Project Canterbury

A Catechism on Confirmation
By the Rev. James DeKoven, D.D.

From A Manual of Instruction for Confirmation Classes
Prepared by the Rev. Morgan Dix, S.T.D.

New York: E. & J. B. Young, 1867.


I.--THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

QUESTION. In what condition was Adam created?
ANSWER. In the image of GOD and perfectly Holy.

Q. What was the consequence of his fall?
A. His nature was ruined.

Q. Are we born holy or sinful?
A. We inherit from Adam a sinful nature.

Q. If left to ourselves what must be the end of our sinful nature?
A. Eternal death.

Q. Who became the Second Adam, the Second Head of our race?
A. Our blessed Lord and Saviour.

Q. In our nature which He assumed what penalty did He endure?
A. He bare our sins in His Own Body on the Tree.

Q. How do we become partakers of the benefits of His Holy Life and precious Death?
A. By being grafted into Him and becoming Partakers of His Nature and being lively members of Him.

Q. By our Birth we become partakers of the nature of the first Adam. How, then, do we become partaken of the nature of the Second Adam?
A. By our New Birth in Holy Baptism.

Q. What then begins the Christian Life?
A. Holy Baptism.

Q. Mention seven helps to the growth of the Christian Life before Confirmation.
A. (1.) The care of Parents. (2.) The instruction of Sponsors. (3.) The guidance of Pastors. (4.) The hearing and reading the Word of GOD. (5.) The Word preached. (6.) Prayer. (7.) Obedience.

Q. Who alone, renders these effective to the growth of the Christian Life?
A. GOD the Holy Ghost who dwells in the heart of the Baptized, being given by Christ to his members.

Q. What may render all of these of no avail?
A. The resisting the Holy Spirit.

Q. What is the second great step in the Christian Life?
A. Confirmation.

Q. What is the Third?
A. The Holy Communion.

Q. What is the Fourth?
A. Death.

Q. When does the Christian Life attain its Perfection?
A. At the Resurrection of the Body.

Q. When does the Christian Life end?
A. Never, if we are faithful unto death.

Q. At what age is Confirmation administered in our branch of the Church?
A. When the child comes to years of discretion, ordinarily from twelve to fifteen years of age.

Q. What three-fold preparation is necessary before Confirmation?
A. (1.) Of Christian Knowledge. (2.) Of the Heart. (3.) Of special Prayer and Fasting.

Q. What is the preparation of Christian Knowledge necessary?
A. That he should know the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and be sufficiently instructed in the other parts of the Church Catechism.

Q. What is the preparation of the heart?
A. A Godly Conversion.

Q. Of what two graces does a Godly Conversion consist?
A. Repentance and Faith.

Q. Give the six parts of Repentance.
A. (1.) Self-examination. (2.) Sorrow. (3.) Confession. (4.) Amendment of Life. (5.) Restitution. (6.) Forgiveness of others.

Q. What self-examination is necessary before confirmation?
A. Of our whole past life.

Q. What sorrow?
A. A godly sorrow, which will make him hate sin.

Q. What confession?
A To ALMIGHTY GOD, and because it is requisite that no one should come to the Holy Communion but with a quiet conscience, and because further comfort and counsel are always necessary to those preparing for confirmation, let him go to the Minister of GOD and open his grief.

Q. What is amendment of life?
A. Renouncing sin, and trying to do right.

Q. Is it entire freedom from sin?
A. No; it is the earnest, constant, prayerful effort to keep from sin and to do right.

Q. What is restitution?
A. Making amends and restoration for every thing in which we have done wrong to our neighbours.

Q. What is the forgiveness of others?
A. The not retaining anger against those who have done us wrong.

Q. In what two ways will forgiveness manifest itself?
A. By praying for our enemies, and trying to do good to them.

Q. What kind of faith is necessary?
A. Faith in our Dear Lord, who died for us, through whose most Precious Death and Passion alone we can hope for salvation.

Q. What kind of faith will this be?
A. A living, not a dead faith. Faith that works by love.

Q. What spirit does St. Peter tell us that this faith produces in us?
A. He says, "Whom having not seen ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Q. What effect did it produce on St. Paul's life?
A. He says, "The life which I now live I live by faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me and gave Himself for me;" and, "I walk by faith not by sight."

Q. Why are special Prayer and Fasting necessary?
A. That the soul may be made ready for the Seven-fold Gifts of the Holy Ghost, which we given in Confirmation.

III.--THE SCRIPTURAL PROOF OF CONFIRMATION.

Q. What proof is there in the Acts of the Apostolic origin of Confirmation?
A. ACTS, viii. 5. "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7. For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them; and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8. And there was great joy in that city........

12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of GOD and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.....................

14. Now when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of GOD, they sent unto them Peter and John.

15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16. (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."

ACTS, xix. 1. "And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples,

2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto Him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3. And He said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the Baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5. When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied."

Q. By what name is Confirmation called in these accounts?
A. The Laying on of Hands.

Q. In the first of these accounts why could not St. Philip confirm?
A. Because he was only a Deacon.

Q. To what order did SS. Peter and John belong?
A. To that of Apostles, or, as we call them, Bishops.

Q. In the second of these accounts, what gifts of the Holy Ghost are said to have been given?
A. The extraordinary gifts as speaking with Tongues and Prophesying.

Q. Did these exclude the ordinary gifts?
A. No; these were also given.

Q. What are the Ordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghost?
A. They are seven-fold. The spirit of Wisdom and of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and of Ghostly Strength, the Spirit of Knowledge and of True Godliness, and the Spirit of Holy Fear.

Q. What does St. Paul say about Confirmation in Hebrews C. VI. v. 1&2?
A. "Therefore leaving the principles of the doc trine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of Repentance from dead works and of Faith towards GOD, of the doctrine of Baptisms and of Laying on of Hands, of the Resurrection of the Dead and of Eternal Judgment.

Q. What then does St. Paul call Confirmation?
A. One of the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ.

Q. How many principles does he mention?
A. Six. Repentance and Faith, Baptism and Confirmation, The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment.

Q. Show how these are principles.
A. Repentance and Faith begin the work of GOD in the soul. Baptism and Confirmation begin the Christian Life. The Resurrection and the Judgment begin the Life of Glory.

IV.--THE VOWS OF CONFIRMATION.

Q. What is required of him who comes to be confirmed?
A. That he should solemnly renew his Baptismal Vows.

Q. What are these vows?
A. 1. The vow of Renunciation. 2. The vow of Faith. 3. The vow of Obedience.

Q. What is the vow of Renunciation?
A. To renounce the Devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked World, and all the Sinful lusts of the Flesh.

Q. What is the vow of Faith?
A. To believe all the articles of the Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles' Creed

Q. What is the vow of Obedience?
A. To keep GOD'S Holy Will and Commandments, and to walk in the name all the days of his life.

(1.) THE VOW OF RENUNCIATION.

Q. What is it to renounce a thing?
A. To forsake it and to hate it.

Q. Who is meant by the devil?
A. Satan, the Prince of Evil Angels, who goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Q. What are his works?
A. All kinds of sin.

Q. Mention some sins which are more especially his works.
A. Pride, Lying, Tempting others to Sin, and Covetousness.

Q. What is a pomp?
A. Any thing which is done merely for Vain Glory.

Q. What are the Vanities of this wicked world?

A. Every thing which is empty of good--every thing which is light and inconstant--every thing which is false and unreal.

Q. What is the flesh?
A. That sinful nature which we inherit from Adam.

Q. What are the lusts of the flesh?
A. Anger, Gluttony, Sloth and Uncleanness.

Q What are we commanded to do with the flesh?
A. To crucify it.

Q. What are the nails we must pierce it with?
A. Keeping out of the Way of Temptation, Fasting, Abstinence and Self-Denial, the Confession of Sin committed, Bodily Labor, Patient Bearing of Injuries, and Alms-Giving.

(2.) THE VOW OF FAITH.

Q. Where do you find the Articles of the Christian Faith?
A. In the Apostles' Creed.

Q. Into how many divisions and subdivisions is it divided?
A. Into three divisions, corresponding to the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity, and into twelve Articles, corresponding to the twelve Apostles.

Q. What is the doctrine of the Holy Trinity?
A. That there are in the God-head three Divine Persons; GOD the Father, GOD the Son and GOD the Holy Ghost, and that these three are one GOD.

Q. What properties distinguish these Divine Persons?
A. GOD the Father is uncreate; GOD the Son is not made nor created, but begotten; GOD the Holy Ghost is neither made nor created nor begotten, but proceeding.

Q. What does each one of these Divine Persons do for us?
A. GOD the Father creates and preserves us; GOD the Son redeems us; GOD the Holy Ghost sanctifies us.

Q. In how many ways is GOD our Father?
A. By creation and preservation; by redemption, by our regeneration in Holy Baptism, and by our resurrection at the last day.

Q. What is the doctrine of the Incarnation?
A. That our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD, is GOD and Man. GOD, of the Substance of His Father; Man, of the Substance of His Mother; having two Natures, the Divine and Human, and yet but one Person, the Person of the Son of GOD.

Q. What is the meaning of Jesus?
A. GOD the Saviour.

Q. Why do we bow our heads at the name of Jesus?
A. To show that we believe Him to be GOD.

Q. What is the meaning of Christ?
A. The Anointed One.

Q. To what three offices was our Lord Anointed?
A. At His Baptism He was Anointed to be our Prophet, Priest, and King.

Q. How is He our Prophet?
A. He gave to us His Holy Gospel, and has left to us His Ministry to proclaim it to us now.

Q. How is He our Priest?
A. He offered up Himself a Sacrifice on the Cross for the Sins of the Whole World. In Heaven He ever lives to make Intercession for us, and bestows upon us all the benefits of His Passion through the ministrations of the Priesthood.

Q. How is He our King?
A. Even in the depth of His humiliation He was ruling all. He orders all things now for the good of His Church. At the last day He will punish His foes and reward His children, and the) will reign with Him forever.

Q. What is the doctrine of our Lord's eternal Sonship?
A. That the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity is eternally begotten of the Father, so that there never was a time when He was not.

Q. How do we express the Union which exists between the Father and the Son?
A. That He is of the same Substance with the Father.

Q. Who was our Lord's reputed Father?
A. St. Joseph.

Q. By whom was He conceived?
A. By GOD the Holy Ghost.

Q. Of whom was He born?
A. Of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Q. What two titles has the Church given to her?
A. She is called the Bringer-forth of GOD, and the Ever Virgin Mary.

Q. What is the doctrine of the Atonement?
A. That our Lord offered up Himself upon the Cross as a Sacrifice for the Sins of the Whole World, and thus reconciled us unto GOD.

Q. At His Death where was our Lord's Body laid?
A. In the tomb of Joseph.

Q. Whither did His soul depart?
A. Into the place of Departed Spirits.

Q. Whither do our souls go when they die?
A. Into the Intermediate State, or Hades, to await, in joy or misery, the Judgment of the Great Day.

Q. On what day was our Lord crucified, and on what day did he arise?
A. He was crucified on Friday and arose on Sunday.

Q. What change in the observance of the Sabbath did His Resurrection produce?
A. It was changed from Saturday to Sunday.

Q. Why?
A. Because on Saturday He rested from the Work of Creation, on Sunday from the Work of New Creation or Redemption.

Q. Whither did our Lord ascend?
A. Up far above all Heavens, that He might fill mil things.

Q. What is His Blessed Work in Heaven?
A. He ever lives to make Intercession for us.

Q. What ought we to do?
A. In heart and mind thither ascend, and with Him continually dwell.

Q. When will He come again?
A. To judge the living and the dead at the Day of Judgment.

Q. Who is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity?
A. GOD the Holy Ghost.

Q. Why is He called Holy?
A. Because He is Holy in Himself and the author of holiness in us.

Q. How is He the Author of Holiness to us?
A. Because He speaks to the Hearts of all calling them to Repentance and Faith, and makes them holy in the Church and through the Sacraments.

Q. What is meant by the Holy Catholic Church?
A. The Body of Christ, Militant here on earth, at rest in Paradise, and to be triumphant hereafter in the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Q. What is the Church Militant?
A. The Church of GOD throughout the World, fighting against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, consisting of many Branches, but united by holding to the one Lord, the one Faith and the one Baptism.

Q. Is the visible Unity of the Church broken?
A. It is; and we ought to pray to GOD without ceasing that He, of His merciful goodness, may make us all to be at one again.

Q. What is necessary to make any particular church a branch of the Catholic Church?
A. That it should hold to the Creed of the Church; that it should have the Apostolic Ministry and the Apostolic Sacraments, and that it should not separate itself from the rest of the Church.

Q. Are all the members of the Church really holy?
A. No; the Tares and the Wheat grow up together until the Harvest. The wise and foolish Virgins are together until the Bridegroom comes.

Q. When will all the members of the Church be really holy?
A. When He shall present it to Himself a glorious Church not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.

Q. Who are meant by The Saints?
A. The Holy Living and the Holy Dead.

Q. How do the Saints hare Communion, one with another?
A. By Prayer, by Good Works, and in the Holy Communion.

Q. Into what two great divisions is Sin divided?
A. Original Sin and Actual Sin.

Q. What is Original Sin?
A. The fault of that sinful nature which we inherit.

Q. What is Actual Sin?
A. The sin we commit.

Q. By what Theological word is the Forgiveness of the Sinner known?
A. Justification.

Q. What is the Cause of Justification?
A.

The Principal Cause--God's Mercy.
The Meritorious Cause--Christ's Death.
The Efficient Cause--The operation of the Holy Ghost.
The Instrumental Cause on GOD'S side--The Ministry of the Word, Baptism, and the Holy Communion.
The Instrumental Cause on Man's side--Faith which works by love.

Q. When then do we first receive forgiveness?
A. In Holy Baptism.

Q. How do we receive forgiveness for sin after Baptism?
A. By Absolution and the Holy Communion.

Q. What graces do we need to receive the blessing?
A. Repentance towards GOD, and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. When only do we obtain entire freedom from the effects of sin?
A. At the Last Great Day.

Q. What shall we then receive?
A. The Redemption of our Bodies from the power of Death and the Grave.

Q. Will our Resurrection Body be the same Body as that which died?
A. It will, but will have new qualities and properties.

Q. In what will these consist?
A. It will be free from all the pains, sorrows, and weaknesses of our mortal bodies.

Q. Into how many divisions is Everlasting Life divided?
A. Into that which is begun here on Earth in the Church and through the Sacraments, into that which is partial in Paradise and that which will be perfect in the kingdom of Glory.

Q. What other Doctrine does the article Everlasting Life include?
A. Everlasting death.

Q. What does Holy Scripture Bay of the Righteous and the Wicked?
A. These shall go away unto everlasting punishment, but the Righteous unto Life Eternal.

Q. Is there any difference between everlasting and eternal, in this text?
A. No. In the original Greek they are one and the same word.

Q. What are the two meanings of Amen?
A. So be it, and, so shall it be.

Q. What is our duty to the Creed of the Church?
A. To believe in it, to practice it, and, if need be, to die for it.

(2.) THE VOW OF OBEDIENCE.

Q. Where will we find GOD'S Holy Will and Commandments?
A. In the rightly instructed Conscience, in the teaching of the works of Creation, in the Holy Bible, and in the Catholic Church.

Q. Into how many duties are the Ten Commandments divided?
A. Two. The duty towards GOD, contained in the first four, and the Duty towards our neighbor, contained in the last six Commandments.

Q. What duty towards GOD does the First Commandment enjoin?
A. Inward affection.

Q. The Second?
A. Outward Worship.

Q. The Third?
A. To honor Him with the tongue.

Q. The Fourth?
A. To honor Him with our time.

Q. What duty towards our neighbor does the Fifth enjoin?
A. The Duty to our Superiors.

Q What duties the remaining Five?
A. The duties to our Equals and Inferiors.

Q. In what ways do the last Five forbid us to injure our Neighbor?
A. In his own Person; in the Person of his Wife; in his Goods; in his Reputation; in thought or intention.

Q. What sins are forbidden by the First Commandment?
A. Atheism, Polytheism, Sorcery, Superstition, Pride, Presumption, Despair, Heresy, and Schism.

Q. What Graces does it command?
A. Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Q. What Sins are forbidden by the Second Commandment?
A. Idolatry, Neglect of GOD'S Worship, Covetousness, Inordinate Affection, and Hypocrisy.

Q. What does it enjoin?
A. Christian Worship, Contentedness and Liberality, Temperance and Fasting, Humility and doing good in secret.

Q. What Sins are forbidden by the Third Commandment ?
A. False and Profane Swearing, Profaning God's Worship, Careless Praying, Irreverence, Lying Breaking Promises, and Idle words.

Q. What does it command?
A. To pray to GOD and to praise Him, to confess Him before men, to swear lawfully.

Q. What does the Fourth Commandment forbid?
A. Unnecessary work and unseemly conduct on Sunday, and all neglect of GOD'S House and GOD'S Worship.

Q. What does it command?
A. To do works of mercy on Sunday, To go to Church and receive the Holy Communion, To keep the Church's Feast and Fast Days, and To do our Daily Work diligently.

Q. What does the Fifth Commandment forbid?
A. Disobedience and Undutifulness, Rebellion against civil or ecclesiastical Rulers, Disrespect and Irreverence and Failing to pray for our Superiors.

Q. What duties does it enjoin?
A. The Duty of Father to Son; Of the Ruler to his Subjects; Of the Husband to his Wife; Of the Master to the Servant; Of the Pastor to his Flock; Of the Old to the Young; Of the Rich to the Poor; Of the Learned to the Unlearned; and their opposites.

Q. What does the Sixth Commandment forbid?
A. Murder, Suicide, Cruelty, Causeless or immoderate Anger, Envy, Hatred, Malice, Revenge, Bitter and disdainful words.

Q. What does it enjoin?
A. To love one another, To take care of one's health, To be Merciful, forgiving, and courteous and To follow peace with all men.

Q. What does the Seventh Commandment forbid?
A. Adultery, Fornication, and all other kinds of uncleanness and unchastity, and everything which leads to such sins, as filthy thoughts, filthy talking, idleness, drunkenness, immodest dances, songs, games, books, and pictures.

Q. What does it command?
A. A pure heart, good words and a chaste life. Temperance, Modesty. The keeping under the body by Prayer, Watching and Pasting. Not to separate, divorce, or put away a wife. Modest company and honest labor.

Q. What is it that makes sins against the Seventh Commandment exceeding sinful?
A. Because the Christian is a Member of Christ and his body the Temple of the Holy Ghost, to be raised hereafter like unto Christ's Glorified Body.

Q. What does the Eighth Commandment forbid?
A. Robbery, Stealing, Pilfering, Cheating, Refusing to give to GOD and the Church, Refusing to make Restitution, Covetousness and immoderate care, Prodigality, Wastefulness, and an Idle Life.

Q. What does it command?
A. To be just and frugal, To take care of the goods of others, To be liberal and openhanded, To pray, and To labor.

Q. What does the Ninth Commandment forbid?
A. False Witness, Slander, Gossip, Lying, and ill-natured Ridicule.

Q. What does it command?
A. To speak the truth, To speak well of others, To use few, profitable, and courteous words.

Q. What does the Tenth Commandment forbid?
A. Envy of others' prosperity, The greedy pursuit of riches, Discontent and over Carefulness, Idleness and all evil Desires.

Q. What does it command?
A. Honest Labor, Contentment, Liberality. The crucifying all fleshly lusts and evil desires, and stopping the beginning of Sin.

Q. How alone can we keep GOD'S Commandments?
A. By GOD'S grace sought for by diligent prayei ftud receiving the Holy Communion.

Q. What then ought to be the Christian's first duty after Confirmation?
A. To prepare for and receive the Holy Communion as soon as his Parish Priest may allow him to do so.

V.--THE GRACE OF CONFIRMATION.

Q. What outward act is necessary in Confirmation?
A. The laying on of the Bishop's hands.

Q. What inward Grace does Confirmation bestow?
A. It is GOD'S Seal. It strengthens the Christian, and above all it gives to him the Holy Ghost in fuller measure.

Q. How does Confirmation strengthen the Christian?
A. It gives greater power to resist temptation, and "draws a sevenfold veil betwixt him and the fires of youth."

Q. What is the difference between the Grace of Baptism and the Grace of Confirmation?
A. In Baptism man is enlisted into the service, in Confirmation he is equipped for battle: In Baptism he is regenerated unto life, in Confirmation he is prepared for the combat: In Baptism he is cleansed, in Confirmation he is strengthened.

Q. Explain each of the Sevenfold gifts of the Holy Ghost
A.

(1.) Wisdom is the Knowledge of GOD.
(2.) Understanding is wisdom put into practice.
(3.) Counsel enables to choose the right and avoid the wrong.
(4.) Ghostly Strength keeps us from falling and helps us onward.
(5.) Knowledge enables to depart from evil.
(6.) True Godliness impresses the Image of Christ on the Soul.
(7.) Holy Fear gives holy Awe and Reverence.

Q. What are the Fruits of the Spirit?
A. (1.) Love. (2.) Joy. (3.) Peace. (4.) Long Suffering. (5.) Gentleness. (6.) Goodness. (7.) Faith (8.) Meekness. (9.) Patience. (10.) Modesty. (11.) Temperance. (12.) Chastity.


DEVOTIONS AND PRAYERS.

A PRAYER TO BE USED DAILY BEFORE CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION.

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of the Sheep, look mercifully upon me Thy Child, and fit and prepare me for Confirmation and the Holy Communion. Give me unfeigned repentance and steadfast faith in Thee. Create and make in me a new and a contrite heart. Turn me and so shall I be turned. Visit me not for my sins, neither reward me according to mine iniquities. Give unto me power and strength to have victory and to triumph against the Devil, the world, and the flesh. Cleanse my Soul that it may become a fitting abode for thy Holy Spirit, and receive me to Thy Blessed Presence in the Holy Communion, that knowing Thee now by faith, I may after this life have the fruition of Thy glorious Godhead, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one GOD, world without end. Amen.

SELF-EXAMINATION BEFORE CONFIRMATION.

DIRECTIONS.--Kneel down upon your knees, and ask yourself the following questions. Try and do it as in the very Presence of the Great Judge of all. It will aid you to divide your life into three portions, and to go over each portion at a separate time:

A PRAYER BEFORE SELF-EXAMINATION.

O God the Father, who knowest the hearts of all men, open Thou mine eyes, that I may see myself as I am seen by Thee;

O Lord Jesus Christ, look on me as Thou didst on Peter, that I may weep bitterly;

O Holy Ghost, suffer not the sins I have committed to blind me; aid my memory, quicken my conscience, and pour Thy bright beams into my soul; who livest and reignest one GOD, world without end. Amen.

QUESTIONS.

1. THE DUTY TOWARDS GOD.

Have you indulged any doubts about the Christian Faith?

Have you ever had anything to do with Spiritualism, or any like device of the devil?

Have you ever given up trying to do right, as if it were of no use?

Have you gone on sinning without thought or care?

Have you ever attended the services of those who separate from GOD'S Holy Church?

Have you always thanked GOD when He has shown you any mercy?

Do you say your prayers night and morning, and at noon, if you can?

Did you ever give up saying them, and why?

How do you say them? Kneeling? Out of bed?

In church do you stand and kneel when yon ought, make the responses, bow your head in the Creed at the name of Jesus, or are you ashamed to do so?

Do you read your Bible every day, with prayer that you may understand?

Are you as careful when you are away from home as when there?

Have you ever done anything to make people think you are better or worse than you are?

Have you ever cursed or sworn? Have you used slang words? Have you quoted the Bible in jest?

Have you put off your Confirmation, and been ashamed to confess Christ before men?

Do you go to Church twice on Sunday?

Have you ever given up going to Church, and why?

Do you do unnecessary work on Sunday?

Do you try and do works of mercy on Sunday?

Do you keep, so far as you may, the Feast and Fast days of the Church?

Do you do your daily work diligently, or are you idle?

2. THE DUTY TOWARDS YOUR NEIGHBOR.

Have you been disobedient to your Father or Mother, to your Teachers, to your civil Governors, to your Bishop, to your Parish Priest, to Master if you have one?

Have you been disrespectful or irreverent; or neglected to pray for your Superiors?

Do you try to do your duty to all about you?

Have you ever been angry without cause?

Have you ever kept angry longer than you should?

Do you forgive, as you hope to be forgiven, every one who has done wrong to you?

Have you ever been envious?

Have you ever been cruel to any person or any animal?

Did you ever lead any one else into sin?

Are you courteous? Do you try to make peace when you can?

Have you ever committed any act of Uncleanness?

Have you ever talked filthy talk; indulged in unclean thoughts; listened without protest to improper conversation; read filthy books, or looked at unchaste pictures?

Have you ever danced immodest dances, sung immodest songs, or played immodest games, or been immodest in your dress?

Are you idle and soft in your ways?

Did you ever get drunk? Do you eat more than you ought? Do you read trashy novels?

Do you keep your Body under subjection by prayer, watching, and self-denial?

Do you keep away from those who are a temptation to you?

Did you ever take anything which was not your own; if so, have you confessed and restored it?

Have you been in the habit of pilfering little things?

Have you ever cheated in a bargain? Do you pay your debts?

Have you robbed GOD by not giving the due proportion of what you have to His Church and to His Poor?

Do you waste your own substance or the goods of others?

Have you ever slandered any one?

Do you talk ill of others? Do you talk gossip?

Have you told a lie? If so, have you confessed it?

Do you keep your promises?

Have you always been frank and open and free from equivocation?

Did you ever think of trying to obtain that which was another's in a wrongful way?

Is your chief object in life to get money or to serve GOD?

Do you do anything in business which the world allows but which GOD forbids?

Have you been discontented with your lot?

Do you grumble?

After each sin which you remember, say, Lord have mercy upon me, and forgive me.

If you have not committed it say, Glory be to Thee, O Lord for keeping me from this sin.

CONFESSION.

O Good Lord, I have sinned, I have done amiss, I have dealt most wickedly. My sins are more in number than the hairs of my head. I hide them not, I make no excuses for them, but thus and thus (here slowly, solemnly, one by one, confess the sins you have committed;) have I done. Have mercy upon me O GOD after Thy great Goodness; according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. Spare me Good Lord; spare thy servant whom thou hast redeemed; enter not into judgment with Thy servant, who am vile earth and a miserable sinner, but so turn Thine anger from me who meekly acknowledge my vileness and truly repent me of my faults, and so make haste to help me in this world that I may ever live with thee in the world to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

REMEMBER,

O Penitent, if you truly sorrow for your sins, if you are weary and heavy laden with their burden, or at least grieve that you are not more so, if you desire, as well you may, the blessing of Priestly Counsel, the Church encourages you to go to the Minister of God and open your grief. Be very sure that neither fear nor shame keep you back.

A PRAYER FOR THE MORNING OF CONFIRMATION.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, one GOD with the Father and the Son; Who art everywhere present and fillest all things; come Thou this day and dwell in me--illumine my darkness, kindle my cold heart, purify my soul from every stain, clothe me with the whole armour of GOD, give unto me Thy sevenfold gifts, and unite me in a mysterious bond of love with the Father and the Son, with whom thou livest and reignest one GOD, world without end. A men.

A PRAYER TO BE USED OFTEN AFTER CONFIRMATION.

O GOD who hast poured into my soul the illumination of thy Holy Spirit, grant me never to grieve Him my loving Comforter. Give me O Lord a right faith, perfect love, true humility. Give me persevering obedience, perpetual peace, a pure mind, a clean heart, a holy conscience, ghostly strength, an unspotted life, a happy death, and a deathless happiness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED WITH YOU.

O Light of light, O Brightness indescribeable, Christ our GOD; grant unto these my Brethren, amid this dark world the full outpouring of Thy splendor; appoint Thy Holy Angels to be their defenders, may they go on from strength to strength; perfect Thy gifts in them, and grant that hereafter we may praise Thee together in the land of everlasting light for thine own dear mercy's sake. A men.

FURTHER DIRECTIONS BEFORE CONFIRMATION.

I. Learn the Church Catechism if you do not know it already.

II. Read over the Confirmation Service often.

III. Be careful to say your prayers regularly and reverently, if possible at noon, as well as morning and night.

IV. Go to Church at other times besides Sunday if you have the opportunity

V. On Fridays deny yourself, or fast as health and circumstances admit, or as you may be directed.

VI. Be sure and ask to be admitted to the Holy Communion as soon as your Clergyman thinks it best.

The GOD of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen


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