"Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise. "

Thomas á Kempis

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"A man should keep himself down, and not busy himself in mirabilibus super se."

St Philip Neri

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"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."

R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP

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About this "Penny" Catechism - Visit the more detailed "Catechism of the Catholic Church" here.

 
 

FROM THE "PENNY CATECHISM"
     

The Second Commandment
188.

What is the second Commandment?
 

The second Commandment is, 'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain'.

 
189. What are we commanded by the second Commandment?

 

By the second Commandment we are commanded to speak with reverence of God and all holy persons and things, and to keep our lawful oaths and vows.
 
  190. What does the second Commandment forbid?
 
 

The second Commandment forbids all false, rash, unjust, and unnecessary oaths; as also blaspheming, cursing and profane words.
 
  191. Is it ever lawful to swear or to take an oath?
 
 

It is lawful to swear, or take an oath, only when God's honor, or our own, or our neighbour's good requires it.
 
     
 

The Third Commandment
  192. What is the third Commandment?
 
 

The third Commandment is 'Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
 
  193. What are we commanded by the third Commandment?
 
 

By the third Commandment we are commanded to keep the Sunday holy.
 
  194. How are we to keep the Sunday holy?
 
 

We are to keep the Sunday holy by praying and participating in Mass and resting from servile works.
 
  195. Why are we commanded to rest from servile works?
 
 

We are commanded to rest from servile works that we may have time and opportunity for prayer, going to the Sacraments, hearing instructions, and reading good books.
 
   
 

The Fourth Commandment
  196. What is the fourth Commandment?
 
 

The fourth Commandment is, 'Honor thy father and thy mother'.
 
  197. What are we commanded by the fourth Commandment?
 
 

By the fourth Commandment we are commanded to love, reverence, and obey our parents in all that is not sin..
 
  198. Are we commanded to obey our parents only?
 
 

We are commanded to obey, not only our parents, but also our bishops and pastors, the civil authorities, and our lawful superiors.
 
  199. Are we bound to assist our parents in their wants?
 
 

We are bound to assist our parents in their wants, both spiritual and temporal.

 
  200. Are we bound in justice to contribute to the support of our pastors?
 
 

We are bound in justice to contribute to the support of our pastors; for St. Paul says; ' The Lord ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel'. Cor.9:14
 
  201. What is the duty of parents towards their children?
 
 

The duty of parents towards their children is to provide for them, to instruct and correct them, and to give them a good Catholic education.
 
  202. What is the duty of masters, mistresses, and other superiors?
 
 

The duty of masters, mistresses, and other superiors is to take proper care of those under their charge, and to enable them to practice their religious duties.
 
  203. What does the fourth Commandment forbid?
 
 

The fourth Commandment forbids all contempt, stubbornness, and disobedience to our parents and lawful superiors.
 
  204. Is it sinful to belong to a Secret Society?
 
 

It is sinful to belong to any Secret Society that plots against the Church or State, or to any Society that by reason of its secrecy is condemned by the Church; for St. Paul says: 'Let every soul be subject to the higher powers; he that resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist purchase to themselves damnation'. Rom. 13:1,2