A. The Seventh Commandment, Thou shalt not steal, forbids all unjust taking and all unjust keeping of what belongs to another, and also every other way of wronging our neighbour in his property.

766. (2) What is meant by stealing?

A. It means taking another's goods unjustly and against the owner's will, that is to say, when he has every reason and right to be unwilling to be deprived of them.

767. (3) Why is it forbidden to steal?

A. Because a sin is committed against justice and an injury is done to another by taking or keeping against his right and will that which belongs to him.

768. (4) What is meant by another's goods?

A. Everything that belongs to him everything of which he has the ownership, or the use, or the custody.

769. (5) In how many ways can another's goods be unjustly taken?

A. In two ways: by theft and by robbery.

770. (6) How is theft committed?

A. Theft is committed by taking another's goods secretly.

771. (7) How is robbery committed?

A. Robbery is committed by taking another's goods openly and with violence.

772. (8) In what cases may another's goods be taken without sin?

A. When the owner consents or even when he unjustly refuses. Thus, one in extreme necessity may take another's goods without sin, provided that he takes only so much as is absolutely necessary to relieve pressing and extreme need.

773. (9) Is it only by theft and robbery that another can be injured in his property?

A. He can also be injured by fraud, usury, and any other act of injustice directed against his goods.

774. (10) How is fraud committed?

A. Fraud is committed in trade by deceiving another by false weight, measure and money or by bad goods; by falsifying writings and documents; in short, by deceit in buying and selling or in contracts in general, as well as by refusing to pay what is just and agreed upon.

775. (11) How is usury committed?

A. Usury is committed by exacting, without just title, an unlawful interest for money lent, thus taking an unfair advantage of another's need or ignorance.

776. (12) What other sorts of injustice may be committed with regard to another's goods?

A. By unjustly causing him to lose what he has; by injuring him in his possessions; by not working as in duty bound; by maliciously refusing to pay debts or wages due; by wounding or killing his stock; by damaging property held in custody; by preventing another from making just gains; by aiding thieves; and by receiving, concealing or buying stolen goods.

777. (13) Is it a grave sin to steal?

A. It is a grave sin against justice when the matter is grave; for it is most important for the good of individuals, of families, and of society that each one's right to his property should be respected.

778. (14) When is stolen matter grave?

A. When that which is taken is considerable, as also when serious loss is inflicted on another by taking that which in itself is of little value.

779. (15) What does the Seventh Commandment command?

A. The Seventh Commandment commands us to respect the property of others, to give the labourer fair wages, and to observe justice in all that concerns what belongs to others.

780. (16) Is it enough for one who has sinned against the Seventh Commandment to confess his sin?

A. It is not enough for one who has sinned against the Seventh Commandment to confess his sin; he must also do his best to restore what belongs to others, and to repair the loss he has caused.

781. (17) What is meant by repairing the losses caused?

A. Repairing the losses caused means the compensation which must be made to another for the goods or profits lost owing to the theft or other acts of injustice committed to his detriment.

782. (18) To whom must stolen property be restored?

A. To him from whom it has been stolen; to his heirs, if he is dead; or if this is really impossible the value of it should be devoted to the poor or to some charity.

783. (19) What should one do who finds something of great value?

A. He should diligently seek the owner and faithfully restore it to him.

The Eighth Commandment
784. (1) What does the Eighth Commandment, Thou shalt not bear false witness, forbid?

A. The Eighth Commandment, Thou shalt not bear false witness, forbids false testimony in a court of justice, and it also forbids backbiting, detraction, calumny, adulation, rash judgement and rash suspicion and every sort of lying.

785. (2) What is detraction or backbiting?

A. Detraction or backbiting is a sin which consists in making known another's sins and defects without sufficient reason.

786. (3) What is calumny?

A. Calumny is a sin which consists in maliciously attributing to another faults and defects which he did not possess.

787. (4) What is adulation?

A. Adulation is a sin which consists in deceiving another by falsely praising him or others for the purpose of profiting thereby.

788. (5) What is rash judgement or rash suspicion?

A. Rash judgement or rash suspicion is a sin which consists in judging or suspecting evil of others without sufficient foundation.

789. (6) What is a lie?

A. A lie is a sin which consists in asserting as true or false by word or act that which one does not believe to be really the case.

790. (7) How many kinds of lies are there?

A. There are three kinds: The jocose lie, the officious lie, and the malicious lie.

791. (8) What is a jocose lie?

A. A jocose lie is that which is told in jest and without injury to anyone.

792. (9) What is an officious lie?

A. An officious lie is a false statement to benefit oneself or another without injuring anyone else.

793. (10) What is a malicious lie?

A. A malicious lie is a false statement made to the injury of another.

794. (11) Is it ever lawful to tell a lie?

A. It is never lawful to tell a lie, neither in joke, nor for one's own benefit, nor for the benefit of another, because a lie is always bad in itself.

795. (12) What kind of sin is a lie?

A. A lie when jocose or officious is a venial sin; but when malicious it is a mortal sin if the harm done is grave.

796. (13) Is it always necessary to say all one's mind?

A. It is not always necessary, especially when he who questions you has no right to know what he demands.

797. (14) Is it enough for him who has sinned against the Eighth Commandment to confess the sin?

A. It is not enough for him who has sinned against the Eighth Commandment to confess the sin; he is also obliged to retract whatever he said when calumniating another, and to repair as far as he can the harm he has done.

798. (15) What does the Eighth Commandment command us to do?

A. The Eighth Commandment commands us to speak the truth at the proper time and place, and, as far as we can, to put a good interpretation upon the actions of our neighbour.

The Tenth Commandment
799. (1) What does the Tenth Commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods, forbid?

A. The Tenth Commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods, forbids the wish to deprive another of his goods and the wish to acquire goods by unjust means.

800. (2) Why does God forbid even the desire of another's goods?

A. God forbids the unregulated desire of another's goods, because He wishes us to be just even in thought and will, and to hold ourselves completely aloof from unjust acts.

801. (3) What does the Tenth Commandment command?

A. The Tenth Commandment commands us to be satisfied with the state in which God has placed us, and to bear poverty patiently should God have placed us in that condition.

802. (4) How can a Christian be content in a state of poverty?

A. A Christian can be content in a state of poverty by reflecting that our greatest good is a pure and peaceful conscience; that our true home is heaven; and that Jesus Christ made Himself poor for love of us and has promised a special reward to those who bear poverty patiently.

The Precepts of the Church in General
803. (1) Besides the Commandments of God what else must we observe?

A. Besides the Commandments of God we must also observe the Precepts of the Church.

804. (2) Are we obliged to obey the Church?

A. Undoubtedly we are obliged to obey the Church, because Jesus Christ Himself commands us to do so, and because the Precepts of the Church help us to observe the Commandments of God.

805. (3) When does the obligation to observe the Precepts of the Church begin to bind?

A. As a rule the obligation to observe the Precepts of the Church begins to bind us as soon as we come to the age of reason.

806. (4) Is it a sin to transgress a Precept of the Church?

A. Knowingly to transgress a Precept of the Church in grave matter is a mortal sin.

807. (5) Who can dispense from a Precept of the Church?

A. Only the Pope, or one who has received from him the power to do so, can dispense from a Precept of the Church.

808. (6) Name the Precepts of the Church.

A. The Precepts of the Church are: 1. To hear Mass on all Sundays and on Holydays of obligation. 2. To fast during Lent, on Ember Days and appointed Vigils, and not to eat meat on forbidden days. 3. To confess our sins at least once a year, and to receive Holy Communion at Easter each one in his own parish. 4. To contribute to the support of the Church, according to local custom. 5. Not to solemnise marriage at forbidden times, that is, from the first Sunday in Advent until the Epiphany, and from the first day of Lent until Low Sunday.

The First Precept of the Church
809. (7) What does the First Precept of the Church: To hear Mass on all Sundays and on Holydays of obligation, order us to do?

A. The First Precept of the Church: To hear Mass on all Sundays and on Holydays of obligations, orders us to assist devoutly at Mass on all Sundays and on Holydays of obligation.

810. (8) At which Mass does the Church desire us to assist on Sundays and on Holydays of obligation?

A. The Mass at which the Church desires us to assist, if possible, on Sundays and Holydays of obligation is the Parochial Mass.

811. (9) Why does the Church recommend the faithful to assist at the Parochial Mass?

A. The Church recommends the faithful to assist at the Parochial Mass: (1) In order that all the parishioners of the same parish may unite in prayer together with their Pastor, who is their head; (2) In order that the parishioners may participate more abundantly in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is applied principally for them; (3) In order that they may hear the truths of the Gospel, which Pastors are bound to explain during Mass; (4) In order that they may learn the regulations and notices which are published at that Mass.

812. (10) What is meant by the Lord's Day?

A. The Lord's Day means the day of the Lord, that is, the day specially consecrated to divine service.

813. (11) Why in the First Precept of the Church is special mention made of the Lord's day?

A. In the First Precept of the Church special mention is made of the Lord's Day, because it is the principal Christian festival, as the Sabbath was the principal Jewish festival, and because it was instituted by God Himself.

814. (12) What other festivals have been instituted by the Church?

A. The Church has instituted Feasts of our Lord, of the Blessed Virgin, of the Angels and of the Saints.

815. (13) Why did the Church institute other Festivals of our Lord?

A. The Church instituted other Festivals of our Lord in memory of His divine Mysteries.

816. (14) And why have Festivals of the Blessed Virgin and of the Saints been instituted?

A. Festivals of the Blessed Virgin and of the Saints have been instituted: (1) In memory of the graces which God has given them, and to thank His divine goodness; (2) In order that we may honour them, imitate their example, and be aided by their prayers.

The Second Precept of the Church
817. (15) What is commanded by the Second Precept of the Church in the words, To fast on the days prescribed?

A. By the words, To fast on the days prescribed, the Second Precept of the Church commands us to observe the fast: (1) During Lent; (2) On certain days of Advent, where this is prescribed; (3) On Ember Days; (4) And on certain Vigils.

818. (16) In what does fasting consist?

A. Fasting consists in taking but one meal a day and in abstaining from prohibited kinds of food.

819. (17) On fast days may a collation be taken in the evening?

A. Through the concession of the Church, a collation may be taken in the evening on fast days.

820. (18) What is the good of fasting?

A. Fasting serves to dispose us better to prayer; to do penance for past sins; and to preserve us from sinning again.

821. (19) Who are bound to fast?

A. Every Christian over twenty-one years of age who is not dispensed, or excused for some good reason, is bound to fast.

822. (20) Are those who are not bound to fast, exempt from all mortification?

A. Those who are not bound by the obligation of fasting are not exempt from all mortification, because all are bound to do penance.

823. (21) For what purpose has Lent been instituted?

A. Lent has been instituted to imitate in some way the rigorous fast of forty days undergone by Jesus Christ in the desert, and to prepare us by penitential exercises to celebrate the feast of Easter devoutly.

824. (22) Why has the Advent fast been instituted?

A. The Advent fast has been instituted to prepare us to celebrate devoutly the Feast of our Lord's Nativity.

825. (23) Why has the fast of Ember Days been instituted?

A. The fast of Ember Days has been instituted: (1) To consecrate each of the Four Seasons of the year by some days' penance; (2) To beg of God the preservation of the fruits of the earth; (3) To thank Him for those already given us; (4) And to beseech Him to give good priests to His Church, the usual days for ordaining priests being the Ember Saturdays.

826. (24) Why has fasting on Vigils been instituted?

A. Fasting on Vigils has been instituted to prepare us to celebrate the principal Feasts devoutly.

827. (25) What is forbidden on Fridays, and also on Saturdays where not dispensed?

A. On Fridays, and also on Saturdays where not dispensed, it is forbidden to eat meat, except in case of necessity.

828. (26) Why does the Church wish us to abstain from eating meat on these days?

A. In order that we may do penance each week, and especially on Friday, in honour of the Passion, and on Saturdays in memory of the burial of Jesus Christ, and in honour of the Blessed Virgin.

The Third Precept of the Church
829. (27) What does the Church command us in the words of the Third Precept: To go to Confession at least once a year?

A. By the words of the Third Precept: To go to Confession a least once a year, the Church obliges all Christians, who have come to the use of reason, to approach the sacrament of Penance at least once a year.

830. (28) What is the best time to satisfy the precept of annual Confession?

A. The best time to satisfy the precept of annual Confession is Lent, in accordance with the usage introduced and approved by the whole Church.

831. (29) Why does the Church say that we are to confess at least once a year?

A. The Church uses the words at least to let us see her desire that we should approach the sacraments more frequently.

832. (30) Is it useful, then, to go often to Confession?

A. It is most useful to go often to Confession, especially as it is difficult for one who goes only rarely to make a good Confession and to avoid mortal sin.

833. (31) What does the Church command us to do by the other words of the Third Precept: To receive Holy Communion at Easter, each one in his own parish?

A. By the words of the Third Precept: To receive Holy Communion at Easter, each one in his own parish, the Church obliges all Christians who have come to the age of discretion to receive the Blessed Eucharist every year at Paschal time in their own parish.

834. (32) Are we bound to go to Holy Communion at other times besides Easter?

A. We are also bound to go to Holy Communion when in danger of death.

835. (33) Why is it said that we are to receive Holy Communion at least at Easter?

A. Because the Church earnestly desires us to approach Holy Communion which is the divine food of our souls, not only at Easter, but as often as we possibly can.

836. (34) Is this Precept fulfilled by a sacrilegious Confession or a sacrilegious Communion?

A. This Precept of the Church is not fulfilled by sacrilegious Confession and Communion, because the intention of the Church is that we receive those Sacraments for the end on account of which they were instituted, that is, for our sanctification.

The Fourth Precept of the Church
837. (35) How are we to observe the Fourth Precept: To contribute to due support of the Church?

A. The Fourth Precept is satisfied by paying the dues or making the offerings which have been established in recognition of God's supreme dominion over all things and as a means of providing for the becoming support of His ministers.

838. (36) How are these dues and offerings to be paid?

A. They are to be paid in the way and manner customary in the place in which we live.

The Fifth Precept of the Church
839. (37) What does the Church forbid in the Fifth Precept: Not to solemnise marriage at forbidden times?

A. In the Fifth Precept the Church does not forbid the celebration of the sacrament of marriage; but only the nuptial solemnities, from the first Sunday of Advent until the Epiphany, and from the first day of Lent until Low Sunday.

840. (38) What are the nuptial solemnities which are forbidden?

A. The nuptial solemnities forbidden by this Precept are the celebration of the nuptial Mass, the nuptial benediction, and marriage festivities on a large scale.

841. (39) Why are marriage festivities on a large scale out of place in Advent and Lent?

A. Pompous displays are out of place in Advent and Lent because these seasons are specially consecrated to penance and prayer.

The Main Virtues
Theological Virtues
842. (1) What is a supernatural virtue?

A. A supernatural virtue is a quality infused by God into the soul by which the latter acquires inclination, facility, and promptness to know good and do it towards eternal life.

843. (2) How many principal supernatural virtues are there?

A. The principal supernatural virtues are seven: three theological, and four cardinal virtues.

844. (3) What are the theological virtues?

A. The theological virtues are: Faith, Hope and Charity.

845. (4) Why are Faith, Hope and Charity called theological virtues?

A. Faith, Hope and Charity are called theological virtues, because they have God as their immediate and principal object, and are infused by Him.

846. (5) How can the theological virtues have God for their immediate object?

A. The theological virtues have God for their immediate object, in this way that by Faith we believe in God, and believe all He has revealed; by Hope, we hope to possess God; and by Charity, we love God and in Him we love ourselves and our neighbour.

847. (6) When does God infuse the theological virtues into the soul?

A. God in His goodness infuses the theological virtues into the soul when adorning us with His sanctifying grace; and hence when receiving Baptism we were enriched with these virtues and, along with them, with the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

848. (7) Is it enough towards salvation, to have received the theological virtues in Baptism?

A. For one who has come to the use of reason, it is not enough to have received the theological virtues in Baptism; it is also necessary to make frequent acts of Faith, Hope and Charity.

849. (8) When are we obliged to make acts of Faith, Hope and Charity?

A. We are obliged to make acts of Faith, Hope and Charity, when we come to the use of reason; often during life; and when in danger of death.

On Faith
850. (9) What is Faith?

A. Faith is a supernatural virtue, which God infuses into our souls, and by which, relying on the authority of God Himself, we believe everything which He has revealed and which through His Church He proposes for our belief.

851. (10) How do we know the truths God has revealed?

A. We know the revealed truths by means of the Church, which is infallible; that is, by means of the Pope, the successor of St. Peter, and by means of the Bishops, the successors to the Apostles, who were taught by Jesus Christ Himself.

852. (11) Are we certain of the truths the Church teaches us?

A. We are most certain of the truths the Church teaches, because Jesus Christ pledged His word that the Church should never be led into error.

853. (12) By what sin is the Faith lost?

A. Faith is lost by denying or voluntarily doubting even a single article proposed for our belief.

854. (13) How is lost Faith recovered

A. Lost Faith is recovered by repenting of the sin committed and by believing anew all that the Church believes.

The Mysteries of Faith
855. (14) Can we comprehend all the truths of Faith?

A. No, we cannot comprehend all the truths of Faith, because some of these truths are mysteries.

856. (15) What are mysteries?

A. Mysteries are truths above reason and which we are to believe even though we cannot comprehend them.

857. (16) Why must we believe mysteries?

A. We must believe mysteries because they are revealed to us by God, who, being infinite Truth and Goodness, can neither deceive nor be deceived.

858. (17) Are mysteries contrary to reason?

A. Mysteries are above, not contrary to, reason; and even reason itself persuades us to accept the mysteries.

859. (18) Why cannot the mysteries be contrary to reason?

A. The mysteries cannot be contrary to reason, because the same God who has given us the light of reason has also revealed the mysteries, and He cannot contradict Himself.

On Holy Scripture
860. (19) Where are the truths which God has revealed contained?

A. The truths which God has revealed are contained in Holy Scripture and in Tradition.

861. (20) What is Holy Scripture?

A. Holy Scripture is the collection of books written under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, by the Prophets and the Hagiographers, the Apostles and the Evangelists. These books have been received by the Church as inspired.

862. (21) How is Holy Scripture divided?

A. Holy Scripture is divided into two parts, the Old and the New Testament.

863. (22) What is the Old Testament?

A. The Old Testament comprises the inspired books written before the coming of Jesus Christ.

864. (23) What is the New Testament?

A. The New Testament comprises the inspired books written after the coming of Jesus Christ.

865. (24) What is the common name for Holy Scripture?

A. The common name for Holy Scripture is the Holy Bible.

866. (25) What is the meaning of the word Bible?

A. The word Bible means the collection of holy books, the Book par excellence, the book of books, the book inspired by God.

867. (26) Why is Holy Scripture called the book "par excellence"?

A. Holy Scripture is so called because of the surpassing merit of the content as well as the author who inspired it.

868. (27) Can there be any error in Holy Scripture?

A. There cannot be any error in Holy Scripture since indeed it is inspired by God. The Author of all of the books is God Himself. This does not prevent that in copies and translations that have been made, some errors on the part of the copyists or translators may have crept into it.

869. (28) Is the reading of the Bible necessary to all Christians?

A. The reading of the Bible is not necessary to all Christians since they are instructed by the Church; however its reading is very useful and recommended to all.

870. (29) May any translation of the Bible, in the vernacular, be read?

A. We can read those translations of the Bible in the vernacular which have been acknowledged as faithful by the Catholic Church and which have explanations also approved by the Church.

871. (30) Why may we only read translations of the Bible approved by the Church?

A. We may only read translations of the Bible approved by the Church because she alone is the lawful guardian of the Bible.

872. (31) Through which means can we know the true meaning of the Holy Scripture?

A. We can only know the true meaning of Holy Scripture through the Church's interpretation, because she alone is secure against error in that interpretation.

873. (32) What should a Christian do who has been given a Bible by a Protestant or by an agent of the Protestants?

A. A Christian to whom a Bible has been offered by a Protestant or an agent of the Protestants should reject it with disgust, because it is forbidden by the Church. If it was accepted by inadvertence, it must be burnt as soon as possible or handed in to the Parish Priest.

874. (33) Why does the Church forbid Protestant Bibles?

A. The Church forbids Protestant Bibles because, either they have been altered and contain errors, or not having her approbation and footnotes explaining the obscure meanings, they may be harmful to the Faith. It is for that same reason that the Church even forbids translations of the Holy Scriptures already approved by her which have been reprinted without the footnotes approved by her.

On Tradition.
875. (34) What is meant by Tradition?

A. Tradition is the non-written word of God, which has been transmitted by word of mouth by Jesus Christ and by the apostles, and which has come down to us through the centuries by the means of the Church, without being altered.

876. (35) Where are the teachings of Tradition kept?

A. The teachings of Tradition are kept chiefly in the Councils' decrees, the writings of the Holy Fathers, the Acts of the Holy See and the words and practices of the sacred Liturgy.

877. (36) What importance must we attach to Tradition?

A. We must attach to Tradition the same importance as the revealed word of God which Holy Scripture contains.

On Hope
878. (37) What is Hope?

A. Hope is a supernatural virtue, infused by God into the soul, by which we desire and expect that eternal life that God has promised to His servants, as well as the means necessary to attain it.

879. (38) What grounds have we to hope that God will give us Heaven and the means necessary to secure it?

A. We hope that God will give us Heaven and the necessary means to attain it, because the all-merciful God, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, has promised it to those who faithfully serve Him; and, being both faithful and omnipotent, He never fails in His promises.

880. (39) What are the conditions necessary to obtain Heaven?

A. The conditions necessary to obtain Heaven are the grace of God, the practice of good works, and perseverance until death in His holy love.

881. (40) How is Hope lost?

A. Hope is lost as often as Faith is lost; and it is also lost by the sins of despair and presumption.

882. (41) How is lost Hope regained?

A. Lost Hope is regained by repenting of the sin committed, and by exciting anew confidence in the divine goodness.

On Charity
883. (42) What is Charity?

A. Charity is a supernatural virtue, infused into our soul by God, by which we love God above all for His own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God.

884. (43) Why should we love God?

A. We should love God because He is the Supreme Good, infinitely good and perfect; and also, because He commands us to do so, and because of the many benefits we receive from Him.

885. (44) How are we to love God?

A. We are to love God above all things else, with our whole heart, with our whole mind, with our whole soul, and with all our strength.

886. (45) What is meant by loving God above all other things?

A. To love God above all other things means to prefer Him to all creatures, even the dearest and most perfect, and to be willing to lose everything rather than offend Him or cease to love Him.

887. (46) What is meant by loving God with our whole heart?

A. To love God with our whole heart means consecrating all our affections to Him.

888. (47) What is meant by loving God with our whole mind?

A. To love God with our whole mind means directing all our thoughts to Him.

889. (48) What is meant by loving God with our whole soul?

A. To love God with our whole soul means consecrating to Him the use of all the powers of our soul.

890. (49) What is meant by loving God with all our strength?

A. To love God with all our strength means striving to grow ever more and more in His love, and so to act that all our actions should have as their one motive and end the love of Him and the desire of pleasing Him.

891. (50) Why should we love our neighbour?

A. We should love our neighbour for the love of God, because God commands it, and because every man is made to God's image.

892. (51) Are we obliged to love even our enemies?

A. We are obliged to love even our enemies, because they are our neighbours also and because Jesus Christ has made this love the object of an express command.

893. (52) What is meant by loving our neighbour as ourselves?

A. To love our neighbour as ourselves means to wish him and do him, as far as possible, the good which we ought to wish for ourselves, and not to wish or to do him any evil.

894. (53) When do we love ourselves as we ought?

A. We love ourselves as we ought when we endeavour to serve God and to place all our happiness in Him.

895. (54) How is charity lost?

A. Charity is lost by each and every mortal sin.

896. (55) How is charity regained?

A. Charity is regained by making acts of the love of God, by duly repenting and making a good confession.

On The Cardinal Virtues
897. (56) Name the Cardinal Virtues.

A. The Cardinal Virtues are Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance.

898. (57) Why are Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance called Cardinal virtues?

A. Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance are called cardinal virtues because all the moral virtues are founded and hinged around them. (in Latin, cardo means hinge)

899. (58) What is Prudence?

A. Prudence is the virtue that directs each action towards its lawful end and consequently seeks the proper means in order that the action be well accomplished in all points of view and thereby pleasing to Our Lord.

900. (59) What is Justice?

A. Justice is the virtue which disposes us to give everyone what belongs to him.

901. (60) What is Fortitude?

A. Fortitude is the virtue which renders us courageous to the point of not fearing danger, not even death, for the service of God.

902. (61) What is temperance?

A. Temperance disposes us to control the inordinate desires that please the senses and makes us use temporal goods with moderation.

The Gifts of the Holy Ghost
903. (1) Name the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.

A. The seven gifts of the Holy Ghost are, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and the Fear of the Lord.

904. (2) What purpose do these gifts serve?

A. The gifts of the Holy Ghost serve to establish us in Faith, Hope and Charity, and to render us prompt in the exercise of those acts of virtue necessary towards attaining the perfection of a Christian life.

905. (3) What is Wisdom?

A. Wisdom is a gift by which the mind is lifted up from earthly and transitory things, enabling us to contemplate things eternal, that is to say, God Himself, the eternal truth, and to relish and love Him, in which consists all our good.

906. (4) What is Understanding?

A. Understanding is a gift which facilitates, as fas as this is possible to mortal man, the understanding of the truths of faith and of the mysteries of God, which we are unable to know by the natural light of the intellect.

907. (5) What is Counsel?

A. Counsel is a gift by which, amidst the doubts and uncertainties of human life, we are enabled to recognise those things that redound more to God's glory, to our own salvation, and to that of our neighbour.

908. (6) What is Fortitude?

A. Fortitude is a gift which inspires us with valour and courage to observe faithfully the holy law of God and of the Church, by conquering all obstacles and all the assaults of our enemies.

909. (7) What is Knowledge?

A. Knowledge is a gift enabling us to estimate created things at their proper worth, and to learn how to use them rightly and to direct them to our last end, which is God.

910. (8) What is Piety?

A. Piety is a gift enabling us to venerate and love God and His Saints, and to preserve a pious and benevolent mind towards our neighbour for the love of God.

911. (9) What is the Fear of the Lord?

A. The Fear of the Lord is a gift which makes us respect God and fear to offend His Divine Majesty, and which detaches us from evil while inciting us to good.

The Beatitudes
912. (1) Name the Beatitudes?

A. The Beatitudes are eight: (1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (2) Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. (3) Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. (4) Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled. (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 peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. (8)Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

913. (2) Why did Jesus Christ propose the Beatitudes to us?

A. Jesus Christ proposed the Beatitudes to us to make us detest the maxims of the world, and to invite us to love and practise the maxims of the gospel.

914. (3) Who are they whom the world calls happy?

A. The world calls those happy who abound in riches and honours, who lead a pleasant life, and who meet with no occasions of suffering.

915. (4) Who are the poor in spirit whom Jesus Christ calls blessed?

A. The poor in spirit are, according to the gospel, those whose hearts are detached from riches; who make good use of riches should they have any; who do not seek them too eagerly, if they have none; and who suffer the loss of such things with resignation when deprived of them.

916. (5) Who are the meek?

A. The meek are those who act tenderly towards their neighbour, bear patiently with his defects, and accept the offences and injuries they receive from him without contention, resentment, or vengeance.

917. (6) Who are they that mourn, yet are called happy?

A. They that mourn, yet are called happy, are they who suffer tribulations with resignation, and who mourn over sins committed, over the evils and scandals that prevail in the world, over Paradise because it is so distant, and over the danger there is of losing it.

918. (7) Who are they that hunger and thirst after justice?

A. They that hunger and thirst after justice, are those who ardently desire to increase daily more and more in divine grace and in the exercise of good and virtuous works.

919. (8) Who are the merciful?

A. The merciful are those who love their neighbour in God and for God's sake, compassionate his miseries, spiritual as well as corporal, and endeavour to succour him according to their means and position.

920. (9) Who are the clean of heart?

A. The clean of heart are those who retain no affection for sin aqnd keep aloof from it, and who above all else avoid every sort of impurity.

921. (10) Who are the peace-makers?

A. The peace-makers are those who preserve peace with their neighbour and with themselves, and who endeavour to bring about peace and concord between those who are at variance.

922. (11) Who are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake?

A. They who suffer persecution for justice' sake are those who patiently bear derision, reproof, and persecution for the sake of the faith and of the law of Jesus Christ.

923. (12) What do the various rewards promised by Jesus Christ in the Beatitudes denote?

A. The various rewards promised by Jesus Christ in the Beatitudes all denote under different names the eternal glory of Paradise.

924. (13) Do the Beatitudes procure us the glory of Paradise alone?

A. The Beatitudes not only procure us the glory of Paradise, but are also the means of leading a happy life, as far as this is possible here on earth.

925. (14) Do those who follow the path of the Beatitutdes receive any reward in this life?

A. Yes, certainly; those who follow the path of the Beatitudes do receive a reward even in this life, inasmuch as they enjoy interior peace and contentment, which is the beginning, even though an imperfect one, of the happiness of heaven.

926. (15) Can those who follow the maxims of the world be called truly happy?

A. No, because they have no true peace of soul, and are in danger of being lost eternally.

The Main Kinds of Sins
927. (1) How many kinds of sin are there?

A. There are two kinds of sin: original sin and actual sin.

928. (2) What is original sin?

A. Original sin is the sin in which we are all born, and which we contracted by the disobedience of our first parent, Adam.

929. (3) What evil effects has the sin of Adam brought upon us?

A. The evil effects of the sin of Adam are: The privation of grace, the loss of Paradise, together with ignorance, inclination to evil, death, and all our other miseries.

930. (4) How is original sin cancelled?

A. Original sin is cancelled by holy Baptism.

931. (5) What is actual sin?

A. Actual sin is that which man, after coming to the use of reason, commits of his own free will.

932. (6) How many kinds of actual sin are there?

A. There are two kinds of actual sin: mortal and venial.

933. (7) What is mortal sin?

A. Mortal sin is a transgression of the divine Law by which we seriously fail in our duties towards God, towards our neighbour, or towards ourselves.

934. (8) Why is it called mortal?

A. It is called mortal because it brings death on the soul by making it lose sanctifying grace which is the life of the soul, just as the soul itself is the life of the body.

935. (9) What injury does mortal sin do the soul?

A. (1) Mortal sin deprives the soul of grace and of the friendship of God; (2) It makes it lose Heaven; (3) It deprives it of merits already acquired, and renders it incapable of acquiring new merits; (4) It makes it the slave of the devil; (5) It makes it deserve hell as well as the chastisements of this life.

936. (10) Besides grave matter, what is required to constitute a mortal sin?

A. To constitute a mortal sin, besides grave matter there is also required full consciousness of the gravity of the matter, along with the deliberate will to commit the sin.

937. (11) What is venial sin?

A. Venial sin is a lesser transgression of the divine Law, by which we slightly fail in some duty towards God, towards our neighbour, or towards ourselves.

938. (12) Why is it called venial?

A. It is called venial Because it is light compared with mortal sin; because it does not deprive us of divine grace; and because God more readily pardons us.

939. (13) Then little account need be made of venial sin?

A. That would be a very great mistake, not only because venial sin is always an offence against God; but also because it does no little harm to the soul.

940. (14) What harm does venial sin do the soul?

A. Venial sin: (1) Weakens and chills charity in us; (2) Disposes us to mortal sin; (3) Renders us deserving of great temporal punishments both in this world and in the next.

The Vices and other Very Grievous Sins
941. (1) What is a vice?

A. A vice is an evil disposition of the mind to shirk good and do evil, arising from the frequent repetition of evil acts.

942. (2) What difference is there between a sin and a vice?

A. Between sin and vice there is this difference that sin is a passing act, whereas vice is a bad habit, contracted by continually falling into some sin.

943. (3) Which are the vices called capital?

A. The vices called capital are seven: Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth.

944. (4) How are the capital vices conquered?

A. The capital vices are conquered by the exercise of the opposite virtues: Thus Pride is conquered by humility; Covetousness by liberality; Lust by chastity; Anger by patience; Gluttony by abstinence; Envy by brotherly love; Sloth by diligence and fervour in the service of God.

945. (5) Why are these vices called capital?

A. They are called capital because they are the head and fount of many other vices and sins.

946. (6) How many are the sins against the Holy Ghost?

A. The sins against the Holy Ghost are six: (1) Despairing of being saved; (2) Presuming on being saved without merit; (3) Opposing the known truth; (4) Envying another's graces; (5) Obstinately remaining in sin; (6) Final impenitence.

947. (7) Why are these sins specially said to be against the Holy Ghost?

A. These sins are specially said to be against the Holy Ghost, because they are committed through pure malice, which is contrary to goodness, the special attribute of the Holy Ghost.

948. (8) Which are the sins that are said to cry to God for vengeance?

A. The sins that are said to cry to God for vengeance are these four: (1) Willful murder; (2) The sin of sodomy; (3) Oppression of the poor; (4) Defrauding labourers of their wages.

949. (9) Why are these sins said to cry to God for vengeance?

A. These sins are said to cry to God for vengeance because the Holy Ghost says so, and because their iniquity is so great and so manifest that it provokes God to punish them with the severest chastisements. (Source: Catechism Of St. pius X / The Commandments Of God In General
676. (1) what Is Treated Of In The Third Part Of Christian Doctrine?)