On the Evangelical Counsels

COMPENDIUM

The evangelical counsels are means suggested by Jesus Christ in the Holy Gospels for the attainment of Christian perfection. They are voluntary poverty, perpetual chastity, and obedience in everything which is not sin. They are a help to the observance of the Commandments and to the better attainment of eternal salvation, because they assist us in setting our hearts free from the love of other people's goods, from pleasure and from honors, and thus they remove us from sin.

CATECHISM

513. What are the evangelical counsels?

The evangelical counsels are means suggested by Jesus Christ in the Holy Gospels for the attainment of Christian perfection.

514. Which are the evangelical counsels?

The evangelical counsels are voluntary poverty, perpetual chastity, and obedience in everything which is not sin.

515. What good do the evangelical counsels serve?

The evangelical counsels are a help to the observance of the Commandments and to the better attainment of eternal salvation.

516. How do the evangelical counsels help to better observe the Commandments?

The evangelical counsels help to better observe the Commandments, because they assist us in setting our hearts free from the love of other people's goods, from pleasure and from honors, and thus they remove us from sin.