Course 4, Chapter 4: Christianity visible. — Churches continued

1. Why is it proper we should understand the different things in our churches?

It is proper we should understand the different things in our churches; otherwise they would be like profane places, which would not speak to our hearts.

2. Of what do the crypt and altar remind us?

The crypt (which is a subterranean chapel found

under the principal altar in the old churches) and the altar, remind us of the catacombs and the first Christians.

3. Of what do the candles remind us?

The candles remind us of the golden candlesticks and golden lamps of the temple of Jerusalem, and of the infant days of the church, when our fathers, obliged to conceal themselves in the catacombs for the celebration of the divine mysteries, had no other light but that of their lamps.

4. What effect should the sight of these things produce in us?

.4 . The sight of these things should recall to our mind the life of the first Christians, and induce us to imitate their patience, their holiness, and their charity. The candles are also symbols of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true light of the world.

5. What other memento of the catacombs do we fin;! in our churches?

Another memento of the catacombs found in our churches are the paintings. The recesses of the catacombs in which the first Christians celebrated the holy mysteries, are covered with paintings suited to the condition in which those martyrs of the faith found themselves; such as Daniel in the lion's den; Jonas swallowed by a whale; our Lord as the Good Shepherd, $rc.

6. What do you remark on these paintings?

I remark that the subjects are all such as are calculated to excite confidence and charity in the soul; because our fathers bore no resentment towards their persecutors. At a later period the combats of the martyrs, the memorable actions of the saints, of all conditions and all countries, became the subjects of these paintings.

7. \Vhat was the wish of the church in this?

By these paintings the church wished, 1st, to in-

346 6ATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

struct us; 2d, to remind us that all the saints are her children.

8. What is the origin of bells?

'Jfhe origin of beils is very ancient. The church using them in the divine worship, blesses them, and names them after some saint, in order that we may hear them with more respect and docility.