Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests

 INTRODUCTORY

 The Necessity Of Religious Instruction

 Need of an Authoritative Catholic Catechism

 The Nature of this Work

 The Ends of Religious Instruction

 Knowledge Of Christ

 Observance Of The Commandments

 Love Of God

 The Means Required for Religious Instruction

 Instruction Should Be Accommodated To The Capacity Of The Hearer

 Zeal

 Study Of The Word Of God

 Division of this Catechism

 How This Work Is To Be Used

 Faith

 Necessity Of Faith

 Unity Of Faith

 The Creed

 Division Of The Creed

 ARTICLE I : I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

 Meaning Of This Article

 I Believe

 Faith Excludes Doubt

 Faith Excludes Curiosity

 Faith Requires Open Profession

 In God

 Knowledge Of God More Easily Obtained Through Faith Than Through Reason

 Knowledge Of God Obtained Through Faith Is Clearer

 Knowledge Of God Obtained Through Faith Is More Certain

 Knowledge Of God Obtained Through Faith Is More Ample And Exalted

 The Unity Of Nature In God

 The Trinity Of Persons In God

 The Father

 God Is Called Father Because He Is Creator And Ruler

 God Is Called Father Because He Adopts Christians Through Grace

 The Name Father Also Discloses The Plurality Of Persons In God

 The Doctrine Of The Trinity

 Practical Admonitions Concerning The Mystery Of The Trinity

 Almighty

 Meaning Of The Term Almighty

 Why Omnipotence Alone Is Mentioned In The: Creed

 Advantages Of Faith In God's Omnipotence

 Not Three Almighties But One Almighty

 Creator

 Of Heaven and Earth

 Creation Of The World Of Spirits

 Formation Of The Universe

 Production Of Man

 Of all Things Visible and Invisible

 God Preserves, Rules And Moves All Created Things

 Creation Is The Work Of The Three Persons

 ARTICLE II : AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD

 Advantages Of Faith In This Article

 Necessity Of Faith In This Article

 Jesus

 Christ

 ARTICLE III : WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY GHOST, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY

 Importance Of This Article

 First Part of this Article:

 Who was Conceived,

 By the Holy Ghost

 Second Part Of This Article: Born Of The Virgin Mary

 The Nativity Of Christ Transcends The Order Of Nature

 Christ Compared to Adam Mary to Eve

 Types and Prophecies of the Conception and Nativity

 Lessons which this Article Teaches

 ARTICLE IV : SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD, AND BURIED'

 Importance Of This Article

 First Part of this Article: 'Suffered Under Pontius Pilate, was Crucified,

 Suffered,

 Under Pontius Pilate

 Was Crucified

 Importance Of The History Of The Passion

 Figures And Prophecies Of The Passion And Death Of The Saviour

 Second Part Of This Article: Dead, And Buried

 Christ Really Died

 Christ Died Freely

 The Thought Of Christ's Death Should Excite Our Love And Gratitude

 Christ Was Really Buried

 Circumstances Of Christ's Burial

 Useful Considerations on the Passion

 The Dignity Of The Sufferer

 Reasons Why Christ Suffered

 Christ Was Delivered Over To Death By The Father And By Himself

 The: Bitterness Of Christ's Passion

 Fruits Of Christ's Passion

 Christ's Passion, -- A Satisfaction, A Sacrifice, A Redemption An Example

 Admonition

 ARTICLE V : HE DESCENDED INTO HELL, THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD

 Importance Of This Article

 First Part of this Article: He Descended into Hell

 Hell

 He Descended

 Why He Descended into Hell

 Second Part of this Article: The Third Day He arose again from the Dead

 He arose Again

 From the Dead

 The Third Day

 According to the Scriptures

 Three Useful Considerations on this Article

 Signs Of Spiritual Resurrection

 ARTICLE VI : HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, SITTETH AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY

 Importance Of This Article

 First Part of this Article: He Ascended into Heaven

 Into Heaven

 He Ascended

 Second Part of this Article: Sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty

 At the Right Hand

 Sitteth

 Reflections on the Ascension:

 Its History

 Greatness Of This Mystery

 Reasons Of The Ascension

 Results Of The Ascension

 Virtues Promoted By The Ascension.

 The Ascension Benefits The Church And The Individual

 ARTICLE VII : FROM THENCE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

 Meaning Of This Article

 From Thence He Shall Come

 To Judge the Living and the Dead

 Two Judgments

 Reasons For General Judgment

 This Truth has Rightly been made an Article of the Creed

 Circumstances of the Judgment:

 The Judge

 Signs Of The General Judgment

 The Sentence Of The Just

 The Sentence Of The Wicked

 Importance of Instruction on this Article

 ARTICLE VIII : I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GHOST

 Importance Of This Article

 Holy Ghost

 I Believe in the Holy Ghost

 The Holy Ghost Is Equal To The Father And The Son

 The Holy Ghost Is Distinct From The Father And The Son

 The Lord

 Life­Giver

 Who Proceedeth from the Father and the Son

 Certain Divine Works are Appropriated to the Holy Ghost

 Creation, Government, Life

 The Seven Gifts

 Justifying Grace

 ARTICLE IX : I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

 The Importance Of This Article

 First Part Of This Article : I Believe In The Holy Catholic Church

 Church

 Mysteries Which The Word Church Comprises

 Other Names Given The Church In Scripture

 The Parts of the Church

 Other Uses of the Word Church

 The Marks Of The Church

 Figures of the Church

 I Believe the Holy Catholic Church

 Second Part of this Article: The Communion of Saints

 Meaning of The Communion of Saints

 Communion Of Sacraments

 Communion Of Good Works

 Those Who Share In This Communion

 Communion In Other Blessings

 ARTICLE X : THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS

 Importance Of This Article

 The Church Has the Power of Forgiving Sins

 Extent of this Power:

 Greatness of this Power

 Sin Can Be Forgiven Only By The Power Of God

 This Power Communicated To None Before Christ

 Sin Remitted Through The Blood Of Christ

 The Great Evil From Which Forgiveness Delivers Man

 Exhortation:

 This Remedy To Be Used

 Abuse To Be Guarded Against

 ARTICLE XI : THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY

 Importance Of This Article

 The Resurrection of the Body

 The Fact of the Resurrection:

 Examples And Proofs Derived From Scripture

 Analogies From Nature

 Arguments Drawn From Reason

 All Shall Rise

 The Body Shall Rise Substantially the Same

 Restoration Of All That Pertains To The Nature And Adornment Of The Body

 Restoration Of All That Pertains To The Integrity Of The Body

 The Condition of the Risen Body Shall be Different

 Immortality

 The Qualities Of A Glorified Body

 Advantages of Deep Meditation on this Article

 ARTICLE XII : LIFE EVERLASTING

 Importance Of This Article

 Life Everlasting

 Everlasting

 Life

 Negative and Positive Elements of Eternal Life

 The Negative

 The Positive

 Essential Happiness

 The Light Of Glory

 The Beatific Vision

 An Illustration Of This Truth

 Accessory Happiness

 Glory

 Honour

 Peace

 How to Arrive at the Enjoyment of this Happiness

 PART II : THE SACRAMENTS

 Importance Of Instruction On The Sacraments

 The Word Sacrament

 Definition of a Sacrament

 A Sacrament is a Sign

 Proof From Reason

 Proof From Scripture

 Sign of a Sacred Thing : Kind of Sign Meant Here

 Natural Signs

 Signs Invented By Man,

 Signs Instituted By God

 Kind of Sacred Thing Meant Here

 Other Sacred Things Signified By The Sacraments

 All The Sacraments Signify Something Present, Something Past, Something Future:

 A Sacrament Sometimes Signifies The Presence Of More Than One Thing

 Why the Sacraments were Instituted

 Constituent Parts of the Sacraments

 Ceremonies Used in the Administration of the Sacraments

 The Number Of The Sacraments

 Comparisons among the Sacraments

 The Author of the Sacraments

 The Ministers of the Sacraments

 Unworthiness Of The Minister And Validity

 Lawfulness Of Administration

 Effects of the Sacraments

 First Effect: Justifying Grace

 Second Effect: Sacramental Character

 How to Make Instruction on the Sacraments Profitable

 THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

 Importance Of Instruction On Baptism

 Names of this Sacrament

 Definition Of Baptism

 Constituent Elements Of Baptism

 Matter of Baptism

 Testimony Of Scripture Concerning The Matter Of Baptism

 Figures

 Prophecies

 Fitness

 Chrism Added To Water For Solemn Baptism

 Form of Baptism

 Words Of The Form

 Essential And Non­Essential Words Of The Form

 Baptism In The Name Of Christ

 Administration of Baptism

 Institution Of Baptism

 Baptism Instituted At Christ's Baptism

 Baptism Made Obligatory After Christ's Resurrection

 Reflection

 The Ministers of Baptism

 Bishops And Priests The Ordinary Ministers

 Deacons Extraordinary Ministers Of Baptism

 Ministers In Case Of Necessity

 The Sponsors at Baptism

 Why Sponsors Are Required At Baptism

 Antiquity Of This Law

 Affinity Contracted By Sponsors

 Duties Of Sponsors

 Who May Not Be Sponsors

 Number Of Sponsors

 Necessity of Baptism

 Infant Baptism: It's Necessity

 Infants Receive The Graces Of Baptism

 Baptism Of Infants Should Not Be Delayed

 Baptism Of Adults

 They Should Not Delay Their Baptism Unduly

 Ordinarily They Are Not Baptised At Once

 In Case Of Necessity Adults May Be: Baptised At Once

 Dispositions for Baptism

 Intention

 Faith

 Repentance

 Advantages To Be Derived From These Reflections

 Effects of Baptism

 First Effect Of Baptism: Remission Of Sin

 The Second Effect Of Baptism: Remission Of All Punishment Due To Sin

 Third Effect Of Baptism: Grace Of Regeneration

 Fourth Effect Of Baptism: Infused Virtues And Incorporation With Christ

 Fifth Effect Of Baptism: Character Of Christian

 Baptism Not To Be Repeated

 Sixth Effect Of Baptism: Opening The Gates Of Heaven

 Effects Of Baptism Foreshadowed In The Baptism Of Christ

 Measure In Which Those Effects Are Obtained

 Ceremonies of Baptism

 Their Importance

 Three Classes Of Ceremonies In Baptism

 Ceremonies That Are Observed Before Coming To The Font: Consecration Of Baptismal Water

 The Ceremonies Observed After Coming To The Font

 The Ceremonies That Follow Baptism: Chrism

 Recapitulation

 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

 Importance Of Instruction On Confirmation

 Name of this Sacrament

 Confirmation is a Sacrament

 Confirmation is Distinct from Baptism

 Institution of Confirmation

 Component Parts of Confirmation

 The Matter

 The Remote Matter Of Confirmation Is Chrism

 The Appropriateness Of Chrism

 Chrism To Be Consecrated By The Bishop

 The Form Of Confirmation

 Minister of Confirmation

 Sponsors at Confirmation

 The Subject of Confirmation

 All Should Be Confirmed

 The Proper Age For Confirmation

 Dispositions For Receiving Confirmation

 The Effects of Confirmation

 The Grace Of Strength

 Increase In Grace

 Character Of Soldier Of Christ

 Ceremonies Of Confirmation

 The Anointing Of The Forehead

 The Sign Of The Cross

 Time When Confirmation Should Be Conferred

 The Slap On The Cheek

 The Pax

 Admonition

 THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST

 Importance Of Instruction On The Eucharist

 Institution of the Eucharist

 Meaning of the Word Eucharist

 Other Names Of This Sacrament

 The Eucharist Is a Sacrament Properly So Called

 In What Respect The Eucharist Is A Sacrament

 How The Eucharist Differs From All The Other Sacraments

 The Eucharist Is But One Sacrament

 The Eucharist Signifies Three Things

 Constituent Parts of the Eucharist

 The Matter

 Form Of The Eucharist

 Three Mysteries Of The Eucharist

 The Mystery of the Real Presence

 The Mystery of Transubstantiation

 The Mystery of the Accidents without a Subject

 The Effects of the Eucharist

 The Eucharist Contains Christ And Is The Food Of The Soul

 The Eucharist Gives Grace

 The Grace Of The Eucharist Sustains

 The Grace Of The Eucharist Invigorates And Delights

 The Eucharist Remits Venial Sins

 The Eucharist Strengthens Against Temptation

 The Eucharist Facilitates The Attainment Of Eternal Life

 How The Effects Of The Eucharist May Be Developed And Illustrated

 Recipient of the Eucharist

 Threefold Manner Of Communicating

 Necessity Of Previous Preparation For Communion

 Preparation Of Soul

 Preparation Of Body

 The Obligation of Communion

 How Often Must Communion Be Received?

 The Church Desires The Faithful To Communicate Daily

 The Church Commands The Faithful To Communicate Once A Year

 Who Are Obliged By The Law Of Communion

 The Rite of Administering Communion

 Why The Celebrant Alone Receives Under Both Species

 The Minister of the Eucharist

 Only Priests Have Power To Consecrate And Administer The Eucharist

 The Laity Prohibited To Touch The Sacred Vessels

 The Unworthiness Of The Minister Does Not Invalidate The Sacrament

 The Eucharist as a Sacrifice

 Importance Of Instruction On The Mass

 Distinction of Sacrament and Sacrifice

 The Mass Is a True Sacrifice

 Proof From The Council Of Trent

 Proof From Scripture

 Excellence of the Mass

 The Mass Is The Same Sacrifice As That Of The Cross

 The Mass A Sacrifice Of Praise, Thanksgiving And Propitiation

 The Mass Profits Both The Living And The Dead

 The Rites and ceremonies of the Mass

 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

 Importance Of Instruction On This Sacrament

 Different Meanings of the Word Penance

 The Virtue of Penance

 Meaning Of Penance

 Penance Proved To Be A Virtue

 The Steps Which Lead Up To This Virtue

 Fruits Of This Virtue

 Penance as a Sacrament

 Why Christ Instituted This Sacrament

 Penance Is a Sacrament

 This Sacrament May Be Repeated

 The Constituent Parts of Penance

 The Matter

 The Form Of Penance

 The Rites Observed in the Sacrament of Penance

 Effects of the Sacrament of Penance

 The Necessity of the Sacrament of Penance

 The Three Integral Parts of Penance

 Their Existence

 Their Nature

 Necessity Of These Integral Parts

 The First Part of Penance

 Contrition

 The Meaning Of Contrition

 Contrition Is A Detestation Of Sin

 Contrition Produces Sorrow

 Names Of Sorrow For Sin

 Qualities of Sorrow for Sin

 It Should Be Supreme

 Sorrow For Sin Should Be Intense

 Sorrow For Sin Should Be Universal

 Conditions Required for Contrition

 Detestation Of Sin

 Intention Of Confession And Satisfaction

 Purpose Of Amendment

 Reasons For These Conditions

 Forgiveness Of Injuries

 The Effects of Contrition

 Means of Arousing True Contrition

 The Second Part of Penance

 Confession

 Necessity Of Confession

 Advantages Of Confession

 Definition Of Confession

 Confession Instituted By Christ

 Rites Added By The Church

 The Law of Confession

 Proof Of The Obligation

 The Age At Which The Law Of Confession Obliges

 At What Time The Law Of Confession Obliges

 The Qualities of Confession

 Confession Should Be Entire

 Sins Concealed

 Sins Forgotten

 Confession Should Be Plain, Simple, Sincere

 Confession Should Be Prudent, Modest, Brief

 Confession Should Be Made Privately And Often

 The Minister of the Sacrament of Penance

 The Usual Minister

 The Minister In Danger Of Death

 Qualifications Of The Minister

 The Confessor Must Observe The Seal Of Confession

 Duties of the Confessor towards Various Classes of Penitents

 The Well Disposed Should Be Exhorted To Thanksgiving And Perseverance

 The Indisposed Should Be Helped

 Those Who Seek To Excuse Their Sins Should Be Corrected

 Those Who Are Ashamed To Confess Their Sins Should Be Instructed

 The Careless Should Be Rebuked

 The Unprepared Should Be Dismissed Or Led To Good Disposition

 The Pastor Should Show The Wrong Of Human Respect

 The Third Part of Penance

 Satisfaction

 General Meaning Of The Word Satisfaction,

 Various Kinds Of Satisfaction To God

 Elements Of Sacramental Satisfaction

 Necessity Of Satisfaction

 Advantages of Satisfaction

 It Is Required By God's Justice And Mercy

 Satisfaction Atones To The Church

 Satisfaction Deters Others From Sin

 By Satisfaction We Are Made Like Unto Christ

 Satisfaction Heals The Wounds Of Sin

 Satisfaction Disarms The Divine Vengeance

 Source of the Efficacy of Satisfactory Works

 Conditions for Satisfaction

 Works Of Satisfaction Are Of Three Kinds

 One Can Satisfy For Another

 Duties of the Confessor as Regards Satisfaction

 Restitution Must Be Insisted On

 Quantity And Quality Of Penances Should Be Reasonable

 Voluntary Works Of Penance Should Be Recommended

 Admonition

 THE SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION

 Importance Of Instruction On Extreme Unction

 Names of this Sacrament

 Extreme Unction Is a True Sacrament

 Extreme Unction Is But One Sacrament

 Essential Parts of Extreme Unction

 The Matter Of Extreme Unction

 The Form Of Extreme Unction

 The Ceremonies Of Extreme Unction

 Institution of Extreme Unction

 The Subject of Extreme Unction

 The Subject Must Be In Danger Of Death

 The Danger Must Arise From Sickness

 The Person Anointed Must Have Attained The Use Of Reason

 Administration of Extreme Unction

 Dispositions for the Reception of Extreme Unction

 The Minister of Extreme Unction

 The Effects of Extreme Unction

 Admonition

 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS

 Importance Of Instruction On This Sacrament

 Dignity of this Sacrament

 Requirements in Candidates for Orders

 Holiness, Knowledge, Prudence

 Divine Call

 Right Intention

 The Twofold Power Conferred by this Sacrament

 The Power Of Orders

 Greatness Of This Power

 Names of this Sacrament

 Holy Orders Is a Sacrament

 Number of Orders

 Tonsure

 The Name Cleric

 Origin And Meaning Of Tonsure

 The Minor Orders

 Porter

 Reader

 Exorcist

 Acolyte

 The Major Orders

 Subdeacon

 Deacon

 Priest

 Twofold Priesthood

 The Internal Priesthood

 The External Priesthood

 Functions of the Priesthood

 Degrees of the Priesthood

 Priests

 Bishops

 Archbishops

 Patriarchs

 The Pope

 The Minister of Holy Orders

 The Recipient of Holy Orders

 Qualifications for the Priesthood

 Holiness Of Life

 Competent Knowledge

 Canonical Fitness

 Effects of Holy Orders

 Admonition

 THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

 Importance Of Instruction On This Sacrament

 Nature and Meaning of Marriage

 Names Of This Sacrament

 Definition Of Matrimony

 Essence And Cause Of Marriage

 The Kind of Consent Required in Matrimony

 Mutual

 External

 Present

 The Essence of Marriage Constituted by the Consent

 Twofold Consideration of Marriage

 Marriage As A Natural Contract

 Instituted By God

 Marriage Is Indissoluble By Divine Law

 Marriage Not Obligatory On All

 The Motives And Ends Of Marriage

 Marriage Considered as a Sacrament

 Marriage Is A Sacrament

 Marriage before Christ

 It Was Not A Sacrament

 Before Christ Marriage Had Fallen From Its Primitive Unity And Indissolubility

 Christ Restored to Marriage its Primitive Qualities

 Unity Of Marriage

 Indissolubility Of Marriage

 Advantages Of Indissolubility

 The Three Blessings of Marriage

 Offspring

 Fidelity

 Sacrament

 The Duties of Married People

 Duties Of A Husband

 Duties Of A Wife

 The Law of the Church on Marriage

 The Rite To Be Observed

 The Impediments Of Marriage

 The Recipient of Matrimony

 Dispositions With Which The Sacrament Is To Be Approached

 Consent Of Parents

 The Use Of Marriage

 PART III: THE DECALOGUE

 Importance Of Instruction On The Commandments

 Motives for Observing the Commandments

 God Is The Giver Of The Commandments

 The Commandments Were Proclaimed With Great Solemnity

 The Observance Of The Commandments Is Not Difficult

 The Observance Of The Commandments Is Necessary

 The Observance Of The Commandments Is Attended By Many Blessings

 God's Goodness Invites Us To Keep His Commandments

 The Promulgation of the Law

 The People To Whom The Law Was Given

 Epitome Of Jewish History

 Lessons To Be Drawn From Jewish History

 The Time And Place In Which The Law Was Promulgated

 THE FIRST COMMANDMENT : I am the lord thy god, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of . Thou shalt not have strange gods befo

 I am the Lord thy God

 Who Brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the House of

 Thou shalt not have Strange Gods before Me

 The Above Words Contain A Command And A Prohibition

 What They Command

 What They Forbid

 Importance Of This Commandment

 Sins Against This Commandment

 Veneration And Invocation Of Angels And Saints Not Forbidden By This Commandment

 It Is Lawful To Honour And Invoke The Angels

 It Is Lawful To Honour And Invoke The Saints

 Objections Answered

 The Honour And Invocation Of Saints Is Approved By Miracles

 The Above Words Do Not Forbid All Images

 They Forbid Idols And Representations Of The Deity

 They Do Not Forbid Representations Of The Divine Persons And Angels

 They Do Not Forbid Images Of Christ And The Saints

 Usefulness Of Sacred Images

 How The Sanction Contained In The Above Words Should Be Proposed

 Mighty

 Jealous

 Zeal In The Service Of God

 Visiting The Iniquity, Etc.

 And Showing Mercy, Etc.

 Of Them That Hate Me

 Of Them That Love Me

 THE SECOND COMMANDMENT: Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy god in vain

 Why This Commandment Is Distinct From The First

 Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment

 Positive Part of this Commandment

 Various Ways Of Honouring God's Name

 Public Profession Of Faith

 Respect For The Word Of God

 Praise And Thanksgiving

 Prayer

 Oaths

 Meaning Of An Oath

 Oaths Are Affirmatory And Promissory

 Conditions Of A Lawful Oath

 First Condition: Truth

 Second Condition: Judgment

 Third Condition: Justice

 Lawfulness Of Oaths

 An Objection Against Oaths

 Negative Part of this Commandment

 Various Ways In Which Cod's Name Is Dishonoured: False Oaths

 Unjust Oaths

 Rash Oaths

 Oaths By False Gods

 Irreverent Speech

 Neglect Of Prayer

 Blasphemy

 Sanction of this Commandment

 THE THIRD COMMANDMENT: Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy works but on the seventh day is the

 Reasons For This Commandment

 Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment

 How The Third Differs From The Other Commandments

 How The Third Is Like The Other Commandments

 The Jewish Sabbath Changed To Sunday By The Apostles

 Four Parts Of This Commandment

 First Part of this Commandment

 Remember

 Sabbath

 Keep Holy

 Second Part of this Commandment

 The Seventh Day Is The Sabbath Of The Lord Thy God

 Other Festivals Observed By The Jews

 The Sabbath, Why Changed To Sunday

 Other Festivals Observed By The Church

 Six Days Shalt Thou Labour And Do All Thy Work

 Third Part of this Commandment

 Works Forbidden

 Works Permitted

 Why Animals Are Not To Be Employed On The Sabbath

 Works Commanded Or Recommended

 Motives for the Observance of this Commandment

 Reasonableness Of This Duty

 The Observance Of This Commandment Brings Many Blessings

 Neglect Of This Commandment A Great Crime

 THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT : Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest be long lived upon the land which the lord thy god will give thee.

 Relative Importance Of The Preceding And The Following Commandments

 Importance Of Instruction On The Fourth Commandment

 The Two Tables Of The Law

 Explanation of the Fourth Commandment: Honour

 Thy Father

 Why Parents Should Be Honoured

 And Thy Mother

 Manner Of Honouring Parents

 Manner Of Honouring Other Superiors

 The Honour Due To Bishops And Priests

 The Honour Due To Civil Rulers

 'That Thou Mayest be Long­lived, etc.

 Reward Promised For Observance Of This Commandment

 Why This Reward Is Not Always Conferred On Dutiful Children

 Punishment For Violation Of This Commandment

 Duties of Parents Towards their Children

 Three Things To Be Avoided By Parents

 THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT : Thou shalt not kill

 Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment

 Two Parts Of This Commandment

 The Prohibitory Part of this Commandment

 Exceptions: The Killing Of Animals

 Execution Of Criminals

 Killing In A Just War

 Killing By Accident

 Killing In Self­Defence

 Negative Part Of This Commandment Forbids Murder And Suicide

 Sinful Anger Is Also Forbidden By The Fifth Commandment

 Remedies Against The Violation Of This Commandment

 Positive Part of this commandment

 Love Of Neighbour Inculcated

 Charity To All Commanded

 Patience, Beneficence And Mildness Commanded

 Forgiveness Of Injuries Commanded

 How to Persuade Men to Forgive Injuries

 All We Have To Endure Comes From God

 Advantages Of Forgiveness

 Disadvantages Of Revenge

 Remedies Against Hatred

 THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT : Thou shalt not commit adultery

 The Position Of This Commandment In The Decalogue Is Most Suitable

 Importance Of Careful Instruction On This Commandment

 Two Parts Of This Commandment

 What this Commandment Prohibits

 Adultery Forbidden

 Other Sins Against Chastity Are Forbidden

 Why Adultery Is Expressly Mentioned

 What this Commandment Prescribes

 Purity Enjoined

 Reflections which Help one to Practice Purity

 Impurity Excludes From Heaven

 Impurity Is A Filthy Sin

 Adultery Is A Grave Injustice

 Adultery Is Disgraceful

 Impurity Severely Punished

 Impurity Blinds The Mind And Hardens The Heart

 means of practicing purity

 Avoidance Of Idleness

 Temperance

 Custody Of The Eyes

 Avoidance Of Immodest Dress

 Avoidance Of Impure Conversation, Reading, Pictures

 Frequentation Of The Sacraments

 Mortification

 THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT : Thou shalt not steal

 Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment

 This Commandment A Proof Of The Love Of God Towards Us And A Claim On Our Gratitude

 Two Parts Of This Commandment

 Negative Part of this Commandment

 Stealing Forbidden

 Theft And Robbery Forbidden

 Various Names Given To Stealing

 Desire Of Stealing Forbidden

 Gravity Of The Sin Of Stealing

 The Chief Kinds Of Stealing

 Various Forms Of Theft

 Various Forms Of Robbery

 THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT : Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour

 Importance Of Instruction On This Commandment

 This Commandment Should Call Forth Our Gratitude

 Two Parts Of This Commandment

 Negative Part Of This Commandment

 Against Thy Neighbour

 False Testimony In Favour Of A Neighbour Is Also Forbidden

 Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness

 All Falsehoods In Lawsuits Are Forbidden

 False Testimony Out Of Court Is Forbidden

 This Commandment Forbids Detraction

 Various Kinds Of Detraction

 This Commandment Forbids Flattery

 This Commandment Forbids Lies Of All Kinds

 This Commandment Forbids Hypocrisy

 Positive Part of this Commandment

 Judges Must Pass Sentence According To Law And Justice

 Witnesses Must Give Testimony Truthfully

 Lawyers And Plaintiffs Must Be Guided By Love Of Justice

 All Must Speak Truthfully And With Charity

 Inducements To Truthfulness

 How To Avoid Lying

 Excuses for Lying Refuted

 The Plea Of Prudence

 The Plea Of Revenge

 The Pleas Of Frailty, Habit, And Bad. Example

 The Pleas Of Convenience, Amusement, And Advantage

 THE NINTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS : Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house: neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his hand­maid

 Importance Of Instruction On These Two Commandments

 Why These Two Commandments Are Explained Here Together

 Necessity Of Promulgating These Two Commandments

 These Two Commandments Teach God's Love For Us And Our Need Of Him

 Two Parts Of These Commandments

 Negative Part

 Thou Shalt Not Covet

 What Sort Of Concupiscence Is Not Forbidden

 What Sort Of Concupiscence Is Here Prohibited

 Two Kinds Of Sinful Concupiscence

 The Various Objects We Are Forbidden To Covet

 Thy Neighbour's House

 Nor His Ox, Nor His Ass'

 Nor His Servant

 Thy Neighbour's

 Goods For Sale Not Included Under This Prohibition

 His Wife

 Positive Part

 Detachment From Riches Enjoined

 The Desire Of Heavenly And Spiritual Things Enjoined

 Thoughts which Help one to Keep these Commandments

 Chief Ways in which These two Commandments are Violated

 PART IV : THE LORD'S PRAYER

 PRAYER

 Importance Of Instruction On Prayer

 Necessity of Prayer

 The Fruits of Prayer

 Prayer Honours God

 Prayer Obtains What We Request

 Proof

 Unwise And Indevout Prayers Unheard

 To Devout Prayer And Dispositions God Grants More Than Is Asked

 Prayer Exercises And Increases Faith

 Prayer Strengthens Our Hope In God

 Prayer Increases Charity

 Prayer Disposes The Soul For Divine Blessings

 Prayer Makes Us Realise Our Own Needfulness

 Prayer Is A Protection Against The Devil

 Prayer Promotes A Virtuous Life

 Prayer Disarms The Divine Vengeance

 The Parts Of Prayer

 The Two Chief Parts Of Prayer Petition And Thanksgiving

 Degrees Of Petition And Thanksgiving

 The Highest Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of The Just

 The Second Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of Sinners

 The Third Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of Unbelievers

 The Lowest Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of The Impenitent

 What We Should Pray For

 Spiritual Goods

 External Goods And Goods Of Body

 Goods Of The Mind

 For Whom We Ought to Pray

 The Prayer Of Petition Should Be Offered For All

 Those For Whom We Should Especially Offer Our Petitions: Pastors

 Rulers Of Our Country

 The Just

 Enemies And Those Outside The Church

 The Dead

 Sinners

 The Prayer Of Thanksgiving Should Be Offered For All

 Our Thanksgiving Should Especially Be Offered: For The Saints

 For The Blessed Virgin Mary

 To Whom We Should Pray

 To God

 To The Saints

 God And The Saints Addressed Differently

 Preparation for Prayer

 Humility

 Sorrow For Sin

 Freedom From Violence, Anger, Hatred And Inhumanity

 Freedom From Pride And Contempt Of God's Word

 Faith And Confidence

 Motives Of Confidence In Prayer

 Correspondence With God's Will

 Fraternal Charity

 How to Pray Well

 We Must Pray In Spirit And In Truth

 Mental Prayer

 Vocal Prayer

 Private And Public Prayer

 Those Who Do Nor Pray In Spirit

 Those Who Do Not Pray In Truth

 We Must Pray With Perseverance

 We Must Pray In The Name Of Jesus Christ

 We Must Pray With Fervour, Uniting Petition To Thanksgiving

 Fasting And Almsdeeds Should Be Joined To Prayer

 OPENING WORDS OF THE LORD'S PRAYER

 Importance Of Instruction On These Words

 Father

 God Is Called Father Because He Created Us

 God Is Called Father Because He Provides For Us

 God's Care For Us Is Seen In The Appointment Of Guardian Angels

 How We Are Helped By The Angels

 God's Care For Us Seen In The Love He Has Ever Shown To Man

 God Is Called Father Because He Has Granted Us Redemption

 Duties We Owe Our Heavenly Father

 Our

 Dispositions That Should Accompany The Words, Our Father: Fraternal Regard

 Filial Confidence And Piety

 Who art in Heaven

 Meaning Of These Words

 Lessons Taught By The Words, Who Art In Heaven

 THE FIRST PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: HALLOWED BE THY NAME

 Why This Petition Is Placed First

 Object Of The First Three Petitions

 Hallowed Be Thy Name

 On Earth As It Is In Heaven

 What Sanctification of God's Name we should Pray For

 That The Faithful May Glorify Him

 That Unbelievers May Be Converted

 That Sinners May Be Converted

 That God May Be Thanked For His Favours

 That The Church May Be Recognised By All

 What Sanctification Of God's Name We Should Practice

 THE SECOND PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: THY KINGDOM COME

 Importance Of Instruction On This Petition

 Greatness Of This Petition

 Necessity Of Rightly Making This Petition

 Motives For Adopting The Necessary Means

 Thy Kingdom

 The Kingdom Of Nature

 The Kingdom Of Grace

 The Kingdom Of Glory

 Come

 We Pray For The Propagation Of The Church

 For The Conversion Of Sinners

 That Christ May Reign Over All

 Dispositions That Should Accompany This Petition

 We Should Prize God's Kingdom Above All Things

 We Must Realise That We Are Exiles

 We Must Labor To Obtain God's Kingdom

 Recapitulation

 THE THIRD PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: THY WILL BE DONE

 The Relation Of This Petition To The Previous One

 Necessity Of This Petition

 Man's Proneness To Act Against God's Will

 Man's Blindness Concerning God's Will

 Man's Weakness In Fulfilling God's Will

 Remedy For These Evils

 Man's Passions Rebel Against God's Will

 Thy Will

 Be Done

 We Ask That We May Fulfil What God Desires Of Us

 We Ask That We May Not Yield To Our Own Inordinate Desires

 We Ask That Our Mistaken Requests Be Not Granted

 We Ask That Even Our Good Requests Be Granted Only When They Are According To God's Will

 We Ask That God May Perfect In Us What His Grace Has Begun

 We Ask That All May Know God's Will

 On Earth as it is in Heaven

 This Petition Contains an Act of Thanksgiving

 The Dispositions that should Accompany this Petition

 A Sense Of Our Own Weakness Of Will

 Appreciation Of The Dignity Of Doing God's Will

 Resignation To God's Will

 THE FOURTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

 The Relation Of The Following Petitions To Those That Preceded

 How To Pray For Temporal Blessings

 Means Of Ascertaining Purity Of Intention In Offering This Petition

 Necessity of the Fourth Petition

 Man Needs Many Things For His Bodily Life

 To Supply His Bodily Wants Man Must Labor

 Without God's Help Man's Labor Is Vain

 Inducements to Use this Petition

 Bread

 We Ask For Temporal Blessings

 It Is Lawful To Pray For Temporal Blessings

 The Wants, Not The Luxuries Of This Life Are Meant By The Word Bread

 Our

 Daily

 Give

 us

 This Day

 The Spiritual Bread Asked for in this Petition

 The Word Of God Is Our Spiritual Bread

 Christ Is Our Spiritual Bread, Especially In The Holy Eucharist

 Why The Holy Eucharist Is Called Our Daily Bread

 Exhortations

 THE FIFTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS

 The Importance Of Explaining This Petition

 Difference Between This And The Preceding Petitions

 Dispositions with which this petition should be Offered

 Acknowledgment Of Sin

 Sorrow For Sin

 Motives For Sorrow Over Sin: The Baseness Of Sin

 The Consequences Of Sin

 Confidence In God's Mercy

 Debts

 Our

 Forgive Us

 As we Forgive our Debtors

 Necessity Of Forgiveness

 Reasons For Forgiveness

 This Petition Should Not be Neglected

 Those Unable To Forget Injuries

 Those Who Do Not Love Their Enemies

 How to Make this Petition Fruitful

 Penitential Dispositions

 Avoidance Of Dangers Of Sin

 Imitation Of Fervent Penitents

 Frequent Use Of The Sacraments

 Almsdeeds

 The Spirit Of Forgiveness

 THE SIXTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION.

 Importance Of Instruction On This Petition

 Necessity of the Sixth Petition

 Human Frailty

 The Assaults Of The Flesh

 The Temptations Of The Devil

 Audacity Of The Demons

 Number Of The Demons

 Malignity And Power Of The Demons

 Prayer Protects Man's Weakness Against The Enemies Of His Soul

 Temptation

 Lead us not into Temptation

 Objects of the Sixth Petition

 What We Do Not Pray For

 What We Pray For In This Petition

 Dispositions which should Accompany this Petition

 Distrust Of Self And Confidence In God

 Remembrance Of The Victory Of Christ And His Saints

 Watchfulness

 The Author of victory over Temptation

 The Rewards of Victories over temptation

 THE SEVENTH PETITION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER: BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

 The Importance Of Instruction On This Petition

 Necessity Of This Petition

 How this Petition should be Made

 Our Chief Hope Of Deliverance Should Be In God

 We Must Confidently Expect His Help

 From Evil

 What We Do Not Pray For

 What We Do Pray For

 Deliver Us

 Deliverance From Satan Especially Asked For

 Patience and Joy under Continued Affliction

 THE SEAL OF THE LORD'S PRAYER

 Necessity Of Explaining The Conclusion Of The Lord's Prayer

 fruits that Come at the Conclusion of Prayer

 Assurance That We Have Been Heard

 Fervour And Illumination

 Sweetness

 Confidence And Gratitude

 Illustrations From The Psalms

 Meaning of the Word Amen

 First Explanation

 Other Explanations Of The Word Amen

 Advantages of Terminating our Prayer with this Word

Necessity Of This Petition

It cannot be necessary to remind the faithful of the numerous evils and calamities to which we are exposed, and how much we stand in need of the divine assistance. The many and serious miseries of human life have been fully described by sacred and profane writers, and there is hardly any one who has not observed them either in his own life or in that of others.

We are all convinced of the truth of these words of Job, that model of patience: Man, born of woman, and living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. He cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and never continueth in the same state. That no day passes without its own trouble or annoyance is proved by these words of Christ the Lord: Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. Indeed, the condition of human life is pointed out by the Lord Himself, when He admonishes us that we are to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

Since, therefore, everyone must realise the trials and dangers inseparable from this life, it will not be difficult to convince the faithful that they ought to implore of God deliverance from evil, since no inducement to prayer exercises a more powerful influence over men than a desire and hope of deliverance from those evils which oppress or threaten them. There is in the heart of everyone a natural inclination to have instant recourse to God in the face of danger, as it is written: Fill their faces with shame, and they shall seek thy name, Lord.