Chapter 30
LESSON THIRTY-SIXTH ON THE THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH
397. 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.
398. Q. Should we confess only once a year?
A. We should confess frequently, if we wish to lead a good life.
399. Q. Should children go to Confession?
A. Children should go to Confession when they are old enough to commit sin, which is commonly about the age of seven years.
400. 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.
401. 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.
402. 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.
403. Q. What is the meaning of the commandment not to marry within the third degree of kindred?
A. The meaning of the commandment not to marry within the third degree of kindred is that no one is allowed to marry another within the third degree of blood relations.h.i.+p.
404. Q. What is the meaning of the command not to marry privately?
A. The command not to marry privately means that none should marry without the blessing of G.o.d's priests or without witnesses.
405. Q. What is the meaning of the precept not to solemnize marriage at forbidden times?
A. The meaning of the precept not to solemnize marriage at forbidden times is that during Lent and Advent the marriage ceremony should not be performed with pomp or a nuptial Ma.s.s.
406. Q. What is the nuptial Ma.s.s?
A. A nuptial Ma.s.s is a Ma.s.s appointed by the Church to invoke a special blessing upon the married couple.
407. Q. Should Catholics be married at a nuptial Ma.s.s?
A. Catholics should be married at a nuptial Ma.s.s, because they thereby show greater reverence for the holy Sacrament and bring richer blessings upon their wedded life.
LESSON THIRTY-SEVENTH ON THE LAST JUDGMENT AND THE RESURRECTION, h.e.l.l, PURGATORY,
408. Q. When will Christ judge us?
A. Christ will judge us immediately after our death, and on the last day.
409. 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.
410. 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.
411. Q. Why does Christ judge men immediately after death?
A. Christ judges men immediately after death to reward or punish them according to their deeds.
412. 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 h.e.l.l.
413. Q. What is h.e.l.l?
A. h.e.l.l is a state to which the wicked are condemned, and in which they are deprived of the sight of G.o.d for all eternity, and are in dreadful torments.
414. 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.
415. Q. Can the faithful on earth help the souls in Purgatory?
A. The faithful on earth can help the souls in Purgatory by their prayers, fasts, alms-deeds; by indulgences, and by having Ma.s.ses said for them.
416. Q. If every one is judged immediately after death, what need is there of a General Judgment?
A. There is need of a General Judgment, though every one is judged immediately after death, that the providence of G.o.d, which, on earth, often permits the good to suffer and the wicked to prosper, may in the end appear just before all men.
417. 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.
418. Q. In what state will the bodies of the just rise?
A. The bodies of the just will rise glorious and immortal.
419. Q. Will the bodies of the d.a.m.ned also rise?
A. The bodies of the d.a.m.ned will also rise, but they will be condemned to eternal punishment.
420. Q. What is Heaven?
A. Heaven is the state of everlasting life in which we see G.o.d face to face, are made like unto Him in glory, and enjoy eternal happiness.
421. Q. What words should we bear always in mind?
A. We should bear always in mind these words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul, or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then will He render to every man according to his works."
MORNING PRAYERS
As soon as you awake, think of G.o.d. Make the Sign of the Cross and say:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Then dress quickly and kneel down. Now say the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Confiteor and the Acts of Faith, Hope, Love and Contrition which you have probably memorized. If you do not know them by heart you will find them on pages 2-4.
Then if you have time also say the following prayers:
TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.