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

On the Sundays, if the Mass at which the faithful assist be parochial, or, as it is often called, the public Mass, two solemn rites precede it, and tbey 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 THE ASPERGES

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

Ps. Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam, f. Gloria Patri, <fec.

Ant. Asperges me, <fcc

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. "ff. Glory, Ac. Ant. Thou shalt sprinkle me, dec* f. Show us, 0 Lord, thy mercy.

1$. And grant ua thy salvation. % 0 Lord, hear my prayer.

5- And let my cry come unto thee, y. The Lord be with you. J$. And with thy spirit

LET US PRAY.

Graciously hear us, 0 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. Q. 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, chanting certain appointed responsories ; during which time 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.

7. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.

1$. Et salutare tuum da nobis. y. Domine, ezaudi orationem meam.

1$. Et clamor mens ad te veniat.

Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo.

OREMUS.

Ezaudi nos, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotent »terneDeus: et mittere digneris sanctum angelum tuum de coelis, qui custodiat, foveat, protegat, visitet atque delendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.

]$. Amen.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, • et Spiritus sancti. Amen.

Introibo ad altare Dei Ad Deum qui l»tificat juventutem meam.

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

Quia tu e, Deus, fortitudo mea: quare me repulisti t 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 mens: quare tristis es anima mea? et quare conturbas me ?

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

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in ssecula •sseculonim. Amen.

(3)

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 the approach 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 who will open to us the way to thy holy mount, to thy heavenly tabernacle.

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

Having seen him, I will sing in my gladness. Be not sad, 0 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.

TIMS AFTER PENTECOST

J. Introibo ad altare Dei. I am going to the altar of

1$, Ad Denm qui letificat God; there 1 shall feel the juventutem meam. presence of him who desires to give me a new life.

(V. Adratorium nostrum in This my hope comes not to nomine Domini me as thinking that I haveany

Q. Qui fecit coelum et merits, but because of the all- terram. powerful help of my Creator.

The thought of being about to appear before his Ood 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 seternam.

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, beatae Marise semper Virgini, beato Michaeli archangelo, beato Joanni Baptist®, Sanctis apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi, pater, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere : mea culpa, mea culpa, mea ma/riniq, culpa. Ideo precor peatgam Manam semper Virginem, Ipatum llichaelem

I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever virgin, to blessed Michael the archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, and to thee, father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed; through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault*

THE ORDINARY 07 THE MASS archangelum, beatum Joannem Bajptistam, sanctos apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes sanctos, et te, pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.

Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and ail the saints, and thee, father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

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

May almighty God be merciful to you, and, forgiving your sins, bring you to everlasting life. g. Amen, ay the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.

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

1$. Amen.

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

1$. Amen.

Q. Amen.

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

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

1$. And thy people shall rejoice in thee. ff. Show us, 0 Lord, thy mercy.

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

O Lord, hear my prayer.

Q. And let my cry come unto thee.

Deus, tu convereus vivificabis nos.

1$. Et plebs tua lsetabitur in te.

^. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.

1$. Et salutare tuum da nobis. y. Domine, ezaudi orationem meam.

IJ. Et clamor meus ad te veniat

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

Dominus vobiscum. ^. The Lord be with you.

TIME AFTER PENTBOOST

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

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

OBEMU8. LET US PRAY.

Aufer a nobis, qusesumus Take from our hearts, 0

Domine, iniquitates nostras; Lord, all those sins, which ut ad Sancta sanctorum puris make us unworthy to appear mereamur mentibus introire. in thy presence. We ask this

Per Christum Dominum no- of thee by thy divine Son, strum. Amen. our 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 stmt, 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 here blesses the incense, saying:

Ab illo benedicaris, in Mayst thou be blessed by cujus honore cremaberis. him, in whose honour thou Amen. art to be burned. Amen.

He then censes the altar in a most solemn manner. This white cloud, which you see ascending from every part of the altar, signifies the prayer of the Church, who addresses herself to Jesus Christ ; while the divine mediator causes that prayer to ascend, 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 still, for they ask for mercy. In addressing them to God, the Church unites herself with the nine choirs of angels, who are standing around the altar of heaven, one and the same with this before which you are kneeling.

To the Father:

Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. •

Christe eleison. Christe eleison. Christe eleison.

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

To the Son .

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

To the Holy Ohost:

Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

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

Then, mingling his voice with that of the heavenly host, the priest intones the sublime canticle of Bethlehem, which announces glory to God 9 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

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

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

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.

Domine Dens, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotent

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jean Christe.

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.

Qui sedes ad dezteram Patris, miserere nobis.

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

God, heavenly the Father al-

O Lord King, God mighty.

O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son.

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

Who takestaway the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

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

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

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

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

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

After this comes the Epistle, which is generally a portion of one or other of the Epistles of the apostles, or a passage from some Book of the old Testament. While it is being read, 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 a formula of prayer intermediate between the Epistle and the Gospel. Most frequently, it again brings before us the sentiments already expressed in the Introit. Read it devoutly, that so you may enter more and more into the spirit of the mystery proposed to you this day by the Church.

The song of praise, the Alleluia, is next heard. Let us, while 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

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

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

Munda cor meum ac la- Alas ! these ears of mine bia mea, omnipotens Deus, are but too often defiled qui labia Isaise prophetae with the world's vain words: calculo inundasti ignito; ita cleanse them, Lord, that so me tua grata miseratione I may hear the words of dignare mundare, ut san- eternal life, and treasure ctum Evangelium tuum di- them in my heart. Through gne valeam nuntiare. Per our Lord Jesus Christ*

Christum Dominum no- Amen, strum. Amen. food.

1 Heb. i. 2.

Dominus sit in corde meo, Grant to thy ministers thy et in labiis meis: ut dipne grace, that they may faith- et competenter annuntiem fully explain thy law ; that

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

You will stand during the Gospel, out of respect for the word of God, and as though you were awaiting the orders of your divine Master. At the commencement, make the sign of the cross on your forehead, lips, and breast; and then listen to every word of the priest or deacon. Let your heart be ready and obedient. 'While my Beloved was speaking,' says the bride 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:

Credo in unum Deum, I believe in one God, the

Patrem omnipotentem, fa- Father almighty, Maker of ctorem cceli et terra, visibi- heaven and earth, and of all tium omnium et invisibi- things visible and invisible, hum.

Et in unum Dominum And in one Lord Jesus

Jesum Christum, Filium Dei Christ, the only-begotten Son unigenitum. Et ex Fatre of God. And born of the natum ante omnia saecula, Father before all ages ; God

Deum de Deo, lumen de of God; light of light; true

THE NICENE CREED

1 Cant. v. 6.

• 1 Kings, iii. 10. lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri, per quern omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et prompter nostram sal utem,descendit de ccelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu sancto, ex Maria Virgine; et homo

TACTUS EST. OuciflXUS etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in coelum • sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos; cujus regni non erit finis.

Et in Spiritum sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio annul adoratur, et conglorificatur ; qui locutus est per prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, Catholicam, et apoatolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum Baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuomm, et vitam venturi sseculi. Amen.

God of true God. Begotten, notmade;consubstantialwith the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. And became incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary; and was made man. He was crucified also for us, under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried. And the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And he is to come again with glory, to judge the living and the dead; of whose kingdom there shall be no end.

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified ; who spoke by the prophets. And one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The priest and the people should now have *their hearts ready: it is time to prepare the offering itself. And here we come to the second part of the holy Mass; it is called the Oblation, and immediately follows that which was named the Mass of the catechumens, on account of its being, formerly, the only part at which the candidates for Baptism had permission 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 intended to serve as 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. 1 Until that happy change shall be realized, let us offer ourselves to God, as often as we see the bread and wine presented to Him in the holy sacrifice; and let us glorify Him, who, by assuming our human nature, has made us partakers of the divine nature. 2

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

Suscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens, aeterne 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 fidelit)U8 Christianis vivis atqtte def unctis ; ut mihi et illis proficiat ad salutem in

^Cor. v. 4.

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

• 2 St. Peter, i. 4. yitam se tern am. Amen. 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 reformasti: da nobis per hujus aquae et vini mysterium, ejus divinitatis esse Gonsortes, qui human i tat is nostras fieri dignatus est particeps, Jesus Christ us, Films tuus, Dominus noster: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus sancti Deus, per omnia ssscula saeculorum. Amen.

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 by this arop of water. Oh I come and make us partakers of thv divinity, by showing thyself to us in thy sweet and wondrous visit.

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

Offerimus tibi, Domine, caiicem salutaris, tuam deprecantes clementiam : ut in conspectu divinje Majestatis tuse, 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 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 u heaven, the priest bows down: let us, also, humble ourselves, and say:

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

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

Veni, Sanctificator, omnipotens sterne Deus, et nedic hoc sacrificium tuo sancto nomini preparatum.

Come, O divine Spirit, be- make fruitful the offering which is upon the altar, and produce in our hearts him whom they desire.

If it be a High Mass, the priest, before proceeding further with the sacrifice, takes the thurible a second time, after blessing the incense in these words :

Per intercessionem beati Michaelis archangeli, stantis a dextris altaris incensi, et omnium electorum suorum, incensum istud dignetur Dominus benedicere, et in odorem suavitatis accipere. Per Christum Dommum nostrum. Amen.

Through the intercession of blessed Michael the archangel* standing at the right hand of the altar of incense, and of all his elect, may our Lord deign to bless this incense, and to receive it for an odour of sweetness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

He then censes first 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 fragrant incense, more and more fervent, the nearer the solemn moment approaches. St. 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, let us say with the priest :

Incensum istud, a te May this incense, blessed by benedictum, ascendat ad te, thee, ascend to thee, O Lord,

Domine, et descendat super and may thy mercy descend nos misericordia tua. upon- us.

Dirigatur, Domine, oratio Let my prayer, O Lord, be mea sicut incensum in con- directed like incense in thy spectu tuo: elevatio manuum sight : the lifting up of my mearum s&crificium vesper- hands as an evening sacrifice* tinum. Pone, Domine, custo- Set a watch, O Lord* before diam ori meo, et ostium cir- my mouth, and a door round cumstantise labiis meis ; ut about my lips; that my heart non declinet cor meum in may not incline to evil words, verba malitiae, ad excusan- to make excuses in sins, das excusationes in peccatis.

Giving back the thurible to the deacon, the priest says:

Accendat in nobis Domi- May the Lord enkindle in us nus ignem sui amoris, et the fire of his love and the flammam seternse caritatis. flame of eternal charity.

Amen. Amen.

But the thought of his own unworthiness becomes more intense than ever in his heart. The public confession made by him at the foot of the altar does not satisfy the earnestness of his compunction. He would now at the altar itself express before the people, in the language of a solemn rite, how for he knows himself to be from that spotless sanctity, wherewith he should approach to God. He washes his hands. Our hands signify our works; and the priest, though by his priesthood he bear the office of Jesus Christ, is by his works but man. Seeing your father thus humble himself, do you also make an act of humility, and say with him these verses of the psalm : psalm 25.

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

Ut audiam vocem laudis ; et enarrem universa mirabilia tua.

Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuse, et locum habitationis glorise tu®.

Ne perdas cum impiis, Deus, animam meam, et cum virissanguinum vitam meam.

In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt: dextera eorum repleta est muneribus.

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

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

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui sancto.

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

I, too, would wash my hands, O Lord, and become like unto those who are innocent, that so I raajf be worthy to approach 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 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 Fatherland 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, full of respectful awe, bows down, 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.

Suscipe, sancta Trinitas, banc oblationem, quam tibi olferimus ob memoriam Passionis, Besurrectionis, et Ascensionis J esu Christi Domini nostri: et in honorem beatae Mariae 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 salntem : et illi pro nobis intercedere dignentur in eoelis, quorum memoriam -agimus in terris. Per eum- 4em Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

O holy Trinity, graciously accept the sacrifice we hare 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.

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 ray ac vestrum sacrificium ac- sacrifice, which is yours also,

<septabile fiat apud Deum may be acceptable to God,

Pat rem omnipotentem. our almighty Father.

Scarcely has he uttered the first words than 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 Ecclesiaa of his holy Church through- sure eanctse. 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:

Per omnia saecula eajcu- For ever and ever, lorum.

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

J. Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

J$. Et cum spiritu tuo. 1$. And with thy spirit

Sursum corda ! Lift up your hearts !

Let your response be sincere : 1$. Habemus ad Domi- 1$. We have them fixed on num. God.

And when be adds :

Gratias agamus Domi- y. Let us give thanks to no Deo nostro. the Lord our God.

THE ORDINATY OF THE MASS

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

Then the priest :

THE PREFACE

For Sundays

Vere dignum et justum est, sequum et salutare, nos tibi semper etubiquegratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus ; qui cum unigenito Filio tuo et Spiritu sancto, unus es Deus, unus es Dominus. Non in unius singularitate Personae, sed in unius Trinitate substantias. Quod enim de tua gloria, revelante te credimus, hoc de Filio tuo, hoc de Spiritu sancto, sine differentia discretions sentimus, ut in, confessione verse sempiternaeque Deitatis, et in Personis proprietas, et in essentia unitas, et in ma j estate adoretur sequalitas. Quam laudant angeli atque archangeli, cherubim quoque ac seraphim, qui non cessant clamare quotidie, una voce dicentes:

It is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we should always and in all places give thanks to thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, who, with thy only -begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord, not in the singleness of one Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For that which, by thy revelation, we believe of thy glory, the same do we believe of thy Son, the same also of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or distinction, that in the confession of the true and eternal Godhead, distinction in Persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty, may be adored. Which the angels and archangels praise, the cherubim also and the seraphim, who cease not to cry out daily, saying with one voice :

For Week-days

Vere dignum et justum est, sequum et salutare, nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus; per Christum Domi-

It is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we should always, and in all places, give thanks to thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God ; nam nostrum. Per quern maj estate m tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates; Cceli c(Elorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas deprecamur, supphci confessione dicentes : through Christ our Lord ; by whom the Angels praise thy majesty, the Dominations adore it, the Powers tremble before it ; the heavens and the heavenly Virtues, and the blessed Seraphim, with common 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 :

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts !

Heaven and 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 !

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 !

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 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.

1 Wisd. xviii. 14, 15.

THE CANON OF THE MASS

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

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

O God, who manifestest thyself unto us by means of the mysteries which thou hast entrusted to thy holy Church, our mother; we beseech thee, by the merits of this sacrifice, that thou wouldst remove all those hindrances which oppose her during her pilgrimage in this world. Give her peace and unity. Do thou thyself guide our holy father the 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.

Memento, Domine, famu- Permit me, O God, to in- lorum 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 aaterno Deo vivo et vero. tercede with thee for special blessings upon those for whom thou knowest that I have a special obligation to pray : * * * Apply to them the fruits of this divine sacrifice, which is offered unto thee in the name of all mankind. Visit them by thy grace, pardon them their sins . grant them the blessings of this present life and of that which is eternal.

Here let us commemorate the saints: they are that portion of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is called the Church triumphant.

Communicantes, et memoriam venentates, in primis gloriosse semper Virginia Marise, Genitricis Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi : sed et beatorum apostolorum ac martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, Andre®, Jacobi, Joannis, Thomae, Jacobi, Philippic Bartholomaei, Matthaei,Simonis et Thaddsei : Lini, Cleti, dementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Lauren tii, Chrysogoni, Joannis et Pauli, Cosmae et Damiani, et omnium sanctorum tuorum: quorum mentis precibusque concedas, ut in omnibus protectionis tuae muniamur auxilio. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

But the offering of this sacrifice, O my God, does not unite us with those only of our brethren who are still in this transient life of trial, it brings us closer to those also who are already in possession of heaven. Therefore it is that we wish to honour by it the memory of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary, of whom Jesus was born to us ; of the apostles, confessors, virgins, and of all the saints ; that 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 nostra, sed et cunctae familiae tuse, qusesuinus, Domine, ut placatus accipias : diesque nostros in tua pace disponas, atque ab sterna damnatione nos eripi, et in electorum tuorum iubeas grege iiumerari. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

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!

Quam oblationem tu,Deus, in omnibus, qusBsumus, benedictam, adscriptam, ratam, rationabilem, acceptabilemque facere digneris: ut nobis Corpus et Sanguis fiat dilectissimi Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi.

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 !

And here the priest ceases to act as man; he now becomes more than a mere minister of the Church. Hia 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.

What, O God of heaven and earth, my Jesus, the long expected Messias ! 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, as to its dearest King % Come, then, O Lord Jesus, come !

Qui pridie quam pateretur, accepit panem in sanctas ac venerabiles manus 8uas: et elevatis oculis in coelum, ad te Deum Patrem suum omnipotentem, tibi gratias agens, benedixit, f regit, deditque discipulis suis, dicens : Accipite, et manducate 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, which 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

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. of infusing confidence into our hearts. While the priest is pronouncing those words, let us associate ourselves to the angels, who tremblingly gaze upon this deepest wonder.

Simili modopostquam coenatum est, accipiens et hunc praeciarum calicem in sanctas ac venerabiies manus suas : item tibi gratias agens, benedixit, cfeditque discipulis suis dicens: Accipite et bibite ex eo omnes. Hie

EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, NOVI ET iETERNI TESTA - MENTI: MYSTERIUM FIDEI : QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MUL- TIS EFFUNDETUR IN REMIS- SIONEM PECCATORUM. Hsec quotiescumque feceriti*, in mei memoriam facietis.

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 Chris ti Filii tui Domini nostri tarn beatae Passionis, nec non et ab inferis Resurrectionis, sed et in ccelos gloriosae Ascensionis : offerimus praeclarae Majestati tuae de tuis don is ac datis, Hostiam purara, Hostiam sanctam, Hostiam immaculatam: Panem sanctum vitse aeternae, et Calicem salutis perpetuae.

Supra quae propitio ac sereno vultu respicere digne-

Fatherof 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 sacrificium Patriarchs nostri Abrahae, et quod tibi obtulit summus sacerdos tuns Melchisedech, sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam. lambs offered unto thee by Abel: 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. Keceive 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 seated the Saviour of men.

Supplices te rogamus, omnipotens Deus, jube hsec perferri per no anus sancti angeli tui in sublime altare tuum, in conspectu divinse Majestatis tuse: ut quotquot ex hac altaris participatione, sacrosanctum Filii tui Corpus et Sanguinem sumpserimus, omni benedictione coelesti et gratia repleamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

But, O God of infinite power ! these sacred gifts are not only on this altar here* below : thev 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 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 tuarum N. et N. t 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 Do- TT)ir)iinri nostrum. Amen.

Dear J esus ! let the happiness of this thy visit extend to every portion of thy Churcb. Tby face gladdens tbe elect, in the holy city; even our mortal eyes can see thee beneath tbe veil of our delighted faith; ah! hide not thyself from those brethren of ours, who are imprisoned in the abode of expiation. Be tbou refreshment to tbem in their flames, light in tbeir darkness, and peace in tbeir agonies of torment.

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

Nobis quoque peccatoribus famulis tuis, de multitudine miserationum tuarum sperantibus, partem aliquam et societatem donare digneris cum tuis Sanctis apostolis et martyribus; cum Joanne, Stephano, Mathia, Barnaba, Ignatio, Alexandro, Marcellino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Csecilia, Anastasia, et omnibus Sanctis tuis ; intra quorum nos consortium, non ^estimator meriti, sed venise, qusesumus, largitor admitte; per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quern haec om-

Alas! we are poor sinners, O God of all sanctity! vet 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 nia, Domine, semper bona benedicis, et prsestas nobis; per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso, est tibi Deo, Patri sanctifioation; omnipotenti, in unitate Spiritus sancti, omnia honor et in gloria. Ghost,may name of our Lord Jesus creas, sanctificas, vivificas, Christ, thy Son. It is by him thou bestowest upon us thy blessings of life and and, by him also, with him, and in him, the unity of the Holy honour and glory be to thee !

While 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 reuniting the Body and Blood of the divine Victim, ip 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:

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

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

Amen. Amen ! I believe the mys- 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 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 while we sav 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

Preceptis eaiutaribus mo- Having been taught by a niti, et divina institutione saving precept, and following formati, audemus dicer e: 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 ccelis, sanctificetur nomen heaven, hallowed be thy tuum: adveniat regnum tu- name: thy kingdom come: um: 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 no- pass against us, and lead us stris: et ne nos inducas in not into temptation, tentationem.

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

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

Libera nos, quaesumus, How many, O Lord, are the

Domine, ab omnibus malis, evils which beset us ! Evils yrseteritis, prsesentibus et past, which are the wounds iuturis: et intercedente bea- left on the soul by her sins, ta et gloriosa semper Virgi- and which strengthen her ne Dei Genitrice Maria, cum wicked propensities. Evils beatis apostolis tuis Petro present, that is, the sins now* et Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus^ Sanctis, da propitins pacem in diebus stris: ut ope misericordiao tuae adjuti, et a peccato simus semper liberi, et ab omni perturbatione securi. Per eumdem Dominum strum Jesum Christum Fi- Hum tuum, qui tecum vivit deet regnat in unitate Spiritus sancti Deus. at this very time, upon our soul; the weakness of this poor no- 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 no- justice. In presence of this Host of our salvation, we beseech thee, O Lord, to liver 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 :

Per omnia ssecula sseculo- World without end. rum.

&. Amen. & Amen.

Then he says :

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

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

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

Hoc commixtio et consecratio Corporis et Sanguinis Domini nostri Jesu Cnristi, fiat accipientibus nobis in cious vitam aeternam. Amen.

Glory be to thee, Saviour of the world! who didst, in thy Passion, permit thy pre- Blood to be separated from thy sacred Body, after- wards 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': 1 say to this your Lord and King, who ias taken upon Himself all our iniquities, in order to wash them away by His Blood :

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

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- * cata 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.' 2 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'. 3 It is on this account that the priest, now that he is on the point of receiving, in Communion, the sacred Host, prays that fraternal peace may be preserved in the Church, and more especially in this portion of it, which is assembled around the altar. Pray with him, and for the same blessing.¹

Domine Jesu Christe, qui dixisti apostolis tuis: Facem relinquo vobis: pacem meam do vobis: ne respicias peccata mea, sed fidem Ecclesi® tu»: eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificare et coadunare digneris. Qui vivis et regnas Deus, per omnia saecula sseculorum. Amen.

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.

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:

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 inhserere m and at is, et a te nunquam separari permittas. Qui cum eodem Deo Patre et Spiritu sancto vivis et regnas, Deus, in ssecula sseculorum. Amen.

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 ail 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 :

Perceptio Corporis tui, Domine Jesu Christe, quod ego

Let not the participation of thy Body,0 Lord Jesus indignus sumere prsesumo, 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, ns, per omnia saecula ssecu- livest and reignest God, for lorum. Amen ever and ever. Amen*

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

Panem ccelestem accipiam, Come, my dear Jesus, et nomen Domini invocabo. come !

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 intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum die verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.

Lord 1 1 am not worthy that thou enter under my roof; say it only with one word of thine, and my soul shall be healed.

While 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 yott; and again say to Him with the bride : ' Come, Lord Jesus, come! 1

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 :

'Apoc. xxii. 20.

THE ORDINAKY OF THE MASS

Corpus Domini nostri Jesu I give thee, O Jesus, this

Christi custodiat animam heart of mine, that thou meam in vitam seternam, mayst dwell in it, and do

Amen. with me what thou wilt.

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

Quid retribuam Domino What return shall I make pro omnibus quae retribuit to the Lord for all he hath mihi? Calicem salutaris\ac- given to me? I will take the cipiam, et nomen Domini in- chalice of salvation, and will vocabo. Laudans invocabo call upon the name of the

Dominum, et ab inimicis Lord. Praising, I will call

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 ! 9

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

Sanguis Domini nostri I unite myself to thee, my

Jesu Christi custodiat ani- beloved Jesus 1 do thou unite mam meam in vitam »ter- thyself to me and never let nam. Amen. us be separated.

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

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

Quod ore sumpsimus, pura mente capiamus ; pilot de munere temporali fiat grimage : nobis remedium sempiter-

Do- Thou hast visited me, O mine, God, in these days of my give me grace to treasure up the fruits of this meis salvus ero. upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from mine enemies. num. visit, and to make it tell upon my eternity.

While the priest is purifying the chalice the second time, say :

Corpus tuum, Domine, Be thon for ever blessed, quod sumpsi, et Sanguis, O my Saviour, for having quern potavi, adbaereat vis- admitted me to the sacred ceribus meis: et praesta ut mystery of thy Body and in me non remaneat scele- Blood. May my heart and rum macula, quern pura et senses preserve, by thy grace, sancta refecerunt Sacramen- the purity thou hast im- ta. Qui vivis et regnas in parted to them, and may I stecula saeculorum. Amen, oe 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. Thanks be to God.

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

THE ORDINARY OP THE MASS

Placeat tibi, sancta Trinitas, obsequium servitutis mese, et praesta ut sacrificium, quod oculis tuse Ma* jestatis indignus obtuli, tibi sit acceptabile, mihique, et omnibus pro quibus illud obtuli, sit, te miserante, propitiabile. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

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 thy minister is about to give me in thy name.

The priest raises his hand, and blesses you thus:

Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus sanctus.

1$. Amen.

May the almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless you! . 1$. Amen.

He then ooncludes the Mass, by reading the first fourteen verses of the Gospel aocording 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. ifr. Dominus vobiscum. 1$. Et cum spiritu tuo.

. The Lord be with you, . And with thy spirit.

THE LAST GOSPEL

Initium sancti Evangelji 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

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

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, quod factum est; in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum ; et lax in tenebris lucet, et tenebra earn non comprehenderunt. Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. Hie venit in testimonium, ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per ilium. Non erat ille lux, sed ut 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 caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis : et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratis 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 ail 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 re* ceived 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. , . l Apoc.y.& . ^ix. 6. 3 1 Cor. x. 17. .
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