Lesson 12: On Sin

1. What is actual sin?

Any wilful thought, word, deed, or omission, contrary to the law of God.

2. How many kinds of actual sin are there?

Two: mortal and veniaL

3. What is mortal sin?

A grevious offence or transgression against the law of God.

4. Why is it called mortal?

Because it kills the soul, by depriving it of its truo life, which is sanctifying grace — and because it brings everlasting death and damnation on the soul.

5. Does venial sin deprive the soul of sanctifvi ng grace, and deserve everlasting punishment?

No; but it hurts the soul by lessening its love for Cod, and by disposing to mortal sin. — The Scriptures

says: He that contemneth small things, shall fall by little and little. Eccles. xix. 1.

6. What is sanctifying grace?

That grace which sanctifies the soul, and makes it pleasing to God.

7. What do you mean by grace?

A supernatural gift, destined by God for our sanctification, and to enable us to merit heaven.

8. Is grace necessary to salvation?

Yes; without me, says Christ, you can do nothing. John, xv. 5.

9. Is it a great misfortune to fall into mortal sin?

It is the greatest of all misfortunes.

10. What should we do, when we have fallen into mortal sin?

We should repent sincerely^ and go to confession as soon as possible.

11. Why should ^ e go to confession after we have fallen into mortal sin?

That we may recover God's friendship, and be always prepared to die.

12. YVhat should we do, if we cannot go to confession when we fall into mortal sin?

We should excite ourselves to perfect contrition, with u, sincere desire of going to confession as soon as we tan.

13. How do you express an act of perfect contrition?

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having ofFended thee, and I detest my sins most sincerely, not only because by them I have lost all right to heaven, and have deserved the everlasting torments of hell, but especially because they displease thee, my God, who art so deserving of all my love, on account of thy infinite goodness, and most amiable perfections; and I firmly resolve, by thy holy grace, never more to offend thee, and to amend rnv life.

14. Will perfect contrition reconcile us to God when we cannot go to confession?

Yes; and it is the only means we have to recover God's friendship when we cannot go to confession.

15. What is necessary for our contrition to be perfect?

That we should be truly sorry for our sins, because they are offensive to God, who is so good in himself; with a sincere resolution not to offend God any more; to satisfy for our sins, and to go to confession as soon as we can.

16. How many are the chief mortal sins, commonly called capital and deadly sins?

Seven,— Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth.

y. Where shall they go who die in mortal sin?

A. To hell, for all eternity.

17. Where do they go who die in venial sin?

To purgatory.