divine-mercy-in-my-soul

neighbor by it. I want my tongue to praise God without cease. Great are the faults
committed by the tongue. The soul will not attain sanctity if it does not keep watch over
its tongue.
93 (39) + A Short Version of the Catechism of the Vows 39 .
Q. What is a vow?
A. A vow is a voluntary promise made to God, to carry out a more perfect act.
Q. Is a vow binding in a matter which is the object of a commandment?
A. Yes. The carrying out of an act which is the object of a commandment has a double
value and merit; and the neglect of such an act is a double transgression and evil,
because by breaking such a vow we add to the sin against the commandment, the sin of
sacrilege.
Q. Why do religious vows have such value?
A. Because they are the foundation of the religious life approved by the Church, in which
the members bound together in a religious community undertake to strive always for
perfection by means of the three religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience,
observed according to the rules.
Q. What is the meaning of the words, “strive for perfection?”
A. To strive for perfection means that the religious life does not in itself demand that
perfection be already attained, but obliges, under the pain of sin, that we work daily to
attain it. Therefore, a religious who does not want to become perfect neglects his
principal duty of state.
Q. What are “solemn” religious vows?
A. “Solemn” religious vows are so absolute that, in extraordinary cases, only the Holy
Father can dispense from them.
Q. What are simple religious vows?
A. These are vows which are less absolute – the Holy See dispenses from perpetual and
annual vows.
(40) Q. What is the difference between a vow and a virtue?
A. A vow pertains only to that which is commanded under pain of sin; the virtue goes
beyond this and helps in the carrying out of the vow; on the other hand, by breaking the
vow we fail in the virtue and do it damage.
Q. To what do the religious vows oblige us?
A. The religious vows oblige us to strive to acquire the virtues and to submit ourselves
completely to our Superiors and to the Rules which are in force; thus, the religious gives
his own person to the Community, renouncing every right over himself and his actions,
which he sacrifices to the service of God.
The Vow of Poverty
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