The New Saint Joseph
First Communion Catechism
Lesson 5
Our Own Sins
Actual Sin
28. Is original sin the only kind of sin?
No, there is another kind of sin, called actual sin.
Adam and Eve committed ORIGINAL sin.
We did not commit it, but are born with it.
The sin we commit is ACTUAL sin.
29. What is actual sin?
Actual sin is any sin which we ourselves commit.
We are not born with actual sin.
We commit it ourselves.
30. How many kinds of actual sin are there?
There are two kinds of actual sin: mortal sin and venial sin.
31. What is mortal sin?
Mortal sin is a deadly sin.
It is a big sin committed on purpose.
The word deadly means that it kills our soul.
Children do not often commit mortal sin.
God protects them in a special way.
But big people sometimes commit mortal sin.
Even big boys and girls do sometimes.
We must hate mortal sin.
32. What does mortal sin do to us?
Mortal sin makes us enemies of God and robs our souls of His grace.
Anyone who commits mortal sin loves himself more than God.
He offends God very much.
One whose soul is dead in sin has no power to love God.
He cannot please God.
Grace is the life of Christ in us.
Mortal sin kills this life.
It crucifies Christ in us.
33. What happens to those who die in mortal sin?
Those who die in mortal sin are punished forever in the fire of hell.
Hell is a terrible place.
Those who are there suffer great pain.
They are slaves of the devil.
They hate God and everyone else.
They love only themselves.
They can never be happy.
34. What is venial sin?
Venial sin is a lesser sin.
Mortal sin is doing something big that God does not like.
Venial sin is doing something not so big that God does not like.
Sometimes we commit venial sin on purpose.
Sometimes we commit it without thinking.
If we do it on purpose, it offends God.
If we do it without thinking, it does not offend God.
But we must be sorry afterwards and try to find out why we committed the sin.
35. Does venial sin makes us enemies of God or rob our souls of His grace?
No, venial sin does not make us enemies of God or rob our souls of His grace.
Venial sin does not kill God’s life in our souls.
But it makes our souls sick.
Our soul is more important than our body.
It is worse to have a sick soul than a sick body.
Our Blessed Lord loves us.
Venial sin makes Him SAD, if we do it on purpose, or do not try to do better.
36. Does venial sin displease God?
Yes, venial sin does displease God.
God loves you.
Venial sin hurts your own soul.
It displeases God to see you hurt yourself.
Does your mother like to see you hurt yourself?
Lesson 5
Quiz
Our Own Sins
Actual Sin
- What sin do we commit ourselves?
- What does mortal sin do to the life of Christ in us?
- What sin makes our soul sick?
- Why should we hate sin?
