Would you like a printed version?

This blog gets a lot of visitors, and I wondered if many would like a reprinted copy of the old catechism. If so, I think I could probably arrange it, and keep the price very low. Let me know.

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.

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.