A manual of the Catholic religion for catechists, teachers and self-instruction

Front matter

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I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I

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Preface

readers on a safe and well-tried road. For in preparing this Manual, I made use of a work entitled, " Summa Doctrinoe Christianae," written by me about thirteen years ago. I had the consolation of receiving a letter for it from his Holiness Pope Gregory XVL, in which the Holy Father deigned to express himself thus : " Purissimis fidei catholicse principiis juventutem erudire satagis." The Holy Father, therefore, is pleased to call the principles of religion set forth therein, the purest principles of Catholic faith, and I am confident, that in preparing this Manual, I have not deviated in the ] east from the principles of faith contained in the Latin edition.

Instruction in religious matter is the great want of our time, particularly among the otherwise better educated classes of the laity. The present work is intended to supply this want, to enable every one who is willing to study, and is tit for self-instruction, to render an account of his faith on all occasions, and, in fine, to make people understand what influence faith is to exert on their conduct.

As the book was printed in the absence of the author, some additions were overlooked, and consequently have been added at the end of the work.

Should the Manual obtain a favorable reception from the public, especially the reverend clergy, it will be followed, God willing, by other instructive books which I have written in German for popular instruction, and which are intimately connected with the present work.

May Mary, who is the seat of Divine wisdom, bestow her benign and maternal benediction upon this book and its readers !

Contents

Page

Introduction 9

CHAPTER I. On Faith

Definition and Necessity of Faith 14

Sources of Faith 16

Holy Scripture 16

Tradition 19

The Apostles' Creed 24

First Article of Faith.

Of the Attributes of God , . 25

Of the Trinity of God 31

Of the Creation , 35

Of the Angels 39

Of Man in the State of Original Justice 42

Of Man's Fall, and of Original Sin 44

Of the Exemption of Mary from Original Sin 45

Second Article of Faith.

Jesus Christ the promised Redeemer as to His Mission 50

Jesus Christ the Son of God as to His Person »67

Third Article of Faith.

Jesus Christ both God and Man as to His Nature 63

Fourth Article of Faith.

Jesus Christ the Redeemer of Man, by His Life, Passion and

Death 68

Fifth Article of Faith.

Jesus Christ the Vanquisher of Hell, the Deliverer of the

Just from Limbo, and the glorious Conqueror of Death.. 71

Sixth Article of Faith.

Jesus Christ the King of Glory ascending into Heaven 75

Seventh article of Faith.

Jesih. lirist the Judge of the Living and the Dead 77

Eighth A - cle of Faith.

The h y Ghost the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity 81

6 CONTENTS. •

Page

Ninth Article of Faith.

The Church of Christ : . . 85

Marks of the Church.

The Catholic Church the only true Church 87

The Catholic Church the only Immutable and Infallible

Church 101

Government of the Church.

The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy 102

The Roman Pontiff the Head of the Catholic Church 103

His Infallibility in Deciding on Matters of Faith 105

His Supreme Jurisdiction in Governing the Church. . . . 106

The Communion of the Members of the Church 109

Purgatory 110

The Veneration of Mary and of the Saints 113

" " Holy Pictures and Relics 115

The Catholic Church the only Sanntifying Church 122

Tenth Article of Faith.

The Remission of Sin to the Supernatural and Spiritual Life

of the Soul 126

Eleventh Article of Faith.

The Resurrection of the Body to the Supernatural, Incorruptible Life of the Body 128

Twelfth Article of Faith.

Everlasting Life of the Blessed in Heaven as regards both

soul and body

The Eternal Pains of the Damned in Hell in regard to soul and body. . , 131

CHAPTER II. Hope

Definition and Necessity of Hope 141

Prayer the most sublime Act of Hope 142

The Lord's Prayer \ 146

Explanation of its Seven Petitions 148

Invocation of Mary 163

The Hail Mary 165

Explanation of the Solutions and Petitions contained therein. 166

CHAPTER III. Charity

Definition and Necessity of Charity 171

The Two Principal Commandments of Charity 173

The Ten Commandments 175

The First Commandment 177

" Third " 186

" Fourth " 188

CONTENTS. 7

Page

The Fifth Commandment 199

" Sixth " 202

" Seventh " , 204

" Eighth " 208

" Ninth " 208

" Tenth " 216

The Commandments of the Church .217

The First Commandment 218

" Second " 221

" Third " 224

" Fourth " 227

" Fifth " 230

CHAPTER I. Gkace

Of Grace in general. 231

Of Actual Grace 233

Of Sanctifying Grace 238

CHAPTER II. The Holt Sacraments

Of the Sacraments in general 243

" Sacrament of Baptism 246

" " Confirmation 255

" ' " the Altar or the Holy Eucharist 259

" Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament 260

Of Transubstantion , 261

Of the Offering it up in the Holy Sacrifice in the Mass 263

Of Communion 267

Of Adoration. 275

Of the Sacrament of Penance in general 276

Of Contrition 278

Of Confession 282

Of Satisfaction 297

Of Indulgences * 303

Of Extreme Unction 307

Of Holy Orders 310

ON THE CARE OF SALVATION.

CHAPTER I. The Avoiding* of Evil

Of Sin in general 343

Of tlie Seven Capital Sins 350

" Sins of Participation , 365

" " . against the Holy Ghost 367

" " that cry to Heaven ... 8 370

Atonement for Sin 372

CHAPTER II. Good Works

Of Good "Works in general „ 373

Of Virtue 376

Of the Divine Virtues 376

" Moral Virtues 377

" Four Cardinal Virtues t 377

" Seven Principal Virtues 381

u Eight Beatitudes 581

CHAPTER III. The State of Christian Perfction

Of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost 389

" Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost 392

" Three Evangelical Counsels 392

" practice of exciting Fervor 401

ADDITIONS.

The Jubilee, 405

The Ecclesiastical Year and its Festivals 406

Missions 409

MANUAL

OP

THE CATHOLIC KELIGION.

Introduction

Question. What is Christian doctrine'?

Answer. Christian doctrine is a short, clear, and methodical summary of those truths of faith and morality which every Christian should know, in order to be able to live according to faith ; and to answer the questions proposed to him concerning it.

Q. Who is called a Christian, and is so in the true sense of the word 1

A. He who, after the reception of the sacrament of Baptism, believes in Jesus Christ and his doctrine, and professes the same in the true Church.

Q. Whence is it that we are called Christians 1

A. From Christ, the founder of the faith, and the author of our salvation.

Q. To what does the name of Christian oblige us ?

A. It obliges us to render thanks to God for the inestimable favor of being called to the true faith.

It obliges us to know all that the law of Christ commands us to believe and to do.

It obliges us, moreover, to- lead a life corresponding to this name ; for if any one should pride in the name of Christian, 1*

MANUAL OF THE CATHOLIC RELIGION.

and, nevertheless, live the life of a heathen, such a one would only bear that name for his greater responsibility and condemnation.

And finally, it obliges us to suffer every thing, and to be ready to lay down even our lives for Christ, and for the truth of our holy faith, just as Christ suffered and laid down his life for us.

Q. By what sign, in particular, may we know a Christian ?

A. By the sign of the holy cross, with which he is wont to sign himself, and the use of which dates by constant practice and tradition, from the time of the Apostles.

Q. How do you make the sign of the cross %

A. Whilst signing ourselves, with the right hand, with the sign of the cross, we say : In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. The signing with the sign of the cross is twofold ; namely : If we sign ourselves with the greater sign of the cross, we place* our left hand extended upon the breast, and touch, with the extremities of the fingers of our right, likewise extended, first our forehead, saying : In the name of the Father ; then with the same hand the middle of the breast, saying : and of the Son ; and finally, we pass the hand in*a right line from our left shoulder to the right, saying : and of me Holy Ghost ; and joining our hands, and inclining the head, we say : Amen. When we make the lesser sign of the cross, we also place the left hand upon the breast, as said above, but with the thumb of the right hand we make a small sign of the (>J<) cross upon our forehead, saying : In the name of the Father ; next, in the same manner, a (>J<) cross upon our mouth, saying : and of the Son ; and finally, a (>J<) cross on the middle of our breast, saying : and of the Holy Ghost ; and conclude by joining our hands and saying : Amen.

Q. Why is it that we thus make the sign of the cross ?

A. Signing our forehead, we say : In the name of the Father, because the Father is the first person of the most Holy Trinity. We sign our mouth, while calling upon the Son ; because he is the eternal Word of the Father. Finally, we sign our breast, while calling upon the Holy Ghost, because he is the eternal Love of the Father and the Son, whose salutary unction is poured forth into our hearts by means of sanctifying grace. The signing ourselves with the sign of the cross also reminds us, to offer up all our thoughts, words,

INTRODUCTION.

actions, and desires, for the honor and glory of the most Holy Trinity. But signing ourselves with the greater or so called " Latin" sign of the cross, we pronounce the words : and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, whilst signing ourselves over the breast ; because the Son, coming down from heaven, became man in the womb of the ever blessed Virgin Mary, through the co operation of the Holy Ghost. We pass the hand across the breast, from the left side to the right, because the left signifies the state of sin — the right, that of grace. But Christ brought us from the state of sin to that of grace by means of his redemption on the cross.

Q. Has the signing with the sign of the cross any other significations ?

A. Yes ; for we say, In the " name" and not " in the names" in order to express, by means of the singular number, the unity of God : and the expression " In the name" is significant of the divine power and majesty, which, in all the three divine persons, is one and the same. Whereas the words : of the Fatherland of the Son,and of the Holy Ghost, mark the distinction of the three divine persons in the one and undivided Trinity.

Moreover, because the signing itself is made in the form of a cross, we are put in mind of the Passion, and, consequently, of the Incarnation of the Son of God. And the making of the sign of the cross, from the left to the right, reminds us, as already stated above, that by the Passion of our Lord, we were restored to life again, from the death of sin, and are now called upon to abandon perishable goods for the possession of goods eternal.

Q. Why do we sign ourselves with the sign of the cross %

A. In the first place, to make an open profession of our being Christians, and, indeed, soldiers of ^Christ, who is our chief and leader, and whose victorious banner is the sign of the cross.

2d. We sign ourselves with this sign, in order to call, by means of it, for divine assistance. For the signing with the holy sign of the cross is a short, but at the same time, a powerful invocation of the most Holy Trinity, through the merits of the precious passion of Christ ; on which account pious Christians are wont to arm themselves with this holy sign on all occasions, as in rising from bed, in leaving the house, in sitting down at table, and particularly in any affair

MANUAL 8f THE CATHOLIC RELIGION.

of importance ; and this is the very same practice, to which already in the earliest times of Christianity, St. Cyril (first catechist, afterwards archbishop of Jerusalem,) invited the faithful ; for he says in his thirteenth catechesis : " Let no one be ashamed of professing Christ crucified, but let him, full of confidence, make with his fingers the sign of the cross upon his forehead, and let the sign of the cross be made before every thing we do, as : when food or drink is taken, going out or coming in, lying down and rising, taking a walk or sitting still i, use the sign of the cross often, and with confidence to obtain God's blessing for all your actions.

Finally, make use of the sign of the cross as a weapon against all temptations of the evil spirit ; since, through the cross. Christ has vanquished hell, and accomplished his victory. For, " when the evil spirits," says the same St. Cyril, in his fourth catechesis, perceive this sign of the Supreme King, they are terrified, and take to flight!" By this holy sign, therefore, man may be freed from many dangers of body and soul, if he use it with faith and confidence in the mercy of God manifested thereby, and in the merits of Christ who died upon it.

Practice — Rejoice, in thy vocation to the kingdom of God, and honor the holy sign of the cross, that triumphant banner of faith, hope, and holy love, which waves from Sion of the holy Church. Excite, too, in thy breast the greatest desire, not only to show thyself every where by the use of this sign, as a Christian, but also as one who is perfectly versed in the science of salvation, that, living a true follower of Jesus Christ crucified, thou mayest be saved through Him.

Q. Into how many principal parts may the Christian doctrine be divided ]

A. Into three general parts. For in matters of religion a three-fold question is chiefly to be answered ; and only the Christian doctrine answers it satisfactorily. The first question is : Which is the way that, leads us to eternal life and happiness, our last end ]

2d. Which are the necessary means, and

3d. In what manner, and with what perfection are we to proceed for reaching this end ?

Hence the whole of the Christian doctrine divides itselJ naturally into three principal parts. The first part defines and expounds the way of salvation, and treats of.Christian

INTRODUCTION.

wisdom and justice in general, declaring what and how we are to believe, to hope, and to love, in order to work out our salvation. This part contains, therefore, three chapters, namely : that on Faith, on Hope, and on Christian Charity.

The second part treats of the means of salvation, by the right use of which, we truly walk in the path of faith, hope, and charity, and consequently work out our eternal salvation. This second part is also subdivided into three chapters ; the first, treating of Grace; the second, of the divinely instituted means of Grace, or of the holy Sacraments ; and the third, » of the Sacramentals ; i. e., different practices instituted by the church for the sanctification of the faithful.

The third part treats of the care and solicitude we ought to have concerning our eternal salvation, proposing the manner in which we may- be guided in the practice and acquisition of Christian wisdom and justice, and thus arrive at the height of Christian perfection. The third part is likewise subdivided into three chapters, the first of which lays before us the manner of avoiding evil, the second that of doing good, and the third the virtues of Christian perfection.

In conclusion, we are reminded of those things which should be especially considered, in order that we may carry on the work of salvation with vigilance, and under the guidance of Christian zeal and prudence.

These are the principal parts and divisions of the Christian doctrine which every well-instructed Christian ought to know, in order to show himself worthy of his name, and to be able to give an account of his faith and his practice.

We have chosen to take and to lay down this plan of the Christian doctrine, rather than any other, because it seemed to us to correspond best with man's destiny, and the relation regarding his end. For we are, as the Apostle so earnestly reminds us, and as the whole order of divine providence in the work of our salvation clearly evinces, we are, I say, essentially travellers and pilgrims on the road to our country, to our home, which is heaven. Now, since the order, by which salvation is obtained, points out the way of eternal happiness, and he who journeys in it can only be interested in the three questions mentioned above, to wit : Which is the true way to salvation? Which are the means necessary for obtaining it? and, With what care are they to be employed ? it is plain that the whole Christian doctrine of salvation follows naturally and readily this division.

MANUAL OF THE CATHOLIC RELIGION.

FIRST PART.

THE WAY OF SALVATION.