f heart, that is, the truly virtuous, whose thoughts,
desires, words and works are pure and modest, are promised so great a
reward because the chaste and sinless have always been the most intimate
friends of God.

Q. 717. What is the duty of a peacemaker?
A. It is the duty of a peacemaker to avoid and prevent quarrels,
reconcile enemies, and to put an end to all evil reports of others or
evil speaking against them. As peacemakers are called the children of
God, disturbers of peace should be called the children of the devil.

Q. 718. Why does Our Lord speak in particular of poverty, meekness,
sorrow, desire for virtue, mercy, purity, peace and suffering?
A. Our Lord speaks in particular of poverty, meekness, sorrow, desire
for virtue, mercy, purity, peace and suffering because these are the
chief features in His own earthly life; poverty in His birth, life and
death; meekness in His teaching; sorrow at all times. He eagerly sought
to do good, showed mercy to all, recommended chastity, brought peace,
and patiently endured suffering.

Q. 719. {186} 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.

Q. 720. Why are charity, joy, peace, &c., called fruits of the Holy
Ghost?
A. Charity, joy, peace, &c., are called fruits of the Holy Ghost because
they grow in our souls out of the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.

LESSON SEVENTEENTH.
ON THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE.

Q. 721. {187} What is the Sacrament of Penance?
A. Penance is a Sacrament in which the sins committed after Baptism are
forgiven.

Q. 722. Has the word Penance any other meaning?
A. The word Penance has other meanings. It means also those punishments
we inflict upon ourselves as a means of atoning for our past sins; it
means likewise that disposition of the heart in which we detest and
bewail our sins because they were offensive to God.

Q. 723. How does the institution of the Sacrament of Penance show the
goodness of Our Lord?
A. The institution of the Sacrament of Penance shows the goodness of Our
Lord, because having once saved us through Baptism, He might have left
us to perish if we again committed sin.

Q. 724. What are the natural benefits of the Sacrament of Penance?
A. The natural benefits of the Sacrament of Penance are: It gives us in
our confessor a true friend, to whom we can go i