Catechism Lessons - 10

SUNGLASSES, 1963

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

On God and His Perfections.

If God is everywhere, why do we not see Him?
We do not see God, because He is a pure spirit and cannot be seen with bodily eyes.
Why is God said to have eyes, ears, hands, and feet?
God is said to have eyes, ears, hands, and feet, to help us to better realize that God sees all, hears all we say, has made all things, and that all should bow before Him.

Does God see us?

God sees us and watches over us.

How does God watch over us?

God watches over us by His Providence, providing for our welfare, and allowing nothing to happen without His will or permission. 

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922.

page 12

This is My Body

DETROIT CATHOLIC PRE-SCHOOL, 1964

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

On The Holy Eucharist.

 

How did our Lord institute the Holy Eucharist?

Our Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist by taking bread, blessing, breaking, and giving to His Apostles, saying: "Take ye and eat, This is My body" and then taking the cup of wine, blessing and giving it, saying to them: "Drink ye all of this. This is My blood which shall be shed for the remission of sins. Do this for a commemoration of Me." 

Matt. 26: 26-28; Mark 14: 22-24; Luke 22: 19,20; 1 Cor. II: 23-26. 

In what sense should these words of promise and institution be understood?

These words of promise and institution should be taken in their plain, literal, and obvious sense, as the Jews and the disciples clearly understood them. John 6: 53-69.

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922.

page 12

Prayers for Holy Communion

BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION

Prayer for Help

O my God help me to make a good Communion. Mary, my dearest Mother, pray to Jesus for me. My dear Angel Guardian, lead me to the Altar of God.

Act of Faith

O God, because Thou hast said it, I believe that I shall receive the Sacred Body of Jesus to eat, and His precious Blood to drink. My God, I believe that with all my heart.

Act of Humility

My God, I confess that I am a poor sinner; I am not worthy to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus on account of my sins. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Act of Sorrow

My God, I detest all the sins of my life. I am sorry for them, because they have offended Thee, my God who art so good. I resolve never to commit sin any more. My good God, pity me, have mercy on me, forgive me. Amen.

Act of Adoration

O Jesus great God, present on the Altar, I bow down before Thee, I adore Thee.

Act of Love and Desire

Sweet Jesus, I love Thee. I desire with all my heart to receive Thee. Most sweet Jesus, come into my poor soul, and give me Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to drink. Give me Thy whole self, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, that I may live forever with Thee.

O most sweet Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, lend me, I beseech thee, thy Immaculate Heart to receive my Jesus: that so I may receive Him by thee, by  whom the world received Him.

O Jesus, I offer Thee Thy sinless Mother's Heart, with its perfect dispositions at the moment of Thy Incarnation and all her communions. Come to me now by her, as I came to Thee by her. With her heart let me receive Thee.

AFTER HOLY COMMUNION

O my Queen, thou hast given me Jesus in thy heart, therefore, now, with the same true heart, entertain Him for me. Adore Him, thank Him, and implore Him for the graces thou knows me to need-in particular . . . . .

ACT OF FAITH

O Jesus, I believe that I have received Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to drink, because Thou hast said it, and Thy word is true.

ACT OF ADORATION

O Jesus, my God, my Creator, I adore Thee, because from Thy Hands I came and with Thee I am to be happy forever.

ACT OF HUMILITY

O Jesus, I am but dust and ashes, and yet Thou hast come to me, and my poor heart may speak to Thee.

ACT OF LOVE

Sweet Jesus, I love Thee; I love Thee with all my heart. Thou knows that I love Thee, and wish to love Thee daily more and more.

ACT OF THANKSGIVING

My good Jesus, I thank Thee with all my heart. How good, how kind Thou art to me, sweet Jesus. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

ACT OF OFFERING

O Jesus, receive my poor offering. Jesus Thou hast given Thyself to me, and let me give myself to Thee:

I give Thee my body, that it may be chaste and pure.

I give Thee my soul, that it may be free from sin.

I give Thee my heart, that it may always love Thee.

I give Thee every breath that I shall breathe. and especially my last; I give Thee myself in life and in death, that I may be Thine for ever and ever.

O Jesus, wash away my sins with Thy precious Blood.

O Jesus, the struggle against temptation is not yet finished. My Jesus, when temptation comes near me, make me strong against it. In the moment of temptation may I always say, "Jesus, mercy! Mary, help!"

O Jesus, may I lead a good life; may I die a happy death. May I receive Thee before I die. May I say when I am dying, "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul."

Listen now for a moment to Jesus Christ; perhaps He has something to say to you. There may be some promise you have made and broken, which He wishes you to make again and keep. Answer Jesus in your heart, and tell Him all your troubles. Then pray for others.

O Jesus, have mercy on Thy Holy Church; take care of it.

O Jesus, have pity on poor sinners, and save them from hell.

O Jesus, bless my father, my mother, my brothers and sisters, and all I ought to pray for, as Thy Heart knows how to bless them.

O Jesus, have pity on the poor souls in Purgatory, and give them eternal rest.

Sweet Jesus, I am going away for a time, but trust not without Thee. Thou are with me by Thy grace. I will never leave Thee by mortal sin. I do not fear to do so, though I am so weak, because I have such hope in Thee. Give me grace to persevere. Amen.

Back to Home.

    

Catechism Lessons - 9

MOUNTAIN PATH - GERMANY - 1950

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

On God and His Perfections.

 

What is God?
God is a spirit infinitely perfect.

Why is God said to be infinitely perfect.
God is said to be infinitely perfect, because He is the most perfect of all beings, and there are no limits to His perfections.

Had God a beginning?
God had no beginning; He always was and He always will be. 
"Before the mountains were made and the world was formed, from eternity to eternity, Thou art God" Ps. 89:2.

Where is God?
God is everywhere. 

If God is everywhere, why is He said to be in certain places?
God said to be in certain places, because He shows Himself therein in some special way; as, in heaven, in the tabernacle, and in the souls of the just.

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922.

page 12

Catechism Lessons - 8

CATHOLIC SCHOOL, 1959 - USA

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

Where shall we find the chief truths which the Church teaches?

We shall find the chief truths which the Church teaches in the Apostles' Creed.
 

What is a creed?

A creed is a short form of the chief religious truths to be believed. 

Say the Apostles Creed.

☩ I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; ☩ and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; ☩ Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, ☩ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died and was buried; ☩ He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; ☩ He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, ☩ from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. ☩ I believe in the Holy Ghost; ☩ the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; ☩ the forgiveness of sins; ☩ the resurrection of the body; ☩ and life everlasting. Amen. 

Why is this creed called the Apostles' Creed?

This creed is called the Apostles' Creed, because it has come down to us from the Apostles.

Into how many articles is the Apostles' Creed divided?

The Apostles' Creed is divided into twelve articles ☩ or parts, which contain the chief truths taught by the Apostles.

When should the Apostles' Creed be recited?

The Apostles' Creed should be recited daily to renew and strengthen the faith received in baptism.

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922.

page 11

Lead Kindly Light

John Henry Newman never revealed to the world the secret of his own conversion into the Catholic faith.  Perhaps the answer can be found in this little book that he wrote while still an Anglican.  

The words were set to music and became a popular hymn which is cherished by Protestants and Catholics alike. Click on the sound bar below the book to listen to the music.  To read the book use the tools provided to enlarge and to turn the pages. 

Catechism Lessons - 7

CATHOLIC SCHOOL, 1959 - USA
 

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

How shall we know the things which we are to believe?

We shall know the things which we are to believe from the Catholic Church, through which God speaks to us.

How does God speak to us through the Catholic Church?

God speaks to us through the Catholic Church by means of the teaching of the pope, bishops, and priests. 

(Matt. 28: 18) 

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922.

page 10

Catechism Lessons - 6

SCHOOL CAFETERIA - VIRGINA, USA - 1956

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

Of Which must we take more care, 
our soul or our body?

We must take more care of our soul than of our body.

What care must we take of our bodies?
We must take care of the life and health of our bodies, and must avoid what would injure or destroy them.

Why must we take more care of our soul than of our body?
We must take more care of our soul than of our body, because in losing our soul we lose God and everlasting happiness. 

"What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul." Matt. 16:26.

What must we do to save our souls?
To save our souls we must worship God by faith, hope, and charity; that is, we must believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him with all our heart. 

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922

3, 882, 118

Catechism Lessons - 5

A Catholic priest carries the Eucharist into the home of a dying child while siblings kneel at the roadside. Quebec, Canada, 1942.

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

Why did God make you?

God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him for ever in the next.

To know God: By means of Catechism, instructions, sermons, and spiritual books.
To love God: By keeping His commandments, and obeying the Church and our superiors. 
John 15:10; Wisdom 6:19. 
To serve God: By avoiding sin, attending Church, receiving the sacraments, praying, and doing works of mercy. 

How will God reward those who know, love, and serve Him?
God will reward those who know, love, and serve Him, by making them happy on earth and in heaven.

Can we ever be perfectly happy on earth?
We can never be perfectly happy on earth, but our greatest happiness will come through loving ad serving God.

"Seek ye therefore first the Kingdom of God and His justice and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33.

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922

3, 882, 118

Catechism Lessons - 4

A Catholic priest carries the Eucharist into the home of a dying child while siblings kneel at the roadside. Quebec, Canada, 1942.

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

How is the soul like to God?

The soul is like God because it is a spirit that will never die, and has understanding and free will.

What is a spirit?
A spirit is an intelligent being without a body. There are three classes of spirits: God, the Angels, and our souls.
In the case of man, however, the spirit or soul, is united to a body; God and the angels are pure spirits, because they are not united to a body.

What is the soul?
The soul is the spiritual part of man, which gives life to his body.

What means "the soul will never die?"
"The soul will never die" means that the soul will never cease to exist.
The soul may die the spiritual death of mortal sin, but it will not cease to exist.

Which are the chief powers of the soul?
The chief powers of the soul are memory, will, and understanding: three powers in one soul, as there are three Persons in one God. 

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922

3, 882, 118

Catechism Lessons - 3

CATHOLIC SCHOOL, USA - 1959

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

What is Man?

Man is a creature composed of body and soul, and made to the image and likeness of God.
"Let us make man to our own image and likeness." Gen. 1:26

Is this likeness in the Body or in the soul?
This likeness is chiefly in the soul.

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922

3, 882, 118

Catechism Lessons - 2

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, USA - 1946

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

Who is God?

God is the Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things.

Why is God called "the Creator?"
God is called the Creator, because He made all things out of nothing, simply by His will.
"For He spoke and they were made; He commanded and they were created." Ps. 32:9.

Why did God make heaven and earth?
God made heaven and earth because it pleased Him to show forth His glory and to have angels and men share in His happiness. 

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922

3, 882, 118

Catechism Lessons - 1

ESPADA MISSION SCHOOL, USA - 1945

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

Who made the world?

God made the world.

How do we know that "God made the world?"
The order and beauty of the world, the inner voice of conscience, and God Himself, tell us that He made the world and all things in it. Rom. 1:20; Ps. 18:2; Heb. I: 2.

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922

3, 882, 118

Star of the Sea

O Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendour of Heaven, singular Bringer forth of the Son of God, assist me in this my necessity. (Tell Mary your trouble & ask for her aid)

O Star of the Sea, help me, and show me herein that you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Empress of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart to succor me in the necessity; there is nothing that can withstand your power. O, show me here that you are my Mother. 

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (Three times.)

Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. (Three times.)

First Friday's Divine Mercy Chaplet

During the month of May, in the year 1688, St. Margaret Mary wrote to her superior in Dijon: "During Holy Communion on a certain Friday the Lord spoke to me, His unworthy servant, the following words: 'I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without having received the sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge at that last moment.'" Dedicated To

Month of Mary - Last Day :( :(

The Story:

Index to Older Stories

Among the vast number of servants of Mary, St. Alphonsus Liguori was one of the most noteworthy. From his childhood he practiced virtue and devotion. Endowed with splendid mental faculties he became a counsellor-at-law; but fearing that he would become guilty of injustice, he resolved to serve only God and his church. He became a priest, afterward bishop and the founder of the congregation of the most holy Redeemer. He devoted himself to the mission, in which by his powerful sermons, devout prayer and touching example he converted many sinners. His love to Jesus is expressed in his book: Visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament: his love to Mary is revealed in the work entitled: The Glories of Mary. He served God in the work for the salvation of his fellow-men, he served Mary by many devotions, rosary and filial confidence perseveringly until his death in the year 1787.


The Prayer:

O holy Mother Mary! pray for me, thy unworthy child, that I may never act contrary to God's holy will, that I may practice only virtues and persevere unto my end, so that I may be glorified hereafter and obtain the crown of eternal life. Amen.

Pray Your Rosary 

Every Day

29th Visit to Jesus & Mary

Dedication, Introduction & Index

Visit of the Good Master

Prayer Before Visit

A FRIEND AT THE DOOR

"I stand at the gate and knock." (Apoc. 5). 

Most loving Shepherd, you have laid down your life for your sheep, a Victim on the altar of the Cross. Now you want to be always close by so that you can knock at the door of our hearts and find entrance therein; for this you remain hidden in the Blessed Sacrament on the altars of our Churches. O if I had only the wisdom to find my joy there so close to you. 

It was this nearness to her Beloved that gave such joy to the Spouse in the Canticles when she exclaimed, "I sat down in the shadow of Him whom I loved." (Cant. 2). O my Most Beloved, if I only loved you and loved you truly, how I too would be filled with longing desire to remain inseparable from you, night and day at your feet, close to the Tabernacle! There at your very side with your glory and your majesty veiled by the shadow of the Sacred Species, I would find those delights that are divine, and the inexpressible happiness that is found only by the souls that love you. 

O draw me to you by the sweet odors of your beauty and by the boundless love opened up to me in this Sacrament. "Draw me. We will run after you in the odors of you ointments." (Cant. 1). 

Yes, my Saviour, at last I will turn away from created things and everything that is pleasant on earth, to run to you in the Blessed Sacrament. "As tender olive branches round about your altar." (Ps. 127). Those souls who remain close to Jesus burning with His love are like young olive plants; they bring forth abundant fruits of all the virtues as their offerings to God. 

But my Jesus, my soul is naked and empty of virtue; and so I am ashamed to appear before you. It has been decreed that those who come to adore at the altar must not come unless they have a gift to offer; "You shall not appear empty-handed in my sight." (Exod. 23). What then am I to do? Am I not allowed to come before you and to pay you my visit? No; it is not in this way I would please you. But the gift you want from me will be supplied by yourself, because I am very poor. I know this―that you remain in the Blessed Sacrament not only to reward those who love you, but also to give to the needy precious gifts from your own rich store. 

So now without any more delay I am going to begin: King of my heart, true Lover of Mankind, I adore you. Today I come beside the throne of your love, for you are the Good Shepherd, and your love for your sheep is exceeding great. I have nothing else to offer, so I give you my own poor heart. I want it to be consecrated all to your love and to your good-pleasure. I can love you with this heart because you made it for yourself―and I want to love you with this heart as much as I possibly can. Take it. Bind it close to your own. And so from this day forward, like your beloved Apostle Paul, I too can proclaim with joy that I am bound with the bonds of your love; "Ego Paulus vinctus Christi." (Eph. 3). "I, Paul, in the bonds of Christ." 

Bring about the closest union between yourself and me, my dear Master. Let me forget myself, so that the day will come when I shall lose everything―even my own self: but only to find you and to love you forever. Master, I love you―I love you in the Blessed Sacrament―and I bind myself to you; I want ever to be one with you. My Beloved, let me find you; and when I have found you let me never leave you again.

Aspiration―My Jesus, you are all that I need, you alone.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION  

Jesus, I believe you are in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you; I want you to come to me. Come into my heart; I embrace you; O never depart from me.  

A VISIT TO MARY 

THE ROYAL ROAD AND THE VEHICLE 

Faith enlightens us, 

Hope supports us, Love draws us.

"The Royal Road to the Saviour"―This is the name that St. Bernard gives to Mary: the safe road to the place where the Saviour and salvation are found. The same Saint tells us that she is the vehicle that carries our souls to God. If that is true, O Lady, do not wait for me to walk towards God. Take me in your arms and carry me.  If I show resistance then use force with me; but the force that you will use will be the sweet attractions of your love for me. With this same force compel my wayward will to leave created things; and to seek only for God, my Creator, and His Divine Will. 

O show what power you have to all Heaven: you―who have done many wonderful things. Show us one more marvel of your mercy―draw entirely to God one who has been very far from Him.  

Aspiration―Mary, you can make me holy; I hope for this from you.

Prayer After Visit