Saturday, March 27, 2010

Part I, Chapter XIII. The Communion of Saints and the Forgiveness of Sins

163. What is meant by the Communion of Saints?
By the Communion of Saints is meant the union of the faithful on earth, the blessed in heaven, and the souls in purgatory, under Jesus Christ as their head.
164. Can the blessed in heaven help the souls in purgatory and the faithful on earth?
The blessed in heaven can help the souls in purgatory and the faithful on earth by praying for them.
165. Can the faithful on earth help the souls in purgatory?
The faithful on earth can help the souls in purgatory by prayer and good works, by indulgences and especially by the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
166. Can the faithful on earth help one another?
The faithful on earth can help one another by their prayers and good works.
167. What is meant by the forgiveness of sins?
By the forgiveness of sins is meant that Christ has given to the pastors of his Church the power of forgiving sins.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Part I, Chapter XII. The Rulers of the Church

151. Who is the head of the Church?
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the invisible head of the Church, which is his Mystical Body.
152. Has the Church a visible head on earth?
The Pope, who is bishop of Rome, is Christ's vicar on earth and visible head of the Church.
153. Why is the Pope the visible head of the Church?
The Pope is the visible head of the Church because he is the successor of St. Peter, who was chief of the apostles, and first bishop of Rome.
154. When did Christ promise to make St. Peter head of the Church?
Christ promised to make St. Peter head of the Church when He said to him: Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church...
and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. xvi, 18-19).

155. When did Christ fulfil his promise and make St.Peter head of the Church?
Christ made St. Peter head of the Church when, after the resurrection, He said to him: Feed my lambs, feed my sheep (John xxi, 15-17).
156. What power has the Pope over the Church?
The Pope, as successor of St. Peter, has supreme power over the whole Church and every part of it, in matters of faith, of morals and of discipline.
157. Who are the successors of the other apostles?
The bishops of the Holy Catholic Church are the successors of the other apostles.
158. Is the Church infallible?
The Church is infallible, that is, it cannot err, when it teaches doctrines of faith and morals to be held by all the faithful.
159. How do we know that the Church is infallible?
We know that the Church is infallible, because Christ promised the apostles and their successors that He would send the Holy Ghost to guide and teach them, and that He Himself would be with them all days, even to the end of the world.
160. Who in the Church can teach infallibly?
The infallible teachers in the Church are the Pope, and the general body of bishops united with the Pope.
161. What is the authority of the bishop in his own diocese?
The bishop in his own diocese has power from God to teach, to sanctify and to rule the faithful, in subjection to the Pope, and in accordance with the laws of the Church.
162. How can the faithful help the Church?
The faithful can help the Church in its work, by defending it against attack, by being active members of Catholic societies, and by giving good example in their own lives.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Part I, Chapter XI. The Holy Catholic Church

138. What is the Church?
The Church is the visible society founded by Christ Himself, to continue on earth his work of teaching, sanctifying and ruling mankind, for their eternal salvation.
139. To whom did Christ give power to govern his Church?
Christ gave to St. Peter and the other apostles and to their lawful successors the power to teach, sanctify and rule the members of his Church.
140. Did Christ found only one Church?
Jesus Christ founded only one Church, for he declared: there shall be one fold and one Shepherd (John x, 16).
141. Did Christ give to his Church any marks by which it can be clearly known?
Yes, Christ gave his Church four marks: He intended his Church to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic (John x, 16; Eph. v, 25-27; Matt. xxiv, 14; Eph. ii, 20).
142. Which of the many bodies claiming to be the Church is the one true Church founded by Christ?
The Catholic Church is the one true Church founded by Christ, because it alone has the four marks of the true Church.
143. How is the Catholic Church one?
The Catholic Church is one, because all its members profess the same faith, have the same sacrifice and sacraments, and obey the same visible head on earth.
144. How is the Catholic Church holy?
The Catholic Church is holy, because its doctrines, sacraments and sacrifice enable men to become holy, and because so many of its members have been eminent for holiness in all ages.
145. How is the Catholic Church catholic or universal?
The Catholic Church is catholic or universal, because by its nature it is not limited to any nation, but has existed in every age, and has spread throughout the world.
146. How is the Catholic Church apostolic?
The Catholic Church is apostolic, because it traces its origin to the apostles, is governed by their succesors and teaches their doctrine.
147. Are these four marks to be found in any other body claiming to be the Church of Christ?
No: these four marks are found only in the Catholic Curch: other bodies are divided among themselves in faith and worship, or have not the means of holiness, or are not catholic or apostolic.
148. Must everyone belong to the Catholic Church?
Everyone must belong to the Catholic Church, and no one can be saved who, through his own fault, remains outside it.
149. Who are the members of the Catholic Church?
The members of the Catholic Church are all baptised persons who profess the faith it proposes, partake of its sacrifice and sacraments and are governed by the Pope and the Bishops united with him.
150. Will the Church last to the end of the world?
The Church will last to the end of the world, because Christ has promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, and that He will be with it all days, even to the end of the world (Matt. xvi, 18; xviii, 20).

Friday, March 5, 2010

Part I, Chapter X. The Virtues. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

124. What are the chief supernatural gifts bestowed on us with sanctifying grace?
The chief supernatural gifts we receive with sanctifying grace are the three divine virtues and the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.
125. What is a virtue?
A virtue is a habit which enables or disposes us to do good acts.
126. Which are the three divine virtues?
The three divine virtues are faith, hope and charity.
127. Why are faith, hope and charity called divine virtues?
These virtues are called divine, because they have God for their direct object.
128. What is faith?
Faith is the divine virtue by which we firmly believe the truths revealed by God.
129. Why do we believe the truths revealed by God?
We believe the truths revealed by God, because He can neither deceive nor be deceived.
130. What is hope?
Hope is the divine virtue by which we desire and firmly expect eternal happiness with God Himself and the means to obtain it.
131. Why do we hope in God?
We hope in God, because He has promised us eternal life, and because he is infintely powerful, good and merciful and is faithful to his promises.
132. What is charity?
Charity is the divine virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God.
133. Why should we love God above all things?
We should love God above all things, because He is infinitely good.
134. Why should we love our neighbour for the love of God?
We should love our neighbour for the love of God, because he is made in the image of God, and is destined for eternal happiness with God in heaven.
135. Name the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.
The seven gifts of the Holy Ghost are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and the fear of the Lord.
136. How do the gifts of the Holy Ghost help us?
The gifts of the Holy Ghost help us by making us more alert to see the things of God and more prompt to obey his will.
137. What are the principal virtues that help us to do our duty to our neighbour and ourselves?
The principal virtues that help us to do our duty to our neighbour and ourselves are the four cardinal virtues, prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.