birth; 2. Because she always increased in grace; and 3. Because she brought forth the Author of all grace?
56. Why do we say: 'The Lord is With thee'?
Because God is, in a most particular manner, with the Blessed Virgin, wherefore she is justly called the Chosen Daughter of the Heavenly Father, the true Mother of the Divine Son, and the Immaculate Spouse of the Holy Ghost.
57. What is the meaning of these words of praise: 'Blessed art thou among women'?
That Mary is the happiest of all the daughters of Eve:
1. Because she was chosen before all to be the Mother of God;
2. Because she alone is a Mother and, at the same time, a Virgin; and
3. Because the first woman brought a curse on the world; Mary, on the other hand, brought us salvation.
58. Why do we add these words: 'Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus '?
To show that the veneration of Mary is inseparable from the veneration of Christ, and that we praise the Mother for the sake of the Son.
59. Of what is the 'Prayer of Petition' composed?
Of the words which were added by the Church: 'Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.'
60. Why were these words added by the Church?
1. That we may profess by them before the whole world that Mary is truly Mother of God, because her child is truly God; and 2. That we may often implore the assistance of her prayers in all our necessities, and especially for obtaining the grace of a happy death.
61. Why should, we often pray for a happy death?
1. Because our eternal salvation depends on the last moments of our life; 2. Because, at that critical time, the temptations are commonly more violent and more dan-
