catechists instructions be present and ready to engage...

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Catechists Instructions

Each week you have prayed and been prepared at home. You are endeavoring to be in a state of Grace.

Be present and ready to engage students and parents at 1:15 pm.Help gather students and parents for opening prayers to start promptly at 1:30 pm.

After prayers, students go immediately to class.

Check to make sure that students have recorded a reflection for their Gospel reading in St. John’s Gospel, check the dates in this guide. Their reflection for John is in the back of their binder.Hand out the weekly hand out which will be either a Saint or a Holy Day emphasis.

Take turns going around the students asking them to read paragraphs loud enough for everyone to hear. Be conscience of students that actually cannot read publicly and make provision for someone else to read.

Ask follow up questions about the Saint or Holy Day. Work to get the students engaged in the conversation. Relate the information to today’s life and culture.

Ask the students to read the material out loud taking turns around the class.

You teach out of the weekly lesson from the Baltimore Catechism appropriate for the calendar schedule.

Stop periodically and ask for feedback, especially on items that seem to get a response.

Go through the questions in the book, even when the answers are given, ask the students to answer.

Exhaust the topic and reference the scriptures listed in the Catechism, have students use their Bible to read them.

Go around the class by either having them raise their hand, or call on them around the room to answer the questions in their binder. Don’t simply say, “right” or “wrong”, but ask the other students what they think? Is it correct? Is there a better answer? Get the students engaged with one another.

For the discussion questions, have the students break into groups, at least two, boys and girls, or even smaller groups, no more than 5 kids in each group, if possible. Give them about 5-8 minutes to answer the discussion questions, make sure each group is answering them one student at a time.

The Daily Reflection can be a reflection from anything in the Mass, the Gospel, the Saint or Holy Day, or the Catechism lesson of the day. Ask them to answer their reflection question when their group is finished with discussion questions.

Bring everyone back to gather and go through the discussion questions and finish by asking for volunteers to share their daily reflection.by 2:25, Go back to main room for closing prayers.

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Religious Education 2018-2019 First Year ConfirmationSunday Schedule

(pages in student binder will be numbered differently)Aug 19th, Assumption -introduction, prayers, sacraments, pages 5-7Aug 26th,p.14-16 Beheading of John the Baptist -My identity in BaptismSept 2nd,p.17,18 Gregory the Great -Lesson 1 & 2Sept 9th,p.19,20 Triumph of the Cross -Lesson 3 & 4 & 5Sept 16th,p.21 Andrew Kim Taegon, P & M, -Lesson 6Sept 23rd,p.22 Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels -Lesson 7 & 8Sept 30th,p.23,24 Francis of Assisi -Lesson 9, 10Oct 7th, Denis, B & M, and Companions [No Regular Class]Oct 14th,p25-28 Ignatius of Antioch, B & M -BaptismOct 21st,p.29 John Paul II, Po -Lesson 11 & 12Oct 28th,p.29 All Saints/All souls -Lesson 13Nov 4th, Fiesta San Martin de Porres [No Regular Class]Nov 11th,p.30,31 Josaphat, B & M -Lesson 14, 15Nov 18th,p.32 Presentation of Mary -God’s Plan, Mary was firstNov 25th,p.33 Christ the King -King of Kings, Lord of LordsDec 2nd, p.34 Advent begins -Lesson 16,17Dec 9th, p.35 Immaculate Conception, Guadalupe -Lesson 18 Dec 16th,p.36 John of the Cross, P & D -Lesson 19, 20Dec 23rd, [No Regular Class] [No Regular Class]Dec 30th, [No Regular Class] [No Regular Class]Jan 6th, p.39,40 Epiphany -Lesson 21, 22Jan 13th,p.41,42 St. Anthony Abbot -Living as a Saint/What is Conversion?Jan 20th,p.43-45 Conversion of St. Paul -Lesson 23, conversion of St. PaulJan 27th,p.46,47 John Bosco -What is ConfirmationFeb 3rd, p.48,49 Presentation of Our Lord -Lesson 24,25Feb 10th,p.50 Scholastica -Lesson 26Feb 17th,p.51 Chair of St. Peter -Lesson 27Feb 24th, [No Regular Class] [No Regular Class]Mar 3rd, TOUR PARISH -Lesson 28 Mar 10th,p.51 Perpetua and Felicity, Mm [No Regular Class]Mar 17th,p.51 St. Patrick -Lesson 29Mar 24th,p.52 PENANCE -Lesson 30Mar 31st p.52 PENANCE -Lesson 31April 7th, p.53 Annunciation -Lesson 32April 14th, p.53 Palm Sunday -Lesson 33April 21st, [No Regular Class] [No Regular Class] April 28th, p.53,54 Louis Grignion de Montfort, -Lesson 34 & 35May 5th, p.54,55 Phillip and James -Lesson 36 & 37May 12th, TBD TBDMay 19th, p.56 Christopher Magallanes, P & M, -A Soldier For ChristMay 26th, Ascension of Christ -Lesson Appendix and Q & A End of Program Celebration to be held following Eucharistic Procession, June 20th

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About The Material We Will Be UsingWe will be using primarily three sources of study during this class; The 1st Year Baltimore Catechism, this three ring binder, and a Catholic Edition Bible. You are responsible for obtaining your own Catholic Bible. You should consider getting a Catholic Youth Bible with study notes.

Please bring all three study sources to class every week. All answers to the questions in the three ring binder must be filled out by the end of the religious education year. There will be a study and answer guide posted on the parish website to help you stay caught up.

If you are not able to come to class or you miss some of the information during class, look up the answers to that weeks study online and take some time to discuss the material with either your parents or friends as you fill out your binder.

You should also take the time to do research in those areas of our study that interest you. It is important for you to take personal responsibility for growing in your faith and knowledge. It has been said that the next generation of Catholics must also be apologist. An apologist is one who is an expert in defending and explaining their religion.

The material in this three ring binder has been sourced from various Catholic sources. The question numbers in this binder DO NOT line up with the question numbers in your Baltimore Catechism book. The lesson numbers in this binder DO line up with the lesson numbers in your Baltimore Catechism book.

The questions in the Baltimore Catechism are for study and knowledge. The Discussion questions in your Baltimore Catechism at the end of each lesson are to be answered in the space below each lesson in this binder.

You may want to keep notes. You may write your notes in this binder or in your book. You may want to keep this material as you may want to review it later in life and use it as a reference, or look back upon your experience.

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Welcome to Your First Year Confirmation Preparation Class

“COME HOLY SPIRIT, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.”

Welcome candidates to the sacrament of Confirmation! As a parish we want to journey with you as you prepare for the sacrament which brings you into full communion with the Church. This journey and preparation deserves our best effort!Though you are entering a two year confirmation program, during the next months, your faith journey will be nurtured toward understanding and living your faith. It will be a time of searching, challenging, learning and resolving your faith.

Weekly Mass attendance is very important. Our Church is a worshipping community. Faith and worship are closely linked. Faith brings the community together to worship; and in worship faith is renewed. The Church celebrates Christ’s life, death, and resurrection in its liturgy. It proclaims its faith in His presence in the Church, in His Word, in the sacramental celebrations; it gives praise and thanks, asks for the things it needs, and strengthens itself to carry out its commission to be witnesses and to do service.

What the Church says about Confirmation (adapted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church);“Confirmation is the strengthening and fullness of the Holy Spirit received already in Baptism. Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, are known as the sacraments of Christian Initiation and therefore are a unity.

Confirmation calls us to greater participation in the mission of Jesus and the Church. The grace of this sacrament challenges us to be “like” Christ in all we do and say. Through Confirmation our relationship with God is deepened, and we are incorporated more completely into the Body of Christ. Confirmation obliges us, as true witnesses of Christ, to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.

Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark on the soul. Thus, Confirmation is only received once.

In the celebration of the sacrament, the bishop extends his hands over all those to be confirmed and invokes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Sacred Chrism is used for anointing. The conferring of the sacrament of Confirmation is done through the laying on of hands, anointing with Chrism on the forehead, and through the words, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”.”

The sign of peace, which concludes the sacrament, reveals and expresses ecclesial communion with the bishop and all the faithful.The Bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation. It is appropriate from the very meaning of the sacrament, that he should confer it himself. For this very reason,

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Confirmation has been separated from Baptism. Because Confirmation invites those who receive it more closely to the Church, and missions them to bear witness to Christ, it is appropriate that it be given by one who has received the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

SCHEDULE.There is a religious education schedule/calendar in this folder. If there are any changes you will receive an email/text.

ATTENDANCECandidates will attend Sunday Mass regularly. They should also be attending holy days of obligation. Attendance is required at least 80%. Not attending Mass without a grave reason, (illness or emergencies) on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is a mortal sin and one must go to confession before receiving Holy Communion again.

CHOOSING A CONFIRMATION NAMEThe tradition of taking on a new name to show a new role can be traced back to the Old Testament. When Abram was called to lead his people to believe in one true God, his name was changed from Abram, meaning “father of man”, to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations”. Likewise, Saul was a persecutor of Christians for many years. When he underwent his conversion to Christ, he became “Paul”.At Baptism, children are given Christian names, to signify that they belong to Christ. This Christian name proclaims that they are, already, Christ’s followers. Thus, Confirmation, historically and theologically is linked to Christian Baptism, and is considered along with Baptism and the Eucharist, to be a Sacrament of Christian Initiation. To express this already present relationship between the two sacraments, it is appropriate that the candidate’s Baptismal name be used at the time of Confirmation. However, the name of another saint whose life is of particular witness to the candidate may be chosen.The Confirmation name is the name of a person recognized by the Catholic Church as a “Saint”. Whether the saint lived as recently as 50 years ago, or two thousand years ago, the values and truths that the saint proclaimed are still relevant and very much needed in today’s society. The saints are energetic Christian role models. They were very real and very human and they can help us, through their example, to become closer to God and to call for us to follow Jesus.Saints are defined as people who strive to love God with their whole heart and soul and to love their neighbors. They are a varied group, with a wide range of human strengths, weaknesses, and feelings.When the student chooses a Confirmation name, we ask that research be done to understand this saint, his/her qualities, values, and prayer life.Parent and candidate should discuss the Confirmation name and its significance. Think about how this saint’s name can help the student understand that this reflects their new role as a more mature spiritual member of the Catholic Church.

Candidates will choose their Confirmation name during their second year of confirmation preparation.

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John Introduction The Gospel according to John is quite different in character from the three synoptic gospels. It is highly literary and symbolic. It does not follow the same order or reproduce the same stories as the synoptic gospels. To a much greater degree, it is the product of a developed theological reflection and grows out of a different circle and tradition. It was probably written in the 90s of the first century. The Gospel of John begins with a magnificent prologue, which states many of the major themes and motifs of the gospel, much as an overture does for a musical work. The prologue proclaims Jesus as the preexistent and incarnate Word of God who has revealed the Father to us. The rest of the first chapter forms the introduction to the gospel proper and consists of the Baptist's testimony about Jesus (there is no baptism of Jesus in this gospel - John simply points him out as the Lamb of God), followed by stories of the call of the first disciples, in which various titles predicated of Jesus in the early church are presented. The gospel narrative contains a series of "signs" - the gospel's word for the wondrous deeds of Jesus. The author is primarily interested in the significance of these deeds, and so interprets them for the reader by various reflections, narratives, and discourses. The first sign is the transformation of water into wine at Cana (⇒ John 2:1-11); this represents the replacement of the Jewish ceremonial washings and symbolizes the entire creative and transforming work of Jesus. The second sign, the cure of the royal official's son (⇒ John 4:46-54) simply by the word of Jesus at a distance, signifies the power of Jesus' life-giving word. The same theme is further developed by other signs, probably for a total of seven. The third sign, the cure of the paralytic at the pool with five porticoes in ch 5, continues the theme of water offering newness of life. In the preceding chapter, to the woman at the well in Samaria Jesus had offered living water springing up to eternal life, a symbol of the revelation that Jesus brings; here Jesus' life-giving word replaces the water of the pool that failed to bring life. John 6 contains two signs, the multiplication of loaves and the walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee. These signs are connected much as the manna and the crossing of the Red Sea are in the Passover narrative and symbolize a new exodus. The multiplication of the loaves is interpreted for the reader by the discourse that follows, where the bread of life is used first as a figure for the revelation of God in Jesus and then for the Eucharist. After a series of dialogues reflecting Jesus' debates with the Jewish authorities at the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7; 8, the sixth sign is presented in John 9, the sign of the young man born blind. This is a narrative illustration of the theme of conflict in the preceding two chapters; it proclaims the triumph of light over darkness, as Jesus is presented as the Light of the world. This is interpreted by a narrative of controversy between the Pharisees and the young man who had been given his sight by Jesus, ending with a discussion of spiritual blindness and spelling out the symbolic meaning of the cure. And finally, the seventh sign, the raising of Lazarus in ch 11, is the climax of signs. Lazarus is presented as a token of the real life that Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, who will now ironically be put to death because of his gift of life to Lazarus, will give to all who believe in him once he has been raised from the dead. After the account of the seven signs, the "hour" of Jesus arrives, and the author passes from sign to reality, as he moves into the discourses in the upper room that interpret the meaning of the passion, death, and resurrection narratives that follow. The whole gospel of John is a progressive revelation of the glory of God's only Son, who comes to reveal the Father and then returns in glory to the Father. The author's purpose is clearly expressed in what must have been the original ending of the gospel at the end of John 20: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of

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[his] disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name." Critical analysis makes it difficult to accept the idea that the gospel as it now stands was written by one person. John 21 seems to have been added after the gospel was completed; it exhibits a Greek style somewhat different from that of the rest of the work. The prologue (⇒ John 1:1-18) apparently contains an independent hymn, subsequently adapted to serve as a preface to the gospel. Within the gospel itself there are also some inconsistencies, e.g., there are two endings of Jesus' discourse in the upper room (⇒ John 14:31; ⇒ 18:1). To solve these problems, scholars have proposed various rearrangements that would produce a smoother order. However, most have come to the conclusion that the inconsistencies were probably produced by subsequent editing in which homogeneous materials were added to a shorter original. Other difficulties for any theory of eyewitness authorship of the gospel in its present form are presented by its highly developed theology and by certain elements of its literary style. For instance, some of the wondrous deeds of Jesus have been worked into highly effective dramatic scenes (John 9); there has been a careful attempt to have these followed by discourses that explain them (John 5; 6); and the sayings of Jesus have been oven into long discourses of a quasi-poetic form resembling the speeches of personified Wisdom in the Old Testament. The gospel contains many details about Jesus not found in the synoptic gospels, e.g., that Jesus engaged in a baptizing ministry (⇒ John 3:22) before he changed to one of preaching and signs; that Jesus' public ministry lasted for several years (see the note on ⇒ John 2:13); that he traveled to Jerusalem for various festivals and met serious opposition long before his death (⇒ John 2:14-25; 5; 7-8); and that he was put to death on the day before Passover (John l⇒ 8:28). These events are not always in chronological order because of the development and editing that took place. However, the accuracy of much of the detail of the fourth gospel constitutes a strong argument that the Johannine tradition rests upon the testimony of an eyewitness. Although tradition identified this person as John, the son of Zebedee, most modern scholars find that the evidence does not support this. The fourth gospel is not simply history; the narrative has been organized and adapted to serve the evangelist's theological purposes as well. Among them are the opposition to the synagogue of the day and to John the Baptist's followers, who tried to exalt their master at Jesus' expense, the desire to show that Jesus was the Messiah, and the desire to convince Christians that their religious belief and practice must be rooted in Jesus. Such theological purposes have impelled the evangelist to emphasize motifs that were not so clear in the synoptic account of Jesus' ministry, e.g., the explicit emphasis on his divinity. The polemic between synagogue and church produced bitter and harsh invective, especially regarding the hostility toward Jesus of the authorities - Pharisees and Sadducees - who are combined and referred to frequently as "the Jews" (see the note on ⇒ John 1:19). These opponents are even described in ⇒ John 8:44 as springing from their father the devil, whose conduct they imitate in opposing God by rejecting Jesus, whom God has sent. On the other hand, the author of this gospel seems to take pains to show that women are not inferior to men in the Christian community: the woman at the well in Samaria (John 4) is presented as a prototype of a missionary (⇒ John 4:4-42), and the first witness of the resurrection is a woman (⇒ John 20:11-18).

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The final editing of the gospel and arrangement in its present form probably dates from between A.D. 90 and 100. Traditionally, Ephesus has been favored as the place of composition, though many support a location in Syria, perhaps the city of Antioch, while some have suggested other places, including Alexandria.

The principal divisions of the Gospel according to John are the following:

I. Prologue (⇒ John 1:1-18) II. The Book of Signs (⇒ John 1:19-⇒ 12:50) III. The Book of Glory (John l⇒ 3:1-⇒ 20:31) IV. Epilogue: The Resurrection Appearance in Galilee (⇒ John 21:1-25)

- from Vatican website

You will read the entire Gospel of John during Confirmation. There are pages at the end for you to record your reflection from the reading.Homework Reading of the Gospel of John;August 19th, Chapter 1:1-18August 26th, Chapter 1:1-18September 2nd, Chapter 1:1-18September 9th, Chapter 1:19-2:25September 16th, Chapter 3September 23rd, Chapter 4September 30th, Chapter 5October 7th, Chapter 6October 14th, Chapter 7October 21st, Chapter 8October 28th, Chapter 9November 11th, Chapter 10November 18th, Chapter 11November 25th, Chapter 12December 2nd, Chapter 13December 9th, Chapter 14December 16th, Chapter 15January 6th, Chapter 16January 13th, Chapter 17January 20th, Chapter 18January 27th, Chapter 19February 3rd, Chapter 20February 10th, Chapter 21

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PX9.HTM#GOSP.JOH.1.1

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PX9.HTM#GOSP.JOH.1.19

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PXK.HTM#GOSP.JOH.12.50

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PXB.HTM#GOSP.JOH.3.1

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PXS.HTM#GOSP.JOH.20.31

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_PXT.HTM#GOSP.JOH.21.1

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CHOOSING A SPONSORA sponsor must be chosen.A sponsor may not be the candidate’s parentThe sponsor may be of either genderThe sponsor must be at least sixteen (16) years of age. However, as it is crucialthat a sponsor be sufficiently mature for this role, it is recommended that parents and the candidate collaborate on choosing an adult sponsor with whom the candidate can speak about his/her faith.The sponsor of a candidate for Confirmation must be a Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church who has already received the sacraments of initiation. Being in “good standing” refers to those who regularly practice their faith and believe what the Church believes, having accepted the responsibilities of their baptismal promises. Sponsors should be attending Mass on a regular basis and receiving Holy Communion If the proposed sponsor is married, he/she must be in a valid marriage according to the norms of the Catholic Church. Whether a sponsor is married or not, he/she must be living a lifestyle consistent with the moral teachings of the Church.All sponsors must be free from the burden of canonical penalties.Non Catholics may not be sponsorsWhen appropriate, the godparent from baptism may be the sponsor forConfirmation.Confirmation sponsors need to be chosen by Friday, February 5th.Duties of a Sponsor:At the Confirmation celebration, the sponsor processes in and sits with the candidate. At the time of anointing, the sponsor walks up with the student and lays his/her hand on the Confirmand’s shoulder.Sponsors represent the Catholic community. They are companions and mentors. Regular prayer life is important to a sponsor.Pray daily for the candidate, their family, and the team preparing them for Confirmation. Phone regularly or write to check on how the candidate is doing, both during the preparation time as well as for years to come.Invite the candidate to communal prayer opportunities that they find enriching in their faith life.Share prayer resources, books, and materials with the candidate. Encourage or take the candidate to a good bookstore where Catholic reading material can be found. Volunteer to help the candidate in their service work and to reflect on their service work.Share the ways that you live the time, talent, and treasure aspects of stewardship. Attend the Confirmation retreat with the candidateWe realize that, because of distances and weather, a sponsor may not be ableto attend the retreat. In that case, one of the parents must attend with the candidate. Confirmation Retreat:There will be one retreat, scheduled in February, most likely on a Sunday.As soon as the date/time/location is determined, you will be notified via mail.Sponsors or one parent must attend the retreat.

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Your Commitment

The Apostles St. John writes in I John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us”.

In Religious Education at San Martin de Porres you are committed to come with a desire to learn and to receive instruction as you are responding to God’s love.

You are committed to grow in your love for Our Lord Jesus Christ as you grow in knowledge of Him while practicing the good things you’ll be learning.

You are committed to grow in community and work with and share the journey with other youth. You are asked to help promote a holy and pure environment where all feel welcome to grow in Christ.

You are committed to read the material given to you to take home.

You are committed to participate in class discussions and small groups.

You are committed to participate in the corporal works of mercy the parish will be promoting throughout the religious education year.

You are committed to keep your Mass attendance book up to date and complete and to have an 80% attendance rate.

You are committed to pray the prayers of the church.You are committed to participate in auxiliary youth activities.

You are committed to reflect on the Sacraments you are preparing to receive.

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Prayers 1. Sign of the Cross2. The Lord’s Prayer3. The Hail Mary4. Glory Be to the Father5. Apostle’s Creed.6. The Confiteor7. An Act of Contrition8. Penance

The Sign of The Cross

In The Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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 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.

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Glory Be to the Father

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and live everlasting. Amen.

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the Confiteor I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly

sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and

sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen

An Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins,

because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your

grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

orLord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

The Sacrament of Penance Steps to a good confession;1. examine your conscience2. be truly sorry3. have purpose of amendment4. confess your sins5. accept your penance

Luke 5:20-24

Before confession think about the Passion.

How to make a good confession;1. I go into the confessional 2. I make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”3. I say: “This is my first Confession” or “It has been one week since my last

Confession”4. I confess my sins5. I listen to what the priest tells me.6. I say the Act of Contrition loud enough for the priest to hear me. 7. Go as soon as possible to do the Penance the Priest has given.

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My Identity in Baptism

This weekend, we recall how John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. John the Baptist had baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament Prophets.

Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by his cousin, John the Baptist. Jesus transformed John's simple water ritual from one of repentance to one of repentance and reconciliation by "water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). It was not the waters that changed Jesus but Jesus that changed the waters. Now every time someone is baptized "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," they are transformed by God's grace into "a new creation" (Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 5:17).

At the moment of our own baptism several things happened to us: (1) we were washed free of original sin; (2) we were adopted as spiritual sons and daughters of the Father in heaven, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of an heir to the kingdom; (3) we became members of the institutional Catholic Church; and (4) we became members of the Body of Christ.

We must see ourselves differently, with a new identity. We now can call God our "Father," since we are his children. Our true home is in heaven, where the "Father has prepared a place" for us (John 14:2), thus we are pilgrims on a journey, aliens in this foreign land and fallen world.

If we try to live a worldly life, then we are denying our baptismal birthright. In the end, we cannot belong to "God and mammon" (Luke 16:13). We must choose to live out our identity, as if our lives depend on it. Because they do.

One day we shall meet our Father face-to-face. Any time we spend praying (especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament) is our way of talking with God who has claimed us as his own. The more we get to know him now, the more we are able to experience his friendship and fatherhood with us. Then we can hear the same words spoken from above: "Behold my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).

Pope Francis has said, “to forget one's baptism “means exposing oneself to the risk of losing the memory of what the Lord has done for us.In the end, we consider the day “only as a fact that happened in the past,” rather than recognizing as the day on which “we became new creatures and are also capable of forgiving and loving whoever offends us and does us harm.”

More than just the day that “sociologically marks the parish register,” the day that we were baptized is the day that “constitutes the demanding identity card of the believer”.

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What Happens at Baptism?An Overview of the SacramentJim and Maria stand at the baptismal font holding their baby daughter, Elizabeth, between them. They are surrounded by family, friends, and Elizabeth’s godparents. The deacon asks, “What do you ask of the Church for this child?” It’s a meaningful question.“Baptism,” the couple replies, giving an even more meaningful answer. Baptism is not a small thing. Using such potent symbols as water, oil, and fire, Baptism is a powerful sacrament that washes away original sin and its effects. It gives us a new identity, connects us to a new community of believers, initiates us into a new way of living, and provides a clear mission in life. Baptism has meaning on many levels.

Historical Within weeks of Jesus’ Resurrection, the apostles were preaching the Gospel to people by the thousands, baptizing them in Jesus’ name. Since then, Baptism has been the ordinary means of becoming a member of the Church. Think of the long line of people before you—parents, grandparents, and spiritual ancestors—who were welcomed into the Church at Baptism.

Theological Baptism is a sacrament of initiation, cleansing, strengthening, and welcoming. Baptism welcomes us into the community of Christian believers. It offers us a new life in which we become the adopted children of God, followers of Christ, and temples in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Baptism leaves a permanent spiritual mark on our soul that makes us holy and opens us to salvation and eternal life with God.

Physical Like any sacrament, Baptism makes visible an invisible reality. In other words, we use physical signs and rituals to express our experience of God and his grace in our lives. The symbols you see at a Baptism ceremony include the following:The Sign of the Cross is traced on the forehead of the one being baptized. This ritual action expresses that the mystery of the cross is at the heart of our faith.The immersion in water (or pouring on of water) of the one being baptized reminds us that we die with Jesus to conquer sin and rise with him so we might enter into new life. In this action we are reminded of how Moses led the Hebrews on their escape from Egypt and how he parted the waters of the Red Sea as the gateway to liberation, away from slavery and into the Promised Land. We also recall Jesus’ death and Resurrection, which free us from sin and bring us into a new way of living. Many new or remodeled churches have the baptismal font near the main entrance to symbolize that we all enter the church through the waters of Baptism.The words of Baptism, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” are spoken while the water is poured or the one to be baptized is immersed. These words reveal that God in the Trinity is both the source of life and our life’s goal.

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The newly baptized is anointed with sacred oil to signify that the Holy Spirit dwells within the heart of this new Christian. It’s also a sign of being anointed to a mission to live and love as Jesus lived.A white garment reflects that in Baptism we “put on Christ,” taking our new and truest identity as a son or daughter of God.A baptismal candle, lit from the Easter candle, represents the one true light of Christ, a light to guide the new believer throughout his or her life. Cultural Families often celebrate and affirm all that happened at the altar by gathering after the ceremony to tell stories, enjoy one another’s company, share a meal, and in their own ways, celebrate who they are and what they believe. Everyone present gets a chance to hold the new baby and offer his or her blessings and best wishes for a life of happiness, holiness, and faith. What happens at a Baptism? The Church rejoices because we have welcomed a new member and because we have once again celebrated the mysteries of God's love for us and of our salvation.

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Lesson First on the End of Man

1. Q. Who made the world? A. God made the world.

2. Q. Who is God?

A. God is the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things.

3. Q. What is man?A. Man is a creature composed of body and soul, and made to the image and likeness of God.

4. Q. Why did God make you?A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.

5. Q. What must we do to save our souls?A. 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.

6. Q. How shall we know the things which we are to believe?A. We shall know the things which we are to believe from the Catholic Church, through which God speaks to us.

7. Q. Where shall we find the chief truths which the Church teaches?A. We shall find the chief truths which the Church teaches in the Apostles' Creed.

8. Q. Say the Apostles' Creed.A. 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, and sits 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

Go through Discussion questions in small group.Go through reflection answers around in circle small group.

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Lesson 2 on God and his Perfections

9. Q. What is God?A. God is a spirit infinitely perfect.

10. Q. Had God a beginning?A. God had no beginning; He always was and He always will be.

11. Q. Where is God? A. God is everywhere.

12. Q. If God is everywhere, why do we not see Him?A. We do not see God, because He is a pure spirit and cannot be seen with bodily eyes.

13. Q. Does God see us?A. God sees us and watches over us.

14. Q. Does God know all things?A. God knows all things, even our most secret thoughts, words, and actions.

15. Q. Can God do all things?A. God can do all things, and nothing is hard or impossible to Him.

16. Q. Is God just, holy, and merciful?A. God is all just, all holy, all merciful, as He is infinitely perfect.

Go through Discussion questions in small group.

Go through reflection answers around in circle small group.

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Lesson 3 on the Unity and Trinity of God

17. Q. Is there but one God? A. Yes; there is but one God.”

18. Q. Why can there be but one God?A. There can be but one God, because God, being supreme and infinite, cannot have an equal.

19. Q. How many Persons are there in God?A. In God there are three Divine Persons, really distinct, and equal in all things—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

20. Q. Is the Father God?A. The Father is God and the first Person of the Blessed Trinity.

21. Q. Is the Son God?A. The Son is God and the second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

22. Q. Is the Holy Ghost God?A. The Holy Ghost is God and the third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

23. Q. What is the Blessed Trinity?A. The Blessed Trinity is one God in three Divine Persons.

24. Q. Are the three Divine Persons one and the same God?A. The three Divine Persons are one and the same God, having one and the same Divine

nature.



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Lesson 4 & 5 on the Angels and Our First Parents

25. Q. Which are the chief creatures of God? A. The chief creatures of God are men and angels.

26. Q. What are angels? A. Angels are bodiless spirits created to adore and enjoy God in heaven.

27. Q. Who were the first man and woman?A. The first man and woman were Adam and Eve.

28. Q. Were Adam and Eve innocent and holy when they came from the hand of God?A. Adam and Eve were innocent and holy when they came from the hand of God.

29. Q. Did Adam and Eve remain faithful to God?A. Adam and Eve did not remain faithful to God; ”but broke His command by eating the forbidden fruit.

30. Q. What befell Adam and Eve on account of their sin?A. Adam and Eve, on account of their sin, lost innocence and holiness, and were doomed to misery and death.

31. Q. What evil befell us through the disobedience of our first parents?A. Through the disobedience of our first parents we all inherit their sin and punishment, as we should have shared in their happiness if they had remained faithful.

32. Q. What is the sin called which we inherit from our first parents? A. The sin which we inherit from our first parents is called original sin.

33. Q. Was any one ever preserved from original sin?A. The Blessed Virgin Mary, through the merits of her Divine Son, was preserved free from the guilt of original sin, and this privilege is called her Immaculate Conception.

Go through Discussion for both sections 4 and 5 questions in small group.


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Lesson 6 on Sin and its Kinds

34. Q. Is original sin the only kind of sin?A. Original sin is not the only kind of sin; there is another kind of sin, which we commit ourselves, called actual sin.

35. Q. What is actual sin?A. Actual sin is any willful thought, word, deed or omission contrary to the law of God.

36. Q. How many kinds of actual sin are there?A. There are two kinds of actual sin—mortal and venial.

37. Q. What is mortal sin?A. Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God.

38. Q. What is venial sin?A. Venial sin is a slight offense against the law of God in matters of less importance; or in matters of great importance it is an offense committed without sufficient reflection or full consent of the will.

39. Q. Which are the chief sources of sin?A. The chief sources of sin are seven: Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, and Sloth; and they are commonly called capital sins.



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Lesson 7 & 8 on the Incarnation and Redemption

40. Q. Did God abandon man after he fell into sin?A. God did not abandon man after he fell into sin, but promised him a Redeemer, who was to satisfy for man's sin and reopen to him the gates of heaven.

41. Q. Who is the Redeemer?A. Our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of mankind.

42. Q. What do you believe of Jesus Christ?A. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, true God and true man.

43. Q. What do you mean by the Incarnation?A. By the Incarnation I mean that the Son of God was made man.

44. Q. How was the Son of God made man?A. The Son of God was conceived and made man by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

45. Q. On what day was the Son of God conceived and made man?A. 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.

46. Q. On what day was Christ born?A. Christ was born on Christmas day in a stable at Bethlehem, over nineteen hundred years ago.

47. Q. What did Jesus Christ suffer?A. Jesus Christ suffered a bloody sweat, a cruel scourging, was crowned with thorns, and was crucified.

48. Q. On what day did Christ die? A. Christ died on Good Friday.

49. Q. Why did Christ suffer and die? A. Christ suffered and died for our sins.

50. Q. On what day did Christ rise from the dead?A. Christ rose from the dead, glorious and immortal, on Easter Sunday, the third day after His death.

51. Q. After Christ had remained forty days on earth, whither did He go?A. After forty days Christ ascended into heaven, and the day on which He ascended into heaven is called Ascension day.



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Lesson 9, The Holy Ghost and Grace, Effects of the Redemption

56. Q. Which are the chief effects of the Redemption?A. The chief effects of the Redemption are two: The satisfaction of God's justice by Christ's sufferings and death, and the gaining of grace for men.

57. Q. What do you mean by grace?A. By grace I mean a supernatural gift of God bestowed on us, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for our salvation.

58. Q. How many kinds of grace are there?A. There are two kinds of grace, sanctifying grace and actual grace.

59. Q. What is sanctifying grace?A. Sanctifying grace is that grace which makes the soul holy and pleasing to God.

60. Q. What is actual grace?A. Actual grace is that help of God which enlightens our mind and moves our will to shun evil and do good.

61. Q. What is Faith?A. Faith is a Divine virtue by which we firmly believe the truths which God has revealed.

62. Q. What is Hope?A. Hope is a Divine virtue by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and the means to obtain it.

63. Q. What is Charity?A. Charity is a Divine virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our

neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.



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Lesson 10 on the Virtues and Gifts of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost and his Descent Upon the Apostles

52. Q. Who is the Holy Ghost?A. The Holy Ghost is the third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

53. Q. On what day did the Holy Ghost come down upon the Apostles? A. 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 Whitsunday, or Pentecost.

54. Q. Who sent the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles?A. Our Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles.

55. Q. Why did Christ send the Holy Ghost?A. Christ sent the Holy Ghost to sanctify His Church, to enlighten and strengthen the Apostles,

and to enable them to preach the Gospel.



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My Identity in Christian Baptism The Church is not a “human” organization, but a God-man organization. It is not a human association, but the Body of Christ the God-man. Whatever happens within the Church is filled with the grace of God and the whole of life within the Church is blessed. In the Catholic Church there are seven Mysteries (Sacraments). We call them Mysteries (Sacraments) because they are God-established rites, in which through outward visible signs the invisible cleansing and holy-making Grace of God is imparted. These seven Mysteries are: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Ordination, Marriage and Holy Unction. The first four are incumbent upon every believer, while the other three are a matter of choice. However there are three basic Mysteries of the Church: Baptism, which is called the introductory Sacrament, through which we are initiated into church life; Confirmation, which is the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit; and Holy Communion, through which we commune of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Baptism is the spiritual birth of man, Confirmation is movement (the movements that activate grace), and Holy Communion is life (the New Life that Christ inaugurated with his Passion and Resurrection).

The Mysteries (Sacraments) are the channel through which we receive the water of the Grace of God the Holy Trinity; and of course we participate in the gifts of God depending on our spiritual state. Our participation in the Mysteries requires certain preconditions, which are belief in the divinity of Christ and our salvation, spiritual preparation, and the sense that we are members of the Church of Christ.

The Mystery of Baptism Baptism is the introductory Mystery of the Church. It incorporates the person – of whatever age – into the Body of Christ, the Church, meaning that they can call themselves a Christian. The word ‘baptism’ itself means plunging into water. In the Christian tradition going down into the water depicts symbolically going down into the tomb with Christ, that is participation in his death, while emerging from the water expresses the overcoming of death, that is resurrection together with the Lord, which is the birth of a new man. “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

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The Mystery of Baptism was established by our Lord Jesus Christ himself with his command to the Disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). Christ himself was baptized and his Baptism became the type and model of our own Baptism.

The aim of Baptism according to St Basil the Great is two-fold: firstly to abolish sin, which leads to death. This manifests the essential deliverance of man from corruption and death that was inherited through sin (the failure) of Adam and Eve.

Through Baptism man is offered the foundations to build his life in a new community of life, with Christ as its head, and with all Christians as the members, signaling a journey of ascetic effort and progress into the gift of the Holy Spirit of freedom and love.

The fundamental condition and the wider framework of the mystery of Baptism is the universal divine Economy of salvation, covering the creation of the world and man, the sinfulness and fall of man, and in particular, the salvific work of Christ, which is the Incarnation, Death and Resurrection, as well as Pentecost – the descent of the Holy Spirit.

More specifically, for someone to understand the Catholic stance on Baptism, he or she must keep in mind the creation of man according to the image and likeness of God, that is an open Christian anthropology, based on which man is a dynamic being in the image of God, open towards life, immortality, theosis or deification, and communion with the Triune God.

Through sin, this dynamism of the movement towards God was interrupted and man fell into an abnormal state, which is corruption and death. His fall, however, is not final. From this event the possibility of salvation emerges, and of his return to his original destination. And this takes place through the salvific work of Christ: his Incarnation, Baptism, Crucifixion and Death, his glorious Resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the founding of the Church as a new reality, as a new way of being and life.

As we have mentioned, Baptism is called the ‘introductory Mystery’, because through it we are introduced into the life of the Church and we become members of the Body of Christ and at the same time members of the Church.

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Baptism is also called a ‘re-birth’, because through this we are re-born spiritually. Man is born twice, once biologically from his mother and secondly spiritually from his spiritual mother, the Church. In both cases there is a womb: in the first case it is the mother’s womb, and in the second it is the spiritual womb which is the baptismal font.

Through Baptism we are born into a new life, we acquire the possibility of spiritual growth, our image according to God is cleansed and we are able to attain to the divine likeness. Through the grace of Baptism we are able to pray and call God Father and other people our brothers and sisters. We are able to face the workings of the devil, we are able to receive Holy Communion and of course, depending on our spiritual state, we can fulfill the aim of our creation.

The Ancient Roots of Baptism According to St John Damascene, the Church is the whole of creation. The Mysteries have existed throughout history since Old Testament times, since the beginning of Creation, in order to grant life and healing. Besides, throughout the whole of the Old Testament, the Son of God is present as the unincarnate Word. Through the incarnation of God the Word we enter into a new phase, that of complete healing and grace, yet the energy of the Mysteries is always necessary for the Church-creation, in order for God’s creatures to exist, to be sustained, and to be made perfect.

This is the reason why St John Damascene tells us that there are many kinds of baptism, beginning from Old Testament times and culminating in the New Testament with the incarnation. The first baptism is Noah’s Flood, which brought an end to sin. The second baptism is when Moses struck the waters with his staff, the waters moved aside, and the Israelites were saved. And the third baptism is the legal baptism that every impure Israelite underwent.

The fourth baptism is the baptism of St John the Baptist, which precedes the baptism of the Lord. The fifth baptism is the baptism received by Christ himself, not of course because he needed to be cleansed but in order to sanctify the baptizer, to reveal the mystery of the Holy Trinity and for it to become the type and model for us also. This baptism overshadows all the others, because it sanctifies the baptizer completely, as well as the whole of humanity, and it reveals the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

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We see that baptism has very ancient roots, from the beginning of creation, and it did not appear for the first time with Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan. Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan is the culmination of the sanctification granted by baptism.

1. What is the relation between a Mystery and a Sacrament?

2. Who baptized Jesus?

3. What happened to the waters when Jesus was Baptized?

4. What happens to me when I’m baptized?

5. Who can be baptized?

6. Once I am baptized, what am I? whose am I? what family am I now a part of?

7. Man is created in the Image and ________ of God

8. How many Sacraments (Mysteries) are there?

9. What is the introductory Rite to the Church?

10. My personal reflection today is;

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Lesson 11 and 12 on the Church

64. Q. Which are the means instituted by our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits of the Redemption?A. 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.

65. Q. What is the Church?A. The Church is the congregation of all those who profess the faith of Christ, partake of the same Sacraments, and are governed by their lawful pastors under one visible Head.

66. Q. Who is the invisible Head of the Church?A. Jesus Christ is the invisible Head of the Church.

67. Q. Who is the visible Head of the Church?A. Our Holy Father the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the Vicar of Christ on earth, and the visible Head of the Church.

68. Q. Has the Church any marks by which it may be known?A. The Church has four marks by which it may be known: it is One; it is Holy; it is Catholic; it is Apostolic.

69. Q. In which Church are these marks found?A. These marks are found in the Holy Roman Catholic Church alone.



Lesson 13 on The Communion of Saints and Forgiveness of Sins



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Lesson 14 on the Last Judgment and the Resurrection, Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven

200. Q. When will Christ judge us?A. Christ will judge us immediately after our death, and on the last day.

201. Q. What is the judgment called which we have to undergo immediately after death?A. The judgment we have to undergo immediately after death is called the Particular Judgment.

202. Q. What is the judgment called which all men have to undergo on the last day? A. The judgment which all men have to undergo on the last day is called the General Judgment.

203. Q. What are the rewards or punishments appointed for men's souls after the Particular Judgment?A. The rewards or punishments appointed for men's souls after the Particular Judgment are Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell.

204. Q. What is Hell?A. Hell is a state to which the wicked are condemned, and in which they are deprived of the sight of God for all eternity, and are in dreadful torments.

205. Q. What is Purgatory?A. Purgatory is a state in which those suffer for a time who die guilty of venial sins, or without having satisfied for the punishment due to their sins.

206. Q. Will our bodies share in the reward or punishment of our souls?A. Our bodies will share in the reward or punishment of our souls, because through the resurrection they will again be united to them.

207. Q. What is Heaven?A. Heaven is the state of everlasting life in which we see God face to face, are made like unto

Him in glory, and enjoy eternal happiness.



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Lesson 15 on the Commandments of God

136. Q. Is it enough to belong to God's Church in order to be saved? A. It is not enough to belong to the Church in order to be saved, but we must also keep the Commandments of God and of the Church.

137. Q. Which are the Commandments of God? A. The Commandments of God are these ten:

1. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me. 2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.3. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.4. Honor thy father and thy mother.

5. Thou shalt not kill.6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.7. Thou shalt not steal.8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.



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God’s Plan, Mary was first

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King of Kings, Lord of Lords

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Lesson 16 on the First Commandment

138. Q. What is the first Commandment?A. The first Commandment is: I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.

139. Q. How do we adore God?A. We adore God by faith, hope, and love, by prayer and sacrifice.

140. Q. How may the first Commandment be broken?A. The first Commandment may be broken by giving to a creature the honor which belongs to God alone; by false worship; and by attributing to a creature a perfection which belongs to God alone.

141. Q. Are sins against faith, hope, and charity also sins against the first Commandment?A. Sins against faith, hope, and charity are also sins against the first Commandment.

142. Q. How does a person sin against faith?A. A person sins against faith: 1st, by not trying to know what God has taught; 2d, by refusing to believe all that God has taught; 3d, by neglecting to profess his belief in what God has taught.

143. Q. Are we obliged to make open profession of our faith?A. We are obliged to make open profession of our faith as often as God's honor, our neighbor's spiritual good, or our own requires it.

144. Q. Which are the sins against hope?A. The sins against hope are presumption and despair.

145. Q. What is presumption?A. Presumption is a rash expectation of salvation without making proper use of the necessary means to obtain it.

146. Q. What is despair?A. Despair is the loss of hope in God's mercy.



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Lesson 17 the First Commandment—on the Honor and Invocation of Saints

147. Q. Does the first Commandment forbid the honoring of the saints?A. The first Commandment does not forbid the honoring of the saints, but rather approves of it, because by honoring the saints, who are the chosen friends of God, we honor God Himself.

148. Q. Does the first Commandment forbid us to pray to the saints? A. The first Commandment does not forbid us to pray to the saints.

149. Q. What do we mean by praying to the saints?A. By praying to the saints we mean the asking of their help and prayers.

150. Q. Does the first Commandment forbid us to honor relics?A. The first Commandment does not forbid us to honor relics, because relics are the bodies of the saints or objects directly connected with them or with our Lord.

1501. Q. Does the first Commandment forbid the making of images?A. The first Commandment does forbid the making of images if they are made to be adored as gods, but it does not forbid the making of them to put us in mind of Jesus Christ, His Blessed Mother, and the saints.

152. Q. Is it right to show respect to the pictures and images of Christ and His saints?A. It is right to show respect to the pictures and images of Christ and His saints, because they are the representations and memorials of them.

153. Q. Is it allowed to pray to the crucifix or to the images and relics of the saints?A. It is not allowed to pray to the crucifix or images and relics of the saints, for they have no life, nor power to help us, nor sense to hear us.

154. Q. Why do we pray before the crucifix and the images and relics of the saints?A. We pray before the crucifix and images and relics of the saints because they enliven our devotion by exciting pious affections and desires, and by reminding us of Christ and of the saints, that we may imitate their virtues.



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Lesson 18 from the Second to the Fourth Commandment

155. Q. What is the second Commandment?A. The second Commandment is: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

156. Q. What are we commanded by the second Commandment?A. We are commanded by the second Commandment to speak with reverence of God and of the saints, and of all holy things, and to keep our lawful oaths and vows.

157. Q. What is an oath?A. An oath is the calling upon God to witness the truth of what we say.

158. Q. What is a vow?A. A vow is a deliberate promise made to God to do something that is pleasing to Him.

159. Q. Is it a sin not to fulfill our vows?A. Not to fulfill our vows is a sin, mortal or venial, according to the nature of the vow and the intention we had in making it.

160. Q. What is forbidden by the second Commandment?A. The second Commandment forbids all false, rash, unjust, and unnecessary oaths, blasphemy, cursing, and profane words.

161. Q. What is the third Commandment?A. The third Commandment is: Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.

162. Q. How are we to worship God on Sundays and holy days of obligation?A. We are to worship God on Sundays and holy days of obligation by hearing Mass, by prayer, and by other good works.

163. Q. What is forbidden by the third Commandment?A. The third Commandment forbids all unnecessary servile work and whatever else may hinder the due observance of the Lord's day.

164. Q. What are servile works?A. Servile works are those which require labor rather of body than of mind.

165. Q. Are servile works on Sunday ever lawful?A. Servile works are lawful on Sunday when the honor of God, the good of our neighbor, or necessity requires them.



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Lesson 19 from the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment

166. Q. What is the fourth Commandment?A. The fourth Commandment is: Honor thy father and thy mother.

167. Q. What are we commanded by the fourth Commandment?A. We are commanded by the fourth Commandment to honor, love, and obey our parents in all that is not sin.

168. Q. Are we bound to honor and obey others than our parents?A. We are also bound to honor and obey our bishops, pastors, magistrates, teachers, and other lawful superiors.

169. Q. What is forbidden by the fourth Commandment?A. The fourth Commandment forbids all disobedience, contempt, and stubbornness towards our parents or lawful superiors.

170. Q. What is the fifth Commandment?A. The fifth Commandment is: Thou shalt not kill.

171. Q. What are we commanded by the fifth Commandment?A. We are commanded by the fifth Commandment to live in peace and union with our neighbor, to respect his rights, to seek his spiritual and bodily welfare, and to take proper care of our own life and health.

172. Q. What is forbidden by the fifth Commandment?A. The fifth Commandment forbids all willful murder, fighting, anger, hatred, revenge, and bad example.

173. Q. What is the sixth Commandment?A. The sixth Commandment is: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

174. Q. What are we commanded by the sixth Commandment?A. We are commanded by the sixth Commandment to be pure in thought and modest in all our looks, words, and actions.

175. Q. What is forbidden by the sixth Commandment?A. The sixth commandment forbids all unchaste freedom with another's wife or husband; also all immodesty with ourselves or others in looks, dress, words, or actions.

176. Q. Does the sixth Commandment forbid the reading of bad and immodest books and newspapers?A. The sixth Commandment does forbid the reading of bad and immodest books and newspapers.

Go through Discussion questions in small group. Go through reflection answers around in circle small group.

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Lesson 20 from the Seventh to the End of the Tenth Commandment

177. Q. What is the seventh Commandment?A. The seventh Commandment is: Thou shalt not steal.

178. Q. What are we commanded by the seventh Commandment?A. By the seventh Commandment we are commanded to give to all men what belongs to them and to respect their property.

179. Q. What is forbidden by the seventh Commandment?A. The seventh Commandment forbids all unjust taking or keeping what belongs to another.

180. Q. Are we bound to restore ill-gotten goods?A. We are bound to restore ill-gotten goods, or the value of them, as far as we are able; otherwise we cannot be forgiven.

181. Q. Are we obliged to repair the damage we have unjustly caused? A. We are bound to repair the damage we have unjustly caused.

182. Q. What is the eighth Commandment?A. The eighth Commandment is: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

183. Q. What are we commanded by the eighth Commandment?A. We are commanded by the eighth Commandment to speak the truth in all things, and to be careful of the honor and reputation of every one.

184. Q. What is forbidden by the eighth Commandment?A. The eighth Commandment forbids all rash judgments, backbiting, slanders, and lies.

185. Q. What is the ninth Commandment?A. The ninth Commandment is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.”

186. Q. What are we commanded by the ninth Commandment?A. We are commanded by the ninth Commandment to keep ourselves pure in thought and desire.

187. Q. What is forbidden by the ninth Commandment?A. The ninth Commandment forbids unchaste thoughts, desires of another's wife or husband, and all other unlawful impure thoughts and desires.

188. Q. What is the tenth Commandment?A. The tenth Commandment is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.

189. Q. What are we commanded by the tenth Commandment?A. By the tenth Commandment we are commanded to be content with what we have, and to rejoice in our neighbor's welfare.

190. Q. What is forbidden by the tenth Commandment?A. The tenth Commandment forbids all desires to take or keep wrongfully what belongs to another.

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Lesson 21 on the First and Second Commandments of the Church

191. Q. Which are the chief commandments of the Church? A. The chief commandments of the Church are six:

1. To hear Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. 2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed. 3. To confess at least once a year. 4. To receive the Holy Eucharist during the Easter time. 5. To contribute to the support of our pastors. 6. Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to us within the third degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times.

192. Q. Is it a mortal sin not to hear Mass on a Sunday or a holy day of obligation?A. It is a mortal sin not to hear Mass on a Sunday or a holy day of obligation unless we are excused for a serious reason. They also commit a mortal sin who, having others under their charge, hinder them from hearing Mass, without a sufficient reason.

193. Q. What do you mean by fast-days?A. By fast-days I mean days on which we are allowed but one full meal.

194. Q. What do you mean by days of abstinence?A. By days of abstinence, I mean days on which we are forbidden to eat flesh-meat, but are allowed the usual number of meals.

195. Q. Why does the Church command us to fast and abstain?A. The Church commands us to fast and abstain in order that we may mortify our passions and satisfy for our sins.



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Lesson 22 on the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Commandments of the Church

196. Q. What is meant by the command of confessing at least once a year?A. By the command of confessing at least once a year is meant that we are obliged, under pain of mortal sin, to go to Confession within the year.

197. Q. What sin does he commit who neglects to receive Communion during the Easter time? A. He who neglects to receive Communion during the Easter time commits a mortal sin.

198. Q. What is the Easter time?A. The Easter time is, in this country, the time between the first Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday.

199. Q. Are we obliged to contribute to the support of our pastors?A. We are obliged to contribute to the support of our pastors, and to bear our share in the

expenses of the Church and school.



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What is a Saint?• PETER KREEFT

Saints are not freaks or exceptions, they are the standard operating model for human beings.

Why does the Church include All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) in her calendar of solemn feasts? Why does the Apostles' Creed include "the communion of saints" as one of the 12 essential articles of our faith?Because, as Charles Peguy put it, "life holds only one tragedy, ultimately: not to have been a saint."

Saints are not freaks or exceptions. They are the standard operating model for human beings. In fact, in the biblical sense of the word, all believers are saints. "Sanctity" means holiness. All men, women and children, born or unborn, beautiful or ugly, straight or gay, are holy, for they bear the image of God.

Saints are not the opposite of sinners. There are no opposites of sinners in this world. There are only saved sinners and unsaved sinners. Thus holy does not mean "sinless" but "set-apart:" called out of the world to the destiny of eternal ecstasy with God.

What is a saint? First of all, one who knows he is a sinner. A saint knows all the news, both the bad news of sin and the good news of salvation. A saint is a true scientist, a true philosopher:A saint knows the truth. A saint is a seer, one who sees what's there. A saint is a realist. A saint is also an idealist. A saint embraces heroic suffering out of heroic love. A saint also embraces heroic joy. (This is one of the criteria for canonization: Saints must have joy.)

A saint is a servant of Christ. A saint is also a conqueror greater than Alexander, who only conquered the world. A saint conquers himself. What does it profit a man if he conquers the whole world but does not conquer himself?A saint is so open that he can say, with Paul, "I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance" (Phil. 4:11-12). A saint marries God "for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death." A saint is also so determined, so stubborn, that he will die before compromising the truth, and will write credo in the sand with his own blood as he dies. (One saint actually did this.)

A saint is a sworn enemy of the world, the flesh and the devil. He is locked in mortal combat with principalities and powers. A saint is also a friend and lover of the world. He kisses this sin-cancered world with the tender lips of the God of John 3:16. A saint declares God's war on this world, sinking the cross into the enemy occupied earth like a sword, the hilt held by heaven. At the same time he stretches his arms out on that very cross as if to say, "See? This is how wide my love is for you!”

A saint is Christ's bride, totally attached, faithful, dependent. A saint is also totally independent, detached from idols and from other husbands. A saint works among these others money, power, pleasure as a married woman works with other men, but will not marry them or even flirt with them.

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A saint is higher than anyone else in the world. A saint is the real mountain climber. A saint is also lower than anyone else in the world. As with water, he flows to the lowest places like Calcutta.

A saint's heart is broken by every little sorrow and sin. A saint's heart is also so strong that not even death can break it. It is indestructible because it's so breakable.

A saint takes his hands off the steering wheel of his life and lets God steer. That's scary, for God is invisible. A saint also has hands that move the world. He has feet that move through the world with a sure step.

A saint does not let others play God to him. A saint takes his orders from the General, not from the army. A saint also does not play God to others.

A saint is a little Christ. Not only do we see Christ through His saints, as we see a light through a stained glass window, but we also understand the saints only through Christ, as we understand eggs only through chickens. The saints are our family. We are one Body. They are our legs and we are theirs. That's why their feast is our feast. As Pascal says, "Examples of noble deaths of Spartans and others hardly affect us... but the example of the deaths of martyrs affects us, for they are our members... we do not become rich through seeing a rich stranger, but through seeing a father or husband rich."

We become saints not by thinking about it, and not (certainly) by writing about it, but simply by doing it. There comes a time when the "how?" question stops and we just do it. If the one we love were at our door knocking to come in, would we wonder how the door lock works, and how we could move our muscles to open it?

Francis of Assisi once told his monks that if they were in the midst of the Beatific Vision and a tramp knocked at their door asking for a cup of cold water, turning away from the heavenly vision to help the tramp would be the real heaven, and turning away from the tramp to keep the blissful vision would be turning from God's face.

1. What is a Saint?2. What is the Saint’s enemy?3. Why should I want to be a saint?4. Are saints the normal or the abnormal?5. Can anyone be a saint?Daily Reflection;

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Lesson 23 on the Sacraments in General

70. Q. What is a Sacrament?A. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

71. Q. How many Sacraments are there?A. There are seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

72. Q. Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace?A. The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from the merits of Jesus Christ.

73. Q. Do the Sacraments always give grace?A. The Sacraments always give grace, if we receive them with the right dispositions.

74. Q. Can we receive the Sacraments more than once?A. We can receive the Sacraments more than once, except Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy

Orders.



Conversion of St. Paul

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is celebrated every year on January 25, which concludes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity every year – an eight-day event that has been celebrated by the international Christian community since 1908. St. Paul's conversion caused him to become a great advocate for Christian unity, for which he worked so tirelessly, and the Church now remembers and celebrates that wonderful event every year.

St. Paul, named Saul at his circumcision, a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, was born at Tarsus, the capitol of Cilicia. He was a Roman citizen. He was brought up as a strict Jew, and later became a violent persecutor of the Christians. While on his way to Damascus to make new arrests of Christians, he was suddenly converted by a miraculous apparition of Our Lord. From a fierce persecutor he became the great Apostle of the Gentiles. He made three missionary journeys which brought him to the great centers of Asia Minor and southern Europe, and made many converts. Fourteen of his Epistles are found in the New Testament. He was beheaded in Rome around 66

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A.D., and his relics are in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls near the Ostian Way.

St. PaulSt. Paul was born at Tarsus, Cilicia, of Jewish parents who were descended from the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Roman citizen from birth. As he was "a young man" at the stoning of Stephen and "an old man" when writing to Philemon, about the year 63, he was probably born around the beginning of the Christian era.

To complete his schooling, St. Paul was sent to Jerusalem, where he sat at the feet of the learned Gamaliel and was educated in the strict observance of the ancestral Law. Here he also acquired a good knowledge of exegesis and was trained in the practice of disputation. As a convinced and zealous Pharisee, he returned to Tarsus before the public life of Christ opened in Palestine.

Some time after the death of Our Lord, St. Paul returned to Palestine. His profound conviction made his zeal develop to a religious fanaticism against the infant Church. He took part in the stoning of the first martyr, St. Stephen, and in the fierce persecution of the Christians that followed.Entrusted with a formal mission from the high priest, he departed for Damascus to arrest the Christians there and bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was nearing Damascus, about noon, a light from heaven suddenly blazed round him. Jesus with His glorified body appeared to him and addressed him, turning him away from his apparently successful career.

Paul had spent the early years of his life studying in Jerusalem and persecuting Christians for going against the Temple, possibly as a Zealot. He was even a part of the stoning to death of St. Stephen, the Church's first martyr. Sometime around 35 or 36 AD, however, he met Christ on his way to Damascus, who asked why he was persecuting Christ through Christ's followers, and told him to go into the city where he would be told what to do. At that point, Paul was blinded for three days, and was taken into Damascus where the Lord told Ananius, a disciple, to go to Paul and heal him. At that point, “something like scales fell from Paul's eyes,” he was healed and he became baptized, and started preaching about Jesus in the synagogues.His sudden switch confused the Jews, who subsequently grew angry with him and tried to kill him, or have him killed, several times. Paul nevertheless continued preaching to them as well as to the Gentiles, trying to spread the Gospels to everyone at any cost. His conversion, dangerous though it may have been for St. Paul, had a hugely positive effect on the life of the Church.An immediate transformation was wrought in the soul of St. Paul. He was suddenly converted to the Christian Faith. He was baptized, changed his name from Saul to Paul, and began travelling and preaching the Faith. He became one of the Church's great evangelizers, helping to bring many people into the Church. While most saints have feast days based on their date of death, St. Paul is one of the only saints who has a feast day commemorating his conversion. This conversion shows that anyone can be forgiven and brought to a life with Christ, even those who previously were on the

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completely opposite side of Christianity. It is an event that the Church wants to remember and celebrate because of its great importance for Christians everywhere.He was martyred as an Apostle in Rome around 65 AD.— Excerpted from Lives of the Saints

1. What was St. Paul’s original name?

2. What was Paul’s relationship with Christians before he became one?

3. What is conversion?

4. What is the difference between conversion and reception of Sacraments?

5. How much of the New Testament did St. Paul write?

6. My daily reflection;

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What is Confirmation?The sacrament of confirmation is perhaps the most mysterious of all the sacraments. Many Christians find it difficult to understand what benefit it brings. Isn’t the Holy Spirit received at baptism?Yes, baptism makes us “a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1279). Then why do we need to receive the Holy Spirit again in confirmation?And, isn’t baptism “valid and efficacious” without confirmation? Yes (No. 1306). Then why do we say that “confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace” (No. 1285, 1288) or that it brings an “increase and deepening of baptismal grace” (No. 1303), its “strengthening” (No. 1289)?

What do we mean when we say confirmation “perfects baptismal grace” (No. 1316)? Isn’t baptismal grace perfect enough?Of course, to answer the first question, all the sacraments are “actions of the Holy Spirit” (No. 1116) and all “‘sacramental grace’ is the grace of the Holy Spirit,” though in a way “proper to each sacrament” (No. 1129). So, the Holy Spirit is received in every sacrament, not just baptism, but in each in a different way.We can ask, What is the special relationship between confirmation and the Holy Spirit? What is the “action” of the Holy Spirit in baptism, and what is the action of the Holy Spirit in confirmation?

To address the second question, baptism is valid and efficacious without the Eucharist also, and someone who dies immediately after baptism is saved without the help of any other sacrament. And yet we would not say that the Christian life on this earth attains its full exercise apart from the Eucharist.

The Eucharist, too, completes baptismal grace, in the sense that baptismal grace is ordered toward the Eucharist. Baptism is the “gateway to life in the Spirit … and the door that gives access to the other sacraments” (No.1213); by baptism we are “born of water and the Spirit” (No. 1225, Jn 3:5), given freedom as “the children of God” (No. 1250).We are given “a share in the common priesthood of all believers” (No. 1268). This priesthood is exercised first in our participation in the Eucharist and in the eucharistic life it forms in us, as our whole life and all of our acts become more and more a living sacrifice of praise (Heb 13:15) in Christ and for Christ.This can help us understand the function of confirmation. Just as baptism is the sacrament of dying with Christ and rising with him to the new life of a child of God, and so is especially associated with the cross and resurrection, so confirmation is especially associated with Pentecost. In fact it is “the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost” (No. 1302).

The Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles to strengthen them for their apostolic mission. Confirmation “perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the church” (No. 1288). The sacrament thus has a unique connection to the apostles, and indeed the original rite of confirmation consisted of the apostles’ laying on of hands of the newly baptized, to strengthen them for their mission with the same special outpouring of the Spirit that they received.

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In baptism, the action of the Holy Spirit configures us to the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, bringing about our death to sin and our rebirth in the love and the life of Christ. We have a new identity as children of God.In confirmation, the action of the Holy Spirit is to strengthen us in our new identity, imparting an “apostolic” character. It associates us more fully with the apostolate, or the active mission of the church.It is baptismal grace itself that in a sense seeks its own maturity, its own growing up, its own perfection, just as the natural life of a child, in a sense, seeks its own maturity, completion, growing up. Baptismal grace precisely because it is a rebirth, is ordered toward the “growing up” and strengthening of the newly born in Christ.The action of the Holy Spirit in baptism orients us toward his own further action in conferring the further apostolic grace of Pentecost. Thus we are empowered to live out the eucharistic life toward which baptism, and indeed all of the other sacraments, are ordered, with a “Pentecost” identity, an identity analogous to that of an apostle.

Thus baptism and confirmation are closely linked. Originally, confirmation immediately followed baptism, and it still does in the Eastern Catholic churches (and in the Latin Church for adult baptisms). But in both Eastern and Latin churches the connection with Pentecost was never left behind. In the Eastern churches, confirmation makes use of the special holy chrism blessed by the bishop, the successor of the apostles, while in the Latin Church, the ordinary minister of the sacrament is still the bishop.Because the bishop cannot be present at every baptism, the post-baptismal anointing of confirmation is delayed, but that should only serve to remind us that this sacrament is our participation in Pentecost, a privilege and fulfillment that our baptismal grace seeks and for which it makes us fit.

1. What is Confirmation?

2. What is the difference between Confirmation and Baptism?

3. What is meant by “completing the Baptismal Graces”?

4. How does one become a “member of the Body of Christ and a Temple of the Holy Spirit”?My daily reflection:

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Lesson 24 on Baptism

75. Q. What is Baptism?A. Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us from original sin, makes us Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven.

76. Q. Are actual sins ever remitted by Baptism?A. Actual sins and all the punishment due to them are remitted by Baptism, if the person baptized be guilty of any, and is rightly disposed.

77. Q. Is Baptism necessary to salvation?A. Baptism is necessary to salvation, because without it we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.

78. Q. Who can administer Baptism?A. The priest is the ordinary minister of Baptism; but in case of necessity any one who has the use of reason may baptize.

79. Q. How is Baptism given?A. 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.



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Lesson 25 on Confirmation

80. Q. What is Confirmation?A. Confirmation is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.

81. Q. Who administers Confirmation?A. The bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation.

82. Q. How does the bishop give Confirmation?A. 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.

83. Q. What does the bishop say in anointing the person he confirms?A. In anointing the person he confirms the bishop 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.

84. Q. To receive Confirmation worthily is it necessary to be in the state of grace? A. To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace.

85. Q. What is a state of grace?A. A state of grace is freedom from mortal sin.

86. Q. Is it a sin to neglect Confirmation?A. 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.



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Lesson 26 on the Holy Eucharist

105. Q. What is the Holy Eucharist?A. The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament which contains the body and blood, soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine.

106. Q. What do you mean by the appearances of bread and wine?A. By the appearances of bread and wine I mean the figure, the color, the taste, and whatever appears to the senses.

107. Q. When did Christ give His priests the power to change bread and wine into His body and blood?A. Christ gave His priests the power to change bread and wine into His body and blood when He said to the Apostles, Do this for a commemoration of Me.

108. Q. How do the priests exercise this power of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ?A. The priests exercise this power of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ through the words of consecration in the Mass, which are the words of Christ: This is My body; this is My blood.

109. Q. Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist? A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist—

1. To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His body and blood. 2. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. 3. To lessen our evil inclinations. 4. To be a pledge of everlasting life. 5. To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection. 6. To continue the sacrifice of the cross in His Church.

110. Q. What is Holy Communion?A. Holy Communion is the receiving of the body and blood of Christ.

111. Q. What is necessary to make a good Communion?A. To make a good Communion it is necessary to be in the state of grace and to be fasting for one hour from food and all drinks, except water.

112. Q. Does he who receives Communion in mortal sin receive the body and blood of Christ? A. He who receives Communion in mortal sin receives the body and blood of Christ, but does not receive His grace, and he commits a great sacrilege.



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Lesson 27 on the Sacrifice of the Mass

113. Q. When are the bread and wine changed into the body and blood of Christ?A. The bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ at the consecration in the Mass.

114. Q. What is the Mass?A. The Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ.

115. Q. Is the Mass the same sacrifice as that of the cross? A. The Mass is the same sacrifice as that of the cross.

116. Q. How should we assist at Mass?A. We should assist at Mass with great interior recollection and piety, and with every outward

mark of respect and devotion.



Lesson 28 on Holy Communion



Lesson 29 on the Sacrament of Penance

87. Q. What is the Sacrament of Penance?A. Penance is a Sacrament in which the sins committed after Baptism are forgiven.

88. Q. What must we do to receive the Sacrament of Penance worthily? A. To receive the Sacrament of Penance worthily we must do five things:

1. We must examine our conscience. 2. We must have sorrow for our sins. 3. We must make a firm resolution never more to offend God. 4. We must confess our sins to the priest. 5. We must accept the penance which the priest gives us.

89. Q. What is the examination of conscience?A. The examination of conscience is an earnest effort to recall to mind all the sins we have

committed since our last worthy confession.



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Lesson 30 on Contrition

90. Q. What is contrition, or sorrow for sin?A. Contrition, or sorrow for sin, is a hatred of sin and a true grief of the soul for having offended God, with a firm purpose of sinning no more.

91. Q. Why should we be sorry for our sins?A. We should be sorry for our sins, because sin is the greatest of evils and an offense against God our Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer, and because mortal sin shuts us out of heaven and condemns us to the eternal pains of hell.

92. Q. What do you mean by a firm purpose of sinning no more?A. By a firm purpose of sinning no more I mean a fixed resolve not only to avoid all mortal sin, but also its near occasions.

93. Q. What do you mean by the near occasions of sin?A. By the near occasions of sin I mean all the persons, places, and things that may easily lead

us into sin.



Lesson 31 on Confession

94. Q. What is Confession?A. Confession is the telling of our sins to a duly authorized priest, for the purpose of obtaining forgiveness.

95. Q. What sins are we bound to confess?A. We are bound to confess all our mortal sins, but it is well also to confess our venial sins.

96. Q. What should we do if we cannot remember the number of our sins?A. If we cannot “remember the number of our sins, we should tell the number as nearly as possible.

97. Q. Is it a grievous offense willfully to conceal a mortal sin in Confession?A. It is a grievous offense willfully to conceal a mortal sin in Confession, because we thereby tell a lie to the Holy Ghost, and make our Confession worthless.

98. Q. What must he do who has willfully concealed a mortal sin in Confession?A. He who has wilfully concealed a mortal sin in Confession must not only confess it, but must also repeat all the sins he has committed since his last worthy Confession.

99. Q. Why does the priest give us a penance after Confession?A. The priest gives us a penance after Confession that we may satisfy God for the temporal

punishment due to our sins.


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Lesson 32


Lesson 33 on Indulgences

100. Q. What is an Indulgence?A. An Indulgence is the remission in whole or in part of the temporal punishment due to sin.

101. Q. How many kinds of Indulgences are there?A. There are two kinds of Indulgences—Plenary and Partial.

102. Q. What is a Plenary Indulgence?A. A Plenary Indulgence is the full remission of the temporal punishment due to sin.

103. Q. What is a Partial Indulgence?A. A Partial Indulgence is the remission of a part of the temporal punishment due to sin.

104. Q. What must we do to gain an Indulgence?A. To gain an Indulgence we must be in the state of grace and perform the works enjoined.



Lesson 34 on Extreme Unction and Holy Orders

117. Q. What is the Sacrament of Extreme Unction?A. Extreme Unction is the Sacrament which, through the anointing and prayer of the priest, gives health and strength to the soul, and some “times to the body, when we are in danger of death from sickness.

118. Q. Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction?A. The effects of Extreme Unction are: 1st, to comfort us in the pains of sickness and to strengthen us against temptation; 2d, to remit venial sins and to cleanse our soul from the remains of sin; 3d, to restore us to health, when God sees fit.

119. Q. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?A. Holy Orders is a Sacrament by which bishops, priests, and other ministers of the Church

are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties.


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Lesson 35 on Matrimony

120. Q. What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?A. The Sacrament of Matrimony is the Sacrament which unites a Christian man and woman in lawful marriage.

121. Q. Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony?A. The effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony are: 1st, to sanctify the love of husband and wife; 2d, to give them grace to bear with each other's weaknesses; 3d, to enable them to bring up their children in the fear and love of God.

122. Q. To receive the Sacrament of matrimony worthily is it necessary to be in the state of grace?A. To receive the Sacrament of Matrimony worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace, and it is necessary also to comply with the laws of the Church.



Lesson 36 on the Sacramentals

123. Q. What is a sacramental?A. A sacramental is anything set apart or blessed by the Church to excite good thoughts and to increase devotion, and through these movements of the heart to remit venial sin.

124. Q. Which is the chief sacramental used in the Church?A. The chief sacramental used in the Church is the sign of the cross.

125. Q. How do we make the sign of the cross?A. We make the sign of the cross by putting the right hand to the forehead, then on the breast, and then to the left and right shoulders, saying, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

126. Q. Why do we make the sign of the cross?A. We make the sign of the cross to show that we are Christians and to profess our belief in the chief mysteries of our religion.

127. Q. What other sacramental is in very frequent use? A. Another sacramental in very frequent use is holy water.

128. Q. What is holy water?A. Holy water is water blessed by the priest with solemn prayer to beg God's blessing on those who use it, and protection from the powers of darkness.

129. Q. Are there other sacramentals besides the sign of the cross and holy water?A. Besides the sign of the cross and holy water there are many other sacramentals, such as blessed candles, ashes, palms, crucifixes, images of the Blessed Virgin and of the saints,

rosaries and scapulars.


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Lesson 37 on Prayer

130. Q. Is there any other means of obtaining God's grace than the Sacraments? A. There is another means of obtaining God's grace, and it is prayer.

131. Q. What is prayer?A. Prayer is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God to adore Him, to thank Him for His benefits, to ask His forgiveness, and to beg of Him all the graces we need, whether for soul or body.

132. Q. Is prayer necessary to salvation?A. Prayer is necessary to salvation, and without it no one having the use of reason can be saved.

133. Q. At what particular times should we pray?A. We should pray particularly on Sundays and holy days, every morning and night, in all dangers, temptations, and afflictions.

134. Q. Which are the prayers most recommended to us?A. The prayers most recommended to us are the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Confiteor, and the Acts of Faith, Hope, Love and Contrition.

135. Q. Are prayers said with distractions of any avail? A. Prayers said with willful distractions are of no avail.



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Soldier for Christ

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