Systematic Index

Anyone contemning the solemnizing of marriage sins mortally 669, 981. Civil matrimony is to be reproved 1640; even cooperation in it 1865.

The Sacramentals

XII p They are things or actions which the Church in a kind of imitation of the sacraments uses to obtain effects, especially spiritual ones, through their impetration C1144; they are consecrations, blessings—whether constitutive or invocative C1148 sec. 2, and exorcism 140, C1151.

The minister of the sacramentals is a cleric endowed with the due power 99, C1146; the subjects are Catholics, catechumens, and in some ways non-Catholics C1149, C1152. They should be employed in the Mass and in the prescribed administration of the sacraments 856, 931, 943, 945, 954, 956, 965, 982; none are to be spurned 665, 965, nor simoniacally acquired 364.

GOOD WORKS (MERIT) AND EVIL; CHRISTIAN PERFECTION

The nature of works

XIII a The works of a man are not indifferent 804, 828 ff., 834, not even external 386, 516 ff. (God also accomplishes them 517), nor those done by the perfect 472 f., 476, 478, 1260; a good work or an evil one does not equally glorify God 504 f., 514 f.

The works of man are not immediately divided into virtuous and vicious according to the virtuousness or viciousness of the agent 642, 1297, but there are also naturally good works, which yet do not merit beatitude 642, 817, 1002 ff., 1012, 1037, 1301, which (good works) can be done without grace 1025, 1037 f., 1352 f., 1388 ff., 1392, 1395 ff.

The goodness of works is not realized, if the natural appetite enjoys its acts 1158 f.; it does not depend on an accord with reason alone with reference to God 1289.

Not all works done before justification are sins 817, 898, 915, 1063, 1523; for this reason infidels do not sin in all their works 1022, 1025, 1035, 1040, 1065, 1068, 1298, 1375, 1401 f., 1523; nor do the impious act badly in everything 642, 1035, 1040, 1395, 1523; nor do they always serve vicious concupiscence 1038, 1297 ff., 1394 ff., 1523. It is not a vice to act without charity in view of an eternal reward 1303.

A just man does not sin in every good work 771 f., 775 f., 804, 835, not even venially 772, 804, 835; nor is it a sin to reject evil because of its shamefulness without reference to its being an offense against God 1299; nor evil to look to a reward 804, 841, 1300, 1303.

Fear of penalties is good and useful 744, 798, 898, 915, 1411 ff., and can be supernatural 898, 1304, 1525.

The observance of the commandments is necessary 804, 829 f., 2273, with a fight against the flesh, the world, and the devil 806 (since faith alone does not suffice 800, 804, 829 ff.), and it is not impossible 200, 804, 828, 832, 1054, 1519, 2238, 2241, it obliges even the perfect 472 ff.

Merit

XIII l The good works of the just make a man better 380, and, provided they are done freely 1094, they truly merit an increase in grace and glory 191, 517 ff., 803, 809, 834, 836, 842, 1008, 1013-1017, 1044, 1261, 1419.

The just at the same time by good works or penances inflicted by God, if they suffer them patiently, satisfy for temporal punishments 807, 904 ff., 923 f., 1010, 1059, and that condignly 1077 (without, however, all afflictions being punishments for sins 1072); which power is derived from grace by which a man is made a son of God and a member of Christ 134, 140, 191, 287, 309, 708, 809, 812, 842, 904 f., 1011-1018, 1031 ff., 1062, 1070, 1077, with the cooperation of faith 287, 430, 714, 803, 809, 1008, 1062, so that merits and satisfactions are in some way ours