The Penny Catechism - Virtues and Vices

CATECHISM FOR BEGINNERS

Virtues and Vices

 313. Which are the Theological Virtues?

The Theological Virtues are 'Faith, Hope, and Charity'. (1 Cor. 13:13)

314. Why are they called Theological Virtues?

They are called Theological Virtues because they relate immediately to God.

315. What are the chief mysteries of Faith which every Christian is bound to know?

The chief mysteries of Faith which every Christian is bound to know are the Unity and Trinity of God, who will render to every man according to his works and the Incarnation, Death and Resurrection of our Saviour.

316. Which are the Cardinal Virtues?

The Cardinal Virtues are 'Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance'. (Wisd. 8:7)

317. Why are they called Cardinal Virtues?

They are called Cardinal Virtues because they are. as it were, the hinges on which all other moral virtues turn.

318. Which are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are: 

1. Wisdom 
2. Understanding
3. Counsel 
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge 
6. Piety 
7. The fear of the Lord. (Is. 11:2.3)

319. Which are the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit?

The twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit are:
1. Charity 
2. Joy
3. Peace 
4. Patience
5. Benignity 
6. Goodness
7. Longanimity 
8. Mildness
9. Faith 
10. Modesty
11. Continency 
12. Chastity. (Gal. 5:22)

320. Which are the two great precepts of Charity? The two great precepts of Charity are:

1. 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength'.
2. You must love your neighbour as yourself. (Mark 12:30,31)

321. Which are the seven Corporal Works of Mercy?

The seven Corporal Works of Mercy are:
1. To feed the hungry. 
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked. 
4. To harbour the harbourless.
5. To visit the sick. 
6. To visit the imprisoned.
7. To bury the dead. (Matt. 25; Tobias 12)

322. Which are the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy?

The seven Spiritual Works of Mercy are:
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 injustice, 
7. To pray for the living and the dead.

323. Which are the eight Beatitudes?

The eight Beatitudes are: 
1. How happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
2. Happy the gentle; for they shall have the earth for their heritage. 
3. Happy those who mourn: they shall he comforted. 
4. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. 
5. Happy the merciful, they shall have mercy shown thern. 
6. Happy the pure in heart, they shall see God. 
7. Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. 
8. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:3-10)

324. Which are the seven capital sins or vices and their contrary virtues?

The seven capital sins or vices and their contrary virtues are: 
1. Pride. 
2. Covetousness. 
3. Lust. 
4. Anger.
5. Gluttony. 
6. Envy.
7. Sloth.

Their contrary virtues are:

1. Humility. 
2. Liberality.
3. Chastity. 
4. Meekness.
5. Temperance. 
6. Brotherly Love.
7. Diligence.

325. Why are they called capital sins?

They are called capital sins because they are the sources from which all other sins take their rise.

326. Which are the six sins against the Holy Spirit?

The six sins against the Holy Spirit are:
1. Presumption.
2. Despair.
3. Resisting the known truth.
4. Envy of another's spiritual good.
5. Obstinacy in sin.
6. Final impenitence.

327. Which are the four sins crying to heaven for vengeance?

The four sins crying to heaven for vengeance are:
1. Wilful murder (Gen. 4)
2. The sin of Sodom (Gen. 18)
3. Oppression of the poor (Exod. 2)
4. Defrauding labourers of their wages (James 5)

328. When are we answerable for the sins of others?

We are answerable for the sins ofothers whenever we either cause or share in them, through our own fault.

329. In how many ways may we either cause or share the guilt of another's sin?

We may either cause or share the guilt of another's sin in nine ways:
1. By counsel. 
2. By command.
3. By consent. 
4. By provocation.
5. By praise or flattery. 
6. By concealment.
7. By being a partner in the sin. 
8. By silence.
9. By defending the ill done.

330. Which are the three eminent Good Works?

The three eminent Good Works are Prayer. Fasting, and Alms deeds.

331. Which are the Evangelical Counsels?

The Evangelical Counsels are voluntary Poverty, perpetual Chastity and entire Obedience.

332. Which are the four last things to be always remembered?

The four last things to be always remembered are: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven.

THE CHRISTIAN'S RULE OF LIFE AND DAILY EXERCISE

Rule of Life

333. What rule of life must we follow if we hope to be saved?

If we hope to be saved, we must follow the rule of life taught by Jesus Christ.

334. 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.

335. How must we hate sin?

We must hate sin above all other evils, so as to be resolved never to commit a wilful sin, for the love or fear of anything whatsoever.

336. How must we love God?

We must love God above all things, and with our whole heart.

337. How must we learn to love God?

We must learn to love God by begging of God to teach us to love him: '0 my God, teach me to love you'.

338. What will the love of God lead us to do?

The love of God will lead us often to think how good God is; often to speak to him in our hearts; and always to seek to please him.

339. 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.

340. How are we to love one another?

We are to love one another by wishing well to one another, and praying for one another; and by never allowing ourselves any thought, word, or deed to the injury of anyone.

341. 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.

342. Has Jesus Christ given us another great rule?

Jesus Christ has given us another great rule in these words: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me'. (Luke 9:23)

343. How are we to deny ourselves?

We are to deny ourselves by giving up our own will, and by going against our own humours, inclinations, and passions.

344. Why are we bound to deny ourselves?

We are bound to deny ourselves because our natural inclinations are prone to evil from our very childhood; and, if not corrected by self-denial, they will certainly carry us to hell.

345. How are we to take up our cross daily?

We are to take up our cross daily by submitting daily with patience to the labours and sufferings of this short life, and by bearing them willingly for the love of God.

346. How are we to follow our Blessed Lord?

We are to follow our Blessed Lord by walking in his footsteps and imitating his virtues.

347. What are the principal virtues we are to learn from our Blessed Lord?

The principal virtues we are to learn from our Blessed Lord are meekness, humility, and obedience.

348. Which are the enemies we must fight against all the days of our life?

The enemies which we must fight against all the days of our life are the devil, the world, and the flesh.

349. What do you mean by the devil?

By the devil I mean Satan and all his wicked angels, who are ever seeking to draw us into sin, that we may be damned with them.

350. What do you mean by the world?

By the world I mean the false maxims of the world and the society of those who love the vanities, riches, and pleasures of this world better than God.

351. Why do you number the devil and the world amongst the enemies of the soul?

I number the devil and the world amongst the enemies of the soul because they are always seeking, by temptation and by word or example, to carry us along with them on the broad road that leads to damnation.

352. What do you mean by the flesh?

By the flesh I mean our own corrupt inclinations and passions, which are the most dangerous of all our enemies.

353. What must we do to hinder the enemies of our soul from drawing us into sin?

To hinder the enemies of our soul from drawing us into sin, we must watch, pray, and fight against all their suggestions and temptations.

354. In the warfare against the devil, the world, and the flesh, on whom must we depend?

In the warfare against the devil, the world, and the flesh we must depend not on ourselves, but on God only: 'There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the one who gives me strength.' (Philippians 4:13)

Daily Exercise

355. 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, 'Oh my God, I offer my heart and soul to you'.

356. How should you rise in the morning?

I should rise in the morning diligently, dress myself modestly, and then kneel down and say my morning prayers.

357. Should you also hear Mass if you have time and opportunity?

I should also hear Mass if I have time and opportunity. for to hear Mass is by far the best and most profitable of all devotions.

358. Is it useful to make daily meditation?

It is useful to make daily meditation, for such was the practice of all the Saints.

359. On what ought we to meditate?

We ought to rneditate especially on the four last things, and the Life and Passion of our Blessed Lord.

360. Ought we frequently to read good books?

We ought frequently to read good books, such as the Holy Gospels, 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.

361. And what should you do as to your eating, drinking, sleeping, and amusements?

As to my eating, drinking, sleeping, and amusements, I should use all these things with moderation, and with a desire to please God.

362. Say the grace before meals.

'Bless us, 0 Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.'

363. Say the grace after meals.

'We give you thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who live and reign, world without end. + May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.'

364. How should you sanctify your ordinary actions and employments of the day?

I should sanctify 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 prayer to him.

80 A CATECHISM OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

365. 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'.

366. 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.

367. When God sends you any cross, or sickness, or pain, what should you say?

When God sends me any cross, or sickness, or pain, I should say, 'Lord, your will be done; I take this for my sins'.

368. What prayers would you do well to say often to yourself during the day?

I should do well to say often to myself during the day such prayers as: 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 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 for ever.

Oh Sacrament most holy, Oh Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine. Praised be Jesus Christ, praised for evermore. 

My Jesus, mercy; Mary, help.

369. How should you finish the day?

I should finish the day by kneeling down and saying my night prayers.

370. After your night prayers what should you do?

After my night prayers I should observe due modesty in going to bed; occupy myself with the thoughts of death; and endeavour to compose myself to rest at the foot of the Cross, and give my last thoughts to my crucified Saviour.

Image Credit Waiting for the Word