Q. 416.  Who were present at the ascension and who ascended with Christ?  A. From various parts of Scripture we may conclude there were about 125 persons—­though traditions tell us there was a greater number—­present at the Ascension.  They were the Apostles, the Disciples, the pious women and others who had followed Our Blessed Lord.  The souls of the just who were waiting in Limbo for the redemption ascended with Christ.

Q. 417.  Why is the paschal candle which is lighted on Easter morning extinguished at the Mass on Ascension Day?  A. The paschal candle which is lighted on Easter morning signifies Christ’s visible presence on earth, and it is extinguished on Ascension Day to show that He, having fulfilled all the prophecies concerning Himself and having accomplished the work of redemption, has transferred the visible care of His Church to His Apostles and returned in His body to heaven.

Q. 418. {92} Where is Christ in heaven? 
A. In heaven Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

Q. 419. {93} What do you mean by saying that Christ sits at the right hand of God?  A. When I say that Christ sits at the right hand of God I mean that Christ as God is equal to His Father in all things, and that as man He is in the highest place in heaven next to God.

LESSON NINTH.  ON THE HOLY GHOST AND HIS DESCENT UPON THE APOSTLES.

Q. 420. {94} Who is the Holy Ghost? 
A. The Holy Ghost is the third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Q. 421.  Did the Holy Ghost ever appear?  A. The Holy Ghost appeared at times under the form of a dove, and again under the form of tongues of fire; for, being a pure spirit without a body, He can take any form.

Q. 422.  Is the Holy Ghost called by other names?  A. The Holy Ghost is called also the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth and other names given in Holy Scripture.

Q. 423. {95} From whom does the Holy Ghost proceed? 
A. The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Q. 424. {96} Is the Holy Ghost equal to the Father and the Son?  A. The Holy Ghost is equal to the Father and the Son, being the same
Lord and God as they are.

Q. 425. {97} On what day did the Holy Ghost come down upon the Apostles?  A. The Holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles ten days after the Ascension of our Lord; and the day on which He came down upon the Apostles is called Whitsunday, or Pentecost.

Q. 426.  Why is the day on which the Holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles called Whitsunday?  A. The day on which the Holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles is called Whitsunday or White Sunday, probably because the Christians who were baptized on the eve of Pentecost wore white garments for some time afterward, as a mark of the purity bestowed upon their souls by the Sacrament of Baptism.

Q. 427.  Why is this feast called also Pentecost?  A. This feast is called also Pentecost because Pentecost means the fiftieth; and the Holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles fifty days after the resurrection of Our Lord.