The New Saint Joseph
First
Communion
Catechism
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Name .
School .
I was born on .
I was born again in Baptism on
I became a child of God.
I will learn how much God loves me.
I will learn how to wash my soul by Confession.
I will learn how to feed my soul by Communion.
First
Communion
Catechism
Prepared from the Official
Revised Edition of the
Baltimore Catechism
Explained by
Rev. Bennet Kelley, C.P.
CATHOLIC BOOK PUBLISHING CO.
NEW YORK
SAINT JOSEPH
the Foster Father of JESUS
the First Teacher of these truths.
- CONTENTS -
Prayers for Every Day . 3
LESSON: Page
1 — God Made us . 7
2 —God is Great . 12
3 —The Blessed Trinity. 15
4 —The First Sins . 18
5 — Our Own Sins . 23
6 —The Son of God Becomes
Man . 27
7 —Jesus Opens Heaven for us 30
LESSON: Page
8 —Sacraments of Baptism
and Confirmation. 35
9 — Sacrament of Penance . . 40
10 —How to Make a Good
Confession . 44
11 — The Holy Eucharist.47
The Holy Mass . .. 53
Holydays of Obligation . 61
Various Prayers . . *. 62
Night and other Prayers .... 62
The text of the First Communion Catechism contained in this book is reproduced
by the license of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D. C., the
only owner of the copyright of the Revised Edition of the Baltimore Catechism
No. 2. Used with its permission. All rights reserved.
(T-240)
Nihil Obstat: Richard Kugelman, C.P., S.T.L., S.S.L. Censor Deputatus
Imprimi Potest: Gerard Rooney, C.P. Provincial
Nihil Obstat: Eugene F. Richard, M.S. Censor Deputatus
Imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman Archbishop of New York
(c) 1963 by Catholic Book Publishing Co., N. Y. - United States and Canada - Printed in U.S.A.
PRAYERS FOR EVERY DAY
In the Name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy
Ghost
The Sign of the Cross
N THE NAME of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
/^UR FATHER who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
3
PRAYERS FOR EVERY DAY
The Hail Mary
H AIL MARY, full of grace!
The Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be to the Father
G LORY BE to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost,
it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Prayer to the Guardian Angel
A ngel of god,
My Guardian dear,
To whom His love
Entrusts me here,
Ever this day,
Be at my side,
To light and guard,
To rule and guide.
4
PRAYERS FOR EVERY DAY
Morning Offering
O MY GOD, I offer You every thought
and word and act of today.
Please bless me, my God,
and make me good today.
An Act of Faith
O MY GOD, I believe all the truths
which the Holy Catholic Church teaches,
because You have made them known.
An Act of Hope
O MY GOD,
because You are all-powerful,
merciful, and faithful to Your promises,
I hope to be happy with You in heaven.
An Act of Love
O MY GOD,
because You are all-good,
I love You
with my whole heart and soul.
5
GOD MADE ALL THINGS
6
LESSON 1
COD MADE US
The Purpose of Man’s Existence
1. Who made you?
God made me.
God made me out of nothing.
He made me because He loves me.
He gave me to my mother and father.
They take care of me.
They take God’s place.
I belong to God because He made me.
2. Did God make ail things?
Yes, God made all things.
God made the earth and the sky.
God also made the sun.
God made the moon and the stars.
God made night and day.
God made rain and snow.
God made hills and mountains.
God made oceans and rivers.
God made the trees and flowers.
God made all animals, big and little.
God made the fishes in the water.
God made the birds in the sky.
LESSON 1
GOD MADE US
God made the angels.
Angels are spirits.
They have no bodies.
They know much more than we do.
They have great power.
The angel who helps me is my guardian angel.
He is with me all the time.
He keeps me from danger.
He helps me to think of God.
God Made Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve were the first man and woman.
God made the sun and moon for them.
God made the trees and flowers for them.
God made the animals for them.
God made the birds and fishes for them.
God made all these things for them to use.
God made the world for all of us.
8
GOD MADE US
LESSON 1
3. Why did God make you?
God made me to show His goodness and to
make me happy with Him in heaven.
God made me because He is good.
God is always happy.
God wants everybody to be happy.
God made me to be happy with Him forever.
I cannot be happy without God.
I need God.
Heaven is God’s home.
Everybody in heaven is happy.
To be happy forever, we must get to heaven.
Earth is the place where we get ready for
heaven.
9
LESSON 1
GOD MADE US
4. What must you do to be happy with God in heaven?
To be happy with God in heaven I must
know Him, love Him, and serve Him in
this world.
First I must KNOW God.
I cannot love God unless I know Him well.
To know God I must study my catechism.
I must think about God every day.
I must pray to God.
Most of all I must LOVE God.
We give gifts to those we love.
I must make my life a gift to God.
I must love God more than I love myself.
I must love God more than I love anybody else.
I must love God above all things.
To show God I love Him I must SERVE Him.
I serve God when I PRAY well.
I try to think of God.
I serve God when I well.
I study hard at school and home.
I serve God when I 'PAY well.
I try to be fair and not selfish.
10
GOD MADE US
LESSON 1
I must not offend God by sin.
I must want to please Him.
It is not always easy to please God.
What pleases Him sometimes does not please us.
I must please God rather than myself.
This shows God I love Him more than myself.
Shall I Be Selfish shaM , share
and PLEASE MYSELF? UK and pleasFgOD?
When I am selfish I do not please God.
When I am kind to others I please God.
To be happy I must please God in everything.
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. Why do you belong to God?
2. Who were the first man and woman?
3. What is God’s home called?
4. Why does God want us to come there?
5. What three things must I do to be happy with God?
11
LESSON 2
COD IS GREAT
God and His Perfections
5. Where is God?
God is everywhere.
God is with us.
God is on earth.
God is in the sky.
God is in all places.
But heaven is God’s home.
He also lives in souls that are pleasing to Him.
6. Does God know all things?
Yes, God knows all things.
God knows all things on earth.
God knows all things in heaven.
God knows what happened long ago.
God knows what we are doing now.
God knows what is going to happen.
12
GOD IS GREAT
LESSON 2
God knows when we are good.
God knows when we are bad.
God sees all the things we do.
God knows even what we are thinking.
God watches us because He loves us.
He wants to keep us from harm.
He even wants to keep us
from hurting ourselves.
7. Can God do all things?
Yes, God can do all things.
God can make anything.
God can change anything.
God can change us and make us better,
if we let Him.
God gives us all the help we need.
God always helps us when we ask Him.
Asking Him to help us is called prayer.
8. Did God have a beginning?
No, God had no beginning. He always was.
The earth had a beginning.
The sun, moon and stars had a beginning.
The angels had a beginning.
We had a beginning.
God gave everything a beginning.
Only God had no beginning.
God was never born.
13
LESSON 2
GOD IS GREAT
9 . Will God always be?
Yes, God will always be.
God can never die.
He will live forever.
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. Where is God’s home?
2. What does God know?
3. What can God do?
4. How long will God live?
5. Why does God watch over us?
SOME THINGS I SEE IN CHURCH
The HOLY WATER FONT is near
the door. Holy water is blessed to
protect us. I make the sign of the
cross with it.
The SANCTUARY LAMP burns all
the time. It burns before Jesus in the
Tabernacle. It takes the place of our
heart.
The CONFESSIONAL BOX is the
place where we go to confession.
14
LESSON 3
THE BLESSED TRINITY
The Unity and Trinity of God
10. Is there only one God?
Yes, there is only one God.
There cannot be more than one God.
There never will be more than one God.
11. How many Persons are there in God?
In God there are three Persons—the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
The Father is God.
The Son is God.
The Holy Ghost is God.
But they are all ONE God.
The Father is the First Person.
The Son is the Second Person.
The Holy Ghost is the Third ^erson.
There are THREE Persons in ONE God.
k_
15
LESSON 3
THE BLESSED TRINITY
12. What do we call the three Persons in one God?
We call the three Persons in one God the
Blessed Trinity.
The Father is God.
The Son is God.
The Holy Ghost is God.
All THREE Persons are ONE God.
We call them the BLESSED TRINITY.
SON
We PICTURE God the Father
as a kind father.
But He is really a Spirit.
We cannot see a spirit.
It is easy to PICTURE
God the Son because He really
became man.
We PICTURE God the Holy Ghost as a dove.
But He too is really a Spirit.
We also call Him the Holy Spirit.
All three Persons are equal.
THE BLESSED TRINITY
LESSON 3
13. How do we know that there are three Persons in one
God?
We know that there are three Persons in one
God because we have God’s word for it.
The Father sent His Son to us on earth.
The Son told us what the Blessed Trinity is
like.
The Blessed Trinity is God’s family.
But it is a family which is all one God.
In this family all is love.
They never fight.
They always agree.
They are always happy.
Say this prayer often:
O God, make my family holy.
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. Is there only one God?
2. How many Persons are there in God?
3. Who are they?
4. Why can’t you see God?
5. What do we call all three Persons together?
17
LESSON 4
THE FIRST SINS
22. What is sin?
Sin: Original sin
Sin is disobedience to God’s laws.
God’s laws show me the way to heaven.
They are signs that show me the right road.
Sin is saying “No” to God.
It offends God.
Sin shows God I do not love Him very much.
St. Michael Drove the Bad Angels from Heaven
23. Who committed the first sin?
The bad angels committed the first sin.
All the angels were made to serve God.
But some loved themselves more than God.
They said, “We will not serve.”
They were thrown into hell.
We call them devils.
18
THE FIRST SINS
LESSON 4
24. Who committed the first sin on earth?
Our first parents, Adam and Eve,
committed the first sin on earth.
God put Adam and Eve in the Garden of
Eden.
They were the first people to live on the earth.
God wanted them to be happy.
But He told them not to eat of one tree.
Its fruit would make them die.
The devil spoke to Eve.
He told her the fruit was good.
He told her she would be like God.
Eve Listened to the Devil
Eve did not mind God.
She ate some of the fruit and gave some to
Adam.
They loved themselves more than God.
This was the first sin on earth.
They did not believe God.
19
LESSON 4
THE FIRST SINS
25. Is this sin passed on to us from Adam?
Yes, this sin is passed on to us from Adam.
We are children of Adam and Eve.
They were our first parents.
We are born with this sin on our soul.
We are born without grace in our soul.
26. What is this sin in us called?
This sin in us is called original sin.
Original sin means “first” sin.
We are all bom with original sin on our souls.
While it is there we cannot love God as He
loves us.
Baptism washes this sin off our souls.
But original sin leaves our souls weak.
We think more of pleasing ourselves
than of pleasing God.
We feel like loving ourselves more than God.
Our hearts
turn quickly to
things like
Candy
Toys
TV
We like them
too much.
Our hearts
turn away from
things like
Obedience
Prayer
Study.
But these
please God
more.
The Effect of Original Sin is that our Hearts are Filled
with love for ourselves.
20
THE FIRST SINS
LESSON 4
27. Was anyone ever free from original sin?
The Blessed Virgin Mary was free from
original sin.
God wanted to free everybody from sin.
To do this, He planned to send His Son to earth.
He wanted His Son to have a good mother.
So He made the best mother He could.
God made Mary.
He kept her free from
original sin.
She came into the world
without it.
She never had sin.
Mary’s soul was always
turned to God.
Her heart was always
full of love for God. The Blessed Virgin Mary
She was full of grace. with her mother, Saint Anne
We call this Mary’s Immaculate Conception.
Even as a baby, Mary’s heart loved God.
She grew up loving God.
She did not love herself more than God.
She wanted only to please God.
She always did what God wanted.
21
LESSON 4
THE FIRST SINS
ON
c
An Angel Gave Mary God's Message
God sent an Angel to see Mary.
He asked her to be the Mother of Jesus.
Mary said “Yes” to the angel.
God sent His Son to her.
God made her Mother of Jesus.
He did this by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mary prepared Jesus to die on the Cross for us.
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. What does a sinner say to God?
2. What did Adam and Eve say to God?
3. What did Mary say to God?
22
LESSON 5
OUR OWN SINS
Actual Sin
28. Is original sin the only kind of sin?
No, there is another kind of sin, called
actual sin.
Adam and Eve committed ORIGINAL sin.
We did not commit it, but are born with it.
The sin we commit is ACTUAL sin.
29. What is actual sin?
Actual sin is any sin which we ourselves
commit.
Actual Sin is Doing Wrong
We are not born with actual sin.
We commit it ourselves.
30. How many kinds of actual sin are there?
There are two kinds of actual sin: mortal
sin and venial sin.
23
LESSON 5
OUR OWN SINS
31. What is mortal sin?
Mortal sin is a deadly sin.
It is a big sin committed on purpose.
The word deadly means that it kills our soul.
Children do not often commit mortal sin.
God protects them in a special way.
But big people sometimes commit mortal sin.
Even big boys and girls do sometimes.
We must hate mortal sin.
32. What does mortal sin do to us?
Mortal sin makes us enemies of God and
robs our souls of His grace.
Anyone who commits mortal sin loves himself
more than God.
He offends God very much.
One whose soul is dead in sin has no power to
love God.
He cannot please-God.
Mortal sin kills
this life.
It CRUCIFIES
CHRIST in us.
GRACE is the lift
of Christ in us.
Grace in the Soul
Mortal Sin in the Soul
Christ lives in us.
Christ is crucified in us.
24
OUR OWN SINS
LESSON 5
33. What happens to those who die in mortal sin?
Those who die in mortal sin are punished
forever in the fire of hell.
Hell is a terrible place.
Those who are there suffer great pain.
They are slaves of the devil.
They hate God and everyone else.
They love only themselves.
They can never be happy.
34. What is venial sin?
Venial sin is a lesser sin.
Mortal sin is doing something big that God
does not like.
Venial sin is doing something not so big that
God does not like.
Sometimes we commit venial sin on purpose.
Sometimes we commit it without thinking.
If we do it on purpose, it offends God.
If we do it without thinking, it does not offend
God.
But we must be sorry afterwards and try to
find out why we committed the sin.
25
LESSON 5
OUR OWN SINS
35. Does venial sin make us enemies of God or rob our
souls of His grace?
No, venial sin does not make us enemies
of God or rob our souls of His grace.
Venial sin does not kill God’s life in our souls.
But it makes our souls sick.
Our soul is more important
than our body.
It is worse to have a sick soul
than a sick body.
Our Blessed Lord loves us.
Venial sin makes Him SAD,
if we do it on purpose,
or do not try to do better.
Venial Sin in the Soul
Christ is sad in us.
36. Does venial sin displease God?
Yes, venial sin does displease God.
God loves you.
Venial sin hurts your own soul.
It displeases God to see you hurt yourself.
Does your mother like to see you hurt
yourself?
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. What sin do we commit ourselves?
2. What does mortal sin do to the life of Christ in us?
3. What sin makes our soul sick?
4. Why should we hate sin?
26
LESSON 6
THE SON OF COD
BECOMES
MAN
The Incarnation
14. Did one of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity become
man?
Yes, the Second Person, the Son of God,
became man.
15. What is the name of the Son of God made man?
The name of the Son of God made man
is Jesus Christ.
His name is holy.
We bow our heads when
we say or hear His name.
Jesus, I love You.
27
LESSON 6
SON OF GOD BECOMES MAN
16. When was Jesus born?
Jesus was bom on the first Christmas Day,
more than nineteen hundred years ago.
Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ.
He was born in a stable in Bethlehem.
On Christmas we are happy, because it is the
birthday of Jesus.
He became a baby for us.
He likes to be with us.
28
SON OF GOD BECOMES MAN
LESSON 6
17. Who is the Mother of Jesus?
The Mother of Jesus is the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
Mary was His Mother on earth.
Jesus had no father on earth.
He had a Father in heaven.
But Saint Joseph took the place of the Father
in heaven.
We call Saint Joseph the foster father of Jesus.
18. Is Jesus Christ both God and man?
Yes, Jesus Christ is both God and man.
Jesus Christ is God.
Jesus Christ is man.
Jesus Christ is God and man.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is the Son of Mary.
Jesus Christ is like His heavenly Father.
Jesus Christ is like us as man.
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. Who is Jesus Christ?
2. Where was He born?
3. What do we call His birthday?
4. Who is His Mother?
5. Who is Saint Joseph?
29
LESSON 7
JESUS OPENS HEAVEN FOR US
The Redemption — The Church
19. Why did God the Son become man?
God the Son became man to satisfy for the
sins of all men and to help everybody to
gain heaven.
God loves all men.
God wanted all men in heaven.
God sent His Son to show men the way.
God sent His Son to open the gates of
heaven.
Jesus said: "I am the WAY, and the TRUTH, and the LIFE.
No one comes to the FATHER but through ME." (John 14, 6)
30
JESUS OPENS HEAVEN FOR US
LESSON 7
20. How did Jesus satisfy for the sins of all men?
Jesus satisfied for the sins of all men by
His sufferings and death on the cross.
The Gates of Heaven had been Closed by Sin
The sin of Adam and Eve had closed them.
God sent His Son Jesus to make up for sin.
God sent His Son because He loves us.
Jesus died on the Cross for us.
He died because He loved His Father.
He died because He loved us.
Love pleases God. Sin displeases God.
The love of Jesus pleased the Father more
than sin displeased Him.
31
LESSON 7
JESUS OPENS HEAVEN FOR US
THE LOVE OF JESUS ... DESTROYED THE POWER OF SIN
The LOVE of Jesus was like a fire in His Heart.
Jesus lit this fire in Mary's heart too.
This love made Jesus die on the Cross for us.
This love pleased the Father more than sin displeased Him.
Sin lost its power to keep us out of heaven.
32
JESUS OPENS HEAVEN FOR US
LESSON 7
THE LOVE OF JESUS ... OPENED THE GATES OF HEAVEN
The Father in heaven was PLEASED with this love.
So He raised the body of His Son from the dead.
He opened the gates of heaven to welcome His Son.
Mary gave Jesus to the Father for us.
Jesus went home to heaven to prepare a place for us.
33
LESSON 7
JESUS OPENS HEAVEN FOR US
The Church is Our Ladder to Heaven
21. How does Jesus help all men to gain heaven?
Jesus helps all men to gain heaven through
the Catholic Church.
The Church is like a ladder to heaven.
Jesus gave us only ONE ladder.
The Church is our only way to heaven.
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. What kept the gates of heaven closed?
2. Who died to pay for our sins?
3. What pleased the Father more than sin displeased Him?
4. Where did Jesus go after He rose from the dead?
34
LESSON 8
THE SACRAMENTS OF
BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION
1. BAPTISM
37. How does the Catholic Church help us to gain heaven?
The Catholic Church helps us to gain
heaven especially through the sacraments.
The Sacraments are Steps to Heaven
The Church is our ladder to heaven.
The sacraments are the seven steps of the
ladder.
God lets the ladder down.
Our Lady helps us up the ladder.
35
LESSON 8
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
38. What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted
by Christ to give grace.
A SACRAMENT is a SIGN of Christ.
It is Christ working in our soul.
It is Christ helping our soul.
Christ is hidden in every sacrament.
39. What does grace do to the soul?
Grace makes the soul holy and pleasing to
God.
Grace is life.
It is God’s life.
It is Christ in us.
It makes our souls
look like Christ.
It gives us power to please God.
40. What sacrament have you received?
I have received the sacrament of Baptism.
41. What did Baptism do for you?
Baptism washed away original sin from my
soul and made it rich in the grace of God.
36
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
LESSON 8
Baptism is birth.
By it we are born of God.
He sends His Son into our soul.
God becomes our Father too.
Mary becomes our Mother.
The Holy Spirit pours grace into us.
Baptism washes us from original sin.
It drives away the devil.
He can no longer hurt us unless we let him.
42. Are you preparing to receive other sacraments?
I am preparing to receive the sacraments of
Confirmation, Penance, and Holy Eucharist.
37
Baptism Is a Second Birth
LESSON 8
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
2. CONFIRMATION
43. What will confirmation do for you?
Confirmation, through the coming of the
Holy Ghost, will make me a soldier of Jesus
Christ.
Every sacrament gives us the Holy Spirit.
It gives us more of His power.
Confirmation gives us power to help others
to know about Jesus.
It gives us strength to suffer for Jesus.
It helps us to die for our faith if we have to.
We must be willing to die for Jesus.
'■Mr 7 'nn
Confirmation Gives Power to Spread the Faith
38
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
LESSON 8
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE
1. Who is hidden in every sacrament?
2. What does He do there?
3. What is grace?
4. When does God become our Father?
5. What does Confirmation help us to do?
SOME THINGS TO HELP ME PRAY
The ROSARY is like a crown of roses.
On each big bead we say an “Our
Father.”
On each little bead we say a “Hail
Mary.”
We give them all to Our Lady.
She is pleased with them.
A PRAYER BOOK helps me pray.
It tells me what to say to God.
God likes me to talk to Him.
I do not always need a book to pray.
HOLY PICTURES remind me of God
and the saints.
I must not play with them.
I must take care of them.
39
LESSON 9
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
44. What is the sacrament of Penance?
Penance is the sacrament by which sins
committed after Baptism are forgiven.
Mortal sin kills the life of Christ in our soul.
Venial sin makes our soul sick.
The sacrament of Penance is like medicine.
It is the medicine of Christ’s Precious Blood.
It cures sick souls.
It is much stronger than medicine for the body.
It even raises dead souls to life.
Jesus said to the man who could not walk, "Your sins are
forgiven. Arise and go to your house." And the man got
up and walked.
40
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
LESSON 9
This sacrament heals the wounds of all our sins.
It helps us to be good afterwards.
It helps us to keep out of sin.
Our sins may be big.
Our sins may be many.
But Our Lord always forgives us if we are sorry.
He is never angry with us.
He loves to have us come to Confession.
45. What must you do to receive the sacrament of
Penance worthily?
To receive the sacrament of Penance
worthily I must:
1. Find out my sins
2. Be sorry for my sins.
3. Make up my mind not to sin again.
4. Tell my sins to the priest.
5. Do the penance the priest gives me.
The best way to do this is:
Pray to the Holy Spirit.
Then think about Our Lord’s sufferings.
We call these sufferings His Passion.
41
LESSON 9
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Our sins made Jesus suffer.
He suffered in our place.
We should have been on the Cross.
He did not commit the sins; we did.
But He loves us.
He wanted to suffer for our sins.
When we see His hands and feet nailed,
we will be sorry we did that to Him.
When we see His bleeding Body,
we will make up our mind not to sin again.
When we see His face,
we will want to tell our sins to the priest.
When we see His eyes,
we will want to say our penance.
42
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
LESSON 9
DID I COMMIT ANY OF THESE SINS?
Did I miss Mass on purpose on a Sunday or
Holy Day? (How many times)
Was I late for Mass on Sunday through my
own fault? (.... times)
Did I laugh or talk in church? (.... times)
Was I disobedient to others? (.... times)
Did I talk back to them? (.... times)
Did I fight with someone? (.... times)
Did I use angry words? (.... times)
Did I try to get even with someone?
(... times)
Did I use bad words? (.... times)
Did I steal something? (... times)
Did I tell any lies? (... times)
Was I unkind to others? (.... times)
Did I call anyone bad names? (... times)
Was I mean to others? (_ times)
Did I tease someone unkindly? (.... times)
Did I eat meat on Friday on purpose?
(... times)
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. What sacrament heals our sick souls?
2. What medicine does it use?
3. If we ever have big sins, will Our Lord forgive us?
4. Is He angry with us?
5. What is the best way to get ready for confession?
43
LESSON 10
HOW TO MAKE
A GOOD CONFESSION
46. How do you make your confession?
I make my confession in this way:
1. I go into the confessional and kneel.
2. I make the sign of the cross and say:
“Bless me. Father, for I have sinned.”
3. I say: “This is my first confession” (or,
“It has been one week, or one month,
since my last confession”).
4. I confess my sins.
5. I listen to what the priest tells me.
6. I say the act of contrition loud enough
for the priest to hear me.
The Priest Takes Christ's Place
44
HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION
LESSON 10
Remember you are talking to Our Lord.
Do not be afraid. Tell the truth.
Tell all the sins you can remember.
Do not leave out any sin on purpose.
If you forget to tell a sin, God forgives you.
Listen carefully to the priest.
Say your Act of Contrition from your heart.
47. What do you do after leaving the confessional?
After leaving the confessional, I say the
penance the priest has given me and thank
God for forgiving my sins.
Thanksgiving After Confession
Look at the crucifix again.
Thank Our Lord for His sufferings.
Thank Him for curing your sins.
Say your penance from your heart.
Ask Jesus to help you to be better.
LESSON 10
HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. What is the first thing you say in confession?
2. What do you say about your last confession?
3. What do you do next?
4. What do you do after the priest gives you your penance?
C
PRAYER
BEFORE CONFESSION
OME, HOLY SPIRIT,
give me Your light
to see my sins,
and give me Your help
to be sorry for them.
Show me why I sinned.
Help me never again
to sin on purpose.
PRAYER
AFTER CONFESSION
jyjY JESUS, I thank You
for washing away my sins
in Your Precious Blood.
Help me to accept my cross
each day and not to hurt
You.
I love You with my whole
heart and soul.
SIGNS OR SYMBOLS OF CHRIST I SEE IN CHURCH
A cross should remind me that Our
Lord died on the Cross for me.
The letters “I H S” mean JESUS in Greek.
This was a language used when Jesus
was on earth.
The letters “P” and “X”, placed one over
the other, mean CHRIST in Greek.
Next time you are in church, see how many of these
symbols you can find.
46
LESSON 11
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Last Supper Was the First Mass
48. What is the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?
The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament of the
body and blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Holy Eucharist is Our Lord Himself.
He comes to us in Person.
He comes to be Food for our soul.
He comes to live in us.
He comes to stay with us.
He comes to help us always.
47
LESSON 11
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
49. When does Jesus Christ become present in the Holy
Eucharist?
Jesus Christ becomes present in the Holy
Eucharist during the Sacrifice of the Mass.
THE MASS IS OUR GIFT TO GOD
We offer bread and wine.
The priest does it for us.
We give our hearts to God.
Then the priest changes
the bread and wine.
They become the Body
and Blood of Jesus.
The priest offers
them to God.
This tells God
we love Him.
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
LESSON 11
Jesus offers Himself as He did on the Cross.
We also offer ourselves with Jesus.
We are willing to suffer with Him.
The Gift of Jesus on the Cross pleased the
Father,
so the Father raised Jesus from the dead.
Our Gift at Mass pleases the Father too,
so the Father will raise us with Jesus.
Some day we will all be together in heaven.
50. Do you receive Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the
Holy Eucharist?
I do receive Jesus Christ in the sacrament
of the Holy Eucharist when I receive Holy
Communion.
To show He is pleased, the Father invites us to
His table.
He gives us something to eat.
He gives us what we have given Him.
He gives us the Flesh and Blood of His Son.
He gives us the Host which looks like bread,
but which is JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus Christ is the Food and Drink of our soul.
It makes our souls strong.
49
LESSON 11
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
51. Do you see Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist?
No, I do not see Jesus Christ in the Holy
Eucharist because He is hidden under the
appearances of bread and wine.
The Eucharist is Christ.
He is really there.
We cannot see Him.
We cannot hear Him.
But He is there.
The HOST looks like bread.
But it is really the Body
of Jesus.
The big Host is for the
priest.
The small Hosts are for
the people.
Each Host is Jesus.
The CHALICE contains the Blood.
It looks and tastes like wine.
But it is really the Blood of Jesus.
The Mass is an act of love.
Our Lord says to His Father, “I love You.”
He tells this to the Father for us.
He wants us to say it with Him.
50
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
LESSON 11
52. What must you do to receive Holy Communion?
To receive Holy Communion I must:
1. Have my soul free from mortal sin.
2. Not eat anything for three hours before
Holy Communion or drink anything for
one hour. But water may be taken at any
time before Holy Communion.
People in mortal sin may not go to Communion.
It is a big sin if they go.
The life of Christ in their souls is dead.
Dead people cannot eat.
But sick people need to eat.
Venial sin makes the soul sick.
We can receive Communion with venial sins.
But first we should be sorry for our sins.
I must not eat for three hours before
Communion.
I must not drink anything for one hour.
I may take water or medicine any time.
All this is to show respect for Our Lord.
53. What should you do before Holy Communion?
Before Holy Communion I should:
1. Think of Jesus.
2. Say the prayers I have learned.
3. Ask Jesus to come to me.
51
LESSON 11
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
54. What should you do after Holy Communion?
After Holy Communion I should:
1. Thank Jesus for coming to me.
2. Tell Him how much I love Him.
3. Ask Him to help me.
4. Pray for others.
Then thank Him, talk to Him, ask His help.
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE?
1. Who comes to live in us at Communion time?
2. Why does He come to us?
3. Who offers the Mass for us?
4. What do the bread and wine at Mass become?
5. What does Jesus say to His Father at Mass?
PRAYER
BEFORE COMMUNION
PRAYER
AFTER COMMUNION
V| Y JESUS, I need You.
It is hard for me to be
good.
Come to make my soul strong.
Give my soul its Food and
Drink.
Let me grow in Love for You.
jyjY JESUS, I love You.
Stay with me always.
I need Your help to be good.
Change what is bad in me.
Make me just like You.
52
THE HOLY MASS
Our Lord faces two ways at Mass.
1. He looks up to heaven.
He gives Himself to the Father in love.
And we give ourselves with Him.
2. He looks at us.
He gives us His own Body and Blood.
They are Food and Drink for our souls.
THE MASS IS CHRIST S ACT OF LOVE
1. The ALTAR is a table.
Mass is said on it. It is very
holy.
2. The COMMUNION RAIL
gives room for all to come
and eat Our Lord’s Body
and Blood.
3'. The CHALICE is a cup
which holds Our Lord’s Pre¬
cious Blood at Mass.
4. The CIBORIUM is a
cup which holds the Hosts
the people receive at Com¬
munion.
5. The MONSTRANCE is a
shrine where Our Lord’s
Body is placed so people
can see and adore Him.
6. The TABERNACLE is
like a tent. Our Lord lives
in it.
7. The CRUCIFIX is a cross
with Our Lord on it. It re¬
minds us He died for us.
He loved us so much to do
this.
8. The ALTAR CARDS
have prayers on them.
9. The MISSAL is a big
prayer book, with prayers
of the Mass. It rests on a
stand on the altar.
10. The CANDLES remind
us of Our Lord. They are
made of pure wax. They
burn like His Sacred Heart.
54
THE HOLY MASS
THE BEGINNING OF MASS
THE PRIEST AT THE FOOT OF THE ALTAR
The priest begins the Mass.
He tells God he is sorry for his sins.
We tell God we are sorry for our sins too.
0 God, I am sorry for my sins.
Help me to do better.
Help me to pay attention to the
Mass.
THE PRIEST AT THE MISSAL
He praises God.
He prays for our needs.
He reads God's words to us.
On Sundays he preaches a sermon.
O my God, we adore You.
Thank You for Your love.
Help us to be good.
Teach us what we should know.
THE PRIEST OFFERS BREAD AND WINE
He offers the bread to God.
He puts wine in the chalice.
He offers that to God.
O God, we offer ourselves to You.
We put our hearts in the chalice.
We want to please You always.
55
THE HOLY MASS
CONSECRATION OF THE HOST
This is the most important part of
the Mass.
The priest bends low over the host.
The people kneel in silence.
The priest says the words of Christ,
THIS IS MY BODY .
The bread is changed into Christ's
Body.
O God, we love You.
We offer You our gift of
bread.
Our hearts are in it.
Change the bread into the
Body of Your Son.
Change our hearts too.
Fill them with love for You.
ELEVATION OF THE HOST
The priest genuflects.
He raises the Host for all to see.
The people look up and adore Jesus.
Say:
MY LORD AND MY GOD!
56
THE HOLY MASS
CONSECRATION OF THE CHALICE
Now the priest bends over the
chalice.
He says the words of Christ,
THIS IS MY BLOOD .
The wine is changed into Christ's
Blood.
It reminds us of His death on the
Cross.
It is really the same Act of Love.
0 God, we love You.
We offer You the Blood of
Your Son.
He shed it for us.
Please accept our gift.
ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE
The priest genuflects.
He raises the chalice for all to see.
The people look up and adore the
Precious Blood.
Say:
MY JESUS, MERCY!
57
THE HOLY MASS
THE OUR FATHER
The priest is getting ready for Com¬
munion.
He says the "Our Father."
He asks the Father for the daily
Bread of the Eucharist.
/YUR Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those
who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
THE COMMUNION
The priest receives the Host.
He drinks the Precious Blood.
The people eat the Bread of Life.
Dear Lord, make us worthy
to receive You.
Take away our power to sin.
Give our souls their Food
and Drink.
Make us strong in love for
You.
Lead us to life everlasting.
58
RESPONSES FOR A DIALOGUE MASS
Before the Prayer:
Say: Et cum spi-ri-tu tu-o.
(And with your spirit.)
At the end of the Prayer:
Say: A-men. (Amen.)
At the end of the Epistle:
Say: De-o grd-ti-as.
(Thanks be to God.)
Before the Gospel:
Say: Et cum spi-ri-tu tu-o.
(And with your spirit.)
Say: Glo-ri-a ti-bi, Do-mi-ne.
(Glory be to You, O
Lord.)
At the end of the Gospel:
Say: Laus ti-bi, Chri-ste.
(Praise be to You, O
Christ.)
After the Creed:
Say: Et cum spi-ri-tu tu-o.
(And with your spirit.)
Before the Preface:
Say: A-men. (Amen.)
Say: Et cum spi-ri-tu tu-o.
(And with your spirit.)
Say: Ha-be-mus ad Do-mi-
num.
(We lift them up to
the Lord.)
Say: Di-gnum et iu-stum
est.
(It is fitting and just.)
Before the Our Father:
Say: A-men. (Amen.)
At the end of the Our Father:
Say: Sed li-be-ra nos a ma-
lo.
(But deliver us from
evil.)
At the Breaking of the Host:
Say: A-men. (Amen.)
Say: Et cum spi-ri-tu tu-o.
(And with your spirit.)
Before the Postcommunion:
Say: Et cum spi-ri-tu tu-o.
(And with your spirit.)
At the end of the Postcommunion:
Say: A-men. (Amen.)
Say: Et cum spi-ri-tu tu-o.
(And with your spirit.)
Say: De-o gra-ti-as.
(Thanks be to God.)
At the end of the Blessing:
Say: A-men. (Amen.)
Before the Last Gospel:
Say: Et cum spi-ri-tu tu-o.
(And with your spirit.)
Say: Glo-ri-a ti-bi, Do-mi-ne.
(Glory be to You, O
Lord.)
At the end of the Last Gospel:
Say: De-o gra-ti-as.
(Thanks be to God.)
59
THE TWO BIGGEST FEASTS OF THE YEAR
EASTER SUNDAY
The day Our Lord rose from the dead.
1 "
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{ Wi
ft wfe i
*4 ■
5
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UN X iVI | \
hot *7Wm,v^v<m
PENTECOST SUNDAY
The day the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles.
60
HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION
THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION - December 8
This feast reminds us how
holy Mary’s body and soul
were made by God.
CHRISTMAS-December 25
This is Our Lord’s birthday.
OCTAVE DAY OF
CHRISTMAS - January 1
The day when Our Lord
received His name Jesus.
THE ASCENSION
(40 days after Easter)
The day Our Lord went
up to heaven.
ASSUMPTION - August 15
The day Our Lady was
taken up to heaven.
ALL SAINTS - November I
The day we think of all
the saints in heaven.
61
NIGHT AND OTHER PRAYERS
VARIOUS PRAYERS
The Blessing before Meals
DLESS US, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are
about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ
Our Lord. Amen.
Grace after Meals
WE GIVE THEE THANKS for all Thy benefits, O
Almighty God, who livest and reignest forever.
Amen.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the
mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Ejaculations
jyjY Jesus, mercy.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Mother of mercy, pray for us.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
bless us now and at the hour of our death.
NIGHT AND OTHER PRAYERS
TVTY GOD and Father,
I thank You for all the blessings
You have given me today.
I am sorry for all my sins,
because they have hurt You,
my dearest Father.
An Act of Contrition ^
MY GOD, I am sorry for all my sins,
^ because of Thy just punishments,
and because they displease Thee,
Who art all-good and deserving of all my love.
With Thy help, I will sin no more.
62
NIGHT AND OTHER PRAYERS
Another Act of Contrition (Longer Form)
MY God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because of Thy just punishments,
but most of all,
because they offend Thee, my God,
Who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
with the help of Thy grace,
to sin no more
and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
The Confiteor
J CONFESS to Almighty God,
to blessed Mary ever Virgin,
to blessed Michael the Archangel,
to blessed John the Baptist,
to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul,
and to all the saints,
that I have sinned exceedingly
in thought, word, and deed,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault.
Therefore,
I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin,
blessed Michael the Archangel,
blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles
Peter and Paul, and all the saints,
to pray to the Lord our God for me.
May the Almighty God have mercy on me,
and forgive me my sins,
and bring me to everlasting life. Amen.
May the Almighty and merciful Lord
grant me pardon, absolution,
and remission of all my sins. Amen.
63
NIGHT AND OTHER PRAYERS
The
Apostles'
Creed
T BELIEVE in God,
**■ the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, Our Lord;
Who was conceived
by 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
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have
strange gods before Me.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy
God in vain.
3. Remember thou keep holy the Lord’s day.
4. Honor thy father and thy mother.
5. Thou shalt not kill.
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbor.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS
1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Holy Eucharist
4. Penance
5. Extreme Unction
6. Holy Orders
7. Matrimony
OTHER OUTSTANDING CATHOLIC BOOKS
SAINT JOSEPH BALTIMORE CATECHISM No. 1 — Explained by Rev. Bennet Kelley, C. P.
It retains all the Official Catechism texts and includes many new and exclusive features which
make teaching easier. Up to date with all the latest changes. Ask for No. 241.
SAINT JOSEPH BALTIMORE CATECHISM No. 2 — By Rev. Bennet Kelley, C. P. Modern
edition of the Official Baltimore Catechism. It combines a truly modern format, modern outlook
and modern language with stimulating examples, instructive illustrations and simplified explana¬
tions. Ask for No. 242.
SAINT JOSEPH PICTURE BOOK SERIES - By Rev. Lawrence Lovasik, S.V.D. Magnificent new
religious books for children, superbly illustrated and simply written, that will help all
children to understand better the Catholic Faith. Ideal for home or school. Ask for No. 275.
SAINT JOSEPH PICTURE PRAYER BOOK — By Rev. Lawrence Lovasik, S.V.D. Mass prayers
children will easily understand. Beautiful full color pictures. Extra large type. Ask for No. 802.
SAINT JOSEPH CHILDREN’S MISSAL — By Rev. H. Hoever. Easy-to-understand Mass prayers
will help children to pray the Mass with ease and understanding. Over 140 full color illustrations
of Sunday Gospels, Actions of the Priest, Stations and the Rosary. Ask for No. 806.
JESUS, meek and humble of heart
make my heart like Your heart.
Mary, Mother of God
show yourself a Mother to me.
Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Family
protect me in all dangers.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
I give You my heart and my soul.
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