Chapter the Fifth. on Hearing Mass During Paschal Time

When we assisted at tbe holy Sacrifice during Passiootide, our attention was fixed on the real immolation of the Lamb; we looked upon the altar as a new Calvary; and our devotion was centred upon the divine Victim slain for our ransom. During Eastertide, the Lamb presents Himself to us in another aspect; He is living, He is resplendent with glory, He is the Conqueror. He still deigns to be immolated; but it is that He may invite us to a joyous banquet, — the banquet of the Pasch, — wherein He gives us to eat of His Flesh. In her chants during the Mass, the Church is untiring in her Alleluia; she affectionately kisses the Wounds of her Jesus, which now dart forth rays of dazzling brightness. Her altar is the throne of the risen God ; she approaches it without fear, for the divine Conqueror of death, though so resplendent in His glory, is more loving and affable than ever.

Another source of joy to the Church, when at the holy altar, is the sight of her children partaking of the banquet of the Paschal Lamb. Each church is now a Cenacle, where Jesus celebrates the Pasch with His disciples. The holy Table is no longer the feast of a chosen few ; the guests come in in crowds, and the House is filled. Now is the great figure of the Old Law changed into a reality. 'At this Table of the great King, the new Pasch of the New Law puts an end to the ancient Passover. The new excludes the old; reality puts the shadow to flight; light expels night.' 1 We are the children of the

1 Sequence for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

MASS. promise; we have not denied Christ, as did the Jews; but we acknowledged Him to be our King, while His faithless people were dragging Him to execution. He, in return, has invited us to His Pasch, and there He is our host and our food.

During Eastertide, then, the holy Sacrifice puts these two spectacles before us in a most special way: a Victim, who is risen from the dead, and yet is still immolated in a real though unbloody manner; and a Table prepared for the eating of the Lamb, which is, indeed, offered, during the whole year, to the faithful for the life of their souls, but which is now frequented by all. At this Table is likewise fulfilled the prophetic symbol of the ancient Paschal Lamb. For fifteen hundred years, it was the figurative Lamb; the true Lamb has now reigned nineteen hundred: and this is the Lamb, whom the holy Mass reproduces in all the efficacy of His Sacrifice and in all the magnificence of His glory.

We ought, therefore, during Paschal Time, to assist at holy Mass with these great truths present before our minds; and whilst thinking of the beauty of the ancient types, we should be most grateful to our Heavenly Father for having given us to live under the reign of the new Pasch. Let us be present at this great act of the Christian Religion with extreme joy of soul, for it is here that we have, in all His reality, the same Jesus that rose again from the dead, to die no more. Let us unite with His holy Mother Mary, with Magdalene, and with His disciples, in the sentiments they had. They had the immense happiness of seeing and conversing with Him for' forty days after His Resurrection: He shows Himself to us, also, in this august Sacrifice. Let us give Him our adoration and love, and with all possible fervour.

We will now endeavour to embody these senti- merits in our explanation of the Mysteries of the boly Mass, and initiate the faithful into these divine secrets; not, indeed, by indiscreetly presuming to translate the sacred formulae, but by suggesting such Acts, as will enable those who hear Mass to enter into the ceremonies and spirit of the Church and of the Priest.

During a considerable portion of Paschal Time, the Mass is celebrated in commemoration of the great Mysteries which were accomplished at this season of the Liturgical Year: the prayers used by the Church, on these several Feasts, are given in their proper places. On other days, the holy Sacrifice is generally said in honour of the Saints, unless there occur a Sunday, not impeded by a Double Feast.

On the Sundays, if the Mass at which the Faithful assist be the Parochial, or, as it is often called, the Public Mass, two solemn rites precede it, and they are full of instruction and blessing: the Asperges, or sprinkling of the Holy Water, and the Procession.

During the Asperges, let us recal to our minds the Baptism received on Easter Eve by the Neophytes. Let us also think of our own, whereby we were made members of Christ. The water that thus regenerated us was made fruitful by the Blood of the Lamb and by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Vidi aquam egredientem I de templo a latere dextro, alleluia: et omnes, ad quos alleluia: 'pervenit aqua ista, salvi facti sunt et dicent: Alle- saw water flowing from the right side of the temple, and all to whom that water came were saved, and they shall say: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. luia.

Ps. Confitemini Domino, Ps. Praise the Lord, be- quoniam bonus: quoniamin cause he is good; because his sseculum misericordia ejus, mercy endureth for ever.

Gloria Patri. Vidi aquam. Glory, etc. I saw.

ANTIPHON OF THE ASPERGES.

MASS.

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Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam, alleluia*

3$. Et salutare tuum da nobis, alleluia. oremcjs.

Exaudi nos, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deu : et mittere digneri sanctum Angelum tuum de coelis, qui custodiat, fo- ▼eat, protegat, visitet, atque defendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

The Procession, which immediately precedes the Mass, represents the holy women going to the Sepulchre, with the intention of re-embalming the Body of their divine Master. They found it not there ; but Jesus at once showed Himself to them, and they returned filled with wonder and joy.

But see, Christians; the Sacrifice begins! The Priest is at the foot of the altar ; God is attentive, the Angels are in adoration, the whole Church is united with the Priest, whose priesthood and action are those of the great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Let us make the sign of the Cross with him.

Show us, O Lord, thy mercy, alleluia.

1$. And grant us thy salvation, alleluia.

LET US PRAY.

Graciously hear us, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God: and vouchsafe to send thy holy Angel from heaven, who may keep, cherish, protect, visit and defend all who are assembled in this place. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE ORDINAR"

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

^. Introibo ad altare Dei. 1J. Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.

Judica me, Deus, et discerne causam meam de gente non aancta : ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me.

Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea: quare me repulisti 1 et quare tristis incedo, dum ainigit me inimicus %

Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam : ipsa me deduxerunt et adduxerunt in montem sanctum tuum, et in tabernacula tua.

Et introibo ad altare Dei : ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.

Confitebor tibi in cithara Deus, Deus meus: quare tristis es anima mea) et quare conturbas me ?

Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi : Salutare vultus mei, et Deus meus.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et

' OF THE MASS.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

I unite myself, O my God, with thy Church whose heart is filled with the hope of soon seeing, and in all the splendour of his Resurrection, Jesus Christ thy Son, who is the true Altar.

Like her I beseech thee to defend me against the malice of the enemies of my salvation.

It is in thee that I have put my hope; yet do I feel sad and troubled at being in the midst of the snares which are set for me.

Send me, then, him who is light and truth : it is he who will open to us the way to thy holy mount, to thy heavenly tabernacle.

He is the Mediator, and the living Altar: I will draw nigh to him and be filled with joy.

When he shall have come, I will sing in my gladness. Be not sad, O my soul ! Why wouldst thou be troubled ?

Hope in thy Jesus, who will soon show himself to thee as the conqueror of that Death which he suffered in thy stead; and thou wilt rise again together with him.

Glory be to the Father, and

Spirited Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Introibo ad altare Dei.

3$. Ad Deum qui lsetificat juventutem meam.

Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini.

B. Qui fecit ccelum et terrain. to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I am to go to the altar of God, and feel the presence of him who desires to give me a new life !

This my hope comes not to me as thinking that I have any merits, but from the all-powerful help of my Creator.

The thought of being about to appear before bis God, excites in the soul of the Priest a lively sentiment of compunction. He cannot go further in the Holy Sacrifice without confessing, and publicly, that lie is a sinner, and deserves not the grace he is about to receive. Listen with respect to this confession of God's Minister, and earnestly ask our Lord to show mercy to him ; for the Priest is your Father ; he is answerable for your salvation, for which he every day risks his own. When he has finished, unite with the Servers, or the Sacred Ministers, in this prayer :

Misereatur tui omnipotens May Almighty God have

Deu, et dimissi peccatis mercy on thee, and, forgiving tuis, perducat te ad vitam thy sins, bring thee to ever- aeternam. lasting life.

The Priest having answered Amen, make your confession, saying with a contrite spirit :

Confiteor Deo omnipotent, beatae Maris© semper Viigini, beato Micnaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptist®, Sanctis Apostolis Pefero et Paulo, ommbus Sanctis, et tibi, Pater, quia peccavi nimis, cogitatione, S,et opere: mea culpa,

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, and to thee, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, mea culpa, mea maxima through my fault, through my culpa. Ideo precor beatam fault, through my most griev-

Mariam semper Virginem, ous fault Therefore I beseech beatum Michaelem Arch- the blessed Mary ever Virgin, angelum, beatam Joannem blessed Michael the Archangel,

Baptistam, sanctos Aposto- blessed John the Baptist, the los Petrum et Paulum, om- holy Apostles Peter and Paul, nes Sanctos, et te, Pater, and all the Saints, and thee, orare pro me ad Dominum Father, to pray to the Lord

Deum nostrum. our God for me.

Receive with gratitude the paternal wish of the Priest, who says to you :

Misereatur vestri omni- May Almighty God be mer- potens Deus, et dimissis ciful to you, and, forgiving peccatis vestris, perducat your sins, bring you to ever- vos ad vitam seternam. lasting life. ft. Amen. ft. Amen.

Induigentiam, absolutio- May the Almighty and mer- nem, et remissionem pecca- ciful Lord grant us pardon, torum nostrorum tribuat absolution and remission of nobis omnipotens et miseri- our sins, cors Dominus. ft. Amen. I}. Amen.

Invoke the divine assistance, that you may approach to Jesus Christ.

Deus, tu conversus f. O God, it needs but one vivificabis nos. look of thine to give us life. ft. Et plebs tua laetabitur ft. And thy people shall in te. rejoice in theeS

^. Ostende nobis, Domi- $V Show us, O Lord* thy ne, misericordiam tuam. mercy. ft. Et Salutare tuum da ft And give us to know nobis- and love the Saviour whom thou hast sent unto us*

^. Domine, ezaudi ora- y. O Lord hear my prayer, tionem meam. ft. Et clamor meus ad te ft. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee.

The Priest here leaves you to ascend to the altar ; but first he salutes you :

^. Dominus vobiscum. JP". The Lord be with you.

Answer him with reverence : 1$. Et cum spiritu tuo. 1$. And with thy spirit

He ascends the steps and comes to the Holy of Holies. Ask, both for him and for yourself, the deliverance from sin :

OREMUS. LET US PRAY.

Aufer a nobis quasumus, Take from our hearts, O

Domine, iniquitates no- Lord, all those sins, which stras; ut ad Sancta sancto- make us unworthy to appear rum puris mereamur menti- in thy presence; we ask this of bus introire. Per Christum thee by thy divine Son, our

Dominum nostrum. Amen. Lord.

When the Priest kisses the altar, out of reverence for the relics of the Martyrs which are there, say :

Oramus te, Domine, per merita sanctorum tuorum, quorum reliquiae hie sunt, et omnium sanctorum : ut in- tercede dulgere digneris omnia peccata mea. Amen.

Generous soldiers of Jesus Christ, who have mingled your own blood with his, infor us that our sins may be forgiven : that so we may, like you, approach unto

God.

If it be a High Mass at which you are assisting; the Priest incenses the altar in a most solemn manner; this white cloud, which you see ascending from every part of the altar, signifies the prayer of the Church, who addresses herself to Jesus Christ, while the divine Mediator causes that prayer to ascend,

PASCHAL TIMB. united with His own, to the throne of the majesty of His Father.

The Priest then says the Introit. It is a solemn opening-anthem, in which the Church, at the very fcommenceinent of the Holy Sacrifice, gives expression to the sentiments which fill her heart.

It is followed by nine exclamations which are even more earnest, for they ask for mercy. In addressing them to God, the Church unites herself with the nine choirs of Angels, who are standing round the altar of Heaven, one and the same as this before which you are kneeling.

Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

To the Father .

Lord, have mercy on us ! Lord, have mercy on us ! Lord, have mercy on us !

Chris te eleison. Christe eleison. Christe eleison.

To the Son.

Christ, have mercy on us ! Christ, have mercy on us ! Christ, have mercy on us !

Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

To the Holy Ghost :

Lord, have mercy on us! Lord, have mercy on us ! Lord, have mercy on us !

Then, mingling his voice with that of the heavenly host, the Priest intones the sublime Canticle of Bethlehem, which announces glory to God and peace to men. Instructed by the revelations of God, the Church continues, in her own words, the Hymn of the Angels. She celebrates, with rapture, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world ; and, as it were, in return for the humiliations He suffered in His Passion, she proclaims that He alone is Holy y

He alone is Lord, He alone Most High. Eater, Christians, into these sentiments of profound adoration, confidence, and tender love, towards the Paschal Lamb.

THE ANGELIC HYMN.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, et m terra pax hominibusbonae voluntatis.

Landamus te: benedicimus te : adoramus te : glorificamus te: gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.

Domine Deus, Rex coeiestis,Deus Pater omnipotens.

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe.

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.

Quoniamtn solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, J esu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will.

We praise thee: we bless thee : we adore thee : we glorify thee : we give thee thanks for thy great glory.

O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

0 Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son.

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.

Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Who takest away the sins of the world, receive our humble prayer.

Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For thou alone art holy, thou alone art Lord, thou alone, O Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, art most high, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Priest then turns towards the people, and again salutes them, as it were to make sure of their pious attention to the sublime act, for which all this is but the preparation.

Then follows the Collect or Prayer, in which the Church formally expresses to the divine Majesty the special intentions she has in the Mass which is being celebrated. You may unite in this prayer, by reciting with the Priest the Collects which you will find in their proper places : but on no account omit to join with the server of the Mass in answering Amen.

After this comes the Epistle, which is generally a portion of one or other of the Epistles of the Apostles, or a passage from some Book of the old Testament, While it is being read, ask of God that you may profit by the instructions it conveys.

The Gradual is an intermediate formula of prayer between the Epistle and the Gospel. It again brings to us the sentiments already expressed in the Introit. Read it with devotion, that so you may enter more and more into the spirit of the mystery proposed to you by the Church.

During Paschal Time, the Gradual is not said, except for the first six days: we have elsewhere explained the reason of this exception. On all other days of the Season, the interval between the Epistle and Gospel is filled up by two Verses, to each of which is added Alleluia, the word that is now ceaselessly on the Church's lips. After the fifty days of Paschal joy, the Gradual will be resumed in the Liturgy.

Next follows the Gospel. It was the Holy Ghost who guided the four Evangelists ; their Gospel, which is our light and life, is one of the fruits of the glorious Pentecost. Let us prepare for hearing the words of our risen Lamb : it is He Himself that is about to speak to us, as He did to His disciples, when He appeared to them during the days between His Resurrection and Ascension.

If it be a High Mass, the Deacon, meanwhile, prepares to fulfil his noble office, — that of announcing the Good Tidings of salvation. He prays God to cleanse his heart and lips. Then kneeling before the Priest, he asks a blessing ; and, having received it, at once goes to the place where he is to sing the Gospel.

As a preparation for hearing it worthily, you may thus pray, together with both Priest and Deacon :

Munda cor meum, ac la- Alas ! these ears of mine are bia mea, om nip o tens Deus, but too often defiled with the qui labia Isaiae Prophet® world's vain words: cleanse calculo mundasti ignito : ita them, O Lord, that so I may me tua grata miseratione hear the words of eternal life, dignare mundare, ut san- and treasure them in my ctum Evangel hi m tuum di- heart. Through our Lord gne valeam nuntiare. Per Jesus Christ. Amen. Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Dominus sit in cordemeo, Grant to thy ministers thy et in labiis meis : ut digne grace, that they may faith- et competenter annuntiem fully explain the law ; that so

Evangeiium suum : In no- all, both pastors and flock, mine Patris, et Filii, et Spi- may be united to thee for ever, ritus Sancti. Amen. Amen.

You will stand during the Gospel, as though you were waiting the orders of your Lord ; and at the commencement, make the sign of the Cross on your forehead, lips, and breast ; and then listen to every word of the Priest or Deacon. Let your heart be ready and obedient. ' While my beloved was speaking,' says the Spouse in the Canticle, ' my soul melted within me.' 1 If you have not such love as this, have at least the humble submission of Samuel, and say : ' Speak, Lord ! thy servant heareth/ 2

After the Gospel, if the Priest says the Symbol of Faith, the Credo, you will say it with him. Faith is that gift of God without which we cannot please Him. It is Faith that initiates us into the sublime Easter Mysteries, which divinize our whole life, and nut us in possession of the good things of eternity. Like the holy women at the Sepulchre, let us believe with a lively and simple faith. Let us not wait for experience, as Thomas did; for our Lord has said: 'Cant. v. 6. 2 1 Kings iii. 10.

*8

• Blessed are they that have not seen and have believed.' 1 Let us, then, say with the Catholic Church our Mother :

THE NICKNE CREED.

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipoteutem, factorem cceli et teroe, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.

Et in unum Dominum Jeaum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum. Et ex Fatre natuoi ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri, Der quern omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem, descendit de ccelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto, ex Maria Virgine; et

HOMO FACTUS EST. Cruci- fixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in ccelum; sedet ad dexteram Paths. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos; cujus regni non erit finis.

Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur, et conglorificatur ; qui locutus est per Prophetas. Et unam san-

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. And born of the Father before all ages; God of God, light of light; true God of true God. Begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. And became incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary;

AND WAS MADE MAN. He was crucified also for us, under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried. And the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And he is to come again with glory, to judge the living and the dead ; of whose kingdom there shall be no end.

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son. Who togetJier with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified; who spoke by the Prophets. And l St. John, xx. 29. ctam Catholicam et Aposto- one holy Catholic and Apos- licam Ecclesiam. Confiteor tolic Church. I confess one unum Baptisma in remissio- Baptism for the remission of nem peccatorum. Et exspe- sins. And I expect the resur- cto resurrectionem raortuo- rection of the dead, and the rum, et vitam venturi sae- life of the world to come, culi. Amen . Amen.

The Priest and the people should, by this time, have their hearts ready: it is time to prepare the offering itself. And here we come to the second part of the holy Mass, called the Oblation, and immediately following that, which was called the Mass of Catechumens, on account of its being formerly the only part at which the candidates for Baptism had a right to be present.

See, then, dear Christians! bread and wine are about to be offered to God, as being the noblest of inanimate creatures, since they are made for the nourishment of man ; and even that is only a poor material image of what they are destined to become in our Christian Sacrifice. Their substance will soon give place to God Himself, and of themselves nothing will remain but the appearances. Happy creatures, thus to yield up their own being, that God may take its place! We, too, are to undergo a like transformation, when, as the Apostle expresses it, 'that which is mortal shall put on immortality/ 1 Until that happy change shall be realized, let us offer ourselves to God, as often as we see the bread and wine presented to Him in the holy Sacrifice; and let us glorify Him, who, by assuming our human nature, has made us 'partakers of the divine nature.' 2

The Priest again turns to the people with the usual salutation, as though he would warn them to redouble their attention. Let us read the Offertory with him, and when he offers the Host to God, let us unite with him in saying :

1 1 Cor. xv. 53.

2 2 St. Pet. i. 4.

Suscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens rcterne Deus, hanc immaculatam hostiam, quam ego indignus famulus tuus onero tibi Deo meo vivo et vero, pro innumerabilibus peccatis et offensionibus et negligentiis meis, et pro omnibus circumstantibus, sed et pro omnibus fidelibus christianis vivis atque defunctis ; ut mihi et illis proficiat ad salutem in vitam aeternam. Amen.

Ail that we have, O Lord* comes from thee, and belongs to thee ; it is just, therefore, that we return it unto thee. But how wonderful art thou in the inventions of thy immense love! This bread which we are offering to thee is to give place, in a few moments, to the sacred Body of Jesus. We beseech thee, receive, together with this oblation, our hearts which long to live by thee, and to cease to live their own life of self.

When the Priest puts the wine into the chalice, and then mingles with it a drop of water, let your thoughts turn to the divine mystery of the Incarnation, which is the source of our hope and our salvation; and say:

Deus qui human ae substantia dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti, et mirabilius reformasti: da nobis per hujus aqu« et vini mysterium, ejus divinitatis esse consortes, qui humanitatis nostrae fieri dignatus est farticeps, Jesus Christus 'ilius tuus Dominus noster: (jui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula s»culorum. Amen.

O Lord Jesus, who art the true Vine, and whose Blood, like a generous wine, has been poured forth under the pressure of the Cross! thou hast deigned to unite thy divine nature to our weak humanity, which is signified by this drop of water. Oh! come and make us partakers of thy divinity, by showing thyself to us in thy sweet and wondrous visit.

The Priest then offers the mixture of wine and water, beseeching God graciously to accept this oblation, which is so soon to be changed into the reality, of which it is now but the figure. Meanwhile, say, in union with the Priest :

Offerimus tibi, Domine, Graciously accept these calicem salutaris, tuam de- gifts, O sovereign Creator of precantes clementiam: ut in all things. Let them be fitted conspectu divinse Majestatis for the divine transformation, tuae, pro nostra et totius which will make them, from mundi salute, cum odore being mere offerings of created suavitatis ascendat. Amen, things, the instrument of the world's salvation.

After having thus held up the sacred gifts towards heaven, the Priest bows down : let us also humble ourselves, and say :

In spiritu humilitatis, et Though daring, as we do, to in animo contrito suscipia- approach thy altar, O Lord, mur a te, Domine: et sic fiat we cannot forget that we are sacrificium nostrum in con- sinners. Have mercy on us, spectu tuo hodie, ut placeat and delay not to send us thy tibi, Domine Deus. Son, who is our saving Host.

Let us next invoke the Holy Ghost, whose operation is about to produce on the altar the presence of the Son of God, as it did in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the divine mystery of the Incarnation :

Veni, Sanctificator omnipotens seterne Deus, et nedtic hoc sacrificium tuo sancto nomini preparatum.

Come, O Divine Spirit, be^ make fruitful the offering which is upon the altar, and produce in our hearts him

If it be a High Mass, the Priest, before proceeding any further with the Sacrifice, takes the thurible a second time. He first incenses the bread and wine which have been just offered, and then the altar ifeBelf ; hereby inviting the faithful to make their prayer, which is signified by the incense, more and more fervent, the nearer the solemn moment approaches.

But the thought of his own unworthiness becomes more intense than ever in the heart of the Priest. whom they desire.

The public confession, which he made at the foot of the altar, is not enough ; he would now, at the altar itself, express to the people, in the language of a solemn rite, how far he knows himself to be from that spotless sanctity, wherewith he should approach to God. He washes his hands. Our hands signify our works; and the Priest, though by his priesthood he bear the office of Jesus Christ, is, by his works, but man. Seeing your father thus humble himself, do you also make an act of humility, and say with him these verses of the Psalm. psalm 25.

Lavabo inter innocentes man us meas: et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine.

Ut audiam vocem laud is: et enarrem universa mirabilia tua.

Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuse, et locum habitations glorias tuse.

Ne perdas cum impiis, Deus, animam meam, et cum viris sanguinum vitam meam.

In quorum manibus iniquitatessunt: dexteraeorum repleta est muneribus.

Ego autem in innocentia mea ingressus sum: redime me, et miserere mei.

Pes meus stetit in director in ecclesiis benedicam te, Domine.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in ssecula sseculorum. Amen.

I, too, would wash my hands, O Lord, and become like unto those who are innocent, that so I may be worthy to come near thy altar, and hear thy sacred Canticles, and then go and proclaim to the world the wonders of thy goodness. I love the beauty of thy House, which thou art about to make the dwellingplace of thy glory. Leave me not, O God, in the midst of them that are enemies both to thee and me. Thy mercy having separated me from them, I entered on the path of innocence, and was restored to thy grace; but have pity on my weakness still; redeem me yet more, thou who hast so mercifully brought me back to the right path. In the midst of these thy faithful people, I give thee thanks. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ; as it was in the beginning, is now* and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Priest, taking encouragement from the act of humility he has just made, returns to the middle of the altar, and bows down full of respectful awe, begging of God to receive graciously the Sacrifice which is about to be offered to Him, and expresses the intentions for whichf it is offered. Let us do the same.

Suscipe, sancta Trinitas, O hanc oblationem, quam tibi offerimus ob memoriam Pasrememsionis, Resurrectionis, et censionis Jesu Christi mini nostri: et in honorem beatae Marise semper Virginis, et beati Joannis Baptistas, et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, et istorum, et omnium Sanctorum: ut illis proficiat ad honorem, nobis autem ad salutem: et illi pro nobis coelis, quorum memoriam agimus in terris. Per eumdem Christum Dominum adnostrum. Amen.

Holy Trinity, graciously accept the Sacrifice we have begun. We offer it in As- brance of the Passion, Resur- Do- rection, and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Permit thy Church to join with this intention that of honouring the ever glorious Virgin Mary, the Blessed Baptist John, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the Martyrs whose relics lie here under our altar awaiting their resurrection, and the intercedere dignentur in Saints whose memory we this day celebrate. Increase the glory they are enjoying, and receive the prayers they dress to thee for us.

The Priest again turns to the people; it is for the last time before the sacred Mysteries are accomplished. He feels anxious to excite the fervour of the people. Neither does the thought of his own un worthiness leave him ; and before entering the cloud with the Lord, he seeks support in the prayers of his brethren who are present. He says to them :

Orate, fratres : ut meum Brethren, pray that my Sa- ac vestrum sacrificium ac- crifice, which is yours also, ceptabile fiat apud Deum may be acceptable to God, our

Patrem omnipotentem. Almighty Father.

This request made, he turns again to the altar, and you will see his face no more, until our Lord Himself shall have come down from heaven upon that same altar. Assure the Priest that he has your prayers, and say to him :

Suacipiat Domiuus sacri- May our Lord accept this ficium ae manibus tuis, ad Sacrifice at thy hands, to the laudem et gloriam nominis praise and glory of bis name, sui, ad utuitatem quo que and for our Denefit and that of nostram totiusque Ecclesi® bis holy Church throughout

Bum sanctae. the world.

Here the Priest recites the prayers called the Secrets, in which he presents the petition of the whole Church for God's acceptance of the Sacrifice, and then immediately begins to fulfil that great duty of religion, Thanksgiving. So far he has adored God, and has sued for mercy; he has still to give thanks for the blessings bestowed on us by the bounty of our heavenly Father, the chief of which, during this Season, is His graciously fulfilling the promise He made after the sin of our First Parents: He fulfilled it by the Resurrection of the Lamb, who thereby conquered death. The Priest, in the name of the Church, is about to give expression to the gratitude of all mankind. In order to excite the faithful to that intensity of gratitude which is due to God for all His gifts, he interrupts his own and their silent prayer by terminating it aloud, saying :

Per omnia saecula saeculo- For ever and ever, rum*

In the same feeling, answer your Amen! Then he continues :

Dominus vobiscum. J. The Lord be with you. Et cum spiritu tuo. ft- And with thy spirit. Sursum corda ! <▼ • Lift up your hearts !

Let your response be sincere.

1$. Habemus ad Domi- B. We have them fixed on num. God.

And when he adds : ft. Gratias agamus Do- ft. Let us give thanks to mino Deo nostro. the Lord our God.

Answer him with all the earnestness of your soul.

1$. Dignum et justum est. R. It is meet and just.

Then the Priest :

Vere dignum et justum It is truly meet and just, est, aequum et salutare, te right and available to salva- quidem Domine omni tern- tion, to praise thee, O Lord, pore, sed in hoc potissimum at all times, but chiefly at this gloriosius praedicare, cum time, when Christ our Pass- rascha nostrum immolatus over was sacrificed for us. For est Christus. Ipse enim ve- he is the true Lamb, who hath rus est Agnus, qui abstulit taken away the sins of the peccata mundi. Qui mor- world. Who, by dying, hath tern nostram moriendo de- destroyed our death, and by struxit, et vitam resurgendo rising again , hath restored us to reparavit. Et ideo cum An- life. And therefore with the gelis et Archangelis, cum Angels and Archangels, with

Thronis et Dominationibus, the Thrones and Dominations, cumque omni militia ccele- and with all the heavenly host, stis exercitus, hymnum glo- we sing a hymn to thy glory, rise tuae canimus, sine fine saying unceasingly : dicentes :

Here unite with the Priest, who, on his part, unites himself with the blessed Spirits, in giving thanks to

God for the unspeakable Gift : bow down and say :

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord

Dominus Deus sabaoth ! God of hosts !

Pleni sunt coeli et terra Heaven and earth are full gloria tua. of thy glory.

Hosanna in excelsis ! Hosanna in the highest !

1 The Prefaces for the Ascension, Pentecost, and the Annunciation, are given in the Masses for those Feasts.

F

Benedictus qui venit in Blessed be the Saviour who nomine Domini. is coming to us in the name of the Lord who sends him. Hosanna in ezcelsis. Hosanna be to him in the highest 1

After these words commences the Canon, that mysterious prayer, in the midst of which heaven bows down to earth, and God descends unto us. The voice of the Priest is no longer heard ; yea, even at the altar, all is silence. Let a profound respect stay all distractions, and keep our senses in submission to the soul. Let us fix our eyes on what the Priest does in the Holy Place.

THE CANON OF THE MASS.

In this mysterious colloquy with the great God of heaven and earth, the first prayer of the sacrificing priest is for the Catholic Church, his and our mother.

Te igitur, clementissime Pater, per Jesum Christum Filium tuum Dominum nostrum, supplices rogamus ac petimus, uti accepta habeas, et benedicas haec dona, haec munera, haec sancta sacrificia illibata, in primis quae tibi offerimus pro Ecclesia tua sancta Catholica : quam pacificare, custodire, adunare, et regere digneris toto orbe terrarum, una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro N., et Antistite nostro N., et omnibus orthodoxis, atque catholic® et apostolicae fidei cultoribus.

O God who manifestest thyself unto us by means of the mysteries which thou hast entrusted to thy holy Church, our mother ; we beseech thee, by the merits of this sacrifice, that thou wouldst remove all those hindrances which oppose her during her pilgrimage in this world. Give her peace and unity. Do thou thyself guide our holy Father the rope, thy Vicar on earth . Direct thou our Bishop, who is our sacred link of unity ; and watch over all the orthodox children of the Catholic Apostolic Roman Church.

Here pray, together with the Priest, for those whose interests should be dearest to you.

Memento, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum N. et N. et omnium circumstantium, quorum tibi fides cognita est, et nota devotio: pro quibus tibi offerimus, vel qui tibi offerant hoc sacrificium laudis, pro se, suisque omnibus, pro redemptione animarum suarum, pro spe salutis et incolumitatis suae ; tibique reddunt vota sua aeterno Deo vivo et vero.

Permit me, O God, to intercede with thee in more earnest prayer for those, for whom thou knowest that I have a special obligation to pray: . . . Pour down thy blessings upon them. Let them partake of the fruits of this divine Sacrifice, which is offered unto thee in the name of all mankind. Visit them by thy grace, pardon them their sins, grant them the blessings of this present life and of that which is eternal.

Here let us commemorate the Saints: they are that portion of the Body of Jesus Christ, which is called the Church Triumphant

Communicantes, et memoriam venerantes, in primis gloriosae semper Virginia Mariae, Genitricis Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: 8ed etbeatorum Apostolorum ac Martyrum tuorum, Petri etPauli, Andreas, Jacobi, Joannis, Thomae, Jacobi, PMlippi,Bartholomaei, Matthai, Simonis, et Thaddaei : . Lini, Cleti, Clementis, Xy sti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Joannis et Pauli, Cosmae et Domiani, et omnium sanctorum tuorum, quorum meritis precibusque concedas, ut in omnibus protectionis tuaa muniamur auxilio. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

But the offering of this Sacrifice, O my God, does not unite us with those only of our brethren who are still in this transient life of trial : it brings us closer to those also, who are already in possession of heaven. Therefore it is, that we wish to honour by it the memory of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary, of whom Jesus was born to us : of the Apostles, Confessors, Virgins, and of all the Saints ; that so they may assist us by their powerful intercession, to become worthy to contemplate thee, as they now do, in the mansion of thy glory.

The Priest, who up to this time has been praying with his hands extended, now joins them, and holds them over the bread and wine, as the High Priest of the Old Law did over the figurative victim : he thus expresses his intention of bringing these gifts more closely under the notice of the divine Majesty, and of marking them as the material offering whereby we profess our dependence, and which is, in a few instants, to yield its place to the living Host, upon whom are laid all our iniquities.

Hanc igitur oblationem servitude nostra, sed et cunct® famili® tuae qu»sumus Domine, ut placatus accipias: diesque nostras in tua pace disponas, atque ab »terna damnatione nos eripi, et in electorum tuorum jubeas grege numerarL Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Quam oblationem tu Deus in omnibus quasumus, benedictam, adscriptam, ratam, rationabilem, acceptabilemque f acere digneris ; ut nobis Corpus et Sanguis fiat dilectissimi Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi.

Vouchsafe, O Gk)d, to accept this offering which this thy assembled family presents to thee as the homage of its most happy servitude. In return, give us peace, save us from thy wrath and number us among the elect, through Him who is coming to us,— thy Son our Saviour.

Yea, Lord, this is the moment when this bread is to become his sacred Body, which is our food ; and this wine is to be changed into his Blood, which is our drink. Ah ! delay no longer, but send to us this divine Son our Saviour !

And here the Priest ceases to act as man; he now becomes more than a mere minister of the Church* His word becomes that of Jesus Christ, with all its power and efficacy. Prostrate yourself in profound adoration ; for God Himself is about to descend upon our altar^ coming down from heaven.

Qui pridie quam patere- What, O God of heaven and tur, accepit panem in san- earth, my Jesus, the long ex- ctas ac venerabUes manus pected Messias, what else can suas: et elevatis oculis in I do at this solemn moment coelum, ad te Deum Patrem but adore thee, in silence as suum omnipotentem, tibi my sovereign Master, and gratias agens, benedixit, open my whole heart to thee, f regit, deditque discipulis as to its dearest King! Come, suis, dicens : Accipite, et then, Lord Jesus, come ! manducate ex hoc omnes. Hoc est enim Corpus

MEUM.

The divine Lamb is now lying on our altar! Glory and love be to Him for ever ! But He is come, that He may be immolated. Hence, the Priest, who is the minister of the will of the Most High, immediately pronounces over the chalice those sacred words, which will produce the great mystical immolation, by the separation of the Victim's Body and Blood. The substances of bread and wine have ceased to exist : the species alone are left, veiling, as it were, the Body and Blood, lest fear should keep us from a mystery which God gives us in order to give us confidence. Let us associate ourselves to the Angels, who tremblingly look upon this deepest wonder.

Simili modo postquam O Precious Blood! thou hunc prseclarum Calicem in thee ! Wash away my sins, sanctas ac venerabiles ma- and give me a purity above the nus suas: item tibi gratias whiteness of snow. Lamb agens, benedixit, deditque ever slain, yet ever living, thou discipuli suis, dicens: Ac- comest to take away the sins cipite et bibite ex eo omnes, of the world. Come also and

Hie est enim Calix San- reign in me by thy power and

GUiNis mei, novt et J3TER- by thy love !

NI TESTAMENTi: MYSTE- BIX7M FIDEi: QUI PRO VO- BI8 ET PRO MULTIS EFFUN- DETUR IN REMISSIONEM peccatorum. Haec quotiescumque feceritis, in mei memoriam facietis.

The Priest is now face to face with God. He again raises his hands towards heaven, and tells our price of my salvation ! I adore heavenly Father, that the oblation, now on the altar, is no longer an earthly offering, but the Body and Blood, the whole Person, of His divine Son.

Unde et memores, Domine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, ejusdem Christi Filii tui Domini nostri tarn beatae Passionis, necnon et ab inferis Resurrectionis, sed et in coelos glorio&ss Ascension is: offerimus praeclarae majestati tuse de tuis donis ac datis Hostiam puram, Hostiam sanctam, Hostiam immaculatam : Panem sanctum vitie aeternae, et Calicem salutis perpetuae.

Supra qusB propitio ac sereno vulto respicere digneris: et accepta habere, sicuti accepta habere dignatus es munera pueri tui justi Abel, et sacrificium Patriarch* nostri Abrahse, et quod tibi obtulit sum m us Sacerdostuus Melchisedech, sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam.

Father of infinite holiness, the Host so long expected is here before thee! Behold this thy eternal Son, who suffered a bitter passion, rose again with glory from the grave, and ascended triumphantly into heaven. He is thy Son ; but he is also our Host, Host pure and spotless, — our Meat and Drink of everlasting life.

Heretofore thou didst accept the sacrifice of the innocent lambs offered to thee by Abel; and the sacrifice which Abraham made thee of nis son Isaac, who, though immolated, yet lived ; and, lastly, the sacrifice which Melchisedech presented thee of bread and wine. Receive our Sacrifice which is above all those others. It is the Lamb of whom all others could be but figures ; it is the undying Victim ; it is the Body of thy Son, who is the Bread of Life, and his Blood, which whilst a Drink of immortality for us, is a tribute adequate to thy glory.

The Priest bows down to the altar, and kisses it as the throne of love on which is seated the Saviour of men.

Supplices te rogamus, omnipotens Deus: jube h»c perferri per manus sancti Angeli tui in sublime altare tuum, in conspectu divinae Majestatis tuse ; ut quotquot ex hac altaris participatione, sacrosanctum Filii tui Corpus et Sanguinem sumpserimus, omni benedictione cce- .lesti et gratia repleamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

But, O God of infinite power, these sacred gifts are not only on this altar here below ; they are also on that sublime altar of heaven, which is before the throne of thy divine Majesty. These two altars are but one and the same, on which is accomplished the great mystery of thy glory and our salvation. Vouchsafe to make us partakers of the Body and Blood of the august Victim, from whom flow every grace and blessing.

Nor is the moment less favourable for making supplication for the Church Suffering. Let us, therefore, ask the divine Liberator, who has come down among us, that He mercifully visit, by a ray of His consoling light, the dark abode of Purgatory, and permit His Blood to flow, as a stream of mercy's dew, from this our altar, and refresh the panting captives there. Let us pray expressly for those among them, who have a claim on our suffrages.

Memento etiam, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum N. et N., qui nos praecesserunt cum signo fidei, et dormiunt in somno pacis. Ipsis Domine, et omnibus in Christo quiescentibus, locum refrigerii, lucis et pacis, ut indulgeas, deprecamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Dear Jesus ! let the happiness of this thy visit extend to every portion of thy Church. Thy face gladdens the elect in the holy City ; even our mortal eyes can see beneath the veil of our delighted faith ; ah ! hide not thyself from those brethren of ours, who are imprisoned in the place of expiation. Be thou refreshment to them in their flames, light in their darkness, and peace in their agonies of torment.

This duty of charity fulfilled, let us pray for ourselves, sinners, alas ! who profit so little by the visit which our Saviour pays us. Let us, together with the Priest, strike our breast, saying :

Nobis quoque peccatoribus famulis tuis, de multitudine miserationum tuarum sperantibus, partem aliquam et societatem donare digneris cum tuis Sanctis Apostolis et Marty ribus : cum Joanne, Stephano, Mathia, Barnaba, Ignatio, Alexandro, Marcellino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Caecilia, Anastasia, et omnibus Sanctis tuis ; intra quorum nos consortium, non ^estimator meriti, sed venise, quaesuraus largitor admitte. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Perquembaecomnia, Domine, semper bona creas, sanctificas, vivificas, benedicis, et praestas nobis: per ipsum, et cum ipso et in ipso, est tibi Deo Patri omnipotenti, in unitate Spiritus Sancti, omnia honor et gloria.

Alas ! we are poor sinners, O God of all sanctity ! yet do we hope that thy infinite mercy will grant us to share in thy kingdom, not, indeed, by reason of our works, which deserve little else than punishment, but because of the merits of this Sacrifice, which we are offering to thee. Remember, too, the merits of thy holy Apostles, of thy holy Martyrs, of thy holy Virgins, and of all thy Saints. Grant us, by their intercession, grace in this world, and glory eternal in the next : which we ask of thee, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son. It is by him thou bestowest upon us thy blessings of life and sanctification ; and by him also, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, may honour and glory be to thee!

While saying these last few words, the Priest has taken up the sacred Host, which was on the altar ; he has held it over the chalice, thus reuniting the Body and Blood of the divine Victim, in order to show that He is now immortal. Then raising up both chalice and Host, he offers to God the most noble and perfect homage which the divine Majesty could receive.

This solemn and mysterious rite ends the Canon. The silence of the Mysteries is broken. The Priest concludes his long prayers, by saying aloud, and so giving the faithful the opportunity of expressing their desire that his supplications be granted :

Per omnia saecula saecu- For ever and ever.

Answer him with faith, and in a sentiment of union with your holy mother the Church :

It is time to recite the Prayer which our Saviour Himself has taught us. Let it ascend to heaven together with the sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. How could it be otherwise than heard, when He Himself who made it for us, is in our very hands now while we say it? As this prayer belongs in common to all the children of God, the Priest recites it aloud, and begins by inviting us all to join in it.

OR EMUS. LET US PRAY.

Praeceptis salutaribus mo- Having been taught by a niti, et divina institutione saving precept, and following formati, audemus dicere : the form given us by a divine instruction, we thus presume

Pater noster, qui es in Our Father who art in hea- ccelis, sanctificetur nomen ven, hallowed be thy name : tuum: adveniat regnum thy kingdom come; thy will tuum : fiat voluntas tua, sic- he done on earth, as it is in ut in coelo, et in terra. Pa- heaven. Give us this day our nem nostrum quotidianum daily bread ; and forgive us da nobis hodie : et dimitte our trespasses, as we forgive lorum.

Amen.

Amen ! I believe the mystery which has just been accomplished. I unite myself to the offering which has been made, and to the petitions of the Church. to speak :

THE LORD'S PRAYER. nobis debita nostra, sicut et them that trespass against us; nos dimittimus debitoribus and lead us not into tempta- nostris : et ne nos inducas tion. in tentationem.

Let us answer with a deep feeling of our misery : Sed libera nos a malo. But deliver us from evil.

The Priest falls once more into the silence of the holy Mysteries. His first word is an affectionate Amen to your last petition — deliver us from evil — on which he forms his own next prayer : and could he pray for anything more needed ? Evil surrounds us everywhere, and the Lamb on our altar has been sent to expiate it and deliver us from it

Libera nos, qua&sumus, Domine, ab omnibus malis, praeteritis, praesentibus et futuris : et, intercedente beata et gloriosa semper Yirgine Dei genitrice Maria, cum beatis Apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus Sanctis, da propitius pacem in diebus nostris: ut ope misericordise tuae adjuti, et a peccato simus semper liberi, et ab omni perturbatione securi. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum,qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus.

How many, O Lord, are the evils which beset us! Evils past, which are the wounds left on the soul by her sins, and which strengthen her wicked propensities. Evils present, that is, the sins now at this very time upon our soul, the weakness of this poor soul, and the temptations which molest her. There are, also, future evils, that is, the chastisement which our sins deserve from the hands of thy justice. In presence of this Host of our salvation, we beseech thee, O Lord, to deliver us from all these evils, and to accept in our favour the intercession of Mary the Mother of Jesus, of thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul and Andrew. Liberate us, break our chains, give us peace. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, who with thee liveth and reigneth God.

The Priest is anxious to announce the peace which he has asked and obtained ; he therefore finishes his prayer aloud, saying :

Per omnia saecula ssecu- World without end. lorum.

1$. Amen. I£. Amen.

Then he says :

Pax Domini sit semper May the peace of our Lord vobiscum. be ever with you.

To this paternal wish reply : 1$. Et cum spiritu tuo. 1$. And with thy spirit.

The Mystery is drawing to a close ; God is about to be united with man, and man with God, by means of Communion. But first, an imposing and sublime rite takes place at the altar. So far the Priest has announced the death of Jesus; it is time to proclaim His Resurrection. To this end, he reverently breaks the sacred Host; and having divided it into three parts, he puts one into the chalice, thus reuniting the Body and Blood of the immortal Victim. Do you adore and say :

H®c conimixtio et con- Glory be to thee, O Saviour secratio Corporis et San- of the world, who didst, in thy guinis Domini nostri Jesu Passion, permit thy precious

Christi, fiat accipientibus Blood to be separated from nobis in vitam seternam. thy sacred Body, afterwards

Amen. uniting them again together by thy divine power.

Offer now your prayer to the ever-living Lamb, whom St. John saw on the Altar of Heaven 'standing, though slain : n say to this your Lord and King, who has token upon Himself all our iniquities, in order to wash them away by His Blood : f Apoc v. 6.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- Lamb of God, who takest cata mundi, miserere nobis, away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- Lamb of God, who takest cata mundi, miserere nobis, away the sins of the world,

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, give us peace.

Peace is the grand object of our Saviour's coming into the world : He is the ' Prince of peace.' The divine Sacrament of the Eucharist ought therefore to be the mystery of peace, and the bond of Catholic unity; for as the Apostle says, ' all we who partake of one Bread, are all one Bread and one Body.* 1 It is on this account that the Priest, now that he is on the point of receiving, in Communion, the sacred Host, prays that fraternal peace may be preserved in the Church, and more especially in this portion of it which is assembled round the altar. Pray with him, and for the same blessing :

Domine J esu Christe, qui Lord Jesus Christ, who dixisti Apostolis tuis: Pa- saidst to thy Apostles, 4 my cem reliuquo vobis, pacem peace I leave with you, my meam do vobis: ne respicias peace I give unto you:' regard peccata mea, sed fidem Ec- not my sins, but the faith of clesiae tuse : eamque secun- thy Church, and grant her that dum voluntatem tuam paci- peace and unity which is ac- ficare, et coadunare digne- cording to thy will. Who ris. Qui vivis et regnas livest and reignest God for

Deus, per omnia ssecula sae- ever and ever. Amen, culorum. Amen.

If it be a High Mass, the Priest here gives the kiss of peace to the deacon, who gives it to the subdeacon, and he to the choir. During this ceremony, you should excite within yourself feelings of Christian charity, and pardon your enemies, if you have any. Then continue to pray with the Priest : 1 1 Cor. x. 17.

Domine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, qui ex voluntate Patris, cooperante Spiritu Sancto, per mortem tuam mundum vivificasti : libera me per hoc sacrosanctum Corpus, et Sanguinem tuum, ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis, et universis malis, et f ac me tuis semper inhaerere mandatis, et a te nunquam separari permittas. Qui cum eodem Deo Patre et JSpiritu Sancto vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to the will of thy Father, through the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, hast by thy death given life to the world ; deliver me by this thy most sacred Body and Blood from all my iniquities, and from all evils; and make me always adhere to thy commandments, and never suffer me to be separated from thee, who with the same God the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen.

If you are going to Communion at this Mass, say the following prayer; otherwise prepare yourself to make a spiritual Communion :

Let not the participation of thy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, presume to receive, turn to my judgment and condemnation; but through thy mercy may it be a safeguard and remedy both to my soul and body. Who with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen.

Perceptio Corporis tui, Domine Jesu Christe, quod ego indignus sumere prsesumo, non mini proveniat in judicium et condemnationem : sed pro tua pietate prosit mihi ad tutamentum mentis et corporis, et ad medelam percipiendam. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia s»cula saeculorum. Amen.

When the Priest takes the Host into his hands, in order to receive it in Communion, say:

Panem ccelestem acci- Come, my dear Jesus, come ! piam, et nomen Domini invocabo.

When he strikes his breast, confessing his unwor- thiness, say thrice with him these words, and in the same disposition as the centurion of the Gospel, who first used them :

Domine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum : sed tantum die verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.

Lord, I am not worthy thou shouldst enter under my roof : say it only with one word of thine, and my soul will be healed.

While the Priest receives the sacred Host, if you also are to communicate, adore profoundly your God, who is ready to take up His abode within you, and again say to Him with the spouse: 'Come, Lord Jesus, come!*

But should you not be going to receive sacramentally, make a spiritual Communion. Adore Jesus Christ who thus visits your soul by His grace, and say to Him :

Corpus Domini nostri I Jesu Christi, custodiat animam meam in vitani aeter- est nam. Amen. me give thee, O Jesus, this heart of mine, that thou maydwell in it, and do with what thou wilt.

Then the Priest takes the chalice, in thanksgiving, and says :

Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus, quae retribuit mihi? Caliceni salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo. Laudans invocabo Dominum, et ab inimicis meis salvus ero.

What return shall I make to the Lord for all he hath given to me) I will take the Chalice of salvation, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Praising I will call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from mine enemies.

But if you are to make a sacramental Communion, you should, at this moment of the Priest's receiving the Precious Blood, again adore the God who is com- ing to you, and keep to your prayer: 'Come, Lord Jesus, come !'

If, on the contrary, you are going to communicate only spiritually, again adore your divine Master, and say to Him :

Sanguis Domini nostri I Jesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam seternam. Amen. unite myself to thee my beloved Jesus ! do thou unite thyself to me ! and never let us be separated.

It is here that you must approach to the altar, if you are going to Communion. The dispositions suitable for holy Communion, during this season of Paschal Time, are given in the next Chapter.

The Communion being finished, and while the Priest is purifying the chalice the first time, say :

Quod ore sumpsimus, Domine, pura mente capiamus; et de munere temporali fiat nobis remedium sempiternum.

Thou hast visited me, O God, in these days of my pilgrimage; give me grace to treasure up the fruits of this visit for my future eternity.

Whilst the Priest is second time say:

Corpus tuum, Domine, quod sumpsi et Sanguis quern potavi, adhsereat visceribus meis : et praesta ut in me non remaneat scelerum macula, quern pura et sancta refecerunt Sacramenta. Qui vivis et regnas in ssecula saeculorum. Amen. purifying the chalice the

Be thou for ever blessed, O my Saviour, for having admitted me to the sacred mystery of thy Body and Blood. May my heart and senses preserve, by thy grace, the purity which thou hast imparted to them: and may I thus be rendered less unworthy of thy divine visit.

The Priest, having read the Antiphon called the Communion which is the first part of his thanks- giving for the favour just received from God, whereby He has renewed His divine presence among us, turns to the people with the usual salutation ; after which he recites the Prayers, called the Postcommunion, which are the completion of the thanksgiving. You will join him here also, thanking God for the unspeakable gift He has just lavished on you, and asking Him, with most earnest entreaty, that He will bestow upon you perseverance in the Paschal joy, and vigilance over yourself during the whole course of this day, that so you may keep up within you the love of that new life which gives you a right to the company of our risen Jesus.

These Prayers having been recited, the Priest again turns to the people, and full of joy for the immense favour he and they have been receiving, he says:

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

The Deacon, or, (if it be not a High Mass,) the Priest himself, then says :

The Priest makes a last prayer, before giving you his blessing ; pray with him :

Placeat tibi, sancta Trini- Eternal thanks be to thee, tas, obsequium servitutis O adorable Trinity, for the mese, et prsesta: ut sacrifi- mercy thou hast shown to me, cium quod oculis tuaa ma- in permitting me to assist at jestatis indignus obtuli, tibi this divine Sacrifice. Pardon sit acceptabile, mihique, et me the negligence and cold-

Answer him :

Et cum spiritu tuo.

And with thy spirit.

Ite, Missa est. 1$. Deo gratias.

Go, the Mass is finished. 5. Thanks be to God. omnibus, pro quibus illud ness obtuli, sit, te miserante, ceived propitiabile. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen, wherewith I have reso great a favour, and deign to confirm the blessing, which thy Minister is about to give me in thy Name.

The Priest raises his hand, and thus blesses you :

Benedicatvosomnipotens May the Almighty God,

Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Spiritus Sanctus. bless you !

1$. Amen. 1$. Amen.

He then concludes the Mass, by reading the first fourteen verses of the Gospel according to St. John, which tell us of the eternity of the Word, and of the mercy which led Him to take upon Himself our flesh, and to dwell among us. The Evangelist tells us, that this divine Word, the Creator of light, is Himself the true Light This Light suddenly shone forth from the darkness of the tomb. The Jew refused to see it ; the Christian hails it with joy, for it is the Life of men.

(V'. Dominus vobiscum. 'fF. The Lord be with you. 3$. Et cum spiritu tuo. 1$. And with thy spirit.

THE LA

Initium sancti Evangelii secundum J oannem. Cap. I.

In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt ; et sine ipso factum est nihil. Quod factum est, in ipso vita erat, et vita

T GOSPEL.

The beginning of the holy Gospel according to John. Ch. I.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was

82 PASCH erat luxhominum: etluxin tenebris lucet, et tenebrse earn non comprehenderunt. Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. Hie venit in testimonium, ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut ou»nes crederent per ilium. Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera, quae iliuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum. In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus eum non cognovit. In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt. Quotquot autem receperunt t^um, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his, qui credunt in nomine ejus: qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt. Et Vebbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus floriam ejus, gloriam quasi Tnigeniti a Patre, plenum gratise et veritatis.

1$. Deo gratias.

L TIME. life, and the life was the light of men ; and the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. That was the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them he gave power to be made the sons of God ; to them that believe in his name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us ; and we saw his glory as it were the glory of the Only -Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 5. Thanks be to God.