Table of Contents

xi

Abbreviations Used for the Books of the Bible

xi

General Abbreviations

xv

Overview

T553

Catholic Prayers and Devotions

---

1

Chapter 1:
Called to Holiness

1a

Chapter Planning Guide

1c

Chapter Objectives

1c

Keys to This Chapter

1d

Key Ideas

2

Thirst for Christ

3

Called to Be Perfect

4

Sidebar: What Is the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

5

Sidebar: What Was the Second Vatican Council

5

Called to Holiness

6

Sidebar: St. Augustine, the Convert

7

Called to Be Saints

8

Sidebar: St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles

9

One Body in Christ

11

The Gift of Grace

12

The Marks of a Disciple

12

Sidebar: Is It Not Enough Just to Live a Good Life?

14

Sidebar: Martyrs for the Faith

15

Evangelization

16

Sidebar: The Gospels are “Good News”

16

Conclusion

17

Sidebar: How Can We “Know” God Intimately?

19

Supplementary Reading: St. Josemaria Escriva

20

Vocabulary

23

Study Questions

24

Practical Exercises

25

From the Catechism

27

Chapter 2:
The Existence of God and Divine Revelation

27a

Chapter Planning Guide

27c

Chapter Objectives

27c

Keys to This Chapter

27d

Key Ideas

28

Pure Inspiration

29

God Calls Us

30

The “Five Ways” of St. Thomas Aquinas

32

Sidebar: St. Thomas Aquinas:The“Dumb Ox”?

33

What Divine Revelation Is

33

Salvation History

34

Sidebar: What Is a Prophet?

34

Sacred Tradition

36

Sidebar: Scripture Alone? A Fundamental Difference

37

Sacred Scripture

38

Establishing the Canon

39

The Magisterium

40

Sidebar: The Canon of Sacred Scripture

42

Interpreting Scripture

44

Private Revelation

45

The Response of Faith

46

Conclusion

47

Supplementary Reading: St. Jerome

48

Vocabulary

51

Study Questions

52

Practical Exercises

53

From the Catechism

55

Chapter 3:
The Nature of God: The Blessed Trinity

55a

Chapter Planning Guide

55c

Chapter Objectives

55c

Keys to This Chapter

55d

Key Ideas

56

Our Mysterious God

57

The Blessed Trinity

58

One God

59

God Reveals His Name

60

The Trinity Foreshadowed

61

The Trinity Revealed

63

The Language of the Trinity

63

Sidebar: Nature and Person

64

Explaining the Trinity

65

Sidebar: St. Patrick and the Blessed Trinity

66

Perfect Attributes of God

67

Sidebar: Airing the Arian Errors

70

The Blessed Trinity and the Christian Life

71

Sidebar: A Prayer to the Blessed Trinity

72

Conclusion

73

Supplementary Reading: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

74

Vocabulary

76

Study Questions

77

Practical Exercises

78

From the Catechism

79

Chapter 4:
Creation, Man, and Original Sin

79a

Chapter Planning Guide

79c

Chapter Objectives

79c

Keys to This Chapter

79d

Key Ideas

80

Old and New Testament Images of God

82

God the Creator

83

Sidebar: What the Church Teaches About Evolution

84

Made in the Image of God

84

Sidebar: One Set of Parents

86

Sidebar: Messages of Genesis

86

The Fatherhood of God

87

The Fall

89

The Curse of Original Sin

90

Sidebar: Why Does Evil Exist?

91

Natural Law

91

The First Gospel

92

Sidebar: Angels

93

Preparing for the Messiah

97

Conclusion

98

Supplementary Reading: St. Albert the Great

98

Long-term Assignment

99

Vocabulary

101

Study Questions

101

Practical Exercises

102

From the Catechism

105

Chapter 5:
Jesus Christ Incarnate of the Blessed Virgin Mary

105a

Chapter Planning Guide

105c

Chapter Objectives

105c

Keys to This Chapter

105d

Key Ideas

106

Honoring the Mother of God

107

Redemption Foretold

108

The Blessed Virgin

110

The Incarnation

111

Sidebar: “Behold, Your Mother!”

112

Sidebar: Do Catholics Worship Mary?

113

Attributers and Titles of Mary

115

Sidebar: St. Joseph, Mary’s Faithful Spouse

117

Sidebar: Do Catholics Believe in Dogmas That Are Not in the Bible?

118

Christ ’s Hidden Years

120

Conclusion

121

Supplementary Reading: St. Andre Bessette

122

Vocabulary

123

Study Questions

124

Practical Exercises

125

From the Catechism

127

Chapter 6:
The Paschal Mystery

127a

Chapter Planning Guide

127c

Chapter Objectives

127c

Keys to This Chapter

127d

Key Ideas

128

God the Son

129

The Evangelists

130

The Baptism of Christ

132

Christ’s Public Ministry

135

Sidebar: Who’s Who in Judea

136

Jerusalem

137

The Last Supper: The New Passover

138

Sidebar: The Celebration of the Passover

140

Sidebar: Crucifixion, An Excruciating Way to Die

141

Meaning of Christ’s Death

142

Sidebar: The Sign of the Cross

143

Sidebar: What Is “Redemptive Suffering”?

144

Resurrection

145

The Road to Emmaus

146

Ascension

148

Sidebar: The Twelve Apostles

148

Conclusion

149

Supplementary Reading: Bl. Chiara Badano

150

Vocabulary

152

Study Questions

153

Practical Exercises

154

From the Catechism

157

Chapter 7:
The Holy Spirit

157a

Chapter Planning Guide

157c

Chapter Objectives

157c

Keys to This Chapter

157d

Key Ideas

158

God the Holy Spirit

159

Christ’s Promise to Send the Holy Spirit

160

Descent of the Holy Spirit

161

Sidebar: The Filioque Question

162

The Mission of the Holy Spirit

163

Sidebar: Symbols of the Holy Spirit

163

The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church

165

Sidebar: Prayer to the Holy Spirit

165

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

167

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

168

Sidebar: Is There Any Sin That God Will Not Forgive?

169

The Charismatic Gifts

170

Conclusion

171

Supplementary Reading: Archbishop Luis M. Martinez

172

Vocabulary

173

Study Questions

174

Practical Exercises

175

From the Catechism

177

Chapter 8:
The Holy Catholic Church

177a

Chapter Planning Guide

177c

Chapter Objectives

177c

Keys to This Chapter

177d

Key Ideas

178

The Church

179

What Is the Church?

180

The Faith of the Church

181

The Church Is the Work of the Blessed Trinity

183

Sidebar: Who Are the Fathers of the Church?

184

Mother and Teacher

185

Sidebar: Who Are the Doctors of the Church?

185

The Magisterium

187

Sidebar: How Can the Pope Be Infallible?

188

Sidebar: How a Pope Is Elected

189

Church as Mystery

190

Sidebar: Do You Have to Be Catholic to Be Saved?

193

The Precepts of the Church

193

The Marks of the Church

194

Conclusion

195

Supplementary Reading: Pope St. Leo the Great

196

Long-term Assignment

196

Vocabulary

198

Study Questions

199

Practical Exercises

200

From the Catechism

203

Chapter 9:
The Resurrection of the Body and Life Everlasting

203a

Chapter Planning Guide

203c

Chapter Objectives

203c

Keys to This Chapter

203d

Key Ideas

204

The Last Things

205

Death of a Christian

206

Sidebar: Do Unbaptized Babies Go to Limbo?

207

Christ Will Come Again

209

Sidebar: Waiting for the End of Time

210

Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory

212

Sidebar: Is Purgatory in the Bible?

214

Sidebar: The Book of Revelation

216

Conclusion

217

Supplementary Reading: Pope Benedict XVI

218

Vocabulary

219

Study Questions

220

Practical Exercises

221

From the Catechism

223

Chapter 10:
Christian Prayer

223a

Chapter Planning Guide

223c

Chapter Objectives

223c

Keys to This Chapter

223d

Key Ideas

224

Dialogue with God “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.”

225

A Life of Prayer

226

Sidebar: The Battle of Prayer

227

Types of Prayer

229

The Mass, Our Greatest Prayer

230

Sidebar: Liturgical Symbols and Gestures

231

Popular Prayers and Devotions

233

Sidebar: The Mysteries of the Rosary

234

Sacramentals

236

Sidebar: Stations of the Cross

237

Sacrifice and Self-Denial

238

Conclusion

239

Supplementary Reading: St. Justin Martyr

240

Vocabulary

242

Study Questions

242

Practical Exercises

243

From the Catechism

245

Chapter 11:
The Sacraments

245a

Chapter Planning Guide

245c

Chapter Objectives

245c

Keys to This Chapter

245d

Key Ideas

247

The Meaning of a Sacrament

248

Sidebar: The Sacraments in Sacred Scripture

249

Ex Opere Operato

250

Sidebar: Sacraments That Are Received Only Once

251

Matter, Form, and Minister

251

Sidebar: Signs of the Sacrament

252

Sacramental Grace

253

Sidebar: Categorizing the Sacraments

253

Proper Disposition

253

The Sacraments Are Necessary

254

Conclusion

255

Supplementary Reading: Bl. Otto Neururer

256

Vocabulary

257

Study Questions

258

Practical Exercises

259

From the Catechism

261

Chapter 12:
Sacraments of Christian Initiation:
Baptism and Confirmation

261a

Chapter Planning Guide

261c

Chapter Objectives

261c

Keys to This Chapter

261d

Key Ideas

262

Enter the Spirit

264

I. The Sacrament of Baptism

266

Sidebar: An Examination of Conscience Based on the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation

266

Celebrating Baptism

267

Sidebar: Why an Exorcism at Baptism?

269

Sidebar: Are Converts Re-Baptized?

269

Effects of Baptism

270

Sidebar: The Catechumenate

272

Sidebar: Baptism of Blood and Baptism of Desire

272

II. The Sacrament of Confirmation

273

Celebrating Confirmation

274

Sidebar: A Good Soldier for Christ

276

Sidebar: Why Do the Eastern Rites Celebrate the Sacraments Differently?

277

Effects of Confirmation

278

Conclusion

279

Supplementary Reading: St. Therese of Lisieux

280

Long-term Assignment

280

Vocabulary

282

Study Questions

283

Practical Exercises

283

From the Catechism

285

Chapter 13:
Sacraments of Christian Initiation:
The Eucharist

285a

Chapter Planning Guide

285c

Chapter Objectives

285c

Keys to This Chapter

285d

Key Ideas

286

God’s Sacred Presence

287

The Sacrament of the Eucharist

289

Sidebar: An Examination of Conscience for the Eucharist

291

Sidebar: Miracles of the Eucharist

292

One Single Sacrifice

293

Celebrating the Eucharist

294

Sidebar: Breaking of the Bread

295

The Structure of the Mass

297

Sidebar: Our Annual Tour Through the Bible

298

Sidebar: Eastern Catholics

300

Sidebar: Hosts That Are Not Distributed

300

Effects of the Eucharist

301

Sidebar: Spiritual Communion

303

Transformed by the Mass

304

Sidebar: How to Prepare for Mass

305

Eucharistic Adoration

306

Conclusion

307

Supplementary Reading: Pope St. Pius X

308

Vocabulary

310

Study Questions

311

Practical Exercises

312

From the Catechism

315

Chapter 14:
Sacraments of Healing:
Penance and the Anointing of the Sick

315a

Chapter Planning Guide

315c

Chapter Objectives

315c

Keys to This Chapter

315d

Key Ideas

316

Christ ’s Healing of the Sick

317

I. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

319

Sidebar: Sins of Omission

321

Sidebar: Why Go to Confession?

321

Celebrating Penance

323

Sidebar: The Mercy of God

324

Sidebar: An Act of Contrition

325

Effects of Penance

326

Sidebar: Indulgences

327

II. Anointing of the Sick

330

Celebration of the Anointing of the Sick

331

Effects of the Anointing of the Sick

332

Conclusion

333

Supplementary Reading: St. John Nepomucene

334

Vocabulary

336

Study Questions

337

Practical Exercises

338

From the Catechism

341

Chapter 15:
Sacraments at the Service of Communion:
Holy Orders

341a

Chapter Planning Guide

341c

Chapter Objectives

341c

Keys to This Chapter

341d

Key Ideas

342

A Sacrament of Service

344

Priesthood in Sacred Scripture

345

The Orders of Bishop, Priest, and Deacon

346

Sidebar: Symbols of a Bishop

347

Sidebar: Symbols of a Priest

348

Sidebar: Symbols of a Deacon

349

Celebrating the Holy Orders

351

Effects of the Sacrament

352

Sidebar: Titles in Holy Orders

353

Celibacy

354

Male Priesthood

354

Conclusion

355

Supplementary Reading: St. John Paul II

356

Vocabulary

358

Study Questions

358

Practical Exercises

359

From the Catechism

361

Chapter 16:
Sacraments at the Service of Communion:
Matrimony

361a

Chapter Planning Guide

361c

Chapter Objectives

361c

Keys to This Chapter

361d

Key Ideas

364

The Sacrament of Matrimony

366

Sidebar: The Domestic Church

367

Celebrating Matrimony

368

Sidebar: Can a Catholic Marry a Non-Catholic?

371

Effects of Matrimony

371

Sidebar: Sins Against Matrimony

372

Sidebar: Can Divorced Catholics Receive the Eucharist?

373

Sidebar: What Is an Annulment?

374

Conclusion

375

Supplementary Reading: Georges and Pauline Vanier

376

Supplementary Reading: Exhortation Before Marriage

377

Long-term Assignment

377

Vocabulary

379

Study Questions

379

Practical Exercises

380

From the Catechism

381

Chapter 17:
Freedom, Morality, and Grace

381a

Chapter Planning Guide

381c

Chapter Objectives

381c

Keys to This Chapter

381d

Key Ideas

382

Conscience: That Still, Small Voice

383

What Is Freedom?

384

Freedom Must Be Grounded in Truth

384

Sidebar: Prayer to Do God’s Will

386

Freedom and God’s Will

387

Freedom, Sin, and Grace

388

What Is Conscience?

388

Sidebar: What Is Morality?

390

Formation of Conscience

392

Sidebar: The Intellect, Free Will, and the Passions

392

Obligations of Conscience

393

Types of Conscience

394

The Moral Act

396

The Cardinal Virtues

397

Sidebar: The Lord’s Prayer and the Virtues

398

Conclusion

399

Supplementary Reading: St. Katharine Drexel

400

Vocabulary

402

Study Questions

403

Practical Exercises

404

From the Catechism

405

Chapter 18:
The Decalogue and the Beatitudes

405a

Chapter Planning Guide

405c

Chapter Objectives

405c

Keys to This Chapter

405d

Key Ideas

406

What Do You Want Most Out of Life?

407

The Ten Commandments and Christ

408

Sidebar: The Ten Commandments

409

Sidebar: The Beatitudes

410

The Perfection of the Moral Law

412

Practicing the Beatitudes

412

Sidebar: What the Moral Law Is Not

418

Sidebar: Examination of Conscience Based on the Beatitudes

420

Conclusion

421

Supplementary Reading: St. Teresa of Calcutta

422

Vocabulary

423

Study Questions

424

Practical Exercises

425

From the Catechism

427

Chapter 19:
The First Three Commandments

427a

Chapter Planning Guide

427c

Chapter Objectives

427c

Keys to This Chapter

427d

Key Ideas

428

What God Deserves

429

Reverence for One God

430

I. The First Commandment

431

The Theological Virtues

431

Sidebar: The Right to Religious Freedom

433

Sidebar: Keeping the Faith

435

The Virtue of Religion

436

Sidebar: Examination of Conscience: The First Commandment

437

II. The Second Commandment

438

Sins Against the Name of God

439

Sidebar: Examination of Conscience: The Second Commandment

439

III. The Third Commandment

440

Sins Against the Third Commandment

441

Sidebar: Examination of Conscience: The Third Commandment

442

Conclusion

443

Supplementary Reading

445

Vocabulary

447

Study Questions

448

Practical Exercises

449

From the Catechism

451

Chapter 20:
The Fourth Commandment:
Honor Your Father and Mother

451a

Chapter Planning Guide

451c

Chapter Objectives

451c

Keys to This Chapter

451d

Key Ideas

452

Wisdom of Years

453

The Fourth Commandment

454

Sidebar: The Fourth Commandment and the Extended Family

455

The Old Testament and the Fourth Commandment

456

Christ and the Fourth Commandment

457

Sidebar: Two Parents Are Better than One

457

Parent-Child Relationships

460

Sidebar: Do I Have to Turn in My Friends?

461

The Individual and Society

462

Sidebar: Examination of Conscience: The Fourth Commandment

463

Conclusion

465

Supplementary Reading: St. Monica

465

Long-term Assignment

466

Vocabulary

466

Study Questions

467

Practical Exercises

468

From the Catechism