Part II: Things I Learned from My Child’s Catechism Class

Last year, I wrote about topics I learned in our eldest’s Catechism class that I never knew before.  As I was organizing and storing some lessons from over a year ago (better a year later than never), I discovered more topics I remember thinking “never knew that before,” as I was sitting in the adjacent room to the Catechism class. 

Here are more important facts I learned:

 

Our priest explained that death by crucifixion, in which Jesus hung from the cross, most likely resulted in an unimaginable, painful process of asphyxiation or lack of oxygen.  

While theologians and researchers are not 100% certain on Our Lord’s cause of death, this lack of questioning on my part led me to be horrified at myself for not thinking more of our precious Lord’s death. However, I am thankful to have learned this so that I could dig deeper and think of His Passion more intimately when praying. Especially while praying the Sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross.  

Further, while not exactly the same, my mind was immediately brought to the fact that the abortion pill (the first of the two pills given to a pregnant mother) works by cutting off blood supply and nutrients to the developing baby, which, in a sense, is a different form of asphyxiation. 

 

We suffered a miscarriage in May 2020.  It was heartbreaking; however, I assumed our baby immediately went to Heaven and frequently referred to the baby as our Saint. It wasn’t until Catechism class, three years later, that I learned our little love may not be in Heaven yet and may be in Abraham’s Bosom. 

As Catholics, we believe the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for salvation. The Catechism further states, “One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church” (CCC 1493) However, regarding children who have died before the ability to be baptized, the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1257 teaches us that, “God binds Himself to the sacraments, but He is not bound by them.” This means that we really do not know whether unbaptized children go to Heaven who would have been baptized if they were able to.

Further, the CCC 1261 tells us that “…the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,” allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism.”  

I hold in my heart the words of St. Bernard of Clairvaux to a couple who had a miscarriage: “Your faith spoke for this child. Baptism for this child was only delayed by time. Your faith suffices. The waters of your womb – were they not the waters of life for this child? Look at your tears. Are they not like the waters of baptism? Do not fear this. God’s ability to love is greater than our fears. Surrender everything to God.”

So, whether our little loves are in Heaven or in Abraham’s Bosom, we must rest and rely on the endless love and mercy of God and, regardless, pray for our little ones. 

 

This topic caused me to begin sweating in the room and run to confession as soon as I could. (Spoiler: I didn’t need to panic, and you may not need to, either.)

The Council of Trent states that “confession must be complete in number and species with respect to mortal sin.” This is generally referred to as making an “integral confession.” The Code of Canon Law indicates that “Individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the only ordinary means by which a member of the faithful conscious of grave sin is reconciled with God and the Church” (can. 960). For example, if you committed the sin of grand theft of an automobile five times, you would have to confess that you committed grand theft of an automobile five times.  That moral act is different — and more grave — than stealing one pencil, for example.

There are some important things to consider.  Remember that for a sin to be considered mortal, it must: 

• Be a grave matter. 

• Committed with full knowledge.

• Committed with deliberate consent.

The Catechism states that all “three conditions must together be met.” (CCC 1857).  

The Catechism further states, “One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church” (CCC 1493).

As with all things concerning the state of our souls, consult a priest. Never rely solely on any information you find on the internet or from anyone who is not a priest.