Chapter 41
THE BLESSING BEFORE MEALS.
Q. 110. Say the Blessing before Meals.
A. Bless us, O Lord! and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
GRACE AFTER MEALS.
Q. 111. Say the Grace after Meals.
A. We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty G.o.d, who livest and reignest for ever; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of G.o.d, rest in peace. Amen.
Q. 112. What does "Grace" at meals mean?
A. "Grace" at meals means the thanks we offer G.o.d for the food we are about to receive or have just taken.
Q. 113. Why should we say "Grace" at meals.
A. We should say "Grace" at meals to show our grat.i.tude to G.o.d, who has given us all we possess and daily supplies our wants.
Q. 114. Is it wrong to despise or waste our food?
A. It is wrong to despise or waste our food, because we thereby slight the goodness of G.o.d, who owes us nothing.
Q. 115. Is it a sin to neglect "Grace" at meals?
A. It is not a sin to neglect "Grace" at meals, but only a mark of our ingrat.i.tude; for if we are to thank G.o.d for all His gifts we should do so especially at the time they are given.
THE MANNER IN WHICH A LAY PERSON IS TO BAPTIZE IN CASE OF NECESSITY.
Q. 116. What do you mean here by a "lay person"?
A. By a "lay person" I mean here any one who is not a priest.
All such persons and those not dedicated to the service of the Altar, taken together, are called the "laity," as all those who have received sacred orders or who are dedicated to the service of the Altar, taken together, are called the "clergy."
Q. 117. What is meant by "in case of necessity?"
A. In "case of necessity" means here that a person not baptized is in danger of death and there is no priest present to administer the Sacrament.
Q. 118. How is Baptism given by a "lay person"?
A. Whoever baptizes must:--
Pour common water on the head or face of the person to be baptized, and say while pouring it:
"I baptize thee, in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
N.B.--Any person of either s.e.x who has, reached the
Q. 119. What else is to be observed?
A. In baptizing: (1) The water must touch the skin and flow; (2) the same person who pours the water must say the words; (3) parents should not baptize their own children, if there be any other person present who knows how to baptize; (4) a man, if he be present and knows how to administer the Sacrament, should baptize in preference to a woman; (5) the person baptizing must have the intention of doing what the Church does; (6) he must not repeat the baptism after giving it once correctly.
Q. 120. What is this baptism called?
A. The baptism given in case of necessity is called private baptism to distinguish it from solemn baptism, which is given in the church with all the ceremonies proper to it.
Q. 121. What do you mean by either s.e.x?
A. "Either s.e.x" means man or woman; boy or girl; any person competent to baptize.
Q. 122. When may we say one "has reached the use of reason"?
A. We may say one "has reached the use of reason" when he knows the difference between good and bad or right and wrong. Persons acquire this knowledge at about the age of seven years.
CATECHISM.
Q. 123. What is a Catechism?
A. A Catechism is a book in the form of questions and answers treating of any subject, especially of religion.
Q. 124. Of what subject does our Catechism treat?
A. Our Catechism treats of religion; that is, of the truths we must believe and of the things we must do to serve G.o.d.
Q. 125. Why is it important for us to learn the Catechism?
A. It is important for us to learn the Catechism because it teaches us how to serve G.o.d: and unless we serve G.o.d in this world we can not be saved in the next; therefore, our knowledge of the Catechism affects our whole existence.
LESSON FIRST.
ON THE END OF MAN.
Q. 126. What do we mean by the "end of man"?
A. By the "end of man" we mean the purpose for which he was created: namely, to know, love, and serve G.o.d.
Q. 127. How do you know that man was created for G.o.d alone?
A. I know that man was created for G.o.d alone because everything in the world was created for something more perfect than itself: but there is nothing in the world more perfect than man; therefore, he was created for something outside this world, and since he was not created for the Angels, he must have been created for G.o.d.
Q. 128. In what respect are all men equal?
A. All men are equal in whatever is necessary for their nature and end.
They are all composed of a body and soul; they are all created to the image and likeness of G.o.d; they are all gifted with understanding and free will; and they have all been created for the same end--G.o.d.
Q. 129. Do not men differ in many things?
A. Men differ in many things, such as learning, wealth, power, etc.; but these things belong to the world and not man's nature. He came into this world without them and he will leave it without them. Only the consequences of good or evil done in this world will accompany men to the next.
Q. 130. {1} Who made the world?
A. G.o.d made the world.
Q. 131. What does "world" mean in this question?
A. In this question "world" means the universe; that is, the whole creation; all that we now see or may hereafter see.
Q. 132. {2} Who is G.o.d?