9. Why is Mary called "the purest of Virgins ? Because she always remained a Virgin incomparably pure, and entirely undefiled, not only before, but also at and after the birth of the Divine Child.

"Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel," that is, God with us. (Isai. 7, 14.) In the Holy Scriptures near relations are often called brethren; as Lot and Abraham; in like manner the cousins of Jesus are called His brethren. (Matt. 12, 46.)

10. Why is Mary called "Mother of God," since Christ took only His human nature from her?

She is justly so called, because Christ who was born of her according to the flesh, is true God.

"The Holy which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1, 35.) The doctrine of Nestorius, that Mary is not to be called Mother of God, was condemned as heretical by the General Council of Ephesus in 431.

11. Had Jesus Christ also a Father?

As Man, Jesus Christ had no father; for Joseph, the virgin-spouse of Mary, was only His foster-father. "Jesus being (as it was supposed) the Son of Joseph." (Luke 3, 23.)

12. Why did the Son of God become Man?

1. That He might be able to suffer, and die for us; for as God He could neither suffer nor die; and 2. That by the example of His life, as well as by His word, He might teach us virtue and holiness.

13. What virtues does Jesus teach us by His example?

4

5

All virtues in the highest degree, especially, zeal for the honour of God, and for the salvation of men;2 meekness, humility, patience, kindness and mercy towards every one, even our greatest enemies;7 and obedience to His Heavenly Father unto death.8

Jesus

1 Chastisement of the profaners of the temple. the good shepherd. 3 Reprimand of the Apostles who were going to call fire from Heaven. 4 Washing of the feet of

the Apostles. 5 His passion.

ritan ; etc.

6 Jesus, the merciful SamaJesus at the well of Jacob; in the house of Zacheus; 7 "Friend, whereto art thou come? "Father, forgive them." 8" Father, not My will, but Thine be done." 14. What example does Jesus give in particular to young people?

He teaches them by His example, readily to obey, to take delight in prayer and instruction, to love to stay in the house of God, and to advance in wisdom and grace, as they do in age.

The Child Jesus in the temple, and at Nazareth.

15. Why did Jesus Christ make choice of a poor and humble life?

1. That He might suffer for us from the very beginning of His life; and 2. To teach us, that we ought not to love and seek the vain goods of this world.

Application.-Give thanks to God with your whole heart for having taken the form of a servant, and become a poor Child for the love of you; especially when you hear the Angelus-bell ring in the morning, at noon, and at night. Resolve also to perform all your actions in the manner you know Jesus did His. If you do this, you will be sure to please God, whether you be rich or poor. (Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, or Christmas-day.)

THE FOURTH ARTICLE.

"Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried."

(See Short Hist. of Rel. §§. 25, 26.:

1. What does the Fourth Article of the Creed teach us?

It teaches us that Jesus Christ suffered for us, died on the cross, and was laid in the grave.

2. Did Christ really die?

Yes, His soul was truly separated from His body. 3. Was His Divinity also separated from it?

No; the Divine Person always remained inseparably united with His body and with His soul.

4. Why did Christ wish to be buried ?

In order that His Death might be the more undeniable, and His Resurrection the more glorious and credible.

5. Did Christ suffer as God, or as Man?

Christ suffered as Man, that is, according to His human nature.

6. Was Christ compelled to suffer death?

No; Christ suffered death of His own free will; "He was offered, because it was His own will." (Isai. 53, 7.)

"I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself for me." (Gal. 2, 20. Comp. John 10,

17. 18. and 18, 4-9.)

7. Why was it the will of Christ to suffer and die ? In order to satisfy the Divine Justice for our sins, and thereby to redeem and save us. (P. 101. Q. 91-93.)

By His voluntary obedience unto the death of the cross, Christ has given full, nay, superabundant satisfaction to the Divine Majesty for the manifold offences given to Him by our disobedience, and thus He has redeemed us from the eternal punishment, which he had deserved. Therefore, St. Paul says (Rom. 5, 19.): “As by the disobedience of one man (Adam), many were made sinners; so also by the obedience of One (Jesus Christ), many shall be made just." And St. Peter (1 Pet. 2, 22. 24.): "Who did no sin, who His Ownself bore our sins in His body upon the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice; by whose stripes you were healed." And Isaias (53, 4. 5.): "Surely He hath borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows. But He was wounded for our iniquities, He was bruised for our sins."

8. For what sins has Christ given satisfaction?

"For the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2, 2), namely, for original sin, and all the other sins of mankind.

9. Why could no one but Christ make full reparation for our sins?

Because the offence given to the infinite Majesty of God demanded a satisfaction of infinite value, which Christ alone was able to give.

"No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem; he shall not give to God his ransom. Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: and shall labour for ever, and shall still live unto the end." (Ps. 48, 8. 9.)

10. Why is the satisfaction of Christ.of infinite value?

It is of infinite value, because a Divine Person made it; for the greater the dignity of the person who satisfies, the greater also is the value and merit of the satisfaction.

11. Was it necessary for a perfect satisfaction that Christ should suffer such indescribable torments ?

No; for even the least suffering of a God-Man would in itself have been satisfactory, because each of His works is of infinite value.

12.* Why then would He suffer so much?

In order that we might be the more sensible of the greatness of His love, and of the punishment which sin deserves; and also, that we might bear our cross the more patiently.

13. From what has Christ redeemed us by His sufferings and death ?

He has redeemed us, 1. From sin; 2. From the slavery of the devil who had subdued us by sin; and 3. From eternal damnation which we have deserved by sin.

1. "He hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." (Apoc. 1, 5.) 2. " He Himself hath been partaker of flesh and blood, that, through death, He might destroy him who had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil." (Hebr. 2, 14.) 3. "God hath not appointed us unto wrath (damnation), but unto the purchasing of salvation by our Lord, Jesus Christ, who died for us." (1 Thess. 5, 9.10.)

14. What more has Christ gained for us through His sufferings and death?

He has 1. Reconciled us with God; 2. Re-opened Heaven to us; and 3. Merited abundant graces for us, in order to enable us to lead a holy life, and to obtain eternal happiness.

1. "When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son." (Rom. 5, 10.) 2. "Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the Holies (Heaven) by the blood of Christ; a new and living way which He hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh." (Hebr. 10, 19. 20.) 3. "God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (things) in Christ,

according to the riches of His grace, which hath superabounded in us." (Eph. 1, 3. 7. 8. Comp. Rom. 5, 15—21.)

15. Has Christ merited grace and eternal salvation for those only, who are really saved?

No, He has merited it for all men without exception, as He died also for all without exception. (2 Cor. 5, 14. 15.)

"Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a redemption for all.” (1 Tim. 2, 6.)

16. If Christ has merited eternal salvation for all men, why then are not all saved?

Because not all do, on their part, what is necessary for obtaining salvation; that is, because they do not all believe, keep the Commandments, and use the Means of Grace.

"He (Christ) became to all that obey Him, the cause of eternal salvation.” (Hebr. 5, 9.) Example of St. Paul: Col. 1, 24. "He who made you without your concurrence, will not save you without it." (St. Augustine.)

Application.-Oh, that you would never forget how much Jesus has loved you, and what He has suffered for you! For out of mercy, and "for His exceeding charity wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins.” (Eph. 2, 4. 5.) He has redeemed us through His most bitter passion and death, and placed us in the kingdom of His grace. Let this charity of Christ urge you to live unto Him who died for you, and rose