Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (of 4) | Page 9

form of a cross? A. By anointing the forehead with chrism in the form
of a cross is meant, that the Christian who is confirmed must openly
profess and practice his faith, never be ashamed of it, and rather die
than deny it.
172. Q. Why does the bishop give the person he confirms a slight blow
on the cheek? A. The bishop gives the person he confirms a slight blow
on the cheek, to put him in mind that he must be ready to suffer
everything, even death, for the sake of Christ.
173. Q. To receive Confirmation worthily is it necessary to be in the
state of grace? A. To receive Confirmation worthily it is necessary to
be in the state of grace.
174. Q. What special preparation should be made to receive
Confirmation? A. Persons of an age to learn should know the chief
mysteries of faith and the duties of a Christian, and be instructed in the
nature and effects of this Sacrament.
175. Q. Is it a sin to neglect Confirmation? A. It is a sin to neglect
Confirmation, especially in these evil days when faith and morals are
exposed to so many and such violent temptations.

LESSON SIXTEENTH ON THE GIFTS AND FRUITS OF THE
HOLY GHOST
176. Q. Which are the effects of Confirmation? A. The effects of
Confirmation are an increase of sanctifying grace, the strengthening of
our faith, and the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

177. Q. Which are the gifts of the Holy Ghost? A. The gifts of the Holy
Ghost are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge,
Piety and Fear of the Lord.
178. Q. Why do we receive the gift of Fear of the Lord? A. We receive
the gift of Fear of the Lord to fill us with a dread of sin.
179. Q. Why do we receive the gift of Piety? A. We receive the gift of
Piety to make us love God as a Father and obey Him because we love
Him.
180. Q. Why do we receive the gift of Knowledge? A. We receive the
gift of Knowledge to enable us to discover the will of God in all things.
181. Q. Why do we receive the gift of Fortitude? A. We receive the gift
of Fortitude to strengthen us to do the will of God in all things.
182. Q. Why do we receive the gift of Counsel? A. We receive the gift
of Counsel to warn us of the deceits of the devil, and of the dangers to
salvation.
183. Q. Why do we receive the gift of Understanding? A. We receive
the gift of Understanding to enable us to know more clearly the
mysteries of faith.
184. Q. Why do we receive the gift of Wisdom? A. We receive the gift
of Wisdom to give us a relish for the things of God, and to direct our
whole life and all our actions to His honor and glory.
185. Q. Which are the Beatitudes? A. The Beatitudes are:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 2.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. 3. Blessed are
they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. 4. Blessed are they that
hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled. 5. Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 6. Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they shall see God. 7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be
called the children of God. 8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution
for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
186. Q. Which are the twelve fruits of the Holy Ghost? A. The twelve
fruits of the Holy Ghost are Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Benignity,
Goodness, Long-suffering, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Continency, and
Chastity.

LESSON SEVENTEENTH ON THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
187. Q. What is the Sacrament of Penance? A. Penance is a Sacrament

in which the sins committed after Baptism are forgiven.
188. Q. How does the Sacrament of Penance remit sin, and restore to
the soul the friendship of God? A. The Sacrament of Penance remits
sins and restores the friendship of God to the soul by means of the
absolution of the priest.
189. Q. How do you know that the priest has the power of absolving
from the sins committed after Baptism? A. I know that the priest has
the power of absolving from the sins committed after Baptism, because
Jesus Christ granted that power to the priests of His Church when He
said: "Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they
are forgiven them; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."
190. Q. How do the priests of the Church exercise the