要理問答中英對照
Part IV - 祈禱
祈禱 Prayer:
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問: 祈禱是什麼？
Ｑ: What is prayer?
答: 凡心裡思慕天主，欽崇天主，或求恩，或謝恩，都是祈禱。
Ａ: Prayer is raising or hearts to God, to love Him, to adore Him, to ask His graces, to thank Him for His benefits.
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問: 祈禱有幾樣？
Ｑ: How many kinds of prayer are there?
答: 有兩樣：一是唸經，一是默想。（格前 14:15；詠 3:5；詠 50:17）
Ａ: There are two kinds of prayer, vocal and mental. (1Cor 14:15; Ps 3:5; Ps 50:17)
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問: 祈禱要緊不要緊？
Ｑ: Is prayer necessary?
答: 十分要緊：凡開了明悟的人，不能祈禱不能救靈魂。 （若 15:5；瑪 7:7-8； 瑪 26:41）
Ａ: Prayer is absolutely necessary. If those who have come to the use of reason never pray, they cannot save their souls. (Jn 15:5; Mt 7:7-8; Mt 26:41)
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問: 怎麼樣祈禱才有功效？
Ｑ: How should we pray that our prayers may be efficacious?
答: 必須因耶穌的聖名，賴耶穌的功勞，堅信、切望、恆心、謙遜，祈禱才有功效。 （若 14:13-14；瑪 21:22；路 18:1-14）
Ａ: That our prayers may be efficacious, we must pray in the name of Jesus, relying on His mertis, with deep faith, firm hope, perseveringly and humbly. (Jn 14:13-14; Mt 21:22; Lk 18:1-14)
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問: 什麼時候該當祈禱？
Ｑ: When should we pray?
答: 按吾主耶穌的教訓，該常祈禱，不可間斷；每天早晨晚晌，飯前飯後，在誘感患難的時候，更該行祈禱的神工。
Ａ: As our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us, we should always pray without ceasing. But we should pray especially every morning and evening, before and after meals and in times of temptation or trouble.
聖號經 The Sign of the Cross:
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問: 什麼是奉教人外面的記號？
Ｑ: What is the outward sign of the Christian?
答: 就是十字聖號。
Ａ: The outward sign of the Christian is the sing of the Cross.
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問: 聖號經有幾樣？
Ｑ: What prayer is said while making the sign of the Cross?
答: 有大小兩樣。大聖號經就是：『以十字聖架號，天主我等主，救我等於我仇，因父及子之聖神之名。亞孟。』小聖號就是：『因父及子及聖神之名。亞孟。』
Ａ: There are two forms, (1) the longer form and the shorter form. The longer form is: "By the sign of the holy Cross, save us, O Lord God, from our enemies, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen." The shorter form is "In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen".
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問: 為什麼十字聖號，是奉教人的記號呢？
Ｑ: Why is the sign of the Cross the outward sign of the Christian?
答: 因為十字聖號，表明信德最重要的兩端道理。
Ａ: The sign of the Cross is the outward sign of the Christian, because it expresses the two most important doctrines of the Faith.
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問: 表明什麼道理？
Ｑ: What doctrines does the sign of the Cross express?
答: 聖號經的言語，包含天主三位一體的道理，畫十字，表明吾主耶穌為救贖人類，被釘十字架上死。
Ａ: The words of the sign of the Cross include the doctrine of the Holy Trinity; the action professes that our Lord Jesus Christ died nailed to a cross to redeem mankind.
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問: 大聖號經有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of the longer form?
答: 大意是說：求天主看耶穌死在十字架上的功勞，保佑我們不受三仇的害，賴天主三位一體的聖名，賞賜我們所求的恩典。
Ａ: The principal idea of the longer form is, that we pray God, by the merits of Jesus Christ’s death upon the Cross, to protect us from being harmed by our three enemies; and to grant us, in the name of the Blessed Trinity, whatever graces we ask.
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問: 什麼是三仇？
Ｑ: What are our three enemies?
答: 就是魔鬼、肉身、世俗。
Ａ: Our three enemies are the devil, the flesh and the world.
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問: 在什麼時候該畫十字聖號？
Ｑ: When should we make the sign of the Cross?
答: 在行各種神工的時候，飲食、睡覺、及做一切要事前後，特別是在誘感危險的時候，畫十字架很好。
Ａ: We should make the sign of the Cross when performing every kind of spiritual work, before and after meals or sleep and all important actions; it is very good to make it especially in time of temptation and anger.
天主經 The Lord's Prayer:
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問: 聖教會最好的經是那一端？
Ｑ: What is the best prayer in the Church?
答: 是天主經。
Ａ: The best prayer in the Church is the Lord's Prayer, the Our Father.
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問: 天主經怎麼唸？
Ｑ: How do you say the Our Father?
答: 「我們的天父，願你的名受顯揚；願你的國來臨；願你的旨意奉行在人間，如同在天上。求你今天賞給我們日用的食糧；求你寬恕我們的罪過，如同我們寬恕別人一樣；不要讓我們陷於誘惑；但救我們免於凶惡。亞孟。」
Ａ: "Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. Amen."
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問: 怎麼說天主經是最好的呢？
Ｑ: Why is the Our Father the best prayer?
答: 因為是天主耶穌親口傳授的，而且包含愛天主愛人最奇妙的德行，為靈魂為肉身最要緊的恩典。 （瑪 6:9-13）
Ａ: The Our Father is the best prayer, because (1) it was taught by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself; (2) it contains the most sublime virtues of love of God and love of men; (3) it contains the benefits most necessary for soul and body. (Mt 6:9-13)
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問: 天主經怎麼分？
Ｑ: How is the Our Father divided?
答: 分七段：前三段，求天主的光榮；後四段，求為各人要緊的恩典。頭一句，「我們的天父」算是七段祈求的小引。
Ａ: The Our Father is divided into seven parts. The first three parts are a prayer for God’s glory; the last four parts are a prayer for the blessings needed by every one of us. The opening words "Our Father in Heaven" are the introduction.
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問: 為什麼稱天主為父呢？
Ｑ: Why is God called Father?
答: 因為天主造生養育我們，領洗的時候，又收留我們為祂的義子。
Ａ: God is called Father, because (1) He has created us; (2) He nourishes and sustains us; and (3) He received us in Baptism as His adopted children.
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問: 「願你的名受顯揚」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "hallowed be Your Name"?
答: 是求天主賞賜普天下一總的人，都認識、愛慕、讚美，恭敬天主的聖名。
Ａ: "Hallowed be Your Name" is a prayer that God may grant all men to know, love , praise and honour His Holy Name.
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問: 「願你的國來臨」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "Your Kingdom come"?
答: 「來臨」是來到的意思，這一句中求三樣恩典：一、求天主賞賜聖教會廣揚，二、求天主賞賜我們聖寵，三、求天主賞賜我們升天堂。
Ａ: In this one phrase we pray for three great graces for the spread of the Church, for our own increase in grace, for our own entry into Heaven.
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問: 「願你的旨意奉行在人間，如同在天上」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "Your Will be done on earth as in heaven"?
答: 是求天主叫天下一總的人，都承行天主的旨意，就是遵守天主的誡命，如同天堂上的天神聖人一樣。
Ａ: This is a prayer that God may move all men to do His holy will, that is, to keep His commandments as the angels and saints do in Heaven.
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問: 「求你今天賞給我們日用的食糧」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "give us this day our daily bread"?
答: 是求天主賞賜我們靈魂肉身，天天要緊用的事物。
Ａ: This is a prayer that God may give us daily all things necessary for soul and body.
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問: 「求你寬恕我們的罪過，如同我們寬恕別人一樣」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us"?
答: 是求天主寬恕我們的罪，如同我們寬恕得罪我們的人一樣。
Ａ: This is a prayer that God may pardon our sins as we pardon those who have offended us.
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問: 「不要讓我們陷於誘惑」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "Save us from the time of trial"?
答: 是求天主保護我們，不順從誘感。
Ａ: This is a prayer that God may protect us from yielding to temptation.
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問: 「但救我們免於凶惡」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "deliver us from evil"?
答: 是求天主免我們靈魂肉身的患難，格外保護我們不犯罪，脫免地獄的永苦。
Ａ: This is the prayer that God may save us from all calamities of soul and body, especially from committing sin and from the everlasting pains of Hell.
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問: 「亞孟」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "Amen"?
答: 是說：以上所求的恩典，盼望都得到才好。
Ａ: Amen means: May our prayer be heard.
聖母經 The Hail Mary:
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問: 聖母經怎麼唸？
Ｑ: How do you say the Hail Mary?
答: 「萬福瑪利亞，妳充滿聖寵，主與妳同在。妳在婦女中受讚頌，妳的親生子耶穌同受讚頌。天主聖母瑪利亞，求妳現在和我們臨終時，為我們罪人祈求天主。亞孟。」
Ａ: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among 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."
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問: 聖母經怎麼分？
Ｑ: How is Hail Mary divided?
答: 分兩段：前段是讚美聖母，後段是祈求聖母。
Ａ: The Hail Mary is divided into two parts, the first part is praise of the Blessed Mother, and the second part is petition to her.
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問: 「萬福」二字有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of “hail”?
答: 是慶賀聖母，萬般受福；這是加俾額爾天神拜賀聖母用的第一句話。
Ａ: "Hail" is a salutation, greeting the Blessed Mother and wishing her every happiness. This was the first word spoken by the Angel Gabriel when saluting the Blessed Mother.
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問: 「瑪利亞」聖名有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What does the name "Mary" mean?
答: 解說：主母，海星，苦海。
Ａ: Mary mean Lady, Star of the Sea, and Sea of Sorrow.
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問: 為什麼說，聖母是「充滿聖寵」？
Ｑ: Why is the Blessed Mother said to be "full of grace"?
答: 因為聖母自始胎無染原罪，富有天主各樣的恩典，又生了吾主耶穌，聖寵的根源。
Ａ: The Blessed Mother is said to be "full of grace", because: (1) she was conceived without original sin; (2) she was richly endowed by God with all graces; (3) she was the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, the fountain of all graces.
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問: 「主與妳同在」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "the Lord is with thee"?
答: 是說：天主常同聖母在一齊，常常寵愛、保護、照顧聖母。
Ａ: This means that God is always with the Blessed Mother, loving, protecting and caring for her.
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問: 「妳在婦女中受讚頌」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "Blessed art thou among women"?
答: 是說：在一切婦女當中，獨有聖母最是光榮，最有福氣的。
Ａ: This means that of all women, the Blessed Mother, has the greatest glory and privilege.
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問: 為什麼說，聖母最有光榮、最有福氣呢？
Ｑ: Why has the Blessed Mother the greatest glory and privilege?
答: 因為聖母是天主之母，又是卒世童貞，故此最有光榮，最有福氣。
Ａ: The Blessed Mother has the greatest glory and privilege, because she is the Virgin Mother of God.
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問: 「妳的親生子耶穌同受讚頌」有什麼意思？
Ｑ: What is the meaning of "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus"?
答: 明言聖母的聖子吾主耶穌，是在萬物之上，永可讚美的。
Ａ: This means that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of the Blessed Mother is above all creation and worthy of eternal praise.
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問: 聖母經後段求什麼恩典？
Ｑ: What grace do we pray for in the last part of the Hail Mary?
答: 求聖母常為我們罪人轉求天主，特別在臨終的時候。
Ａ: In the last part of the Hail Mary we beg the Blessed Mother to intercede constantly with God for us sinners, but especially at the hour of our death.
聖教會的年節 The Festival Seasons of the Catholic Church :
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問: 聖教會的年節是什麼？
Ｑ: What are the festival seasons of the Catholic Church?
答: 就是聖教會為恭敬天主，感念降生救贖的大恩，並為光榮聖母及諸聖，所定的時節。
Ａ: The festival seasons of the Church are certain seasons fixed by the Church for: (1) worshipping God; (2) remembering with gratitude the great blessing of the Incarnation and Redemption; (3) honouring the Blessed Virgin and the saints.
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問: 聖教會的年節大概分幾期？
Ｑ: Into how many seasons is the Church's year divided?
答: 分五期：就是將臨期，聖誕期，四旬期，復活期，及常年期。
Ａ: The Church's year is divided broadly into four seasons: (1) Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary.
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問: 聖誕期含有什麼意義？
Ｑ: What is the special note of the Christmas season?
答: 聖誕期包含盼望吾主耶穌的聖誕，及聖誕的大樂。
Ａ: The special note of the Christmas season is looking forward to the birth of our Lord, and the great joy of Christmas itself.
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問: 四旬期包含有什麼意義？
Ｑ: What is the special note of the season of Lent?
答: 是叫我們以痛悔的真心，效法耶穌的苦難，預備得沾救贖的洪恩。
Ａ: The Lenten season summons us to imitate Jesus in His sufferings with sincere and contrite hearts, so as to prepare to share in the great benefit of Redemption.
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問: 復活期含有什麼意義？
Ｑ: What is the special note of the Easter season?
答: 是叫我們因耶穌的復活，盼望永生，欣勤修德，一天比一天熱心前進。
Ａ: The Easter season summons us, through the resurrection of Jesus, to hope for eternal life, to practise virtue diligently, and to progress daily in fervour.
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問: 常年期含有什麼意義？
Ｑ: What is the special note of the Ordinary season?
答: 是叫我們在世上，如旅行一樣，不戀世物，一心盼望天堂。
Ａ: The Ordinary season reminds us that we should live like travellers in this world, not cling to worldly things, but set our hearts in Heaven.
瞻禮 Feast Days :
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問: 耶穌聖誕節紀念什麼？
Ｑ: What does Christmas Day commemorate?
答: 紀念天主聖子為救贖人罪，揀選童貞聖母，降生為人的大恩。
Ａ: Christmas Day commemorates the great event of God the Son choosing the Blessed Virgin as His Mother, and becoming man to make reparation for men's sins.
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問: 復活節紀念什麼？
Ｑ: What does Easter Sunday commemorate?
答: 紀念耶穌死後第三日，從死者中，自己光榮復活了，戰勝了死亡，打敗了魔鬼，救贖了人類。
Ａ: Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus, on the third day after His death, rising glorious from the dead, overcoming death, conquering the devil, and redeeming mankind.
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問: 聖神降臨節紀念什麼？
Ｑ: What does Pentecost commemorate?
答: 紀念當初聖神降臨，充滿宗徒們的心；如今還常在聖教會內，指引，保護，總不相離。
Ａ: Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit coming down of old on the apostles, filling their hearts, and now still abiding always in the Catholic Church, directing and protection her, and remaining ever with her.
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問: 聖母的慶節中最大的是那兩個？
Ｑ: What are the two greatest feasts of the Blessed Mother?
答: 聖母蒙召升天，及聖母無染原罪。
Ａ: The two greatest feasts of the Blessed Mother are Her Assumption into Heaven and Her Immaculate Conception.
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問: 在聖教會年內，還有別的大慶節麼？
Ｑ: Are there any other great feasts in the Church's year?
答: 還有主顯節，耶穌升天，耶穌聖體聖血，大聖若瑟，聖伯多祿、聖保祿，及在天諸聖節。
Ａ: There are the Epiphany (the coming of the wise men to adore the Infant Jesus), the Ascension of our Lord into Heaven, Corpus Christi (the feast of the Blessed Sacrament), the feast of St. Joseph, of Sts. Peter and Paul and of All Saints.
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問: 為什麼聖教會定了耶穌的慶節呢？
Ｑ: Why does the Church establish feasts in honour of our Lord Jesus Christ?
答: 為叫我們格外感念耶穌救贖的大恩，常存知恩報愛的心，勉勵效法耶穌。
Ａ: The Church establishes feasts in honour of our Lord Jesus Christ, in order that we may: (1) reflect more than ordinarily on the great benefits of the Incarnation and Redemption, (2) keep our hearts ever grateful for God's graces and responsive to His love, and (3) strive earnestly to imitate Jesus.
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問: 為什麼又定了聖母和諸聖人的慶節呢？
Ｑ: Why does the Church also establish feasts in honour of our Blessed Mother and the saints?
答: 為感謝天主賞賜他們的恩典，慶賀他們所得的光榮，求他們為我們轉求天主，勉勵效法他們的表樣。
Ａ: The Church also establishes feasts of our Blessed Mother and the saints (1) to thank God for having granted them such graces, (2)to congratulate them on their glory, (3) to ask them to intercede for us, and (4) to encourage us to imitate their example.