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"Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ. Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord: Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church. He is the savior of His body. Therefore, as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things.
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church, and delivered Himself up for it: That He might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life: That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. ; He that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the Church: Because we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. This is a great sacrament; but I speak in Christ and in the Church.
"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular love his wife as himself: and let the wife fear her husband." (Ephesians 5:21-33)

1. What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?
Matrimony is the Sacrament made by Jesus Christ to sanctify (make holy) the lawful union of a Christian man and a Christian woman.

2. Was marriage always a Sacrament?
No, marriage, although always a sacred union of man and woman, was raised to the dignity of a Sacrament by Jesus Christ.

3. What does this Sacrament do for a couple?
1. It unites them in an indissoluble (unbreakable) union until death
2. It makes Sanctifying Grace grow in their souls
3. It gives them special helps to perform their duties as married people and to overcome the difficulties that may come into their married life.

4. Who may receive the Sacrament of Matrimony?
Only those who have been baptized and are free to marry.

5. What is necessary to receive this Sacrament worthily?
You have to be free of mortal sin.

6. What kind of sin is it to receive this Sacrament unworthily?
A mortal sin of sacrilege.
However, the marriage is valid.

7. Do Catholics have to be married at Mass?
No, but it is certainly fitting that they do so.

The special Mass for a Catholic wedding is called the Nuptial Mass. Traditionally, this Mass was not celebrated for a mixed marriage, nor during Lent or Advent. But now it may be celebrated if the couple desires it. Also, it can now be said during Lent and Advent, save from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday.

8. What should a Catholic do who wants to marry?
Preparations for the wedding should be made with one of the priests in the bride's parish several months in advance.

This time requirement varies from diocese to diocese.

9. What is the only way a Catholic can be married?

Only in the presence of a Catholic priest and two witnesses.

Occasionally other arrangements can be made, but this requires a dispensation in advance from the local bishop and can be done only for a sufficiently grave reason.

10. What happens if a Catholic is not married by a priest?
A Catholic who goes through a marriage ceremony before anyone other than a Catholic priest is not married.

Such a couple has to separate or have the marriage made valid.

11. What if a Catholic goes through a marriage ceremony before a Protestant minister?
Such a person is not married and is guilty of mortal sin.

Traditionally this sin also carried the penalty of automatic excommunication. This meant that such a person could not receive any of the Sacraments nor have a Catholic funeral. However, although this penalty no longer applies, a Catholic who goes through a marriage ceremony outside the Catholic Church still commits a grave sin.

12. May a Catholic marry a non-Catholic?
No, except for a very serious reason.

A marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic is called a mixed marriage.

13. Why does the Church forbid mixed marriages?
Because of the danger of loss of faith on the part of the Catholic and of the children.

The different religious beliefs of the parents cause serious arguments on such important matters as divorce, birth control, Sunday Mass, eating meat on Friday, and the Catholic education of the children.

14. Were mixed marriages forbidden in the Bible?
Yes, mixed marriages were strictly forbidden by God.
"Neither shalt thou make marriages with them. Thou shalt not give thy daughter to his son, nor take his daughter for thy son: For she will turn away thy son from following Me, that he may rather serve strange gods, and the wrath of the Lord will be kindled, and will quickly destroy thee." (Deuteronomy 7:3-4)

15. Who is the only one who can allow a mixed marriage?
Only the bishop, and he can give permission only for a serious reason.

16. In a mixed marriage, what must the Catholic promise?
The Catholic must sign promises:
1. To remain a Catholic.
2. To see to it that the children are baptized and are brought up as Catholics.

Also, the Catholic party must inform the non-Catholic of these promises.

17. Are the marriages of non-Catholics valid?
Yes, provided all the laws of God concerning marriage are observed, the marriages of non-Catholics among themselves are valid and therefore cannot be broken.

"But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea."" (Matthew 18:6)

1. To give their children the necessary food, clothing and shelter.
This obligation rests on both parents, whether living together or separated. They must also keep their children from all danger to life and protect them from possible death.

2. To give them good example.
Parents give good example by observing strictly all of their religious duties. For example: Regularly attending Mass, not eating meat on days of abstinence, carefully avoiding indecent speech, lying, cursing, criticism of others, immodesty and drunkenness.

Parents should remember that children are great imitators, and they should be very careful of everything they do and say in the presence of their children.

3. To provide a truly Catholic home for them.
A Catholic home is one in which God and Religion are of the greatest importance.

In the home there should be crucifixes, pictures of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints. Indecent pictures and calendars, sexy and sensational magazines, books, comic books, TV shows and videos have no place in the Christian home. There should be good books, Catholic newspapers and Catholic magazines.

4. To have them baptized as soon as possible after birth.
It is a serious sin to delay the Baptism of infants, and if there is any danger to the life of the newly born baby, the priest should be called immediately.

In danger of death, and if no priest is available, Baptism can and should be given by anyone (preferably someone other than the parents). The one baptizing need not be Catholic; he may be of any religion or of no religion. But he must have the intention of doing what the Church does in Baptism. The procedure is: Pour water over the head of the child, saying at the same time: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."

5. To see that they go to Confession, receive Holy Communion and receive Confirmation.
The children should be taught to go to Confession and Holy Communion regularly and frequently - every week, if possible, especially during vacation time.

6. To teach them to pray.
Daily prayers should be said together by the whole family.

As the saying goes, "The family that prays together stays together." The daily family Rosary will go a very long way toward ensuring that the children grow up to be good Catholics.

7. To see that they go to Mass every Sunday and on the six Holy Days.
Parents should not keep children home from Mass except for very serious reasons.

8. To see that on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent they abstain from meat altogether and that on the other Fridays of the year they refrain from meat or perform a comparable penance.
See Lesson 43, especially Question 11.

9. To send them to a Catholic school.
This includes high school and college, as well as grammar school. Parents are forbidden by Church Law to send their children to any other kind of school.

In very many cases today, the only truly Catholic school available is home schooling. Experience has shown that Catholic home schooling produces excellent results both spiritually and academically and that it brings great blessings to the family.

10. To insist that they marry in the Catholic Church.
A Catholic cannot marry except in the presence of a Catholic priest and two witnesses.

When a son or daughter begins to think seriously of marrying, the parents should have him (or her) see the priest and receive the necessary instructions on marriage. They should encourage dating only with Catholics, or at least with non-Catholics who are willing to take a full course of instructions in the Catholic Religion. Parents commit a mortal sin by forcing or unduly persuading any of their children to marry.

11. To give them the Christian attitude on marriage and having children.
Parents should avoid complaining about the hardships of married life and joking about the sacred duties of marriage.

The birth of another child should be a joyful occasion for the whole family so that the other children will consider having children as the greatest blessing of married life.

12. To prepare them for marriage.
The children should be taught the serious duties and responsibilities of marriage, both by word and example.

They should also be taught the practical side of making a home, such as cleaning, cooking, sewing, repairing, caring for children, being on time, and being neat and orderly.

13. To teach them the facts on sex.
This information should be given carefully and with great emphasis on the beauty and sacredness of sex.

Answers to questions about the facts of life should be correct, but always suited to the age and mental development of the child. Parents should encourage the confidence of their children so that the children will come to them for information.

14. To protect them from sin, particularly sins of impurity.
In addition to protecting their children from bad companions, etc., parents have a grave obligation to do whatever is necessary to protect their children from classroom "Sex Education" either in public or Catholic schools.

Formal "Sex Education" is always grossly immodest and a temptation to sin, even aside from the un-Catholic and un-Christian "slant" with which it is usually delivered.

15. To correct their sins and faults.
It is a serious sin to neglect this duty.

16. To teach them the virtues of honesty, obedience, truthfulness, purity, and modesty in dress.
These lessons must be given early and repeated continually.

17. To teach them respect for the rights and property of others.
Many parents sin seriously by bad example in this matter.

18. To teach them respect for all lawful authority.
Children should be taught early to respect all lawful authority, especially the authority of the Church, the State and the School.

19. To give them wholesome recreation and keep them from evil companions.
The Christian home should be the center of the child's social life, a place where he feels free to bring his companions.

Parents should be extremely careful about allowing their children to attend motion pictures; they should also examine their comic books and govern their use of the radio and television, as well as the VCR. Children receive many un-Christian ideas on life, marriage, crime, drinking, body piercing, etc. from these sources of entertainment.

20. To encourage a child's desire to be a priest, a brother or sister.
Having a priest, brother or sister in the family is one of the greatest blessings that God can give a mother and father. Instead of turning a child away from such a desire, parents should encourage the child.

1. What is the Second Commandment?
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
"For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord His God in vain." (Exodus 20:7)

2. What does the Second Commandment oblige you to do?
Always to use the Name of God and of Jesus reverently.
"Holy is His name." (Luke 1:49)

3. What are the sins against the Second Commandment?
1. Misusing the Name of God or of Jesus Christ.
2. Blasphemy.
3. Breaking an oath or lying under oath.

4. How may you misuse the name of God?
By using it without good reason and without respect.
This is generally a venial sin.

5. What is blasphemy?
An expression insulting to God or religion.
It is a mortal sin when the blasphemer really intends to insult God.

6. What kind of sin is it to use vulgar language?
To say "hell" or "damn" or to use vulgar language usually is no sin at all, unless you mean what you say or say it out of anger or impatience. However, these expressions are not fitting for a Christian.
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so." (James 3:10)

7. What is an oath?
Calling on God to be witness to the truth.

8. What kind of sin is it to lie while under oath?
A mortal sin, called perjury.

It is mortal, even in a small matter, because an oath calls upon God to witness the lie.

1. What is the Fourth Commandment?
Honor thy father and thy mother.
"With thy whole heart, honor thy father, and forget not the groanings of thy mother: Remember that thou hadst not been born but through them: and make a return to them as they have done for thee." (Ecclesiasticus 7:28-30)

2. What are the duties of children toward their parents?
1. To love and respect them as long as they live.
2. To obey them in all things, except sin.
3. To help them in their old age, or when they are sick and helpless.
4. To see that they receive the Last Sacraments and a Catholic funeral; if they are not Catholic, to encourage them to join the True Church.

3. How long is a child obliged to obey his parents?
Until approximately the 21st birthday, or until he or she leaves home to be married or to become a priest or sister.

4. Do your parents come before your marriage partner?
No, your first obligation is to your marriage partner and your children.

5. What are the sins against the Fourth Commandment?
Disobeying one's parents; hating, threatening, cursing, striking, or insulting them; being ashamed of them; wishing them evil; speaking or acting unkindly toward them; causing them anger or sorrow.

6. What else does the Fourth Commandment oblige you to do?
To respect all lawful authority, especially the authority of the Church and the State.
"Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God... Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honor, to whom honor." (Romans 13:1-7)

7. What are the duties of parents toward their children?
See Lesson 33.

1. What is the Sixth Commandment?
Thou shalt not commit adultery.

2. What is the Ninth Commandment?
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.

3. What do these commandments oblige you to do?
To practice the virtue of chastity according to your state in life.

Chastity regulates the use of sex for married people. Chastity forbids any use of sex, complete or incomplete, to unmarried people. This also includes those who are engaged.

4. Who are the only ones who may engage in sex?
Only husband and wife who are validly married to each other, and only in the natural manner, with their proper marriage partner, and only in a manner that leaves open the conception of a child.

5. Name some of the sins against the Sixth Commandment.
1. Adultery
2. Birth Control
3. Fornication
4. Sins against nature
5. Self-abuse
6. Immodest dressing
7. Impure touches, looks, kisses, dancing, reading
8. Looking at impure pictures, dances, shows, movies
9. Keeping company with people who are a temptation.

6. What is adultery?
Sexual intercourse which a married person has with someone to whom he (or she) is not married.
"For fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)

"Neither fornicators... nor adulterers... shall possess the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

7. What is fornication?
Sexual intercourse between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman.

8. What is self-abuse?
Enjoying the sexual pleasure alone; also called masturbation.

9. What are sins against nature?
Perversions committed with oneself, with another person or with animals.
"Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor liars with mankind [i.e., practicing homosexuals] shall possess the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

10. What is forbidden by the Ninth Commandment?
Impure thoughts and desires.
"But I say to you that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 )

11. What kind of sin are sins of sex - that is, all impure acts, thoughts, and desires?
Every sin of impurity is a mortal sin, unless not fully consented to, as could happen, for example, with impure thoughts.

A temptation is not a sin. If you reject a temptation, you do a good act and receive extra grace.

12. When do you become guilty of impure thoughts?
When you knowingly and willingly keep such thoughts in your mind, but especially in taking pleasure in them.
"For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders." (Mark 7:21)

13. Is it possible to lead a pure life?
Yes, with God's help --
1. If you stay away from all persons, places or things which easily lead into sin.
2. If you pray often (especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary and especially pray her Holy Rosary) and go to Confession and receive Communion regularly.
3. If you keep busy.
4. If you flee from temptations when they first appear (do not "toy" with sexual temptation).
5. If you practice giving up things you like and doing things you do not like.
"And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one." (1 Corinthians 9:25)

1. What is the Eighth Commandment?
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

2. What does the Eighth Commandment oblige you to do?
To use the power of speech according to God's plan, that is, always to tell the truth.

3. Name some of the sins against the Eighth Commandment.
1. Lying
2. Not keeping secrets
3. Hurting someone's reputation
4. Making known the sins of others
5. Unjust criticism
6. Judging another without sufficient evidence
7. Gossip
8. Suspecting another without sufficient evidence
9. Insults
10. Perjury

4. What kind of sin is it to tell a lie?
A mortal sin if it harms someone seriously; otherwise, it is venial.

5. Are you ever allowed to tell a lie?
No, not even a small one, not even to save someone's life or reputation.
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor; for we are members one of another." (Ephesians 4:25)

6. What must you do if you have told lies about another?
You have to do everything you can to restore his good name and make up any losses he suffered because of your lies.

7. Is it a sin to make known the hidden sins of another?
Yes, unless someone else would suffer harm; in such a case you are obliged to tell the proper authorities.

8. Is it a sin to listen to gossip?
Yes, because you are co-operating in another's sin.
It is a duty of charity to defend the reputation of another when it is being attacked.

9. Is perjury a sin?
Telling a lie after swearing to God to tell the truth is always a mortal sin.
"A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish." (Proverbs 19:9)

1. What is fasting?
Fasting means that on certain days, you may eat --
1. One full meal with meat (unless it is also a day of abstinence)
2. Two small meals without meat.
3. No food between meals.

A fast day consists of 24 hours, from midnight to midnight. The two small meals may be only enough to maintain strength and are not to exceed the size of the one main meal. Liquids, including milk and fruit juice, may be taken between meals, but tend to violate the spirit of the fast.

2. Who is obliged to fast?
Every Catholic over 21 and not yet 59, who is not sick, pregnant or nursing a baby.
People doing heavy manual labor may be excused from this obligation by their pastor or confessor; also, those who work long hours.

3. What kind of sin is it not to fast?
A mortal sin, unless you are excused.

4. When must you fast?
According to the old norms:
1. Every day in Lent, except Sundays.
2. December 7, December 24 (or 23) and the Saturday before Pentecost.
3. Ember Days

Some Catholics continue this tradition. According to the new norms, there are only 2 fast days: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

5. When does Lent begin?
On Ash Wednesday; it ends 40 days later, on the Saturday before Easter at midnight.

6. When are the Ember Days?
The Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays following September 14, December 13, Pentecost Sunday and the 1st Sunday in Lent. Under the new norms the Ember days are no longer observed.

7. What is abstinence?
Abstinence means that on certain days you may not eat meat.

8. What is meant by "meat"?
The flesh of any warm-blooded animal or bird and the soups or gravies made from such flesh.

Sea foods are allowed (fish, lobster, turtles, crabs, oysters, frogs, scallops, clams, and so on).

9. Who is obliged to abstain from meat?
Traditionally, every Catholic 7 years of age and over.
According to the new norms, every Catholic 14 years of age and over is obliged to abstain.

10. What kind of sin is it not to abstain?
A mortal sin.

11. On what days are you forbidden to eat meat at all?
According to the old norms: Ash Wednesday, all Fridays of the year (unless a Holy Day of Obligation falls on Friday), December 7 and December 24 (or 23). Some Catholics continue this tradition. According to the new norms: Ash Wednesday and every Friday of Lent. According to the new norms, on every Friday of the year outside Lent Catholics must either abstain from meat or do some other comparable penance, unless the Friday falls on a Holy Day of Obligation, in which case one is excused from abstinence.

12. What is partial abstinence?
Traditionally, this means that those who are obliged to abstain may eat meat only once (at the main meal) on the Wednesdays and Saturdays of Ember weeks and on the vigil of Pentecost. Under the new norms there are no longer any days of partial abstinence.