The Memorare

The Prayer of St. Bernard

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word incarnate, do not reject my petition, but graciously hear and grant it. Amen. (An indulgence of 3 years. A plenary indulgence once a month under the usual conditions for the daily recitation of this prayer).

The Confiteor

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grevious fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
May the almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to life everlasting. Amen.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of my sins. Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of they womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, o sweet Virgin Mary. (An indulgence of 5 years. A plenary indulgence once a month under the usual conditions for the daily recitation of this prayer)

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Five Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation to Our Lady that she was to be the Mother of God.
2. The Visitation of St. Elizabeth by Our Blessed Lady.
3. The Birth of Our Divine Lord in a stable at Bethlehem.
4. The Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple.
5. The Finding of the Divine Child in the Temple.

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony of Our Blessed Lord in the Garden.
2. The Scourging of Our Lord at the Pillar.
3. The Crowning of Our Lord with Thorns.
4. The Carrying of the Cross.
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Saviour on the Cross.

The Five Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection of Our Divine Lord from the dead.
2. The Ascension of Our Divine Lord into Heaven.
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles.
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven.

Prayer to Our Angel Guardian

O Angel of God, my guardian dear
To whom his love commits me here;
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
(An indulgence of 300 days).

Morning Offering

O my God, I offer Thee all the thoughts, words and actions of this day for thy greater honour and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace After Meals

We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all thy benefits; who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen. (An indulgence of 300 days).
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Grace Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which of thy bounty we are about to receive, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Angelus

1. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, etc.

2. Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.

3. And the Word was made flesh:
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of his resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the divine assistance always remain with us.
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
(Indulgence of 10 years).

A Short Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins, because they offend Thee, who art infinitely good, and I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, never to offend Thee again.

A Short Act of Charity

O my God, I love Thee above all things, because Thou art infinitely good, and for thy sake I love my neighbour as myself.

A Short Act of Hope

O my God, I hope in Thee for all the graces that I need for my eternal salvation and for heaven itself, because Thou art infinitely powerful, good and merciful and because Thou art faithful to thy word.

A Short Act of Faith

O my God, I believe in Thee and in all that Thou teachest through thy Holy Church, because thy word is true.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. (An indulgence of 100 days; with holy water, 300 days).

Part III. Chapter XXIX. SACRAMENTALS

434. What are sacramentals?
Sacramentals are certain objects and actions which the Church uses, in imitation of the sacraments, to obtain from God spiritual and temporal favours.
435. How do sacramentals obtain from God spiritual and temporal favours?
Sacramentals obtain spiritual and temporal favours through the prayers of the Church, and through the acts of devotion which their use inspires.
436. What are the principal favours obtained by sacramentals?
The principal favours obtained by sacramentals are: actual graces, forgiveness of venial sin, remission of the temporal punishment due to forgiven sin, protection against evil spirits, restoration of bodily health, and other temporal blessings.
437. What are the principal kinds of sacramentals?
The principal kinds of sacramentals are consecrations, blessings, exorcisms, and objects blessed by the Church for the use of the faithful.
438. What are the principal consecrations and blessings?
The principal consecrations and blessings are those by which the Church sets aside entirely for religious uses certain things, such as churches, cemeteries and chalices.
439. What are the principal blessings used by the Church to obtain for us spiritual and temporal favours?
The principal blessings used by the Church for the benefit of the faithful are: blessings of the sick, the nuptial blessing, the blessing of a mother after childbirth, and the blessings of houses, food, crops, animals and machinery.
440. What are exorcisms?
Exorcisms are solemn prayers and ceremonies used by the Church to restrain or expel evil spirits.
441. What are the principal objects blessed by the Church for the use of the faithful?
The principal objects blessed by the Church for the use of the faithful are water, palms, ashes, crucifixes, medals, rosaries and scapulars.
442. What are sacred ceremonies?
Sacred ceremonies are actions and words used by the Church to express our worship of God, to prepare the faithful for the proper reception of the sacraments, and to obtain special favours.
443. Which are the principal ceremonies?
The principal ceremonies are those of the Mass and the sacraments, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the reception and profession of religious, sacred processions, and the burying of the dead.

Part III. Chapter XVIII. MATRIMONY

426. What is Matrimony?
Matrimony is the sacrament by which man and woman become husband and wife, and receive the graces to live happily together and to fulfil the duties of the married state.
427. Who can receive the sacrament of Matrimony?
All baptised persons can receive the sacrament of Matrimony, unless forbidden by the law of God or of the Church.
428. Why has the Church the power to make laws concerning marriage?
The Church has the power to make laws concerning marriage, because Christ made the marriage of baptised persons a sacrament.
429. Which are the chief duties of husband and wife?
The chief duties of husband and wife are to be faithful to their marriage promises, to love and help each other, and to provide for the spiritual and temporal welfare of their children.
430. What is necessary for the worthy reception of the sacrament of Matrimony?
To receive worthily the sacrament of Matrimony, it is necessary to be in the state of grace.
431. What is the best preparation for a happy marriage?
The best preparation for a happy marriage is to be chaste, temperate and charitable, to pray to God for guidance in choosing a partner, and to ask the advice of parents and confessor.
432. Can the bond of marriage ever be broken?
When baptised persons have been validly married and have lived together as husband and wife, the bond of their marriage cannot be broken, except by the death of either party.
433. Can the State break the bond of a valid marriage?
The State has no power to break the bond of a valid marriage, and hence civil laws authorising divorce are null and void.

Part III. Chapter XXVII. EXTREME UNCTION AND HOLY ORDERS

414. What is Extreme Unction?
Extreme Unction is a sacrament which gives grace to die well, and is instituted chiefly for the spiritual strength and comfort of dying persons.
415. Is Extreme Unction given to all persons in danger of death?
Extreme Unction is given only to those who have reached the use of reason, and are in danger of death from sickness or old age.
416. What are the special effects of Extreme Unction?
Extreme Unction gives resignation in sickness and strength against temptation; it prepares the soul to enter heaven by the remission of sin and its effects; and it sometimes restores bodily health.
417. Is mortal sin ever remitted through Extreme Unction?
Mortal sin is remitted through Extreme Unction, when the sick person is unable to receive the sacrament of Penance and has imperfect contrition.
418. How should we prepare for Extreme Unction?
We should prepare for Extreme Unction by receiving the sacraments of Penance and the Blessed Eucharist, by making acts of contrition, faith, hope and charity, and by resigning ourselves to the will of God.
419. Who can administer Extreme Unction?
Only the priests of the Church have power to administer Extreme Unction.
420. How is Extreme Unction administered?
Extreme Unction is administered by anointing with oil and by prayer.
421. What is the chief duty of those in charge of the sick?
The chief duty of those in charge of the sick is to call in the priest when a patient is greviously ill, that he may be prepared to receive worthily and in good time the sacraments of Penance, the Blessed Eucharist and Extreme Unction.
422. What is Holy Orders?
Holy Orders is the sacrament by which men are made bishops, priests and other ministers of the Church, and are given the graces necessary for their sacred duties.
423. Which are the chief powers given to a priest in Holy Orders?
The chief powers given to a priest are: to offer the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and to forgive sins in the sacrament of Penance.
424. Who can confer Holy Orders?
Only bishops have the power to confer the sacrament of Holy Orders.
425. How should Catholics look upon their priests?
Catholics should reverence their priests as the representatives of Jesus Christ.

Part III. Chapter XXVI. THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

380. What is the sacrament of Penance?
Penance is the sacrament by which sins are forgiven which are committed after Baptism.
381. By whose power are sins forgiven in the sacrament of Penance?
Sins are forgiven in the sacrament of Penance by the power of God, which Christ gave to his apostles and, through them, to the priests of his Church.
382. When did Christ give to his apostles the power to forgive sins?
Christ gave to his apostles the power to forgive sins when He said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost, whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained (John xx, 23).
383. How does the priest exercise the power of forgiving and retaining sins?
The priest grants absolution from their sins to those who are rightly disposed, and refuses it to those who are not yet rightly disposed.
384. What is absolution?
Absolution is the sentence of pardon given by the priest when he says: I absolve thee from thy sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
385. What must a sinner do to dispose himself to obtain pardon in the sacrament of Penance?
To obtain pardon in the sacrament of penance a sinner must have true contrition for his sins, confess them to the priest, and accept the satisfaction or penance imposed on him.
386. How are we to prepare for the sacrament of Penance?
To prepare for the sacrament of Penance we should pray to God for the grace to receive it worthily, examine our conscience to discover the sins we have committed, and strive earnestly to be truly sorry for them.
387.How should we examine our conscience?
We should examine our conscience by calling to mind the commandments of God and of the Church, and the duties of our state in life, to find out in what things and how often we have sinned by thought, word, deed or omission.

I. Contrition

388. What is contrition?
Contrition is a sincere sorrow and hatred of our sins, because they offend God, with a firm resolution of sinning no more.
389. How many kinds of contrition are there?
There are two kinds of contrition: perfect contrition and imperfect contrition, which is also called attrition.
390. What is perfect contrition?
Contrition is perfect when we are sorry for our sins because they offend God, who is infinitely good in Himself.
391. What is imperfect contrition?
Contrition is imperfect when we are sorry for our sins from some motive less than the pure love of God, such as gratitude to God, or fear of his punishments.
392. What kind of contrition is sufficient in the sacrament of Penance?
To receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, imperfect contrition is sufficient, but we should always strive to have perfect contrition.
393. Can a person in mortal sin regain the state of grace before receiving the sacrament of Penance?
A person in mortal sin can regain the state of grace by making an act of perfect contrition, but he must intend to receive the sacrament, and must confess the sin in his next confession.
394. What qualities must all sorrow have to obtain pardon of sin?
Sorrow for sin must have these four qualities: it must be true sorrow of the heart, it must spring from a supernatural motive, it must extend to all mortal sins committed, and must regard sin as the greatest of all evils.
395. Is a purpose of amendment always necessary for forgiveness?
A purpose of amendment, that is, a firm resolution of sinning no more, is always necessary for forgiveness, because we are not truly sorry for sin, unless we are firmly resolved to avoid sin and to take the means necessary for avoiding it.
396. How can we acquire true sorrow for our sins?
We can acquire true sorrow for our sins by thinking of the goodness of God, the love of our Divine Redeemer, as shown in his Passion and Death, the loss of heaven, and the torments of hell.

II. Confession

397. What is confession?
Confession is a declaration of our sins made to a priest in the sacrament of Penance in order to obtain absolution.
398. What sins is a penitent bound to confess?
A penitent is bound to confess all mortal sins, with their number and kind, which have not yet been confessed and forgiven in the sacrament of Penance.
399. Is it wrong to conceal a mortal sin in confession?
To conceal a mortal sin in confession is a grevious sin of sacrilege, and the sins confessed are not forgiven.
400. What must they do who have concealed a mortal sin in confession?
They who have concealed a mortal sin in confession must confess that sin, the sacrilege of which they have been guilty, and all the other mortal sins committed since their last confession.
401. Is a mortal sin forgiven which has been omitted without fault in confession?
Yes, a mortal sin omitted without fault in confession is forgiven, but it must be told in the next confession.
402. Can a person receive the sacrament of Penance who has no mortal sin to confess?
Yes, a person can receive the sacrament of penance if he confesses a sin of his past life, or at least one venial sin for which he is truly sorry.

III. Satisfaction

403. What should we do after receiving the sacrament of Penance?
After receiving the sacrament of Penance, we should give God thanks for having forgiven us our sins and perform the penance or satisfaction imposed by the confessor.
404. What is meant by satisfaction?
By satisfaction we mean the prayers or other good works imposed on the penitent by the confessor to satisfy for the temporal punishment, which is often due to sin after its guilt has been remitted.
405. Does the sacrament of Penance remit all punishment due to sin?
The sacrament of penance remits the eternal punishment due to mortal sin, but it does not always remit the temporal punishment, which God requires as satisfaction for our sins.
406. Why does God require a temporal punishment as a satisfaction for sin already forgiven?
God requires a temporal punishment, in order to repair the offence against his divine majesty, to teach us the evil of sin and to prevent us from sinning again.
407. Does the penance imposed by the confessor satisfy in full for the temporal punishment due to sin?
The penance imposed by the confessor does not always satisfy in full for the temporal punishment, but whatever is wanting can be supplied by our other good works and by indulgences.
408. By what good works can we satisfy for the temporal punishment due to sin?
We can satisfy for the temporal punishment due to sin by any good work performed in the state of grace, especially by prayer, fasting, almsgiving and other works of mercy, and the patient endurance of sufferings.

IV. Indulgences

409. What is an indulgence?
An indulgence is a remission by the Church for the temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven.
410. How many kinds of indulgences are there?
There are two kinds: a plenary indulgence, which remits all the temporal punishment due to our sins, and a partial indulgence, which remits a portion of such punishment.
411. Why can the Church grant indulgences?
The Church can grant indulgences, because she can apply to us the merits of Christ and the saints.
412. What are the conditions necessary for gaining an indulgence?
To gain an indulgence we must be in the state of grace, have at least a general intention of gaining the indulgence, and perform the special works required by the Church.
413. For whom can we gain indulgences?
We can gain indulgences only for ourselves and for the souls in purgatory.