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 in her soul.

Q. 37.  Why do we say “the Lord is with thee”?  A. We say “the Lord is with thee,” for besides being with her as He is with all His creatures on account of His presence everywhere; and as He is with the good on account of their virtue, He is with Mary in a very special manner on account of her dignity as Mother of His Son.

Q. 38.  Why is Mary called “blessed amongst women”?  A. Mary is called “blessed amongst women” on account of her personal holiness, her great dignity as Mother of God, and her freedom from original sin.