Lesson Twenty-Third of the Baltimore Catechism No. 1 turns from the discussion of the sacraments to the discussion of sacramentals. This lesson from the First Communion Catechism contains 7 questions and answers drawn from Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (Confirmation Catechism). The numbering from Catechism No. 2 is used to make it easy to cross-reference the two catechisms.
For a detailed explanation of Lesson Twenty-Third, see the introduction to Lesson Twenty-Seventh of Catechism No. 2.
For more information and links to other resources, click on each question below.
A. A sacramental is anything set apart or blessed by the Church to excite good thoughts and to increase devotion, and through these movements of the heart to remit venial sin.
A. The chief sacramental used in the Church is the sign of the Cross.
A. We make the sign of the Cross by putting the right hand to the forehead, then on the breast, and then to the left and right shoulders, saying, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
A. We make the sign of the Cross to show that we are Christians and to profess our belief in the chief mysteries of our religion.
A. Another sacramental in very frequent use is holy water.
A. Holy water is water blessed by the priest with solemn prayer to beg God's blessing on those who use it, and protection from the powers of darkness.
Besides the sign of the Cross and holy water there are many other sacramentals, such as blessed candles, ashes, palms, crucifixes, images of the Blessed Virgin and of the saints, rosaries, and scapulars.
