e pictures and images of Christ
and His saints?
A. It is right to show respect to the pictures and images of Christ and
His saints, because they are the representations and memorials of them.

343. Q. Is it allowed to pray to the crucifix or to the images and
relics of the saints?
A. It is not allowed to pray to the crucifix or images and relics of the
saints, for they have no life, nor power to help us, nor sense to hear
us.

344. Q. Why do we pray before the crucifix and the images and relics of
the saints?
A. We pray before the crucifix and images and relics of the saints
because they enliven our devotion by exciting pious affections and
desires, and by reminding us of Christ and of the saints, that we may
imitate their virtues.

LESSON THIRTY-SECOND
FROM THE SECOND TO THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT

345. Q. What is the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment is: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord
thy God in vain.

346. Q. What are we commanded by the second Commandment?
A. We are commanded by the second Commandment to speak with reverence of
God and of the saints, and of all holy things, and to keep our lawful
oaths and vows.

347. Q. What is an oath?
A. An oath is the calling upon God to witness the truth of what we say.

348. Q. When may we take an oath?
A. We may take an oath when it is ordered by lawful authority or
required for God's honor or for our own or our neighbor's good.

349. Q. What is necessary to make an oath lawful?
A. To make an oath lawful it is necessary that what we swear to, be
true, and that there be a sufficient cause for taking an oath.

350. Q. What is a vow?
A. A vow is a deliberate promise made to God to do something that is
pleasing to Him.

351. Q. Is it a sin not to fulfill our vows?
A. Not to fulfill our vows is a sin, mortal or venial, according to the
nature of the vow and the intention we had in making it.

352. Q. What is forbidden by the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment forbids all false, rash, unjust, and
unnecessary oaths, blasphemy, cursing, and profane words.

353. Q. What is the third Commandment?
A. The third Commandment is: Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.

354. Q. What are we commanded by the third Commandment?
A. By the third Commandment we are commanded to keep holy the Lord's day
and the holydays of obligation, on which we are to give our time to the
service and worship of God.

355. Q. How are we to worship God on