Joseph Deharbe SJ, A Full Catechism of the Catholic Religion (1847), The Second Commandment

Joseph Deharbe SJ, A Full Catechism of the Catholic Religion (1847), The Second Commandment

 A catechism written by German Jesuit Joseph Deharbe, first published in German in 1847, with English translation by John Fander published in 1863. The catechism was widely used in Germany and translations saw significant use across North and South America, other parts of Europe and in India, well into the 20th century.

Source: Deharbe, J. "A catechism of the Catholic religion: preceded by a short history of religion from the creation of the world." pp.  181 – 185. Trans: J. Fander . The Catholic Publishing and Bookselling Company, London, 1863. Available at: A full catechism of the Catholic religion, preceded by a short history of ... - Joseph Deharbe - Google Books

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The Second Commandment of God.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

1. What does the Second Commandment forbid?

The Second Commandment forbids all profanation of the holy name of God.

2. How do we profane the name of God?

We profane the name of God, 1. By irreverently pronouncing it; 2. By deriding religion; 3. By blasphemy; 4. By sinful swearing, and by cursing: and 5. By breaking vows.

3. How do we sin by irreverently pronouncing God's holy name?

By pronouncing the name of God in jest, or in anger, or in any other careless manner.

This applies also to other names and words worthy of reverence, as, the name of the Blessed Virgin, the Holy Cross, the Holy Sacraments, etc., and to the words of the Holy Scripture, which are never to be abused in jest, or by way of derision.

“The Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord his God in vain.” (Exod . 20, 7.)

4. How do we sin by deriding religion?

By scoffing at religion, at the rites or ceremonies of the Church, or by turning them into ridicule, in which cases we may also become guilty of blasphemy.

“Knowing this first, that in the last days there shall come deceitful scoffers, walking after their own lusts. You, therefore, brethren, knowing these things before, take heed, lest being led aside by the error of the unwise, you fall from your own steadfastness.” (2. Pet. 3, 3. 17.)

5. What is meant by blasphemy?

By blasphemy is meant contemptuous and abusive language uttered against God, the Saints, or holy things.

This sin is so great that, in the Old Law, those who were found guilty of it, were put to death. “He that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, dying let him die: all the multitude shall stone him.” (Levit. 24, 16.) - How Sennacherib, King of the Assyrians, was punished for blaspheming the Lord, see 4. Kings 19.

6. May we also become guilty of blasphemy by thoughts?

Yes, when we voluntarily think contemptuously of God, or of the Saints.

7. What is swearing or taking an oath?

Swearing or taking an oath is to call the Omniscient God to witness, that we speak the truth, or that we will keep our promise.

We call God also to witness, when we swear by Heaven, by the Holy Cross, or by the Gospel, etc. “Whosoever shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by Him that dwelleth in it; and he that sweareth by Heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by Him that sitteth thereon.” (Matt. 23, 21. 22.)

8. How do we sin by swearing?

We sin by swearing, 1. When we swear falsely, or in doubt; 2. When we swear, or induce others to swear, without necessity; 3. When we swear to do what is evil, or to omit what is good; and 4. When we do not keep our oath, although we can keep it.

“Thou shalt swear in truth, and in judgment, and in justice. " (Jer. 4, 2.)

9. What means swearing falsely, or in doubt?

It means, 1. To assert with an oath that something is true, though we know that it is untrue, or do not know whether it is true or not; 2. To promise with an oath something which we do not intend to perform.

10. What are we to think of perjury, or a false oath?

Perjury, especially in a court of justice, is one of the greatest crimes; because he who commits it, 1. Mocks God's Omniscience, Sanctity, and Justice; 2.; Destroys the last means of preserving truth and faith among men; and 3. Almost solemnly renounces God and calls down His vengeance upon him.

“And the Lord said to me: This flying volume which thou see, is the curse that goth forth over the face of the earth; for everyone that sweareth shall be judged by it. I will bring it forth, said the Lord of Hosts, and it shall come to the house of him that sweareth falsely by My name, and it shall remain during his house, and shall consume it, with the timber thereof, and the stones thereof.” (Zach. 5, 3. 4. Comp. Ezech. 17.)

11. When a person has sworn to do something evil, or to omit something that is good, is he bound to keep such an oath?

No; for as it was a sin to take such an oath, so it would be another sin to keep it. Ex.: Herod. (Mark 6, 23-28.)

12. What do you mean by cursing?

Cursing means, to wish any evil either to ourselves, or to our neighbour, or to any of God's creatures, whereby the name of God is frequently dishonoured.

Cursing is something very hateful, which betrays a rude, angry temper. From the mouth of a Christian, or Child of God, nothing but “blessing" ought to come forth (1. Pet. 3, 9.). Cursing is at the same time an oath, when we call upon God to punish us, if we speak an untruth.

13. What is a vow?

A vow is a voluntary promise made to God, to do something that is agreeable to Him, although there be no obligation to do it.

Accordingly, a vow is, 1. A real promise, by which we deliberately bind ourselves, and not a mere desire, or resolution; 2. A promise made to God, because it is to God alone, we make vows; and 3. A promise to do something that is agreeable to God; therefore, it cannot be anything trifling, sinful, or injurious to others; nor anything good by which something better may be prevented, or higher duties neglected.

14. What does the Church teach with regard to vows?

1. That they please God, because they are voluntary offerings made to Him. Thus, God kindly accepted the vows of the Patriarch Jacob, and of the pious Anna, the mother of Samuel, and granted their petitions.

“And Jacob made a vow, saying: If God shall be with me, and I shall return prosperously to my father's house, of all things that Thou shalt give to me, I will offer tithes to Thee.” (Gen. 28, 20–22,)

“Anna made a vow, saying: O Lord of Hosts, if Thou wilt be mindful of me, and wilt give to Thy servant a man - child, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.” (1. Kings 1, 11.)

2. That it is a sacred duty to keep them unless it be impossible to do so. People should, therefore, be very cautious about making vows, and should, in general, ask advice of their Confessor, or any other prudent Priest. “If thou hast vowed anything to God, defer not to pay it. It is much better not to vow, than after a vow not to perform the things promised.” (Eccles.5, 3. 4.)

15. Is it sufficient not to dishonour the name of God?

No; we must also honour and revere it, i.e., we must gratefully praise it, devoutly call upon it, steadily confess it, and exert ourselves to promote its honour.

Application. - Carefully avoid the shameful habit of cursing and swearing. "A man that sweareth much, shall be filled with iniquity, and a scourge shall not depart from his house." (Ecclus. 23, 12.) On the contrary, often invoke with devotion the names of Jesus and Mary, especially in temptations against purity.