LESSON
THIRTY-FIFTH: On the First and Second Commandments of the Church
Q.
1325. Are not the commandments of the Church also commandments of God?
A.
The commandments of the Church are also commandments of God, because they are
made by His authority, and we are bound under pain of sin to observe them.
Q.
1326. What is the difference between the commandments of God and the
Commandments of the Church?
A.
The commandments of God were given by God Himself to Moses on Mount Sinai; the
commandments of the Church were given on different occasions by the lawful
authorities of the Church. The Commandments given by God Himself cannot be
changed by the Church; but the commandments made by the Church itself may be
changed by its authority as necessity requires.
Q.
1327. Which are the chief commandments of the Church?
A.
The chief commandments of the Church are six:
1.
To hear Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation. 2. To fast and abstain on
the days appointed. 3. To confess at least once a year. 4. To receive the Holy
Eucharist during the Easter time. 5. To contribute to the support of our
pastors. 6. Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to
us within the third degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses, nor to
solemnize marriage at forbidden times. 7.
Q.
1328. Why has the Church made commandments?
A.
The Church has made commandments to teach the faithful how to worship God and
to guard them from the neglect of their religious duties.
Q.
1329. Is it a mortal sin not to hear Mass on a Sunday or a holyday of
obligation?
A.
It is a mortal sin not to hear Mass on a Sunday or a holyday of obligation, unless
we are excused for a serious reason. They also commit a mortal sin who, having
others under their charge, hinder them from hearing Mass, without a sufficient
reason.
Q.
1330. What is a "serious reason" excusing one from the obligation of
hearing Mass?
A
A "serious reason" excusing one from the obligation of hearing Mass
is any reason that makes it impossible or very difficult to attend Mass, such
as severe illness, great distance from the Church, or the need of certain works
that cannot be neglected or postponed.
Q.
1331. Are children obliged, under pain of mortal sin, the same as grown
persons, to hear Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation?
A.
Children who have reached the use of reason are obliged under pain of mortal
sin, the same as grown persons, to hear Mass on Sundays and holydays of
obligation; but if they are prevented from so doing by parents, or others, then
the sin falls on those who prevent them.
Q.
1332. Why were holydays instituted by the church?
A.
Holydays were instituted by the Church to recall to our minds the great
mysteries of religion and the virtues and rewards of the saints.
Q.
1333. How many holydays of obligation are there in this country?
A.
In this country there are six holydays of obligation, namely:
1.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8th);
2.
Christmas (Dec. 25th);
3.
Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord (Jan. 1st);
4.
Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord (forty days after Easter);
5.
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Aug. 15th); and
6.
Feast of All Saints (Nov. 1st).
Q.
1334. How should we keep the holydays of obligation?
A.
We should keep the holydays of obligation as we should keep the Sunday.
Q.
1335. Why are certain holydays called holydays of obligation?
A.
Certain holydays are called holydays of obligation because on such days we are
obliged under pain of mortal sin to hear Mass and keep from servile works as we
do on Sundays.
Q.
1336. What should one do who is obliged to work on a holyday of obligation?
A.
One who is obliged to work on a holyday of obligation should, if possible, hear
Mass before going to work, and should also explain this necessity in
confession, so as to obtain the confessor's advice on the subject.
Q.
1337. What do you mean by fast-days?
A.
By fast-days I mean days on which we are allowed but one full meal.
Q.
1338. Is it permitted on fast days to take any food besides the one full meal?
A.
It is permitted on fast days, besides the one full meal, to take two other
meatless meals, to maintain strength, according to each one's needs. But
together these two meatless meals should not equal another full meal.
Q.
1339. Who are obliged to fast?
A.
All persons over 21 and under 59 years of age, and whose health and occupation
will permit them to fast.
Q.
1340. Does the Church excuse any classes of persons from the obligation of
fasting?
A.
The Church does excuse certain classes of persons from the obligation of
fasting on account of their age, the condition of their health, the nature of
their work, or the circumstances in which they live. These things are explained
in the Regulations for Lent, read publicly in the Churches each year.
Q.
1341. What should one do who doubts whether or not he is obliged to fast?
A.
In doubt concerning fast, a parish priest or confessor should be consulted.
Q.
1342. When do fast days chiefly occur in the year?
A.
Fast days chiefly occur in the year during Lent and Advent, on the Ember days
and on the vigils or eves of some great feasts. A vigil falling on a Sunday is
not observed.
Q.
1343. What do you mean by Lent, Advent, Ember days and the vigils of great
feasts?
A.
Lent is the seven weeks of penance preceding Easter. Advent is the four weeks
of preparation preceding Christmas. Ember days are three days set apart in each
of the four seasons of the year as special days of prayer and thanksgiving.
Vigils are the days immediately preceding great feasts and spent in spiritual
preparation for them.
Q.
1344. What do you mean by days of abstinence?
A.
By days of abstinence I mean days on which no meat at all may be taken
(complete abstinence) or on which meat may be taken only once a day (partial
abstinence). This is explained in the regulations for Lent. All the Fridays of
the year are days of abstinence except when a Holyday of obligation falls on a
Friday outside of Lent.
Q.
1345. Are children and persons unable to fast bound to abstain on days of
abstinence?
A.
Children, from the age of seven years, and persons who are unable to fast are
bound to abstain on days of abstinence, unless they are excused for sufficient
reason.
Q.
1346. Why does the Church command us to fast and abstain?
A.
The Church commands us to fast and abstain, in order that we may mortify our
passions and satisfy for our sins.
Q.
1347. What is meant by our passions and what by mortifying them?
A.
By our passions are meant our sinful desires and inclinations. Mortifying them
means restraining them and overcoming them so that they have less power to lead
us into sin.
Q.
1348. Why does the Church command us to abstain from flesh-meat on Fridays?
A.
The Church commands us to abstain from flesh-meat on Fridays in honor of the
day on which our Saviour died.
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