We say our understanding was darkened because even with much learning
we have not the clear knowledge, quick perception and retentive memory
that Adam had before his fall from grace.

Q. 262. Why do we say our will was weakened?
A. We say our will was weakened to show that our free will was not
entirely taken away by Adam's sin, and that we have it still in our
power to use our free will in doing good or evil.

Q. 263. In what does the strong inclination to evil that is left in us
consist?
A. This strong inclination to evil that is left in us consists in the
continual efforts our senses and appetites make to lead our souls into
sin. The body is inclined to rebel against the soul, and the soul itself
to rebel against God.

Q. 264. What is this strong inclination to evil called, and why did God
permit it to remain in us?
A. This strong inclination to evil is called concupiscence, and God
permits it to remain in us that by His grace we may resist it and thus
increase our merits.

Q. 265. {47} What is the sin called which we inherit from our first
parents?
A. The sin which we inherit from our first parents is called original
sin.

Q. 266. {48} Why is this sin called original?
A. This sin is called original because it comes down to us from our
first parents, and we are brought into the world with its guilt on our
soul.

Q. 267. {49} Does this corruption of our nature remain in us after
original sin is forgiven?
A. This corruption of our nature and other punishments remain in us
after original sin is forgiven.

Q. 268. {50} Was any one ever preserved from original sin?
A. The Blessed Virgin Mary, through the merits of her Divine Son, was
preserved free from the guilt of original sin, and this privilege is
called her Immaculate Conception.

Q. 269. Why was the Blessed Virgin preserved from original sin?
A. The Blessed Virgin was preserved from original sin because it would
not be consistent with the dignity of the Son of God to have His Mother,
even for an instant, in the power of the devil and an enemy of God.

Q. 270. How could the Blessed Virgin be preserved from sin by her Divine
Son, before her Son was born?
A. The Blessed Virgin could be preserved from sin by her Divine Son
before He was born as man, for He always existed as God and foresaw His
own future merits and the dignity of His Mother. He therefore by His
future merits provided for her privilege of exemption from original sin.

Q. 271. What does t