285.  Q. Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony?  A. The effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony are:  1st, To sanctify the love of husband and wife; 2d, To give them grace to bear with each other’s weaknesses; 3d, To enable them to bring up their children in the fear and love of God.

286.  Q. To receive the Sacrament of matrimony worthily is it necessary to be in the state of grace?  A. To receive the Sacrament of Matrimony worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace, and it is necessary also to comply with the laws of the Church.

287.  Q. Who has the right to make laws concerning the Sacrament of marriage?  A. The Church alone has the right to make laws concerning the Sacrament of marriage, though the state also has the right to make laws concerning the civil effects of the marriage contract.

288.  Q. Does the Church forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all?  A. The Church does forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all.

289.  Q. Why does the Church forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all?  A. The Church forbids the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all, because such marriages generally lead to indifference, loss of faith, and to the neglect of the religious education of the children.

290.  Q. Why do many marriages prove unhappy?  A. Many marriages prove unhappy because they are entered into hastily and without worthy motives.

291.  Q. How should Christians prepare for a holy and happy marriage?  A. Christians should prepare for a holy and happy marriage by receiving the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist; by begging God to grant them a pure intention and to direct their choice; and by seeking the advice of their parents and the blessing of their pastors.

LESSON TWENTY-SEVENTH ON THE SACRAMENTALS

292.  Q. What is a sacramental?  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.

293.  Q. What is the difference between the Sacraments and the sacramentals?  A. The difference between the Sacraments and the sacramentals is:  1st, The Sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ and the sacramentals were instituted by the Church; 2d, The Sacraments give grace of themselves when we place no obstacle in the way; the sacramentals excite in us pious dispositions, by means of which we may obtain grace.

294.  Q. Which is the chief sacramental used in the Church?  A. The chief sacramental used in the Church is the sign of the Cross.

295.  Q. How do we make 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.