November 2 — Matins Op the Dead

dieriti, nolite obdurare corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatione secundum diem tentationis in deserto : ubi tentaverunt me patres vestri, probaverunt, et viderunt opera mea.

Venite, adoremus.

Quadraginta annis proximus fui generationi huio, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde : ipsi vero non cognoverunt vias meas, quibus j lira vi in ira mea, si introibunt in requiem meam.

Begem cui omnia vivunt :

• Venite, adoremus. Eequiem aeternam doDa eis Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Venite, adoremus.

Eegem cui omnia vivunt :

• Venite, adoremus.

Come, let us adore the King, to whom all things live*

To-day, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness : where your fathers tempted me, they proved, and saw my works.

Come, let us adore.

Forty years was I nigh to this generation, and said, they always err in their hearts : and have not known my ways, to whom I swore in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.

Come, let us adore the King, to whom all things live.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them.

Come, let us adore.

Come, let us adore the King, to whom all things live.

This opening of the Office shows us what prominence the Church gives to thanksgiving and praise in her prayers for the dead.

FIEST NOOTURN.

The first Psalm expresses the overflowing gratitude and praise of the soul escaped from the snares of sinners, at that first dawn of her eternally secured salvation, when she took her place among the holy ones in Purgatory. With what confidence she entrusts to our Lord the care of directing her along the painful and purifying way, which is to lead her to the very entrance of God's house !

Ant. Dirige Domine De-» Ant. Direct, 0 Lord, my

TTMB AFTHB PBNTBCOST.

• us mens in conspectu tuo God, my way in thy sight, viam meam.

Psaxm 5.

Verba mea auribus percipe Domine : • intellige clamorem meum.

Intende yoci orationis mera : • Bex mens, et Deus meus.

Quoniam ad te orabo : * Domine mane exaudies vocem meam.

Mane astabo tibi, et videbo : * quoniam non Dens volens imqnitatem tu es.

Neqne habitabit juxta te maUgnus: * neqne permanebunt injusti ante oculos tuos.

Odisti omnes, qui operantnr iniquitatem: * perdes omnes, qui loquuntur mendacium.

Virum sanguinum et dolosum abominabitur Dominus : * e§jo autem in multitudine misericordi® tuae.

Introibo in domum tuam : * adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum in timore tuo.

Domine deduc me in justitia tua : * propter inimicos meos dirige in conspectu tuo viam meam.

Quoniam non est in ore eorum Veritas : * cor eorum vanum est.

Sepulcbrum patens est guttur eorum, Unguis suis dolose agebant : * judica illos Deus.

Decidant a cogitationibus puis, secundum multitudi-

Give ear, O Lord, to my words : hearken to my cry.

Attend to the voice of my prayer : my King and my God.

Because I will pray to thee :

0 Lord, in the morning thou wilt hear my voice.

In the morning I will stand by thee and will see : for thou art not a God that wiliest iniquity.

Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee : nor the unjust abide before thy eyes.

Thou hatest all that work iniquity: thou wilt destroy all that speak lies.

The bloody and deceitful man the Lord will abhor : but I, in the multitude of thy mercies,

Will enter into thy house :

1 will adore at thy holy temple in thy fear.

Conduct me, 0 Lord, in thy justice: because of my enemies, direct my way in thy sight.

Because there is no truth in their mouth: their heart is vain.

Their throat is a gaping sepulchre, they dealt deceitfully with their tongues : judge them, 0 God.

Let them fail in their designs : according to the mul- nem impietatem eorum expelle eos : * quoniam irritavenint te Domine.

Et laetentur omnes, qui sperant in te : * in seternum exsultabunt: et habitabis in eis.

Et gloriabuntur in te omnes, qui dili^unt nomen tuum : * quoniam tu benedices justo.

Domine, ut souto bonse voluntatis tuse : * coronasti nos.

Requiem seternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Dirige Domine Deus meus in conspectu tuo viam meam. titude of their impieties expel them, for they have provoked thee, 0 Lord.

And let all be glad that hope in thee, they shall rejoice for ever : and thou wilt dwell in them.

And all that love thy name shall glory in thee, because thou wilt bless the just.

Lord, as with a shield of thy good-will thou hast crowned us.

Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. Direct, O Lord,! my God, my way in thy sight.

The soul has been heard : the time of mercy being at an end, justice has laid hold of her. Under the terrible grasp of this her new guide, and placed in the irresistible light of God's infinite purity, which lays open her most secret recesses, the flaws in her virtues and every remaining trace of ancient stains, the poor soul feels all her strength fail her. Trembling, she beseeches God not to confound her, in his wratn, with those cursed for ever, whose proximity increases her torment. But her supplication and her fear are still full of love : Lord, save me ; for there is none in that death who will be mindful of praising thee. This Psalm is the first of the seven Penitentials.

Ant. Oonvertere Domine, et eripe animam meam : quoniam non est in morte, qui memor sit tui,

Ant. Turn, 0 Lord, and deliver my soul : for there is none in death who will be minflf ul of thee.

108 TIME

Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me : * neque in ira tua corripias me.

Miserere mei Domine, quoniam infirmus sum : * sana me Domine, quoniam conturbata sunt ossa mea.

Et anima mea turbata est valde : * sed tu Domine usquequo P

Convertere Domine, et eripe animam me am : * salyum me fac propter misericordiam tuam.

Quoniam non est in morte, qui memor sit tui : * in inferno autem quis confitebitur tibi ?

Laboravi in gemitu meo, layabo per singulas noctes lectum meum : * lacrymis meis stratum meum rigabo.

Turbatus est a furore oculus meus : * inveteravi inter omnes inimicos meos.

Discedite a me omnes qui operamini iniquitatem : * quoniam exaudivit Dominus yocem fletus mei.

Exaudivit Dominus deprecationem meam : * Dominus orationem meam suscepit.

Erubescant, et conturbentur yehementer omnes inimici mei : * convertantur et erubescant valde velociter.

Requiem aoternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Convertere Dom>

. PENTECOST. jM 6.

Lord, rebuke me not in thy fury, nor ohastise me in thy wrath.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, because I am infirm : heal me, O Lord, because my bones are disordered.

And my soul is very much troubled: but thou, 0 Lord, how long P

Turn, 0 Lord, and deliver my soul: save me for thy mercy's sake.

Because there is none in death that is mindful of thee, and in hell who will praise thee ?

I have laboured in my sighing, every night I will wash my bed : I will water my couch with my tears.

My eye is troubled with fury ; I am grown old among all my enemies.

Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity: because the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.

The Lord has heard my petition : the Lord has received my prayer.

Let all my enemies blush, and be troubled exceedingly : let them be turned back and ashamed very speedily.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them. Ant. Turn, 0 Lord, an

HOV. 2. MATINS OF TH* DEAD.

10$ ne, et eripe animam meam : quoniam non est in morte, qui memor sit tui. deliver my soul : for there is none in death who will be mindful of thee.

In the following Psalm, David accused by his enemies cries to the Lord against their calumnies. The fear, which causes the soul in Purgatory to prostrate with a holy trembling before God's justice, has no more shaken her hope than her love ; nay, she trusts to the very sentence of her Judge and to the help sought from him, that she may be able to cope with the infernal lion, who pursues her with his roaring in the midst of her poverty and desolation.

Ant. Nequando rapiat ut leo animam meam, dum non est qui redimat, neque qui salvum faciat.

Ant. Lest at any time the enemy snatch my soul as a lion, whilst there is none to redeem, nor to save it.

Psalm 7.

Domine Deus meus, in te speravi : * salvum me fac ex omnibus persequentibus me, et libera me.

Nequando rapiat ut leo animam meam : * dum non est qui redimat, neque qui salvum faciat.

Domine Deus meus, si feci istud : * si est iniquitas in manibus meis.

Si reddidi retribuentibus mihi mala : * decidam merito ab inimicis meis inanis.

Persequatur inimicus animam meam, et comprekendat, et conculcet in terra vitam meam : * et gloriam meam in pulverem deducat.

Exsurge Domine in ira tua : * et exaltare in finibus inimicorum meorum.

0 Lord my God, I have hoped in thee : save me from all that persecute me, and deliver me.

Lest at any time he snatch away my soul as a lion : whilst there is none to redeem, nor to save it.

0 Lord my God, if I have done this : if there be iniquity in my hands :

If I have repaid to them that returned me evils : let me deservedly fall empty before mine enemies.

Let the enemy persecute my soul, and seize it, and tread down my life on the earth; and bring down my glory into dust.

Arise, O Lord, in thy wrath ; and be exalted in the borders) of my enemies,

Et exsurge Domine Dens meus in prsaoepto quod mandasti : * et synagoga populorum circumdabit te.

Et propter hanc in altum regredere : * Dominus judical populos.

Judica me Domine secundum ju8titiam meam : * et secundum innooentiam meam super me.

Consumetur nequitia peccatorum, et diriges justum : * scrutans corda, et renes Deus.

Justum adjutorium meum a Domino : * qui salvos facit rectos corde.

Deus judex justus, fortis et patiens: * numquid iraecitur per singulos dies ?

Nisi conversi f ueritis, gladium suum vibrabit : * arcum suum tetendit, et paravit ilium.

Et in eo paravit yasa mortis : * sagittas suas ardentibus effecit.

Ecce parturiit injustitiam : * concepit dolorem, et peperit iniquitatem.

Lacum aperuit, et effodit eum : * et incidit in f oveam, quam fecit.

Convertetur dolor ejus in caput ejus : * et in verticem ipsius iniquitas ejus descendet.

Oonfitebor Domino secundum justitiam ejus : * et psallam nomini Domini altissimi.

And arise, 0 Lord my God, in the precept which thou hast commanded : and an assembly of people shall encompass thee.

And for this return on high : the Lord judges the people.

Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice : and according to my innocence upon me.

The wickedness of sinners shall be consumed, and thou wilt direct the just: who searohest the hearts and reins, 0 God.

My just help is from the Lord : who saves the right of heart.

God is a just judge, strong and patient : is he angry every day?

Except ye be converted, he will shake his sword : he has bent his bow, and prepared it :

And in it he has prepared weapons of death : he has made his arrows with fiery points.

Behold he has bred injustice : he has conceived sorrow, and brought forth iniquity.

He has opened a pit and digged it up : and he is fallen into the ditch which he made.

His sorrow shall be turned upon his head: and his iniquity shall descend upon his crown.

I will praise our Lord according to his justice : and will sing to the name of the most high Lqr,

NOV. 2. MATINS OF THB DEAD. Ill

Requiem eetemain * dona Grant them eternal rest* 0 eis Domine. Lord :

Bt lux perpetua * luceat And let perpetual light shine eis. on them.

Ant. Nequando rapiat ut Ant. Lest at any time the leo animam ineam, dam non enemy snatch my soul as a est qui redimat, neque qui lion, while there is none to salvum faciat. redeem nor to save it.

A porta inferi. y. From the gates of hell.

Erue Domine animas Deliver their souls, 0 eorum. Lord.

After this cry has escaped from the maternal heart of the Church, the whole assembly prays in silence, offering to God the Lord's Prayer for the departed, who are struggling with the powers of hell.

And now, from the midst of this recollected silence rises the single voice of the lector. He receives no benediction, for he is speaking in the name of the holy souls, who have no longer the same right as we have to ask a blessing from the Ghuroh. He borrows the accents of the afflicted Job, in order to relate their overwhelming sufferings, their invincible faith, their sublime prayer. As in the ancient tragedy, the choir intervenes after each Lesson with a Responsory, whose melody is marvellously in keeping with these echoes from beyond the tomb. At one time it is man taking up the words of the dead and making them plications ; at another, terrified at God's rigour towards souls that are so dear to him, and that are sure of loving him eternally, he trembles for himself a sinner, whose judgment is still uncertain.

Aocording to St. Antoninus and Demoohares quoted by Gavanti, 1 some of these admirable Responsories were oomposed by Maurice de Sully, the Bishop of Paris who began to build the Cathedral of his own, or supporting their with his own sup-

1 De Officio Defunct.

Notre-Dame ; the greater number, however, were already to be found in earlier Gregorian manuscripts.

Other Books of holy Scripture, besides that of Job, and also the works of St. Augustine, were long used in various places to furnish the Lessons of the Dirge ; and it was customary in divers ohurohes to oonolude them with the formula : Beati mortui qui in Domino moriuntur. 1

1 st lesson.

Parce mihi, Domine, nihil enim sunt dies mei. Quid est homo, quia magnificas eum ? aut quid apponis erga eumcortuum? Visitaseum diluculo, et subito probas ilium. Usquequo non parois mihi, nec dimittis me ut flutiam salivam meam ? 'eccavi, quid faciam tibi, o custos hominum P quare posuisti me contrarium tibi, et factus sum mihimetipsi gravis ? Our non tollis peccatum meum, et quare non aufers iniquitatem meam P ecce, nunc in pulvere dormiam : et si mane me qusesieris, non subsistam.

Bt. Credo quod Eedemptor meus vivit : et in novissimo die de terra surrecturus sum : * Et in came mea videbo Deum Salvatorem meum. p. Quern visurus sum ego ipse, et non alius, et oculi mei con8pecturi sunt. * Et in.

1 Blessed are the dead

(Job. vii.)

Spare me, 0 Lord, for my days are nothing. What is man, that thou magnifiest him P or why settest thou thy heart towards him ? Thou dost visit him early, and suddenly thou provest him : how long dost thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow my spittle P I have sinned : what shall I do to thee, 0 keeper of men P Why hast thou set me contrary to thee, and I am become burthensome to myself ? Why dost thou not take away my sin, and why dost thou not take away my iniquity ? Behold now I shall sleep in the dust, and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.

I believe my Eedeemer liveth, and that in the last day I shall rise from the earth, * and in my flesh I shall see my Saviour. y. Whom I myself shall see, and not another, and my eyes shall behold. * And in my flesh.

., who die in the Lord.

Tsedet animam meam vitse meae, dimittam adversum me eloquium meum, loquar in amantadine animse meae. Dicam Deo : Noli me condemnare: indica mihi cur me ita judices. Numquid bonum tibi videtur, si oalumnieris me, et opprimas me opus manuum tuarum, et consilium impio - rum adjuves ? Numquid oculi carnei tibi sunt: aut sicut videt homo, et tu videbis ? Numquid sicut dies hominis dies tui, et anni tui sicut humana sunt tempora, ut quaeras iniquitatem meam, et peccatum meum scruteris ? Et scias quia nihil impium fecerim, cum sit nemo qui de manu tua possit eruere. ft. Qui Lazarum resuscitasti a monumento foetidum : * Tu eis, Domine, dona requiem, et locum indulgentiae. f. Qui venturus es judicare vivos et mortuos, et B89culum per ignem. * Tu eis.

Manus tuae fecerunt me, et plasmaverunt me totum in circuitu : et sic repente prsecipitas me ? Memento quaeso, quod sicut lutum feceris me, et in pulverem reduces me. Nonne sicut lac mulsisti me, et sicut ca-

. (Job. x.)

My soul is weary of life, I will let my speech loose against myself, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God, Condemn me not; show me why thou judgest me so. Does it seem good to thee, if thou calumniate me, and oppress me-, the work of thy hands, and help the design of the impious ? Hast thou eyes of flesh ; or as a man sees, shalt thou also see ? Are thy days as the days of man ; and are thy years as the times of men, that thou shouldst seek my iniquity, and search my sin? And thou mayst know that I have done no impious thing; whereas there is no man that can escape out of thy hand. ft. Thou who didst raise Lazarus fetid from the grave. * Thou, 0 Lord, give them rest, and a place of pardon. f. Who art to come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. • Thou, 0 Lord.

. (Job. X.)

Thy hands have made me, and framed me, wholly round about; and dost thou thus suddenly cast me down headlong? Remember, I beseech thee, that as clay thou didst make me, and into dust thou wilt bring me again. Hast seum me coagulasti P Pelle et carnihus vestisti me : ossibus et neryis compegisti me. Vitam et miserioordiam tribuisti mini, et visitatio tua eustodivit spiritum meum. ft. Domine, quando veneris judicare terram, ubi me abscondam a vultu irae tu» P * Quia peccavi nimis in yita mea. y. Commissa mea pavesco, et ante te erubeseo : dum veneris judicare, noli me condemnare. * Quia.

&. Eequiem seternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis. * Quia. thou not milked me like milk, and curdled me like cheese ? With skin and flesh hast thou clothed me: with bones and sinews hast thou bound me. Life and mercy thou hast given me, and thy visitation has kept my spirit. ft. 0 Lord, when thou shalt come to judge the earth, where shall I hide myself from the face of thy wrath P * For I have sinned exceedingly in my life. f. I dread my misdeeds, and blush before thee : do not condemn me, when thou shalt come to judge. * For I have sinned exceedingly in my life. y. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. * For I have.

SECOND NOOTUEN.

Our astonishment at finding the following Antiphon in the Office of the Dead might elicit from the dear souls the reply : "I have meat to eat which you know not." And, being just and holy, they might add with our Lord : "My meat is to do the will of my Father." Seen from such a height in the light of our Antiphon, what a place of pasture is Purgatory ! 0 Lord, who guidest me, who by thy grace deignest to be with me in the midst of this shadow of death ; thy rod, by striking me, comforts me ; my resignation to thy justice is the oil which flows from my head, and, anointing all my members, strengthens them for battle ; my heart, thirsting for submission, has found its inebriating cup.

St. John Ohrysostom informs us that in his time

NOV. 2. MATINS OF tWB DBAS. lie this Psalm was chanted at Christian funerals, together with the Dilexi our first Psalm of Vespers.

Ant. In a place of pasture, he has put me there.

Ant. In loco pascuse ibi me collocavit. psalm 22.

Dominus regit me, et nihil mihi deent: * in loco pascuse ibi me collocavit.

Super aquam refectioois educavit me : * animam meam convertit.

Deduxit me super semitas justiti»: * propter nomen suum.

Nam, et si ambulavero in medio umbrae mortis, non timebo mala : * quoniam tu mecum es.

Virga tua, et baculus tuus : ipsa me consolata sunt.

Parasti in conspectu meo mensam: * adversus eos, qui tribulant me.

Impinguasti in oleo caput meum : * et calix meus inebrian quam praeclarus est !

Et misericordia tua subsequetur me : * omnibus diebus vitae meae.

Et ut inhabitem in domo Domini : * in longitudinem dierum.

Requiem aeternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. In loco pascuse ibi me collocavit.

The Lord rules me, and I shall want nothing : in a place of pasture, he has put me there.

Near the refreshing waters, he has brought me up : and has converted my soul.

He has conducted me in the paths of justice, for his name's sake.

For though I shall walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not fear evils : because thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy staff : they have comforted me.

Thou hast prepared in my sight a table : against them that afflict me.

Thou hast anointed my head with oil : and my inebriating cup, how excellent is it !

And thy mercy shall follow me : all the days of my life.

And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord : for length of days.

Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord:

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. In a place of pasture, he has put me there.

The sins of my ywth and my ignorances remember vi. k * not, 0 Lord. Would to God that we now examined our conscience as seriously as we shall be foroed to do in the place of expiation, in order to repair our present negligence in that respect ! Ignorance, which is now considered so excusable, will be a sad thing for those, whose neglect to seek instruction has darkened their faith, lulled their hope to sleep, cooled their love, and falsified on a thousand points their Christian life. Then too must be paid, to the last farthing, the debts of penance accumulated by so many sins, which have been forgiven, it is true, as to the guilt, perhaps long ago, and as long ago entirely forgotten. 0 God, see my humiliation and my labour !

Ant. Delicta juventufcis Ant. The offences of my mere, et ignorantias meas ne youth, and my ignorances rememineris Domine. member not, 0 Lord.

PSALM 24.

Ad te Domine levavi animam meam : * Deus metis in te confido, non erubescam.

Neque irrideant me inimici mei : * etenim universi, qui sustinent te, non confundentur.

Confundantur omnes iniqua agentes : * supervacue.

Viae tuas Domine demonstra mibi : * et semitas tuas edoce me.

Dirige me in veritate tua, et doce me: * quia tu es Deus salvator meus, et te sustinui tota die.

Eeminiscere miserationum tuarum Domine : * et misericordiarum tuarum, qure a sreculo sunt.

Deliota juventutis mere; *

To thee, 0 Lord, I have lifted up my soul : my God, in thee I put my trust, let me not be ashamed.

Neither let my enemies insult over me : for all that hope in thee shall not be confounded.

Let all be confounded : who vainly do unjust things.

Show me thy ways, 0 Lord : and teach me thy paths.

Direct me in thy truth, and teach me : because thou art God my saviour, and thee I have expected all the day.

Eemember thy compassions, 0 Lord : and thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world.

The sins of my youth : and

HOY. 2. MATINS OF THB DEAD. et ignorantias meas ne memineris.

Secundum misericordiam tuam memento mei tu : * propter bonitatem tuam Domine.

Dulcis et rectus Dominus : * propter hoc legem dabit definquentibus in via.

Diriget mansuetos in judioio : * docebit mites vias suae.

TJniversee viae Domini misericordia et Veritas : * requirentibus testamentum ejus, et testimonia ejus.

Propter nomen tuum Domine propitiaberis peccato meo : * multum est enim.

Quis est homo qui timet Dominum ? * legem statuit ei in via, quam elegit.

Anima ejus in bonis demorabitur : * et semen ejus haereditabit terram.

Firmamentum est Dominus timentibus eum : * et testamentum ipsius, ut manifestetur illis.

Oculi mei semper ad Dominum : * quoniam ipse evellet de laqueo pedes meo s.

Eespice in me, et miserere mei : * quia unicus et pauper sum ego.

Tribulationes cordis mei multiplicat® sunt : * de necessitatibus meis erue me.

Vide humilitatem meam, et laborem meum : * et dixnitte universa delicta mea. ice inimicos meos, my ignorances, remember not*

According to thy mercy do thou remember me: for thy goodness' sake, 0 Lord.

The Lord is sweet and righteous: for this cause he will give a law to them that sin in the way.

He will direct the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways.

All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth : to them that seek his testament and his testimonies.

For thy name, 0 Lord, thou wilt be propitious to my sin : for it is great.

Who is the man that fears the Lord ? He appoints him a law in the way he has chosen.

His soul shall abide in good things : and his seed shall inherit the land.

The Lord is a support to them that fear him : and that his testament may be manifested to them.

My eyes are always towards the Lord : because he will deliver my feet out of the snare.

Look upon me: and have mercy on me: because I am alone and poor.

The tribulations of my heart are multiplied: deliver me from my necessities.

See my humiliation and my labour : and remit all my sins.

Look upon my enemies, for

Peso

TIMB AFTER 2ENTEC08T. quoniasm multiplicati sunt: • et odio iniquo oderunt me.

Oustodi animam meam, et erne me : * non erubescam, quoniam speravi in te.

Innooentes et recti adhseserunt mihi : * quia sustinui te.

Libera Deus Israel : * ex omnibus tribulationibus suis.

Requiem aeternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Deliota juventutis mese, et igjnorantias meas ne memineris Domine. they are multiplied : and with unjust hatred they hated me.

Keep my soul, and deliver me : I shall not be ashamed, because I have hoped in thee,

The innocent and righteous have adhered to me : because I have expected thee.

Deliver Israel, O God, out of all his tribulations.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord:

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. The offences of my youth, and my ignorances, remember not, 0 Lord.

On Good Friday the 26 th Psalm was sung, to express the unfailing confidence of the Messias throughout his Passion. It was repeated at the Matins of the morrow, to announce his approaching deliverance ; and on this latter occasion it was accompanied by the very Antiphon we are now about to sing. As the dwellers in Limbo on the great Saturday when our Saviour was among them, so the souls in Purgatory unite themselves to their divine Head in his expectation of a return to light and life. Their prayer, which the Church also makes her own, is such as may well touch the Heart of our Lord.

Ant. I believe I shall see the good things of the Lord, in the land of the living.

Ant. Credo videre bona Domini in terra viventium.

PSALM 26.

Dominus iUuminatio mea, et salus mea: * quern timebo ?

Dominus protector vitas

The Lord is my light and my salvation : j,whom shall I fear?

The Lord Js the protector of mese : * a quo trepidabo P

Dum appropiant super me nocentes : * ut edant carries meas.

Qui tribulant me inimici mei : * ipsi infirmati sunt, et ceciderunt.

Si consistant adversum me castra: * non timebit cor meum.

Si exsurgat adversum me prselium : * in hoc ego sperabo.

TJnam petii a Domino, hanc requiram : * ut inhabitem in domo Domini omnibus diebus vitse mese.

TJt videam voluptatem Domini: * et visitem templum ejus.

Quoniam abscondit me in tabernaculo suo : * in die malorum protexit me in abscondito tabernaculi sui.

In petra exaltavit me : * et nunc exaltavit caput meum super inimicos meos.

Circuivi, et immolavi in tabernaculo ejus hostiam vocif erationis : * cantabo et psalmum dicam Domino.

Exaudi Domine vocem meam, qua clamavi ad te : * miserere mei, et exaudi me.

Tibi dixit cor meum, exquisivit te facies mea : * faciem tuam Domine requiram.

Ne avertas f aciem tuam a me : ne declines in ira a servo tuo. my life : who shall make me tremble ?

Whilst the wicked approach to me : to devour my flesh.

My enemies that afflict me : themselves are weakened and are fallen.

If camps stand against me : my heart shall not fear.

If battle rise up against me : in this will I hope.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I seek : that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

That I may see the delight of the Lord: and visit his temple.

Because he has hid me in his tabernacle : in the day of evils he has protected me in the secret of his tabernacle.

On a rock he has exalted me : and now he hath exalted my head above my enemies.

I have gone round, and have immolated in his tabernacle a host of loud acclamation: I will sing and say a psalm to the Lord.

Hear my voice, 0 Lord, wherewith I have cried to thee : have mercy on me, and hear me.

My heart has spoken to thee, my face has sought thee out : thy face, 0 Lord, I will seek.

Hide not thy face from me : turn not away in wrath from thy servant.

TIKE AFTER PEKTECOST*

Adjutor mens esto : * ne derelinquas me, neque despicias me Deus salutaris meus.

Quoniam pater meus, et mater mea dereliquerunt me: * Dominus autem assumpsit me.

: Legem pone mihi Domine in via tna : * et dirige me in semitam rectam propter inimicos meos.

Ne tradideris me in animas tribulantium me : * quoniam insurrexerunt in me testes iniqui, et mentita est iniquitas sibi.

Credo videre bona Domini : * in terra viventium.

Exspecta Dominum, viriliter age : * et conf ortetur ©or tuum, et sustine Dominum.

Requiem seternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Credo videre bona Domini in terra viventium. y. Collocet eos Dominus cum principibu.

Cum principibus populi sui.

Be thou my helper : forsake me not, nor despise me, 0 God my Saviour.

Because my father and my mother have forsaken me : but the Lord has received me.

Set me a law, 0 Lord, in thy way ; and direct me in the right paths, because of my enemies.

Deliver me not to the will of them that afflict me; because unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity has fied to itself.

I believe I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Expect the Lord, do manfully : and let thy heart take courage, and expect thou the Lord.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. I believe I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. y. May the Lord place them with the princes.

With the princes of his people.

The Choir having echoed in the Versicle the desire of the holy souls, the Pater noster is once more recited in secret.

It was at the commencement of the following Lesson, that took place the terrifying scene immortalized by the pencil of Le Sueur in his Life of St. Bruno. Acoording to a tradition preserved in his Order, St. Bruno, while yet a secular, was assisting in Notre-

Dame at Paris at the funeral service of a renowned Doctor, Raymund Diocres ; when at the words : Re* sponde mihi, quantas habeo iniquitates et peccata, the dead man raised himself upon the bier and uttered the words : " I am accused by the just judgment of "God. ,? So great was the universal consternation, that the Office was deferred to the following day ; when in answer to the same question, the dead man again sat up and said: " I &m judged by the just judgment "of God." The interrupted service was begun again on the third day ; when at the same junoture, the voice of the unhappy man was heard once more, petrifying the assembly with terror by the awful words: "lam condemned by the just judgment of God." 1

4 th lesson. (Job. xiii.)

Besponde mihi: Quantas habeo iniquitates et peccata, ecelera mea et delicta ostende mihi. Our faciem tuam abecondis, et arbitraris xne inimicum tuum ? Contra folium, quod vento rapitur, ostendis potentiam tuam, et stipulam siccam perfiequeris. Scribis enim contra me amaritudines, et consumere me vis peccatis adolescentise mese. Posuisti in nervo pedem meum, et observasti omnes semitas meas, et vestigia pedum meorum considerasti : qui quasi putredo consumendus sum, et quasi vestimentum quod comeditur a tinea.

Answer me ; how many iniquities and sins I have : my crimes and my offences show me. Why dost thou hide thy face, and esteem me thy enemy ? Against the leaf that is carried away with the wind, thou showest thy power, and pursuest a dry straw. For thou writest bitter things against me, and hast a mind to consume me for the sins of my youth. Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet. Who as rottenness am to be consumed, and as a garment that is eaten by the moth.

1 d, lb coutbtjlx, Annal. Cartufl. in Procemio, n° 8 . xxi-xli ; where arguments are adduced in support of the substance of the narratiye, if not of the details.

&. Memento mei, Deus, quia yentus est vita mea : * Neo aspiciat me visus hominis. f. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine : * Domine, exaudi vooem meam. * Nec aspiciat.

Homo natus de muliere, brevi vivens tempore, repletur multis miseriis. Qui quasi flos egreditur, et conteritur, et rugit velut umbra, et numquam in eodem statu permanet. Et dignum ducis super hujuscemodi aperire oculos tuos, et adducere eum tecum in judicium P Quis potest facere mundum de immundo concept umsemine P nonnetu qui soluses P Breves dieshominis sunt, numerus mensium ejus apud te est : constituisti terminos ejus, qui prseteriri non poterunt. Recede paululum ab eo, ut quiescat, donee optata veniat, siout mercenarii dies ejus.

Hei mini, Domine, quia peccavi nimis in vita mea. Quid faciam miser P ubi fugiam, nisi ad te, Deus meus ? * Miserere mei, dum veneris in novissimo die. f. Anima mea turbata est valde, sed tu, Domine, suocurre ei. * Miserere.

&. Remember me, JO God, because my life is but wind : * nor may the sight^of man behold me. f. From the depths I have cried to thee, 0 Lord: Lord, hear my voice. * Nor may.

(Job. xiv.^

Man born of a woman, living a short time, is filled with many miseries. Who as a flower comes forth, and is destroyed, and flies away as a shadow, and never abides in the same state. And dost thou count it a worthy thing, to open thy eyes on such a one, and to bring him^with thee into judgment P Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed P Is it not thou who only art P The days of man are short, the number of his months is with thee ; thou hast appointed his limits, which cannot be passed. Depart a little from him, that he may rest, till his wished - for day comes, even as that of the hired man.

Woe is me, 0 Lord, because I have sinned exceedingly in my life : 0 wretch, what shall I do, whither shall I fly but to thee, my God P * Have mercy on me when thou comest at the latter day.

My soul is greatly troubled ; but thou, 0 Lord, succour it. * Have mercy on me.

Quis mini hoc tribuat, ut in inferno protegas me, et abscondas me, donee pertranseat furor tuus, et constituas mihi tempus, in quo recorderis mei ? Putasne mortuus homo rursum vivat? Cunctis diebus, quibus nunc milito, exspecto donee veniat immutatio mea. Yocabis me, et ego respondebo tibi : operi manuum tuarum porriges dexteram. Tu quidem gressus zneos dinumerasti, sea parce peccatis meis. ft. Ne recorderis peccata mea, Domine, * Dum veneris judicare sseculum per ignem. f. Dirige, Domine Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam zneam. * Dum veneris. f. Eequiem seternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis. * Dum veneris.

(Job. xivj

Who will grant me this, that in hell thou protect me, and hide me till thy fury pass away, and appoint me a time wherein thou wilt remember me ? Shall a man that is dead, thinkest thou, live again ? All the days, in which I am now in warfare, I expect till my change comes. Thou shalt call me, and I shall answer thee : to the work of thy hands thou shalt stretch out thy right hand. Thou indeed hast numbered my steps, but spare my sins.

Eemember not my sins, 0 Lord, when thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. f. Dirept, 0 Lord my God, my way in thy sight. * When thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. y. Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them : * When.

THIED NOCTTJEN.

As the purifying expiation goes on, the darkness that surrounds the soul is gradually dissipated, and glory begins to dawn. The 39 th Psalm, which we also sang at the death of our Saviour, contains lively ex- f ressions of sorrow as well as the most ardent prayer, t also shows how suffering leads to closer union with the divine Liberator, whose Blood extinguished the flames of all the ancient holocausts. It is full of thanks* giving, of admiration for God on account of his good* ness, and of the desire of praising him and seeing him praised by all. Yes ; may it please thee, 0 Lord to deliver me : but let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee, and let them say always : The Lord be magnified!

Ant. Complaceat tibi Domine, ut eripias me : Domine ad adjuvandum me respice.

Ant. May it please thee, 0 Lord, to deliver me : Lord, have regard to help me.

PSALM 39.

Exspectans exspectavi Dominum: * et intendit mihi.

Et exaudivit preces meas: * et eduxit me de lacu miserise, et de luto fsecis.

Et statuit super petram pedes meos: * et direxit gressus meos.

Et immisit in os meum oanticum novum : * carmen Deo nostro.

Videbunt multi, et timebunt : * et sperabunt in Domino.

Beatus vir, cujus est nomen Domini spes ejus : * et non respexit in vanitates et insanias falsas.

Multa fecisti tu Domine Deus meus mirabilia tua : * et co^itationibus tuis non est qui similis sit tibi.

Annuntiavi, et locutus sum : * multiplicati sunt super numerum.

Sacrificium et oblationem noluisti : * aures autem perfecisti mihi.

. Hojooaustum et pro peo-

Expecting, I expected the Lord : and he has heard me.

He heard my prayers, and brought me out of the lake of misery, and from the mire of dregs.

And he has set my feet upon a rock: and has directed my steps.

And he has put a new song into my mouth : a song to our God.

Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.

Blessed is the man, whose hope is the name of the Lord : and has not regarded vanities, and false madness.

Thou hast done many wonderful things, O Lord my God : and in thy thoughts there is none like to thee.

I have declared and have spoken : they are multiplied above number.

Sacrifice and oblation thou wouldst not : but ears thou hast perfected to me.

Holocaust, and for sin thou eato non postnlasti: * tunc dixi : Ecce venio.

In capite libri scriptum est de me ut facerem voluntatem tuam : * Deus meus volui, et legem tuam in medio cordis mei.

Annuntiavi justitiam tuam in Ecclesia magna : * ecce labia mea non prohibebo : Domine tu scisti.

Justitiam tuam non abscondi in corde meo : * veritatem tuam, et salutare tuum dixi.

Non abscondi misericordiam tuam, et veritatem tuam : * a concilio multo.

Tu autem Domine ne longe facias miserationes tuas a me : * misericordia tua et Veritas tua semper suscepe* runt me.

Quoniam circumdederunt me mala, quorum non est numerus: * comprehenderunt me iniquitates mese, et non potui ut viderem.

Multiplicatae sunt super capillos capitis mei : * et cor xneum dereliquit me.

Oomplaceat tibi t)omine tit eruas me : * Domine ad adjuvandum me respice.

Confundantur et revereantur simul, qui quserunt animam meam : * ut auferant earn.

Convertantur retrorsum, et revereantur : * qui volunt xnihi mala.

Ferant confestim confusionem suam : * qui dicunt mihi : Euge, euge.

Exsultent et laetentur su- didst not require : then said I Behold I come.

In the head of the book it is written of me, that I shall do thy will ; my God, 1 am willing, and have thy law in the midst of my heart.

I have declared thy justice in the church : behold I will not stay my lips, Lord, thou hast known it.

Thy justice I have not hid in my heart : thy truth and thy salvation I have spoken.

I have not hidden thy mercy and truth : from the great council.

But thou, 0 Lord, remove not thy compassion far from me : thy mercy and thy truth have always received me.

Because evils without number have encompassed me : my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see.

They are multiplied above the hairs of my head : and my heart has forsaken me.

May it please thee, 0 Lord, to deliver me : Lord, have regard to help me.

Let them be confounded and ashamed together, who seek my soul : to take it away.

Let them be turned backward, and be ashamed : who desire evils to me.

Let them forthwith receive their confusion ; who say to me, Well, Well.

Let all that seek thee rejoice per te'omnes qurerentes te : * et dicant semper : Magnificetur Dominus : qui diliguot salutare tuum.

Ego autem mendicus sum, et pauper : * Dominus sollicitu. est mei.

Adjutor meus, et protector meus tu es : * Deus meus ne tardaveris.

Requiem eeternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Com placeat tibi Domine, ut eripias me : Domine ad adjuvandum me respice. and be glad in thee : and let them that love thy salvation say always, the Lord be magnified.

But I am needy and poor : the Lord is careful of me.

Thou art my helper and my

Erotector : my God, do not deiy.

Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. May it please thee, O Lord, to deliver me : Lord, have regard to help me.

We have just been saying ; I am needy and poor, the Lord is careful of me ; and the following Psalm declares : Blessed is the man that thinks on the needy and poor. Among all the noble sentiments that reign in Purgatory, there could not be wanting that of gratitude towards those who have a thought for the too often neglected dead. How odious is this indifference for the departed, especially in those men of their peace who ate their bread in happier days, and in whom they so vainly hoped and confided. But hear how humbly and sweetly they pray for the benefactor, whom they themselves perhaps ignored or even despised in the time of worldly prosperity, and who now assists them in their need : May the Lord make him blessed in the land, and deliver him not to the mil of his enemies. May the Lord help him when he is on his bed of sorrow !

Ant. Sana Domine ani- Ant. Heal my soul, O mam meam, quia peccavi Lord, because I have sinned tibi. against thee.

PSALM 40.

Beatus qui intelligit super egenum et pauperem : * in die mala liberabit eum Dominus.

Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum ; et beatum f aciat eum in terra : * et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum ejus.

Dominus opem ferat illi super lectum doioris ejus : * universum stratum ejus versasti in infirmitate ejus.

Ego dixi : Domine miserere mei: * sana animam meam, quia peccavi tibi.

Inimici mei dixerunt mala mihi : * Quando morietur, et peribit nomen ejus ?

Et si ingrediebatur ut videret, vana loquebatur : * cor ejus congregavit iniquitatem sibi.

Egrediebatur foras : * et loquebatur in idipsum.

Adversum me susurrabant omnes inimici mei : * adversum me cogitabant mala mihi.

Verbum iniquum constituerunt adversum me : * numquid qui dormit, non adjiciet ut resurgat ?

Etenim homo pacis mese, in quo speravi : * qui edebat panes meos, magnificavit super me supplantationem.

Tu autem Domine miserere mei, et reauscita me : * et retribuam eis.

In hoc cognovi, quoniam

Blessed is the man that thinks on the needy and poor : in the evil day the Lord will deliver him.

Majr the Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed in the land : and deliver him not to the will of ' his enemies.

May the Lord help him on his bed of sorrow: thou hast turned all his couch* in his sickness.

I said : Lord, have mercy on me: heal my soul, because I have sinned against thee.

My enemies have said evil things to me : when shall he die, and his name perish ?

And if he came in to see, he spoke vain things : his heart assembled iniquity to itself.

He went forth: and spoke to the same purpose.

All my enemies whispered against me : they thought evils against me.

They have made an unjust decree against me : he that sleeps, shall he not rise again P

For the man of my peace, in whom I hoped ; who did eat my bread, has gloried in supplanting me.

But thou, 0 Lord, have mercy on me, and raise me up again : and I will repay them.

In this I have known that voluisti me : * quoniam non thou hast consented to me : gaudebit inimicus meus su- because my enemy shall not per me. rejoice over me.

Me autem propter inno- But thou hast received me, centiam suscepisti : * et con- because of my innocence : and firmasti me in conspectu tuo thou hast confirmed me in thy in aeternum. sight for ever.

Benedictus Dominus De- Blessed be the Lord God of us Israel a saeculo, et usque Israel from eternity to eter- in sseculum : * fiat, fiat. nity : so be it, so be it.

Bequiem seternam * dona Grant them eternal rest, O eis Domine. Lord :

Et lux perpetua * luceat And let perpetual light shine eis. on them.

Ant. Sana Domine ani- Ant. Heal my soul, 0 mam meam, quia peccavi Lord, because I have sinned tibi. against thee.

" I believe," says St. Catharine of Genoa, " that " no happiness can be compared with that of a soul " in Purgatory, except that of the Saints in Paradise. " And this happiness inoreases in proportion as the " rust of sin is consumed away by the fire, enabling " the soul to reflect, more and more clearly, the rays " of the true sun, which is God. The suffering, " however, does not diminish. On the contrary ; it " is love kept back from its object, which causes the " pain ; and consequently the suffering is greater " according as God has made the soul capable of a " greater perfection of love." 1 But let us listen to the soul herself expressing her anguish ; no mortal tongue, were it even that of the great theologian of Purgatory, could give a similar utterance to suoh sublime sentiments. How the Church, in her Psalms and her Liturgy, surpasses even the most saintly and learned of her children !

Ant. Sitivit anima mea Ant. My soul has thirsted ad Deum vivum : quando after the living God : when

1 Treatise on Purgatory. veniam, et apparebo ante faciem Domini P shall I come and appear before the face of the Lord ?

PSALM 41.

Quemadmodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum : * ita desiderat anima mea ad te Deus.

Sitivit anima mea ad Deum fortem vivum : * quando veniam, et apparebo ante faciem Dei ?

Fuerunt mihi lacrymse mese panes die ac nocte : * dtim dicitur mihi quotidie : Ubi est Deus tuus P

Hsec recordatus sum, et effudi in me animam meam : * quoniam transibo in locum tabernaculi admirabilis, usque ad domum Dei.

In voce exsultationis, et confession is : * sonus epulantis.

Quare tristis es anima mea ? * et quare conturbas me?

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

Ad meipsum anima mea conturbata est : * propterea memor ero tui de terra Jordanis, et Hermoniim a monte modico.

Abyssus abyssum invocat : * in voce cataractarum tuarum.

Omnia excelsa tua, et fluctus tui : * super me transierunt.

In die mandavit Dominus

Even as the hart thirsts after the fountains of waters : so does my soul^thirst after thee, 0 God.

My soul has thirsted after the mighty living God : when shall I come, and appear before the face of God ?

My tears have been my bread day and t night : whilst it is said to me daily : Where is thy God ?

These things^ remembered, and have poured out my soul within me:j[because I shall pass to the place of a wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God.

In the voice of joy fulness and confession : the sound of one who feasts.

Why art thou]sorrowful, my soul : and why dost thou trouble me ?

Hope in God, forJEJwill still praise him : the salvation of my countenance, and.my God.

My soul is troubled within myself: therefore I will be mindful of thee, from the land of Jordan and Hermoniim from the little mountain.

Abyss calls upon abyss, in the noise of thy waterfalls.

All thy high things and thy waves have passed over me.

In the day the Lord hatt* misericordiam suam : * et nocte canticum ejus.

Apud me oratio Deo vitse mese : * dicam Deo : Susceptor mens es.

Quare oblitus es mei ? * et quare contristatus incedo, dum affligit me inimi- CU8 ?

Dum confringuntur ossa mea : * exprobraverunt mihi qui tribulant me inimici mei.

Dum dicunt mini per singulos dies : Ubi est Deus tuus ? * quare tristis es anima mea? et quare oonturbas me P

Spera in Deo, auoniam adhuc confitebor ilk : * salutare vultus mei, et Deus meus.

Requiem aeternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Sitivit anima mea ad Deum vivum: quando veniam, et apparebo ante faciem Domini ?

f. Ne tradas bestiis animas conntentes tibi.

Et animas pauperum tuorum ne obliviscaris in finem. commanded his mercy; and in the night his song.

With me is prayer to the God of my life : I will say to God, thou art my defender.

Why hast thou forgotten me, and why go I sorrowful : whilst my enemy afflicts me ?

Whilst my bones are broken, my enemies that afflict me have upbraided me.

Whilst they said to me every day: Where is thy God? Why art thou sorrowful, 0 my soul, and why dost thou trouble me ?

Hope in God, for I will still praise him : the salvation of my countenance, and my God.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. My soul has thirsted after the living God: when shall I come and appear before the face of the Lord ?

f. Deliver not to beasts the souls that praise thee.

&. And the souls of thy poor forget not to the end.

The poor, for whom the Versiole makes such earnest supplication, are, as before, the suffering souls.

After the silent recitation of the Pater noster by the Choir, the voice of Job is again heard, setting before us in the name of the departed the vanity of this short life, the darksome realities of the tomb,

NOV. 2. MATINS OP THE DEAD. and also, beyond this life and beyond the tomb, the glory to come at the final resurrection, when, in his very flesh every man shall see his God.

7 th lesson. (Job. xvii.)

Spiritus mens attenuabitur, dies mei breviabuntur, et solum mini superest sepulchrum. Non peccavi, et in amaritudinibus moratur oculus mens. Libera me, Domine, et pone me jnxta te, et cnjnsyis iiamis pugnet contra me. I Dies mei transierunt, cogitationes meee dissipatse sunt, torquentes cor meum. Noctem verterunt in diem, et rursum post tenebras spero lucem. Si sustinuero, infernos domus mea est, et in tenebris stravi lectulum meum. Putredini dixi : Pater meus e : mater mea, et soror mea, vermibus. TJbi est ergo nunc prsestolatio mea, et patientiam meam quis considerat P

Peccantem me quotidie, et non me poenitentem, timor mortis conturbat me : * Quia in inferno nulla est redemptio, miserere mei, Deus, et salva me. y. Deus, in nomine tuo salvum me fac, et in virtute tua libera me. * Quia.

My spirit shall be humbled ; my days shall be shortened, and the grave only remains for me. I have not sinned, and my eye abides in bitterness. Deliver me, 0 Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man's hand fight against me. My days are passed, my thoughts are dissipated, tormenting my heart. Night they have turned into day, and again after darkness, I hope for light. If I shall expect, hell is my house, and in darkness I have made my bed. I have said to rottenness: thou art my father; my mother and sister, to the worms. Where then is now my expectation, and my patience who considers P

&. The fear of death troubles me : sinning daily and not repenting: * because in hell there is no redemption, have mercy on me, O God, and save me. y. 0 God, in thy name save me, and in thy strength deliver me : * because in hell.

8 th lesson. (Job. xix.)

Pelli meae, consumptis My flesh being consumed, carnibus, adhsesit os meum, my bone has cleaved to my et derelicta sunt tantum- skin, and there are left only pent, vi* X

TIMS AFTER. PENTECOST. modo labia circa dentes meos. Miseremini mei, miseremini mei, saltern vos amici mei, quia manus Domini tetigit me. Quare persequimini me sicat Deus, et carnibui meis saturamini? Quia mihi tribuat ut scribantur sermones mei ? quia mihi det ut exarentur m libro stylo ferreo, et plumbi lamina, vel celte sculpantur in silice? Scio enim quod Redemptor meus vivit, et in novissimo die de terra surrecturus sum: et rursum circumdabor pelle mea, et in carne mea yidebo Deum meum. Quern visurus sum ego ipse, et oculi mei con8pectun sunt, et non alius : reposita est hsec spes mea in sinu meo.

Domine, secundum actum meum noli me judicare : nihil dignum in conspectu tuo egi : ideo deprecor maje8tatem tuam, * Ut tu, Deus, deleas iniquitatem meam.

Amplius lava me, Domine, ab injustitia mea, et a delicto meo munda me. •Uttu. lips about my teeth. Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord has touched me. Why do you persecute me as God, and are glutted with my flesh ? Who will grant me that my words may be written P Who will grant me that they may be drawn in a book, with an iron pen, and on a plate of lead, or else be graven with steel on a flint stone ? For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the last day I shall rise out of the earth : and I shall be encompassed again with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see God my Saviour, whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another : this my hope is laid up in my bosom.

&. Judge me not, 0 Lord, according to my deeds, for I have done nothing worthy in thy sight : therefore I beseech thy majesty, * that thou, O God, mayest blot out my iniquity. y. Wash me, 0 Lord, yet more from my injustice, and cleanse me from my sin. * That.

9 th LESSON. {Job. x.)

Quare de vulva eduxisti me? qui utinam consumptus essem ne oculus me videret. Fuissem quasi non essem, de utero translatus ad tumulum. Numquid non paucitas dierum meorum fi-

Why didst thou bring me forth out of the womb? 0 would to God I had been consumed, that eye might not see me. I had been as if I were not, translated from the womb to the grave. Shall not the nietur brevi P dimitte ergo me, ut plangam paululum dolorem meum : antequam vadam, et non revertar, ad terrain tenebrosam, et opertam mortis caligine : terram miserise et tenebrarum, ubi umbra mortis, et nullus ordo, sed sempiternus horror inhabitat.

Libera me, Domine, de morte seterna, in die ilia tremenda: * Quando coeli movendi sunt et terra : * Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem. f. Tremens factus sum ego, et timeo, dum discussio venerit, atque ventura ira. * Quando. y. Dies ilia, dies irse, calamitatis et miserise, dies magna et amara valde. * Dum veneris. f. Eequiem seternam dona eis, Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Libera me usque ad primum y. fewness of my days bo shortly ended ? Suffer^me then, that I may a little lament my sorrow ; before I go, and return not, unto the dark land, that is covered with the mist of death, a land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but everlasting horror, inhabits.

Deliver me, 0 Lord, from eternal death, in that dreadful day, * when the heavens and earth are to be moved, * when thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. y. I tremble and do fear, when the examination is to be, and thy wrath to come, * when the heavens and the earth are to be moved. y. That day is the day of anger, of calamity, and of misery, a great day, and very bitter. * When thou.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them.

Deliver me, &c, to the first?.

LAUDS OF THE DEAD.

The Lauds for the Dead commence, like the Ferial Office throughout the year, with the 50 th Psalm, which David composed after his sin, and in which he gives the liveliest expression of his humble repentance. The Church makes use of it whenever she wishes to implore the mercy of God ; and of all the Canticles of the Prophet-king, this one is the most familiar to

TUB AFTHB. PENTBOOST.

Christians. In the plaoe of expiation it seems to rise naturally to their lips.

Ant. Exsultabunt Domino ossa humiliate.

Ant. The humbled bones shall rejoice in the Lord.

PSALM 50.

Miserere mei Deus : * secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.

Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum : • dele iniquitatem meam.

Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea : * et a peccato meo munda me.

Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosce : * et peccatum meum contra me est semper.

Tibi soli peccavi et malum coram te feci : * ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.

Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum : * et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.

Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti : * incerta et occulta sapientise tuse manifestasti mud.

Asperges me hyisopo, et mundabor : * layaois me, et super nivem dealbabor.

Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam : * et exsultabunt ossa humiliate.

Have mercy on me, 0 God ; according to thy great mercy.

And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquities.

Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Because I know my iniquity: and my sin is always against me.

To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee, that thou mayest be justified in thy words, and overcome when thou art judged.

For behold I was conceived in iniquities : and in sins my mother conceived me.

For behold thou hast loved truth : the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast manifested to me.

Thou wilt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed : thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

To my hearing thou wilt give joy and gladness: and the humbled bones shall rejoice.

NOT. 2. LAI

Averte faciem tuam a peocatis meis : * et omnes iniquitates meas dele.

Cor mundum crea in me Deus : * et spiritum rectum innoya in vieceribus meis.

Ne projicias me a faoie tua : * et Spiritum Sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.

Bedde mini l&titiam salutaris tui: * et Spiritu principali oonfirma me.

Docebo iniquos viae tuas :

• et impii ad te convertentur.

Libera me de sanguinibus Deus, Deus salutis mese : et exsultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam.

Domine labia mea aperies : * et osmeum annuntiabit laudem tuam.

Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique:

• holocaustis non delectaberis.

Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus : * cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus non despicies.

Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion : * ut sedificentur muri Jerusalem.

Tuno acceptabis sacrificium justitise, oblationes, et holocausta: * tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.

Bequiem setemam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua # luoeat eis.

Ant. Exsultabunt Domino ossa humiliata,

Turn away thy face from my sins : and blot out all my imquities.

Create a clean heart in me, 0 God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

Cast me not away from thy face : and take not away thy holy spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: and confirm me with a perfect spirit.

I will teach thy ways to the unjust : and the impious shall be converted to thee.

Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation : and my tongue shall extol thy justice.

Lord, thou wilt open my lips : and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

Because if thou wouldst have had sacrifice, I had verily given it: with holocausts thou wilt not be delighted.

An afflicted spirit is a sacrifice to God : a contrite and humble heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise.

Deal favourably, 0 Lord, in thy good will with Sion: that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.

Then wilt thou aocept a sacrifice of justice, oblations, and holocausts; then shall they lay calves on thy altar.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. The humbled bones, shall rejoice in the I*or.

The prolonged prayer of the faithful in union with their Mother the Churoh, is beginning to show its effeots upon the departed. The time is growing shorter, the distance is dwindling, the land of promise begins to appear on the horizon. About to set out from Babylon, the oaptive tribes oelebrate the sweet vision of their fatherland, with its fresh waters, its blessed hills, its fertile valleys ; the happy Sion, the true Jerusalem, where God is praised as he deserves to be praised.

Ant. Exaudi Domine Ant. Hear my prayer, O orationem meam : ad te om- Lord : all flesh shall come to nis caro veniet. thee.

PSALM 64.

Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion : * et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem.

Exaudi orationem meam : • ad te omnis caro veniet.

Verba iniquorum prsevaluerunt super nos : * et impietatibus nostris tu propitiaberis.

Beatus, quern elegisti, et assumpsisti : * inhabitabit in atrhs tuis.

Replebimur in bonis domus tuae : * sanctum est templum tuum, mirabile in sequitate.

Exaudi nos Deus salutaris noster: * spes omnium finium terrse, et in mari longe.

Prceparans montes in virtu te tua, accinctus potentia : * qui conturbas profundum maris, sonum fluctuum.ejus.

A hymn, 0 God, becomes thee in Sion : and a vow shall be rendered to thee in Jerusalem.

Hear my prayer: all flesh shall come to thee.

The words of the wicked have prevailed over us; and thou wilt be propitious to our impieties.

Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken : he shall dwell in thy courts.

We shall be filled with the good things of thy house : holy is thy temple : wonderful in equity.

Hear us, 0 God, our Saviour: the hope of all the bounds of the earth, and in the sea afar off.

Preparing mountains in thy strength, girded with power : who troublest the depth of the sea and the sound of its waves,

Turbabuntur Gentes, et timebunt qui habitant terminer a signis tuis : * exitu matutini et vespere delectabis.

Visitasti terrain, et inebriasti earn : * multiplicasti locupletare earn.

Flumen Dei repletum est aquis, parasti cibum illorum : * quoniam ita est prseparatio ejus.

Rivos ejus inebria, multiplica genimina ejus: * in stilliciaiis ejus lsetabitur germinans.

Benedices coronae anni benignitatis tuae : * et campi tui replebuntur ubertate.

Pinguescent speciosa deserti : * et exsultatione colles accingentur.

Induti sunt arietes ovium, et yalles abundabunt frumento : * clamabunt, etenim hymnum dicent.

Eequiem seternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Exaudi Domine orationem meam : ad te omnia caro veniet.

The nations shall be troubled, and they that inhabit the borders shall be afraid of thy signs : the end of the morning and evening thou shalt delight.

Thou hast visited the earth, and hast inebriated it: thou hast greatly enriched it.

The river of God is replenished with waters, thou hast prepared their meat: because so is the preparation thereof.

Inebriate its rivers, multiply its fruits : in its drops it shall rejoice springing.

Thou wilt bless the circle of the year of thy goodness : and thy fields shall be filled with plenty.

The beautiful places of the desert shall be fat, and the little hills encompassed with joy.

The rams of the sheep are clothed, and the valleys shall abound with corn : they shall cry out, yes, they shall sing a hymn.

Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. Hear my prayer, O Lord : all flesh shall come to thee.

It is dawn in Purgatory ; and therefore the Churoh here inserts the usual third Psalm of her morning Office on earth. It is the expression of the Christian's love and confidence, as he raises his heart to God at day-break. This Psalm is always joined with the 66 th , in which the Psalmist, at the rising of the material sun, begs of God to enlighten the world with the brightness of his merciful countenance.

Ant. Me suscepit dextera tua Domine.

Ant. Thy right hand, Lord, has received me.

PSALM 62.

Deus Deus meus : * ad te de luce vigilo.

Sitivit in te anima mea : * quam multipliciter tibi caro mea.

In terra deserta, et invia, et inaquosa : * sic in sancto apparui tibi, ut viderem virtutem tuam et gloriam tuam.

Quoniam melior est misericordia tua super vitas : * labia mea laudabunt te.

Sic benedicam te in vita mea : * et in nomine tuo levabo manus meas.

Sicut adipe et pinguedine repleatur anima mea: * et labiis exsultationis laudabit os meum.

Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutinis meditabor in te : * quia fuisti adjutor meus.

Et in velamento alarum tuarum exsultabo ; adhaesit anima mea post te: * me suscepit dextera tua.

Ipsi vero in vanum qusesierunt animam meam : introibunt in inferiora terrse : * tradentur in manus gladii, partes vulpium erunt.

0 God, my God, to thee I watch from the morning light.

My soul has thirsted after thee : as also my flesh very much.

In a desert land, inaccessible, and without water : so in the holy place have 1 appeared to thee, to behold thy strength and glory.

Because thy mercy is better than lives : my lips shall praise thee.

So will I bless thee in my life : and in thy name will I lift up my hands.

As with marrow and fatness let my soul be filled : and my mouth shall praise with lips of joyfulness.

If I have been mindful of thee on my bed, in the morning I will meditate on thee : because thou hast been my helper.

And under the cover of thy wings I will rejoice ; my soul has cleaved after thee : thy right hand has received me.

But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall enter into the lower parts of the earth : they shall be delivered into the power of the sword, they shall be the portion of foxes.

Bex vero lsetabitur in Deo, laudabuntur omiies qui jnrant in ©o: * quia obstructum est os loquentium iniqua.

But the king shall rejoice in God; all shall be praised, that swear by him : because the mouth of those who speak wicked things is stopped.

PSALM 66.

Deus misereatur nostri, et benedicat nobis : * illuminet vultum suum super nos, et misereatur nostri.

Ut cognoscamus in terra viam tuam : * in omnibus Gentibus salutare tuum.

Oonfiteantur tibi populi Deus: * confiteantur tibi populi omnes.

Laetentur et exsultent Gentes: * quoniam judicas populos in aequitate, et Gentes in terra dirigis.

Confiteantur tibi populi Deus, confiteantur tibi populi omnes : * terra dedit fructum suum.

Benedicat nos Deus, Deus noster, benedicat nos Deus : * et metuant eum omnes fines terrse.

Requiem seternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Me suscepit dextera tua Domine.

May God have mercy on us, and bless us : may he make his countenance shine upon us, and have mercy on us.

That we may know thy way on earth : thy salvation in all the nations.

Let people, 0 God, praise thee : let all the people praise thee.

Let nations be glad and rejoice : because thou judgest the people with equity, and directest the nations on the earth.

Let people, 0 God, praise thee; let all people, 0 God, praise thee: the earth has yielded its fruit.

May God, our God, bless us, may God bless us : and may all the bounds of the earth fear him.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. Thy right hand, 0 Lord, has received me.

Holy Saturday, which the Man-God spent in Limbo, is the great day for the faithful departed. The Church therefore, as she daily sings a Cantiole at this point in her morning Lauds, puts to-day upon the lips of her suffering children the Canticle of Ezechias. On the great Saturday it expressed the

T1MH AFTER PENTECOST. words of Christ praying for his speedy deliveranoe. It is also accompanied by the same Antiphon as on that occasion.

Ant. A porta inf eri erne Domine animam meam.

Ant. From the gate of hell deliver my sonl, O Lord.-

CANTICLE OF EZHCHIAS.

Ego dixi : In dimidio dierum meorum : * vadam ad portas inferi.

Qusesivi residuum annorum meorum : * dixi : Non videbo Dominum Deum in terra viventium.

Non aspiciam hominem ultra : * et habitatorem quietis.

Generatio mea ablata est, et convoluta est a me: * quasi tabernaculum pastorum.

Praecisa est velut a texente vita mea : dum adhuc ordirer, succidit me : * de mane usque ad vesperam finies me.

Sperabam usque ad mane : * quasi leo sic contrivit omnia ossa mea.

De mane usque ad vesperam finies me : * sicut pullus hirundinis sic clamabo, meditabor ut columba.

Attenuati sunt oculi mei : * suspicientes in excelsum.

Domine vim patior, responde pro me : * quid dicam, aut auid respondebit mihi, cum ipse fecerit ?

Eecogitabo tibi omnes annos meos : * in amaritudine anim.se mesa.

I have said : in the midst of my days I shall go to the gates of hell.

I have sought the residue of my years : I have said, I shall not see the Lord God in the land of the living.

I shall behold man no more : and the inhabitant of my rest.

My generation is taken away, and is folded up from me : as the tent of shepherds.

My life is cut off as by a weaver; whilst I yet began he cut me off : between morning and night thou wilt make an end of me.

I hoped until the morning : as a lion so has he broken all my bones.

Between morning and evening thou wilt make an end of me: as a young swallow so will I cry, t will meditate as a dove.

My eyes are weakened: looking up on high.

Lord, I suffer violence, answer for me ; what shall I say, or what shall he answer me, whereas himself has done it?

I will prelate to thee all my years : in the bitterness of my* soul,

NOV. 2. LAUDS OP THB DEAD.

Domine, si sic vivitur, et in talibus vita spiritus mei, corripies me, et vivificabis me : * ecce in pace amaritudo mea amarissima.

Tu autem eniisti animam meam ut non periret : * projecisti post tergum tuum omnia peccata mea.

Quia non infernus confitebitur tibi, neque mors laudabit te : * non exspectabunt qui descendunt in lacum veritatem tuam.

Vivens vivens ipse confitebitur tibi, sicut et ego hodie : * pater filiis notam faciet veritatem tuam.

Domine salvum me fac : * et psalmos nostros cantabimus cunctis diebus vitse nostrae in domo Domini.

Eequiem seternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. A porta inferi erue Domine animam meam.

Lord, if man's life be such, and the life of my spirit in such things, thou shalt chastise me and enliven me : behold, in peace is my bitterness most bitter.

But thou hast delivered my soul, that it should not perish: thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Because hell shall not praise thee, neither shall death praise thee : they that go down into the lake shall not expect thy truth.

He that lives, he that lives shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father shall make thy truth known to the children.

Lord, save me : and we will sing our psalms all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.

Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. From the gate of hell deliver my soul, 0 Lord.

Let every spirit, everything that breathes, praise the Lord ! In Purgatory love is overflowing, praise becomes the sole occupation, for heaven is at hand. Absolute self-forgetfulness characterizes the close of the painful purification. Had the soul to remain still longer in the expiatory fire, it would not hurt her, since she has no longer any stain or rust for the flame to consume, but is full of God, incapable of any other sentiment than the desire of his glory.

Ant. 0mni spiritus lau- 4et Dominum.

Ant. Let every spirit praise the Lord,

TIME AFTBB. PENTECOST.

PSALM 148.

Laudato Dominum do coelis: * laudato eum in excelsis.

Laudato eum omnes Angeli ejus : * laudato eum omnes yirtutes ejus.

Laudato eum sol et luna :

• laudato eum omnes stellae, et lumen.

Laudate eum coeli ccelorum : * et aquae omnes, quae super coelos sunt, laudent nomen Domini.

Quia ipse dixit et facta sunt: * ipse mandavit et creata sunt.

Statuit ea in aeternum, et in saeculum saeculi : * prseoeptum posuit, et non praeteribit.

Laudate Dominum do terra: * dracones, et omnes abyssi.

Ignis, grando, nix, glacies, spiritu procellarum : * quae faciunt verbum ejus.

Montes, et omnes colles :

• ligna fructifera, et omnes cedri.

Bestiae, et universa pecora : * serpentes, ot volucres pennatae.

Eeges terrae, et omnes populi : * principes, et omnes judices terrae.

Juvenes et virgines, senes cum junioribus laudent nomen Domini : * quia, exaltatum est nomen ejus solius.

Confessio ejus super coelum et terram : * et exaltavit cornu populi sui.

Hvmnus omnibus Sanctis

Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the highest places.

Praise ye him all his angels; praise ye him all his powers.

Praise ye him sun and moon : praise him all ye stars and light.

Praise him ye heavens of heavens ; and let all the waters that are above the heavens praise the name of the Lord.

Because he spoke, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

He established them for ever, and world without end ; he made a precept not to be annulled.

Praise the Lord from the earth ; ye dragons and all abysses. tire, hail, snow, ice, tempestuous winds; which obey his word.

Mountains and all hills; fruit-bearing trees and all oedars.

Beasts and all cattle; serpents and feathered fowls.

Kings of the earth and all people ; princes and all judges of the earth.

Youths and virgins, the old with the young, let them praise the name of the Lord ; because his name alone is exalted.

The praise of him is above heaven and earth : and he has exalted the horn of his people.

4 hymn fa all his^eaints ; ejus: * filiifl Israel, populo appropinquanti sibi. to the children of Israel, people approaching to him.

PSALM 149.

Oantate Domino canticum novum : * laus ejus in Ecclesia sanctorum.

Lsetetur Israel in eo, qui fecit eum : • et filii Sion exeultent in rege suo.

Laudent nomen ejus in choro : • in tympano et psalterio psallant ei.

Quia beneplacitum est Domino in populo suo : * et exaltabit mansuetos in salutem.

Exsultabunt sancti in floria : * lsstabuntur in cuilibus suis.

Exaltationes Dei in gutture eorum : * et gladii ancipites in manibus eorum.

Ad faciendam yindictam in nationibus : * increpationes in populis.

Ad alhgandos reges eorum in oompedibus : * et nobiles eorum in manicis ferreis.

Ut faciant in eis judicium conscriptum: * gloria haec est omnibus Sanctis ejus.

Sing to the Lord a new song : let his praise be in the church of his saints.

Let Israel be joyful in him that made him: and let the children of Sion rejoice in their king.

Let them praise his name in choir: on the timbrel and psalter let them sing to him.

Because the Lord is well pleased in his people : and he will exalt the meek to salvation.

The saints shall rejoice in glory; they shall rejoice in their resting-places.

The exaltations of God shall be in their mouths ; and two-edged swords in their hands.

To execute vengeance on nations : chastisements among the people.

To bind their kings in fetters ; and their nobles in iron manacles.

That they may execute on them the judgment that is written; this glory is to all his saints.

PSALM 150.

Laudate Dominum in Sanctis ejus : * laudate eum in firmamento virtutis ejus.

Laudate eum in virtutibus ejus : * laudate eum secundum multitudinem magnitudinifi ejus.

Praise the Lord in his holy places : praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him in his powers : praise him according to his exceeding greatness.

Laudato eum in sono tubas : * laudate eum in psalterio et cithara.

Laudate eum in tympano et choro : * laudate eum in chordis et organo.

Laudate eum in oymbalis benesonantibus, laudate eum in cymbalis jubilationis : * omnis spiritus laudet Dominum.

Eequiem seternam * dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Omnis spiritus laudet Dominum.

Praise him in the sound of trumpet ; praise him on the psaltery and harp.

Praise him on the timbrel and in the choir : praise him on strings and organs.

Praise him on well-sounding cymbals, praise him on cymbals of joyfulness : let every spirit praise the Lord.

Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord :

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. Let every spirit praise the Lord.

Again, as at the close of Vespers, the cry of joy contained in the Versicle comes down to us from heaven. f. Audivi vocem de coe« lo dicentem mihi.

Beati mortui qui in Domino moriuntur. y. I heard a voice from heaven saying to me :

Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.

And in the Canticle of Zachary, the Churoh, together with all the souls delivered or comforted by her liturgioal suffrages, thanks the Lord God of Israel who has visited and redeemed his people. We too return thanks, for our beloved dead, to him who is the resurrection and the life, and who never abandons, even in death, those who believed in him during their earthly sojourn.

Ant. Ego sum resurrectio et vita : qui credit in me, etiam si mortuus fuerit, vivet : et omnis qui vivit et credit in me, non morietur in seternum.

Ant. I am the resurrection and the life : he that believes in me, though he be dead, shall live ; and every one that lives, and believes in me, shall never die.

CANTICLE I

Benedictus Dominus Dene Israel : * quia visitavit, et fecit redemptionem plebis suae.

Et erexit conra salutis nobis : * in domo David pueri sui.

Siout locntus est per os sanctorum: * qui a saeculo sunt, prophetarum ejus.

Salutem ex inimicis nostris : * et de manu omnium, qui oderunt nos.

Ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris : * et memorari testamenti sui sancti.

Jusjurandum, quod jurayit ad Abraham patrem nostrum : * daturum se nobis.

Ut sine timore, de manu inimicorum nostrorum liberati : * serviamus illi.

In sanctdtate, et justitia coram ipso : * omnibus diebus nostris.

Et tu puer, Propheta Altissimi vocaberis : * praeibis enim ante faciem Domini parare vias ejus.

Ad dan dam scientiam salutis plebi ejus : * in remissionem peccatorum eorum.

Per viscera misericordiee Dei nostri : * in quibus visitavit nos, oriens ex alto.

Uluminare his, qui in tenebris, et in umbra mortis sedent : * ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis.

»F ZACHAKY.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ; because he has visited and wrought the redemption of his people.

And he has raised up the horn of salvation to us ; in the house of David his servant.

As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets : that were from the beginning.

Salvation from our enemies : and from the hand of all that hate us.

To work mercy with our fathers; and remember his holy testament.

The oath which he swore to Abraham our father : that he would grant us.

That being delivered from the hand of our enemies ; we may serve him without fear.

In holiness and justice before him : all our days. m

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.

To give the knowledge of salvation to his people; for the remission of their sins.

By the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the orient from on high has visited us.

To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shades of death ; to direct our feet in the way of peace.

TTMB AFTER PENTECOST.

Requiem seternam • dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.

Ant. Ego sum resurrectio et yita : qui credit in me, etiam si mortuus fuerit, vivet: et omnis qui vivit et credit in me, non morietur in eeternum.

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord:

And let perpetual light shine on them.

Ant. I am the resurrection and the life : he that believes in me, though he be dead, shall live ; and every one that lives, and believes in me, shall never die.

The Priest commences, and the whole assembly recites kneeling, the Lord's Prayer.

Pater noster.

Our Father.

The rest is said in silence as far as this conclusion, whioh is followed by the Versioles and Prayer that close the Office of the Dead. f. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. ft. Sed libera nos a malo. y. A porta inferi. ft. Erue Domine animas eorum. f. Bequiescant in pace. ft. Amen. y. Domine exaudi orationem meam. ft. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. f. Dominus vobiscum. ft. Et cum spiritu tuo.

And lead us not into temptation. ft. But deliver us from evil. f. From the eate of hell. ft. Deliver their souls, O Lord. f. May they rest in peace, ft. Amen. y. O Lord, hear my prayer. ft. And let my cry come to thee.

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

PRAYER.

Fidelium Deus omnium Oonditor et Bedemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue jpeccatorum: ut indulgentiam,

0 God, the Creator and Bedeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of thy servants, men and women, the remission of all their sins : that by pious supplications they may

NOV. 2. MASS 01? THE DBAD. quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in imitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula sseculorum.

&. Amen. y. Eequiem seternam dona eis Domine.

Et lux perpetua luceat eis. y. Bequiescant in pace. $. Amen. obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost one God, world without end.

Amen. y. Eternal rest give to them, 0 Lord. fit. And let perpetual light shine on them. f. May they rest in peace.

$. Amen.

MASS OF THE DEAD.

To-day the Roman Church doubles her task of daily service to the divine Majesty. The Commemoration of the Dead does not distract her from the Saints. The Offioe of the seoond day within the Ootave preceded the Dirge ; Tierce of AH Saints has been followed by the corresponding Mass ; and it is after None of the same Offioe that the holy Sacrifice is offered for the faithful departed.

On account of this increase, and her solicitude to maintain the harmony she has established between the two liturgical objects of this day, Rome has never countenanced the extension of a privilege existing in Spain, which allows eaoh Priest to offer three Masses for the Dead. For a long period Rome alone, with a few churches that kept the most closely to her, recited the Office of All Saints on the second of November. Most of the Western churches said only that of the Dead. At the day Hours, as well as at Matins and Lauds, the Hymn and the Deus in adjutorium were suppressed ; the ordinary Psalms were concluded with Requiem ceternam ; and the Collect for the Dead was said at the close, as is

PINT. vx. i< still the custom among the Friars Preachers. The one Solemn Mass, that of the Dead, was celebrated after Tierce. This Commemoration of the faithful departed usually ended at None ; but Oluny maintained, up to last century, the custom of celebrating

As to the obligation of resting from servile works on All Souls' day, it was of semi-precept in England, the more necessary works being permitted ; in some places the obligation lasted only till mid-day; in others assistance at Mass was alone enjoined. For some time, Paris kept the 2 nd November as a Feast of obligation ; in 1673 the command to observe it until mid-day was retained in the statutes by the Archbishop Francis de Harlay. The precept no longer exists, even at Rome.

The remark of Amalarius, quoted above with regard to the Office of the Dead, is no less applicable to the Mass. Not to mention the suppression of the Gloria in excehis and of the Alleluia, the Priest omits the Psalm Judica me at the foot of the Altar, as in Passiontide. As on Good Friday, he is olothed in black vestments ; most of the blessings are omitted, as also the kiss of peace, and the various marks of honour shown to the celebrant ; the altar is thurified but once ; and the singing of the Gospel is done as on that great day, viz : the Deacon receives no blessing from the Celebrant, lights and incense are not used, and the Priest does not kiss the sacred text. So closely, even in death, does the Church draw her ohildren to him whose members they are.

The Introit Antiphon is the same earnest supplication, which takes the place of every doxology throughout the Office, and which was suggested by a passage in the fourth Book of Esdras. 1 The Verse is taken from the seoond Psalm of Lauds.

1 IV Esdr. ii, 34-35.

NOV. 2. MASS OF THB DEAD.

INTROIT.

Requiem eeternam dona eis Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Pa, Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem : exaudi orationem meam, ad te omnis caro veniet. Requiem.

Eternal rest give to them, 0 Lord ; and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Ps. A hymn, 0 God, becometh thee in Sion; and a vow shall be paid to thee in Jerusalem: 0 Lord, hear my prayer ; all flesh shall come to thee. Eternal rest, &c.

In the Collect, Mother Church makes her own the grayer of the suffering souls ; she presents it to her pouse, God made Man, calling him by his titles of Creator and Redeemer ; for these titles remind him of all he has done for these souls, and invite him to perfect his work.

COLLECT.

Fidelium Deus omnium Oonditor et Redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum : ut indulgentiam, quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia srecula saeculorum.

0 God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of thy servants, men and women, the remission of all their sins ; that by pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. "Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

EPISTLE.

Ijectio Epistolae beati Pauli Lesson of the Epistle of St. Apostoli ad Corinthios. Paul the Apostle to the Co- rinthians.

I. Cap. xv. I. Chap. xv.

Fratres : Ecce mysterium Brethren, behold, I tell you vobis dioo: Omnes quidem resurgemus, sed non omnes immutabimur. In momento, in ictu oculi, in novissima tuba, canet enim tuba et mortui resurgent incorrupti : et nos immutabimur. Oportet enim corruptibile hoc induere incorruptionem : et mortale hoc induere immortalitatem. Oum autem mortale hoc induerit immortalitatem, tunc fiet sermo, qui scriptus est : Absorpta est mors in victoria. Ubi est, mors, victoria tua ? Ubi est, mors, stimulus tuus ? Stimulus autem mortis peccatum est : virtus vero peccati lex. Deo autem gratias, qui dedit nobis victoriam per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum. a mystery: we shall all indeed rise again, but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet : for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible mustput on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 0 death, where is thy victory ? 0 death where is thy sting ? Now the sting of death is sin : the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

While the soul is supplying in Purgatory for the insufficiency of her expiations, the body she has quitted returns to the earth in virtue of the sentenoe pronounced against Adam and his race from the beginning of the world. But, with regard to the body as well as the soul, justice is full of love ; its claims are a prelude to the glory which awaits the whole man. The humiliation of the tomb is the just punishment of original sin; but in this return of man to the earth from whence he sprang, St. Paul would have us recognize the sowing neoessary for the transformation of the seed, which is destined to live again under very different conditions. For flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God ; l neither can corruptible members aspire to immortality. The

1 1 Cor. xv. 50.

NOV. 2. MASS OP THE DEAD. body of the Christian, whioh St. Ignatius of Antiooh calls the wheat of Christ, is oast into the tomb, as it were into the furrow, there to leave its own corruption, the form of the first Adam with its heaviness and infirmity ; but by the power of the new Adam reforming it to his own likeness, it shall spring up all heavenly and spiritualized, agile, impassible, and glorious. Blessed be he, who willed to die for us in order to destroy death, and to make his own victory ours !

In the Gradual, the Church continues to pray for the deliverance of the departed souls.

GRADUAL.

Eequiem seternam dona Eternal rest five to them, eis Domine : et lux perpetua 0 Lord ; and let perpetual luceat eis. light shine upon them. y. In memoria seterna The just shall be in ever- erit justus : ab auditione lasting remembrance ; he shall mala non timebit. not fear the evil hearing.

TRACT.

Domine, animas omnium fidelium defunctorum ab omni vinculo delictorum.

Absolve, Absolve, 0 Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from every bond of sins, p. Et gratia tua illis sue- |P. And by the help of thy currente, mereantur evadere grace may they be enabled to judicium ultionis. escape the judgment of pun- ishment.

Et lucis ceternae bea- y. And enjoy the happiness titudine perfrui. of light eternal.

The Church, as we shall see, did not formerly exolude from the funerals of her children the joyful Alleluia ; it expressed the happiness she felt at the thought that a holy death had secured heaven to the new elect, although his expiation might not yet be completed. But the adaptation of the liturgy foy

TTHB AFTER PENTECOST. the Dead to the rites of Holy "Week haying altered this ancient custom, it would seem that the Sequenoe, originally a festive sequel to the Alleluia, ought also to be exoluded from the Requiem Mass. Borne, however, has made a weloome exception to the traditional rule, in favour of the remarkable poem of Thomas de Celano. This and the Stabat Mater of Fra Jaoopone have won renown for the Francisoan lyre. The Dies irce was first sung in Italy in the fourteenth century; and in two centuries more it had spread to the entire Church.

SEQUENCE.

Dies irse, dies ilia, Solvet sseclum in favilla, Teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus tremor est futurus,

Quando Judex est venturus, Cuncta stricte discussurus. Tuba minim spargens solium

Per sepulcbra regionum, Ooget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura, Cum resurget creatura, Judicanti responsura.

Liber scriptus prof eretur In quo totum continetur, Unae mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit, Quidquid latet, apparebit : Nil inultum remanebit.

The day of wrath, that awful day, shall reduce the world to ashes, as David and the Sibyl prophesied. 1

How great will be the terror, when the Judge shall come to examine all things rigorously !

The trumpet, with astounding blast, echoing over the sepulchres of the whole world, shall summon all before the throne.

Death and nature will stand aghast, when the creature shall rise again, to answer before his Judge

The written book shall be brought forth, containing all for which the world must be judged.

When, therefore, the Jud^e shall be seated, whatsoever is hidden shall be brought to light ; nought shall remain unpunished.

1 An allusion to the celebrated oracle of the Erythraean Sibyl, quoted by St. Augustine in his City of God, Book xviii, chap. 23. The initial letters of the verses give in Greek the formula : Jesus Christ ? $on of God, Saviour.

NOV. 2. HA68 OF TOT DEAD.

Quid sum miser tunc dioturus ?

Quern patronum rogaturus, Cum vix Justus sit securus ?

Bex tremendse majestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis.

Becordare, Jesu pie, Quod sum causa tuse vise : Ne me perdas ilia die.

QusBrens me, sedisti lassus :

Bedemisti, crucem passus: Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Juste judex ultionis, Donum fac remissionis Ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco, tamquam reus ;

Culpa rubet yultus mens : Supplicant! parce, Deus.

Qui Mariam absolvisti, Et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces mesa non sunt dignae :

Sed tu bonus fac benigne Ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter oves locum praasta, Et ab hcedis me sequestra, Statuens in parte dextra.

Oonfutatis malediotis, Flammis acribus addictis : Voca me cum benedictis.

Oro supplex et acclinis, Qor oontritum quasi pin is,

What then shall I, unhappy man, allege P Whom shall I invoke as protector? when even the just shall hardly be secure.

O King of awful majesty, who of thy free gift savest them that are to be saved, save me, 0 fount of mercy !

Remember, 0 loving Jesus, 'twas for my sake thou earnest on earth : let me not, then, be lost on that day.

Seeking me thou satest weary; thou redeemedst me by dying on the Cross : let not such suffering be all in vain.

0 righteous Awarder of punishment, grant me the gift of pardon before the reckoning-day.

1 groan as one guilty, while I blush for my sins : oh ! spare thy suppliant, my God !

Thou didst absolve Mary Magdalen, and didst hear the prayer of the thief: to me, then, thou hast also given hope.

My prayers deserve not to be heard ; but thou art good : grant, in thy kindness, mat I may not burn in the unquenchable fire.

Give me a place among thy sheep, separating me from the goats and setting me on thy right hand.

When the reprobate, covered with confusion, shall have been sentenced to the cruel flames, call me with the blessed.

Prostrate in supplication I implore thee, with a heart

TXMB AFTER PENTECOST.

Gere curam mei finis.

Laorymosa dies ilia, Qua resurget ex fa villa

Judicandus homo reus : Huic ergo parce, Deus.

Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. Amen. contrite as though crushed to ashes ; oh ! have a care of my last hour !

A mournful day that dayshall be, when from the dust shall arise

Guilty man, that he may be judged; spare him, then, O God!

0 tender Lord Jesus, give them eternal rest. Amen.

GOSPEL.

Sequel of the holy Gospel according to St. John.

Chap, v. At that time Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, Amen, amen, I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God ; and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, so he hath given to the Son also to have life in himself: and he hath given him power to do judgment, because he is the Son of man. Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God ; and they that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life, but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

Purgatory is not eternal. Its duration varies according to the sentence pronounced at each particular judgment. It may be prolonged for centuries in the case of the more guilty souls, or of those who, being excluded from the Catholic communion, are deprived

Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Johannem.

Cap. v. In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus turbis Judseorum : Amen, amen dico vobis, quia venit hora, et nunc est, quando mortui audient vocem Filii Dei : et qui audierint, vivent. Sicut enim Pater habet vitam in semetipso : sic dedit et Filio habere vitam in semetipso : et potestatem dedit ei judicium facere, quia Filius hominis est. Nolite mirari hoc, quia venit hora, in qua omnes, qui in monumentis sunt, audient vocem Filii Dei : et precedent, qui bona fecerunt, in resurrectionem vitas : qui vero mala egerunt, in resurrectionem judicii.

NOV. 2. MASS OF THE MAD. of the suffrages of the Church, although by the divine mercy they have escaped hell. But the end of the world, which will be also the end of time, will close for ever the place of temporary expiation. God will know how to reconcile his justice and his goodness in the purification of the last members of the human race, and to supply by the intensity of the expiatory suffering what may be wanting in duration. But, whereas a favourable sentence at the particular judgment admits of eternal beatitude being suspended, and postponed, and leaves the bodies of the eleot to the same fate as those of the reprobate ; at the universal judgment, every sentence, whether for heaven or for hell, will be absolute, and will be executed immediately and completely. Let us, then, live in expectation of the solemn hour, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God. 1 He that is to come, will come and will not delay, as the Doctor of the Gentiles reminds us ; his arrival will be sudden, as that of a thief, we are told, not only by St. Paul, but also by the Prinoe of the Apostles and the Beloved Disciple ; and these in turn are but eohoing the words of our Lord himself : As lightning cometh out of the East and appeareth even unto the West : so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.

Let us enter into the sentiments contained in the beautiful Offertory. Although the poor suffering souls are sure of their eternal blessedness, yet they entered upon this road to heaven at a moment of utmost peril : the supreme effort of the devil in his last assault, and the agony of the judgment. The Church, therefore, extending her prayer to every stage of this painful way, does not forget its opening. Nor is she afraid of being too late ; for, to God, who sees all times at one glance, this day's supplication was present at the moment of the dread passage, and i St. John v. 25.

TIME AFTER PBNTBOO0T. obtained assistance for the straitened souls. This same prayer follows them also in their straggles with the powers of hell, when Gtod permits these, according to the revelations of the Saints, to be the ministers of his justice in the plaoe of expiation. At this solemn moment, when the Ohuroh is offering her gifts for the tremendous and all-powerful Sacrifice, let us redouble our prayers for the faithful departed. Let us implore their deliverance from the jaws of the infernal lion. Let us obtain from the glorious Archangel, whom God has set over Paradise and appointed to lead souls thither, 1 that he would bear them up to the light, to life, to God, who is himself the reward promised to all believers in the person of their father Abraham.

OFFERTORY.

Domine Jesu Christe, Bex glorias, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de pcenis inferni, et de profundo lacu : libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum: sed signifer sanctus Michael repr»sentet eas in lucem sanctam : * Quam olim Abrahse promisisti et semini ejus. y. Hostias et preces tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus: tu suscipeproanimabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam f acimus : fao eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam. * Quam olim.

0 Lord Jesus Christ, of glory, deliver the souls 61 all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the deep pit : deliver them from the mouth of the lion, that hell may not swallow them up, aDd they may not fall into darkness, but may the holy standard-bearer Michael introduce them to the holy light ; * Which thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his f. We offer to thee, 0 Lord, sacrifices and prayers : do thou receive them in behalf of those souls whom we commemorate this day. Grant them, O Lord, to pass from death to life ; * Wnich thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed.

1 Ant. et Reap, in festo S. Michaelis,

NOV. 2. MASS OP THE MAD.

The holy souls had the gift of faith, and did the works of faith, while on earth ; their eternal reward is therefore seoured, and God mercifully acoepts the offerings we make for them, as the Secret implies.

Hostia, queesumus Domine, quas tibi pro animabiiH famulorum famularumque tuarum offerimus, propitiatus intende : ut, quibus fidei christian© meritum contulisti, dones et praeminm. Per Dominum.

Mercifully look down upon this sacrifice which we offer to thee for the souls of thy servants, 0 Lord, we beseech thee; that to those to whom thou didst grant the merit of Christian faith thou mayest also grant its reward. Through our Lord.

At the Agnus Dei y instead of asking as usual for peace for the living, we pray that the dead may have eternal rest.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- Lamb of God, who takest cata mundi, dona eis re- away the sins of the world, quiem. give them rest.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- Lamb of God, who takest cata mundi, dona eis re- away the sins of the world, quiem. give them rest.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- Lamb of God, who takest cata mundi, dona eis re- away the sins of the world, quiem sempiternam. give them eternal rest.

Like myriad silent snowflakes falling earthward on a winter's day, the delivered souls, white and lovely, are mounting heavenward at this hour, when the Church, the whole world over, concluding her long supplioations, pours over the expiatory flames the sacred Blood of Eedemption. Strong in the power given to our prayer by our participation in the divine mysteries, let us say with her in th$ Qommunion Antiphon :

COMMUNION.

Lux seterna luceat eis, Domine, * Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es. y. Requiem seternam dona eis Domine : et lux perpetua luceat eis. * Cum Sanctis.

May light eternal shine upon them, 0 Lord : * With thy saints for ever, because thou art merciful. y. Eternal rest give to them, 0 Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. * With thy saints.

Such, however, is the impenetrable and adorable mystery of God's justice, whioh baffles all human conception, that for some souls the expiation must still be prolonged. The Church, then, without growing weary or losing hope, prolongs her prayer also in the tostcommunion. Moreover, at every Hour of the daily Divine Office, and at every Mass offered throughout the year, the faithful departed are remembered by their Mother.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Animabus, qusesumus, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum oratio proficiat supplicantium : ut eas et a peccatis omnibus exuas, et tu» redemptionis facias esse participes. Qui vivis.

We beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayer of thy suppliants may benefit the souls of thy servants ; that thou mayest deliver them from all their sins, and make them, partakers of thy redemption. Who livest.

Gloria in excehis ted, Benedicamm Domino Ite missa est,

In Masses in whioh the is omitis said instead of but in Masses for the Dead the following petition is substituted.