A. The Church commemorates on the same day, the washing of feet, the agony and bloody sweat of our Saviour.

Q. Is not this also the day on which the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils?

A. Yes, it is on Holy Thursday that the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils.

Q. For what purpose is the Oil used which the Bishop blesses with so much solemnity?

A. This oil is used in the administration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Extreme Unction. It is also used in the consecration of Bishops, Priests, churches, altars, chalices, and other sacred things.

Q. What is done in all the churches on Holy Thursday?

A. The altars are dismantled, and the Blessed Eucharist is removed with great solemnity from the Tabernacle, into a repository or tomb, prepared for that purpose.

Q. What does the Church commemorate on Good Friday?

A. On Good Friday the Church commemorates the sufferings, the crucifixion, and the death of our Lord.

Q. Do we not adore the Cross on Good Friday? A. Yes, we adore the Cross on Good Friday, but this adoration is not referred to the Cross itself, but to Jesus Christ.

Q. How do you know that it is not the cross, but Jesus Christ who is adored?

A. I know that the cross is not adored, because when we prostrate ourselves before the cross, we say, "We adore and bless you, O Lord Jesus Christ, because, by your cross you have redeemed the world."

Q. What mystery does the Church honour on Holy Saturday?

A. On Holy Saturday the Church honours the

burial of Jesus Christ, and the descent of his soul into Limbo.

Q. What is the solemn benediction, which is given on Holy Saturday, and the eve of Pentecost?

A. This Benediction is that of the Baptismal font, or in other words, of the water which is to be used in the administration of Baptism.

Q. What are we to do in order to spend the Holy Week well?

A. In order to spend the Holy Week well, we must be more recollected than usual, and spend it in penance, prayer, and meditations on the sufferings of our Lord.

LESSON XCVIII.

ON EASTER SUNDAY.

Q. What mystery does the Church celebrate on Easter Sunday?

A. On Easter Sunday the Church celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord; that is to say, the reunion of his soul and body.

Q. Is it not the greatest festival which the Church celebrates?

A. Yes, Easter Sunday is the greatest feast which the Church celebrates: 1st. Because the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the strongest proof of the divinity and truth of our Holy Religion; 2nd. Because it is the pledge of our future resur rection; and 3rd. The cause as well as the model of our spiritual resurrection.

Q. Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ the strongest proof of our religion?

A. The resurrection of Jesus strongest proof of our religion,

Christ is the because the

greatest of all miracles is to raise one's self from death to life, and this great miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is certain.

Q. Why is this miracle certain?

A. It is certain because the Apostles and disciples who attest it, could not have been deceived, and had no wish to deceive others respecting it. Q. Why could they not have been deceived? A. Because they assure us that Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, was seen by more than five hundred of his disciples at one time; that they saw him themselves, that they conversed and eat with him several times, that St. Thomas, one of the twelve, touched his body, and put his hand and fingers into his wounds.

Q. What reason have you for saying that they had no wish to deceive?

A. Because they persevered during their whole lives in attesting the miracle of the Resurrection; because the strength of their conviction prompted them to publish it in all places; and in short, they suffered a thousand persecutions, and died to confirm their testimony.

Q. Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the pledge of our future resurrection?

A. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pledge of our future resurrection, because, during the whole of his mission in this world, he had no other object than to prepare us for eternal happiness; to enjoy which he promised that we should rise again.

Q. Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ the model of our spiritual resurrection?

A. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the model of our spiritual resurrection, for the holy fathers and doctors of the Church teach us, that in order to imitate Jesus Christ risen again, we must pass, in a spiritual sense, from the death of sin, unto the life of grace.

Q. Why do we celebrate Easter Sunday and Paschal time with so much joy?

A. We celebrate Easter Sunday and Paschal time with great joy, because Jesus Christ on that day appeared as the conqueror of sin and death, and calls upon us to enjoy the fruits of his victory,

LESSON XCIX.

ON ST. MARK'S AND THE ROGATION DAYS.

Q. What does the Church prescribe to be done on the festival of St. Mark, and on the Rogations? A. The Church on the festival of St. Mark, and on the Rogations, invites the faithful to assist at public prayers and processions.

Q. Why are processions joined to prayer?

A. These processions have for their object to appease the anger of God, and to beg that he will pour forth his blessings on the produce of the earth, which at this period of the year is commencing its growth.

Q. What do these processions signify?

A. These processions signify that we are travellers on the earth, and that we must follow Jesus Christ in order to arrive at heaven, the happy end of our journey.

LESSON C.

ON THE ASCENSION AND PENTECOST.

Q. What is the Ascension?

A. The Ascension is a solemnity instituted by the Church, to honour the triumph of Jesus Christ, who ascended into heaven forty days after his Resurrection.

Q. Relate the circumstances of the Ascension. A. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus conversed a long time with his disciples; he led them to Bethania, and from thence to the Mount of Olives, where, in lifting up his hands he blessed them.

Q. What took place after that?

A. While he was blessing his Disciples he was raised up into heaven, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Q. After that what did the Disciples see?

A. While they continued looking up to heaven, two angels appeared, and declared to them that Christ would return visibly from heaven in the same manner as he had ascended thither.

Q. What are we to do in order to honour the mystery of the Ascension?

A. In order to honour the mystery of the Ascension we must raise our thoughts to heaven, and desire that the glory of Jesus Christ may be made known,

Q. What did the Apostles after the Ascension? A. The Apostles after the Ascension, in obedience to the injunction of Jesus Christ, assembled together in retirement with his mother, and with his Disciples, in order to await in silence and recollection, the descent of the Holy Ghost, whom Christ had promised to send.

Q. On what day did the Holy Ghost descend?