Course 2, Chapter 28: Of union with our Lord, the new Adam, by charity. Second Commandment continued — Third Commandment

1. What is a vow?

A vow is a promise made to God, by which we bind ourselves, under pain of sin, to do a certain good work. We are obliged to keep our vows, and fulfil them at the time and in the manner promised. It is prudent not to make vows without the advice of our confessor.

2. What is the third commandment?

Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.

3. To what does the third commandment oblige us?

The third commandment obliges us to render to God an external worship, as the first obliges us to render him an interior worship. Our body and our soul being both the work of God. they must both

196 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

render honor to their Creator, each in the manner suited to it.

4. Why has God chosen one day in seven for us to render him our homage?

1st, to establish order and unity in our worship; 2d, to remind us of the obligation to worship him; 3d, to preserve exterior worship. Among Christians this day is Sunday.

5. Why Sunday?

For very wise reasons: 1st, to show that all the Jewish ceremonies are abolished; 2d, to honor the greatest mysteries of religion; for the Sunday corresponds to the first day of the world, to the day of the resurrection of our Lord, and to the day of the descent of the Holy Ghost on the apostles.

6. What does the third commandment forbid?

It forbids whatever prevents us from sanctifying this day, consecrated to the Lord; that is, all those works which are called servile, which require labor of body rather than of mind, such as cultivating the earth, exercising a trade, &c.

7. Why are they called servile?

They are called servile because servants are generally employed to perform them. We cannot lawfully perform such works on Sunday, although we should not intend to gain money thereby.

8. What are we commanded by the third command ment V

We are commanded the performance of good works in general in order to sanctify the Sunday; but the Church prescribes one in particular, under the pain of mortal sin; that is, to assist at mass.

9. What are the conditions necessary in order to hear mass well?

They are: to hear the whole mass; and to hear it with respect, attention, and devotion.

10. In what does respect consist?

It consists in a becoming posture; in being

decently dressed; in not looking about; in abstaining from conversation, and whatever may scandalize the faithful.

11. In what does attention consist?

It consists in occupying ourselves with what is passing at the altar. To secure attention, we should select a place favorable to recollection; make use of a prayer-book, and follow the priest.

12. In what does devotion consist?

It consists in offering ourselves with our Lord; having a sincere desire to imitate his example, and to live according to the gospel.

13. What are the advantages of the third command ment?

The third commandment secures the greatest advantages to us; 1st, it prevents us from forgetting our last end, and from degrading our hearts by the exclusive love of earthly goods; 2d, it affords the poor and those who labor, an opportunity to recruit their strength by a cessation from toil, and the powers of their soul by prayer, the word of God, and the frequentation of the sacraments.