A. There are fifteen mysteries of the Rosary arranged in the order in
which these events occurred in the life of Our Lord, and divided into
five joyful, five sorrowful, and five glorious mysteries.
Q. 1084. Say the five joyful mysteries of the Rosary.
A. The five joyful mysteries of the Rosary are: (1) The
Annunciation--the Angel Gabriel telling the Blessed Virgin that she is
to be the Mother of God; (2) the Visitation--the Blessed Virgin goes to
visit her cousin, St. Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist; (3)
the Nativity, or birth, of Our Lord; (4) the Presentation of the Child
Jesus in the temple--His parents offered Him to God; (5) the finding of
the Child Jesus in the temple--His parents had lost Him in Jerusalem for
three days.
Q. 1085. Say the five sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary.
A. The five sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary are: (1) The Agony in the
Garden--Our Lord was in dreadful anguish and bathed in a bloody sweat;
(2) the Scourging at the Pillar--Christ was stripped of His garments and
lashed in a cruel manner; (3) the Crowning with Thorns--He was mocked as
a king by heartless men; (4) the Carriage of the Cross--from the place
He was condemned to Calvary, the place of Crucifixion; (5) the
Crucifixion--He was nailed to the cross amid the jeers and blasphemies
of His enemies.
Q. 1086. Say the five glorious mysteries of the Rosary.
A. The five glorious mysteries of the Rosary are: (1) The Resurrection
of Our Lord; (2) the Ascension of Our Lord; (3) The Coming of the Holy
Ghost upon the Apostles; (4) the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin--after
death she was taken body and soul into heaven; (5) the Coronation of the
Blessed Virgin--on entering heaven she was made queen of all the Angels
and Saints and placed in dignity next to her Divine Son, Our Blessed
Lord.
Q. 1087. On what days, according to the pious custom of the faithful,
are the different mysteries of the Rosary usually said?
A. According to the pious custom of the faithful, the different
mysteries of the Rosary are usually said on the following days, namely:
the joyful on Mondays and Thursdays, the sorrowful on Tuesdays and
Fridays, and the glorious on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Q. 1088. What do the letters I.N.R.I. over the crucifix mean?
A. The letters I.N.R.I. over the crucifix are the first letters of four
Latin words that mean Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Our Lord did
say He was king of the Jews, but He also said that He was not their
temporal or earthly king, but their spiritual and heavenly king.
Q. 1089. To what may we attribute the desire of the Jews to put Christ
to death?
A. We may attribute the desire of the Jews to put Christ to death to the
jealously, hatred and ill-will of their priests and the Pharisees, whose
faults He rebuked and whose hypocrisy He exposed. By their slanders and
lies they induced the people to follow them in demanding Our Lord's
crucifixion.
Q. 1090. With whom did the Blessed Virgin live after the death of Our
Lord?
A. After the death of Our Lord the Blessed Virgin lived for about eleven
years with the Apostle St. John the Evangelist, called also the Beloved
Disciple. He wrote one of the four Gospels, three Epistles, and the
Apocalypse, or Book of Revelations--the last book of the Bible. He lived
to the age of a hundred years or more and died last of all the apostles.
Q. 1091. What do we mean by the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and
why do we believe in it?
A. By the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin we mean that her body was
taken up into heaven after her death. We believe in it: (1) Because the
Church cannot teach error, and yet from an early age the Church has
celebrated the Feast of the Assumption; (2) because no one ever claimed
to have a relic of our Blessed Mother's body, and surely the apostles,
who knew and loved her, would have secured some relic had her body
remained upon earth.
Q. 1092. What do the letters I.H.S. on an altar or sacred things mean?
A. The letters I.H.S. on an altar or sacred things mean the name Jesus;
for it is in that way the Holy Name is written in the Greek language
when some of the letters are left out.
Q. 1093. What is the scapular, and why is it worn?
A. The scapular is a long, broad piece of woolen cloth forming a part of
the religious dress of monks, priests and sisters of some religious
orders. It is worn over the shoulders and extends from the shoulders to
the feet. The small scapular made in imitation of it, and consisting of
two small pieces of cloth fastened together by strings, is worn by the
faithful as a promise or proof of their willingness to practice some
particular devotion, indicated by the kind of scapular they wear.
Q. 1094. How many kinds of scapulars are there in use among the
faithful?
A. Among the faithful there are many kinds of scapulars in use, such as
the brown scapular or scapular of Mount Carmel worn in honor of Our
Lord's passion; the white, in honor of the Holy Trinity; the blue, in
honor of the Immaculate Conception; and the black, in honor of the seven
dolors of the Blessed Virgin. When these are joined together and worn as
one they are called the five scapulars. The brown scapular is best known
and entitles its wearer to the greatest privileges and indulgences.
Q. 1095. What are the seven dolors of the Blessed Virgin?
A. The seven dolors of the Blessed Virgin are the chief sorrowful events
in the life of Our Blessed Lady. They are (1) The Circumcision of Our
Lord--when she saw His blood shed for the first time; (2) her flight
into Egypt--to save the life of the Infant Jesus, when Herod sought to
kill Him; (3) the three days she lost her Son in Jerusalem; (4) when she
saw Him carrying the cross; (5) when she saw Him die; (6) when His dead
body was taken down from the cross; (7) when it was laid in the
sepulchre or tomb.
Q. 1096. What are the seven dolor beads, and how do we say them?
A. Seven dolor beads are beads constructed with seven medals, each
bearing a representation of one of the seven dolors, and seven beads
between each medal and the next. At each medal we meditate on the proper
dolor and the say a Hail Mary on each of the bead following it.
Q. 1097. What is an Agnus Dei?
A. An Agnus Dei is a small piece of beeswax stamped with the image of a
lamb and cross. It is solemnly blessed by the Pope with special prayers
for those who carry it about their person in honor of Our Blessed
Redeemer, whom we call the Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the
world. The wax is usually covered with silk or some fine material.
LESSON TWENTY-EIGHTH.
ON PRAYER.
Q. 1098. {303} Is there any other means of obtaining God's grace than
the Sacraments?
A. There is another means of obtaining God's grace, and it is prayer.
Q. 1099. {304} What is prayer?
A. Prayer is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God, to adore
Him, to thank Him for His benefits, to ask His forgiveness, and to beg
of Him all the graces we need whether for soul or body.
Q. 1100. How many kinds of prayer are there?
A. There are two kinds of prayer: (1) Mental prayer, called meditation,
in which we spend the time thinking of God or of one or more of the
truths He has revealed, that by these thoughts we may be persuaded to
lead holier lives; (2) vocal prayer, in which we express these pious
thoughts in words.
Q. 1101. Why is mental prayer most useful to us?
A. Mental prayer is most useful to us because it compels us, while we
are engaged in it, to keep our attention fixed on God and His holy laws
and to keep our hearts and minds lifted up to Him.
Q. 1102. How can we make a meditation?
A. We can make a meditation (1) By remembering that we are in the
presence of God; (2) by asking the Holy Ghost to give us grace to
benefit by the meditation; (3) by reflecting seriously on some sacred
truth regarding our salvation; (4) by drawing some good resolution from
the thoughts we have had; and (5) by thanking God for the knowledge and
grace bestowed on us through the meditation.
Q. 1103. Where may we find subjects or points for meditation?
A. We may find the subjects or points for meditation in the words of the
Our Father, Hail Mary or Apostles' Creed; also in the questions and
answers of our Catechism, in the Holy Bible, and in books of meditation.
Q. 1104. {305} Is prayer necessary to salvation?
A. Prayer is necessary to salvation, and without it no one having the
use of reason can be saved.
Q. 1105. {306} At what particular times should we pray?
A. We should pray particularly on Sundays and holy days, every morning
and night, in all dangers, temptations, and afflictions.
Q. 1106. {307} How should we pray?
A. We should pray: 1st. With attention; 2d. With a sense of our own
helplessness and dependence upon God; 3d. With a great desire for the
graces we beg of God; 4th. With trust in God's goodness; 5th. With
perseverance.
Q. 1107. What should our attention at prayer be?
A. Our attention at prayer should be threefold, namely, attention to the
words, that we may say them correctly and distinctly; attention to their
meaning, if we understand it, and attention to God, to whom the words
are addressed.
Q. 1108. What should be the position of the body when we pray?
A. At prayer the most becoming position of the body is kneeling upright,
but whether we pray kneeling, standing or sitting, the position of the
body should always be one indicating reverence, respect and devotion. We
may pray even lying down or walking, for Our Lord Himself says we should
pray at all times.
Q. 1109. What should we do that we may pray well?
A. That we may pray well we should make a preparation before prayer: (1)
By calling to mind the dignity of God, to whom we are about to speak,
and our own unworthiness to appear in His presence; (2) by fixing upon
the precise grace or blessing for which we intend to ask; (3) by
remembering God's power and willingness to give if we truly need and
earnestly, humbly and confidently ask.
Q. 1110. Why does God not always grant our prayers?
A. God does not always grant our prayers for these and other reasons:
(1) Because we may not pray in the proper manner; (2) that we may learn
our dependence on Him, prove our confidence in Him, and merit rewards by
our patience and perseverance in prayer. Prudent persons do not grant
every request; why, then, should God do so?
Q. 1111. What assurance have we that God always hears and rewards our
prayers, though He may not grant what we ask?
A. We have the assurance of Our Lord Himself that God always hears and
rewards our prayers, though He may not grant what we ask; for Christ
said: "Ask and it shall be given you," and "if you ask the Father
anything in My name, He will give it to you."
Q. 1112. {308} Which are the prayers most recommended to us?
A. The prayers most recommended to us are the Lord's Prayer, the Hail
Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Confiteor, and the Acts of Faith, Hope,
Love, and Contrition.
Q. 1113. {309} Are prayers said with distractions of any avail?
A. Prayers said with wilful distraction are of no avail.
Q. 1114. Why are prayers said with wilful distraction of no avail?
A. Prayers said with wilful distraction are of no avail because they are
mere words, such as a machine might utter, and since there is no lifting
up of the mind or heart with them they cannot be prayer.
Q. 1115. Do, then, the distractions which we often have at prayer
deprive our prayers of all merit?
A. The distractions which we often have at prayer do not deprive our
prayers of all merit, because they are not wilful when we try to keep
them away, for God rewards our good intentions and the efforts we make
to pray well.
Q. 1116. What, then, is a distraction?
A. A distraction is any thought that, during prayer, enters our mind to
turn our thoughts and hearts from God and from the sacred duty we are
performing.
Q. 1117. What are the fruits of prayer?
A. The fruits of prayer are: It strengthens our faith, nourishes our
hope, increases our love for God, keeps us humble, merits grace and
atones for sin.
Q. 1118. Why should we pray when God knows our needs?
A. We pray not to remind God or tell Him of what we need, but to
acknowledge that He is the Supreme Giver, to adore and worship Him by
showing our entire dependence upon Him for every gift to soul or body.
Q. 1119. What little prayers may we say even at work?
A. Even at work we may say little aspirations such as "My God, pardon my
sins; Blessed be the Holy Name of Jesus; Holy Spirit, enlighten me; Holy
Mary, pray for me," &c.
Q. 1120. Did Our Lord Himself pray, and why?
A. Our Lord Himself very frequently prayed, often spending the whole
night in prayer. He prayed before every important action, not that He
needed to pray, but to set us an example of how and when we should pray.
Q. 1121. Why does the Church conclude most of its prayers with the words
"through Jesus Christ Our Lord"?
A. The Church concludes most of its prayers with the words "through
Jesus Christ Our Lord" because it is only through His merits that we can
obtain grace, and because "there is no other name given to men whereby
we must be saved."
Q. 1122. Was any special promise made in favor of the united prayers of
two or more persons?
A. A special promise was made in favor of the united prayers of two or
more persons when Our Lord said: "Where there are two or three gathered
together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Therefore, the
united prayers of a congregation, sodality or family, and, above all,
the public prayers of the whole Church, have great influence with God.
We should join in public prayers out of true devotion, and not from
habit, or, worse, to display our piety.
Q. 1123. What is the most suitable place for prayer?
A. The most suitable place for prayer is in the Church--the house of
prayer--made holy by special blessings and, above all, by the Real
Presence of Jesus dwelling in the Tabernacle. Still, Our Lord exhorts us
to pray also in secret, for His Father, who seeth in secret, will repay
us.
Q. 1124. For what should we pray?
A. We should pray (1) For ourselves, for the blessings of soul and body
that we may be devoted servants of God; (2) for the Church, for all
spiritual and temporal wants, that the true faith may be everywhere
known and professed; (3) for our relatives, friends and benefactors,
particularly for those we may in any way have injured; (4) for all men,
for the protection of the good and conversion of the wicked, that virtue
may flourish and vice disappear; (5) for our spiritual rulers, the Pope,
our bishops, priests and religious communities, that they may faithfully
perform their sacred duties; (6) for our country and temporal rulers,
that they may use their power for the good of their subjects and for the
honor and glory of God.
LESSON TWENTY-NINTH.
ON THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
Q. 1125. {310} Is it enough to belong to God's Church in order to be
saved?
A. It is not enough to belong to the Church in order to be saved, but we
must also keep the Commandments of God and of the Church.
Q. 1126. Are not the commandments of the Church also commandments of
God?
A. The commandments of the Church are also commandments of God, for they
are made by His authority and under the guidance of the Holy Ghost;
nevertheless, the Church can change or abolish its own commandments,
while it cannot change or abolish the commandments given directly by God
Himself.
Q. 1127. {311} Which are the Commandments that contain the whole law of
God?
A. The Commandments which contain the whole law of God are these two:
1st. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, with thy
whole soul, with thy whole strength, and with thy whole mind; 2. Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Q. 1128. {312} Why do these two Commandments of the love of God and of
our neighbor contain the whole law of God?
A. These two Commandments of the love of God and of our neighbor contain
the whole law of God because all the other Commandments are given either
to help us to keep these two, or to direct us how to shun what is
opposed to them.
Q. 1129. Explain further how the two commandments of the love of God and
of our neighbor contain the teaching of the whole ten commandments.
A. The two commandments of the love of God and of our neighbor contain
the teaching of the whole ten commandments because the first three of
the ten commandments refer to God and oblige us to worship Him alone,
respect His name and serve Him as He wills, and these things we will do
if we love Him; secondly, the last seven of the ten commandments refer
to our neighbor and forbid us to injure him in body, soul, goods or
reputation, and if we love him we will do him no injury in any of these,
but, on the contrary, aid him as far as we can.
Q. 1130. {313} Which are the Commandments of God?
A. The Commandments of God are these ten:
1. I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt not have strange gods before
me. Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness
of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor
of those things that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt
not adore them, nor serve them.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
3. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor thy father and thy mother.
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 goods.
Q. 1131. What does the first commandment mean by a "graven thing" or
"the likeness of anything" in heaven, in the earth or in the waters?
A. The first commandment means by a "graven thing" or "the likeness of
anything" in heaven, in the earth or in the waters, the statue, picture
or image of any creature in heaven or of any animal on land or in water
intended for an idol and to be worshipped as a god.
Q. 1132. {314} Who gave the Ten Commandments?
A. God Himself gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, and
Christ our Lord confirmed them.
Q. 1133. How and when were the Commandments given to Moses?
A. The Commandments, written on two tables of stone, were given to Moses
in the midst of fire and smoke, thunder and lightning, from which God
spoke to him on the mountain, about fifty days after the Israelites were
delivered from the bondage of Egypt and while they were on their journey
through the desert to the Promised Land.
Q. 1134. What do we mean when we say Christ confirmed the Commandments?
A. When we say Christ confirmed the Commandments we mean that He
strongly approved them, and gave us by His teaching a fuller and clearer
knowledge of their meaning and importance.
Q. 1135. Was anyone obliged to keep the Commandments before they were
given to Moses?
A. All persons, from the beginning of the world, were obliged to keep
the Commandments, for it was always sinful to blaspheme God, murder,
steal or violate any of the Commandments, though they were not written
till the time of Moses.
Q. 1136. How many kinds of laws had the Jews before the coming of Our
Lord?
A. Before the coming of Our Lord the Jews had three kinds of laws: (1)
Civil laws, regulating the affairs of their nation; (2) ceremonial laws,
governing their worship in the temple; (3) moral laws, guiding their
religious belief and actions.
Q. 1137. To which of these laws did the Ten Commandments belong?
A. The Ten Commandments belong to the moral law, because they are a
compendium or short account of what we must do in order to save our
souls; just as the Apostles' Creed is a compendium of what we must
believe.
Q. 1138. When did the civil and ceremonial laws of the Jews cease to
exist?
A. The civil laws of the Jews ceased to exist when the Jewish people,
shortly before the coming of Christ, ceased to be an independent nation.
The ceremonial laws ceased to exist when the Jewish religion ceased to
be the true religion; that is, when Christ established the Christian
religion, of which the Jewish religion was only a figure or promise.
Q. 1139. Why were not also the moral laws of the Jews abolished when the
Christian religion was established?
A. The moral laws of the Jews could not be abolished by the
establishment of the Christian religion because they regard truth and
virtue and have been revealed by God, and whatever God has revealed as
true must be always true, and whatever He has condemned as bad in itself
must be always bad.
LESSON THIRTIETH.
ON THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.
Q. 1140. {315} What is the first Commandment?
A. The first Commandment is: I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt not have
strange gods before me.
Q. 1141. What does the commandment mean by "strange gods"?
A. By strange gods the commandment means idols or false gods, which the
Israelites frequently worshipped when, through their sins, they had
abandoned the true God.
Q. 1142. How may we, in a sense, worship strange gods?
A. We, in a sense, may worship strange gods by giving up the salvation
of our souls for wealth, honors, society, worldly pleasures, &c., so
that we would offend God, renounce our faith or give up the practice of
our religion for their sake.
Q. 1143. {316} How does the first Commandment help us to keep the great
Commandment of the love of God?
A. The first Commandment helps us to keep the great Commandment of the
love of God because it commands us to adore God alone.
Q. 1144. {317} How do we adore God?
A. We adore God by faith, hope, and charity, by prayer and sacrifice.
Q. 1145. By what prayers do we adore God?
A. We adore God by all our prayers, but in particular by the public
prayers of the Church, and, above all, by the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass.
Q. 1146. {318} How may the first Commandment be broken?
A. The first Commandment make be broken by giving to a creature the
honor which belongs to God alone; by false worship; and by attributing
to a creature a perfection which belongs to God alone.
Q. 1147. What is the honor which belongs to God alone?
A. The honor which belongs to God alone is a divine honor, in which we
offer Him sacrifice, incense or prayer, solely for His own sake and for
His own glory. To give such honor to any creature, however holy, would
be idolatry.
Q. 1148. How do we offer God false worship?
A. We offer God false worship by rejecting the religion He has
instituted and following one pleasing to ourselves, with a form of
worship He has never authorized, approved or sanctioned.
Q. 1149. Why must we serve God in the form of religion He has instituted
and in no other?
A. We must serve God in the form of religion He has instituted and in no
other, because heaven is not a right, but a promised reward, a free gift
of God, which we must merit in the manner He directs and pleases.
Q. 1150. When do we attribute to a creature a perfection which belongs
to God alone?
A. We attribute to a creature a perfection which belongs to God alone
when we believe it possesses knowledge or power independently of God, so
that it may, without His aid, make known the future or perform miracles.
Q. 1151. {319} Do those who make use of spells and charms, or who
believe in dreams, in mediums, spiritists, fortune-tellers, and the
like, sin against the first Commandment?
A. Those who make use of spells and charms, or who believe in dreams, in
mediums, spiritists, fortune-tellers, and the like, sin against the
first Commandment, because they attribute to creatures perfections which
belong to God alone.
Q. 1152. What are spells and charms?
A. Spells and charms are certain words, by the saying of which
superstitious persons believe they can avert evil, bring good fortune or
produce some supernatural or wonderful effect. They may be also objects
or articles worn about the body for the same purpose.
Q. 1153. Are not Agnus Deis, medals, scapulars, &c., which we wear about
our bodies also charms?
A. Agnus Deis, medals, scapulars, &c., which we wear about our bodies,
are not charms, for we do not expect any help from these things
themselves, but, through the blessing they have received from the
Church, we expect help from God, the Blessed Mother, or the Saint in
whose honor we wear them. On the contrary, they who wear charms expect
help from the charms themselves, or from some evil spirit.
Q. 1154. What must we carefully guard against in all our devotions and
religious practices?
A. In all our devotions and religious practices we must carefully guard
against expecting God to perform miracles when natural causes may bring
about what we hope for. God will sometimes miraculously help us, but, as
a rule, only when all natural means have failed.
Q. 1155. What are dreams and why is it forbidden to believe in them?
A. Dreams are the thoughts we have in sleep, when our will is unable to
guide them. It is forbidden to believe in them, because they are often
ridiculous, unreasonable, or wicked, and are not governed by either
reason or faith.
Q. 1156. Are bad dreams sinful in themselves?
A. Bad dreams are not sinful in themselves, because we cannot prevent
them, but we may make them sinful (1) By taking pleasure in them when we
awake, and (2) by bad reading or immodest books, thoughts, word or
actions before going to sleep; for by any of these things we may make
ourselves responsible for the bad dreams.
Q. 1157. Did not God frequently in the Old Law make use of dreams as a
means of making known His will?
A. God did frequently in the Old Law make use of dreams as a means of
making known His Will; but on such occasions He always gave proof that
what He made known was not a mere dream, but rather a revelation or
inspiration. He no longer makes use of such means, for He now makes
known His will through the inspiration of His Church.
Q. 1158. What are mediums and spiritists?
A. Mediums and spiritists are persons who pretend to converse with the
dead or with spirits of the other world. They pretend also to give this
power to others, that they may know what is going on in heaven,
purgatory or hell.
Q. 1159. What other practice is very dangerous to faith and morals?
A. Another practice very dangerous to faith and morals is the use of
mesmerism or hypnotism, because it is liable to sinful abuses, for it
deprives a person for a time of the control of his reason and will and
places his body and mind entirely in the power of another.
Q. 1160. What are fortune tellers?
A. Fortune tellers are imposters who, learning the past, or guessing at
it, pretend to know also the future and to be able to reveal it to
anyone who pays for the knowledge. They pretend also to know whatever
concerns things lost or stolen, and the secret thoughts, actions or
intentions of others.
Q. 1161. How do we, by believing in spells, charms, mediums, spiritists
and fortune tellers, attribute to creatures the perfections of God?
A. By believing in spells, charms, mediums, spiritists and fortune
tellers we attribute to creatures the perfections of God because we
expect these creatures to perform miracles, reveal the hidden judgments
of God, and make known His designs for the future with regard to His
creatures, things that only God Himself may do.
Q. 1162. Is it sinful to consult mediums, spiritists, fortune tellers
and the like when we do not believe in them, but through mere curiosity
to hear what they may say?
A. It is sinful to consult mediums, spiritists, fortune tellers and the
like even when we do not believe in them, but through mere curiosity, to
hear what they may say, (1) Because it is wrong to expose ourselves to
the danger of sinning even though we do not sin; (2) because we may give
scandal to others who are not certain that we go through mere curiosity;
(3) because by our pretended belief we encourage these impostors to
continue their wicked practices.
Q. 1163. {320} Are sins against faith, hope, and charity also sins
against the first Commandment?
A. Sins against faith, hope and charity are also sins against the first
Commandment.
Q. 1164. {321} How does a person sin against faith?
A. A person sins against faith: 1st, By not trying to know what God has
taught; 2d, by refusing to believe all that God has taught; 3d, by
neglecting to profess his belief in what God has taught.
Q. 1165. {322} How do we fail to try to know what God has taught?
A. We fail to try to know what God has taught by neglecting to learn the
Christian doctrine.
Q. 1166. What means have we of learning the Christian doctrine?
A. We have many means of learning the Christian doctrine: In youth we
have Catechism and special instructions suited to our age; later we have
sermons, missions, retreats, religious sodalities and societies through
which we may learn. At all times, we have books of instruction, and,
above all, the priests of the Church, ever ready to teach us. God will
not excuse our ignorance if we neglect to learn our religion when He has
given us the means.
Q. 1167. Should we learn the Christian doctrine merely for our own sake?
A. We should learn the Christian doctrine not merely for our own sake,
but for the sake also of others who may sincerely wish to learn from us
the truths of our holy faith.
Q. 1168. How should such instruction be given to those who ask it of us?
A. Such instruction should be given to those who ask it of us in a kind
and Christian spirit, without dispute or bitterness. We should never
attempt to explain the truths of our religion unless we are certain of
what we say. When we are unable to answer what is asked we should send
those who inquire to the priest or to others better instructed than
ourselves.
Q. 1169. {323} Who are they who do not believe all that God has taught?
A. They who do not believe all that God has taught are the heretics and
infidels.
Q. 1170. Name the different classes of unbelievers and tell what they
are.
A. The different classes of unbelievers are (1) Atheists, who deny there
is a God; (2) Deists, who admit there is a God, but deny that He
revealed a religion; (3) Agnostics, who will neither admit nor deny the
existence of God; (4) Infidels, who have never been baptized, and who,
through want of faith, refuse to be baptized; (5) Heretics, who have
been baptized Christians, but do not believe all the articles of faith;
(6) Schismatics, who have been baptized and believe all the articles of
faith, but do not submit to the authority of the Pope; (7) Apostates,
who have rejected the true religion, in which they formerly believed, to
join a false religion; (8) Rationalists and Materialists, who believe
only in material things.
Q. 1171. Will the denial of only one article of faith make a person a
heretic?
A. The denial of only one article of faith will make a person a heretic
and guilty of mortal sin, because the Holy Scripture says: "Whosoever
shall keep the whole law but offend in one point is become guilty of
all."
Q. 1172. What is an article of faith?
A. An article of faith is a revealed truth so important and so certain
that no one can deny or doubt it without rejecting the testimony of God.
The Church very clearly points out what truths are articles of faith
that we may distinguish them from pious beliefs and traditions, so that
no one can be guilty of the sin of heresy without knowing it.
Q. 1173. {324} Who are they who neglect to profess their belief in what
God has taught?
A. They who neglect to profess their belief in what God has taught are
all those who fail to acknowledge the true Church in which they really
believe.
Q. 1174. How do persons who are members of the Church neglect to profess
their belief?
A. Persons who are members of the Church neglect to profess their belief
by living contrary to the teachings of the Church: that is, by
neglecting Mass or the Sacraments, doing injury to their neighbor, and
disgracing their religion by sinful and scandalous lives.
Q. 1175. What chiefly prevents persons who believe in the Church from
becoming members of it?
A. A want of Christian courage chiefly prevents persons who believe in
the Church from becoming members of it. They fear too much the opinion
or displeasure of others, the loss of position or wealth, and, in
general, the trials they may have to suffer for the sake of the true
faith.
Q. 1176. What does Our Lord say of those who neglect the true religion
for the sake of relatives or friends, or from fear of suffering?
A. Our Lord says of those who neglect the true religion for the sake of
relatives or friends, or from fear of suffering: "He that loveth father
or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he that loveth son or
daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me"; also: "And whosoever does
not carry his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."
Q. 1177. What excuse do some give for neglecting to seek and embrace the
true religion?
A. Some give as an excuse for neglecting to seek and embrace the true
religion that we should live in the religion in which we were born, and
that one religion is as good as another if we believe we are serving
God.
Q. 1178. How do we show that such an excuse is false and absurd?
A. We show that such an excuse is false and absurd because (1) It is
false and absurd to say that we should remain in error after we have
discovered it; (2) because if one religion is as good as another, Our
Lord would not have abolished the Jewish religion, nor the apostles have
preached against heresy.
Q. 1179. {325} Can they who fail to profess their faith in the true
Church in which they believe expect to be saved while in that state?
A. They who fail to profess their faith in the true Church in which they
believe cannot expect to be saved while in that state, for Christ has
said: "Whosoever shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before
my Father who is in heaven."
Q. 1180. {326} Are we obliged to make open profession of our faith?
A. We are obliged to make open profession of our faith as often as God's
honor, our neighbor's spiritual good or our own requires it.
"Whosoever," says Christ, "shall confess me before men, I will also
confess him before my Father who is in heaven."
Q. 1181. When does God's honor, our neighbor's spiritual good, or our
own good require us to make an open profession of our faith?
A. God's honor, our neighbor's spiritual good, or our own good requires
us to make an open profession of our faith as often as we cannot conceal
our religion without violating some law of God or of His Church, or
without giving scandal to others or exposing ourselves to the danger of
sinning. Pious practices not commanded may often be omitted without any
denial of faith.
Q. 1182. {327} Which are the sins against hope?
A. The sins against hope are presumption and despair.
Q. 1183. {328} What is presumption?
A. Presumption is a rash expectation of salvation without making proper
use of the necessary means to obtain it.
Q. 1184. How may we be guilty of presumption?
A. We may be guilty of presumption (1) By putting off confession when in
a state of mortal sin; (2) by delaying the amendment of our lives and
repentance for past sins; (3) by being indifferent about the number of
times we yield to any temptation after we have once yielded and broken
our resolution to resist it; (4) by thinking we can avoid sin without
avoiding its near occasion; (5) by relying too much on ourselves and
neglecting to follow the advice of our confessor in regard to the sins
we confess.
Q. 1185. {329} What is despair?
A. Despair is the loss of hope in God's mercy.
Q. 1186. How may we be guilty of despair?
A. We may be guilty of despair by believing that we cannot resist
certain temptations, overcome certain sins or amend our lives so as to
be pleasing to God.
Q. 1187. Are all sins of presumption and despair equally great?
A. All sins of presumption and despair are not equally great. They may
be very slight or very great in proportion to the degree in which we
deny the justice or mercy of God.
Q. 1188. {330} How do we sin against the love of God?
A. We sin against the love of God by all sin, but particularly by mortal
sin.
LESSON THIRTY-FIRST.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT--ON THE HONOR AND INVOCATION OF THE SAINTS.
Q. 1189. {331} Does the first Commandment forbid the honoring of the
saints?
A. The first Commandment does not forbid the honoring of the saints, but
rather approves of it; because by honoring the saints, who are the
chosen friends of God, we honor God Himself.
Q. 1190. What does "invocation" mean?
A. Invocation means calling upon another for help or protection,
particularly when we are in need or danger. It is used specially with
regard to calling upon God or the saints, and hence it means prayer.
Q. 1191. How do we show that by honoring the Saints we honor God
Himself?
A. We honor the Saints because they honor God. Therefore, it is for His
sake that we honor them, and hence by honoring them we honor Him.
Q. 1192. Give another reason why we honor God by honoring the Saints.
A. Another reason why we honor God by honoring the Saints is this: As we
honor our country by honoring its heroes, so do we honor our religion by
honoring its Saints. By honoring our religion we honor God, who taught
it. Therefore, by honoring the Saints we honor God, for love of whom
they became religious heroes in their faith.
Q. 1193. {332} Does the first Commandment forbid us to pray to the
saints?
A. The first Commandment does not forbid us to pray to the saints.
Q. 1194. Why does the first commandment not forbid us to pray to the
Saints?
A. The first commandment does not forbid us to pray to the Saints,
because if we are allowed to ask the prayers of our fellow-creatures
upon earth we should be allowed also to ask the prayers of our
fellow-creatures in heaven. Moreover, the Saints must have an interest
in our welfare, because whatever tends to make us good, tends also to
the glory of God.
Q. 1195. {333} What do we mean by praying to the saints?
A. By praying to the saints we mean the asking of their help and
prayers.
Q. 1196. Do we not slight God Himself by addressing our prayers to
saints?
A. We do not slight God Himself by addressing our prayers to saints,
but, on the contrary, show a greater respect for His majesty and
sanctity, acknowledging, by our prayers to the saints, that we are
unworthy to address Him for ourselves, and that we, therefore, ask His
holy friends to obtain for us what we ourselves are not worthy to ask.
Q. 1197. {334} How do we know that the saints hear us?
A. We know that the saints hear us, because they are with God, who makes
our prayers known to them.
Q. 1198. {335} Why do we believe that the saints will help us?
A. We believe that the saints will help us because both they and we are
members of the same Church, and they love us as their brethren.
Q. 1199. {336} How are the saints and we members of the same Church?
A. The saints and we are members of the same Church, because the Church
in heaven and the Church on earth are one and the same Church, and all
its members are in communion with one another.
Q. 1200. {337} What is the communion of the members of the Church
called?
A. The communion of the members of the Church is called the Communion of
Saints.
Q. 1201. {338} What does the communion of saints mean?
A. The communion of saints means the union which exists between the
members of the Church on earth with one another, and with the blessed in
Heaven, and with the suffering souls in Purgatory.
Q. 1202. {339} What benefits are derived from the communion of saints?
A. The following benefits are derived from the communion of saints: the
faithful on earth assist one another by their prayers and good works,
and they are aided by the intercession of the saints in Heaven, while
both the saints in Heaven and the faithful on earth help the souls in
Purgatory.
Q. 1203. How can we best honor the Saints, and where shall we learn
their virtues?
A. We can best honor the Saints by imitating their virtues, and we shall
learn their virtues from the written accounts of their lives. Among the
Saints we shall find models for every age, condition or state of life.
Q. 1204. {340} Does the first Commandment forbid us to honor relics?
A. The first Commandment does not forbid us to honor relics, because
relics are the bodies of the saints or objects directly connected with
them or with our Lord.
Q. 1205. How many kinds or classes of relics are there?
A. There are three kinds or classes of relics: (1) The body or part of
the body of a saint; (2) articles, such as clothing or books, used by
the saint; (3) articles that have touched a relic of the body or other
relic.
Q. 1206. What is there special about a relic of the true cross on which
Our Lord Died, and also about the instruments of His Passion?
A. The relics of the true Cross and relics of the thorns, nails, &c.,
used in the Passion are entitled to a very special veneration, and they
have certain privileges with regard to their use and the manner of
keeping them that other relics have not. A relic of the true Cross is
never kept or carried with other relics.
Q. 1207. What veneration does the Church permit us to give to relics?
A. The Church permits us to give relics a veneration similar to that we
give images. We do not venerate the relics for their own sake, but for
the sake of the persons they represent. The souls of canonized saints
are certainly in heaven, and we are certain that their bodies also will
be there. Therefore, we may honor their bodies because they are to be
glorified in heaven and were sanctified upon earth.
Q. 1208. What care does the Church take in the examination and
distribution of relics?
A. The Church takes the greatest care in the examination and
distribution of relics. (1) The canonization or beatification of the
person whose relic we receive must be certain; (2) the relics are sent
in sealed packets, that must be opened only by the bishop of the diocese
to which the relics are sent, and each relic or packet must be
accompanied by a document or written paper proving its genuineness; (3)
the relics cannot be exposed for public veneration until the bishop
examines them and pronounces them authentic; that is, that they are what
they are claimed to be.
Q. 1209. What should we be certain of before using any relic or giving
it to another?
A. Before using any relic or giving it to another we should be certain
that all the requirements of the Church concerning it have been
fulfilled, and that the relic really is, as far as it is possible for
any one to know, what we believe it to be.
Q. 1210. Has God Himself honored relics?
A. God Himself has frequently honored relics by permitting miracles to
be wrought through them. There is an example given in the Bible, in the
IV Book of Kings, where it is related that a dead man was restored to
life when his body touched the bones, that is, the relics of the holy
prophet Eliseus.
Q. 1211. {341} Does the first Commandment forbid the making of images?
A. The first Commandment does forbid the making of images if they are
made to be adored as gods, but it does not forbid the making of them to
put us in mind of Jesus Christ, His Blessed Mother, and the saints.
Q. 1212. How do we show that it is only the worship and not the making
of images that is forbidden by the first commandment?
A. We show that it is only the worship and not the making of images that
is forbidden by the first commandment, (1) Because no one thinks it
sinful to carve statues or make photographs or paintings of relatives or
friends; (2) because God Himself commanded the making of images for the
temple after He had given the first commandment, and God never
contradicts Himself.
Q. 1213. {342} Is it right to show respect to the pictures and images of
Christ and His saints?
A. It is right to show respect to the pictures and images of Christ and
His saints, because they are the representations and memorials of them.
Q. 1214. Have we in this country any civil custom similar to that of
honoring the pictures and images of saints?
A. We have, in this country, a civil custom similar to that of honoring
pictures and images of saints, for, on Decoration or Memorial Day,
patriotic citizens place flowers, flags, or emblems about the statues of
our deceased civil heroes, to honor the persons these statues represent;
for just as we can dishonor a man by abusing his image, so we can honor
him by treating it with respect and reverence.
Q. 1215. {343} Is it allowed to pray to the crucifix or to the images
and relics of the saints?
A. It is not allowed to pray to the crucifix or images and relics of the
saints, for they have no life, nor power to help us, nor sense to hear
us.
Q. 1216. {344} Why do we pray before the crucifix and the images and
relics of the saints?
A. We pray before the crucifix and the images and relics of the saints
because they enliven our devotion by exciting pious affections and
desires, and by reminding us of Christ and of the saints, that we may
imitate their virtues.
LESSON THIRTY-SECOND.
FROM THE SECOND TO THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.
Q. 1217. {345} What is the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment is: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord
thy God in vain.
Q. 1218. What do you mean by taking God's name in vain?
A. By taking God's name in vain I mean taking it without reverence, as
in cursing or using in a light and careless manner, as in exclamation.
Q. 1219. {346} What are we commanded by the second Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the second Commandment to speak with reverence of
God and of the saints, and of all holy things, and to keep our lawful
oaths and vows.
Q. 1220. Is it sinful to use the words of Holy Scripture in a bad or
worldly sense?
A. It is sinful to use the words of Holy Scripture in a bad or worldly
sense, to joke in them or ridicule their sacred meaning, or in general
to give them any meaning but the one we believe God has intended them to
convey.
Q. 1221. {347} What is an oath?
A. An oath is the calling upon God to witness the truth of what we say.
Q. 1222. How is an oath usually taken?
A. An oath is usually taken by laying the hand on the Bible or by
lifting the hand towards heaven as a sign that we call God to witness
that what we are saying is under oath and to the best of our knowledge
really true.
Q. 1223. What is perjury?
A. Perjury is the sin one commits who knowingly takes a false oath; that
is, swears to the truth of what he knows to be false. Perjury is a crime
against the law of our country and a mortal sin before God.
Q. 1224. Who have the right to make us take an oath?
A. All persons to whom the law of our country has given such authority
have the right to make us take an oath. They are chiefly judges,
magistrates and public officials, whose duty it is to enforce the laws.
In religious matters bishops and others to whom authority is given have
also the right to make us take an oath.
Q. 1225. {348} When may we take an oath?
A. We may take an oath when it is ordered by lawful authority or
required for God's honor or for our own or our neighbor's good.
Q. 1226. When may an oath be required for God's honor or for our own or
our neighbor's good?
A. An oath may be required for God's honor or for our own or our
neighbor's good when we are called upon to defend our religion against
false charges; or to protect our own or our neighbor's property or good
name; or when we are required to give testimony that will enable the
lawful authorities to discover the guilt or innocence of a person
accused.
Q. 1227. Is it ever allowed to promise under oath, in secret societies
or elsewhere, to obey another in whatever good or evil he commands?
A. It is never allowed to promise under oath, in secret societies or
elsewhere, to obey another in whatever good or evil he commands, for by
such an oath we would declare ourselves ready and willing to commit sin,
if ordered to do so, while God commands us to avoid even the danger of
sinning. Hence the Church forbids us to join any society in which such
oaths are taken by its members.
Q. 1228. What societies in general are we forbidden to join?
A. In general we are forbidden to join (1) All societies condemned by
the Church; (2) all societies of which the object is unlawful and the
means used sinful; (3) societies in which the rights and freedom of our
conscience are violated by rash or dangerous oaths; (4) societies in
which any false religious ceremony or form of worship is used.
Q. 1229. Are trades unions and benefit societies forbidden?
A. Trades unions and benefit societies are not in themselves forbidden
because they have lawful ends, which they can secure by lawful means.
The Church encourages every society that lawfully aids its members
spiritually or temporally, and censures or disowns every society that
uses sinful or unlawful means to secure even a good end; for the Church
can never permit anyone to do evil that good may come of it.
Q. 1230. Is it lawful to vow or promise strict obedience to a religious
superior?
A. It is lawful to vow or promise strict obedience to a religious
superior, because such superior can exact obedience only in things that
have the sanction of God or of His Church.
Q. 1231. {349} What is necessary to make an oath lawful?
A. To make an oath lawful it is necessary that what we swear to be true,
and that there be a sufficient cause for taking an oath.
Q. 1232. {350} What is a vow?
A. A vow is a deliberate promise made to God to do something that is
pleasing to Him.
Q. 1233. Which are the vows most frequently made?
A. The vows most frequently made are the three vows of poverty, chastity
and obedience, taken by persons living in religious communities or
consecrated to God. Persons living in the world are sometimes permitted
to make such vows privately, but this should never be done without the
advice and consent of their confessor.
Q. 1234. What do the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience require?
A. The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience require that those who
make them shall not possess or keep any property or goods for themselves
alone; that they shall not marry or be guilty of any immodest acts, and
that they shall strictly obey their lawful superiors.
Q. 1235. Has it always been a custom with pious Christians to make vows
and promises to God?
A. It has always been a custom with pious Christians to make vows and
promises to God; to beg His help for some special end, or to thank Him
for some benefit received. They have promised pilgrimages, good works or
alms and they have vowed to erect churches, convents, hospitals or
schools.
Q. 1236. What is a pilgrimage?
A. A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place made in a religious manner
and for a religious purpose.
Q. 1237. {351} Is it a sin not to fulfill our vows?
A. Not to fulfill our vows is a sin, mortal or venial, according to the
nature of the vow and the intention we had in making it.
Q. 1238. Are we bound to keep an unlawful oath or vow?
A. We are not bound, but, on the contrary, positively forbidden to keep
an unlawful oath or vow. We are guilty of sin in taking such an oath or
making such a vow, and we would be guilty of still greater sin by
keeping them.
Q. 1239. {352} What is forbidden by the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment forbids all false, rash, unjust, and
unnecessary oaths, blasphemy, cursing, and profane words.
Q. 1240. When is an oath rash, unjust or unnecessary?
A. An oath is rash when we are not sure of the truth of what we swear;
it is unjust when it injures another unlawfully; and it is unnecessary
when there is no good reason for taking it.
Q. 1241. What is blasphemy, and what are profane words?
A. Blasphemy is any word or action intended as an insult to God. To say
He is cruel or find fault with His works is blasphemy. It is a much
greater sin than cursing or taking God's name in vain. Profane words
mean here bad, irreverent or irreligious words.
Q. 1242. {353} What is the third Commandment?
A. The third Commandment is: Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
Q. 1243. {354} What are we commanded by the third Commandment?
A. By the third Commandment we are commanded to keep holy the Lord's day
and the holydays of obligation, on which we are to give our time to the
service and worship of God.
Q. 1244. What are holydays of obligation?
A. Holydays of obligation are special feasts of the Church on which we
are bound, under pain of mortal sin, to hear Mass and to keep from
servile or bodily labors when it can be done without great loss or
inconvenience. Whoever, on account of their circumstances, cannot give
up work on holydays of obligation should make every effort to hear Mass
and should also explain in confession the necessity of working on
holydays.
Q. 1245. {355} How are we to worship God on Sundays and holydays of
obligation?
A. We are to worship God on Sundays and holydays of obligation by
hearing Mass, by prayer, and by other good works.
Q. 1246. Name some of the good works recommended for Sunday.
A. Some of the good works recommended for Sunday are: The reading of
religious books or papers, teaching Catechism, bringing relief to the
poor or sick, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, attending Vespers, Rosary
or other devotions in the Church; also attending the meetings of
religious sodalities or societies. It is not necessary to spend the
whole Sunday in such good works, but we should give some time to them,
that for the love of God we may do a little more than what is strictly
commanded.
Q. 1247. Is it forbidden, then, to seek any pleasure or enjoyment on
Sunday?
A. It is not forbidden to seek lawful pleasure or enjoyment on Sunday,
especially to those who are occupied during the week, for God did not
intend the keeping of the Sunday to be a punishment, but a benefit to
us. Therefore, after hearing Mass we may take such recreation as is
necessary or useful for us; but we should avoid any vulgar, noisy or
disgraceful amusements that turn the day of rest and prayer into a day
of scandal and sin.
Q. 1248. {356} Are the Sabbath day and the Sunday the same?
A. The Sabbath day and the Sunday are not the same. The Sabbath is the
seventh day of the week, and is the day which was kept holy in the old
law; the Sunday is the first day of the week, and is the day which is
kept holy in the new law.
Q. 1249. What is meant by the Old and New Law?
A. The Old Law means the law or religion given to the Jews; the New Law
means the law or religion given to Christians.
Q. 1250. {357} Why does the Church command us to keep the Sunday holy
instead of the Sabbath?
A. The Church commands us to keep the Sunday holy instead of the Sabbath
because on Sunday Christ rose from the dead, and on Sunday He sent the
Holy Ghost upon the Apostles.
Q. 1251. Do we keep Sunday instead of Saturday holy for any other
reason?
A. We keep Sunday instead of Saturday holy also to teach that the Old
Law is not now binding upon us, but that we must keep the New Law, which
takes its place.
Q. 1252. {358} What is forbidden by the third Commandment?
A. The third Commandment forbids all unnecessary servile work and
whatever else may hinder the due observance of the Lord's day.
Q. 1253. {359} What are servile works?
A. Servile works are those which require labor rather of body than of
mind.
Q. 1254. From what do servile works derive their name?
A. Servile works derive their name from the fact that such works were
formerly done by slaves. Therefore, reading, writing, studying and, in
general, all works that slaves did not perform are not considered
servile works.
Q. 1255. {360} Are servile works on Sunday ever lawful?
A. Servile works are lawful on Sundays when the honor of God, the good
of our neighbor, or necessity requires them.
Q. 1256. Give some examples of when the honor of God, the good of our
neighbor or necessity may require servile works on Sunday.
A. The honor of God, the good of our neighbor or necessity may require
servile works on Sunday, in such cases as the preparation of a place for
Holy Mass, the saving of property in storms or accidents, the cooking of
meals and similar works.
LESSON THIRTY-THIRD.
FROM THE FOURTH TO THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.
Q. 1257. {361} What is the fourth Commandment?
A. The fourth Commandment is: Honor thy father and thy mother.
Q. 1258. What does the word "honor" in this commandment include?
A. The word "honor" in this commandment includes the doing of everything
necessary for our parents' spiritual and temporal welfare, the showing
of proper respect, and the fulfillment of all our duties to them.
Q. 1259. {362} What are we commanded by the fourth Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the fourth Commandment to honor, love and obey
our parents in all that is not sin.
Q. 1260. Why should we refuse to obey parents or superiors who command
us to sin?
A. We should refuse to obey parents or superiors who command us to sin
because they are not then acting with God's authority, but contrary to
it and in violation of His laws.
Q. 1261. {363} Are we bound to honor and obey others than our parents?
A. We are also bound to honor and obey our bishops, pastors,
magistrates, teachers, and other lawful superiors.
Q. 1262. Who are meant by magistrates?
A. By magistrates are meant all officials of whatever rank who have a
lawful right to rule over us and our temporal possessions or affairs.
Q. 1263. Who are meant by lawful superiors?
A. By lawful superiors are meant all persons to whom we are in any way
subject, such as employers or others under whose authority we live or
work.
Q. 1264. What is the duty of servants or workmen to their employers?
A. The duty of servants or workmen to their employers is to serve them
faithfully and honestly, according to their agreement, and to guard
against injuring their property or reputation.
Q. 1265. {364} Have parents and superiors any duties toward those who
are under their charge?
A. It is the duty of parents and superiors to take good care of all
under their charge and give them proper direction and example.
Q. 1266. If parents or superiors neglect their duty or abuse their
authority in any particular, should we follow their direction and
example in that particular?
A. If parents or superiors neglect their duty or abuse their authority
in any particular we should not follow their direction or example in
that particular, but follow the dictates of our conscience in the
performance of our duty.
Q. 1267. What is the duty of employers to their servants or workmen?
A. The duty of employers to their servants or workmen is to see that
they are kindly and fairly treated and provided for, according to their
agreement, and that they are justly paid their wages at the proper time.
Q. 1268. {365} What is forbidden by the fourth Commandment?
A. The fourth Commandment forbids all disobedience, contempt, and
stubbornness towards our parents or lawful superiors.
Q. 1269. What is meant by contempt and stubbornness?
A. By contempt is meant wilful disrespect for lawful authority, and by
stubbornness is meant wilful determination not to yield to lawful
authority.
Q. 1270. {366} What is the fifth Commandment?
A. The fifth Commandment is: Thou shalt not kill.
Q. 1271. What killing does this commandment forbid?
A. This commandment forbids the killing only of human beings.
Q. 1272. How do we know that this commandment forbids the killing only
of human beings?
A. We know that this commandment forbids the killing only of human
beings because, after giving this commandment, God commanded that
animals be killed for sacrifice in the temple of Jerusalem, and God
never contradicts Himself.
Q. 1273. {367} What are we commanded by the fifth Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the fifth Commandment to live in peace and union
with our neighbor, to respect his rights, to seek his spiritual and
bodily welfare, and to take proper care of our own life and health.
Q. 1274. What sin is it to destroy one's own life, or commit suicide, as
this act is called?
A. It is a mortal sin to destroy one's own life or commit suicide, as
this act is called, and persons who wilfully and knowingly commit such
an act die in a state of mortal sin and are deprived of Christian
burial. It is also wrong to expose one's self unnecessarily to the
danger of death by rash or foolhardy feats of daring.
Q. 1275. Is it ever lawful for any cause to deliberately and
intentionally take away the life of an innocent person?
A. It is never lawful for any cause to deliberately and intentionally
take away the life of an innocent person. Such deeds are always murder,
and can never be excused for any reason, however important or necessary.
Q. 1276. Under what circumstances may human life be lawfully taken?
A. Human life may be lawfully taken (1) In self-defense, when we are
unjustly attacked and have no other means of saving our own lives; (2)
in a just war, when the safety or rights of the nation require it; (3)
by the lawful execution of a criminal, fairly tried and found guilty of
a crime punishable by death when the preservation of law and order and
the good of the community require such execution.
Q. 1277. {368} What is forbidden by the fifth Commandment?
A. The fifth Commandment forbids all wilful murder, fighting, anger,
hatred, revenge, and bad example.
Q. 1278. Can the fifth commandment be broken by giving scandal or bad
example and by inducing others to sin?
A. The fifth commandment can be broken by giving scandal or bad example
and inducing others to sin, because such acts may destroy the life of
the soul by leading it into mortal sin.
Q. 1279. What is scandal?
A. Scandal is any sinful word, deed or omission that disposes others to
sin, or lessens their respect for God and holy religion.
Q. 1280. Why are fighting, anger, hatred and revenge forbidden by the
fifth commandment?
A. Fighting, anger, hatred and revenge are forbidden by the fifth
commandment because they are sinful in themselves and may lead to
murder. The commandments forbid not only whatever violates them, but
also whatever may lead to their violation.
Q. 1281. {369} What is the sixth Commandment?
A. The sixth Commandment is: Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Q. 1282. {370} What are we commanded by the sixth Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the sixth Commandment to be pure in thought and
modest in all our looks, words, and actions.
Q. 1283. It is a sin to listen to immodest conversation, songs or jokes?
A. It is a sin to listen to immodest conversation, songs or jokes when
we can avoid it, or to show in any way that we take pleasure in such
things.
Q. 1284. {371} What is forbidden by the sixth Commandment?
A. The sixth Commandment forbids all unchaste freedom with another's
wife or husband; also all immodesty with ourselves or others in looks,
dress, words, and actions.
Q. 1285. Why are sins of impurity the most dangerous?
A. Sins of impurity are the most dangerous (1) Because they have the
most numerous temptations; (2) because, if deliberate, they are always
mortal, and (3) because, more than other sins, they lead to the loss of
faith.
Q. 1286. {372} Does the sixth Commandment forbid the reading of bad and
immodest books and newspapers?
A. The sixth Commandment does forbid the reading of bad and immodest
books and newspapers.
Q. 1287. What should be done with immodest book and newspapers?
A. Immodest books and newspapers should be destroyed as soon as
possible, and if we cannot destroy them ourselves we should induce their
owners to do so.
Q. 1288. What books does the Church consider bad?
A. The Church considers bad all books containing teaching contrary to
faith or morals, or that wilfully misrepresent Catholic doctrine and
practice.
Q. 1289. What places are dangerous to the virtue of purity?
A. Indecent theaters and similar places of amusement are dangerous to
the virtue of purity, because their entertainments are frequently
intended to suggest immodest things.
LESSON THIRTY-FOURTH.
FROM THE SEVENTH TO THE END OF THE TENTH COMMANDMENT.
Q. 1290. {373} What is the seventh Commandment?
A. The seventh Commandment is: Thou shalt not steal.
Q. 1291. What sin is it to steal?
A. To steal is a mortal or venial sin, according to the amount stolen
either at once or at different times. Circumstances may make the sin
greater or less, and they should be explained in confession.
Q. 1292. Is stealing ever a sacrilege?
A. Stealing is a sacrilege when the thing stolen belongs to the Church
and when the stealing takes place in the Church.
Q. 1293. What sins are equivalent to stealing?
A. All sins of cheating, defrauding or wronging others of their
property; also all sins of borrowing or buying with the intention of
never repaying are equivalent to stealing.
Q. 1294. In what other ways may persons sin against honesty?
A. Persons may sin against honesty also by knowingly receiving, buying
or sharing in stolen goods; likewise by giving or taking bribes for
dishonest purposes.
Q. 1295. {374} What are we commanded by the seventh Commandment?
A. By the seventh Commandment we are commanded to give to all men what
belongs to them and to respect their property.
Q. 1296. How may persons working for others be guilty of dishonesty?
A. Persons working for others may be guilty of dishonesty by idling the
time for which they are paid; also by doing bad work or supplying bad
material without their employer's knowledge.
Q. 1297. In what other way may a person be guilty of dishonesty?
A. A person may be guilty of dishonesty in getting money or goods by
false pretenses and by using either for purposes for which they were not
given.
Q. 1298. {375} What is forbidden by the seventh Commandment?
A. The seventh Commandment forbids all unjust taking or keeping what
belongs to another.
Q. 1299. What must we do with things found?
A. We must return things found to their lawful owners as soon as
possible, and we must also use reasonable means to find the owners if
they are unknown to us.
Q. 1300. What must we do if we discover we have bought stolen goods?
A. If we discover we have bought stolen goods and know their lawful
owners we must return the goods to them as soon as possible without
demanding compensation from the owner for what we paid for the goods.
Q. 1301. {376} Are we bound to restore ill-gotten goods?
A. We are bound to restore ill-gotten goods, or the value of them, as
far as we are able; otherwise we cannot be forgiven.
Q. 1302. What must we do if we cannot restore all we owe, or if the
person to whom we should restore be dead?
A. If we cannot restore all we owe, we must restore as much as we can,
and if the person to whom we should restore be dead we must restore to
his children or heirs, and if these cannot be found we may give alms to
the poor.
Q. 1303. What must one do who cannot pay his debts and yet wishes to
receive the Sacraments?
A. One who cannot pay his debts and yet wishes to receive the Sacraments
must sincerely promise and intend to pay them as soon as possible, and
must without delay make every effort to do so.
Q. 1304. {377} Are we obliged to repair the damage we have unjustly
caused?
A. We are bound to repair the damage we have unjustly caused.
Q. 1305. {378} What is the eighth Commandment?
A. The eighth Commandment is: Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbor.
Q. 1306. {379} What are we commanded by the eighth Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the eighth Commandment to speak the truth in all
things, and to be careful of the honor and reputation of every one.
Q. 1307. What is a lie?
A. A lie is a sin committed by knowingly saying what is untrue with the
intention of deceiving. To swear to a lie makes the sin greater, and
such swearing is called perjury. Pretense, hypocrisy, false praise,
boasting, &c., are similar to lies.
Q. 1308. How can we know the degree of sinfulness in a lie?
A. We can know the degree of sinfulness in a lie by the amount of harm
it does and from the intention we had in telling it.
Q. 1309. Will a good reason for telling a lie excuse it?
A. No reason, however good, will excuse the telling of a lie, because a
lie is always bad in itself. It is never allowed, even for a good
intention to do a thing that is bad in itself.
Q. 1310. {380} What is forbidden by the eighth Commandment?
A. The eighth Commandment forbids all rash judgments, backbiting,
slanders, and lies.
Q. 1311. What are rash judgment, backbiting, slander and detraction?
A. Rash judgment is believing a person guilty of sin without a
sufficient cause. Backbiting is saying evil things of another in his
absence. Slander is telling lies about another with the intention of
injuring him. Detraction is revealing the sins of another without
necessity.
Q. 1312. Is it ever allowed to tell the faults of another?
A. It is allowed to tell the faults of another when it is necessary to
make them known to his parents or superiors, that the faults may be
corrected and the wrong doer prevented from greater sin.
Q. 1313. What is tale-bearing, and why is it wrong?
A. Tale-bearing is the act of telling persons what others have said
about them, especially if the things said be evil. It is wrong, because
it gives rise to anger, hatred and ill-will, and is often the cause of
greater sins.
Q. 1314. {381} What must they do who have lied about their neighbor and
seriously injured his character?
A. They who have lied about their neighbor and seriously injured his
character must repair the injury done as far as they are able, otherwise
they will not be forgiven.
Q. 1315. {382} What is the ninth Commandment?
A. The ninth Commandment is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
Q. 1316. {383} What are we commanded by the ninth Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the ninth Commandment to keep ourselves pure in
thought and desire.
Q. 1317. {384} What is forbidden by the ninth Commandment?
A. The ninth Commandment forbids unchaste thoughts, desires of another's
wife or husband, and all other unlawful impure thoughts and desires.
Q. 1318. {385} Are impure thoughts and desires always sins?
A. Impure thoughts and desires are always sins, unless they displease us
and we try to banish them.
Q. 1319. {386} What is the tenth Commandment?
A. The tenth Commandment is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
Q. 1320. What does covet mean?
A. Covet means to wish to get wrongfully what another possesses or to
begrudge his own to him.
Q. 1321. {387} What are we commanded by the tenth Commandment?
A. By the tenth Commandment we are commanded to be content with what we
have, and to rejoice in our neighbor's welfare.
Q. 1322. Should we not, then, try to improve our position in the world?
A. We should try to improve our position in the world, provided we can
do so honestly and without exposing ourselves to greater temptation or
sin.
Q. 1323. {388} What is forbidden by the tenth Commandment?
A. The tenth Commandment forbids all desires to take or keep wrongfully
what belongs to another.
Q. 1324. In what does the sixth commandment differ from the ninth, and
the seventh differ from the tenth?
A. The sixth commandment differs from the ninth in this, that the sixth
refers chiefly to external acts of impurity, while the ninth refers more
to sins of thought against purity. The seventh commandment refers
chiefly to external acts of dishonesty, while the tenth refers more to
thoughts against honesty.
LESSON THIRTY-FIFTH.
ON THE FIRST AND SECOND COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH.
Q. 1325. Are not the commandments of the Church also commandments of
God?
A. The commandments of the Church are also commandments of God, because
they are made by His authority, and we are bound under pain of sin to
observe them.
Q. 1326. What is the difference between the commandments of God and the
Commandments of the Church?
A. The commandments of God were given by God Himself to Moses on Mount
Sinai; the commandments of the Church were given on different occasions
by the lawful authorities of the Church. The Commandments given by God
Himself cannot be changed by the Church; but the commandments made by
the Church itself may be changed by its authority as necessity requires.
Q. 1327. {389} Which are the chief commandments of the Church?
A. The chief commandments of the Church are six:
1. To hear Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation.
2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
3. To confess at least once a year.
4. To receive the Holy Eucharist during the Easter time.
5. To contribute to the support of our pastors.
6. Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to us
within the third degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses,
nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times.
Q. 1328. Why has the Church made commandments?
A. The Church has made commandments to teach the faithful how to worship
God and to guard them from the neglect of their religious duties.
Q. 1329. {390} Is it a mortal sin not to hear Mass on a Sunday or a
holyday of obligation?
A. It is a mortal sin not to hear Mass on a Sunday or a holyday of
obligation, unless we are excused for a serious reason. They also commit
a mortal sin who, having others under their charge, hinder them from
hearing Mass, without a sufficient reason.
Q. 1330. What is a "serious reason" excusing one from the obligation of
hearing Mass?
A. A "serious reason" excusing one from the obligation of hearing Mass
is any reason that makes it impossible or very difficult to attend Mass,
such as severe illness, great distance from the Church, or the need of
certain works that cannot be neglected or postponed.
Q. 1331. Are children obliged, under pain of mortal sin, the same as
grown persons, to hear Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation?
A. Children who have reached the use of reason are obliged under pain of
mortal sin, the same as grown persons, to hear Mass on Sundays and
holydays of obligation; but if they are prevented from so doing by
parents, or others, then the sin falls on those who prevent them.
Q. 1332. {391} Why were holydays instituted by the church?
A. Holydays were instituted by the Church to recall to our minds the
great mysteries of religion and the virtues and rewards of the saints.
Q. 1333. How many holydays of obligation are there in this country?
A. In this country there are six holydays of obligation, namely, (1)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8th); (2) Christmas (Dec.
25th); (3) Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord (Jan. 1st); (4) Feast
of the Ascension of Our Lord (forty days after Easter); (5) Feast of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Aug. 15th); and (6) Feast of All
Saints (Nov. 1st).
Q. 1334. {392} How should we keep the holydays of obligation?
A. We should keep the holydays of obligation as we should keep the
Sunday.
Q. 1335. Why are certain holydays called holydays of obligation?
A. Certain holydays are called holydays of obligation because on such
days we are obliged under pain of mortal sin to hear Mass and keep from
servile works as we do on Sundays.
Q. 1336. What should one do who is obliged to work on a holyday of
obligation?
A. One who is obliged to work on a holyday of obligation should, if
possible, hear Mass before going to work, and should also explain this
necessity in confession, so as to obtain the confessor's advice on the
subject.
Q. 1337. {393} What do you mean by fast-days?
A. By fast-days I mean days on which we are allowed but one full meal.
Q. 1338. Is it permitted on fast days to take any food besides the one
full meal?
A. It is permitted on fast days, besides the one full meal, to take two
other meatless meals, to maintain strength, according to each one's
needs. But together these two meatless meals should not equal another
full meal.
Q. 1339. Who are obliged to fast?
A. All persons over 21 and under 59 years of age, and whose health and
occupation will permit them to fast.
Q. 1340. Does the Church excuse any classes of persons from the
obligation of fasting?
A. The Church does excuse certain classes of persons from the obligation
of fasting on account of their age, the condition of their health, the
nature of their work, or the circumstances in which they live. These
things are explained in the Regulations for Lent, read publicly in the
Churches each year.
Q. 1341. What should one do who doubts whether or not he is obliged to
fast?
A. In doubt concerning fast, a parish priest or confessor should be
consulted.
Q. 1342. When do fast days chiefly occur in the year?
A. Fast days chiefly occur in the year during Lent and Advent, on the
Ember days and on the vigils or eves of some great feasts. A vigil
falling on a Sunday is not observed.
Q. 1343. What do you mean by Lent, Advent, Ember days and the vigils of
great feasts?
A. Lent is the seven weeks of penance preceding Easter. Advent is the
four weeks of preparation preceding Christmas. Ember days are three days
set apart in each of the four seasons of the year as special days of
prayer and thanksgiving. Vigils are the days immediately preceding great
feasts and spent in spiritual preparation for them.
Q. 1344. {394} What do you mean by days of abstinence?
A. By days of abstinence I mean days on which no meat at all may be
taken (complete abstinence) or on which meat may be taken only once a
day (partial abstinence). This is explained in the regulations for Lent.
All the Fridays of the year are days of abstinence except when a Holyday
of obligation falls on a Friday outside of Lent.
Q. 1345. Are children and persons unable to fast bound to abstain on
days of abstinence?
A. Children, from the age of seven years, and persons who are unable to
fast are bound to abstain on days of abstinence, unless they are excused
for sufficient reason.
Q. 1346. {395} Why does the Church command us to fast and abstain?
A. The Church commands us to fast and abstain, in order that we may
mortify our passions and satisfy for our sins.
Q. 1347. What is meant by our passions and what by mortifying them?
A. By our passions are meant our sinful desires and inclinations.
Mortifying them means restraining them and overcoming them so that they
have less power to lead us into sin.
Q. 1348. {396} Why does the Church command us to abstain from flesh-meat
on Fridays?
A. The Church commands us to abstain from flesh-meat on Fridays in honor
of the day on which our Saviour died.
LESSON THIRTY-SIXTH.
ON THE THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH.
Q. 1349. {397} What is meant by the command of confessing at least once
a year?
A. By the command of confessing at least once a year is meant that we
are obliged, under pain of mortal sin, to go to confession within the
year.
Q. 1350. {398} Should we confess only once a year?
A. We should confess frequently, if we wish to lead a good life.
Q. 1351. Should we go to confession at our usual time even if we think
we have not committed sin since our last confession?
A. We should go to confession at our usual time even if we think we have
not committed sin since our last confession, because the Sacrament of
Penance has for its object not only to forgive sins, but also to bestow
grace and strengthen the soul against temptation.
Q. 1352. {399} Should children go to confession?
A. Children should go to confession when they are old enough to commit
sin, which is commonly about the age of seven years.
Q. 1353. {400} What sin does he commit who neglects to receive Communion
during the Easter time?
A. He who neglects to receive Communion during the Easter time commits a
mortal sin.
Q. 1354. {401} What is the Easter time?
A. The Easter time is, in this country, the time between the first
Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday.
Q. 1355. When is Trinity Sunday?
A. Trinity Sunday is the Sunday after Pentecost, or eight weeks after
Easter Sunday; so that there are fourteen weeks in which one may comply
with the command of the Church to receive Holy Communion between the
first Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday.
Q. 1356. {402} Are we obliged to contribute to the support of our
pastors?
A. We are obliged to contribute to the support of our pastors, and to
bear our share in the expense of the Church and school.
Q. 1357. Where did the duty of contributing to the support of the Church
and clergy originate?
A. The duty of contributing to the support of the Church and clergy
originated in the Old Law, when God commanded all the people to
contribute to the support of the temple and of its priests.
Q. 1358. What does the obligation of supporting the Church and school
imply?
A. The obligation of supporting the Church and school implies the duty
of making use of the Church and school by attending religious worship in
the one and by giving Catholic education in the other; because if the
Church and school were not necessary for our spiritual welfare we would
not be commanded to support them.
Q. 1359. Does the fifth commandment of the Church include the support
only of our pastors and the Church and school?
A. The fifth commandment of the Church includes the support also of our
holy father, the Pope, bishops, priests, missions, religious
institutions and religion in general.
Q. 1360. {403} What is the meaning of the commandment not to marry
within the third degree of kindred?
A. The meaning of the commandment not to marry within the third degree
of kindred is that no one is allowed to marry another within the third
degree of blood relationship.
Q. 1361. Who are in the third degree of blood relationship?
A. Second cousins are in the third degree of blood relationship, and
persons whose relationship is nearer than second cousins are in closer
degrees of kindred. It is unlawful for persons thus related to marry
without a dispensation or special permission of the Church.
Q. 1362. Are there other relationships besides blood relationship that
render marriage unlawful without a dispensation?
A. There are other relationships besides blood relationship that render
marriage unlawful without a dispensation, namely, the relationships
contracted by marriage, which are called degrees of affinity, and the
relationship contracted by being sponsors at Baptism, which is called
spiritual affinity.
Q. 1363. What should persons about to marry do, if they suspect they are
related to each other?
A. Persons about to marry, if they suspect they are related to each
other, should make known the facts to the priest, that he may examine
the degree of relationship and procure a dispensation if necessary.
Q. 1364. {404} What is the meaning of the command not to marry
privately?
A. The command not to marry privately means that none should marry
without the blessing of God's priests or without witnesses.
Q. 1365. What sin is it for Catholics to be married before the minister
of another religion?
A. It is a mortal sin for Catholics to be married before the minister of
another religion, and they who attempt to do so incur excommunication,
and absolution from their sin is reserved to the bishop.
Q. 1366. {405} What is the meaning of the precept not to solemnize
marriage at forbidden times?
A. The meaning of the precept not to solemnize marriage at forbidden
times is that during Lent and Advent the marriage ceremony should not be
performed with pomp or a nuptial Mass.
Q. 1367. {406} What is the nuptial Mass?
A. The nuptial Mass is a Mass appointed by the Church to invoke a
special blessing upon the married couple.
Q. 1368. {407} Should Catholics be married at a nuptial Mass?
A. Catholics should be married at a nuptial Mass, because they thereby
show greater reverence for the holy Sacrament and bring richer blessings
upon their wedded life.
Q. 1369. What restrictions does the Church place on the ceremonies of
marriage when one of the persons is not a Catholic?
A. The Church places several restrictions on the ceremonies of marriage
when one of the persons is not a Catholic. The marriage cannot take
place in the church; the priest cannot wear his sacred vestments nor use
holy water nor bless the ring nor the marriage itself. The Church places
these restrictions to show her dislike for such marriages, commonly
called mixed marriages.
Q. 1370. Why does the Church dislike mixed marriages?
A. The Church dislikes mixed marriages because such marriages are
frequently unhappy, give rise to many disputes, endanger the faith of
the Catholic member of the family, and prevent the religious education
of the children.
LESSON THIRTY-SEVENTH.
ON THE LAST JUDGMENT AND THE RESURRECTION, HELL, PURGATORY, AND HEAVEN.
Q. 1371. {408} When will Christ judge us?
A. Christ will judge us immediately after our death, and on the last
day.
Q. 1372. {409} What is the judgment called which we have to undergo
immediately after death?
A. The judgment we have to undergo immediately after death is called the
Particular Judgment.
Q. 1373. Where will the particular judgment be held?
A. The particular judgment will be held in the place where each person
dies, and the soul will go immediately to its reward or punishment.
Q. 1374. {410} What is the judgment called which all men have to undergo
on the last day?
A. The judgment which all men have to undergo on the last day is called
the General Judgment.
Q. 1375. Will the sentence given at the particular judgment be changed
at the general judgment?
A. The sentence given at the particular judgment will not be changed at
the general judgment, but it will be repeated and made public to all.
Q. 1376. {411} Why does Christ judge men immediately after death?
A. Christ judges men immediately after death to reward or punish them
according to their deeds.
Q. 1377. How may we daily prepare for our judgment?
A. We may daily prepare for our judgment by a good examination of
conscience, in which we will discover our sins and learn to fear the
punishment they deserve.
Q. 1378. {412} What are the rewards or punishments appointed for men's
souls after the Particular Judgment?
A. The rewards or punishments appointed for men's souls after the
Particular Judgment are Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell.
Q. 1379. {413} What is Hell?
A. Hell is a state to which the wicked are condemned, and in which they
are deprived of the sight of God for all eternity, and are in dreadful
torments.
Q. 1380. Will the damned suffer in both mind and body?
A. The damned will suffer in both mind and body, because both mind and
body had a share in their sins. The mind suffers the "pain of loss" in
which it is tortured by the thought of having lost God forever, and the
body suffers the "pain of sense" by which it is tortured in all its
members and senses.
Q. 1381. {414} What is Purgatory?
A. Purgatory is the state in which those suffer for a time who die
guilty of venial sins, or without having satisfied for the punishment
due to their sins.
Q. 1382. Why is this state called Purgatory?
A. This state is called Purgatory because in it the souls are purged or
purified from all their stains; and it is not, therefore, a permanent or
lasting state for the soul.
Q. 1383. Are the souls in Purgatory sure of their salvation?
A. The souls in Purgatory are sure of their salvation, and they will
enter heaven as soon as they are completely purified and made worthy to
enjoy that presence of God which is called the Beatific Vision.
Q. 1384. Do we know what souls are in Purgatory, and how long they have
to remain there?
A. We do not know what souls are in Purgatory nor how long they have to
remain there; hence we continue to pray for all persons who have died
apparently in the true faith and free from mortal sin. They are called
the faithful departed.
Q. 1385. {415} Can the faithful on earth help the souls in Purgatory?
A. The faithful on earth can help the souls in Purgatory by their
prayers, fasts, alms, deeds; by indulgences, and by having Masses said
for them.
Q. 1386. Since God loves the souls in Purgatory, why does He punish
them?
A. Though God loves the souls in Purgatory, He punishes them because His
holiness requires that nothing defiled may enter heaven and His justice
requires that everyone be punished or rewarded according to what he
deserves.
Q. 1387. {416} If every one is judged immediately after death, what need
is there of a general judgment?
A. There is need of a general judgment, though every one is judged
immediately after death, that the providence of God, which, on earth,
often permits the good to suffer and the wicked to prosper, may in the
end appear just before all men.
Q. 1388. What is meant by "the Providence of God"?
A. By "the Providence of God" is meant the manner in which He preserves,
provides for, rules and governs the world and directs all things by His
infinite Will.
Q. 1389. Are there other reasons for the general judgment?
A. There are other reasons for the general judgment, and especially that
Christ Our Lord may receive from the whole world the honor denied Him at
His first coming, and that all may be forced to acknowledge Him their
God and Redeemer.
Q. 1390. {417} Will our bodies share in the reward or punishment of our
souls?
A. Our bodies will share in the reward or punishment of our souls,
because through the resurrection they will again be united to them.
Q. 1391. When will the general resurrection or rising of all the dead
take place?
A. The general resurrection or rising of all the dead will take place at
the general judgment, when the same bodies in which we lived on earth
will come forth from the grave and be united to our souls and remain
united with them forever either in heaven or in hell.
Q. 1392. {418} In what state will the bodies of the just rise?
A. The bodies of the just will rise glorious and immortal.
Q. 1393. {419} Will the bodies of the damned also rise?
A. The bodies of the damned will also rise, but they will be condemned
to eternal punishment.
Q. 1394. Why do we show respect for the bodies of the dead?
A. We show respect for the bodies of the dead because they were the
dwelling-place of the soul, the medium through which it received the
Sacraments, and because they were created to occupy a place in heaven.
Q. 1395. {420} What is Heaven?
A. Heaven is the state of everlasting life in which we see God face to
face, are made like unto Him in glory, and enjoy eternal happiness.
Q. 1396. In what does the happiness in heaven consist?
A. The happiness in heaven consists in seeing the beauty of God, in
knowing Him as He is, and in having every desire fully satisfied.
Q. 1397. What does St. Paul say of heaven?
A. St. Paul says of heaven, "That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither hath it entered into the heart of man what things God hath
prepared for them that love Him." (I. Cor. ii., 9.)
Q. 1398. Are the rewards in heaven and the punishments in hell the same
for all who enter into either of these states?
A. The rewards of heaven and the punishments in hell are not the same
for all who enter into either of these states, because each one's reward
or punishment is in proportion to the amount of good or evil he has done
in this world. But as heaven and hell are everlasting, each one will
enjoy his reward or suffer his punishment forever.
Q. 1399. {421} What words should we bear always in mind?
A. We should bear always in mind these words of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ: "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and
suffer the loss of his own soul, or what exchange shall a man give for
his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with
His angels; and then will He render to every man according to his
works."
Q. 1400. Name some of the more essential religious truths we must know
and believe.
A. Some of the more essential religious truths we must know and believe
are:
(1) That there is but one God, and He will reward the good and punish
the wicked.
(2) That in God there are three Divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, and these Divine Persons are called the Blessed
Trinity.
(3) That Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, became
man and died for our redemption.
(4) That the grace of God is necessary for our salvation.
(5) That the human soul is immortal.