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FROM THE "PENNY CATECHISM" |
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The Seven Sacraments and The Mass |
| 249. |
What is a Sacrament? |
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A Sacrament is an outward sign of inward
grace, ordained by Jesus Christ, by which grace is given to
our souls. |
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| 250. |
Do the Sacraments always give grace? |
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The Sacraments always give grace to those
who receive them worthily. |
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251. |
Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace? |
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The Sacraments have the power of giving
grace from the merits of Christ's Precious Blood which they
apply to our souls. |
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252. |
Ought we to have a great desire to receive the Sacraments? |
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We ought to have a great desire to receive
the Sacraments, because they are the chief means of our
salvation. |
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253. |
Is a character given to the soul by any of the Sacraments? |
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A character is given to the soul by the
Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. |
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254. |
What is a character? |
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A character is a mark or seal on the soul
which cannot be effaced, and therefore the Sacrament
conferring it may not be repeated. |
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255. |
How many Sacraments are there? |
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There are seven Sacraments: Baptism,
Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the
Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. |
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Baptism |
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256. |
What is Baptism? |
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Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us
from original sin, makes us Christians, children of God, and
members of the Church. |
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257. |
Does Baptism also forgive actual sins? |
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Baptism also forgives actual sins, with all
punishment due to them, when it is received in proper
disposition by those who have been guilty of actual sin. |
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258. |
Who is the ordinary minister of Baptism? |
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The ordinary minister of Baptism is a
Bishop, a priest or a deacon; in case of necessity such as
danger of death, any one may baptize. |
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259. |
How is Baptism given? |
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Baptism is given by pouring water on the
head of the child, saying at the same time these words:'I
baptize you in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit'. |
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260. |
What do we promise in Baptism? |
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We promise in Baptism to renounce the devil
and all his works and pomps. |
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261. |
Is Baptism necessary for salvation? |
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Baptism is necessary for salvation, because
Christ has said: 'Unless a man be born again of water and the
Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
of God'. John 3:5 |
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Confirmation |
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262. |
What is Confirmation? |
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Confirmation is a Sacrament by which we
receive the Holy Spirit, in order to make us strong and
perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ. |
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263. |
Who is the ordinary minister of Confirmation? |
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The ordinary minister of Confirmation is a
Bishop. |
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264. |
How does the Bishop administer the Sacrament of Confirmation? |
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The Bishop administers the Sacrament of
Confirmation by praying that the Holy Spirit may come down
upon those who are to be confirmed; and by laying his hand on
them, and making the sign of the cross with chrism on their
foreheads, at the same time pronouncing certain words. |
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265. |
What are the words used in Confirmation? |
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The words used in Confirmation are these:
'N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit'. |
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