Baltimore Catechism MIA

Been looking for the daily BC updates?  Me too!
These are provided via email daily, weekdays only.  No emails have arrived since Wednesday.  I will advise as soon as I know more.

I decided to provide these to see what the BC taught and to compare any differences with the current Catechism which is cross referenced.

Until the emails arrive again, be at peace.

Day 158 Baltimore Catechism

Day #158: Why is Baptism necessary?

Why is Baptism necessary for the salvation of all men? Baptism is necessary for the salvation of all men because Christ has said: "Unless a man be born again of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Now they who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41) How can those be saved who through no fault of their own have not received the sacrament of Baptism? Those who through no fault of their own have not received the sacrament of Baptism can be saved through what is called baptism of blood or baptism of desire. Further reading: CCC 1257-1261

Day 156 with Baltimore Catechism

Day #156: Who can administer Baptism?

What are the effects of the character imprinted on the soul by Baptism? The effects of the character imprinted on the soul by Baptism are that we become members of the Church, subject to its laws, and capable of receiving other sacraments. Who can administer Baptism? The priest is the usual minister of Baptism, but if there is danger that someone will die without Baptism, anyone else may and should baptize. How would you give Baptism? I would give Baptism by pouring ordinary water on the forehead of the person to be baptized, saying while pouring it: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Further reading: CCC 1256 Note:  The Ordinary Minister of Baptism is Bishop, Priest, Deacon.

Baltimore Catechism Day 156: Baptism

Day #156: What is Baptism?

What is Baptism? Baptism is the sacrament that gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become children of God and heirs of heaven. Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) What sins does Baptism take away? Baptism takes away original sin; and also actual sin and all the punishment due to them, if the person baptized be guilty of any actual sins and truly sorry for them. Get up and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on his name. (Acts 22:16) Further reading: CCC 1213-1222

End of the week; Day 155 Baltimore Catechism

Day #155: Which sacraments can you get only once?

Which are the sacraments that can be received only once? The sacraments that can be received only once are Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Why can Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders be received only once? Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders can be received only once because they imprint on the soul a spiritual mark, called a character, which lasts forever. And do not grieve the Holy Ghost of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) Deeper reading -> CCC 1304-1305

Baltimore Catechism Day 154

Day #154: Can you receive sacraments while in mortal sin?

Why are Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony called sacraments of the living? Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony are called sacraments of the living because their chief purpose is to give more grace to souls already spiritually alive through sanctifying grace. What sin does one commit who knowingly receives a sacrament of the living in mortal sin? He who knowingly receives a sacrament of the living in mortal sin commits a mortal sin of sacrilege, because he treats a sacred thing with grave irreverence. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. (I Corinthians 11:27) More on that -> CCC 1457

Baltimore Catechism Day 153

Day #153: Do sacraments always give grace?

Do the sacraments always give grace? The sacraments always give grace if we receive them with the right dispositions. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. (I Corinthians 11:27) Why are Baptism and Penance called sacraments of the dead? Baptism and Penance are called sacraments of the dead because their chief purpose is to give the supernatural life of sanctifying grace to souls spiritually dead through sin. Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) Further reading: CCC 2006-2011

Day 152 with the Baltimore Catechism

Day #152: The grace we get from sacraments

Do the sacraments give sanctifying grace? The sacraments do give sanctifying grace. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:17) Does each of the sacraments also give a special grace? Each of the sacraments also gives a special grace, called sacramental grace, which helps one to carry out the particular purpose of that sacrament. Further reading: CCC 2000-2005

Day 151 with the Baltimore Catechism

Day #151: What is a sacrament?

What is a sacrament? A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. How many sacraments are there? There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. From whom do the sacraments receive their power to give grace? The sacraments receive their power to give grace from God, through the merits of Jesus Christ. Let a man so account us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (I Corinthians 4:1) Further reading: CCC 1210-1212

Baltimore Catechism Day 150

Day #150: How do we celebrate a Marriage?

How do we celebrate a Marriage (CCC)? In the Latin Rite the celebration of marriage between two Catholic faithful normally takes place during Holy Mass, because of the connection of all the sacraments with the Paschal mystery of Christ.120 In the Eucharist the memorial of the New Covenant is realized, the New Covenant in which Christ has united himself for ever to the Church, his beloved bride for whom he gave himself up.121 It is therefore fitting that the spouses should seal their consent to give themselves to each other through the offering of their own lives by uniting it to the offering of Christ for his Church made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice, and by receiving the Eucharist so that, communicating in the same Body and the same Blood of Christ, they may form but "one body" in Christ. Further reading: CCC 1621-1624

Baltimore Catechism Day 149

Day #149: Can Catholics marry non-Catholics?

Can Catholics marry non-Catholics? (updated answer from CCC) Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ. But the difficulties of mixed marriages must not be underestimated. They arise from the fact that the separation of Christians has not yet been overcome. The spouses risk experiencing the tragedy of Christian disunity even in the heart of their own home. Disparity of cult can further aggravate these difficulties. Differences about faith and the very notion of marriage, but also different religious mentalities, can become sources of tension in marriage, especially as regards the education of children. The temptation to religious indifference can then arise. According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority. In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage.This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage; and furthermore that the Catholic party confirms the obligations, which have been made known to the non-Catholic party, of preserving his or her own faith and ensuring the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church. Further reading: CCC 1633-1637

Baltimore Catechism Day 148

Day #148: Do you HAVE to support the Church?

What is meant by the commandment to contribute to the support of the Church? By the commandment to contribute to the support of the Church is meant that each of us is obliged to bear his fair share of the financial burden of the Holy See, of the diocese, and of the parish. So also the Lord directed that those who preach the gospel should have their living from the gospel. (I Corinthians 9:14) What is the ordinary law of the Church to be observed at the wedding of a Catholic? The ordinary law of the Church to be observed at the wedding of a Catholic is this: A Catholic can contract a true marriage only in the presence of an authorized priest and two witnesses. Deeper reading -> CCC 2043

Baltimore Catrchism Day 147

Day #147: Receiving Communion during Easter?

What sin does a Catholic commit who neglects to receive Holy Communion worthily during the Easter time? A Catholic who neglects to receive Holy Communion worthily during the Easter time commits a mortal sin. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life everlasting and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (John 6:55-56) What is the Easter time in the United States? The Easter time in the United States begins on the first Sunday of Lent and ends on Trinity Sunday. More on that -> CCC 1384-1390

BC Day 146 all about Confession

Day #146: How often must we go to confession?

What is meant by the commandment to confess our sins at least once a year? By the commandment to confess our sins at least once a year is meant that we are strictly obliged to make a good confession within the year, if we have a mortal sin to confess. Confess, therefore, your sins to one another. (James 5:16) Why should we go to confession frequently? We should go to confession frequently because frequent confession greatly helps us to overcome temptation, to keep in the state of grace, and to grow in virtue. More on that -> CCC 1440-1449

Ending the work week with the Baltimore Catechism

Day #145: Why Fridays in Lent?

Why does the Church make Fridays of Lent days of abstinence? The Church makes Fridays of Lent days of abstinence in order that we may do penance for our sins, and also in order that we may prepare ourselves more worthily for Good Friday, when we commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. How can we know the days appointed for fast or abstinence? We can know the days appointed for fast or abstinence from the instructions of our bishops and priests. More on that -> CCC 1438

Baltimore Catechism Day 144

Day #144: What is a day of abstinence?

What is a day of abstinence? A day of abstinence is a day on which we are not allowed the use of meat. Who are obliged to observe the abstinence days of the Church? All Catholics who have passed their fourteenth birthday and have attained the use of reason are obliged to observe the abstinence days of the Church, unless excused or dispensed. Why does the Church command us to fast and to abstain? The Church commands us to fast and to abstain in order that we may control the desires of the flesh, raise our minds more freely to God, and make satisfaction for sin. But thou, when thou dost fast, anoint thy head wash thy face, so that thou mayest not be seen fasting by men, but by thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father, who sees in secret, will reward thee. (Matthew 6:18) More on that -> CCC 2189-2195

Baltimore Catechism Day 143

Day #143: Who must fast?

Why were holydays instituted by the Church? Holydays were instituted by the Church to remind us of the mysteries of our religion and of the important events in the lives of Christ and of His Blessed Mother, and to recall to us the virtues and the rewards of the saints. What is a fast day? A fast day is a day on which only one full meal is allowed, but in the morning and evening some food may be taken, the quantity and quality of which are determined by approved local custom. Who are obliged to observe the fast days of the Church? All baptized persons between the ages of twenty-one and fifty-nine are obliged to observe the fast days of the Church, unless they are excused or dispensed. More on that -> CCC 1430

Baltimore Catechism Day 142

Day #142: Holy Days of Obligation

Which are the holydays of obligation in the United States? The holydays of obligation in the United States are these six: Christmas Day (December 25) The Octave of the Nativity (January 1) Ascension Thursday (40 days after Easter) The Assumption (August 15) All Saints' Day (November 1) The Immaculate Conception (December 8) What else does the Church oblige us to do on holydays of obligation? The Church obliges us to abstain from servile work on holydays of obligation, just as on Sundays, as far as we are able. More on that -> CCC 2180-2188

Baltimore Catechism Day 141

Day #141: What are the chief precepts of the Church?

Which are the chief commandments, or laws, of the Church? The chief commandments, or laws, of the Church are these six: To assist at Mass on all Sundays and holydays of obligation. To fast and to abstain on the days appointed. To confess our sins at least once a year. To receive Holy Communion during the Easter time. To contribute to the support of the Church. To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage. What sin does a Catholic commit who through his own fault misses Mass on a Sunday or holyday of obligation? A Catholic who through his own fault misses Mass on a Sunday or holyday of obligation commits a mortal sin. Keep you my sabbath; for it is holy unto you. (Exodus 31:14) More on that -> CCC 2041-2043

End the week with Day 140 and the Baltimore Catechism

Day #140: Why can the Church make laws?

Whence has the Catholic Church the right to make laws? The Catholic Church has the right to make laws from Jesus Christ, who said to the apostles, the first bishops of His Church: "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven." Amen I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven. (Matthew 18:18) By whom is this right to make laws exercised? This right to make laws is exercised by the bishops, the successors of the apostles, and especially by the Pope, who as the successor of the chief of the apostles, Saint Peter, has the right to make laws for the Universal Church. And I say to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18) Further reading: CCC 2032-2040