Holt Saturday the Night Office

The ceremonies used by the Church for the Offioe of Tenebrse having been already explained, we deem it unnecessary to repeat our instructions. The reader may refer to them, should he require to refresh his memory. They are given on pages 301 — 803. Pater noster, Ave, and Credo, in secret.

THE FIR8T NOCTURK

The first psalm is one whioh the Ghuroh daily reoites in her Compline, because it expresses the confidence wherewith the Christian takes his rest She uses it in to-day's Tenebre, to remind us of the rest taken by Christ in the sepulohre, where He sleeps with the assurance of wakening to a glorious Resurrection.

Ant. In pace, in idipsum, Ant. In peace, in the selfdormiam et requiescam. same, I will sleep, and I will take my rest.

Psalm 4

Cum invocarem, exaudivit me Dens justitin meaa: in tribulationedilata8ti mihi.

Miserere mei: et exaudi orationem meam.

Filii hominum usqnequo gravi corde: ut quid diligitis vanitatem, et quaeritis mendacium?

Et scitote quoniam mirificavit Dominus sanctum

When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress thou hast enlarged me.

Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

0 ye sons of men, how long will ye be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?

Know ye also that the Lord hath made his Holy One won-

HOLT SATURDAY: TBMKBBJB

■tram: Dominus exaudiet me, 'cum olamayero ad earn.

Iraeoimini, et nolite peccare: qua dicitis in cordibus vestris in cubilibus vestris compnngimini.

Sacrificate sacrificium justitiae, et sperate in Domino: multi dicunt: Quia ostendit nobis bona?

Signatum eat super nos lumen vultis tui, Domine: dedisti laetitiam in corde meo.

A fructu frnmenti, vini et olei sui: mnltiplicati sunt.

In pace in idipsum: dormiam et requiescam.

Quoniam tu, Domine, singulariter in spe: constituisti me.

Ant. In pace in idipsum, dormiam et requiescam. deiful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.

Be ye angry and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them on your beds.

Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say: Who showeth us good things?

The light of thy countenance, 0 Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.

By the fruit of their corn, their wine and oil, they are multiplied.

In peace, in the self-same, I will sleep, and I will take my rest.

For thou, 0 Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.

Ant. In peace, in the self-same, I will sleep, and I will take my rest.

The seoond psalm speaks of the happiness that is in reserve for the just man, and of the rest whioh is to be the reward of his labours. The Church applies it to Christ, the Just One by excellence, who went about doing good.

Ant. He shall dwell in thy tabernacle: he shall rest in thy holy hill.

Ant. Habitabit in tabernaculo tuo: requiescet in monte sancto tuo.

Psalm 14

Domine, quia habitabit in tabernaculo tuo: aut quis requiescet in monte sancto tuo ?

Qui ingreditur sine macu-

Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle ? or who shall rest in thy holy hill ?

He that walketh without la: et operator justitiam.

Qui loquitur veritatem in corde suo: qui non egit dolum in lingua sua.

Nec fecit proximo suo malum: et opprobrium non accepit adversus proximos suos.

Ad nihilum deductus est in conspectu ejus malignus: timentes autem Dominum glorficat.

Qui jurat proximo suo, et non decipit: qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad usuram, et munera super innocentem non accepit:

Qui facit hsec, non movebitur in seternum.

Ant. Habitabit in tabernaculo tuo: requiescet in monte sancto tuo. blemish, and worketh justice.

He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue.

Nor hath done evil to his neighbour, nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.

In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.

He that sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth not: he that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent.

He that doth these things, shall not be moved for ever.

Ant. He shall dwell in thy tabernacle: he shall rest in thy holy hill.

The third psalm, composed by David during his exile under Saul, is a prophecy of our Saviour's Eesurrection, and was quoted as suoh by St. Peter in his address to the Jews on the day of Pentecost. He that speaks in this psalm, says that his flesh shall rest in hope, and that the Lord will not give him to see corruption. This was not verified in David, but in Christ.

Ant. Caromea requiescet Ant. My flesh shall rest in in spe. hope.

Psalm 15

Conserva me, Domine, quoniam speravi in te: dixi Domino, Dens meus es tu, quoniam bonorum meorum non eges.

Sanctis qui sunt in terra

Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my [trust in thee, I have said to the Lord: thou art my God,»for thou hast no need of my goods.

To the saints who are in his

HOLT SATURDAY: TBKSBKjS ejus: mirificavit omnes voluntates meas in eis.

Multiplicatffi sunt infirmitates eorum: poitea acceleraTerunt.

Non congregabo conventicula eorum de sanguinibus: nec memor ero nominum eorum per labia mea.

Dominus pars h&reditatis meae et calicis mei: tu es qui restitues haereditatem meam mihi.

Funes ceciderunt mihi in preclaris: etenim hsereditas mea prseclara est mihi.

Benedicam Dominum, qui tribuit mihi intellectum: insuper et usque ad noctem increpuerunt me renes mei.

Providebam Dominum in conspectumeo semper: quoniam a deztris est mihi ne commovear.

Propter hoc laetatum est cor meam, et ezsultavit lingua mea: insuper et caro mea requiescet in spe.

Quoniam non derelinques animam meam in inferno: nec dabis Sanctum tuum videre corruptionem.

Notas mihi fecisti vias vit», adimplebis me lsetitia cum vultu tuo: delectationes in dextera tua usque in finem.

Ant. Caro mea requiescet in spe.

"f. In pace in idipsum. land, he hath made wonderful all my desires in them.

Their infirmities were multiplied : afterwards they made haste.

I will not gather together their meetings for blood-offerings: nor will I be mindful of their names by my lips.

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.

The lines are fallen unto me in goodly places: for my inheritance is goodly to me.

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night.

I set the Lord always in my sight: for he is at my right hand that I be not moved.

Therefore my heart hath been glad and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: nor wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life, thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance: at thy right hand are delights even to the end.

ANt. My flesh shall rest in hope. t. In peace, in the self-same,

IJ?. Dormiam et requie- ty. I will sleep, and I will scam. take my rest.

The Pater noster is here recited in seoret.

The lessons of the first nocturn are again taken from the Lamentations of Jeremias. The first refers to our Saviour. It speaks of His fidelity to His Father, and of His resignation. It foretells the buffets He received during His Passion.

FIRST LESSON

De Lamentatione Jeremiad Prophet».

Cap. in.

Heth. Misericordi» Domini, quia non sumus consumpti: quia non defecerunt miserationes ejus.

Heth. Novi diluculo, multa est fides tua.

Heth. Pars mea Dominus, dixit anima mea: propterea ezspectabo eum.

Teth. Bonus est Dominus sperantibus in eum, animae quserenti ilium.

Teth. Bonum est pr»stolari cum silentio salutare Dei.

Teth. Bonum est viro, cum portaverit jugum ab adolescentia sua.

Jod. Sedebit solitarius, et tacebit: quia levavit super se.

Jod. Ponet in pulvere os suum, si forte sit spes.

Jod. Dabit percutienti se

From the Lamentation of Jeremias the Prophet.

Ch. tit.

Heth. The mercies of the Lord that we are not consumed: because his tender mercies have not failed.

Heth. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness.

Heth. The Lord is my portion, said my soul: therefore, will I wait for him.

Teth. The Lord is good to them that hope in him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Teth. It is good to wait with silence for the salvation of God.

Teth. It is good for a man when he hath borne the yoke from his youth.

Jod. He shall sit solitary, and hold his peace: because he hath taken it up upon himself.

Jod. He shall put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.

Jop. Qe shall give his, ttOLY SATtJRDAT: TBNBBUjB maxillam, saturabitur opprobriis.

J erusalem, Jerusalem, conTertere ad Dominum Deum tuum.

Jty. Sicut ovis ad occisionem ductus est, et dum male tractaretur, non aperait os suum: traditus est ad mortem: ° Ut vivificaret populum suum.

V. Tradidit in mortem animam suam, et inter sceleratos reputatus est.

° Ut vivificaret populum suum. cheek to him that striketh him, he shall be filled with reproaches.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, be concerted to the Lord thy God. fy. He was led like a sheep to the slaughter; and whilst he was ill-used, he opened not his mouth: he was condemned to death: • That he might give life to his people. f". He delivered himself up to death, and was reckoned among the wicked.

° That he might give life to his people.

The seoond lesson is an elegy upon Jerusalem. The grievousness of the sins of this ungrateful oity is expressed in forcible terms.

SECOND LESSON

Aleph. Quomodo obscuratum est aurum, mutatus est color optimus, dispersi sunt lapides sanctuarii in capite omnium platearum?

Beth. Filii Sion inclyti, et amicti auro primo: quomodo reputati sunt in vasa testea, opus manuum figuli?

Ghimel. Sed et lamiae nudaverunt mammam, lactaverunt catulos suos: filia populi mei crudelis, quasi struthio in deserto.

Daleth. Adhaesit lingua lactentis ad palatum ejus

Aleph. How is the gold become dim, the finest colour is changed, the stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the top of every street?

Beth. The noble sons of Sion, and they that were clothed with the best gold: how are they esteemed as earthen vessels, the work of the potter's hands?

Ghimel. Even the seamonsters have drawn out the breast, they have given suck to their young: the daughter of my people is cruel, like the ostrich in the desert.

Daleth. The tongue of the sucking child hath stuck to in titi: parvuli petierunt panem, et non erat qui frangeret eis.

He. Qui vescebantur voluptuose interierunt in viis; qui nutriebantur in croceis, amplexati sunt stercora.

Vau. Et major effecta est iniquitas fUise populi mei peccato Sodomorum: quae subversa est in momenta, et non coeperunt in ea man us.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum.

Jerusalem, surge, et exue te vestibus jacundi talis: induere cinere et cilicio: 0 Quia in te occisus est Salvator Israel. f. Deduc quasi torrentem lacrymas per diem et noctem, et non taceat pupilla oculi tui.

0 Quia in te occisus est Salvator Israel. the roof of his mouth for thirst: the little ones have asked for bread, and there was none to break it unto them.

He, They that were fed delicately, have died in the streets : they that were brought up in scarlet, have embraced the dung.

Yau. And the iniquity of the daughter of my people is made greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and hands took nothing in her.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, be converted to the Lord thy God. fy. Arise, Jerusalem, and put off thy garments of joy: put on ashes and hair-cloth:

• For in thee was slain the Saviour of Israel. f. Let tears rain down like a torrent day and night, and let not the apple of thine eye cease.

0 For in thee was slain the Saviour of Israel.

The third lesson is a portion of the prayer made by the prophet for the Jewish people, after they had been led into captivity. It ^ives a faithful, but terrible, description of their miseries after they had committed the orime of deioide.

Incipit Oratio

Prophet®. Cap. v. Reeordare, Domine, quid

THIRD LESSON Jeremiffi Here beginneth the Prayer of Jeremias the Prophet. Ch. v.

Remember, 0 Lord, what k

HOLY SATTTHDAY: TSNBBRJB accident nobis: intuere, et respice opprobrium ncwtrum. HaBreditaa nostra versa est ad alienos, domus nostras ad extraneos. Pupilli facti sumas absque patre: matres nostra quasi viduse. Aquam nostram pecunia bibimus; ligna nostra pretio comparavimus. Cervicibus nostris minabamur: lassis non dabatur requies. ^Egypto dedimus manum, et Assyriis, ut saturaremur pane. Patres nostri peccaverunt, et non sunt: et nos iniquitates eorum portavimus. Servi dominati sunt nostri: non fuit qui redimeret de manu eorum. In animabus nostris afferebamu panem nobis, a facie gladii in deserto. Pellis nostra quasi clibanus exusta est, a facie tempestatum famis. Mulieres in Sion humiliaverunt, et virgines in civitatibus Juda.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum.

I£. Plange quasi virgo, plebs mea: ululate pas tores in cinere et cilicio: 0 Quia venit dies Domini magna et amara valde. f. Accingite vos sacerdotes et plangite: ministri altaris, aspergite vos cinere.

0 Quia venit dies Domini magna, et amara valde. come upon us: consider and behold our reproach. Our inheritance is turned to aliens: our houses to strangers. We are become orphans without a father, our mothers are as widows. We have drunk our water for money : we have bought our wood. We were dragged by the necks, we were weary and no rest was given us. We have given our hand to Egypt, and to the Assyrians, that we might be satisfied with bread. Our fathers have sinned, and are not: and we have borne their iniquities. Servants have ruled over us: there was none to redeem us out of their hand. We fetched our bread at the peril of our lives, because of the sword in the desert. Our skin was burnt as an oven, by reason of the violence of the famine. They oppressed the women in Sion, and the virgins in the cities of Juda.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, be converted to the Lord thy God.

19. Mourn, 0 my people, as a virgin: howl, ye shepherds, in ashes and hair-cloth: 0 For the great and exceeding bitter day of the Lord is coming.

1t. Gird yourselves, ye priests, and mourn; sprinkle yourselves with ashes, ye ministers of the altar.

0 For the great and exceeding bitter day of the Lord U coming.

Here is repeated: Plaoge.

Here is repeated: my people.

Mourn, O

THE SECOND KOGTURN

The fourth psalm speaks of the triumphant entry whioh the Son of Gfod, after having risen from His tomb, shall make into heaven.

Ant. Elevamini porta Ant. Be ye lifted up, 0 ye Kternales, et introibit Bex eternal gates, and the King of gloria. glory shall enter in.

Psalm 23

Domini est terra, et plenitude) ejus: orbis terrarum, et universi qui habitant in eo.

Quia ipse super maria fundavit eum: et super flumina pr»paravit eum.

Quis ascendet in montem Domini: aut quis stabit in loco sane to ejus?

Innocens manibus et mando corde: qui non accepit in vano animam suam, nee jura vit in dolo proximo suo.

Hie accipiet benedictionem a Domino: et misericordiam a Deo salutari suo.

Hffio est generatio qu»rentium eum: quserentium faeiem Dei Jacob.

Attollite portas principes vestras, et elevamini port® seternales: et introibit Bex glorias.

Quis est iste Bex gloriae ? Dominus fortis et potens,

The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof ; the world and all they that dwell therein.

For he hath founded it upon the seas: and hath prepared it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord ? or who shall stand in his holy place ?

The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.

He shall receive a blessing from the Lord: and mercy from God his Saviour.

This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Lift up your gates, 0 ye princes, and be ye lifted up, 0 eternal gates: and the King of glory ■hall enter in.

Who is this King of glory? the Lord, who is strong and

HOLY SATURDAY : TBNEBttJt

53d

Dominus poiens in prolio.

Attollite porta* principes vestras, et elevamini portse SBternales: et introibit Bex glorias.

Quia est iste Bex gloriae ? Dominus virtutum, ipse est Bex gloriae. mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in.

Who is this King of glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Ant. Elevamini porta Ant. Be ye lifted up, 0 ye SBternales, et introibit Bex eternal gates, and the King glorias. of glory shall enter in.

The fifth psalm was song in yesterday's Office, and expressed the oonfidenoe in His Father's love and assistance which never left oar Jesus during His Passion: we repeat it to-day, because it speaks of His speedy deliveranoe. The Church changes the antiphon, whioh gave us the words of our Saviour oomplaining of His false witnesses, into the following, wherein we have our divine Master telling us that He is soon to be in the land of the living.

Ant. Credo videre bona Ant. I believe to see the Domini in terra viventium. good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Psalm 26

Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus mea: quern timebo?

Dominus protector vita a quo trepidabo?

Dum appropiant super me nocentes: ut edant carnes meas.

Qui tribulant me inimici mei: ipsi inhrmati sunt et oeciderunt.

Si consistant adversum

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

Whilst the wicked draw near against me, to eat my flesh.

My enemies that troubled me have been weakened, and have fallen.

If armies in camp should H

PA8SIONT1DE AND HOLT WEEK me casira: non timebit cor menrn.

Si exsurgat adversum me proelium: in hoc ego sperabo.

Unam petii a Domino, hanc requiram: ut inhabitem in domo Domini omnibus diebus vitse mesB.

Ut videam voluptatem Domini: et visitem templnm ejus.

Quoniam abscondit me in tabernaculo suo: in die malorum protexit me in abscondito tabernaculi sui.

In petra exaltavit me: et nunc exaltavit caput meum super inimicos meos.

Circuivi, et immolavi in tabernaculo ejus hostiam vociferationis: cantabo, et psalmum dicam Domino.

Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam qua clamavi ad te: miserere mei, et exaudi me.

Tibi dixit cor meum exquisivit te facies mea: faciem tuam, Domine, requiram.

Ne avertas faciem tuam a me: ne declines in ira a servo tuo.

Adjutor meus esto: ne derelinquas me, neque despiciasme, Deus salutaris meus.

Quoniam pater meus et mater mea dereliquerunt me: Dominus autem assumpsit me. stand together against me, my heart shall not fear.

If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.

For he hath hid me in his tabernacle; in the day of evils, he hath protected me in the secret place of his tabernacle.

He hath exalted me upon a rock: and now he hath lifted up my head above my enemies.

I have gone round, and have offered up in his tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: I will sing, and recite a psalm to the Lord.

Hear, 0 Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee: have mercy on me, and hear me.

My heart hath said to thee, my face hath sought thee: thy face, 0 Lord, will I still seek.

Turn not away thy face from me: decline not in thy wrath from thy servant.

Be thou my helper: forsake me not, do not thou despise me, 0 God my Saviour.

For my father and my mother have left me: but the Lord hath taken me up. ttOtl SATURDAY : TKNEBILS

Legem pone mini, Domine, in via tua: et dirige me in semi tarn rectam propter inimicos meos.

Ne tradideris me in animas tribnlantium me: quoniam insurrexerunt in me testes iniqui, et menidta est iniqoitas sibi.

Credo videre bona Domini: in terra viventium.

Exspecta Dominum, viriliterage: et conf ortetur cor tuum, et snstine Dominum.

Ant. Credo videre bona Domini in terra viventium.

Set me, 0 Lord, a law in thy way: and guide me in the right path, because of my enemies.

Deliver me not over to the will of them that trouble me: for unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity hath belied itself.

I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.

Ant. I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

The sixth psalm tells us that Jesus, the divine Captive of death, will soon rise from the grave. The prophet speaks of the weeping whioh shall last till evening, and of the gladness that shall follow in the morning.

Ant. Domine abstraxisti Ant. 0 Lord, thou hast ab inferis animam meam. brought forth my soul from hell.

Psalm 29

Exaltabo te, Domine, quoniam suscepisti me: nec delectasti inimicos meos super me.

Domine Deus meus, clamavi ad te: et sanasti me.

Domine eduxisti ab inferno animam meam: salvasti me a descendentibus in lacum.

I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast upheld me: and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me.

O Lord, my God, I have cried to thee, and thou hast healed me.

Thou hast brought forth, 0 Lord, my soul from hell: thou hast saved me from them that go down into the pit.

Pgallite Domino sancti ejus: et confitemini memorise sanctitatis ejus.

Quoniam ira in indignations ejns: et vita in voluntate ejus.

Ad vesperum demorabitur fletus: et ad matutinum leetitia.

Ego autem dixi in abundantia mea: Non movebor in aeternum.

Domine in voluntate tna: praestitisti decori meo virtutem.

Avertisti faciem tuam a me: et f actus sum conturbatus.

Ad te, Domine, clamabo: et ad Deum meum deprecabor.

Qusb utilitas in sanguine meo: dum descendo in corruptionem?

Numquid confitebitur tibi pulvis: aut annuntiabit veritatem tuam?

Audivit Dominus, et misertus est mei: Dominus f actus est adjutor mens.

Convertisti planctum meum in gaudium mini: conscidisti saccum meum, et circumdedisti me leetitia.

Ut cantet tibi gloria mea, et non compungar: Domine Dens me us, in BBternum oonfitebor tibi.

Ant. Domine abstraxisti

Sing to the Lord, 0 you his saints: and give praise to the memory of his holiness.

For wrath is in his indignation: and life in his good will.

In the evening, weeping shall have place: and in the morning, gladness.

And in my abundance I said: I shall never be moved.

0 Lord, in thy favour, thou gavest strength to my beauty.

Thou turnedst away thy face from me, and I became troubled.

To thee, 0 Lord, will I cry: and I will make supplication to my God.

What profit is there in my blood, whilst I go down to corruption ?

Shall dust confess to thee, or declare thy truth ?

The Lord hath heard, and hath had mercy on me: the Lord became my helper.

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into joy: thou hast cut my sackcloth, and hast compassed me with gladness.

To the end that my glory may sing to thee, and I may not regret. 0 Lord my God, I will give praise to thee for ever.

Ant. O Lord thou hast ah inferis animam meam.

Domino, et f. Tu autem, miserere mei.

I£. Et resuscita me, retribuam eia. brought forth my soul from hell. t. But thou, O Lord, have mercy on me.

1$. And raise me up again, and I will requite them.

Here is said the Pater noster in secret.

For the second nooturn lessons, the Church continues the Enarrations of St. Augustine on the psalms prophetio of our Lord's Passion.

FOURTH LB88ON

Ex tractatu Sancti Augustini Episeopi, super Psalmos.

Ps. Ixiii.

Acoedet homo ad cor altum, et exaltabitur Deus. Uli dixerunt: Quis nos videbit? Defecerunt scrutantes scrutationes, consilia mala. Accessit homo ad ipsa consilia: passos est se teneri ut homo. Non enim teneretur nisi homo, aut videretur nisi homo, aut caederetur nisi homo, aut crucifigeretur, aut moreretur nisi homo. Accessit ergo homo ad illas omnes passiones, qu» in illo nihil valerent, nisi esset homo. Sed si ille non esset homo, non liberaretur homo. Accessit homo ad cor altum, id est cor secretum, objiciens aspectibus humanis hominem, servans intusDeum; celans f ormam Pei, in qua wqualis est Pa-

Saint upon

From the treatise of Augustine, Bishop, the Psalms.

Ps. Ixiii.

Man shall come to the deep hearty and God shall be exalted. They said: Who will see us? They failed in making diligent search for wicked designs. Christ, as Man, came to those designs, and suffered himself to be seized on as a Man. For he could not be seized on if he were not Man, nor seen if he were not Man, nor scourged if he were not Man, nor crucified nor die if he were not Man. As Man, therefore, he came to all these sufferings, which could have no effect on him if he were not Man. But if he had not been Man, man could not have been redeemed. Man came to the deep heart, that is, the secret heart, exposing his humanity to human view, but hiding his divinity: concealing tri, et offerens formam servi, qua minor est Patre.

Ij?. Becessit Pastor noster, fons aquae vivae, ad cujus transitum sol obscuratus est : ° Nam et ille captus est, qui captivum tenebat primum hominem: hodie portas mortis et seras pariter Salvator noster disrupit. f. Destruxitquidemclaustra inferni, et subvertit potentias diaboli.

° Nam et ille captus est qui captivum tenebat primum hominem: hodie portas mortis et seras pariter Salvator noster disrupit.

FIFTH

Quo perduxerunt illas scrutationes suas, quas perscrutantes defecerunt, ut etiam mortuo Domino et sepulto, custodes ponerent ad sepulchrum? Dixeruntenim Pilato: Seductor ille. Hoc appellabatur nomine Dominus Jesus Christus, ad solatium servorum suorum, quando dicuntur seductores. Ergo illi Pilato: Seductor ille, inquiunt, dixit adhuc vivens: Post tres dies resurgam. Jube itaque custodiri sepulchrum usque in diem tertium, ne forte veniant discipuli ejus, et furentur eum, et dicant plebi: Surr$- the form of God, by which he is equal to the Father; and offering the form of the servant, by which he is inferior to the Father. fy. Our Shepherd, the fountain of living water, is gone; at whose departure, the sun was darkened. 0 For he is taken who made the first man a prisoner. To-day our Saviour broke the gates and bolts of death. t . He, indeed, destroyed the prisons of hell, and overthrew the powers of the devil.

0 For he is taken who made the first man a prisoner. Today our Saviour broke the gates and bolts of death.

LESSON

How far did they carry this their diligent search, in which they failed so much, that when our Lord was dead and buried, they placed guards at the sepulchre? For they said to Pilate: This seducer; by which name our Lord Jesus Christ was called, for the comfort of his servants when they are called seducers. This seducer, say they to Pilate, while he was yet living, said: After three days I will rise again. Command therefore the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and say to the people,

HOLT SATURDAY : TENSBBJS xit a mortuis: et erit noviasimus error pejor prior©. AitillisPilatus: Habetiscustodiam; ite, custodite sicut scitis. Uli autem abeuntes, munierunt sepulchrum, signantes lapidem cum cuatodibus.

Tty. 0 vos omneg, qui transitis per viam, attendite et videte, ° Si est dolor similis sicut dolor mens. t. Attendite universi populi, et videte dolorem meum.

° Si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus.

SIXTH

Posuerunt custodes milites ad sepulchrum. Concussa terra Dominus resurrexit: miracula facta sunt talia circa sepulchrum, ut et ipsi milites qui custodes advenerant, testes fierent, si vellent vera nuntiare. Sed avaritia ilia, quae captivavit discipulum comitem Christi, captivavit et militem custodem sepulchri. Damns, inquiunt, vobis pecuniam, et dicite, quia vobis dormientibus venerunt discipli ejus, et abstulerunt eum. Vere defecerunt scrutantes scrutationes. Quid est quod dixisti, o infelix astutia? Tantumne deseris lucem consilii pietatis, et in profunda versutia demergeris, ut hoc dicas: Dicite, quia he is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first. Pilate aaith to them: Ye have a guard, go, and guard it as ye know. And they went away and secured the sepulchre with guards, sealing up the stone. ty. O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see, 0 If there be sorrow like unto my sorrow. t. Attend all ye people, and see my sorrow.

• If there be sorrow like unto my sorrow.

LESSON

They placed soldiers to guard the sepulchre. The earth shook, and the Lord rose again : such miracles were done at the sepulchre, that the very soldiers that came as guards might be witnesses of it, if they would declare the truth. But that covetousnesB which possessed the disciple that was the companion of Christ, blinded also the soldiers that were the guards of his sepulchre. We will give you money, said they: and say, that while ye were asleep, his disciples came and took him away. They truly failed, in making diligent search. What is it thou hast said, 0 wretched craft? Dost thou shut thy eyes against the light of prudence and piety, and plunge thyself so deep in yobis dormientibus venerunt discipuli ejus, et abstulerunt enm? Dormientes testes adhibes: vere tu ipse obdormisti, qui scrutando talia def eoisti.

Ecce quomodo moritur justus, et nemo percipit corde: et viri justi tolluntur et nemo considerat: a facie iniquitatis sublatus est Justus: ° Et erit in pace memoria ejus. f. Tamquam agnus coram tondente se obmutuit, et non aperuit os suum: de angustia, et de judicio sublatus est.

• Et erit in pace memoria ejus.

Here is repeated; Ecce quomodo.

THE THIRD NOCTURN

The seventh psalm is one we sang yesterday, when oommemorating the persecution our Saviour met with from the Jews. We repeat it, to-day, because of His approaching triumph, for the eternal Father is

His helper and protector.

Ant. Deus adjuvat me, Ant. God is my helper, et Dominus susceptor est and the Lord is the protector anim» mess. of my soul.

Psalm 53

Deus, in nomine tuo sal- Save me, 0 God, by thy vum me fac: et in virtute name, and judge me in thy tua judica me, strength, cunning, as to say this: Say that while ye were asleep, his disciples came and took him away? Dost thou produce sleeping witnesses? Certainly thou thyself sleepedst, that f ailedst in making search after such things. ty. Behold! how the Just One dieth, and there is none that taketh it to heart: and just men are taken away and no one considereth it: the Just One is taken away because of iniquity: ° And his memory shall be in peace. f . He was silent, as a lamb under his shearer, and he opened not his mouth: he was taken away from distress and judgment.

• And his memory shall be in peace.

Mere is repeated: Behold!

HOLT SATURDAY : TENBBRJB

Deus, exaudi orationem meam : auribns percipe verba oris mei.

Quoniam alieni insurrexerunt adversum me, et fortes quaesierunt animam meam: et non proposuerunt Deum ante conspectum suum.

Ecce enim Deus adjuvat me: et Dominus susceptor est animee mere.

Averte mala inimicis meis: et in veritate tua disperde illos.

Voluntarie sacrificabo tibi: et confitebor nomini tuo, Domine, quoniam bonum est.

Quoniam ex omni tribulatione eripuisti me: et super inimicos meos despexit oculus meus.

Ant. Deus adjuvat me, et Dominus susceptor est animre meae.

0 God, hear my prayer: give ear to the words of my mouth.

For strangers have risen up against me: and the mighty have sought after my soul: and they have not set God before their eyes.

For behold God is my helper: and the Lord is the protector of my soul.

Turn back the evils upon my enemies: and cut them off in thy truth.

1 will freely sacrifice to thee, and will give praise, 0 God, to thy name: because it is good.

For thou hast delivered me out of all trouble: and my eye hath looked down upon my enemies.

Ant. God is my helper, and the Lord is the protector of my soul.

The eighth psalm is one that was sung in the Tenebns of Maundy Thursday: then, it was an allusion to the divine vengeance that was to fall on the enemies of Jesus; to-day, we must rejoice in its prophecy of the sleep of peace which this our Saviour is taking in Sion. A few more hours, and He will rise from His tomb. His enemies, who boast of having Him in their power, will find, on awaking, that they have nothing in their hands. The earth shall tremble, and our Lord shall arise, an object of terror to His enemies, but a Saviour to tlie meek, that is, to the humble and faithful ones, who will then praise Him as the God ever faithful to His word.

Ant. In pace factus est Ant. His place is in peace, locus ejus, et in Sion habi- and his abode in Sion. tatio ejus.

Psalm 75

Notus in Judaea Deus: in Israel magnum nomen ejus.

Et factus est in pace locus e jus : et habitatio ejus in Sion.

Ibi confregit potentias arcuum: scutum, gladium, et bellum.

Illuminans tu mirabiliter a montibus aeternis: turbati sunt omnes insipientes corde.

Dormierunt somnum suum: et nihil invenerunt omnes viri divitiarum in manibus suis.

Ab increpatione tua, Deus Jacob: dormitaverunt qui ascenderunt equos.

Tu terribilis es, et quis resistet tibi: ex tunc ira tua.

De ccelo auditum fecisti judicium: terra tremuit et quievit.

Cum exurgeret in judicium Deus: ut salvos faceret omnes mansuetos terrae.

Quoniam cogitatio hominis confitebitur tibi: et reliquiae cogitationis diem f estum agent tibi.

Vovete et reddite Domino Deo vestro: omnes qui in circuitu ejus affertis munera.

Terribili et ei qui aufert spiritum principum: terrjbi-

In Judea God is known, his name is great in Israel.

And his place is in peace, and his abode in Sion.

There hath he broken the power of bows, the shield, the sword, and the battle.

Thou enlightenest wonderfully from the everlasting hills: all the foolish of heart were troubled.

They have slept their sleep: and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands.

At thy rebuke, 0 God of Jacob, they have all slumbered that mounted on horseback.

Thou art terrible, and who shall resist thee? from that time thy wrath.

Thou hast caused judgment to be heard from heaven: the earth trembled and was still.

When God arose in judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.

For the thought of man shall give praise to thee: and the remainders of the thought shall keep holiday to thee.

Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God: all you that round about him bring presents.

To him that is terrible, even to him that taketh away the

H01T SATURDAY : TENBBRJB li apud reges terra, spirit of princes; to the terrible

Ant. In pace factns est Ant. locus ejus, et in Sion habi- Sion. tatio ejus. with the kings of the earth. His place is in peace, and his abode in

The ninth psalm is the Domine, Deus salutis mece, repeated from yesterday's Office page 437. It shows us our Saviour praying to His Father, that He will raise Him, and free Him from among the dead. The time fixed for His lying in the darkness of the sepulchre is over, the hour of His Resurrection to life is at hand.

It is sung to the following antiphon.

Ant. Factns sum sicnt Ant. I am become as a homo sine adjutorio, inter man without help, whose life mortuos liber. is set free, and he is now numbered among the dead. f . In pace factns est lo- f . His place is in peace, cus ejus.

Et in Sion habitatio 'Eft. And his abode in Sion. ejus.

The Pater noster is here recited in secret.

The third nocturn lessons are again from the Epistle to the Hebrews. In the passage chosen for to-day, the apostle shows us the divine efficacy of the Blood of Jesus, and how His testament, or last will, oould not be applied to us save by His death.

SEVENTH LESSON

De Epistola Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Hebraos.

Cap. ix. Christus assistens Pontif ex futurorum bonorum, per amplius et perfectius tabernaculum non manuf actum, |d est non hujus creationis;

From the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle, to the Hebrews.

Ch. ix.

Christ being come a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with frands? that is, not of k this neque per sanguinem hircorum aut vitulorum, sed per proprium Sanguinem, introivit semel in sancta, sterna redemptione inventa. Si enim sanguis hircorum et taurorum, et cinis vitulre aspersus inquinatos sanctificat ad emundationem carnis: quanto magis Sanguis Christi qui per Spiritum sanctum semetipsum obtulit iramaculatum Deo, emundabit conscientiam nostram ab operibus mortuis ad serviendum Deo viventi?

1$. Adstiterunt reges terrae, et principes convenerunt in onum, 0 Adversus Dominum, et adversus Christum ejus. % f. Quarefremueruntgentes, et populi meditati sunt inania?

° Adversus Dominum, et adversus Christum ejus. creation: neither by the blood of goats, nor of calves, but by his own Blood, entered once into the holies having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an heifer being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh: how much more shall the Blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God?

ty. The kings of the earth stood, and the princes met together, 0 Against the Lord, and against his Christ. t . Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?

• Against the Lord, and against his Christ.

EIGHTH LESSON

Et ideo novi Testamenti mediator est: ut morte intercedente, in redemptionem earum pravaricationum, quae erant sub priori testamento, repromissionem accipiant, qui vocati sunt, setern® hsereditatis. Ubi enim testamentum est, mors necesse est intercedat testatoris. Testamentum enim in mortuis confirmatun} est; alioquin non-

And therefore he is the mediator of the new testament: that by means of his death, for the redemption of those transgressions which were under the former testament, they that are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament, the death of a testator must of necessity come in. For a testament is of force after men are dead;

HOLY SATURDAY : TSNEBRJS dum valet, dum vivit qui testatus est. Unde nec primum quidem sine sanguine dedicatum est.

Hp. ^Estimatus sum cum descendentibus in lacum. • Factus sum sicut homo sine adjutorio, inter mortuos liber. f". Posuerunt me in lacu inferiori, in tenebrosis, et in umbra mortis.

° Factus sum sicut homo sine adjutorio, inter mortuos liber. otherwise it is as yet of no strength, whilst the testator liveth. Whereupon neither was the first indeed dedicated without blood. ty. I am counted among them that go down to the pit. ° I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. t. They have laid me in the lower pit, in the dark places, and in the shadow of death.

9 I am become as a man without help, free among the dead.

NINTH LESSON

Lecto enim omni mandate legis a Moyse universo populo, accipiens sanguinem vitulorum et hircorum, cum aqua et lana coccinea et hyssopo: ipsum quoque librum et omnem populum aspersit, dicens: Hie sanguis testamenti, quod mandavit ad vos Deus. Etiam tabemaculum, et omnia vasa ministerii sanguine similiter aspersit. Et omnia pene in sanguine secundum legem mundantur: et sine sanguinis effusione non fit remissio.

Sepulto Domino, signatum est monumentum, volventes lapidem ad ostium monumenti: ° Ponentes milites, qui custodirent ilium. f. Accedentes principes

For when every commandment of the law had been read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying: this is the blood of the testament, which God hath enjoined unto you. The tabernacle also, and all the vessels of the ministry, in like manner, he sprinkled with blood. And almost all things, according to the law, are cleansed with blood: and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

1$. Having buried our Lord, they sealed up the sepulchre, rolling a stone before the entrance of the sepulchre: • Placing soldiers to guard him. f. The chief priests went sacerdotum ad Pilatum, petierunt ilium.

• Ponentes milites, qui custodirent ilium.

Here is repeated: Sepulto Domino. to Pilate, and sought his permission.

° Placing soldiers to guard him.

Here is repeated: Having buried.

LAUDS

The first psalm of Lauds is the Miserere (page 336 ). Its antiphon is the following:

Ant. 0 mors, ero mors Ant. 0 death! I will be thy tua : morsus tuus ero, inf erne, death. 0 hell, I will be thy ruin.

The second psalm, wbioh according to its title in the Psalter is to be sung on the Sabbath day, celebrates the magnificence of the Lord in His works, the fruitlessness of the plots laid by sinners, the triumph of Christ the Just One, and the blessed hope of His followers.

Ant. Plangent eum quasi Ant. They shall mourn for unigenitum : quia innocens him as for an only son : becaus e Dominus occisus est. the innocent Lord is slain.

Psalm 91

Bonum est confiteri Do- It is good to give praise mino: et psallere nomini unto the Lord; and to sing to tuo, Altissime. thy name, 0 thou Most High.

Ad annuntiandum mane To show forth thy mercy in misericordiam tuam: et ve- the morning: and thy truth ritatem tuam per noctem. in the night.

In decachordo, psalterio: Upon an instrument of ten cum cantico in cithara. strings, upon the psaltery : with a song upon the harp.

Quia delectasti me, Domi- For thou hast given me, 0 ne, infactura tua: et in ope- Lord, delight in thy doings: ribus manuum tuarum ex- and in the works of thy hands sultabo. shall I rejoice.

Quam magnificata sunt O Lord, how great are thy opera tua Domine! nimis works! thy thoughts are ex- profundffi facta sunt cogi- ceeding deep, tationes tu».

HOLY SATURDAY ! TENEBRJB

Vir insipiens non cognosce t: et atultus non intelliget haec.

Cum exorti fuerint peccatores sicut fcenum: et apparuerint omnes qui operantur iniquitatem:

Ut intereant in saBculum sajculi: tu autem Altissimus in aeternum, Domine.

Quoniam ecce inimici tui, Domine, quoniam ecce inimici tui peribunt: et dispergentur omnes, qui operantur iniquitatem.

Et exaltabitur sicut unicornis cornu meum: et senectus mea in misericord ia uberi.

Et despexit oculus meus inimicos meos: et in insurgentibus in me malignantibus audiet auris mea.

Justus ut palma florebit: sicut cedrus Libani multiplicabitur.

Plantati in domo Domini, in atriis domus Dei nostri florebunt.

Adhuc multplicabuntur in aenecta uberi: et bene patientes erunt, ut annuntient.

Quoniam rectus Dominus Deus noster: et non est iniquitas in eo.

Ant. Plangent eum quasi unigenitum; quia innocens Dominus occisus est.

The third psalm is th

The unwise man shall not know: nor will the fool understand these things.

When the wicked shall spring up as the grass: and all the workers of iniquity shall appear.

That they may perish for ever and ever: but thou, 0 Lord, art Most High for evermore.

For behold thine enemies, O Lord, for behold thine enemies shall perish : and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

But my horn shall be exalted like that of the unicorn: and my old age in plentiful mercy.

Mine eye also hath looked down upon mine enemies: and mine ear shall hear of the downfall of the malignant that rise up against me.

The just shall flourish like the palm-tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.

They that are planted in the house of the Lord: shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.

They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: and it shall be well with them.

That they may show that the Lord our God is upright: and there is no iniquity in him.

Ant. They shall mourn for him as for an only son: because the innocent Lord is slain.

) one oommented upon by

St. Augustine in the Lessons of the second nocturn, on these two days, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Ant. Attendite universi Ant. Attend, all ye people, populi, et videte dolorem and see my sorrow, meum.

Psalm 63

Exaudi, Deus, orationem meam cum deprecor: a timore inimici eripe animam meam.

Protexisti me a conventu malignantium : a multitudine operantium iniquitatem.

Quia exacuerunt ut gladium linguas suas: intenderunt arcum rem amaram, ut sagittent in occultis immaculatum.

Subito sagittabunt eum, et non timebunt: firmaverunt sibi sermonem nequam.

Narraverunt ut absconderent laqueos: dixerunt: Quis videbit eos?

Scrutati sunt iniquitates: defecerunt scrutantes scrutinio.

Accedet homo ad cor altum: et exaltabitur Deus.

SagittsB parvulorum f actaa sunt plagae eorum: et infirmataB sunt contra eos linguae eorum.

Conturbati sunt omnes qui videbant eos: et timuit omnia homo.

Et annuntiaverunt opera Dei, et facta ejus intellexerunt.

Laatabitur justus in Do-

Hear my prayer, 0 God, when I make supplication to thee: deliver my soul from the fear of the enemy.

Thou hast protected me from the assembly of the malignant: from the multitude of the workers of iniquity.

For they have whetted their tongues like a sword: they have bent their bow a bitter thing, to shoot in secret the undefiled.

They will shoot at him on a sudden, and will not fear: they are resolute in words of wickedness.

They have talked of hiding snares: they have said: Who shall see them?

They have searched after iniquities: they have failed in their search.

Man shall come to a deep heart: and God shall be exalted.

The arrows of children are their wounds : and their tongues are made weak against them.

All that saw them were troubled: and every man was afraid.

And they declared the works of God: and understood his doings.

The just shall rejoice in the

HOLT SATURDAY: TBKEBRJB mino, et sperabit in eo, et laudabuntur omnes recti corde.

Lord, and shall hope in him: and all the upright in heart shall be praised.

Ant. Attend, all ye people, and see my sorrow.

Ant. Attendite nniversi populi, et videte dolorem memo.

The canticle of Ezeohias, which is always sung in Tuesday's Lauds, is here substituted for that of Deuteronomy, which is the proper one for Saturdays, but which is not in harmony with to-day's mystery. Ezeohias lying on his siok-bed, and praying God to restore him to health, is a figure of Christ in His tomb, beseeching His Father to give Him a speedy Resurrection to life.

Ant. A porta inferi erue, Domine, animam meam.

Ant. From the gate of the tomb, 0 Lord, deliver my soul.

CANTICLE OF EZECHIAS

(Is. xxxviii).

Ego dixi: in dimidio dierum meorum : vadam ad portas inferi.

Quaesivi residuum annorum meorum: dixi: Non videbo Dominum Deum in terra viventium.

Non aspiciam hominem ultra: et habitatorem quietis.

Generatio mea ablata est, et convoluta est a me: quasi tabernaculum pastorum.

PrsBcisa est velut a texente vita mea, dum adhuc ordirer succidit me: de mane usque ad vesperam finies me.

Sperabam usque ad mane: quasi leo sic contrivit omnia ossa mea.

De mane usque ad vesperam finies me: sicut pullus

I said: in the midst of my days: I shall go to the gates of hell.

I sought for the residue of my years: I said, I shall not see the Lord God in the land of the living.

I shall behold man no more, nor the inhabitant of rest.

My generation is at an end, and it is rolled away from me as a shepherd's tent.

My life is cut off as by a weaver; whilst I was but beginning, he cut me off: from morning even till night thou wilt make an end of me.

I hoped till morning: as a lion so hath he broken my bones.

From morning even till night thou wilt make an end of me; hirundinis sic clamabo, meditabor ut columba.

Attenuati sunt oculi mei: suspicientes in excelsum.

Domine, vim patior, responde pro me: Quid dicam, aut quid respondebit mihi, cum ipse fecerit?

Becogitabo tibi omnes annos meos: in amaritudine anim® mere.

Domine, si sic vivitur, et in talibus vita spiritus mei, corripies me, et vivificabis me: ecce in pace amaritudo mea amarissima.

Tu autem eruisti animam meam ut non periret: projecisti post tergum tuum omnia peccata mea.

Quia non infernus confitebitur tibi, neque mors laudabit te: non exspectabunt qui descendunt in lacum veritatem tuam.

Yivens, vivens, ipse confitebitur tibi, sicut et ego hodie: pater filiis notam faciet veritatem tuam.

Domine, salvum me fac, et psalmos nostros cantabimus cunctis diebus vitre nostra in domo Domini.

Ant. A porta inf eri, erue, Domine, animam meam.

I will cry like a young swallow, I will meditate like a dove.

My eyes are weakened with looking upward.

Lord, I suffer violence, answer thou for me. What shall I say, or what shall he answer for me, whereas he himself hath done it?

I will recount to thee all my years, in the bitterness of my soul.

0 Lord, if man's life be such, and the life of my spirit be in such things as these, thou shalt correct me, and make me to live. Behold in peace is my bitterness most bitter.

But thou hast delivered my soul that it should not perish: thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

For hell shall not confess to thee, neither shall death praise thee: nor shall they that go down into the pit look for thy truth.

The living, the living, he shall give praise to thee, as I do this day: the father shall make thy truth known to the children.

0 Lord, save me, and we will sing our psalms all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.

Ant. From the gate of the tomb, 0 Lord, deliver my soul.

The last psalm of Lauds, which is also the last of the Psalter, is a short hymn of praise sung by all creatures to their Creator. It is aooompanied by the following antiphon;

HOLT SATURDAY: TENEBR3S

Ant. 0 vos omnes, qui transitis per viam, attendite et videte, si est dolor sicut dolor mens.

Ant. 0 all ye that pass by the way, attend and see, if there be sorrow like unto my sorrow.

Psalm 150

Laudate Dominum in Sanctis ejus: laadate eum in firmamento virtu tis ejus.

Laudate eum in virtutibus ejus: laudate eum secundum multitudinem magnitudinis ejus.

Laudate eum in sono tubse: laudate eum in psalterio et cithara.

Laudate eum in tympano et choro: laudate eum in chordis et organo.

Laudate eum in cymbalis benesonantibus : laudate eum in cymbalis jubilationis: omnia spiritus laudet Dominum.

Ant. 0 vos omnes, qui transitis per viam, attendite et videte, si est dolor sicut dolor mens.

Caro mea requiescet in spe. fy. Et non dabis Sanctum tuum videre corruptionem.

Praise ye the Lord in his holy places: praise ye him in the firmament of his power.

Praise ye him for his mighty acts: praise ye him according to the multitude of his greatness.

Praise him with sound of trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp.

Praise him with timbrel and choir: praise him with strings and organs.

Praise him on high-sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of joy: let every spirit praise the Lord.

Ant. 0 all ye that pass by the way, attend and see, if there be sorrow like unto my sorrow. f. My flesh shall rest in hope.

B?. And thou wilt not suffer thy Holy One to see cor- ruption.

After this versiole, the Benedietw (page 347) is sung, to the following antiphon:

Ant. Mulieres sedentes Ant. The women, sitting ad monumentum lamenta- near the tomb, mourned, weepbantur, flentes Dominum. ing for the Lord.

The antiphon having been repeated after the canticle, the ohoir sings, to a touching melody, the following words, which are repeated at the end of all the Canonical Hours of these three days. But to-day the Church is not satisfied with announcing the death of her Jesus: she adds the remaining words of the apostle, wherein he tells us of the glory of the Man- God, the Conqueror of the tomb. f. Christus f actus est pro f. Christ became, for our nobis obediens usque ad mor- sake, obedient unto death, tern, mortem autem crucis. even to the death of the cross.

Propter quod et Deus exaltavit ilium, et dedit illi nomen, quod est super omne nomen.

For which cause, God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name, which is above all names.

Then is said, in secret, the Pater noster which is followed by the Miserere (page 336). As soon as the psalm is finished, the following prayer is recited by the first in dignity:

Respice, quaesumus, super hanc familiam tuam: pro qua Dominus noster Jesus Christus non dubitavit manibus tradi nocentium, et crucis subire tormentum:

Do- Look down, O Lord, we mine, beseech thee, upon this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ hesitated not to be delivered into the hands of wicked men, and to undergo the punishment of the cross:

Qui tecum vivit et regnat, in unitate Spiritus sancti, Deus, per omnia ssecula 889Culorum. Amen.

(then the rest in secret :) Who liveth and reigaeth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

THE MORNING A night has passed over the tomb, wherein lies buried the Body of the Man-G-od. Death is triumphant in that silent eave, and holds captive Him that gives life to every creature: but his triumph will soon be at an end. The soldiers may watoh, as best they will, over that grave: they oannot hold Jesus prisoner, as soon as the moment fixed for His Resurrection comes. The holy angels are there, profoundly adoring the lifeless Body of Him, whose Blood is to

HOLY SATtJRDA* : MOfcNtNO reconcile all things, both on earth, and in heaven. Thifl Body, though for a brief interval separated from the Soul, is still united to the Person of the Son of God ; so likewise the Soul, during its separation from the Body, has not for an instant lost its union with the Word. The Divinity remains also united with the Blood whioh lies sprinkled on Calvary, and which, at the moment of the Resurrection of the Man-God, is to enter onoe more into His sacred veins.

Let us also return to the sepulohre, and adore the Body of our buried Jesus. Now, at last, we understand what sin has done: by sin, death entered into the world ; and it passed upon all men.* Though Jesus knew no sin, yet has He permitted death to have dominion over Him, in order that He might make it less bitter to us, and by His Resurrection restore unto us that eternal life, of whioh we had been deprived by sin. How gratefully we should appreciate this death of our Jesus ! By becoming Incarnate, He became a servant; His death was a still deeper humiliation. The sight of this tomb, wherein His Body lies lifeless and cold, teaohes us something far more important than the power of death: it reveals to us the immense, the incomprehensible love of God for man. He knew that we were to gain by His humiliations; the greater His humiliations, the greater our exaltation: this was His principle, and it led Him to what seems like an excess ! Let us, then, love this sacred sepulchre, which is to give us life. We have thanked Him for havine died for us upon the cross ; let us thank Him, but most feelingly, for having humbled Himself, for our sake, even to the tomb !

And now let us visit the holy Mother, who has

1 CoL i. 20. » Rom. y. 12. 8 2 Cor. y. 21. * Phil. ii. 7.

3* passed the night in Jerusalem, going over, in saddest memory, the scenes she has witnessed. . Her Jesus has been a victim to every possible insult and cruelty ; He has been orucified ; His precious Blood has flowed in torrents from those five Wounds ; He is dead, and now lies buried in yonder tomb, as though He were but a mere man, yea the most abject of men. How many tears have fallen, duringthese long hours, from the eyes of the daughter of David ! And yet, her Son has not come back to her ! Near her is Magdalene; heart-broken by yesterday's events, she has no words to tell her grief, for Jesus is gone, and, as she thinks, for ever. The other women, less loved by Jesus than Magdalene, yet most dear to Him, stand around the disconsolate Mother. They have braved every insult and danger in order to remain on Calvary till all was over, and they intend returning thither with Magdalene, as soon as the Sabbath is over, to honour the tomb and the Body of Jesus.

John, the adopted son of Mary, and the beloved disciple of Jesus, is oppressed with sorrow. Others, also, of the apostles and disciples visit the house of mourning. Peter, penitent and humble, fears not to appear before the Mother of mercy. Among the disciples are Joseph of Arimathea and Nioodemus. We may easily imagine the conversation — it is on the sufferings and death of Jesus, and on the ingratitude of the Jews. The Churoh, in the seventh responsory of to-day's Tenebrce, represents these men as saying: ' Behold ! how the Just One dieth, and there is none that taketh it to heart. Iniquity has had its way. He was silent as a lamb under his shearer, and He opened not His mouth. He was taken away from distress and judgment: but His memory shall be in peace.

Thus speak the men ; the women are thinking of

HOLT 8ATTJHDAY : MORNING their morrow's visit to the sepulchre. The saintliness of Jesus, His goodness. His power, His sufferings, His death — everything is remembered, exoept His Resurrection, winch they had often heard Him say should oertainly and speedily take place. Mary alone lives in expectation of His triumph. In her was verified that expression of the Holy Ghost, where, speaking of the valiant woman, He says: i Her lamp fails not, because she knows that the sepulchre must yield up its Dead, and her Jesus will rise again to life. St. Paul tells us that our religion is vain, unless we have faith in the mystery of our Lord's Resurrection: where was this faith on the day after our Lord's death? In one heart only — and that was Mary's. As it was her chaste womb that had held within it Him whom heaven and earth cannot oontain, so, on this day, by her firm and unwavering faith, she resumes within her single self the whole Churoh. How sacred is this Saturday, whioh, notwithstanding all its sadness, is such a day of glory to the Mother of Jesus ! It is on this account that the Church has oonsecrated to Mary the Saturday of every week.

But it is time to repair to the house of God. The bells are still silent: our faith must speak to us, and make us eager to assist at the grand mysteries whioh the liturgy is about to oelebrate. Surely the Christian sentiment must be dead in those who can be willingly absent from the church on suoh a morning as this. No, it cannot be that we, who have followed the celebration of the mysteries of our religion thus far, can flag now, and lose the graoes of this morning's magnificent service.

Her oourage

1 Ptot. mi. 18.

THE MORNING SERVICE

It was the practice of the Church, and one that had been handed down from the earliest ages, that the Sacrifice of the Mass should not be offered up either yesterday or to-day. Yesterday, the anniversary of Jesus' death, was exclusively devoted to the remembranoe of the mystery of Calvary, and a holy fear kept the Church from renewing that Sacrifioe upon her altars. For the same reason she abstained to-day, also, from its oelebration. The burial of Christ is a sequel of His Passion: and during these hours when His Body lay lifeless in the tomb, it was fitting that the Sacrifice, wherein He is offered as the glorious and risen Jesus, should be suspended. Even the Greek Churoh, which never fasts on the Saturdays of Lent, follows the praotice of the Latin Churoh for this Saturday: she not only fasts, but she even omits the celebration of the Mass of the Presanctified.

Suoh was the discipline of the Latin Churoh for nearly a thousand years: but about the eleventh century, an important change began to be introduced with regard to the celebration of Mass on Holy Saturday. The Mass which, hitherto, had been celebrated during the night preceding Easter Sunday, then began to be anticipated on the Saturday ; but it was always considered as the Mass for the hour of our Lord's Resurrection, and not as the Mass of Holy Saturday. The relaxations that had been introduced with regard to fasting were the occasion of this ohange in the liturgy. In the first ages, the faithful watched the whole night in the church, awaiting the hour when our Lord rose triumphant from the tomb. They also assisted at the solemn administration of