Introductory Chapters

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.

Amen.

The Prooession, whioh 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 whioh, 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 nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Introibo ad altare Dei. ft. Ad Deum qui lsetificat juventutem meam.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

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

" OF THE MASS.

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

I unite myself, 0 my God, with thy holy Church, who thrills with j oy 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 I have put my hope ; yet do I feel sad and troubled at being in the midst of the snares wr rich 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, 0 my soul! Why wouldst 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.

TIMB AFTER PENTECOST f. Introibo ad altare Dei. Ad Deum. qui lsetificat juventutem meam.

|t . Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. ft. 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, exoites, in the soul of the Priest, a lively sentiment of compunction. He oannot go further in the holy Saorifice without confessing, and publioly, 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 May Almighty God have

Deus, et dimissis peccatis mercy on thee, and, forgiving tuis, perducat te ad vitam thy sins, bring thee to ever- seternam. lasting life.

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

Confiteor Deo omnipotent^ beatse Marise semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, 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 Manam semper Virpnem, beatum Michaelem Dgelum, beatum Joan-

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to thee, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed; through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore 1 beseech the blessed Mary ever Virgin, nem Baptistam, sanctos blessed Michael the Arch-

Apostolos Petrum et Pau- angel, blessed John Baptist, lura, omnes Sanctos, et te, the holy Apostles Peter and

Pater, orare pro me ad Do- Paul, and all the Saints, and minum Deum nostrum. thee, Father, to pray to our

Lord God for me.

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

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

$. Amen.

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

&. Amen.

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

&. Amen.

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

Invoke the divine assistance, that you may approach to Jesus Christ. t. O God, it needs but one look of thine to give us life.

And thy people shall rejoice in thee. f. Show us 0 Lord, thy mercy. fit. And give us to know and love the Saviour whom thou hast sent unto us.

0 Lord, hear my prayer. y. Deus, tu conversus, vivificabis nos. fit. Et plebs tua lsetabitur in te. y. Ostende nobis, Domine, mi8ericordiam tuam. ft. Et Salutare tuum da nobis. y. Domine, exaudi orationem meam. fit. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. fit. And unto thee. let my cry come

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

Answer him with reverence : ft. Jit cum spiritu tuo. fit. And with thy spirit. ~

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

Aufer a nobis, quaesumus Take from our hearts, O Domine, iniquitates nostras ; Lord, all those sins, which mereamur mentibus introire. in thy presence ; we ask this Per Christum Dominum nos- of thee by thy divine Son, tram. Amen. our Lord.

When the Priest kisses the altar, out of reverence for the relics of the Martyrs whioh are there, say :

Oramus te, Domine, per Generous soldiers of Jesus merita sanctorum tuorum, Christ, who have mingled quorum reliquiae hie sunt, et your own blood with his, in- omnium sanctorum : ut in- tercede for us that our sins dulgere digneris omnia pec- may be forgiven : that so we cata mea. Amen. mav, like you, approach unto

If it be a High Mass at which you are assisting, the Priest incenses the altar in a most solemn manner; and this white oloud, which you see ascending from every part of the altar, signifies the prayer of the Church, who addresses herself to Jesus Christ ; and whioh this Divine Mediator then oauses 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 whioh the Churoh, 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 Churoh 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.

OREMTJ8.

LET US PRAY. utadSancta sanctorum puris

Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

Christe eleison. Christe eleison. Ohriste eleison.

Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.

To the Father ,

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 Ghost :

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

Then, mingling his voioe 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.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis*

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

Domine Deus, Bex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe.

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

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.

God, heavenly the Father Al-

O Lord King, God mighty.

0 Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son.

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

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

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominu, tu solus altis8imu, Jesu Christe, cum Sane to Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

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

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

For thou alone art holy, thou alone art Lord, thou alone, 0 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 aot, for whioh all this is but the preparation.

Then follows the Collect, or Prayer, in whioh 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 whioh you will find in their proper plaoes : but on no aooount omit to join with the server of the Mass in answering Amen.

After this comes the Epistle, which is, generally, a portion of one or other of the Epistles of the Apostles, or a passage from some Book of the Old Testament. Whilst it is being read, give thanks to that God, who not satisfied with having spoken to us, at sundry times, by his messengers, deigned at last, to speak unto us by his well-beloved Son. 1

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

VHeb. 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, whioh we on earth are permitted to attempt.

The time is now oome 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 meum ao la- Alas! these ears of mine bia mea, omnipotens Deus, are but too often defiled qui labia Isaira Prophet® with the world's vain words : calculo mundasti ignito ; ita cleanse them, 0 Lord, that so me tua grata miseratione I may hear the words of dignare mundare, ut san- eternal life, and treasure ctum Evangelium tuura di- them in my heart. Through gne valeam nuntiare. Per our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. Amen.

Dominus sit in corde meo, Grant to thy ministers thy et in labiis meis : ut digne 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 Filu, et Spi- may be united to thee for ritus Sancti. Amen. ever. Amen.

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 dectooa. Let your heart he ready and obedient. Whilst my Beloved was speaking, says the Spouse in the Canticle, my soul melted within me. 1 If you have not suoh love as this, have at least the humble submission of Samuel, and say : Speak, Lard! thy servant heareth?

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 whioh we cannot please him. It is faith that makes us see the Light which shineth in darkness, and whioh the darkness of unbelief did not comprehend. Let us, then, say with the Oatholio Church, our Mother :

THE NICE

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, Faetorem coeli et terrae, visibi- Hum omnium et invisibilium.

Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum. Et ex Patre natum ante omnia ssecula, 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 coeli. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto, ex Maria Virgine ; et homo factus est. Orucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in coelum ; sedet ad

1 Cantic. v. 6,

E CREED.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. And born of the Father before all ages; God of God ; Light of light ; true God of true God. Begotten, not made ; consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. And became incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary ; and was made man. lie 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,

? I Kings, iii, 10.

THB ORDINARY OF THE MASS dexteram Patris. Et iterum sitteth at the right hand of

Venturas est cum gloria judi- the Father. And he is to care vivos et mortuos ; cujus come again with glory, to regni non erit finis. judge the living and the dead ; of whose kingdom there shall be no end.

Et in Spiritum Sanctum, And in the Holy Ghost,

Dominum et vivificantem, the Lord and giver of life, qui ex Patre Eilioque proce- who proceed eth from the dit. Qui cum Patre et Eilio Father and the Son. Who simul adoratur, et conglori- together with the Father and ficatur ; qui locutus est per the Son, is adored and glori-

Prophetas. Et unam san- fied; who spoke by the Pro- ctam Catholicam et Aposto- phets. And one holy Catho- licam Ecclesiam. Confiteor lie and Apostolic Church. T unum Baptisma in remissio- confess one Baptism for the nem peccatorum. Et exspe- remission of sins. And I ex- cto resurrectionem mortuo- pect the resurrection of the rum, et vitam venturi saeculi. dead, and the life of the world

Amen. to come. 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 rportal, will be swallowed up by lije. 1 Until that % Cor. v. 4, happy change shall be realised, let us offer ourselves to God, as often as we see the bread and wine presented to him in the holy Sacrifice ; and let us glorify him, who, by assuming our human nature, has made us partakers of the divine nature}

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

Su8cipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens, seterne Deus, hano immaculatam hostiam, quam ego indignus famulus tuus offero tihi, Deo meo vivo et vero, pro innumerabilibus peccatis et offensionibus et negligentiis meis, et pro omnibus circumstantibus, sed et pro omnibus fidelibus christianis vivis ataue def unctis ; ut mihi et illis profioiat ad salutem in vitam aeternam. Amen.

All that we have, 0 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 sub- 0 Lord Jesus, who art the stantiaa dignitatem mirabi- true Vine, and whose Blood, liter condidisti, et mirabi- like a generous wine, has lius reformasti : da nobis per been poured forth under the hujus aquae et vini myste- pressure of the Cross! thou rium, ejus divinitatis esse hast deigned to unite thy consortes, qui humanitatis divine nature to our weak nostrse fieri dignatus est humanity, which is signified

1 II St. Peter, i.

THE ORDINARY 07 THE MASS partieeps, Jesus Christus, by this drop of water. 0

Films tuus, Dominus noster : come and make us partakers aui tecum vivit et regnat of thy divinity, by showing m unitate Spiritus Sancti thyself to us in thy sweet

Deus, per omnia saecula and wondrous visit. ssBculorum. 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, Graciouly accept these calicem salutaris, tuam de- gifts, O sovereign Creator of precantes clementiam: ut in ail things. Let them be fitted conspectu divinae Majestatis for the divine transformation, tuae, pro nostra et totius which will make them from mundi salute, cum odore being mere offerings of cre- suavitatis ascendat. Amen, ated things, the instrument

After having thus held up the saored gifts towards heaven, the priest bows down : let us, also, humble ourselves, and say :

In spiritu humilitatis, et Though daring, as we do, to in animo contrito, suscipia- approach thy altar, 0 Lord, mur a te, Domine : et sic fiat we cannot forget that we are sacrificium nostrum in con- sinners. Have mercy on us,

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 omni- Come, 0 Divine Spirit, potens seterne Deus, et be- make fruitful the offering nedic hoc sacrificium tuo which is upon the altar, and of the world's salvation. eancto nomini pr separatum. 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 seoond 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, whioh is signified by the incense, more and more fervent, the nearer the solemn moment approaches. Saint John tells us that the incense he beheld burning on the altar in heaven is made up of the prayers of the saints ; let us take a share in those prayers, and with all the ardour of holy desires.

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

Lavabo inter innocentes I, too, would wash my manus meas : et circumdabo hands, 0 Lord, and become altare tuum, Domine. like unto those who are in-

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

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

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

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

L In quorum n^anibus iniqui- not, 0 Go, in the mi^st 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 Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The priest, taking encouragement from the act of humility he has just made, returns to the middle of the altar, and bows down full of respectful awe, begging of God to receive graciously the Sacrifice which is about to be offered to him, and expresses the intentions for which it is offered. Let us do the same. tates sunt: dextera eorum 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.

Suscipe, Sancta Trinitas, hanc oblationem, quam tibi off erimu ob memoriam Passionis, Eesurrectionis, et Ascensionis Jesu Christi Domini nostri : et in honore beatse Marise semper Virginia, et Beati Joannis Baptistse, et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, et istorum, et omnium Sanctorum: ut illis proficiat ad honorem, nobis autem ad salutem: et ill! pro nobis intercedere dignentur in coelis, quorum memoriam agimus in terris. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

0 holy Trinity, graciously accept the Sacrifice we have begun. We offer it in remembrance of the Passion, Eesurrection, and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Permit thy Church to join with this intention that of honouring the ever glorious Virgjin Mary, the blessed Baptist John, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the martys 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.

TIME AFTER PBNTSCOST

The priest again turns to the people ; it is for the last time before the saored 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 oloud with the Lord, he seeks support in the prayers of his brethren

Orate, fratres : ut meum Brethren, pray that my ac vestrum sacrificium ac- Sacrifice, which is yours also, ceptabile fiat apud Deum may be acceptable to God,

Patrem omnipotentem. our Almighty Father.

This request made, he turns again to the altar, and you will see his faoe 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 utalitatem quoque and for our benefit and that nostram totiusque Ecclesise of his holy Church through - suss 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 Saorifice, 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 Ohuroh, the priest is about to give expression to the gratitude of all mankind. In order to exoite 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, Baying:

Per omnia ssecula ssecu- For ever and ever, lorum.

In the same feeling, answer your Amen I Then he continues : f. Dominus vobiscum. JP. The Lord be with you. ft. Et cum spiritu tuo. ft. And with thy spirit. p. Sursum oorda ! ^. Lift up your hearts !

Let your response be sinoere : ft. Habemus ad Domi- ft. We have them fixed on num. God !

And when he adds : f. Gratias agamus Domi- y. Let us give thanks to no Deo nostro. the Lord our God.

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

Then the priest :

THE p

Vere dignum et justum est, sequum et salutare, nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, seterne Deus; per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quern majestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates; Coeli coelorumque Virtutes,

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 ; through Christ our Lord ; by whom the Angels praise thy majesty, the Dominations adore it, the Powers tremble before it; the heavens and ac beata Seraphim, socia the heavenly Virtues, and exsultatione concelebrant. the blessed Seraphim, with

Cum quibus et nostras vo- common jubilee, glorify it. ces, ut admitti jubeas de- Together with whom, we be- precamur, supplici confes- seech thee, that we may be sione dicentes : 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, Eoly, Holy. Holy, Lord Dominus Deus sabaoth ! God of hosts !

Pleni sunt coeli et terra Heaven and earth are full gloria tua. of thy glory.

Hosanna in excelsis ! Hosanna in the highest !

Benedictus qui venit in Blessed be the Saviour who nomine Domini. is coming to us in the name of the Lord who sends him.

Hosanna in excelsis ! 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 desoends unto us. The voioe 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} 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 CAHON 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 Catholio Church, his and our mother.

1 Wisd. xviii. 14, 15.

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 sacrincia illibata; in primis quae tibi offerimus* pro Ecclesia tua sancta Oatholica; quara pacificare, custodire, adunare, et regere digneris toto orbe terrarum, una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro N. et Antistite nostro N., et omnibus orthodoxis, atque catholicae et apostolicae fidei cultoribus.

0 God, who manifestest thyself unto us by means of the mysteries which thou hast intrusted to thy holy Church, our mother ; we beseech thee, by the merits of this sacrifice, that thou wouldst remove all those hindrances which oppose her during her pilgrimage in this world. Give her peace and unity. Do thou thyself guide our holy Father the Pope, thy Vicar on earth. Direct thou our Bishop, who is our sacred link of unity; and watch over 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, famulorum famularumque tuarum N. et N., et omnium circumstantium, quorum tibi fides cognita est, et nota devotio : pro quibus tibi offerimus, vel gui tibi offerunt hoc sacrificium laudis pro se 8uieque omnibus, pro redemptione animarum suarum, pro spe salutis et incolumitatis suae; tibique reddunt vota sua aeterno Deo vivo et vero.

Permit me, 0 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 : * * * 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 oalled the Church triumphant.

Communicantes, et memonam venerantes, in primis gloriosae semper Virginis Marias, Genitricis Dei et Domini

But the offering of this Sacrifice, O my God, does not unite us with those only of our brethren who are still nostri Jeeu Christi": sed et beatorum Apostolorum ae Martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauh, Andrese, Jacobi, Joannis, Thomas, Jacobi, Philippi, fiartholomsei, Matthaei, Simonis et Thaddsei: Lini, Cleti, Clementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Joannis et Pauli, Cosmee et Damiani, et omnium sanctorum tuorum: quorum mentis precibusque concedas, ut in omnibus protections tuee 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 viotim : 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 whioh, in a few instants, is to yield its place to the living Host, upon whom are laid all our iniquities. Hano igitur oblationem Vouchsafe, O God, to ac- servitutis nostra, sed et cunctse f amiliae tu», qurasumus, Domine, ut placatus accipias : diesque nostros in tua pace disponas, atque ab eeterna damnatione nos eripi, et in electorum tuorum ju« beas grege numerari. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Quam oblationem tu, Dens, in omnibus, quaesumus, benedictam, adscriptam, ratam, cept 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, rationabilem, acceptabilemque f acere digneris : ut nobis Corpus et Sanguis fiat dilectissimi Filii tui Domini Ah ! nostri Jesu Christi. which is our food; and this wine is to be changed into his Blood, which is our drink, 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. His word beoomes that of Jesus Christ, with its power and effioaoy. Prostrate yourself in profound .adoration, for the Emmanuel, that is, Ood with us, is ooming upon our altar.

Qui pridie quam patere- What, 0 God of heaven tur, accepit panem in san- and earth, my Jesus, the long etas ac venerabiles manus expected Messias ! what else suas: et elevatis oculis in can I do at this solemn cesium, ad te Deum Patrem moment, but adore thee in suum omnipotentem, tibi silence, as my sovereign Mas- gratias agens, benedixit, fre- ter, and open to tnee my sit, deditque discipulis suis, whole heart, as to its dearest dicens: Accipite, et mandu- King? Come, then, 0 Lord cate ex hoc omnes. Hoc Jesus, come ! 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. Henoe the priest, who is the minister of the designs of the Most High, immediately pronounoes, over the chalioe, the sacred words which follow, that will produoe the great mystical immolation, by the separation of the Victim's Body and Blood. After those words, the substanoes 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, whioh God gives us for the very purpose of infusing confidence into our hearts. Whilst the priest is pronouncing those words, let us associate

TIMB AFTER PBNTECOST ourselves to the angels, who tremblingly gaze upon this deepest wonder.

Simili modo postquam coenatum est, accipiens et hunc prseclarum Calicem in sanctas ao 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 JETEBNI TE8TA- MENTII MYSTEBIUM FIDEI I QUI PRO VOBI8 ET PRO MUL- TI8 EFFUNDETUR IN REMIS- 8IONEM PECOATORUM. HfiBC quotiescumque feceritis, in mei memoriam facietis.

O precious Blood! thou price of my salvation ! I adore thee ! Wash away my sins, and make me whiter than snow. 0 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 faoe with God. He again raises his hands towards heaven, and tells our heavenly Father, that the ohlation, now on the altar, is no longer an earthly material offering, hut the Body and Blood, the whole Person of His divine Son.

Unde et memores, Domine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, ejusdem Christi FiUi tui Domini nostri tarn beati Passionis, nec non et ab inferis Eesurrectionis, sed et in coelo gloriosae Ascensionis : offenmus prseclarae Majestati tuse de tuis donis ac datis, Hostiam puram, Hostiam sanctam, Hostiam immaculatam: Panem sanctum vit® seternse, et Calicem salutis perpetuse.

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 Sou, 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

THE ORDINARY OP THE MASS ris : et accepta habere, sicuti aocepta habere dignatus es xnunera pueri tui justi Abel, et sacnficium Patriarchse nostri Abrahra, et quod tibi obtulit summus Sacerdos tuus 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. 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.

Supplices te roeamus, omnipotens Deus, jube haec perferri per manus sancti Angeli tui in sublime Altare tuum, in conspectu divinae Majestatis tuse : ut quotquot ex hac altaris participatione, sacrosanctum Filu 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 : 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 supplioation for the Church suffering. Let us, therefore, ask the divine Liberator, who has eome down among us, that he mercifully visit, by a ray of his consoling light, the dark abode of purgatory; and

TIME AlTBR PENTfcCOST permit his Blood to flow, as a stream of meroy'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., qui nos prsecesserunt cum signo fidei, et dormiunt in somno pacis. Ipsis, Domine, et omnibus in Ohristo quiescentibus, locum refrigerii, lucis et pacis, ut indulgeas, deprecamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

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 :

Nobis quoque peccatoribus famulis tuis, de multitudine miserationum tuarum sperantibus, partem aliquam et societatem donare digneris cum tuis Sanctis Apostolis et Marty ribus; cum Joanne, Stephano, Matthia, Barnaba, Ignatio, Alexandro, Marcel- . lino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Csecilia, Anastasia, et omnibus Sanctis tuis; intra quorum nos consortium, non sestimator meriti, sed veniee, 'qusesumus, largitor admitte ; per Christum Dominum nostrum, Per quern haec om-

Alas ! we are poor sinners, 0 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. Eemember, 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 m ipso, est tibi Deo, Patri unitate Spiritus Sancti, ononis honor et in gloria. name of our Lord Jesus creas, sanctificas, vivificas, Christ, thy Son. It is by him thou bestowest upon us thy blessings of life and sanctification; and, by him omnipotent^ in also, with him, and in him, the unity of the Holy Ghost, may honour and glory be to thee !

Whilst aaying the last of these words, the priest has taken up the saered Host, whioh 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. Th^ji raising up both ohalice 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 ooncludes 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 sraculo- 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 mystery 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 pur very hands now whilst we say it P 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.

Pweceptis salutaribus mo- Having been taught by a niti, et divina institutione saving precept, and following f ormati, 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 coelis, sanctificetur nomen heaven, hallowed be thy tuum: adveniat regnum tu- name: thy 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 no- pass against us, and lead us stria: 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 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, 0 Lord, are the

Domine, ab omnibus malis, evils which beset us ! Evils praeteriti'8, 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 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, 0 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 :

Per omnia ssecula ssecu- World without end. lorum.

&. Amen. ft. 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. And with thy spirit.

The mystery is drawing to a close ; Grod is about to be united with man, and man with Grod, 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 proolaim. ne Dei Genitrice Maria, cum beatis Apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus Sanctis, da propitius pacem in diebus nostris: ut ope misericordi® tuae 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 imitate Spiritus Sancti Deus.

TIMS AFTER PENTECOST 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 Viotim. Do you adore, and say :

Hseo commix tio et consecratio Corporis et Sanguinis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, fiat accipientibus nobis in cious vitam aeternam. Amen.

Glory be to thee, 0 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 has taken upon himself all our iniquities, in order to wash them away by his Blood :

Agnus Dei, gui 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 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. 2 The divine Sacrament of the Eucharist ought, therefore, to be the mystery of peaoe 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 acoount that the priest, now that he is on the point of receiving, in Communion, the saored Host, prays that fraternal peace may be preserved in the Church, and , more especially in this portion

1 Apoc. v. 6. 2 Is. ix. 6 T 3 i Cor, x. *7, of it, which is assembled around the altar. Pray with him, and for the same blessing.

Domine Jesu Cliriste, qui dixisti Apostolis tuis: Pacem relinquo yobis: pacem meam do vobis: ne respicias pecoata mea, sed fidem Ecclesiee tuse: eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificare et coadunare digneris. Qui vivis et regnas Deus, per omnia seecula 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 :

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 :

Perceptio Corporis tui, Do- Let not the participation.

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 xneis, et universis malis, et fac me tuis semper inhaerere xnandatis, et a te nunquam separari permittas. Qui cum eodem Deo Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas, Deus, in sracula sseculorum. 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 condemnationem: turn to my judgment and

Bed pro tua pietate prosit condemnation; hut 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 imitate 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, 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 ! 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 : Come, Lord Jesus, come Z 1

But should you not intend to reoeive saoramentally , make here a spiritual Communion. Adore Jesus Christ, who thus visits your soul by his grace, and say to him :

Corpus Domini no»tri Jesu I give thee, 0 Jesus, this 1 tyoc. xxii. 20.

Christi custodiat animam heart of mine, that thou meam in vitam seternam. mayest dwell in it, and do Amen. with me what thou wilt.

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

Quid retrihuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi ? Calioem salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini in- Dominum, et ab inimicis meis salvus ero.

What return shall I make to the Lord for all he hath given to me ? I will take the Chalice of salvation, and will vocabo. Laudans invocabo call upon the name of the Lord. Praising, I will call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from mine enemies.

Bat 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 r

Sanguis Domini nostri I unite myself to thee, my

Jesu Christi custodiat ani- beloved Jesus! do thou unite mam meam in vitam seter- 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, whilst the priest is purifying the Ohalioe the first time, say :

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

Do- Thou hast visited me, 0 mine, God, in these days of my 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 Chalioe the second time, say :

Corpus tuum, Domine, quod 8umpsi, et Sanguis, 0 adquem potavi, adhaereat vi- mitted me sceribus meis: et praesta ut tery in me non remaneat scelerum macula, quem pura et sancta refecerunt Sacramenta. Qui vivis et regnas in ssecula sseculorum. Amen.

Be thou for ever blessed, my Saviour, for having to the sacred inysof 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, oalled 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 Postoommunion, which is the continuation of the thanksgiving. Tou will join him here also, and thank God for the uuspeakable 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 reoeiving, 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.

&. Deo gratias. £t. Thanks be to God.

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

THE ORDINARY OF THB MASS

Placeat tibi, sancta Triiiitas, obsequium servitutis mese, et prcesta ut sacriticium, quod oculis tuse Majestatis indignus obtuli, tibi sit acceptable, mihique, et omnibus pro quibus illud obtuli, sit te miserante, propitiabile. Per Christum l)ominum nostrum. Amen.

Eternal thanks be to thee, 0 adorable Trinity, for the mercy thou hast shown to me, in permitting me to as* sist at this divine Sacrifice. Pardon me the negligence and coldness wherewith I have received so great a favour; and deigjn to confirm the blessing, wmoh thy minister is about to give me in thy name.

The priest raises his hand, and blesses you thus ;

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

He then concludes 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 fleshy and to dwell among us. Pray that you may oe of the number of those who received him, when he came unto Ms own people, and who, thereby, were made sons of God.

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

&. Amen.

J. Dominus vobiscum. &. Et cum spiritu tuo.

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

THE LAST GOSPEL.

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

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 lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae 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 pdtestatem 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 Oaro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi TJnigeniti a Patre, plenum gratase et veritatis.

Deo gratias. 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 Elesh, 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.

Thanks be to God.

Sunday's vespers.