YOUCAT*: We must work at forming our character so that we can freely, joyfully and easily accomplish what is good. A firm faith in God, in the first place, helps us to do this, but also the practice of the virtues, which means developing within ourselves, with God’s help, firm dispositions, not giving ourselves over […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: What is the Holy Eucharist?
YOUCAT*: Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament in which Jesus Christ gives his Body and Blood — himself — for us, so that we too might give ourselves to him in love and be united with him in Holy Communion. In this way we are joined with the one Body of Christ, the Church. [1322, 1324, […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: What happened on Pentecost?
YOUCAT*: Fifty days after his Resurrection, the Lord sent the Holy Spirit down from heaven upon his disciples. The age of the Church began. [731-733] After Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the apostles eagerly awaited the arrival of the Holy Spirit. This arrival occured on what we celebrate today as Pentecost. The word Pentecost comes from […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: Was Mary only an instrument of God?
YOUCAT*: Mary was more than a merely passive instrument of God. The Incarnation of God took place through her active consent as well. [493-494, 508-511] When the angel spoke to Mary and told her that she would bear the Son of God, she didn’t say, “You got the wrong person.” She responded, “May it be […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: Why do we yearn for happiness?
YOUCAT*: “God has placed in our hearts such an infinite desire for happiness that nothing can satisfy it but God himself. All earthly fulfillment gives us only a foretaste of eternal happiness. Above and beyond that, we should be drawn to God.” [1718-1718, 1725] I was in Washington, D.C., last week and, while visiting the […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: Do we believe in one God, or three?
YOUCAT*: We believe in one God in three persons (Trinity). “God is not solitude but perfect communion.” (Pope Benedict XVI, May 22, 2005). [232-236, 249-256, 261, 265-266] St. Patrick’s Day not only reminds me of green beer, my godfather (Uncle Pat), but also the Holy Trinity. Here’s how the legend goes: When Patrick was preaching […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: What are the ‘five precepts of the church’?
YOUCAT*: (1) You shall attend Mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation and abstain from work or activities that offend against the character of the day. (2) You shall receive the sacrament of Penance at least once a year. (3) You shall receive the Eucharist at least during the Easter season. (4) You shall […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: Can people be forced to believe in God?
YOUCAT*: No. No one may force others to believe, not even one’s own children, just as no one may be forced to be an unbeliever. A person can make the decision to believe only in complete freedom. Christians, however, are called to help other people, by word and example, to find the way to faith. […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: What spaces define a house of God?
YOUCAT: The central places of a house of God are the altar with the crucifix, the tabernacle, the celebrant’s chair, the ambo, the baptismal font, and the confessional. [1182-1185] The altar is the central point in the church building. This is where the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is made present through the sacrament […]
Manaolana | Lisa’s catechism corner: How is Baptism administered?
YOUCAT*: The classical form of administering Baptism is the threefold immersion of the candidate in the water. Usually, however, water is poured three times over the head of the candidate, while the minister of the sacrament speaks the words, “(Name), I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of […]