Volume Iii Part 4 (1/2)
Q. 87. How is the resurrection possible when the bodies are reduced to ashes and mingled with the soil?
A. The resurrection is possible to G.o.d, who can do all things, and who, having created the bodies out of nothing in the beginning, can easily collect and put together their scattered parts by an act of His all-powerful will.
Q. 88. What does ”life everlasting” mean?
A. ”Life everlasting” means endless happiness in heaven; as endless misery in h.e.l.l may be called ”everlasting death.”
Q. 89. Is the Apostles' Creed an act of faith?
A. The Apostles' Creed is an act of faith, because by it we profess our belief in the truths it contains.
THE CONFITEOR.
Q. 90. Say the Confiteor and verses after it.
A. I confess to Almighty G.o.d, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray to the Lord our G.o.d for me.
May the Almighty G.o.d have mercy on me, and forgive me my sins, and bring me to ever-lasting life. Amen.
May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.
Q. 91. What does ”Confiteor” mean?
A. ”Confiteor” is the first word of this prayer in Latin, and means ”I Confess.”
Q. 92. How is the Confiteor divided?
A. The Confiteor is divided into two parts. In the first part we acknowledge our sins in the presence of G.o.d and of His Saints and Angels. In the second part we beg the Saints and Angels to aid us in obtaining forgiveness.
Q. 93. What should we bear in mind in saying any prayer, and especially the Confiteor?
A. While saying any prayer, and especially the Confiteor, we should bear in mind that we are in the presence of G.o.d, and of His Saints and Angels, who see us and hear us, though we can not see or hear them.
AN ACT OF FAITH.
Q. 94. Say the Act of Faith.
A. O my G.o.d! I firmly believe that Thou art one G.o.d in three Divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.
Q. 95. Give the substance of an Act of Faith.
A. The substance of an Act of Faith is: I believe all that G.o.d has revealed and the Catholic Church teaches.
Q. 96. Why do we find Acts of Faith of different lengths?
A. We find Acts of Faith of different lengths, because some state more fully than others what G.o.d has revealed and the Church teaches.
AN ACT OF HOPE.
Q. 97. Say the Act of Hope.
A. O my G.o.d! relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life ever-lasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.