"Spiritual persons ought to be equally ready to experience sweetness and consolation in the things of God, or to suffer and keep their ground in drynesses of spirit and devotion, and for as long as God pleases, without their making any complaint about it."

St Philip Neri

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"God commands not impossibilities, but by commanding he suggests to you to do what you can, to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you, that you may be able."

St Augustine

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"Try to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God. "

Thomas á Kempis

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FROM THE "PENNY CATECHISM"

     

Anointing of the Sick

301.

What is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?

 

This Sacrament is the anointing of the sick with holy oil, accompanied with prayer.

 
302. When is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick given?

 

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is given when we are in danger of death by sickness.

 
  303. What are the effects of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
 
 

Our Lord instituted the Sacrament of Penance when he breathed on his Apostles and gave them power to forgive sins, saying: 'Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven.' John 20:23

 
  304. What authority is there in Scripture for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
 
 

The authority in Scripture for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is in the 5th chapter of St. James, where it is said: 'Is any one sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man; and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he be in sins they shall be forgiven him'. James 5:14-15

 
 
 

Holy Orders

  305. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
 
 

Holy Orders is the Sacrament by which bishops, priests, and deacons of the Church are ordained, and receive power and grace to perform their sacred duties.

 
   
 

Matrimony

  306. What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?
 
 

Matrimony is the Sacrament which sanctifies the contract of a Christian marriage, and gives a special grace to those who receive it worthily.

 
  307. What special grace does the Sacrament of Matrimony
 
 

The Sacrament of Matrimony gives to those who receive it worthily a special grace, to enable them to bear the difficulties of their state, to love and be faithful to one another, and to bring up their children in the fear of God.

 
  308. Is it a sacrilege to contract marriage in serious sin, or in disobedience to the laws of the Church?
 
 

It is a sacrilege to contract marriage in serious sin, or in disobedience to the laws of the Church, and, instead of a blessing, the guilty parties draw upon themselves the anger of God. For a marriage of a Catholic to be valid there must be present 1. either the Bishop or the Parish Priest, or another Priest duly delegated, and 2. two witnesses.

 
  309.  What is a 'mixed marriage'?
 
 

A 'mixed marriage' is a marriage in which only one partner is a Catholic.

 
  310. Does the Church encourage mixed marriages?
 
 

The Church does not encourage mixed marriages and considers them dangerous.

 
  311. Does the Church sometimes permit mixed marriages?
 
 

The Church sometimes permits mixed marriages by granting a dispensation, and under special conditions.

 
  311a. What does the Catholic partner of a mixed marriage promise?
 
 

The Catholic partner of a mixed marriage promises to do everything possible to preserve the faith and have all children of the marriage baptized and brought up in the Catholic religion.

 
  312. Can any human power dissolve the bond of marriage?
 
 

No human power can dissolve the bond of marriage, because Christ has said: 'What God has joinedtogether, let not man put asunder'. Matt. 19:6