LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
The following excerpts regarding the Christian life are taken from Archbishop Matthew's A Catechism of Christian Doctrine.
314. WHICH are the theological virtues?
The Theological Virtues are "Faith, Hope, and Charity." (I Corinthians 13:13)
317. Which are the cardinal virtues?
The Cardinal Virtues are "Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance." (Wisdom 8:7)
319. WHICH Are the seven gifts of the Holy ghost?
1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord
(Isaiah 11:2-3)
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord
(Isaiah 11:2-3)
320. WHICH are the twelve fruits of the holy ghost?
1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Benignity (kindness and tolerance)
6. Goodness
7. Longanimity (patient and long suffering)
8. Mildness
9. Faith
10. Modesty
11. Continency (self-control or self-discipline)
12. Chastity (holiness)
(Galatians 5:22)
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Benignity (kindness and tolerance)
6. Goodness
7. Longanimity (patient and long suffering)
8. Mildness
9. Faith
10. Modesty
11. Continency (self-control or self-discipline)
12. Chastity (holiness)
(Galatians 5:22)
321. which are the two great precepts of charity?
1. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength."
2. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
(Mark 12:30-31)
2. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
(Mark 12:30-31)
322. WHICH ARE THE SEVEN CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY?
1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked.
4. To shelter the homeless.
5. To visit the sick.
6. To visit the imprisoned.
7. To bury the dead.
(Matthew 25 & Tobias 12)
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked.
4. To shelter the homeless.
5. To visit the sick.
6. To visit the imprisoned.
7. To bury the dead.
(Matthew 25 & Tobias 12)
323. WHICH ARE THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY?
1. To convert the sinner.
2. To instruct the ignorant.
3. To counsel the doubtful.
4. To comfort the sorrowful.
5. To bear wrongs patiently.
6. To forgive injuries.
7. To pray for the living and the dead.
2. To instruct the ignorant.
3. To counsel the doubtful.
4. To comfort the sorrowful.
5. To bear wrongs patiently.
6. To forgive injuries.
7. To pray for the living and the dead.
324. WHICH ARE THE EIGHT BEATITUDES?
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
3. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecutions for justice's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:3-10)
2. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
3. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecutions for justice's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:3-10)
331. WHICH Are the three EMINENT GOOD WORKS?
The three eminent Good Works are Prayer, Fasting, and Alms-deeds (or giving).
335. what are we bound to do by the rule of life taught by jesus Christ?
By the rule of life taught by Jesus Christ we are bound always to hate sin and to love God.
340. does jesus christ also command us to love one another?
Jesus Christ also commands us to love one another - that is, all persons without exception - for his sake.
342. are we also bound to love our enemies?
We are also bound to love our enemies; not only by forgiving them from our hearts, but also by wishing them well, and praying for them.
347. how are we to follow our blessed Lord?
We are to follow our Blessed Lord by walking in His footsteps and imitating His virtue.
356. HOW SHOULD YOU BEGIN THE DAY?
I should begin the day by making the Sign of the Cross as soon as I awake in the morning, and by saying some short prayer, such as, "O my God, I offer my heart and soul to thee."
358. Should you also attend mass if you have time and opportunity?
I should also attend Mass if I have time and opportunity, for to attend Mass is by far the best and most profitable of all devotions.
359. Is it useful to make daily meditation?
It is useful to make daily meditation, for such was the practice of all the Saints.
361. Ought we frequently to read good books?
We ought to frequently read good books, such as the Holy Gospels [the Scriptures], the Lives of the Saints, and other spiritual works, which nourish our faith and piety, and arm us against the false maxims of the world.
363. Say THE grace before meals?
"Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen."
365. HOW SHOULD YOU SANCtify your ordinary actions and employments of the day?
I should satisfy my ordinary actions and employments of the day by often raising up my heart to God whilst I am about them, and saying some short prayers to Him.
366. what should you do when you find yourself tempted to sin?
When I find myself tempted to sin I should make the Sign of the Cross on my heart and call on God as earnestly as I can, saying, "Lord, save me, or I perish."
367. if you have fallen into sin, what should you do?
If I have fallen into sin I should cast myself in spirit at the feet of Christ, and humbly beg His pardon by a sincere act of contrition.
Acts of Contrition:
"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell,
But most of all because they have offended Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins,
to do penance,
and to amend my life. Amen."
"My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do what is right,
I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things,
I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen."
Acts of Contrition:
"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell,
But most of all because they have offended Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins,
to do penance,
and to amend my life. Amen."
"My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do what is right,
I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things,
I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen."
369. what little prayers would you do well to say often during the day?
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In all things may the most holy, the most just, and the most lovable will of God be done, praised, and exalted above all forever.
Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine; all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.
Praised be Jesus Christ; praised for evermore.
My Jesus, mercy; Mary, help.
In all things may the most holy, the most just, and the most lovable will of God be done, praised, and exalted above all forever.
Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine; all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.
Praised be Jesus Christ; praised for evermore.
My Jesus, mercy; Mary, help.
370. how should you finish the day?
I should finish the day by kneeling down and saying my night prayers.
A Catechism of Christian Doctrine
Archbishop Arnold Harris Matthew, 1915
Bishop William Myers, editor, 2021
Saint Gabriel Theological Press
ISBN: 978-1-68474-326-1
Archbishop Arnold Harris Matthew, 1915
Bishop William Myers, editor, 2021
Saint Gabriel Theological Press
ISBN: 978-1-68474-326-1