?
A. The vows most frequently made are the three vows of poverty, chastity
and obedience, taken by persons living in religious communities or
consecrated to God. Persons living in the world are sometimes permitted
to make such vows privately, but this should never be done without the
advice and consent of their confessor.

Q. 1234. What do the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience require?
A. The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience require that those who
make them shall not possess or keep any property or goods for themselves
alone; that they shall not marry or be guilty of any immodest acts, and
that they shall strictly obey their lawful superiors.

Q. 1235. Has it always been a custom with pious Christians to make vows
and promises to God?
A. It has always been a custom with pious Christians to make vows and
promises to God; to beg His help for some special end, or to thank Him
for some benefit received. They have promised pilgrimages, good works or
alms and they have vowed to erect churches, convents, hospitals or
schools.

Q. 1236. What is a pilgrimage?
A. A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place made in a religious manner
and for a religious purpose.

Q. 1237. {351} Is it a sin not to fulfill our vows?
A. Not to fulfill our vows is a sin, mortal or venial, according to the
nature of the vow and the intention we had in making it.

Q. 1238. Are we bound to keep an unlawful oath or vow?
A. We are not bound, but, on the contrary, positively forbidden to keep
an unlawful oath or vow. We are guilty of sin in taking such an oath or
making such a vow, and we would be guilty of still greater sin by
keeping them.

Q. 1239. {352} What is forbidden by the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment forbids all false, rash, unjust, and
unnecessary oaths, blasphemy, cursing, and profane words.

Q. 1240. When is an oath rash, unjust or unnecessary?
A. An oath is rash when we are not sure of the truth of what we swear;
it is unjust when it injures another unlawfully; and it is unnecessary
when there is no good reason for taking it.

Q. 1241. What is blasphemy, and what are profane words?
A. Blasphemy is any word or action intended as an insult to God. To say
He is cruel or find fault with His works is blasphemy. It is a much
greater sin than cursing or taking God's name in vain. Profane words
mean here bad, irreverent or irreligious words.

Q. 1242. {353} What is the third Commandment?
A. The third Commandme