nt of Holy Orders.

Q. 1002. How do we know that there is a true priesthood in the Church?
A. We know that there is a true priesthood in the Church: (1) Because in
the Jewish religion, which was only a figure of the Christian religion,
there was a true priesthood established by God; (2) Because Christ
conferred on His apostles and not on all the faithful the power to offer
Sacrifice, distribute the Holy Eucharist and forgive sins.

Q. 1003. But is there need of a special Sacrament of Holy Orders to
confer these powers?
A. There is need of a special Sacrament of Holy Orders to confer these
powers: (1) Because the priesthood which is to continue the work of the
apostles must be visible in the Church, and it must therefore be
conferred by some visible ceremony or outward sign; (2) because this
outward sign called Holy Orders gives not only power but grace and was
instituted by Christ, Holy Orders must be a Sacrament.

Q. 1004. Can bishops, priests and other ministers of the Church always
exercise the power they have received in Holy Orders?
A. Bishops, priests and other ministers of the Church cannot exercise
the power they have received in Holy Orders unless authorized and sent
to do so by their lawful superiors. The power can never be taken from
them, but the right to use it may be withdrawn for causes laid down in
the laws of the Church, or for reasons that seem good to those in
authority over them. Any use of sacred power without authority is
sinful, and all who take part in such ceremonies are guilty of sin.

LESSON TWENTY-SIXTH.
ON MATRIMONY.

Q. 1005. {282} What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?
A. The Sacrament of Matrimony is the Sacrament which unites a Christian
man and woman in lawful marriage.

Q. 1006. When are persons lawfully married?
A. Persons are lawfully married when they comply with all the laws of
God and of the Church relating to marriage. To marry unlawfully is a
mortal sin, and it deprives the souls of the grace of the Sacrament.

Q. 1007. When was marriage first instituted?
A. Marriage was first instituted in the Garden of Eden, when God created
Adam and Eve and made them husband and wife, but it was not then a
Sacrament, for their union did not confer any special grace.

Q. 1008. When was the contract of marriage raised to the dignity of a
Sacrament?
A. The exact time at which the contract of marriages was raised to the
dignity of a Sacrament is not known, but the fact that it was t