THE
OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
IN NORTH AMERICA
[WEXFORD JURISDICTION]

THE CATECHISM

Lesson One: RELIGION 1. What is the purpose of these lessons? To fill in what is missing in the lives of so many people - the knowledge and practice of true religion. "The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness." [Proverbs 15: 14] 2. Why is religion the most important study you can take up? Because God expects you to know what He has taught and what He wants you to do in this life. "Let no man deceive himself if any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him became a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." [1 Corinthians 3: 18-19] 3. What is religion? Religion consists of two parts: 1] Believing everything God has told the human race 2] Observing all your duties to God, yourself and your fellow men. "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." [James 1: 22] 4. Is religion really necessary? Yes, for several reasons - 1] God demands that every human being follow His plan of life. 2] Without religion, life is meaningless. 3] Lack of religion causes unhappiness, both in this life and in the next. "For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable. Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked." [Wisdom 3: 11-12] 5. What will happen to those who do not practice religion? They will be punished with the everlasting torments of Hell. "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with the angels of his power: in a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know nut God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." [2 Thessalonians 1: 7-8] 6. What will religion give you in this life? Peace of mind, which is greater than anything money can buy. "Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it." [Luke 11: 28] "Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block. [Psalm 118: 165] 7. Are all religions the same? No, there is only one true religion, the one established by God Himself, which is explained in this Catechism. Lesson Two: SOURCES OF THE TRUTHS OF OUR FAITH [THE BIBLE AND TRADITION] "God who at sundry times and in diver manners: spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world." [Hebrews 1: 1] 8. How does God reveal Himself to us? God reveals Himself to us: 1] Naturally, through His works. 2] Supernaturally, through Revelation. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork." [Psalm 18: 2] "God. who at various times and in various manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, in these last days has spoken to us by His Son." [Hebrews 1: 1-2] 9. What do we mean by Revelation? By Revelation we mean the Word of God teaching us the truths of eternal salvation. "0 Father, Thy word is Truth!" [John 17: 17] "No one knows the Father except the Son, and him to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." [Matthew 11: 27] 10. What does Revelation comprise? Revelation comprises: 1] holy Scripture, or the Bible. 2] Tradition. 11. What is Holy Scripture or the Bible? A collection of the writings which were inspired by God. "All scripture. inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work." [2 Timothy 3: 16-17] 12. What does 'inspired by God' mean? It means that God chose some men and moved them to write down faithfully all the things, and only those things, which He wanted written down. "For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost." [2 Peter 1: 21] 13. Who, then, is the primary author of the Bible? God is, since He moved these men to write down the things He ordered, although He allowed them to write in their own language and style. "For I give you to understand, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it: but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" [Galatians 1: 11-12] 14. How many writings, or books, are there in the Bible? There are 72. 15. When were all these writings put together? The Catholic Church put all of them into one book between the years 350 and 405. 16. How is the Bible divided? It is divided into two main parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The collection of books, which the Church recognizes as divinely inspired, is called the Canon. The Canon comprises the Old Testament, composed of 45 books written before Jesus Christ, and the New Testament, composed of 27 books written after Jesus Christ. The Old Testament contains the things God told the human race from the beginning of the world up to the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ. The New Testament contains what God has told us through His Son and through His Apostles and others. 17. Is it possible to misunderstand the Bible? Yes, even the Bible says so. "As also in all his [Saint Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things: in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest [twist], as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction." [2 Peter 3: 16] 18. How can you get the true meaning of the Bible? You can get it only from God's official interpreter, the Catholic Church. Our Lord gave the right and the duty to interpret the Scriptures to his Church. Go and teach all nations ... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. [Matthew 28: 19-20] "Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation." [2 Peter 1: 20] "Philip the deacon heard an Ethiopian reading the prophet Isaiah, and he said. Do you understand what you are reading?' He replied, How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him." [Acts 8: 30-31] 19. Is everything that God taught in the Bible? No, the rest is in Tradition. "Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book." [John 20: 30] 20. What is Tradition? The Unwritten Word of God: these "other things Jesus did" given to the Apostles, either received from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself or inspired by the Holy Spirit, and which were transmitted from generation to generation by a way other than Holy Scripture. "Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle." [2 Thessalonians 2: 14] 21. Do you have to believe in Tradition? Yes, because it is the Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible. The early Christians learned everything by Tradition, since only later on were some of the teachings of Jesus written down, the last writing being done at the end of the first century. That is, there was no New Testament in the early Church. 22. Where is Tradition consigned? Tradition is consigned chiefly in the Apostles' Creed, in the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, in the unanimous teaching of the Saints and in the teaching of the Church. 23. What is the Apostles' Creed? The Apostles' Creed is a summary of the chief truths of the Faith, transmitted by the Apostles, who received it themselves from Jesus Christ. 24. What are the three chief divisions of the Apostles' Creed? The three chief divisions of the Apostles' Creed are: 1] God the Father, and the work of Creation. 2] God the Son, and the work of Redemption. 3] God the Holy Ghost, and the work of Sanctification. 25. Recite the Apostles' Creed? I believe in God, the Father Almighty: Creator of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: He descended into hell: the third day He arose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, The forgiveness of sins, The resurrection of the body, And life everlasting. Amen. 26. Are you free to believe whatever you want? "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with the angels of his power: in a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." [2 Thessalonians 1: 7-8] 27. What kind of sin is it to deny anything the Catholic Church teaches? Usually it is a serious sin, that is, a mortal sin. "Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, bath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son." [2 John 1: 9] PRACTICAL POINTS 1. Oral instruction was the first and chief method of teaching used by the Apostles: it was only on exceptional occasions that they sent written instructions to the churches they had established. Even the Gospel was first preached, and written only afterwards. 2. Tradition therefore precedes Scripture itself. At the end of his Gospel, Saint John informs us that there are many other things that Jesus did: but if every one of these should be written, not even the world itself, I think, could hold the books that would have to be written. [John 21: 25] The remembrance of these things, preciously kept by the Holy Church, forms the sacred deposit of Tradition. 3. If a Catholic denies one or more of the doctrines of the Catholic Church, he is no longer a Catholic. To be a Catholic is to accept the Catholic faith in its entirety because it comes from God, and God can neither lie nor make a mistake. 4. There can be no contradiction between the Bible and science since both are concerned with unchangeable Truth. For example, the "six days" in the creation account may well have been intended symbolically rather than literally. 5. You can easily tell the difference between a Catholic Bible and a non- Catholic one. A Catholic Bible always has the name of a Catholic bishop near the front with the Latin word Imprimatur, which means "It may be printed." 6. The Catholic Church not only allows her members to read the Bible, but also encourages them to do so. She give special "blessings: [called indulgences] to those who read it as spiritual reading. You are encouraged to buy a Catholic Bible and read part of it every day. 7. Protestant Bibles are missing 7 books of the Bible. Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, decided to omit them because the Jews omit them. Catholics call these 7 books the "Deuterocanonical Books": Protestants call them the "Apocrypha." They are Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Machabees [plus parts of Esther and Daniel]. 8. Nowhere does the Bible say that the Bible is the sole source of Christian teaching. This fact refutes the classic Protestant teaching of "the Bible alone" [sola Scriptura]. Lesson Three: THE APOSTLES' CREED 28. Where shall we find the chief truths, which the Church teaches? We shall find the chief truths, which the Church teaches in the Apostles' Creed, which consists of twelve "articles" of faith: 1] 1 believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. I believe in God, the Father "He that cometh to God, must believe that he is." [Hebrews 11: 6] "Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well." [James 2: 19] "You believe in God, believe also in Me." [John 14: 1] "With the heart we believe unto justice: but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." [Romans 10: 10] "And the apostles said unto the Lord: Increase our faith." [Luke 17: 5] "One God and Father." [Ephesians 4: 6] "The fool hath said in his heart: There is no God." [Psalm [3: 1: 52: 1] "I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named." [Ephesians 3: 14-15] "And our fellowship may be with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." [1 John 1: 3] "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? [Malachi 2: 10] "Is not He thy Father, that hath possessed thee, and made thee and created thee? [Deuteronomy 32: 6] Almighty "I am the Almighty God." [Genesis 17: 1] "God said to him: I am the most mighty God of thy father." [Genesis 46: 3] "0 Adonai, Lord, great Art Thou, and glorious in Thy power, and no one can overcome Thee." [Judith 16: 16] "Lord, Lord, almighty king, for all things are in Thy power, and there is none that can resist Thy will." [Esther 13:9] "Who is God but the Lord: and who is strong but our God?" [2 Kings 22: 32] "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: I am the Lord, that appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, by the name of God Almighty." [Exodus 6: 2~3] "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was, and who is, and Who is to come." [Apocalypse 4: 8] "Lord God, Thou hast begun to shew unto Thy servant Thy greatness, and most mighty hand: for there is no other God either in heaven or earth, that is able to do Thy works, or to be compared to Thy strength." [Deuteronomy 3: 24] "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord. God, Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come the Almighty." [Apocalypse 1: 8] "No word shall be impossible with God." [Luke 1: 37] Creator of heaven and earth. "In the beginning God created heaven and earth." [Genesis 1: 1] "God, Who created all things." [Ephesians 3: 9] "By the word of the Lord the heavens were established." [Psalm 32: 0] "All thing were made by Him: and without Him was made nothing that was made." [John 1: 3] "0 Lord God, behold, Thou hast made heaven and earth by Thy great power." [Jeremiah 32: 17] "Thus said the Lord that created the heavens, God Himself that formed the earth, and made it, the very maker thereof: he did not create it in vain: He formed it to be inhabited." [Isaiah 45: 18] 2] And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord. "You believe in God, behave also in Me." [John 14: 1] "Is not He the Christ?" [John 4: 29] "Yea, Lord, I have believed that Thou alt Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who art come into this world." [John 11 27] "And thou shalt call His name Jesus." [Luke 1: 31] "In the name of Jesus every knee should bow." [Philippians 2: 10] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." [John 1: 1] "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High." [Luke 1 32] "Indeed this was the Son of God." [Matthew 27: 54] "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." [Acts 8: 37] "All things are delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knoweth Who is the Son is but the Father: and Who the Father is but the Son, and to whom the Son will reveal Him." [Luke 10: 22] "You are called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." [1 Corinthians 1: 9] 3] Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary "For a Child is born to us, and a son Ac: given to us, ... and his name shall be called ... God the Mighty, ... the Prince of Peace." [Isaiah 9: 6] "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel," [Isaiah 7: 14: Matthew 1. 23] "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus" [Luke 1: 31] "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy One which shall be burn of thee, shall be called the Son of God." [Luke 1: 35] "That which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost." [Matthew 1: 20] "And the virgin's name was Mary." [Luke 1: 27] "Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ." [Matthew 1: 16] "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." [John 1: 14] 4] Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. "It is written of the Son of Man, that he must suffer many things, and bc despised." [Mark 9: 11: see Isaiah 53: 3, 4] "And they brought him bound, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate, the governor." [Matthew 27: 2] "His Son Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate." [Acts 3: 13] "In the morning, the chief priests, holding a consultation with the ancients, and the Scribes, and the whole council, binding Jesus, led him away, and delivered him to Pilate. [Mark 15: 1] "And the whole multitude of them rising up, led him to Pilate." [Luke 23: 1: 23. 11] "And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required." [Luke 23: 24] "Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him." [John 19: 1] "And so Pilate, being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas, and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified." [Mark 15: 15] "And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there." [Luke 23: 33] "And crucifying him, they divided his garments." [Mark 15: 24] "And Jesus, having cried out with a loud voice, gave up the Ghost." [Mark 15: 37: Matthew 27: 50: Luke 23: 46] "But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs." [John 19: 33] "We preach Christ crucified." [1 Corinthians 1: 23] "Christ died once for our sins, the just for the unjust." [1 Peter 3: 18] "And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, taking him down from the tree, they laid him in a sepulchre." [Acts 13. 29] "That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures: and that he was buried" [1 Corinthians 15: 3-4] "And Joseph, buying fine linen, and taking him down, wrapped him up in the fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre." [Mark 15: 46, John 19. 38 42] "This man went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus ... and laid him in a sepulchre." [Luke 23: 52, 53] "And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards." [Matthew 27: 66] 5] He descended into hell: the third day He arose again from the dead. "He ... descended first into the lower parts of the earth " [Ephesians 4: 9] "This day thou shalt be with me in paradise." [Luke 23: 43] "He preached to those spirits that were in prison-" [1 Peter 3: 19] "Because Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor wilt Thou give Thy holy one to see corruption." [Psalm 15: 10: Acts 2: 27: 13: 35] "He spoke of the resurrection of Christ For neither was he left in hell, neither did his flesh see corruption." [Acts 2: 31] "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell." [Acts 2: 24] "The third day He shall rise again." [Matthew 20: 19] "He rose again the third day, according to the scriptures." [1 Corinthians 15: 4] "He is not here, for he is risen, as he said." [Matthew 28: 6] "When it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre." [Matthew 28: 1] "But God raised him up from the dead the third day." [Acts 13: 30: 10: 40] "Very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen ... Be not afrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here." [Mark 16: 2, 6] "Destroy this temple, and in three day's I will raise it up." [John 2: 19] "When, therefore, he was risen again from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this." [John 2: 22] "If Christ be not risen again, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [1 Corinthians 15: 14: 15: 17] "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." [Luke 24: 34] "Who was delivered up for our sins, and rose again for our justification." [Romans 4: 25: 1 Corinthians 15: 3,4] "I lay down my life, that I may take it again." [John 10: 17] "It behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead the third day." [Luke 24: 46] "As Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life." [Romans 6: 4] 6] He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. "And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up." [Acts 1: 9: see 4 Kings 2: 1] "God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet." [Psalm 46: 6] "He wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places." [Ephesians 1: 20] "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts in men." [Psalm 67: 19: Ephesians 4: 8] "And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them. was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God." [Mark 16: 19] "And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up to heaven." [Luke 24: 51] "And no man hath ascend into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven." [John 3: 13] "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God." [Acts 7: 55] "Seek the things that are above: where Christ is sitting at the right hand of Cod." [Colossians 3: 1] 7] From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. "This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven." [Acts 1: 11] "For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment .. and the dead who are in Christ, shall rise first." [1 Thessalonians 4: 15] "I will come again, and will take you to myself" [John 14: 3] "When the Son of Man shall come in his majesty ... all nation shall be gathered together before him. and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats." [Matthew 25: 31-32] "Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom." [2 Timothy 4: 1] "We must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ." [2 Corinthians 5: 10, Romans 14: 10] "Behold, the day of the Lord shall come, a cruel day, and full of indignation, and of wrath." [Isaiah 13: 9: see Ezekiel 7: 8: Proverbs 11œ 4: Jeremiah 30: 23: Joel 2] "Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God." [John 5: 28] "And he hath given him power to do judgment. because he is the Son of Man." [John 5: 27] "And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God to be the judge of the living and of the dead " [Acts 10: 42] 8] I believe in the Holy Ghost. "There are three that give testimony in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. [1 John 5: 7] "The spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness, and ... the spirit of the fear of the Lord." [Isaiah 11: 2, 3] "Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost ...? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God." [Acts 5: 3, 4] "And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire. and it sat upon every one of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak." [Acts 2: 3-4] "The Holy Ghost shall teach you ... what you must say." [Luke 12: 12] "The Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind whatsoever I shall have said to you." [John 14: 26] "But the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me." [John 15: 26] "Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? But they said to him: We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost." [Acts 19: 2] "And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the holy Ghost came upon them." [Acts 19: 6] "Your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost. who is in you." [1 Corinthians 6: 19] "You shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost." [Act 1: .5] "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost, be with you all." [2 Corinthians 13: 13] "In the name of the Father: and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." [Matthew 28: 19] 9] The holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints. "The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." [1 Timothy 3: 15] "Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it., that he might sanctity it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life: that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish." [Ephesians 5: 25-27] "Build upon the foundation of the apostles." [Ephesians 2: 20] "The Holy Ghost bath placed you bishops, to rule the church of Cod, which he hath purchased with his own blood." [Acts 20: 28] "If he will not hear them, tell the church." [Matthew 18. 17] "Thou ... hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people and nation: and hast made us to our God a kingdom." [Apocalypse 5: 9, 10] The Communion of Saints "That you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship may be with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." [1 John 1: 3] "Giving thanks to God the Father, who bath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light." [Colossians 1: 12] "God, who is glorified in the assembly of the saints." [Psalm 88: 8] "I am a partaker with all them that fear thee, and that keep thy commandments." [Psalm 118: 63] 10] The forgiveness of sins. "That penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all nations." [Luke 24: 47] "Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them. [John 20: 23: Matthew 18: 18] "And you, when you were dead in your sins, and the uncircumcision of your flesh: he hath quickened together with him: forgiving you all offences: blotting out the handwriting of the decree that was against us." [Colossians 2: 13-14] "Blessed is thy name, 0 God of our fathers: who, when thou hast been angry, wilt shew mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgivest the sins of them that call upon thee ... For thou art not delighted in our being lost." [Tobias 3: 13, 22] "Amen I say to you, that all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and the blasphemies wherewith they shall blaspheme. [Mark 3: 28; Matthew 12: 31; Luke 12: 10; 1 John 5: 16] "And the priest shall pray for him, and for his sin, before the Lord, and he shall have mercy on him, and the sin shall be forgiven." [Leviticus 19: 22] "And my people. ... being converted. shall make supplication to me, and seek out my face, and do penance for their most wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven. and will forgive their sins." [2 Paralipomenon 7: 14] "He that hideth his sins shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy." [Proverbs 28: 13] "If your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow, and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool." [Isaiah 1: 18] "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive." [Isaiah 55: 7] "To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins." [Acts 10: 43] "If you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences." [Matthew 6: 14: see Ecclesiasticus 28: 3-5: Matthew 18: 35: Mark 11: 25] "But that you may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins." [Matthew 9: 6: Mark 2: 10] "The lord of that servant, being moved with pity, let him go, and forgave him the debt." [Matthew 18 27] "Jerusalem Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered together thy children, as the hen doth gather her chickens under her wings." [Matthew 23: 37: Luke 13. 34] "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven." [Psalm 31: 1] 11] The resurrection of the body. "We shall all indeed rise again." [1 Corinthians 15: 51] "And the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints that had slept, arose." [Matthew 27: 52] "And when they had heard of the resurrection of the dead, some indeed mocked: but other said: We will hear thee again concerning this matter." [Acts 17: 32] "The Father raiseth up the dead, and giveth life." [John 5: 21] "If there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen again." [1 Corinthians 15: 13] "If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them who have slept through Jesus will God bring with him." [1 Thessalonians 4: 13] "Thy brother shall rise again." [John 11: 25] "I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection, at the last day." [John 11: 24] "I am the resurrection and the life." [John 11: 25] "Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God And they that have done good things, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life: but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment." [John 5: 28-29] "Shall man that is dead, thinkest though, live again?" [Job 14: 14] "He [the wicked man] believeth not that he may return from darkness to light." [Job 13: 22] "I know that my redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see my God " [Job 19: 25- 26] "So man, when he is fallen asleep, shall not rise again: till the heavens be broken, he shall not awake, nor rise out of his sleep. [Job 14: 12] "Thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection." [2 Machabees 12: 43] "The dead shall rise again." [1 Corinthians 15: 52] "I will raise him up in the last day." [John 6: 55: 6: 40] "If Christ be preached that he arose again from the dead, how do some among you say, that there is no resurrection of the dead." [1 Corinthians. 15: 12] "By a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead [1 Corinthians 15: 21] "They determined against me an unjust word: shall he that sleepeth rise again no more?" [Psalm 40: 9] "God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell, when he shall receive me." [Psalm 48: 16] "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection." [Apocalypse 20: 6] "Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead?" [Psalm 87: 11] "Thus saith the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will send spirit into you, you shall live." [Ezechiel 37: 5] "Many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake: some unto life everlasting, and others unto reproach." [Daniel 12: 2] "Thou, indeed, 0 most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, ... in the resurrection of eternal life. [2 Machabees 7: 9] "There shall be a resurrection of the just and the unjust." [Acts 24: 15] "He [Christ] should be the first that should rise from the dead " [Arts 26: 23] "I will deliver them out of the hand of death ... 0 death, I will he thy death!" [Osee 13: 14; 1 Corinthians 15: 54] "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall he also in the likeness of His resurrection." [Romans 6: 5] "Knowing that He Who raise up Jesus will raise up us also with Jesus." [2 Corinthians 4: 14] "He that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead shall quicken also your mortal bodies." [Romans 8: 11] 12] And life everlasting. "In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for miser. and their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace." [Wisdom 3: 2- 3] "The dead shall rise again uncorruptible." [1 Corinthians 15: 52] "The just shall live for evermore." [Wisdom 5: 16] "For this corruptible must put on incorruption: and this mortal must put on immorality." [1 Corinthians 15: 53] "For they have said, reasoning with themselves, but not right: The time of our life is short and tedious, and in the end of a man there is no remedy. and no man hath been known to have returned from hell." [Wisdom 2: 1] "This is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting." [John 6: 40] "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." [Apocalypse 14: 13] "For we are the children of saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him. [Tobias 2: 18] "They that instruct many to justice [shall shine] as stars for all eternity." [Daniel 12: 3] "I am the God of Abraham… He is not the god of the dead, but of the living." [Matthew 22: 32; Mark 12: 27; Luke 20: 38; Romans 14: 8, 9] "Who shall ... receive ... in the world to come, life everlasting." [Mark 10: 30; Luke 18: 30] "He that hateth his life in this world, keepeth it unto life eternal." [John 12: 25] "Every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever." [John 11: 26] "Upon the hope of life everlasting, which God, who lieth not, hath promised." [Titus 1: 2] "He that believeth in me, hath everlasting life." [John 6: 47] Lesson Four: THE GIFT OF FAITH 29. What is the greatest gift we have received from God? The greatest gift we have received from God is the Gift of Faith, which makes us Christians. "By grace you have been saved through faith, and not through any merit of your own, for it is the gift of God." [Ephesians 2: 8] 30. What is a Christian? A Christian is one who, being baptized, believes and professes the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and is submitted to His Church. To be truly Christian in the fullest sense of the word, it does not suffice to believe in the truths of Christianity: one must put them into practice. "Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." [James 2: 26] 31. What is the exterior sign of a Christian? The exterior sign of a Christian is the sign of the cross. 32. Why is the sign of the cross the sign of a Christian? The sign of the cross is the sign of a Christian because Jesus Christ died on the cross for our salvation. The cross, which was the instrument of our salvation, holds a great place in the Christian religion. It stands atop churches: it is everywhere within them: on the altar, on missals, etc. Not one office is recited, not one sacrament is administered without the sign of the cross being made several times. The sign of the cross is made in three ways. There is: a] the blessing which priests give by making a cross in the air: b] the sign of the cross we make with the thumb on the forehead, mouth and heart: on the forehead to indicate that we are not ashamed to be Christians, on the mouth so say that we are ready to confess our Faith, and on the heart to show that we love it with all our heart: c] the sign of the cross we make on ourselves. 33. How do we make the sign of the cross? We make the sign of the cross, with respect and piety, by touching the right hand to the forehead, then to the chest, from there to the left shoulder, and finally to the right shoulder while saying: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 34. What do we mean to express by the sign of the cross? By the sign of the cross we mean to express our belief in the chief mysteries of our Faith. 35. What are the chief mysteries of our Faith? The chief mysteries of our Faith are: The Trinity or one God in three Persons, the Incarnation, and the Redemption. 36. How is the sign of the cross a profession of faith in the chief mysteries of our religion? The sign of the cross is a profession of faith in the chief mysteries of our religion because: 1] The words we say express the mystery of one God in three Persons. 2] The cross we make recalls the mystery of Jesus Christ, God made Man, dying on the cross to redeem us. 37. When should we make the sign of the cross? We should make the sign of the cross when rising and when going to bed, before and after our prayers, before and after meals, at the beginning of all the important actions of the day, and whenever we are tempted or in danger. 38. Why should we make the sign of the cross often? We should make this sign of the cross often because this sign, made worthily, has the power to strengthen our faith, to drive away the devil and temptation, and to obtain all kinds of graces for us. "Let us arm ourselves with the cross as with a shield," Saint Ephrem says, "let us clothe ourselves with this invincible armor of the Christian ... Let us never stop wearing it day and night: may it accompany us in whatever we do, at work, at study, at meals, in journeys, indoors, outdoors, even in our sleep: it will keep us from all evils. The one who displays the prince's seal on his person need not fear that anyone will insult him: with all the more reason is the Christian, who bears the standard of the King of kings, in safety against every attack. At its sight, the enemy powers will be struck with dread." [St. Ephrem, "Homily on the Second Coming of Christ"] 39. Why is the sign of the cross powerful against the enemies of the soul? The sign of the cross is powerful against the enemies of the soul because Jesus Christ overcame them on the cross, by His sufferings and His death. Lesson Five: ON THE END OF MAN 40. Who made the world? God made the world. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." [Genesis 1: 1] "God made the world." [Acts 17: 24] "Thine Almighty hand made the world of matter. [Wisdom 11: 17] "The sea is His and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land." [Psalm 95: 5] 41. Who is God? God is the Creator of heaven and earth] and of all things. "Thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth." [Psalm 74:16-17] "Blessed be the Lord God. Who hath created the heavens and the earth." [Judith 13: 18] "I am the Lord that maketh all things: that stretcheth from the heavens alone: that spreadeth abroad the earth by Myself" [Isaiah 44: 24] "All things were made by Him: and without Him was not any thing made that was made." [John 1: 3] 42. What is man? Man is a creature composed of body and soul, and made to the image and likeness of God. "God created man upon the earth." [Deuteronomy 4: 32] "The spirit of the God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath give me life." [Job 33: 4] "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" [1 Corinthians 6: 19] "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul." [Genesis 2: 7] "And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. So God created man in His own image." [Genesis 1: 26-27] "For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of His own eternity." [Wisdom 2: 23] 43. Is this likeness in the body or the soul? This likeness is chiefly in the soul. "God is a spirit." [John 4: 24] "Let us make man in Our image." [Genesis 15: 26] "Man became a living soul." [Genesis 2: 7] 44. How is the soul like to God? The soul is like God because it is a spirit that will never die, and has understanding and free will. "Man became a living soul." [Genesis 2: 7] "For God created man to be immortal." [Wisdom 2: 23] "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." [1 Corinthians 15: 53] "Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave He them to understand" [Ecclesiasticus 17: 6] "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him." [Colossians 3: 10] "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and crib therefore choose life." [Deuteronomy 30: 15, 19] 45. Why did God make you? God made me to know Him, to Jove Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next. "Let him that glorieth glory in this. that he understandeth and knoweth Me." [Jeremiah 9: 24] "Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know Him that is: neither, by considering the works, did they acknowledge the work-master." [Wisdom 13: 1] "This is life eternal, that the might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent." [John 17: 3] "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him." [Deuteronomy 7: 9] "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." [John 14: 23] 46. Of which must we take more care, our soul or our body? We must take more care of our soul than of our body. "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" [Matthew 16: 26] "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it." [Matthew 16: 25] "It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing." [John 6: 23] 47. Why must we take more care of our soul than of our body? We must take more care of our soul than of our body, because in losing our soul we lose God and everlasting happiness. "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" [Matthew 16: 26] "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently." [Deuteronomy 4: 9] "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. [Romans 8: 13] 48. What must we do to save our souls? To save our souls we must worship God by faith, hope and charity; that is, we must believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him with all our heart. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure." [2 Peter 1: 10] "He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." [Micah 6: 8] "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to the world." [Romans 12: 1-2] "Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him." [Deuteronomy 13: 4] 49. What does God want of us? God wants of us: 1] that we believe all that He has revealed: 2] that we keep the commandments: 3] that we receive the sacraments, and pray. 50. How shall we know the things which we are to believe? We shall know the things which we are to believe from the Catholic Church, through which God speaks to us. 51. What is meant by the word "believe"? "Believe" means to hold as true all that God has revealed. 52. What has God revealed? God has revealed what we must know and do to gain heaven. 53. Is faith necessary to salvation? Yes, Faith is necessary to salvation. Lesson Six: GOD AND HIS PERFECTIONS "I believe in God, the Father Almighty." [The Apostles' Creed] "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor? Or who bath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him? for of him and by him and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen." [Romans 11: 33-36] 54. What is God? God is an infinitely perfect spirit. He is our Father, He is Love itself, and from whom all good things come. God is the Supreme Being, the Creator "who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them." [Psalm 145: 5] "In this manner shall you pray: "Our Father, who art in heaven ..." Jesus teaches. [Matthew 6: 9] "God is Love." [1 John 4: 8] "He is from everlasting: unto Him may nothing be added, neither can life be diminished." [Ecclesiasticus 42: 21] "Behold. God is great, and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out" [Job 36: 26] 55. What does "Creator" mean? It means that God made all things out of nothing. "I beseech thee, my son, look upon heaven and earth, and all that is in them: and consider that God made them out of nothing, and mankind also." [2 Machabees 7: 28] 56. How do you know there is a God? If you just examine the things in this world, you have to admit that someone had to make them. "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the ah: and they shall tell thee. Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell. Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things." [Job 12: 7-9] "The fool hath said in his heart: There is no God." [Psalm 13: 1] 57. Did God have a beginning? God had no beginning for He is eternal. He always was, and He always will be. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty." [Apocalypse 1 8] "He is from all eternity, and He shall be forever." [Ecclesiasticus 42: 21] "Behold, God is great. and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out" [Job 36: 26] "Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed: from eternity and to eternity thou art God." [Psalm 89: 2] 58. Where is God? God is everywhere: He is in heaven, on earth, and in all places. "In Him we live and move and have our being." [Acts 17: 28] "The Spirit of the Lord fills the world, He is all embracing and knows all that man says." [Wisdom 1: 7] "Shall a man be hidden in secret places and I shall not see him?" saith the Lord, "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" saith the Lord. [Jeremiah 23: 24] "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy face? If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present." [Psalm 138. 7-8] 59. If God is everywhere, why do we not see Him? We do not see God because He is a pure spirit and cannot be seen with bodily eyes. "No one has ever seen God. But the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father He has revealed Him to us." [John 1: 18] "God is a Spirit." [John 4: 24] "For the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen are eternal." [2 Corinthians 4: 18] 60. Does God see us? Yes, God sees us and watches over us. "Your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you [that is, reward our good works.]" [Matthew 6: 4] "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." [Proverbs 15: 3] "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him." [Hebrews 4: 13] "Therefore all their works are as the sun before Him, and His eyes are continually upon their ways." [Ecclesiasticus 17: 19] 61. Does God know all things? Yes, God knows all things: even our most secret thoughts, words, and actions. He knows what has been, what is now, and what will be or may be. "There is no creature hidden from His sight: but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we have to give account." [Hebrews 4: 13] "The eyes of the Lord, ten thousand times brighter than the sun, observe every step a man takes and peer even into hidden corners. [Ecclesiasticus 23: 19] "God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." [1 John 3: 20] "Thou knowest all things, 0 Lord." [Ester 13: 12] "He knoweth the secrets of the heart." [Psalm 44: 21] "The Lord knoweth all that may be known, and He beholdeth the signs of the world. He declareth the things that are past: and for to come, and revealteth the steps of hidden things. No though escapteth Him, neither any words is hidden from Him." [Ecclesiasticus 42: 18- 20] 62. Can God do all things? Yes, God is almighty, and nothing is impossible to Him. "With God, all things are possible." [Mark 10: 27] "0 Lord, Lord, almighty King, all things are in Thy power, and there is none that can resist Thy Will ... Thou art the Lord of all, and there is none that can resist Thy majesty!" [Ester 13: 9-11] "Thou canst do all things." [Wisdom 11: 23] "With God all things are possible. " [Matthew 19: 26] "No word shall be impossible with God." [Luke 1: 37] "0 Lord, Thou art great and glorious, wonderful in strength, and invincible." [Judith 16: 13] "Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" [Genesis 18: 14] 63. Is God lust, holy and merciful? Yes, God is infinitely just, infinitely holy, infinitely merciful, because He is infinitely perfect. "Holy is His Name, and His mercy is from generation unto generation to those who fear Him. He hath shown might with His arm ... He hath put down the mighty from their throne and hath exalted the humble." [Luke 1: 49-52] "It is not the healthy who need a physician, but they who are sick. I have not come to call the just, but sinners, to penance." [Luke 5: 31-32] "Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment." [Job 34: 12] "He is a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." [Deuteronomy 32: 4] "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory." [Isaiah 6: 3] "0 Lord, Thou art just, and all Thy works and all Thy ways are mercy and truth, and Thou judgest truly and justly for even" [Tobit 3: 21] "0 Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, Who art fearful and strong, and righteous, and merciful, and the only and gracious King. The only giver of all things, the only just, almighty, and everlasting. [2 Machabees 1: 24-25] 64. Why do we say that God is holy? We say that God is holy because He loves and wills only what is good and hates what is evil. "There is none holy as the Lord. [1 Samuel 2: 2] "For Thou only art holy." [Revelation 15: 4] "The Lord our God is holy." [Psalm 99: 9] 65. Why do we say that God is just? We say that God is just because He gives to every one what he deserves: He rewards the good and punishes the wicked. "Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments. [Revelation 16: 7; 19: 2] "He is a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He " [Deuteronomy 32: 4] 66. Why do we say that God is kind? We say that God is kind because He gives us many blessings since He loves us. "Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean." [Matthew 8: 2] "With God all things are possible." [Mark 10: 27] 67. Why do we say that God is merciful? We say that God is merciful because He willingly pardons us if we are truly sorry for our sins. "0 Lord, Thou art just, and all Thy works and all Thy ways are mercy and truth, and Thou judgest truly and justly for ever." [Tobit 3: 2] "For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy." [Ecclesiasticus 2: 11] "The Lord is merciful and gracious ... and plenteous in mercy." [Psalm 103: 8] 68. Why do we say that God is faithful? We say that God is faithful because He keeps His promises and carries out His threats. "For He is good, for His mercy endureth forever." [2 Chronicles 5: 13] "0 Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, Who art fearful and strong, and righteous, and merciful and the only and gracious King. The only giver of all things, the only just, almighty, and everlasting." [2 Machabees 1: 24-25] PRACTICAL POINTS 1. There are many things in this world which the human mind cannot understand, such as growth, sight, hearing, electricity. Therefore, we should not be surprised to find that we cannot completely understand the God who made the world. 2. Faith is accepting something on the word of another. Faith is not unreasonable if what you are told is possible and if the person telling you is usually truthful and has nothing to gain from telling you a lie. 3. Human beings can tell lies, but God cannot because He is Truth Itself. Therefore, believing anything God says is the highest kind of faith. This kind of faith, however, is a gift that you must pray for. Lesson Seven: THE UNITY AND TRINITY OF GOD 69. Is there but one God? Yes, there is but one God. "The Lord your God is one God." [Mark 12: 29] "I am the first, and I am the last, and besides Me there is no God." [Isaiah 44: 6] "Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else." [Deuteronomy 4: 39] "For there is one God. [1 Timothy 2: 5] "Hear, 0 Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord." [Deuteronomy 6: 4; Mark 12; 29] 70. Why can there be but one God? There can be but one God, because God, being supreme and infinite, cannot have an equal. "This is everlasting life, to know Thee, the only true God, and Him whom Thou hast sent. Jesus Christ." [John 17: 3] "For us there is only one God, the Father from whom are all things, and who made us for Himself; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom exist all things and through whom we live." [1 Corinthians 8: 6] "That men may know that Thou, Whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth." [Psalm 83: 18] "One Lord, ... One God and Father of all." [Ephesians 4: 5-6] 71. How many Persons are there in God? In God there are three Divine Persons, really distinct, and equal in all things - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one." [1 John 5: 7] "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." [Matthew 28: 19] "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God [the Father}, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all." [2 Corinthians 13: 13] "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest [Father] shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be horn of thee shall he called the Son of God." [Luke 1: 35] 72. Is each of the three Persons true God? Each of the three Persons is true God. 73. Are these three Persons only one God? These three Persons are only one God. 74. What do we call one God in three Persons? We call one God in three Persons, the Blessed Trinity. 75. What benefits have the three Divine Persons bestowed upon us? God the Father created us; God the Son redeemed us; God the Holy Ghost sanctifies us. 76. Is the Father God? The Father is God and the first Person of the Blessed Trinity. "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father." [Philippians 1: 2; Galatians 1: 3] "I ascend unto My Father, and your Father: and to My God, and your God." [John 20: 17] "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?" [Malachi 2: 10] 77. Is the Son God? The Son is God and the second Person of the Blessed Trinity. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." [John 1: 1] "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things tinder the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" [Philippians 2: 10-11] "He [Jesus] not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God." [John 5: 18] "And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God." [John 20: 28] 78. Is the Holy Ghost God? The Holy Ghost is God and the third Person of the Blessed Trinity. "The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." [1 Corinthians 2: 11] "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our father." [Acts 28: 25] "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him" but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world neither in the world to come." [Matthew 12. 32; Luke 12: 10; Mark 3: 29] "Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost ... Glorify God in your body." [1 Corinthians 6: 19-20] 79. What do you mean by the Blessed Trinity? By the Blessed Trinity I mean one God in three Divine Persons. "There are three that bear witness in Heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." [1 John 5; 7] "In the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [Matthew 28: 19] "By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; all the host of them by the Breath [Spirit] of His mouth." [Psalm 33: 6] 80. Are the three Divine Persons equal in all things? The three Divine Persons are equal in all things. "Christ Jesus - being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God" [Philippians 2; 6] Ye believe in God, believe also in Me. [John 14. 1] "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily " [Colossians 2: 9] "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will." [John 5: 21] 81. Are the three Divine Persons one and the same God? The three Divine Persons are one and the same God, having one and the same Divine nature and substance. "I and My Father are one." [John 10: 30] "The Father is in Me, and I in Him." [John 10: 38] "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." [John 14: 9] "That they may be one, as We are. " [John 17; 11] "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of Whom are all things, … and one Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things." [1 Corinthians 8; 6] "The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. [1 John 5: 7] 82. Can we full understand how the three Divine Persons are one and the same God? We cannot fully understand how the three Divine Persons are one and the same God, because this is a mystery. "Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out." [Job 37; 23] "And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?" [Wisdom 9; 16] "We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery." [1 Corinthians 2: 7] "Seek not out the things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength. But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence: for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret Be not curious in unnecessary matters." [Ecclesiastics 3; 21-23] 83. Are we obliged to believe that there are three Persons in God? Yes, we are absolutely obliged to believe that there are three Persons in God, because God Himself revealed it to us. The Holy Trinity is revealed to us in the Gospel, namely: 1] At the Baptism of Our Lord by John the Baptist, where are manifested: a] the Father, whose voice is heard coming from heaven; b] the Son, praying on the river bank, c] the Holy Spirit, appearing in the form of a dove. [Matthew 3: 13-17; Mark 1: 9-11, Luke 3: 21-22] 2] In the commission given by Jesus to His Apostles: "Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." [Matthew 28: 19] 84. What is a mystery? A mystery is a truth which we cannot fully understand, but which we must believe, because it is God who revealed it. "The hidden wisdom." [1 Corinthians 2: 7] "0 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" [Romans 11: 33] "More things are shown unto thee than men understand. [Ecclesiastics 3; 23] "There are yet hid greater things than these be, for we have seen but a few of His works." [Ecclesiastics 43: 32] "Seek not what is too sublime for you, search not into things beyond your strength. Attend to what you are commanded to do; for what is bidden is not your concern. [Ecclesiastics 3: 20-21] THE BAR OF GOLD AND IRON A heretic, holding but one nature in Christ, was trying to convince a Catholic boy of the same. To prove his point, he placed two pieces of iron in the fire, and when melted he joined them together so as to make but one: "Behold how God and man unite, to make but one nature in Christ!" "But," said the boy, "supposing you take a piece of gold and a piece of iron, will they not unite and make a single bar, but of two metals quite distinct? So in the Son of God, the two natures, Divine and human, remain distinct, though united in the one person of God the Son." SAINT AUGUSTINE AND THE CHILD BY THE SEA While engaged in writing on the subject of the Blessed Trinity, Saint Augustine was one day wandering by the seashore, meditating on the mystery. While thus engaged, he saw before him a child, amusing itself in carrying the water of the sea into a hole it had prepared in the sand. Saint Augustine asked him what he was doing. "I am trying," he replied, "to empty the sea into this little hole." "Then you are trying to do an impossible thing." "Not more impossible," replied the child, "than for you to understand or explain the mystery of the Blessed Trinity," and with these words he disappeared. Lesson Eight: ON CREATION 85. Who created heaven and earth, and all things? God created heaven and earth, and all things visible and invisible. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." [Genesis 1; 1] "Him I declare unto you. God that made the world and all things therein." [Acts 17: 23- 24] "For, lo, He that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is His thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, the Lord, the God of hosts, is His name." [Amos 4: 13] "For this saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it. He created it not in vain." [Isaiah 45: 18] "All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing which has been made." [John 1:3] "It is God who made the world, and all that is in it ... It is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things." [Acts 17: 24-25] 86. How do we know that God is the Creator of all things? We know that God is the Creator of all things from common sense, conscience, and divine revelation. 87. How did God create heaven and earth? God created heaven and earth from nothing by His word only; that is, by a single act of His all-powerful will. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." [Psalm 33: 6] "All things were created by Him, and for Him." [Colossians 1: 16] "The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens." [Proverbs 3: 19] "I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not; and so was mankind made likewise." [2 Machabees 7: 28] 88. Why did God make all things? God made all things for His own glory and for our benefit. 89. What do we mean when we say that God preserves the world? When we say that God preserves the world, we mean that He keeps it in existence by His all-powerful will. "As for you, the very hairs of your head are all numbered." [Matthew 10: 30] "He Himself made the great as well as the small, and He provides for all alike." [Wisdom 6; 7] "Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He takes care of you." [1 Peter 5: 7] 90. What do we call the care that God takes of all His creatures? The care that God takes of all His creatures is called divine Providence, "Say not before His Angel, "There is no providence," lest God be angered by such words and destroy the works of your hands." [Eccelesiasticus 5: 5] "Thy providence, O Father, guideth." [Wisdom 14: 3] 91. What do we mean when we say that God governs the world? When we say that God governs the world, we mean that He directs all things according to His wisdom. 92. Can anything happen without the will or permission of God? Nothing can happen without the will or permission of God. 93. Why does God permit sin? God permits sin because He has given man free will and sufficient grace to do what is good. We merit our own happiness in heaven, or our own unhappiness in hell, according to our correspondence or resistance to grace. "If anyone hears My words, and does not keep them, it is not! who judge him; for I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not accept My words, has one to condemn him. The doctrine that I have taught will condemn him. [John 12: 47-48] 94. Why does God permit poverty, suffering and other evils? God wills or permits poverty, suffering or other evil as punishment for sin, to urge souls to repentance, or to try the just, sanctify them, and increase their merit. Whatever He does, it is always for the greater good of souls. "For those who love God, all things work together unto good." [Romans 8: 28] "Blessed are they who weep, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5: 5] "Woe to you who laugh now! for you shall mourn and weep. [Luke 6; 25] The cross is a mystery, but through the Faith we know that it is the road which God has chosen to redeem us. It is also through His Passion, continued in His children, that He saves and sanctifies souls. "I fill up in my flesh what is lacking to the Passion of Christ, for His body, which is the Church." [Colossians 1; 24] "Beloved, do not be surprised at the trial by fire that is taking place among you to prove you, as if something strange were happening to you; but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice with exultation in the revelation of His glory." [1 Peter 4; 12-13] "As silver is tried in the fire and gold in the crucible, so does the Lord test hearts." [Proverbs 17: 3] 95. Why did God create all the things that we see? God created all the things that we see to manifest His power, His wisdom1 and His goodness. "Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, His everlasting power also and divinity, being understood through the things He has made." [Romans 1: 20] "Let all Thy works give Thee thanks, 0 Lord, and let Thy faithful ones bless Thee." [Psalm 144: 10] 96. What use does God want us to make of all created things? God wants the use we make of all created things to turn to His glory, the end for which they were created. "Whether you eat or drink, or do anything else, do all for the glory of God. [1 Corinthians 10: 31] 97. What are the chief creatures of God? The chief creatures of God are angels and men. "Let us make man ... and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea. and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle and over all the earth." [Genesis 1: 26] "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." [Genesis 2: 7] "Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels." [Hebrews 2: 7] "Who maketh His angels spirits: His ministers a flaming fire." [Psalm 104: 4] 98. Which are the invisible creatures? The invisible creatures are the angels. 99. What are angels? Angels are pure spirits without a body, created to adore and enjoy God in Heaven. "Let all the angels of God worship Him." [Hebrews 12: 6] "Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word." [Psalm 103: 20] "Thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand time ten thousand stood before Him." [Revelation 72: 11] 100. How do you know there are angels? The Bible mentions angels about three hundred times. 101. Were the angels created for any other purpose? The angels were also created to assist before the throne of God and to minister unto Him; they have often been sent as messengers from God to man; and are also appointed our guardians. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven." [Matthew 18. 10] "Bless ye the Lord, all ye His hosts; ye minister of His. that do His pleasure." [Psalm 103: 21] "The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, .. to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, and the virgin; name was Mary." [Luke 1: 26-27] "And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. [Genesis 22: 11] "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." [Luke 2: 10] 102. What gifts did God give to the angels? God gave to the angels: much knowledge, great power, and especially sanctifying grace. 103. Did all the angels remain good? No, some of them, led by Lucifer, or Satan, became proud and disobeyed God and were sent immediately into Hell. There are the fallen angels or devils. "How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the morning! .. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most High ... Yet thou ... shalt be brought down to the sides of the pit." [Isaiah 14: 12-14, 19] 104. How did God punish the angels who committed sin? God punished the angels who committed sin by casting them into hell forever. "And there was a battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and his angels. And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven." [Apocalypse 12: 7-8] "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness." [Jude 6] 105. Who are the angels that especially protect us? The angels that especially protect us are our guardian angels. 106. What should we do to honour our guardian angels? To honour our guardian angel we should pray to him daily and heed his promptings. 107. Is there really a devil? Yes, the Bible often speaks of the devil as a real person. "And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world." [Apocalypse 12: 9] 108. What does the devil do against us? The devil tempts us to sin in order to bring us into hell. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" [I Peter 5: 8] 109. What should we do to keep the devil from harming us? To keep the devil from harming us we should watch and pray. The best weapons against the devil are prayer [especially calling on Jesus and Mary], holy water, blessed medals, scapulars and other blessed objects. "Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceit of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places." [Ephesians 6: 11-12] PRACTICAL POINTS 1. Your guardian angels is a real person, who is always with you to help and protect you. Pray to him often and thank him for his help. Your guardian angel is an indication of how much God loves and cares for you. 2. The devil has succeeded in getting a large number of people to think of him as a Halloween ghost. He is a real person and is a real danger to you personally. 3. Not all your temptations come from the devil. Others come from your own flesh [concupiscence] and from the world about you - traditionally stated, "from the world, the flesh and the devil." THE ANGEL AND THE MONK One day a holy monk was favoured by the vision of his angel guardian walking at his side. As they were going along, they came upon the carcass of a dead animal lying by the wayside. The stench which came from it was so great that the air for some distance around was polluted by it. When they came near, the good man could not endure the awful smell. He put his hand upon his nostrils, and hurried past the place as fast as he could. But the angel did not seem to feel it at all. After a little while they saw a young man coming towards them. He was dressed in the highest style of fashion, and was of a beautiful and pleasing appearance. As soon as the angel saw this man his countenance became very sad. He showed signs of the greatest abhorrence, and tried to get past him as fast as he could, keeping his eyes turned in an opposite direction, that he might not see him. The monk asked the angel why he showed no signs of disgust while he passed the place here the dead animal was lying, and seemed to feel so much horror when he met the well-dressed young man. The angel answered: "The smell and the sight of the dead animal were indeed bad; but if you only saw, as we angels see, the frightful state of that young man's soul, for he has been guilty of mortal sin, you would have died of fright." HOLY ANGEL, PRAY FOR HER! In a small village in the Tyrol, a joiner was piling up some wood to a considerable height, when suddenly the whole mass of timber toppled over, burying under its ruins his little daughter, some three years of age. The parents' first words were: "Holy angel of our child, pray for her!" They hastened to remove the wood, with every precaution, fully expecting to find their child bruised to death, but imagine their joy and gratitude, on finding their little girl had not even received a scratch Lesson Nine: ON MAN, OUR FIRST PARENTS AND THE FALL 110. What is man? Man is a creature composed of body and soul. 111. What is the soul? The soul is an immortal spirit having understanding and free will. 112. Who were the first man and the first woman created by God? The first man and the first woman created by God were Adam and Eve, our first parents. "And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." [Genesis 3: 20] "Male and female created He them; and blessed them and called their name Adam." [Genesis 5: 2] "Thou madest Adam, and gavest him Eve his wife for a helper and stay." [Tobit 8; 6] 113. How did God make Adam? God made the body of Adam out of the earth, and breathed an immortal soul into it. 114. What special gift did God give our first parents? God gave our first parents the special gift of sanctifying grace. 115. What did sanctifying grace do for our first parents? Sanctifying grace made our first parents adopted children of God and heirs of heaven. 116. Did our first parents receive sanctifying grace for themselves only? Our first parents received sanctifying grace not only for themselves; all mankind was to inherit it from them. 117. Were Adam and Eve innocent and holy when they came from the hand of God? Adam and Eve were innocent and holy when they came from the hand of God? "God created man in His own image, ... male and female created He them. And God blessed them ... And God saw every thing that He had made, and behold, it was very good." [Genesis 1: 27, 28, 31] "God created man to be immortal." [Wisdom 2; 23] "Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave He them to understand." [Ecclesiastics 17: 6] 118. Which were the chief blessings intended for Adam and Eve had they remained faithful to God? The chief blessings intended for Adam and Eve, had they remained faithful to God, was a constant state of happiness in this life and everlasting glory in the next. "You have made him [man] a little less than the Angels, and crowned him with glory and honour." [Psalm 8: 6] "Thou hast much wealth, if thou fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in His sight." [Tobit 4: 21] "For God made not death. neither hath He pleasure in the destruction of the living." [Wisdom 1: 13] "He gave them knowledge, and the law of life for a heritage." [Ecclesiastics 17: 11] 119. What particular command did God give Adam and Eve to test their obedience? To test the obedience of Adam and Eve, God forbade them to eat of a certain fruit which grew in the Garden of Paradise. "The Lord God commanded the man thus: "From every tree of the garden you may eat, but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you must not eat." [Genesis 2: 16- 17] "He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them His judgments ... And He said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness." [Ecclesiastics 17: 12-14] "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." [Genesis 2: 17] 120. Did Adam and Eve remain faithful to God? Adam and Eve did not remain faithful to God; but broke His command by eating the forbidden fruit. "Pride is the beginning of sin." [Ecclesiastics 10. 13] "Through envy of the devil came death into the world." [Wisdom 2: 24] "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." [Genesis 3: 6] "The Woman being deceived was in the transgression." [1 Timothy 2: 14] "Thy first father hath sinned." [Isaiah 43: 27; Romans 5: 12] "The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." [Genesis 3: 12] 121. What befell Adam and Eve on account of their sin? Adam and Eve, on account of their sin, lost innocence and holiness, and were doomed to sickness and death. "The eyes of them both were opened." [Genesis 3: 7] "And unto Adam He said, Because thou ... hast eaten of the tree, ... In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground." [Genesis 3: 17-19] "Unto the woman He said, ... in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." [Genesis 3: 16] "For the wages of sin is death." [Romans 6; 23] 122. What punishment did they receive for this sin? In punishment for this sin they were no longer children of God and heirs of heaven; they were driven from paradise and were subject to suffering and death. The sin of our first parents is a sin of pride "because man chose to be under his own dominion rather than under the dominion of God." [Saint Augustine] 123. What evil befell us on account of the disobedience of our first parents? On account of the disobedience of our first parents, we all share in their sin and punishment, as we should have shared in their happiness if they had remained faithful. "Through one man, sin entered into the world and through sin death, and thus death has passed unto all men by him through whom all have sinned. [Romans 5: 12] "By one man's disobedience many were made sinners." [Romans 5: 19] "Of a woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die." [Ecclesiastics 25.24, 1 Timothy 2: 14] "Our fathers have sinned, and air not; and we have borne their iniquities." [Lamentations 5: 7] "Great travail is created for ever man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam." [Ecclesiastics 40: 1] "Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." [Genesis 3: 17] 124. What other effects followed from the sin of our first parents? Our nature was corrupted by the sin of our first parents, which darkened our understanding, weakened our will, and left in us a strong inclination to evil. "God created man to be immortal, ... Nevertheless, through envy of the devil came death into the world." [Wisdom 2: 23, 24] "The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth. [Genesis 8; 21] "0 God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and with thou be wroth with all the congregation?" [Numbers 16; 22] "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit." [Galatians 5: 17] "By the disobedience of one man, the many were constituted sinners." [Romans 5; 19] "I am delighted with the law of God according to the inner man, but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me prisoner to the law of sin that is in my members." [Romans 7: 22-23] "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the Just of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [1 John 2: 16] 125. What is the sin called which we inherit from our first parent? The sin which we inherit from our first parents is called original sin. "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." [Psalm 51: 5] "Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?" [Proverbs 20: 9] "Of the woman came the beginning of sin." [Ecclesiastics 25: 24] 126. Why is this sin called original? This sin is called original because it comes down to us from our first parents, and we are brought into the world with its guilt on our soul. "By one man sin entered into the world, ... for that all have sinned. - [Romans 5: 12] "By one man 's disobedience many were made sinners." [Romans 5: 19] "We all … were by nature the children of wrath." [Ephesians 2: 3] 127. What are the consequences of original sin? The consequences of original sin are especially these: 1] before they are baptized, men are not children of God; 2] without baptism, they have no right to heaven; 3] their understanding is darkened, especially in matters of religion; 4] they are inclined to evil; 5] they are subject to many sufferings; 6] they must all die. 128. Do the effects of original sin upon our understanding and our will remain in us after Baptism has cleansed us from original sin? Yes, the darkness of our understanding and the weakness of our will remain, even after Baptism has cleansed us from original sin. "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." [Romans 7: 22-23] "There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me." [2 Corinthians 12: 7] "This I say, then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." [Galatians 5: 16] "I know that in me [that is, in my flesh,] dwelleth no good thing." [Romans 7: 18] 129. What would have happened if God had not shown mercy to man? If God had not shown mercy, no man would have entered heaven. 130. How did God show mercy to man? God showed mercy to man by promising him a Redeemer, who was to satisfy for man's sin and reopen to him, the gates of heaven. THE WOODCUTTER AND HIS WIFE A certain king, who had lost his way in hunting, was endeavouring to regain the path, when he heard voices at a little distance. On approaching, he found that it was a poor woodcutter and his wife, who were talking together at their work. "It must be owned," said the woman, "that mother Eve was very greedy to eat the apple. If she had only done as God told her, we should have no need to work and slave as we do now." "If Eve was greedy," replied the man; "Adam was a fool to do as she bade him. If I had been in his place, and you had come to me with the apple, I would have given you a box on the car and sent you about your business." Scarcely had he spoken these words, when the king came up. "Good people," said he, "you seem to work very hard. If you will come and live with me, I will support you both without working." At the same moment the attendants of the king came up, and the poor woodcutters were greatly surprised and no less rejoiced at their unexpected adventure. The king, as he had promised, took them to his palace, where he gave them splendid apartments, rich dresses, a carriage, horses, and servants in livery. During the first month the time passed very happily. Every day they had twelve dishes at table, and on the last day they had twenty. In the middle of the table was a large dish with a cover upon it. The woman, being very curious, put out her hand to uncover it, but one of the king's servants checked her, and told her that the king had given strict orders that that dish should on no account be touched. As soon as the servants left the room, the woodcutter, perceiving that his wife was very melancholy and ate nothing, asked her what ailed her. She replied that she would not give a pin for all the fine things on the table, but she longed for a bit out of the covered dish. "Foolish woman," said her husband, "did you not hear that the king has forbidden us to touch it?" "The king is very unreasonable," said the woman. "If be would not have us see what is in the dish, he should not have ordered it to be put on the table." At the same time, she began to cry, saying that her husband did not love her, and that she would kill herself if he would not uncover the dish. The woodcutter felt moved when he saw his wife cry, and told her that he would do anything to please her, if she would not make herself unhappy. So saying, he lifted up the cover from the dish, when out jumped a little white mouse, which scampered away in an instant. They both ran after the mouse, but before they could catch it; the king came in, and gravely asked them what had become of the mouse. "Please, your majesty," said the man, who, as you may suppose, looked very foolish, "my wife teased me so long to see what was in the dish, that I could not help uncovering it, and the mouse has got away. Oh, oh!" said the king, "you said some time ago, if you had been Adam, you would have given Eve a box on the ear for being curious and greedy; you should have remembered your resolution. And you, silly woman, you had everything here you could wish for, but that was not enough: you must needs, like Eve, taste the forbidden fruit. Go, foolish people: return to your labour, and never again blame Adam and Eve for the hardships you endure, since you have been guilty of the same folly. Lesson Ten: ON THE INCARNATION AND REDEMPTION 133. Did God abandon man after his fall into sin? No, God did not abandon man after his fall into sin, but He promised him a Redeemer, who was to satisfy for man's sin and open the gates of heaven to him. "God ... will come and save you." [Isaiah 35: 4] "Behold, the Lord cometh forth out of His place, and will come down." [Micah 1: 3] "I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God." [Hosea 1: 7] "Rejoice ... 0 daughter of Jerusalem: Behold thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation." [Zachariah 9: 9] "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." [1 John 31 8] "God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him may not perish, but may have life everlasting." [John 3: 16] 134. Who is the Redeemer? Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of mankind. "If, by reason of one man's sin, the multitude of man was struck with death, the race and the gift of God are given to all much more abundantly through the grace of the one Man. who is Jesus Christ... But where sin has abounded. grace has abounded even more ... through Jesus Christ our Lord." [Romans 5: 17, 20-21] "The Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." [2 Peter 2: 20] "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law. [Galatians 4: 4-5] "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." [1 Timothy 2: 5-6] 135. When did the promised Redeemer come? The promised Redeemer came about two thousand years ago. 136. What do you believe of Jesus Christ? I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, true God and true man. "Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God." [John 11: 27] "Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am." [Mark 14: 61-61] "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God [John 20: 31] "Jesus said unto them, Verify, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." [John 8: 58] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." [John 1: 1] "That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." [Luke 1; 35] "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." [Isaiah 9; 6] 137. Why is Jesus Christ true God? Jesus Christ is true God because He is the true and only Son of God the Father, equal to His Father in all things, and consequently possesses divine nature. "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." [Matthew 16; 16] "I and My Father are one." [John 10; 30] "The Father is in Me, and I in Him." [John 10; 38] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." [John 1: 1] "And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased." [Matthew 3; 17; Luke 3; 22] "...And we have seen His glory, His glory as of the only-begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth." [John 1; 14] 138. Why is Jesus Christ true man? Jesus Christ is true man because He is the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary and has a body and soul like ours. "The Angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary ... thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring for a son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus.'. [Luke 1; 30-31] "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." [John 1; 14] "Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made the seed of David according to the flesh." [Romans 1; 3] "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." [Matthew 26: 64] 139. Why do we say that Jesus Christ is Our Lord? We say that Jesus Christ is Our Lord because He redeemed us, and because His Father gave us to Him. "You call Me Master and Lord; and you say well, for so I am." [John 13: 13] 140. How many natures are there in Jesus Christ? In Jesus Christ there are two natures, the nature of God and the nature of man. "In Him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." [Colossians 2. 9] "The Son of the living God." [Matthew 16: l6; John 6: 70] "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." [Colossians 1: 16-17] "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man. [Philippians 2: 6-5] 141. Is Jesus Christ more than one person? No, Jesus Christ is but one Divine Person. "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? whose Son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" [Matthew 22; 41-44; Mark 12: 35-31: Luke 20: 41-44; Psalm 109: 1] "All kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Kim." [Psalm 72: 11] "Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness. the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth." [Revelation 1: 5] 142. Was Jesus Christ always God? Jesus Christ was always God, as He is the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, equal to His Father from all eternity. "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." [John 8: 58] "He who sees Me, sees also My Father ... I am in the Father and the Father is in Me." [John 14: 9-10] "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God." [John 5: 18] "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, ... all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." [Colossians 1: 15-17] "Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." [Micah 5: 2] 143. Was Jesus Christ always man? Jesus Christ was not always man, but became man at the time of His Incarnation. "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman." [Galatians 4: 4] "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. [John 1; 14] "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world." [John 18; 37] 144. What do you mean by the Incarnation? By the Incarnation I mean that the Son of God was made man. The mystery of the union of human nature with divine nature in the Person of the Son of God. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." [John 1: 14] "Christ Jesus ... being in the form of God, ... took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man. [Philippians 2: 5- 8] "And it shall be said in that day, Lo this is our God; we have walled for Him. and He will save us: this is the lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." [Isaiah 25: 9] "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part o the same." [Hebrews 2: 14] "God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." [Romans 8: 3] 145. How was the Son of God made man? The Son of God was conceived and made man by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "Mary said to the Angel, How shall this happen, since I have resolved to remain a virgin? - "The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; and therefore, the Holy One to be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." [Luke 1: 34-35] "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." [Matthew 1: 18] 146. Is the Blessed Virgin Mary truly the Mother of God? The Blessed Virgin Mary is truly the Mother of God, because the same Divine Person who is the Son of God is also the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." [Isaiah 7: 14; Matthew 1: 23] "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and hung forth a son, and shalt call him Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest." [Luke 1; 31-32] "There was a marriage in Carla of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there." [John 2: 1] "There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother." [John 19: 26] "When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son!" [John 19: 26] 147. Who was the foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ? The foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ was Saint Joseph, the virginal spouse of the Virgin Mary and the head of the Holy Family. "An Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit. "And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus." [Matthew 1: 20- 21] 148. Did Mary have any other children besides Jesus? No, she and Joseph lived as brother and sister, although they were legally married. The brothers and sisters of Jesus mentioned in the Bible were not children of Mary, but were only cousins. The words "brother" and "sister" were used by the Jews to mean cousin or other relatives. See Leviticus 10: 4; 1 Chronicles 23: 22; Genesis 12: 5; and Genesis 14: 14. 149. Why did the Son of God become man? The Son of God became man to redeem us from the slavery of sin, to deliver us from the pains of hell, and to merit eternal life for us. "Behold the Lamb of God: behold Him who taketh away the sins of the world." [John 1; 29] 150. What is the mystery of the Redemption? The mystery of the Redemption is the mystery of the Son of God suffering and dying to redeem us. "God the Father has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, it is in Him, in His Blood, that we have our Redemption and the remission of our sins." [Colossians 1; 13-14] 151. Did the Son of God become man immediately after the sin of our first parents? The Son of God did not become man immediately after the sin of our first parents, but was promised to them as a Redeemer. The promise of a Redeemer, made by God immediately after the fall of our first parents, and renewed a number of times by the voice of the prophets, was fulfilled only long afterward. The time of waiting was intended to show man the extent of his misery and to make him better appreciate the benefit of the Redemption. Moreover, it was fitting that the human race be prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ by unequivocal signs, which would allow Him to be recognized. This preparation was all the more necessary because He was to present Himself beneath very misleading appearances; He shall be despised, and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with suffering wounded for our iniquities..., broken for our sins. [Isaiah 53: 3, 5] "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you." [1 Peter 1: 20] "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren." [Deuteronomy 18; 15] "I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah ... I [will] cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and this is the name wherewith she shall be called: The Lord our righteousness." [Jeremiah 33: 14-16] "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." [Genesis 49: 10] "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks: and threescore and two weeks." [Daniel 9: 25] 152. How could they be saved who lived before the Son of God became man? They who lived before the Son of God became man could be saved by believing in a Redeemer to come, and by keeping the commandments. "They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock Was Christ." [1 Corinthians 10: 4] "For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression." [Romans 5: 13-14] "Our fathers trust in Thee: ... they cried unto Thee, and were delivered: they trusted in Thee, and were not confounded." [Psalm 22: 4-5] 153. On what day was the Son of God conceived and made man? The Son of God was conceived and made man on Annunciation Day the day on which the Angel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she was to be the Mother of God. "A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." [Isaiah 7: 14] "The power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." [Luke 1: 35] "Mary answered the Angel: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word." [Luke 1: 38] 154. On what day was Christ born? Christ was born on Christmas Day some 2,000 years ago, in a stable at Bethlehem. "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king." [Matthew 2: 1] "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." [Micah 5; 2] "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." [Luke 2: 13] "The shepherds said to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." [Luke 2: 15] To honour this miracle of love, which is the Saviour's birth, the Church instituted the feast, which we now call Christmas. Saint Augustine says that this feast was celebrated from time immemorial; it was already set on December 25. The Orientals also celebrated the feast of the birth of Jesus Christ, but they were not in agreement as to the day: some celebrated it on one day, others on another day. It was only in the time of Saint John Chrysostom that a large number of them set this feast on December 25, as it was throughout the West. Indeed, this Greek Father and Doctor demonstrates very well that one of the reasons the Church of Rome was able to determine the precise day of Our Lord's birth and make it known to the other Churches was that this birth occurred at the beginning of the general census ordered by Augustus and executed by Cyrinus throughout Judea, and this kind of public act was carefully preserved in Rome in the archives of the empire. Referring to the Gospel of Saint Luke 2: 1-7, the Saint declares, "The clear conclusion of this passage is that the Saviour was born at the time of this first census ... Moreover, the Evangelist does not mention this time without particular intention; he proposes to clearly show us the day of birth of the Son of God and tell us of the fulfillment of the mystery of His Incarnation It is not of himself and by his own accord that Augustus issued his decree: He was obeying the Lord's secret impulse, which obliged him to cooperate, despite himself, in the advent of His only-begotten Son." 155. Where did Jesus live during most of His life? In the city of Nazareth, until He was about thirty years old. 156. How long did Christ live on earth? Christ lived on earth about thirty-three years, and led a most holy life in poverty and suffering. "And Jesus Himself [when He was baptized] began to be about thirty years of age." [Luke 3: 23] "After threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off." [Daniel 9; 26] "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." [Matthew 8; 20; Luke 9; 58] 157. What did Jesus do when He was thirty years old? When He was thirty years old, Jesus began to teach in public. 158. What did Jesus teach about Himself? Jesus taught that He is the promised Redeemer and the Son of God. 159. How did Jesus prove that He is the Son of God? Jesus proved that He is the Son of God: 1] by His very holy life; 2] by His prophecies; 3] by His miracles. 160. Why did Christ live so long on earth? Christ lived so long on earth to show us the way to heaven by His teachings and example. "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." [John 3; 17] "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work." [John 4; 34] "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" [John 10: 10] "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." [Luke 19; 10; Matthew 18: 11] "I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore I am sent." [Luke 4: 43] "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." [John 13: 15] "I will also give Thee for a fight to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth." [Isaiah 49: 6; Acts 13: 47] Lesson Eleven: ON OUR LORD'S PASSION DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION 161. What did Jesus Christ suffer for us? After His agony in the Garden of Olives, Jesus Christ was betrayed by Judas, abandoned by His Apostles, covered with opprobrium, scourged, crowned with thorns, and nailed to the cross, upon which He died. "Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed: and against Whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel " [2 Kings 19: 22; see Isaiah 1:4] "Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings; he upbraideth us with our offending the law, and objecteth to our infamy the transgressions of our education ... And he calleth himself the child of the Lord … Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience. Let us condemn him with a shameful death." [Wisdom 2; 12, 19, 20] "So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver " [Zachariah 11- 12; Matthew 26- 15, 27: 9] "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have lift through His name." [John 20: 31] "He humbled Himself becoming obedient unto death, even unto death on the Cross." [Philippians 2: 8] 162. Which were the chief sufferings of Jesus? The chief sufferings of Jesus were: 1] the bloody sweat in the garden; 2] the scourging at the pillar; 3] the crowning with thorns; 4] the carrying of the cross; 5] the crucifixion. "All ye that pass by, behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow." [Lamentations 1: 12] "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." [Matthew 26; 38] "Being in an agony ... His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." [Luke 22: 44] "He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, ... and they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death." [Luke 18; 32-33] "They shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him." [Mark 10; 34] "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him." [Matthew 20; 18-19] "And they stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand." [Matthew 27; 28-29] "Then released he Barabbas unto them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified." [Matthew 27; 26; Mark 15; 15] "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him." [Luke 23; 33] 163. On what day did Christ die? Christ died on Good Friday, at about three o'clock in the afternoon. "It was the preparation of the passover" [John 19: 14 & 19: 31] "That day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on." [Luke 23; 54; Mark 15; 42] "And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour." [Luke 23; 44; Matthew 27; 45; Mark 15; 33] "At the ninth hour Jesus .. gave up the ghost." [Mark 15: 34, 37; Matthew 27; 46, 50] 164. Why do you call that day "good" on which Christ died so sorrowful a death? We call that day "good" on which Christ died because by His death he showed His great love for men, and purchased for them every blessing. "God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, [by grace ye are saved]." [Ephesians 2: 4-5] "That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." [Hebrews 2; 14; Hosea 13: 14] "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us," [1 John 3; 16] 165. Where did Christ die? Christ died on Mount Calvary outside the gates of Jerusalem. "And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: ... where thy crucified Him." [John 19: 16-18] "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him." [Luke 23; 33; Mark 15; 22-24; Matthew 27: 33, 35] 166. How did Christ die? Christ was nailed to the Cross and died on it between two thieves. "They crucified Him." [Luke 23: 33; Matthew 27; 35; Mark 15: 25; John 19: 18] "Then were there two thieves crucified with Him, one on the right hand, and another on the left" [Matthew 27: 38] "And with Him they crucify two thieves; the one on His right hand, and the other on His left." [Mark 15; 27; Luke 23; 33; John 19; 18] 167. Why did Christ suffer and die? Christ suffered and died: 1] to redeem us from sin and hell 2] to earn for us grace and salvation. "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." [Titus 2: 14] "He was wounded for our transgressions, lie was bruised for our iniquities." [Isaiah 53: 5] "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot'" [1 Peter 1; 18-19] A soul is God's treasure. To recover this treasure which was lost, Jesus shed all His Blood. And now, if we so desire, no power can ever tear us away from His Heart, for to this end Christ died and rose again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. [Romans 14: 9] 168. For whom did Jesus die? Jesus died for all men. "He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." [1 John 2; 2] "It behooved Christ to suffer ... that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations." [Luke 24: 46-47] 169. How did Jesus Christ redeem us? Jesus Christ redeemed us by suffering death for us as man, and as God, by giving infinite value to His sufferings and death. "The man Christ Jesus ... gave Himself for the Redemption of all." [1 Timothy 2; 5-6] "Jesus Christ the Just is Himself the Victim of propitiation for our sins, and not for ours alone but for those of the whole world." [1 John 2: 1-2] 170. What lessons do we learn from the sufferings and death of Christ? From the sufferings and death of Christ we learn the great evil of sin, the hatred God bears to it, and the necessity of satisfying for it. 171. What do we call the mystery of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for us? The mystery of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for us is called the mystery of the Redemption. 172. What was done with the body of Jesus after death? After death, the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb. "Joseph of Arimathaea, ... besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus ... Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus." [John 19: 38-42; Luke 23: 50, 53; Mark 15; 43-46; Matthew 27: 57-60] 173. Where did Christ's soul go after His death? After Christ's death his soul descended into hell. "The Son of man shall he three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Matthew 12: 40] "My flesh also shall rest in hope. For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hall, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption." [Psalm 16. 9, Acts 2. 31] "He hath smitten My life down to the ground; he hath made Me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead." [Lamentations 3: 6] 174. Did Christ's soul descend into the hell of the damned? The hell into which Christ's soul descended was not the hell of the damned, but a place or state of rest called Limbo, where the souls of the just were waiting for him. "He hath made Me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead." [Lamentations 3. 6; Psalm 143: 3] "By which [spirit] also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison." [1 Peter 3: 19] "Bring My soul out of prison." [Psalm 142; 7] 175. Why did Christ descend into Limbo? Christ descended into Limbo to preach to the souls who were in prison - that is, to announce to them the joyful tidings of their redemption. "For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." [1 Peter 4: 6] "To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that art bound." [Isaiah 61: 1] "Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God." [John 5: 25] "As for Thee also, by the blood of Thy covenant I have sent forth Thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee." [Zachariah 9; 11-12] 176. Where was Christ's body while His soul was in the world of the dead? While Christ's soul was in the world of the dead His body was in the holy sepulchre. "My flesh ... shall rest in hope." [Psalm 16: 9] "Joseph of Arimathaea, ... besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus' and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus... Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus." [John 19: 38-42; Luke 23: 50, 53; Mark 19' 43-46; Matthew 77: 57-60] 177. On what day did Christ rise from the dead? Christ rose from the dead, glorious and immortal, on Easter Sunday, the third day after His death. "The first day of the week." [John 20: 1; Luke 24: 1] "The third day He shall rise again." [Luke 18:33 & 24; 7 Matthew 16; 21 & 17; 22 & 20: 19; Mark 8; 31 & 9: 30 & 10: 34] "When the sabbath was past, .. - And very early in the morning the first day of the week." [Mark 16: 1-2] "Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly." [Acts 10: 40] 178. Did just His soul rise from the dead? He rose body and soul gloriously from the dead. 179. How long did Christ stay on earth after His resurrection? Christ stayed on earth forty days after His resurrection to show that He was truly risen from the dead, and to instruct His Apostles. "Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures." [Luke 24: 45] "Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chose: To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." [Acts 1: 2-3] "Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed." [John 20: 29] "Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto all people, and to testify that it is He, Which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." [Acts 10: 40-43] 180. After Christ had remained forty days on earth where did He go? After forty days Christ ascended into heaven, and the day on which He ascended into heaven is called Ascension day. "I ascend unto My Father, and your Father and to My God, and your God." [John 20; 17] "And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." [Luke 24: 51] "Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive." [Psalm 68; 18; Ephesians 4: 8] "And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight." [Acts 1: 9] 181. Where is Christ in heaven? In heaven Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father" [John 16 28 & 14- 28 & 16- 16] "He was received up into heaven, and Sat on the right hand of God." [Mark 16; 19] "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." [Acts 7: 56] 182. What do you mean by saying that Christ sits at the right hand of God? When I say that Christ sits at the right hand of God I mean that Christ is equal to His Father in all things, and that as man He is in the highest place in heaven next to God. "Now is The Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him." [John 13: 31] "Jesus Christ Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God: angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him." [1 Peter 3: 22] "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name, which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" [Philippians 2: 6-11] 183. What does Jesus do for us in heaven? In heaven Jesus intercedes for us and prepares a dwelling place for us. 184. For what purpose will Jesus come to earth again? Jesus will come to earth again to judge all men. 185. What will happen immediately after Jesus has judged mankind? Immediately after Jesus has judged mankind, the just with body and soul will enter heaven, and the wicked with body and soul will he cast into hell. PRACTICAL POINTS 1. From the sufferings of Jesus, you should learn of God's great love for man, the evil of sin and the perfect example of patience in suffering. "For what glory is it, if committing sin, and being buffeted for it, you endure? But if doing well you suffer patiently; this is thankworthy before God. For unto this are your called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you a example that you should follow his steps." [1 Peter 2: 20-21] "And he said to all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." [Luke 9: 23] 2. The life of Jesus is contained in the first four books of the New Testament, called the Gospels, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. However, only the main events of Christ's life are in the Gospels. Lesson Twelve: ON THE HOLY GHOST AND HIS DESCENT UPON THE APOSTLES 186. Who is the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost is the third Person of the Blessed Trinity. "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, ... the Spirit of Truth. [John 14: 16-17] "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." [Genesis 1: 2] "The Spirit of our God." [1 Corinthians 6: 11 & 2: 11] "The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit or counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." [Isaiah 11: 2] 187. From whom does the Holy Ghost proceed? The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father. "When the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the father, ... Who proceedeth from the Father" [John 15: 26] "And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you." [Luke 24: 49] "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, ... the Spirit of Truth. [John 14: 16-17] 188. Is the Holy Ghost equal to the Father and the Son? The Holy Ghost is equal to the Fattier and the Son, being the same Lord and God as They are. "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one." [1 John 5: 7] "The Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him [Jesus], and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased." [Luke 3: 22] "The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." [1 Corinthians 2: 11] 189. On what day did the Holy Ghost come down upon the Apostles? The Holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles ten days after the Ascension of our Lord; and the day on which He came down upon the Apostles is called Whit-Sunday, or Pentecost. "For the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not glorified." [John 7: 39] "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." [Matthew 3: 11; Mark 12 8; Luke 3: 16; Acts 112 16] "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from an high." [Luke 24: 49] "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." [Acts 2: l -4] 190. In what form did the Holy Ghost come down upon the Apostles? The Holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles in the form of tongues of fire. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." [Acts 2" 3-4] 191. Who sent the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles? Our Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles. "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I not go away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." [John 16: 7] "When the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the Father. [John 14: 26] "The Comforter, Which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name." [John 14: 26] "I send the promise of My Father upon you." [Luke 24: 49] 192. Why was the Holy Ghost sent upon the Apostles? Christ sent the Holy Ghost to sanctify His Church, to enlighten and strengthen the Apostles, and to enable them to preach the Gospel. "Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained." [John 20: 22-23] "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth ... and He will shew you things to come." [John 16: 13; 14: 20] "Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which He hath purchases with His own blood." [Acts 20: 28] "The Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." [Luke 12: 12] "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me ... and unto the uttermost part of the earth." [Acts 1: 8] 193. Will the Holy Ghost abide with the Church forever? The Holy Ghost will abide with the Church forever, and guide it in the way of holiness and truth. "He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for even" [John 14: 16] "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" [1 Corinthians 3: 16] "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost." [Acts 13: 4] 194. What does the Holy Ghost do? The Holy Ghost: 1] inspired the Bible; 2] enlightens and guides the rulers of the Church; 3] sanctities men through the sacraments. 195. Does the Holy Ghost also communicate Himself to us? Yes, the Holy Ghost also communicates Himself to each one of us by the graces we need, and chiefly in the sacrament of Confirmation. Saints are people who are totally abandoned to the action of the Holy Ghost. "Oh, how I would like to be hypnotized by Our Lord!" Saint Therese of the Child Jesus exclaimed. "With what delight have I surrendered my will to Him! Yes, I want Him to seize my faculties so that I may no longer perform any human and personal actions, but wholly divine actions, inspired and directed by the Spirit of Love." ON THE HOLY SPIRIT Let us here consider what are common expression for the Holy Spirit, both those we have gathered from Sacred Scripture concerning Him, and those we have received from the unwritten tradition of the Fathers. First we ask, who is not uplifted in his soul, raising his mind to that Nature on high, when he hears the titles of the Holy Spirit? For He is called The Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Truth, Who proceeds from the Father [John 15: 26], the Spirit of virtue, a Commanding Spirit [Psalm 50: 12, 14]. His true and proper name however is the Holy Spirit; a name which above all others declare that He is wholly incorporeal, free of matter, indivisible. For this reason the Lord, teaching the woman who believed God must be adored in a given place, that the mind cannot know the incorporeal, said, "God is a spirit" [John 4: 24] When we hear of the Spirit the mind may not imagine to itself an image of some limited circumscribed nature, liable to change, or alternation, or at all like a created thing, but must go on its conception to the very highest notions, and form to itself an idea of an intelligent Being, infinite in power, of greatness without measure, bounded neither by time nor by ages, bountiful of its own goodness, to whom all turn who need sanctification, to whom all aspire who live in holiness, as though watered and assisted by Its breath to arrive at their due perfection. A Being who perfects others, Itself needing nothing; existing as not needing to be renewed, yet giving life abundantly; enlarging through no addition, but at once complete; at rest within Itself, yet in all places; the source of holiness, the light of the mind, and providing light from Itself to every faculty of the soul that searches for truth; by nature inaccessible, yet yielding to goodness; filling every need by Its power, but given only to those who are worth of It, to whom It is not given in the same measure, but in the measure of each man's faith [Romans 12: 6]. Simple in nature, manifold in powers, wholly present in each single one, and whole and entire in all places. Impassively divided, yet wholly bestowed, like the rays of the sun whose favour each enjoys as though it shone for him alone; yet it shines on land and sea and fills the air. So the Spirit, to each one who receives It, as though give to him alone, pours forth sufficient and perfect grace to each one, is enjoyed by cacti uric, riot in the measure of Its power, but of their capacity. Now the Spirit is not united to the soul by drawing near to it in place [for how may what is corporeal draw near to what is incorporeal?] but through the withdrawal of the passions; which, drawing close to the flesh, have drawn it away from its friendship with God When a man becomes clean of the stains he received through sin, and has returned to his natural beauty, restoring to its former resemblance the royal image within him, only then may he draw near to the Paraclete. And He, like the sun, will show thee, thy eye now made pure, the Image of the Invisible in Himself. And in the blessed contemplation of this Image thou shalt see the unspeakable beauty of the Archetype. Through His aid hearts are lifted up, the weak led by the hand, those going forward are perfected Shining upon those who have been purified of every stain, He makes them spiritual in heart, through union with Himself. For just as when the sunlight falls on clear transparent bodies, they too become resplendent, and begin to shine from another light within themselves, so the souls that contain the Spirit within them, become themselves spiritual, and their brightness shines forth on others. From this comes knowledge of the future, the understanding of mysteries, the seeing of things hidden, the apportioning of gifts heavenly association with the angelic choirs, joy without end, abiding with God, being made like to God, and, highest of all, that you are made God [partaker of the divine nature, [2 Peter 1: 4]. These then are some of the notions we possess regarding the Holy Spirit, to speak of but a few; and which we have been taught concerning His greatness, His dignity, and His operations, from the very words of the Spirit Himself. Now we must reply to those who deny them; refute the objections brought forward in the name of so-called science. It is not right, they say, to make the Holy Spirit one with the Father and the Son, because He is of a different nature, and lesser in dignity. It is fitting that we answer this in the words of the Apostles: We ought to obey God, rather than men [Acts 5: 29] For if the Lord in bequeathing to us the baptism of salvation, clearly laid it upon His Disciples, that they were to baptize all nations, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Matthew 28: 19], not declining fellowship with Him, while these, on the contrary, assert that the Holy Spirit must not be associated with the Father and the Son, how can they be other than in open conflict with God's command? And if they say that association of this kind does not imply Communion, or Oneness of any kind, let them say why we must hold this belief, and to what kind of intimate union do they pretend? And if the Lord did not unite the Holy Spirit with Himself and with the Father in baptism, let them not blame us for the conjunction for we neither put forward nor believe anything different. If He is there joined to the Father and there is no one so impudent as to say anything else, let no one blame us for following the Scriptures. But all the sources of war are prepared against us, every kind of belief is imputed to us; and the tongues of blasphemers hit us more violently than the stones that once were flung at Stephen by the killers of Christ, And do not allow them to hide the fact that attacking us is but a ruse of war; for their real aim is higher up. They pretend that it is against us they prepare their artifices and their snares, and urge each other on, that each one may try his strength or skill against us. But it is against the Faith they make war. The common aim of all our adversaries, and of all who are contrary to sound doctrine [1 Timothy 1: 10] is to overthrow the foundations of the Faith of Christ, by leveling the Apostolic traditions to the earth, and wholly destroying them. So like debtors, good debtors of course, they demand proof, written proof, from the Sacred Writings, and dismiss, as wholly unworthy of belief, the unwritten witness of the Fathers. But we shall not falter in our defense of the truth; nor forsake its defense through cowardice. For the Lord has left us as a necessary and saving truth the conjunction of the Holy Spirit with the Father. For them it shall not be so; and they seek to separate and humiliate the Holy Spirit, and lower Him to the degree of one who serves. Is it not then true to say, that with them their own blasphemy has more authority than the Law laid down by our Lord? Let us put aside all contention and see what we have in hand. Whence is it that we are Christians? Through faith, all will answer. How are we saved? By being born again in the grace of baptism. For how else could we be? Then, knowing that this salvation is confirmed by the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, shall we cast aside this form of doctrine [Romans 6: 17] handed down to us? Would this not be the cause of the greatest grief if we now found we were further off from salvation than when we first believed [Roman 13: 11]; that we must now deny what before we believed? For it is the same loss for anyone to depart this life unbaptized, as to receive that baptism form which one thing of what has been handed down has been omitted. And whoever does not observe the profession we made on our first entering in, when, delivered from idols, we approached the living God, and does not hold fast to it throughout his life as his surest protection, makes himself a stranger from the promises of God [1 Thessalonians 1: 9]; dishonouring the pledge [handwriting] he himself gave at his profession of faith. For if for me my baptism was the beginning of my life, and that day of my rebirth the first of all days, then, plainly, the word I spoke on the day of my adoption is the one most of all to be honoured. Can I then, misled by the deceptions of such teachers as these, deny that tradition which brought me to the Light, guided me to the knowledge of my God, and made me a son of God who before was His enemy through sin? For myself I pray that I may depart to the Lord holding fast to this profession; and I exhort them also, to preserve the faith inviolate till the Day of Christ, to maintain the Spirit undivided from the Father, and from the Son, and observe the faith of their baptism, both in their profession of faith, and in giving praise to God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to Whom bc praise and glory, through all the ages of ages. Amen. Saint Basil the Great Lesson Thirteen: ON THE EFFECTS OF THE REDEMPTION 196. Which are the chief effects of the Redemption? The chief effects of the Redemption are two: 1] the satisfaction of God's justice by Christ's sufferings and death; 2] and the gaining of grace for men. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way. [Colossians 2: 14] "Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." [Romans 5: 9-10] "In Whom we have redemption through the blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." [Colossians 1: 20] "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." [Ephesians 2: 8] "The grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." [Romans 5: 15] 197. What do you mean by grace? By grace I mean a supernatural gift of God bestowed on us, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for our salvation. As its name indicates, grace is an absolutely free gift of divine mercy. We are free to accept this gift or refuse it, to make it bear fruit in our soul or to stifle it. "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace in me has not been fruitless." [1 Corinthians 15; 10] God never refuses His grace to anyone who asks for it with humility, sincerity and perseverance. "Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you." [Matthew 7; 7] "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our rather, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." [Ephesians 1: 2] "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. [John 1: 17] "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." [2 Timothy 2; 1] 198. How many kinds of grace are there? There are two kinds of grace, 1] sanctifying grace, 2] and actual grace. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [1 Corinthians 12: 4] "But unto every one of us is given according to the measure of the gift of Christ." [Ephesians 4: 7] "I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established. [Romans 1: 11] 199. What is sanctifying grace? Sanctifying grace is that grace which makes the soul holy and pleasing to God. A sharing in the life of God, which raises you to God's level and gives you the power to share in His happiness. "By whom he hath give us the most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature." [2 Peter 1; 4] The soul in the state of grace becomes the true temple of the living God, a sacred abode in which God delights in distributing His heavenly favours, and which He beautifies with all the virtues. Through sanctifying grace, the soul lives by the very Life of God, as the branches, which are one with the vine. "I am the vine you are the branches ... Abide in Me, and I in you! ... As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." [John 15: 4-5] "A well of water springing up into everlasting life," [John 4; 14] "Being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." [Titus 3: 7] "God who is rich in mercy, . . - when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, [by grace ye are saved]." [Ephesians 2; 45] 200. Does sanctifying grace make you the same as God? No, only like God, because sanctifying grace is a created sharing in the life of God. You are still a human being, but one that is equipped to live in heaven. 201. Is there sanctifying grace in your soul when you are born? No, all human beings are created without sanctifying grace. "For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus." [Romans 3; 23-24] 202. How do we obtain sanctifying grace for the first time? We obtain sanctifying grace for the first time in Baptism. 203. Can you make sanctifying grace grow in soul? Yes, chiefly by receiving Holy Communion and the other sacraments, and by prayer and good works. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." [2 Peter 3: 18] 204. How do we lose sanctifying grace? We lose sanctifying grace by mortal sin. Can there be any greater misfortune, any worse sorrow than to lose God, to cast Him out of our soul, along with all the goods of which He is the source? "They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and have dug cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." [Jeremiah 2: 13] 205. How do we regain sanctifying grace? We regain sanctifying grace; 1] by the Sacrament of Penance, 2] by an Act of Perfect Contrition. 206. Can you get into heaven without sanctifying grace? No, it is absolutely impossible to live in heaven without sanctifying grace. The wedding garment in the parable [Matthew 22: 10-13] is sanctifying grace. The banquet hall is heaven, and the king is God. The attendants are the Angels, and the darkness outside is Hell. 207. Can you feel sanctifying grace in your soul? No, because sanctifying grace is completely spiritual. It is impossible to experience something spiritual, such as grace, a soul, and an angel, with the five senses. 208. Does a religious feeling Indicate sanctifying grace in the soul? No, nor does the absence of such a feeling indicate the absence of sanctifying grace. A person being baptized may not experience a religious feeling but can be morally certain from the promise of Christ that Baptism is putting sanctifying grace into his soul. 209. What do you call those graces or gifts of God by which we believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him? Those graces or gifts of God by which we believe in Him, and hope in Him, and love Him, are called the Divine or theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. "And now abideth faith, hope, and charity." [1 Corinthians 13: 13] "He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." [John 6: 47] "Lord increase our faith." [Luke 17: 5] "We are saved by hope." [Romans 8. 24] "But the greatest of these is charity." [1 Corinthians 13; 13] "Charity shall cover the multitude of sins." [1 Peter 4; 8] 210. Why are these three virtues called theological or divine? These three virtues are called theological or divine because God is their immediate object; they refer directly to God. God infuses these virtues into the soul to enable it to act as a child of God and merit eternal life. They are the assurance of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the faculties of a human being: intellect, will, affectivity. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." [John 6; 44] 211. Are the divine virtues necessary for salvation? Yes, the divine virtues are necessary for salvation; without them, we would be incapable of living according to the Spirit of God. "He who is just lives by faith." [Romans 1. 17] "It is in hope that we are saved." [Romans 8; 24] "He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. [1 John 4; 8] 212. What is Faith? Faith is a Divine virtue by which we firmly believe the truths, which God has revealed. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." [Hebrews 11: 1] "For He will be found of them that tempt Him not; and shewth Himself unto such as do not distrust Him." [Wisdom 1: 2] "He that cometh to God must believe that Be is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." [Hebrews 11; 6] "Thou standest by faith." [Romans 11; 20] 213. What is Hope? Hope is a Divine virtue by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and the means to obtain it. "They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee." [Psalm 9; 10] "It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God." [Psalm 73; 28] "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." [1 Peter 1; 3] "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." [Matthew 7; 7] 214. What is Charity? Charity is a Divine virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God. "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." [1 Corinthians 13; 13] "God is Jove; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [1 John 1: 16] "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." [Matthew 22: 37] "Love the Lord all thy life." [Ecclesiastics 13: 14] "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." [John 13: 34] "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another." [John 13: 35] "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us." [1 John 4: 12] 215. What is actual grace? Actual grace is that help of God, which enlightens our mind and moves our will to shun evil and to do good. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." [Philippians 2: 13] "He said unto me: My grace is sufficient for thee." [2 Corinthians 12: 9] "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." [Philippians 4: 13] "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God. [2 Timothy 1: 6] 216. How do we specially obtain actual grace? We specially obtain actual grace by the sacraments and prayers. 217. Is grace necessary to salvation? Grace is necessary to salvation, because without grace we can do nothing to merit heaven. "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me ... for without me ye can do nothing." [John 15. 4-5] "Our sufficiency is of God. [2 Corinthians 3; 5] "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." [Psa1m 127: 1] "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." [Ephesians 2: 8] 218. Does God give us all the graces necessary to merit heaven? Yes, God gives us all the graces necessary to merit heaven, for He wants all men to be saved. "My grace is sufficient for thee." [2 Corinthians 12: 9] "God wishes all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [1 Timothy 2; 4] "God does not command impossible things," says Saint Augustine, "but in commanding, He advises us to do what we can, and to ask for what we cannot do; and He helps us so that we may be able to do it." 219. Can we resist the grace of God? We can and unfortunately often do resist the grace of God. "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and years, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost." [Acts 7: 51] "They are of those that rebel against the light." [Job 24. 13] "Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harden than a rock; they have refused to return." [Jeremiah 5; 3] "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" [Matthew 23; 37] 220. What is the grace of perseverance? The grace of perseverance is a particular gift of God, which enables us to continue in the state of grace till death. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." [Revelation 2; 10] "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life." [James 1; 12] "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1; 6] "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. [2 Timothy 4; 7] SAINT MARTIN'S CLOAK Saint Martin, Bishop of Tours, before being a Christian had been a soldier; but desiring to be baptized, he had himself enrolled in the number of the catechumens, and applied himself to practice as well as he could the virtues of the Christians. It is particularly remarked of him that he assisted all in his power those whom he saw in need. One day, in the depth of winter, when there only remained to him his arms and military uniform to which belonged a sort of simple cloak, he met at the gate of Amiens a poor man, half naked and abandoned by everyone. Saint Martin believed that Providence had left to him the care of this poor man, on whom no one had compassion. With his sword he cut his cloak in two, and gave the half to the miserable beggar, covering himself with the other half as best he could. This good action appeared so pleasing to Heaven, that, the following night, the charitable soldier had the consolation of seeing, in a dream, Jesus Christ Himself clothed in the half cloak with which he had covered the poor man. He heard the Divine Saviour saying plainly to a multitude of angels who surrounded Him: "it was Martin, who is yet but a catechumen, that covered Me with this cloak." This vision caused him inexpressible joy, and his sole desire thenceforward was to receive baptism without delay. SAINT MACARIUS AND THE GRAPES Saint Macarius one day received as a present a magnificent bunch of grapes. Instead of eating it, he hastened to carry it to one of his brethren, who dwelt in the same desert, thinking he had more need of being refreshed by that beneficent fruit. The brother thanked him much for it, and appeared touched by this mark of attention; but scarce had Macarius gone forth from his cell, when he hastened with it to another solitary, in order to give him an agreeable surprise. The grapes had not yet reached their final destination, for they passed on to a fourth monk, and successively to several others, so that they went through almost every cell in the desert. Finally, the last to whom it was given, not knowing that it had already passed through the hands of Macarius, had a wish to offer it to him, and in fact brought it to him, pressing him very urgently to eat it. Macarius at once recognized the bunch of grapes, and learning, after some inquiries, how much it had travelled, thanked the Lord in the depths of his heart for the grace He had given his brethren of knowing thus how to profit by every occasion they met, to practice penance and charity one towards the other. lie was so touched by this admirable trait that he preferred to let the grapes wither, rather than lose the merit he had had in depriving himself of them. Lesson Fourteen: THE DIVINE OR THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES 221. What do you call those graces or gifts of God by which we believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him? Those graces or gifts of God by which we believe in Him, and hope in Him, and love Him, are called the Divine or theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. 222. Why are these three virtues called theological or divine? These three virtues are called theological or divine because God is their immediate object; they refer directly to God. God infuses these virtues into the soul to enable it to act as a child of God and merit eternal life. They are the assurance of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the faculties of a human being: intellect, will, affectivity. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." [John 6: 44] FAITH 223. How do we sin against faith? We sin against faith when we: 1] refuse to believe what God teaches us through His Church, 2] willfully doubt any revealed truth, 3] are ashamed or afraid to pass for a Christian, or formally deny the faith, 4] neglect to learn Christian doctrine sufficiently. 5] follow a way of life that is not in conformity with Christian beliefs. Faith must be living and active. "Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." [James 2: 26] Therefore, faith must inspire all the acts of our life and govern our behaviour at all times. 224. What do we call the sin of those who deny or who deliberately doubt a truth of faith? The sin of those who deny or who deliberately doubt a truth of faith is called the sin of heresy. "If he refuses to hear even the Church, let him be to you as a heathen or a publican. [Matthew 18: 17] "If we deny Him, He also will deny us." [2 Timothy 2; 12] 225. What do we call the sin of those who deny all the truths of faith? The sin of those who deny all the truths of faith is called apostasy. Apostasy is not always formal; it can nonetheless be very real in the sight of God. Commenting on the words of Saint Paul, "They profess to know God, but by their works they deny Him" [Titus 1: 16], Saint Cyprian says, "The devil does not always employ the voice of the tyrant to make us fall into the crime of apostasy; he does not say to us, Sacrifice or die. He is content with saying, Scorn the law of your God; renounce the heritage of the heavenly life: serve your passions and enjoy pleasures. Saint Bonaventure says there are three kinds of apostasy - that of: 1] infidelity, when someone abandons his faith; 2] disobedience, when someone abandons the Commandments of the Church; 3] irregularity, when someone abandons the religious or the clerical state. 226. Is it a serious sin not to openly profess our faith in the true Church if we believe in it interiorly? Yes, it is a serious sin not to openly profess our faith in the true Church if we believe in it interiorly, because Our Lord said, "Whoever is ashamed of Me and denies Me before men, I in turn will deny him before My Father in heaven." [Matthew 10: 33; Luke 9: 26] 227. Are we often obliged to make an open profession of our faith? We are obliged to make an open profession of our faith as often as the glory of God, our spiritual good or that of our neighbour requires it. Jesus Christ says, "Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven." [Matthew 10: 32] 228. How does faith diminish in the soul, and even reach the point of being lost? Faith diminishes in the soul and even reaches the point of being lost, by: 1] neglect of religious duties, 2] bad morals, 3] reading literature or holding conversations which attack or question Catholic beliefs or which advocate neutrality. Literature or encounters in which the Faith is attacked or questioned are most pernicious, unless we are properly prepared and guided by lawful religious authority. "Do not dispute with words, for that is useless, leading to the ruin of the listeners ... Avoid profane and empty babblings, for they contribute much to ungodliness, and their speech spreads like a cancer" [2 Timothy 2: 14, 16-17] "Avoid... controversies and disputes about the Law. for they are useless and futile. Avoid a factious man after a first and a second admonition, knowing that such a person has left the right path; he is a sinner, already condemned by his own judgment. [Titus 3: 9- 11] A Christian does not have the right to be neutral in matters that are closely or even indirectly related to his religious convictions: for example, education and schools. Every organization, every person who claims to be neither for nor against Christian principles is, by that very fact, an enemy of those principles. Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me " [Matthew 12; 30] 229. To accomplish the unity desired by Christ, must we not have an attitude of tolerance and openness to all religions? The unity desired by Christ will be achieved in charity, certainly, but also in the truth. If by tolerance and openness we mean that we must treat people belonging to other beliefs with respect and charity, very well. But if we mean that it is better to silence the truth for fear of offending or displeasing others, that is unacceptable. "Go and teach all nations," said Our Lord in the Gospel. [Matthew 28; 19] He did not say, "Hold a dialogue," or "Leave everyone to his own beliefs," but rather, "Evangelize!" This is the duty, in varying degrees, of all those who have already received the grace to believe in Christ and in His Church. It is perfectly characteristic of partisans of error to advocate extreme tolerance toward the enemies of the Church and, on the other hand, bitter intolerance against those who energetically defend Christian doctrine in all its intransigence. For example, we see various religions or sects uniting in great cordiality and overlooking their differences whenever it comes to combating the intransigence of the true Church in matters of Faith. Now, intransigence is to the Faith what the instinct of self-preservation is to life. Faith without intransigence is already sickly and betrayed. HOPE 230. Why do we hope for eternal life and the graces necessary to obtain it? We hope for eternal life and the graces necessary to obtain it because God has promised them to us and Jesus Christ has merited them for us. "In My Father's house there are many mansions .. I go to prepare a place for you." [John 14: 2] "Rejoice and exult. because your reward is great in heaven" [Matthew 5; 12] "This is the promise that He Himself has given us.' life everlasting." [1 John 2: 25] 231. What are the sins against hope? The sins against hope are presumption and despair. 232. What is presumption? Presumption is a rash expectation of salvation, by which: 1] we rely on the mercy of God as a license to commit sin and to delay our conversion, 2] we rely too much on our own strength to win heaven, without the grace of God, or without performing good works. Presumption is an exaggeration of hope. Peter the Apostle gave us an example of it when he said he was ready to go even unto death with Jesus. [Luke 22: 33] Not taking the necessity of divine assistance sufficiently into account, he neglected to ask for it in prayer, relying solely on his generous nature and his great love for the Saviour. His denial was the consequence. "Let us … offer pleasing service to God with fear and reverence. For our God is a consuming fire." [Hebrews 12: 28-29] 233. What is despair? Despair is the loss of hope in the mercy of God regarding our conversion and eternal salvation. "Cain said to the Lord, My iniquity is too great for me to merit forgiveness." [Genesis 4: 13] "He [Judas] withdrew, and went away and hanged himself" [Matthew 27:5] "The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." [Luke 9: 56] "He who come to Me, I will not cast out" [john 6: 37] CHARITY 234. What does it mean to love God for His own sake? To love God for His own sake means to love Him because He is infinitely good and deserving of all our love, and because He is supremely perfect. This is perfect charity. Imperfect charity consists in loving God because of the benefits we have received or hope to receive from Him. This charity is good, since God has made it our duty to hope for His benefits and give thanks to Him for them; but it does not suffice to carry out the precept of charity in all its fulness. 235. How do we show that we love God? We show that we love God by 1] observing His commandments, 2] being disposed to lose everything rather than offend Him, 3] loving our neighbour as ourselves. "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me." [John 14: 21] "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword?" [Romans 8: 33] "Amen I say to you, every time you did it for one of these, the least of My brethren, you did it for Me." [Matthew 25: 40] 236. Why must we love our neighbour? We must love our neighbour because he is a child of God our Father, and because God commands us to love him. "This is My commandment, that you love one another as 1 have loved you. [John 15; 12] "By this will all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." [John 13: 35] 237. Must we love even our enemies? Yes, we are obliged to love our enemies, to pray for them, to do good to them, and Jesus Christ has given us the example of this. "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute and calumniate you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, who makes His sun to rise on the good and the evil ... For if you love only those who love you, what reward shall you have." [Matthew 5; 44-46] 238. What does it mean to love our neighbour as ourself? To love our neighbour as ourself means to provide him with, or at least wish him, the same good as ourself; it means to treat him, as we would want him to treat us. "All that you wish men to do to you, even so do you also to them." [Matthew 7: 12] "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." [Matthew 5: 7] 239. How can we recognize that we love our neighbour? We can recognize that we love our neighbour if we regard him as a child of God, if we respect his reputation and honour, and if we practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy toward him. "If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother; he is a liar. For how can he who does not love his brother whom he sees, love God whom he does not see? And this commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also." [1 John 4: 20-21] 240. What are the spiritual works of mercy? The spiritual works of mercy are: 1] To instruct the ignorant in the truths of religion. 2] To give good advice and good example. 3] To comfort the sorrowful. 4] To admonish sinners. 5] To forgive offenses. 6] To patiently bear our neighbour's faults. 7] To pray for the living and the dead. "He who causes a sinner to be brought back from his misguided way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins." [James 5; 20] "They that instruct many to justice shall shine as stars for all eternity." [Daniel 12: 3] "Let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the Faith." [Galatians 6: 10] 241. What are the corporal works of mercy? The corporal works of mercy are: 1] To feed the hungry 2] To give drink to the thirsty. 3] To clothe the naked. 4] To ransom captives. 5] To give hospitality to strangers. 6] To visit the sick and the imprisoned. 7] To bury the dead. "Whoever gives to one of these little ones but a cup of cold water to drink because he is My disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." [Matthew 10: 42] "If a brother or a sister is without sufficient clothing and in want of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, yet you do not give them what is necessary for the body, what does it profit them? [James 2: 15-16] "Do not forget to give hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained Angels unawares." [Hebrews 13: 2] "I was hungry and you gave Me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in ..." [cf. Matthew 25: 31-46] Lesson Fifteen: ON THE CHURCH ITS ATTRIBUTES AND ITS POWERS 242. Can you learn to save your soul just by reading the Bible? No, because certain things in the Bible can be misunderstood and because the Bible does not include everything God taught. "Understanding this first. that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation" [2 Peter 1 20] "As also in all his [Saint Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest [twist], as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction." [2 Peter 3: 16] 243. What did Jesus to make sure that His teaching would never be misunderstood? He established a church. "The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." [1 Timothy 3: 15] 244. When did Jesus establish His Church? Nearly two thousand years ago. 245. Which are the means instituted by our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits of the Redemption? The means instituted by our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits of His Redemption are the Church and the Sacraments. "The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth." [1 Timothy 3: 15] "I will build My church." [Matthew 16: 18] "If he neglect to hear the church let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." [Matthew 18: 17] "I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them." [Jeremiah 23: 4; 3: 15] 246. What is the Church? The Church is the congregation of all those who profess the faith of Christ; partake of the same Sacraments, are governed by their lawful pastors, and the successors of the Apostles. "This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." [Genesis 28: 17] "A city that is set on a hill." [Matthew 5: 14] "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ ... If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." [1 John 3: 6] "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." [1 Corinthians 10: 17] "And I will give you pastors according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine." [Jeremiah 3; 15] "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us. [1 John 4; 6] "The body of Christ." [Ephesians 4; 12] "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd." [John 10; 16] 247. Who established the Church? Jesus Christ established the Church. In the Gospel, Jesus compares His Church to a mustard seed, which grows and becomes a tree whose branches are so widespread that the birds of the air come to rest in their shade. [cf. Matthew 13: 31-32] lie also compares it to a net, cast into the ocean of the world, which catches fish of all kinds. [cf. Matthew 13: 47 ff] Jesus furthermore compares it to a sheepfold into which He desires to enter numerous sheep who are suffering and straying without shepherds; and also to a little flock to which a kingdom is destine: the kingdom of the universal Church on earth, while awaiting the eternal kingdom. [cf. John 10: 16; Luke 12: 32] 248. Who is the Head of the Church? Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. "Christ is the head of the church." [Ephesians 5; 23] "Our Lord Jesus Christ. the great Shepherd of the sheep." [Hebrews 13; 20] "And hath put all thing sunder His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body." [Ephesians 1: 22-23] 249. How did Jesus establish His Church? By giving His authority to the Apostles to rule and to teach. "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." [Matthew 28: 20] 250. Did the people have to obey the Apostles? Yes, because they spoke with the authority of Jesus, and therefore, to disobey them would be a sin. "He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me." [Luke 10: 16] 251. Who are the successors of the Apostles? The successors of the Apostles are the bishops of the Church. Some of the men who received authority from the Apostles: Matthias [Act I: 22], Paul and Barnabas [Acts 13: 2], Timothy, Silas, Sylvanus, Titus, Luke, Mark [Acts 17: 14; 2 Corinthians, 1: 19, 2 Timothy 14:11] 252. Are there several Churches established by Jesus Christ? No, there is only one Church established by Jesus Christ, just as there is only one true God, one Faith and one Baptism. History shows that the Catholic Church is the only church that can be traced back to Christ. "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me." [John 14: 6] 253. Why did Christ found the Church? Christ founded the Church to teach, govern, sanctify, and save all men. The Church is the continuation of the Work of Christ throughout the ages. Through it, He perpetuates His teaching and His example; through it, He applies to all men the fruits of His sacrifice on the cross, till the end of time. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." [Matthew 28: 19] "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." [Matthew 28: 20] "As My Father hat sent Me, even so send I you." [John 20: 21] "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." [Ephesians 4; 11-12] "That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations." [Luke 24: 47] "I have set thee to be alight of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." [Acts 13; 47] 254. Are all bound to belong to the Church? All are bound to belong to the Church, and he who knows the Church to be the true Church and remains out of it cannot be saved. "He that is not with Me is against me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad." [Matthew 12: 30] "And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers." [2 Chronicles 11: 16] "And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved." [Acts 2: 47] "They went out from us, but they were not of us." [1 John 2; 19] "He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me." [Luke 10. 16] "If he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." [Matthew 18: 17; Mark 6: 11] 255. Which are the attributes of the Church? The attributes of the Church are three; 1] authority, 2] infallibility, 3] and indefectibility. "As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you." [John 20; 21] "I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," [Matthew 16: 18] "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." [Matthew 28: 20] "The truth dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever." [2 John 2] 256. What do you mean by the authority of the Church? By the authority of the Church, I mean the right and power which the bishops, as the successors of the Apostles, have to teach and to govern the faithful, "Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority ... and He sent them to preach the kingdom of God." [Luke 9: 1-2] "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me." [Luke 22: 29] "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." [1 Corinthians 14; 37] "These thing command and teach." [1 Timothy 5: 11] "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." [Matthew 18; 18] "For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee," [Titus 1; 5] "We are of God; he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." [1 John 4; 6] 257. What do you mean by the infallibility of the Church? By the infallibility of the Church I mean that the Church cannot err when it teaches a doctrine of faith or morals. "We have received, ... the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, But which the Holy Ghost teacheth." [1 Corinthians 2; 12-13] "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." [Matthew 28; 20] "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." [2 Corinthians 2: 17] 258. When does the Church teach infallibility? The Church teaches infallibility when it speaks through the Bishops, united in general council, when they proclaim to all the faithful a doctrine of faith or morals. "When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God. [1 Thessalonians 2: 13] "And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep. that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem." [Acts 15: 28] "That they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word " [John 17: 19-20] "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow." [Hebrews 13: 7] 259. Is any one Bishop infallible? No one Bishop is infallible, only the Bishops united in General Council can be infallible, when speaking for the entire Church. 260. What do you mean by the indefectibility of the Church? By the indefectibility of the Church I mean that the Church, as Christ founded it, will last till the end of time. "I will make an everlasting covenant with them." [Isaiah 61: 8] "This is My covenant with them, saith the Lord: My spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever." [Isaiah 59; 21; Ezekiel 37: 26] "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever." [John 14; 16] 261. Has the Church any marks by which it may be known? The Church has four marks by which it may be known; 1] it is One; 2] it is Holy; 3] it is Catholic; 4] and it is Apostolic. "There shall he one fold and one Shepherd" [John 10: 16] "This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy " [Ezeckiel] 43; 12] "Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." [Psalm 19: 4; Romans 10: 18] "The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." [1 Timothy 3; 15] "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers." [Acts 2; 42] "Build upon The foundation of the apostles and prophets." [Ephesians 2; 20] One more characteristic should be added, which is eminently distinctive of the true Church of Jesus Christ: it is persecuted. One day Pope Pius IX was holding an audience with a group of seminarians, and he asked one of them what were the essential marks of the true Church, "There are four, Your Holiness," answered the young cleric at once. "The Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic." "Is that all," asked the pope after a few moments of silence. It seemed impossible to the cleric that he could have made a mistake in such a simple definition. Nonetheless, he ventured a guess, but without much conviction: "Roman, perhaps?" "No, that point is not essential answered the Holy Father. The cleric as at a loss, as were all of his companions. Pius IX looked around to draw their attention all the more, then answered the question himself: "I will tell you the answer, so that you may repeat it, because Jesus has said it explicitly and it is written in the Gospel: the church is persecuted." "No servant is greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will persecute you also." [John 15: 20] "Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for their is the kingdom of heaven." [Matthew 5: 10] 262. How is the Church One? The Church is one because all its members agree in one faith, are all in one communion, and are all under one Head. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all." [Ephesians 4; 4-6] "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, ... but not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." [Hebrews 13: 7, 9] "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, ... that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." [Ephesians 4: 13, 14] "We being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. [1 Corinthians 10: 17] "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." [Romans 15: 5-6] "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must hung, and they shall hear My voice: and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd." [John 10; l6] "But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." [John 10; 26-27] "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me." [John 15: 4] 263. How is the Church Holy? The Church is Holy because: 1] its founder, Jesus Christ, is holy; 2] because it teaches a holy doctrine; 3] invites all a holy life; 4] and because of the eminent holiness of so many thousands of its children. "Ye also, as lively stones, are build up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ ... Who did not sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." [1 Peter 2; 22] "As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." [1 Peter 1: 15] "Hold fast ... that good thing which was committed unto thee by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." [2 Timothy 1: 13-14] "Our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God. [1 Thessalonians 2; 3-4] "As for God, His way is perfect." [2 Samuel 22: 31] "God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." [1 Thessalonians 4: 7] "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only." [James 1; 22] "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." [Philippians 2: 15] "I have chose you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit." [John 15: 16] "For their sakes I sanctify Myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth." [John 17: 19] "Him that hath called us to glory and Virtue: Whereby are given unto us precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." [2 Peter 1: 3-4] 264. Why is the Church Catholic or universal? The Church is Catholic or universal because it subsists in all ages teaches all nations, and maintains all truth. "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off." [Acts 2; 39] "Of His kingdom there shall be no end." [Luke 1: 33] "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." [Mark l6: 15] "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all The world for a witness unto all nations." [Matthew 24: 14] "From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be great among the Gentiles; ... for My name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts." [Malachi 1: 11] "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations." [Luke 24; 47] "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning." [1 John 2: 24] "The word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit." [Colossians 1: 5-6] 265. When was the name "Catholic" first used of the Church of Jesus? In the year 110, by Saint Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, who wrote: "Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." [Ad Smyrn. 8:2] "The Church is called Catholic by all her enemies, as well as by her own children. Heretics and schismatics can call the Church by no other name than Catholic, for they would not be understood, unless they used the name by which the Church is known to the whole world." [Saint Augustine, 4411-511; Centuries, in De Vera Religione - "Concerning True Religion."] 266. How is the Church Apostolic? The Church is Apostolic because it was founded by Christ on His Apostles, and is governed by their lawful successors, and because it has never ceased, and never will cease, to teach their doctrine. "He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and they came unto Him. And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach." [Mark 3: 13-14; Luke 6: 12-13; see also Acts 1: 13] "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." [John 15: 16] "The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." [Apocalypse 21: 14] "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ ... Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffing and doctrine." [2 Timothy 4: 1-2] "We have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name." [Romans 1: 5] "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God." [Acts 20; 28] "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow ... Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls." [Hebrews 13: 7, 17] "Teaching them ... and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." [Matthew 28: 20] "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine." [Acts 2: 42] "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also." [2 Timothy 2: 2] "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." [1 John 4: 6] 267. From who does the Church derive its undying life and infallible authority? The Church derives its undying life and infallible authority from the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, Who abides with it forever. "This is My covenant with them, saith the Lord: My Spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever." [Isaiah 59; 21] "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for even. Even the Spirit of truth." [John 14. 16-17] "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me." [Acts 1; 8] "That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. [2 Timothy 1; 14] 268. By whom is the Church made and kept One, Holy and Catholic? The Church is made and kept One, Holy and Catholic by the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of love and holiness, Who unites and sanctifies its members throughout the world. "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth." [John 16; 13] "When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment [John 16: 8] "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: ... For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." [1 Corinthians 12: 12, 13] "The Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." [Acts 13; 2] "For it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. [Mark 13; 11; Luke 12; 12; Matthew 10: 20] "Then had all the churches rest ... and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost." [Acts 9; 31] 269. Can anyone be saved who remains out of the Church through his own fault? No one can be saved who remains out of the Church through is own fault. 270. How can we help the Church to spread over the world? We can help the Church to spread over the world: 1] by giving alms for the missionaries and missions; 2] by prayer. 271. Will all the members of the Church be saved? Not all the members of the Church will be saved, but only those who practice their religion. 272. Has anyone ever tried to destroy the Church? Yes, as Jesus Christ foretold, many governments have tired without success to destroy the Church, and thousands of Catholics [martyrs] have died for the True Church. "They will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake and you will be hated by all men for my name's sake," [Matthew 10; 17-22] 273. Why can the Catholic Church never be destroyed? Because Jesus promised that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." [Matthew 16: 18] "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed." [Daniel 2. 44] 274. Where did the Protestant churches come from? They were established by men who had no authority to start churches of their own. Martin Luther established the first Protestant church [the Lutheran Church] less than 500 years ago in Germany in 1520. Some Protestant churches and their founders: Episcopalian [Anglican] Founder: King Henry VIII England, 1534 Presbyterian Founder: John Knox Scotland, 1560 Congregationalist Founder: Robert Brown England, 1583 Baptist Founder: John Smith Holland, 1600 Methodist Founder: John Wesley England, 1739 Adventist Founder: William Miller New York, 1831 Christian Scientist Founder: Mary Baker Eddy Massachusetts, 1879 FALSE SLOGANS 1. "All religions are good." Answer: There is only one religion, as far as God is concerned, since He established only one, not three hundred. All other religions were established by men who had no authority from God to start them. A religion is either true or false, just as a dollar bill is either genuine or counterfeit. Although a religion may have some truth, it is a false religion if man established it. 2. "It doesn't make any difference what church you belong to." Answer: It certainly does make a difference whether to belong to the one established by God or to one established by a man. It makes a difference whether you belong to the church that has everything necessary to lead you to Heaven or not. 3. "All religions teach the same thing and believe in the same God." Answer: Most religions disagree on the important teachings of Jesus Christ. Some teach that He is God; others say He is not Some teach that you have to be baptized to get into Heaven; others deny the necessity of Baptism. Some teach that Baptism really takes away sin, while others hold that it is only a symbol. If all religions believed in the same God, they would all have to teach the same things, since God cannot contradict Himself. God is not the author of confusion and contradiction, but of clear, unchangeable Truth. "Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, and the same for ever. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines." [Hebrews 13: 8-9] 4. "It doesn't matter what you believe; it's how you act that counts." Answer: It does matter, because you act according to your belief. It does matter whether you believe killing a person dying of an incurable disease is a sin or not, or whether marriage is to last until death or not. God has given the human race certain, definite truths to believe, and He expects everyone to believe them. "He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. [Mark 16: 16] He told His Apostles. "Going therefore, teach ye all nations ... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." [Matthew 28: 19-20] PRACTICAL POINTS 1. A non-Catholic who suspects that the Catholic Church is the one true Church of God and does not investigate her claims with a mind to join if her claims prove to be true cannot be saved, because outside of Christ's Mystical Body [which is the Catholic Church] there is no salvation. If you are convinced that the Catholic Church is the only true Church, then you have an obligation to join it. However joining the Church is a very serious step, because in so doing, you place yourself completely and forever under the authority of the Church in all things concerning religion. This means that you promise to believe everything the Church teaches, to worship the way the Catholic Church worships, and to obey all the laws of the Church. 2. It is not unreasonable to place yourself under the authority of the Catholic Church, because its authority is from God. "He who heareth you, heareth me; and he who despiseth you, despiseth me; and he who despiseth me, despiseth him who sent me." [Luke 10: 16] 3. By joining the Catholic Church, you can be sure of what you have to believe and do in order to save your soul, and you will be able to lead a good life and attain salvation with the graces flowing from the Sacraments and the countless other sources of spiritual strength provided by God's Church. Besides, you will have the peace of mind that comes only from knowing that you are doing God's will. "For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls." [1 Peter 2: 25] 4. A "non-Catholic" who, through no fault of his own, does not realize that the Catholic Church is the only true Church and who dies with Sanctifying Grace in his soul, will go to Heaven, since "Christ died for all" [2 Corinthians 5: 15] and "will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth." [1 Timothy 2: 4] Still, those who are not visibly members of the Catholic Church have many difficulties trying to save their souls without the guidance of that Church which cannot teach error and without her Sacraments, of which Baptism imparts the life of God to the soul [Sanctifying Grace] and the other Sacraments add to the Sanctifying Grace in the soul, take away sins, and also give other graces that enable a person to do good and avoid sin. 5. You should try to bring others "to the knowledge of the truth" [1 Timothy 2: 4] by prudently suggesting that they take instructions in the true religion. THE BENIGHTED TRAVELER A traveler arrived at nightfall at the entrance of a vast forest, where he met a shepherd, of whom he asked the way, and learned it was not easy to find, there being so many paths crossing each other in every direction, and all, with one exception, leading to an abyss. "To what abyss?" anxiously asked the traveler. "To the abyss surrounding this forest," answered the shepherd, which moreover is filled with robbers and wild beasts, and infested by an enormous serpent, so that scarcely a day passes but many travelers fall victims to them. Hence, out of compassion, I have placed myself here at the entrance of the forest to assist travelers who have to pass through it; my sons are also stationed at intervals to assist in the same good work, and our services are at your disposal." The traveler gladly accepted, and they set out on their journey. Feeling his strength fail, the traveler began to lean on the arm of the shepherd. Shortly, they saw the glimmer of a light at a distance, and reaching at length a small cabin, the door opened at the well-known voice of the shepherd. Here a fresh supply of oil was obtained for the night; a seat and some food were offered to the traveler, who, thus refreshed, set out again, accompanied by the shepherd's son. At the dawn of day, he reached the boundary of the forest, and then perceived the greatness of the service that had been rendered to him. A frightful precipice lay before him, at the bottom of which he could hear the roar of an angry torrent, of which he was informed no one could tell the depth. "I cannot but feel grieved," said the guide, "when I think of the thousands daily swallowed up in it! In vain do my father and my brothers offer to help the travelers: though some accept our offer, most despise us and leave us. Thus they are soon lost, or murdered by the robbers, devoured by the serpent, or cast into the abyss: for there is but one little bridge known to us alone whereby to cross it. Pass over with confidence: on the other side is your true country." The traveler deeply thanked the guide, and crossing the bridge, soon found himself in his own country, and in the bosom of his own family. The good shepherd is Our Lord; his sons the pastors of the Church, succeeding one another, to guide pilgrims safely through life. The only safe path is the Church, which leads to Heaven. The others lead to the abyss. The pilgrim is yourself; the lamp, the light of faith: the oil, God's grace; the food and refreshments, the Sacraments. The great serpent is the devil; the robbers and wild beasts, wicked company and our passions; the forest is the world; the bridge, death; the abyss, Hell; and the pilgrim's true country, Heaven. REDUCED TO SILENCE "What is there in common between the Scripture and your fabulous 'Tradition'?" said a Protestant one day to a priest. "Hand me a Bible," said the latter. The Protestant gave him the volume, which the priest opened and examined, and then laid down, saying with feigned indignation: "I asked you for a Bible, sir, the Holy Scriptures - not that book of fables you offer me." "The book I gave you," said the Protestant, apparently scandalized, "is the great Book of Books, containing the old and the new covenant of God with men." "And how do you know that this book is the Divine work of which you speak, and not a book of fables invented somewhere or other in the olden days?" countered the priest. The Protestant was amazed, and answered, "How do I know it? Why, by the infallible testimony of our forefathers who from age to age have transmitted this book to us as the Word of God." "Ah," exclaimed the priest, "you admit then an infallible tradition - you who protest against Tradition!" Lesson Sixteen: ON THE SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL 275. What is absolutely necessary to get to Heaven? You have to have sanctifying grace in your soul when you die. Sanctifying grace is God's life in the soul. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" [John 3: 5] 276. How do you obtain sanctifying grace? One of the chief ways of obtaining sanctifying grace is by receiving the Sacraments. 277. What is a Sacrament? A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Already during His early life, Jesus wished to attach grace to outward signs. For example, to heal a deaf mute, He applied saliva to his tongue and put His fingers into his ears. [Mark 7: 33-34] To heal the man born blind, He put mud on his eyes and then commanded him to go and wash in the pool. [John 9: 6-7] "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands." [Hebrews 6: 2] "Through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given." [Acts 8; 18] "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." [James 5: 14] 278. What is an "outward sign"? Anything which you can see [or hear or feel], which tells you about something you cannot see. For example, a barber pole is an outward sign, which you can see in front of a store. It tells you that there is a barber inside whom you cannot see. 279. How are the Sacraments outward signs? The outward sign of the Sacrament of Baptism, for example, is the pouring of the water on your head and saying the words, "I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." You can see the priest pour the water, and you can hear him say those words. This is the outward sign that you are receiving sanctifying grace, which you cannot see or hear or feel. 280. How are the Sacraments different from other outward signs? The Sacraments not only tell you that you have grace in your soul, but they actually put the grace into it. All other signs only tell you about something you cannot see. A barber pole cannot give you a haircut; it only tells you that there is a barber inside the shop. 281. How many Sacraments are there? There are seven Sacraments: "Wisdom bath builted her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." [Proverbs 9; 1] "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." [1 Corinthians 12: 4-6] 1] Baptism, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Sprit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." [John 3; 5] "He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." [Titus 3; 5] 2] Confirmation, "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." [Acts 8; 17] "When Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them." [Acts 19: 6] 3] Holy Eucharist, "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" [1 Corinthians 10; 16] 4] Penance, "And they went out, and preached that men should repent." [Mark 6; 12] 5] Extreme Unction, "They ... anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." [Mark 6; 13] 6] Holy Orders, "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." [1 Timothy 4; 14] 7] Matrimony. "They two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery." [Ephesians 5: 31, 32] 282. Describe the Seven Sacraments? 1] BAPTISM takes away Original Sin and gives you sanctifying grace for the first time. 2] CONFIRMATION gives you the Holy Ghost and makes you a strong Catholic. 3] HOIY EUCHARIST is the body and blood of Jesus Christ. 4] PENANCE [or Confession] takes away sins committed after Baptism. 5] EXTREME UNCTION prepares you for death. 6] HOLY ORDERS gives a man the powers of the priesthood. 7] MATRIMONY unites a couple in Christian marriage and gives them the graces they need to obey God's laws on marriage. 283. How have the Sacraments the power of giving grace? The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from the merits of Jesus Christ. "He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." [Isaiah 53: 5; 1 Peter 2: 24] "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." [Ephesians 1: 3] "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." [Isaiah 12: 3] "Of His fullness we have all received." [John 1: 16] 284. What grace do the Sacraments give? Some of the Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it in our souls. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness." [Ezekiel 30: 25] "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." [Acts 2: 38] "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." [1 Corinthians 12: 7] "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." [John 4: 14] 285. Which are the Sacraments that give sanctifying grace? The Sacraments that give sanctifying grace are: 1] Baptism and 2] Penance; and they are called Sacraments of the dead. 286. Why are Baptism and Penance called Sacraments of the dead? Baptism and Penance are called Sacraments of the dead, because they take away sin, which is the death of the soul, and give grace, which is its life. We must however, believe that the Sacrament of Penance is reserved only for souls who have lost the life of grace through mortal sin. This Sacrament is a great help for the progress of souls already in God's grace and desirous of progressing in His love for these souls, Penance becomes a sacrament of the living, which increases sanctifying grace in them. 287. Which are the Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our soul? The Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our soul are; 1] Confirmation, 2] Holy Eucharist, 3] Extreme Unction, 4] Holy Orders, 5] Matrimony and they are called Sacraments of the living. 288. Why are they called Sacraments of the living? They are called Sacraments of the living because those who receive them worthily are already living the life of grace. 289. What sin does he commit who receives the Sacraments without preparation - unworthily - or without sincerity and faith? He who receives the Sacraments without preparation - unworthily - or without sincerity and faith, commits a sacrilege, which is a great sin, because it is an abuse of a sacred thing. "Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure." [Titus 1: 15] "He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself." [1 Corinthians 11: 29] "Every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the Lord." [Leviticus 19; 8] "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine." [Matthew 7: 6] 290. Where do the Sacraments get the power to give grace? From God, because only God can make an outward sign [like pouring of water] able to put grace into the soul. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." [John 14: 6] 291. Besides sanctifying grace do the Sacraments give any other grace? Besides sanctifying grace the Sacraments give another grace, called sacramental. 292. What is sacramental grace? Sacramental grace is a special help, which God gives, to attain the end for which He instituted each Sacrament. For example, Confirmation gives you the strength to be a loyal Catholic; Matrimony gives you the special help to live your married life according to God's laws. 293. Do the Sacraments always give grace? The Sacraments always give grace, if we receive them with the right dispositions. The ardent desire to receive a sacrament with all its fruits open and dilate the soul. This is one of the applications of the general principle laid down by Our Lord. Blessed are they who hunger thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. [Matthew 5: 6] Souls of desire who yearn for the well springs of living water which are the sacraments, open more widely to divine communications. "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." [1 Corinthians 12: 7] "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." [Acts 82 17] "He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him." [John 6: 56] "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them." [John 20; 23] "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee ... with the laying on of the hands." [1 Timothy 4: 14] "Stir up the gift of God which is hi thee, by the putting on of my hands." [2 Timothy 1; 6] 294. Give some examples of receiving Sacraments unworthily. Receiving Holy Communion, Marriage, Holy Orders with a mortal sin on your soul. Not telling all your mortal sins in Confession. 295. Can we receive the Sacraments more than once? We can receive the Sacraments more than once, except Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Moreover, only qualified Catholic men can receive Holy Orders. 296. Why can we not receive Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders more than once? We cannot receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders more than once, because they imprint a character in the soul. This mark stays on the soul after death for the glory of those who are saved and for the shame of those who are lost. 297. What is the character, which these Sacraments imprint in the soul? The character, which these Sacraments imprint in the soul, is a spiritual mark, which remains forever. "It is God who ... has anointed our souls with His holy anointing, who has also stamped us with His seal and has given us the Holy Spirit as a pledge in our hearts." [2 Corinthians 1: 21-22] 298. Does this character remain in the soul even after death? This character remains in the soul even after death; for the honour and glory of those who are saved; for the shame and punishment of those who are lost. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." [Ephesians 4: 30] 299. How many times may your receive Holy Communion and Penance? Every day, if you want. Many Catholics receive these Sacraments once a week. 300. How often can you receive the Sacrament of Matrimony? Only once, unless your marriage partner dies. 301. How often can you receive Extreme Unction? Any time you are in danger of death from sickness, old age or accident. 302. Who gives you the Sacrament? The priest gives you Baptism, Holy Communion, Penance, and Extreme Unction. Ordinarily, the Bishop gives Confirmation, but in a real emergency your pastor can give it. Only a bishop can give Holy Orders. The bride and groom give the Sacrament of Matrimony to each other, although a priest and two witnesses have to be present. In an emergency, anyone, even a non-Catholic, can baptize. 303. Which is the greatest Sacrament? The Holy Eucharist is the greatest Sacrament. 304. Which is the most necessary Sacrament? Baptism is the most necessary Sacrament. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." [John 32 5] PRACTICAL POINTS 1. Except in the case of babies being baptized, the better you prepare yourself to receive a Sacrament, the greater the amount of grace you will receive. 2. Christ gave His Church only the essential parts of each Sacrament, but the Church has surrounded each Sacrament with beautiful ceremonies, which together with the administration of the Sacraments themselves and the Mass ceremonies form what is called the Liturgy of the Church. 3. The Sacraments give grace automatically, as long as the priest or bishop and the one receiving the Sacraments fulfill all the required conditions. It is really Jesus Christ who gives the Sacrament. 4. The Bible speaks about the Sacraments, grace, the Mass, etc., but it uses different words for these things. For example, in one place Our Lord calls sanctifying grace "living water." Lesson Seventeen: ON BAPTISM 305. What is Baptism? Baptism is the Sacrament which: 1] cleanses us from original sin, by putting sanctifying grace into the soul for the first time, 2] it brings the Holy Ghost to dwell in the soul, 3] makes us Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven, 4] and gives you the right to receive the other Sacraments. Baptism not only purifies us of all sins. It also makes us adopted sons and daughters of God [Galatians 4; 5-7] partakers of the divine nature [2 Peter 1: 4], members of Christ [1 Corinthians 6: 15; 12: 27], joint heirs with Him [Romans 8; 17], and temples of the Holy Spirit. [1 Corinthians 6:19] "We are children of God. But if we are children, we are heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ." [Romans 8: 16-17] "Not by reason of good works, that we did ourselves, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the bath of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit." [Titus 3; 5] "Repent, and be baptized every one of you, ... for the remission of sins." [Acts 2; 38] "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." [Matthew 28: 19] "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, .. they were baptized, both men and women." [Acts 8: 12] "But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." [John 1: 12] "That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." [Titus 3: 7] "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." [John 3: 5] 306. Are actual sins ever remitted by Baptism? Actual sins and all the punishment due to them are remitted by Baptism, if the person baptized be guilty of any, provided we sincerely regret them. "Do penance and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sin; and you will receive the gift of the Holy spirit." [Acts 2: 38] "Now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." [Romans 6: 22] "Ye are... buried with Him in baptism. wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins ... hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." [Colossians 2: 11-13; Romans 6: 4] 307. Is Baptism necessary for salvation? Yes, Baptism is necessary for salvation, because without it we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." [John 3: 5] "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved." [Mark 16; 16] 308. What kind of sin is it to delay your Baptism? A serious [mortal] sin if you are convinced that the Catholic Church is the only true Church. "Why tarriest thou? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." [Act 22; 10] 309. What do you have to do to be baptized if you have reached the age of reason? 1] You have to take a course of instructions in the Catholic religion. 2] give up all seriously sinful habits; 3] have the right intention. The "right intention" means that you wish to become a Catholic because the Catholic Church is the only true Church. 310. Who can administer Baptism? The priest is the ordinary minister of Baptism, but in case of necessity any one who has the use of reason may baptize. 311. How is Baptism given? Whoever baptizes should pour water on the head of the person to be baptized, and say, while pouring the water: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. "Going therefore, teach ye all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." [Matthew 28: 19] "Buried with Him in baptism." [Colossians 2; 12] "They went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him." [Acts 8: 38] The Church admits three manners of baptizing: 1] plunging into water the body of those being baptized, which is called immersion; 2] pouring water upon their head, which is Baptism by infusion; 3] sprinkling them by aspersion. For a long time, immersion was nearly the only practice in use. Toward the end of the Middle Ages, the Latin Church gradually replaced it with Baptism by infusion, for undeniable practical reasons. Baptism by immersion is still practiced today in the Greek Church. Although this manner of baptizing is perfectly valid, it is, however, false to claim that it is the only valid mode. Thus the Baptism which Saint Paul received from the hands of Ananias [Acts 9: 18; 22: 16] can only imply the mode of aspersion or infusion. Likewise, the administration of Baptism to three thousand people after Saint Peter's address in Jerusalem on Pentecost Day [Acts 2: 41] was probably possible only by aspersion. Water is used in Baptism only to signify the interior ablution of the soul, which this sacrament operates. This is why Saint Paul calls it a bath. [Ephesians 5: 26] Now, there is ablution in either ease, whether one is plunged in water or the water is poured. 312. How many kinds of Baptism are there? There are three kinds of Baptism: 1] Baptism of water, 2] Baptism of desire 3] Baptism of blood. 313. What is Baptism of water? Baptism of water is that which is given by pouring of water on the head of the person to be baptized, and saying at the same time: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 314. When Baptism of water cannot be received, may Baptism of desire compensate for it? Yes, when Baptism of water cannot be received, the desire of receiving it as soon as possible, with sincere regret for one's sins and the resolution to observe the law of God, may compensate for it. 315. What is Baptism of blood? Baptism of blood is martyrdom [the shedding of one's blood] suffered for one's faith in Jesus Christ with sincere sorrow for one's sins. 316. Is baptism of desire or of blood sufficient to produce the effects of Baptism of water? Baptism of desire or of blood is sufficient to produce the effects of the Baptism of water, if it is impossible to receive the Baptism of water. 317. What do we promise in Baptism? In Baptism we promise to renounce the devil with all his works and pomp's. 318. Why is the name of a saint given in Baptism? The name of a saint is given in Baptism in order that the person baptized may imitate his virtues and have him for a protector. 319. Why are godfathers and godmothers given in Baptism? Godfathers and godmothers are given in Baptism in order that they may promise, in the name of the child, what the child itself would promise if it had the use of reason. The practice of baptizing little children is an immemorial tradition in the Church. It may even go back to the very beginning of apostolic preaching when entire households received Baptism. [Acts 16: 15, 33; 1 Corinthians 1: 16] Nonetheless, this practice seems to have become general only several centuries later. During the era of persecution, Baptism was generally administered after a long period of catechumenate; for it was to be feared, and indeed it occurred more than once, that if the newly baptized person was not sufficiently instructed and had not enough conviction, he would abjure his new religion too easily. This form of catechumenate vanished toward the end of the 5th. century. Later, basing itself on the words, "Let the little child come to Me" [Luke 18: 16], the Church not only authorized, but gradually prescribed the Baptism of newborn children. The practice of child Baptism was strongly favoured by the clearer knowledge of original sin acquired at the time of the Pelagian controversy, and of the necessity of Baptism for salvation. 320. What is the obligation of a godfather and a godmother? The obligation of a godfather and a godmother are: 1] to instruct the child in its religious duties, if the parents neglect to do so or die. 2] to see, if necessary, that the child fulfills the promises made at Baptism. 321. Who can be a godfather or a godmother? Only a practical Catholic, who is at least fourteen years old, can be a godfather or a godmother. PRACTICAL POINTS 1. Make arrangements with your parish priest as soon as possible after the baby's birth for Baptism. The baby's godfather and godmother should be good Catholics. 2. An expectant mother in a hospital should tell the doctors and nurses that she is a Catholic and that, if there is any danger to the life of the baby, they should send for a priest right away. In case of real emergency, somebody should baptize the baby, even in the womb if necessary. 3. If there is a miscarriage, the whole substance from the womb should be put into water right away, and the words, "I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost," should be said by the one baptizing. It should be noted that the water has to flow over the skin of the fetus or embryo. Consequently, it will be necessary to break the protective membrane, which encloses the body. 4. If you were baptized in a Protestant church, you will probably still have to go through the Catholic ceremony of Baptism. This is called conditional Baptism. The reason for this is to make sure that you are really baptized. It is practically impossible to find out if your Protestant Baptism was done according to the intention of Christ, since many Protestant ministers consider Baptism merely a sort of initiation ritual or symbol that produces no effect in the soul. Lesson Eighteen: ON CONFIRMATION 322. What is Confirmation? Confirmation is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ, to confess our faith without fear, and to lead a holy life in spite of all obstacles. "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate who will dwell with you forever, the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive ... But you shall know Him, because He will dwell with you, and be in you." [John 14. 16-17] "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them." [Acts 19: 6] "After that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." [Ephesians 1: 13] The Holy Spirit came down to us for the first time on the day of our Baptism. Confirmation makes us soldiers of Christ. To the grace of Baptism it adds a special grace of strength to profess our faith generously in the face of all enemies, and especially to overcome human respect which keeps so many Christians from the practice of their religious duties. The gifts of the Holy Ghost which have already been bestowed on us at Baptism, are therefore conferred in a special way at Confirmation, to enlighten our faith, make it more vivid and more discerning, while fortifying our will against all weaknesses. 323. Who comes into your soul when you are confirmed? The Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. "Or know you not, that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost." [1 Corinthians 6: 19] "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might ..." [Isaiah 11 2] 324. What does Confirmation do for your soul? 1] Confirmation gives you an increase of sanctifying grace; 2] it gives you more strength to stay away from sin and lead a Christian life; 3] it helps you to be a loyal and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. 4] it gives you the strength to profess your Catholic Faith openly and not to hide it, 5] and it gives you the gifts of the Holy Ghost. "Thou didst confirm Thine inheritance." [Psalm 68: 9] "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." [Matthew 5: 48] "Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." [2 Timothy 2: 3] "Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" [2 Corinthians 1 21- 22] "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature." [2 Peter 1: 4] "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." [James 1: 17] "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." [1 Corinthians 12: 4] 325. Can you get into Heaven without Confirmation? Yes, but it is more difficult. 326. Who administers Confirmation? The bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation. A dying parishioner may receive Confirmation from his pastor if the bishop cannot be reached in time. "Through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given." [Acts 8: 18] "When Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came upon them." [Acts 19; 6] "We ... sent Timothy, our brother ... to establish you." [1 Thessalonians 3: 2] 327. Do you have to have a sponsor for Confirmation? Yes, choose a good Catholic for a sponsor, but not the same one you had for Baptism. You also have to select the name of another saint for Confirmation. 328. How many times can you be confirmed? Only once. 329. How does the bishop give Confirmation? The bishop extends his hands over those who are to be confirmed, prays that they may receive the Holy Ghost, and anoints the forehead of each with holy Chrism in the form of a cross, and gives each a slight blow on the cheek, saying: "Peace be with you". "Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. " [Acts 8: 14-17] "In Jesus Christ you too, when you had heard the word of truth, the goods news of your salvation, and believed in it, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise." [Ephesians 1: 13] 330. What is holy Chrism? Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balm, consecrated by the bishop. "Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon so much, . and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, and of cassia five hundred shekels, and after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an him. And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary; it shall be an holy anointing oil." [Exodus 30: 23-25] "This shall be an holy anointing oil unto Me throughout your generations." [Exodus 30; 31] 331. What does the bishop say in anointing the person he confirms? In anointing the person he confirms the bishops says; "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." "Peter and John, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost" [Acts 8; 14, 15] "Then laid they their hands of them, and they received the Holy Ghost." [Acts 8; 17] "Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. " [Ephesians 1; 13] 332. What does anointing the forehead with Chrism in the form of a cross mean? By anointing the forehead with Chrism in the form of a cross is meant, that the Christian who is confirmed must openly profess and practice his faith, never to be ashamed of it, and rather die than deny it. "Thou anointest my head with oil." [Psalm 23; 5] "But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you." [1 John 2; 27] "Everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge him before My rather in heaven, But whoever denies Me before men, I in turn will deny him." [Matthew 10; 32-33] "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith, without wavering." [Hebrews 10; 23] "For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." [James 1: 6] 333. Why does the bishop give the person he confirms a slight blow on the cheek? The bishop gives the person he confirms a slight blow on the cheek, to put him in mind that he must be ready to suffer everything, even death, for the sake of Christ. "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed will you be, because the honour, the glory and the power of God and His Spirit rest upon you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief ... but if he suffers as a Christians, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God for that name." [1 Peter 4; 14-16] "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake." [Philippians 1; 29] "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all thing." [Philippians 3; 8] "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good: But and if ye stiffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye." [1 Peter 3; 13-14] 334. To receive Confirmation worthily is it necessary to be in the state of grace? To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace and have already been baptized. 335. What is a state of grace? A state of grace is freedom from mortal sin. 336. What special preparation should be made to receive Confirmation? Persons of an age to learn should know the chief mysteries of faith and the duties of a Christian, and be instructed in the nature and effects of this Sacrament. Certain Eastern rites administer Confirmation to children at the same time as Baptism. In the Western Rite, the custom is to delay Confirmation until the child knows the Catechism. "Give glory in your hearts to the holiness of the Lord our God. Be ready always with an answer to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you." [1 Peter 3: 15] 337. Is it a sin to neglect Confirmation? It is a sin to neglect Confirmation, especially in these evil days, when faith and morals are exposed to so many and such violent temptations. 338. What is expected of a confirmed Catholic? A confirmed Catholic, by his prayers and words and good example, should try to lead others to the True Church. "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." [Ephesians 6: 10-11] 339. What are the gifts of the Holy Ghost? The gifts of the Holy Ghost are: 1] Wisdom; 2] Understanding; 3] Counsel; 4] Fortitude; 5] Knowledge; 6] Piety; 7] Fear of the Lord. "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." [Isaiah 11: 2-3] "The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal." [1 Corinthians 12: 7] 340. Why do we receive the gift of Fear of the Lord? We receive the gift of the Fear of the Lord to fill us with a dread of sin. "Let us keep grace, through which we may offer pleasing service to God with fear and reverence. For our God is a consuming fire." [Hebrews 12: 28-29] 341. Why do we receive the gift of Piety? We receive the gift of Piety to make us love God as a Father and obey Him because we love Him. "Train yourself in piety ... for piety is profitable in all respects, since it has the promise of the present life as well as of that which is to come" [1 Timothy 4: 7-8] "The love of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." [Romans 5: 5] 342. Why do we receive the gift of Knowledge? We receive the gift of Knowledge to enable us to discover the will of God in all things. "I count everything as loss because of the excelling knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord. For His sake, I have renounced all things." [Philippians 3: 8] "See to it that no one deceives you by philosophy and vain deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the elements of worldly knowledge and not according to Christ." [Colossians 2; 8] 343. Why do we receive the gift of Fortitude? We receive the gift of Fortitude to strengthen us to do the will of God in all things. "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and only the violent bear it away." [Matthew 11: 12] "You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit ... You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be witnesses for Me ... even to the very ends of the earth." [Acts 1: 5, 8] "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of courage and of love and of prudence. Do not, therefore, be ashamed of testimony of Our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but work with me for the Gospel, through the power you have from God." [2 Timothy 1: 7-8] 344. Why do we receive the gift of Counsel? We receive the gift of Counsel to warn us of the deceits of the devil, and of the dangers to salvation. By the gift of counsel, the Holy Spirit speaks to our heart and makes us understand in an instant what we are to do, according to Our Lord's promise to His Apostles: "When they deliver you up, do not be anxious over how or what you are to speak; for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour." [Matthew 10; 19] 345. Why do we receive the gift of Understanding? We receive the gift of Understanding to enable us to know more clearly the mysteries of faith. "These things I have spoken to you while yet dwelling with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things, and bring to your mind all that I have said to you." [John 14: 25 26] "I wish that their hearts may be comforted, and they themselves will united in charity and filled with all the riches of complete understanding, so as to know the mystery of God the Father, and of Christ Jesus, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." [Colossians 2: 2-3] 346. Why do we receive the gift of Wisdom? We receive the gift of Wisdom to give us a relish for the things of God, and to direct our whole life and all our actions to His honour and glory. "If any one of you thinks himself wise according to this world, let him become a fool, that he may come to be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: I will catch the wise in their craftiness." [Job 5: 13] And again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and He knows their vanity." [Psalm 93: 11] [1 Corinthians 3: 18 20] 347. What are the twelve fruits of the Holy Ghost? The twelve fruits of the Holy Ghost are: 1] Charity, 2] Joy, 3] Peace, 4] Patience, 5] Benignity, 6] Goodness, 7] Long-suffering, 8] Mildness, 9] Faith, 10] Modesty, 11] Continency, 12] Chastity. Saint Paul lists them in his Epistle to the Galatians [5: 22-23]. When a soul corresponds faithfully to the actual graces which set in motion the virtues and gifts, it produces acts of virtue, at first imperfectly and with difficulty, then more perfectly and with greater relish, so that the heart is filled with holy joy. These are the fruits of the Holy Ghost, and they may be defined as acts of virtue having reached a certain perfection and which fill the soul with holy joy. "The tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." [Apocalypse 22; 2] "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." [James 1: 17] "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ... And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." [Colossians 3: 12, 14] "Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples." [John 15: 8] THE CATECHISM - PAGE TWO Return to Home Page