Listers, the following lesson is taken from the Baltimore Catechism. The Baltimore Catechism was the standard catechism of teaching the faith and catechizing children from 1885 to Vatican II. Its basic question-and-answer approach is the most natural learning style for the human mind and simplifies even the most complex theological questions.
Padre Pio in the Confessional
1. 11 Basic Questions Over the Sacraments
Q. 574. What is a Sacrament?
Q. 575. Are these three things, namely: An outward or visible sign, the institution of that sign by Christ, and the giving of grace through the use of that sign, always necessary for the existence of a Sacrament?
Q. 576. Why does the Church use numerous ceremonies or actions in applying the outward signs of the Sacraments?
Q. 577. How many Sacraments are there?
Q. 578. Were all the Sacraments instituted by Our Lord?
Q. 579. How do we know there are seven Sacraments and no more or less?
Q. 580. Why have the Sacraments been instituted?
Q. 581. Do the Sacraments recall in any way the means by which Our Lord merited the graces we receive through them?
Q. 582. Give, for example, the outward sign in Baptism and Confirmation.
Q. 583. What is the use of the outward signs in the Sacraments?
Q. 584. Does the outward sign merely indicate that grace has been given, or does the use of the outward sign with the proper intention also give the grace of the Sacrament?
The Sacrament of Confession via the Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction site.
2. What Grace Is Given in the Sacraments? – And 10 Other Questions
Q. 585. What do we mean by the “right intention” for the administration of the Sacraments?
Q. 586. Is there any likeness between the thing used in the outward sign and the grace given in each Sacrament?
Q. 587. What do we mean by the “matter and form” of the Sacraments?
Q. 588. Do the needs of the soul resemble the needs of the body?
Q. 589. Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace?
Q. 590. Does the effect of the Sacraments depend on the worthiness or unworthiness of the one who administers them?
Q. 591. What grace do the Sacraments give?
Q. 592. When is a Sacrament said to give, and when is it said to increase, grace in our souls?
Q. 593. Which are the Sacraments that give sanctifying grace?
Q. 594. Why are Baptism and Penance called Sacraments of the dead?
Q. 595. May not the Sacrament of Penance be received by one who is in a state of grace?
3. Sacraments of the Dead: 12 Questions on Sacrilege and Grace
Q. 596. Which are the Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our soul?
Q. 597. What do we mean by Sacraments of the dead and Sacraments of the living?
Q. 598. Why are Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony called Sacraments of the living?
Q. 599. What sin does he commit who receives the Sacraments of the living in mortal sin?
Q. 600. In what other ways besides the unworthy reception of the Sacraments may persons commit sacrilege?
Q. 601. Besides sanctifying grace do the Sacraments give any other grace?
Q. 602. What is sacramental grace?
Q. 603. Is the Sacramental grace independent of the sanctifying grace given in the Sacraments?
Q. 604. Give an example of how the Sacramental grace aids us, for instance, in Confirmation and Penance.
Q. 605. Do the Sacraments always give grace?
Q. 606. What do we mean by the “right dispositions” for the reception of the Sacraments?
Q. 607. Give an example of the “right dispositions” for Penance and for the Holy Eucharist.
Priestly Ordination of Rev. Mr. Jose Zepeda, F.S.S.P. has been conferred by Bishop Salvatore Cordileone. Deo Gratias!
4. The Character Imprinted on the Soul: 12 More Questions About the Sacraments
Q. 608. Can we receive the Sacraments more than once?
Q. 609. Why can we not receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders more than once?
Q. 610. What is the character which these Sacraments imprint in the soul?
Q. 611. Does this character remain in the soul even after death?
Q. 612. Can the Sacraments be given conditionally?
Q. 613. What do we mean by giving a Sacrament conditionally?
Q. 614. Give an example of how a Sacrament is given conditionally.
Q. 615. Which of the Sacraments are most frequently given conditionally?
Q. 616. Name some of the more common circumstances in which a priest is obliged to administer the Sacraments conditionally.
Q. 617. What is the use and effect of giving the Sacraments conditionally?
Q. 618. What is the difference between the powers of a bishop and of a priest with regard to the administration of the Sacraments?
Q. 619. Can a person receive all the Sacraments?
