First Notions — Chapter II. Principal parts of Christian Doctrine

1. What are the principal parts of Christian Doctrine?

The principal parts of Christian Doctrine are four; namely, the Creed, the Pater Noster, the Commandments, and the Sacraments.

2. Say the Creed.

1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

2. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

5. He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead.

6. He ascended into heaven; and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

7. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit.

9. The holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints.

10. The forgiveness of sins.

11. The resurrection of the body.

12. Life everlasting. Amen.

3. Say the Pater Noster in Italian.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

1. Hallowed be Thy name.

2. Thy kingdom come.

3. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

4. Give us this day our daily bread.

5. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

6. And lead us not into temptation.

7. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. Say the Pater Noster in Latin.

Pater noster qui es in coelis,

1. Sanctificetur nomen tuum.

2. Adveniat regnum tuum.

3. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo et in terra.

4. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie;

5. Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;

6. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem;

7. Sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

5. Say the Ave Maria in Italian.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

6. Say the Ave Maria in Latin.

Ave, Maria, gratia plena. Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

7. Say the Gloria in Italian.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

8. Say the Gloria in Latin.

Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

9. How many and which are the Commandments of God?

The Commandments of God are ten.

I am the Lord thy God:

1. Thou shalt not have other gods before Me.

2. Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the feast days.

4. Honor thy father and thy mother.

5. Thou shalt not kill.

6. Thou shalt not commit impure acts.

7. Thou shalt not steal.

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness.

9. Thou shalt not desire another's wife.

10. Thou shalt not desire another's goods.

10. How many and which are the precepts of the Church?

The Precepts of the Church are five:

1. To hear Mass on all Sundays and other commanded feast days.

2. To fast during Lent, on the Ember Days, and on the commanded vigils; not to eat meat on the forbidden days.

3. To confess at least once a year, and to receive Communion at Easter, in one's own parish.

4. To pay the tithes due to the Church, according to custom.

5. Not to celebrate weddings during the forbidden times, that is, from the first Sunday of Advent until the Epiphany, and from the first day of Lent until the octave of Easter.

11. How many and which are the sacraments?

The Sacraments are seven:

1. Baptism; 2. Confirmation; 3. Eucharist; 4. Penance; 5. Extreme Unction; 6. Holy Orders; 7. Matrimony.

12. Who instituted these sacraments?

Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted them.