Download conscience: a lesson before dying

CONSCIENCE: A LESSON BEFORE DYING
Name_____________________________ Date______ Period______
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides official catholic teaching on topics such
as moral conscience. However, it is written for a universal audience. Read each of the
following passages from the Catechism and answer the questions according to the DVD
~ A LESSON BEFORE DYING. Please use vocabulary and themes from the text in your
answers and underline them.
1. The dignity if the human person is rooted in creation in the image and likeness of
God; human beings make their own contribution to their interior growth—with the
help of grace – they grow in virtue. (#1700). Has Jefferson lost his human dignity?
Explain your answer.
2.. Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the
moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, is in the process of
performing, or has already completed. (# 1778). What concrete “act” is Grant’s aunt
asking him to perform? Is he willing—why or why not?
3. It is important for every person to be sufficiently present to himself in order to hear
and follow the voice of his conscience. (# 1779) Is Jefferson “present to himself”? Why
or why not?
4. In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light of our path; we must
assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. (# 1785) What is the meaning
of “assimilate”? Why do you think Grant does not assimilate prayer and faith into his
conscience and actions?
5. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates it’s judgments
according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the
creator.(#1783) Do you think this is a good description of the conscience of any of the
main characters in the movie? Who and why do you thinks so? Name actions and
quotes from this person that leads you to believe that they have a well formed
conscience. ~~ Are they in fact a “hero” as John Paul II describes in The Splendor of
Truth?
Remember ~~ you could be a hero to one person ~~
every time you follow the TRUTH!