the law of God.

Q. 279. {53} How many kinds of actual sin are there?
A. There are two kinds of actual sin--mortal and venial.

Q. 280. {54} What is mortal sin?
A. Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God.

Q. 281. {55} Why is this sin called mortal?
A. This sin is called mortal because it deprives us of spiritual life,
which is sanctifying grace, and brings everlasting death and damnation
on the soul.

Q. 282. {56} How many things are necessary to make a sin mortal?
A. To make a sin mortal, three things are necessary: a grievous matter,
sufficient reflection, and full consent of the will.

Q. 283. What do we mean by "grievous matter" with regard to sin?
A. By "grievous matter" with regard to sin we mean that the thought,
word or deed by which mortal sin is committed must be either very bad in
itself or severely prohibited, and therefore sufficient to make a mortal
sin if we deliberately yield to it.

Q. 284. What does "sufficient reflection and full consent of the will"
mean?
A. "Sufficient reflection" means that we must know the thought, word or
deed to be sinful at the time we are guilty of it; and "full consent of
the will" means that we must fully and wilfully yield to it.

Q. 285. What are sins committed without reflection or consent called?