Q. 408. What do we mean when we say Christ rose "glorious" from the dead? A. When we say Christ rose "glorious" from the dead we mean that His body was in a glorified state; that is, gifted with the qualities of a glorified body. Q. 409. What are the qualities of a glorified body? A. The qualities of a glorified body are: (1) Brilliancy, by which it gives forth light; (2) Agility, by which it moves from place to place as rapidly as an angel; (3) Subtility, by which material things cannot shut it out; (4) Impassibility, by which it is made incapable of suffering. Q. 410. Was Christ three full days in the tomb? A. Christ was not three full days, but only parts of three days in the tomb. Q. 411. {90} How long did Christ stay on earth after His resurrection? A. Christ stayed on earth forty days after His resurrection, to show that He was truly risen from the dead, and to instruct His apostles. Q. 412. Was Christ visible to all and at all times during the forty days He remained on earth after His resurrection? A. Christ was not visible to all nor at all times during the forty days He remained on earth after His resurrection. We know that He appeared to His apostles and others at least nine times, though He may have appeared oftener. Q. 413. How did Christ show that He was truly risen from the dead? A. Christ showed that He was truly risen from the dead by eating and conversing with His Apostles and others to whom He appeared. He showed the wounds in His hands, feet and side, and it was after His resurrection that He gave to His Apostles the power to forgive sins. Q. 414. {91} After Christ had remained forty days on earth, whither did He go? A. After forty days Christ ascended into heaven, and the day on which he ascended into heaven is called Ascension Day. Q. 415. Where did the ascension of Our Lord take place? A. Christ ascended into heaven from Mount Olivet, the place made sacred by His agony on the night before His death. 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.