Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (of 4) | Page 7

the
infallibility of the Church I mean that the Church cannot err when it
teaches a doctrine of faith or morals.
125. Q. When does the Church teach infallibly? A. The Church teaches
infallibly when it speaks through the Pope and the bishops, united in
general council, or through the Pope alone when he proclaims to all the
faithful a doctrine of faith or morals.
126. Q. What do you mean by the indefectibility of the Church? A. By
the indefectibility of the Church I mean that the Church, as Christ
founded it, will last till the end of time.
127. Q. In whom are these attributes found in their fullness? A. These
attributes are found in their fullness in the Pope, the visible Head of the
Church, whose infallible authority to teach bishops, priests, and people
in matters of faith or morals will last till the end of the world.
128. Q. Has the Church any marks by which it may be known? A. The
Church has four marks by which it may be known: it is One; it is Holy;
it is Catholic; it is Apostolic.
129. Q. How is the Church One? A. The Church is One because all its
members agree in one faith, are all in one communion, and are all under
one Head.
130. Q. How is the Church Holy? A. The Church is Holy because its
founder, Jesus Christ, is holy; because it teaches a holy doctrine; invites
all to a holy life; and because of the eminent holiness of so many
thousands of its children.
131. Q. How is the Church Catholic or universal? A. The Church is
Catholic or universal because it subsists in all ages, teaches all nations,
and maintains all truth.
132. Q. How is the Church Apostolic? A. The Church is Apostolic
because it was founded by Christ on His Apostles, and is governed by
their lawful successors, and because it has never ceased, and never will
cease, to teach their doctrine.
133. Q. In which Church are these attributes and marks found? A.
These attributes and marks are found in the Holy Roman Catholic
Church alone.
134. Q. From whom does the Church derive its undying life and

infallible authority? A. The Church derives its undying life and
infallible authority from the Holy Ghost, the spirit of truth, who abides
with it forever.
135. Q. By whom is the Church made and kept One, Holy, and
Catholic? A. The Church is made and kept One, Holy, and Catholic by
the Holy Ghost, the spirit of love and holiness, who unites and
sanctifies its members throughout the world.

LESSON THIRTEENTH ON THE SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL
136. Q. What is a Sacrament? A. A Sacrament is an outward sign
instituted by Christ to give grace.
137. Q. How many Sacraments are there? A. There are seven
Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme
Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
138. Q. Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace? A.
The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from the merits of
Jesus Christ.
139. Q. What grace do the Sacraments give? A. Some of the
Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it in our souls.
140. Q. Which are the Sacraments that give sanctifying grace? A. The
Sacraments that give sanctifying grace are Baptism and Penance; and
they are called Sacraments of the dead.
141. Q. Why are Baptism and Penance called Sacraments of the dead?
A. Baptism and Penance are called Sacraments of the dead, because
they take away sin, which is the death of the soul, and give grace,
which is its life.
142. Q. Which are the Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our
soul? A. The Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our soul are:
Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and
Matrimony; and they are called Sacraments of the living.
143. Q. Why are Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy
Orders, and Matrimony called Sacraments of the living? A.
Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and
Matrimony are called Sacraments of the living, because those who
receive them worthily are already living the life of grace.
144. Q. What sin does he commit who receives the Sacraments of the
living in mortal sin? A. He who receives the Sacraments of the living in

mortal sin commits a sacrilege, which is a great sin, because it is an
abuse of a sacred thing.
145. Q. Besides sanctifying grace do the Sacraments give any other
grace? A. Besides sanctifying grace the Sacraments give another grace,
called sacramental.
146. Q. What is sacramental grace? A. Sacramental grace is a special
help which God gives, to attain the end for which He instituted each
Sacrament.
147. Q. Do the Sacraments always give grace? A. The