Baltimore Catechism

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 G.o.d.

286. 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.

287. Q. Who has the right to make laws concerning the Sacrament of marriage?

A. The Church alone has the right to make laws concerning the Sacrament of marriage, though the state also has the right to make laws concerning the civil effects of the marriage contract.

288. Q. Does the Church forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all?

A. The Church does forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all.

289. Q. Why does the Church forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all?

A. The Church forbids the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all, because such marriages generally lead to indifference, loss of faith, and to the neglect of the religious education of the children.

290. Q. Why do many marriages prove unhappy?

A. Many marriages prove unhappy because they are entered into hastily and without worthy motives.

291. Q. How should Christians prepare for a holy and happy marriage?

A. Christians should prepare for a holy and happy marriage by receiving the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist; by begging G.o.d to grant them a pure intention and to direct their choice; and by seeking the advice of their parents and the blessing of their pastors.

LESSON TWENTY-SEVENTH ON THE SACRAMENTALS

292. 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.

293. Q. What is the difference between the Sacraments and the sacramentals?

A. The difference between the Sacraments and the sacramentals is: 1st, The Sacraments were inst.i.tuted by Jesus Christ and the sacramentals were inst.i.tuted by the Church; 2d, The Sacraments give grace of themselves when we place no obstacle in the way; the sacramentals excite in us pious dispositions, by means of which we may obtain grace.

294. Q. Which is the chief sacramental used in the Church?

A. The chief sacramental used in the Church is the sign of the Cross.

295. Q. How do we make the sign of the Cross?

A. We make the sign of the Cross

296. 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.

297. Q. How is the sign of the Cross a profession of faith in the chief mysteries of our religion?

A. The sign of the Cross is a profession of faith in the chief mysteries of our religion because it expresses the mysteries of the Unity and Trinity of G.o.d and of the Incarnation and death of our Lord.

298. Q. How does the sign of the Cross express the mystery of the Unity and Trinity of G.o.d?

A. The words, In the name, express the Unity of G.o.d; the words that follow, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, express the mystery of the Trinity.

299. Q. How does the sign of the Cross express the mystery of the Incarnation and death of our Lord?

A. The sign of the Cross expresses the mystery of the Incarnation by reminding us that the Son of G.o.d, having become man, suffered death on the cross.

300. Q. What other sacramental is in very frequent use?

A. Another sacramental in very frequent use is holy water.

301. Q. What is holy water?

A. Holy water is water blessed by the priest with solemn prayer to beg G.o.d's blessing on those who use it, and protection from the powers of darkness.

302. 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.

LESSON TWENTY-EIGHTH ON PRAYER

303. Q. Is there any other means of obtaining G.o.d's grace than the Sacraments?

A. There is another means of obtaining G.o.d's grace, and it is prayer.

304. Q. What is prayer?

A. Prayer is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to G.o.d 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.

305. 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.

306. Q. At what particular times should we pray?

A. We should pray particularly on Sundays and holydays, every morning and night, in all dangers, temptations, and afflictions.

307. Q. How should we pray?

A. We should pray: 1st, With attention; 2d, With a sense of our own helplessness and dependence upon G.o.d; 3d, With a great desire for the graces we beg of G.o.d; 4th, With trust in G.o.d's goodness; 5th, With perseverance.

308. 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.

309. Q. Are prayers said with distractions of any avail?

A. Prayers said with wilful distractions are of no avail.

LESSON TWENTY-NINTH ON THE COMMANDMENTS OF G.o.d

310. Q. Is it enough to belong to G.o.d'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 G.o.d and of the Church.

311. Q. Which are the Commandments that contain the whole law of G.o.d?

A. The Commandments which contain the whole law of G.o.d are these two: 1st, Thou shalt love the Lord thy G.o.d with thy whole heart, with thy whole soul, with thy whole strength, and with thy whole mind; 2d, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

312. Q. Why do these two Commandments of the love of G.o.d and of our neighbor contain the whole law of G.o.d?

A. These two Commandments of the love of G.o.d and of our neighbor contain the whole law of G.o.d because all the other Commandments are given either to help us to keep these two, or to direct us how to shun what is opposed to them.

313. Q. Which are the Commandments of G.o.d?

A. The Commandments of G.o.d are these ten.