Q. 38. Why is Mary called "blessed amongst women"? A. Mary is called "blessed amongst women" on account of her personal holiness, her great dignity as Mother of God, and her freedom from original sin.
Q. 39. Why is Mary called "holy"? A. Mary is called "holy" because one full of grace and endowed with every virtue must be holy.
Q. 40. Why do we need Mary's prayers at the hour of death? A. We need Mary's prayers at the hour of death because at that time our salvation is in greatest danger, and our spiritual enemies most anxious to overcome us.
Q. 41. Why do we say the "Hail Mary"? A. We say the "Hail Mary" to put us in mind of the Incarnation, and to show our devotion to the Mother of God, and our confidence in her assistance.
Q. 42. In what form of prayer is the "Hail Mary" most frequently
repeated?
A. The "Hail Mary" is most frequently repeated in the recitation of the
rosary or beads.
Q. 43. What is the Angelus?
A. The Angelus is a prayer giving a brief history of the Incarnation.
Q. 44. Say the Angelus. A. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, &c. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy Word. Hail Mary, &c. And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, &c. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God! That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by His Passion and cross, be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Q. 45. At what time is the Angelus usually said?
A. The Angelus is said in the evening, it memory of the Incarnation; in
the morning, in memory of the Resurrection, and at noon in memory of the
Passion of Our Lord.
Q. 46. What does "the Word was made flesh" mean in the Angelus? A. "The Word" means the second person of the Blessed Trinity, and "made flesh" means became man.
Q. 47. What is the Litany of the Blessed Virgin?
A. The Litany is a form of prayer in which we address our Blessed Lady
by many beautiful titles, such as Mother of God, Virgin Most Pure,
Refuge of Sinners, &c., asking her after each to pray for us.
Q. 48. Are there any other Litanies in use besides the Litany of the
Blessed Virgin?
A. Besides the Litany of the Blessed Virgin there are other Litanies in
use, especially the Litany of the Saints, the Litany of the Holy Name of
Jesus, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, &c.
THE APOSTLES' CREED.
Q. 49. Say the Apostles' Creed. A. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into hell: the third day He arose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Q. 50. What is a creed? A. A creed is a summary or list of the chief truths we believe or profess to believe. It is a compendium of doctrine.
Q. 51. Why is this creed called the Apostles'? A. This creed is called the Apostles' because it came down to us from the Apostles, and also to distinguish it from longer creeds in use in the Church, such as the Nicene Creed, which is said in the Mass; the Athanasian Creed, which is said in the priests' divine Office, and the Creed of Pope Pius IV, which is used on solemn occasions.
Q. 52. Do all these creeds teach the same doctrines?
A. All these creeds teach the same doctrines, for the longer creeds are
only a fuller explanation of the truths contained in the Apostles'
Creed.
Q. 53 Who were the Apostles? A. The Apostles were the twelve men selected by Our Lord to be the first bishops of His Church.
Q. 54. How do you know the Apostles were bishops? A. I know the Apostles were bishops because they could administer the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Orders and make laws for the Church, as we learn from Holy Scripture, and these powers belong to bishops alone.
Q. 55. Who were the disciples of Our Lord?
A. The disciples were the seventy-two chosen followers of Our Lord, whom
He sent to preach and perform good works in every city and place whither
He Himself was to come. The Apostles also are frequently called "the
disciples."
Q. 56. Why did the Apostles leave us a creed? A. The Apostles left us a creed that all who wished to become Christians might have a standard of the truths they must know and believe before receiving Baptism.
Q. 57. How many articles or parts in the Apostles' Creed? A. There are twelve articles or parts in the Apostles' Creed. They refer to God the Father in the works of creation; to God the Son in the works of redemption; to God the Holy Ghost in the works of sanctification; and each article contradicts one or more false doctrines on these subjects.
Q. 58. What does Creation mean? A. To create means to produce out of nothing. God alone has this power, and He alone can be called "Creator."
Q. 59. Had Jesus Christ more than one Father? A. God the Father, the First Person of the Blessed Trinity, is the only real and true Father of Jesus Christ, as the Blessed Virgin is His true Mother. St. Joseph, whom we also call His father, was only His foster-father or guardian upon earth.
Q. 60. By what names is Our Lord called? A. Our Lord is called by many names, such as Our Saviour, Our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Son of God; Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Messias, Son of David, Lamb of God and others to be found in the litanies. Each name recalls to our mind some benefit received or prophesy fulfilled.
Q. 61. Of what religion was Pontius Pilate?
A. Pontius Pilate was a pagan; that is, a worshiper of false gods.
Q. 62. Why do we say "died" instead of "was put to death"?
A. We say "died" to show that Our Lord gave up His life
