Chapter the Fifth. on Hearing Mass During the Time after Pentecost

Of all the good acts wherewith a Christian can sanctify his day, there is not one which bears comparison with that of assisting at the holy Sacrifice of Mass. It is in that Saorifice, which is the supreme act of Religion, that are centred all the homage due from man to his Creator ; and it is, also, from the same Saorifice, that God pours out profusely upon his creature Man every sort of blessing. The very Son of God is really present there ; there he is offered up to his Father, and the offering is always wellpleasing ; and they who assist at this divine immolation, with faith and love, receive into their souls graces of a far richer kind than are given by ordinary means.

The assistance at Mass, if oompleted by the real participating with the divine Viotim, unites man to God in an ineffable way, by the renovation of his whole being, for it produces an intimate communion between him and the Word Incarnate. But if the Christian, who is assisting at the holy Sacrifice, goes no further than the uniting his intentions with those of the divine Victim, even so, his mere presence at so great an Act includes a true participation in the supreme worship offered, by this earth of ours, to the Majesty of God, in Christ, and by Christ. So, too, he solemnly consecrates to God, by that same holy Act, the day he has just begun.

We have devoted the days within the Octave of Corpus Christi to the giving our Readers the fullest

MASS. instruction regarding the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. As to the dispositions wherewith they should assist at it, they are given in the present Chapter, in which we explain briefly, and yet, as we believe, completely, the meaning of each ceremony and expression. Whilst thus endeavouring to initiate the Faithful into these sublime mysteries, we have not given them a bare and indiscreet translation of the sacred formula, but have taken, what seemed to us so muoh better, a plan of suggesting such Acts as will enable those who hear Mass to enter into the ceremonies and spirit of the Church and the Priest. The conclusion to be drawn from this is one of great importance : it is, that, in order to derive solid profit from the assisting at the Holy Sacrifice, the Faithful must attentively follow all that is being done at the Altar, and not stand aloof, as it were, by reading Books which are filled with devotions of a private and unseasonable character.

On the Sundays, if the Mass, at whioh 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, you should unite with the intentions whioh the Church has in this ceremony, so venerable by its antiquity : — you should pray for that purity of heart, whioh is needed for worthily assisting at the Mysteries, wherein Grod himself becomes present, and unites heaven and earth so olosely

Asperges me, Domine, Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssopo, et mundabor : la- hyssop, O Lord, and I shall vabis me, et super nivem be cleansed ; thou shalt wash together.

ANT1PHON OF THE ASPERGES. dealbabor. me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

Ps. Have mercy on me, 0 God, according to thy great mercy : f. Glory, etc.

Ant. Thou shalt sprinkle me, etc. f. Show us, O Lord, thy mercy.

And grant us thy salvation. f. O Lord, hear my prayer.

And let my cry come unto thee.

The Lord be with you ; And with thy spirit. LET US PBAY.

Graciously hear us, 0 holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal Ghod: and vouchsafe to send thy holy Angel from heaven, wno may keep, cherish, protect, visit, and defend all who are assembled in this place. Through Christ our Lord.

P$. Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. y. Gloria Patri, etc.

Ant. Asperges me, etc. t. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam ;

Et salutare tuum da nobis. f. Domine, exaudi orationem meam ; ft. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. f. Dominus vobiscum ; Et cum spiritu tuo.

OREMTJS.

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

J$t. Amen.

The procession, which in many Churches, immediately precedes a Solemn Mass, is a prelude to the great Aot which is about to be accomplished. It originated from the practice used in Monasteries, of going through the Cloisters, every Sunday, whilst ohanting oertain appointed Responsories ; during whioh, the Hebdomadarian went through all the Conventual Places, blessing each of them. The practice is still in use.

But see, Christians ! the Saorifloe 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 aotion are those of the great High Priest, J esus Christ. Let us make the sign of the Cross with him.

THE ORDINARY

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

I unite myself, O my God, with thy holy Church, who thrills withjoyattheapproach of 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 that 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 1

Hope in Him, who will soon show himself unto thee, as thy Saviour, and thy God.

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.

OF THE MASS.

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

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

Judica me, Deus, et discerue causain meam de gente non sancta : ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me.

Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea : quare me repulisti ? et quare tristis incedo, dum affligit 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 lsetificat juventutem meam.

Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, Deus meus : quare tristis es anuria mea? et quare conturbas me 1

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

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula sseculorum. Amen. t 1t. Introibo ad altare DeL * Ad Deum qui laetificat juveDtutem meam.

"ft. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini

1$. Qui fecit coelum et terrain.

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 from any merits of my own, but from the all-powerful help of my Creator.

The thought of his being about to appear before his 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 he 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 Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeternam.

May Almighty God have mercy on thee, and, forgiving thy sins, bring thee to everlasting life.

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

Confiteor Deo omnipotent!, beataB Marias semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistse, Sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi, Pater, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo, et opere : mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joan-

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John 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 ; through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, and thee, Father, to pray to our Lord God for me.

Receive with gratitude Priest, who says to you :

May Almighty God be merciful to you, and, forgiving your sins, bring you to everlasting life.

1$. Amen.

May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.

1$. Amen. nem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te, Pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum. the paternal wish of the

Misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis vestris, perducat vos ad vitam seternam.

1$. Amen.

Indulgeritiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.

1$. Amen.

Invoke the divine assistance, that proach to Jesus Christ.

O God, it needs but one look of thine to give us life.

1$. And thy people shall rejoice in thee. f. Show us, O Lord, thy mercy.

1$. And give us to know and love the Saviour whom thou bast sent unto us. jf. O Lord, hear my prayer. you may ap- ff. Deus, tu con versus vivificabis nos.

1$. Et plebs tua Letabitur in te.

Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.

% Et Salutare tuum da nobis.

1$. And let my cry come unto thee. y. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.

IJ. Et clamor mens ad te veniat.

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

"p. The Lord be with you. Dominus vobiscum.

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

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

OREMUS. LET US PRAY.

Aufer a nobis, quaesumus Take from our hearts, O

Domine, iniquitates nos- Lord, all those sins, which tras ; ut ad Sancta sanctorum make us unworthy to appear puris mereamur mentibus in thy presence ; we ask this introire. Per Christum Do- of thee by thy divine Son, our minum nostrum. Amen. Lord.

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

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

Generous soldiers of Jesus Christ, who have mingled your own blood with his, infor us that our sins may be forgiven : that so we catamea. Amen. 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 ; and 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 ; and which this Divine Mediator then causes to ascend, 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 commencement of the Holy Sacrifice, gives expression to the sentiments which fill her heart.

Ib 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.

To the Father:

Lord, have mercy on us ! Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy on us ! Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy on us ! Kyrie eleison.

To the Son :

Christ, have mercy on us ! Christe eleison.

Christ, have mercy on us ! Christe eleison.

Christ, have mercy on us ! Christe eleison.

To the Holy Ghost:

Lord, have mercy on us ! Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy on us ! Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy on us ! Kyrie eleison.

Then mingling his voice with that of the heavenly host, the Priest intones the sublime Canticle o£ Bethlehem, which announces glory to God, and peace to men. Instructed by the revelations of Goo, the Church continues, in her own words, the Hymn of the Angels.

THE ANGELIC HYMN.

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 y Son of the Father.

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

Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonse voluntatis.

Laudamus te: benedicimus te : adoramus te: glorificamus te : g rati as agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.

Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotent

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe.

Domine Deus, Agnus . Dei, Filius Patri.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, Who takest away the sins of suscipe deprecationem nos- the world, receive our humble tram. prayer.

Qui sedes ad dexteram Who sittest at the right Patris, miserere nobis. hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

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. Whilst it is being read, give thanks to that God, who not satisfied with having spoken to us, at sundry times, by his Messengers, deigned, at last, to speak unto us by his well-beloved Son. 1

The Gradual is an intermediate formula of prayer between the Epistle and the Gospel. Most frequently, it again brings before us the sentiments already expressed in the Introit. Bead it devoutly, that so you may more and more enter into the spirit of the mystery proposed to you this day, by the Church.

1 Heb. i. 2.

The song of praise, the Alleluia, is next heard. Let us, whilst it is being said, unite with the holy Angels, who are, for all eternity, making heaven resound with that song, which we on earth are permitted to attempt.

The time is now come for the Gospel to be read. The Gospel is the written word ; our hearing it will prepare us for the Word, who is our Victim and our Food.

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 nieum ac lamea, Omnipotens Deus, qui labia Isaiae calculo mundasti ignito ; ita tua grata miseratione dignare mundare, ut sane- Evangelium tuum ne valeam nuntiare. Per

Alas 1 these ears of mine are but too often defiled with the bia world's vain words : cleanse Prophet© them, O Lord, that so I may hear the words of eternal life, me and treasure them in my heart, Through our Lord Jesus turn dig- Christ. Amen.

Christum Dominum nostrum.

Amen.

Dominus sit in corde meo, et in labiis meis: ut digne et competenter annuntiem Evangelium suum 5 In Patris, et Filii, et Spi- Anien. ritus Sancti. Amen.

Grant to thy ministers thy grace, that they may faithfully explain thy law ; that so all, both pastors and flock, may nobe united to thee for ever, mine

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. Whilst my beloved was speak- MMf> 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 makes us see the Light which shineth in darkness, and which the darkness of unbelief did not comprehend. Let us, then, say with the Catholic Church, our Mother :

THE NICE

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, Factorem coeli et terra, visibiliuni omnium et invisibilium.

Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum. Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula, Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri, ner quern omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem, descendit de coeli s. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto, ex Maria Virgine ; et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio jpilato, passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in ccelum ; sedet ad

1 Cantic. v. 6. m CREED.

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 to 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, a 1 Kings, iii. 10. sitteth at the right hand of dexteram Paths. Et iterum the Fattier. And he is to venturus est cum gloria judi- come again with glory, to care vivos et mortuos; cujus j ndge the living and thedead : regni non erit finis, of whose kingdom there shall be no end.

And in the Holy Ghost, Et in Spiritum Sanctum, the Lord and giver of life, Dominnm et vivificantem, who proceedeth from the qui ex Patre Filioque proce-

Father and the Son. Who ait. Qui cum Patre et Filio together with the Father and simul adoratur, et conglori- the Son, is adored and glori- ficatur ; qui locutus est per fied ; who spoke by the Pro- Prophetas. Et unam sanc- phets. Ana one holy Catho- tarn Catholicam et Apostoli- lic and Apostolic Church. I cam Ecclesiam. Confiteor confess one Baptism for the unum Baptisma in remission remission of sins. And I nempeccatorum. Etexspec- expect the resurrection of the to resurrection em mortuo- dead, and the life of the world rum, et vitam venturi saaculL to come. 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, which is called the Oblation, and immediately follows that which was named 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 4s mortal, will be swallowed up by life. 1 Until that

. 1 2 Cor. v. 4. happy change shall be realised, 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}

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 :

Suscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens, aeterue Deus, banc immaculatam hostiam, quam ego indignus famulus tuus offero 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 ilhs proficiat ad salutem in vitam aeternam. Amen.

All 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® substantia dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti, et mirabilius ref ormasti : da nobis per hujus aquae et vini mysterium, ejus divinitatis esse consortes, qui humanitatds nostra fieri dignatus est

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

1 2 St Peter, i. 4.

Christus, Filius tuus, Dominus noster : qui tecum vivit et regnat Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia ssecula s»cu- by this drop of water. O particeps, Jesus come and make us partakers of thy divinity, by showing thyself to us in thy sweet and in imitate wondrous visit. lorum. Amen.

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, calicem salutaris, tuam declementiam : ut in conspectu divinae Majestatis tuae, pro nostra et totius mundi salute, cum odore suavitatis ascendat. Amen,

Graciously accept these gifts, O sovereign Creator of all things. Let them be fitted precantes for the divine transformation, which will make them, from being mere offerings of created 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:

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

Son, who is our saving Host, tibi, Domine Deus.

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 hoc sacrificium tuo sancto nomini praeparatum.

Come, O Divine Spirit, make fruitful the offering bewhich is upon the altar, and nedic produce in our hearts him whom they desire.

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 just been offered, and then the altar itself ; hereby inviting the faithful to make their prayer, which is signified by the incense, more and more fervent, the nearer the solemn moment approaches. Saint John tells us that the incense he beheld burning on the Altar in heaven is made up of the prayers of the Saints ; let us take a share in those prayers, and with all the ardour of holy desires.

But the thought of his own unworthiness becomes more intense than ever in the heart of the Priest 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 I, too, would wash my man us meas : et circumdabo hands, O Lord, and become altare tuum, Domine. like unto those who are in-

Ut audiam vocem laudis ; nocent, that so I may be wor- et enarrem uni versa mira- thy to come near thy altar, bilia tua. and bear thy sacred Canticles,

Domine, dilexi decorem and then go and proclaim to domus tuae, et locum habi- the world the wonders of thy tationis glorias tuse. goodness. I love the beauty

Ne perdas cum impiis, of thy House, which thou art

Deus, animam meam, et cum about to make the dwelling- viris sanguinum vitam meam. place of thy glory. Leave me

In quorum manibus iniqui- not, O Qod, 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. Ulory 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 which it is offered. Let us do the same. tates sunt : dextera eorum replete est muneribus.

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

Pes meus stetit in directo : in ecclesiis benedicam to, Domine.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

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

O Holy Trinity, graciously accept the Sacrifice we have begun. We offer it in remembrance of the Passion, Resurrection, 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 Saints whose memory we this day celebrate. Increase the glory they are enjoying, and receive the prayers they address to thee for us.

Suscipe, Sancta Trinitas, hanc oblationem, quam tibi offerimu ob inemoriam Passionis, Resurrectionis, et Ascensionis Jesu Christi Domini nostri : et in honore beatae Maris semper Virginia, et Beati Joannis Baptists, et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, et istorum, et omnium Sanctorum : ut illis proficiat ad honorem, nobis autem ad salutem : et illi pro nobis intercedere dignentur in coelis, quorum memoriam agimus in terris. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

4G

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 unworthiness 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 ac vestrum sacrificium ac- Sacrifice, which is yours also, ceptabile fiat apud Deum may be acceptable to God,

Patrem omnipotentem. our 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 :

Suscipiat Dominus sacri- May our Lord accept this ficium de manibus tuis, ad Sacrifice at thy hands, to the laudem et gloriam nominis praise and glory of his name, sui, ad utilitatem quoque and for our benefit and that nostram totiusque Ecclesiae of his holy Church through- suse sanctae. out the world.

Here the Priest recites the prayers called the Secrete, 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 cbief of which is his having sent us his own Son. The blessing of a new visit from this divine Word is just upon us ; and in expectation of it, and in the name of the whole Church, the Priest 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 bis own and their silent prayer by terminating it aloud, saying :

For ever and ever. ~ Per omnia ssecula sseculo- rum.

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

^. The Lord be with you. tf- Dominus vobiscum. And with thy spirit. 1$. Et cum spiritu tuo.

. Lift up your hearts ! ^. Sursum corda !

Let your response be sincere :

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

And when he adds :

^. Let us give thanks to ^. Gratias agamus Domithe Lord our God. no Deo nostro.

Answer him with all the earnestness of your soul : 1$. It is meet and just. Q. Dignum et jus turn est*

Then the Priest :

THE PREFACE.

It is truly meet and just, Vere dignum et justum right and available to salva- est, aequum et salutare, nos tion, that we should always, tibi semper et ubique gra- and in all places, give thanks tias agere : Domiue Sancte, to thee, O Holy Lord, Father Pater omnipotens, seterne

Almighty, Eternal God ; Deus; per Christum Domi- through Christ our Lord ; by num nostrum. Per quern whom the Angels praise thy majestatem tuam laudant majesty, the Dominations Angeli, adorant Dominatio- adore it, the Powers tremble nes, tremunt Potestates ; before it; the Heavens and Cceli coelorumque Yirtutes. ac beata Seraphim, socia tbeHeavenlyVirtues,andthe exsultatione concelebrant. blessed Seraphim, with com- Cum quibus et nostras vo- mon ces, ut admitti jubeas deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes : jubilee, glorify it. Together with whom, we beseech thee, that we may be admitted to join our humble voices, saying :

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, Dominus Deus sabaoth !

Pleni sunt cceli et terra gloria tua.

Hosanna in excelsis !

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna in excelsis !

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts !

Heaven aud earth are full of thy glory.

Hosanna in the highest !

Blessed be the Saviour who is coming to us in the name of the Lord who sends him.

Hosanna be to him in the highest !

After these words commences the Canon, — that mysterious prajer, 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. It was thus, says the Book of Wisdom, in the quiet of silence, and while the night was in the midst of her course, that the Almighty Word came down from his royal throne. 1 Let a profound respect stay all distractions, and keep our senses in submission to the soul. Let us respectfully 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.

1 Wiwi. xviii. 14, 15.

O God, who manifestest thyself unto us by means of the mysteries which thou hast intrusted 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 Pope, thy Vicar on earth. Direct thou our Bishop, who is our sacred link of unity ; and watch over ail the orthodox children of the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church.

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

Te igitur, clementissime Pater, per Jesum Christum Filium tuum Dominum nostrum, supplices rogamus ac petimus, uti accepta habeas et benedicas hsec dona, hsec munera, hsec sancta sacrificia illibata ; in primis quae tibi ofiferimus pro Ecclesia tua sancta Catholica ; qnam pacificare, custodire, adunare, et regere digneris toto orbe terrarum, una Cum famulo tuo Papa nostro N. et Antistite nostro N., et omnibus orthodoxis, atque catholicse et apostolicae fidei cuitoribus. for those

Permit me, O God, to intercede with thee for special blessings upon such of thy servants for whom thou knowest that I have a special obligation to pray : * * * Ap-

§ly to them the fruits of this ivine 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 our Lord Jesus Christ, which is called the Church Triumphant et memoriam venerantes, in primis gloriosae semper Virginis Ma- Genitricis Dei et Domini

But the offering of this Communicantes, Sacrifice, O my God, does not unite us with those only of our brethren who are still rise,

£

Memento, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum N. et N., et omnium circumstantium, quorum tibi fides cognita est, et nota devotio : pro quibus tibi ofiferimus, vel qui tibi offerunt hoc sacrificium laudis pro se suisque omnibus, pro redemptione animarum suarum, pro spe salutis et incoiumitatis suae ; tibique reddunt vota sua aeterno Deo vivo et vero. nostri Jesu Christi: sed et beatorum Apostolorum ac Martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, Andreae, Jacobi, Joannis, Thomae, Jacobi, Philippi, Bartholomaei, Matthaei,Simonis et Thaddaei : Lini, Cleti, Clementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Joannis et Pauli, . Cosmas et Damiani, et omnium sanctorum tuorum : quorum mentis precibusque concedas, ut in omnibus protectionis tuae muniamur auxilio. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. 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 they may assist us, by their powerful intercession, to be worthy of this thy visit, and of contemplating thee, as they themselves 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 was wont to do 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 express our dependence, and which, in a few instants, is to yield its place to the living Host, upon whom are laid all our iniquities.

Hanc igitur oblationem servitutis nostrae, sed et cunctae familiae tuae, quaesumus, Domine, ut placatus accipias: diesque nostros in tua pace disponas, atque ab aeterna damnatione nos eripi, et in electorum tuorum jubeas grege numerari. rer Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Quam oblationem tu,Deus, in omnibus, quaesumus, benedictam, adscriptam, ratam,

Vouchsafe, O God, to accept the offering, which this thine 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 thine 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 bring us into the presence of this divine Son, our Saviour !

rationabilem, acceptabilemque facere digneris : ut nobis Corpus et Sanguis fiat dilectissimi Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi.

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 its power and efficacy. Prostrate yourself in profound adoration, for the Emmanuel, that is, God with tw, is comiDg upon our altar.

What, O God of heaven and earth, my Jesus, the long ex- rictedMessias! what else can do, at this solemn moment, but adore thee in silence, as my sovereign Master, and open to thee my whole heart, as to its dearest King? Come then, O Lord Jesus, come !

Qui pridie quam pateretur, accepit panem in sanctas ac venerabiles manus suas : et elevatis ocnlis in ccelum, ad te Deum Patrem suum omnipotentem, tibi gratias agens, benedixit, fregit, deditque discipulis suis, dicens : Accipite, et 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 designs of the Most High, immediately pronounces, over the Chalice, the sacred words which follow, that will produce the great mystical immolation, by the separation of the Victim's Body and Blood. After those words, the substances of both bread and wine have ceased to exist ; the species alone are left, veiling, as it were, the Body and Blood of our Redeemer, lest fear should keep us from a mystery, which God gives us for the very purpose of infusing confidence into our hearts. Whilst the Priest is pronouncing those words, let us associate ourselves to the ADgels, who tremblingly gaze upon this deepest wonder.

Simili modo postquam ccenatum est, accipiens et hunc praeclarum Calicem in sanctas ac venerabiles manus suas : item tibi gratias agens, benedixit, deditque discipu- Hs suis dicens : Accipite et bibite ex eo omnes. Hie

EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, NOVI ET JETERNI TESTA- MENT!: MYSTERIUM FID EI I QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MUL- TIS EFFUNDETUR IN REMIS- SION EM PECCATORUM. H33C quotiescumque feceritis, in mei memoriam facietis.

O Precious Blood! thou price of my salvation ! I adore thee ! Wash away my sins, and make me whiter than snow. O Lamb ever slain, yet ever living, thou comest to take away the sins of the world ! Come, also, and reign in me by thy power and by thy love.

The Priest is now face to face with God. He again raises his hands towards heaven, and tells our heavenly Father, that the oblation, now on the altar, is no longer an earthly material 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 beataB Passionis, nec non et ab inferis Eesurrectionis, sed et in ccelos gloriosae Ascensionis : offerimus praeclarse Majestati tuas de tuis donis ac datis, Hostiam puram, Hostiam sanctam, Hostiam immaculatam : Panem sanctum vitae aaternae, et Calicem salutis perpetuae.

Supra quae propitio ac sereno vultu respicere digne-

Father of infinite holiness ! the Host so long expected is here before thee. Behold this thine 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 acceptedst the sacrifice of the innocent ris : et accepta habere, sicuti accepta habere dignatus es munera pueri tui justi Abel, et 8acrificium Patriarchs uostri Abrahse, et quod tibi obtulit summus Sacerdos tuus Melchisedech, sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam. lambs offered unto thee by Abel; and the sacrifice whicn Abraham made thee of his son Isaac, who, though immolated, yet lived ; and, lastly, the sacrifice, which Melchisedech presented to thee, of bread and wine. Receive our Sacrifice, which surpasses 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 throned the Saviour of men.

But, O God of infinite power ! these sacred gifts are not only on this altar here below : they are, also, on that sublime Altar in heaven, which is before the throne of thy divineMajesty. These two Altars are 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 our 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

Sup pi ices te rogamus, omnipotens Deus, jube hsec perf erri per man us sancti Angeli tui in sublime Altare tuum, iu conspectu divinae Majestatis tuae : ut quotquot ex hac altaris participatione, sacrosanctum Fihi tui Corpus et Sanguinem sumpserimus, omni benedictione ccelesti et gratia repleamur. Per eumdem ChnstumDominum nostrum. Amen. 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 upon our suffrages.

Memento, etiam, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuaram N. et K, qui nos prgecesserunt 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 J esus ! 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 thee beneath the veil of our delighted faith ; ah ! hide not thyself from those brethren of ours, who are imprisoued in the abode 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 ! and 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 Martyribus ; cum Joanne, Stephano, Matthia, Barnaba, Ignatio, Alexandre, Marcellino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Caecilia, Anastasia, et omnibus Sanctis tuis ; intra quorum nos consortium, non sestimator meriti, sed venise, quaesumus, largitor admitte : per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quern

Alas ! we are poor sinners, O God. of all sanctity! yet do we hope that thine infinite mercy will grant us to share 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 unto 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 hsec omnia, Domine, semper bona creas, sanctificas, vivibenedicis, et praestas sane- nobis ; per ipsum, et cum ipso, et m ipso, est tibi Deo Patri omnipotenti, in unitate Spiritus Sancti, omnis honor et gloria, name of our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son; It is by him thou bestowest upon us ficas, thy blessings of life and tincation ; and, by him also, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, may honour and glory be to thee!

Whilst saying the last of these words, the Priest has taken up the Sacred Host, which was upon the altar; he has held it over the Chalice: thus re-uniting 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 noblest and most perfect homage which the divine Majesty could receive.

This sublime and mysterious rite ends the Canon. The silence of the Mysteries is interrupted. 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 :

For ever and ever ! Per omnia saecula sseculo- rum.

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

Amen ! I believe the mys- Amen, tery which has just been accomplished. I unite myself to the offering which has been made, and to the petitions of the Church.

It is now time to recite the Prayer, taught us by our Saviour himself. Let it ascend up 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 drew it up for us is in our very hands now whilst we say it? As this Prayer belongs in common to all God's children, the Priest recites it aloud, and begins by inviting us all to join in it ; he says :

OREMUS.

LET US PRAY.

Prseceptis salutaribus moniti, et divina institutione formati, audemus dicere :

Having been taught by a saving precept, and following the form given us by divine instruction, we thus presume to speak :

THE LORD S PRAYER.

Pater noster, qui es in coelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum : adveniat regnum tuum : fiat voluntas tua sicut in ccelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie : et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris: et ne nos inducas in tentationem.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name : thy kingdom come : thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread : and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation.

Let us answer with .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, qusesumus, Domine, ab omnibus malis, praeteritis, prsesentibus et futuris : et intercedente beata et gloriosa semper Virgi-

How many, Lord, are the evils which beset us ! Evils past, which are the wounds left on the soul by her sins, and strengthen her wicked ne Dei Genitrice Maria, cam beatis Apostolis tais Petro et Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus Sanctis, da propitius pacem in diebus nostris: ut ope misericordiae tuse adjati, 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. 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 hand 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 the 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 :

World without end.

1$. Amen.

Then he says :

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

To this paternal wish, reply : 3$. And with thy spirit. 1$. Et cum spirit u tuo.

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

Per omnia saecula sseculoruin. I}. Amen. 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 re-uniting the Body and Blood of the immortal Victim. Do you adore, and say :

Hsec commixtio et consecratio Corporis et Sanguinis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, fiat accipientibus nobis in cious vitam seternam. Amen.

Glory be to thee, O Saviour of the world ! who didst, in thy Passion, permit thy pre- Blood to be separated from thy sacred Body, afterwards 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 : l say to this your Lord and King, who has taken upon himself all our iniquities, in order to wash them away by his Blood :

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pee- Lamb of God, who takest cata mundi, miserere nobis. away the sins of the world, have mercy on us 1 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? 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

1 Apoc. r. 6. 2 Is. ix. 6. 3 1 Cor. x. 17. of it, which is assembled around the altar, with him, and for the same blessing.

Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst to thine Apostles, "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you :" regard not my sins, but the faith of thy Church, and grant her that peace and unity which is according to thy will. Who livest and reignest God, for ever and ever. Amen,

Pray

Domine Jesu Christe, qui dixisti Apostolis tuis : racem relinquo vobis : pacem meam do vobis : ne respicias peccata mea, sed fidem Ecclesiae tu» : eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificare et coadunare digneris. Qui vivis et regnas Dens, per omnia ssecula saeculorum. 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 :

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of Domine Jesu Christe, Fili the living God, who accord- Dei vivi, qui ex voluntate ing to the will of the 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 mine 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 for a Spiritual Communion:

Let not the participation . Perceptio Corporis tui, Do-

Patris, co-operante Spiritu Sancto, per mortem tuara mundum vivificasti: libera me per hoc sacrosanctum Corpus, et Sanguinem tuum, ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis, et universis malis, et fac me tuis semper inhserere mandatis, et a te nunquam separari permittas. Qui cum eodem Deo Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas, Deus, in ssecula sseculbrum. Amen. mine Jesu Christe, quod ego of thy Body, O Lord J esu indignus sumere prsesumo, Christ, which I, though un- non mihi proveniat in judi- worthy, presume to receive, cium et condemnationem : turn to my judgment and sed pro tua pietate prosit condemnation; but through mihi ad tutamentum mentis thy mercy, may it be a safe- et corporis, et ad medelam guard and remedy, both to percipiendam. Qui vivis et my soul and body. Who regnas cum Deo Patre, in with God the Father, in the unitate Spirit us Sancti, De- unity of the Holy Ghost, us, per omnia ssecula ssecu- livest and reignest God, % for lorum. Amen. ever and ever. Amen.

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

Panem coelestem accipiam, Come, my dear J esus, come ! et nomen Domini invocabo.

When he strikes his breast, confessing his unworthiness, say thrice with him these words, and in the same dispositions as the Centurion of the Gospel, who first used them :

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

Lord! I am not worthy that thou enter under my roof : say it, only with one wora of thine, and my soul shall be healed.

Whilst the Priest is receiving the sacred Host, if you also are to communicate, profoundly adore your God, who is ready to take up his abode within you ; and again say to him with the Bride : Come, Lord Jesus, come A

But should you not intend to receive sacramen tally, make here a Spiritual Communion. Adore Jesus Christ, who thus visits your soul by his grace, and say to him :

Corpus Domini nostri Jesu I give thee, O Jesus, this 1 Apoc. xxii. 20, heart of mine, that thou Christi custodiat animam mayest dwell in it, and do meam in vitam aeternam. with me what thou wilt Amen.

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

What return shall I make Quid retrihuam Domino to the Lord for all he hath pro omnibus quae retribuit given to me ? I will take the mihi ? Calicem salutaris ac-

Chalice of salvation, and will cipiam, et nomen Domini in- call upon the name of the vocabo. Laudans invocabo

Lord. Praising, I will call Dominum, et ab inimicis upon the Lord, and I shall meis salvus ero. 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 coming to you, and keep to your prayer: Come, Lard Jesus, come !

If you are going to communicate only spiritually, again adore your divine Master, and say to him :

I unite myself to thee, my Sanguis Domini nostri beloved Jesus ! do thou unite Jesu Christi custodiat ani- thyself to me and never let mam meam in vitam aeter- us be separated. nam. Amen.

It is here that you must approach to the altar, if you are going to Communion.

The Communion being finished, whilst the Priest is purifying the Chalice the first time, say:

Thou hast visited me, O Quod ore sumpsimus, Do-

God, in these days of my pil- mine, pura mente capiamus ; grim age : give me grace to et de munere temporali fiat treasure up the fruits of this nobis remedium sempiter- visit, and to make it tell num. upon my eternity.

Whilst the Priest is purifying the Chalice the second time, say : tf

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

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 thou hast imparted to them, and I be thus rendered less unworthy of thy divine visit.

The Priest, having read the Anthem, called the Communion, which is the first part of his Thanksgiving for the favour j ust received from God, whereby he has renewed his divine presence among us, — turns to the people, greeting them with the usual salutation ; and then recites the Prayer, called the Postcommunion, which is the continuation of the Thanksgiving. You will join him here also, and thank God for the unspeakable gift he has just lavished upon you, of admitting you to the celebration and participation of mysteries so divine.

As soon as these Prayers have been recited, the Priest again turns to the people ; and, full of joy at the immense favour he and they have been receiving, he says :

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

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

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

Ite, missa est. Go, the Mass is finished.

1$. Deo gratias. 1$. Thanks be to God.

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

Eternal thanks be to thee, O adorable Trinity, for the mercy thou hast shown to me, in permitting me to assist at this divine Sacrifice. Pardon me the negligence and coldness wherewith I have received so great a favour ; and deign to confirm the Blessing, which tby Minister is about to give me in thy Name.

Placeat tibi, sancta Trinitas, obsequium servitutis mese, et praesta ut sacrificiuni, quod oculis tuae Majestatis indignus obtuli, tibi sit acceptabile, mihique, et omnibus pro quibus illud obtuli, sit te miserante, pro* pitiabile. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

The Priest raises his hand, and blesses you thus :

May the Almighty God, Benedicat vos omnipotens

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Deus, Pater, et Filius, et bless you ! Spiritus Sanctus.

1$. Amen. 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 thd mercy which led him to take upon himself om flesh, and to dwell among us. Pray that you may be of the number of those who received him, when he came unto his own people, and who, thereby, were made Sons of God.

$\ The Lord be with you. $\ Dominus vobiscum. 1$. And with thy spirit. 1$. Et cum spiritu tuo.

THE LAST GOSPEL.

The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to John.

Ch. 7.

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,

Initium sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.

Gap. 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 erat lux hominum ; et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae earn non comprehenderunt Fait homo missus a Deo, cxd nomen erat Joannes. Hie venit in testimonium, nt testimonium perhiberet de lnmine, ut omnescTederent per ilium. Non erat ille lux, sed at testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera, quae illuminat 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 eum, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his qui credunt in nomine ejus : qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, ne-

2ue ex voluntate viri, sed ex )eo, nati sunt Et Verbum cabo factum est, et babitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratia et veritatis.

Deogratias.

PENTECOST. and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men : and the light shineth in 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 Qod; 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, ft. Thanks be to God.

B9F0A8 COMMUNION.

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.

ON HOLY COMMUNION DUELING THE TIME AFTER PENTECOST.

If in the early stages of the Liturgical Year, in Advent, at Christmas, and during the period of Septuagesima and Lent, when there was question of nothing beyond a preparation for the divine Mysteries which wrought our salvation, — if, in the name of holy Church, we then invited the Faithful to have recourse to the Sacrament of our Lord's Body, as being the heavenly nourishment that would support them in the glorious oareer on which they nad entered : now that the work is done, that they have risen again with their Redeemer, that they have followed him, by their desires and their hopes, even to the very summit of heaven ; now that the Holy Ghost has oome down upon this earth, that he might complete within them the work of their union with God ; — surely, nothing could profit them more, than that they nourish themselves, even more frequently than before, with the Bread of Life, which came from heaven, that he might give Life to the world. 1 From our first entrance into the new season, whioh we are now passing through, holy Church has, by the great Feast of Corpus Christi, brought us face to face with the august Mystery, which is ooth the Sacrifice whereby God receives the honour due to him, and the Saorament containing within itself the nourishment of our souls. We have now a clearer understanding

1 St. John, vi. 41, 52.

TIKE AFTER PENTECOST. of the unspeakable gift, whioh our Saviour vouchsafed to bestow upon us, the night before his Passion. We now see more plainly the nature and greatness of the homage which earth gives to its Creator by the ceaseless offering of the holy Saorifioe of the Mass. We now know, so much better than formerly, what that deifying relation is, which is made to exist between God and the soul, by means of the participation of the Sacred Host. The Holy Ghost has shed his light upon all these truths ; he has opened out to us the very depths of the mystery shown to us from the outset, the mystery, that is, of the Emmanuel, or God with us. Now that we are so fully initiated into the whole of God's work, we the better understand that great text of the Gospel, whioh says : The Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us. 1 We grasp the meaning more completely ; we oan give it a more literal, and equally faithful, translation, and say : the Word was made Flesh, and took up his dwelling within us.

All this has inoreased in the Christian the desire of assisting at the Holy Saorifioe. He says to himself, as did the Patriaroh of old : " Truly, the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not ; 2 my faith was sound, but I did not perceive, as I do now, the immensity of what our Lord did at his Last Supper. " In the same way, having now a clearer knowledge of the union, whioh is brought about, even in this present world, between God and the soul that is nourished with the living Bread, whereby that soul is transformed into its Creator, — having this dearer knowledge, the Christian longs more ardently than ever for the enjoyment of that Lord, who, even during this mortal life, gives us, by means of the Euoharistio Bread, not only a foretaste, but the very reality, of that whioh awaits us in heaven. We may truly

» St, John, I H T 2 Gen. xxyiii. 16 f

BEFORE COMMUNION. assert, that the keeping up of that state, which we have already described in the Third Chapter, and which is the state both of the Church herself and of the faithful soul, during this period of the Liturgical Tear, is the joint work of the Holy Ghost, who abides within us, and of the Eucharistic gift, in which the Son of God oeases not to act for the preservation, increase, and development of the divine life, which he came to bring us, and of which he thus speaks : / am come, that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly}

We will here, as in the preceding Volumes, give Acts which may serve as preparation for holy Communion during this Season of the Year. There are souls that feel the want of some such assistance as this ; and, for the same reason, we will add a form of Thanksgiving for after Communion.

Now that I am about to unite myself to thee in the mystery of thy love, I must first profess that I believe it to be truly thyself, 0 my God, thy body, thy soul, thy divinity, that thou art going to give me. The first duty thou askest of me, now that thou art coming to me, is the act of my Faith in this deep mystery ; I make it ; and my understanding is happy at thus bowing itself down before thy sovereign word. Thou, 0 Jesus, art the Truth ; and when presenting to thy disciples the bread changed into thy Body, thou saidst to them : This is my Body I I believe thy word ; I adore the living Bread, come down from heaven to give life to the world. The grace of the Holy Ghost, whom thou hast sent me, enables me to relish this marvel of thy all-powerful love. This love of thine was not satisfied with uniting thee to the human nature, which thou assumedst in Mary's womb ; it would, moreover, prepare for each one of us, by means of the heavenly food of thy sacred flesh, a real and mysterious

BEFORE COMMUNION.

ACT OF FAITH.

1 3t. John, j. 10.

$9 union with thee, which none but thou could have planned, none but thou could have achieved. For its accomplishment, thou first demandedst, as thou hadst all right to do, that we should have an unlimited confidence m the truth of thy word. When thou wast upon the Cross, thy divinity was veiled from view ; in the Sacred Host, thy very humanity is hid from our eyes ; but I believe, 0 my God, both thy divinity and humanity present under the cloud which shrouds them from all mortal sight. I have been taught by thine Apostle, 0 Light inaccessible, that it is by faith alone that we can approach thee, whilst we are in this present life. I believe, then, 0 Lord ! but help thou mine unbelief.

Taught, as I have been, by thy words, 0 my God, I know, and with a certainty which my reason and my senses could never have given me, that, in a few moments, T shall be in closest union with thine infinite Majesty. Thou hast said it : He that eateth my Fleshy abideth in rne, and I in him ! My whole being thrills at these words. I, a sinner, all marked with the sores of my iniquities, and still fighting with passions but half subdued, lam to abide in thee ! And thou, that art infinite Being and infinite Holiness, thou art coming to abide, in we, in me who am but nothingness and sin ! At such tidings as these, what else can I do, than cry out, with the Centurion of thy Gospel : Lord ! I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof ! And yet, I hear thee saying, also, these other words : Unless ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, ye shall not have life in you. This life I would have, 0 Jesus ! And didst thou not come, didst thou not work all thy mysteries, in order that we might have life, and more and more of that life ? I have no desire to shun it. What, then, can I do, but take shelter in the depths of humility, think of mine own vileness, be mindful of the fuel of sin that exists within me, and acknowledge the infinite distance there is between myself and thee, 0 my Redeemer and my Judge? I know that then thou wilt have pity on my misery, and wilt say but one word, and my soul shall be healed. Say, I beseech thee, that word, which is to comfort my heart. Till thou sayest it, I dare not raise up mine eyes towards thine altar ; I can but tremble at the approach of that moment, when a poor creature, like myself, is to be united with its Creator, from whose eyes nought is hid, an who judges even our justices.

ACT OF HUMILITY.

BEFORE COMMUNION.

ACT OF CONTRITION.

Ever since that day whereon thy Spirit, 0 Lord, came down upon us, in order that he might the more deeply imprint upon our souls the divine mysteries thou wroughtest, from thy merciful Incarnation to thy glorious Ascension, thou vouchsafest to invite me more frequently to thy table. And I have learned, too, since that same coming, better than I knew before, how it behoves me to prepare myself, with all possible diligence, for each of thy visits. I have been renewing my faith, by accepting, with increased ardour, the truth of thy presence in the Sacrament of the Altar. As I see thy dread Majesty advancing towards me, I have professed, and with sincere humility, my utter nothingness, for I have acknowledged my extreme un worthiness ; — but all this does not put me at rest. There is something beyond all this : — it is, that I am a sinner ; I have offended Thee ; I have rebelled against thee ; I have turned thy very benefits into occasions of outrage against thee ; to say it in all its enormity, I have caused thy death upon the Cross ! The Holy Ghost, having vouchsafed to give me light, has taught me the malice of sin ; he has given me to understand, more fully than formerly, how detestable have been my audacity and ingratitude. I have had revealed to me, by the grand Mysteries of the first portion of the Year, how much I cost thee on that Day, whereon Justice and Mercy united in the Sacrifice which "saved mankind. The more thou hast heaped thy favours on me, 0 Lord, the more keenly do I feel the injury of my sins ; and I beseech thee to bestow on me the signal grace, the grace which will ensure every other, — of keeping up within me the spirit of compunction and penance. I offer to thee, 0 my God, at this hour when thou art about to give thyself to me, I offer to thee the expression of my sorrow ; and from my deepest soul I say to thee those words of the Publican : Have mercy on me, 0 God, for I am a sinner I

ACT OF LOVE.

And now, 0 my Lord, permit me to turn my thoughts Upon the happiness of a soul, to whom thou givest thyself in the Sacrament of thy love ! As to that familiarity, into Which thine ineffable goodness leads some souls, who approach thee without reflecting upon the greatness of thy majesty, oh ! I shudder at such impertinence ; and yet, 1 long to be united with thee ; and, until thou art come into me, my soul panteth after thee. Thy Mysteries, which I have been celebrating with thy Church, have enkindled within me a lire which nothing can quench, — a lire to which thy divine Spirit delights to be ever adding heat. Thy delight, so thou hast told us, is to be with the children of men ; and is it not true, also, that with such of the children of men as know thee, thy love is the very nourishment on which their own hearts live ? In order to maintain them in this love which is their life, thou hast made thyself present in the sacred Host ; thou givest them to live in thee, just as thou livest in them, as often as they eat of this Living Bread, which hath come down from heaven. This Charity, this Love, which hath been poured forth into our hearts by the Holy Ghost, is nourished at thy holy Table, 0 Lord ! and there is it increased ; for it is in the divine Sacrament, which thou institutedst the night before thy Passion, that we are united to thee. Love tends to be united with the object it loves ; therefore do I, in spite of all the conviction of my unworthiness, long for the blissful moment of thy coming into me. Everything that thou hast done, my Lord, has been done to make me love thee I Thou hast loved me first ; who will blame me, that my heart hungers for thee ? Thou hadst pity, one day, on the people who had followed thee into the desert, 1 have compassion, thou saidst, on this multitude ; and then, straightway, thou gavest them to eat as much as they would. Ah ! Lord, my poor heart and flesh, long after thee ; and thou alooe canst satisfy the hunger which gnaws me, for thou art the Sovereign Good, thou art true L2e ; and it was that I might enjoy that Sovereign Good, and live that heavenly Lite, that thou createdst me. There was a time when this heart of mine was dull ; darkness was upon me, and I could not see the light ; but now that thy Mysteries have enlightened and regenerated me, I sigh after thee with all the earnestness of my soul. Come, then, Lord Jesus ! Withhold thyself no longer from my soul, that awaits thy visit !

Thy presence within me, 0 Lord, is joy and sweetness to me : and yet, before indulging in the delight it brings, I feel impelled to prostrate my entire being before thy Sovereign Majesty. I must, I will, first adore thee, for thou art the great God of heaven and earth. Thou standest in no need of me, and yet thou comest down to this my nothingness.

AFTER COMMUNION.

ACT OF ADORATION.

AFTER COMMUNION.

Where, then, shall I begin, if it be not in humbling myself profoundly before thee, and acknowledging that thou art Lord, the Only Begotten and Consubstantial Son of the Father ; that thou art He by whom all things were made, the Eternal, the Infinite, and the Supreme Judge of the living and the dead. Thy Seraphim, who see thee in thy unveiled majesty, and drink their fill of everlasting happiness from thy divine essence, these glorious Spirits, as thy Prophet tells us, cover their faces with their wings ; they tremble before thee, as the Church tells us ; and yet, whilst trembling in thy presence, their love is as ardent and as tender as though they were nothing but love. I would follow their example, 0 my God ; I would offer thee, at this moment, the creature's first duty to its Creator, — adoration. Thou art so nigh to me, at this happy moment, that my being feels renovated and almost lost in thine ; how then can I be otherwise than overwhelmed by the weight of thy glory ? Yes, I do adore thee, 0 Eternal, Infinite, Immense, All-powerful ! before whom all created beings are as though they were not. I confess, before thee, my own nothingness ; I acknowledge thine absolute dominion over me, and over everything which thy power and goodness have produced in creation. King of ages ! Immortal and Invisible in thine essence ! Glory be to thee ! Accept this first homage of a soul to which thy love has deigned to unite thee.

ACT OF THANKSGIVING.

There is another homage which I owe thee, 0 my God ! — it is gratitude. Thou often invitest me to partake of the divine gift, wherewith thou, before leaving this earth, didst enrich us. But, wo to me, if, because I can easily and often have it, I value so much the less its greatness ! Wretched familiarity, which blunts the sentiment of gratitude, and deadens faith, and takes all ardour from love ; may thy grace, 0 Lord, preserve me from its vile influence. For thousands of years, the human race was in expectation of the favour, which thou hast just been bestowing upon me. Abraham, the father of believers; Moses, thy much loved friend ; David, the inspired chanter of thy mysteries ; none of these received thee : and this Bread of Angels has come down from heaven for me ! Oh ! unheard of goodness of a God incorporating himself with his creature ! Who is there that could measure its length, and breadth, or scan its height, or fathom its depth ? These expressions of thine Apostle, regarding the mystery just given to me, teach me what is the value of the wondrous gift thou hast bestowed upon mankind. With what humble and lively gratitude, then, should it not be received ! Thou hast not been deterred, either by my nothingness, or the coldness of my feelings, or my infidelities; be thou blessed, then, my Lord, for that out of thy desire to give thyself to me, thou hast overstepped every limit, and removed every obstacle. I give thee thanks for this, and for every Communion thou hast hitherto so graciously given me. Deign to enlighten me more and more, as to the magnificence of thy gift ; deign to cherish within me the sentiment of love ; that thus my longings for thy visit may be increased ; and that I may know how to honour, as I ought, thy presence within me, and that I may never dare to approach thee out of custom, or without my conscience assuring me that I am bringing with me the profound respect due to thee.

ACT OF LOVfc.

Now will I rest in thee, 0 my Sovereign Good, that hast come down to me, and entered into me, in order to content the desires of my heart by thy presence. A few moments ago, I was longing after thee; and now that longing has been satisfied. What is there on this earth that I could now desire ? The very happiness of heaven, is it not the possessing thee ? and thou, my Lord, assurest me; that he who eats thy sacred Flesh, abideth in thee, and thou in him. The union, then, to which love aspires, is now consummated. This happy moment of thy presence within me unites thy sovereign majesty to my lowliness ; thou livest in me, and I live in thee. Divine charity has conquered every difficulty ; and the life, which now circulates through my being, is not the life of time, but of eternity. I at once profit of it, to assure thee, O Lord, that thou hast my love. Thy presence within me lasts but a short time ; in a few moments, there will be but the graoe left by the visit thou art now paying me. At present, I can say in all truth : / have found Him whom my soul loveth. Accept, then, 0 Lord, the homage of my heart, and all its affections. Make this heart faithful and ardent in the love of thee ; for love is the end of the whole Law ; and when thou vouohsafest to incorporate thyself with us by means of the Bread of Life, thine aim is to strengthen and increase Charity within us. May this contact with thee, O Lord, destroy that love of myself, which, hitherto, has so often stifled, or at least, retarded, the love which is due to thee. Let my heart become more and more purified; may its affections be set free from, and raised above, created objects, and centre in the unity of thy love, which includes all, and is enough for all.

AFTER COMMUNION.

ACT OF OBLATION.

When I thus assure thee of my love, 0 my God, I hear within me a voice telling me, that, hencefortn, the rule of my conduct must be — thy good-pleasure. Then only shall I know that my protestations are sincere, when I give up mine own will, to follow thine in all things. Thou wilt not only require me to keep from all sin, but thou wouldst have me resolutely walk in the path of humility, — humility which repels pride, thy chief enemy. Thou commandest me to keep my senses under restraint, lest the weakness of the flesh should get the mastery over my spirit, which is prompt, but fickle. In order to make surer of a soul that is dear to thee, thou often sendest it trials; for thou hast said, that whosoever ambitions to follow thee, must make up his mind to carry the Cross. Thou hast warned thy disciples, that they must be on their guard against the world and its maxims, or that they would perish together with the world. These are the conditions which thou layest on them that would enlist under thy banner, dear Jesus ! Eenovated as I have been by thy precious visit, I offer myself to thee as one quite resolved to fulfil every duty of thy service. Give me fliine aid, 0 my Lord, and King ! Thy sacramental presence, which is soon to quit me, will leave me an - increase of thy grace. Increase my faith, and my docility to the teachings of thy holy Church, from whose hands I have just received thee. Give me to use this world, as though I did not use it ; give me to live, at once, by desire, in that abode where I hope to enjoy thee, and without shadow or veil, for all eternity.

O Mary, Queen of heaven ! watch over me thy humble servant, whom the blessed Son of thy chaste womb has vouchsafed to nourish with his adorable Flesh, and which he received from thee. Present him the oblation I now make him of myself, in return for the unspeakable gift he has just been bestowing upon me. — Holy Angels ! bless and protect this poor child of earth, who has been feasting on that very Bread, whereon you feed in heaven. — All ye Saints of God ! who, when in this world, did eat of the heavenly Bread of the Christian pilgrim, pray and obtain for me, that It may keep with me to the end of my journey through this life, and may lead me to Him, who ceases not to be the nourishment of his elect, when in glory. Amen.

CHAPTEE THE SEVENTH.

ON THE OFFICES OF TIERCE, SEXT, AND NONE, DURING THE TIME AFTER PENTECOST.

The limits we have been obliged to observe in this work, do not allow us to give the text of all the Offices of the Church ; we have confined ourselves to those at which the Faithful generally assist, and which, for that reason, are celebrated with more solemnity. To Vespers and Compline, whioh it was impossible to omit, we have added, for this Volume, the Hours of Tierce, Sext, and None, that the Faithful may be able to follow them, in those Churches where they are said or sung.

The liturgical form of these Hours is the same for all three. After the invocation of the divine aid, there are sung a Hymn and three divisions of the 118th Psalm. These are followed by a short Lesson called the Capitulum ; by a Responsory, called the Brief Responsory, to distinguish it from the ordinary ones, whioh are longer ; and, finally, by a Collect, whioh is the summary of the desires and petitions of the Church, for the special Feast she is keeping.

The 118th Psalm, which, as we have just said, is used for these Hours, and is every day recited by the Church, is regarded as the canticle of prayer by excellence. The Prophet adresses himself, all through it, to the Inoarnate Word, who is, at once, both divine Law and Lawgiver. It is not difficult to appreciate the special beauty of this Psalm, and adapt it to the Mysteries of eaoh day of the Church's celebrations. It lends itself to every phase of every Feast, and seems as though it were just made to

TIERCE. express the sentiment that is uppermost in the heart. Liturgical prayer is the manna of our desert, which suits itself to the taste of each one eating it. t. Incline unto mine aid, 0 God.

&. O Lord, make haste to help me.

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. Alleluia. f. Deus in adjutorium meum intende.

&. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto ;

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

HYMN.

( Composed by

O Holy Spirit, one substance with the Father and the Son, vouchsafe, at this hour, to descend upon us without delay, and penetrate into our hearts.

May our mouth, our tongue, our mind, our senses, our strength, publish thy praise; may the fire of charity be kindled, and its ardour inflame our brethren.

Hear us, most merciful Father! and thou, the Son, equal to the Father ! and thou the Spirit, the Comforter! reigning God for ever. Amen.

U. Ambrose.)

Nunc Sancte nobis Spiritus,

Unum Patri cum Filio, Dignare promptus ingeri, Nostro ref usus pectori. Os, lingua, mens, sens us, vigor,

Confessionem personent, Flammescat igne charitas, Accendat ardor proximos.

Prsesta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito, Regnans per omne saeculum.

Amen.

Division of Psalm 118.

Set before me, for a law, the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and 1 will always seek after it.

Legem pone mini, Domine, viam justificationum tuarum : * et exquiram earn semper.

TIME AFTfift *BttTBCOST.

Da mihi intellectum, et scrutabor legem tuam : * et custodiam iUam in to to corde meo.

Deduc me in semitam mandatorum tuorum : * quia ipsam volui.

Inclina cor meum in testimonia tua : * et non in avaritiam.

Averte oculos meos ne videant vaiiitatem : * in via tua vivifica me.

Statue servo tuo eloquium tuum : * in timore tuo.

Amputa opprobrium meum auod suspicatus sum : * quia judicia tua jucunda.

Ecce concupivi mandata tua: * in sequitate tua vivifica me.

Et veniat super me misericordia tua, Domine : * Salutare tuum, secundum eloquium tuum.

Et respondebo exprobrantibus mihi verbum : * quia speravi in sermonibus tuis.

Et ne auf eras de ore meo verbum veritatis usquequaque : * quia in judiciis tuis supersperavi.

Et custodiam legem tuam semper : * in saeculum et in sseculum saeculi.

Et ambulabam in latitudine : * quia mandata tua exquisivi.

Et loquebar de testimoniis tuis in conspectu regum : * et non confundebar.

Et meditabar in mandatis tuis : * quaB dilexi.

Et levavi manus meas ad mandata tua, quae dilexi : 4

Give me understanding, and I will search thy law : and I will keep it with my whole heart.

Lead me into the path of thy commandments : for this same I have desired.

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to oovetousness.

Turn away mine eyes, that they may not behold vanity : quicken me in thy way.

Establish thy word to thy servant, in thy fear.

Turn away my reproach, which I have apprehended: for thy judgments are delightful.

Behold I have longed after thy precepts : quicken me in thy justice.

And let thy mercy, also, come upon me, 0 Lord: thy salvation, according to thy word.

And I will answer the- enemies of my soul who reproach me in anything, that 1 have trusted in thy words.

And take not thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth: for in thy words I have hoped exceedingly.

And I will always keep thy law, for ever and ever.

And I walked at large, arid joyously, because I have sought after thy commandments.

And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: and I was not ashamed.

And I meditated on thy commandments, which I loved.

And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments, which I

TtB&CS. loved : and I was exercised in thy justifications.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Be thou mindful of thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast given me hope.

This hath comforted me in my humiliation : because thy word hath enlivened me.

The proud did iniquitously altogether : but I declined not from thy law.

I remembered, 0 Lord, thy judgments of old : and I was comforted.

A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

Thy justifications were the subject of my song, in the place of my pilgrimage.

In the night I have remembered thy name, 0 Lord : and have kept thy law.

This happened to me because I sought after thy justifications.

0 Lord, my portion, I have said I would keep thy law.

1 entreated thy face with all my heart : have mercy on me according to thy word.

I have thought on my ways : and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

I am ready, and am not troubled : that I may keep thy commandments.

The cords of the wicked have encompassed me : but I have not forgotten thy law.

I rose at midnight to give praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justification.

I am a partaker with all et exercebar in justificationibus tuis. Gloria Patri.

Memor esto verbi tui servo tuo : * in quo mibi spem dedisti.

Hsbc me consolata est in humilitate mea : * quia eloquium tuum vivificavit me.

Superbi inique agebant usquequaque : * a lege autem tua non declinavi.

Memor fui j udiciorum tuorum a seeculo, Domine : * et consolatus sum.

Defectio tenuit me : * pro peccatoribus derelinquenti- DU8 legem tuam.

Cantabiles mihi erant justificationes tuae : * in loco peregrinationis meae.

Memor fui nocte nominis tui, Domine : * et custodivi legem tuam.

Haec facta est mihi : * quia justificationes tuas exquisivi.

Portio mea, Domine : • dixi custodire legem tuam.

Deprecatus sum faciem tuam in toto corde meo : * miserere mei secundum eloquium tuum.

Cogitavi viae meas : * et converti pedes meos in testimonia tua.

Paratus sum, et non sum turbatus : * ut custodiam mandata tua.

Funes peccatorum circumplexi sunt me : * et legem tuam non sum oblitus.

Media nocte surgebam ad confitendum tibi : * super judicia justificatioius tuae.

Particeps f ego, sum om- nium timentium te : * et custodientium mandata tua.

Miserioordia tua, Domine, plena est terra : * justificationes tuas doce me.

Gloria Patri. them that fear thee, and that keep thy commandments.

The earth, 0 Lord, is full of thy mercy : teach me thy justifications.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Bonitatem fecisti cum ser- Thou hast done well with vo tuo, Domine : * secun- thy servant, 0 Lord, according dum verbum tuum. to thy word.

Bonitatem et disoiplinam, Teach me goodness, and et Bcientiam doce me : * quia discipline, and knowledge : mandatis tuis credidi. for I have believed thy commandments.

Priusquam humiliarer ego Before I was humbled. I deliqui : * propterea elo- offended : therefore, now that quium tuum custodivi. / am enlightened, have I kept thy word.

Bonus es tu : * et in boni- Thou art good : and, in thy tate tua doce me justifica- goodness,* teach me thy jus- tiones tuas. tifications.

Multiplicata est super me The iniquity of the proud iniquitas superborum : * ego hath been multiplied over me : autem in toto corde meo but I will seek thy command- scrutabor mandata tua. ments with my whole heart.

Coagulatum est sicut lac Their heart is curdled like cor eorum : * ego vero legem milk : but I have meditated tuam meditatus sum. on thy law.

Bonum mihi quia humili- It is good for me that thou asti me : * ut discam justi- hast humbled me, that I may ficatioues tuas. learn thy justifications.

Bonum mihi lex oris tui : Thy word, which is the law

• super millia auri et ar- of thy mouth, 0 heavenly genti. Father, is good to me above thousands of gold and silver.

Manus tuse fecerunt me, Thy hands have made me, et plasmaverunt me : * da and formed me : give me un- mihi intellectual, et discam derstanding, and I will learn mandata tua. thy commandments.

Qui timent te, videbunt They that fear thee, shall me et laetabuntur : * quia see me and be glad : because I in verba tua supersperavi. have greatly hoped in thy words.

Oognovi, Domine, quia I know, 0 Lord, that thy aequitas judicia tua : * et in judgments are equity : and in yeritate tua humiUasti me. thy truth thou hast humbled me.

SEXT.

Oh ! let thy mercy be for my consolation, according to thy word unto thy servant.

Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live : for thy law is my meditation.

Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me : but I will be employed in thy commandments.

Let them that fear thee turn to me: and they that know thy testimonies.

Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded on the day when thou comest to judge

Fiat misericordia tua ut consoletur me : * secundum eloquium tuum servo tuo.

Veniat mihi miserationes tuse, et vivam : * quia lex tua meditatio mea est.

Confundantur superbi, quia injuste iniquitatem fecerunt in me : * ego autem exercebor in mandatis tuis.

Convertantur mihi timentes te : * et qui noverunt testimonia tua.

Fiat cor meum immaculatum in justificationibus tuis, * ut non confundar.

Glory be to the Father etc. Gloria Patri.

The Antiphon, Capitulum, Brief Responsory, Versicle and Prayer which complete the Office of Tierce, are given, in their proper place, on the Feasts which are being kept.

SEXT. f. Incline unto mine aid, O f. Deus in adjutorium God. meum intende.

O Lord, make haste to &. Domine, ad adjuvanhelp me. dum me festina.

Glory be to the Father, etc. Gloria Patri.

HYMN.

( Composed by St. Ambrose.)

0 powerful ruler, God, the Bectorpotens, veraxDeus, very truth, who regulatest the Qui temperas rerum vices, vicissitudes of all things, thou Splendore mane illuminas, lightest up the morn with Et ignibus meridiem, splendour, and the noon with fiery glow.

TIME AFT&B PENTECOST.

ISxBtingueflammasutium ; Aufer calorem noxium, Confer salutem corporum, Veramque pacem cordium.

Praesta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito, Regnans per omne sseculum.

Amen.

Quench the flames of dispute ; remove noxious heat ; give us health of body, and true peace of heart.

Hear us, most merciful Father ! and thou, the Son, equal to the Father ! and thpu, the Spirit, the Comforter! reigning, God for ever. Amen.

Division o

Defecit in Salutare tuum anima mea : * et in verbum tuum supersperavi.

Defecerunt oculi mei in eloquium tuum : * dicentes : Quando consolaberis me ?

Quia factus sura sicut uter in pruina : * justificationes tuas non sum oblitus.

Quot sunt dies servi tui : * quando facies de persequentibus me judicium ?

Narraverunt mihi iniqui fabulationes : * sed non ut lex tua.

Omnia mandata tua Veritas : * inique persecuti sunt me ; adjuva me.

Paulo minus consummaverunt me in terra : * ego autem non dereliqui mandata tua.

Secundum mieericordiam tuam vivifica me : * et custodiam testimonia oris tui.

In setemum, Domine : * verbum tuum permanet in coelo.

In generationem et generationem Veritas tua : * f undasti terram et permanet,

Psalm 118.

My soul hath fainted after thy Salvation, (the Saviour whom thou pronn8ed8t me J : and in thy word I have very much hoped.

Mine eyes have failed for thy word, saying : When wilt thou comfort me P

For I am become like a bottle in the frost: I have not forgotten thy justification 8.

/ said : How many are the days of thy servant ? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me ?

The wicked have told me fables : but not as thy law.

All thy statutes are truth : they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me.

They had almost made an end of me upon earth : but I have not forsaken thy commandments.

Quicken thou me according to thy mercy : and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

For ever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven.

Thy truth unto all generations : thou hast founded the, earth and it continueth,

SBXT.

By thine ordinance the day goetn on : for all things serve thee.

Unless thy law had been my meditation : I had then perhaps perished in my abjection.

Thy justifications I will never forget : for by them thou hast given me life.

I am thine, save thou me : for I have sought thy justifications.

The wicked have waited for me to destroy me : but I have understood thy testimonies.

I have seen an end of all perfection : thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Glory be to the Father, etc,

0 how have I loved thy law,

0 Lord : it is my meditation all the day.

Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than mine enemies : for it is ever with me.

1 have understood more than all my teachers : because thy testimonies are my meditation.

1 have had understanding above ancients : because I have sought thy commandments.

I have restrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy words.

I have not declined from thy judgments, because thou hast set me a law.

How sweet are thy words to •my palate: more than honey to my mouth.

By thy commandments, I have had understanding: therefore have I hated every way of iniquity, vox. x.

Ordinatione tua perse verat dies : * quoniam omnia serviunt tibi.

Nisi quod lex tua meditatio mea est : * tunc forte periissem in humilitate mea.

In aeternum non obliviscar justificationes tuas : * quia in ipsis vivificasti me.

Tuus sum ego, salvum me fac : * quoniam justificationes tuas exauisivi.

Me exspectaverunt peccatores ut perderent me : * testimonia tua intellexi.

Omnis consummationis vidi finem : * latum mandatum tuum minis.

Gloria Patri.

Quomodo dilexi legem tuam, Domine : * tota die meditatio mea est.

Super inimicos meos prudentem me fecisti mandato tuo : * quia in seternum mihi est.

Super omnes docentes me intellexi : * quia testimonia tua meditatio mea est.

Super senes intellexi : * quia mandata tua quaesivi.

Ab omni via mala prohibui pedes meos : * ut custodiam verba tua.

A judiciis tuis non declinavi : * quia tu legem posuisti mihi.

Quam dulcia faucibus meis eloquia tua : * super mel ori meo.

A mandatis tuis intellexi : * propterea odivi omnem viam iniquitatis. a

Lucerna pedibus mew verbiim tuum : * et lumen semitis meis.

Jiiravi et Statui : * custodire judicia justitiae tuae.

Humiliatus sum usquequaque, Domine : * vivifica me secundum verbum tuum.

Voluntaria oris mei beneplacita fac, Domine: * et judicia tiia does me.

Ajiima mea in manibus meis semper : * et legem tuam non sum oblitus.

Posuerunt peccatores laqueum mini : * et de mandatis tuis non erravi.

Heereditate acquisivi testimonia tua in aeternum : * quia exsultatio cordis mei sunt.

IncHnavi cormeum ad faciendas justificationes tuas in aeternum : * propter retributionem.

Gloria Patri.

Iniquos odio habui: * et legem tuam dilexi.

Adjutor et susceptor meus es tu : * et in verbum tuum supersperavi.

Declinate a me, maligni : * et scrutabor mandata Dei mei.

Suscipe me secundum eloquium tuum, et vivam : * et non confundas me ab exspectatione mea.

Adjuva me, et salvus ero : 11 et meditabor in justificationibus tuis semper.

Sprevisti omnes discedentes a judiciis tuis: * quia

PENTECOST.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my paths.

I have sworn and am determined, to keep the judgments of thy justice.

I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly : quicken thou me, according unto thy word.

The free offerings of toy mouth, make acceptable, O Lord : and teach me thy judgments.

My soul is continually in my hands: and I have not forgotten thy law.

Sinners have laid a Snare for me : but I have not erred from thy precepts.

I have purchased thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever : because they are the joy of my heart.

I have inclined my heart to do thy justifications for ever, for the reward.

Glory be to the Father, He.

I have hated the unjust : and have loved thy law.

Thou art my helper and my protector : ana in thy word I have greatly hoped.

Depart from me, ye malignant: and I will search the commandments of my God.

Uphold me accordmg to thy word, and I shall live : and let me not be confounded in my expectation. %

Help me, and 1 shall be saved : and I will meditate always on thy justifications.

Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judg-

NONE. ments; for their thought is unjust.

I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators : therefore have I loved thy testimonies.

Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments.

I have done judgment and justice : give me not up to them that slander me.

Uphold thy servant unto good : let not the proud calumniate me.

Mine eyes have fainted after thy salvation : and for the word of thy justice.

Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy : and teach me thy justifications.

I am thy servant : give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

It is time, 0 Lord, to do : they have dissipated thy law.

Therefore have I loved thy commandments, above gold and the topaz.

Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments : I have hated all wicked ways.

Glory be to the Father, etc* injusta cogitatio eorum.

Praevaricantes reputavi omnes peccatores terrae : * ideo dilexi testimonia tua.

Confige timore tuo carnes meas : * a judiciis enim tuis timui.

Feci judicium et justitiam : * non tradas me calumniantibus me.

Suscipe servum tuum in bonum : * non calumnientur me superbi.

Oculi mei defecerunt in Salutare tuum : # et in eloquium justitise tuae.

Fao cum servo tuo secundum misericordiam tuam:

• et justificationes tuas doce me.

Servus tuus sum ego : * damihi intellectual, ut soiam testimonia tua.

Tempus faciendi, Domine : * dissipaverunt legem tuam.

Ideo dilexi mandata tua :

• super aurum et topazion.

Propterea ad omnia mandata tua dirigebar : • omnem viam iniquam odio habui.

Gloria Patri.

The Antiphon, Oapitulum, Brief Kesponsory, Versiole and Prayer, which complete the Offioe of Sext, are given on the respective Feasts.

NONE. f . Incline unto mine aid, etc. P. Deus, in adjutorium,efc. Glory be to the Father, etc. Gloria Patri.

HYMN.

Berum Deus tenax vigor, Immotus in te permanens, Lucis diurnae tempora Successibus determinans.

Largire lumen vespere, Quo vita nusquam decidat Sed prsemium mortis sacrse Perennis instet gloria.

Prsesta, Pater pussime, Patrique oompar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito, Regnans per omne sseculum.

Amen.

0 God, thou power that holdest all things, abiding immovable in thyself, thou determinest, by their changes the seasons of the days.

Grant us light at the evening* of our time, whereby life may nowhere droop ! but may eternal glory soon be the recompense of a holy death.

Hear us, most merciful Father! and thou the Son equal to the Father ! and thou the Spirit, the Comforter! reigning God for ever.

Amen.

Division o

Mirabiliatestimoniatua: # ideo sorutata est ea anima mea.

Declaratio sermonum tuorum illuminat : * et intellectum dat parvulis.

Os meum aperui, et attraxi 8piritum : * quia mandata tua desiderabam.

Aspice in me, et miserere mei : * secundum judicium diligentium nomen tuum.

Gressus meos dirige secundum eloquium tuum : * et non dominetur mei omnis injustitia.

Eedime me a calumniis hominum : * ut custodiam mandata tua.

Faciem tuam illumina super servum tuum : * et doce me justificationes tuas. p Psalm 118.

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul hath sought them.

The declaration of thy words giveth light : and giveth understanding to little ones. ■

I opened my mouth, and panted : because I longed for thy commandments.

Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of them that • love thy name.

Direct my steps according to thy word : and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Eedeem me from the calumnies of men : that I may keep thy commandments.

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant : and teach me thy justifications.

KOKB.

Mine eyes have sent forth springs of water : because they have not kept thy law.

Thou art just, O Lord, and thy judgment is right.

Thou hast commanded justice thy testimonies : and thy truth exceedingly.

My zeal hath made me pine away : because mine enemies forgot thy words.

Thy Word is exceedingly refined : and thy servant hath loved It.

I am very young and despised ; but I forgot not thy justifications.

Thy justice is justice for ever : and thy law is the truth.

Trouble and anguish have found me ; thy commandments are my meditation.

Thy testimonies are justice for ever : give me understanding, and I shall live.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

I cried with my whole heart, hear me, 0 Lord : I will seek thy justifications.

I cried unto thee, save me : that I may keep thy commandments.

I prevented the dawning of the day, and cried : because in thy words I very much hoped.

Mine eyes unto thee have

Prevented the morning: that might meditate on thy words.

Hear thou my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy: and quicken me, according to thy judgment.

Exitus aquarum deduxe- runt oculi mei : * quia non custodierunt legem tuam.

Justus es, Domine : * et rectum judicium tuum.

Mandasti justitiam testimonia tua: * et veritatem tuam nimis.

Tabescere me fecit zelus meus : * quia obliti sunt verba tua inimici mei.

Ignitum Eloquium tuum vehementer : * et servus tuus dilexit illud.

Adolescentulus sum ego et contemptus : • justificationes tuas non sum oblitus.

Justitia tua, justitia in seternum : * et lex tua Veritas.

Tribulatio et angustia invenerunt me : * mandata tua meditatio mea est iEquitas testimonia tua in seternum : * intellectum da mihi, et vivam.

Gloria Patri.

Olamavi in toto corde meo, exaudi me, Domine : * justificationes tuas requiram.

Olamavi ad te, salvum me f ac : * ut custodiam mandata tua.

Praeveni in maturitate, et clamavi : * quia in verba tua supersperavi.

Prsevenerunt oculi mei ad te diluculo : * ut meditarer eloquia tua.

Vocera meam audi secun- . dum misericordiam tuam, Domine : * et secundum judicium tuum vivifica me,

Appropinquaverunt persequentes me iniquitati : * a lege autem tua longe facti sunt.

Prope es tu, Domine : * et omnes vise tuae Veritas.

Initio cognovi de testimoniis tuis : • quia in fieternum fundasti ea.

Vide humilitatem meam, et eripe me : * quia legem tuam non sum oblitus.

Judica judicium meum, et redime me : * propter eloquium tuum vivifica me.

Longe a peccatoribus salus : * quia justificationes tuas non exquisierunt.

Misericordiae tuae multaB, Domine : • secundum judicium tuum vivifica me.

Multi qui persequuntur me, et tribulant me: * a teetunoniis tuis non declinavi.

Yidi prsevaricantes, et tabescebam : * quia eloquia tua non oustodierunt.

Vide quoniam mandata tua dilexi, Domine: • in misericordia tua vivifica me.

Principium verborum tuorum Veritas : * in seternum omnia jjudicia justiti® tu».

Gloria Patri.

Principes persecuti sunt me gratis : * et a verbis tuis formidavit cor meum.

Laetabor ego suner eloquia tua : * sicut qui invenit spolia multa.

Iniquitatem odio habui, et abominatus sum : * legem autem tuam dilexi.

They that persecute me have drawn nigh to iniquity: but they have gone far off from thy law.

Thou art near, O Lord : and all thy ways are truth.

I have known, from the beginning, concerning thy testimonies: that thou hast founded them for ever.

See my humiliation, and deliver me : for I have not forgotten thy law.

Judge my judgment, and redeem me : quicken thou me, for thy word's sake.

Salvation is far from sinners; because they have not sought thy justifications.

Many, 0 Lord, are thy mercies ; quicken me, according to thy judgment.

Many are they that persecute me, and afflict me : but I have not declined from thy testimonies.

I beheld the transgressors, and I pined away ; because they kept not thy words.

Behold! I have loved thy commandments, O Lord : quicken me thou, in thy mercy.

The beginning of thy word is truth : all the judgments of thy justice are for ever.

Glory be to the Fattier, etc.

Princes have persecuted me, without cause : and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.

I will rejoice at thy words, as one that hath found great spoil.

I have hated and abhorred iniquity ; but I have loved thy law.

KOSWf.

*7

Seven times a day I have given praise unto thee, for the judgments of thy justice.

Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling-block.

I looked for thy salvation, O Lord ; and I love* thy commandments.

My soul hatji kept thy testimonies, and hath loved them exceedingly.

I have kept thy commandmenta and thy testimonies ; because all my ways are in thy sight.

Let my supplication, 0 Lord, come near in thy sight : give me understaadingaccording to thy word. j^et my request come in before thee ; deliver thou me according to thy word.

My Hps shall utter a hymn, when thou shall teach me thy justifications.

My tongue shall pronounce thy word : because all thy commandments are justice.

Let thy hand be with me, to save me ; for I have chosen thy precepts.

I nave longed for thy Salvation, 0 Lord ; and thy law is my meditation.

My soul shall live, and shall praise thee; and thy judgments shall help me.

I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Septies in die laudem dixi tibi: * super judioia justitiae tuse.

Pax multa diligentibus legem tuam : * et non est ilhs scandalum.

Exspectabam Salutare tuum.Domine: * et mandata tua dilexi.

Custodivit anima mea testimonia tua : * et dilexit ea vehementer.

Servavi mandata tua, et testimoniatua: * quiaomaes vise me» in conspeotu tuo.

Appropinquet deprecatio mea in conspeotu tuo, Domine : * juxta eioquium tuum da mini intellectum.

Intret postulatio mea in conspectu tuo, * secundum eioquium tuum eripe me,

Eruotabunt labia mea hymnum : * cum docueris me justificationes tuas.

Pronuntiabit lingua mea eioquium tuum : * <juia omnia mandata tua ceqmtas.

Fiat manus tua, ut salvet me : * quoniam mandata tua elegi.

Ooncupivi Salutare tuum, Pomine: * et lex tuameditatio mea est.

Vivet anima mea, at laudabit te : * et judicia tua adjuvabunt me.

Erravi aicut evis quje periit : * quaere servum tuum, quia mandata tua non sum oblitus.

Gloria Patri.

The Antiphon, Oapitulum, Brief Responsory, Versiole and Prayer, which complete the Office of None, are given on the respective Feasts,