The Irish Roman Catholic Catechism (1917) - Extracts

Bibliographical details: The Cathecism / ordered by the National Synod of Maynooth / and apptroved by / The Cardinal, the Archbiships and the Bishops of Ireland / For General use throughout the Irish Church / Imprimi Potest +Guiliemus, / Archip. Dublinen, / Hiberniae Primas. / Copyright / All rights reserved / Dublin / M. H. Gill & Son, Ltd. 1917. Prefaced by unsigned engraving of Mary, Elizabeth and Joseph with the text ‘And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth and was subject to them.' (St. Luke, ii, 51.) [p.2]

Confiteor: ‘I confess to almighty God ... May the Almighty God and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of my sins. Amen. (Prayers)

Indulgenced [sic] Prayers

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I offer you my heart and soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I breathe forth my soul in peace with you. (300 days indulgence.) [p.3.]

Short act of contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for my sins, and I detest them because they offend Thee, who art so good; and I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy holy grace, never again to commit sin.

Act of Faith: Oh my God! [...] I believe these and all other articles which the holy Roman Catholic Church proposes to our belief, because Thou, my God, the Infallible Truth, has revealed them; and Thou has commanded us to hear the Church, which is the pillar and ground of truth. In this faith I am firmly resolved, by thy holy grace, to live and die. (Matt. xviii. 17; Tim. iii. 15.)

Lesson 9

divers tongues (Acts ii; here On the Descent of the Holy Ghost, Lesson 9, p.18.)

nullus salus extra ecclesiam [no one is saved outside the Church].

Is they any other true Church besides the Holy Catholic Church? A: As there is but one Lord, one Faith, one Baptims, one God and Father of all, ther can be but the one true Church. (Ephes. iv.) [20]

All are obliged to belong to the the true Church, and no one can be saved out of it. (Acts ii, Luke c; John x; Matt. xviii.)

One, holy and apostolic: The Church is catholc or universal, because it has subsisted in every age, is spread throughout all nations, and shall last to the end of time. (Matt, xxviii; Rom. x.)

founded by Christ and his Apostles ... governed by their lawful successors ... never ceased, and never will cease, to teach their doctrine. (Ephes. ii, 20.)

Lesson 12 - on Sin

Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is any wilful thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the law of God.

Q. What is mortal sin?
A. Mortal sin is so called, because it kills the soul be depriving it of its true life, which is sanctifying grace, and because it brings everlasting death and damnation to the soul.

... Venial sin is does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace, or deserve everlasting punishment, but it hurst the soul by lessing its love of God, and disposing it to mortal sin. The Scripture says, He that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little. (Eccles. xix. i.)

...

Q. Is it a great misfortune to fall into mortal sin?
A. To fall into mortal sin is the greatest of all misfortunes.

...

If we fall into mortal sin we ought to repent sincerely, and go to confession as soon as we can. ... If we cannot go to confession soon after falling into moratl sin we ought to excite ourselves to perfect contrition, with the intention of going to confession. [24]

...

They who die in mortal sin go to hell, for all eternity. [24]

...

Q. Why is the conversion if apostates so very difficult?
A. The conversion of apostates is very difficult because by their apostacy they sin against the Holy Ghost, crucify again the Son of God, and make a mockery of him. (Heb. vi. 6.)

...

On the First Commandment

A. What do you [think] of theatrical representations and other amusements, particularly at wakes, in which religion, its ministers, and sacred ceremonies are ridiculed?
Q. Theatrical representations and other amusements in which sacred things are ridiculed, and all such representations at wakes, are highly criminal, and are strictly forbidden by the first commandment.

On the Ninth and Tenth Commandments.

...

Unchaste thoughts are always very dangerous, and, when they are entertained deliberately and with [32] pleasure, they defile the soul, like criminal actions (Matt. v. 28).

...

To how many commandments may the ten commandments be reduced?

A. The ten commandments may be reduced to these two principal commandments, which are the two great precepts of charity; Thou shall love the Lord they God with they whole heart, and with they whole soul, and with all they strength, and with all they mind; and thy neighbour as theyself. Do this, and though shalt live . (Luke x. 29). [39]

Q. Are we obliged ... to contribute to the support of our pastors?
A. We are obliged in conscience and justice, and by divine precept, to contribute to the support of our pastors. St. Paul says: So the Lord ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel (Cor. ix, 13,14).

...

Prayer is an elevation of the soul to God, to adore Him, tobless His holy name, to praise His goodness, and to return Him thanks for His benefits. [43]

...

Q. How may we excite ourselves to contrition?
A. We may excite ourselves to contrition by the following motives - the fear of hell, the loss of heave, the filthiness of sin, our ingratitude in offending God who is os good to us, and the injury our sins do to God, who is infinitely good in Himself [and] that the Son of God died for our sins, and that we cruficy Him again as often as we offend Him. [55]

...

Q. Why do so many marriages prove unhappy?
A. So many marriages prove unhappy, because many enter into that holy state from unworthy motives, and with guilty consciences; therefore their marriages are not blessed by God.

[Cf. supra:] To receive worthily the sacrament of Marriage, they should make agood confession, and earnestly beseech God to grant them a pure intention, and direct them in the choice they are making. [59]

... consult their parents ... give timely notice to their pastors. [Idem.]

The bodies of the damned shall not rise glorius, but shall be immortal, to live for ever in eternal flames. [60]

Christ shall say to the wicked: Depart from me ye cursed .... [Matt. xxv. 41.]


[ back ]

[ top ]