 |
|
FROM THE "PENNY CATECHISM" |
|
|
|
 |
 |
The Seven Sacraments and The Mass |
249. |
What is a Sacrament? |
|
 |
A Sacrament is an outward sign of inward
grace, ordained by Jesus Christ, by which grace is given to
our souls. |
|
 |
|
250. |
Do the Sacraments always give grace? |
|
|
 |
The Sacraments always give grace to those
who receive them worthily. |
|
 |
|
|
251. |
Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace? |
|
|
 |
The Sacraments have the power of giving
grace from the merits of Christ's Precious Blood which they
apply to our souls. |
|
 |
|
|
252. |
Ought we to have a great desire to receive the Sacraments? |
|
|
 |
We ought to have a great desire to receive
the Sacraments, because they are the chief means of our
salvation. |
|
 |
|
|
253. |
Is a character given to the soul by any of the Sacraments? |
|
|
 |
A character is given to the soul by the
Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. |
|
 |
|
|
254. |
What is a character? |
|
|
 |
A character is a mark or seal on the soul
which cannot be effaced, and therefore the Sacrament
conferring it may not be repeated. |
|
 |
|
|
255. |
How many Sacraments are there? |
|
|
 |
There are seven Sacraments: Baptism,
Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the
Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Baptism |
|
256. |
What is Baptism? |
|
|
 |
Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us
from original sin, makes us Christians, children of God, and
members of the Church. |
|
 |
|
|
257. |
Does Baptism also forgive actual sins? |
|
|
 |
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. |
|
 |
|
|
258. |
Who is the ordinary minister of Baptism? |
|
|
 |
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. |
|
 |
|
|
259. |
How is Baptism given? |
|
|
 |
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'. |
|
 |
|
|
260. |
What do we promise in Baptism? |
|
|
 |
We promise in Baptism to renounce the devil
and all his works and pomps. |
|
 |
|
|
261. |
Is Baptism necessary for salvation? |
|
|
 |
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 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Confirmation |
|
262. |
What is Confirmation? |
|
|
 |
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. |
|
 |
|
|
263. |
Who is the ordinary minister of Confirmation? |
|
|
 |
The ordinary minister of Confirmation is a
Bishop. |
|
 |
|
|
264. |
How does the Bishop administer the Sacrament of Confirmation? |
|
|
 |
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. |
|
 |
|
|
265. |
What are the words used in Confirmation? |
|
|
 |
The words used in Confirmation are these:
'N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit'. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|