Catholic Works of Mercy

We are creatures of Almighty God. God made us; we belong to Him. We have therefore duties toward God by practicing the virtue of Religion.
Religion is a virtue by which we give to God he honor and service which is due to Him alone, as our Creator, Master, and Supreme Lord.
We practice religion by believing all the truths revealed by God, and by keeping the Commandments of God and of the Church, which was founded and established by Him, for the guoidance and salvation of all mankind.
These truths and these Commandments were revealed by God Himself to Adam, who was the first man in the world. Afterwards they were repeated by God to the holy Patriarch who practiced them, and to the Prophets of the Old Testament,who proved that they were inspired by God.
Lastly Jesus Christ, Who is God made man, taught them to us, and promised to preserve them in His Church free from error until the end of time.
By religion is also understood thje body of truths revealed by God, and His Commandments that we are to obey!

THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE RELIGION

Are not all religions equally true? - No. Truth is always one and cannot be divided. The various religions teach opposite things. It follows that only one can be the true religion, and consequently all the other are false, and those professing them are in error. What is black cannot be white at the same time.

Which is the true religion? - Before the birth of Jesus Christ, the true religion was practiced among the Jews. After the coming of Jesus Christ, the true religion is that taught by Him Who by His life and miracles, and specially by His resurrection, showed that He was the true Son of God.

What sects are not in the true religion?- All those who do not recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and do not profess His doctrine, are not in the true religion: as Jews, Mohammedans, Buddhists, and pagans in general. The various sects, generally called Protestant, Aglipayan, Methodist, etc., that profess Christianity, do not believe in and practice all the doctrines taught by our Lord, and therefore are not in the true religion of Jesus Christ either.

Were the sects founded by Christ?- No. The following is a list of some of the sects and their founders:

Lutherans- founded by Martin Luther in 1520.
Episcopalians- founded by Henry VIII in 1534.
Methodists- founded by John Wesley in 1738.
Sabbadists- founded by Mrs. E. G. White in 1845.
Aglipayans- founded by G. Aglipay in 1902.

What Church alone possesses the true religion?- The Catholic Church alone possesses the true religion, because only there are all the doctrines of Chrisrt taught in their entirety, exactly as Jesus Christ Himself commanded them to be taught, promising that by His help they shall be taught until the world comes to an end.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THE ONLY TRUE

CHURCH OF CHRIST

We can find the true religion only in the Roman Catholic Church, because she alone preserves intact the divine revelation; she alone was established by Jesus Christ, true God and true Man; she alone was propagated by the Apostles and their successors even to our day; and therefore, she alone possesses the marks of divinity.

What are the marks by which we can with certainty discover which of the many churches is the True Church established by Christ?- These marks are four: namely, the True Church must be One, Holy, Cathoilc, and Apostolic.

The Catholic Church is ONE

because all loyal Catholics living in all parts of the world profess the same faith, the same doctrines, and acknowledge the same one Head, the Pope.

The Catholic Church is HOLY

because her Head and Founder, Jesus Christ Himself, is holy. She professes a holy faith and holy doctrines. She administers holy Sacraments. Many who belong to her are now Saints. Many of her members lead holy lives. She teaches all her children to live holy lives.

The Church is CATHOLIC, or Universal

because she is for all men. She extends to all places and times. Her doctrines have been preached, and are being preached, in the mosty distant countries. The Church is not for one group or one nation; it is for all men.

The Church is universal or Catholic also because she is for all times. In the midst of the most bloody persecutions, she has lived through the ages, as Christ promised.

The Catholic Church is APOSTOLIC

because she believes and teaches all that the Apostles of Christ believed and taught. It was to them that our Lord left the true religion to be taught. The Catholic religion alone has for leader the direct successors of the Apostles of Christ. The Catholic Church alone can trace the direct succession of its Head the reigning Pope, back through the centuries to the first Pope named by Christ Himself, St. Peter.

ABOUT GOD

In the beginning, before there was anything, there was God. He was supremely happy, needing nothing, needing nobody, not even Angels or Saints.

God is eternal. Eternal refers to what never had a beginning and will never have an end. Only God is eternal.

God is almighty, all-powerful: He can do all things; nothing is impossible to God.

God is good. This is why He created the angels and men and everything that is. But God is also just: He rewards those who are good and punishes those who are bad.

God is truthful. He loves the truth; He cannot tell a lie.

God made the Angels. The angels arew spirits; they have no body as we have. God sends an angel to take care of each of us. He is our Guardian Angel. We should pray to him and ask his help.

Some angels disobeyed God, and God punished them into hell. The bad angels who have been punished into hell are called devils. They try to hurt us by tempting us.

CREATION

God is our supreme Lord, the Creator of Heaven and earth. He made the world out of nothing : this is called CREATION. Only God can create.

God made the world in six days; on the seventh day He rested. He blessed this day and made it holy. Catholics are obliged to keep Sundays and holydays of obligation holy by hearing Mass and abstaining from servile work.

The first man was Adam, and the first woman was Eve. We are children of Adam and Eve. They were our First Parents.

God made the world and everything in it for His own glory.

Why did God make us?- He made us to know Him, to serve Him, and to love Him in this life, and to be happy with Him in the next.

To know God, we must learn the teachings of His Church, which is the Catholic Church alone.

To serve God and to love Him, we must obey the Commandments of God and those of His Church.

If we love and serve God, we shall have peace in this life and the everlasting joys of Heaven hereafter.

THE MOST BLESSED TRINITY

There is only one God, but in God there are three different Persons, equal in everyway.

God the Father is the First Person. God the Son is the Second Person. God the Holy Ghost is the Third Person.

But the Father is neither older nor greater than the Son or the Holy Ghost. All three Divine Persons are equally old, because they are equally eternal; all are equally great, equally powerful, equally good: they are equal in all things.

We call the existence of Three Divine Persons in One God the mystery of the BLESSED TRINITY.

A truth that we cannot understand is a mystery. The mystery of the Blessed Trinity is too great to be fully grasped by our minds; but we believe it, because God has told it to us, and God is truthful.

We honor especially the Blessed Trinity when we make the Sign of the Cross well, saying: In the name of the Father , and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

We also honor the Trinity by the short prayer: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

God did not abandon Adam and Eve after their first sin. He promised them a Redeemer to reopen the gates of Heaven.

This Redeemer and Saviour is OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. He is God the Son, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Who became Man: this is called the mystery of the INCARNATION.

Incarnation refers to the taking of a body and soul like ours by the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Jesus Christ is true God, because He is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Jesus Christ is true Man, because He has a body and soul like ours.

God the Son became Man over 1900 years ago; He was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The day of His birth is commemorated on the 25th of December. It is called Christmas Day. We number the years from our Lord's birth.

St. Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin, but not the father of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had only one Father, God Who is in Heaven.

To redeem us Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross. To teach us the way to Heaven, He instituted the Catholic Church; to prove that He was God He performed many wonderful deeds, and last of all He arose from the dead.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Ten Commandments of God were given by God Himself to Moses on Mount Sinai.

All men must keep them, because God is our Lord and Master; those who do not obey them cannot go to Heaven.

I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before me.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember that thoy keep holy the Sabbath day.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Honor (know, love, pray to and adore) the one true God.
Respect and revere the name of God.
Do not do unnecessary manual work on the Lord's day, but devote the day to God's service.
Honor and obey your father, mother, superiors and teachers.
Do not imjure the life of any one; love your neighbor as yourself.
Do not do, say, or read impure things; do not gaze at, nor listen to them, nor allow them to be done to you.
Do not steal or injure your neighbor's goods.
Do not lie or injure the good name of your neighbor.
Do not wilfully think of impure things or desire them.
Do not covet money or desire to have the possessions of your neighbor.

COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH

The Catholic Church received from God Himself the power to make laws; we are therefore obliged to obey these laws in the same way as the Commandments of God.

The principal laws of Commandments of the Church are:

To hear Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation.
To fast and abstain on the days appointed.
To confess once a year, and to receive the Holy Eucharist during the Easter time.
To contribute to the support of our Pastors.
Not to marry contrary to the Laws of the Church.

(For the holydays of obligation and the laws of fasting and abstinence.)

How can we help support our Pastors?- We can help support our Pastorsand the Church by contributing to the collection on Sunday and by making Special offerings for the Catholic schools, for the missions, the Catholic press and for other needs of the Church. Money given to God's service will never be missed and will bring back a hundred-fold.

REDEMPTION

How did Our Lord Jesus Christ redeem and save man?-He suffered and died on the Cross.

Our Lord wished to suffer so much and to die onn the Cross, to satisfy God for our sins, in order to show what a wicked thing sin is, and how much He loves us. He died on Friday of Holy Week, which is called Good Friday.

What is the Ressurection?- It is the rising of Christ from the dead by His own power. It happened three days after His death, on Easter Sunday. He appeared to His Apostles and disciples and spoke to them many times during forty days.

The ressurection of Our Lord from the dead was the greatest miracle He perform. It proves that He is the Son of God and that everything He taught is true.

Forty days after His ressurection, Christ ascended into Heaven in the sight of His Apostles and disciples: this day is called Ascension Thursday, and is a holyday of obligation.

As our Lord arose from the dead, so our bodies shall be united again with our souls and shall rise by the power of God, for the general judgment, at the end of the world.

SIN

Sin is an offence against God.

Adam and Eve commited the first sin: they disobeyed God in the Garden of Paradise. They ate the forbidden fruit. This is called Original Sin. God punished them. They lost the friendship of God and the rights to Heaven.

Thereafter all the children of Adam and Eve are born without the friendship of God which our first parents had when they were created: we all are born with Original Sin.

The Blessed Virgin Mary alone was kept free from Original Sin by a special privilege, because she was to be the Mother of Jesus Christ.

The soul is made clean from Original Sin by Baptism.

Actual Sin is any willful thought, word, deed or omission against the law of God. We find the law of God in the Ten Commandments and the Precepts of the Church.

Mortal Sin is a serious offence; if one dies with a mortal sin, he will go to hell forever.

Venial Sin is a slight offence; if one dies with a venial sin, he will first go to Purgatory and then to Heaven.

The sins commited after Baptism are forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance.

Sin can not be forgiven unless we are truly sorry for it and make up our minds never commit it again.

Mortal sins commited after Baptism are forgiven in Confession by the absolution of the Priest. The sorrowful telling of sins in order to obtain forgiveness is called Confession.

When we have received forgiveness of our sins, we are restored to the state of grace.

We must be sorry for our sins because they displeased God, Who is kind; because they made our lord suffer so much; and because we shall be cast into hell if we die in them.

If we should happen, while in sin, to be in danger of death, and not to be able to get a Priest to hear our confession, we should pray to God to forgive us, think of Jesus Christ dying for our sins on the Cross, and try to be sorry for our sins, because we deserved the pains of hell and have offended God Who is so good.

THE SACRAMENTS

Our Lord Jesus Christ, while living on earth, instituted seven means for obtaining His grace. They are called Sacraments.

A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

The seven Sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

Two of the Sacraments are for the forgiveness to sins, and may be received when we are not in the state of grace; they are called the Sacraments of the dead: Baptism and Penance.

The other five Sacraments require the state of grace; they are called the Sacraments of the living: Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders and Matrimony.

Whosoever is in sin and shoud wish to receive any of the Sacraments of the living must first go to confession and get forgiven.

Baptism, is the first of the Sacraments; none of the other six can be received by an unbaptized person.

Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders can be received only once. They imprint a mark or character on our souls that can never come off.

Penance and Eucharist can be received often. The oftener we receive them the better we become.

Extreme Unction can be received only once in the same sickness.

Matrimony cannot be repeated until one of the parties dies.

BAPTISM

Baptism is a sacrament which takes away Original Sin from our souls, makes us Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven.

No one can receive the other sacraments without first being baptized. Baptism can only be received once in a lifetime, if it has been adminitered properly. Baptism aadministered by non-Catholic sects are unsually invalid: therefore those baptized in that manner should be taken to church to be baptized.

When children are born, they should be taken to the Church as soon as possible to be baptized.

What is lay baptism?- It is the baptism administered by a lay person when a child or unbaptized person is in danger of death, and no priest is available. Water is poured over the person's head and the following is said: "I baptized thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

If the child should survive, it cannot be baptized again; nevertheless, it must be taken to the priest.

The name given to baptism should be the name of a Saint. There must be at least one god-parent, but not more than godfather and one god-mother. Godparents must be at least fourteen years old. Non-Cathoilcs, such as masons, Aglipayans, Protestants, etc., and public sinners may not act as godparents (padrinos).

Godparents should see that the child is taught the catechism, makes his first communion, and lives as a good Catholic.

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation is the Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost. It makes us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Christ.

We receive the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost: Wisdom, Understanding, Coumsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is given by the Bishop, it can received only once; it is a sin to try to receive it more than once.

If possible, Confirmation should be receive before First Communion.

To received Confirmation one should be in a state of grace, know the catechism, and go to confession.

It is a sin to neglect to receive Confirmation

PENANCE

Penance or Confession is a Sacrament by which the sins commited after Baptism are forgiven.

To receive the Sacrament of Penance, we must:

Recall the sins we have commited: this is Examination of Conscience.
Be sorry for our sins because they displease God, and resolve never to commit them again: this is Contrition.
Tell all our mortal sins to the Priest: this is Confession.
Receive the forgiveness of our sins from the Priest: this is Absolution.
Say the Penance that the Priest gives us, in order to repair the evil done to God by our sins: this is Satisfactory.

If we do these things well our Confession is good, and our sins are forgiven.

If one is not sorry for his sins, or does not tell the Priest all his mortal sins, or does not forgive his enemies, or does not resolve to amend, his confession is a bad one; his sins are not forgiven; and he commits another sin, sacrilege.

Why do we confess to a Priest?- Because Christ, who established the church, required us to do so. He gave priests the right to judge and forgive sins; they must know WHAT TO JUDGE AND FORGIVE. Nobody is exempte from going to Confession, not even Bishops, Priests, or the Pope himself. We must confess our sins at least once a year: not to do so is a mortal sin.

HOLY EUCHARIST

The Holy Eucharist is a Sacrament which contains the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. It is also called Blessed Sacrament.

"Under the appearances of bread and wine" means that what remains after the bread and wine have been changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, looks and tastes like bread and wine.

When did Our Lord institute the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?- Our Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the night before He died for our salvation.

Jesus Christ Himself gave the power to the Bishops and Priests of the Catholic Church to change bread and wineinto His Body, Soul and Divinity, when during the consecration of Mass they say the words." This is My Body, this is My Blood."

Holy Communion is the receiving of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. The Church commands us to receive Holy Communion at Easter Tim. To neglect this is a mortal sin.

EXTREME UNCTION

Extreme Unction is a Sacrament which; by the anointing and prayers of the Priest, gives health to the soul and sometimes to the body, when we are sick and in danger of death.

What should we do if someone in the housse is very ill?- We should call a priest at once. He will hear the confession of the sick person, gave him Holy Communion, and anoint him with oiln in the name of Our Lord. If the sick person be in sin, he will be forgiven and if it is good for his soul, he will have his bodily health restored.

Do not wait until there is no more hope before sending for a Priest. It is a sin to let our relatives and neighbors to die without the Sacraments.

Do not be afraid to tell a sick person when he is in danger that he must prepare himself so that he may die as a Christian.

Always help the sick to be prepared for a happy death: call the Priest.

We should have holy water and candles in the house for the Priest when he comes for the sick call.

How to Help the Dying Have a Happy Death.

The most important of a man's life is the moment of death. It is the moment that will decide his fate for all eternity. It will obtain for him Heaven, if he dies a good, or happy, death; it will condemn him to hell, if he dies a bad, or unhappy death. What an act of charity, therefore, it is to help a dying person have a happy deathwith his soul free from mortal sin!

Before the Priest comes, we should the person prepare for his last Confession; we should say with him the act of contrition. When he has made his Confession, receive the Viaticum, the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, and the Papal Blessing, we should place a crucifix near him or in his hands.

Annoying, wordly, or frivolous conversations should not be carried on in the sick room; the sick person should be given perfect peace in which to prepare himself to meet his God. At intervals, the priest or a member of the family should present short ejaculations which the agonizing can easily repeat, at least in his mind. The following are good ejaculations:

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Lord Jesus, receive my soul.

Holy Mary, pray for me!

Mary Help of Christians, pray for me!

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me now at my last agony.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with thee.

If the sick person still has full use of his consciousness, we may even repeat with him the act of Resignation at the Hour of Death. As soon as the person is dead, he should be dressed modestly, with a crucifix placed in his hands.

It is unchristian to have vigils during which the time is spent in feasting, playing cards, etc. If we cannot go to the house of the deceased to pray or help with some useful works, we have better leave the bereaved family alone with their dead. Far better than flowers, which cannot help the departed one's soul, we should offer Masses and prayers for him. If the family is poor, it is laudable custom to offer the money, to help with the funeral expenses.

The funeral should be simple, and held with devotion. The body should be taken to the church for the blessing, and if possible for a Requiem Mass. On certain important holydays, such as Easter, no Reqiem Mass can be said; the Mass, however, can be offered just as well for the dead. Instead of spending money on music bands. Extravagant coaches and coffins, and coastly wreaths, the family should rather offer prayers, sacrifices, and Masses for the repose of the soul of their loved one.

The body should be buried in a Catholic cemetery, if there is one; at least the grave should be blessed. Over the place of burial a large cross shoul be erected.

The letters R. I. P. often seen on gravestones stand for Requiescat in pace (May he rest in peace.)

HOLY ORDERS

Holy Orders is a Sacrament by which Bishops, Priests, and other ministers of the Church are ordained and receive the power and perform their sacred duties.

What are the duties of priests?- They are:

To offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
To give the Sacraments.
To preach the word of God.

The Parish Priest and his assistants take care of the people in a district called a Parish.

Several Parishes form a diocese is a Bishop. Several dioceses form an Ecclesiastical Province with an Archbishop. Over all the Bishops is the Pope.

How should we act towards our Priests?- We should respect them and the Bishops, speak well of them and contribute to their support, because they come to us in the name and with the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Philippines there are very few priests; we should pray God to send us many good priests to take care of the people and give them the blessings of the Church of God.

MATRIMONY

Matrimony is a Sacrament which unites a Christian man and woman in lawful marriage.

Young people should not be in too great hurry to get married. "Marry in haste, and repent at leisure." Before deciding to get engaged, they should consult their parents, and be guided by their advice.

Courtship is a time of remote preparation for marriage, the time of choosing a life partner. Then the young man and the young woman frequent each other's company, in an attempt to find out whether, after knowing each other's character, they would like to take each other as life companions. It is perfectly proper for a young man to pay his attentions to several young women at the same time, and for a young woman to receive such attentions from a several young men at the same time. This is because the time of courtship is precisely the time of choosing, to see which one will make the most suitable companion for life.

Engagement. After a period of courtship, varying from six months to about two years, but no longer, the young man and young woman may become engaged. This implies marriage at an early date. It presupposes congeniality, an understanding of the duties of the married, and sufficient means to support the married state. The period of engagement should not last longer than a few months. During both the courtship and the engagement, no undue familiarities should be indulged between the couples; respect for each other's virtue before the marriage is a good sign for a happy and chaste married life. As engagement means a choice for a life partner has been made, therefore a person can be engaged to only one at a time.

May Catholics marry before a non-Catholic minister or the justice of the peace?- Catholics are absolutely prohibited from contracting marriage except before a priest of the Church and two witnesses.

1. No Catholic can be married outside the Church. Catholics who contract a civil marriage before the justice of the peace are not married. They have merely made a civil contract. Therefore, if they live togeher as aman and wife, the sin against the Sixth and Ninth Commandments. Their legal contract saves them from jail, but it will not save them from hell. Even if Catholics contract a civil marriage with the intention of not living together before they have been properly married in Church.

2. If Catholics attempt to marry before a non-Catholic pastor, they not only commit sin, but they are excommunicated from the Church, for recognizing a false religion: They are not married. They are excluded from the sacraments, may not be godparents for baptism and confirmation, and may not receive Christian burial. Their excommunication lasts until they go to confession and get absolution from the bishop.

What should young people do if they wish to be married? - They should see the Parish Priest of the woman, and make arrangements with him. The Parish Priest must have the baptismal certificates of both parties to the marriage.

Before the marriage, the Parish Priest must publish the bann, which take two weeks. He cannot perform the ceremony as soon as the couple appear to announce their intention; the banns must be proclaimed. Catholics should be married with the Nuptial Mass.

The Catholic Church received from God the authority to regulate marraige. The laws it enforces are designed for the good of its members. Catholics are not allowed to marry near relatives, as first cousins. This law is intended to enforce the respect due to blood relatives, and to increase the number of our friends and thus promote a more extensive bond of union among men. The law also intends to prevent the birth of physically and mentally defective children, found to be the common result of such marriages. It forbids Catholics from marrying non-Catholics, because experience teaches that the children of such marriages are in danger of growing up without proper religious instruction and in danger of losing their faith.

However, the Church has power to grant dispensation from its own laws, and uses this power when there is good and sufficient reason or need. The Bishop and the Parish Priest have authority to investigate each case, to see if there is sufficient reason for a dispensation. And in order to discourage unnecessary seeking after dispensations, a fee is required according to the petitioner's means. These fees help to maintain the ecclesiatical tribulations established to safeguard marriage. The poor are granted the necessary dispensations without charge.

Can the Church grant dispensation from all impediments? - The Church cannot grant dispensations from divine or natural laws. For instance, no dispensation can ever be given to allow a father and daughter or brother and sister to be married, or to permit married persons to enter another marriage unless one of the parties is dead.

The Sacrament of Matrimony cannot be repeated until one of the parties dies. Once people are married, no power on earth can unmarry them. God does not allow or recognize divorce.

Sometimes the Church declares a marriage null. Then the parties are free; they may marry whomsoever they wish. However, annulment is not divorce. When the Church declares a marriage null, it merely states that there never was a marriage, that the ceremony was invalid, on account of certain circumstances unknown to the Priest at the time of the ceremony.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

We honor the Blessed Virgin because she is the Mother of our Lord. She is our Mother also, because our Lord gave her to us, to all men, when He was dying on the Cross.

Those who keep a tender devotion to the Blessed Mother will never be lost in sin. We should invoke her aid often, especially in order that she may help us practice the precious of virtues, holy purity. She is Mary Immaculate, untouched by even the slightest stain of sin. By following her example, we too may attain purity of body, mind, and soul.

The Blessed Virgin is "full of grace." God is always with her. The Blessed Mother was conceived and born without original sin, having been granted this privilege because she was destned to be the Mother of God. This special exemption is called her Immaculate conception. It is celebrated by the Church on December 8, a holyday of obligation.

When the Blessed Virgin died, she was taken up to heaven body and soul. This is called her Assumption, which we commemorate on August 15, also a holyday of obligation.

NON-CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS

No catholic is allowed to join associations, such as Masonry, which are condemned by the Church. If a Catholic joins Masonry, he is excommunicated, and may not approach the Sacraments.

A Mason may not be a godfather, either in Baptism or in confirmation, nor may he be buried with the rites of the Church. In order that a Mason may again be received into the Church, he must sign a retraction made before a priest and two witnesses stating that he gives up Masonry.

Protestants, Aglipayans, and members of other sects, who wish to join the Church, must make a profession of faith. They must receive the Sacrament of Baptism, because the so-called "baptism" administered by other sects is generally invalid, since the formula has been changed, unless they have previously been baptized in the Catholic Church.

Catholics are also prohibited from joining organizations such as the Young Mens' Christian Association (YM.C.A.), Young Women's Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.), and others under Protestant auspices. They are forbidden to send their children to Protestant schools.

THINGS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR SALVATION

1. Baptism. This means valid baptism, in which the exact words required were used. If there is any doubt about your Baptism, you must be baptized conditionally.

2. Divine Faith. This means that you must believe the truths of your Faith because they have been revealed by God. The most important of these truths are the Apostle's Creed, especially:

(a) That there is but One God, and that there are Three Divine Persons in this One God. This is the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.

(b) That the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, God the Son, became man and is called Jesus Christ. This is the mystery of the Incarnation.

(c) That Jesus Christ suffered and died on the Cross to save us from sin and hell. This is the mystery of the Redemption.

(d) That God rewards the good with heaven, and punishes the wicked in hell for all eternity.

A RULE OF LIFE

1. Begin and end each day with prayers devoutly said. "Ask and ye shall receive," says Our Lord. Besides our morning and evening prayers, we should give thanks to God for our meals. We should give Him thanks for everything we have and receive each moment of the day; for without Him we have nothing.

2. Give some time each day, if only a few minutes, to some spiritual reading and meditation. Let your mind and heart be in what you read; examine your conduct by it, and draw from it good resolutions.

Be careful of what you read, for bad reading is poison to the soul. Provide yourself with Catholic books. Subscribe to a Catholic paper.

3. Perform your daily tasks not only punctually and faithfully, but prayerfully. Offer up your work to God, and do not allow yourself to be so absorbed by it as to forget His presence, or to be unable to make fervent aspirations now and then.

4. Often call to mind that you must some day die; you know not when, nor where, nor how. Only this you know: that if you die in mortal sin, you will be lost forever; if you die in the state of grace, you will be happy forever. "In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin."

Every day remember that you have a soul to save. This may be your last day. How would you fare if at this moment you were called to stand before your Judge?

"What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?"

5. Never neglect to hear Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation. Listen attentively to the sermon, if there is one. If possible, attend the afternoon or evening devotion, especially when there is Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Go to Mass daily if possible and make frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

6. If you are not able to be a daily or frequent communicant, at least have the practice of going to Confession and Communion every month, or better still, every week.

7. When you are tempted by bad thoughts, say quickly, "Jesus and Mary, help me!" Then fix your mind on something good or useful. Remember that God always sees you, and knows even your most secret thoughts.

8. Avoid the occasions of sin. Shun all company, visits, amusements, reading, and dress that are dangerous to morals. Avoid all talk and conversations that are indecent or uncharitable. Fly from all danger of sin; for "he that loveth the danger shall perish in it."

9. If you are so unhappy as to fall again into sin, do not be discouraged; quickly beg pardon of God, seek the first opportunity to go to Confession, and start again in a new life.

10. Make it a practice frequently to deny yourself something you do not need, and to give to God's poor and to His Church, according to your means.

11. Set aside a few days of your time once a year to assist at a spiritual retreat or mission; or recollect yourself privately on how you stand with God.

12. Always stand up for your religion, which was taught by Jesus Christ. Be loyal to His Vicar, our Holy Father, the Pope. Give due respect to the clergy. "Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8)

A LAST WORD

The compiler of this booklet hopes that the meditations, prayers, and instruction have been an aid towards reaping profit from the Mission. As explained in the beginning of this work, the aim of a mission is to excite us to greater fervor in living as good Christians - being always i the grace of God, that is, as friends and obedient children of God.

To be in the state of mortal sin would mean to have our heart deprived of God's grace, black as it appears in the first illustration. The face of the sinner is wicked and sad: he is in the possession of the devil, whose friend he is. His Guardian Angel weeps at the loss of his poor soul; such a young man did not make a good mission.

In the second illustration is represented a young man in the grace of God. His face is joyful and at peace; he is under the loving protection of his Guardian Angel; the devil is confounded by this state of grace. After our Mission may we all resemble the good young man, with his clean heart!

Let us resolve to keep our heart and soul pure and unsullied by sin. Let us say with the holy Domingo Savio, "Death rather than sin." Let us make this our resolution at the end of our good Misson or Retreat.

May God bless you and grant you eternal salvation!

EASTER TIME

This period extends from Septuagesima Sunday (nine Sundays before Easter) until the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, June 29. All are obliged under pain of sin to receive Holy Communion during the Easter Time.

FEAST AND FASTS

Holydays of Obligation

(On these days we are bound to hear Mass and to obtain from sevile work.)

1. All Sundays.

2. The Circumcision. January 1

3. The Epiphany, January 6

4. Feast of St. Joseph, March 19

5. Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter

6. Corpus Christi, the Thursday after Trinity Sunday

7. Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, June 29

8. The Assumption of our Lady, August 15

9. All Saint's Day, November 1

10. The Immaculate Conception, December 8

11. Christmas Day, December 25

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Days of Fasting

The Seven Fridays of Lent (Cuaresma).

On these days persons between the ages of 21 years and 60 years are obliged to fast: that is, to take only one full meal a day.

1. Usually, the full meal should not be taken before noon; for sufficient reason, however, it may be anticipated one hour or even more.

2. In the morning, two ounces of bread or rice, with a cup of some warm drink, such as coffee, chocolate, or tea, may be taken. Ordinarily, two ounces of bread would be equivalent to two centavos' worth of rolls (pan de sal), or two slices of American bread; in rice, the equivalent would be about half a regular-sized plate. To the cup of warm drink may be added a little milk; no other food, as eggs, fish, etc., should be taken with bread or rice and the drink.

3. Eating between meals is forbidden; but drinking is permitted, provided the drink is not nourishing. Ice cream, milk, soup, or broth, and such nourishing liquids cannot be taken between meals, but wine, soda, tea, lemonade, beer, black coffee, and ices (flavored frozen water) are permitte.

4. In the evening, or at noon if the full meal is taken in the evening, a light collation not exceeding eight ounces (about 250 grams) is allowed. This would be equivalent to about four times the amount permitted at breakfast. For the evening collation, other food may be taken in addition to bread or rice, provided one keep within the prescribed amount. This food must be abstinence food, since fast days in the Philippines are also abstinence days.

Days of Abstinence

1. The seven Fridays of Lent.

2. The eve of Pentecost Sunday.

3. The eve of the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul.

4. The eve of the Assumption, Augutst 14.

On these days all persons 7 years old and above are required to abstain from flesh-meat. Flesh-meat refers to the flesh of all warm-blooded land animals, including birds and fowls; meat-soup and gravy ar also forbidden. Fish, snails, frogs, oysters, shrimps, crabs, milk, eggs, butter, cheese, and similar food, may be eaten on abstinence days. Lard and any animal fats may be used in cooking or for seasoning. There is no abstinence when the day falls on a Sunday or holyday of obligation outside of the Lenten season.

Catholic Works of Mercy

Monday, September 21, 2009

Meditations

Monday, March 30, 2009

Things a Catholic Should Know

Ministering to the Dying

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