The Penny Catechism - Hope and Grace

 

CATECHISM FOR BEGINNERS

Hope and Grace

  

135. Will Faith alone save us?

Faith alone will not save us without good works; we must also have Hope and Charity.

136. What is Hope?

Hope is a supernatural gift of God, by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and all means necessary to obtain it, if we do what he requires of us.

137. Why must we hope in God?

We must hope in God because he is infinitely good, infinitely powerful, and faithful to his promises.

138. Can we do any good work of ourselves towards our salvation?

We can do no good work of ourselves towards our salvation; we need the help of God's grace.

139. What is Grace?

Grace is a supernatural gift of God, freely bestowed upon us for our sanctification and salvation.

140. How must we obtain God's grace?

We must obtain God's grace chiefly by prayer and the holy Sacraments.

Prayer

141. What is prayer?

Prayer is the raising up of the mind and heart to God.

142. How do we raise up our mind and heart to God?

We raise up our mind and heart to God by thinking of God; by adoring, praising, and thanking him; and by begging of him all blessings for soul and body.

143. Do those pray well who, at their prayers, think neither of God nor of what they say?

Those who, at their prayers, think neither of God nor of what they say, do not pray well; but they offend God, if their distractions are wilful.

144. Which is the best of all prayers?

The best of all prayers is the 'Our Father', or the Lord's Prayer.

145. Who made the Lord's Prayer?

Jesus Christ himself made the Lord's Prayer.

146. Say the Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; 
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

147. In the Lord's Prayer who is called 'our Father'?

In the Lord's prayer God is called 'our Father'.

148. Why is God called 'our Father'?

God is called 'our Father' because he is the Father of all Christians, whom he has made his children by Holy Baptism.

149. Is God also the Father of all mankind?

God is also the Father of all mankind because he made them all. and loves and preserves them all.

150. Why do we say, 'our' Father, and not 'my' Father?

We say 'our' Father, and not 'my' Father, because, being all brethren, we are to pray not for ourselves only, but also for all others.

151. When we say, 'hallowed be thy name', what do we pray for?

When we say, 'hallowed be thy name', we pray that God may be known, loved, and served by all his creatures.

152. When we say, 'thy Kingdom come', what do we pray for?

When we say, 'thy kingdom come', we pray that God may come and reign in the hearts of all by his grace in this world, and bring us all hereafter to his heavenly kingdom.

153. When we say, 'thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven', what do we pray for?

When we say, 'thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven', we pray that God may enable us, by his grace, to do his will in all things, as the Blessed do in heaven.

154. When we say, 'give us this day our daily bread', what do we pray for?

When we say, 'give us this day our daily bread' we pray that God may give us daily all that is necessary for soul and body.

155. When we say 'forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us', what do we pray for?

When we say, 'forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us', we pray that God may forgive us our sins, as we forgive others the injuries they do to us.

156. When we say, 'lead us not into temptation', what do we pray for?

When we say, 'lead us not into temptation' we pray that God may give us grace not to yield to temptation.

157. When we say, 'deliver us from evil', what do we pray for?

When we say, 'deliver us from evil', we pray that God may free us from all evil, both of soul and body.

158. Should we ask the Angels and Saints to pray for us?

We should ask the Angels and Saints to pray for us, because they are our friends and brethren, and because their prayers have great power with God.

159. How can we show that the Angels and Saints know what passes on earth?

We can show that the Angels and Saints know what passes on earth from the words of Christ: 'There shall be joy before the Angels of God upon one sinner doing penance'. (Luke 15:10)

160. What is the chief prayer to the Blessed Virgin which the Church uses?

The chief prayer to the Blessed Virgin which the Church uses is the Hail Mary.

161. Say the Hail Mary.

Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

162. Who made the first part of the Hail Mary?

The Angel Gabriel and St Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, made the first part of the Hail Mary.

163. Who made the second part of the Hall Mary?

The Church of God, guided by the Holy Spirit, made the second part of the Hail Mary.

164. Why should we frequently say the Hail Mary?

We should frequently say the Hail Mary to put us in mind of the Incarnation of the Son of God: and to honour our Blessed Lady, the Mother of God.

165. Have we another reason for often saying the Hail Mary?

We have another reason for often saying the Hail Mary - to ask our Blessed Lady to pray for us sinners at all times, but especially at the hour of our death.

166. Why does the Catholic Church show great devotion to the Blessed Virgin?

The Catholic Church shows great devotion to the Blessed Virgin because she is the Immaculate Mother of God.

167. How is the Blessed Virgin Mother of God?

The Blessed Virgin is Mother of God because Jesus Christ, her son, who was born of her as man, is not only man, but is also truly God.

168. Is the Blessed Virgin our Mother also?

The Blessed Virgin is our Mother also because, being the brethren of Jesus, we are the children of Mary.

168a. What do we mean by the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin?

By the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin we mean that by the power of God, Mary, at the completion of her life, was taken body and soul into everlasting glory to reign as Queen of heaven and earth.

168b. Is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin an article of Faith?

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is an article of Faith because it has been solemnly defined by the infallible authority of the Church.

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