Q. 39. Why is Mary called “holy”? A. Mary is called “holy” because one full of grace and endowed with every virtue must be holy.
Q. 40. Why do we need Mary’s prayers at the hour of death? A. We need Mary’s prayers at the hour of death because at that time our salvation is in greatest danger, and our spiritual enemies most anxious to overcome us.
Q. 41. Why do we say the “Hail Mary”? A. We say the “Hail Mary” to put us in mind of the Incarnation, and to show our devotion to the Mother of God, and our confidence in her assistance.
Q. 42. In what form of prayer is the “Hail Mary” most frequently repeated? A. The “Hail Mary” is most frequently repeated in the recitation of the rosary or beads.
Q. 43. What is the Angelus?
A. The Angelus is a prayer giving a brief history of the Incarnation.
Q. 44. Say the Angelus. A. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, &c. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy Word. Hail Mary, &c. And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, &c. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God! That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by His Passion and cross, be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Q. 45. At what time is the Angelus usually said? A. The Angelus is said in the evening, it memory of the Incarnation; in the morning, in memory of the Resurrection, and at noon in memory of the Passion of Our Lord.
Q. 46. What does “the Word was made flesh” mean in the Angelus? A. “The Word” means the second person of the Blessed Trinity, and “made flesh” means became man.
Q. 47. What is the Litany of the Blessed Virgin? A. The Litany is a form of prayer in which we address our Blessed Lady by many beautiful titles, such as Mother of God, Virgin Most Pure, Refuge of Sinners, &c., asking her after each to pray for us.
Q. 48. Are there any other Litanies in use besides the Litany of the Blessed Virgin? A. Besides the Litany of the Blessed Virgin there are other Litanies in use, especially the Litany of the Saints, the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, &c.
Q. 49. Say the Apostles’ Creed. A. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into hell: the third day He arose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.