Baltimore Catechism Volume I Part 12

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

THE LAST GOSPEL

The priest makes a cross on forehead, lips, and breast, and says the Gospel of St. John.

Remain standing until the priest has left the sanctuary or kneels down to say the prayers after Ma.s.s.

THE RIGHT MANNER OF CONFESSING

[From Father Finn's Prayer Book for Catholic Youth.]

PRAYER BEFORE EXAMINING YOUR CONSCIENCE

O Holy Spirit, help me to know all my sins. Help me to remember that Jesus died for me. Help me to make a good confession and I promise that I will try never to sin again.

Now think of your sins.

PRAYER BEFORE ENTERING THE CONFESSIONAL

O G.o.d, I am very sorry for all my sins. I promise that I will try to be good and never again to hurt You by sin. Dear Jesus, help me. Mother of G.o.d, pray that I may please Your Son by true sorrow for my sins.

When your turn comes, go into the confession box. Make the Sign of the Cross and wait till the priest opens the little door. Say what you have been taught to say. Or you may say this:

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It is (say how long) since my last confession. Since then I have committed these sins.

Now tell all your sins and how many times you committed each. If there is something you don't know how to tell, just say, "Please help me, Father," and the priest will help you. After you have told all your sins, say what you have been taught to say. Or you may say:

That is all, Father.

In case you have no big sins to confess, it is well to end your confession with: "In my past life I sinned through anger or impurity"

(or some sin that you know you did and that you are sorry for).

The priest tells you what prayers to say for a penance. Then he tells you to say the Act of Contrition. When you come out, kneel down near the altar. Say your penance at once. Then thank G.o.d for being so good to you.

COMMUNION PRAYERS

ACTS BEFORE COMMUNION

Act of Faith. Jesus Christ, my Sovereign Lord, I firmly believe that Thou art really present in the Holy Eucharist, and that it is Thy body, Thy blood, Thy soul, and Thy divinity that I shall receive in that Adorable Sacrament.

Act of Hope. Thou hast said, O my G.o.d, that those hoping in Thee shall never be confounded. I place all my confidence in Thy promises, and I hope that, having nourished myself with Thy body on earth, I shall have the happiness of seeing and possessing Thee eternally in heaven.

Act of Love. O my divine Jesus, Who hast so loved me as to nourish me with Thy adorable flesh, I love Thee with all my heart and above all things; I wish to live and die in Thy holy love.

Act of Humility. My Saviour and my G.o.d, Thou art all sanct.i.ty. I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter my heart; yet, speak but the word and my soul shall be healed.

Act of Desire. My soul desires Thee, O my G.o.d! Thou art its joy and happiness. Come, O divine Jesus, come into my heart; it desires ardently to receive Thee.

ACTS AFTER COMMUNION

Act of Adoration. I adore Thee, O Jesus, as the Lamb of G.o.d immolated for the salvation of mankind. I join in the profound adoration which the angels and saints pay to Thee in heaven.

Act of Thanksgiving. Lord, Thou hast looked on my unworthiness. I was sick, and Thou hast healed me. I was poor, and Thou hast bestowed upon me Thy numberless benefits. How shall I be able to thank Thee, O my Lord, for all Thy favors? I will invoke Thy holy name, and eternally sing Thy mercies.

Act of Offering. What can I offer Thee, O my G.o.d, for the grace of having given Thyself to me? I consecrate to Thy glory my body, my soul, and all that I possess! Dispose of me according to Thy holy will.

Act of Pet.i.tion. My divine Redeemer, Thou hast taken possession of me.

Do not let the enemy of my salvation ravish the precious treasure I bear in my heart. Preserve me from all sin, and defend me against temptation, that I may persevere until death in the practice of Thy holy law. Amen.

THE ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES (a.s.signed for Mondays and Thursdays throughout the year, the Sundays of Advent, and after Epiphany until Lent.)

First Mystery. The Annunciation.

Second Mystery. The Visitation.

Third Mystery. The Nativity.

Fourth Mystery. The Presentation.

Fifth Mystery. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple.

THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (For Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the year, and Sundays in Lent.)

First Mystery. The Prayer and b.l.o.o.d.y Sweat of our blessed Saviour in the Garden.

Second Mystery. The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar.

Third Mystery. The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns.

Fourth Mystery. Jesus Carrying His Cross.

Fifth Mystery. The Crucifixion.

THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (For Wednesdays and Sat.u.r.days throughout the year, and Sundays after Easter until after Advent.)

First Mystery. The Resurrection.

Second Mystery. The Ascension.

Third Mystery. The Descent of the Holy Ghost.

Fourth Mystery. The a.s.sumption.