"God commands not impossibilities, but by commanding he suggests to you to do what you can, to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you, that you may be able."

St Augustine

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"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."

R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP

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"He who wishes to be perfectly obeyed, should give but few orders."

St Philip Neri

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About this "Penny" Catechism - Visit the more detailed "Catechism of the Catholic Church" here.

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FROM THE "PENNY CATECHISM"
     

re Article 10 of Apostle's Creed
110.

What is the tenth article of the Creed?
 

The tenth article of the Creed is, 'the forgiveness of sins'.
 
111. What do you mean by 'the forgiveness of sins'?

 

By 'the forgiveness of sins' I mean that Christ has left the power of forgiving sins to the Pastors of his Church. Jn.20:23
 
  112. By what means are sins forgiven?
 
 

Sins are forgiven principally by the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance.
 
  113. What is sin?
 
 

Sin is an offense against God, by any thought, word, deed or omission against the law of God.
 
114. How many kinds of sin are there?
 

There are two kinds of sin, original sin and actual sin.
 
115. What is original sin?
 

Original sin is that guilt and stain of sin which we inherit from Adam, who was the origin and head of all mankind.
 
116. What was the sin committed by Adam?T
 

he sin committed by Adam was the sin of disobedience when he ate the forbidden fruit.
 
117. Have all mankind contracted the guilt and stain of original sin?
 

All mankind have contracted the guilt and stain of original sin, except the Blessed Virgin, who, through the merits of her Divine Son, was conceived without the least guilt or stain of original sin.
 
118. What is this privilege of the Blessed Virgin called?
 

This privilege of the Blessed Virgin is called the Immaculate Conception.
 
119. What is actual sin?
 

Actual sin is every sin which we ourselves commit.
 
120. How is actual sin divided?
 

Actual sin is divided into mortal sin and venial sin.
 
121. What is mortal sin?
 

Mortal sin is a serious offence against God.
 
122. Why is it called mortal sin?
 

It is called mortal sin because it is so serious that it kills the soul and deserves hell.
 
123. How does mortal sin kill the soul?
 

Mortal sin kills the soul by depriving it of sanctifying grace, which is the supernatural life of the soul.
 
124. Is it a great evil to fall into mortal sin?
 

It is the greatest of all evils to fall into mortal sin.
 
125. Where will they go who die in mortal sin?
 

They who die in mortal sin will go to hell for all eternity.
 
126. What is venial sin?
 

Venial sin is an offense which does not kill the soul, yet displeases God, and often leads to mortal sin.
 
127. Why is it called venial sin?
 

It is called venial sin because it is more easily pardoned than mortal sin.