CATECHISM

Q. Will Faith alone save us?
A. Faith alone will not save us without good works; we must also have Hope and Charity.
Good Works. To keep the Commandments; to go to the Sacraments; to attend at
instructions and sermons; to read good books; prayer, fasting, and alms-deeds. In order
to be saved it is necessary to perform good works ‘For even as the body without the spirit
is dead, so also faith without works is dead.’ (James 2:26)

Q. What is Hope?
A. Hope is a supernatural gift of God, by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life
and all means necessary to obtain it, if we do what he requires of us.
Hope. To expect or desire anything.

Q. Why must we hope in God?
A. We must hope in God because he is infinitely good, infinitely powerful, and faithful to his
promises. (See also Q.179)

Q. Can we do any good work of ourselves towards our salvation?
A. We can do no good work of ourselves towards our salvation; we need the help of God’s grace.
Of ourselves. By our own power without the help of anyone.
Salvation. Saving our souls and gaining heaven.
Grace. A gift, a favour. The principal kinds of grace are:
1. sanctifying or habitual grace, which is the state of the soul when possessed by the
Holy Spirit, and which makes it holy and pleasing to God;
2. actual grace, or the action of the Holy Spirit upon the soul, by which God
enlightens our understanding, and inclines our will to avoid evil and to do what is
good;
3. Sacramental grace, which is the special and distinguishing grace conferred by each
Sacrament.

Q. What is Grace?
A. Grace is a supernatural gift of God, freely bestowed upon us for our sanctification and
salvation.
Freely bestowed. Given to us by the free will of God.
Sanctification. Making us holy and pleasing to God.

Q. How must we obtain God’s grace?
A. We must obtain God’s grace chiefly by prayer and the holy Sacraments.
Prayer. Asking, beseeching. The two chief kinds of prayer are:
1. mental, or praying with the mind alone
2. vocal, or praying with the voice as well as the mind.