Easter Sunday: Lauds

Every day throughout the year, the Church offers a special Service to God, which is intended as the Office of the aurora. It is called Lauds, because it is mainly composed of Psalms of praise. The mystery honoured by this Morning-Service is the Resurrection: how fervently, how joyously, ought we to sing our Lauds on the very day of that grand mystery ! Let us, therefore, unite with our dear mother the Church: she is beaming with gladness ; for her Jesus, her Sun of justice, whose light has been clouded for three long days, is now risen in all His splendour. f. Dens, in adjutorium f. Incline unto my aid, 0 meum intende. God. fy. Domine, ad adjuvan- fy. 0 Lord, make haste to dum me f estina. help me.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Glory be to the Father, and

Spiritui Sancto. to the Son, and to the Holy

Ghost.

Sicut erat in principio, et As it was in the beginning, nunc, et semper, et in ssecu- is now, and ever shall be, la sseculorum. Amen. Al- world without end. Amen, leluia. Alleluia.

The first Psalm of Lauds shows us our Jesus rising from His tomb like a King clothed with beauty r , and like a conqueror girded with strength. By His resurrection, He restores man to the immortality he had forfeited. Wonderful are the surges of the sea ; but far more so is the power of the risen Jesus, our Lord. Let us, by the holiness of our lives, prove ourselves worthy of heaven, — that Home which He has now thrown open to us.

Ant. Angelus autem Do- Ant. mini descendit de coelo, et accedens revolvit lapidem, et sedebat super eum. Alleluifty ftll ft l \v a r alleluia*

And the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven; and going to the stone, rolled it back, and sat on it. Alleluia,

PSALM 92

Dominus regnavit, decorum indutus est: indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et precinxit se.

Etenim firmavit orbem terra: qui bitur. non commove-

The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself.

For, to-day, by his Resurrection, he hath established the world, which shall not be moved.

Thy throne, 0 conqueror of death, is prepared from old: thou art from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice.

The floods have lifted up their waves, with the noise of many waters.

Wonderful are the surges of the sea: wonderful is the Lord on high.

Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: holiness becometh thy House, 0 Lord, which is thy Church, unto length of days.

Ant. And the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven; and going to the stone, rolled it back, and sat on it. Alleluia, alleluia.

The following Psalm invites to the courts of the Lord all the inhabitants of the earth, there to oelebrate this great solemnity, this Feast of feasts. Jesus is our divine Shepherd, and we are the sheep of His pasture. Though the mighty conqueror and Qod y yet is He sweet and compassionate. Let us celebrate His triumph in exceeding great joy, and with grateful gladness.

Ant. Et ecce terramotus Ant. And behold! there factus est magnus: Angelas was a great earthquake: for

Parata sedes tua ex tunc: a saeculo tu es.

Elevaverunt flumina Domine: elevaverunt flumina vocem suam.

Elevaverunt flumina fluctus suos: a vocibus aquarum multarum.

Mirabiles elationes maris: mirabilis in altis Dominus.

Testimonia tua credibilia facta sunt nimis: domum tuam decet sanctitudo, Domine, in longitudinem dierum.

Ant. Angelus autem Domini descendit de ccelo, et accedens revolvit lapidem, et sedebat super eum. Alleluia, alleluia. enim Domini descendit de an Angel of the Lord came coelo. Alleluia. down from heaven, alleluia.

Psalm 99

Jubilate Deo omnis terra: servite Domino in lretitia.

Introite in conspectu ejus: in exsultatione.

Scitote quoniam t)ominus ipse est Deus: ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos.

Populus ejus, et oves pascuse ejus, introite portas ejus in confessione: atria ejus in hymnis, confitemini illi.

Laudate nomen ejus quoniam suavis est Dominus, in roternum misericordia ejus: et usque in generationem et generationem Veritas ejus.

Ant. Et ecce terraemotus f actus est magnus: Angelus enim Domini descendit de c»lo. Alleluia.

Sing joyfully to God, all the earth! serve ye the Lord with gladness.

Come in before his presence, with exceeding great joy.

Know ye, that the Lord is God; he made us, and not we ourselves.

We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture; go ye into his gates, with praise: into his courts, with hymns, and give glory to him.

Praise ye his name, for the Lord is sweet; his mercy endureth for ever: and his truth to generation and generation.

Ant. And behold! there was a great earthquake: for an Angel of the Lord came down from heaven, alleluia.

The two following Psalms, which the Church here unites into one, are the prayer of the faithful soul to her God, at break of day. From the first waking, she thirsts after the great Qod, her Creator and Redeemer. But on this day of Easter, she delightedly contemplates Him in all the magnifioenoe of His glory, and the whole world is filled with it. All men are now one in unity of sentiment ; all are keeping the Pasch ; there is not a nation under heaven where the great mystery is not known.- Let us pray, that all may understand it, love it, and share in its joy.

Ant. Eratautemaspectus Ant. And his countenance ejus sicut fulgur, vestimenta was as lightning, and his rairisox. Tina i* L autem ejus sicut nix. luia, alleluia.

AUe- ment was as snow. Alleluia, alleluia.

Psalm 62

Dens, Dens meus: ad te de luce vigilo.

Sitivit in te anima mea: quam multipliciter tibi caro mea.

In terra deserta, et invia, et inaquosa: sic in sancto apparui tibi, ut viderem virtutem tuam, et gloriam tuam.

Quoniam melior est misericordia tua super vitas: labia mea laudabunt te.

Sic benedicam te in vita mea: et in nomine tuo levabo manus meas.

Sicut adipe et pinguedine repleatur anima mea: et labiis exsultationis laudabit os meum.

Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutinis meditabor in te: quia fuisti adjutor meus.

Et in velamento alarum tuarum exsultabo, adhaesit anima mea post te: me suscepit dextera tua.

Ipsi vero in vanum quaesierunt animam meam, introibunt in inferiora terrse: tradentur in manus gladii, partes vulpium erunt.

Rex vero laetabitur in Deo, laudabuntur omnes qui jurant in eo: quia obstuctum est os loquentium iniqua.

0 God, my God, to thee do I watch, at break of day.

For thee my soul hath thirsted, for thee my flesh, oh! how many ways!

In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so, in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory.

For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips shall praise.

Thus will I bless thee all my life long: and in thy name I will lift up my hands.

Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness, 0 Bread of life! and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.

If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning : because thou hast been my helper.

And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings; my soul hath stuck close to thee: thy right hand hath received me.

But they have sought my soul in vain; they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be portions of foxes.

But man being set free shall, like a king, rejoice in God; all they shall be praised that swear by him: because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things*

Psalm 66

Dens misereatur nostri, et benedicat nobis: illuminet vultum suum super nos, et misereatur nostri.

May God have mercy on us, and bless us; may be, rising from the tomb, cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.

That we may know thy way upon earth, 0 Jesus! thy salvation in all nations.

Let people confess to thee, 0 God, let all people give praise to thee. v

Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth.

Let the people, 0 God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee: the earth hath yielded her fruit.

May God, our God, bless us, may God bless us and all the ends of the earth fear him.

Ant. And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment was as snow. Alleluia, alleluia.

Ut cognoscamus in terra viam tuam: in omnibus gentibus salutare tuum. *

Confiteantur tibi populi Deus: confiteantur tibi populi omnes.

Lsetentur et exsultent gentes: quoniam judicas populos in aequitate, et gentes in terra dirigis.

Confiteantur tibi populi Deus, confiteantur tibi populi omnes: terra dedit fructum suum.

Benedicat nos Deus, Deus noster, benedicat nos Deus: et metuant eum omnes fines terra.

Ant. Erat aufcem aspectus ejus sicut fulgur, vestimenta autem ejus sicut nix. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Cantiole, in which the three children, in the fiery furnace of Babylon, bid all creatures of God bless His name, is sung by the Church in the Lauds of every Feast. It gives a yoice to all creatures, and invites the whole universe to bless its divine author. How just it is, that on this day heaven and earth should unite in giving glory to the great God, who, by His death and resurrection, repairs the injury done to them by sin !

Ant. Pr» timore autem ejus exterriti sunt custodes,

Ant. The guards were terrified with fear of him, and

PASCHAL TIHB etjfacti sunt velut mortui, alleluia. became as men struck dead, alleluia.

CANTICLE OF THE THREE CHILDREN

(Dan. III.)

Benedicite omnia opera Domini Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula.

Benedicite Angeli Domini Domino: benedicite cceli Domino.

Benedicite aquae omnes quae super coelos sunt Domino: benedicite omnes virtutes Domini Domino.

Benedicite sol et luna Domino: benedicite stellas coeli Domino.

Benedicite omnis imber et ros Domino: benedicite omnes spiritus Dei Domino.

Benedicite ignis et aestus Domino : benedicite f rigus et aestus Domino.

Benedicite rores et pruina Domino: benedicite gelu et f rigus Domino.

Benedicite glacies et nives Domino: benedicite noctes et dies Domino.

Benedicite lux et tenebra Domino: benedicite fulgura et nubes Domino.

Benedicat terra Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in saecula.

Benedicite montes et colles Domino: benedicite universa germinantia in terra Domino.

Benedicite fontes Domino: benedicite maria et flumina Domino.

All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

0 ye Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: 0 ye heavens, bless the Lord.

O all ye waters, that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: 0 all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord.

O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord.

0 every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: 0 all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord.

O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: 0 ye cold and heat, bless the Lord.

O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord.

O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: O ye nights and days, bless the Lord.

O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: 0 ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Oh! let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.

0 ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: 0 all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord.

O ye fountains, bless the Lord: 0 ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord.

Benedicite cete et omnia quae moventur in aquis Domino: benedicite omnes volucres cobU Domino.

Benedicite omnes bestiae et pecora Domino : benedicite filii hominum Domino.

Benedicat Israel Dominum: laudet et superexaltet eum in saecula.

Benedicite sacerdotes Domini Domino: benedicite servi Domini Domino.

Benedicite spiritus et animae justorum Domino: benedicite sancti et humiles corde Domino.

Benedicite Anania, Azaria, Misael Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in

88BC1lla.

Benedicamus Patrem et Filium cum Sancto Spiritu: laudemus, et superexaltemus eum hi saecula.

Benedictus es, Domine, in firmamento coeli: et laudabilis et gloriosus, et superexaltatus in saecula.

Ant. Prae timore autem ejus exterriti sunt custodes, et facti sunt velut mortui, alleluia.

0 ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord.

0 all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: O ye sons of men, bless the Lord.

Oh I let Israel bless the Lord: let him praise and exalt him above all for ever.

0 ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: 0 ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.

0 ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord.

O Ananias, Azarias, Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Let us bless the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.

Blessed art thou, 0 Lord, in the firmament of heaven'; and worthy of praise, and glorious, and exalted above all, for ever.

Ant. The guards were terrified with fear of him, and became as men struck dead, alleluia.

The last three Psalms of Lauds, which the Church unites under the same Antiphon, are also the last of the Psalter. They sing the praise of the Lord, and urge all creatures to bless His holy name. The first -of the three has a great resemblance with the Canticle of the three children ; the Becond invites the Saints to sing to Him who has glorified them, by making them sharers in His resurrection ; the third calls on every thing that om brwthe forth mmo to $ome

PASCHAL TIM* and honour our risen Jesus with sweetest thrills of melody.

Ant. Bespondens autem Angelus dixit mulieribus: Nolite timere : scio enim quod Jesum quaeritis, alleluia.

Ant. And the Angel answering, said to the women: Fear not: for I know that ye seek Jesus, alleluia.

Psalm 148

Laudate Dominum de coelis: laudate eum in excelsis.

Laudate eum omnes Angeli ejus: laudate eum omnes virtutes ejus.

Laudate eum sol et luna: laudate eum omnes stellse et lumen.

Laudate eum coeli coelorum: et aquae omnes, quae super ccelos sunt, laudent nomen Domini.

Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt : ipse mandavit, et creata sunt.

Statuit ea in aeternum, et in saeculum saeculi: praeceptum posuit, et non praeteribit.

Laudate Dominum de terra: dracones et omnes abyssi.

Ignis, grando, nix, glacies, spiritus procellarum: quae f aciunt verbum ejus.

Montes et omnes colles: ligna fructifera, et omnes cedri.

Bestiae et universa pecora: serpentes, et volucres pennatae.

Beges terras et omnes po-

Praise ye the Lord, from the heavens: praise ye him in the high places.

Praise ye him, all his Angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

Praise ye him, O sun and moon: praise ye him, all ye stars and light.

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters, that are above the heavens, praise the name of the Lord.

For he spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created.

He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: he hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all ye deeps.

Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds, which fulfil his word.

Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars.

Beasts and all cattle; serpents and feathered fowls.

Kings of the earth and all puli: principes, et omnes jndices terra.

Juvenes, et virgines, senes cum junioribus, laudent nomen Domini : quia exaltatum est nomen ejus solius.

Confessio ejus super coelum et terram: et exaltavit cornu populi sui.

Hymnus omnibus Sanctis ejus: filiis Israel, populo appropinquanti sibi. people; princes and all judges of the earth.

Young men and maidens; let the old with the younger praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is exalted.

His praise is above heaven and earth: and he hath, this day, exalted the horn of his people.

A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to him.

Psalm 149

Cantate Domino canticum novum: laus ejus in ecclesia sanctorum.

Laetetur Israel in eo, qui fecit eum: et filii Sion exsultent in rege suo.

Laudunt nomen ejus in choro: in tympano et psalterio psallant ei.

Quia beneplacitum est Domino in populo suo : et exaltabit mansuetosin salutem.

Exsultabunt sancti in gloria: lsetabuntur in cubilibus suis.

Exaltationes Dei in gutture eorum: et gladii ancipites in manibus eorum.

Ad faciendam vindictam in nationibus: increpationes in populis.

Ad alligandos reges eorum in compedibus: et nobiles eorum in manicis f erreis.

Ut f aciant in eis judicium conscriptum: gloria h®c est omnibus Sanctis ejus,

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church of the saints.

Let the new Israel rejoice in him that made him; and let the children of Sion be joyful in their King.

Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the timbrel and psaltery.

For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and the meek he will exalt unto salvation.

The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.

The high praises of God shall be in their mouth: and twoedged swords in their hands.

To execute vengeance upon the nations : chastisements among the people;

To bind their kings with fetters: and their nobles with manacles of iron;

To execute upon them the judgment that is written: this glory is to all his saints,

Psalm ISO

Laudato Dominum in Sanctis ejus: laudate eum in firmamento virtutis ejus.

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

Laudate eum in sono tubas: 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. Bespondens autem Angelus, dixit mulieribus: Nolite timer©: scio enim quod Jesum quroritis, alleluia.

Immediately after the Psalms, is sung the Paschal Anthem :

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 organ.

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

Ant. And the Angel answering, said to the women: Fear not: for I know that ye seek Jesus, alleluia.

H»c dies quam fecit Dominus: exsultemus et laetemur in ea.

This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein.

Then follows the Canticle of Zaohary: it is the Church's daily welcome of the rising sun. It oelehrates the coming of Jesus to His creatures, the fulfilment of the promises made by God, and the apparition of the divine Orient in the midst of our darkness.

Ant. Et valde mane una sabbatorum, veniunt ad monumentum orto jam sole, alleluia,

Ant. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen, alleluia.

BASTES SUNDAYS LAUDS

CANTICLE OP ZACHAttY

(St. Luke, I.)

Benedictus Dominus Dens Israel: quia visitavit, et fecit redemptionem plebis suae.

Et erexit cornu salutis nobis: in domo David pueri sui.

Sicut locutus est per os sanctorum: qui a saeculo sunt prophetarum ejus.

Salutem ex inimicis nostris: et de manu omnium qui oderunt nos.

Ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris: et memorari testamenti sui sancti.

Jusjurandum quod juravit ad Abraham patrem nostrum: daturum se nobis.

Ut sine timore de manu inimicorum nostrorum liberati: serviamus illi.

In sanctitate et justitia coram ipso: omnibus diebus nostris.

Et tu, puer, propheta Altissimi vocaberis: praeibis enim ante faciem Demini parare vias ejus.

Ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi ejus: in remissionem peccatorum eorum.

Per viscera misericordiae Dei nostri: in quibus visitavit nos Orieus ex alto.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because he hath, this day, visited and wrought the redemption of his people.

And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant.

As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning:

Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.

To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament.

The oath which he swore to Abraham our father; that he would grant to us,

That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear,

In holiness and justice before him all our days.

And thou, child, the Precursor of the Man- God, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,

To give to his people the knowledge of salvation, unto the remission of their sins,

Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient, from on high ? hath visited us,

PASCHAL TIMS

Illumiuare his qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent: ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis.

Ant. Et valde mane una sabbatorum, veniunt ad monumentum, orto jam sole, alleluia. oremus Deus, qui hodierna die per Unigenitum tuum aeternitatis nobis aditum, devicta morte, reserasti: vota nostra qu» preBveniendo aspiras, etiam adjuvando prosequere. Per eundem. f. Benedicamus Domino. Alleluia, alleluia. ty. Deo gratias. Alleluia, alleluia.

To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace.

Ant. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen, alleluia.

LET US PRAY

0 God, who, on this day, by thy only-begotten Son's victory over death, didst open for us a passage to eternity; grant that our prayers, which thy preventing grace inspireth, may, by thy help, become effectual. Through the same,&c. t. Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

I£. Thanks be to God. Alleluia alleluia.

The Office of Lauds being over, the faithful retire from the churoh : but they will soon return, to assist at the solemn Sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb. In order the better to understand the holy Liturgy of our Easter, we will again imagine ourselves to be in one of the cathedral churches of the 4th or 5th century, where the sacred rites were carried out in all their magnificence.

The city is filled with strangers. The priests of the country churches have come to assist at the consecration of the oils, at the administration of Baptism, and at the grand functions of Easter. The inhabitants are not allowed to undertake any journey that would prevent them from assisting at the Offices of the Church ; for we find several councils forbidding even the nobles to go beyond the city walls until the Paschal solemnity is over. We shall not

\ Councils of Agatha, of Orleans I. and IY, of Epson, &c, be surprised at these regulations, if we remember what we have already stated with regard to Palm Sunday, how the monks of the East, who had obtained permission from their Abbots to leave their monasteries at the beginning of Lent, and retire into the desert, there to live with God alone, were obliged to return for the celebration of Easter. St. Pachomius, — who was the first to organize, in the desert of the east, a congregation or confederation of all the houses that had sprung from his celebrated monastery of Tabenna, — insisted upon all his disciples convening every year in this central monastery, for the purpose of celebrating the Resurrection. On some of these occasions, there were to be seen encamped around Tabenna as many as fifty thousand monks.

Even now, notwithstanding all the deplorable injuries done to the spirit of Christianity by heresy, our churches are crowded on the great Paschal solemnity. Even they that never think of entering the House of God on any other day of the year, make an exception for Easter Snnday, as though they could not resist the power of the great mystery of Jesus' triumph. It is the last remnant of faith left in these men ; it keeps them from total forgetfulness of their religion. When their last hour comes, their celebration of Easter, though so imperfect, may draw down upon them the mercy of their Saviour ; but if their Easters have been but so many neglects of the Sacraments, what consolation, what hope, can they yield ? those slighted invitations to mercy will then ory out for vengeance, and give to the Resurrection the awful triumph of justice! — But these are thoughts far too sad for our festivity : let us turn them into a prayer to our risen Jesus, that He ' break not the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax;' 1 let us i Is. xlii. 3, delight in the thought of those bright days of the past, when faith made Easter so glorious a sight for heaven and earth ; let us exult in the reflection, that the same faith is still that of millions, and will be so till the end of time !

And before going to Mass, let us aid our enthusiasm by a remembrance of the Martyrs of Easter. Yes, the grand solemnity was once consecrated by the blood of Saints, and the Church chronicles the event in her Martvrology. In the year 469, Easter Sunday fell upon the 5th of April. The Church in Afrioa was then suffering persecution from the Vandals; they were Arians, and had been brought into the oountry by their kings, Genserio and Hunnerio. The Catholios of the city of Regia were assembled in the church for the celebration of the Resurrection, and, in order to keep out the heretics, they had closed the doors. The Arians, marshalled by one of their priests, forced an entranoe, and rushed in, brandishing their swords. At that very moment a leotor was in the # ambo, singing the Alleluia ; an arrow, Bhot by one of the barbarians, pierced his throat ; he fell, and finished his song in heaven. The Vandals fell upon the faithful, and the churoh streamed with blood. They dragged others from the holy place, and executed them by order of their king. The little ohildren were the only ones spared. Let us unite with the Churoh, who honours these noble victims of Easter on the 6th of April.

MASS

It is the hour of Tierce (9 o'clock), and the basilioa is crowded with the faithful. The sun is pouring in his brightest beams ; and who has not felt the charm of an Easter sun ? The pavement is strewed with flowers. Above the glittering mosaics of the apse, the wall is covered with rich tapestry. Festooas hang from the sanctuary arch to the pillars of

EASTER SUNDAY: MASS

1ST the nave and aisles. Lamps, fed with the purest oil, and suspended from the oiborium (or oanopy), are burning around the altar. The Pasohal candle, which has been ceaselessly burning since last night, stands on its marble pillar ; its bright flame attracts every eye, and the perfumes, wherewith its wiok is saturated, All the sacred edifioe with a delioious fragrance. It is the noble symbol of Jesus, our light, and seems to say : ' Alleluia ! Christ is risen ! '

But by far the most interesting object is the group of the neophytes, olad in their white garments, like the Angels that appeared at the sepulchre. They are the living expression of the mystery of our Lord's Resurrection. Yesterday they were dead, by sin; now they are living, by that new life which is the fruit of Jesus' victory over death. Oh ! happy thought of our mother the Churoh, to ohoose for the day of their regeneration that on whioh the Man- God won immortality for us His oreatures !

The Station, at Rome, was formerly in the basilioa of Saint Mary Major, the principal church of all those that are dedicated to the Mother of God in the holy oity. "Was it not just to associate with the Paschal solemnity the memory of her, who, more than all other oreatures, had merited its joys, not only because of the exceptional share she had had in all the sufferings of Jesus, but also beoause of the unshaken faith, wherewith, during those long and oruel hours of His lying in the tomb, she had awaited His Resurrection ? But now the papal Mass is oelebrated in St. Peter's, as being more convenient, by its size and situation, to the immense oonoourse of the faithful, who flock to Rome, from every part of the Christian world, for the Feast of Easter. The Roman Missal, however, still gives Saint Mary Major as the stational ohuroh of to-day ; and the indulgences are gained, as formerly, by those who assist at the Services oelebrated there.

There is no water blessed for the Jsperges to-day, as is the oustom on all other Sundays throughout the year. We assisted, a few hours ago, at the imposing oeremony of the blessing of the water, which was to be used for the Baptism of the catechumens. The water, whioh is 'now going to be sprinkled upon the faithful, was taken from the font of regeneration. During this ceremony, the choir sings the following Antiphon :

ANTIPHON

Vidi aquam egredientem de templo a latere dextro, alleluia: et omnes, ad quos pervenit aqua ista, salvi facti sunt, et dicent: Alleluia, alleluia.

Ps. Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in 8®culum misericord ia ejus.

Gloria Patri. Yidi aquam.

~f. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam, alleluia. ty. Et salutare tuum da nobis, alleluia.

OREMUS

Exaudi nos, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: et mittere digneris sanctum Angelum tuum de coelis, qui custodiat, foveat, protegat, visitet atque def endat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

I saw water flowing from the right side of the temple, alleluia; and all to whom that water came were saved, and they shall say, alleluia.

Pa. Praise the Lord, because he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

Glory, &c. I saw. t. Show us, O Lord, thy mercy, alleluia. ty. 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.

In many of the western churches, the following stanzas, written by St. Venantius Fortunatus, bishop of Poitiers, used formerly to be sung during the pro-

EASTER SUNDAY : MASS oesrion before to-day's Mass. We insert them here, feeling assured that they will interest our readers, and assist them to enter more fully into the spirit of the great solemnity, for which our forefathers made them serve as a preparation. We shall find them replete with the same enthusiasm that inspired the author when he composed the Vexilla Regis, and the hymn of the holy chrism : there is the same bold and energetio, almost harsh, diotion, the same piety, the same richness of poetry and sentiment. The beautiful ohant, to which this hymn was sung, is still extant.