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"Whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father Who is in Heaven. And I say to thee: Thou art Peter; and upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:16-18 )

JESUS GIVES HIS AUTHORITY TO THE APOSTLES

"And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." (Matthew 28:18-20)

1. Can you learn to save your soul just by reading the Bible?
No, because some of the things in the Bible can be misunderstood and because the Bible does not include everything that God taught.
"Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation." (2 Peter 1:20)
"As also in all his [St. Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest [twist], as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16)

2. What did Jesus do to make sure that His teaching would never be misunderstood?
He established a church.
"The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)

3. When did Jesus establish His Church?
Nearly two thousand years ago.

4. How many churches did Jesus establish?
Only one.
"Upon this Rock I will build My church." (Matthew 16:18 )
"There shall be one fold and one shepherd." (John 10:16)

5. How long did Jesus plan His Church to last?
Until the End of the World.
"I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." (Matthew 28:20)

6. How did Jesus establish His Church?
By giving His authority to the Apostles to rule and to teach.
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:20)

7. Did the people have to obey the Apostles?
Yes, because they spoke with the authority of Jesus, and therefore, to disobey them would be a sin.
"He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that sent Me." (Luke 10:16)

8. Did the authority of the Apostles die with them?
No, they handed down their authority to others, since Jesus instituted His Church to last until the end of the World.
Some of the men who received authority from the Apostles: Matthias (Acts 1:22), Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2), Timothy, Silas, Sylvanus, Titus, Luke, Mark (Acts 17:14; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 2 Timothy 14:11)

9. Which Church today has the same authority?
The Catholic Church, because it is the only Church established by Jesus Christ.

10. How do you know the Catholic Church is the only true church?
History shows that it is the only church that can be traced back to Christ.

11. Does everyone have to obey the Catholic Church?
Yes, because She alone has the authority of Jesus to rule and to teach.
To disobey the Catholic Church knowingly is just as much a sin as to disobey Jesus Christ or His Apostles.

12. Where did the Protestant churches come from?
They were established by men who had no authority to start churches of their own.

13. Who started the first Protestant church?
The first Protestant church was established less than 500 years ago in Germany by Martin Luther, in 1520.

14. Name the founders of other leading Protestant churches.

"Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in Heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven." (Matthew 16:15-19)

1. What did Jesus do to make sure His Church would always be united?
He put one man in complete charge of His Church.
"If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." (Mark 3:24-25)

2. Who has complete charge of the Church?
The Pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the Vicar (agent) of Christ on earth.

3. Who is the Pope?
The Pope is the visible head of the whole Catholic Church.
"And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them." (Ezechiel 34:23)

4. Who was the first Pope?
St. Peter, who was made Pope by Jesus Christ Himself.

5. When did Jesus promise to make Peter the Pope?
Several months before He died.
"Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My Church." (Matthew 16:18 )

6. When did Jesus actually make Peter the first Pope?
Shortly before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus gave Peter complete authority over the whole Church.
"Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Feed my lambs...feed my lambs...feed my sheep.'" (John 21:15-17)

7. Did Peter's authority die with him?
No, it was handed down to a man named Linus, and after he died (78 A.D.), it was handed down to Cletus (d. 90 A.D.), and then to Clement (d. 100 A.D.), and after that to another, and so on, during the past nearly 2,000 years.
"Where Peter is, there is the Church." (St. Ambrose, in the 4th Century)

8. Do all Catholics have to obey the Pope?
Yes, because he speaks with the authority of Christ. Catholics, however, have to obey the Pope only in regard to matters of religion.

9. Can the Pope make an error when teaching religion?
No, not when he speaks as head of the whole Church.
"Simon, Simon...I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren." (Luke 22:31-32)

The Pope, also called our Holy Father and the Sovereign Pontiff, lives in Vatican City, which is in Rome, Italy. St. Peter died in Rome, and ever since then, the Bishop of Rome has been the Pope. When the Pope dies, the Cardinals elect his successor. There have been 264 Popes so far.

The world is divided up into territories called dioceses. Each diocese is ruled over by a bishop. A diocese is divided into parishes, which are ruled over by pastors. A pastor may have one or several priests to assist him.

1. Papal infallibility means that the Pope, when speaking as head of the whole church on matters of faith or morals, cannot teach error. Infallibility is not to be confused with impeccability, which means that one cannot commit sin. The Pope is not impeccable; he can sin.

2. One of the reasons why there are so many different kinds of Protestants (over 300 kinds) is that there is no Protestant church that has one man holding complete authority from God. They are, "Like sheep that have no shepherd." (Matt. 9:36). We should pray for them.

"Other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." (John 10:16)

"And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night, and said to Him: Rabbi, we know that Thou are come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which Thou dost, unless God be with him. Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, He cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith to Him: How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born again? Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:1-5)

1. What is Baptism?
Baptism is the Sacrament which makes you a Christian and a member of the Catholic Church and gives you the right to receive the other Sacraments.

2. What does Baptism do to your soul?
1. It takes away all sin: Original Sin, plus mortal and venial sins.
"Do penance and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins." (Acts 2:38 )
2. It puts Sanctifying grace into your soul for the first time.
3. It brings the Holy Ghost to dwell in your soul.
4. It makes you a member of the Catholic Church.
5. It enables you to receive the other Sacraments.

3. Why do you have to be baptized?
Because Jesus Christ said:
"Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)

4. What kind of sin is it to delay your Baptism?
A serious (mortal) sin.
"Why tarriest thou? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins." (Acts 22:16)

5. What do you have to do to be baptized?
1. You have to take a full course of instructions in the Catholic religion;
2. Give up all seriously sinful habits;
3. Have the right intention.

The "right intention" means that you wish to become a Catholic because the Catholic Church is the only true Church.

6. Who gives Baptism?
Ordinarily, the priest, but anyone can baptize in an emergency. (See Lesson 33, Q. 4)

7. How is Baptism given?
It is given by pouring water over the forehead of the person to be baptized and, while pouring the water, saying, "I baptize thee in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19), while having at least the minimum intention to do what the Church wants you to do by performing this sacramental act.

Baptism can also be given by immersion or sprinkling, but in all cases the water has to flow over the head or forehead (not just the hair).

8. What are sponsors for?
Sponsors at Baptism are supposed to see that their godchildren stay faithful to their religious duties.
A sponsor has to be a good Catholic at least fourteen years old.

9. Why do you take the name of a Saint at Baptism?
You take a Saint's name to have that Saint watch over you and to have someone to imitate.

10. Do babies have to be baptized?
Yes, because they have Original Sin on their souls, which means they have no Sanctifying Grace.

11. How soon should a baby be baptized?
Within two or three weeks of its birth.
It is a mortal sin to delay the Baptism of a baby for a long time.

1. Make arrangements with your priest a week before the baby's Baptism. The baby's godfather and godmother should be good Catholics.

2. An expectant mother in a hospital should tell the doctors and nurses that she is a Catholic and that, if there is any danger to the life of the baby, they should send for a priest right away. In case of real emergency, somebody should baptize the baby, even in the womb, if necessary.

3. If there is a miscarriage, the whole substance from the womb should be put into water right away, and the words, "I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost", should be said by the one baptizing. It should be noted that the water has to flow over the skin of the fetus or embryo. Consequently, it will be necessary to break the protective membrane which encloses the body.

4. Regarding babies who die without Baptism, see Practical Point 3 in Lesson 8.

5. If your were baptized in a Protestant church, you will probably still have to go through the Catholic ceremony of Baptism. This is called conditional Baptism. The reason for this is to make sure that you are really baptized. It is practically impossible to find out if your Protestant Baptism was done according to the intention of Christ, since many Protestant ministers consider Baptism merely a sort of initiation ritual or symbol that produced no effect in the soul.

"And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to His disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is My body. And taking the chalice, He gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is My blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28 )

1. What is the Holy Eucharist?
The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament in which Jesus Christ is really and physically present under the appearances of bread and wine.
"The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord?" (1 Corinthians 10:16)

2. Why is it also called "the Blessed Sacrament"?
Because it is the most blessed of all the Sacraments, since it is Jesus Christ Himself.

3. When did Jesus make this Sacrament?
At the Last Supper, on the night before He died.

4. How could Jesus change bread and wine into His Body and Blood?
Jesus Christ is God and therefore can do anything.

5. Did the bread and wine change their appearance?
No, the appearances of the bread and wine (taste, smell, color, size, shape, weight) did not change, even though the bread and wine were actually changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

The entire substance of the bread and wine are changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of Jesus; thus the bread and wine no longer exist. This change is called Transubstantiation.

6. Are both the Body and Blood of Christ present under the appearances of bread alone?
Yes, it is the living Christ who is present; that is, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity are present both under the appearance of bread and under the appearance of wine.

7. Did Jesus give anyone the power of changing bread and wine into His body and Blood?
Yes, to His twelve Apostles at the Last Supper, when He told them, "Do this for a commemoration of me."

8. Did Jesus ordain that His Apostles hand this power down to others?
Yes, because He wanted all men to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood.
"Amen, amen, I say to you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you." (John 6:54) (Here, "Life" means Sanctifying Grace.)

9. How did the Apostles hand down this power?
They handed it down by making other men priests and bishops through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. (See Lesson 28 ).

10. When does the priest change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ?
At Mass, when he says, "This is My Body," and "This is the chalice of My Blood..."

11. Where is the Blessed Sacrament kept?
In a little safe (called a tabernacle) on the altar.
"And my tabernacle shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Ezechiel 37:27)

12. What is Holy Communion?
Receiving the Body and Blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

13. What is necessary to receive Holy Communion worthily?
1. You have to be a baptized Catholic...
2. have no mortal sin on your soul...
3. be fasting.

14. Do you have to go to Confession first every time you receive Communion?
No, unless you have mortal sin on your soul.

15. What kind of sin is it to receive Communion unworthily?
To do so knowingly and willingly is a mortal sin called a sacrilege.

16. What does "fasting" mean?
"Fasting" means that, for one hour before receiving Communion, you have to stop eating solid food and drinking all liquids except water.

You may take water, and if sick, medicine any time before receiving. You must stop chewing gum at least one hour before. Until the 1950s, the Church required fasting from midnight before Communion; this rule was later shortened to three hours for food and one hour for liquids (with water being allowed at any time); then it was changed to one hour for food and drink, except water. It is very praiseworthy to continue observing the traditional fast either from midnight or for three hours.

17. How often do you have to receive Communion?
At least once a year, during the Easter Season, that is, any time from the 6th Sunday before Easter to the 8th Sunday after Easter. This is called your Easter Duty.

The 6th Sunday before Easter is called the First Sunday of Lent; the 8th Sunday after Easter is called Trinity Sunday.

18. What kind of sin is it to miss your Easter Duty?
A mortal sin.

19. How often does a good Catholic receive Communion?
A good Catholic receives Communion every Sunday, or every day, if possible, but only once on the same day.

20. What does Holy communion do for your soul?
It makes the Sanctifying Grace in your soul grow.
"Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you." (John 6:54)

21. What else does Communion do for you?
1. Communion unites you with Jesus.
"He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me and I in him." (John 6:57)
2. It is food for your soul, to help you love God and obey His laws.
"Give us this day our daily bread." (Luke 11:3)
3. It is a promise of your resurrection and future glory in Heaven.
"He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day." (John 6:55)
4. It weakens your sinful inclinations.

1. Ordinarily, you receive communion during Mass. However, the priest may bring you Communion when you are sick at home or in the hospital.

2. Communion is called Viaticum when received when a person is in danger of death.

3. After receiving Communion, you should spend some time praying to Our Lord, adoring Him, thanking Him, loving Him, and asking His help.

4. You are not forbidden to receive Communion with venial sins on your soul, but you are advised to recite the Confiteor or the Act of Contrition before receiving.

"Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: 'Peace be to you.' And when He had said this, he shewed them His hands and His side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: 'Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you.' When He had said this, He breathed on them; and He said to them: 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.'" (John 20:19-23)

1. Why did God the Father send His Son into the world?
To save man from his sins.
"Thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

2. Does Jesus Christ have the power to forgive sins?
Yes, Jesus has the power to forgive sin because He is God.

3. Did Jesus Christ forgive sins while on earth?
Yes, He forgave the sins of the paralyzed man (Luke 5:18-26), the woman taken in adultery (John 8:1-11), the sinful woman (Luke 7:39-50) and the good thief (Luke 23:39-43).

4. Did Jesus Christ give anyone the power to forgive sin?
Yes, to His Apostles on Easter Sunday night.
"Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." (John 20:23)

5. Did Jesus want His Apostles to hand down this power to others?
Yes, because He died to save all men from their sins.
"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who will have all men to be saved." (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

6. How did the Apostles hand down this power to others?
By making other men bishops and priests.

After the Apostles died, the bishops have continued to hand down the power of forgiving sin, during the past 2,000 years, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

7. Who has the power to forgive sin today?
All bishops and priests of the Catholic Church can forgive sin.

8. What is the Sacrament of Penance?
Penance is the Sacrament by which the sins committed after Baptism are forgiven.

9. What do you have to do to have your sins forgiven?
You have to be truly sorry for them and confess them to a Catholic priest.
"He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)

10. Why do you have to confess your sins to a priest?
This is the way Jesus Christ wants sin to be forgiven. Otherwise, Christ would not have given His priests the power to forgive sin.

11. Why does the priest have to know what sins you have committed?
He has to know whether he is to forgive your sins or "retain" them.

If you are truly sorry, he will grant you forgiveness (called "absolution"); if not, he must retain them (that is, refuse to give you absolution).

12. Does the priests only pray that your sins will be forgiven?
No, the priest, by the power given him, actually takes the sins off your soul (called "absolution").
"For what I have pardoned... I have done it in the person of Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:10)

13. Can you be sure that your sins are forgiven in Confession?
Yes, if you have properly confessed them and are sorry for them.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity." (1 John 1:9)

14. What does Confession do for your soul?
Besides taking sin off your soul, Confession also--
1. puts Sanctifying Grace back into your soul, if you were in mortal sin
2. makes the Grace grow, if you had only venial sins
3. gives you extra strength to stay away from sin in the future.

15. Can all sins be forgiven in Confession?
Yes, if you are truly sorry for them.

16. What is meant by "being sorry for your sins"?
"Being sorry" means--
1. that you wish you had not committed the sins
2. that you sincerely promise not to commit those sins again
3. that you promise to stay way from any person, place, or thing that easily leads you into sin.

17. What kind of sorrow do you have to have to be forgiven?
Religious sorrow, that is, you must be sorry because you dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell (imperfect sorrow), and/or because you have offended the infinitely good God (perfect sorrow).

Therefore, to have your sins forgiven, it is not enough to be sorry because your sins have caused you to lose your job or some money. The sorrow has to be religious. Sorrow for sin is called contrition. You do not have to feel the sorrow with your emotions.

18. Why do you not have to be afraid of Confession?
You do not have to be afraid because--
1. you may go to any priest you want
2. in the confessional, a screen hides you from the priest
3. the priest is never allowed to tell anyone any sin he has ever heard in Confession. This secrecy is called the "Seal of Confession."

19. What sins do you have to confess?
All your mortal sins.

20. What kind of sin is it deliberately to omit telling a mortal sin in Confession?
A mortal sin of sacrilege. This is called making a bad Confession.

To undo a bad Confession, you have to confess that you made a bad Confession, confess the omitted mortal sin(s), and confess any other mortal sins you have committed since then (including Communions received in the state of mortal sin).

21. What should you do if you forget to confess a mortal sin?
You must tell it in your next Confession and tell the priest that you forgot it.

But the sin is forgiven and you may receive Communion in the meantime.

22. What do you do if you have no mortal sins to confess?
Tell your venial sins and/or mention some sin already told in a previous Confession.

23. How often do you have to go to Confession?
At least once a year (if you have committed a mortal sin).

If you ever commit a mortal sin, say the Act of Contrition right away and go to Confession as soon as possible. If you have perfect contrition for the mortal sin and intend to confess it in Confession, God forgives you and takes away the sin right away. but you may not receive Holy Communion until you confess it in Confession.

24. How often does a good Catholic go to Confession?
Once a week, if possible, but at least once a month.

Remember that in Confession you receive grace from the Sacrament of Penance. Besides, in Confession you receive special helps to overcome the temptations that bother you most.

1. In Confession the eternal punishment (Hell) is taken away, but all of the temporal punishment due to your sins is not always taken away. "Temporal punishment" means that, even though all your sins are forgiven through the Sacrament of Penance, God still requires that you be punished for your sins, either in this life or in Purgatory. So, Confession does not make sinning easier. One of the chief ways by which you can make up for your sins is by gaining indulgences. (See Lesson 26).

2. If you are in danger of death and cannot go to Confession right away, be sure to make an act of perfect contrition; say the Act of Contrition, or simply tell God you are sorry for all your sins because they offend Him, Who is all good, and beg His mercy. If somebody else (whether Catholic or not) is in danger of death, it is a great act of charity to help him to be sorry for offending God and to beg God's mercy.

"Jesus saith to them: 'But whom do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said: 'Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answering, said to him: 'Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in Heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed in Heaven.'" (Matthew 16:15-19)

1. Can all your sins be forgiven in Confession?
Yes, if you are truly sorry for them.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity. (1 John 1:9)

2. In Confession is all the punishment due to your sins taken away?
1. In confession the eternal punishment (Hell) is taken away.
2. All of the temporal punishment is not always taken away.

3. What is meant by "temporal punishment"?
"Temporal punishment" means that, even though all your sins are forgiven in Confession, God still demands that you be punished (for a time) either in this life or in Purgatory.

4. What is an indulgence?
An indulgence is the taking away of all or part of the temporal punishment still due to sin.

5. How do indulgences take away temporal punishment?
The Church has the authority from Jesus Christ to draw on the spiritual treasury made up of the merits of Christ, His Mother and the Saints.
Whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven." (Matthew 16:19)

6. What do you have to do to gain an indulgence?
1. Have no mortal sin on your soul.
2. Say the prayer or do the work to which the indulgence is attached.
3. Have the intention of gaining the indulgence.
4. Fulfill all the conditions laid down by the Church for each indulgence.

7. How many kinds of indulgences are there?
Two kinds: Plenary and partial.

8. What is a plenary indulgence?
One that takes away all the temporal punishment due to sin.
Examples: Saying the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament, making the Way of the Cross, attending Forty Hours Devotion, reading the Bible as spiritual reading for at least half an hour. A person can gain only one plenary indulgence per day, except in danger of death, when he may gain a second one.

9. What else is required to gain a plenary indulgence?
1. Confession (at least within several days).
2. Communion (preferably on the same day you perform the indulgenced prayer or work).
3. Prayer for the Holy Father's intentions (at least one Our Father and one Hail Mary).
4. Having no attachment in your heart to sin.

10. What is a partial indulgence?
One that takes away only part of the temporal punishment.
Examples: Using holy water, medals or statues that have been blessed, reciting the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

11. Can you gain an indulgence for someone else?
Yes, for the souls in Purgatory only.
The month of November is dedicated to the souls in Purgatory. During this month, Catholics are especially urged to gain indulgences for the Poor Souls to impress on them the importance of the praying for the Poor Souls at all times.

12. Can temporal punishment be taken away by any other means?
Yes, the Sacrament of Extreme Unction takes away all temporal punishment due to your sins, if you receive it with perfect intentions. Plus, any prayer or good work done in the state of grace takes away some temporal punishment, but indulgences take away more.

"Having therefore a great high priest that hath passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God: let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest, who cannot have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin. Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace in seasonable aid. For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that He may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because He Himself also is compassed with infirmity. And therefore He ought, as for the people, as also for Himself, to offer for sins. Neither doth any man take the honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was." (Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:1-4)

"And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: 'All power is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." (Matthew 28:18-20)

1. What did Jesus do to continue His work on earth?

To make sure that His work be continued, Jesus established the Catholic Priesthood, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
"For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by us" (2 Corinthians 5:20)

2. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
Holy Orders is the Sacrament which gives a man the powers of the Catholic Priesthood.

3. In general, what is a priest?
A man who offers sacrifices to God for the sins of the people.
"For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins." (Hebrews 5:1)

4. Was Jesus a priest?
Yes, Jesus was and is, the Great High Priest.
"Wherefore it behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His brethren, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest before God, that He might be a propitiation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17)

5. Who were the first Catholic priests?
The twelve Apostles, who were ordained to the priesthood by Jesus Christ Himself.

6. When did Jesus make the twelve Apostles priests?
At the Last Supper, on the night before He died, when He gave them the power to change bread and wine into His Body and Blood.
"Do this for a commemoration of me." (Luke 22:19)

7. Did the Apostles make other men priests?
Yes, for example, Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, and Matthias.
See Acts 13:3, 14:22, 1:24-26, and Titus 1:5.

8. How did the Apostles ordain other men priests?
By praying for them and imposing hands on them.
"Then they, fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away." (Acts 13:3)

9. After the Apostles died, how were the powers of the priesthood handed down?
Before they died, the Apostles made other men bishops, who in turn made other men bishops, and in this way the powers of the priesthood have been handed down during the past 2000 years.

10. How are the powers of the priesthood handed down today?
Today the bishops hand down the powers of the priesthood just as the Apostles did - by praying over and imposing hands on the candidates for priesthood.

11. What are the chief powers of the priesthood?
They are --
1. To offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which includes the power to change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and...
2. To forgive sins.

Other powers of the priesthood are to preach with authority, administer other Sacraments and to bless people and objects.

12. Where does the authority of the priesthood come from?
From Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.
"He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that sent Me." (Luke 10:16)

13. Who can give the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
Only a bishop.
"For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and shouldest ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee." (Titus 1:5)

14. What is necessary to become a priest?
To become a priest, a man has to study for about 6 years in a special school called a seminary and be approved by his bishop as to his learning, health, morals, and character.
"Impose not hands lightly upon any man." (1 Timothy 5:22)

15. How does a man become a bishop?
The Pope chooses a priest who is known for his learning and holiness and appoints other bishops to consecrate him a bishop by imposing hands and saying the proper words.

16. How does a man become Pope?
The Cardinals elect a successor to the dead Pope.

17. Why do priests not get married?
They do not marry because --
1. The single life is a holier life, recommended by Christ;
2. Being single, they can give themselves entirely to God and the care of the people.
"He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided." (1 Corinthians 7:32-33)

18. Why is the priest called "Father"?
Because he gives the life of grace to his spiritual children, just as a father gives physical life to his children.
"I write not these things to confound you; but that I admonish you as my dearest children. For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you." (1 Corinthians 4:14-15)

Pope The bishop of Rome, vicar of Christ on earth, successor of St. Peter, visible head of the whole Catholic Church.

Cardinal An honorary title given to priests or bishops because of their important positions in the Church; Cardinals elect the new Pope.

Bishop Rules over the people and priests of his diocese; can give Confirmation and Holy Orders.

Monsignor A priest gets this honorary title from the Pope because of his important position in the Church.

Pastor Rules over a parish; is subject to the bishop of the diocese.

Priest Diocesan priests work in a diocese; religious priests belong to a religious order - like the Franciscans, Dominicans, etc...

Monk Monks live in a monastery, follow a strict rule under a superior - like the Benedictines and the Trappists; some are priests, others are brothers.

Brother A man dedicated to teaching, hospital work or contemplation; takes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but does not receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Sister A woman dedicated to teaching, hospital or social work, or contemplation; takes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and belongs to a religious order or community. Cloistered sisters are usually called nuns; loosely speaking, all sisters are often called nuns.