Lesson 21:

Sanctify of Sexuality
(THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT: “Y ou Shall Not Commit Adultery.”)

“But he who join joins himself to the Lord becomes spiritually one with him. Avoid immorality.
Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body; but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins
against his own body. Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and
who has given to you by God? Yu do not belong to yourselves but to God; he bought you for a price. So use
your bodies for God’s glory.”
(1 Corinthians 6:17-20)

Graces to beg for:

Creed/Aral: Distinguish clearly human sexuality from a sex act.
Identify the commands and prohibitions of the 6th Commandment
Code/Asal: Show ways to live one’s sexual life in a chaste way
Cult/Dasal: Pray Psalm 50 meditatively

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Opening Prayer:
[Choose between Psalm 50 (51) and Psalm 119]
Recite reflectively…
Psalm 50
God, create a clean heart in me. Put into me a new and constant Spirit, do not banish me from your
presence, do not deprive me in your Holy Spirit. My Saviour again renew my Joy, keep my spirit steady and
willing; and I shall teach transgressors the way to You, and to You the sinners will return.
Psalm 119
Lord, give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead
me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to
gain! Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your
premise, which is for those who fear for you. Turn away the reproach which I dread; for your ordinances
are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

I. OPENING
It is fitting that immediately after the 5th Commandment on respect for life, there should come that
which fosters proper respect for sexuality, the Sixth Commandment.
Human sexuality is God’s gift to us. We are created to God’s image precisely as “male” or “female”.
It is not in separateness but rather in relating to others through our sexual natures that we share in God’s
life and creativity. Human sexuality is something good! Thus, this lesson will take up the Christian view of
human sexuality also with its related issues, problems and the cultivation of a virtue of purity or a life of
chastity.

II. CONTEXT
In this world where access to information becomes easy, we cannot deny that our view of human
sexuality has been influenced already by the media. There is a great probability that it is not based on the
idea that human sexuality is a gift from God but rather portrays it as sex act. This lesson aims to set
straight this erroneous understanding.
The community where we lived have this distorted idea of chastity. It is a common Filipino
knowledge that why our woman are expected to be faithful while married man seem to get the tolerance
allowing them to do the so-called “pangangaliwa”. Let us turn this wrong idea into a more profound
understanding of this command, not to commit adultery.

Learner’s Activity
Brainstorming on CHASTITY
1. What is your idea about chastity? Write your ideas connected to the arrows in the organizer below.

CHASTITY

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III. EXPOSITION
The 6th Commandment says: “You shall not commit adultery.” This is also related the 9 th
Commandment which say’s “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife”. Both are related because they deal
with the sins of chastity. However, we will assign another lesson to cover the 9 th Commandment.
The 6th Commandment uses the negative phrases, “you shall not” to make a stronger impact. Thus,
“do not commit adultery” maybe express in a positive way which will go like this: “live your sexual life in
chaste way.”
In this commandment, we should also take up what chaste person is. A chaste person is one who
restrains the desire for sexual gratification, except within the divinely ordained bounds of marriage. Only in
marriage did God put together this sacred enjoyment with the heavy responsibilities of the spouses.

When we speak of sexuality in general, we should not exchange it for the sex act. A clear
understanding of sexuality is looking at it as good; it is a gift from God who created us unto His image. He
created us either as male or female (Gen. 1:27). Sexuality is an integral component of the person. It affects
all aspects of the human person in the unity of his body and soul (CCC231). Consequently, sexuality is a gift
from God.

SEXUALITY=GIFT OF GOD
Let us further explains what it means to be man and woman who made unto the image of God.

As man and woman, both have equal Reciprocity follows complementarity which means,
personal dignity and human rights man and woman are called to mutual
because God’s has created them unto His gift of self. It is a partnership that
image. To emphasize, that He created forms communion between persons
them either as man or woman or male or (cf CFC 1072-1073). Complementarity
female (cf CFC 1071). and mutual support between the
sexes orients toward the goods of
marriage and the flourishing of family
life (cf CCC 2333).
Complementarity is best understood in a give and The affective life proper to each sex expresses itself
take” dynamics. Why? Because, there is a in different states of life: (a) conjugal
difference between male or female; there union for married persons; (b)
are characteristics (on the biological, consecrated celibacy or virginity
psychological, spiritual levels) but their chosen freely for a total availability to
different gifts are placed to complement serve the Kingdom of God; (c)
or complete each other not for Christian youths before choosing
comparison nor for competition marriage or celibacy; (d) single
(cf CFC 1072). blessedness chosen by lay faithful (cf
CFC 1075).

VARIOUS FORMS OF CHASTITY

*All the baptized are called to chastity. The Christian has “put on Christ”, the model for all chastity.
All Christ’s faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their particular states of life (CCC 2348).
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 *Sexuality is for love: in married life, in celibacy or virginity, and in single blessedness.
*There are 3 forms of the virtue of the chastity: that of spouses; of widows; and of virgins (cf CCC
2349).

What does the virtue of chastity do?

Chastity or purity of hearts calls for self-mastery or self-control.
*It puts order into the use of our sexuality.
*It channels our sexual energies toward the positive service of love.

How does the 6th Commandment affect the married?

* Sexuality is ordered to the original love of man and woman. In marriage, the physical intimacy of
the husband and wife becomes a sign of pledge and spiritual communion (CCC 1120).
* The 6th Commandment prohibits married persons from entering into sexual union with someone
other than their spouse (CFC 1120).

Education to Chastity starts in the family. It is a maturing process of

one’s personality growing in self-mastery.

PRO HIBITIONS OF THE 6TH COMMANDMENT

Adultery - Adultery refers to marital infidelity. When two partners, of whom at least one is married to
another party, have sexual relations - even transient ones - they commit adultery. Christ
condemns even adultery of mere desire. (2380)
Adultery is an injustice. He who commits adultery fails in his commitment. He does injury to the
sign of the covenant which the marriage bond is, transgresses the rights of the other spouse,
and undermines the institution of marriage by breaking the contract on which it is based. He
compromises the good of human generation and the welfare of children who need their parents'
stable union. (2381)
Divorce – CCC 2384 states that divorce is a grave offense against the natural law. It claims to break the
contract, to which the spouses freely consented, to live with each other till death. Divorce does
injury to the covenant of salvation, of which sacramental marriage is the sign. Contracting a new
union, even if it is recognized by civil law, adds to the gravity of the rupture: the remarried
spouse is then in a situation of public and permanent adultery:
If a husband, separated from his wife, approaches another woman, he is an adulterer because he
makes that woman commit adultery, and the woman who lives with him is an adulteress,
because she has drawn another's husband to herself.
2385 Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society. This
disorder brings grave harm to the deserted spouse, to children traumatized by the separation of
their parents and often torn between them, and because of its contagious effect which makes it
truly a plague on society.
Incest - Incest designates intimate relations between relatives or in-laws within a degree that prohibits
marriage between them. St. Paul stigmatizes this especially grave offense: "It is actually reported
that there is immorality among you . . . for a man is living with his father's wife. . . . In the name of
the Lord Jesus . . . you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. . . . "Incest
corrupts family relationships and marks a regression toward animality. (CCC 2388)

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Free Union/Living in - A man and a woman refuse to give juridical and public form to a liaison involving sexual
intimacy. The expression "free union" is fallacious: what can "union" mean when the
partners make no commitment to one another, each exhibiting a lack of trust in the
other, in himself, or in the future? (CCC 2390)
Trial Marriage - “right to a trial marriage" where there is an intention of getting married later. However firm
the purpose of those who engage in premature sexual relations may be, "the fact is that such
liaisons can scarcely ensure mutual sincerity and fidelity in a relationship between a man and
a woman, nor, especially, can they protect it from inconstancy of desires or whim." Carnal
union is morally legitimate only when a definitive community of life between a man and
woman has been established. Human love does not tolerate "trial marriages." It demands a
total and definitive gift of persons to one another.
Lust - It is a disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally
disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes. (CCC 2351)
Masturbation - By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in
order to derive sexual pleasure. "Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a
constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful has been in no doubt and has firmly
maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action." "The
deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially
contrary to its purpose." Sexual pleasure is sought outside of "the sexual relationship
which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving
and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved. (CCC 2352)
Fornication/Premarital Sex - Fornication is carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried
woman. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is
naturally ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children.
Moreover, it is a grave scandal when there is corruption of the young. (CCC 2353)
Pornography -Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the
partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity
because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does
grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one
becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are
involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should
prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials. (CCC 2354)
Prostitution - Prostitution does injury to the dignity of the person who engages in it, reducing the person
to an instrument of sexual pleasure. The one who pays sins gravely against himself: he
violates the chastity to which his Baptism pledged him and defiles his body, the temple of
the Holy Spirit. Prostitution is a social scourge. It usually involves women, but also men,
children, and adolescents (The latter two cases involve the added sin of scandal.). While it is
always gravely sinful to engage in prostitution, the imputability of the offense can be
attenuated by destitution, blackmail, or social pressure. (CCC 2355)
Rape - Rape is the forcible violation of the sexual intimacy of another person. It does injury to justice and
charity. Rape deeply wounds the respect, freedom, and physical and moral integrity to which
every person has a right. It causes grave damage that can mark the victim for life. It is always
an intrinsically evil act. Graver still is the rape of children committed by parents (incest) or
those responsible for the education of the children entrusted to them. (CCC 2356)
Homosexual Act –It refers to having sexual relations with another person of the same sex.

CFC 1080 states: Jesus redeemed our whole person, with all
our instincts, powers and relationships, including our
sexuality.” Does this give any sense to you? Why?
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The Sixth Commandment emphasizes the values of chastity, mutual self-giving, equality in dignity, and
love. Here are some suggestions to develop these values:
 Keep busy. A person who is busy has less opportunities to think of impulsive and evil thoughts.
Distribute well the hours of the day.
 Read good books. Keep away from pornographic materials for they inflame the passions.
 Watch only movies that are rated for general patronage. Usually, minors are not allowed into
theaters rated for adults only. But some minors try to pass off as adults.
 Dress decently and properly. Clothes that are too light or too revealing give the onlookers ideas
which are sinful.
 Behave with propriety. Do not laugh too loudly and giggle especially when walking down the street.
Walk with dignity. Do not wriggle your hips. Because these behaviors may seem that one is trying to
attract attention.
 Girls should not accept expensive gifts from men. An expensive gift could be a bait.
 Do not go to houses with shady reputation. They can be sources of scandal.
 Avoid occasions that lead you to commit sins chastity such as: pictures and films that are rated for
adults only; magazines that show/print lewd pictures and stories; and “dirty” jokes that stimulate
feelings and imaginations
 Control the desires of the body and take care of the senses because they are the means of access by the
devil.
 Strengthen your wills by practicing self-denial
 Pray constantly and regularly to ask Mama Mary’s assistance and grace to overcome thoughts and
actions purity and chastity.

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 ENRICHMENT LITERATURE

Everything created by God is good

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected that is accepted with
thanksgiving” (cf 1 Tim. 4, 4). Nothing is vile or unclean unless man makes it so. To assure the continuation
of the human race, God created the reproductive powers of man and attached very great pleasure to their
use. These powers are of the great treasures of human life and should be regarded with great respect and
awe. Their proper use is found in the state of marriage man and a woman in a physical bond indicative of a
union of love they have achieved by their marriage.
Chastity is a positive, active virtue, controlling and channeling the emotions concerning sexual
pleasure. There is a parallel between sexual desires and the willfulness of children who always insist of
having their own way. Both are in need of constant control in the channeling of their energy into
constructive activities. A mother who does a thoroughly efficient job in raising her children, seeing to it
that they are always behaved, is a constantly active woman. A person who is truly chaste never relaxes
vigilance I controlling sexual desires. And prohibits whatever is not lawful. For the unmarried, chastity is a
prohibition of deliberate sexual pleasure. Whether a person is married or single, his virtue of chastity is a
positive force and energy, keeping the good reason and the precepts of faith always in the foreground.
The facts reinforce the point that chastity is truly a virtue, for virtue is constantly an active principle.
Since its concerns with sexual pleasures and its work to regulate them in accord with reason and faith,
chastity is a moral virtue that regulates the pleasures attached to sexual powers. By reason of a person’s
state in life, chastity either moderates the pleasure connected with sexual acts or excludes them entirely.
Conjugal chastity regulates the desires and actions of married people, channeling them into the activities
of true conjugal love.

Sins against Chastity

Every deliberate sin of impurity by thought, desire, or action is a mortal sin. Sins against many
virtues may be venial because grave matter is absent. The theft of a nickel (U.S. 5centavos), for example is
wrong, but ordinarily is not gravely so, and the same is true of a lie that would save one embarrassment. In
sins against chastity the matter is always grave. This sins spring from the voice or lust, which is the
inordinate seeking or desire for sexual pleasure? Its object is physical enjoyment in thoughts or acts that
are unlawful.
Ordinarily sins of lust are called sins of impurity. There are several kinds of these sins:
1. Internal sins
These are the thoughts and desires which are internal only and deliberately consented to. Sexual
images of all kinds may and do flash themselves upon the mind of any one, often with startling frequency
and duration. Strong and inviting pleasure may accompany this thought.
Are they sinful? Quite simply, the answer is no – not yet. A thought comes to one’s mind and the
accompanying pleasure may be very intense. Up to this points there is no sin. These thoughts become
sinful only when the will says, in effect, “I choose to enjoy this pleasure,” or “Or I will not do anything to
put these thoughts or desire out of my mind.” Sin is an act of will.
2. External Sins
These are sins in which the actual use of one’s reproductive powers accompanies internal consent
natural acts of this kind are adultery and fornication. If one or both of the parties who have sexual union or
married to other partners, their sin is adultery. If both are unmarried the sin is fornication. Some sins of
impurity are called a natural sins, because they involve the use of the sexual powers in ways other than
those design by God. Self- abuse, or masturbation is kind of sin.

A Program of Purity 7
 Christian Witness
Let us read and be inspired on how St. Agnes of Rome preserve and protect her chastity.

St. Agnes

St. Agnes of Rome was born in 291 AD and

raised in a Christian family. Agnes was very beautiful
and belonged to a wealthy family. Her hand in
marriage was highly sought after, and she had many
high ranking men chasing after her. However, Agnes
made a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her
love for the Lord was great and she hated sin even
more than death!
Whenever a man wished to marry Agnes, she
would always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse."
According to legend, the young men she
turned away became so angry and insulted by her
devotion to God and purity that they began to
submit her name to authorities as a Christian
follower.
In one incident, Procop, the Governor's son, became very angry when she refused him. He tried to
win her for his wife with rich gifts and promises, but the beautiful young girl kept saying, "I am already
promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He
will never leave me!"
In great anger, Procop accused her of being a Christian and brought her to his father, the Governor.
The Governor promised Agnes wonderful gifts if she would only deny God, but Agnes refused. He tried to
change her mind by putting her in chains, but her lovely face shone with joy.
Next he sent her to a place of sin, but an Angel protected her. At last, she was condemned to death.
Even the pagans cried to see such a young and beautiful girl going to death. Yet, Agnes was as happy as a
bride on her wedding day. She did not pay attention to those who begged her to save herself. "I would
offend my Spouse," she said, "if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and He shall have me!" Then
she prayed and bowed her head for the death-stroke of the sword.
Other accounts of Agnes' life hold the Prefect Sempronius responsible for her martyrdom. It is said
he condemned the young girl to be dragged through the streets naked. Some versions of the legend state
that Agnes' hair grew instantly to cover her entire body and all the men who attempted to rape the
beautiful virgin were immediately struck blind.
The stories go on to explain that another man presided over Agnes' trial after Sempronius excused
himself. The new man sentenced Agnes to death. At first, Agnes was tied to a stake, but either the wood
would not burn or the flames parted away from her. This prompted an officer to draw his sword and
behead the girl. It is believed that her blood, which poured out to the stadium, was soaked up with cloths
by Christians.
She died a virgin-martyr at the age of 12 or 13 on 21 January 304.
Agnes was buried beside the Via Nomentana in Rome. Her bones are currently conserved beneath
the high altar in the church of Sant'Angese fuori le mura in Rome, which was built over the catacomb that
held her tomb. Her skull is preserved in the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone in Rome's Piazza Navona.
In 1858, Father Caspar Rehrl, an Austrian missionary founded the Congregation of Sisters of St.
Agnes.
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 St. Agnes is widely known as the patron saint of young girls. She is also the patron saint of chastity,
rape survivors and the Children of Mary. She is often represented with a lamb, the symbol of her virgin
innocence, and a palm branch, like other martyrs. She is shown as a young girl in robes holding a palm
branch with the lamb either at her feet or in her arms.
Her feast day is celebrated on January 21. On her feast day, it is customary for two lambs to be
brought in to be blessed by the pope. On Holy Thursday the lambs' wool is removed and woven into the
pallium the pope gives to a newly consecrated archbishop as a sign of his power and union with the pope.

Process Questions:
1. What are the virtues of St. Agnes that relates to how she lived her sexuality?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. How will you follow St. Agnes’ way of life?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

IV. INTEGRATION

Catholic sexual morality is based clearly on the doctrine that God created every human person as
male or female in His own image and likeness; and that the Risen Christ has healed and perfected our
whole persons including our sexuality. The Holy Spirit dwells in our bodies. If man and woman are weak
and experience disordered appetites and concupiscence, this is due to the fallen nature of humanity.
Cooperation with the grace of God is needed in developing sound Christian virtues of chastity and purity of
heart (cf CFC 1117).

Learner’s Activity
Creed/Aral: GROUP SHARING
The class will be divided (It depends to the population). Choose at least 3 among the topics listed
below and research (if needed) on them. Discuss with your group. Why are these topics relevant to
the young today? How to address these issues based from our discussion on chastity?
 Sacredness of sex
 Education to chastity
 Adultery
 Fornication
 Divorce
 Evil thought and desire
 Contraception / contraceptives
 Sterilization / birth control
 Prostitution and rape
 Natural family planning
 Artificial insemination or artificial fecundation / test tube baby
 Pornography / Child pornography
 Sexual experiences outside of marriage; homosexuality/ lesbianism
 Masturbation or self-abuse

Code/Asal: COVENANT OF CHASTITY

Write 10 ways on how to live a sexual life in as chaste way.
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 1. I will…__________________________________________________________________________.
2. ________________________________________________________________________________.
3. ________________________________________________________________________________.
4. ________________________________________________________________________________.
5. ________________________________________________________________________________.
6. ________________________________________________________________________________.
7. ________________________________________________________________________________.
8. ________________________________________________________________________________.
9. ________________________________________________________________________________.
10. ________________________________________________________________________________.

Cult/Dasal: LITANY OF LOVE

Complete the litany of petitions for chastity. For each of our prayers, let our response be:
Lord of love, hear us.
1. For all mothers and fathers…
2. For victims of sexual discrimination…
3. For the youth who are struggling to grow in chastity…
4. ____________________________________________________, Lord of love, hear us.
5. ____________________________________________________, Lord of love, hear us.
6. ____________________________________________________, Lord of love, hear us.
7. ____________________________________________________, Lord of love, hear us.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR THE 6TH COMMANDMENT

 Did I commit the sins of masturbation?
 Did I watch or promote pornographic material of any kind?
 Did I dress or converse in an immodest way?
 Am I open to the gift of life?
 Did I entertain impure thoughts and desires?

V. FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. What is the relationship of chastity to adultery?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you think chastity is easily practiced? What has self-mastery got to do with it? How can you personally
benefit from this lesson?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why should the virtue of chastity be practiced by all (not only the married people but also the celibates,
consecrated lay people and those not yet married)?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. CFC 1080 states: Jesus redeemed our whole person, with all our insights, powers and relationships,
including our sexuality. Does this give any sense to you? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

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Closing prayer:

Dear God, we pray for our parents whose obligation is to both instruct suitably and set good examples
for us, their children in matters relating to sex. Regarding this extremely delicate topic, help us understand O
Lord, that when some private instruction is found necessary and opportune every precaution must be taken
by those who hold from You the commission to teach, our spiritual leaders, and who have the grace of their
state in life to do so.
Enlighten our parents and all who take their place in the work of education, our teachers especially, to
employ those remedies which produce the double effort of opening the door to the virtue of purity and
closing the door upon vice.
All these we ask through Christ, our Lord .Amen.
St. Joseph and Virgin Mary, pray for us. Amen.
St. Agnes, pray for us. Amen.

[Adapted from: Morality Today, The Bible in my life, (USA: Daughters of St. Paul, 1981) p. 120]

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