COMMANDMENTS: INTRODUCTION 5. Why are the Commandments called, The Covenant?

Covenant?
2. A CATECHIST’S PRAYER They are called, The Covenant, because they are the terms of the
agreement between God and men.
Loving Father, giver of all that is, help me to remember that every gift I
have comes from you. Expand my vision so that I can appreciate your They were preserved in the so-called Ark of the Covenant, which was a
goodness in the world around me. wooden chest of about one cubic meter plated entirely with gold.
Jesus, our Redeemer, you are the path to the treasures of my heart 6. Where in the Bible can we find the Commandments?
and soul. Strengthen my commitment to be a catechist and deepen my
In the Bible there are two versions of the Ten Commandments: Exodus
capacity to share your truth with those in my care.
20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. Both versions have the same contents,
Holy Spirit, Love Divine, all life and energy flows from you. but differ in formulation.
Illuminate my thoughts and intensify my desire to grow ever deeper in my
Since the time of St. Augustine (354-430 AD), for teaching purposes, the
faith.
Church has made a Catechetical Version, which is shorter and easier to
I lift up my prayer to you, God—Father, Son, and Spirit—in memorize
humility and hope. Amen.
7. Comparison of the Three Versions
3. What are the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments are the eternal laws of God, which enable Man
to distinguish between right and wrong.
These were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, also known as Horeb, about
the year 1400 BC, and are the only part of the Bible written directly by
God.
4. Why are the Commandments called, The Decalogue?
Decalogue? 8. Comparison of the Three Versions
They are called The Decalogue, meaning “The Ten Words,” because in
Hebrew each Commandment can be summarized in one word.
At the right, the Hebrew Decalogue, written fromright to left.
9. Why did Moses break the Tablets of the Covenant? CONSCIENCE AND SIN
Because, as he descended from Mount Sinai with the two stone tablets, 13. What is the Conscience?
he saw the people worshipping the Golden Calf.
The Conscience is the mysterious voice of God in our heart, telling us
Those responsible were killed; the others, were forced to wander 40 years to do good and to avoid evil.
in the desert. Afterward, Moses went back to the mountain and received
The Conscience may be obscured by ignorance and vice, and must be
a second copy of the Commandments
developed through study and the practice of virtues.
10. Why did Moses give ten commandments and Jesus only two?
We must always follow the voice of our Conscience, because it is the
Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments in two sections: the love criterion for our final judgment
of God, including the first three; and the love of neighbor, including the
14. What is Sin?
other seven (cf. Matthew 22:35-40).
Sin is an act of disobedience to the Commandments of God. It can be
JESUS AND THE COMMANDMENTS
done in four ways: thoughts, words, actions, and omissions
11. Did Jesus abolish the Ten Commandments?
Jesus did not abolish the Commandments, but gave a new spirit to
observe them: no longer out of fear of punishment, but out of love for
God.
St. Augustine encapsulated Jesus’ moral teaching with a maxim: “Love,
and do what you want.” It means that if a person loves God and his
neighbor, it becomes impossible for him to do anything evil.
12. JIs it difficult to obey the Commandments?
15. What is the difference between Sin and Mistake?
In themselves, the Ten Commandments are neither easy nor difficult;
it all depends on our disposition. A Sin is an evil action involving our intellect and will; while a Mistake
is a wrong action performed unknowingly and unintentionally.
For those who love God and neighbor, they are easy and enjoyable; as
Jesus said: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). We need only to confess our Sins, not our Mistakes; though we ought to
Otherwise, they are difficult and burdensome. apologize and make reparation.
16. What is the difference between Venial and Mortal Sins?
Venial Sins imply a small matter and slightly wound the soul; while
Mortal Sins involve a serious matter and separate us from the communion
with God.
This distinction was defined by St. John, who wrote: “There is such a
thing as deadly sin; all wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not
deadly” (1 John 5:16-17).
VICES AND VIRTUEs
17. What is the difference between Virtue and Vice?
Virtue is the habitual disposition to do good; while Vice is the habitual
disposition to do evil. The repetition of good deeds produces a Virtue,
whereas the recurrence of evil deeds generates a Vice
THE 4 CARDINAL VIRTUES: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude,
Temperance
THE 3 THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES: Faith, Hope, Love
THE 7 CAPITAL VICES: Pride, Greed, Lust Envy,Gluttony, Wrath,
Sloth
18. What is PRUDENCE?
Prudence is the cardinal virtue that disposes a person to achieve good
and to avoid evil. Its opposite is recklessness.
A model of Prudence is Joseph, a son of Jacob, who refused the
advances of the wife of Potiphar, and ran out of the house to avoid the
occasion of sin (Genesis 39:12).
19.What is JUSTICE?
Justice is the cardinal virtue that induces a person to live honestly, by
giving their due to God and neighbor.
Jesus recommended his disciples to be just, even in paying taxes, when
he said: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs
to God” (Mark 12:17).
20. What is FORTITUDE? Fortitude is the cardinal virtue that helps a
person to be strong in his duty.It is the virtue of the martyrs, because it
enables them to conquer fear, and to face trials and persecution till death.
21. What is TEMPERANCE?
Temperance is the cardinal virtue that inspires a person to live in
moderation and to avoid any excess.
St. John the Baptist is a model of Temperance, because he wore simple
garments, ate sparingly, and never got drunk.
22. What is FAITH?
faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in the existence of
God and in his revelation.
Abraham is the model of faith, because, in obedience to God’s
command, he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac (cf. Genesis 22:12).
23. What is HOPE?
Hope is the theological virtue by which we await with confidence for
the eternal happiness in Paradise.
The model of Hope is Job, who endured with patience all the tribulations
of life, hoping for God’s recompense (cf. Job 1:21).
24.What is LOVE? An example of Envy are the eleven sons of Jacob who, out of jealousy,
sold their brother Joseph as a slave to Egypt (cf. Genesis 37:28).
Love is the theological virtue by which we adore God with all our heart
and care for our neighbors like ourselves. 29. What is GLUTTONY?
The model of Love is Mary Magdalene who, out of love for Jesus, Gluttony is the over-indulgence of food; its opposite virtue is
“bathed his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them and Temperance.
poured perfume on them” (Luke 7:38).
The gluttons will be punished, because the extra food they eat should
25. What is PRIDE? have been shared with the poor, as we see in the Parable of Lazarus and
the Rich Man (cf. Luke 16:19-23).
Pride is the excessive self-esteem and the desire to lord over others. It is
the first and the source of all sins; its opposite virtue is Humility. 30. What is WRATH?
The father of pride is Lucifer, who became so arrogant of his beauty Wrath is the uncontrolled feeling of hatred; its opposite virtue is
and power that he desired to take the place of God (cf. Isaiah 14:12-15). Patience. Wrath is a murderous vice, as we can see in the martyrdom of
St. Stephen, who was stoned to death by the members of the Sanhedrin, as
26. What is GREED?
“they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him” (Acts 7:54).
Greed is excessive pursuit of material possessions; its opposite virtue is
31.What is SLOTH?
Charity. The Bible says that: “The love for money is the root of all evils”
(1 Timothy 6:10). Sloth is the laziness in doing our duty; its opposite virtue is Diligence.
The most notorious case of Greed is Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus In the Parable of The Talents, Jesus teaches us that failure to use the
“for thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15). God-given talents will cause eternal damnation (cf. Matthew 25:30).
27. What is LUST?
Lust is the excessive sexual desire; its opposite virtue is Chastity.
King Solomon was so depraved by sexual pleasures that he maintained
700 wives and 300 concubines (cf. 1 Kings 11: 3-4).
28. What is ENVY?
Envy is the jealousy for the goods bestowed on others; its opposite
virtue is Kindness.

FIRST COMMANDMENT:
I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD:
YOU SHALL NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME.
THE INTRODUCTION
Why does the First Commandment start with an introduction?
The introduction follows the pattern of ancient royal covenants, in
which the king revealed his name and important deeds. In return, the
people were expected to render loyalty and obedience.
Accordingly, God revealed his name, “I am Yahweh;” and declared his
achievement: “I brought you out of the Land of Egypt.”
Does the Decalogue apply only to the Jews or to all men?
The Decalogue applies to all men alike: the Jews, because God
delivered them from the slavery of Egypt; and to all other people, because
God, through Christ, rescued them from the bondage of sin and death.
After reaching the use of reason, and provided he is not blinded by
ignorance or vice, every person can find the Decalogue inscribed in his
Conscience.
FAITH
What are the moral demands of the virtue of Faith?
The virtue of Faith requires us to know the existence and the nature of
God.
God’s existence can be demonstrated with the Proof of Order and
Design: “The universe display order and design; these cannot originate on
their own: therefore, there must exist a supreme organizer and designer,
whom we call God.”
What is the meaning of: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of
Christ”?
This sentence of St. Jerome means that we ought to study the Bible in
order to know and love God.
St. Paul spoke of “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5), because the
more we deepen our faith in God, the more we obey his will.
HOPE
What are the moral demands of the virtue of Hope?
The virtue of Hope requires us to confidently and actively wait for God
as the final purpose of our life.
This expectation should be confident, that is, without any doubt; as St.
James wrote: “The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven
and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).
What is the difference between active and passive Hope?
Active Hope pertains to working zealously for the glory of God and the
salvation of souls; while passive Hope is living in idleness.
St. Paul scolded those who waited for the coming of Jesus in a passive
mode, commanding: “Those who do not work must not eat” (2 Thess.
3:10).
LOVE
What are the moral demands of the virtue of Love?
The virtue of Love requires us to worship and serve God as our Creator
and Provider.
We worship God by practicing a regular spiritual life; as the old saying
goes: “As a bird without wings, as a fish without water, as a soldier
without arms, so is a Christian without prayer.”
What is the Shema?
Shema?
The Shema is the primary Jewish prayer, which sahe Shema is the
primary Jewish prayer, which says: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is
Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:4-9).
A copy of the Shema, is carried by the Jews in their arms and foreheads,
and placed on the doorposts of their houses, to be reminded of the love
of God.
ATHEISM & AGNOSTICISM
What is the difference between Atheism and Agnosticism?
ATHEISM: Is the refusal to believe in the existence of God.
AGNOSTICISM: It is the lack of concern for God, based on the
supposition that he cannot be known.
oorposts of their houses, to be
Why is Atheism a sin?
Atheism is a sin because the existence of God can be known by
observing the world around us.
According to the Principle of Causality: If there is a watch, there must
be a watchmaker; if there is a building, there must be an architect; if there
is the universe, there must be God.
For what reasons do people become atheists?
PRIDE:
Some persons, because of their intellectual or social success, grow in
pride to the extent of replacing God with their ego, with reason, or with
other ideologies.
IMMORALITY:
The desire to be free of any morality is a major cause for atheism. The
believers are committed to God’s will, while the atheists are the masters
of their own morality.
IGNORANCE:
Many who were raised up in an unbelieving family or society are atheists
because they ignore the existence and the love of God
Why is Agnosticism a sin?
Agnosticism is a sin because it makes a person indifferent to God and to
spiritual matters, and engrossed in materialism and hedonism.
The agnostic motto is: “Carpe diem,” which means, “Seize the day.”
Since they do not know whether there is God and eternal life, they strive
to enjoy the present day as much as possible.
Are Catholics allowed to join the Freemasonry?
Catholics are not allowed to join the Freemasonry because their beliefs
are in contrast with the teaching of Christ.
The Magisterium of the Church states: “The faithful who enroll in
Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy
Communion” (Declaration on Masonic Associations, 26 November
1983).
HERESY, SCHISM & APOSTASY
What is the difference between Heresy, Schism and Apostasy?
HERESY: It is to profess a belief contrary to our faith and morals.
SCHISM: It is to separate from the communion of the Church.
APOSTACY: It is the renunciation of Christianity, either to join another
religion or to become atheist
Why is Heresy a sin?
Heresy is a sin because it contradicts the truths of our faith. Jesus gave
a warning against the heretics, when he said: “Many false prophets will
appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:11).

Arius (256-336 AD), a heretic priest of Alexandria in Egypt, was
condemned by the Council of Nicea (345 AD) for professing the false
teaching that Jesus is not God.
Why is Schism a sin?
Schism is a sin because it breaks the community of the Church. The
Aglipayans, for instance, are schismatic because they separated from the
Catholic Church without, at first, changing any major doctrine.
Apostasy is a sin because is a betrayal of the Christian faith. We must
be faithful to our religion till death, because the apostates will not be
saved
Martin Luther (1483-1546), the initiator of Protestantism, began as a
heretic (1519), became a schismatic (1521), and ended up as an apostate
(1526).
POLYTHEISM & IDOLATRY
What is the difference between Polytheism and Idolatry?
POLYTHEISM:
It is the belief in the existence of many gods.
IDOLATRY:
It is the worship of objects, persons, or activities, in place of God.
Why is Polytheism a sin?
Polytheism is a sin because we must neither believe nor worship any
other divinity than the one true God.
Is Mythology a sin?
It is not a sin to study Mythology for the sake of culture and history,
but the practice of idolatry is. In ancient Greece, people believed in
hundreds of divinities residing in the Olympus of the Gods and interacting
with humans.
The Romans named the days of the week, the months of the year, and the
planets of the Solar System, after their gods.
What are the major polytheistic religions?
HINDUISM:
Originated in India in 1500 BC., Hinduism believes in Brahman as the
divine essence, which manifests itself in countless deities and in the souls
of living beings.
BUDDHISM:
Founded in India in 600 BC by Siddhartha Gautama, alias Buddha, this
religion believes in Devas, beings who had positive karma in their past
lives and were reincarnated as deities.
SHINTOISM:
Founded in Japan in 800 AD, this religion believes in the Kami, who are
spirits and deities present in living beings or natural forces, such as
mountains and rivers.
Why is Idolatry a sin?
Idolatry is a sin because it worships objects, persons, or activities, in
place of God.
St. Paul considers idolatry as foolishness, as he wrote: “These became
fools … They worshiped the creature rather than the creator” (Romans
1:22-25)
What are the Three Greatest Idols of humankind?
The Three Greatest Idols of humankind are Greed, Lust, and Pride,
from which all sins originate.
They can be neutralized by means of the Three Evangelical Counsels:
Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.

SATANISM
What is Satanism?
atanism is the adoration of Lucifer and of his fallen demons. Presently,
there are about 50,000 members of Satanic religions in the world.
There are allegations that the Heavy Metal Music, especially the Black
Metals, promote Satanism, desecrate Christian symbols, and foster
immorality.
What is the Legend of Doctor Faustus?
According to the legend, the Bavarian astrologer Georgius Faustus
Helmstetens sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for 24 years of power
and glory. When the time elapsed, Mephistopheles took his soul to Hell.
Christopher Marlowe (1564-93), a declared atheist, who presented the
Legend of Doctor Faustus in a play, was stabbed to death at the young age
of 29; and in 1632, the Devil himself appeared on the stage during a
performance of his play.
DIVINATION
What is Divination?
Divination is any form of activity involving the recourse to supernatural
powers, demons, or the souls of the dead, to manipulate natural forces,
to foresee the future, or to influence the course of events. All these
practices are an “abomination against God” (Deuteronomy 18:12).
What are Magic, Sorcery & Necromancy?
MAGIC: Also known as Witchcraft, it is the appeal to supernatural
powers in order to manipulate natural forces and to gain benefits.
SORCERY: Otherwise called Devilry, it is the use of magical powers
that are obtained through evil spirits.
NECROMANCY: It is the conjuration of the spirits of the dead for the
purposes of revealing the future or influencing the course of events.
What are Superstition & Astrology?
SUPERSTITION: It is the attribution of a magical value to certain
objects or practices. A sacrilegious form of superstition is the carrying of
Christian images for immoral means
ASTROLOGY: It is any activity dealing with the influence of celestial
bodies in human affairs. It includes Chiromancy and Horoscope.
What is the story of King Saul and the Medium of Endor?
One day, King Saul requested the Witch of Endor to conjure the soul of
prophet Samuel, in order to consult him on the outcome of the imminent
war against the Philistines.
Indeed, the spirit of Samuel appeared, but only to announce that God
will punish him and his son with death for practicing divination (cf. (cf. 1
Samuel 28:8-29).
INGRATITUDE, INDIFFERENCE & SACRILEGE
What are the three major sins against the virtue of Love?
The three major sins against the virtue of Love are Ingratitude,
Indifference, and Sacrilege.
On December 27, 1673, the Sacred Heart of Jesus appeared to St.
Margaret Mary Alacoque, and said: “Behold this Heart, which has loved
men so much; and in return I receive from the greater number nothing but
ingratitude, indifference, and sacrileges.”
What are Ingratitude, Indifference & Sacrilege?
INGRATITUDE:
It is the lack of appreciation for God and for his blessings. It is the sin of
those who disregard the Sunday Mass and pray only in moments of need.
INDIFFERENCE:
It is the lack of concern for God and spiritual matters. Indifferent people
are engrossed in a materialistic and hedonistic lifestyle, and care not about
Jesus.
SACRILEGE:
It is an act of disrespect for holy things. The worst kind of sacrilege is
against the Holy Eucharist, such as receiving the sacred species in the
state of mortal sin.
PRESUMPTION & DESPAIR
What are Presumption & Despair?
PRESUMPTION: It is the supposition that a person can be saved upon
his own capacity, without any help from God. It is a sin: first, because it
causes a person to rely in his self-righteousness; second, because it makes
the incarnation and redemption of Christ irrelevant.
DESPAIR: It is the assumption that a person cannot be saved because of
his many sins. It is a sin for two reasons: first, because it is a lack of faith
in God’s mercy; second, because it is a lack of trust in man’s conversion.
THE MAKING OF IMAGES
What kind of images are prohibited by the First Commandment?
IMAGES OF IDOLS: The making and worshipping of images of idols is
forbidden by God, who said: “You shall not make for yourself an idol or a
likeness of anything … you shall not bow down before them or serve
them” (Exodus 20:4-5).
IMAGES OF GOD: In the Old Testament, the making of images of the
true God was also prohibited, because the infinite and eternal Lord cannot
be symbolized by limited and contingent representations.
Did God prohibit the making of images?
God did not prohibit us from making images of the angels and the
saints, or of the people we love, but from making images of idols and of
God.
In fact, God ordered Moses to make the images of two cherubim on the
Ark of the Covenant, and of a bronze serpent on a pole.
If images were prohibited, we should avoid any picture taking, remove
all statues from public places, and even get rid of our money bills, which
have images on them.
Why do we make images of the Trinity?
In the Old Testament, the images of God were not allowed. In the New
Testament, however, we can have images of Jesus, since he made himself
visible; and of the Holy Spirit as dove and fire, because he revealed
himself in that form.
We might represent the Father by way of analogy; meaning, the
attributes of a human father might be applied to represent the divine
Father in heaven.
What is the difference between Iconoclasm and Iconolatry?
CONOCLASM: It is the deliberate destruction of all religious images as
contrary to God’s will. It is based on the supposition that the faithful
might commit the sin of idolatry, by worshipping religious images instead
YOU SHALL NOT TAKE
of God.
THE NAME OF THE LORD
YOUR GOD IN VAIN.
ICONOLATRY: It is the adoration of religious images in themselves, on
the belief that they have supernatural powers. This superstitious form of 3. THE NAME OF GOD
idolatry was always condemned by the Church. What is the name of God?
What is the Church’s position regarding the veneration of images? In the Old Testament, God’s name was
Yahweh, which means, “I Am Who I
The Church’s
Church official position was defined at the Second Council of
Nicaea of 787 in these terms: Am;” as it was revealed to Moses on
“Christians are allowed to venerate holy images, representing Jesus, the Mount Sinai (cf. Exodus 3:14). In the
Angels and the Saints, as models of Christian life and aids for prayer; but
are never allowed to worship them as idols.” New Testament, Jesus revealed that
THE VENERATION OF THE SAINTS
God is a Trinity of Persons, and should
be addressed as: Father, Son, and
What is the difference between Adoration and Veneration?
Holy Spirit.
Adoration is the worship rendered to God alone, whom we love as our
creator and provider.
4. THE NAME OF GOD
Veneration is the act of respect we render to the Saints, as a source of
inspiration, instruction and intercession.
What are the Titles of God?
 God’s name indicates his nature
(He Who Is); while God’s titles
SECOND COMMANDMENT: refer to his activity, namely:
ADONAI:
The Master of the Universe.
 ELOHIM:
PREACHING:
Lord of Power and Might.
By proclaiming God’s name.
SABAOTH:
PRACTICING:
Lord of the Heavenly Armies.
By living in God’s name.
EL SHADDAI:
The Provider.
8. SANCTIFY GOD’S NAME
How do we sanctify God’s Name by
Prayer?
Whenever we pray, the name of God
is sanctified, because it is invoked to
atone for our sins, to praise and adore
him, to ask for petitions and
7. SANCTIFY GOD’S NAME intercessions, and to give thanks for
How should we sanctify the Name his many blessings.
of God? Christian prayer is Trinitarian by
nature; meaning, it is addressed to the
The name of God must be sanctified by Father, through the Son, in the Spirit.
means of Prayer, Preaching, and
Practicing holiness of life. 9. SANCTIFY GOD’S NAME
How do we sanctify God’s Name by
PRAYER: Preaching?
By praising God’s name.
Anytime we preach the Word of God
we sanctify the name of God, because
we make it known.
The greatest promoter of the name of
God was St. Bernardine of Siena,
who promoted the Christogram “IHS,”
(Iesus Hominum Salvator) throughout
the world.
As Jesus said: “Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven” (Matthew
5:16).

10. SANCTIFY GOD’S NAME

How do we sanctify God’s Name by 11. TAKING OATHS AND VOWS
Practicing? What is the difference between
When we practice our faith, by loving Oaths and Vows?
God above all things, and our neighbor
as ourselves, we sanctify the name of
God, because we inspire others to
become holy and to praise him.
 Leviticus 24:16). The prohibition of

12. TAKING OATHS AND VOWS

What are the Marriage and the
Religious Vows?

The MARRIAGE VOWS are the solemn promises of

perpetual and exclusive fidelity that the Bride and the Groom
make to God during the Sacrament of Matrimony.
The RELIGIOUS VOWS are the three solemn promises of
Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, professed by the Religious
to consecrate their life to the Lord. They are also called
Evangelical Counsels.

13. BLASPHEMY blasphemy extends also to the Saints

What is Blasphemy? and sacred things.
Blasphemy is the use of God’s name in
interjections and curses. It is a sin so The sin of Blasphemy might become
serious that in the Old Testament it unforgivable; as Jesus said:
was punished with death (cf. “Whoever blasphemes against the
Holy Spirit will never be forgiven”
(Mark 3:29).
14. PERJURY
What is Perjury?
Perjury is the act of lying under
oath, or of disregarding a pledge. St.
Peter committed Perjury when he
denied three times under oath that he
knew Jesus (cf. Matthew 26:74).
Similarly, Bill Clinton was accused of
Perjury for lying under oath about his
affair with Monica Lewinski (1998).
15. PROFANATION
What is Profanation?
Profanation is to use the name of
God for sacrilegious purposes, such
as: for vulgar shows and jokes, for the 17. THE CHRISTIAN NAME
practice of divination, or in association
with false deities.
16. PROFANATION
Why are Madonna and the
Rizalistas guilty of Profanation?
MADONNA is fond of using the name
of Jesus and of holy things in vain:
such as the video Like a Prayer, and
the Confession Tour. Her art name is
itself a Profanation against the Virgin
Mary.
The RIZALISTAS, the members of the
heretic sect founded in Calamba,
Laguna, in 1896, profane the name of
God by worshipping Jose Rizal as a
divine being and the reincarnation of
Jesus Christ.
What is a Christian Name?
The Christian Name is the one we
receive at Baptism, which should
identify our mission and inspiration in
life.
It follows Jesus’ example, who
changed the name of Simon into
Peter, since his mission was to
become the “Rock” of the Church (cf.
Matthew 1:18).
The Church recommends that the
Baptismal Name “is not foreign to
Christian sentiments.” It should be
that of a Saint; of a Holy Person in the
Bible; or of a Christian mystery or
virtue, such as Grace and Mercy.
The Baptismal Name is sacred and
lasts for all eternity, and should not be
substituted with a nickname. Since
“God calls each one by name”
(Isaiah 43:1), why should we call each
other “by nicknames”?

THIRD COMMANDMENT:

18. THE CHRISTIAN NAME REMEMBER TO KEEP HOLY

What are the Church’s guidelines THE LORD’S DAY.
on Christian Names?
3. THE SABBATH DAY

What is the Sabbath?
The Sabbath is a day of holiness and
rest, where all unnecessary servile
work must be avoided.
The term “Sabbath” comes from the
Hebrew word shavath, which means,
“rest.”
It is also called the Lord’s Day,
because it is a day reserved for God;
and Sunday, which means, “Day of
the Sun.”
4. THE SABBATH DAY
Who instituted the Sabbath?
The Sabbath was instituted by God who, having created the universe in
six days, rested on the seventh (cf. Genesis 2:3
5. THE SABBATH DAY
Why is the Sabbath a foretaste of Paradise?
The Sabbath is the anticipation of eternal life in Paradise.
According to a Jewish tradition, God said to his people: “My children, I
have something precious that I would like to give you: it is the Sabbath,
which is a sample of the world-to-come, for Paradise will be one long
Sabbath.”
6. THE SABBATH DAY
Why do we celebrate the Sabbath
on Sunday instead of Saturday?
THE JEWS celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday to commemorate the
wonder of creation, because God rested on that day.
WE CHRISTIANS celebrate on Sunday to commemorate the gift of
redemption, because Jesus resurrected on Sunday morning.
 Neglecting the Sunday Mass without a serious reason is a mortal sin,

7. PARTICIPATING IN THE EUCHARIST

When are we required to participate in the Eucharist?

We must participate in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of

Obligation, unless excused for a very serious reason, such as sickness,
old age, or distance from the Church.

Those who cannot attend should do one of the following: 1) participate

in the Liturgy of the Word; 2) listen to the Eucharist through any mass
media; 3) recite five mysteries of the Rosary.

8. PARTICIPATING
IN THE EUCHARIST

What are the ten

Holy Days of Obligation?

9. PARTICIPATING IN THE EUCHARIST

Is it a sin to neglect the Sunday Mass?

because it is against the Third Commandment of God.

The participation to the Eucharist is necessary for the spiritual

nourishment of the soul and for the building of the parish community.

10. FOSTERING FAMILY LIFE

How do we foster family life?
Family life is promoted by spending quality time with the spouse,
children and relatives.
On Sunday, the family members should partake of the main meal together,
enjoying each other’s company, along with common games and
activities.
11. ENJOYING REST AND HONEST RECREATION
Why do we need to rest on Sunday?
Aside from the daily eight-hours sleep, the body also needs a weekly day
of rest to recharge and recreate.
Sunday is the day for the much-needed rest for the body and the soul,
when we should enjoy adequate leisure to cultivate our familial, social,
and religious life.
12. PRACTICING WORKS OF CHARITY
Can we perform Works of Charity on Sunday?
Following the example of Jesus, who healed on the Sabbath (cf.
Matthew 12:11-12), we should make works of Charity on Sunday,
especially for the sick, the poor, and the elderly.
Indeed, we will not be judged on how many Masses we have attended on
Sunday, but on the good deeds we have done for our neighbors (cf.
Matthew 25:34-40).
13. UNNECESSARY SERVILE WORK
What kind of work is prohibited on Sunday?
God prohibits any unnecessary servile work on Sunday.
A work is considered unnecessary when it can be postponed to weekdays
without any serious inconvenience; and it is called servile if it is done for
a fee.
14. UNNECESSARY SERVILE WORK
What is the meaning of the proverb:
“God does not pay on the Sabbath”?
It means that the money one earns by making an unnecessary servile
work on Sunday is not blessed by God, and will bring more pains than
gains.
15. UNNECESSARY SERVILE WORK
What are the works permitted on Sunday?
Only necessary works are permitted on Sunday, such as providing
food, health care, and security.
Also permitted are all kinds of work connected with the divine
worship, such as the services of janitors, musicians, florists, and
priests.
16. UNNECESSARY SERVILE WORK
What are the Sunday obligations of Christian employers?
Christian employers must allow their employees to sanctify the
Lord’s Day.
Although social necessities - such as sports, restaurants and public
services - require some people to work on Sundays, they must be
given proper time for rest and worship.
17. SECULARISM & HEDONISM
What is Secularism?
18. SECULARISM & HEDONISM
What is the secularization of Christian Holy Days?
Secularization is the process of converting Sundays and
Christian Holy Days into pagan festivities, dedicated to material
hedonism, such as shopping, debauchery and sloth.

Secularism is the attitude of spending the Lord’s Day

concerned only with material things and physical pleasure,
neglecting the worship of God and the care for souls.

In themselves, material things and physical pleasure – such as

sleeping, eating, partying and shopping - are not wrong; but they
become vicious when enjoyed to the excess and in total
disregard for spiritual matters.