Course 4, Chapter 17: Christianity visible. — The second part of the Mass, continued

1. What does the priest do after the Gloria in Excehis?

After the Gloria in Excelsis the priest makes the sign of the cross: 1st, in imitation of the first Christians, who made this adorable sign before and after their principal actions; 2d, to remind us that the sacrifice of the altar is the same as that of the cross.

2. What does he do then?

He then kisses the altar to imbibe from the bosom of the Saviour, represented by the altar, that peace which he wishes the people, in these words, the Lord he with you, and to which the people reply, and with thy spirit.

3. What prayer follows these words?

.4. After these words the priest commences the prayer called collects.

4. Whence comes this name?

364 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

A. This prayer is so called: 1st, because it is said for the assembled faithful, the word collect signify ing assembled; 2d, because it contains, in an unabridged form, all the petitions offered by the faithful to the Lord.

5. How does the collect terminate?

*The collect terminates by these words: Through Jesuit Christ our Lord, for it is in the name of Jesus Christ we pray, and it is through his merits we expect to obtain what we ask. The people answer, amen, that is, o be it.

6. What is the epistle?

The epistle is a lesson which follows the collect, and is taken from the sacred Scriptures. It is called epistle because it is generally taken from the letters or epistles of the apostles, especially of St. Paul. During the epistle all sit, in order to hear it with more recollection.

7. By what is the epistle followed?

The epistle is followed by the gradual or response; by which the people testify their willingness to carry into practice the instructions they have just heard. It is called the gradual, because it is sung on the steps or nraflf-n of the singer's stand.*

8. By what other names is it called?

On days of mourning and of fast it is sung in sorrowful, lengthened tone; then it is called tract, that is, lengthened. On days of joy, it is sung in a more lively strain, and is preceded " and followed by the alleluia.

9. What is the alleluia and the prose?

The alleluia is an expression of joy; it is the song of the saints in heaAren; the prose is a continuation of it, and is on that account called the sequence or following.