IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■a IM 1 2.2 ^ •£ III22 1.8 1.4 ill 1.6 V2 V] ^^/ '^ x-^ Photographic Sciences Corporation A^ \ 4r \ \ Ps % 6^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. i4S80 (7J6) 872-4503 z CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques ^ Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Notas tachniquas at bibliographiquas The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D n n n n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagie Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculAe Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior mergin/ Lareliure serr6e peut ca'iser de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge int(§rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte. mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6td filmies. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a iti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicuides Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolor^es, tacheties ou piqudes □ Pages detached/ Pages ddtachies BShowthrough/ Transparence The to th D D The posi of tl filmi Orig begi the sion oth( first sion or ii Transparence Quality of prir Qualiti indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du matdriel supplementaire I I Quality of print varies/ r~~1 Includes supplementary material/ Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont dti filmies d nouveau de facon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. The she TIN whi Mai diff enti beg righ reqi D Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked b'^low/ Ce document est filmi au taux de reduction indiqui ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X T A 12X 16X 20X 2»y 30X 24X 28X 32X Th6 copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Seminary of Quebec Library The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ♦• (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grflce d la gAnirositi de: Siminaire de Quibec Bibliothique Les images suivantes ont 6t* reproduites avac le plus grand soin. compte tenu da la condition at de la netteti de l'exemplaire filmi, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture an papier est imprim6e sont filmis en commen9ant par le premier plat et en terminant solt par la derniire page qui comporte une emprainte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon lecas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dee symboles suivants apparaitra sur la darnlAre image de cheque microfiche, salon le cas: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE'. le symbols V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent dtre film^s h des taux de reduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichi. il est filmA A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'imagas nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 -1^ P] Puh B \' ..... » (.■ j-»™ ;: PRACTICAL CATECHISM OP THE « SUNDAYS, FEASTS. AND FAbTS, THROUGHOTIl: TlflE YEAR. Puhlished with the jpei^fiS^s/on Bishop of Tloa, A hip the cese QUEBEC : CAREY, BROTHERS, Catholic Booksellers. xOOO. Entered according to Act of the Provincial Legislature in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six, by Carey, Brothers, in the office of the Registrar of the Province of Canada. »-:.,»'•-.• ~m CONTENTS. PAKT I. 0/ Sundays, Feasts, and Fasts in general. Sect. SUNDAYS .... Feasts in general of Jesus Christ in general of Saints in general of the blessed Virgin Mary in of Apostles of Evangelists of Martyrs . —of Bishops of Confessors • of Virgins of Widows of Holy Penitents . 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Dedication of a Church 15 Fasting and Abstinence in general 16 Ember-Days in general 17 Vigils • ^. . . . 18 First and last Day of the Month Paffe, MH • • 1 ^H • • B 1^1 • • 7 1^1 • • 8 1^1 general 13 H • • . 15 \ ^M « • 18 ^M • • . 23 H • • 26 B • • 28 fl • •' t 30 H • • 4 31 H • • ■ 33 H • » • 34 ll • • • 36 ^H • • • 39 ^H ) 41 |fl • » • 42 i BVH CONTENTS PART II. Oftha Feasts of our Lord Jesus Christy and other Observances that attend them. Sect. Page. 1 Advent . 43 2 Ember-Days in Advent . 44 3 CHRISTMAS-DAY,-* Dec. 25 . . 45 4 The CIRCUMCISION, or New- Ye ar's Day,* Jan. 1 .... . . 48 5 The EPIPHANY,* Jan. 6 . . 51 6 First Sunday after the Epiphany, 1 The hidden Life of Jesus Christ j ,. 53 ^ • t \j *~f 7 Second Sunday after the Epiphany, 1 The Baptism of Jesus Christ J i. 57 * • • vl 1 8 Candlemas-Day, Feb. 2 . . . 59 9 Septuagesima-Sunday, &c., &c. . 63 10 Lent . 65 11 Ash-Wednesday . 66 12 Ember-days in the first Week of Lent . 68 13 Second Sunday in Lent 1 Transfiguration of Jesus Christ J fif) •• . • Oi/ 14 Saturday before Passion Sunday . 72 15 Passion-Sunday ... . 73 16 Holy-Week . . . • . 75 17 Annual Confession . . . . ib. 18 Paschal Communion . 77 19 Palm-Sunday . . 79 20 Office of Tenebrae . . 81 21 Maundy-Thursday , . 83 22 Good-Friday . . . 86 23 Easter-Eve ... . 90 24 EASTER-DaY . . , . 92 25 Rogation-Daysf , . 95 26 ASCENSION-DAY* , 96 27 PENTECOST* . 99 28 Ember-Days in Whitsun-week . 103 29 Trmity-Sunday . 104 30 CORPUS-CHRISTI DAY* . 107 31 Ember-Days in September . . . 112 JlM^Pte. 2 2 2 2 2 2 .2 2 21 3< CONTENTS. Sect. 1 Nov. 30. 2 Dec. 8. 3 21. 4 26. 5 27. 6 28. •7 29. 8 31. 9 Feb. 1. 2. 10 24. 11 Mar. 17. 12 19. 13 25. 14 Apr. 23. 15 25. 16 May 1. 17 3. 18 June 24. 19 29. 20 July 2. 21 25. 22 26. 23 Aug. 10. 24 15. 25 24. 26 Sept. 8. 21 21. 28 29. 29 Oct. 2. ^^■^ly^l 30 IstSund. PART III. 0/tJie Feasts of Saints, St. AndrewJ .... THE CONCEPTION OF THE IJ VIROiN MARY* . St. Thomas, ApostleJ St. Stephen, Proto-martyrJ St. John, Evangelist^ Holy Innocentst St. Thomas of Canterbury^ St. Sylvester St. Bridget .... The Purification of the blessed Virgin Maryl (Part First) . St. MatthiasJ .... St. PatrickJ . St. Joseph J .... The ANNUNCIATION of the blessed Virgin Mary* .... St. George St. Mark, Evangelistf SS. Philip and James| Finding of the Holy Cross| St. John Baptist| SS. PETER and PAUL* . The Visitation of the blessed Virgin Mary St. James| .... St. Anne| St. LaurenceJ .... •ft The ASSUMPTION of the. blessed Virgin Mary* St. Bartholomew^ The Nativity of the blessed V. Mary| St. Matthew, Apost. and EvangJ Michaelmas-dayJ The holy Angel-Guardians Feast of the Rosary of the blessed Virgin Mary Page. 113 115 118 121 124 127 130 131 132 59 133 135 137 141 143 144 146 148 151 154 158 161 162 165 167 169 ib. 172 174 177 179 iSlect. 31 32 33 Nov. 34 35 CONTENTS. 18. JSt. Luke, Evangelist^ 28. SS. Simon and Jude| . . . . 1. ^ALL-SAINTS* . . . . 2. All-Souls ...... 21. The Presentation of the blessed Virgin iMaiy ...... Page. 181 ib. 182 184 18G Prayers that may be said preparatory to the reading of the diflerent Subjects in this Book . . .189 N. B.— The Star (*) signifies that the feast is a Iloly- day of Obligation : this mark (J) denotes the feast to be a Day of Particular Devotion : the long Cross (f ) points out some days of Abstinence. a Page. 181 ib. 182 184 186 ^A g 189 Iloly- , to be points PART I. OF SPNDA^S, pOJiY-DAYS, FEASTS, AND I^ASTS IN QBNERAL. Section 1. — Sunday* Q. WHY did God appoint a Sabbath or day of rest ? A. 1. In memory of his having accomplished the creation of the world in six dajs, and his resting; on the seventh. Ger^. ii. 2, ^. 2. That man might not only give; rest to his body, by a seasonable iatern^jttiou of his labours, but to his soul , also, Q. How to his son^ A. % calling off his, minti from the cares and pleasures of this life, to attend to higher and better things.: namely, the consideration of the eternal sabbath, or rest in the world to come, and of the means that lead to the posscisaion <9f it, the avoiding evil, and doing good. Q. Why is the word remember prefixed to this, above all the other commandments ? A. To signify how prone man is to forget his 2 BUNDAY. God, and the worship which he owes him ; and how apt the world is to take such firm hold of his mind, as to engross all his time and thoughts, and to drown Ihe remembrance of divine things. Q. Which day of the week did God appoint for the Jewish sabbath ? tit 7 • A. The seventh, or our Saturday. Markj xvi. 1. Luke, xxiii. 56., xxiv. 1. ' Q. Does the New Testament any where dis- charge Christians from the duty of keeping the Jewish sabbath ? , • j A. Were the Scriptures our only guide, one would rather think the Jewish sabbath was still of obligation, from Matt. xix. 17., xxiv. 20. And though there be several hints in the Scripture (as RevA. 10., Acts, xx. 7., 1 Cor. xvi 2.) that the first day, or Sunday, was kept holy by Christians in the apostolical age, yet there is not any plain proof thereof. *. 1 • Q What warrant then have we for keeping Sunday, and not Saturday, so directly contrary to the word of God in the Old Testament ? Lev. xix. 3, 30. /-. -t. v A We have the warrant of the Holy Catholic Church, the beloved Spouse of Christ, which he has promised to assist continually, and by his Holy Spint to guide into all truth. Matt, xxviii. 20., John, xiv. 16, 17., xvi. 13. ^ nx. - r Q. Why is Sunday chosen for the Christian sabbath ? , . . A III memory of our Saviour's resurrection, and the coming down of the Holy Ghost on that ^Q. How is the Sunday, the Christian Sabbath, or day of rest to be sanctified ? SUNDAY. 8 4- A. 1. By abstaining from servile works, which either necessity or charity does not require, and from profane or worldly employments. 2. By applying ourselves to acts of religion and devotion. Q. What works are to be accounted servile ? A. All such bodily labours as are commonly undertaken for a livelihood. The works of sin we are to abstain from every day, but more espe- cially on this, and the like. Q. What is meant by profane or w^orldly em- ployments ? A. 1. All proceedings in courts of judicature, all traffic, unnecessary buying and selling, and the like. 2. Diversions, &c. which hinder us in our application to the duties of the day^ or which give scandal, are so far to be accounted unlawful. Q. Why are bodily labours and worldly em- ployments forbidden ? A. Because they are generally inconsistent with the Christian duties of the day. Q. What are these duties ? A. 1. To assist with attention and devotion at the holy sacrifice of the Mass, (from which nothing but sickness or absolute necessity should detain us,) at Vespers, and at other public prayers ; and this in the spirit of adoration of the sovereign majesty of God, and of praise and thanksgiving for all his benefits, &c. 2. Attention to the word of God, heard or read by us with respect, docility, and a desire of spiri- tual profit. 3. To reconcile ourselves to God by an humble and sincere confession, and to seek new strength by approaching to the blessed Sacrament. 4 SlTt^DAY. 4. To enliven otir faith and desires of that heavenly i-est, into which Chfidt entered by his resurrection. 5. To consider and make choice of ptoper means for the subauing of our predominant passion, and for advrancing in the Ivays of virtue. 6. To dispose ad make an offering of the followiiii^ Wiiek to Grod's Grlory. 7. To improve the remainder of the day in doing good works, spiritr.al or^orpotael. MiXtt. xii. i*2., Jam^*, i. 27. Q. Is not the hearing of a Mass srtifficient' for the saioifyin^ of the 'Snnday ? A. Th6ugh the Chuwh by her Jlrie^ept irequiifes her menibers ^ hear Mass m Sutidays, she no where tells them this is ihc Whole dui^ of the day. Hence in the Catechism acf ParoeAos, set forth by order of the Council of Trent, though hearing Mass be first mentieiied, yet, confoinnably to the practice of antiquity, there are Other duties very much urged j^is., hfeiarjng the word of God, learning such things as are necessary for a Christian life, and the doitig works of charity. Q. Why sAy you cmfmmahly to the ptdctke of antiquity? A. Becatise in andent tinies the saetitice of the Mass was accompanied with so many prayers, in- struciiOTxs, lectures, and Wo^ks of <^harity, as kept the faithful at church a considerable part of the day. ^cfe, XX. 7. St. Jmtin's Apology. Q. What then is to be said of those who having heard Mass, spend the remainder of the day in drinking, gaming, or in other worldly diversions ? A. It is much to be feared that they have not satisfied the command of God, nor €omJ)lied 7EASTS IN QENSB^X. i6 with tbe intentioD of the Ghurcii, and this in a matter of weight. HenoeSt. A\^gustin says, that they are more criminal in the sight of Grod, than if they spent the day in digging. Serm. 2, iiy Psalm xxxii. (and 91.) Q. But do all satisfy the obligation as to hearing Mass, who are present at it ? A. No : 1. Some sin against this obligation, by not being present with attention and devotion. 2. Others, by not hearing one whole Mass. 3. And not a few by taking little or no care that their children or servants be present at it. Q. What is generally the consequence of misspending Sundays ? A. An irregular life, abandoned to many heinous sins. Sect. 2. — Feasts in general. : Q. WHY are Feasts instituted ? A. 1. For a grateful remembrance of God^s special mercies. 2. That on them we might glorify God in his Saints. Cj. Has the Church any warrant for these institutions? A. She has; 1. The example of God himself, who ii the old law appointed several days to be kept holy besides the weekly sabbath, forbidding on them Jill servile work. Exod. xii. 16., Lev. xxiii. 6, 7, %.yDe%t. xvi. 8. 2 . The example of Jesus Christ, who was pre- sent at the feaiat of the dedication, which yet was instituted without any special command of Grod. John J X. 22., \ Mac. iv. 59. 6 FEASTS IN GENERAL. 3. The example of the apostles, who observed the third, sixth, and ninth hours of prayer, re- ceived only by Jewish custom. ActSj ii. 15., iii. 1. X. 9. 4. The example of the first and purest ages. Orig. contra Cels. ^.8., Horn. 3. in Matt. Q. Are Christians obliged in conscience to observe the feasts of the Church ? A. They are. Q. For what reason ? , A. In obedience to their spiritual superiors; which, as a Protestant confesses in this case, is a duty oioing to the fourth commandment ^ as imme- diately/ and directly as chastity is to the sixth. Pract. Cat. I. 2, sect. 12. And Mr. Thorndike, another Protestant writer, (in his book of Just Weights and Measures^ c. 17,) says, The Lord's Day is observed by the authority of the Church ; therefore other festivals and times of fasting are to be observed. Prom whence it follows, that if Christians be not obliged in conscience to keep the festivals which the Church appoints, they may without sin do servile works on Sundays. Q. Did the primitive Christians look upon them- selves to be under any such strict obligation ? A. Most certainly they did. For St. Austin preaching to his people says, that All who acknow- ledqe themselves sons of the Church, observe thefesti-^ valsofthe Church; (Serm. de Temp. 253.) and Arius was censured, as for other heresies, so also for opposing and condemning the Church's festivals. Q. Since the Scripture says, that six days in *lirt tiTooTr wn a Via 11 wnrlr ar\(\ dci whflt WG haVC tO be done, how can the Church oblige us to rest on one of /^ose six days ? Deut. v. 13. to to FEASTS OF JESTJS CHRIST IN GENERAL. 7 A. The Scripture by those words can mean only this, that in the ordinary course of the week there are six days allowed for work : or God him- self, having set apart some other days to be sanc- tified as well as the sabbath,would have contra- dicted his own commandment by a contrary institution. Exod. xii. 16., Zev. xxiii. 15. Q. What then is our obligation as to feasts ? ' A. The Church makes no difference between the Sunday and Holy-day of obligation.'' We are consequently to abstain from servile works on feasts, and spend them in religious duties, as on Sundays, see pages. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Q. What else is proper to be done on these days ? A. 1. To inform ourselves concerning the mys- tery or Saint whereof the feast is kept.. 2. To excite in our souls, pious sentiments agreeable to the occasion. 3. To meditate on the virtues re- commendedjo us, and to beg them of Almighty God. Q. What is the meaning of Octaves ? A. An octave is the space or period of eight days allowed for the celebration of certain feasts, and those the most considerable and solemn, such as Christmas, Easter, Whitsuntide, &c. Q. What precedent have you for them ? A. The example of Moses and Solomon. Lev. xxiii 36., 2 Faral.^\\. 9. Sect. 3. — The Feasts of Jesus Christ in general. _ , -r\c\a Q, WHAT feasts of JnBii« (1hri«f .1 Church keep '( A. His Conception, * Nativitj", * Circumcision, 8 ITEASTS iSF SAIHTS IN OENlffiAit* *Bpiplaaaiy, PreseatalaDn, in the temple, Traiisfi- inM»4ionyPas8ion,,Ee»tti3reotion, *AiscBiisiQii>im(^tbe feoAt of the Wessfed gacrament, or *e©i|iiis iUirMti. Q. What are we; ta conaider on aaiy of thesft feasts ? «, . , 1 iR__ A. 1. What it is that Ghristhas done foe us. 2. What; return he expects at our hands. ^ Q. Bo these; mysteries supply us. mth any motinnes that, may raise our aifecfcions ? A. Yes. The coUsideratioa of any. «xne mys^ tory is enough^ !with the help of God^s grace, to move all the affeistioiia of our soul. As for exam-ple :. It will moTie us^ 1. To* lo^ :e God, who i has done so much for us. 2. To hate: sin, as the cause of Christ's sufferings and humiliation, and of our seiiaration fromi him. 3. To* rejoice in the mam- festation of God's glory, power, wisdom, good. n«88, and other a*.teibutes. 4. To lament our own and the world's ingratitude. 5. To hope for and desire heaven, which €hrist has; purchased for us at so dear a ra4ie. 6. To disdain the honours, pleasures, riches, and vanities of this world, &c. , Q. And may we not employ ourselves in the acts of several virtues-? A. Yes. There is scarce any virtue, hut what on these occasions may be considered as reduced to practice. i _ ii L Oi n i i r i r i iTT'^''"* Sbct. 4. — The Feasts of Saints in gemral. O. WHICH do '^'ou call the feasts of Saints ? A. The "feasts dedicated to God in honour and memory of the Saints. FEJLSTS OF SAISff S IN OENSRAL. 9 Q. On tdiat day is thelt memory kept? A. Generally on the flay of tbeir death, wbioh, in tHe C^iiroh's language, is called their nati^ty ; because they were then born inio heaVen/and entered uptm ia life of everlasting glory. ^. Are these fefasts of ancient date ? A. The most ancient^ church records, make mention of them. Q. Can you give me an account of the anti- quity of any of them ? A. Yes. Origen, one of the first writers, men- tions the feast of the Holy Imwcents, as commanded by the holy Fathers, according to the will of God, to be for ever celebrated in the; Church. Horn. 3. in'Matt. 2. The feasts> of iSt. Ignatius the second bishop tist. Q. What other writings did this apostle, leave behind him?, A. His three Epistles and his Apocal^pseif or book, of Bevelations. It is on account of the work last, mentioned, that he is esteemed a. prophet, as it containsa mysterious prediction ofmaaty future events, relating to the state of the church, down to the latest period of time. Q. Did our Sikviour command the gospels to bo written.? A. The sacred penmen who wrote them, give us no account of any such commission. I FEABTS OP EVAN0ELI8T». 21 the bo Q. What inference do you m^e from their silence in this matter?. A. I infer that Ohri&t never deadgned thcr scrip- ture alone for the rule of our faith* (See Protesr tant Objections refuted.) Q. How prove you this inference to be good ? A. Because the gospel shows us^ a rule of faith appointed by Jesus Christj (without any mention of a written one,) which was to continue invarir ably the same, from, the first sermon of St, Peter to the end of the I worlds Q. What rule of faith do the gospels mention, as appointed by. Jesus Christy for all the faithful ?/ A. They mention this, The doctrine of Jesus Christ J . .».•«..« «v«««A.^<-k i'w%4-Am\«w\^o4'irkna . an/i. noi*!irA1*T, the scored food into poison. Q, What is the Church's motive in this 22 FEASTS OF EVANGELISTS." ) 1 t "t restraint, to keep the people in ignorance, or to prevent a discovery of supposed errors ? A. Nothing can be more ridiculous than this slanderous imputation ; for every one is at liberty to read the Latin Vulgate^ where the learned might with .ease discover those errors, were any such asserted by the Church. So that this restraint upon the weakest and most ignorant part of Christians, is only an effect of the Church's charity, to prevent the mischiefs they might other- wise do themselves, in wresting the Scriptures to their own perdition. Q. With what disposition then ought Catholics to read the holy Scriptures ? A. Having their pastor's leave for reading them, they are to invocate the Holy Ghost for light and grace to understand and practice what they read. Q. And this being done, how are they to read them ? A. Rather in the spirit of prayer, than by way of study ; with love, respect, docility, humility, and a perfect submission to the judgment of the church. Q. Why are the Scriptures to be read with so perfect a submission to the Church's sentiments ? A. Because to read them with a self-confidence and presumption, without a dependence upon the Church, is to follow the footsteps of all the heretics that have ever revolted from the Church of God. Q. Why so? A. Because, as St. Austin says, There would he no heresies^ nor perverse doctrineSy that ensnare souls y and throw them into hell, hut that the Scriptures^ good in tJiemselves. are ill understood and what is ill understood is rashly and audaciously asserted. Tract, 18. in Joan. / FEASTS OF MARTYRS. 23 Q. How are we to pray on the feast of an evangelist ? A. 1. That the gospel may be written in our hearts, and be the rule of our lives. 2. For all that read the Scriptures, that they may not through rashness or presumption pervert them to their own destruction. In short the devotion recommanded for the feast of an apostle, will be also suitable to that of an evangelist. See page 17. Sect. 8. — Feasts of Martyrs in general. Q. WHAT saints are called martyrs ? A. They who have borne witness to the truths or maxims of the gospel at the expense of their own lives ; having given the greatest mark that is possible of their love to Jesus, by dying for his glory. Jolm^ xv. 13. Q. Has the number of the martyrs been great ? A. Unaccountably great, during three hundred years of persecution, which were almost continual and universal ; besides many thousands who have suffered since under infidels and heretics. Q. How did these saints prepare themselves for the crown of martyrdom ? A. By the exercise of humility, patience, and peaceable submission under such difficulties as daily fell to their lot. Q. Are Christians now-a-days exposed to trials and persecutions ? ASf Ponl Qaanroa na flinf nil whn dfisicrn to live piously, and according to the maxims of Jesus Christ, will meet with persecutions. 2 Tim,\\\.Vl. :i I 1 i 24 MSASTS OP MARTYRS. Q. Why BO ? A. For as much as Christianity is nothing else but a participation and application of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, suffering in the world, m^ dying upon the cross. Q. Where do we meet #ith these trials and persecutions ? A. 1. In contradictions, reproofs, censures, in- juries, and provocations. 2 . In the loss of goods, parents, children or friends. 3. In time of pain or sickness. 4. In public calamities. 5. From our spiritual enemies and unruly passions. And lastly. In time of peace, from the flatteries of friends and worldly enjoyments, which often blind the christian's 0yes, and carry him to very sinful eittavagances. Q. What ar6 we to learn of the holy martyrs? A. 1. To live to God, for whom they died j and to fear hitii more than man. 2. To contemn the world, and all its comforts, and Overcome the apprehension of death by a lively faith and a confident expectation etf happi- ness in the wioi*ld to come. Psal. Ixxii. 8. Not to be ashamed of the cross of ! Christ, but on the contrary, to value it as the grieatest blessing. 4. Courageously to asjiert the cause of ttuth, 'justice, and piety. 5. To suffer with meekness, patience, and sub- mission, and to love our ennemies. Psal Ixi. 6. To endeavour to save our souls, whtertevet* it may cost us. 7.' 'To ttUljit in-dod: thnf $ia ^Vip ftfromnritJI^oTva flip 'Bdairtyrs, he Will also be our helper, either in deli- vering us from our troubles, or in giving us grace I I and £XA6i;S QF JftABTTms. to go through them, and theriefore to leav^ iti to him to do what he knows: is beat for us. Q. What comfort h&ve the aerrants of (Sod to sweeten their afilicjfcious:? A. The comfort of a good consoi)Mie% the pros^ pe«t,Qf that weight of glory which G^od has pro- mised to auoh a» persevere to the end, the cer- tainty of all temporal evils being soon to end^ and that a peaceable submission to such eviisi may be a means of escaping those which are eternaU Q. What may we leawi besides from, those martyrs who suffered together ? A. To encourage one another to live, and labour, and suffer for Jesus Christ; and where the cause of God is concerned, to afford mutually good example, advice, and help. Q» What m our duty upon fiiese feaata ? A. Besides studying and begging grace, to practise the aforesaid lessons, we are — ^1. To adore and praise the wisdom of God, who by the blood of martyrs, as by so much seed^ has multiplied the number of the faithful. 2. To examine how we bear reproaches ftnd contempts, how we submit to the daily diffic^tlties of our state, or to the distempers with wluwjh God is pleased to visit us ; to humble ourselves for our impatience under the common trials of life, and resolve to suffer somewhat this very day with more than ordinary meekness. 3. To pray for all that are suffering iu any kind, for the sake of justice or truth, that God would give them the spirit of psUienoe, meekness, and constancy. To pray for all those who, want- ing courage, are ready to sink under the weight of their troubles, that God would be their support 26 FEASTS OF BISHOPS. and send tliem comfort. Ps. iii. iv. x. xxiv. xxx. xxxviii. Ixx. Ixxviii. Ixxxix. 4. To pray we may never be so unhappy, as through obstinacy, blindness, prejudice, or envy, to cause any persecution to God's servants. Ps. xciii. 5. That we may be jealous of all accusations, and never help to spread reports which may do an injury to truth and innocence. Q. What is proper to be read on the feasts of martyrs '/ A. JohUf XV., Matt, v., 1 Pet. ii., 2 - Car. xi., Imit. Chr. I. 2. ch. xii., St. Fran. SaleSy Introd. part 3. c. iii. and viii. Sect. 9. — Feasts of Bishops. Q. WHAT is to be observed on these feasts ? A. Much the same as has been said (p. 17) of the feasts of apostles ; bishops being their succes- sors in the government of Christ's flock. Q. What must we ask of God for the pastors of his church ? A. 1. A true zeal and piety answerable to their charge. 2. That by word and example they may be so many lights to the faithful. 3. That they may cheerfully bestow their study and care, their labour and life too, if need require it, upon their flock ; and may constantly make war against all vice and injustice. 4. That no human respects may over-rule them ; that flattery or fear, interest, favour, or faction, may never prevail with them, to prostitute their i-liarcicter to the promoting of evil, uur uwc them into a treacherous silence. FEASTS OF BISHOPS. 27 Q. What other prayers are we to make for them ? / A. That no human consideration of favour, interest, party, or dependence, may make them betray the gospel by flattery or compliance ; but that by word and example they may be as so many lights of the world, in dissipating the darkness of error and vice, and may conduct the faithful to a happy eternity. Q. For whom besides are we to pray ? A. For the people whom this saint enlightened with his doctrine and example ; that they may be steadfast in the doctrine he preached ; or, if they be fallen from the Church, that may reurn to her faith and communion. , Q. What are we to ask for ourselves ? A. That God would bless us with good pastors and directors, and mercifully exclude all those from being pastors of his flock, who are not by him called to this function, and fitted for the just discharge of all its obligations. 2. Grace, that we be not wanting in our duty to them. Q. What is the people* s duty to their pastors ? A. 1. To honour and respect them as the ministers of Christ, and the dispensers or stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Cor. iv. 1. 1 Thes. V. 12, 13. 2. To pray daily for them, and especially when they are exposed to any danger or persecution, or are engaged in any difficult affairs for God's honour or the Church's good. Col. iv. 8. 3. To provide for their subsistence. Matt. x. iu. 1 uor. IS. i. L Jim. v. i/. 4. To pay obedience and submission to their 28 FEASTS OF CONFESSORS. orders and directions. Matt, xxiii. 2, 3. LiihCf X. 16. Heh. xiii. 17. 5. Not rashly to censure their doctrine or pro- ceedings, nor to publish their faults; but where they seem to be of dangerous consequence, to reveal them to their superiors. Exod. xxii. 28. Num. -sW. 10, xiv. and xvi. Q. How does God punish his people when they are disobedient or disrespectful to his ministers ? A. Sometimes in a visible manner ; and fre- quently by removing good pastors, and suffering others to come in their place, that are not governed by the spirit of truth and piety. Osee. xiii. 11. /sa. Ivi. 10. Zach. xi. 16. Q. What are the people to do, when they are so unhappy as to have bad pastors ? A: This being an effect of God's anger, they miist endeavour by penance, and by humble and earnest prayer, to appease his indignation. Sect. 10. — Feasts of Confessors. Q. WHAT saints are called confessors ? A. In the primitive Church, martyr and confessor were names of the same import, and were given to those that suffered banishment, loss of goods, tor- ments, or imprisonment, for the faith of Christ. Q, Is this the meaning of the word confessor at present ? A. No. For these many ages all pious and godly men in general have been called confessors, who, by holiness of life, without suffering death, have confessed the faith of Christ, and borne 4-r>«4^1*v>o'n'and9 ? A. They ow^then respect , and ho^o^r, ob?di- ^nqe and submission whatever temper they may be of; OoL lii. 18 j^. v. 22, &c. Tit. ii. 4, 5. 2. They are to endeavour (by their example;, pati^noe^ l»gu^rity of life, and by all meaa^ . pos- sibly) <^ inyite them tjo the ways of trutjb^ and viribue, 1 Pe(. iii. 1. 3. They are not to dispose of the goods, nor to give any considerable alms out of the common purse, without their husbands' permission. Q. How are n^arried women to go in clothes ? A. According to their condition and the rules of modesty, without paintings patching,; or what- ever else betokons a vain and. wordly spirit, 1 Tim. ii. 9, 10. 1 Pet. iii. 3. Q. Wh>at are, the duties of mpthe^B ^o their children;? A. Th^y are obliged to giv^ them, 1. Instruc- tion, 2. Grood example, and 3 Seasonnable correc- tion. Se^ tkefemtofSt. Antkeyjuly 26.. <2. What is the duty of a mistress of a family in regard to her servants ? A. She is to take care,; 1. That they be obedient to (Jod and, his Church. , 2.^That they be instruotied in the principles of religion, and be not absent from prayeijs. 1 Tim, V. 8. 3. That they be not addicted to any vice. 4. That there be no familiarities or intrigues between those of a different s^x. 5. That she be not harsh nor peevish to them, nor yet be too familiar with tjaem j and by no means must she suffer them to be familiar with her children. ML PEA.STS OP HOLY PENITENTS. 33 6. That their wages be exactly paid them. — Lev, lix. 23. Deut. xxiv. 15. Toh. iv. 15. Jam.y. 4 Sect. 13. — Feasts of Holy Penitents, Q. WHAT is to be done on these feasts ? A. We are, 1. To adore and praise the mercy of Grod, who desires not the death of sinners. 2. To thank him for sparing them and ourselves, while by sin we were his enemies. 3. Not to be discouraged, whatever sins we have committed, (for no crime is more provoking than a distrust of his goodness,) but to place an hum- bio confidence in the mercy of Grod, who oifers his grace to all, and upon a sincere conversion never fails to change vessels, of weakness into vessels of honour. 4. To recruit our confidence, in consideratioij of the mercy of G-od shown them, and to beg tho like for ourselves. 5. To humble ourselves for our niceneos aud self-love, and from their example to invigorate our resolutions of doing worifehy fruits of penance, of amending our lives, and avoiding all occasions of fiin for tfte future, as also for repairing, by our good example, the scandals we may have given. 6. To seek out our predominant sin, that im* mediately we may set ourselves to the rooting of it out. 7. To resolve Upon withdrawing from whatever is dangerous, unprofitable, • or unbecoming our state, and learn from the example of the Saint, what methods should be taken to overcome habitual sin, Q. Wljat method liava they recomuxended ? u I, ;| 1 i f i i i ': ■ , r 'i n ii 4 H i 34 DEDICATION OP A CHURCH, A. Some proper retirement, where the sinner, sheltered from all occasions of sin, by application to prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading, and the frequent visits of a charitable director, may have the opportunity of remedies proportioned to the diseases of the soul : and, with God's grace, work a true change in his heart, without which there cannot possibly be a true repentance. Q. Whom are we to pray for on these feasts ? A. 1. For ourselves, and all engaged in sin, that God would give us the spirit of penance, 2. For all we ever have scandalized. 3. For all those dejected souls whose immode- rate fears keep them at a distance from God. 4. For all seduced by vice and error, that they may not be obstinate against the light ; and that neither the thoughts of what the world may say, nor the difficulty of changing, may hinder them from entering into the ways of salvation. Sect. 14. — Dedication of a Chirch Q, WHAT mean you by the dedication of a church ? i A. A ceremony whereby a material edifice is consecrated by a bishop to the service of God ^lone, and to be the house of prayer, Q. Why is this ceremony performed with so much solemnity ? A. Because it is a figure of that dedication, which is to be made in heaven, of the living Church of the father, pure and spotless, to be for ever employed in praising his majesty and ] mercy. iJ^h, DEDICATION OF A CHURCH, 35 e smner, )plication ling, and tor, may :ioned to I's grace, it which i \ . feasts ? i in sin, ace, immode- od, hat they and that may say, ier them ■A, bion of a edifice is of God with so n, which ch of the if to hia smployed 7L V, 27, Q. Why is there an annual commemoration of this ceremony ? A. 1. To thank Ood for vouchsafing to appoint a place where he is pleased to hear our prayers, and to feed us with his word, and the adorable body of Jesus Christ. . 2. To increase our reverence to this holy place, and to the sacred mysteries that are therein daily celebrated. 3. To put us in mind that we are the temples of God, and that we are one day to make a part of the spiritual edifice in the heavenly Jerusalem. Q. Is this ceremony of the dedication of churches of ancient date ? A- God himself commanded the dedication of Solomon's temple.' And it has been in use amongst christians ever since they had the liberty of build- ing temples for God's service. Eiiseh. I. 10. c. iii. Q. What is required of Cliristians to the due celebration of this feast ? A. 1. That they renew the respect, due to the house of God. 2. That they give proof of this respect, by contributing, to the best of their power, to the adorning of it. 3. That they choose the church before all other places, for the making of their prayer. 4. That they consider themselves as the living temples of God ; that they renew the promises made in baptism, when they were first consecrated ; and resolve never more to defile their souls by any sin. 5. That they beg of God to do with them as he Pl eases, upon earth, - -,-x -.„j I --1 even tu uut auu iiCv» anu \Tfe-ar them with afflictions, provided they may have a place m the ;ions. Church of heaven. Z6 OF PASTING AND ABSTINENCE, Sect, lb.— 0/ Fasting and Alstinence in general Q. WHAT do you mean by fasting ? A To fast, is to abstain from certain meats and to make but one meal in 24 bours, Q. From wbat kind of meats are we' to abstain on tasting days ? A From the flesh of animals, that lire either on the earth or in the air. Q. To what purpose do you abstain from these meats : A. To mortify the body, (these being moye nourishing than other kinds of food.) and by that means do penance for our sins. Q. Is not this cpntrary to St. Paul, who bids ws cat whatsoever is sold in the shambles. 1 Cor, A. St. Paul in that place speaks not to Christ- ians who abstained for mortification sake, but to some who scrupled to eat auy such meat, for fear It might hare been offered to some idol, and for that reason be unclean. Q. Have you any warrant from the holy scrin- tures for this Catholic practice of abstaining from certain meats ? 8 ^"*" A. In the holy scriptures we find abstioence commanded, commended, and rewarded. Q. Where is abstinence commanded ? v.^l \ ^^^^^^JL^^^e ^dam to eat of the tree of ^r ?K^\i h ^''. ^'^^ ^'' ^^^^^r^" to eat flesh with the blood init 3. The Israelites to eat, or so much as to keep leavened bread, during the seven days of their Pasch.. 4. He comm^nr\J Jr.t as consecrated themselves to his service to"abstdn from wme and all inebriating liquors. 5. The first 11 ',1 OF PASTING AND ABSTINENCE. 87 general, in meats, abstain re either aa these g moye by that ho bids 1 Cor, Christ- but to for fear nd for J scrip- % from inence tree of t flesh ?at, or % the 1 filial) bstain e first christians abstained from blood-meats, pursuant to the orders of the apostles. Gen. ii. 17. ix. 4. Exod. xiii. 7. Lev. vi. 3. Jnd. xiii 14. AcU^ xv. 20. Q. Where is abstinence commended ? A. 1. //es/iGfZZfee^'rea^ (says the angel, speaking of St. John Baptist) in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. 2. His food teas locusts andicild honey. 3. Tobias, when others ate of the meats of Gentiles, took care of his soul, and was never polluted with their meats. Luke, i. 15. Matt. iii. 4. Toh. i. 12. Q. Where is abstinence rewarded ? A. late (says Daniel) no pleasant bread; neither came flesh nor wine in my month, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. And I (Daniel) alone saw the vision, for the men that were with me saw it not. Dan. X. 3, 7. Q. At what hour may one dine on fasting days ? A. Not much before noon. Q. Is a collation at night allowed ? A. The church allows it, provided it exceed not the fourth part of a moderate meal : but there ought to be nothing in it contrary to the approved custom of the country, or that is too nourishing or costly. Q. Who are obliged to fast ? A. All that are past their one-and-twentieth year, unless they be lawfully dispensed with. Q. What persons may be lawfully dispensed with ? A. Nurses that give suck ; women with child ; such as are sick or worn with age, or employed in labours inconsistent with fasting; and, in short, all 4-Vinf /»oTl•r»/^f •fiiof -nri f It /-\ti f T-iiininnf fVjAir npnitng, Q. Can a physician dispense his patient from fasting? 88 OF FASTINia AND ABSTINENCE. hA ?'^^ P?3^'^^^^° can tell us when fasting may Q. Why not ? A. Because none can be exempted from the aws of any state, but by those who ", . a share in the government of that state. Q. What then must be done, when the phvsi- Sth ? "^ * '*'"« '' inconsistent with our f„ ^" "^^ ™"«' "PPly ourselves for a dispensation It' r^"" °^ the church, since they alone have power to dispense with, her laws. to God^?""^ ""'•'' ""^ °"*^ """■ '"*'''°« acceptable «r,h>f^ accompaying it with prayer, alms-deeds, and other good works ; and by avoiding sin witi our greatest care. Am.lviii. 2, &c. TbJ. xii. 8. &c obi?gatt:r ''"""•" ''''' """*«'• "« "'>>«' int^t^.?' '• *.^'yrs'>*' 'n a" they can, to enter into the spirit of the church, bv nriwr oI,«= mortifying their passions, 'ld\r^:b'ridS themselves of some lawful satisfaetionl ^ ^ g. What sin is it, wilfully and without a lawful dispensation, to break the fiiats of the church ? A. A mortal sin. n3^."v,* Fi ^^"^^ ^''^^ ^ro^en the fust, may I Lw Unf ^'r'* '^ ^^'^^ '' I please,' without being guilty of any more sin ? ton.'.l'''* ^or r.s many times as one eats contrary :i\tr'^ law, there are so man, sin^ chSch'?''^ "'' the fasting days appointed by the EMBER-DAYS IN GENERAL. 89 ting may ve us no from the u share ie physi- with. our >ensation ne have ceptable is-deeds, lin with i. 8. &c. other enter , alms, ridging lawful h? may I i^ithout >ntrary r sins by the A. 1. All the days in Lent, except Sundays. 2. The Ember-days, being the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the first week in Lent, of Whit- sun-week, of the third week in September, and of the third week in Advent. 3. The Wednesdays and Fridays of the four weeks in Advent. 4. The Vigils or Eves of Whitsuntide, of the Feasts of SS. Peter and Paul, of the Assumption of the B. V. M., of All Saints, and of Christmas-day. When any fasting day falls upon a Sunday, it is to be observed on the Saturday before. Q. Which are the days of abstinence ? A. 1. TheEmberdays. 2. Everyfridaythrougth- out the year. 3. All vigils which are observed as fastdays. 4. Ash-Wednesday and the three fol- lowing days. 5. The Wednesdays, fridays, and Saturdays of the first five weeks in Lent. 6. Palm Sunday and the six days of Holy-week. 7. The Wednesdays and fridays of Advent. Sect. 16. — Emh^-Days in general. Q. WHAT are Ember-days ? A. They are fasts, which the church commands to be kept in some one week of each of the four seasons of the year, on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Q. Whence comes the name ? A. From the primitive custom of using hair- cloth and ashes in times of public penance, or be- cause on these days the Christians fasting till night, did then content themselves with a cake baked under the embers or ashes, which was called Panis suhcinentius, or Ember^bread. Q. When wer^ these fasts instituted ? 40 EMBER-DAYS IN GENERAL. tV", ' 1^ ■!' [. 'I i 'I m A. They were observed in the Church of Rome before the fifth age ; and St. Leo, who was then Pope, affirms them to be of apostolical tradition. Q. For what reasons are they observed ? A. For three reasons. Q. What is the first reason ? A. To consecrate and sanctify every season of the year, b^ a penance of some days. The Church thereby giving ua to understand, that the spirit of penance is always to be preserved, and that the exercise of it is from time to time to be resumed. Q. What is the second reason ? A. To make by abstinence a kind of sacrifice of the fruits which the earth by God's blessing has produced ; to thank him for them ; to beg he would please to preserve what he has already bestowed, and give a blessing to what we next expect. Q. What is the third reason ? A. To beg good pastors of God for his Church : her ministers being generally ordained at these times. Q. Why is the whole Church engaged in prayer and fasting for the obtaining of good pastors ? A. Because the salvation of the people depends in a great degree upon their pastors. Godsends them good pastors out of his pure mercy ; and he suffers bad in punishment of the people's sins — /sa. Ivi. 10. .^acA. xi. 16. Q. For what intentions then are we to pray and fast on Ember-days ? A. For the intentions of the church, as they have just now been explained. Q. What prayers are proper on these occasions ? A. xne penitential psalms, the long litanies, VIGILS. , 41 and such as the manuals afford us, for the pastors of the church and fruits of the earth. Q. When do the Ember-days occur ? A. They are always the first Wednesday, Fri- day, and Saturday after the first Sunday in Lent, after Whitsunday, after September 14th, and after December 15th. Sect. 17.-0/ Vigils. Q' What is meant by a Vigil ? A. The day next before certain holy-days, viz. before the feast of the Nativity, Epiphany, and Ascension of our Saviour ; Pentecost ; the Purifi- cation, Assumption, and Nativity of the blessed Virgin ; the feasts of St. John the Baptist, the Apoatles, St. Laurence, and of All-Saints. Q. Why are the days before those feasts called Vigils? A. From the Latin Yigiliay watching ; it being customary in the primitive times for the people to meet at church, and spend a considerable part of the night that preceded certain holy-days in watching and prayer. Q. What is the Churches design in appointing them still to be observed, though the custom of watching be generally laid aside ? A. That by penance, humiliation, and prayer, we may prepare our souls for a due observation of the ensuing solemnity. But fasting is commanded only on the vigils of such festivals as are holy- uuys Oi OuiigULiuu. oee 1 age 39. Q. Why are fasting, humiliation, and prayer prescribed on these days of preparation ? 42 FIRST AND LAST DAY OP THE MONTH. 1 ill i f II! II A. 1. To cure our pride and self-love, the greatest obstacles to the grace of God. 2. To punish past faults. 3. To appease God's anger. 4. To dispose ourselves for receiving the effects of his mercy. Sect. IS.-^First and Last Day of the Month, Q- HOW ought we to begin the month ? A. In such a manner that, if it should be our last, it may be the beginning of a happy eternity ; and in order to this we should make an offering of ourselves to God, and beg his assistance for the faithful discharge of our duty in it, and the amendment of all the failings of the last. Q. How ought we to end it ? A. By thanking God for all his blessings, and asking pardon, with a contrite and humble heart, for all the sins and failings of the month. nil A PRACTICAL CATECHISM. PART 11. OF THE FEASTS OF JESUS CHRIST, AND OTHER OBSERVANCES THAT ATTEND THEM. Sect. l.'-^Advent. , Q. WHEN does Advent begin ? A. It begins on the Sunday, which is nearest to the feast of St. Andrew, whether before or after. Q. Why are the four weeks before Christmas called Advent ? A. Because the Church during this time would have us to prepare for the worthy celebrating of our Saviour's Nativity. ,, Q. How is this preparation to be made ? A. By frequently acknowledging how much we are in want of Jesus Christ, upon account of our weakness and transgressions. Matt. i. 21. Q. What effect ought the due consider^ition of our sins and weaknesses to have upon us ? A. li should, move us, as it does the Church, to sigh and long for Jesus Christ, as the patriarchs and prophets did ; and earnestly to beg of him, that he would come and cure us. Gen, x\iv. 18. Exod, iv. ^, Id. Isa, xxxxii, 2. f't 44 EMBER-DAYS IN ADVENT. ■Hi) Q. Ought we not likewise frequently to direct our devotion to Jesus Christ in the womb cf his blessed Mother ? A. Yes : it should be our daily practice, during this holy time, to join with the blessed Virgin in acts of adoration, thanksgiving, humility, love, confidence, &c. to Jesus, in that his retirement. Q. Are more than ordinary diversions suitable to this time ? A. They are directly contrary to the spirit of the Church. Q. What is the spirit of the Church ? A. As she desires that at the holy feast of Christ- mas, Christ Jesus may be formed anew in all her children, by an increase of faith, charity, and other virtues, she would have them in a more than usual retirement to apply themselves to prayer, penance, and the consideration of divine truths, for the obtaining this grace. Q. Why does the Church begin her instruc- tions at this time, by representing to us tho second coming of our Saviour to judge the world ? A. That the consideration of his justice upon unrepenting sinners may move us to a speedy and true conversion of our hearts to him, and to lay hold of his mercy while time is offered to us. Sect. 2. — Emher-days in Advent. of Grod for the are ordained on Q. WHAT are we to ask ministers of his Church that Ember-Saturday ? ii. 1. mat he would iiii tiiem with tlie spirit of St. John Baptist, which the Church so frequently CHRISTMAS-DAY 45 proposes to the faithful during Advent. 2. Thfvt ho would prepare them, as he did that Saint, with nnocence, penance, and retirement, for entering upon their functions. 3. That he would give them that humility, zeal, and courage, which hereafter may be needful for the discharge of their duties. Q. What is to be done as to the fruits of the earth ? A. Wo are to return our humble thanks for what has been gathered the last autumn. 2. To beg his blessing upon the seed that is newly sown. Sect. 3. — Christmas^Day. — December 25. Tit. ii. 11,15. Tit. iii. 4, T. Heb. i. 1, 12. Luke, iL 1, 14. Luke, ii. 15, 20. John, i. 1, 14. Q. WHAT is the spirit of the Church on this solemnity ? A. She would have us, 1. To adore our new born Saviour. 2. To pay him our best acknow- ledgments. 3. To learn the lessons he has given us in the circumstances of his Nativity. Q. What were the chief circumstances which accompanied his Nativity ? , ^ A. 1. He was born upon the blessed Virgin s journey. 2. At midnight. 3. In Bethlehem. 4. In a stable. 5. In the severest season of the year. 6. He gave notice by his Angels of his birth to a company of poor shepherds, who came and adored him. Q. What does our Saviour teach us by these circumstances ? A. 1. To be humble and obedient. 2- To look upon ourselves as travellers upon earth. 3. To love poverty and retirement. 46 CHRISTMAS-DAY* 4. To contemn honours, pleasures, and riches^ and not to busy ourselves in the vain pursuit of worldly conveniences. 5. To value sufferings, and to overcome our natural inclinations to a life of ease and sensuality. 6. The whole gospel in abstract. Q. What is the sum or abstract of the gospel which our Saviour teaches us in his Nativity ? A. It is all reduced to these three points : t. That we are to love God. 2.. To hate sin. To fight against concupiscence. Q. Why are three masses said on this solemnity ? A. To honour the three Nativities of the Son of God. What mean you by that ? A. I mean, 1. That Jesus CAm^ is bom of his Father from all eternity. 2. Was born in time of the blessed Virgin Mari/. 3. Is every day born spiritually in the souls of the just, by grace. Which of these Nativities are we to honour at the first mass ? A. His temporal Nativity of the blessed Virgin. Q. How are we to assist at it ? A. In the spirit of the blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, with faith, joy, and admiration ; adoring the Word made flesh, as the light that shines in darkness, and that comes to enlighten the whole world ; imagining the altar to be the manger. Q. What Nativity are we to celebrate at the second mass ? A. Christ's spiritual Nativity in the souls of the just. Q. How are we to assist at it " A. We are, 1. To join with the angels in their canticles of joy. 2. With the shepherds in adoring CHRISTMAS-DAY, 47 our Infant God in the manger, as the Sun of Justice, that rises to direct our steps in the way of salvation. 3. To offer up our hearts, as a homage due to him. Q. What canticle did the angels smg ? A. That which the church so frequently repeats in the holy mass, and which on this occasion should be said with a more than ordinary joy and tenderness. Q. How has the scripture expressed it r A. In these words, Gloria in excehis, DeOyetin terra pax Jwminibus honce voluntatis ; that is, Glory he to God on Ughy and peace on earth to men of good IV ill. Q. Who made the rest of that canticle, as it is now said ? A. The holy Fathers of the Church. Q. What Nativity are we to celebrate at the third mass ? A. His divine Nativity, by which he is born of his heavenly Father, G od of God, light of light, from all eternity. Q. How are we to assist at it ? A. We are to join with the holy choirs of angels, who adore the Son of God in heaven, who thank him for his benefits bestowed on mankind, and who, as St. Paul assures us, paid their homage to him at the moment he was born into the world. Heb. i. 6. Q. Are all the faithful obliged to assist at these three masses ? A. No 5 but it would be very commendable so Q. What work of piety is most suitable to this Solemnity ? 1 48 THE CIRCUMCISION. A. There is nothing more conformaMe to the mystery of the day, than to clothe some poor child or indigent person, or at least to give an alms, in honour of him who clothed himself with our miseries, and became poor to enrich ns. Q. What are the abuses Christians ought chiefly to be cautioned against at this season ? A. Intemperance, and a variety of other disor- ders which are the natural consequence of it, ushered in under the pretence of joining with the Angels in the joyful celebration of our Saviour's Nativity. Q. But may not a more than ordinary relax- ation be allowed ? A. Yes, provided nothing be done that clashes with moderation, decency, innocence, and order- Sect. 4. — The Circumcision. — Jan. 1. Tit. ii. 11, 15. Luke, ii. 21. Q. WHAT was Circumcision ? A. A sacrament of the old law, which was given to male children the eighth day from their birth. Q. Why was it instituted ? A. To distinguish (as baptism now does) the people of God from the rest of mankind. Q. When was it instituted ? A. When God made a covenant with Abraham. Gen. xvii. 10. Q. What was intended hy it ? A. 1. To signify that man's nature was cor- rupted by original sin. 2. To be a remedy for that sin. Q. Was Christ then subject to the law of cir- cumcision t THE CIRCUMCISION. 49 A. Not at all ; for he was sanctity itself. Q. Why would he receive it ? A. Because, having taken tjpon himself the figure of sinful man, he was pleased to undergo the punishment due to our sins, and to expiate them with his blood. P%il. ii. 7. Q. What name was given him at his circumcision ? A. The name of Jesus. Q. For what reason ? A. The Angel had told the blessed Virgin and St. Joseph that he was to be called Jesus, because he came to save us from our sins. Matt. i. 21, Luke, i. 31. Q. For what other reason ? A. Because he that humbleth himself shall be exalted ; and therefore Christ having in a manner annihilated himself by becoming man, his Father bestowed upon him this glorious name, at which the apostle says, ever^ knee shall how. PML ii. 10. Q. What does this holy name of Jesus require at our hands ? A. It calls for our respect, love, and confidence. Q. What is to be done according to the spirit of the Church on this solemnity ? A. 1. We are to pray for grace to comply with all the laws of God. 2. To thank God for glorifying his Son with the name of Jesus. 3. To beg pardon for the little or no good use we have made of that saving name, and for the many times we have profaned it. .-.,1 4. Tn sav nnd mftdi tat.fi unon the Litanies of Jesus, for an increase of respect, love,[ and Oinfidence towards him. 50 NEW year's day. 5. To resolve on the spiritual circumcision of our hearts. Q. What mean you by a spiritual circumcision ? A. I mean, we are to follow the advice of St. Paul, in renouncing all impiety and worldly desire; to cut off all habitual sins with their occasions, and to live in a strict conformity to the rules of temperance, justice, and piety, in expectation of the happiness we hope for in the world to come. Deut. x. 16., xxx. 6. Jer. iv. 4. Rom. iii. 29. Col. ii. 1 1. Tit. ii. 12. New Yearns Day. Q. This being likewise the first day of the new year, what are to do upon that account ? A. We are to consecrate ourselves anew to God, our beginning and last end, by an act of love, and an obligation of all that we have and are. Q. Ought not this to have been done so soon as we attained the use of reason ? A. Yes. But because most persons are so un- fortunate, as to have been at that time wanting to this duty, it highly concerns us now at least to make amends for that neglect. Q. What are we to do besides ? A. We are 2dly, to reflect on our past years in the bitterness of our soul, and with sentiments of gratitude and repentance to make some holy reso- lutions of spending in a better manner the new year. ha. xxxviii. 15, 16. Q. By what means may we render our resolu- tions more effectual than hitherto they have been ? A. By having no dependence on ourselves, but placing our whole contidence in the mercy of Q^od, and the merits and promises of Jesus Chri^* J THE EPIPHANT. 51 humbly and fervently begging his divine grace, by saying the Veni Creator , or some such prayer ; not forgetting daily to renew our good purposes in our Morning Prayer. Sect. 5. — The EpiphanT/.-^Jan. 6. Isa. Ix. 1, T. Matt. ii. 1, 12, Q. WHAT is the meaning of the word Epiphany f - A. It is a Greek word, which signifies the same as appearance or manifestation. Q. Why is this feast so called ? A. Because on this day we celebrate three great mysteries, whereby Jesus Christ has manifested his glory to the world. Q. What three mysteries are they ? A. 1. The adoration paid to our Saviour by the three wise men. 2. His baptism. 3. The miracles he wrought at the marriage of Cana, by changing water into wine.— 3/a^^. ii. 1., iii. 13. Johny ii.l. Q. Who were the three wise men ? A. Persons of note among the Gentiles. Q. Why did Christ call them ? A. To show the time was come of bringing the Gentile world to the knowledge of the true God. Q. How did he oall them ? A. By the appearance of a new star, and the help of an extraordinary revelation, which gave them to understand that the King of Heaven and Earth was born. ■ Q. Whither came they to adore him ? ^, To Bethlehem where he was born. Q. How did they know he was born at Beth- lehem ? 52 THE EPIPHANY. A. They went first to Jerusalem, which was the chief city of Judaea, and the principal seat of the Jewish Church ; and there they were informed by the priests, that, according to the prophets, the Messias was to be born at Bethlehem. Q. Since God could have guided them directly to Bethlehem, why did he first lead them by a star to Jerusalem ? A. Because he will have his servants to know the truth and the ways of salvation, and to go to Jesus Christ by the ministry of his Church, ha, ii. 3. Muh. iv. 2. Acts, ix. 7; x. 5, 6. Q. Did the priests who informed the wise men, go along with them to Bethlehem ? A. They showed them the way to find Christ, without making any advantage of their knowledge for their own souls. Q. What does this teach us ? A. 1. That when the ministers of God do not practice what they preach, we are, nevertheless, in imitation of these wise men, to walk by the lights they give us, without heeding their example. 2. That a great many are backward in going to Christ, and in embracing his truths, biassed by the consideration of interest, reputation, dependence, and a variety of other private and human motives. Q. What did the wise men do upon finding Jesus Christ ? ^ A. They adored him, and made him an offering of gold, as to their King; of incense, as to their God ; of myrrh, as to a mortal. Q. What virtues, do these offerings represent to us as an acceptable sacrifice to our blessed Saviour ? A. Charity, prayer, and mortification. Q. In what spirit are we to celebrate this feats ? FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 58 m A. 1. We are to thank Gad for calling us, out of his pure mercy, to the faith of Christ. 2. To adore Jesus Christ with these wise men, and to offer him a sacrifice of our goods, by alms; of our hearts, by prayer ; and of our evil inclina- tions, by mortification. 3. To beg pardon for the many times we have neglected God's inspirations, and followed the suggestions of interest, passion, and self-love. 4. To resolve, in spite of all worldly arguments to the contrary, to follow courageously aud readily the lights of faith, the directions of our spiritual guides, and the inspirations of almighty God ; begging grace so to do. 6. To pray for all that as yet sit in the darkness of vice, error, or infidelity, Q. Are profane diversions suitable to the day ? A. They are the inventions of the devil, for the shutting out of our souls those graces which a due observance of the festival would procure us. Sect. 6. — First Sunday after Epiphany. THE HIDDEN LIFE OP JESUS CHRIST. Rom. Xii. 1, 5. Luke, ii. 42, 52. Q. CAN you give me a short account of the wonders that happened in the beginning of our Saviour's life ? A. The angels praised God at his birth ; the shepherds adored him in the manger ; the wise men brought presents to him : and when he was present- ' ed in temple, he was acknowledged and glori- fied bv holv Simeon, and bv Anna the prophetess. Q. What happened afterwards ? A. Then began his persecutions; and his parents 54 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. were forced to carry bim into Egypt, to avoid the malice of Herod, who designed to murder him. Q. Why was this Divine Infant to be persecuted from his cradle ? A. Because his portion on earth was no other than the cross. Q. How came they to the knowledge of Herod's wicked design ? A. An angel in a dream discovered it to St. Joseph^ and ordered him to fly into Egypt out of Herod's territories. 3fatt. iii 13. Q. Why did the Infant Jesus draw these afflic- tions upoa his parents ? A. Because he gives a share of his cross to those he loves. Q. When did he return from Egypt ? A. After Herod was dead, St. Joseph had ins- tructions from the angel to bring him into the land of Israel. Matt. ii. 19. Q. Did he remain in Judaea ? A. He did not, for fear of Archelaus, the son of Herod, who inherited his father's evil intentions. Q. So that the Divine Child had always enemies? A. Yes, great enemies; no less than kings. Where did he live after his return ? A. At Nuzareth, a little village of Gallilee, with his parents. Q. And after these first days did nothing hap- pen that might convince the Jews of their Messias being come? A. Nothing at all, till he was twelve years old. Q. And what happened then ? A. Jesus being gone to Jerusalem in company of the blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, he secretly FIRST SUNDAY AFTFR EPIPHANY 55 withdrew from them, and after three days was found by them in the temple. LvJcCj ii. 42, &c. Q. What did he there ? A. He was sitting amidst the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions, and they were astonished at his wisdom and answers. Q. What do you remark here ? A. That Jesus has given on this occasion a lesson to children, how they ought to put their diflficulties, and to answer their instructors. Q. Why then was Jesus seated in the midst of the doctors ? A. Because he was in effect their master, though he did not as yet exert all the authority of his function. Q. Why did he make his wisdom apparent at the age of twelve ? A. To show that his hidden life from that day forward was his own choice. Q. Till what age did he continue in his retirement ? A. Till about the age of 30, when he was pleased to be baptized by his precursor, St. John. Luke^ iii. 23. Q. What account have we of him as to all that time? . A. Only this : 1. That as he increased in age, he gave more remarkable instances of his wisdom. 2. That he was obedieut to his mother, and St. Joseph, his supposed father. 3. That he worked under St. Joseph, and passed in the opinion of his neighbous for a tradesman. Luke^ ii. 51, 52. Johuy vi. 42. Q. At what trade did he work ? A. At the carpenter's, as we are informed by tradition. l\ 66 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER FPIPHANY. Q. Was this a calling becoming God incarnate ? n wt^' ^<'**^'i"«e it was for man's instruction 1.. J J ^y.^atJnstruction has he given us by this his nidden life ? ^ ^ ^- ^:„^^»* 'w^e should not show ourselves to the world, till God orders us so to do. 2. That we ^^® *^ A J ^ ^^^^ ^^ secrecy, labour, and poverty. Q. And what further instructions has he dven to children ? ° A. That their virtue and perfection chiefly con- sists m obedience to parents and superiors. 2. That they ought to be at church and school, hearing their teachers, putting their doubts and difficul- ties to them, and answering to their questions. Q. And when may this be practised ? A. At catechism, where they are to hear and answer. Q. May they also ask questions ? A. Yes, in order to learn what they do not Q. And what advantage will they reap thereby ? ^ A. After the example of little Jesus, they will increase m wisdom, as they grow in age. . j3- ^^^ ^^^ Jesus's wisdom perfect from his infancy ? A. Most certainly it was; but he gave dailv more and more evidence of it, to teach children How they ought constantly to advance. Q. How did the hlessed Virgin live ? A. A life no less retired than Jesus Christ. VJ. How did she employ her thoughts ? A. In meditating upon what Je us did, and upon all that was said of him. -; y what then consisted the sanctity of Jesus's SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 67 A In frequenting the temple at times appointed by the law; in obeying God without reserve; in doing their work, and in retirement. Q. And what does this teach us ? A. That true sanctity does not consist in great and glorious actions, but in sanctifying ourselves in our profession, with humility, and a perfect disengagement from this world. Q. But why have the Evangelists given us so short an account of Jesus and his holy family ? A. They have said enough, for our instruction ;' and have said no more, to teach us not to be too curious. Q. What use must we make of all they have written or passed by in silence ? A We are to make our profit of what we know by their means ; and humble ourselves as to what IS not written, or not understood. Sect, l.-— Second Sunday after Epiphany. THE BAPTISM OP JESUS CHRIST, AND HIS CHANGING WATER INTO WINE. Bom. xii. 6. 16. John, ii. 1, ii. Q. YOU told me the Church celebrated on the Jl.piphany two other mysteries besides that of the adoration of the Wise Men, wherein Christ mani- tested his glory : which are they ? n' w^^ ^^ *^^"^ ^® ^"^ Saviour's baptism. . y. When and by whom was he baptized ^ P. ;• ^^""t •^?.. ^^^ ^^ ^^' ^y St. John the Baptist^ Matt, iii. 13. Q. What was signified by that baptism ? A. PenancQ and remission of sins. il 68 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. Q. Had Chrisfc then any need of it ? A. No, for he was sanctity itself. He was pleased yet to receive it, that he might bear the likeness of sin, which he came to expiate ; and likewise to consecrate the water for the use of his more holy and effectual baptism. Q. What happened most remarkable at our Saviour's baptism ? A. 1 . The Holy Ghost descended upon Jesus Christ in the form of a dove, as a testimony of his meekness. Matt. iii. 16. 2. A voice was heard from heaven, saying: Thin is my beloved Soriy in whom lam well pleased. Matt. iii. 17. Q. What did these wonders signify ? A. The union and manifestation of the three Divine Persons in baptism. Q. In what manner ? A. The Father manifested himself in the voice ; the Son in his own person ; the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove. Q. What is the other mystery that is com- memorated on the Epiphany ? A. The changing of water into wine at the marriage of Cana, which is likewise read in the gospel on this Sunday. Johrtj ii. &c. Q. What was signified by this change ? A. The approaching change of the law of Moses into that of Christ. Q. What is meant by the wine ? A. The spiritual joy and holy fervour with which the children of God are animated, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Q. How was Christ maiiifested by this miracle ? A. His discinles. udoq seeine this first miracle. OANDLBMAS-DAT. 59 our believed in him, as St. John assures us. John, ii. 11. ' Q. How arc we to honour these mysteries ? A. By reflecting on our baptism, and renewing the promises we then made. Q How is this to bo done ? A. By protesting that we will with our whole hearts believe in Jesus Christ ; and by renounc- ing all the pomps and works of the devil. Q. What is signified by the works and pomps of the devil? ^ ^ A. All vanities, and all the corruptions and false maxims of the world. Sect. 8. — Candlemas-Da^. — Feb. 2. Mai. iii. 1, 4. Luke, ii. 2, 32. Q. WHAT feast is kept on the second of February ? A. The feast of Christ's Presentation in the Temple, and of the blessed Virgin's Purification. Q. Who was it that presented or offered Jesus Christ in the temple ? A. The blessed Virgin his Mother. Q. When was this Presentation made ? A. On the 40th day from his Nativity, in com- pliance with the law of Moses, which ordered that the eldest son of each family of the Israelites should be carried on the 40th day to the temple, and there be consecrated to God ; and then a ransom paid for him to the priest. Lev.xii.^. Numb, xviii. 16. Q. Why did God make this law r '*A. To put the Jews in mind, that when their forefathers were delivered bv him out of EffVT>t. ' f. \ : 1 B fl ya 60 CANDLEMAS-DAY. 1; ) i he killed the first-born of the Egyptians, and saved theirs. Exod. xiii. 2. Q. What did Jesus on this occasion ? A. He offered himself to his eternal Father, as the only victim capable to appease his anger, and reconcile him to mankind. Heh. x. 6, 6. Q. Did any thing remarkable happen at the temple ? A. Yes, Jesus was acknowledged for the Messias by Simeon, a venerable old man, and by Anna, a widow and a prophetess. Luke, ii. 25, 36. Q. What did Simeon ? A. He took Jesus in his arms, and in a rapture of joy uttered that divine canticle, (BenecUctus,) which the Church daily makes use of for part of her niglit prayers. _. Q. What was this canticles ? A. It was this : Now let thy servant^ Lord ! according to thy promise, die in peace : for my eyes have seen the Saviour of the world, whom thou hast sent to be the light of nations, and the glory of Israel thy people. Q. Why is this canticle inserted in the Complin ? A. To put us in mind, that in order to prepare for death, we must contemn this world, and sigh after the possession of Jesus Christ. Q. And what did Anna the prophetess ? A. She spoke of Jesus Christ to all that expected the redemption of Israel. Luke, ii. 38. Q. What mean you by the Purification of the blessed Virgin ? A. The purification was a ceremony appointed bxT iVio low n-f Mnaoa tirViinVi all ■nrniTlfiTI WPrfi tO comply with, on the 40th or 80th day from their delivery. Lev. xii. CANDLEMAS-DAY. 61 and Q. What was the meaning of this purification ? A. It was to acknowledge, by an expiatory sacri- fice, the unhappy impurity of our birth since the sin of Adam. Q. Did these laws oblige Jesus and Mary ? A. Not in the least. For Jesus was the Son of God ; and the Virgin Mary conceived of the Holy Ghost, and was delivered of her only begot- ten, without prejudice to her virginal integrity. Q. Why then did they submit to them ? A. Because as our Saviour's miraculous concep- tion and birth were secrets, not as yet ripe for dis- covery, both the Mother and the Son were, in the eye of the world, within the letter of the law. Q. What may we learn from this instance ? A. Humility, a punctual obedience to the com- mands of God and his Church, and particularly to beware of sins of scandal. Q. What sacrifice were women to offer at their purification? A. The rich offered a lamb, and the poor a pair of turtles or pigeons. Lev. xii. 6, 8. Q. Why does the gospel mention only the turtles or pigeons ? A. Because Mary and Joseph, being poor, made their offering, as other poor people used to do. Q. What does this teach us ? A. To love poverty, which makes us resamble the family of Jesus Christ. Q. How would the Church have us to sanctify this feast ? A. By contemplating, praying for, and resolv- y to ITnifilffi flip virfiioa o^ -Tocna IVfovir !~" and Anna. Q. How are we to imitate Jesus Christ ? s; «%-* r\^\^rk. 62 CANDLEMAS-DAY, m I'm liiiJ A. We are to offer ourselves with him (espetei- ally at the holy mass) to his heavenly Father, to do his will, as obedient children, on all occasions. Q. What do we learn of the blessed Virgin? A. 1. Humility, and not to value the opinion of men. 2. Obedience 3. That we are to purify ourselves from all iniquity, and even from the least stain of sin, by the spirit of penance. Q. What do we learn of Old Simeon ? A. Earnestly to aspire after Jesus Christ; to follow him as our only light ; and to undervalue all the world beside. Q. And what from the prophetess Anna ? A. To love to converse with God in the church, as she did in the temple; and to make Jesus Christ the subject of our thoughts and words. Q. And what besides ? A. To believe and rejoice ; to thank, admire, and praise almighty God and his Son Jesus Christ, as Anna and Simeon did. Q. What is further to be recommended to parents who have children under their charge ? A. That they offer up their children to God, in union with the offering Christ made of himself, by the intercession of the blessed Virgin ; and teach such of them as are capable, to make an offering of themselves. Q. But why is this feast called Candlemas-day ? A. It is so called from the blessing aud distri- buting candles, which ceremony was in use above twelve hundred years ago. Q Why are candles distributed to the faithful nn f.Viia Aaxr ? A. To express tiie share they have in Simeon^s holy joy, and that they believe Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. • I £ se ai k( is sp thi SEPTUAOESIMA SUNDAT. 63 Q. For what reasons does the Church blea, candles and other inanimate things ? A. 1. Because it is decent and fittine. that whatever things are set apart for the serf ce of God should be offered, and in a particular manner consecrated to him. mduner snph I;f God may give a particular blessing to such things as are thus consecrated to him, that those who use them with faith in his name and power, may find his assistance against temporal and spiritual evils, and against the sliares of tC deyU Sect. ^-—Septuagesima. Sunday, and. the inter- vening Bays till Lent. A SlP^n'^-! *^* ^^"""^ "*" Shrove-Sunday ? fiftth^r/frl' ESrr'""^~' "^-^^ •* "^^ Q. How is the foregoing Sunday called ? A. It IS called Sexagesima- Q. And the Sunday before that ? A. Septuagesima. Q. ^^^t^mh Septuagesima^Sundayf and m order to prepare the faithful for the duly Keeping of Lent, and solemnizing of Easter, which IS the most solemn of all her feaf ts. ' spirit of the world as to the spending of these days ? A. As different as light from darkness. ,,^„,. ^„^y^ „„„ _^g ^ ^^^^ of the world on this occasion upon those that are led by it ? A, Because Lent is approaching, which will put u SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. a restraint upon the methods of a sensual and carnal life, the men of the world endeavour to be beforehand with it, by abandoning themselves to all manner of diversions and excesses. Q. What does the spirit of God and his church require of us ? A. To spend those days in sobriety, prayer, and penance, and in discovering and subduing mr vicious habits, that in Lent, we may more seriously and sincerely do penance for them. Q. How are you sure that this is the spirit of the Church ? . • i. A. It is evident from the instructions which (during this time) she proposes to her children, and from the prayers she offers for them j as like- wise from her clothing her altars and priests in purple, which is her mourning, and laying aside all her canticles of joy. , ,; i- Q. What then is her opinion of worldly diver- sions at this time ? A. She looks upon them as so many cups of poison presented to her children by the eiiomy of their salvation, in order to prevent those spiritual advantages, which she intends they should receive by their devotions and mortifications during Lent. . i / vi Q. What effect ought the consideration of the horrible abuses committed at this time, ^o have upon the hearts of pious Christians ? A. 1, It ought to carry them to the feet of Jesus, that there they may lament the condition of their sinful brethren, and implore the mercy of God upon them ; and by humble prayer and adoration, make some reparation and atonement for the many affronts he receives^ from them. LENT. 65 flif;/*i'^''"i^"'T *^^^ *^ «se all the means Sect. 10.— Ze»<. Q. WHEN was the fast of Lent instituted ! •n 7n . ° u^ * ["'* of apostolical tradition, which riihrctcSoor"^^ "'---^ ^-^-S Q. Why was it instituted ? in The ieS.''°"°"'" '"'* '"•*''* *"" «''^'°'"-'« f»^t bv^'J*"" *•" *''"'^"' '"'«'»* P^^Pa^s themselves SebS'^thTT'.f"'^ festingf for the dify davs SirnflTf*^ *^^°^ ^^ ^ ^'^'^ °f forty thT„,,r A^l rJ""' l'^^'' ^ '"^ acknowledgment that our whole life ought to be so spent. alo?gSlt?*^ """^^^'''^^ does i;.„, bring A. It obliges us to a spiritual fast. «. In what consists this spiritual fast ? A. 1. In abstaining from sin and its immediate occasions, an obligation from which the ChS never dispenses any one; and such occasions Ire gammg balls, comedies, &c., in regard to a ereat part of mankind. 2. In subduing our vido„1 habits and inclinations. 8. In retrenching and teking off somewhat ftom our sleep, conversation recreations, and in short from every^' thkgX "?« Q. This I understand to be the neffalive nart of our dutv ; now what is the affirmative ? v lif 66 ASH-WEDNESDAY. A. 1. To expiate and blot out our sins by tears, proceeding from a love of God ; and by worthy fruits of penance, prepare in time for a good confession. 2. To give alms. 3. To apply ourselves to prayer. 4. To nourish our souls by reading, hearing, and meditating on the word of God. 5. To make a spiritual harvest ; that is to say, such a provision of virtues and graces, as may last us the whole year. Q, What is chieiiy to be recommended lor the subject of spiritual reading and meditation ? A. The epistles and gospels, which the Church changes every day for our instruction. And 2dly. such subjects as may best help us to the subduing of our predominant imperfections, and the attain- ing of the virtues we most need. Q. What prayers are most proper for the time ? A. The prayers and hymns of the Church, with the seven penitential psalms and litanies of the saints. 1 Sect, 11. — Ash- Wednesday, Joel, ii, X2, XO, Matt. vi. 16, 21, Q. WHY is the first day of Lent called Ash. Wednesday ? A. From the ceremot\y of putting aehee ^pou the heads of the faithful, Q. Whence had this qeremony itg origin ? ASH-WEDNfiSDAY. 67 s^^""?^ ^^^ V^^^^^(iG *'* disrespect io parents ANNUAL CONFESSION. \h 1! ,1 Ml! Q. But what if children have been so ill edu- cated, as to be capable of sinning mortally, and be not yet disposed nor prepared to go to confession ? A. Parents, pastors, and superiors must take *care to instruct and prepare them as soon as they possibly can. Q. What sin is it wilfully to transgress this command of the Church ? A. A mortal sin : for, if he will not hear the Churchy let him he to thee as a heathen or a publican^ says our Saviour. Matt, xviii. 17. Q. What persons sin against this precept ? A. They that pass twelve whole months with- out making one valid and good confession. Q. But in case I have already been one whole twelvemonth without making a good confession, and therefore committed a mortal sin by my dis- obedience to the Church, may I not still defer it some months without incurring the guilt of a new sin ? -^"' ;i^'r ?;■:;:;*.!;. 'i ./ .{ A. No. Such a person will be under strict obligation of confessing with all sp^ed. Q. Should wc not confess more than once a year ? A. Most certainly we should. Q. Why so? A. Because it is clear from experience, that such as do not confess oftener, live not as Christ- ians ought to do; and therefore the Church exhorts us to frequent confession ? Q. What rule may be given as to the frequency of confession ? A. There can be no general rule that will suit all persons^ save only this ; that each one is in this matter to follow the advice of a good confessor. m pwa PASCHAL OOMMUNIOK. 77 Q. May we not sometimes be obliged to cm tn witteh "°«*''^''-»ding we havf c Xd A Yo, W^ • P^P* ?f«»''»al confession ? A. Yes Per m all probable dansers of deatl, of iotYll^l^ K^ '*'f '" ^« i" P'ol>aWe danger ot death, and therefore obliged to confess ? ^ *„ ^' J • """^ *''*' "'y reason of sickness seem to be drawing towards their end. *"" orbatSf""*''''^''^^'"'»''«-S»g« - a «ege 3. Such as are going upon a dangerous vovaee aelivered of their first child ; as also ofterwardf ^° be In tn*Sf <-^' '^ ">«^ ^^^ found tfrel've: ' 1 ii m y Sect. 18.— PosoAa? Communion. recliviloffK'^r,*^" Church command as to the receiving of the holy communion ? Easter thI'tT '* °°'"' '^ ^^'''' ""'^ '^at at aaster that is to say, on some one of the fifteen days between Palm-Sunday and Low-Sunday munic^t^7 '^' ■""■' "''•"'■'" "'''■■S^'J 'o com- «nffi;;™f ^'°°" .^' *^ P^"'"'''' J^'Jge them to have sufficient discretion, and that they are so well instructed as to be capable of profiting by it saeSleSrsrmSL*'/^ ^ "^ ^-*- ^'^ ^ the^Jfor„T?.t .?\*''^r'-y' one ineurs of CW and the i;V;f'thi Ch^L^ '"^'^ *'^ '^'^ 78 PASCHAL COMMUNION. Elji ■'i' i ill f^j Q. What if a person foresees, that in all proba- bility, by reason of some necessary voyage or journey, he shall not have the opportunity of communicating within the fifteen days ? A. In ^ such a case he is obliged to communicate before his journey or voyage, in order to satisfy his Easter duty. Q. What if one has neither communicated at Easter, nor before it^ to satisfy his paschal duty ? A. He must communicate as soon as he can afterwards. Q. Are all that desire to communicate, imme- diately to be admitted ? A. No. The Church orders confessors to defer the paschal communion of such as are not, in their judgment, sufficiently disposed. Q. What ought the penitent to do whose com- munion is deferred ? A. He ought to dispose himself for it, by ap entire conversion of his heart to God, and by doing worthy fruits of penance. Q. Why has not the Church determined these fifteen days for the annual confession, as well as for annual communion ? A. Because she knows that a gre?.t many Christ- ians stand in need of a longer preparation for their Easter communion ; and for that reason she desires they would confess at the beginning of Lent, or sooner, in order to fit themselves for the discharging of their Easter duty. Q. What punishment does the Church threaten, or prononc^, against those that are wantine to this duty ? ^ A. To eXCludft tllPm frnm flin lir^na/^ rv^ *^«..,,««. ^i a J Ci PALM SUNDAY, 79 colSltoSlTAT'"' ^''^-^^'^^^ -*•' A. No : to correspond with the Church's snirit and des,re, Christians ought to live in o pitsa manner, as to be qualified for a frequent uL^of "his sacrament of love 6'o«c. Tnd. Sel. xiii. 6% vii y. Is It advisable to communicate more than once within the torm of the fifteen; days ? A. As for such persons as make their splvation I ll'f "'fv''"''"'^' °^ '^'^ ^^^' they wouW do well to celebrate a part by different communL. A lo sanctify the anniversary day of that great action by a more than ordinary^ devot on ^i ^T «°'"?'""''=''*'°8' '^ they canf renewD with all the vigour of their soul,, the r firstfer"- vour ; repairing all past defects, and pouring forth their souls m acts of gratitude. ^ Sect. 19.— Palm Sunday. Ex. jTv. 27.-XV. 6 Phil. ii. 5, 11. Matt. xxi. 1, 10. Matt, xsvi.— xviii. A. From the cor^paony of blessino- nalm branches, and distrib-odng them to the lithS who carry them in their hfnds during the pS sion which IS made in Catholic countries. ^ IJ. Whof Id t-r^*- l_.l i_ ,T . 80 PALM SUNDAY. ilii ^iiii T ^' ni!"' ^?^®^^^*e the triumphant entry of JssTon ' '''*'' Jerusalem, six days before his Q. What were the circumstances of his triumph ^ A. He was please to make his entry upon an l^ss; the common people and children went ta wfflr ""L """"i 'i^'?"^'^ *^^ ^^y he was to pass with boughs and their own garments, and carrying branches in their hands, accompanied him with joyful acclamations. Q^ W^^* was the meaning of this triumph of our feaviour so short a time before his death ? A. To intimate that by his death he would triumph over the devil, the world, and the flesk and open heaven to us. ^ Q. Why would be make his entry upon an ass ? A. 1. 10 show how much he contemned all human greatness, and to teach us to do the same. ^. 10 mm an eminent prophecy, which had «ome ages before pointed out the Me^silsby such an approach to Jerusalem. Zach. ix. 9. Mai A. None at all that we read of. Q. What do you learn from this their neglect ? A. Ihat learning does not usually dispose men to an obedience of faith ; nor riches, to a love of poyerty; nor honours, to humility; and that by consequence they are not to be coveted by the true djsciples of Jesus Christ. J "le uue Q. What does the people's covering the way with branchesand with their garment, intimate to^uT? .iJ^: t V V^^^y conveniencies and preten- B«m3 are to be thrown away and trampled upon. .^":: OPPIOE OP TENEBR^. gj senVlt' ^"^P'' """''■"^^ '"»« '" 'J'^*^ pious ento ^,°;KJ>^^°"^^n'*^J Wlauded Christ at his JZl f f "" "^ ^°^ ''"d the world's Messia! Zl^^- ^T i"y\*^"y *»"'«d against him Tost' Qi What does this teach ns !> appl^e/'"" "'' ""^ ""^ *° '*«P«°'» "P0» worldly tnffkLT-T" *''** '^'•^''''•e «levotion or zeal for 3. tat we are constantly to imnlorp r^>o thoui r K?''- *'""/" '"'■"*« ^iti these performed .'w^ ^f '" ^'"'^ '^^^k, which is Ke^tL^!^?!?;''^^!.. Thursday and Friday i ■I \ 82 OFFICE OF TENEBRiE. i '1 .1 A. Because in ancient times it was perforned at midnight ; and, the Latin word Tenehrce signSes darkness or dark night. Q. What mean the fifteen candles that are set upon a triangular candlestick ? j A. The highest of them represents Jesus Cbist, who says of himself, lam the light of the woid ; (John, viii. 12.) and the rest represent his f)os- tles and disciples, to whom he was pleased to om- municate his own prerogative of being the ligf. of the world. Matt. v. 14. j Q. Why are these candles successively ttin- guished during the office ? ,,: /^ A. To represent how the apostles fled anf dis- appeared at the time of our Saviour's passion Q. For what reason at the end of the oice is the lamp put out, and the white candle vhich represents our Saviour, hid under the altar I A. To express oUr Saviour's death and j-ssion. Q. Why are these candies placed upon \ trian- gular candlestick ? A. A triangular figure is commonly rede use of to represent the most blessed Trini^; and therefore the setting of the candles upousuch a candlestick, is to give us to understand, ^at the light of truth, which shined to the world 'om the life and doctrine of Christ and his discles, was derived from the same blessed Trinity and was intended to proclaim Grod's glory. Q. What means the noise made, fter some silence, at the end of the ofiice ? / A. The silence signifies the ho^r of our Saviour's death ; and the noise, the s/tting of the rocks, and the confusion the world w* in at that time. .i ; v^ , MAUNDY THURSDAY. 83 ■ 1 1 Sect. 21.— Mautulj,- Thursday. 1 Cor. xi. 20, 32. John, xiii. ], 15. Q.; WAY is the last Thursday in Lent called « \ ^' t ^ "^"^"^ ^"^"^ ^^°^ words of our bavi(|ir, MandMum novum, do vobis.&c. ; loivevoti a nm^mand (or mandate,) that^^on love one ano- ther, js I have loved ^m, (John, xiii. 84.) which to S^l,'""^ '" ^^^ t^^^i'^^' when the prelates begmthe ceremony of washing the people's feet m. motion of Christ's washing the fpostle's fee befor^e instituted the blessed Sacrament. Q. mat did he after that sacred institution ? ^i\hrlTtt '^'''* ^^""^"^ '^^«^> se* down by St John^hich he intented for all Ghristians, as o ^n h?f ^'- -^^^^^ ^"i- ^i^- ^^- «nd Wi. y. :^oidid he conclude his sermon ? Af nf Pf^/f "^ ^^^ ^^«^«^^^' for his apostles, and for allhe faithful. Jb;^/^, xvii ' then dt f"^'"^ ^'^•^^'^ ^'"^^ ^""^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ A He Tint with his apostles into the garden of Gethsemai, near Mount Olivet; where Iw Pecor, Jamesand John apart, and exhorting then! all to arm th^selves with watchfulness and prayer trom the thremfeU to prayer. Q. What ha^ned during his prayer ? 1 i?^'^g ^rged himself with our sins, he was ^ _.. _ "^v vuu Miiiiuiiaiiou auii punishment ^1 \ 84 MAUNDY THURSDAY. ■i- i -i i {= TJ due to them ; and therefore he suffered bo d.eD ». tell into a bloody agony. whHe F^'"' *" ''^'"*'*'' '"***'' """* P"y **»« ""«'"' A. No. They fell asleep. Q. What did Chriat when he ended his pnyer f> A. He went to meet Judas and the Jew ; he suffered Judas to betray him with a kia; the Jews to seize and bind him, and to drag bin as a crimma to the House of Caiphas the hilpriest Q. Did the apostlea follow him ? ""W"*"'- Pe^; r^^ A <> *Si % 1.0 I.I 11.25 »- IIIM IIIM |iU 11111= ■^ IM 12.2 1^ ^ i^ ! ■- IIIM ^ u NJUi^ 1 '-^ \A 1.6 I 7] ^ ^l 7 ■^ #^ ^M J!> #/ 1/ "^i Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ? • .-.:^^,..; f" ; v; A. Because on that >d, who clothed him in derision in a white garment ^nd so sent him back to Pilate. iiitii / ' ' Q. How was Jesus treated at h^ return^ ? A. He w^8 postponed to Basibbas^ a thief and a murderer^, and ordered to be sfOuJrged, which was most unmercifully executed. / Q. Did not the soldiers do jaore than they were ordered to do? A. Yes. After they had whipped him in a barbarous manner, they threw over his torn and bloodjr body a purple cloftk, pressed upon his sacred GOOD FRIDAY, sr head a crown of thorns, put a reed in his hand for a sceptte, and then striking him on hia head and face, they in scorn bent the knee before him, say mg. Sail y King of the Jews. Q. What followed after this barbarity ? A. Pilate y in order to appease the Jews, shewed them Jesus in this condition, saying. Behold the man. But for fear of incensing them, (they having told him he was no friend to Caesar if he absolved Jesus,) he delivered him to be crucified; and immediately Jesus Tlras loaded with a heavy cross, and led, in company with two thieves, to Calvary. Q. At what time of the day was Christ crucified ? A. About noon; when began a miraculous eclipse of the sun, which lasted for three hours. Q. What did the Jews who were spectators of this tragedy? A. They reviled and scoffed at Jesus. ; Q. What did Jesus upon the cross ? A. 1. H^ prayed for his enemies, saying, Father J forgive theniffor they know not what they cfo, 2. He said to the good thief, This day thou shalt he with me in paradise. ; 3. To the blessed Virgin, in favour of St. John, Behold thy son; and then to St. John, Behold thy mother. 4. To his Father, My God, my God^ why hast them forsaken me f - 6. He expressed th^ thirst he suffered. 6. He said to his Father, Father, into thy hands il commend my spirit. 7. He said, It is consummated, ox, finished; and then expired. i Q. What wonders happened at his death, before the darkness above-mentiomdi i . vv' ' 88 GOOD FRIDAY. A, The veil of the temple was rent; the earth trembled; rocks were split; graves opened: and several that were dead, rose and appeared. Q. What was the veil of the temple ? A. A sort of curtain, which separated the sanctuary from the rest of the temple. Q. What was signified by the rending of thtf veil ? }A ^' "^^^^ *^^ sacraments and figures of the old law, understood by so very few that lived under it, were now unveiled, and fulfilled by the death of Christ. .S'. Leo, Serm. 8. de Pass. 2. That heaven, the true sanctuary, where the majesty of God resides, was opened to us by the death of Jesus Christ. > ' A Su ^^? ^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ™^y wondeni at the death of his Son ? i ?i> v/ff^ A. As a testimony against the Jews, and against us too, if we do not profit by his death. Q. What did those do that profited by his death ? A. They returned striking their breasts, and saymg. This man was truly the Son of God. Q. What was done to our Saviour after he had expired? . vv.vi . A. A soldier pierced his side vith a lance ; and immediately from the wound came water and blood. Q. What was signified by this water and blood ? A. The sacrament of bapiism, in which the thurch is washed in water ty the blood of her oaviour. Q. How Was Jesus burie^i ? A. In the evening Joseph of Arimathea, a nobleman, and Nicodemu*, a Pharisee that feared ixod, having taJ^en the swjred body down from the cross wrapt it in fine iinen, and with perfutoes lam it m a new sepulcire, which was cut in a rock. e earth d; and M the • of the t lived by the Jre the by the at the igainst ieath ? 8, and r le had ; and blood. )lood ? h the >f her lea, a feared Q the 'uJnes rock. GOOD FRIDAY. ^v Q. How are we to spend this day ? t . a)i A. Besides what has been said above, to render ourselves agreeable to Christ crucified, we ought to be glad of any opportunity of suffering some- what for his sake ; of pardoning an injury ; of remitting some debt to such as are indigent ; of giving alms : of visiting the poor, the sick, or imprisoned ; or of comforting the afflicted. Q. Why has the Church instituted the cere- mony of venerating the cross? ^h ^ili'.' A. To express how, with St. Paul, she glories in the cross of Christ. Gal vi. 14:. Q. What would she have us do during this ceremony ? : ^ A. She would have us, in prostrating and kneeling before the cross, to adore Jesus Christ, who died upon it for our sakes. 'i«>?- itui Q. Are we not to adore the cross itself ? J^J A. If by adoring, be meant that supreme wor- ship which is due to God alone, neither the cross nor any creature whatever is to be adored. Q. Why then, in the office of the day, is it said, Crucem tuam adorathus, Dmnine ; We adore thy crosSf O Lord. A. The Latin word AdoroySLS likewise the Greek and Hebrew words which answer it, are of a larger acceptation than the word adoration seems, by common usage, to be in English. Q. How do you prove it ? A. From Scripture, where those words often import no more than prostration^ or an outward reverence that may be exhibited to creatures ; as it is said of Ahr&hdLmy Adoravit Jilios Meth ; He adoredf that is, he fell prostrate before, the sons of Heth, It is not therefore by the bare words we f. BA8TEE-EVE. I are to judge of the Church's faith, but by the sense in which she takes them. Sect* 23. — Easter-Eve. Col. iii; 1, 4. Matt, xxviii* 1, 7. Q. WHAT is the spirit of the Church as to this day? A. She continues her jnourning, and contem- plates Jesus dead and lying in his sepulchre, till iVbwc is said. imi' Q. How does she then apply herself? rmm'yv.- A. She then begins to celebrate the joyful festival of Easter with an oifice, which was heretofore performed the night following. Q. Why on this day is the fire blessed ? A. It was the custom of the primitive Church to bless it as often as it was used for the lighting of the candles ; it being her general practice to bless what she makes use of in her public service. Q. Why is the custom retained for this day in particular ? A. To represent Jesus Christ, the light of the world, extinguished by his death, and shining again by his resurrection. Q. What means the paschal candle ? A. It represents Christ risen from the dead. Q. Why are five grains of incense put into five holes of the candle ? - ? <^^^ ; A. The five holes represent our Saviour's five wounds; and the incense, the piety of Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, &c. who embalmed his body. . . 1 EASTER-EVfe. 91 it by the rch as to contem- Ichre, till hie joyful hiich was I Church ; lighting ractice to c service, lis day in t of the 1 shining dead, into, five our's five loseph of dmed his ' Q. What is the sub^ttiiKJe 6f the prayer that is said for the blessing of the candle ? A. The Church by her minister first publishes the inestimable benefit of our redemption in the mysteries of Christ' s death and resurrection ; then she exhorts the faithful to celebrate the same with due devotion ; and afterwards having presented to God and lighted the candle, she prays for all her children, and begs grace for them to spend their Easter well. Q. "Why is water for baptism blessed to-day and on Whitsun-Bve? A. Because these two days were formerly set apart for the solemn administration of that sacra- ment. ::".•■ -^ . 4;^ Q. Why are so many prophecies or lessons read before the blessing of the baptismal font? ^'^ A. They are a ^summary of religion, And were read for the instruction of such as were to be baptized. ' a^ «; *u v ,uv*iii; -^ii-i Q. Why is Alleluia so freqtfently r^piBated in the Mass"? K. Alleluid signifies, Praue ye the Lord ; and the Church re-assumes it to-day, to express her joy for the resurrection of Jesus-Christ. Q^ What are the faithful to do at the blessing of the paschal candle ? A. To adore Christ risen from the dead, and to join in prayer with the Church for all her children. ^ ' Q. What during the prophecies ? A. To read or attend to them, if one under- stands the Church's language ; or at least to make acts of faith concerning this and the other myste- ries, which effectually do all depend upon this. 92 EA8TER-DAT. Q. And what the blessing of the font or baptis- mal water ? A. 1. To give Grod thanks for having made us members of his Church by baptism. 2. To renew the promises we then made^ of re- nouncing the devil and all his pomps and works. Sect- 24.— i/as^er-Da^. 1 Cor. V. 7, 8. Mark, xvi. 1, 7. Q. WHY is the feast of Easter called the Christian Passover ? A. For the relation it has to the Jewish. Q. What was the Jewish passover? A. A feast in memory, 1. Of the passage of the angel that destroyed the first-bom of the Egyp- tians, and saved those of the Israelites. 2. Of their passage out of Egypt, and their delivrance from the slavery of Pharaoh. Q. Wherein consists the relation between our passover and that of the Jews ? A. In this : that Jesus Christ at his resurrec- tion passed from death to life, by re-uniting his glorious body to his soul ; and by this passage triumphed over the" powers of hell, rescued us from their tyranny and from eternal death, and opened a passage for us to life eternal. Q. Why is this feast kept with so much solemnity? A. Because Christ by his resurrection com- pleted the work of our redemption. Q. What is required for the due celebration of it? A. 1. That with sentiments of joy and gratitude p baptis- made us e, of re- Forks. SAST£B-I>ATi 93 if ' led the e of the 3 Egyp- 2. Of ilivrance reen our 'esurrec- ting his passage cued us ith, and ) much m com- ation of ratitude we adore Jesus Christ m his immortal state, Fsalm, viii. 64, 65, 2. That we rise with him. Col. iii. 1. Q. What is it to rise with Christ ? A. It is to enter, as he did, upon a new life; so as never to die. more, by relapsing into sin, Eom. vi. 4, &e. Q. In what consists this new life ? A. In renouncing all sin, and in living for the future to God alone. Q. How may we know whether we have renounced sin or not ? A. 1. By our aversion to it. 2. By our care in shunning its occasions, and using proper means for the breaking off ill habits. 3. By our prac- tice of the opposite virtues. Q. When may we be said to live to God alone ? A. When we contemn what the world most admires and seeks after, as honours, pleasures, riches, and vain dresses; and when we relish nothing but the goods of heaven. Q. What is it, to have a relish for the goods of heaven ? A. It is to love God, and whatever leads us to him ; as prayer, spiritual reading, hearing the word of God, assisting at divine service, and, in short, all the exercises of a solid piety. Q. What virtues ought we principally to exercise on this feast ? ^ A. Faith, hope, and charity. Q. What motives are there, that may excite ua to acts of faith ? A. Christ has given us undeniable proofs of his resurrection; his resurrection bears evidence u EASTER-DAY. to his divinity ; and, by consequence, to all the truths, maxims, and promises of his gospel. Q. What motives of hope ? A. Our head being risen, it is to be hoped that we, his members, shall be one day united to him in glory ; provided that we now resemble him in his life by an imitation of his virtues ; and in his death, by the mortification of our senses and our passions. Q. What motives of charity ? ' A. It will inflame our love, to consider that Christ, as he died for our sins, so he rose again /or our Justification. Rom. iv^ 25* Q. Is Monday in Easter-week a day of obliga- tion ? '«j"-* i^i •■■■ .; '■■ . '' A. No ; it is a day of particular devotion only ; but there was formerly an obligation of sanctify- ing it, and anciently the whole week, as parts of one and the same solemnity with Easter-day. Q. Why does the Church in the office of this week put us daily in mind of our baptism ? A. That we may not forget through the whole octave, 1. To thank God for having regenerated us by Jesus Christ out of his pure mercy. 2. To humble ourselves for the little care we have taken to preserve our baptismal innocence. 8. To renew the promises we made at baptism, of renouncing the devil, and of following Christ. Q. Did the primitive Christians during the Paschal Time (or from Easter to the Ascension) pray standing? " ' ' A. Yes ; as also on all Sundays throughout the year, in testimony of their joy for our Saviour's resurrection, and for their own from sin by his grace ; both symbolically represented by that ■"1: THE THREE ROGATION DATS. 95 > all the L ped that to him him in d in his and our posture — ^a custom observed in the choir to this days. Q. Why is the first Sunday after Easter called Low Sunday ? A. Because it is the lowest or latest day that is allowed for the satisfying of our Easter obligation, viz. the worthily receiving the blessed Sacrament. der that igainfor F obliga- m only; sanctify- parts of ly. of this ? le whole ;enerated 2. To re taken 3. To bism, of 'ist. ing the icension) iiout the Saviour's sin by by that Sect. 25. — The Three Rogation-days. Q. WHEN do these occur ? A. They are always the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday immediately before the Ascension. Q. Why are they called Eogation-days ?, A. From the extraordinary public prayers and supplications offered to God by the Church at this season, to avert those judgements our sins may have deserved. Q. When were they established ? A. They are suggested and advised by St. Paul, (1 Tim. ii. 1.) But this season before our Lord's ascension was appointed for them by St. Mamer- tus, Bishop of V ienne, in the 5th century ; and the success that attended Ihem, induced the Church to make them of general observance, to* move God to bless the fruits with which the earth is at this time covered, &c. Q. What other reason may be assigned for placing them immediately before the Ascension ? A. To intimate, as it were, that Christ being about to ascend to heaven, the Church commends to him all her vows and wishes, as the only Mediator between God and man. . < Q. Are they fasting days ? r Ejm 96 AS0EN8T0N-DAY. A. No. For the Church during the Paschal Time did not anciently allow of strict fasting, as not being suitable to a time of joy. Q. What is to be our intention in our prayers on these daya / A. Toobtainof God, 1. The remission of our sins. 2. Grace to serve him. 3. The blessings of peace and plenty. Q. Are the faithful on these day obliged to assist at Mass and Litanies ? A. Though there be not the same obligation of assisting at divine servico on these days as on holy days, yet persons can have but little reason to look for any share in the blessings of almighty God, who will not join with the rest of his children in praying for them. ^^^^»^^>^^m^^>^^^>^*^m0^0^^i^f^i^m Sect. 26. — Ascension-Day. Acts, i. 1, U. Mark, xiv. 14, 20. Q. WHY did our Saviour converse with his apostles for the space of forty days after his •resurrection?. A. 1. To prove the truth of his resurrection, 2. To recruit his apostles' cotrage. 8. To cure their unbelief. 4. To give them ait the instruc- tion necessary for the preaching of bis gospel. Q. Where was Christ during these forty days, when he did not actually appear to his disciples ? A. It is not for us to enquire after what God has not been pleased to reveal. -> >> . Q. What did he do on the fortieth day ? A. Appearing to his disciples, be assured them he was invested with all; power ia heaven: and ASCENSION-DAY. 97 Paschal ing) as prayers of our essings ged to bicn of ►n holy son to mighty of his ith his er his ection. cure istruc- 1. days, >iples ? t God them of 'and earth, and therefore commanded them to teach and baptize all nations : he promised them and their converts the gift of miracles, and that he would be with his Church to the end of the world. Matt, xxviii. 18, 19, 20. MarkyxVi. 17. Q. What did he promise them besides ? A. That he would send down upon them Ihe Holy Ghost ; ordering them to continue in Jerusalem till they had received him. LuJce^ xxiv. 49. Acts, i. 8. Q. What followed ? A. He then led them to that part of Mount Olivet, which from being nearest to Bethania, went under the same name, and was about a mile from Jerusalem ; here, while he gave them his blessing, he raised himself from earth towards heaven, and at last a cloud took him out of their sight. L^ikcj xxiv. 50, 51. Q. And what happened then ? A. While the apostles and other disciples stood gazing up to heaven, two angels in the shape of men, and in white apparel, came and informed them that Jesus would one day return in the same visible manner as he had ascended. Acts, i. 10. Q. Did the ancients pay any reverence to the place from whence he ascended ? A. St. Augustin assures us, that the people went to Judea to worship the footsteps which remained on the spot of earth on which our blessed Saviour had last set his feet. Horn, xlvii. in Joan. Q. How long did these footsteps remain ? A. They were visible at the end of the 4th cen- tury, notwithstanding the faithful out of devotion were continually carrying away some of the earth on which the impression had baen left. Hkr. vel 98 ASCENSION-DAY. If M Aiiilwr de loch Sanctis. Snip. Sev. I. n. c. xlviii. ' Paulin. Ep. xi. Venerable Bede (de locis Sanctis) says they were still to bo seen in the 8th century. And St. Fra. of Sales (Amovr de Bieu, I vii. c. xii.) gives a most admirable account, out of St. Bernardin of Sienna, of a person of quality, that having visited all the holy places of Palestine, died with a transpoit of love, after he had reverenced the said fc^tsteps. Q. Whau is our duly to Christ as he is seated at the right-hand of his Father ? A. 1. Frequently and more especially on this feast, to adore him, as doing there for us the func- tions of :• : ;^diator, \dvocate, and Priest ; and to rejoice in lis glory. Eeb. iz, 15, 24. 1 John, ii, 2. Psalm xlvi. 2. To beg a share in that blessing he gave this day to his apostles, 3. To encourage ourselves to serve God faiths fully in prospect of heaven, which our Lord opened to us on this day. 4. To live in a continual expectation of the Son of God's return to us. John, xh, S, 1 Thess i 10. m. ii. IH, Lvke, xii. 36. 6. To despise this world with all its vanities, as a place of banishment; and raise our hearts towards heaven our country, where Christ, as our precur. sor, entered on this day. John, xiv 2. Beb. vi. 20., ix. 24., xi. IS. Col iii. 1, 2. 1 Fet. ii, 11. Fsalm XA.iil xli. Ixxii. Ixxxiii. cxxi. cxxxvi. Q. What think you then of the Protestant cus^ torn of employing this day in examining aid fixing the marks and limits of their lands ? A. Thoir solitude for the earth on a day, which of all others admonishes them to fix their thoughts PENTECOST. 99 c. xlviii. s Sanctis) century. I. vii. c. It of St. ity, that Palestine, he had is seated on this the func- ; and to John J ii, ;ave this 3d faith- d opened the Son Thess. i, Qities, as 5 towards precur- Beb, vi. t. ii, 11, vi. ant cus^ id fixing ', which thoughts S on heaven, shows they have retained nothing of that spirit of the ancient Church, which, as St. Austin says, (Epist. 118.) did yearly celebrate with great devotion the ascension of our Saviour> Q. Is there any thing more to be done ? A. We arc from thjs day to begin our prepara- tion, as the apostles did, for the receiving of the Holy Ghost, by retirement, prayer, spiritual read- ing, and fraternal charity. Acts^ i. 12, 13, 14. Luke, xxiv. 63. Q. What is proper to be read on this feast ? A. The first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles^ and ch. xlvii. xlviii. xlix. of the third book of the Following of Christ, Sect. 27. — Feritecost, Q. WHEN did the Holy Ghost descend upon the apostles ? A. On Fenlecod-day ; that is to say, Whitsun- day, the fiftieth day after Easter, about nine in the morning. Acts, Ii. Q. Where were the apostles at that time ? A. In Jerusalem, assembled together at prayers, in company with the blessed Virgin, several holy women, and the rest of the disciples. Q. How did this descent happen ? A. A great noise was heard, like a violent wind from heaven, which filled the room where the disciples were assembled. Q. And what followed ? A. The Holy Ghost in the appearance of fiery ««rl /l^Trlrli-vr^ +o»^ "'iT='C! vAcforl imnn ovovv one of the company, enabled them to speak all languages, and filled them with zeal and courage. loa I»ENTECOST. Q. Did the Jews hear this noise ? A. Yes ; and upon hearing it came to see what the matter was. Q. And what did they find ? A. They found that the apostles were no longer afraid of them, but publicly proclaimed the won- ders of almighty God, and the name of Jesus, in all languages. Q. Were the Jews sensible that they spoke all languages ? A. Yes. For Jews of all nations were then assembled at Jerusalem to keep their feast of Pentecost. Q. What was the Jewish Pentecost ? A. A feast in memory of the law given on Mount Sinai, in thunder and lightning, fifty days after the deliverance out of Egypt ; and on this day they made a solemn ofi'ering to God, of bread made of the first fruits of their wheat harvest, Exod. xix. 16, &c. Lev. xxiii. 16, &c. Q. What relation had the Jewish Pentecost to our? A. It was a type or figure of ours. For on this day the Holy Ghost writ the new Law, accompanied with a new kind of noise and fire, in the hearts of the faithful, and by their mouths published it to the world. The first fruits likewise of the apostles^ spiritual harvest were this Jay offered to God. Q. What meant the noise of a violent wind ? A. It signified that religious terror, which makes way for divine love ; and also the effects of the Holy Ghost upon those that receive him. Q. What meant the fire ? A. That the Holy Ghost is a spiritual fire, which enlightens the soul, purifies and inflames the heart, PENTECOST. 101 je what > longer le won- 3SUS, la )oke all 'e then feast of Lven on by days on this f bread barvest. jcost to on this npanied ;arts of d it to postles^ )d. nd ? I makes le Holy , which e heart, consumes whatever is corruptible in it, and raises consecrates, and sacrifices it to God. Q, Why tongues of fire, with the gift of languages ? ' A. To express how the Holy Ghost inspired the apostles with science and zeal, in order to enlighten and inflame the minds of men, and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world. Q. What were the first fruits of the apostles spiritual harvest ? A. Three thousand souls, that were converted by St. Peter's first sermon; and five thousand by his second. Acts, ii. 41., iv. 4. Q. How did the first converts live ? A. A life of admirable sanctity. Q. In what was it admirable ? A. 1. They all seemed to have but one heart and soul. 2. They lived in common, selling all they had, and giving their monies to the apostles, to be distributed according to every one's inecessities. 3. They rejoiced in suffering for the sake of Christ. 4. They met daily to pray, to hear the apostles preach, and to receive the blessed Sacrament. Q. But what was most to be admired in the new framed Church ? A. The strange alteration in the apostles. Q. What kind of men were the apostles before they received the Holy Ghost ? A. Ignorant and fearful. Q. But afterwards ? A. So learned as to be able to expound the Scriptures and divine mysteries ; so courageous as openly to proclaim Christ's resurrection, which i si 102 PENTECOST. they confirmed by miracles, and by suffering persecution and death itself, in testimony of the truth they preached. Q. How are we to sanctify this feast ? A. 1. By adoring the Holy Ghost. 2. By begging he would vouchsafe to write upon our hearts the law of God and the maxims of Jesus Christ; to give us a love and lively faith of them, and courage to confess them in our way of living. Q. What are we to beg besides ? A. Grace to imitate the first Christians. 1. In cheerfully suffering injuries and perse- cutions. 2. In fraternal charity. 3. In attending to prayer and the word of God. 4. In contempt of earthly riches, and in giving alms. 5. In frequenting with due dispositions the holy Communion. Q. What particular intention ought we to have on this feast, in approaching to the blessed Eucharist ? A. To recei\e with the adorable body of Jesus Christ his holy and life-giving spirit, without which his flesh, as he says, avails nothing ; and this in order to obtain the before-mentioned John vi. 64. Q. Is there any thing else to be done ? A. It is advisable to meditate upon and to renew the obligations we contracted in receiving the holy sacraments of baptism and confirmation. Q- What is the sum of these obligations ? A. That we demean ourselves as the children and soldiers of Jesus Christ, and labour for such graces. EMBER-DAYS IN WHITSUN-WEEK. 103 a purity of soul as becomes the temples of the Holy Grhost. Q. What is proper to be read on this feast ? A. The sermons which made the first converts, and their lives and conversations, in* the Acts of the Apostles, ii, iii. iv. The obligations and effects of baptism. Rom.y'i. And the Following of Christy b. iii. c. V. Q. Is Monday a holy-day of obligation ? A. No : It is a day of particular devotion only ; but was formerly a holy-day of obligation, for the reason assigned in the answer to the same question with regard to Easter week, p. 94. Sect. 28. — Ember-Days in Whitsun- Week. See Part 1. Section 16. Q. WHAT is the reason that the Paschal time and the feast of Pentecost is concluded with three days' fast ? ' . . , A. To give us to understand that the pnncipal fruit we are to reap from the Church's solem- nities, and from those graces the Holy Ghost communicates to us, is the spirit of penance and mortification. Q. What are we to beg for those whom the Church at this time promotes to holy orders ? A. That they may be, like her first ministers, irreproachable in their lives j filled with wisdom, fortitude, charity, and all the other giftd of the Holy Ghost. . Q. What are we to do in regard to tiie fruits of the earth ? A. 1. To thank God for his J)lessing upon 104 TRINITY SUNDAY. them during the spring season. 2. To beg he would be pleased to carry them through the summer to maturity. Q. And what must we beg far ourselves ? A. That God would enable us, by the practice of good works, to bring forth the fruits of his holy Spirit, and of all those graces he has shed upon us in the festivals we have been celebrating. I \ I » Sect. 29. — Trinity Sunday. Rom. xi. 33, 36. Tatt. xxviii. 18, 20. Q. WHAT mystery does the Church celebrate on the first Sunday after Pentecost ? A. The prime mystery of our faith, namely, that of the most blessed ^rm%. Q. Is this the only day on which we adore the blessed Trinity? A. Far be it from us to be guilty of so henious a neglect. Q. At what other times are we to adore the blessed Trinity ? A. Every day, especially every Sunday and holy-day, as being the sovereign object of our worship and adoration. Q. Why then is this fea&t instituted ? A. That the faithful may excite and confirm their faith, make a public profession of their belief, and preserve themselves from those pesti- lential errors, which sap the very foundation of Christianity. > Q. Why is this feast kept on the octave of Pentecost ? A. To signify that the works of our redemption IHttiSS^Miai TRINITY SUNDAY. 105 and sanctification are common to all the three persons. § Q. What do you believe of the blessed Trinity ? A. I believe that the most blessed Trinity is ; one God in three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; who essentially possess the same fi^reatness, power, wisdoin, and eternity ; and, in fine, an exact equality in all their infinite perfections. Q. Why do we so frequently repeat these words, In the name of the Father j and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghost ? A. To put ourselves in mind, 1. That we were baptized in the name of one God in three distinct persons. 2. To dedicate all our actions to his honour. 3. To beg his grace for the well per- formance of them. Q. Can this mystery be comprehended by human reason ? « A. No. It is infinitely above the reach of our shallow reason. Q. Why are we then obliged to believe it ? A. Because God has revealed it to his Church. Q. Why does God oblige us to believe what we cannot comprehend ? A. Because his divine Majesty is pleased by this means to exercise our faith. Q. What do you think of such as refuse to believe this or other mysteries, because their reason cannot comprehend them ? A. They foolishly act against the same reason they pretend to stand by. Q. Why so? their tells them that God m v. Because their reason his own nature, power, and wisdom; must 106 TRINITY SUNDAY. certainly transcend their weak capacity; since even the eflfects of nature (which are the works of his hand) are above their comprehension. Q. Is Faith then superior to all human reasoning ? A. Much so ; because it has no other foun- dation than the truth of God himself; and therefore admitting no doubts, can no ways stagger through unbelief. Q. What is to be done on this solemnity ? A. I. We are to call to mind what the Church teaches concerning the most blessed Trinity ; to make acts of faith as to all she teaches ; and for that purpose to say devoutly the Apostles', or Nicene, or St. Athanasius's Creed, or the Te Deum. 3. To acknowledge with gratitude, that all that has been done in our behalf, has been the work and mercy of the most holy Trinity. 3. To adore the divine goodness, power, and wisdom, and to thank the blessed Trinity for the work of our redemption, the memory of which we have now celebrated in all its mysteries. 4. To confess that we are bound to love, serve, seek, and honour one God in three Persons. 5. To beg the grace of God, that by a constant fidelity and zeal in all that belongs to his com- mandments and service, we may acknowledge the power he has over us, the blessing we have received, and the entire dependence we have on his holy will. Q. What beside? A. It is likewise proper to exercise our faith as to all the other incomprehensible mysteries of our religion, and to make an humble and entire ^ CORPUS-CHRISTI DAY. 107 y; since le works I. human r foun- ilf; and ways Church lity ; to and for ties', or the Te all that le work 3r, and for the lich we ), serve, lonstant lis com- Ige the ve have have on faith as ;eries of entire submission of our reason to God and to his Church, whose children we are by baptism. Q. What ought we farther to consider on this feast ? A. 1. The dignity and honour we receive by baptism, by a near relation to the most blessed Trinity. 2. The obligations which arise from that same dignity. Q. What is our relation by baptism to the blessed Trinity ? A. By receiving that sacrament we become the children of Grod the Father, the brothers, co-heirs, and members of Jesus Christ, and the temples of the Holy Ghost. Q. What does each of the divine persons expect from us upon account of the aforesaid dignity ? A. 1. The Father expects from us a fiUal love and fear, an exact obedience, a zeal for his glory and for the interest of his kingdom. 2. Jesus Christ, a strict conformity to his doc- trine and example. 8. The Holy Ghost, that we preserve a great purity of conscience ; that we faithfully comply with his graces and inspirations ; and that with particular care we avoid those sins which stand in the greatest opposition to his purity and goodness. Seot. 30. — "^ Feast of Corpus- Christi. 1 Cor. xi. 23, -30. Job. vi. 55, 59. Q. WHAT is the intention of this feast ? A. To commemorate and give thanks for that great mystery of mercy which Christ left us at his last supper; when, consecrating th^ bread 108 CORPUS-CHRISTI DAY. i t 4 • !. and wine, he gave us his Body and Blood under those appearances, for the remembrance of his passion, for the comfort of his Church, and for the food of our souls. Q. When is this feast kept ? A. On the first Thursday after the octave of Pentecost. Q. Why has the Church made choice of that day ? A. Because having celebrated at Pentecost the feast of her own birth, she applies herself in the week following to the honouring of that great mystery, whereby she i^ nourished, strenghthened, and perfected. Q. Did she not commemorate the institution of the blessed Sacrament on Maundy-Thrusday ? A. ^he did. But being then principally taken up in contemplating the sufferings of her spouse, our Saviour, she has thought fit to dedicate another day to the memory of so amiable a mystery. Q. When was this feast instituted ? A. It was instituted in the 13th age, in opposi- tion to those heretics who began to attack the Church's ancient faith of this divine mystery. Q. How may we sanctify this feast and its octave ? A. 1. By strengthening our faith of this mystery. 2. By devoutly assisting at the Church's service. 3. By a holy communion. 4. By con- sidering what Christ requires of us in relation to the Holy Sacrament, *and what he teaches us as he resides there. 5. Bv a dailv visit to him in the same holy mysteries. Q. How are we to strengthen our faith of this mystery ? Blood under brance of his h, and for the ' the octave of 3hoiee of that Pentecost the herself in the of that great strenghthened, ) institution of 'hrusday ? incipally taken of her spouse, •idicate another nystery. ige, in opposi- to attack the ! mystery, feast and its faith of this at the Church's I. 4. By con- is in relation to caches us as he to him in the wc faith of this CORPtrS-CHRISTI DAY m A. 1. By throughly informing ourselves of the many wonders that are here wrought 2. By makinc' acts of faith as to all the Church teaches. Q. To what parts of her divine service does the Church in Catholic countries call the faithful on this solemnity ? A. To the holy Mass, benediction, sermon, vespers, and procession. Q. How are we to make our communion f A. With respect, gratitude, charity, and joy j and with such exactness as may help to repair all past neglects, and be a model for the future. Q. What does Jesus Christ require of us in relation to the blessed Sacrament ? A. That wo examine into, and reform our defects in hearing Mass, in communicating, and in our behaviour at church. Q. What does he teach us in the blessed Sacrament? A. Charity, patience, and humility on all occasions, especially in the church j te mak^ a sacrifice of our body and soul, and of all that we have, to God ; to unite with him ^ in <3ndeavouring witb all assiduity to destroy ^sm, since it was for its destruction that he died on the •Cross. Q. What then must be said of those who ob- stinately persevering in a sinful course, pretend to join with the Church in paying homage to Jesus Christ in the holy Sacrament? A. They must certainly be wicked children^ disloyal servants, and false adorers, who, whilst Q. Why are we to visit Jesus Christ m the blessed Sacrament ? 110 CORPUS-CHRISTI DAr. ii > I I Hi li I A. Because gratitude and our interest oblige u» to. It. ® Q. In what manner ought we to address ourselves to hira ? .J^li^^^' 'r^''^'. ^"^"^^^ gratitude, confidence, and all tho other pious affections that are apt to ensue, from the consideration of the titles he bears with reference to us. Q What are those titles ? . A. Our king, mediator, redeemer, advocate, high-pncst, and victim. . ^ Q. What other titles has he ? A. He is our head, our father, brother, spouse and master; our guide, pastor, comforter, and physician. ' Q. Has ho any more ? ihn^v w "lu ^"^ '' ^^^ '^^>'' ^^'"^ **'"*^^' «»d the life i tlio liglit, the door, the vine, the bread of life, and, m fane, our judge and our last end. of So'JSLr? " '' '^ ""^^ ^' ^'^ consideration A. During each visit we should converse with thnst, as present under one or two of them, in order to learn our duty to him, and what we are to hope for and beg of his divine mercy. Q. Why IS the blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle ? A. 1. That whenever it is necessary, it mav be carnM to the sick, according to the primitive custom of the Church. piiminve 2. That tlie foithful may have the comfort of coming to adore their Sav io i.: where he is present lor their sakes. «. T'- ^'^^ % ^^^ blessed Sacrament exposed at certain times ? f ^ o.i> W i re apt to he bears -dvocate^ spouse er, and he life i ie, and^ ieratioa se with lem, in we are ved in nay be mitive fort of resent 3cd at C0RPUS-CHRI8TI DAY. Hi A. 1. To invite the faithful to come and adore Jesus Christ. />. j ^.i • 2 In public calamities to present to God this pledge of his love towards us ; that in regard of hia beloved Son he may be moved to show us mercy. Q. Why is the blessed Sacrament carried in pio^ess^o ^.^ ^jgic^rj^tc a kind of triumph in honour of Jesus Christ. Jon. vi. 25. 2 Thereby to reT)air the many aitronts ana irreverences offered to him in this blessed Sacrament.. 2 Kings, vi. 1., Easth. vi. 11. 3. To obtain by his presence a blessing upon all the places through which ho passes. Q. What is the Benediction ? A A scivice introduced by tho Church m these later ages, in order to enliven the faith and devotion of her children. ^ „ Q- Whence has it the name oi i^eneaiction i A The word Benediction, as likewise the French word, ^aUt, are two names borrowed from the two Latin words 8alm and Benedictio in the hymn of the blessed Saci-ament. ^ Q Does the Priest's making a cross with the holy Sacrament upon the people, give grace to their souls ? A. No ; for it is not a sacramental action. O. Whv then is it done ? . A. To 'excite tiiem, 1. To a public profession of their faith by acts of adoration. 2 To an increase of love and confidence, by reminding them, that for love of them he resides in the blessed Sacrament. . 3. To beg his grace and blessmg upon their souls, and particularly strength to carry the. r cross after him. »>■,• : r .r 1^ A i i s' ! i f '4 212 EiMBEF. DAYS IN SEPTEMBER. Sect. Bl.^Emher BaT/s in September. Q. WHEN Jo these fall ? .f,^\W ^:^ ,^^e^?esday, Friday, a d Saturday after the 14th day of September. Q. What does the Church read for the ffospel on j^^'i^rday, when her ministers are ordained ? A. The parable of the fig-tree, which, beine: ordered by the master for its barreniaess to be cut up, was at the gardener^a request permitted to stand another year, in expectation of its bearing iruit. o' Q. What does the Church intend by making: choice of this parable ? -^ s A She seems thereby to intimate, that the faithtnl might to beg for her ministers an indus- trious and tender charity for their flock. Q. Why are they to beg this charity for them ? A. Ihat by their prayers, penances, and Labours, they may obtain pardon for sinners, a1 ^?^^ '"^ ^'' J"'*^^^ '^ ^«^dy to condemn \ and that they may spend the time they hav- gamed for a reprieve, in bringing these poor souls to a sincere conversion, which shows itself in worthy fruits of penance. Q. What notice is to be taken of the fruits of ine earth r A. We must thank God for the harvest that lias been reaped, and beg grace to make a right use of It ; as likewise to labour for that spiritual and incorruptible nourishment, which will hnngr Tfts to. a state of immortality. •m I Saturday t?r tbe gospel ained ? lich, being" to be cut emitted to ;s bearing: J making that the an indus- )r them ? Jes, and sinners, ondemn ; lej have- bese poor ws itself fruits of est that e a right spiritual H bring A PRACTICAL CATECHISM. PART III/ THE FEASTS OF THE SAINTS. Sect. I. — St. Andrew, Apostle^ — Nov, 30. Rom. X. 10, 18. Matt, iv, 18, 22. Q. WHAT was the manner of St. Andrew's vocation ? A. Hearing whiit St. John Baptist liad said of Christ, he followed him, '^nd soon after brought his brother Peter to him. Jo. i. 35, &c, Q. What does this teach us ? A. That we are to imitate the charity of St. Andrew, in communicating to our neighbours those lights of divine truth which God has mercifully shed upon us. Q. What had St. John said of Christ I A. That as for himself, he was not wo-rthy to untie his shoe; that Christ was the Lamb of God^ who takes away the sins of the world, and the Son of God — V. 27, &c, Q. What farther account have we of him from the holy Scripture-? A. That at his and his brother St. Peter's request, Jesus cured the mother-in-law of St. Peter, who was ill of a fever. Marky i. 30. 31. Q. And what does this teach us ? A* It shows usj says St. Ambroise, how much 114 ST. ANDREW. i I I Jesus Christ is indined to hear the prayers ichich the angels, apostles, and martyrs offer him, for the spiritual health of those who make themselves tcorthy of their intercession. Be Vidius. t. 4. p. 505. Q. What was St. Andrew's death ? A. After he had preached the faith of Christ, he suffered for it upon a cross. Q. How was he Effected to the cross ? A. Upon seeing it (as he was led to his execu- tion,) he is said to have cried out, beloved Cross! ivhichfor Hiis long time Ihave most earnestly desired, receive the ^disciple of him ivho died upon thee. Q. What became of St. Andrew's body ? A. It was, in the year 357, removed from Patras, in Achaia, where he suffered, (together with the body of St. Luke,) to Constantinople, and having wrought great miracles in all places where it stopped on the way, it was received with incre- dible joy by all the people. St. Paulin. Car. xxvi. S. Hier. Chron. et Vir. lllus. c. 7. In Vig. c. 2.) It is stated that it now remains at Amalsi, in the kingdom of Naples, where there constantly distils from his tomb a medicinal liquor ; and Baronius assures us, that this miracle is attested beyond contradiction. Q. What devotion is most suitable to this feast r A. 1. To encourage ourselves to follow Christ by the consideration of the same motives which made St. Andrew his disciple. 2. After the example of this Saint, to accept of crosses and afflictions for sake of Christ. Q. How are we to suffer crosses ? . , , A. Not only with patience and resignation, out with joy and gladness, as this Saint did. Q. Why with patience ? ers tohtch 'm, for the 'ves tcorthy 505. of Christ, his execu- ved Cross ! 'hj desiredy \ thee. om Patras, 5r with the ad having 2S where it with incre- Gar. xxvi. r7.c.2.) It alsi, in the itly distils d Baronius 2d beyond this feast ? How Christ tives which accept of ^nation, out IMMACULATE CONCEPT. OF THE B. V. MARY. 115 A. Because our sins deserve more afflictions than the whole world can bring upon us. Q, Why with resignation ? A. Because nothing happens but by the per- mission or appointment of our omnipotent Father ; who best knows what is for our good.^ Q. Why are we to rejoice in afflictions ? A. 1. Because by them we become more nearly associated to our head Christ Jesus. 2. We have the best security of our being in the way to heaven j and 3, of receiving there an unspeakable weight of glory. .t,. . 9 Q. What are we to beg this day ( A. 1. Grace to be always in readmess to advance the spiritual good of our neighbour, that so he may never suff'er through our indifference or neglect. 2. Courage and resolution to break through all those oppositions that would prevent us from following Christ. 3. Constancy and perseverance in carrying our cross for his sake. Sect. 2.— "^ Immaculate Conception of the B. K J/ary. — December 8. Prov. viU. 22, 25. Matt. 1. 1, 16. Q. WHY has the Church appointed this day as a festival of joy and thanksgiving? ^ , A. Because she looks on the blessed Yirgm, ^ m this first moment of her existence, as the morning star, which, after the long night of sin that had covered the earth fox so many thousand years, began to rise, and foretell the near approach of "^Q. Was the Conception of the blessed Virgin immaculate ? it ' i'. ■1 • ■; ■ 'J ^^H:' ;1 ^I't ,y 1 1 116 IMMACULATE CONCEPT. OP THE B. V. MARY. A. Yes ; *• It la a dorpna of faith that the Most Blessed ^ Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception,^ by a singular privilege and grace of God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ , the Saviour of the human race, was preserved ^ exempt from all stain of original sin." Q. Dogs the Church compel us to believe this ? A. Yes, the words which I have just repeated nre the exact words of the definition, as decreed by the Church, through its visible Head on earth, Pius thelXth. ' Q. ¥/hen v,\-i3 this Dogma prcclaimci ? A. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the 8th of December, A. 1). 1854. Q. Why did the Church proclaim this Dogma ? A.^ To silence the clamours of the impious, and heretical, who blasphemously opposed a truth, believed in, hy the faithful in all ages. Q. What reasons induced the ftiithful to believe in the Immaculate Conception of the B. V. Mary ? A. 1. Her being preserved (according to the behefof the Church) her whole life-time from the least venial sin. 2. That as God had designed her to be the mother of his only begotten Son, it is highly improbable he would suffer that flesh to be polluted with sin, from which the body of his Son was to bo framed. 3. It is but reasonable to believe that the blessed Virgin was more favoured than St. John Baptist, who was sanctified in his mother's womb. Q. If the blessed Virgin was conceived without out caii, iiv;»-v vjU n\ to her ? «i »juwiie i..nnsi oe a ►*>uviour with regard IMMACULATE CONCEPT. OP THE B. V. MARY. 117 A Because she had been subject to original sin, l,ad not the grace of Jesus Christ preserved her from it. 1 • . TIT 9 ' What advantage was this to Mary .^ A God having taken the entire possession of hefto first moment, sh^ was freed from ^c- Discen-^e, and ever after exempt from the least ?rtrheing always careful, not only to F-rve this grace, but to merit an increase thereot, by A That we ought to use all possible care to preserve in our soSls the Banctifymg grace which le received iu baptism, or '^««oy<=':«f. ^y *f . ^"^"^^a ment of penance, that we may imitate the ^Wessed Virgin in the esteem she had of divme grace. 2 That if it be a misery to be gui ty of original sin,'itis a much greater, n«y , ^l'^"!'^*? f ?;f ^e wilfully to make ourselves God's enemies by the commission and diabolical perseverance in the state of mortal sin. ■ r^, ■ *:.„. ■„ Q How comes it that many Christians so easily commit and continue in mortal sin ( A It is because they do not consider what it is to'be the object of an infinite hatred and omm- notent anger. _ c j 9 O What other instruction do you find .' A. That we cannot begin too soon to sanctity our souls, in order to prepare theni for the receiving of Jesus Christ in the holy Sacrament, and that ho may be formed in us by his grace. O. How is this preparation to be made .' ^ A. By practising those virtues Dy wiucu .|.<. blessed Virgin prepared herself for receiving the message brought her by the angel Gabnel. 118 ST. THOMAS. Q. What were those virtues ? A. 1. An ardent love of God and her neigh- bour. 2. A contempt of the world. 3. A perfect hatred of impurity and all other sins. 4. Humility 5. Conformity to the will of God, &c. Q. How may these virtues be acquired ? A. By daily recommending ourselves (but particularly on this feast, and during the rest of Advent) to the blessed Virgin, that by her inter- cession, the Holy Ghost, who overshadowed her, may come and plant them in our souls. Sect. 3. — St. Thomas, Apostle. X — Dec. 21. Eph. ii. 19. John, xx. 24, 29. Q. WHAT does the Scripture remark con- cerning this apostle ? A. His courage, his incredulity, and his repentance. Q. On what occasion did he signalize his coura ge ? A. Upon our Lord's communicating to his disciples his design of returning into Judea, (where he had lately been ill treated by the Jews,) for the raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. Johriy xi. 8. Q. What was the consequence of this declara- tion of our Lord ? A. When the rest of the apostles dissuaded him from the journey, lest the Jews should stone him, as they had before attempted, St. Thomas encouraged them to follow their Master, in these words : Let us go too, and die with him. John, xi. 16. Q. When was St. Thomas incredulous ? A. After our Saviour's resurrection ; when, notwithstanding the other, apostles assured him \ 2%, ST. THOMAS. 119 tliey had seen their Master alive again, he openly declared, that unless he had the utmost evidence of sense, by putting his finger into the holes in his hands and sides, he would not believe it. Jb/m, XX. 25. Q. What did St. Thomas upon this ? A. He immediately believed and confessed Christ's divinity, excMmmg, Mi/ Lord ! and my God! Q. And what reply did our Saviour make to this profession of Thomas's faith ? A. That his believing, after such a demonstra- tive evidence, was neither so praise-worthy nor meritorious as the faith of those who had not the like sensible conviction. John, xx. 29. Q. What do we learn from St. Thomas's courage ? A. Not to be frightened by any dangers, (whether of life, interest, or reputation,) from our resolution of following Christ; but to encourage ourselves with those words of the Saint, Let us go and die loith him. Q. On what other occasion may we use those words? A. As often as we go to Mass, thereby to put ourselves in mind, that we are to die to the world, and to make an offering of ourselves with the sacrifice of the altar. Q. What does St. Thomas's unbelief teach us? A. 1. It convinces us beyond all doubt, by ihe most sensible evidence, that the very same body in which our Lord suffered, was raised again to life. 2. That we are firmly to believe whatever the Church teaches, without expecting miracles, or consulting our senses of seeing or feeling, for a confirmation of her doctrine. 3. That we are to live by faith, whether spiritual . comforts be given or denied us. '/ // 120 ST. THOMAS. nn^.*ll"^V^ ^- aspiration very proper to be used troub/p nr^'^'y ''P'^^""y ^^^" ^^ ^re under a?.^n!f f ^.i,'"'"u' ^' ^ssmlted with temptations y. Where did St. Thomas preach the Gospel ? T7^„' • ^f*'^^ "nd his relics were kept at Ede sa an Mesopotamia, where there was. in the fourth age a famous church of his name. Mcseb. anctnfhilSl """'°'''" '^^^ "^ '^'^ destred^'Tl.:^fr !','''"« "^ ^<^^^^^' "^^^"g r 7irLl~ ratn^^ r-f t: .end St. ThadSs, tf o'f Se TevrrdtTp.e^ whni r"°« u4''#^^"«' converted him and the of?hislYnt7*''"' *^ "^^ "^ *« -*— i- the'^way o?:Son:' """"^ '^^ '^'^''^'''^^ '" fn.^;il'^ .^"f T,*""^ '"''''y f^^tl* fo' ourselves, and for all who labour under doubts or unbelief. ' ot; ,k\ • ""''"PP'ly we should fall into sin (.hrist by his muce would o-"-'-' " -- ' ' ' repentance ° ' q^-v^v k^hxi u« oacK to ST. STEPHEN. 121 Sect. 4. — St Stephen.\ — Dec. 26. Acb, vi. 8, 10, and vii. 54, 59. Matt, xxiii. 34, 39. Q. WHO was St. Stephen ? A. One of the seven first deacons, and the first martyr for the faith of Christ. Q. What account does the Scripture give of him ? A. That he was full of faith and the Holy Grhost, of grace and courage, Whereby he did great wonders ; and that he was endued with an irresistible wisdom when he preached the faith of Christ. Acts, vi 5, 8, 10. Q. Did he then convert all that heard him ? A. He confounded them, but they were not converted ; though at the same time they saw his face shine like that of an angel — v. 15. Q. Did he suffer the people to continue in their sins and errors, for fear of incurring their displeasure by speaking the truth ? . A. No ; he severely rebuked them for their obstinacy ; and Christ, to reward and increase his courage, appeared to him through the opened heavens. Acts^ vii. 51. Q. What did the Jews, when St. Stephen told them he saw Jesus in heaven ? A. The}/ could bear hhn no Ignger, but dragged him out of the city, and stoned him to death as a blasphemer. Acts, vii. 56. Q. What did St. Stephen while they were stoning him ? A. He prayed for himself and his enemies. Q. How for himself ? A. In these words : Domine Jesu, snsctpe spiritui. meum ; Lord Jesus, receive my soul. Q. How for his enemies ? 122 ST. STEPHEN. I A. In these words : Lordj do not lay this sin to their charge. Q. What was the effect of this prayer ? A. The miraculous conversion of St. Paul, who by taking care of the clothes of those that stoned St. Steplien, in a manner stoned him by the bands of them all. Q. When did St. Stephen suffer ? A. The same year as our Saviour ; and his feast was solemnly kept in the fourth age (at the latest) the day after Christmas-day. Q. Why the day after Christmas-day ? A. To intimate that men would never have had courage to die for God, if God had not been made man, to die for men. Q. How are we to celebrate this feast ? A. By thanking Almighty God, 1. For the grace, courage, and wisdom with which he inspired this Proto-martyr. 2. For the crown of glory with which he has rewarded his sufferings. 3. For the example he has given us in this saint of so many admirable virtues. Q. What are we to beg of God by the inter- cession of this Saint ? A. 1. The spirit of wisdom. 2. Zeal for truth. 3. Courage^ and patience under persecution. 4. Grace to pardon injuries, and love our enemies. Q. Which is that virtue which the Church seems most desirous we should learn of him, by inserting a prayer for it in the Collect of the Feast if A. The forgiving of injuries. Q. Why are we to pardon injuries ? A. Because our Saviour requires it, as a con- dition without which we connot expect the pardon of our own sins from him, and he has consequently ST. STEPHEN. 123 made it a necessary condition of our salvation. Matt. vi. 15. ; xviii. 35. 1. Cor. xiii. 2. Q. Wherein does this duty consist ? A. Not only in wishing and doing our enemies no harm, but in being ready to show them all offices of charity, because they are men and Christians, our neighbours and our brethren. Q. When may it be hoped that we have sincerely pardoned injuries, and that we love our enemies ? A. 1. When by a civil letter, a proper mediator, or a friendly conference, we endeavour to compose the difference. 2. When we seek occasion of speaking to them, and do it with easiness and freedom. 3. When we speak well of them, to such especially as are like to inform them of all we say. 4. When we seek opportunities of being service- able to them, or to their friends. Q. For whom must we pray besides ourselves on this feast ? A. For such as are obstinate against truth ; for all that are at variance, and particularly for our own enemies ; and for all that are chosen to any Church ministry, that they may resemble St. Stephen in charity, courage, and zeal for the truth. Q. When was the body of St. Stephen found ? A. In the year 415 ; and innumerable miracles were wrought by his relics, many of which are attested by aS^^. Evodius, I. 1. c. i. ii. iv. aS^^. Au- gustin de Civ. Dei. I. 22, c. viii. Ep. ciii. Serm. cclxxxvii. /S'crwi. cccxvii. Serm. cccxix. Serm. iJL2LlX. fjerfil. iClV CI. 7> 7 A I- T> -- ^^ q_^ .... _. /Of. irrusp. I. 4:. ue jrrormss. c. V. Q. How were these miracles wrought ? 124 ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST, A. As all others have bean, in the name and by the power of Jesus Christ ; for it is from him that we receive favours by the saints ; and therefore, that our piety may not degenerate into superstition, we must always distinguish he servant from his Lord, and without stopping at the Saint, advance by him to God himself; for the Saint j^rays in the quality of a servant, and it is God who, as Lord and Master, grants what and to whom he pleases. St. Aug. Serm. cccxviii. cccxix. Sect. 5. — St. John, Eoangelist.\ — Dec. 27 Eccl. XV. 1, 6. John xxi. 19, 24. Q. WHAT account does the Scripture give of him ? A. It tells us that St, John, with his brother St* James, being invited by Christ to follow him, they immediately left their father and all they had, to be his disciples. Matt. iv. 21. Q. At what age was St. John called ? A. In the five or six and twentieth year of his age. Q. What lesson is this to young people ? ' A. That they ought, without loss of time, to apply themselves to a virtuous life, and suffer no human consideration to be a hinderance to their good designs. Q. How was St. John favoured by Jesus Christ ? . A. He was chosen, with his brother and St. Peter, to be an eye-witness of his transfiguration, of his agony, and of his raising to life the daughter f-T .1 oiviia Mrttt Jt. ^r t.xii \.*t,7s arjtvitt* J^t 1.1.1 a.r.x.\\.- 1 ft' -?:».■ 9.'X T.^ih VI V .-4.-4 I itilcp vni 51 Q. What may we gather from hence ? ST. JOHN EVANGELIST. 125 and him and ! into 1 ho ig at ■; for nd it t and A. 1. That wo arc not to look for spiritual to 51 I m faither than the he necessary oomforts a: ^ to support us in afflictions. 2. That to encourage ourselves under trials, wo must look up to the glory of the next life. 3. That to rise from mortal sin to the life of grace, onr contrition must be grounded upon motives of love. Q. "What name did our Saviour give to St, John and his brother ? A. He called them Boanerges ; that is to say, the Sons of Thunder, in consideration of their zeal for his glory. Marh, iii. 17. Q. But did not their zeal sometimes carry them too far ? A. Yes. Christ twice reprehended them for it, Q. On what occasion ? A. 1. Meeting with one who cast out devils, though he was not of the number of Christ's followers, they forbade him ; but Christ told them they did wrong. Liikey ix. 49, 50. 2. The Samaritans happening once not to entertain our Saviour, they were for calling down fire from heaven to destroy them ; but our Saviour said to them : You know not to what manner of spirit you are of; the Son of man came not to d(stroy men's lives, hut to save them. Luke, ix. 54, 55, 56. Q. What doctrine do you infer from these reprehensions ? A. 1. That we are not to envy others for .doing good ) nor be so proud as to think nothing well done, bnt, what we ourselves have a hand in. 2. That if the injuries done to Christ will not wQrrnnt nnr rfivftTiffe. mnch less should we be „ — _-.-.^. exasperated for any affront done to ourselves. 126 ST. JOHN EVANGELIST. 3. That we must be very careful not to lessen the reputation of God's ministers. Q. What sin can it be in me, to relate what I have heard others say of them ? A. It may be a very great sin ; for it may in effect prevent them from being instrumental in casting devils out of the souls of men. Q- What other instances are there in holy Scripture of Christ's singular regard to St. John ? A. Our Saviour deputed him, with St. Peter, to prepare the Paschal Supper, {Luke, x^ii. 8.) at which he granted him the privilege of leaning upon his breast ; (John, txxi. 20.) and from the cross he substituted him the Son of the blessed Virgin in his own stead, committing him to her care when he was leaving the world, xix. 26, 27. Q. What lessons have we here ? A. 1. That a lively faith and ardent charity are requisite for a due preparation to communion ; snd that we are to entertain our Saviour with a most tender affection. 2. That if we hope to obtain the favour of Jesus, and the motherlv protection of the blessed Virgin, we must with our utmost care avoid (even on its least appearences or occasions) the sin of impurity. Q. Why so ? A. Because it was St. John's perpetual virginity that endeared him so much to our blessed Saviour. St. Hier. I. contra Jovin, Q. What virtues has St. John particularly , ^.,,, ,^j^ iiiir TTiillililO . A. A love of Jesus, of truth, and of our neigh- bour ; and an aversion to sin and the world. ' -£a»i THE HOLY INNOCENTS. 127 Q. What are we to beg of God by his intercession ? A. The aforesaid virtues. Q. Where did St. John exercise his apostolical office after our Savioi^r's ascension. A. Chiefly at Ephesus, and in its neighbour- hood ; whence he was sent bound to Rome, for his faith, and there, by Domitian's order, cast into a cauldron of boiling oil, but was miraculously preserved. Q. Had this miracle any influence on the emperor ? A. It did not hinder him from banishing him into the island of Patmos, from whence he returned to Ephesus, at that emperor's death, eighteen months after ; and died there in the year of our Lord 99. Q. What may we gather from hence ? A. 1. That Christ exempts not his greatest favourites from sufferings. 2. That luiracles, without the grace of God, are insufficient to conversion. John vi. 44. Sect. 6. — The Holy Innocents.l — Dec. 28. Rev. xiv. 1, 5. Matt. ii. 13, 18. Q. WHAT were these Innocents ? A. The infants murdered by Herods's orders, when among the rest be hoped to destroy our new-born Jesus. These the Church has, in all ages, reverenced as real martyrs of Jesus Ohrist, thouffh massacred before the use of reason. Q. What may we learn from the sufferings of these Innocents ? 128 THE HOLY INNOCENTS. A. That whatever injury God permits the wicked to exercise against the just, it is for the good of those that suffer it ; and therefore, that we should never yield to an excess of grief or disquiet when visited by afflictions, but rather wait with patience under all the appointments of God, in hopes of the recompense he has promised. Q. Why does the Church express a kind of mourning on this feast, by the ornaments of her altars? A. 1. To express the sorrow she still conceives upon remembering Herod's barbarity. 2. Because she looks upon this first persecution raised by Herod against Chiist, as a prelude to those that were to follow) till his death and passion. 3. In testimony of her sorrow to see so many Christians imitate the Jews and Herod, in persecuting Jesus from his very birth. Q. What Christians do you mean ? A. 1. Those who by sin put Christ to death, almost as soon as he has begun by grace to live in their souls. 2. Those who by bad example destroy the baptismal innocence of children. 3. Those who upon festivals pretend to unite in devotion with the Church, but effectually murder Christ by their sacrilegious communion. 4. The great number of mothers, who prove no better than so many Herods to their children. Q. How does this happen ? A. 1. By laying them in the same bed with themselves or their nurses ; where, 'every night, for many months, they are in danger of being overlaid. 2. By unnaturally sending their children out to be nursed by a stranger, not without danger to THE HOLY INNOCENTS. 129 their health and life, and frequently to their salvation. Those two cases, however, admit of many exceptions, where necessity occurs. 3. By an excessive fondness and yielding to their children's inclinations ; which renders them ungovernable, to the destruction of both soul and body. 4. By bad example, or a mere worldly education or, by giving them no education whatsoever. Q. What are parents to do on this feast ? A. 1. To examine how they have discharged their duty to their children, and resolve upon an amendment of past neglect. 2. To offer up their children to almighty God, and to beg he would rather take them out of the world, than suffer them to pursue evil ways and rebel against him. Q. And what are children to do ? A. 1. To beg that God would reward their parents for the care they have taken iii their education; or pardon them, in case they have neglected it. 2. To offer themselves to be his faithful servants, and to beg th6y may rather die than ever live to offend him by any mortal sin. Q. What niay all in general beg of God by the intercession of the Holy Innocents ? A. 1. That no one, in any of the aforesaid w'ays, may be guilty of Herod's sm. 2. That we all may be qualified for heaven, biy becoming as children in humility and simplicity, in docility and submissioti ; and in bdiig strangers s 130 ST. THOMAS. !! u 1\ Hj^ Sect, 7. — St. Thomas of Canterhury.X — Dec. 29. Heb. V. 1, 6. John, x. 11, 16. Q. WHO was St. Thomas ? A. An Archbishop of Canterbury, who after a tedious banishment, was murdered in his own cathedral at Vespers. Q. What was the occasion of his sufferings ? A- His refusing to subscribe to such laws as he judged injurious to the Church. Q. What proofs are there for his death having been precious in the sight of God ? A. The many glorious miracles performed at his tomb, which were deservedly received by our ancestors as so many authentic attestations from heaven of his sanctity and the justice of his cause. Q. What lesson has this martyr left us ? A. A lesson of constancy and courage in the discharge of our several duties ) and that no human respects ought to over-rule our conscience. Q. Whom are we to pray for ? A. 1. For the prelates and pastors of the Church of God. 2. For all who suflFer for justice sake. 3. For our sovereign and our country. Q. What are we to beg for onr country ? A. 1. That peace and charity may be estab- lished among us. 2. That we may be united in one faith, and live according to the gospel. 3. That God would remove his scourges from it ; preserve it from atheism and infidelity j and make us all zealous for the nropao'ation of iustiee- virtue, and truth. iSE SSBBSsn- ST. SYLVESTER. 131 'Dec, 29. Sect. 8. — St. Sylvester. — Dec. 31. ao after a his own ings ? iws as he b having ^^ formed at I by our ions from his cause. 9ge in the no human s of the or justice T be estab- faith; and rges from tlity J and )f inafiftfi. -- ^ ; 2 Tim. \y 1, 18. Luke xii. o 5,40. r Q. WHO was this Saint ? A. He was a Bishop of Rome, in whose time Constantine, tae first Christian Emperor, settled the Church in peace, after a persecution of three hundred years. Q. What is the duty of this day ? A. 1. To thank God for the peace of the Church. 2. To resolve to contribute, on our part, towards the extirpation of what remains of idolatry. Q. What remains of idolatry do you mean ? A. 1. The spending Sundays and Festivals in excesses and profaneness. 2. The preparing for Lent by a carnival of sinful extravagance and intemperance. 3. The abuse of churches in loose% and worldly conversation. 4. The making use of charms for the recovery of health ; superstitious observations of days as lucky or unlucky ; going to fortune-tellers, believing dreams, &c. All these are so many remnants of idolatry. Q. For what are we to pray ? A. For the peace of the Church, and the propagation of its faith among heathens and unbelievers; and against both speculative and practical Arianism and other heresies. Q. What was Arius's heresy ? A. He denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. Q. Where was he condemned ? A. By the Bishops of the Catholic Church assembled in a Council at Nice. Q. What mean you by practical Arianism ? A. I mean those errors in life and practice, 133 ST. BYIDOET. Which arq so opposite to what Christ thonght that God '''"" *^ '" ""^^'''* ^'""^"^ ^^ Christ being Q. Can you point out some of those errors ? A. The errors of pride, ambition, love of pleasure, interest, and epse, are all directly contrary to the maxims of God Incarnate. Sect. 9.—^/. Bridget.-^:^ehmaTy X Ps. xliv, 14, 15. Wisdom, iv. 2. Q. WHO was St. Bridget ? 5p Ir^S;^''* abbess, and f^Uftd^^s of nunneries ^^i^rom w^pm did sl^^ re- ■a Q. Where was her body interred ? A. At Downpatrick, where it was found in the year 1185, with the bodies of St. Patrick and St. OoiumbKill, and thence translated to the cathe- dral of the same city. But their monument was dubtroycd in the impious and sanguinary reign of Henry the Vlll. The head of St. Bridget is now supposed to be in a college of Irish priests at LisDon. Q. What should we demand of G-od through the mtercession of this saint ? A. That he would vouchsafe to inspire all women with similar sentiments of religion, piety, and purity ; which may render them^ as well in the sinj-le as married s:ate, like St. Bridget, ornaments of Ohristian society, and examples of every sublime virtue. the Sect. IO.-^Sl Matthiasy Apostle.X—^Feb. 24. Acts, 1. 15, 26. Matt. xi. 25^30. Q. UPON what occasion was St. Matthias taken into the number of the apostles ? A. Upon St. Peter's declaring, iti a public assembly of all the fiiithful at Jerusalem, (t^s their head and guide,) the necessity of choosmg one into the place of Judas, whose self-murder had occasioned a vacancy in the college of the apostles ^c^i. 16, 20. Q. WhaL recommended St. Matthias to the apostlealiip ? from his baptism by St. John, till his ascension. Acts, i. 21, 23. 134 ST. MATTHIAS. Q. What method was taken in the choice of this saint ? A. The whole assembly joined in prayer to God, the searcher of hearts, that he would point out to them which was the most acceptable. Q. What may we learn from hence ? A. 1. In all difficult cases to consult God by prayer for direction. 2. That it highly concerns the faithful to be earnest in their supplications to almighty God, for such bishops and pastors as may inherit the spirit of the first apostles. Q. Why does this so much concern the faithful ? A. Because our Saviour tells them, that // the hltnd lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch. Matt. XV. 14. Q. What think you then of such as take no care to discharge their duty in this point ? A. They have great reason to fear, lest one time or other they should fall into the conduct of Judas, who would not pray for a Matthias. Q. What devotion is suitable to this day ? A. 1. We are to thank God for the choice he made of this saint. 2. To humble ourselves in consideration of Judas's fall ; and to place our whole confidence in God, who alone can support our weakness. 3. To beg that no motive of private interest, however fairly painted, may ever draw us from the <5bligation of truth and justice. Q. And who ought particularly to make this prayer ? A. Wives, children, stewards, lawyers, over- seers of the poor, and all that have undertaken iiny place of trust. -I^^ ST. PATRICK. 135 Q. What must we beg of God by the interces- sion of this saint, for the pastors of the Church ? A. 1. That none may engage in the sacred ministry, but by the choice of heaven. 2. That he would be pleased to preserve such as are engaged, from Judas's avaricious spirit, and endue them with the disinterested, laborious, and zealous spirit of his holy apostles. 3. That he would inspire such as nominate to funds or benefices, to overlook all human respects, and present the persons they think best qualified. this Sect. 11.— -St. Patrick. I— March 17. Acts, xxii. 21 : vi. 10. Q. IS St. Patrick's day a day of particular devotion ? A. It is. Q. Why so ? A. Because he converted all Ireland to the faith of Christ, and thereby became its apostle. Q. Of what country was St. Patrick ? A. In a work of his still extant, called his Confession, he informs us that he was born at Bonaven Tabermce, which seems to be the town of Kirk-Patrick, on the mouth of the river Cluyd, in Scotland, between Dunbriton and Glasgow. Q. What means did Divine Providence make use of, to prepare him for the conversion of Ireland ? A. It permitted him to be led away captive, in his sixteenth year, by barbarians, who took him into Ireland, where he was obliged to keep cattle, on the mountains and in the forests^ in hunger 136 ST. PATRICK. and nakedness, amidst rains, snows, and ice ; while God, to whom he fervently prayed, filled him with an interior grace, which enabled him to bear his afflictions with patience, resignation, and holy joy. Q. Did St. Patrick, after his freedom from caf)tivity, receive any celestial admonitions to prepare him for the conversion of Ireland ? A. God manifested to him, by divers visions, that he destined 4iim to that great work. He even thought he saw all the children in the country, even new-born infants, stretching out their hands, and piteously crying to him for relief. Q. By whom was St. Patrick ordained bishop, and appointed to preach the ftiith of Christ in Ireland ? A. By Pope Celestinc, about the year 481. Q. What success attended the apostolic labours of St. Patrick ? A. He not only converted the whole country by his preaching and miracles, but by the assist- ance of Heaven, rendered it an island of Saints, which title it justly merited, and retained many ages. Q. How long did St. Patrick continue his apostolic labours ? A. To the year 4^3, when, after pleaching in every province, and in every particular part of the kingdom ordaining a necessary number of bishops, priests, &c. to serve the' altar restoring sight to many blind, health to the sick, and raising nine dead persons to life, being 121 years old, he died, and was buried at Down, in Ulster, where his bddy wafc found, in a church of his name, in xxoijf 'd,wi vransiai^a wu «tiOtiii;r part ot ttxe same cfctarch. ST. JOSEPH. 137 Q. What should we ask of God through his intercession ? A. That he would preserve those rays of pure faith, which still subsist in this kingdom ; that he would open the eyes, and melt the hearts of those who persecute the catholics of Ireland for their holy Religion, and bring them back again to the bosom of the Church. Sect. 12. — St, Joseph. — March 19. Eccl. xlv. 1, 6. Matt. i. 18, 21. Q. WHO was St. Joseph ? A. A poor carpenter, descended from the royal family of David ) the spouse of the blessed Virgin, and foster-father to the Son of God. Q. What account does the Scripture give of him ? A. It gives him the character of a just man. Matt. i. 19. Q. What may we learn from hence ? A. That sanctify and perfoc^tion is very con- sistent with a life of toil and labour. Q. How may this sanctity be acquired ? A. By setting St. Joseph before our eyes as a pattern for our imitation. Q. As how ? A. St. Joseph being just, we may conclude, 1. That he joined innocence with his labour. 2. That he sanctified his work by daily prayer, and repeated oblations to almighty God. 3. That he discharged all the obligations of his calling with a cheerful submission to the will of God, who has enjoined labour as a penance upon tlie sonsi of Adam. M 138 ST JOSEPH. Q. How (lid St. Joseph behave himself to the blessed Virgin, before he was acquainted with the mystery of the Incarnatian ? A. He had thoughts indeed of leaving her, but yet in so quiet a way, as not to cast the least blemish on her reputation ; and this method he designed to take, because he was ajustman. Matt. i. 19. And God was pleased to permit St. Joseph to be seized with this surprize, that this very suspicion of his, might be a proof io us of the Virgin's purity. Sf. ChnjiiOii. Horn. 4. in Matt. Q. What lesson does he here give us ? A. Not rashly to censure in thought, much less expose in words, whatever has an ill appearance in our neighbour's conduct. Q. Why is so much care to be taken in the point of thinking or speaking ill of our neighbour ? A. That we may hejnst, as St. Joseph was. Q. Where is the injustice in the liberty of censuring others ? A. It is an injustice, 1. With regard to God, as being an encroachment upon his divine prerogative of seaching the heart of man. 2. To our neighbour, for it is not doing as wc would be done by. 3. To ourselves, since it provokes the severe judgment of God and man against us j for it is generally observed, that censorious persons are guilty of greater and more visible imperfections, than those upon whom they so freely cast their verdict. Matt. vii. 2. Q. Did God leave his servant under these per- plexities ? A. No : an angel was sent to inform him of the mystery, and that he should give the name of ■I 1 ST. JOSEPH. 139 WO Jesus to the infant God, because he was to save his propfr./rom fht'irshix. Matt. i. 21. Thus assuring him both of the fidelity of his spouse and of the eminent dignity of the fruit of her womb. Q. What gather you from hence ? A. That the intercession of St. Joseph must certainly be much available towards our recon- cilliation with God, and to render Christ effectually a Jesus, or Saviour to us. Q. What comforts did St. Joseph receive after this information of the angel ? A. Of seeing our new-born Saviour adored by the wise men. Q. But did his comforts continue for any long time ? A. No. The providence of God, which always interweaves bitters and sweets in the lives of his saints, to try them by the one and support them by the other, soon sent an angel to St. Joseph, to forewarn him of Herod's bloody design, ordering him to fly into Egypt, with the infant Jesus and his virgin Mother. Q. What did Joseph thereupon ? A. Without consulting private interest or incli- nation, or asking any questions, he immediately obeyed the orders given him. Matt. ii. 14. Q. What instruction may we receive from this example ? A. That we ought, 1. Readily and without reply to obey the commands of God and our superiors. 2. Rather to quit country, friends, relations, p,nrl flip whole world, than endan<^er the loss of Jesus Christ. Q. What virtues ought we on this feast to I ! 1 1 > ■ V i 140 ST. JOSEPH. Study, and beg of God, by St. Joseph's inter- cession ? A. 1. A lively faith in the mysteries of our redemption. 2. 'Pnrity. 3. Charity towards our neighbour in coneealing his seeming defects. 4. Obedience to the will of God. 5. So tender a love of Jesus, as may prompt us to keep him always in our company and in our hearts. Q. What besides ? A. 1. Married persons ought to beg grace for themselves and their children. 2. And all, an exact fidelity in discharging the duties of their state. Q. How are Christians to behave themselves in marriage ? A. With prudence, decency, and purity, and not a^ter the brutal manner of infidels, who know not God, and abandon themselves to their irra- tional passions. Tab. viii. 5, 9. 1 Thess. iv. 5. Q. What are the mutual duties of married persons ? A. To love and bear with one another ; to live peaceably, and conspire in all things, according to God's pleasure, to the good of their family. 1 Cor . yii. 2 Pet. iii. Q. What are the faults they must beware of ? A. 1. Excessive fondness, so as to flatter one another in their sins. 2. Jealousy. 3. Unfaith- fulness. 4. Quarrelling, impatience, &c. Q. What is the duty of husbands to their wives? A. 1. Love, protection, kind treatment. 2 Condescension to their weakness and infirmities. 3. Good example. 4. To allow them, as far as prudence directs, the government of the fiiniiliy, without permitting tihena to dois^ineer. I "J TBfE ANNtri^CTATIGK. mtcr- of our rds our icfects. nder a p him ice for all^ an f their Ives in ^, and I know ir irra- iv. 5. aarried bo live wording family. of? er one nfaith- W'Wen ? nt. 2 mitiep. far as ^liljy; Sect. 13. — The AnminckfMon.^— March 25- Isa. vii. 10, 15. Luke, 1, 2^, 38 Q. WHAT feast dbes the Church celebrate to-day ? A- The Conception or Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Q. Why then is it called the Annunciation, or Lady-day ? A. Because on this day, the angel Gabriel announced, or declared, to the blessed Virgin the mystery of the Incarnation, and that she was chosen to be Mother of the world's Bedeemer. Q. What virtues has our Saviour recommended to us in this mystery ? A. 1. A most profound humility. For being equal to his Father, and one God with him, he in a manner annihilated himself in becoming man, and assumed the appearance of a slave. 2. A perfect obedience to the will and decrees of his eternal Father. 3. An infinite love to mankind, his enemies. 4. A hatred to sin. 5. Poverty and a contempt of wordly greattiesS- 6. Chastity. Q. How did the blessed Virgin receiv-e the news the angel brought her ? A. With admirable modesty, humility, faith, and submission to the will of God ^ Q. In what did she manifest her modesty and love of chastity ? A. In being troubled at the sight of the angel, who appeared as a young man ; and being wiihng % .! I ' ( m I '^<: I I- i. 142 THE ANNUNCIATION. rather to forego the dignity of mother of God^ than to be wanting to her vow of chastity. Q. In what her humility ? A. In dechiring herself the handmaid of onr Lord, when she was advanced to be the Mother of God. Q. Her faith and submission ? A. When she said^ Be it done unto me according to tliy word. Q. What followed upon the blessed Virgin's consent ? A. She immediately received Jesus Christ in her chaste womb, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, who framed a body for Jesus Christ out of her purest blood, and united a soul to it : and this body and soul was at the same moment united to the second Person of the most blessed Trinity. Q. Why did Almighty God require the blessed Virgin's consent to this mystery ? A. That Mary's obedience might atone for the disobedience of Eve. Q. Draw a parallel between Eve and Mary ? A. 1. Eve was tempted by a bad angel ; Mary was saluted by a good one. 2. Eve yielded to the temptation, disobeyed God ; Mary obeyed him, by believing the angel. 3. Eve presented to Adam the fruit of death ; Mary has given us the fruit of life. 4. Eve began our ruin ; Mary our salvation. Q. What may we conclude from hence ? A. That as Jesus is the second Adam, so is Mary the second Eve ) that is to say, the true mother of all living. Gen. i. 20. Q. How may we join with the Church in this double solemnity of Jesus and Mary ? A. 1. By adoring the eternal word annihilated n BT. GEORGE. 143 in becoming man. 2. By thanking his infinite mercy for so doing. Psalm xliv. 3. By lamenting our common misery, in so little corresponding with the divine mercy; resolving to pay him our homage and fidelity for the remainder of our life, and joining with Jesus Christ in making war against pride and concupis- cence, against the world, the flesh, and the devil. 4. By endeavouring to answer the design of our Saviour's being made man, which was, that we might become like to God, and he made •partakers of the divine nature. Matt. v. 48. 2 Pet. i. 4. 4. By duly considering and estimating the virtues recommended to us by Jems and Mary, and praying for grace to practice them. jat Sect. 14. — St. George. — April ^Z. 2 Tin. li. 8, 10 ; ill. 10, 12. John, xv. 1, T. Q. HOW comes St George's-day to be a feast throughout England ? A. Because St. George is the ancient patron of that nation. Q. What was St. George ? A. A soldier of Jesus Christ, and an illustrious martyr under the emperor Dioclesian. Q. Why did the English nation make choice of him for their patron ? A. Upon account of his courage in his military profession, and of his constancy in suffering for truth and justce. . Q. What are we to beg of God by his inter- cession? m I ST. JUARK. .nu' fr^ ""^i .constancy, that, like raTiant soldiers of Jesus Christ, we may overcome all eneiiiies and obstacles between us and heaven Q. What need have Christians now-a-days, of any extraordinary courage ? A. L That they may not yield to the sinful eustonis and ill example of th« world. 2. Nor to interior temptations, nor to dejection, d.i hat they may bear with a Christian spirit, afflictions, injuries, sickness, &c. 4. That they may not be daunted with the tfifliculties which occur in the diseharge of Iheir respective duties. Q. What else must we pray for K A That God would be pleased tannit^the i^nghsh nation in the profession of that primitive laith, for which this Saint suiFered death. Sect. I^^-^Sl Marh.\— April 25. Ezech. i. 10, 14. Luke, x. 1, 9. Q. WHO was St. Mark ? A. A disciple of St. Peter, and one of the fbiir iivangelists. Q. Is this a feast of obligation ? A. No. But it is liowever a day of devotioii and prayer. Q. What particular prayers are said on this day ? A. JThe long litanies are said publicly in the- churches. Q. What means the word Litany ? . A- ^^^ s^«»e as Rogation, and they both signify prayers and supplications. ST. MARK. 145 Q, Why is this day in particular chosen for devotion and prayer ? A. In imitation of St. Mark's disciples, the first Christians of Alexandria, who under this Saint's conduct were eminent for their great prayer, abstinence, and sobriety^ Q. By whom was this day first set apart for abstinence and public prayer '( A. By St. Gregory .the Great, called the apostle of England, as an acknowledgment of the divine mercy in putting a stop to a mortality in his time in Home. Q. For what intention are we to ofier our prayers and devotion ? A. 1. To appease God's anger, provoked by our sins. 2. To prevent and deprecate all contagious and pestilential distempers. 3. To obtain the blessings of heaven upon the fruits of the earth. Q. Why these three ? 4. Because famine, and dearth, and mortality^ which is caused by them in men and beasts, are the scourges of Almighty God. Q. Is there any great necessity at present of appeasing God's anger. A. Very great. For scandals multiply, luxury and disorder gain ground in all conditions, and the law of God is in a manner trodden under foot. Q. How do the processions which are paade in Catholic countries, help to appease God's anger. A. They help to make the GhureU's penance iuOi-o public, and, as it wej:e, prodaim in the streets and country, Do penance, mid beg pardon of AlmigJiiy Gtd. 146 SS. PHILIP AND JAMES. Sect. IQ.—SS. Philip ai^d James^X—Mo^ I. Wisd. V. 1, 5. Job, xiv. 1, 13. Q. WHAT account can you give me out of the holy Scriptures of these two apostles ? A. First as to St. Philip, he was so overjoyed to have found the Messia?, Jesus of Nazareth, that he imparted immediately the happy news to his friend Nathaniel, and conducted him to him. Job, i. 45. Q. What said Nathaniel ? A. He seemed to undervalue what St. Philip had told him, by saying, Can amj thing goad come out of Nazareth ? v. 46. Q. What reply did St. Philip make ? A. He said no more than, Come and see : thus showing on this occasion a meekness, prudence, and steadiness worthy of an apostle. Q. Did he bring any others to Jesus Christ .'' A Yes. Some Gentiles desiring to see our Saviour, St. Philip with St. Andrew gained admittance for them. John, xii. 21, 22. Q- What does this teach us ? A. That it should be our care by word and example, and by all other means, to bring unbe- lievers to the faith of Christ, and sinners to repentance. . , Q. What futher account is there m the gospel of this apostle ? . i . ^ j A Our Saviour desianing by a miracle to teed five thousand men, asked St. Philip, in order to try his faith, by what means breau coUid ^^e provided for sp great a multitude. Q. And what answer did he make ? SS. PHILIP AND JAMES. 147 A. He answered, that two hundred penny- worth would not suffice to give every one a little morsel. John^ vi. 5, 7. Q. What does this intimate ? , A. That such as are in distress are not to fix their thoughts upon their wants, but upon the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, who bids us hope in him. Q. Is tmy thing else related of him ? ^ A. He afterwards made this petition to our Saviour : Bomine, ostende nobis Patrem, et svfficit nobis ; Lord, show ns the Father, and that ivill satisfy us. John, xiv. 8. Q. And what answer made our Saviour ? A. He answered in these words : Have Ibeen so long with yon, and you have not hnown me yet f Philip, he that sees me, sees my Father, v. 9. Q. May we not take these words as spoken to ourselves ? A. Yes ; and it ought to be a confusion to us, that whereas God has been so long present to us by his power, wisdom, and goodness; by his inspirations, blessings, and chastisements ; by his holy word and sacraments ; we have taken almost as little notice of hi*n, as if we had not known him. Q. What use may be made of St. Philip's petition, Domine &c. A. It is a proper aspiration to express our desire of seeing God in his glory, and our con- tempt of all earthly vanities. Q. What further is related of him ? A. 1. That he was a married man, and had J T-i-—-, „»^1 ..-.^i- nrtTk /\f hia TomilV UUUgniCrS, UilU JCU v;an^ -v-'i "'>^ _.„.,.. .^. hinder him from meditating continually law and the prophets, which taught him to so 1 148 SS. PHILIP AND JAME9. II . 7 •*• I. 111. expect and to discover the Messias. Eus. 31. St. Qhrys. Horn .xix. in. Jo, 2. That he and St. John the Evanirelist appeared to the Emperor Theodosius, and pro- mised him victory over Eugenius, which was gained the next day by a visible miracle. Tlieod. I V. c. 24. Q. Now what account c^n you give me of St James ? A. St. James the Less, surnamed the Jast, was near kinsman to our Saviour, and the first bishop of Jerusalem ; a person of extraordinary sanctity, mortificatiOQ, and prayer ; and at last for preaching Christ, was by the Jews thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple. Matt xiii. 55. Gal i. 19 Joseph. 4ntiq. I xx. 8. Q. Did he write any thing ? A. He has left us a divine epistle, which is part ot the holy Scripture ; wherein he so plainly teaches the necessity of good works in order to ealvation, that Luther (the first founder of the Pi-otestant heresy, and an enemy to all good works) would not sufifer his followers to receive it as a part of Scripture. Luth. de (,Jap. Bat. t. u.fol. 86. ^ g. What are we to ask of God by the interces- sion of these two apostles ? A. L A lively faith. 2. The spirit of prayer and mortification. 3. The conversion of unbe- lievers, and especially of such of our relations as may be engaged in sin or error. Sect. 17.— Pmdmj of the Holy Cro.^s.J.^i% 3, Phil. ii. 5, 11. John, iii. 1. 15. Q. WHAT is the meaning of this feast ? A- It IB a festival ift jn^mopy 0jf tjiat FINDINO OP THE HOLY CROSS. 140 TvhereinSt. Helen, mother of ConBtanfiile, the first Christian emperor, found the Cross of Christ, in the year 826, about 180 years after it had been buried by the heathens. Q. Why did St. Helen go as far as Jetusalem to ueek the Cross ? A. Because she looked upon it as a relic that deserved her pains in seeking it, and her venera- tion in case she found it. Q. Did the primitive Christians pay any respect to relics ? A. Yes. They paid them a relative honour, as Catholics now do. Q, What mean you by a relative honour ? A. I mean such an honouir as we give to material churches, of to books of Seriptute, or to sacred vessels ; that is to say, we honour and value them, as things that in some pairticular manner relate or belong to God. Q. What proof have you of any veneratidn^^ paid to relics in primitive timos ? A. This very fact is a sufficient proof. For as St. Helen would never have sought the crosis of the bikd thief, as being in all respects a thing of no value ; so she would never have sought for the cross of Christ, but that she had some veneration for it. Q. What other instances of this relative honour given to relics do you find among the ancients ? A. 1. The bones of St. Ignatius the martyr, were kept with' great veneration at Antioch, as an inestimable treasure ; and so were St. Poly carp's at Smyrna. Acta SkicerM SS. Igna.& Fohje, 2. Vigilantius, in the fourth age, was condemned as a heretic, for denying that a veneration lis due S'>S^. Peter and Paid^—June 29. Acts, xii. 1, 11. Matt. xvi. 13, 19. Q. WHO was St. Peter? A. A poor fisherman, called by Jesus Christ to be, under himself, the hoad of the Church militant. Q. Why do you give St. Peter a preference to all the other apostles ? A. We give him no more than what our Saviour, in the opinion of the holy Fathers, conferred upon him. Q. How prove you it to be the opinion of the holy Fathers ? A. He is called in their writings the prince of the apostles and supreme preacher of the Church, the Head of the apostolic company, the pastor entrusted with the charge of Christ's whole flock. Q. What grounds from Scripture can you bring me of St. Peter's supremacy ? A. 1. Christ committed to him the government SS. PETER AND PAUL. 155 •eference to inion of the ti of his lambs and sheep, without exception. (Johrij xxi. 15.) 2. He gave particularly to him the keys of heaven. Matt. xvi. 19.) 3. He declared him to be the rock upon which he would build his Church, (v. 18.) ; and for that reason called him Cephas, or Fetrus ; that is to say, a rock. {John, i. 42.) Hence the Evangelists, in their lists of the apostles, always name St. Peter before the rest j and St. Matthew calls him the first. Matt. x. 2., Mark, iii. 14, 16., Luke, vi. 13, 14., Acts, i. 13. Q. Where did St. Peter die ? A. He was crucified at Rome, and, at his own request, with his head downwards, because he thought himself unworthy to suffer in the same posture wherein his Lord had suffered before him. Q. Was St. Peter's dying at Rome any advan- tage to that episcopal see ? A. Yes. The Church of Rome was, upon account of St. Peter's chair, established the Mother of all other Churches, and chief guardian of the divine truths ; and all other churches are obliged to hold communion with her. St. Hierom. %). Ivii. Q. What do the faithful owe to the present Bishop of Rome ? A. A sincere obedience, as to the successor of St. Peter, and the chief ecclesiastical governor. Q. Has the Church any writings of St. Peter ? A. She has two of his Epistles. Q. Who was St. Paul ? A. A learned Pharisee, who, from a persecutor, was miraculously changed by Jesus Christ into a glorious preacher of the gospel, and appointed doctor of the Gentiles. im SS. PETBIt AISTD :?AUIi. h 'ip: ' Q. Why was Jesus Christ pleased to convert him so miratulously ? A. To miko app3ir in him the power of divine graco, and to render his testimony the more UIi'^|UOs^ion ible. Q. Whit his St. Paul wri^rn? A. Fourteen admirable epistles. Q; Wh it wiis his death ? A. He was beheaded at Rome. Q, Was St. Paul in any manner equal to St. Peter ? A. He WIS equally empowered by JesusChrist to preach the gospel to all the world ; but he was not equal to St. Peter in ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Q. What mean you by codestaHHraljurisdh'tmi P A. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction is n power derived' from Christ, to govern the members of the Church. Q. How was St. Paul inferior to St. Peter in point of jurisdiction ? ^ A. St. Paul had full power over all other Chiistians, but none over the apostles : whereas St. Peter was set over all the sheep of Christ, among which St. Paul and the other apostles wero certainly comprehended. Q. Why do we keep the feast of these two apostles on the same day ? A. Because they were both put to death at Kom3 on th3 sime day, for the faith of Christ. Q. Was this feast kept in the primitive ages ? A. Theodosius the younger, anno 425, men- tons it among the days that were then celebrated throughout the world, and consecrated to prayer ; on which he forbids any public shows to be such ('ays oaght to be taken up with the service of God. Cod. Theo. s.y. t. \, L^* tS8. PETER AlfD tKUtl. 157 Q. And was it usnal in those times to desire their intercession ? A. St. Augustin tells us, that the Emperors themselves went to pray with respect at their tombs. And they acJcnowledge, says St. Ghry^os- tom, amidst their power and greatness, that they stood in need of having for their patrons and intercessors a fisher-man and a tent-maker. And St. Paulinus, as he himself informs us, went every year to Rome, ^ to assist at this solemnity. Aug. Ep. xlii. Chrys. * JTow. xxvi. m 2. ad Cor. Faidin. Ep. xvi. Q. What virtues does the Church recommend to us from the example of St. Peter ? A. Faith, humility, and penance. Q. What from the example of St. Paul ? A. An unlimited, a compassionate, and a dis* ^interested charity to our neighbour. Q. And what from both ? A. 1. An ardent zeal for the glory of Je&ua Christ, and the salvation of our own and our neighbours' souls. 2. An unwearied patience, and an undaunted courage in the profession of Christ's faith and maxims. 3. A lively confidence in the mercy of our Bedeemer, who made choice of the one, who denied him, and of the other, who persecuted him, to be the main pillars of his Church. Q. What are we to beg of God by their intercession ? A. 1. The virtues recommended by their example. 2. The divine spirit and protection upon the pope, bishops, and inferior pastors. 8. The grace of conversion tbr all that? by schism or heres" are divided from St. Peter's chair. 158 VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Q. What part of the holy scripture is proper to be read on this feast ? A. The fifth and the twentieth chapters of the Acts, St. Peter's two Epistles, the four lasc chapters of St. Paul's second Epistle to the Corin- thians ; the two first of his Epistles to the Gala- tians; the last of his two to Timothy; or his Epistle to the Philippians. Sect. 20. -—Visitation of the B, Virgin.— July "1 Cant. ii. 8, 14. Luke, i. 39, 47. Q. IS this a feast of obligation ? A. No ! but, however, it is a day that calls upon us for more devotion and reflection than other working days. ' Q. Why so? A. Because the Church commemorates this day that charitable and humble visit which the blessed Virgin made to her cousin St. Elizabeth. Luke, i. 39, &c. Q. In what condition were both of them ? A. The blessed Virgin was with-child of Jesus Christ, and St. Elizabeth of St. John. Q. What happened at their meeting ? A. So soon as the blessed Virgin spoke, the infant in the womb of Elizabeth leaped for joy, and adored his Saviour. Q. What said St. Elizabeth to the blessed Virgin ? A. She saluted her in these words : Blessed art thou amongst women, and hleised is the fruit of thy womb : and then added. What a favour is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me ! Luke, i. 42, 43. Q. What does this teach us ? VISITATION OP THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 159 « A. With what sentiments we ought to approach to Jesus Christ in the holy communion. Q. What was the answer of the blessed Virgin ? A. She uttered (in answer to St. Elizabeth's salutation,) that divine canticle, Magnificat^ wherein she glorifies God, and descends into her own nothingness. Q. What does this canticle teach us ? A. How to express our thanks and gratitude after communion. Q. Why is this canticle daily said at vespers : A. To commemorate that heavenly joy the Holy Gnost on that day infused into the hearts of Mary, John, and Elizabeth ) and to express our own, for the mystery of Christ's incarnation. Q. What must we beg of God by the inter- cession of the blessed Virgin ? , ni. • A. 1. A share of those graces with which Christ filled St. John. 2. Grace so to regulate our visits and conver- sation, as to render them agreeable to Almighty God. Q. What rules ^re to be observed as to visits ? A. That idle visits, and much more, such as are dangerous, be carefully avoided. Q. Why so? . A. Because our soul and our time is the price of the blood of Jesus Christ. Q. What is the second ? A. That the visits which may, or must be made, be governed by a right intention. Q. How do you mean ? A. I mean, they must be made out of a prin- ciple of duty, charity, christian friendship, gratitude, or respect. f ! i *• I i- ! I { t 16d VISITATION OP THE BLESSED VIRGm. Q. Is it any fault in a Chtistiati, not to visit f^«k poor th3 afflicted, or the imprisoned ? A. Ihese kind of visits sometimes cannot be omitted without endangering our salvation Matt XXV. 41, &c. Q. Why so ? A. Because the character of a Christian strictly obliges us to these works of mercy. Q. What think you of such as generally find the day too long for them, unless some of its Hours be passed away in idle visits ? A. It is to be feared that they are but little acquainted with those many ipiportant duties that are inseparably annexed to the profession of a Ivliristian, and to their stAte of life, Q. What directions can you give me as to conversation ? A. A good Christian will take care to avoid those faults which are generally found in wordlv conversation. "^ Q. What are those faults ? A. They are chiefly these five : 1. Unprofitable discourse. 2. The commending worldly pomps and vanities. 3. Detraction. 4. Boasting or J^ § of one's self or family, fortune, relations, k A ' bordering upon immodesty. Q. Are jests allowable in conversation ? A. Provided they break not in upon relidon, charity, ^X)r civility, nor be carried too far, Wy are helpful to an innocent recreation. St. Fran ^ales, Introclpar. 3. ch. xxvii. IGIN. 3t to visit joned ? cannot be on Matt. tn strictly rally find mc of its but little uties that don of a ae as to to avoid Q wordly profitable y pomps ?ting or relations, religion, far, they It. Fran, ST. JAMES, APOSTLE. 161 Sect. 21.— iS^. James, Apostle.X — Jult/ 25. ^1 <:!or. ii. 9, 1^. M«*t. xx, 23. Q. WHAT was St. James ? A. A fishermaa, who was called, with hia brother St. John, to the apostleship, and imme- diately lett his father and his nets to follow Christ. Q. What particular favours did he receive from liis Lord and Master ? A. He was one of the three apostles that our Lord admitted to the more intimate transactions of bis life ; as to be an eye-witness of his glorious transfiguration, (Matf. xvii. 1.) of his raising to life the daughter of the prince of the synagogue, and of his sorrow in the garden. Mark, v. 37, xiv. 33. , , , Q. Did not both he and his brother John raest also with some rebukes from Christ ? A. Yes. Not only when their zeal for their Master's honour carried them too far, (as related in St. John's life, p. 133,) but on another occasion also, when their mother, prompted by them^ petitioned for tlie principal places of honour next to his person. Q. What may we learn from our Saviour s answer to this request ? , , . , i. A. 1. That to have a place in the kingdom of Christ, we must drink his chalice ; that is, we must partake in his sufferings. 2. That the highest places would be given to those for whom they were prepared by his Father, •„ .^^^ -^.p fl>rti*. <3i-ir»niMAif TYiPrif and virtiip. Q. Were not the rest of the discip'^* offended at this request ? t 162 ST. ANNE. to inIZ', fc ' ^ '• «f ^ '""■ Saviour occasfon to instruct them in the nature of liis kingdom .shewing them th«t in his service humili y^ w ' ^LZ7 ^^T""' ^"«gi"g tis own ex2p]e a pattern of it, who came not to be served him.elf „ t' ^l ^?1"S apprehended and beheaded bv the ZZfi ^''°f ^r^f'' «nd so he became ho first of the apostles that died for the faith of Chr st Q. What must we beg of God by his In er Lssi^^' of tind. ' '" '°^'^"'' *" P"'*« """J haughtiness 2. To make a right use of prosperiiv an J 'rS ^Llr '""^ *^ «I^"t„''aTdLh of fnto sTn ' ^'' """ "'■^ '" ""''^PPy "« to fall n I Sect. 22.-^<. Anne.i~July 26. PriiTi'iJai. 10,'^*i:' Matt. xiii. 44, 52. Q- WHO was St. Anne ? Q What"'w ' 1- '^' ^^''''^ ^''«™ Mary. w\SX"bK"?irS ™^''"^^ ^'' '^"- wo^enrf;ri;u:re'iheTr;^;S?*° ""-^^^^ If ST. ANNE. w iviour occasion f bis kingdom, Iiuniility was wn example as =5ervcd hiuiPelf, expense of his es share in his beaded by the he became the faith of Christ, is intercession? ad haughtiness rosperity amj ritual death of appy as to fall ^26. 4, 52. p'n Mary. ^ >ose she gave * y lessons of Grod and her 5 soon as her ^iflg the like ? to married A. 1. That no excess of solicitude for their family, may take off their thoughts from providing for eternity. 2. That by the love of worldly vanities, they neglect not the cure of their families. 3. That they affect no dresses for the pleasing of strangers' eyes, or gratifying self-love and vanity. 4. That they patiently submit to the difficulties of their state. 5. That, in short, they may be wanting in no duty to their husbands, children, or servants. Q. Whit are th3 duties of parents to their children ? A. To take care of their education and their settlement. Q. How are they to take care of their children's education ? A. By giving them, 1. Instruction. 2. Good example. 3. Correction. Q. What is to be said of mothers, who will not take pains to instruct their children themselves, ;uid are so fond of them, as not to permit them to seek abroad what instruction is necessary ? A. Such mothers will certainly at Christ's tribunal be answerable for all the misdeeds of their children. ' '\ Q. When should parents begin to instruct their children ? A. From their infancy, 1. By instilling into thorn soriie of the chief maxims of the goppel, as a love andjear of God, an aversion to sin and vanity, forgiving injuries, &c. «2» Py !f>pr.|iTr»fi' fbrip. the ordinsrv pi nvcrs- rnd how to make short acts of the virtues most nccec- n ! I t 1 \l •■ -I 16^ ST. ANNE. sary to salvation, and by enlarging these instruc tions as they advance in age Q. And Tdiilst their children. .. .vowing up, what care is then to be taken ? ^' A. 1. They must keep them to their hours of praymg and reading. 2. Teach them to employ themselves 3. Oblige them to order and 6\scd W'%, a' r'^^^,^"^*^^^'^ company and convorsatioi. b. btudy to make them easy in a regular life, bv allowing them their diversions, and encouraging them m whatever is decent, 6. To take care they he separate, if possible ; and by no means to suffer boys and girls to lodge in the same chamber much less to have the same bed. ' ^ Q..What are the ordinary failings of parents m point of instruction ? ^ I'^rcma *^. ^; ^^/?- ''''^ ^^ '?^°y» ^^^' ^°stead of laying the foundation of a virtuous life, sow in their chil- dren s minds the seeds of vanity, ambition, revenge ' n wV^^''**''"^' ^^'°S» detraction, and the like cxampB"^ '" ^'^'^^^ '^'^'^ ^ S^^^ good A. Because children naturally imitate what thev see done by others, especially by persons whom they love and respect. Q. What need of correction ? A. It is needful for preventing both their chil- dren s and their own damnation. Ecd. xxx. 8, &c W; Uught parents to give correction when thev are m a passion ? •' A. By no means ; because such correction, not being attended by God's blessing serves only to - — £--- — »...,^ijL» SXIJ.1J. ixiuikc iiiiCiii worse. Q. How then is correction to be given ? A. It must be governed by reason, accompanied ST. XAURENCi;. 165 3se instruc- vowing up, r hours of to employ and discip- •nversation. ar life, by Dcouraging e care they QS to sufter chamber, of parents of laying their chil- ti, revenge, the like, ^ive good what they )ns whom heir chil- xx. 8, &c. ^hen they ction, not 3 only to ? i>nipaDied with sweetness and moderation ; and with no other regard than that of God's honour and their chil- dren's salvation. Q. How are parents to take care of their children's settlement ? A. By an early provision of what may be neces- sary to support thorn according to their condition ; and more especially to help them to that state of life to which God calls them. Q. How may parents know to what state God calls their children ? A. 1. By consulting God in their prayers. 2. By examining the inclinations and talents of their children. 3. By taking advice of a prudent and pious person, without hearkening to the suggestions of self- interest or ambition. Q. Is it a sin, to force a child to embrace a state, to which there appears no vocation from Almighty God ? . A. A very heinous sin; and such as draws after it a thousand more. Sect. 23. — St. Laurence. \ — August 10. 1 Cor. ix. 6, 10. "ohn, xii. 24, 26. Q. WHAT was this Saint ? A. A deacon and martyr at Rome. Q. Why did the church formerly celebrate his feast in so particular a manner, as to ^eep a fast •L -i? *J. 9 utsiuru iii ; A. The more effectually to recommend to our imitation the virtues of charity to the poor, love im ST. TJkTWCKCJB. r 1" Church, as the boat way of securing them from the^avarice of a heathen tyrant. Q. What was hi i Jove of suffering ? A. It was so great, that seeing Pope Xislus M to^martynlom, he «ghed and complained that S n 4r^ not to accompany him y. What was his constancy in sufferine ? upon a^ridir°"^''7PP"'\'°'^«*' and stretched upon d gndiron, m order to be broiled U, death ione™ V"*'' r ™«* *« *" ^y *» his execJ: tioners Turn and eat, it i, roaked mumgh. poor? '^ "'"'* ''' '"•'*»*« >»« "'•'•^ to the ^A. By depositing in their hands our unne^e*. SiS^s "^^ ^^ """^'"S ■^^P«» "" h„S: J^°l "^"^^ "^^ ^«««"'« •■er intercession, and have the happiness at death of obtaining heaven ? of PnA V°"^*'°" "*'*'«'■ ^'''»e«' "'^- Jier love ♦« t^! '•iwn"i''"5'' P""'y' patience, conformity to the will of God, and her spirit of adoration praise and thankgiving; thL being the necesl of Wis?"' '°°' "" '""'' ^°' ^"''i^'ng Aat state Q. How arc we to imitate her humility ? had' t ,1! '^^'■^ l^""^' ^y °'''''°g ">at all we have IS the pure effect of his bounty, and by a cheerfol submission to all his appointments. ^ ,ni" t- ''^S^rdotcmrnmghho^xT, by despising none, and being mid to all; by not contending for ou^ own way or opinion, by forgiving injurfes, and esteeming all others better than owselves !./„„ ^f '"^"^ °^ ourselves, in having a true know- ledge of our anworthmess, in receiving obiection and contempt with peace and comfort,! checklg our own will, m taking reproofs or advice quietly^ in suppressing all words of vanity, and refusing ""^•"^d office as if it were beneath us. ^ y. What devotion is proper for these eight days ? A. 1. frequently to thank Almighty God for the graces and glory bestowed on her whom he made ot all the faithful.—^oAre, xiz. 26, 27 '„nd«w ^"'u'^ particular manner to recommend ouwelves to her protection and intercession. u^^ ' •"' ^-^-^^^^ ujtnjii lue Virtues oi which she Im&y^n ua au example, and be ashamed to ^ ■«*W•■'»««W»*W*%^ ST. BARTHOLOIVJEW. 169 ourselves so deeply tainted with the contrary vices. 4. To beg those virtues of Almighty God by her intercession, and to practice them upon every occasion. 5. To beg a happy death for ourselves and others, especially for all that are now in their agony ; and grace to prepare from this day for it, by a virtuous life, lest any further delay be pun- ished with the loss of time and grace. — Matt. xxiv. 42. Luke^ xii. 20. Matt. xxv. 13. Sect. 25. — St. Bartholomew. "I — August 24. 1 Cor. xii. 27, 31. Luke, vi. 12, 19. Q. WHO was St. Bartholomew ? A. An apostle of Jesus Christ, who preached the gospel in Armenia, where he is said to have been flayed alive. Q. How must we sanctify this feast ? A. In the manner already mentioned in pages 25, 26. Sect. I^.—Nativiti/ of the B. V. M.X—Sept. 8. Prov. viii. 22, 25. Mat. i. 1, 16. Q. WHO were the blessed Virgin^s parents ? A. St. Joachim and St. Anne. Q. Of what family was she ? A. Of the royal family of David. Q. Was she like the rest of mankind, born in Bin ? IW NATIVITY or ttriJ Bf. V. MARY. n * A; We ought not by arijr means to think so ; it being very improbable that she should be less favoured than St. John Baptist, who was sanctified in his mother's womb, and that at the voice of the blessed Virgin. Q. What then was her sanctity ? A. A sanctity of so extraordinary a degree, as to be exempt during her life from all sin, as well veniaJ as mortal.— 6Wc. Tnd. Sess. vi. can. xxifi. Q. How did she live ? A. A poor, humble, hidden life, attending to nothmg else but God and her duty. Q. What was most remarkable in her life ? A. The promise she made in her tender age of preserving her virginity, to which she found no encouragement from past ages. Q. What virtues were: the chief companions of her virginity ? A. Prayer and retirement. Q. What may we learn from the early prepara- tion she made for the conceiving the Son of God ? A. That it ought to be the care of our whole life, to dispose ourselves for receiving of God's benefits, and for the receiving of Jesus Christ in the blessed Eucharist. ,r.^*. ^^^ ^"^^* principally to imitate the blessed Virgin ? A. Young virgins and all women kind, she being the honour of their sex. Q. In what are they chiefly to imitate her ? A. In her retirement, modesty, chastity, and humility. "^ Q. What other lessons have we from festival ? ^^= 4L. J.U ut; Kii uiiuga wiiu tts iUlie iioisc as possible; since God 80 ordered, that nothing ap- NATIVITY; OB THB B. V. MARY. t 80 ; it be less mctified 3 of the ;ree, as as well 1. xxifi. iing to age of md no ions of r" para- God? whole God's rist in >lessed id, she y, and i^al ? , HUG as peared in this new born Vir^ (so aceomplished with grace, and designed for so gi-eat a dignity) which might recommend her to the eyes of men. 2. Never to boast of our good works, abilities, or extraction, nor invite others to speak in our commendation. 3. If rank and quality oblige a Christian to admit somewhat of state, that he is not to lo :e it, nor think himself the greater for it, but rather to combat the injustice of being set up to be admired; and coveted,, when on ao many accounts he deserves to be contemned. 4. Not to be loud and talkative, or contentious in con- versation, nor yet morose and dull ; but rather cherful, free, and easy. Q. And what is to be remembered as to the spiritual birth of children ? A. That parents ought not to admit those to an- swer for th«ir rhildren at the font, who know not the way to heaven themselves, or voluntarily go out of it. Q. What is to be our devotion during ihm octave ? A. 1. To thank God for the graces where with he endowed the blessed Virgin, as also for the rich present he made this day to the earth, in the birth of the blessed Virgin, of wham was to be born the Saviour of the world. 2. To beseech Almighty God, that it may be a day of new birth to us, by engaging anew in his service, and resolving to make goixi ouir baiptisaMil obligations. 3. To beg by her intercession, that we may be faithful in corresponding, m ske w^, wit|n the many blessings he continually showers down upon ns. 4. To !nediMe oq ih^m virtues^ of wliioh she !il| 172 ST. MATTHEW: copy Jms set us a pattern ; and to beg grace to them out m our lives. » o Q. For whom beside must we pray ? A. 1 For children as yet unborn* that God would brmg them safe into the world, and to the grace of baptism. ^ 2. For children already baptized, that they may never loose their baptismal innocence. S. For all the faithful, that by a thorouLrh pen- ance and amendment of life, they may recover the grace of baptism. m Sect. 27,— St. Matthew, Apostle and Uvangelist.l —Sept. 21. Ezech. i. 10, 14. Matt. ix. 9, 13. 1?'^ y? n^ r^ ®*- ^^tthew before he was called to follow Christ ? , A. A publican ; that is to say, an officer em- ployed m collecting customs upon goods, and re- ceiving to 1 from passengers, all of which profes- sion were looked upon by the Jews to be enormous sinners. Q. How was he called to follow Christ ? A. Hegivesthis account of himself; that Jesus passing by, saw a man sitting in the custom-house, whose name was Matthew, and said to him. Follow me; who rising immediately, followed him, and made a feast for him, to which a great many pub- licans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus. Q. What do you learn from hence ? ST. MATTHEW. nz A. 1. That there is mercy ready for the worst of sinners, if they forsake their evil way and be- come obedient to the call of God. 2. That the happiness of a soul may often de- pend upon its fidelity and obedience to the first Toice and call of Almighty God. 3. That wheii-e it is for the interest and glory of God, such as have a zeal for him will not be concerned for their own reputation. 4. Four marks of a true conversion. Q. What are these marks ? A. 1. A true convert will avoid the occasions of sin. — Num. xvi. 26. Frov. vi. 27. Matt xxvii. 69. EccL xxi. 2. Matt, v. 29. Gen. iii. 3. 3 Kwgs xi. 1, 2, 2. Will follow Christ by the practice of good works. 3. Will express in the best manner he is able, his gratitude to the divine mercy. 4. Will be so far from being ashamed to owa his conversion, that he will endeavour to bring others to do the same. Q. Were the l*harisees scandalized at our Saviour for eating with publicans and sinners* A. Yes : but he told them that it was the sick and infirm, and not the sound and luaJthful, that needed the physician ; that he preferred mercy to sacrifice, and came to call, not the just, but sinners- Q. What may we learn from hence ? A. Tour essential truths : 1. JHiat Jesus is the great physician of our souls. 2. That we all stand in need of him. 3. That if we desire to find him our physician, Wf^ mu<2^- ^nn'Pf'oa ond a''*1ij'n^*'''^^d2!''^ nnr infirmities- •- " ' "~ "~ ~ " 1. xxvi. 53. xxviii. 2. Luke, i. 11, 26. ii. 9. Jo, v^4. A. ;,, i. 10. V. 19. X. 3. xii. 7, 23.' xxvii. ^6. and jn many places of the Old Testament. 4. God has appointed them the guardians and protectors of the Church, and of every one of the ia.thful MatL xviii. 10. Acts, xii. 15. Fs. xxxiii. 8. xc. 11, 12. Ban. xii. 1. y. What instructions do the Angels give us ? A. 1. That as their whole business is to adore. t'le^s, and magnify God, to be wholly subject to iiin and perform his will in all things, so we e?ight, by following their example, to dispose our- fiel es for that which we hope wiU be our enter- tain men t for ever. |. To undervalue all earthly goods, honours, and satisfactions, and settle a fixed Judgment, that the best employment of our understanding is, to li:now him, and the ways that lead to him, and of onr will and cffections, to love him. And 3. For tills end to spend the Sunday and holy-days in such a manner, as to answer the design of their institution, by giving them to him to whom they belong. "^ Q. How are we to direct our devotions on this: feast ? A. It is our duty, 1. To join with the Angels in acts of adoration, praise, thanksgiving, and lc>ve. 2. To contemn all earthly things, and earnestly to desire a share of the happiness they enjoy J^nd pray that we may arrive at that unchaneeabl^ ttate. ° 3. To beg by their intercession;, irraee to irnitate tbeijr ready obedieace to the orders of Almighty THE ANGEL-OXTABDIANS. 177 S. IXXllK Go«[, their zeal for his glory, their mutual charity and concord, their purity, humility, &c. 4. To thank God for the favours and protection rcceired hy their ministry and to pray for a con- tinuaice of them. 5. To thank St. Michael and the other holy Angels for the favours they have conveyed unto us. 6. To recommend ourselves and the whole Church to his protection ; and to desire him to guard U8, particularly at the hour death. Sect. 29. — The Angel- Guardians. — Oct. 2. t^, xxiii. 20, 23. .Matt, xviii. 1, 10. Q. IS ^his day a feast of obligation ? A. No. But however it deserves to he taken notice of more than ordinary working days. Q. What Angels do you call guardians ? A. Those whom God, out of his great mercy, has ordered to watch over us, and to take particu- lar care of us. Q. Wha' then does your Angel-guardian do for you; A. He accompanies me wherever I go ; he pre- serves and rescues me from many dangers ; he succours me in time of temptation ; he guides and governs me by interior inspirations. Q. What do you owe to your Angel-guardian ? A. 1. Gratitude. 2. Respect. 3. Submission. 4. Confidence. Q. What obligation of gratitude ? A. For the great concern be has for me, and the liii«li ., fi ^ liXV Q. Why are you to respect him ? 178 THE ANGEL-GUAUDIANS. A. Upon iweount of l,is execllonce. his dicrti-y, and ainetify. And theroforo I ought to bhth ., m1 "°"«''t "f vcs me in hlavc7 '''"^' """'^ '^''''"'' """^ ^''' gi-cat credit ^0,!'"^^"?'' ^''^. ^^' recommended mo to his caie. — t'salm xc. 11. 3. He is a professed enemy fo my spiritual enemies. *^ -^ '^ >iiuai Q. What may we conclude from these tmths V A. Ihat we ought to have a great deference and TS 1 '^'''^. ^°' ^^ ^^^^ ^'^^^^^^1' siBce their /f iVl T '^^ thefaceofGod.— i/,///.xviii. 10 y. What devotion is suitable to the dav^ A. 1 To thank God for his love and mercy in committing us to such protectors. ^ 2. To beg pardon of God and his Ano-els, our guardians for haying ungratefully offended him, and by so doing grieVed them. 8. By a sincere conversion, an humble confession and a devout communion, to give them an occasion ot joy, and to render ourselves more dear to them and more worthy of their protection. 4. To pay them the thanks, the respect, the submission which we owe them ; Lnd by Tfei; n devotion to make amends for all past neglects. ' ^0. lo beg their protection in all our wavs. and i^aiticuiariy at tiie hour of death, " ' " RO:^AnY OF THE B. V. MAHY. 179 Sect. 80.— Fm/f of the E<>mry of the Blmed Vii'j'n Mtn'u.—ht Suucd Vir^rin Mary (.clc^^rated on the first Sun liv of tob^r ? A. in iiieni-)ry of the; siirnil victory of L?p'ui^.o. .riin'Ml oil that (I .y, bciu:; the 7th of Ocfcob-r, 1571, Sver the united maritime forces of the Ottoman cmpir'^% by the gombine I Cl«r stian fleets. Q. What were the imhiediatc consequences ot t^ it vii'torv . '\. The almost totardestruction of the infilel mn-iuo pnvjr, 300 gillies being taken, with 116 lir>-o an 1 256 ^»m\ll cannon, and a vast number of pn^?oner> ; 80,0OJ inGdcls were killed in the engage m?nt an I pursuit, and 15,000 Christians recovered their lib.jrtv. Q. Are the effects of that victory still perceived ? A. Th.'y are very sensibly, for since that memo- r d^lo era, the infidels have so much declined in their m ain '. that their conquests and depredations towards the West, have almost totally ceased; the terror of their arms and name are no longer apprehcnd^'d ; and the Christians htive attained a manif St and decisive superiority. ^) Why sliovild this victory be esteemed the eif-ct of divine interp.)sition, rather than the conse- quiuee of the courage and conduct of the Christian eoiub itants ? , A. B.ciuse the Chti^tian forces were vastly . i^ • ', .1 r...fM,1, .,\v^ W> Pin-; y who WaS the themofvietury Yicur of Jobus Christ on earth assuri aT-J *'"V, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) :<*- ^ 1.0 I.I !f ilM IIIIIM ^ i^ 112.2 !^ 1^ IIIIIM 1.8 1.25 U 1.6 1 ■* 6" J V] <^^ A^ V. / Photographic Sciences Corporation s. # f ^^\ t •s^ #x^ V % V '4^'% ■' Q^ ^^*>:^ 23 WEST MAiN STREET WEBSTES,N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 '->'• m^ ^v- 180 ROSARY or THE B. V. MARY. u long before the combat, and the very day, though distiint many hundred miles, divinely inspired, pro- claimed the victory, which he firmly believed to have been obtained by the intercession of the B. V. Mary, irhom the devout brethren and sisters of the itosary at his request then solemnly invoked, the very instant the victory declared for the Christians. St. Pjus V. was so firmly persuaded of this, that he added to the Litany of Loretto, " Help of Christians, pray for us f and ordained that the said first Sunday of October should be the principal feast of the Kosary of the blessed Virgin Marj of Victory. Q. In what does the Rosary of the blessed Virffin Mary consist ? ^ A. In devout meditations and prayers, and a frequent repetition of the Lord's Prayer, and Hail Mary, as fully explained in the Manuals. Q. Who first introduced this form of praying? A. St. Dominick, Founder of the order of Preachers, to whom the blessed Virgin revealed it, as is asserted in his canonization, anno 1224. Q. Was this method of praying attended with any salutary effects at its first introduction ? A. St. Dominick found it most efficacious in the conversion of the Albigensian heretics; for many, whom neitlier persuasion nor authority could move, were melted into tears, and converted, when they jomed in this devotion, and reflected on the fiubhme mysteries of our redemption, which it commemorates. Q. Has the Church solemnly approved of this devotion ? : A. She has, and given to the confraternities of this Rosary the most extensive spiritual privileges ? Q. What are those privileges ? i=T*t . »-»! i!i ». ' jdwmaft i (iMiiii.,„ ST. LTJKE, SIMON AND JXJDE. 181 A A plenary indulgence to each of them, on their entrance ; on every first Sunday of the month ; on the days the mysteries are commemo- rated ; and at their death. But, it must be observed, that all these indulgences indispensably suppose a person in the stat€ of grace, by having reconciled himself to God, in the sacrament of penance, and partook of the blessed Eucharist ; the other indul- gences and privileges are found enumerated m those books expressly published on this devotion. Q Why is this devotion called Rosary t A. Because, like a rosary or plantation of rose- trees, it contains pious prayers and aspirations, which ascend, with a sweet odour, to heaven, when they are the genuine eifusious of a devout heart. 4 Is the Rosary of the blessed Virgin a general devotion of the faithful? ^ .1. n " i, v A. None more so, for wherever the Catholic Religion is professed, it is known and practiced ; and those who cannot read, may supply that want and satisfy the ardour of prayer, by a frequent repetition of it. Sect. ^\.—Sl Luke, Evangelist. X— Oct. 18. See pages 34 to 39. Sect. 32.— ->Sf^. Simon and Jude.X— Oct ^'^. Eph. iv. 7, 13. John, xv. IT, 29. Q. WHAT does the Scripture remark concern- ing them ? , xi ^ A. That they were called to be apostles, and that St. Jude was nearly related to our Lord. ! ■ M 182 ALIrSAINTS. A Yet ""J.^'k^^"'*""'"'' '"^'^^ *° «"' Saviour ? A. 1! OS. Ky biptism we are all made membera Snners ' "'""' **"^"'''« ">« conversion of to ?s iSo't^g:?'"'" P-«-;«rb^^«~ended y. And what does this teach ns ? f,i,h • . *u*^ ""'y ^''y we have to Icaro ihis fa.t,h, ,s to hear that Church which, havW Lad 5 th\'S"o ThJl' ^!i'''"™' '^' "^^ ^ -«^i-e both of 1 1 '■''^•' .^.^" P™'"'' the succession Dotn of her own vi«ib e existence and nftZ doctrme sie has received and taugh" ' ^' Sect. 33.-,^^ ,4,;.^,-„fe*_Aro„emier 1. ' Rev. vii. 2, 12. Matt. V. 1, 12. A T,^!/"' ^'"'t ^'''''* instituted ? buf 'a^w :^^ SJ" «">"\S.ints (there-being celebrated af^.t ffrj To t^? *«' ■ne»oriel made then, ^.^^t^^ ^ L.« for having I P9RSH ALIi-SAt^^r^i 188 ecoqimended Q. What advantages mny we expect from this soleuinity ? , x- ^ * A 1 We iiiay, if we be not wanting to ont duty, obtain more abundant graces by multiplying our intercessors. /,, .1 2. The united examples of Saints of both sexes, and of all ages and professions, will be apt to encourage us to a more vigorous pursuit of the virtues which may fit us ft»r a place amongst them. Q. By what means may we best excite our- selves to imitate the Saints ? c . . I 1 .1^ A. By considering, 1. That the Saints had the same difficulties to contend with as we have. 2. That we have all those helps which enabled them to overcome. . j 8. T^atwe have no less encouragement j and, 4 No more to do, than the Saints had. Q. What difficulties had the Saints to encounter A They had to fight against thv devil and his suggestions ; against the world and its threats and promises, its maxims and example ; against their own passions and concupiscence : and what others can we fear ? * -i ^ v Q. What helps have we m order to become T'i. The merits of Jesus Christ. 2.^ The inspirations and graces of his holy spirit. 6. Ihe protection and intercession of the samt^s and angels. 4. The holy sacraments. 5. The reading or hear^ ing of divine truths. 6. Good example. 7. iem- poral prosperity or adversity ;-and the Saints had no other. . Q. What encouragement ? . A. 1. The example of Jesus Christ and ot his ] 184 ALL-SOULS. Saints. 2. Eternal misery to be avoided. 3. Eter- nal happiness to be gained. Q. What is to be done, that we may be admitted into the company of the Saints ? A. All that we have to do is, love God, who is infinitely amiable, and to keep his command- ments, which are not hard.-— J/a^/. xi. 30. 1 John, V. 3. ' Q. How then are we to employ ourselves on this feast ? A. 1. To thank God for the glory he has bestowed upon the Saints, and provided for us. 2. By considering the above-mentioned truths, to make a firm resolution of serving God. 3. By lively acts of faith and hope, to raise in our souls a contempt of the earth, and a longing desire of being admitted into that blessed assembly. Sect. M.—'All-Soids.'-Nbvember 2. 1 Cor. XV. 5]. 57. John, v. 25, 29. Q. IS the custom of praying for the dead ancient in the Church of God ? A. This day has been set apart for that duty ever since the beginning of the eleventh age. But m all ages of the Church, the faithful used to offer up the Mass, to give alms, and to fast, that they might obtain for the souls departed a diminution of their pains.— Tf?r^, de Cor. Mil. c. iii. Avg. Ench. c. cix. ex. Aud Arius (in the fourth age) was reputed a heretic for condemning this pratice Aug. L. deHcer.h. 63. Q* Is this devotion consonant to Scripture ? ALL-SOULS. 185 A. The second hook of Maccabees assures us, '^ It 18 a holy and wholesome thought to'prayfor the deadf 'Aa< they may he loosed from their sins'* (c. xii. 40.) And though Protestants will not allow these books as a part of Scripture, yet St. Austin says, the Catholic Church allowed them. — De Civ. Dei, I. xviii. c. xxxvi. Q. For what souls are we to pray ? A. For such only as may be presumed to be in purgatory ; and therefore not for martyrs, infants, or canonized Saints, nor for any that die out of the communion of the Catholic Church ? Q. May we pray for such as lived holily in the Church ? . A. Yes. For the judgment of God is different from that of man. Q. May we pray for such Catholics as lived wickedly ? A. We may; unless they died in the actual commission of a mortal sin -, for we hope in the unlimited mercy of Almighty God. Q. What motives are there to induce us to this devotion of praying for the dead ? A. To pray for the dead is an argument of our charity to God, our neighbour, and ourselves. Q. How is it an argument of our charity to God ? A. Because by praying for the delivery of those pious souls, we desire that God may be praised and glorified by them in heaven. Q. How is it a charity to our neighbour ? A. Those souls are elect members of Jesus Christ, arid therefore in a particular manner our neighbours and fellaw members; so that upon account of their great and patient suffering, they verv muoh deserve our compassion and assistance. fl66 PRJss^NTATION ^P fm B. V. MARY. Q. How is it a charity to oureelves ? A. 1. It makes us think of tJie next world, which IS the great duty of a Christian. 2. It provides us friends in heaven. 3. It renders us more capable of relief when we come to purgatory. 4. It encourages us to avoid even venial sin • to bear patiently the afflictions of this life, and to do all the penance we are able, which is the most elteotual means to avoid bath hell and purgatory -Sect. M.^Ptresentaiion of the Memd Yiryin, Nov. 21. Eccl'js xxiv. .14, 16. Luke, xi. 27, 28. .^.^•.''^^^^ ^^ *^® intention of the Ghurch in this feast ? A. 1. To praise and thank Almighty God for the graces with which he so timely endowed the blessed Vii^n, who was the first of her sex that made profession of continuing a virgin all her life. 2. lo excite us to theHimitation of this glorious Mother of all the Elect. ^ Q. How are we to imitate her ? . ^ A. By presenting a«d dedicating ourselves, as she did, to God*s service. .,,,^,t Q. And how are we to offer ourselves ? A. 1. By humbling ourselv€s in his presence, ^onfessmg^our iofiimity, aad owning that if he help us not: wath hasgraee, we ar© tsertaiikjy lost. ;^. By itta W a-protcstatiott^f telbj^ &ithful in reslsling evil, and, perfca^ing whatever he requires of ^ us. 4rti*„X::^iil.;^y "l^^ ■#'".i^ltJt* iiJ^UiXl XTrt Mi m PRBSENTATION OF TttiB B. V. MARY. 187 3. By putting ourselves in a disposition of accept- ing from his hand sickness, pain, poverty, afflic- tions, or whatever he appoints. Q. How did she dedicate herself ? A. Early, entirely, and for ever. Q. How eatly ? A. In her infancy, according to a pious tradition of the Eastern church ; being well persuaded that all the moments of her life were few enough to make a present of to her Creator. Q. Why do you say, entirely ? A. Because she undoubtedly renounced her own will and all the rich^J^r^iid pleasi^r^s of this world. Q. What reason' ||i#, we. to belkve this? A. We hav6^Ki*^8!on, that fiince. we ought to believe every >|ijijqig . I^at ; ,ftdds to ctlie honour of the blessed WllO) virithout prejudice to faith, we must think s^e ceitiinly took God's will for the only rule of her auctions : i5ie desiif^d no other riches but to possess Grdfd's graoe ; no other pleasure, but to please and $^r^e'him. Q, How did^6h;e ide^ioate >er«Blf for ever ? A. She was coD^ant in her pod resolutions, and made it her^£%" cape to iajo^rove in virtue. Q. What are t!msB«f>erg»n9'"t6 ^o, who have already dedicated themselves to God ? A. To renew this day their vows or purposes of serving God. Q. And what advice do you give to those that are not as yet settled in any state ? A. 1. To resolve from this day forward, under the protection and patronage of the blessed Virgin, to give themselves entirely to the service of Almighty GxkI. 2. To beff her intercession, that God wonld be ' 188 PRKSENTATION OF THE B. V. MARY. pleased to direct them to that state of life in which he designs that they shall save their souls. Q. What ought mothers to do on this feast ? A. 1. To offer up their children to Almighty God, and daily to renew the oblation. 2. To beg grace so to educate them, that they and their children may both inherit eternal life. VJ PKAYERS. Tliat may he mid ^ preparatory to the reading of the different Suhjtcts in this Book. "^Il-f^ ON A SUNDAY, OR A FESTIVAL OF THE LORD. Prayer. ALMIGHTY and eternal God, to whose honour and glory this day is dedicated, grant us, we beseech thee, that we may celebrate the same in acts of adoration, praise, and thanks giving, due to thy divine Majesty; through Christ our Lord. Amen. ON THE FESTIVALS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Prayer. ETERNAL Father, who hast chosen the blessed Virgin Mary to be the Mother of thy only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ ; grant us, we beseech thee, who celebrate her Festival this day, that by her intercession, we may obtain the joys of ever- lasting life ; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. ON THE FESTIVALS OF THE SAINTS. Pi'ayer. ALMIGHTY God, grant us, we beseech ihee. that the example of thy Saints may effectually I 190 PHAYURB, ico* 1 1 move us to reform our lives, and that whilst we celebrate their Festivals, we mny also imitate their virtues ; through Christ our Lord. Amen. ON FASTING DAYS. GRANT us, O Lord we beseech thcc the assistance of thy gnice, that duly tipplying our- selves to fasting and prayer, we may be delivered from all our enemies both of soul and body • through Christ our Lord. Amen ' ON DAYS OF ABSTINENCE. Player. GRANT, we boso^ech thre, Almighty G( d, that thy p.vple, who by abstinoncr mortify ihcir bodies may, by the observaiico of thy law, ab>ta n from all things di8pleasing to th* e : thn^Uffli Christ our Lprd. Amen. FINIS. whilst we itatc their m. thcc the ying oiir- doh'vered id body ; h;yG.d, tify ihcir \ Mb>ta:n ^hChiiist r