Baltimore Catechism No. 3 (of 4) | Page 4

when God is the person offended, "trespasses" mean sins.
Q. 15. What do you mean by "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"? A. In this petition we declare to God that we have forgiven all who have injured or offended us, and ask Him to reward us by pardoning our sins.
Q. 16. When may we be said to forgive those who trespass against us? A. We may be said to forgive our enemies when we act, and, as far as possible, feel toward them as if they had never injured us.
Q. 17. What is temptation? A. A temptation is anything that incites, provokes, or urges us to offend God.
Q. 18. What is the best means of overcoming temptation? A. The best means of overcoming temptation is to resist its very beginning, by turning our attention from it; by praying for help to resist it; and by doing the opposite of what we are tempted to do.
Q. 19. Does God tempt us to sin? A. God does not tempt us to sin; but He permits us to be tempted to try our fidelity or punish our pride; and to give us an opportunity of meriting rewards for ourselves by overcoming the temptations.
Q. 20. Can we always resist temptation? A. We can always resist temptation if we wish, for God always gives us sufficient grace and never permits us to be tempted above our strength.
Q. 21. Is it a sin to be tempted? A. It is not a sin to be tempted, because we cannot prevent it. It is sinful only to consent or yield to the temptation or needlessly expose ourselves to it.
Q. 22. From what do our temptations come? A. Our temptations come either from the devil, our spiritual enemy, or from the world; that is, the wicked persons, places, or things in the world; or from the flesh; that is, our body with its strong passions and evil inclinations.
Q. 23. Should we seek temptation for the sake of overcoming it? A. We must not expose ourselves to temptation, but, on the contrary, carefully avoid it, yet resist it bravely when it assails us.
Q. 24. From what evil do we ask to be delivered? A. We ask to be delivered from every evil of body and mind, but particularly to be delivered from sin, which is the greatest of all evils.
Q. 25. What does "Amen" mean? A. "Amen" means so be it; and expresses a desire that the petition may be granted.
Q. 26. What does Christian mean? A. A Christian is a baptized person who professes to believe all that Christ has taught, and to do all that He has commanded as necessary for our salvation.

THE ANGELICAL SALUTATION.
Q. 27. Say the Angelical Salutation. A. Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Q. 28. What is a salutation? A. A salutation is the customary words or actions by which the people of a country greet one another.
Q. 29. Why is this salutation called Angelical? A. This salutation is called Angelical because it was given by an angel.
Q. 30. What does "hail" mean? A. "Hail" means, I wish you health. It is an exclamation of respectful greeting.
Q. 31. How is the "Hail Mary" divided? A. The "Hail Mary" is divided into two parts. The first part, made by the Angel Gabriel and St. Elizabeth, contains the praises of the Mother of God; and the second part, added by the Church, begs her intercession for sinners.
Q. 32. Why is the "Hail Mary" usually placed after the Lord's Prayer? A. The "Hail Mary" is usually placed after the Our Father because it is an inspired prayer, the most excellent after the Lord's Prayer, and also that the Blessed Mother may, by her powerful intercession, aid us in obtaining what we ask.
Q. 33. Who was St. Elizabeth? A. St. Elizabeth was the mother of St. John the Baptist and the cousin of the Blessed Virgin.
Q. 34. What answer did the Blessed Virgin make to the words of St. Elizabeth? A. The Blessed Virgin answered St. Elizabeth in the words of the beautiful Magnificat.
Q. 35. What is the Magnificat? A. The Magnificat is the splendid canticle or hymn in which the Blessed Virgin praises God and returns Him thanks for the great things He has done for her. It is usually sung at Vespers in the Church.
Q. 36. Why do we address Mary as "full of grace"? A. We address Mary as "full of grace" because she was never guilty of the slightest sin; was endowed with every virtue, and blessed with a constant increase of grace