INTRODUCTION.

THE object of this course is to collect together into one book all the instruction needed by converts. What it contains may easily be found in other books; but I do not know any one which treats of all the subjects that require explanation.

The plan of it is this:-The First Part contains five Instructions. In these is given shortly all the teaching which a convert would ordinarily require before being received into the Church. The Second Part has also five Instructions. These are to give the explanation of all the things which a new convert will wish to understand, and which are necessary for the proper performance of the religious duties of a good Catholic.

There are necessarily many things which at first appear strange to one entering into the Church. I have endeavoured to treat of these as simply and familiarly as I can, and at the same time to enter into practical details, which are not commonly found in books.

I have made the course of Instructions resemble as much as possible the oral teaching which a priest would give to a convert of reasonably good education; first, before receiving him into the Church, and, secondly, before admitting him to Holy Communion.

I hope this may sufficiently account for any abruptness and familiarity which may appear in the style.

I have introduced many things which are not necessary for all converts, and which will not be interesting to some; as, for instance, the rather minute explanation of Vespers in the Fourth Instruction of the Second Part. It is easy, however, to pass over what is not wanted.

I have put into an Appendix three subjects of which I thought it desirable to treat, but which did not come into the course of Instructions.

RICHMOND,

October, 1872.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

INSTRUCTION I.

ON THE GREAT TRUTHS OF FAITH.

The Principle of the Catholic Faith.-The chief Truths to

be believed. The Sign of the Cross.-The Unity and

Trinity of God.-The importance of the Knowledge of God.

-The Incarnation and Death of our Saviour.-Errors of

Arius, Nestorius, and Eutyches.-Importance of Medita-

tion on our Lord's Life and Death.-The Four Last Things:

Death-the General and Particular Judgments-Hell-

Heaven.-Purgatory.-The Church suffering.-Prayers for

the Dead.

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INSTRUCTION II.

ON THE TESTIMONY AND AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH.

Importance of the Controversy. -How Christ communicated

His Religion to men.---Authority of the Church the Founda-

tion of Faith.-Results of leaving the true Foundation.-

The Testimony of the Church.-Its authority.-This au-

thority infallible.-Speaks in its own way, and according

to its own constitution.-Defines its own limits.-The

Church an organized body.-The Teaching Church.-The

Hearing Church.-Necessity of a Centre of Union.--The

Pope. His office.-How Christ made S. Peter the head of

His Church. The Bishop of Rome the one claimant to S.

Peter's authority.-The Church a fold, not a constitutional

monarchy.-Power of order and jurisdiction.-Ranks in the

Church.-Marks of the Church.--Need of them.-Unity of

Faith and Discipline.-Holiness.-In what sense a mark of

the Church.--Catholicity.-Apostolicity

INSTRUCTION III.

ON PRAYER AND THE SACRAMENTS.

Faith and Good Works required for Salvation.-Errors on

the Doctrine of Good Works.-State of Man after the Fall.

-Means of obtaining Grace.-Prayer, inward means.-

Necessity of Prayer.-Vocal and Mental Prayer.-The

Sacraments external. -For Members of the Church only.—

Names and Uses of the Sacraments.-How often and when

they can be received.-Matter, Form, and Minister of the

Sacraments.-Sacraments of the Living and of the Dead.

Last Sacraments.-Holy Eucharist. Its importance in

the Faith and Worship of the Church

INSTRUCTION IV.

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ON THE THINGS NECESSARY FOR BEING RECEIVED INTO THE

CHURCH.

Profession of Faith.—Its meaning.- Object of Faith.-Explicit

and Implicit Faith.-Can the Faith ever change?—Acts of

Faith.--Conditional Baptism.-Reason of it.-Confession.

-Difficulty of it.-Parts of Penance. -Absolution.-Con-

trition. Confession.-Sincerity.- Satisfaction. - Prepara-

tion for Confession.-Examination of Conscience.-How Sin

is divided.-Mortal and Venial Sin.-Circumstances of

Sins. Motives for Sorrow.--How to make a Confession.—

The usual form of Confession.-Choice of a Confessor

INSTRUCTION V.

ON THE COMMANDMENTS.

Commandments of God and of the Church.-Their Obligation

and Distinctions.-Division of the Decalogue.-Things

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commanded and forbidden by the First Commandment.-

Honour given to the Saints.--Kinds of Honour -Supreme

-Inferior-Relative. Sins against Faith.-Sundays and

Holidays. Which are the Holidays.-Way of observing

them.-Fasting and Abstinence.-Rules of Fasting.-.

Which are the Fasting Days.-Reasons of Exemption.-

Advantages of Fasting.-Easter Communion.-Time ap-

pointed for it.-Obligation of receiving Viaticum. -Sum-

mary of the Obligations of a Catholic. --Grace of Conversion. 85

PART II.

INSTRUCTION I.

ON THE HOLY COMMUNION.

Different Names of the Blessed Sacrament.— Earliest Instruc--

tion for Holy Communion.-Discerning the Body of the

Lord.—The True Body.—The appearances.-The Consecra-

tion, Matter, and Form of the Holy Eucharist.-Conditions

for a worthy Communion.-State of Grace.-Habitual and

Actual Grace.-Confession before Communion.-Venial Sin.

-Fasting before Communion.-Preparation for First Com-

munion. Hearing Mass before Communion.-How to re-

ceive the Blessed Sacrament.-Thanksgiving.- Effects of

Communion.-Communion under one kind.-How often to

receive.

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INSTRUCTION II.

ON OTHER SACRAMENTS, AND SACRAMENTALS.

Confirmation. Importance of it.-Matter, form, and minister.

-Required Conditions.-Effects.-Ceremonies of Confirma-

tion.-Extreme Unction.-When to receive it.-Matter

and form. Matrimony.-Contract.-Impediments.-Mixed

Marriages. Conditions required.-Banns.-Ceremony in

Protestant Church forbidden.-Holy Oils.-In what sense

Holy.-Holy Water.-How blessed.- Blessed Salt.-Candles

blessed on the Purification.-Blessed Ashes and Palm

Branches. Other blessings.-Use of Sacramentals.

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