Chapter the First. on Hearing Mass, During the Time after Pentecost

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

During the Asperges, you should unite with the intentions which the Church has in this ceremony, so venerable by its antiquity : — you should pray for that purity of heart, which is needed for worthily assisting at the Mysteries, wherein God himself becomes present, and unites heaven and earth so closely together.

ANTIPHON OF

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be cleansed ; thou shalt wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow.

Ps. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. f. Glory, &c.

Ant. Sprinkle me, &c. Show us, O Lord, thy mercy.

'HE ASPERGES.

Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor; lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.

Ps. Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. f. Gloria Patri, &c.

Ant. Asperges me, &c. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.

T^p-^FTBR PENTECOST.

1$. Et salOtarc tiram da 1$. And grant us thy salvanobis. ;* / • ' tion. ft. Domini, exaudi ora- ft. 0 Lord, hear my prayer, tionein meam.

. ^. Et clamor meus ad te 1$. And let my cry come Veaiat." unto thee.

Dominus vobiscum. ; # J$. Et cum spiritu tuo. ft. The Lord be with you. 1$. And with thy spirit.

OREMUS.

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

R. Amen.

LET US PRAY.

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

IJ. Amen.

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

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

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 with joy at theapproach 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 wouidst thou be troubled ]

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 Saucti. Amen. ft. Introibo ad altare Dei. 1$. Ad Deum qui lsetificat juventutem meam.

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

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

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

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

Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, Deus meus : quare tristis es anima meal 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 saeculorum. Amen.

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

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 omni- May Almighty God have potens Deus, et dimissis mercy on thee, and, forgiving peccatis tuis, perducat te ad thy sins, bring thee to ever- vitam aeternara. lasting life.

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

Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatse Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistaa, 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 $lary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed J ohn 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,

THE ORDINARY OF THB MASS. 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 aeternam. 1$. Amen.

Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. 1$. Amen.

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

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

1$. And thy people shall fejoice in thee.

Show us, O Lord, thy mercy.

1$. And give us to know and love the Saviour whom thou hast sent unto us.

"ff. O Lord, hear my prayer.

% Deus, tu conversus vivificabis nos.

Et plebs tua laetabitur in te.

^. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.

1$. Et Salutare tuum da nobis. •

Domine, exaudi orationem meam.

Q. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

1$. And let my cry come unto thee.

The Priest here leaves you to ascend to the altar ; but first he salutes you : ft. The Lord be with you. Dominus vobiscum.

Answer him with reverence : ]$. And with thy spirit. 1$. 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 mtroire. 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, say:

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

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

God.

If it be a High Mass at which you are assisting, the Priest incenses the Altar in a most solemn manner ; 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.

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

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 I 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 of Bethlehem, which announces glory to God, and peace to men. Instructed by the revelations of God, the Church continues, in her own words, the Hymn of the Angels.

THE ANGELIC HYMN.

Glory be to God on high, Gloria in excelsis Deo, et and on earth peace to men of in terra pax hominibus bonse good will. voluntatis.

We praise thee: we bless Laudamus te: benedici- thee: we adore thee: we mus te: adoramuste: gloriti- glorify thee : we give thee camus te : gratias agimus tibi thanks for thy great glory. propter magnam gloriam tuam.

0 Lord God, Heavenly Domine Deus, Kex cceles-

King, God the Father Al- tis, Deus Pater omnipotent mighty.

0 Lord Jesus Christ, the Domine, Fili unigenite, only begotten Son. Jesu Christe.

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei,

Son of the Father. Filius Patris.

Who takest away the sins of Qui tollis peccata mundi, the world, have mercy on us. 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 foil lows 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, bjr 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 A men.

After this comes the Ejdstle, 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.

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

Alas ! these ears of mine are but too often denied with the bia world's vain words : cleanse 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 ; In Patris, et Filii, et Spi- Amen. 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 speaking, says the Spouse in the Canticle, my soul melted within me. If you have not such love as this, have at least the humble submission of Samuel, and say : Speak, Lord ! thy servant heareth f

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 compreliend. Let us, then, say with the Catholic Church, our Mother :

THE NICENE CREED.

Credo in unum Denm, Patreni omnipotentem, Factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium 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, per quern omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem, descendit de ccelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto, ex Maria Virgine ; et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tenia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in ccelum ; sedet ad

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 ; consubstantiai 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,

1 Cantic. v. 6.

• 1 Kings, iii. 10. sitteth at the right hand of dexteram Patris. Et iterum the Father. And he is to venturus est cum gloria judi- come again with glory, to care vivos et mortuos ; cujus j odge the living and the dead : 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, Dominum et yivificantem, 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. And one holy Catho- tarn Catholicam et Apostoli- lic and Apostolic Church. I cam Ecclesiam. Confiteor confess one Baptism for the unum Baptisma in remissio- remission of sins. And I nem peccatorum. Etexspec- expect the resurrection of the to resurrectionem mortuo- dead, and the life of the world rum, et vitam venturi saeculi. 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 is mortal, will be swallowed up by life. . Until that x2Cor. 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, seterne Deus, hanc 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 illis proficiat ad salutem in vitam seternam. 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 humanae substantias dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti, et mirabilius ref ormasti : da nobis per hujus aquae et vini mysterium, ejus divinitatis esse consortes, qui humanitatis 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

Eressure of the Cross ! thou ast 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 unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia ssecula ssecu- 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 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 divinse Majestatis tuas, 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, aod 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 :

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

Ut audiam vocem laudis ; et enarrem uni versa mirabilia tua.

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

Ne perdas cum impiis, Dens, animam meam, et cum virissanguinumvitam meam.

In quorum manibus iniqui-

[ 25. them that are enemies both to thee and me. Thy mercy having separated me from them, I entered on the path of innocence and was restored to thy grace ; but have pity on my weakness still; redeem me yet more, thou who hast so mercifully brought me back to the right path. In the midst of these thy faithful people, I give thee thanks. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost } as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.¹

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 repleta est muneribus.

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

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

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

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

0 Holy Trinity, graciously accept the Sacrifice we have begun. We offer it in remembrance of the Passion, Kesurrection, 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, Saucta Trinitas, hanc oblationem, quam tibi offerimus ob memoriam Passionis, Kesurrectionis, et Ascensionis Jesu Christi Domini nostri : et in honore beatse Marise semper Virginis, 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 ccelis, quorum memoriam agimus in terris. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

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, f ratres : 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 Ecclesise of his holy Church through- suse sanctse. out the world.

Here the Priest recites the prayers called the Secrets, in which he presents the petition of the whole Church for God's acceptance of the Sacrifice, and then immediately begins to fulfil that great duty of religion, — Thanksgiving. So far he has adored God, and has sued for mercy ; he has still to give thanks for the blessings bestowed on us by the bounty of our heavenly Father, the chief of which 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 his own and their silent prayer by terminating it aloud, saying :

For ever and ever. Per omnia saecula sasculo- rum.

In the same feeling, answer your Amen! Then he continues : ft. The Lord be with you. ft. Dominus vobiscum. 1$. And with thy spirit. 1$. Et cum spiritu tuo. ft. Lift up your hearts ! ft. Sursum corda !

Let your response be sincere :

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

God. num.

And when he adds : ft. Let us give thanks to ft. Gratias agamus Domithe Lord our God, no Deo nostro.

Answer him with all the earnestness of your soul : 1$. It is meet and just. 1$. Dignum et justum 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 : Domine Sancte, to thee, O Holy Lord, Father Pater omnipotens, aeterne

Almighty, Eternal God ; Deus ; per Christum Domi- th rough 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 ccelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. blessed Seraphim, with com- Cum quibus et nostras vo- mon ces, ut admitti jubeas deprecamur, supphci confessione dicentes : the Heavenly Virtues, and the 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 Dens 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 prayer, in the midst of which heaven bows down to earth, and God descends unto us. The voice of the Priest is no longer heard ; yea, even at the altar all is silence. 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 doivn from his royal throne. 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 Wisd. xviii. 14, 15.

O God, who man if est est 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 all the orthodox children of the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church.

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

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

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-

Sly to them the fruits of this ivine Sacrifice, which is offered unto thee in the name of all mankind. Visit them bv thy grace, pardon them their sins, grant them the blessings of this present life and of that which is eternal.

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

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 Mariae, Genitricis Dei et Domini

But the offering of this Communicantes, Sacrifice, 0 my God, does not unite us with those only of our brethren who are still

C no8tri Jesu Christi : sed et beatorum Apostolorum ac Martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, Andreae, Jacobi, Joannis, Thomae, Jacobi, Philippi, Bartholomsei, Matthaei,Simonis et Thaddaei : Lini, Cleti, dementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Joanni et Pauli, Cosmae et Damiani, et omnium sanctorum tuorum : quorum mentis precibusque coucedas, ut in omnibus protection is 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 nostras, sed et cunctae families 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. Per 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,

THE ORDINARY OF THfi MASS.

'21 which is our food ; and this rationabilem, acceptabilem- wine is to be changed into que facere digneris : ut nobis his Blood, which is our drink. Corpus et Sanguis fiat dilec-

Ah ! delay no longer, but tissimi Filii tui Domini nos- bring us into the presence of tri Jesu Christi. this divine Son, our Saviour!

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

Qui pridie quam patereex- tur, accepit panem in sanetas ac venerabiles manus suas :• et elevatis oculis in coelum, ad te Deum Patrem suum omnipotentem, tibi gratias agens, benedixit, discipulis suis, dicens : Accipite, et mandu-

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

cate ex hoc omnes. Hoc est bnim 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; thp 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 Angela, who tremblingly gaze upon this deepest wonder.

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

EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, NOVI ET J5TERNI TESTA- MENT! I MYSTERIUM PIDEI .* QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MUL- TIS EPFUNDETUR IN REMIS- SIONEM PECCATORUM. Haec quotiescumque feceritis, in raei memoriam facietis.

O Precious Blood! thou price of my salvation 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, Doniine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, ejusdem Christi Filii tui Domini nostri tarn beatae Fassionis, nec non et ab inferis Eesurrectionis, sed et in coelos gloriosae Ascensionis : offerimus praeclarae Majestati tuae de tuis donis ac datis, Hostiam puram, Hostiam sanctam, Hostiam immaculatam : Fanem sanctum vitae aeternae, 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 Fassion, rose again with glory from the grave, and ascended trium* phantly 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 sacrificium Patriarchs nostri Abrahse, et quod tibi obtulit summus Sacerdos tuus Melchisedech, sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam. lambs offered unto thee by 4bel ; and the sacrifice which 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 iufinite, 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 divine Majesty. 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

Supplices te rogamus, omnipotens Deus, jube haec perf end per manus sancti Angeli tui in sublime Altare tuum* in conspectu divinae Majestatis tuse : ut quotquot ex bac altaris particioatione, sacrosanctum Filii tui Corpus et Sanguinem sumpserimus, omni benedictione coelesti et gratia repleamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum 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.

Dear Jesus ! let the happiness of this thy visit extend to every portion of thy Church. Thy face gladdens the elect, in the holy City \ even our mortal eyes can see thee beneath the veil of our delighted faith ; ah ! hide not thyself from those brethren of ours, who are imprisoned 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:

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

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, Alexandra, Marcellino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Csecilia, Ana- Btasia, et omnibus Sanctis tuis ; intra quorum nos consortium, non sestimator meriti, sed veniffi, 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 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 ana tincation ; and, by him also, with him, and in him, in the Patri omnipotent, in unity of the Holy Ghost, may honour and glory be to thee I

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 ssecula 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 :

OKEMUS. LET US PRAY,

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

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Pater noster, qui es in Our Father, who art in coe]is, sanctificetur nomen heaven, hallowed be thy tuum : adveniat regnum tu- name : tby kingdom come : urn : fiat voluntas tua sicut thy will be done on earth as in coelo, et in terra. Panem it is in heaven. Give us this nostrum quotidianum da no- day our daily bread : and bis hodie : et dimitte nobis forgive us our trespasses, as debita nostra, sicut et nos we forgive them that tres- dimittimus debitoribus nos- pass against us, and lead us tris : et ne nos inducas in not into temptation, tentationem.

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 A men 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, How many, O Lord, are the

Domine, ab omnibus malis, evils which beset us ! Evils praeteritis, praesentibus et past, which are the wounds futuris : et intercedente bea- left on the soul by her sins, ta et gloriosa semper Virgi- and strengthen her wicked ne Dei Genitrice Maria, cum beatis Apostolis tuis Fetro et Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus Sanctis, da propitius pacem in diebus nos* tris: ut ope misericordiae tuse adjuti, et a peccato simus semper liberi, et ab omni perturbatione securi. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus. 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 Paz Domini sit semper be ever with you. vobiscum.

To this paternal wish, reply : . 1$. And with thy spirit. 1$. Et cum spiritu 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 s»cula sseculorum. Q. 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 aeternam. 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 ! 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. t. 6. * la. ix. il * 1 Cor. x. 17. of it, which is assembled around the altar. Pray with him, and for the same blessing.

Lord Jesus Christ, who Domine Jesu Christe, qui saidstto thine Apostles," My dixisti Apostolis tuis : Papeace I leave with you, my cera relinquo vobis : pacem 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. meam do vobis : ne respicias peccata mea, sed fidem Ecclesiae tuae : eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificare et coadunare digneris. Qui vivis et regnas Deus, per omnia saecula saecuiorum. 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, an^ pardon your enemies, if you have any. Then continue to pray with the Priest:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who according 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-

Domine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, qui ex voluntate Patris, co-operante Spiritu Sancto, per mortem tuam mundum vivificasti : libera me per hoc sacrosanctum Corpus, et Sanguinem tuum, ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis, et universis malis, et fac me tuis semper inhaerere mandatis, et a te nunquam separari permittas. Qui cum eodem Deo Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas, Deus, in ssBcula saeculbrum. Amen. mine Jesu Christe, quod ego of thy Body, O Lord Jesus indignus sumere praesumo, Christ, which I, though un- non mihi proveniat in judi- worthy, presume to receive, cium et condemnation em : 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 Spiritus Sancti, De- unity of the Holy Ghost, us, per omnia saecula saecu- 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 Jesus, come! et nomen Domini invocabo.

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

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

Lord! I am not worthy that thou enter under my roof ; say it, only with one word 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 : Gome, Lord Jesus, come A

' But should you not intend to receive sacramentally, 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 seternam, with me what thou wilt. Amen.

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

What return shall I make Quid retribuam Domino to the Lord for ail he hath pro omnibus quae retribuit given to me ? I will take the mihi 1 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, Lord Jesus, come !

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

Sanguis Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam sterns nam. Amen.

I unite myself to thee, my beloved Jesus ! do thou unite thyself to me and never let be separated.

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:

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

Thou hast visited me, O Do- God, in these days of my pil- mine, grimage: give me grace to treasure up the fruits of this visit, and to make it tell upon my eternity.

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

Corpus tuum, Domine, quod sumpsi, et Sanguis, adquem potavi, adhsereat vis- mitted me ceribus meis : et praesta ut tery 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, fbr having to the sacred mysof 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 just 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, 0 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 thy Minister is about to give me in thy Name.

Placeat tibi, sancta Trinitas, obsequium servitutis niese, et prsesta ut sacrificium, quod oculis tuse Majestatis indignus obtuli, tibi sit acceptabile, mihique, et omnibus pro quibus illud obtuli, sit te miserante, propitiabile. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

The Priest raises his hand, and blesses you thus :

May the Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless you !

1$. Amen.

Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. Amen.

He then concludes the Mass, by reading the first fourteen verses of the Gospel according to St. John, which tell us of the eternity of the Word, and of the mercy which led him to take upon himself our flesh, and to dwell among us. 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. ft. 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. J.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was Qod. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made . by him,

Initium sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.

Cap. I.

In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt : et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est; in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum ; et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrse earn non comprehenderunt. Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. Hie venit in testimonium, ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnescrederent per ilium. Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera, quae illuminat omnem hominem venientem in nunc 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, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo, nati sunt, Et Verbum oabo factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Fatre, plenum gratiK et veritatis.

1$. - Deo gratias.

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 God; to them that believe in his name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us ; and we saw his glory, as it were the glory of the Only- Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, ft. Thanks be to God.

Footnotes

1. 1. too, would wash my hands, O Lord, and become like unto those who are innocent, that so I may be worthy to come near thy altar, and hear thy sacred Canticles, and then go and proclaim to the world the wonders of thy goodness. I love the beauty of thy House, which thou art about to make the dwelling-place of thy glory. Leave me not, O God, in the midst of
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