•  Membership
•  Staff
•  Catechism
•  High School Curriculum Framework
•  Catechetical Formation in Chaste Living
•  Evangelii Nuntiandi
•  Go and Make Disciples
•  Catechesis
•  Evangelization
•  World Missions
•  Stewardship
•  Catechesis
•  Evangelization
•  Due to insufficient registration, the 2008 Institute has been canceled.
•  2007 Institute Pictures
Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Communion of Saints
and Forgiveness of Sins


  1. True or false. The phrase, "the communion of saints," has an intrinsic connection to the Eucharist.

  2. The concept of the communion of saints is important because

    1. it gives us the basis for confidence in the intercession of those who dwell in heaven.
    2. it grounds our own spiritual and material goods as oriented primarily to the good of all.
    3. it tells us that what one member of the Body of Christ does, for good or ill, profits or harms this communion.
    4. it demonstrates the importance of the sacraments, which unite us into this communion.
    5. Pick a combination of the above.

  3. True or false. Although the saints in heaven may intercede for us, the saints on earth are unable to intercede for those being purified.

  4. True or false. Besides giving birth to God, Mary is, in some way, mother to all the faithful.

  5. The dogma that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was taken up body and soul to heaven, is called:

    1. Resurrection.
    2. Consubstantiation.
    3. Dormition.
    4. Transfiguration.
    5. None of the above.

  6. True or false. Mary's maternal role as mother of men does not conflict with the mediation of Christ.

  7. The understanding of the forgiveness of sins has a close connection to which of the following:

    1. The power of the Holy Spirit.
    2. The institution of the Church
    3. The communion of saints.
    4. The intercession of Mary.
    5. Pick a combination of the above.

  8. The chief sacrament of the forgiveness of sins is:

    1. Baptism
    2. Reconciliation
    3. Eucharist
    4. Holy Orders
    5. Anointing

  9. Because Scripture tells us that no one can forgive sins but God alone (Lk 5:21; Mk 2:7), we know that going to a priest for confession cannot take away our sins.

  10. The power of the priest to forgive sins is possible only by the will of Christ and his power.

Email us at evangelization@usccb.org
Evangelization and Catechesis | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.