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.

296. Q. Why do we make the sign of the Cross?
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.

297. Q. How is the sign of the Cross a profession of faith in the chief
mysteries of our religion?
A. The sign of the Cross is a profession of faith in the chief mysteries
of our religion because it expresses the mysteries of the Unity and
Trinity of God and of the Incarnation and death of our Lord.

298. Q. How does the sign of the Cross express the mystery of the Unity
and Trinity of God?
A. The words, In the name, express the Unity of God; the words that
follow, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, express
the mystery of the Trinity.

299. Q. How d