hear
confessions?
431. Where must we receive Easter Commu-
nion?
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
We must receive Easter Communion in the par-
ish church, if possible, unless we have received per-
mission to do.otherwise.
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*432. Is it enough if we receive Holy Commu-
nion once a year?
No; it is the intention and earnest desire of our
holy Mother the Church that we should very
often partake of this grace.
Application: Make it a rule to go to Confession and
Holy Communion once a month.
433. What are we commanded by the Fifth
Commandment of the Church?
We are commanded to contribute willingly ac-
cording to our means to the support of our Pastors.
and our churches, and of religious institutions.
St. Paul says: 'So the Lord ordained, that they who
preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel' (Cor. ix.
13, 14).
(On the Sixth Commandment of the Church, see the
Sacrament of Matrimony.)
ON THE VIOLATION OF THE COMMANDMENTS.
§ 1. On Sin in General.
434. What is sin?
Sin is a wilful violation of the Law of God.
435. In how many ways may we sin?
We may sin, 1. By bad thoughts, desires, words,
and actions; and 2. By the omission of the good
that we are bound to do.
436. Are all sins equally grievous?
No; there are grievous sins which are called mor-
tal, and there are lesser ones called venial.
Some sins in the Holy Scripture are compared to motes,
and others to beams (Matt. vii. 3).
437. What is mortal sin?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
Mortal sin is a wilful violation of the Law of
God in an important matter.
438. Why are grievous sins called mortal?
They are called mortal because they take away
the supernatural life of the soul, which is sanctify-
ing grace; and because they bring everlasting
death and damnation upon the soul.
121
'Thou hast the name of being alive and thou art dead '
(Apoc. iii. 1).
439. What is venial sin?
Venial sin is a transgression of God's Law in a
small matter, or a transgression that is not quite
wilful.
*440. When is the transgression not quite wilful?
A transgression is not quite wilful when we do
not plainly see the evil or do not fully consent to it.
441. Why are lesser sins called venial?
They are called venial because they can be more
easily forgiven, and even without confession.
442. Should we fear only grievous sin?
No, we must fear and detest all sins, whether
mortal or venial, as the greatest evil on earth.
'How can I do this wicked thing, ard sin against my
God' (Gen. xxxix. 9).
443. What should keep us from committing sin?
The consideration of its wickedness and evil con-
sequences.
444. Wherein consists the wickedness of mortal
sin ?
The wickedness of mortal sin consists in this: 1.
It is a grievous offence against God, our Supreme
Lord; 2. It is shameful ingratitude to God, our
best Father; and 3. It is detestable infidelity to
our Redeemer, whom we should love above all
things.
445. What best shows the wickedness of sin?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
1. The severe punishment of the bad angels and
of our first parents; 2. The everlasting punishment
in hell which every mortal sin deserves; and 3. The
bitter Passion and Death which the Only Son of
God had suffered, in order to atone for our sins.
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446. What are the consequences of mortal sin?
Mortal sin, 1. Separates us from the friendship
and love of God; 2. It robs us of all merits and of
our right to Heaven; and 3. It brings upon us
the judgment of God, and at last everlasting dam-
nation.
'They that commit sin and iniquity are enemies of
their own soul' (Tob. xii. 10). Examples: Cain, Judas;
Parable of the rich man.
447. Why should we carefully avoid venial sin?
1. Because venial sin also is an offence against
God; 2. Because it hinders many graces which God
intends to give us; 3. Because it brings many pun-
ishments of God upon us; and 4. Because it gra-
dually leads to more serious sins.
'He that is unjust in that which is little is unjust also
in that which is greater' (Luke xvi. 10).
Application: My son, all the days of thy life have
God in thy mind, and take heed thou never consent to
sin.
We lead indeed a poor life; but we shall
have many good things, if we fear God, and depart from
all sin, and do that which is good' (Tob. iv. 6, 23).
§ 2. On the different kinds of Sin.
448. Which are the principal kinds of sin?
The principal kinds of sin are: 1. The Seven Cap-
ital or Deadly Sins; 2. The Six Sins against the
Holy Ghost; 3. The Four Sins that cry to Heaven
for vengeance; and 4. The nine ways of being ac-
cessory to another's sin.
449. Which are the seven Capital Sins?
The seven Capital Sins are: 1. Pride; 2. Covet-
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 123
ousness; 3. Lust; 4. Anger; 5. Gluttony; 6. Envy;
and 7. Sloth.
450. Why are they called Capital Sins?
They are called Capital Sins because they are the
fountain-head or source of all other sins.
451. When do we sin by Pride?
We sin by Pride when we think too much of our-
selves, do not give due honor to God, and despise
our neighbor.
'Pride is hateful before God and men. It is the be--
ginning of all sin. (Ecclus. x. 7, 15). Examples: Lucifer,
Nabuchodonosor, Holofernes, the Pharisee in the Temple..
452. When do we sin by Covetousness?
We sin by Covetousness when we unreasonably
serk money and worldly goods, and are hard-heart-
ed to those in distress.
'There is not a more wicked thing than to love money;
for such a one setteth even his own soul to sale' (Ecclus.
x. 10). Examples: Achab, Giezi, Judas.
453. How do we sin by Lust?
By indulging in immodest thoughts, desires,.
words, or actions.
(See the Sixth Commandment of God.)
454. When do we sin by Anger?
We sin by Anger when we fly into a passion at
what displeases us, and indulge a desire of revenge.
'Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and
clamor, and blasphemy be put away from you, with all
malice' (Ephes. iv. 31).
Example: Esau, while in anger, designs to kill his
brother Jacob.
455. When do we sin by Gluttony?
We sin by Gluttony when we eat or drink too
much or greedily.
"Their God is their belly' (Philip. iii. 19).
456. When do we sin by Envy ?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
**
We sin by Envy when we are displeased at the
good fortune of our neighbor, or glad of his mis-
fortune.
'By the envy of the devil death came into the world:
and they follow him that are of his side' (Wisd. ii. 24, 25).
Examples: Satan, Cain, Joseph's brethren, the Pha-
risees.
457. When do we sin by Sloth?
We sin by Sloth when we give way to laziness,
and thus neglect our duties.
'Go to the ant, O sluggard, and consider her ways,
and learn wisdom' (Prov. vi. 6). With regard to Spiritual
Sloth, or Lukewarmness in the service of God, our Lord
says: 'I would thou wert cold or hot! But because thou
art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to
vomit thee out of my mouth' (Apoc. iii. 16).
Examples: The slothful servant; the foolish virgins
(Matt. xxv.)
458. Which are the Six Sins against the Holy
Ghost?
The Six Sins against the Holy Ghost are: 1.
Presumption of God's mercy; 2. Despair; 3. Re-
sistance to the known Christian truth; 4. Envy at
another's spiritual good; 5. Obstinacy in sin; and
6. Final impenitence.
Examples: Cain, Pharao, the Pharisees, Elymas the
magician (Acts. xiii.)
459. Why are they called sins against the Holy
Ghost?
They are called sins against the Holy Ghost be-
cause they are opposed especially to the grace of the
Holy Ghost.
*460. Which are the Four Sins that cry to Heaven
for vengeance?
The Four Sins that cry to Heaven for vengeance
are: 1. Wilful murder; 2. Sodomy; 3. Oppres-
sion of the poor, and of widows and orphans; 4.
Defrauding laborers of their wages.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
*461. Why are they said to cry to Heaven for
vengeance?
Because on account of their horrible wicked-
ness they seem to cry out to Heaven for punish-
nent.
462. Which are the nine ways of being accessory
to another's sin?
The nine ways of being accessory to another's sin
are these: 1. By counsel; 2. By command; 3. By
consent; 4. By provocation; 5. By praise or flat-
tery; 6. By silence; 7. By connivance; 8. By par-
taking; 9. By defence of the ill done.
463. When are we answerable for another's sin?
Whenever in any of those nine ways we are the
cause of his sin or contribute to it.
a
Application: Every morning, when you get up, resolve
to guard most carefully during the day against your chief
fault. At night examine your conscience on it; and if
you have failed, repent, and purpose to confess it as soon
as possible. Always take good advice thankfully, and be
careful not to be accessory to another's sin.
ON VIRTUE AND CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.
464. Is it enough if we avoid sin and crime?
No; we must also try to become more and more
virtuous, and to reach the perfection suitable to our
state.
'He that is just, let him be justified still; and he that
is holy, let him be sanctified still' (Apoc. xxii. 11).
§ 1. On Virtue.
465. Why should we try to become more and
more virtuous ?
Because the more virtuous we are, the better we
are, and the more pleasing to God.
466. In what does Christian virtue consist?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
Christian virtue consists in the constant will and
effort to do what is pleasing to God.
*467. How many classes of Virtues are there?
There are two classes of Virtues: Theological
and Moral Virtues.
*468. Which are the Theological Virtues?
The Theological Virtues are Faith, Hope, and
Charity.
*469. Why are these Virtues called Theological?
These virtues are called Theological because they
come directly from God and directly relate to Him.
470. When should we make acts of Faith,
Hope, and Charity?
We should often make acts of Faith, Hope, and
Charity, but especially, 1. When tempted against
these virtues; 2. When we receive the Holy Sac-
raments; and 3. When we are in danger of death.
471. How may we make acts of Faith, Hope,
and Charity?
We may make them in the following manner:
AN ACT OF FAITH.
O my God, I firmly believe all the sacred truths
which Thy Holy Catholic Church believes and
teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who
neither canst deceive nor be deceived.
AN ACT OF HOPE.
O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and
Thy infinite mercy and goodness, and because
Thou art faithful to Thy promises, I hope to ob-
tain the pardon of my sins, the assistance of Thy
grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
AN ACT OF CHARITY.
O my God, I love Thee above all things with my
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
127
whole heart and soul, purely because Thou art in-
finitely perfect and deserving of all love. I also
love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee.
I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon
of all whom I have injured. Amen.
*472. What do we call those Virtues which can
be acquired by practice?
Those virtues which can be acquired by practice
we call Moral Virtues, because they guide our
moral life according to the will of God.
*473. Which are the four Cardinal Virtues in
which all others are included?
The four Cardinal Virtues are, 1. Prudence;
2. Justice; 3. Fortitude; and 4. Temperance.
'
They are called Cardinal Virtues because they are, as
it were, the hinges (cardines) by which the whole moral
life of a Christian is supported, and on which it must
constantly move."
*474. What is Prudence?
(
Prudence teaches us not only to know and to
will what is right, but also to choose the proper
means.
'Prove what is the good, and the acceptable,
and the perfect will of God' (Rom. xii. 2).
*475. What is Justice?
Justice disposes us always to do what is right
and to give to every one his due.
'Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to
God the things that are God's' (Matt. xxii. 21).
*476. What is Fortitude?
Fortitude gives us courage to suffer anything
rather than fail in our duty.
Example: The seven Machabees and their mother, who
esteemed torments as nothing (2 Mac. vii. 12).
*477. What is Temperance?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
Temperance subdues those inclinations and de-
sires which may lead to evil.
**
• Refrain yourselves from carnal desires, which war
against the soul' (1 Pet. ii. 11).
*478. What Virtues are opposite to the seven
Capital Sins?
These seven: 1. Humility; 2. Liberality; 3.
Chastity; 4. Meekness; 5. Temperance in eating
and drinking; 6. Brotherly Love; 7. Diligence.
Application: Unless you persevere in the struggle with
your wicked inclinations, you will not acquire the Chris-
tian Virtues; therefore fight faithfully until death and
God will give you the crown of life (Apoc. il. 10).
*S 2. On Christian Perfection.
479. In what does Christian Perfection consist?
Christian Perfection consists in freedom from all
inordinate or excessive love of the world and of our-
selves, so that we may love God above all, and all
things in God.
'What have I in Heaven? and besides Thee what do I
desire upon earth? Thou art the God of my heart,
and the God that is my portion for ever' (Psalms lxxii.
25, 26).
480. Which is the best way to Perfection?
The imitation of Jesus Christ.
'If thou wilt be perfect,
(Matt. xix. 21).
and come, follow me'
481. What particular means has Jesus Christ
recommended for attaining perfection?
Chiefly those called the Evangelical Counsels.
482. Which are the Evangelical Counsels?
The Evangelical Counsels are, 1. Voluntary
Poverty; 2. Perpetual Chastity; and 3. Entire
Obedience to a Spiritual Superior.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
483. Who are obliged to observe the Evangelical
Counsels?
129
All Religious, and all those who have bound
themselves by vow to keep them.
484. Can people in the world lead a perfect life?
Yes, if they live not according to the spirit of
the world, but according to the spirit of Jesus
Christ.
He said to all: 'Be ye therefore perfect, as also your
Heavenly Father is perfect' (Matt. v. 48).
485. But is the spirit of the world opposed to
the spirit of Christ?
Most certainly it is, as we see from those sen-
tences of our Saviour called the Eight Beatitudes.
486. Which are the Eight Beatitudes?
1. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is
the kingdom of Heaven.
2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess
the land.
3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall
be comforted.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after
justice; for they shall have their fill.
5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall ob-
tain mercy.
6. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall
see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall
be called the children of God.
7
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for
justice' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven'
(Matt. v. 3-10).
487. How do we know that the spirit of the
world is opposed to the spirit of Christ?
We know it because the world calls those very
persons foolish and miserable whom our Lord calls
blessed.
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130 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
488. What must we do to attain to Perfection?
To attain to Perfection we must, 1. Take de-
light in and attentively hear the Word of God, and
often receive the Holy Sacraments; 2. We must
constantly deny ourselves; and 3. We must per-
form our daily actions in the state of grace and in
a manner pleasing to God.
489. How should we deny ourselves?
We should deny ourselves many things that are
pleasant to us, even lawful things, so as the more
easily to abstain from unlawful things.
490. How may we perform our daily actions in
a manner pleasing to God?
By keeping the life of Jesus Christ in our mind,
and striving to imitate Him.
491. How should we do our daily work?
After the example of Christ-industriously,
cheerfully, and according to the will of God.
492. What should we do at meal-time?
We should say grace reverently and devoutly
before and after meals, and be temperate and
modest at the table.
493. How should we act under affliction?
We should remember that affliction comes from
God, and we should offer it to Him, and beg of
Him the grace to make a good use of it.
Application: Think that these words, which God spoke
to Abraham, are addressed also to you: 'Walk before
me, and be perfect' (Gen. xvii. 1). Strive earnestly to
become more and more pious and virtuous. 'My son,
serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind; for
the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the
thoughts of minds. If thou seek Him, thou shalt find
Him; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for
ever' (1 Par. xxviii. 9).
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​PART III.
ON THE MEANS OF GRACE.
GRACE IN GENERAL.
494. Can we by our own strength keep the
Commandments and be saved?
No, we cannot, without the grace of God.
'Without me you can do nothing,' says Christ (John
xv. 5).
495. What do we mean by the grace of God?
By the grace of God we mean an interior super-
natural help or gift which God confers upon us,
through the merits of Jesus Christ, for our eter-
nal salvation.
496. How many kinds of grace are there?
There are two kinds: 1. The grace of assistance,
called also actual grace; and 2. The grace of
sanctification, called also sanctifying grace or habi-
tual grace.
§ 1. On the Grace of Assistance.
497. In what does Actual Grace consist?
Actual Grace consists in this: that God enlight-
ens our understanding, and inclines our will to
avoid evil and to desire and to do what is good.
498. Is Actual Grace necessary ?
Actual Grace is so necessary that without it we
cannot begin, continue, or accomplish the least
thing towards our salvation.
'For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to
accomplish' (Philip ii. 13).
1.

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واه در کر
132 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
499. Does God give His grace to all men?
Yes; God gives to all men sufficient grace to
work out their salvation.
'God will have all men to be saved, and to come to the
knowledge of the truth' (1. Tim. ii. 4).
500. What must we do that the grace of God
may lead to our salvation?
We must not resist it, but faithfully co-operate
with it.
'We exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God
in vain' (2 Cor. vi. 1).
501. Can we resist the grace of God?
We can; for God's grace does not force our
will, but leaves it perfectly free.
'To-day, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your
hearts' (Ps. xciv. 8).
Application: Pray daily for the grace of God, and be
careful not to close your heart against it.
§ 2. The Grace of Sanctification.
502. What is Sanctifying Grace?
Sanctifying Grace is an unmerited supernatural
gift which the Holy Ghost imparts to our souls, and
which renders us just, children of God, and heirs
of Heaven.
503. Why is sanctifying grace an unmerited
gift?
Because it is a free gift coming from the pitying
love of God.
'For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God;
being justified freely [i.e., without their desert] by His
grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus'
(Rom. iii. 23, 24). -
*504. Why is sanctifying grace also called 'Justi-
fying Grace'?
/
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 133
Because by sanctifying grace we are justified-
that is, we are brought from sin to the state of
righteousness and holiness.
505. Where does the sinner receive sanctifying
grace?
First in the Sacrament of Baptism; and if he has
lost it, he recovers it in the Sacrament of Penance.
506. How long does sanctifying grace remain in
the soul?
A
As long as we are free from mortal sin.
507. What fruits does the just man produce by
the help of grace?
(
He produces good, or meritorious, works: For
every good tree bringeth forth good fruit' (Matt.
vii. 17).
*508. Can one who is in mortal sin do good?
He can do good, but cannot merit Heaven (John
xv. 4, 5).
4
*509. Is it useless, then, to do good when in mor-
tal sin ?
On the contrary, it is very useful for obtaining
from God's mercy the grace of conversion, and
sometimes for averting temporal punishment.
Example: The Ninivites.
510. What do we merit by good works done in
the state of grace?
We merit, 1. An increase of sanctifying grace;
and 2. Eternal salvation.
511. Whence do our good works derive their
merit?
From the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, whose
living members we are through sanctifying grace
(John xv. 5).
512. Must every Christian perform good works ?
Yes, for 'every tree that doth not yield good
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Catechism of CATHOLIC Doctrine.
fruit shall be cut down, and cast into the fire'
(Matt. iii. 10).
*513. What good works are especially recom-
mended in Holy Scripture?
The Scriptures specially recommend prayer, fast-
ing, and alms, by which in general are understood
works of devotion, mortification, and charity.
'Prayer is good with fasting and alms, more than to
lay up treasures of gold' (Tob. xii. 8).
•
514. What does God most consider in our good
works?

Our good intention, through which we may merit
from God great reward for even small works.
515. What is good intention?
Good intention is the desire, or act of the will,
to serve God and to honor Him.
516. How may we briefly form a good intention?
We may say, 'My Lord and my God, all for Thy
honor.'
517. When should we form a good intention?
It is useful to form a good intention often during
the day, and especially in the morning.
518. What principal means have we to obtain
grace?
The Holy Sacraments and Prayer.
Application: Strive most carefully to preserve sancti-
fying grace always in your heart by avoiding sin and per-
forming good works.
THE SACRAMENTS.
519. What is a Sacrament?
A Sacrament is a visible sign, instituted by Jesus
Christ, through which invisible grace and sanctifica-
tion are communicated to our souls.
520. What constitutes a Sacrament?
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.. 135
Three things: 1. A visible sign; 2. An in-
visible grace; and 3. Institution by Jesus Christ.
521. What graces do the Sacraments confer?
1. The Sacraments either communicate or in-
crease sanctifying grace; and 2. Each Sacrament
communicates peculiar graces suited to the end for
which it was instituted.
522. How must we receive the Sacraments in
order to obtain their graces?
We must prepare ourselves well for them, and
then receive them worthily.
523. What sin does he commit who receives a
Sacrament unworthily?
He commits a very grievous sin-a sacrilege.
524. Do the Sacraments depend for their efficacy
upon the worthiness of those who administer them?
No; the Sacraments have their efficacy from the
infinite merits of Jesus Christ, by whom they were
instituted.
525. How many Sacraments did Christ institute?
These seven: 1. Baptism; 2. Confirmation; 3.
Holy Eucharist; 4. Penance; 5. Extreme Unction ;
6. Holy Orders; and 7. Matrimony.
526. How do we know that there are seven
Sacraments?
We know it because the Church, which is the
pillar and ground of the truth' (1 Tim. iii. 15),
has at all times taught and used these seven.
*527. How are the Sacraments divided?
They are divided, 1. Into Sacraments of the
living and Sacraments of the dead; and 2. Into
such as can be received only once, and such as can
be received more than once.
*528. Which are the Sacraments of the living?
The Sacraments of the living are: 1. Confirma-
tion; 2. Holy Eucharist; 3. Extreme Unction;
4. Holy Orders; and 5. Matrimony.
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*529. Why are they called Sacraments of the
living?
Because to receive them we should have super-
natural life—that is to say, sanctifying grace.
*530. Which are the Sacraments of the dead?
The Sacraments of the dead are Baptism and
Penance.
*531. Why are they called Sacraments of the
dead?
Because to receive them we either have not, or
are not required to have, the life of grace.
*532. Which Sacraments can be received only
once ?
Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.
*533. Why can they be received only once?
Because they imprint upon the soul an indelible
mark.
Application: Thank God with your whole heart for the
precious Sacraments, and beware of profaning them by
disrespectful language or by unworthily receiving them.
BAPTISM.
534. Which is the first and most necessary
Sacrament?
The first and most necessary Sacrament is Bap-
tism.
535. Why is Baptism the first Sacrament?
Because before Baptism no other Sacrament can
be validly received.
536. Why is Baptism the most necessary Sacra-
ment ?
Because without Baptism no one can be saved.
'Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy
Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God' (John
iii. 5).
537. What is Baptism?
Baptism is a Sacrament in which, by water and
Catechism of CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 137
the word of God, we are cleansed from all sin,
and regenerated and sanctified in Christ to life
everlasting.
*538. Why do we say that we are baptized ‘by
water and the word of God'?
Because Baptism is administered by pouring
water over the head or over the body of him who
is to be baptized, and at the same time pro-
nouncing the words, 'I baptize thee in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.'
*539. Why do we say that in Baptism we are
cleansed from all sin'?
Because in Baptism original sin, and all other
sins committed before Baptism, are forgiven.
540. And is the punishment due to sin remitted?
Yes; the temporal as well as the eternal punish-
ment is remitted in Baptism.
*541. And why do we say that we are 'regen-
erated and sanctified to life everlasting'?
Because in Baptism we are not only cleansed
from all sin, but are also transformed in a spiritual
manner, and are made holy, children of God, and
heirs of Heaven.
*542. How is this regeneration and sanctification
effected?
It is effected by sanctifying grace, through which
the Holy Ghost infuses the Theological Virtues
into the soul.
'The charity of God is poured forth into our hearts by
the Holy Ghost, who is given us' (Rom. v. 5).
*543. And why do we say that we are regenerated
and sanctified in Christ'?
(
To signify that in Baptism all these graces are
given us, because we are there united to Christ
and incorporated with His Church.
138
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
*544. Who can validly baptize?
Any person; but, except in case of necessity, nohe
are allowed to baptize but priests who have care
of souls.
*545. What sort of water should be used for
Baptism?
Any natural water will do for the validity of
Baptism. But, when possible, baptismal water,
blessed for the purpose, should be used.
*546. What intention must he have who bap-
tizes ?
He must have the intention really to baptize-
that is, to do what the Church does or what Christ
has ordained.
*547. What vows do we make in Baptism?
These vows: 1. To believe firmly and always
the doctrines of the Catholic Church; 2. To shun
sin and all occasions of evil; and 3. To live a pious
life.
*548. What must sponsors, or godfathers and
godmothers, bear in mind?
They should bear in mind that they become the
spiritual parents of the infant to be baptized, and
that they make the baptismal vows in its name,
and therefore, 1. Should be good Catholics them-
selves; 2. If the infant lose its parents they should
see that it is instructed in the Catholic religion,
and properly brought up according to its station in
life; and 3. They cannot marry their godchild or
its parents.
*549. Can nothing supply the place of Baptism
by water?
When Baptism by water cannot be had it may
be replaced by the Baptism of desire or by the
Baptism of blood.
*550. What is the Baptism of desire?
Baptism of desire is an earnest wish to receive
Catechism of CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
139
Baptism, accompanied with a perfect contrition or
a pure love of God.
*551. What is the Baptism of blood?
Martyrdom for the sake of Christ.
Application: Never forget what you owe to God for
the priceless grace of Baptism, and what the Priest said
when he put the white garment upon you: 'Receive this
white garment, and bring it unspotted before the judg-
ment-seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, that thou mayest ob-
tain life everlasting.' Renew your Baptismal vows often
-every Sunday, if possible.
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CONFIRMATION.
552. What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is a Sacrament in which, through
the laying on of the Bishop's hands, anointing, and
prayer, those who have been baptized are strength-
ened by the Holy Ghost, in order that they may
steadfastly profess their faith and piously live up
to it.
pr
Example: The Apostles Peter and John went into Sa-
maria, and there confirmed those who had been already
baptized (Acts viii.)
553. What are the effects of Confirmation?
1. Confirmation increases sanctifying grace; 2.
In it the Holy Ghost comes to help us to fight.
against evil and to grow in virtue; and 3. It im-
prints an indelible spiritual mark upon us
soldiers of Christ.
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554. Who has power to confirm?
The power to confirm belongs to the Bishops as
successors of the Apostles.
555. How does the Bishop give Confirmation?
The Bishop spreads his hands over those to be
confirmed, and prays the Holy Ghost to descend up-
on them; and then he lays his hand upon each
one, and anoints him with holy chrism; and he
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140 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
concludes by giving them the Episcopal Bene-
diction.
556. How does the Bishop anoint those to be
-confirmed?
C
He makes the sign of the Cross with chrism up-
on the forehead of each one, saying at the same
time: I sign thee with the sign of the Cross, and I
confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.'
557. Of what does the chrism consist?
Of oil of olives and balsam.
558. What does the oil signify?
The oil signifies inward strength for the combat
with the enemies of our salvation.
559. Why is fragrant balsam mixed with the oil?
Fragrant balsam is mixed with the oil to signify
that he who is confirmed receives the grace to keep
himself clean from the corruption of the world, and
to give forth the sweet odor of virtue by leading a
pious life.
560. Why does the Bishop make the sign of the
Cross on the forehead of him whom he confirms ?
To teach us that a Christian must never be
ashamed of the Cross, but boldly profess his faith
in Jesus crucified.
'I am not ashamed of the Gospel; for it is the power
of God unto salvation to every one that believeth' (Rom.
i. 16).
561. Why does the Bishop, after anointing him,
give him a slight blow on the cheek?
To remind him that, as he is now strengthened,
he should be ready to suffer patiently any humilia-
tion for the name of Jesus.
562. Is Confirmation necessary to salvation?
Confirmation is not necessary to salvation; yet it
2
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine. 141
would be sinful to neglect receiving it out of in-
difference.
563. Who can receive Confirmation ?
Every one who is baptized.
564. How is one to receive Confirmation?
1. One should be in the state of grace, and should
pray devoutly for the gift of the Holy Ghost; 2.
He should promise God to live and die a good
Christian; 3. He should not leave the church be-
fore the Bishop has given his benediction.
565. What is required of the sponsors in Con-
firmation?
They must be Catholics, must have been con-
firmed, and should encourage those for whom they
stand by deed and word.
Application: Perform without fear all the duties of a
Catholic Christian.
THE HOLY EUCHARIST.
$1. The Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed
Sacrament.
566. What is the Holy Eucharist ?
It is the true Body and the true Blood of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who is really and substantially
present under the appearances of bread and wine
for the nourishment of our souls.
It is called Eucharist from the Greek word Eucharistia,
which means Good Grace.
567. Are all the essentials of a Sacrament in the
Holy Eucharist ?
Yes; there are, 1. The visible sign-that is, the
appearances of bread and wine; 2. The invisible
grace, which is Jesus Christ Himself, the Author
and Dispenser of all graces; and 3. The institu-
tion by Jesus Christ.
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142 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
568. When did Jesus Christ institute this Sac-
rament?
He instituted it at the Last Supper the evening
before His bitter Passion.
*569. How did He institute it?
7
Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke and gave
it to His Disciples, saying: Take ye and eat;
this is my Body. After that, in like manner,
He took the chalice with wine in it, blessed and
gave it to His Disciples, saying: 'Drink ye all of
this; this is my Blood.'
'Do this for a commemoration of me' (Short Hist. of
Rel., § 24).
*570. What became of the bread and wine when
Jesus pronounced the words, 'This is my Body;
this is my Blood'?
The bread was changed into the true Body, and
the wine into the true Blood, of Jesus Christ?
*571. What then remained of the bread and
wine?
Nothing but their appearances.
*572. What is meant by the appearances of bread
and wine?
All that our senses perceive of bread and wine—
as form, color, taste, etc.
*573. How do we know that with the words,
This is my Body; this is my Blood,' Christ gave
His true Body and His true Blood to His Apostles?
We know it, 1. Because Christ had long before
promised to His Disciples that He would give
them His real Flesh to eat and His real Blood to
drink, and then, at the Last Supper, He plainly
*The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of
the world. The Jews, therefore, strove among them-
selves, saying: How can this man give us His flesh to
eat? Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine. 143
declared that what He then gave them as food and
drink was really His Body and His Blood; and
2. Because the Apostles and the Catholic Church
have ever believed and taught so.
*
*574. Did Christ give His Apostles this power of
changing bread and wine into His sacred Flesh and
Blood?
Yes; He gave them this power with the words,
'Do this for a commemoration of me.'
*575. To whom did this power pass from the
Apostles?
It passed from the Apostles to the Bishops and
Priests.
*576. When do the Bishops and Priests exercise
this power.
At Mass, when they pronounce over the bread
and wine these words: "This is my Body, this is
my Blood.'
*577. Is there, then, no bread and wine on the
altar after the consecration?
No; there is then on the altar the true Body and
the true Blood of Jesus Christ, under the appear-
ances of bread and wine.
578. How long does Christ remain present with
His sacred Flesh and Blood?
As long as the appearances of bread and wine
continue.
579. Is the Body of Christ alone present under
unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man,
and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you. For
my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed'
(John vi. 52, etc.)
*The teaching of the Apostles, especially of St. Paul,
is evident from 1 Cor. x. 16 and xi. 23-29; and the teach-
ing of the whole Church from the beginning is shown
from her prayers and rites relating to the Divine Service;
from the decrees of her Councils; and from the numerous
testimonies of the holy Fathers and ecclesiastical writers.
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144 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE,
the appearance of bread, and the Blood of Christ
alone present under the appearance of wine?
No; under each appearance Christ is present en-
tire and undivided, as He is entire and undivided
in Heaven.
580. When the Priest breaks or divides the Sa-
cred Host, does he also break the Body of Christ?
No; he breaks or divides the appearances only.
The entire and living body of Christ is present in
each part in a true though mysterious manner.
581. What does the Real Presence of Jesus
Christ in the Blessed Sacrament require us to do?
To visit Him often, and to adore Him with the
deepest humility and the warmest love.
582. What other reasons are there for the real
Presence of Christ.
He is present for two other reasons 1. That He
may offer Himself for us in the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass; and 2. That in Holy Communion He
may give Himself to us for the nourishment of our
souls.
Application: Be always respectful and devout when in
church, where our Lord and Saviour is pleased to be pres-
ent. Go there often to adore Him and implore His grace.
§ 2. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
583. What is a Sacrifice?
A Sacrifice is that first and highest act of Reli-
gion in which a duly authorized person offers to
God some sensible thing which is visibly immolated
either physically or mystically, in token and ac-
knowledgment of God's supreme dominion over
all things and of our total dependence on Him.
13
He who sacrifices is styled a priest; the sensible thing.
which is sacrificed is called the victim; the place where
it is sacrificed is the altar. These four-priest, victim,
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CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine.
altar, and sacrifice-are inseparable. Each one of them
calls for the others.
145
*584. Have Sacrifices always been offered?
Yes, Sacrifices have been offered from the begin-
ning of the world, and under the Old Law they
were commanded by God Himself.
*585. Why were the Sacrifices of the Old Law
abolished?
Because they were only symbols of the unspot-
ted Sacrifice of the New Law, and were therefore
not to last longer than the Old Law itself.
*586. Which is the Sacrifice of the New Law?
The Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ, who, by
His death on the Cross, offered Himself to His
Heavenly Father for us (Heb. ix. 14).
*587. Was all Sacrifice to cease with the death
of Christ?
No; in the New Law of Grace there was to be
a Perpetual Sacrifice, as God had promised by the
Prophet Malachy.
'From the rising of the sun even to the going down
my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place
there is Sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean
oblation' (Mal. i. 10, 11).
*588. What is this perpetual Sacrifice foretold by
Malachy?
It is the Sacrifice of the Mass.
589. Who instituted the Sacrifice of the Mass?
Jesus Christ instituted the Sacrifice of the Mass
at the Last Supper.
590. What is the Mass?
The Mass is the perpetual Sacrifice of the New
Law in which Christ our Lord offers Himself to His
Heavenly Father, under the appearances of bread
and wine, by the hands of the Priest, in an un-
bloody manner, as He once offered Himself on the
Cross in a bloody manner.
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146 Catechism of Catholic DOCTRINE.
*591. What is the difference between the Sacrifice
of the Mass and the Sacrifice of the Cross?
The Sacrifice of the Mass is essentially the same
as that of the Cross, but the manner of offering is
different.
*592. Why is the Sacrifice of the Mass the same
as that of the Cross?
Because in both the same Victim is offered-
Jesus Christ our Lord.
*593. How is the manner of offering different in
both?
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On the Cross Christ offered Himself for us in a
bloody manner, while in the Mass He offers Himself
in an unbloody manner.
NOTE: On the Cross Christ died. In the Mass He does
not die, but His death on the Cross is mystically repre-
sented by the apparent separation of the Body and the
Blood under the distinct appearances of the bread and of
the wine.
594. What are the parts of the Mass?
The principal parts of the Mass are, 1. The
Offertory; 2. The Consecration; and 3. The Com-
munion.
*595. To whom do we offer the Sacrifice of the
Mass?
We offer it to God alone; but we also celebrate
in it the memory of the Saints.
*596. How do we celebrate the memory of the
Saints in the Mass?
1. By thanking God for the grace and salvation
bestowed upon them; and 2. By asking their
intercession for us.
597. For what ends do we offer the Mass to
God?
We offer it to God, 1. As a Sacrifice of Praise
for His honor and glory; 2. As a Sacrifice of
Thanksgiving for all the graces and benefits re-
;
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
ceived from Him; 3. As a Sacrifice of Propitia-
tion for our many offences against Him; and 4.
As a Sacrifice of Prayer to obtain His assistance in
all our needs of soul and body.
147
*598. To whom are the fruits of the Mass applied?
To the whole Church, both to the living and to
the dead.
Application: Assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
with sincere devotion and with great reverence, and try
to hear Mass every day. At the Offertory offer yourself
with Jesus Christ to your Heavenly Father; at the Con-
secration humbly adore your Saviour and beg His
pardon; at the Communion communicate, at least.
spiritually- that is to say, desire earnestly to be united
with your dear Lord in this Sacrament of Love.
*§ 3. Holy Communion.
599. What is Holy Communion ?
Holy Communion is the actual receiving of the
real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for the nourish-
ment of the soul.
600. Who has commanded us to receive Holy
Communion?
6
God has commanded it, as well as the Church.
For Christ our Lord says plainly: Amen, amen,
I say unto you, except you eat the Flesh of the
Son of man, and drink His Blood, you shall not
have life in you' (John vi. 54).
601. Must we drink of the chalice in order to
partake of the Blood of Christ?
No; for the Blood of Christ cannot be separated
from His Body, and under the appearance of the
bread we receive His Body and His Blood.
602. Why, then, did Christ institute the Holy
Eucharist under both kinds?
Because He instituted it not merely as a Sacra-
ment but also as a Sacrifice, for which both kinds.
are necessary.
148 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
603. What graces does Holy Communion impart
to us?
1. It unites us most closely to Christ and in-
creases sanctifying grace; 2. It weakens our evil
inclinations and makes us able and eager to do
good; 3. It cleanses us from venial sin and pre-
serves us from mortal sin; 4. It is a pledge of our
resurrection and everlasting salvation.
604. Does every one receive graces in Holy Com-
munion?
No; whoever receives Holy Communion un-
worthily-that is, in mortal sin-brings damnation
upon himself.
'Whoever shall eat this Bread or drink the Chalice of
the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the Body and of
the Blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and
so let him eat of that Bread, and drink of the Chalice ;
for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth_and
drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Body
of the Lord' (1 Cor. xi. 27–29). Comparison with the Ark
of the Covenant, which brought happiness and blessing
upon the pious Israelites, but misfortune and a curse
upon the impious Philistines.
605. What sin does he commit who communi-
cates unworthily?
Like Judas, he commits a horrible sacrilege.
606. What must we do when we have committed
a grievous sin?
We must make a good confession before we re-
ceive.
'Let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that
Bread' (1 Cor. xi. 28).
607. What other preparation must we make for
Holy Communion?
We must try, 1. To cleanse our soul from venial
sin also; and 2. Excite ourselves to fervor and de-
votion.
Catechism OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
608. Does venial sin render our Communions
unworthy?
Venial sin does not render them unworthy or
sacrilegious, but it lessens the graces which we
would otherwise receive.
149
609. How can we excite ourselves to fervor and
devotion?
By pious meditation and devout exercises.
610. Which are the best exercises before Holy
Communion?
The Acts, 1. Of Faith and Adoration; 2. Of
Humility and Contrition; and 3. Of Hope, Love,
and ardent Desire.
611. How must we prepare ourselves as to the
body?
1. We must be fasting-that is, we must not
have eaten or drunk the least thing from twelve
o'clock the night before; and 2. We must be de-
cently dressed.
612. Who are dispensed from the obligation of
fasting at such a time?
Those who are dangerously ill and receive the
Blessed Sacrament as a Viaticum-that is to say,
as a préparation for their last journey.
613. How should we approach the altar-rail?
With the greatest reverence, with hands joined
and downcast eyes.
614. What should we do at the time of receiving
the Sacred Host?
We should spread the communion-cloth under
the chin, throw back the head, put out the tongue
and extend it a little upon the lower lip, and then
most reverently receive the Sacred Host.
Do not keep the Sacred Host in your mouth until it is
quite dissolved; but let it moisten a little upon your
tongue, and then swallow it. Should it stick to the roof
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150 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE,
of your mouth, remove it with your tongue, and not with
your finger.
615. What should we do after receiving Holy
Communion?
We should retire with the greatest modesty to
our place, and spend some time in devout prayer.
616. What sort of prayers ought we especially to
say after Holy Communion?
Those in which we humble ourselves before the
Lord, thank Him, offer ourselves up to Him, ex-
press our love, and implore His graces.
617. How should we spend the day of Commu-
nion ?
We should spend it as much as possible in pious
exercises, and avoid worldly recreations and amuse-
ments.
Application: Resolve to approach the Holy Table as
often as is permitted, and receive the Bread of Angels
with as much devotion and purity of heart as you can
attain.
PENANCE.
618. What is the Sacrament of Penance?
It is a Sacrament in which the Priest, as God's
representative, forgives sins, when the sinner is
heartily sorry for them, sincerely confesses them,
and is willing to do penance for them.
619. Does the Priest really forgive the sins, or
does he only declare them forgiven?
The priest really and truly forgives sins through
the power given him by Christ.
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620. When did Christ give the power of for-
giving sins?
When after His resurrection He breathed upon
the Apostles and said to them: 'Receive ye the
Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they
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Catechism of Catholic DoctriNE. 151
are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain,
they are retained' (John xx. 22, 23).
621. Did Christ impart this power to the Apos-
tles alone?
No; He imparted it to all their successors in the
priesthood also, as the Church has always believed
and taught.
622. Why was the power of forgiving sins to
pass from the Apostles to their successors?
Because Christ instituted His means of salvation
for all times and all men.
623. Can all sins be forgiven in the Sacrament
of Penance?
Yes; all sins committed after Baptism can be
forgiven, if we confess them with the right dispo-
sition of repentance.
'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to for-
give us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity'
(1 John i. 9).
624. Why must we confess our sins in order to
be forgiven?
Because Christ so ordained when He instituted
the Sacrament of Penance,
625. How do we prove that Christ ordained
'Confession?
We prove it by His own words, 'Whose sins
you shall forgive,' etc., for unless we make known
our sins to the Priest, he cannot judge whether to
forgive or to retain them.
626. Is the Sacrament of Penance necessary for
salvation to all who have sinned?
It is necessary for salvation to all who have com-
mitted grievous sin after Baptism.
627. Can sin be forgiven without the Sacrament
of Penance?
When the Sacrament of Penance cannot be
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152 CATECHISM Of Catholic DOCTRINE.
received it can be supplied by a perfect contrition and
a firm resolve to confess as soon as possible.
628. What does God do for us through the Sac-
rament of Penance?
1. He forgives sins committed after Baptism; 2.
He remits the eternal and a part of the temporal
punishment due for our sins; 3. He restores sanc-
tifying grace, or, if not lost, increases it; and 4.
He confers other graces to enable us to lead a holy
life.
629. How many things are necessary to receive
the Sacrament of Penance worthily?
These five: 1. Examination of Conscience; 2.
Contrition; 3. Resolution of Amendment; 4.
Confession; and 5. Satisfaction, or Penance.
·
§ 1. Examination of Conscience.
630. What do we mean by Examination of Con-
science?
Examination of conscience is a serious medita-
tion upon our sins in order to know them well.
631. How must we begin the Examination of
Conscience?
▸
We must begin by imploring the Holy Ghost
to give us the grace to know, to repent, and to con-
fess our sins.
632. How may we implore the Holy Ghost for
this grace?
Come, O Holy Ghost! enlighten my under-
standing, that I may rightly know my sins; and
move my heart, that I may properly repent of
them, sincerely confess them, and truly amend my
life.
633. How should we examine our conscience?
1. We should find out when we last made a
good Confession and whether we performed the
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Catechism of Catholic Doctrine.
penance given us; and 2. We should go through
the Commandments of God and of the Church, our
duties in life, and the different kinds of sin, so as to
know how we have offended God in thought, word,.
deed, and omission.
634. How may children easily remember their
sins?
By considering how they have behaved in church,
in school, at home towards their parents, brothers,
and sisters, in the street or at work, when alone or
in company.
153
635. Must we examine as to the number and
circumstances of our sins?
Yes; at least when they are mortal.
636. What faults should we guard against in
examining our conscience?
1. We must not examine ourselves too hastily or
slightly; 2. We must not skip our favorite sins;
and 3. We must avoid becoming too scrupulous.
637. How can we make our examination easy?
By examining our conscience every day, and by
going to Confession often.
§ 2. Contrition.
5
638. What is Contrition ?
Contrition is a hearty sorrow for our sins and a
hatred of them.
Example: Peter went out and wept bitterly' (Matt.
xxvi. 75).
639. What qualities must Contrition have?
It must be, 1. Interior; 2. Universal; and 3.
Supernatural.
640. How must Contrition be interior?
We must grieve for our sins not merely in words,
but we must also hate them in our heart as the
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greatest evil, and sincerely wish we had not com-
mitted them.
'A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit; a contrite and
humble beart, O God, Thou wilt not despise' (Ps. 1. 19).
641. How must Contrition be general?
We must be sorry for all the mortal sins we have
committed.
642. Is our confession valid if we have no sorrow
for our venial sins?
If we have only venial sins to confess, and are
not sorry for any of them, our confession is null.
643. How must Contrition be supernatural?
We must grieve for our sins not merely because
of the temporal trouble they bring us, but because
they offend God, deprive us of His grace, deserve
Hell, and call for punishment from God.
644. Why is it not enough to be sorry for our
sins on account of the temporal trouble they bring
us ?
Because to be sorry for sin only because through
it we have lost health, property, reputation, etc.,
is nothing but natural sorrow, which does not avail
for everlasting life.
Thus the sorrow of King Saul, Antiochus, and others
was a merely natural sorrow; on the contrary, that of
King David, Mary Magdalen, Zacheus, the Apostles Pe-
ter and Paul, and other Scripture penitents, was super-
natural.
645. What should we do to obtain supernatural
Contrition ?
We should, 1. Earnestly ask God for His grace;
and 2. Seriously think on what Faith teaches us
of the wickedness of sin and its evil consequences.
646. How many kinds of supernatural Contri-
tion are there?
There are two kinds, Perfect Contrition and
Imperfect Contrition.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine. 155
647. When is Contrition perfect?
Contrition is perfect when, out of a perfect love
of God, we hate sin more than all other evils, be-
cause it offends God, who is the Supreme Good.
648. When is Contrition imperfect?
When our love is not perfect, and when, there-
fore, our fear of Hell and of the loss of Heaven, or
our sense of the heinousness of sin itself, must unite
with it in causing us to detest sin above all other
evils, and to resolve to offend God no more.
649. Is Perfect Contrition necessary ?
Perfect Contrition is not necessary for Confession,
but yet we should strive to obtain it.
*650. Why should we strive to obtain Perfect
Contrition?
Because the more perfect our Contrition, the
more meritorious and the more pleasing to God is
our repentance, and the more certain will be our
forgiveness.
651. When should we make an Act of Perfect
Contrition, outside of Confession?
1. When in danger of death; and 2. As often
as we commit a mortal sin and cannot go to Con-
fession at once.
652. When must we make the Act of Contrition
in the Sacrament of Penance?
We must make it before our Confession, or at
least before the Priest gives us Absolution.
653. Can we obtain forgiveness without Contri-
tion in case of necessity?
No; Contrition is so necessary that nothing can
supply its place.
§ 3. Purpose of Amendment.
654. What must be joined with Contrition?
With Contrition there must be joined, 1. Hope
of forgiveness; and 2. Purpose of Amendment.
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156 Catechism of Catholic Doctrine.
655. What is a Purpose of Amendment?
A Purpose of Amendment is a sincere resolution
to amend our life and to sin no more.
656. What qualities must a Purpose of Amend-
ment have?
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Like Contrition, a Purpose of Amendment must.
be, 1. Interior or Sincere; 2. General; and 3. Su-
pernatural.
657. How do we form a Purpose of Amendment?
We resolve, 1. To avoid at least all grievous sins
and the proximate occasion of sin; 2. To use the
necessary means of amendment; and 3. To make
satisfaction for our sins, and repair whatever harm
we may have done our neighbor.
658. What means the proximate occasion of
sin?
Proximate occasion of sin means a person, com-
pany, amusement, or whatever else has caused us
to sin before, and is likely to do so again, unless
avoided.
659. What of those who will not avoid the prox-
imate occasion, or will not give up their habitual
sins?
The Priest's Absolution is of no use to them, but
only increases their guilt.
660. How can we make an Act of Contrition, with
a Resolution of Amendment, before going to Con-
fession?
In this manner: O my God! from the bottom of
my heart I am sorry for all my sins; not only be-
cause by them I have rendered myself unworthy of
Thy grace, and liable to Thy just punishment in
this life and in the next, but especially because I
have offended Thee, the Sovereign, Most Perfect,
and Most Amiable Good, whom I now love above
all things. I hate and detest all my sins, and am
firmly resolved never more to offend Thee, my
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
most amiable God, and carefully to avoid the occa-
sion of sin.
157
§ 4. Confession.
661. What is Confession?
Confession is the sorrowful accusation of our sins
to a Priest, in order that we may obtain absolution
from him.
662. What qualities are necessary for Confession?
Confession must be, 1. Complete; 2. Sincere;
and 3. Clear.
663. When is Confession complete?
Confession is complete when we confess at least
all the mortal sins that we remember, as well as
their number and circumstances.
664. What must we do if we cannot recall their
number?
We must tell the number as nearly as we can,
and declare about how often in a day, week, or
month we have committed the sin.
665. What circumstances must we confess?
Every circumstance, 1. That might make a mor-
tal sin of a venial one; or 2. That might change
a mortal sin into one of a different kind; for ex-
ample, a theft into a sacrilege.
666. What must we avoid in Confession?
We must avoid making known those who have
been concerned in our sins, and we must express
ourselves as modestly as possible.
667. Must we confess venial sins also?
We are not bound to confess venial sins, but it is
well to do so.
668. What must we do if in doubt whether a sin
is mortal or venial?
We should confess what we are in doubt about,
because many mistake mortal sins for venial ones.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
669. When is Confession sincere?
Confession is sincere when we frankly accuse our-
selves just as we are guilty before God, without
disguise or excuse.
670. What should he do who is ashamed to
confess?
He should consider, 1. That a Confession which
is not sincere is sacrilegious and merits eternal
damnation; and 2. That it is better to confess his
sins to a Priest, who will not betray them, than to
live unhappily in sin, and on the last day to be put
to shame before the whole world.
*671. What must we do if we have omitted a sin
which we were bound to confess?
1. If we have omitted any sin through forgetful-
ness, we must accuse ourselves of it in our next
confession; 2. If we have omitted any sin through
shame or through carelessness, the confession must
be all repeated, and we must accuse ourselves of
this omission.
672. When is Confession clear?
Confession is clear when we accuse ourselves in
plain language, so that the Confessor can see the
state of our conscience.
*673. What is a General Confession?
A General Confession is one in which we repeat
some or all of our former Confessions.
*674. When is a General Confession necessary?
Whenever a former Confession was useless
through want of sincerity, sorrow, purpose of
amendment, or of care in the examination of our
conscience.
675. How do you begin your Confession?
Having made the sign of the Cross, I say: 'I, a
poor and miserable sinner, accuse myself to God,
the Almighty, and to you, my Father, in His stead,
that since my last Confession, which was
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine. 159
have committed the following sins.' (Here I con-
fess my sins.)
Or in the following manner:
6
Having arrived at the Confessional, I kneel down,
make the sign of the Cross, and ask the Priest's
blessing by saying: 'Bless me, Father, for I have
sinned. After receiving his blessing I say the first
part of the Confiteor as far as through my most
grievous fault. Then I say how long it is since
my last Confession, whether I then received Abso-
lution and performed my Penance. After this I con-
fess all the sins I can recollect, beginning with those
which I may have forgotten in my last Confession.
676. How do you end your Confession?
6
In conclusion I say: For these, and all the sing
of my whole life, I am most heartily sorry, because
by them I have offended God, the Supreme and
Most Amiable Good. I detest all my sins, and am
firmly resolved to amend my life and to sin no
more. I humbly ask Penance and Absolution of
you, my Ghostly Father."
(
Or I conclude by saying: For these, and all my
other sins which I cannot at present call to my re-
membrance, and also for the sins of my past life,
especially for
I am heartily sorry, purpose
amendment for the future, and most humbly ask
pardon of God, and Penance and Absolution of you,
my Ghostly Father.' Here I finish the Confiteor:
'Therefore I beseech the Blessed Mary ever Virgin,
etc.
677. What should we do then?
We should then listen to the advice of the Con-
fessor and be attentive to the penance given us,
and should answer his questions with sincerity and
humility.
Take care not to leave the confessional until the Priest.
gives you some sign to go.
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§ 5. Satisfaction.
678. What is Satisfaction in the Sacrament of
Penance?
Satisfaction is the performance of the Penance
given us by the Confessor.
679. Why does the Confessor give us a penance?
He gives us a penance, 1. That we may satisfy
for the temporal punishment of our sins; and 2.
For the amendment of our life.
680. Does not God remit the punishment of sin
when He forgives the sin itself?
He remits the eternal punishment of the sin, but
not always the temporal punishment.
681. What is the temporal punishment of our
sins?
The temporal punishment of our sins is that
punishment which we must suffer either here on
earth or afterwards in Purgatory.
682. Is the Confession valid if the penance is not
performed?
If after Confession one should fail to perform the
penance which in Confession he was willing and
intended to perform, the Confession is not ren-
dered invalid, but he commits a new sin and de-
prives himself of many graces.
683. Should we perform only the penance given
us by the Confessor?
We should endeavor to satisfy the Divine
Justice by other voluntary works of penance and
by patience in our sufferings.
684. What may we expect if we do not make
satisfaction?
We may expect to suffer the more in Purgatory.
685. What else must we do after Confession?
After Confession we must, 1. Repair, as well as
we can, all injury that we have caused our neigh-
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE,
bor; and 2. Use the necessary means to amend our
lives and avoid relapsing into sin.
161
'Sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee'
(John v. 14).
Application: When you have sinned go at once to Con-
fession, but not without a strict Examination of Con-
science, a true Contrition, a firm Purpose of Amendment,
and a sincere declaration of your sins, so that this Sacra-
ment of Penance, so rich in grace if properly approached,
may not become a cause of eternal perdition for you.
* INDULGENCES.
686. How does the Church help us to discharge
the temporal punishment of our sins?
By granting us Indulgences.
687. What is an Indulgence?
An Indulgence is a remission of the temporal
punishment of our sins which the Church grants
us outside the Sacrament of Penance.
688. How can the Church remit the punishment
of our sins?
The Church satisfies the Divine Justice out of
the great treasure of the merits of Christ and His
Saints.
689. What must we believe as to Indulgences?
We must believe, 1. That the Church has power
to grant Indulgences; and 2. That the use of them
is wholesome.
690. From whom has the Church power to grant
Indulgences?
From Jesus Christ, who made no exceptions
when He said: 'Whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven' (Matt.
xvi. 19).
691. What is necessary to gain an Indulgence?
It is necessary, 1. To be in the state of grace;
and 2. To perform the good works prescribed for
the Indulgence.
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162 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
692. How many kinds of Indulgences are there?
There are two kinds : Plenary Indulgences, which
remit all the punishment of sin; and Partial In-
dulgences, which remit only a part of it.
693. Can Indulgences be made of use to the souls.
in Purgatory?
Yes, all Indulgences which the Pope has indi-
cated for that purpose.
Application: Value Indulgences, and miss no oppor-
tunity of gaining them for yourself and for the souls of
the faithful departed.
A
EXTREME UNCTION.
694. What is Extreme Unction?
Extreme Unction is a Sacrament in which a sick
person, through the anointing with holy oil, and
through the prayer of the Priest, receives the grace
of God for the good of the soul, and often also of
the body.
The Apostle St. James says of this Sacrament (v. 14,
15): Is any man sick among you, let him bring in the
Priests of the Church, and let them pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the
prayer of faith shall save the sick man, and the Lord
shall raise him up, and, if he be in sins, they shall be for-
given him.'
695. How is Extreme Unction administered?
6
The Priest anoints the different senses with holy
oil, and at each anointing prays in this form:
Through this holy unction, and His most tender
mercy, may the Lord forgive thee whatever sins
thou hast committed by thy sight' (by thy hear-
ing, etc.)
696. How does Extreme Unction act upon the
soul?
Extreme Unction, 1. Increases sanctifying grace;
2. It remits venial sins, and also the mortal sins
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CATECHISM of Catholic DOCTRINE.
which the sick person is no longer able to confess;
3. It takes away the remains of sins already for-
given; and 4 It strengthens the soul in its suffer-
ings and temptations, and especially in the struggle
of death.
163
697. How does Extreme Unction act upon the
body?
It often relieves the pains of the sick person, and
sometimes even restores his health, if recovery be
useful for the salvation of his soul.
698. Who can and ought to receive Extreme
Unction?
Every Catholic who has come to the use of reason
and is in danger of death by sickness.
*699. How should we receive Extreme Unction ?
We should receive it, 1. In the state of grace,
and we ought, therefore, previously to confess our
sins if possible, or at least make an act of perfect
contrition; and 2. With faith, hope, charity, and
resignation to the will of God.
*700. When should we receive Extreme Unction?
We should receive it, if possible, before we have
lost our senses and after having received the
Viaticum.
*701. How often can Extreme Unction be re-
ceived?
As often as we are dangerously ill, and in each
illness but once. But we may receive it again
upon relapse into danger.
Application: When God in His mercy visits you with a
dangerous illness, be careful not to put off receiving the
Holy Sacraments to the last moment, lest death surprise
you when it is no longer possible to have the attendance
of a priest.
*HOLY ORDERS.
702. Upon whom did Christ confer the Priest-
hood?
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164 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC Doctrine.
Upon His Apostles.
703. Was the Priesthood to end with the death
of the Apostles?
for the Church was not to end with their
No;
death.
704. How has the Priesthood been continued?
The Priesthood has been continued by the Sac-
rament of Holy Orders.
705. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
Holy Orders is a Sacrament in which the full
power of the Priesthood is conferred, as well as a
special grace to perform its sacred duties.
706. What are the chief powers of the Priesthood?
The chief powers are, 1. The changing of bread
and wine into the Body and Blood of our Lord;
and 2. The forgiveness of sins.
707. Who can validly administer this Sacrament?
Bishops, who have received this power by a par-
ticular consecration, and none others.
708. What are the visible signs of this Sacra-
ment?
The visible signs are the laying-on of hands,
the prayer of the Bishop, the delivery of the
chalice with wine, and of the paten with bread.
By prayer and the laying-on of hands Paul and Barna-
bas were also ordained: 'Then they, fasting and pray-
ing, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them
away' (Acts xiii. 3).
709. Can civil authorities or Christian communi-
ties confer spiritual powers?
No; they cannot confer spiritual powers on
others, for they do not possess them themselves.
710. Can a priest lose his ordination?
No; for, like Baptism, it imprints an indelible
mark on the soul.
711. Are there other orders besides those of
Priest and Bishop?
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 165
There are others, which are preparatory degrees
to the Priesthood.
712. Who can and should become Priests?
Only those whom God has called.
"
Application: Always pay proper respect and submis-
sion to Priests, as the representatives of God and the
dispensers of His Holy Mysteries, and often pray the
Lord of the harvest, that He send forth laborers into His
harvest' (Matt. ix. 38).
* MATRIMONY.
713. What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?
Matrimony is that Sacrament in which a single
man and a single woman are joined together in
marriage, and receive grace from God to fulfil the
duties of their state faithfully until death.
714. When was Matrimony established?
God established Matrimony in the Garden of
Paradise, but Christ raised it to a Sacrament, and
the Church has always so believed and taught.
'This is a great Sacrament, but I speak in Christ and
in the Church' (Ephes. v. 32).
715. How is this Sacrament received?
The bridegroom and the bride should declare be-
fore their Pastor and two witnesses that they take
one another as husband and wife, whereupon the
Priest blesses their union.
716. What are the duties of married people?
Married people, 1. Should live together in peace,
love, and conjugal fidelity until separated by
death; 2. They should together bring up their
children in the fear of God; and 3. The husband
should support and cherish his wife, and the wife
should obey her husband in all that is just and
honorable.
" Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as it be-
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
hoveth in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and
be not bitter towards them' (Colos. iii. 18, 19).
717. What ought those to remember who think
of marrying?
166
They should remember, 1. Not to make an en-
gagement thoughtlessly; 2. To be properly in-
structed and free from impediments; 3. To live in
nocently during the time of their courtship and
betrothal; 4. To enter the wedded state with a
pure and holy intention; and 5. Before the mar-
riage to make a good Confession and worthily re-
ceive Holy Communion.
'We are the children of Saints, and we must not be
joined together like heathens that know not God' (Tob.
viii. 5).
718. Is it a sin to break a promise of marriage?
Yes; it is a grievous sin, unless the other party
agrees, or some just cause requires it to be done.
719. How many kinds of Impediments to mar-
riage are there?
There are two kinds of impediments: 1. Such as.
render marriage unlawful, as the forbidden times,
the simple vow of chastity, a promise of marriage
to another, etc.; and 2. Such as render it null, or
of no effect, as consanguinity and affinity to the
fourth degree inclusive, spiritual relationship, one
of the parties not being baptized.
720. What is understood by the forbidden times?
The times from the first Sunday of Advent to
the Epiphany, and from Ash-Wednesday to Low
Sunday, all inclusive, during which times of pen-
ance the solemnizing of marriage is forbidden by
the Church.
721. What of mixed marriages?
The Church has always disapproved of mixed
marriages, and permits them only on certain con-
ditions.
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 167
Application: When choosing a state of life consult above
all things God and the salvation of your soul. If after
serious thought you believe yourself called to the mar-
ried state, prepare for it by prayer, good works, and es-
pecially by a good general Confession, and shun the ex-
ample of those who, by sin and vice, draw the curse of
God upon their marriage.
*SACRAMENTALS.
722. What do we usually understand by Sacra-
mentals?
By Sacramentals we understand, 1. All those
things which the Church blesses, as Holy Water,
Oil, Salt, Bread, Wine, Palms, Altars, Chalices,
etc.; and 2. The ceremonies of Exorcism and
Blessing used by the Church.
723. Why are such things called Sacramentals?
They are called Sacramentals because they re-
semble the Sacraments, though essentially different
from them.
724. Who instituted the Sacramentals?
The Catholic Church instituted the Sacramentals
by virtue of the power which Christ gave her to
bless, to consecrate, and to exorcise.
725. Why should we make a devout use of
Sacramentals?
Because through them we have a part in the
prayer and blessing of the universal Church, in
whose name the Priest blesses and consecrates.
726. Has the prayer of the Church a particular
power?
The prayer of the Church has a particular power,
because it is united to the prayer of Jesus and His
Saints.
727. What does the Church usually pray for
when she consecrates or blesses?
She prays for the turning away of God's judg
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
nents, for protection from the devil, for peace, for
blessings, and for the welfare of soul and of body.
728. How should we use Holy Water?
X
A pious Christian sprinkles himself with Holy
Water in his house as well as in the church, and at
the same time prays God that, through the Blood
of Christ, he may be made pure and be saved
from all danger.
Application: Use everything which the Church has
blessed, and especially Holy Water, with great respect
and devotion.
PRAYER.
**
729. What is Prayer?
Prayer is the raising of our hearts to God to
praise Him, to thank Him, or to beg His grace;
wherefore we speak of Prayer of Praise, Prayer of
Thanksgiving, and Prayer of Petition.
730. Is Prayer necessary to all?
Prayer is necessary for salvation to all who have
the use of reason.
731. What are the principal fruits of Prayer?
Prayer, 1. Unites us to God and raises our
minds to Heaven; 2. Strengthens us against evil,
and nerves us to do good; 3. Brings us comfort
when in trouble, help when in need, and the grace
of
perseverance unto death.
732. How must we pray in order to obtain these
fruits?
We must pray, 1. With devotion; 2. With
humility; 3. With confidence; 4. With resigna-
tion to God's will; and 5. With perseverance.
733. When do we pray with devotion?
When we pray from the heart, and avoid all dis-
tracting thoughts as well as we can.
'This people honoreth me with their lips, but their
heart is far from me' (Matt. xv. 8).
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Catechism of CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. 169
734. How may we guard against distraction in
Prayer?
Before our Prayers we should free our mind
from all worldly thoughts and try to feel ourselves
in the presence of God.
'Before Prayer prepare thy soul, and be not as a man
that tempteth God' (Ecclus. xviii. 23).
735. When do we pray with humility?
When we pray with a clear sense of our weak-
ness and unworthiness.
"The Prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce
the clouds' (Ecclus. xxxv. 21).
Example: The Pharisee and the Publican (Luke xviii.)
736. When do we pray with confidence?
When we firmly hope that God will hear our
prayer, so far as it tends to His honor and to our
salvation.
This is that trust, which we have in Him, that He
hearkens to all that we ask according to His will' (1 John
v. 14).
737. Why ought we to have this firm hope?
Because God can grant us all good things, and
for the sake of Jesus will do so.
'Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father any-
thing in my name, He will give it to you' (John xvi. 23;
comp. Mark xi. 23, 24).
738. But why do we not always receive what we
pray for?
1. Because we do not pray as we ought; or 2.
Because we ask for what would not be good for
our salvation ; or 3. Because we do not persevere in
praying.
739. When do we pray with resignation to God's
will?
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE,
When we leave entirely to God how and when
He will grant what we ask in our prayer.
Father, not my will, but Thine be done' (Luke xxii.
42).
740. When do we pray with perseverance?
When we continue to pray all the more earnestly
although our prayer seems not to be heard.
Examples: The woman of Chanaan (Matt. xv.); par-
able of the friend who asks for three loaves (Luke xi. 5-
10).
741. Must we always pray in a set form of
words?
No; we do this in Oral Prayer only; we can
also use Interior Prayer, or Meditation.
742. What is Meditation?
Meditation is reflection upon the life and suffer-
ings of our Saviour, or upon the other truths of re-
ligion, in order to excite in our hearts pious senti-
ments and especially good resolutions.
743. When ought we to pray?
Christ says 'we ought always to pray, and not to
faint' (Luke xviii. 1).
744. How can we pray always?
We pray always when we often raise our hearts
to God, and offer Him all our work, sufferings, and
pleasures. Yet at certain times we must pray in a
particular manner.
745. When must we pray in a particular manner?
1. In times of temptation, need, or calamity; 2.
Morning and night; before and after meals; at the
Angelus; and when in church.
746. For whom must we pray?
We must pray for all men.
Application: Consider what a privilege it is that you,
who are a miserable worm of the earth, may converse
with the Most High God as a child does with his father.
LAY
:
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CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
171
6
Pray often, therefore, with as much devotion as you can,
whether at home or in church. Ask, and it shall be
given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened to you' (Luke xi. 9).
§ 1. The Lord's Prayer.
747. Which is the most excellent Prayer?
The most excellent Prayer is the Our Father, or
Lord's Prayer.
748. Why is the Our Father called the Lord's
Prayer?
: Because Christ our Lord taught it to us and
commanded us to say it (Matt. vi. 9–13).
Say the Lord's Prayer (Our Father,' etc., see
page 5).
749. What does the Lord's Prayer contain?
It contains a Preface and Seven Petitions.
750. Which is the Preface ?
'Our Father who art in Heaven.'
751. What does the word Father remind us of?
That God is our Father, and that we ought to
pray to Him with child-like reverence, love, and
confidence.
752. Why do we say our Father, and not my
Father?
Because God is the Father of all men, and we
must, therefore, pray for one another as brethren.
753. Why do we add: 'Who art in Heaven '?
To remind ourselves that when we pray we must
take our heart away from earthly things and raise
it to Heaven.
754. What do we ask in the First Petition:
"Hallowed be Thy name'?
In the first Petition we ask that God's name may
not be profaned or blasphemed, and that He may
be better known and honored.
755. What do we ask in the Second Petition:
Thy Kingdom come'?
6
172
3
•
CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine.
In the second petition we ask, 1. That the king-
dom of God, the Church, may increase on earth; 2.
That the kingdom of Divine Grace and Love may
be established in our hearts; and 3. That we may
be all admitted into the kingdom of Heaven.
(
756. What do we ask in the Third Petition:
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven'?
In the Third Petition we ask that we and all
men may do the will of God on earth as the Angels
and Saints do it in Heaven.
"
J
757. What do we ask in the Fourth Petition:
'Give us this day our daily bread'?
In the Fourth Petition we ask God to give us
what we daily need for soul and body.
758. What do we ask in the Fifth Petition:
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them
that trespass against us'?
In the Fifth Petition we ask God to forgive us
all our sins, as we forgive all who have offended us.
759. What do we ask in the Sixth Petition:
'Lead us not into temptation'?
In the Sixth Petition we ask that God will with-
draw all temptations and dangers from us, or at
least give us the grace to overcome them.
760. Why does God let us be tempted?
1. To make us humble and watchful; and 2. To
increase our merit and our zeal for virtue.
761. What must we do to overcome temptation ?
We must watch and pray, for Christ our Lord
says. Watch ye and pray that ye enter not into
temptation' (Matt. xxvi. 41).
•
762. What do we ask in the Seventh Petition:
'But deliver us from evil' ?
pre-
In the Seventh Petition we ask that God will
serve us from all ill of soul or body, and especially
from sin and eternal damnation.
763. Why do we add 'Amen'?
لام
7
;
Catechism OF CATHOLIC Doctrine. 173
Because Amen,' or 'So be it,' expresses our
earnest desire and our confidence of being heard.
(
Application: Always say the Lord's Prayer with great
respect and attention, for it is the prayer which our
Divine Redeemer Himself has taught us.
§ 2. The Angelical Salutation.
764. What prayer is, next to the Lord's Prayer,
the most familiar?
The prayer in honor of the Mother of God, call-
ed the Angelical Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave
Maria.
765. How many parts has the Hail Mary?
Two parts, a Prayer of Praise and a Prayer
of Petition.
<
766. What constitutes the Prayer of Praise?
1. The words of the Archangel Gabriel: Hail
[Mary], full of grace, the Lord is with thee ;
blessed art thou among women'; and 2. The words
of St. Elizabeth: And blessed is the fruit of thy
womb,' to which we add the name of Jesus. (Hait
means 'Be well, Health to thee,' or 'I salute thee';
in Latin Ave,' or Salve.')
6
"
C
767. When were these words spoken?
1. When the Archangel Gabriel announced to
the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would become
the Mother of God; and 2. When Mary went into
the hill-country to visit her cousin Elizabeth.
768. Why do we say, ' Full of grace'?
1. Because Mary was filled with grace, even be-
fore her birth; 2. Because she grew in grace; and
3. Because she brought forth the Author of all
grace.
769. Why do we say, 'the Lord is with thee' ?
Because the ever-blessed Virgin Mary was most
closely united with God on earth, and is now, as
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3
174
Catechism of Catholic Doctrine.
Queen of Saints, next to the Throne of God in
Heaven.
770. Why do we say, 'Blessed art thou among
women'?
We say so to praise Mary, who was chosen from
amongst all virgins to be the Mother of God.
6
771. Why do we add, Blessed is the fruit of
thy womb, Jesus'?
To show that the veneration of Mary and the
veneration of Christ are inseparable, and that we
praise the Mother for the sake of her Son.
"
772. What make the Prayer of Petition?
The words added by the Church: Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at
the hour of our death. Amen.'
773. Why did the Church add these words?
So that we may often beg the intercession of the
ever-blessed Virgin Mary in all our needs, and es-
pecially that we may obtain through her the grace
of a happy death.
774. What is the 'Angelus'?
It is a prayer which we say morning, noon, and
night in honor of the Incarnation.
775. How do we say the 'Angelus'?
'The Angel of the Lord,' etc. (See page 9.)
Application: Honor the Blessed Virgin in a most par-
ticular and childlike manner. Ask her help in all needs
and troubles, and try to imitate her charity, patience,
purity, and other virtues.
RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND CEREMONIES.
776. What is meant by Religious Ceremonies?
Religious Ceremonies are signs and actions full
of meaning which the Church has established for
Divine Service.
777. But are not Ceremonies empty and idle
observances?
1
CATECHISM of Catholic Doctrine. 175
Certainly not: for, 1. God Himself prescribed
several kinds of ceremonies to the Jews under se-
vere penalties; Christ our Lord used ceremonies;
and 3. He himself instituted Sacramental signs or
Ceremonies.
778. Have all Religious Ceremonies a meaning?
Yes; everything used by the Church in Divine
Service has a mystical meaning and is intended to
excite us to devotion.
779. What is the meaning of Incense ?
Incense is an emblem of reverence and prayer
which ascends to Heaven as a sweet odor before
God (Ps. cxl. 2).
780. What is the meaning of Lighted Candles?
Lighted Candles signify Faith, which enlightens,
Hope, which soars above this world, and Charity,
which sets our hearts on fire; and they remind us,
also, of the times of persecution, when Christians
were obliged to worship in underground caverns.
781. What is the meaning of the Paschal Can-
dle?
The Paschal Candle reminds us of Jesus Christ,
who arose from the dead, rescued us from the
slavery of Satan, and is a light to us, as was
the pillar of fire to the Jews who escaped the
bondage of Egypt (Exod. xiv. 20).
782. What is the meaning of the Ashes on Ash
Wednesday?
The Ashes on Ash Wednesday remind us that
we should humble ourselves and repent, and there-
fore the Priest, in putting ashes upon our heads,
says: 'Remember, man, that thou art dust, and
unto dust thou shalt return' (Gen. iii. 19).
Ashes were in ancient times also an emblem of penance
and humility. Examples: The Ninivites, Judith, Esther,
etc.
43
7
موائم
"
176 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
783. What is the meaning of the Palms on
Palm Sunday?
The Palms remind us of the triumphal entry of
our Saviour into Jerusalem, and of His victory
Over Hell.
784. What is the meaning of Religious Pro-
cessions?
Religious Processions are intended, 1. To make
known the Catholic faith before all the world and
to proclaim the praise of God; 2. To entreat the
blessing of God upon town and country; and 3.
"To celebrate the triumph of Christianity. And,
therefore, the Cross and Banners are displayed.
785. What should we think of Pilgrimages?
When made as the Church desires they are
praiseworthy, and they have been so practised by
the Saints.

786. How does the Church desire that Pilgrim-
ages should be made?
The Church desires, 1. That we should not
neglect our duties for them; 2. That we should
have a good intention; 3. That we should well
employ the time that we are on the way; and 4.
"That we should pray fervently at the holy place,
and, if possible, receive the Sacraments there.
787. What are Confraternities?
They are pious associations, mostly approved by
the Popes, established for mutual prayer, encourage-
ment, and assistance in good works and for fre-
quently receiving the Holy Sacraments.
Application: Take pleasure in assisting devoutly at
the Ceremonies of the Church, and do not be hindered by
the mockery or example of thoughtless or impious people.
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!
CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC DOCTRINE.
177
RECAPITULATION.
1. Our Religion is Divine.
This is proved by her history from the beginning
of the world up to the present time, and is made
clear by her age, her Founder, her duration, her
blessings, her works, etc.
Our Divine Religion teaches us that we have
been created in order that we may serve God in
this life, and be eternally happy with Him in the
next.
For this end we must, 1. Believe all that God
has revealed (pages 51-56); 2. Keep all the Com-
mandments which God has given us Himself (pages
92–115) or through His Church (pages 115-120);
consequently, avoid sin by which the Commmand-
ments are broken (pages 120-125), and strive to
lead a virtuous life (pages 125-130); but to do
this we must have the Grace of God (pages 131-
133). Therefore we must also, 3. Make use of
the Means of Grace which God has ordained,
which are the Sacraments (pages 134-167) and
Prayer (pages 168–174).
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bora AT&T Carty
Denver Sola
St Marys Acad,


I wish I was at home
with my mamo a mi
Paka



Catholic Histories for Catholic Schools
THE YOUNG CATHOLIC'S
Series of Histories.
ANCIENT
HISTORY.
Adapted from the French of Fr. Gazeau, S.J.
1
ROMAN HISTORY.
Adapted from the French of Fr. Gazeau, S.J.
>
HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
Adapted from the French of Fr. Gazeau, S.J.
MODERN HISTORY.
Adapted from the French of Fr. Gazean, S.J.
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
By J. R. G. Hassard.. With Introduction by Bp. Spalding.
INTRODUCTORY HISTORY OF THE
UNITED STATES.
On the Catechetical Plan.
Special Terms for Introduction.
i!.
The Catholic Publication Society Co.,
9 Barclay Street, New York.

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26) May 19, 1963 per granger vu la EN
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