Course 4, Chapter 16: Christianity visible. — Use of incense, and the second part of the Mass

1. What does the priest do when he ascends the altar?

He kisses the altar through respect, and asks of God, in the name of the saints wrhose relics repose on the altar, to pardon his sins.

2. What ceremony follows these prayers?

A* The ceremony which follows is the incensing. The offering of incense in the divine worship was pre-* scribed to Moses by God himself.

3. What does incense signify?

Incense signifies charity, prayer, and the good odor of virtue we ought to diffuse around us.

4. Why is the priest incensed?

The priest is incensed to honor him as the representative of Jesus Christ. Among the ancients it was a mark of honor to offer incense to a person.

5. What does the priest do after the incensing?

After the incensing the priest goes to the epistlt side and reads the introit, which commences the second part of the mass. The word introit means entry; it is so called because it is sung whilst the priest enters to celebrate mass.*

Q Of what is the introit composed?

A . The introit ordinarily is composed of some verses from the psalms, to announce the great mystery whicA

is about to be accomplished, and for which the just of the ancient law sighed so long.

6. What prayer comes after the introit?

After the introit comes the Kyrie eleiwn. These are Greek words and signify, Lord, have mercy on us. Kyrie or ChrLtte eleison is repeated nine times, in commemoration of the nine choirs of angels.

7. What is the Gloria in Exccbix*

The Gloria in Excelxis is a hymn of praise, thanksgiving and love which the church addresses to God after having implored his mercy. In reciting it we must rejoice with the angels at the birth of the Saviour, who is about to immolate himself on the altar for us.