Rogation Days: Monday

It seems strange that there should be anything like mourning during Paschal Time: and yet these three days are days of penance. A moment's reflection, however, will show us that the institution of the Rogation days is a most appropriate one. True, our Saviour told us, before His Passion, that 'the children of the Bridegroom should not fast whilst the Bridegroom is with them': 1 but is not sadness in keeping with these the last hours of Jesus' presence on earth P Were not His Mother and disoiples oppressed with gief at the thought of their having so soon to lose im, whose company had been to them a foretaste of heaven ?

Let us see how the liturgical year came to have inserted in its calendar these three days, during which holy Church, though radiant with the joy of Easter, seems to go back to her lenten observances. The Holy- Ghost, who guides her in all things, willed that this completion of her paschal liturgy should owe its origin to a devotion peculiar to one of the most illustrious and venerable Churches of southern Gaul, the Church of Vienne.

The second half of the fifth century had but just commenced, when the country round Vienne, which had been recently conquered by the Burgundians, was visited with calamities of every kind. The people were struck with fear at these indications of God's anger. St. Mamertus, who, at the time, was bishop

1 St. Luke, v. 34. of Vienna, presoribed three days' public expiation, during which the faithful were to devote themselves to penance, and walk in procession' chanting appropriate psalms. The three days preoeding the Ascension were the ones chosen. Unknown to himself, the holy bishop was thus instituting a practice, which was afterwards to form part of the liturgy of the universal Church.

The Churches of Gaul, as might naturally be expected, were the first to adopt the devotion. St. Aloimus Avitus, who was one of the earliest successors of- St. Mamertus in the See of Vienne, informs us that the custom of keeping the Rogation days was, at that time, firmly established in his diocese. 1 St. Ceesarius of Aries, who lived in the early part of the sixth century, speaks of them as being observed in countries afar off ; by which he meant, at the very least, to designate all that portion of Gaul which was under the Visigoths. 2 That the whole of Gaul soon adopted the oustom, is evident from the canons drawn up at the first Council of Orleans, held in 511, which represented all the provinces that were in allegiance to Clovis. The regulations, made by the counoil regarding the Eogations, give us a great idea of the importance attached to their observance. Not only abstinence from flesh-meat, but even fasting, is made of obligation. Masters are also required to dispense their servants from work, in order that they may assist at the long functions which fill up almost the whole of these three days. 3 In 567, the Council of Tours, likewise, imposed the precept of fasting during the Rogation days; 4 and as to the obligation of resting from servile work, we find it recognized in

1 JSomil. de Rogationibus.

2 Serm. clxxii; amongst the Sermons of St. Augustine.

Canon xxvii.

Canon xvii. the Capitularia of Charlemagne and Charles the Bald.

The main part of the Rogation rite originally oonsisted, (at least in Gaul,) in singing canticles of supplication while passing from plaoe to plaoe ; and hence the word Procession. We learn from St. Cassarius of Aries, that each day's procession lasted six hours ; and that when the clergy became tired, the women took up the chanting. 1 The faithful of those days had not made the discovery, which was reserved for modern times, that one requisite for religious processions is that they be as short as possible.

The procession for the Rogation days was preceded by the faithful receiving the ashes upon their heads, as now at the beginning of Lent ; they were then sprinkled with holy water, and the procession began. It was made up of the clergy and people of several of the smaller parishes, who were headed by the oross of the principal church, which conducted the whole ceremony. All walked bare- foot, singing the litany, psalms, and antiphons, until they reached the ohuroh appointed for the station, where the holy sacrifice was offered. They entered the churches that lay on their route, and sang an antiphon or responsory appropriate to each. ^

Such was the original ceremony of the Rogation days, and it was thus observed for a very long period. The monk of St. Gall's who has left us so many interesting details regarding the life of Charlemagne, tells us that this holy emperor used to join the processions of these three days, and walk bare-footed from his palaoe to the stations! ohuroh. 2 We find St. Elizabeth of Hungary, in the thirteenth century, setting the like example: during the Rogation days, she used to mingle with the poorest women of the plaoe, and walk bare-footed, wearing a dress of

1 Serm. clxxiv. Herbertus Turritanus. Miracul. , Kb. i. o. 21. D rebus beUieis Careli Magni, cap. xvi. coarse stuff. 1 St. Charles Borromeo, who restored in his diocese of Milan so many ancient practices of piety, was sure not to be indifferent about the Rogation days. He spared neither word nor example to reanimate this salutary devotion among his people. He ordered fasting to be observed during these three days ; he fasted himself on bread and water. The procession, in which all the clergy of the city were obliged to join, and which began after the sprinkling of ashes, started from the cathedral at an early hour in the morning, and was not over till three or four o'clock in the afternoon. Thirteen churches were visited on the Monday ; nine, on the Tuesday ; and eleven, on the Wednesday. The saintly archbishop celebrated Mass and preached in one of these churches. 2

If we compare the indifference shown by the Catholics of the present age for the Rogation days, with the devotion wherewith our ancestors kept them, we cannot but acknowledge that there is a great falling off in faith and piety. Knowing, as we do, the importance attached to these prooessions by the Church, we cannot help wondering how it is that there are so few among the faithful who assist at them. Our surprise increases when we find persons preferring their own private devotions to these publio prayers of the Church, which, to say nothing of the result of good example, merit far greater graces than any

The whole western Church soon adopted the Rogation days. They were introduced into England at an early period ; as likewise into Spain and Germany. Rome herself sanctioned them by herself observing them ; this she did in the eighth oentury, during the pontificate of St. Leo III. She gave them

1 Surius : ad diem xix. Novembrie.

2 Griussano : Life of St. Charles Borromeo, exercises of our own fanoyi the name of the Lesser Litanies, in contradistinction to the procession of April 25, which she calls the Greater Litanies. With regard to the fast whioh the Churches of Gaul observed during the Rogation days, Rome did not adopt that part of the institution. Fasting seemed to her to throw a gloom over the joyous forty days, which our risen Jesus grants to His disciples ; she therefore enjoined only abstinence from flesh-meat during* the Rogation days. The Ohuroh of Milan, which, as we have just seen, so strictly observes the Rogations, keeps them on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after the Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension, that is to say, after the forty days devoted to the celebration of the Resurrection.

If, then, we would have a oorreot idea of the Rogation days, we must consider them as Rome does, — that is, as a holy institution which, without interrupting our paschal joy, tempers it. The purple vestments used during the procession and Mass do not signify that our Jesus has fled from us, 1 but that the time for His departure is approaching. By prescribing abstinence for these three days, the Church would express how much she will feel the loss of her Spouse, who is so soon to be taken from her.

In England, as in many other countries, abstinence is no longer of obligation for the Rogation days. This should be an additional motive to induce the faithful to assist at the processions and litanies, and, by fervently uniting in the prayers of the Church, to make some compensation for the abolition of the law of abstinence. We need so much penance, and we do so little ! If we are truly in earnest, we shall be most fervent in doing the little that is left us to do.

The object of the Rogation days is to appease the anger of God, and avert the chastisements whioh the

1 C#nt. yiii. 14, sins of the world so justly deserve ; moreover, to draw down the divine blessing on the fruits of the earth. The litany of the saints is sung during the prooession, which is followed by a special Mass said in the stational church, or if there be no Station appointed, in the church whence the prooession first started.

The litany of the saints is one of the most efficacious of prayers. The Church makes use of it on all solemn occasions, as a means of rendering God propitious through the intercession of the whole court of heaven. They who are prevented from assisting at the procession, should recite the litany in union with holy Church: they will thus share in the graces attached to the Rogation days ; they will be joining in the supplications now being made throughout the entire world ; they will be proving themselves to be Catholics.

We give the Mass of the Rogations, which is the same for all three days. It speaks to us, throughout, of the power and necessity of prayer. The Churoh uses the lenten oolour, to express the expiatory character of the function she is celebrating: but she is evidently full of confidence ; she trusts to the love of her risen Jesus, and that gives her hope of her prayers being granted.

For the convenience of the faithful we also insert the litany.

Ant. Exsurge, Domine, Ant. Arise, O Lord, help adjuva nos: et libera nos, us, and deliver us, for thy propter nomen tuum. name.

Pg. Deus, auribus nostris Ps. We have heard, O God, audivimus: patres nostri with our ears: our fathers annuntiaverunt nobis, f. have told it unto us. f. Glory,

LITANY OF THE SAINTS

'Gloria Patri. Exsurge.

<fcc. Arise, <fcc.

Kyrie, eleison.

Christe, eleison.

Kyrie, eleison.

Christe, audi nos.

Christe, exaudi nos.

Pater de coelis, Dens, miserere nobis.

Fili, Redemptor mnndi, Dens, miserere nobis.

Spiritus Sancte, Dens, miserere nobis.

Sancta Trinitas, nnus Dens, miserere nobis.

Sancta Maria, Ora pro nobis.

Sancta Dei Genitrix, ora.

Sancta Virgo virginum, ora.

Sancte Michael, ora. Sancte Gabriel, ora. Sancte Raphael, ora. 0 nines sancti angeli et archangeli, orate.

0 nines sancti beatorum spiritunm ordines, orate. Sancte Joannes Baptista, ora.

Sancte Joseph, ora. Omnes sancti patriarch© et prophetsB, orate.

Sancte Petre, ora.

Sancte Paule, ora.

Sancte Andrea, ora.

Sancte Jacobe, ora.

Sancte Joannes, ora.

Sancte Thoma, ora.

Sancte Jacobe, ora.

Sancte Philippe, ora.

Sancte Bartholomaee, ora.

Sancte Matthaee, ora.

Sancte Simon, ora.

Sancte Thaddsee, ora.

Lord, have mercy on ns. Christ, ha ve mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Saint Michael, pray for us. Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael,

All ye holy angels and archangels,

All ye holy orders of blessed

Bpirits, Saint John Baptist,

Saint Joseph,

All ye holy patriarchs and prophets, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Andrew, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Thomas, Saint James, Saint Philip, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Matthew, Saint Simon, Saint Thaddeus ?

Sancte Mathia, ora.

Sancte Barnaba, ora.

Sancte Luca, ora.

Sancte Marce, ora.

Omnes sancti apostoli et evangelists, orate.

Omnes sancti discipuli Domini, orate.

Omnes sancti Innocentes, orate.

Sancte Stephane, ora. Sancte Laurenti, ora. Sancte Vincenti, ora. Sancti Fabiane et Sebastiane. orate. Sancti Joannes et Paule, orate.

Sancti Cosma et Damiane, orate.

Sancti Gervasi et Protasi, orate.

Omnes sancti martyres, orate.

Sancte Sylvester, ora. Sancte Gregori, ora. Sancte Ambrosi, ora. Sancte Augustine, ora. Sancte Hieronyme, ora. Sancte Martine, ora. Sancte Nicolse, ora. Omnes sancti pontifices et confessores, orate. Omnes sancti doctores, orate. Sancte Antoni, ora. Sancte Benedicte, ora. Sancte Bernarde, ora. Sancte Dominice, ora. Sancte Francisce, ora. Omnes sancti sacerdotes et levitae, orate. Omnes sancti monachi et eremitae, orate,

Saint Mathias, Saint Barnaby, Saint Luke, Saint Mark,

All ye holy apostles and evangelists, All ye holy disciples of our

Lord,

All ye holy Innocents,

Saint Stephen,

Saint Laurence,

Saint Vincent,

Saints Fabian and Sebastian,

Saints John and Paul,

Saints Cosmas and Damian,

Saints Gervasius andProtasius,

All ye holy martyrs,

Saint Sylvester, Saint Gregory, Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine, Saint Jerome, Saint Martin, Saint Nicholas,

All ye holy bishops and confessors, All ye holy doctors, Saint Antony, Saint Benedict, Saint Bernard, Saint Dominic, Saint Francis,

All ye holy priests and levites,

All ye holy monks and hermits,

Sancta Maria Magdalena, ora.

Sancta Agatha, ora. Sancta Lucia, ora. Sancta Agnes, ora. Sancta Caecilia, ora. Sancta Catharina, ora. Sancta Anastasia, ora. Omnes sanctae virgines et viduae, orate.

Omnes sancti et sanctae Dei, Intercedite pro nobis.

Propitius esto, parce nobis, Domine.

Propitius esto, exaudi nos, Domine.

Ab omni malo, libera nos, Domine.

Ab omni peccato, libera nos, Domine.

Ab ira tua, libera.

A subitanea et improvisa morte, libera.

Ab insidiis diaboli, libera.

Ab ira, et odio, et omni mala voluntate, libera.

A spiritu fornicationis, libera.

A fulgure et tempestate, libera.

A flagello terraemotus, libera.

A peste, fame, et bello, libera.

A morte perpetua, libera. Per mysterium sanctae Incarnationis tuae, libera. Per adventum tuum, libera. Per nativitatem tuam, libera.

Per baptismum et sanctum jejunium tuum, libera.

Saint Mary Magdalene,

Saint Agatha,

Saint Lucy,

Saint Agnes,

Saint Cecily,

Saint Catharine,

Saint Anastasia,

All ye holy virgins and widows,

All ye men and women, saints of God, make intercession for us.

Be merciful to us, spare us

O Lord, Be merciful to us, graciously hear us, 0 Lord. From all evil, deliver us, O

Lord.

From all sin, deliver us, O

Lord. From thy wrath, From sudden and unprovided death,

From the snares of the devil, From anger, hatred, and all ill-will,

From the spirit of fornication,

From lightning and tempest,

From the scourge of earthquakes,

From plague, famine, and war,

From everlasting death, Through the mystery of thy holy Incarnation, Through thy coming, Through thy nativity,

Through thy baptism and holy fasting,

Per cracem et passionem tuam, libera.

Per mortem et sepulturam tuam, libera.

Per sanctam Resurrectionem tuam, libera.

Per admirabilem Ascensionem tuam, libera.

Per adventum Spiritus sancti Paracliti, libera.

In die judicii, libera.

Peccatores, te rogamus, audi nos.

Ut nobis parcas, te rogamus, audi nos.

Ut nobis indulgeas, te rogamus.

Ut ad veram poenitentiam nos perducere digneris, te rogamus.

Ut Ecclesiam tuam sanctam regere et conservare digneris, te rogamus.

Ut Domnum apostolicum, et omnes ecclesiasticos 'ordines, in sancta religione conservare digneris, te rogamus.

Ut inimicos sanctre Ecclesise humiliare digneris, te rogamus.

Ut regibus et principibus Christianis pacem et veram concordiam donare digneris, te rogamus.

Ut cuncto populo Christiano pacem et unitatemilargiri digneris, te rogamus.

Ut nosmetipsos in tuo sancto servitio confortare et conservare digneris, te rogamus.

Through thy cross and Passion,

Through thy death and burial,

Through thy holy Resurrection,

Through thy admirable Ascension,

Through the coming of the Holy Ghost the Comforter,

In the day of Judgment,

We sinners, beseech thee, hear us.

That thou spare us, we beseech thee, hear us.

That thou pardon us,

That thou vouchsafe to bring us to true penance,

That thou vouchsafe to govern and preserve thy holy Church,

That thou vouchsafe to preserve our apostolic Prelate, and all ecclesiastical orders, in holy religion,

That thou vouchsafe to humble the enemies of thy holy Church,

That thou vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes,

That thou vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all Christian people,

That thou vouchsafe to strengthen and preserve us in thy holy service,

Ut mentes nostras ad coelestia desideria erigas, te rogamus.

Ut omnibus benefactoribus nostris sempiterna bona retribuas, te rogamus.

Ut animas nostras, fratrum, propinquorum, et benef actorum nostrorum ab aeterna damnatione eripias, te rogamus.

Ut fructus terrae dare et conservare digneris, te rogamus.

Ut omnibus fidelibus defunctis requiem aeternam donare digneris, te rogamus. Ut nos exaudire digneris, te rogamus. Fili Dei, te rogamus.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

Pater noster. ( Secreto.)

"JL Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.

Ipf. Sed libera nos a malo.

That thou lift up our minds to heavenly desires,

That thou render eternal good things to all our benefactors,

That thou deliver our souls, and those of our brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors, from eternal damnation,

That thou vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth,

That thou vouchsafe to give eternal rest to all the faithful departed,

That thou vouchsafe graciously to hear us,

Son of God, we beseech thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, 0 Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, 0 Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father. ( In secret) f. And lead us not into temptation.

But deliver us from evil.

Deus, in adjutorium meum intende: Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.

Confundantur et revereantur: qui quae runt animam meam.

Avertantur retrorsum et erubescant: qui volunt mihi mala.

Avertantur atatim erubescent es: qui dicunt mihi, Euge, euge.

Exsultent et laetentur in te omnes qui quaerunt te: et dicant semper, Magnificetur Dominus, qui diligunt salutare tuum.

Ego vero egenus et pauper sum: Deus adjuva me.

Adjutor meus et liberator mous es tu: Domine, nemoreris.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. f. Salvos fac servos tuos. ty. Deus meus sperantes in te.

It. Usto nobis, Domine, turns fortitudinis. ty. A facie inimici.

It. Nihil proficiat inimicus in nobis. ty. Et filius iniquitatis non apponat nocere nobis.

M 69

O God come to my assistance: 0 Lord make haste to help me.

Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek my soul.

Let them be turned backward, and blush for shame, that desire evils to me.

Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame, that say to me: *Tis well, 'tis well.

Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation, say always, The Lord be magnified.

But I am needy and poor: 0 God help me.

Thou art my helper and my deliverer: 0 Lord, make no delay.

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. f. Save thy servants. ty. Trusting in thee, 0 my God. f. Be unto us, 0 Lord, a tower of strength. ty. From the face of the enemy.

It. Let not the enemy prevail against us.

1$. Nor the son of iniquity have any power to hurt us.

Domine, non secundum peccata nostra facias nobis. ty. Neque secundum iniquitates nostras retribuas nobis. f. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro N.

J$. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum ejus. f . Oremus pro benefactoribus nostris.

1$. Eetribuere dignare, Domine, omnibus nobis bona facientibus, propter nomen tuum, vitam aeternam. Amen. f. Oremus pro fidelibus defunctis.

Kequiem seternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. t. Requiescant in pace.

R?. Amen. y. Pro fratribus nostris absentibus.

Tty. Salvos f ac servos tuos, Deus meus, sperantes in te.

IP". Mitte eis, Domine, auxilium de sancto. ty. Et de Sion tuere eos.

IP". Domine, exaudi orationem meam.

. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. f\ Dominus vobiscum. ty. Et cum spiritu tuo. f. 0 Lord, deal not with us according to our sins.

1$. Nor reward us according to our iniquities. f. Let us pray for our chief Bishop N. ty. May our Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies. f. Let us pray for our benefactors.

Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, for thy name's sake, to reward, with eternal life, all them that have done us good. Amen. t. Let us pray for the faithful departed.

I$r. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. t. May they rest in peace.

R7. Amen.

J. For our absent brethren. ty. 0 my God, save thy servants trusting in thee. f. Send them help, O Lord, from thy holy place. ty. And from Sion protect them. t. 0 Lord hear my prayer.

Ipf. And let my cry come unto thee.

The Lord be with you. - If. And with thy spirit.

OREMUS

Deus, cui proprium est misereri semper et parcere: suscipe deprecationem nostram: ut nos, et omnes famulos tuos, quos delictorum catena constringit, miseratio tuae pietatis clementer absolvat.

Exaudi, quaesumus, Domine 1 supplicum preces, et confitentium tibi parce peccatis: ut pariter nobis indulgentiam tribuas benignus et pacem.

Ineffabilem nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam clementer ostende: ut simul nos et a peccatis omnibus exuas, et a poenis, quas pro his meremur, eripias.

Deus, qui culpa offenderis, poenitentia placaris: preces populi tui supplicantis propitius respice; et flagella tua iracundiae, quae pro peccatis nostris meremur, averte.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, miserere famulo tuo Pontifici nostro N., et dirige eum, secundum tuam clementiam, in viam salutis aeternae ; ut, te donante, tibi placita cupiat, et tota virtute perficiat.

Deus, a quo sancta desideria, recta consilia, et justa sunt opera: da servis tuis

LET US PRAY

O God, whose property it is always to have mercy 'and to spare: receive our petitions: that we, and all thy servants, who are bound by the chain of sin, may, by the compassion of thy goodness, mercifully be absolved.

Hear, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, the prayers of thy suppliants, and pardon us our sins, who confess them to thee; that of thy bounty, thou mayst grant us pardon and peace.

Out of thy clemency, O Lord, show us thy unspeakable mercy; that so thou mayst both acquit us of our sins, and deliver us from the punishment we deserve for them.

0 God, who by sin art offended, and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of thy people, who make supplications to thee; and turn away the scourges of thy anger, which we deserve for our sins.

0 almighty and eternal God, have mercy on thy servant N., our chief Bishop, and direct him, according to thy clemency, in the way of everlasting salvation; that, by thy grace, he may desire those things that are agreeable to thee, and perform them with all his strength.

O God, from whom are all holy desires, righteous counsels, and just works, give to thy sex-* illam, quam mundus dare non potest, pacem; at et corda nostra mandatis tuis dedita, et hostium sublata f ormidine, tempora sint, tua protectione, tranquilla.

Ure igne sancti Spiritus renes nostros et cor nostrum Domine: ut tibi casto corpore serviamus, et mundo corde placeamus.

Fidelium, Deus, omnium Conditor et Redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum: ut indulgentiam, quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur.

Actiones nostras, queesumus, Domine, aspirando prasveni, et adjuvando prosequere; ut cuncta nostra oratio et operatio a te semper incipiat, et per te coepta finiatur.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui vivorum dominant simul et mortuorum, omniumque misereris, quos tuos fide et opere futuros esse praenoscis; te supplices exoramus; ut pro quibus effundere precesdecrevimus, quosque vel praesens saaculum adhuc in came retinet, vel futurum jam exutos corpore suscepit, intercedenti- vants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts being disposed to keep thy commandments, and the fear of enemies taken away, the times, by thy protection, may be peaceable.

Inflame, 0 Lord, our reins and hearts with the fire of thy holy Spirit; to the end we may serve thee with a chaste body, and please thee with a clean heart.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of thy servants departed the remission of all their sins; that, by pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon they have always desired.

Prevent, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, our actions by thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by thy gracious assistance; that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from thee, and by thee be happily ended.

O almighty and eternal God, who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all, who thou f oreknowest shall be thine by faith and good works; we humbly beseech thee, that they, for whom we have determined to offer up our prayers, whether this present world still detain them in the flesh, or the world to come hath already received

ROGATION DATS: MONDAY bus omnibus Sanctis tuis, pietatis tuee dementia, omnium delictorum suorum veniam consequantur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, &c. B?. Amen. y. Dominus vobiscum.

Et cum spiritu tuo. f . Exaudiat nos omnipotens et misericors Dominus.

I£. Amen. if. Et fidelium animaB, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace.

Bp. Amen. them out of their bodies, may, by the clemency of thy goodness, all thy saints interceding for them, obtain pardon and full remission of all their sins. Through, <£c. 1$?. Amen. if. The Lord be with you.

Ez. And with thy spirit.

J, May the almighty and most merciful Lord graciously hear us.

K?. Amen.

)f. And may the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Ipr. Amen.

MASS OF THE ROGATION DATS

The Introit, which is taken from the Psalms, tells us of the mercy of God, and how He graciously hears Our prayer the moment we make it.

INTROIT

Exaudivit de templo san- He hath graciously heard cto suo yocem meam, alleluia : my voice from his holy temple, et clamor meus in conspectu alleluia: and my cry before ejus introivit in aures ejus, him came into his ears. Alle-

Alleluia, alleluia. luia, alleluia.

Pa. Diligam te, Domine, Ps. I will love thee, 0 Lord, virtus mea: Dominus firma- my strength! The Lord is mentum meum et ref ugium my rock, my refuge, and my meum, et liberator meus. deliverer, f. G-lory, &c. He

'f. Gloria Patri. Exaudivit. hath, &c.

In the Collect, the Church represents the necessities of her children to almighty God. As a motive for His granting them His protection, she speaks of the confidence wherewith they ask it.

PAflOH TIMS. III. I*

U6

COLLECT

Prresta, qusesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut, qui in afflictione nostra de tna pietate confidimus, contra ad versa omnia, tua semper protectione muniamur. Per Domi-

Grant, we beseech thee, 0 almighty God, that we, who in our afflictions rely on thy goodness, may, under thy protection, be defended against all adversities. Through, &c.

Then are added the other Oolleots, as in the Mass of the fifth Sunday after Easter, page 119.

EPISTLE

Lectio Epistolae beati Jacobi Apostoli. Cap. V. Gharissimi, confitemini alterutrum peccata vestra, et orate pro invicem ut salvemini: multum enim valet deprecatio justi assidua. Elias homo erat similis nobis, passibilis: et oratione oravit ut non plueret super terram, et non pluit annos tres, et menses sex. Et rursum oravit: et coelum dedit pluviam, et terra dedit fructum suum. Fratres mei, si quis ex vobis erraverit a veritate, et converterit quis eum: scire debet quoniam qui converti f ecerit peccatorem ab errore viae suae, salvabit animam ejus a morte, et operiet multitudinem peccatorum.

Lesson of the Epistle of Saint James the Apostle.

Ck. V.

Dearly beloved: Confess your sins one to another; and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much. Elias was a man passible like unto us: and with prayer he prayed that it might not rain upon the earth, and it rained not for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. My brethren, if any of you err from the truth, and one convert him ; he must know, that he who caused a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

Again it is the apostle St. James the Less, who speaks to us in to-day's Epistle ; and could any words be more appropriate ? One of the motiyes for the institution of the Eogation days, is to obtain from Q-od the blessing of weather favourable to the fruits of the earth ; and St. James here adduces the example of Elias, to show us that prayer can stay or bring down the rain of heaven. Let us imitate the faith of this Prophet, and beg of our heavenly Father to give and preserve what we require for our nourishment. Another object of the Rogations, is to obtain the forgiveness of sin. If we pray with fervour for our brethren who are gone astray, we shall obtain for them the graces they stand in need of. We shall perhaps never know, during this life, those whom our prayer, united with the prayer of the Church, shall have converted from the error of their way ; but the apostle assures us, that our oharity will receive a rioh reward, — the meroy of God upon ourselves.

In order the better to express mourning and compunotion in the Mass of the Eogation days, the Church not only uses purple vestments, she also retrenches somewhat of the joy of her canticles. She allows herself but one Alleluia- versiole ; but it is full of hope in the goodness of her Lord.

Alleluia. Alleluia. f. Confitemini Domino, f. Praise the Lord, for he is quoniam bonus: quoniam in good: and his mercy endureth iKCulum misericordia ejus. for ever.

GOSPEL

Sequentia sancti Evangelii Sequel of the holy Gospel secundum Lucam. according to Luke.

Cap. XL Ch. XL

In illo tempore: Dixit At that time: Jesus said to

Jesus discipulis suis: Quis his disciples: Which of you vestrum habebit amicum, et shall have a friend, and shall go ibit ad ilium media nocte, et to him at midnight, and shall dicet illi: Amice, commoda say to him: Friend, lend me mini tres panes, quoniam three loaves, because a friend amicus meus venit de via ad of mine has come off his jour- me, et non habeo quod ponam ney ante ilium; et ille deintus respondens dicat; Noli mihi molestus esse, jam ostium clausum est, et pueri mei mecum sunt in cubili: non possum surgere, et dare tibi. Et si ille perseveraverit pul- continue sans: dico vobis, et si non dabit illi surgens eo quod amicus ejus sit, propter imlmprobitatem tamen ejus sur- portunity et dabit illi quotquot habet necessarios. Et ego dico vobis: Petite, et dabitur vobis* quserite, et invenietis: pulsate, et aperietur vobis. Omnis enim qui petit, accipit* et qui quserit, invenit: eth; et pulsanti aperietur. Quis eth ; autem ex vobis patrem petit panem, numquid lapidem dabit illi? Aut piscem: numquid pro pisce serpen- ox a tern dabit illi? Aut si petierit ovum: numquid porriget iUi scorpionem? Si ergovos, scorpion? cum sitis mali, nostis bona magis Pater vester de ccelo dabit spiritum bonum pe- Spitentibus se? nt to me, and I have not what to set before him: and he from within should answer and say: Trouble me not, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Yet if he shall knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend; yet because of his he will rise, and give get him as many as he needeth. And I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receivand he that seeketh, findand to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. And which of you, if he ask his fathe* bread, will he give him a stone? fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if be ^1 ask an egg, will he reach him a If you then being evil, know how to give good datadarefiliisvestris-.quanto gifts to your children, now much more will your Father from heaven give the good to them that ask him?

Could anything show us the all-powerfulness of prayer more clearly than do these words of our Gospel ? By thus putting them before us, holy Church shows us the importance of the Eogation days, since it is during them that she shows us the efficacy of supplication, which triumphs over the refusal of God Himself. The reader, who has followed us thus far in our work, must have observed how the passages of holy Writ, selected by the liturgy, form a continued series of instruction, appropriate to each day. During these three days, we are labouring to appease the anger of heaven ; could there be a more fitting occasion for our being told that God cannot resist persevering prayer P The Litanies we have been chanting in procession, are a model of this holy obstinaoy, or, as our Grospel terms it, this importunity, of prayer. How often did we repeat the same words ! Lord have mercy on us ! — Deliver us, 0 Lord ! — We beseech thee, hear us ! The divine Paschal Lamb, who is about to be offered on our altar, will mediate for us ; a few moments hence He will unite His ever efficacious intercession with our poor prayers. With such a fledge as this, we shall leave the holy place, feeling sure that these prayers have not been made in vain. Let us, therefore, make a resolution to,keep aloof no longer from the holy practices of the Church ; let us always prefer praying with her, to praying by ourselves ; she is the spouse of Jesus, she is our common mother, and she always wishes us to take part with her in the prayers she offers up. Besides, is it not for us that she makes these prayers ?

The Offertory is taken from the Psalms. It gives praise to God, who, notwithstanding our being poor sinners, permits Himself to be overoome by our prayers, rises in our defence, and gives us all we stand in need of.

OFFERTORY

Confitebor Domino nimis I in ore meo: et in medio multorum laudabo eum, qui adstitit a dextris pauperis: ut salvam faceret a persequentibus animam meam, will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth; and in the midst of many I will praise him, because he hath stood at the right hand of the poor, to save my soul alleluia. from persecutors, alleluia.

The bonds of sin enchained us, and, of ourselves, yre oouW. not. have returned to Qur Creator ; but tfo

PASCHAL TIMS

Pasohal Lamb has restored us our liberty ; and as often as His Sacrifice is renewed upon the altar, our deliverance is achieved afresh. The Church expresses this in the Secret: her confidence rests on the divine Victim, whioh the Father has given us, and whioh she is now about to offer to Him.

SECRET

Haec munera, qusesumus, Domine, et vincula nostra loosen pravitatis absolvant, et tuae edness, nobis misericord iae dona concilient. Per Dominum. &c.

May these offerings, O Lord, the bonds of our wickand obtain for ns the gift of thy mercy. Through,

Then are added the other Secrets, as given above in the Mass of the fifth Sunday after Easter, page 124.

The Communion-anthem is the repetition of the consoling words of our Saviour, as given us in the Gospel. It )is He Himself who authorizes us to ask for whatsoever we please ; we oannot ask too muoh. None of us would have dared to say: ( Whosoever makes a petition to God, will have his petition granted': but now that the Son of God has come from heaven to teach us this astounding truth, we should never tire of repeating it.

COMMUNION

Petite, et accipietis: qu$Bet linvenietis; pulsate, et aperietur vobis: omnis enim qui petit accipit: et qui qurorit invenit: et pulaperietur, alleluia.

Ask, and it shall be given rite, you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that santi seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened, alleiuia.

The Sacrifice of peaoe is consummated, and the Ghuroh gives free soope to her confidence by the words of thanksgiving expressed in the Postoommuaion. The sacred gifts have brought us consolation; and our holy mother prays that consolation may prompt us to warmer love.

P08TCOMMTJNION

Vota nostra, qu»sumus We beseech thee, 0 Lord,

Domine, pio favore prose- mercifully receive our prayers; quere: ut, dum dona tua that while we partake of thy in tribulatione percipimus, gifts in our affliction, the con- de consolatione nostra in solation we find may increase tuo amore crescamus. Per our love. Through, &c. Dominum.

To this are added the other PoBteommunions, as given above, in the Mass of the fifth Sunday after Easter, page 126.

We subjoin a liturgical fragment, taken from the Rogation Mass of the anoient Gallioan rite. This prayer was one of the supplications made on the first of these three days, and it bears with it the marks of its venerable antiquity.

PRAYER

(Post Nomina)

Tua sunt, Domine, alimonia, quibus in quotidiano victu ad sustentationem reficimur: tuaque jejunia, quibus carnem a lubrica voluptate, te prrecipiente, re8tringimus. Tu ad consolationem nostram vicissitudines temporum disposuisti: ut tempus edendi corpora nostra refectio sobria aleret; et jejunandi tempus ea in justitiam tibi placitam faceret macerata. Hanc hostiam ob jejunia triduanee macerationis a nobis oblat»m sanctificans dignanter

It is from thee, 0 Lord, we receive the food, wherewith we are daily supported; to thee also do we offer these fasts, whereby, according to thy command, we put upon our flesh the restraint from dangerous indulgence. Thou hast so ordered the changes of seasons, as to afford us consolation: thus the time for eating gives nourishment to the body, by sober repasts; and the time for fasting inflicts on them a chastisement pleasing to thy justice. Vouchsafe to bless and receive this pur offering of a adsume, et prasta placatus: three days' penitential fast; ut sopita delectatione corpo- and mercifully grant, that rea, mens ab iniquitatibus whilst our bodies abstain from pariter conqniescat. Per gratification, our souls also may

Christum Dominum no- rest from sin. Through Christ strum. Amen. our Lord. Amen.