Monday, January 31, 2011

Part III. Chapter XXV. THE BLESSED EUCHARIST

352. What is the Blessed Eucharist?
The Blessed Eucharist is the sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, under the appearances of bread and wine.
353. When did Christ institute the Blessed Eucharist?
Christ instituted the Blessed Eucharist at his Last Supper when, taking bread and wine, He said: This is my body; This is my blood; and then, giving power to his disciples to do what He had done, said to them: Do this as a commemoration of me (Matt. xxvi, 28; Matt. xiv, 22; Luke xxii, 19).
354. Have the priests of the Church power to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ?
The priests of the Church have power to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, because they have received this power from Christ through the apostles and their successors in every age.

I. The Real Presence

355. What do we mean by the Real Presence?
By the Real Presence we mean that our Lord Jesus Christ is really, truly and substantially present in the Blessed Eucharist.
356. Is Jesus Christ present, whole and entire, under the appearances of bread and wine?
Jesus Christ is present, whole and entire, body and blood, soul and divinity, under the appearance of bread, and under the appearance of wine.
357. What do we mean by the appearances of bread and wine?
By the appearances of bread and wine we mean the taste, colour and form of bread and wine, which still remain after the substance of the bread and wine has been changed into the body and blood of Christ.
358. How do the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ?
The bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ by the power of God, to whom nothing is impossible.
359. When does a priest change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ?
The priest changes bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ at the consecration of the Mass, when he repeats the words of Christ: This is my body; This is my blood.
360. Why did Christ institute the Eucharist?
Christ instituted the Blessed Eucharist in order that we might have an acceptable sacrifice to offer to God, and a heavenly food to nourish our souls.

II. The Sacrifice of the Mass

361. What is the sacrifice of the Blessed Eucharist usually called?
The sacrifice of the Blessed Eucharist is usually called the Mass.
362. What is a sacrifice?
A sacrifice is the offering of a victim to God, by a priest, to acknowledge that he is the supreme Lord over us and over all things.
363. Did Christ when on earth offer a sacrifice to God?
Yes, Christ offered Himself as a victim for us to his heavenly Father, at the Last Supper and on the Cross.
364. What is the Mass?
The Mass is the sacrifice of the New Law, in which Christ, through the ministry of the priest, offers Himself for us as a victim to his heavenly Father.
365. Is the Mass the same sacrifice as that of the Cross?
The Mass is the same sacrifice as that of the Cross, though offered in a different manner.
366. How is the Mass the same sacrifice as that of the Cross?
The Mass is the same sacrifice as that of the Cross, because the same Christ who offered Himself a bleeding victim on the Cross, offers Himself in an unbloody manner by the hands of his priests in the Mass.
367. What are the purposes for which Mass is offered?
The purposes for which Mass is offered are: to adore God, to thank Him for his benefits, to make satisfaction for our sins, and to obtain from Him other graces and blessings.
368. What is the best manner of assisting at Mass?
The best manner of assisting at Mass is to offer it to God with the priest for the purposes for which it is said, to meditate on Christ's sufferings, and to receive Holy Communion.

III. The Sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist

369. What is the sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist?
The sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist is the sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which are given us for our spiritual food under the appearances of bread and wine.
370. How should we show our devotion to our Divine Lord in the sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist?
We should show our devotion to our Divine Lord, by visiting Him frequently in our churches, by attending Benediction, but above all by receiving Him in Holy Communion.
371. Should we often receive Holy Communion?
We should often receive Holy Communion, because in it we receive Jesus Christ, the heavenly food which is so necessary for the spritual life of our souls.
372. What does our Divine Lord say of those who receive Holy Communion worthily?
Our Divine Lord says: He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood hath life everlasting, and I will raise him up on the last day (John vi, 55).
373. What is necessary in order to receive Holy Communion worthily?
To receive Holy Communion worthily we must be in the state of grace, be fasting from midnight, and have the right intention.
374. If a person is in mortal sin what must he do before receiving Holy Communion?
Before receiving Holy Communion, a person in mortal sin must obtain pardon in the sacrament of Penance, and not merely by an act of perfect contrition.
375. Is it ever lawful to receive Holy Communion without having fasted from midnight?
Only those who are in danger of death, or who have been ill in bed for at least a month, may receive Holy Communion without having fasted from midnight.
376. What is the right intention for receiving Holy Communion?
We should receive Holy Communion for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and the spiritual strength of our souls, and not for vainglory or human respect.
377. How should we prepare ourselves for Holy Communion?
We should make fervent acts of faith, hope and love to our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we are about to receive.
378. What should we do after Holy Communion?
After Holy Communion we should spend some time in adoring our Divine Lord, in thanking Him for having come to us, and in asking Him for the graces and blessings which we need.
379. Is it a mortal sin to receive Holy Communion unworthily?
Yes, for whosoever receives unworthily is guilty of sacrilege against the body and blood of the Lord (I. Cor. xi, 27).

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Part III. Chapter XXIV. BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION

340. What is Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament which first gives to our souls the new life of sanctifying grace, cleanses us from original sin, makes us children of God, members of the Church of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of heaven.
341. Does baptism remit actual sins already committed?
Baptism remits actual sins already committed and all the punishments due to them, if the person receiving it has true sorrow for his sins.
342. Who can give the sacrament of Baptism?
Every person has the power to give Baptism, but, except in case of necessity, only a priest can lawfully give it.
343. How does a person give Baptism?
A person gives Baptism by pouring water on the head of the person to be baptised, saying at the same time: I baptise thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
344. Is Baptism necessary for salvation?
Baptism is necessary for salvation, because our Divine Lord has said: Unless a man be born again of water and of the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John iii, 5).
345. Can persons be saved who have not received the sacrament of Baptism?
They who have not received the sacrament of Baptism can be saved by martyrdom, which is called Baptism of blood, or by perfect contrition, which is called Baptism of desire.
346. What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is the sacrament through which the Holy Ghost is given to us, with his graces and his seven gifts, to make us strong and perfect christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.
347. Who has the power to give Confirmation?
The bishop is the ordinary minister of Cnfirmation, but, in his absence, the parish priest can give it to a person in danger of death.
348. How does the bishop give Confirmation?
The bishop gives Confirmation by the imposition of hands, making the sign of the cross with chrism on the forehead of the person to be confirmed, and saying: 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.
349. Why does the bishop give those he confirms a stroke on the cheek?
The bishop gives those he confirms a stroke on the cheek to remind them that they are soldiers of Christ, and that for his sake they must be ready to suffer anything, even death itself, rather than deny the faith.
350. What is necessary to receive Confirmation worthily?
To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace; and they who have reached the use of reason should be sufficiently instructed in christian doctrine.
351. What is the special grace given in Confirmation?
Confirmation gives us a special help to profess our faith with fortitude and to die rather than deny it.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Part III. Chapter XXIII. THE SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL

332. What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is a sensible or outward sign instituted by Christ to signify grace and confer it on our souls.
333. Whence have the sacraments the power of giving grace?
The sacraments have the power of giving grace from the merits of Christ, which they apply to our souls.
334. Do the sacraments always give grace?
To those who receive them worthily the sacraments always give sanctifying grace, and a special help to attain the purpose for which each sacrament has been instituted.
335. How many sacraments are there?
There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders and Matrimony.
336. Which are the sacraments of the dead?
Baptism and Penance are called the sacraments of the dead, because they forgive sin, and thus give the life of grace to souls that are dead in sin.
337. Which are the sacraments of the living?
All the other sacraments are called sacraments of the living, because they were instituted to give increase of spiritual life to souls already in the state of grace.
338. Which sacraments can be received only once?
Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders can be received only once, because they imprint on the soul a character or spiritual mark which lasts forever.
339. Is it a great sin to receive a sacrament unworthily?
It is a mortal sin of sacrilege to receive a sacrament unworthily.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

PART III. Chapter XXII. PRAYER: THE LORD'S PRAYER AND THE HAIL MARY

313. What is necessary to enable us to keep the commandments?
To keep the commandments we need the grace of God, which is obtained chiefly by prayer and the sacraments.
314. What is prayer?
Prayer is a raising up of the mind and heart to God, to adore and praise Him, to thank Him for his favours, to beg his grace and blessings, and to obtain pardon of our sins.
315. When should we pray?
We should pray very often, but especially on Sundays and holy-days, every morning and every night, and in all dangers, temptations and afflictions.
316. How should we pray?
We should pray with a humble and contrite heart, with attention and perseverance, with confidence in God's goodness and resignation to his will, and in the name of Jesus Christ.
317. What prayers are most recommended to us?
The prayers most recommended to us are the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Confiteor, and acts of contrition, faith, hope and charity.
318. Who made the Our Father?
Our Lord Jesus Christ made the Our Father, and therefore it is called the Lord's Prayer.
319. Whom do we mean by Our Father when we say the Lord's Prayer?
By Our Father in the Lord's Prayer we mean Almighty God, who is the common Father of all.
320. What do we mean when we say hallowed be Thy name?
When we say hallowed be thy name, we pray that God's name may be praised and glorified.
321. What do we mean when we say thy kingdom come?
When we say thy kingdom come, we pray that God by his grace may reign in the hearts of all men in this life, and that they may reign for ever with Him in the next.
322. What do we mean when we say thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven?
When we say thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, we pray that all men may obey God on earth as the angels and saints do in heaven.
323. What do we mean when we say give us this day our daily bread?
When we say give us this day our daily bread, we ask God for all things necessary and useful for soul and body.
324. What do we mean when we say forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us?
When we say forgive us our trespasses, we ask God to forgive us our offences against Him, as we forgive those who offend us.
325. What does Our Divine Lord say of those who will not forgive offences?
Our Divine Lord says: If you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences (Matt. vi, 15).
326. What do we mean when we say lead us not into temptation?
When we say lead us not into temptation, we ask God to preserve us from temptation, and to strengthen us in all our trials.
327. What do we mean when we say deliver us from evil?
When we say deliver us from evil, we ask God to keep us from all evil of soul and body, and particularly from sin.
328. Who made the Hail Mary?
The angel Gabriel and St. Elizabeth made the first part of the Hail Mary, and the Church made the second part.
329. Why do we so frequently repeat the Hail Mary?
We frequently repeat the Hail Mary to recall the mystery of the Incarnation, to honour the Mother of God, and to obtain her assistance, especially at the hour of death.
330. What is the Rosary?
The Rosary is a prayer in honour of the Blessed Virgin, in which we repeat in a fixed order the Our Father and Hail Mary, and meditate on the chief mysteries of the Redemption.
331. Does the Church recommend the Rosary?
Yes, the Church strongly recommends the Rosary and especially the practice of reciting it in common as the prayer of the christian family.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Part II. Chapter XXI. THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH (continued)

299. Repeat the third commandment of the Church?
The third commandment of the Church is: to confess our sins at least once a year.
300. Who are bound by the law of yearly confession?
They who have committed mortal sin are bound by the law of yearly confession.
301. Do they who make a bad confession satisfy the law of yearly confession?
They who make a bad confession fail to satisfy the law of yearly confession, and also commit the sin of sacrilege.
302. Repeat the fourth commandment of the Church?
The fourth commandment of the Church is: to receive worthily the Blessed Eucharist at Easter-time.
303. Who are bound to receive the Blessed eucharist at Easter-time?
All who have reached the use of reason are bound to receive worthily the Blessed Eucharist at Easter-time, that is, in Ireland, from Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday.
304. Is it a sin not to receive the Blessed Eucharist at Easter-time?
It is a mortal sin to neglect one's Easter duty, that is, not to receive worthily the Blessed Eucharist at Easter-time.
305. Repeat the fifth commandment of the Church?
The fifth commandment of the Church is: to contribute to the support of our pastors.
306. Who are bound to contribute to the support of our pastors?
All the faithful, according to their means, are bound to contribute to the support of their pastors.
307. Why does the Church oblige us to contribute to the support of our pastors?
The Church obliges us to contribute to the support of our pastors, in order that they may be able to devote themselves to our spiritual care, and because the Lord ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel (I Cor. ix, 14).
308. Repeat the sixth commandment of the Church?
The sixth commandment of the Church is: to observe the marriage laws of the Church.
309. How must a marriage of a Catholic be celebrated?
A marriage of a Catholic must be celebrated in the presence of an authorised priest and two witnesses, otherwise it will be no true marriage in the eyes of God and of His Church.
310. Is a marriage of a Catholic in a registry office, or before a non-Catholic minister, a true marriage?
A marriage of a Catholic in a registry office, or before a non-Catholc minister, is not a true marriage, and a Catholc who lives as husband or wife after such a marriage, is living in sin.
311. Does the Church forbid marriage between certain persons?
Yes, the Church forbids marriage between certain persons, as, for instance, between near relatives, or between a Catholic and a non-Catholic.
312. Why does the Church forbid marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic?
The Church forbids marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic, because such mixed marriages are a danger to the faith of the Catholic party, break the unity of the home, and make difficult the Catholic upbringing of the children.

Part II. Chapter XX. THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH

282. Are we bound by any other commandments besides the ten commandments of God?
Besides the ten commandments of God, we are also bound by the commandments of the Church, which are chiefly six.
283. Which are the chief commandments of the Church?
The chief commandments of the Church are:
First: To hear Mass on Sundays and holy-days of obligation.
Second: To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
Third: To confess our sins at least once a year.
Fourth: To receive worthily the Blesses Eucharist at Easter time.
Fifth: To contribute to the support of our pastors.
Sixth: To observe the marriage laws of the Church.
284. Who gave the Church the power to make commandments?
Christ gave the Church the power to make commandments when He said to his apostles: Whatsoever you shall bid upon earth shall be bound also in heaven (Matt. xviii, 18).
285. Has the Church power to dispense in her commandments?
The Church has power to dispense in her commandments, because the spiritual good of her children sometimes requires it (Luke xiii, 15; Matt. xvi. 19).
286. Repeat the first commandment of the Church?
The first commandment of the Church is: to hear Mass on Sundays and holy-days of obligation.
287. What sin do they commit who do not assist at Mass on a Sunday or holy-day of obligation?
They who, through their own fault, do not assist at Mass on a Sunday or holy-day of obligation commit a mortal sin.
288. Why were holy-days instituted by the Church?
Holy-days were instituted by the Church to recall to our minds the great mysteries of religion and the virtues and rewards of the saints.
289. Are we bound to abstain from unnecessary servile work on holy-days?
We are bound to abstain from unnecessary servile work on holy-days, except where lawful custom has removed the obligation.
290. Repeat the second commandment of the Church?
The second commandment of the Church is: to fast and abstain on the days appointed.
291. What are fast days?
Fast days are days on which we are allowed to eat only one full meal.
292. Is any other food allowed on fast days beside the one full meal?
Besides the one full meal we are also allowed a smaller meal in the morning and the evening, in accordance with approved custom.
293. Who are bound to observe fast days?
All those between the ages of twenty-one and sixty are bound to observe fast days, unless they are excused or dispensed.
294. On what days are we bound to fast?
We are bound to fast on the weekdays of Lent, the Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays of Quarter-Tense, and certain vigils.
295. What are days of abstinence?
Days of abstinence are days on which we are forbidden the use of flesh-meat and its products.
296. Who are bound to observe days of abstinence?
Those who have completed their seventh year are bound to observe days of abstinence.
297. Why does the Church command us to fast and abstain?
The Church commands us to fast and abstain, in order that, by mortifying ourselves, we may do penance for our sins and be better able to control our passions.
298. Why does the Church appoint Friday as a day of abstinence?
The Church appoints Friday as a day of abstinence to remind us of our Saviour's death on Good Friday.