the world; to manifest in this redemption his love for mankind, and to engage men to love him, to obey his law, and to render themselves worthy of him by their virtues.

Q. What is the object of the Church in the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin?

A. The object of the Church in these Feasts, is to engage us to honour the distinguished graces with which the Blessed Virgin was favoured; and to solicit, by her intercession, those of which we stand in need, in order to imitate her virtues.

Q. What does the Church propose in the Feasts of the Saints?

A. The Church proposes in the Feasts of the Saints, the same objects as in the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin.

Q. By what merits have those graces been obtained which were granted to the Blessed Virgin and the Saints; and those which God grants to us?

A. These graces are the fruit of Redemption.

Q. Do all the prayers of the Church refer to Jesus Christ, and to the mystery of the Redemption?

A. Yes, all the prayers of the Church refer to Jesus Christ, and it is for this reason, that in addressing God the Father, the Church always says, "We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever."

Q. How is the ecclesiastical year divided?

A. The ecclesiastical year is divided into four parts, viz., Advent, Lent, Paschal time, and the time which follows Pentecost.

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LESSON XCI.

ON ADVENT.

Q. What is Advent?

A. Advent is a time consecrated to God by the Church, in order to dispose us to celebrate with piety the Feast of Christmas, or the birth of the Son of God.

Q. Why does Advent comprise four weeks?

A. Advent comprises four weeks, in order to signify the four thousand years which preceded the coming of the Son of God on earth.

Q. What are the Anthems which are termed O, and which are used in Advent?

A. They are prayers composed of the words by which the prophets expressed their ardent desire for the coming of the Lord.

Q. Why do we repeat these prayers?

A. To pray that the same Saviour would, by his Divine grace, be born in our hearts, and give life to our souls.

Q. On what must we meditate during the time of Advent?

A. During Advent we must think in our prayers and meditations, of the coming of God, who, by his temporal birth, humbled himself to exalt us, made himself poor to enrich us, and took the form of a slave, in order to deliver us from the servitude of sin.

LESSON XCII,

ON THE FEAST OF CHRISTMAS,

Q. What is the meaning of Christmas?
A. Christmas signifies the Mass of Christ,

because in the mass of this day, we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. Why is the eve of Christmas so celebrated? A. Because our Lord was born during that night.

Q Where was he born?

A. He was born at Bethlehem, in a stable. Q. What circumstances attended his birth? A. At the moment of his birth, an angel announced to shepherds, that Christ was born at Bethlehem, and celestial spirits sung that hymn which the Church loves to repeat, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."

Q. What is the meaning of these words?

A. These words mean, that the glory of God was about to be repaired by the Incarnation of his Son, who was to make our peace with God, with mankind, and with ourselves.

Q. How was the coming of our Lord to establish this peace?

A. The coming of our Lord was to establish this peace, by restoring to all men the title of children of God, by making them all brethren in Jesus Christ, and by meriting for them grace to conquer those passions which excite them to revolt against God, to quarrel with their brethren, and which establish in their souls, a continual contest between good and evil.

Q. How must we imitate our Lord in his birth? A. We must imitate him by loving the poor, by practising humility, and despising the vanities of the world.

Q. What are the three mysteries which the Church honours in the three masses of Christmas day?

A. The three mysteries which the Church honours on Christmas day, are: 1st. The Birth of the Word from all Eternity; 2nd. The Birth of

the Word made Flesh; 3rd. The spiritual Birth of Jesus Christ in the souls of the just.

LESSON XCIII.

ON THE FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION.

Q. On what must we reflect during the Feast of the Circumcision?

A. On the Feast of the Circumcision we must consider three things: 1st. The Circumcision of our Lord; 2nd. The name Jesus, which was given to him on this day; 3rd. The commencement of the new year.

Q. Why did our Lord submit to be circumcised?

A. Our Lord submitted to circumcision, 1st. In order to obey the law which God had given to Abraham and his posterity; 2nd, To give us an example of humility; and to shew us that he came to bear the punishment of our sins, and to expiate them.

Q. Is there any thing good, or excellent, in the name of Jesus?

A. The name of Jesus is above all names; it is feared by the devils, venerated by angels, and salutary to men.

Q. What is our especial duty on the first day of each year?

A. On the first day of each year, we must thank God for the graces which we have received from him, and humbly ask his forgiveness for the sins of the past year: 2nd. We must offer and consecrate to God, the year which is commencing, and which perhaps may be the last of our life.

LESSON XCIV.

ON THE EPIPHANY.

Q. What is the meaning of the word Epiphany! A. The word Epiphany, means manifestation. Q. What mysteries does the Church celebrate on the feast of the Epiphany?

A. The Church celebrates on the feast of the Epiphany, three great mysteries, in which the glory of Jesus Christ was manifested.

Q. What are these mysteries?

A. These mysteries are, the Adoration of the Magi, the Baptism of our Lord, and his first miracle, by which he changed water into wine.

Q. Who were the Magi?

A. The Magi were Gentiles, who came from the east.

Q. How did the Magi know of the Birth of our Lord?

A. The Magi knew it by a miraculous star, which conducted them to Bethlehem, the birthplace of our Saviour.

Q. What did the Magi do, after having found our Saviour?

A. After having found our Saviour, the Magi adored him, and offered to him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Q. What was meant by these presents?

A. By the present of gold, our Saviour was acknowledged as king; by incense, he was acknowledged as God; and by myrrh, as man.

Q. Did not the Magi represent the Gentiles? A. Yes, the Magi represented the Gentiles, or Pagans, all of whom Jesus Christ wished to enlighten by his Gospel, and for this reason the Epiphany is the festival which commemorates our vocation to the faith.

Q. What must we do in order to profit by this festival?