>5' Px027 0- 7 I 4t-. I i -!i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i, I'~~~( (~-" -ri :\ f7~~~~Z 2,~0 ST. JOHN'S IANUAL: A GUIDE TO THE PUBLIC WORSHIP AND SERVICES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND A COLLECTION OF DEVOTIONS FOR THE PRIVATE USE OF THE FAITHFUL. lir )Jorsh: T. W. STRONG, LATE EDWAIRD DUSIGAN & BRO., COATHOtIO PtUBLI$ItlNQ )OVS, 599 BR4OAD}WAY. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, By JAMEs B. ErarEn, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. "6 ST. JOHN'S MANUAL" HAVING BEEN DULT'EXAMINED, WE HIEREBY APPROVE OF ITS PUBLI DATION. Nw YoRK, Au'ig. 25, 188. XNIEPB OF BAPTIZING AN INFANT BY A LAY P O!N.t. CASE OF DANGER OF DiRT. Alny person, whether man, woman, or chid, may bXlptize a i;heAnt, hi case!f danger of death. Take common water, pour it on the he ad or face of the chi);l. and rhlle you are pouring It, say:' I 13BAPTIZE THERE IN THE NAME OF THE FATIER!,. N1 OF THE SON AIND OF TIlun HOLY GHOsT A..M..'t PREFACE. ST. JOHN's MANUAL is, it is hoped, the most complete and accurate prayer-book ever offered to the Catholic community in the United States. Many of the present books of devotion being reprints of European works, are far from conforming to the Roman office books as authorized for use in this country, and are devoid of such explanations as to enable the uninstructed to follow our service. The St. John's Manual conforms strictly to- the rules of the Holy See in this regard. It gives ample prayers for morning and evening, the Ordinary of the Mass, with full and comprehensive explanations never before introduced, and the Collects, Epistles, and Gospels for all the Sundays and holidays of the year; a variety of devotions for Mass; ample instruction and prayers for the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, the Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Extreme Unction, and Matrimony, and the order of administering each, the order of the Visitation of the Sick, Burial of the Dead, and the Itinerary. Under the head of General Devotions, are comprised a selection from the best and most approved sources, of Devotions to the Holy Trinity, Our Lord, His Blessed Mother, the Angels and Saints, with many Lit. anies, including the beautiful ones of Pope Pius VI., 6 PREFACE. never before given in English. The prayers for the dif. ferent states of life, for various seasons and circumstances, and especially the prayers for the use of the sick, have been compiled with the utmost care from the works of canonized Saints and approved ascetical writers. In order to avoid the necessity of recurring to other books, it includes the Office of Holy Week, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin, of the Immaculate Conception, and of the Dead. In a word, the compilers have conscientiously endeavored to draw from the holy service books of the Church, as published by the authority of the Councils of Baltimore, from the works of her canonized Saints and approved ascetics and theologians, such prayers and instructions as may meet the wants of the faithful, and render this Manual the best and most complete Catholic Prayer Book for devotional and family ai.e yet p ad ulehr de. 'TulE alendar is a table of the feasts of the year. C0 these there are two sorts: some affixed to certain days, and called I.rMAOVABLE; others which vary according to certain rules, and are called MOVABLE. The I3[3IOVABLE FEASTS are found in the CALENDAR, properly so called. Holy days of obligation, as the EIPI[AsINY, are printed in large capitals; holy days of devotion, such as the PURIFICATION OF THE B. V. MARY, are in smaller capitals; the festivals of Saints, where not of obligation or special devotion, in ordinary type The MOVABLE. FEASTS are found in a table by themselves. Tris table shows, in three columns, the Dominical Letter, the Golden Nnumlbe, and the Epact. These are the means of coniputing the time when Easter falls in each year. The Church, in the first Council of Nice, decided that the festival of Easter should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon a.fter the vernal equinox. By the last cor rectioan made in the Calendar, by Pope Gregory XIII., in 1582, this vernal ecpuinox is considered as falling on the 21st of March. Easter may consequently fall on any day between March 22d and April 25th. The DOMINICAL LETTER marks the Sunday: the Calendar has a letter opposite each day, and the days with the dominical letter of the year are Sundays. In leapyears there are two letters, the first of which answers till the-25th of February, the other for the rest of the year. The EPACT is the moon's age on the first of January or of March in each year. By this, Easter is easily found. Thus, in 1857, the Epact is 4; that is, the moon will be four days old on the 1st of March, and theic will be a new moWq on the 27th; the full moon will fall 14 days later on the 10th of April. The dominical letter of the year is d. Look, then, in the Calendar for the first d after this date, and you find it on April 12th, which is Easter Sunday in that year. The GOr,DlN NUB.uErR, shows the order of the Epacts, which are the mame every nineteen years. TABLE OF MOVABLE FEASTS. The Year Domini- Golden The Septua- Ash of our cal Num- gesima Lord. Letter. her. Epact. Sunday. Wedesday.Sunday. 1856 f e 14 23 Jan. 20 Feb. 6 March 23 1857 d 15 4 Feb. 8 Feb. 25 April 12 1858 c 16 15 Jan. 31 Feb. 17 April 4 1859 b 17 26 Feb. 20 March 9 April 24 1860 A g 18 7 Feb. 5 Feb. 22 April 8 1861 f 19 18 Jan. 27 Feb. 13 Ianrch 31 1862 e 1 * Feb. 16 March 5 April 20 1863 d 2 11 Feb. 1 Feb. 18 April 5 1864 c b 3 22 Jan. 24 Feb. 10 March 27 1865 A 4 3 IFeb. 12 March 1 April 16 1866 g 5 14 Jan. 28Feb. 14 April 1 1s67 -f 6 25 Feb. 17 March 6 April 21 1868 e d 7 6 Feb. 9 Feb. 26 April 12 1869 c 8 i7 Jan. 24 Feb. 10 March 28 1870 b 9 28 Feb. 13 March 2 April 17 1871 A 10 9 Feb. 5 Feb. 22 April 9 1872 g f 11 20 Jan. 28 Feb. 14 lMarch 31 1873 e 12 1 Feb. 9 Feb. 26 April 13 1874 d 13 12 Feb. 1 Feb. 18 April 5 1875 c 14 23 Jan. 24 Feb. 10 PMTarch 28 1876 b A 15 4 Feb. 13 March 1 April 16 1877 g 16 15 Jan. 28 Feb. 14 April 1 1878 f 17 26 Feb. 17 March 6 April 21 1879 e 18 7 Feb. 9 Feb. 26 April 13 1880 d c 19 18 Jan. 25 Febb.11 March 28 1881 b I1 Feb. 13 March 2 April 17 1882 A 2 11 Feb: 5 Feb. 22 April 9 1883 g 3 22 Jan. 21 Feb. 7 Alarch 25 1884 f e 4 3 Feb. 10 Feb. 27 April 13 1885 d 5 14 Fe. 1 Feb. 18 April 5 1886 c 6 25 Feb. 21 MIarch 10 April 25 1887 b 7 6 -Feb. 6 Feb. 23'April 10 1888 Ag 8 17 Jan. 29 Feb. 15 April 1 1889 f 9 28 Feb. 17 Miarch 6 April 21 1890 e 10 9 Feb. 2Feb. 19 April 6 TABLE OF MOVABLE FEASTS. TheYear of our Ascension Whit' Corpus days First Sunday Lord. Day. Sunday. Christi. after of Advent. Whits. 1856 May 1 May 11 May 22 28 Nov. 30 1857 May 21 May 81 June 12 25 Nov. 29 1858' May 13 May 23 June 3 26 Nov. 28 1859 June 2 June 12 June 23 23 Nov. 27 1860 May 17 May 27 June 7 26 Dec. 2 1861 May 9 May 19 May 80 27 Dec. 1 1862 May 29 June 8 June 19 24 Nov. 30 1863 May 14 May 24 June 4 26 Nov. 293 1864 May 5 May 15 May 26 27 Nov. 27 1865 May 25 June 4 June 15 25 Dec. 3 1866 May 10 May 20 May 31 27 Dec. s 1867 May 30 June 9 June 20 24 Dec. 1 1868 May 21 May 31 June 11 25 Nov. 29 1869 May 6 May 16 May 27 27 Nov. 28 1870 May 26 June 5 June 16 24 Nov. 27 1871 May 18 May 28 June 8 26 Dec. 3 1872 May 9 May 19 May 30 27 Dec. 1 1873 May 22 June 1 June 12 25 Nov. 80 1874 May 14 May 24 June 4 26 Nov. 29 1875 May 6 May 16 May 27 27 Nov. 28 1876 May 25 June 4 June 15 25 Dec. 3 1877 May 10 May 20 May 31 27 Dec. 2 1878 May 80 June 9 June 20 24 Dec. 1 1879 May 22 June 1 June 12 25 Nov. 30 1880 May 6 May 16 May 27 27 Nov. 28 1881 May 26 June 5 June 16 24 Nov. 27 1882 Maly 18 May 28 June 8 26 Dec. 3 1883 May 83 May 13 May 24 28 Dec. 2 1884 May 22 June 1 June 12 25 Nov. 30 1885 May 14 May 24 June 4 26 Nov. 29 1886 June 8 June 13 June 24 23 Nov. 28 1887 May 19 May 29 June 9 25 Nov. 27 1888 9 May 10 May 20 May 31 27 Dec. 2 1889 May 30 June 9 June 20 24 Dec. 1 1890 tMay 15 May 25 June 5 26 Nov. 30 !CJ CaQEmnbar. JANUARY. FE:BRIUARY. l A CIRCUMlCISION OF OUR 1 d ISt. Ignatius, Bishop and UMta LORD. tyr.TI 2 b Octave of St. Stephen. 2 e IOF THE BLESSED 3 c Octave of St. John the Apostle. VIRGIN AI RY. 4 d Octave of the Holy Innocents. i 3 f St. Blaise, Bishop and Mar. 5 e Vigil of Epiphany. tyr.. 6 f EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD. 4 g St. Andrew Corsini, Bishop. 7 g St. Lucian, Martyr. 5 A St. Agatha, Virgin and Mar8 A St. Severinus, Bishop. tyr. 9 b St..Julian and Companions, 6 b St. Titus, Bishop and CoinfesMartyrs. sor. 10 c St..Nicalor. 7 c St. Romnald, Abbot. 11 d St. Hyginus, Pope and Martyr. 8 d St. Johen of Maltha, Confessor. 12 e St. rTatiana, 3Martyr. 9 e St. Apollonia, Virgin and Mar. 13 f Octave of Epiphany. I tyr. 14 g St. Hilary, Bishop and Doctor. 10 fSt. Scholasticf, Virgin. 15 A St. Paul, first hermit. 11 g St.Althers, Pope and Mrartyr. 16 b St. Marcellus,Pope and Martyr. 12 A It. Telesphosrus, Pope and Mar. 17 c St. Anthony, Abbot. tyr. 18 d Chair of St. Peter at Rome. 13 b St. Catharine of Ricci, Visqiss 19 e St. Canute, King and Martyr. 14 c St. Valentine, Priest and Mar20 f Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, tyr. Martyrs. 15 d Sts. Faustin and Jovita, Mar21 g St. Agnes, Virgin and MBartyr. tyrs. 22 A Sts. Vincent and Anastasius, 16 e St. Gregory X., Pope and ConMartyrs. fessor. 23 b Espousals of the Blessed Vir- 17 f St. HZyqinus, Pope and Martyr. gi Maary. 18 g St Simeon, Bishop and Mar24 c St, Timothy, Bishop and Mar- tyr. tyr. 19 A St. Conrsad, Csoifessor. 25 d CONV'ERSIoN OF ST. PAUL, the 20 b St. Eleutherius, Bishop assd Apostle. Martyr. 26 e St. Polycarp, Bishop and Mar- 21 c St. Seoesrillis, Bishop and Martyr. tyr. 27 f St. John Chrysostom, Bishop 22 d St. Peter's Chair at Antioch. and Doctor. 23 e St. Peter Damian, Bishop and 28 g St. Raymond, of Pennafort, IDoctor. Confessor. 24 f ST. MIATHIAS, Apostle. 29 A St. Francis of Sales, Bishop, 25 g Blesseed Sebastian at Puebla, of Geneva. Costfeossor. 30 7b St. Martina, Virgin and Martyr. 26 A St. Margaret b eofrtosta, Peni. B1 c St. Peter Nolasco, Confessor, tent. Founder of the Order of Our 27 b St. Leander, Bishop and Con. Lady for the Redemption of fessor. Captives. 28 ceSt. Romanus, Abbot. Second Sutnday after uitph- Friday after Ash- Wednesd44, any, Most Holy 2Name of Moot Sacred Paseion of oss Jesus. Loerd. TREY CALENDAR. 11 X AARCH. APRIL. I d St John Mary Bononto, s- I g St. Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble, fessor. Confessor. 2 e It. Simhplicius, Pope and Con- 2 A St. Fra-ncis de Paul, Confessor, fesso7r. Founder of the Minims. 3 f St. Cunegundis, Esnpress of 3 b St. Benedict a Sancto Peila. Germany. delphio, or the Black, Con. 4 g St. Casimir, King of Poland, fessor. Confessor. 4 c St. Isidore, Bishop and Con 5 A St. John Joseph of the Cros8, fessor. Con/fessor. 5 d St. Vinient Ferrer, Confesso: 6 b St. Colette, Virgin. 6 e St. Sixtus, Pope and Martyr. 7 c St. Thomar Aquinas, Confesaor 7 f St. Celestine, Pope eand Con and Doctor. fessor. 8 d St. John of God, Confessor. 8 1 St. Dennis, Bishop of Corinth, 9 e St. Frances of Rome, Widow, Confessor. Foundress of the Oblates. 9 A St. Catharine of Boloqna, Vir0O f The Forty Martyrs of Se- gin. baste. 10 b St. Mecthildis, Virgins. 11 g St. Eulogqius, Priest and Mar- 11 c St. Leo, Pope and Doctor. tyr. 12 d St. Jullius, Pope and Confessor 12 A St. Gregory the Great, Pope 13 0 St. Hertmenegild Martyr. and D)octor. 14 f Sts. Tiburtills, Valerian, and 13 b St. Eephraeeia, Virgin. Maximus, Martyrs. 14 c St. Matilda, Queen of Ger- 15 g St. Peter Gonzales or St. Elomo, anny. Confessor. 15 d St. Zachary, Pope and Con- 16 A St. Frsuctuossts, Bishop, of Jessor. Braoga. 16 e St. Cyriacus and Ceonspaeions, 17 b St. Ancetus, Pope and Martyr. Mart 18 yr s. 11. May of the Incarnation, 17 f St. Patrick, Bishop, and Apos- Foundres8 of the French Cartie of Iheland. melites. 18 g St. Gabriel, Archangel. 19 d St. Leo, Pope and Confessor. 19 A ST. JosrEP, Spoeuse of the B.V. 20 e St. Aqgnes of diMonte Ptelcianoo. IMary, Patron of North 21 f St. Anselm, Bishop and DoeAmerica. tor. 20 b St. Cuthbert, Bishop and Coz- 22 g Sts. Soter and Caius, Popes fessor. and Martyrs; 21 c St. Benedict, Abbot, Founder 23 A St. George, a Soldier, S}artyr. of the Benedictines. 24 b St.. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, 22 d St. C'athari ee of Genoa, Virgin. Martyr. 23, e St. Victorian, Martyr. 25 52St. Mark the Evangelist. 24' f St. Simonn, MAfartyr. 25 d Sts. Cletus and Marcellinus, 25 g ANNUNCIATION 01 TEHE Popes and MIartyrs. B. V. MARY. 27 e St. Turr ibius, Bishop of Lima, 26 A St. Ludger, Bishop. Confessor. 27 b St. Rupert, Bishop. 28 f St. Vitalis, Martyr. 28 c St. Sixtus, Pope anld Confessor. 29 g St. Peter, of Verona, Martyr. 29 1 St. Etestelce, Abbot. 30 A St. Catharine of Sienna, Vir10 St. Jo7tl Climnacus, Ahbbot. gin. B1 f B. Nicholas Vainden Flue.. Friday after 3d Sunday of FridatEy rfter 1st S7eunday oJ Lent, ojfice of the Five Lent, office of the Most Sacred Wounds. CGou;n of Thorns. Fre-iday after 4th Sunday of Fricdaey after 2d Scndlay'oil[ I.btLent, office of the Moot P'e. Fridsty after'.d SBenday'of cioa. Lent, ef)ice of t/:e Spear ad S cte ster, PBlood. Vcail. 2d Sentlay after Easter, Pfat ]a I nge e'St. Jo eph. 12 THlE CALENDAR. MAY. JUNE 1 b STS. PHILIP AND JAmES, Apos- 1 e IS&. Eleutlerius, Pc'op ean tles. I~artyr. 2 c St. Athanasius, Bishop and 2 f St. 1aircellinus and Compa-. Doctor. ions, Martyrs. 3 d Finding of the Holy Cross. 3 g St Clotilda, Queen of France. 4 e St. Monica, Widow. 4 A St. Francis'Caraccioli, Con6 1 St. Pius V., Pope and Confes- fessor. sor. 5 b St. Boniface, Apostle of Ger6 g St. John the Apostle, before manys,. the Latin Gate. 6 c St. Norbert, Bishop and Con7 A St. Stanislaus, Bishop and fessor, Founder of the order Martyr. of Premonstratensians. 8 b Apparition of St. Michael the 7 d St. Paul, of Cosltaltinople, Archangel. Bishop ansd Martyr. 9 c St. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop 8 e St. Mecard, Bishop. and Doctor. 9 f Sts. Primus and Felician, lO d St. Antoninus, Bishop and Martyrs. Confessor. 10 g St. [Margaret, Queen of Scot11 e St. Francis of ltieronimo, Con- land. fessor. 11 A ST. BARNABAS, APOSTLE. 12 f St. Nereus and Companions, 12 b St. John a Facundo, ConfesMartyrs. sor. 13 g St. Jerentias, Prophet anzd 13 c St. Anthony of Padua, ConMartyr. fessor. 14 A St. Boniface, Martyr at Tarsus. 14 d St. Basil the Great, Bishop and 15 b St. Isidore, Confessor, Patron Doctor. of lcaborers. 15 e St. Vitus and Companions, 16 c St. Ubald, Bishop and Con- IMartyrs. fessor. 16 f St. John Francis Regis, Con. 17 d St. Paschal Bavlon, Confessor. fessor. 18 e St. Venantius, a.boy, Martyr. 17 g Sts. Mlarctan and Nicander 19 f St. Peter Celeltine, Pope and Martyrs. Confessor. 18 A Sts. Marcus and Marcellianue, 20 g St. Bernardine of Sienna, Con- Martyrs. fessor. 19 b St. Juliana de Falconieri, Vir. 21 A St. Felix, of Cantalice, Consfes- giln. soer. 20 St. Silverius, Pope and Martyr. 22 b St. John Nepomucen, Martyr 21 d St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Contfefor the secret of the Confes- sor. sional. 22 e St. Paulinus, Bishop and Cox 23 c B. Andrewr Bobola, Maartyr. fessor. 24 d BLESSED VRGINe MXRY, "Hlelp 23 f Vigil. of Christians." 24 g NATIVITY OF ST. JOIIN THE 25 e St. Gregory VII., Pope and BAPTIST. Confessor. 25 A St. William, Abbot, Founder 26 f St. Philip Neri, Confessor, of the Congregation of Monte Foounder of the Oratory. Virgine. 27 g St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, 26 b Sts. John and Patl, Martyrs. Virgin. 27 c St. Ladislaos, Kini,. 28 A St. Urban, Pope and iartlyr. 28 d St. Irensaus, Bishop and.Mar29 5 St. Boniface, Pope and Mar- tyr. tyr. 29 e STs. PETER AND PAUL, Apos0 c St. Felix, Pope and MIartyr. tles. i d St. Petronilla, Virgin. 30 f Commemoration of St. Paum, Apostle. This iaonth is dedicated to the Ble.ssed Firgin, as the month 217 Friday after Corpus Ct-risti of Mary. YFeast of the Sacred Heart. THE CALENDAR. 13 JULY AUGUST I g Octave of the Nativity of St. I c St. Peter's Chair. John the Baptist. 2 d St. Alphonsus igoaori, Found. 2 A VISITATION OF TuE BLESSED er of the order of the Ra. VIstGIsN MAPRY. demptorists. 3 b St. Pasul, Pope andt Confessor. 3 e Finding of the relics of St. 4 c St. Udalric, Bishop of Augs- Stephen. burg. 4 f St. I)ominic, Founder of the 5 d St. Peter of Luxemburqg, order of the Dominicans. Bisohop. 6 g Dedication of St. Mary of the 6 e Octave of St. Peter and St. Snows. Paul. 6 A TRANSFIGURATION OF OUn 7 f St. Leo, Pope and Confessor. LORD. 8 g St. Elizabeth, Queen of Por- 7 b St. Cajetan, Confessor. tugal. 8 e St. Cyriacus and Companions, 9 A lThe nineteen Martyrs at Gor- Martyrs. cunt, in Holland. 9 d St. Romanus, Martyr. 10 b Seven Brothers, Martyrs. 10 e St. Lawrence, Martyr. 11 c St. Pisss, Pope and Martyr. 11 f Sts. Tiburtius antd Susanne, 12 d St. John Gualbert, Abbot, Martyrs. Founder of the order of Val- 12 g St. Clare, Virgin, Folmdrese lumnbrosa. of the Poor Clares. 13 e St. Anacletus, Pope and Mar- 13 A Sts. Hippolyte and Cassian, tyr. Martyrs. 14 f St. Bonaventure, Bishop and 14 b Vigil. Doctor. 15 c AsSUiIPTION OF TiE B. V 15 g St. Henry, Emperor and Con- MARY. fessor. 16 d St. Hyacinth, Confessor. 16 A B. V. MARY of Mount Car- 17 e Octave of St. Lawrence. mel. 18 f St. Agapitus, Martyr. 17 b St. Alexius, of Rome, Confes- 19 g St. Phil..tena, Vi rgin and sor. MAar-tyr. 103 c St. Camillus of Lellis, Confes- 20 A St. Bernard, Abbot and Doesor, Founder of the order of tor. Regular Clerks for serving 21 b St. Jane Frances de Chantal, the sick. Foundress of the Visitation 19 d St. Vincent of Paul, Confessor, Nuns. Founder of the Lazarists, and 22 c Octave of the Assumption. of the Sisters of tlharity. 23 d St. Philip Beniti, Confessor. 20 e St. Jerome Emilian, Confessor, 24 e ST. BARTHOLOifEw, Apostle. Founder of the Regular 25 f St. Louis, King of France. Clerks of Somascha. 26 g St. Zephyrinus, Pope and Mar21 f St. Praxedes, Virgin. tyr. 22 g St. Mary Magdalen. 27 A St. Joseph Calasanctius, Con23 A St. Apollinaris, Bishop and fessor. Martyr. 28 b St. Augustine, Bishop and 2 b St. Christina, Virgin and Mar- Doctor, Foslnder of the Autyr. gustininn rule, followed by 26 C ST. JA'IES, APOSTLE. 29 the Augustinians, Ursulines, 26 d St. Ann, Mother of the B. V. Hospital Nuns, &c. MARY. 30 c Beheading of St. John tha 27 e St. Pantaleon, Martyr. 31 Baptist. 28 f St. Nazariss and Companions, d St. Rose of Lima. Martyrs. e St. Raymond Nonnatus. 29 g St. Martha, Virgin. 80 A Sts. Abdon and Sennen, Mar- Srnday within the Octace of tyrs.. he Assunzption, the Feast ot 31 b St. Ignatius, Founder of the St. Joachiem, Father of ow Society of Jesus. Blessed Lady 2 14 THE CALENDAR. SEPTEMBER. OCTOBER. 1 t rt. Giles, Abbot. 1 A St. Remny, Biahop and Confes 2 g St. Stephen, King and Confes- sor. sor. 2 b Feast of the Holy Angel Guar S A S. EEuphemia and Conpaniosns, dians. Virins and JMartyrs. 3 c St. Gerasd,.,Abbot. 4 b St. Rose of Vierlbo, Virqin. 4 d St. Francis, Founder of the 5 c St. Lawrence Justintals, Con- Friars Minors. fessor. 5 e St. Placidus and Companions, S d St. Antoninsa, Martyr. Martyrs. 7 e St. Regins, Virgin. 6 f St. Bruno, Confessor, Founder 8 1' NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED of the Carthuslans. VrnaGIN MARY. 7 g St. Mark, Pope and Confessor. 9 g St. Gorgonius, Martyr at Ni- 8 A St. Bridget of Sweden, Widow. comedia. 9 b St. Denis and Companions, 10 A St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Con- Martyrs. fessor. 10 c St. Franzis Borgia, Confessor. 11 b St. Protus and Companions, 11 d St. Caniclts, Abbot. Martyrs. 12 e Our L.ady of Pilar. 12 c MslJ lacre of?Mary. 13 f St. Edward the Confessor, 13 d St. Philip, Martyr. King of England'. 14 e Exaltation of thle Holy Cross. 14 g St. Callistis, Pope and Martyr. 15 f Octave of the Nativity of the 15 A St. Teresa, Virgin, Reformer Blessed Virgin Mary. of the Barefooted Carmelites. 16 g Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, 16 b St. Gall, Abbot. Martyrs.' 17 c St. Hedwige, Queen of Poland, 17 A Stigmata of St. Francis of Widow. Assisi. 18 d St. Luoke, Evangelist. 18 b St. Joseph a Cupertino, Con- 19 e St. Peter of Alcantara, Confesfessor. sor. 19 c St. Jacuaries, Bishop and 20 f St. John Cantius, Priest, ConMartyr. fessor. 20 d St. Eustace and Companions, 21 g St. Ursula, Patroness of the Martyrs. Ursuline Nuns, with her 91 e ST. MATTHEW, APOSTLE. Compacnions, IMartyrs. 22 f St. Thomas of Villanova, 22 A St. Mary of SalomLe, Widozu. Bishop and Confessor. 23 b FEAST OF OUR 0 IOST-HOLY RE23 g St. Linus, Pope and Martyr. DEEMER. 394 A OnUR LADY OF ME RCY. 24 o St. Raphael, Archangel. 25 b B. Peter Claver, Apostle o25 d Sts. Chrysauthus and Daria, Carlthagqena. Martyrs. 26 c Sts. Cyprian and Justinus, 26 e St. Evaristus, Pope and MarMartyrs. tyr. $7 d Sts. Cosmas and Damian, 27 f Vigil. Martyrs. 28 g STS. SIZON AND JUDE, Apos28 e St. Werceslaus, Duke and ties. Martyr. 29 ASt. Narcissus, Bishop and ~9 f Dedication'of St. Michael's Martyr. Church at Rome. 30 b B. Alphlonsus Rodriguez, Con. 80 g St. Jerone, Priest and Doctor.. feso.r. 31 c Vigil of All Saints. Sunday within the Octave of the iVativity of the Blessed lst Sunday of October, Feast oJ Virgin, Faust of th7e Holy the Boly aosary of the B. V. Naane of Mary. Mary. The Succday foloawing the Oc- 3d Suncday of October Feast o tace, Feast of thee Seven Do- the MIutelrnity of i e B. V1.or&'ary,. THEE CALENDAR, 15 NOVEMBER. DE C EM BER. I d ALL SAINTS. 1 f St. E70y, Bishop of NTcyso, 2 e All Souls, or Commemoration Cosn'essor. of the Faithful departed. 2 g St. Bibiana, Virgin and Miar3 f St. balachy, Bishop oj4romaqh, tyr. Confessor. 3 A St. Francis Xavier, Confessor, 4 g St. Charles, Bishop and Con- Apostle of the Indies. fessor. 4 b St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop 3 A St. Zachary, Father of St. Johl and Doctor. Baptist. 5 c St. Sabbas, Abbot. 6 b St. Leosard, Hermit. 6 d St. Nicholas, Bishop and Con7 c St. Willibrod, Bishop of fessor. Utrechlt. 7 St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doc8 d Octave of All Saints. tor. 9 e Dedication of St. Savior's or 8 f IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF St. John Lateran. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, 10 f St. Andrew Avellino, Confes- Patronal Feast of the United sor. States. 11 g St. Martin, of Tours, Bishop 9 g St. Leocadia, Virgin. and Confessor. 10 A St. Melchiades, Pope and Cor 12 A St. Martinus, Pope and Martyr. fessor. 13 b St. Diego of Alcala, Confessor. 11 b St. Damasus, Pope and Coo i% c St. Stanislaus Kostka, Confes- fessor. sor. 12 c Our Lady of Gutadalupe, Pa. 15 d St. Gertrude, Virgin. tronal Feait in Mexico and 16 e B. Paul of the Cross, Founder Califorsia.' of Passiotists. 13 d St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. 17 f St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, 14 e St. Eulalia, Virgins and MarBishop and Confessor. tyr. 18 g Dedication of the Churches of 15 f Octave of the Immaculate ConSt. Peter and St. Paul at ception. Rome. 16 g St. Eusebius, Bishop and Miar19 A St. Elizabeth of Hungary, tyr. Widolv. 17 ASt. Lazarus, Bishop and Con20 b St. Felix of Valois, Confessor, fessor. Founder of the order of Trin- 18 b Expectation of the Blessed Viritarians. gin Mary. 21 c Presentation of the Blessed 19 c St. Nemnesis and Companions, Virgin Mary. Mfartyrs. 22 d St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr. 20 d Vigil. 2319 St. Clement, Pope and Martyr. 21 e ST. T!onMAS, APOSTLE. 24 f St. John of the Cross, Confes- 22 f Sts. Cyril ancd Methodius, Con. sor. felssor?, Apostles of the Scla25 g St. Catharine, Virgin and Mar- vonia7s. tyr. 23 g St. Servulus, Confessor. 26 A St. Peter of Alexandria, Bish- 24 A Vigil. op and Martyr. 25 b NATIVITY OF OUR LORD. 27 b B. Leonard, of Port Maurice, 26 c St. Stephen, the Deacon, ProConfesFor. tomartyr. 28 c St. Gregory, Pope, Confess2r. d ST. JOHN, Apostle and Evan29 d St. Saturninus, Martyr. gelist. 3 e ST. ANDREW, Apostle. 28e Holy Innocents. 29 f St. Thomas a Becket, Arch2d Suniday of aoventber, Feast bishop of Canterbury aud of the Patronage of the Martyr. B. V. Mary. 30 g St. Sabinus, Bishop of Spoleto, Swlday neoarest to the Feast ofJ Confessor. St. Anrd'rews, First Sunzday of 31A St. Sylvester, Pope and Con-. Advent. lessor. DURING THE YEALR HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION. C Tun Circumcision of Feast of the Blessed Sacra our Lord. ment. * The Epiphany. The Assumption of thi * The Annunciation of Blessed Virgin Mary. the Blessed Virgin Mary. All Saints. The Ascension. The Nativity of our; Corpus Christi, or the Lord, or Christmas Drwy. FASTI.NG DAYS. All days in Lent except Sundays. Fridays in Advent.t The Vigils of Pentecost, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of All Saints, and of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas Eve). The Ember Days, or Quarter Tenses, which occur four times a year, and are: the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays-1. Immediately after the first Sunday of Lent; 2. In Whitsun-week; 3. Immediately after the 10th of September; 4. Immediately after the third Sunday of Advent. When a Fasting Day falls on Sunday, it is kept on the preceding Saturday. To fast is to abstain from flesh meat, and to eat but one full meal in the day, not before 12 o'clock, noon. Besides this, a collation (about one-fourth of a meal) * Not Iloly Days of Obligation in many of the western dioceses. t Not in some wee ern dioceses. FEASTS AND FASTS DURING THE YEAL 17 is allowed in the evening. All who have reached the age of twenty-one, are required to observe the Fastingdays, unless exempted for sufficient cause. The Holy See also exhorts all to fast on the Saturday previous to the Sunday on which the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated. In the several dioceses throughout the United States, these general rules are modified more or less by the rules for Lent promulgated by the Ecclesiastical authority. DAYS OF ABSTINENCE. All Fridays in the year. All Saturdays, except those which fall between December 25th, and February 2d, both included. All Sundays in Lent. When Christmas Day falls on Friday, abstinence is not of precept. A day of abstinence is that on which the regular number of meals is allowed, but flesh meat is forbidden; and is to be observed by all who have attained the age of reason, unless for sufficient cause to the contrary. Dispensation to use flesh meat on all Saturdays "not restricted by a fast," has been granted to the faithful, in the United States, until 1860. Accordingly, the Saturdays of Lent, and the Ember Days, and the Vigils above named, when they fall on a Saturday, axe still days of abstinence from flesh meat. 2* Tndm Co3mANDmvTrs OF GOD. Exodus xx. 2. I. I AM the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. Thou shalt not make to thy&elf a graven thing, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath. nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them nor serve them. II. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. ITI. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day IV. Honor thy father and thy mother. V. Thou shalt not kill. VI. Thou shalt not commit adultery. VII. Thou shalt not steal. VIII. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. IX. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife. X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods. THE Six PRECEPTS OF TIE CiHmcUH The Church commands the faithfulI. On Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, to be present devoutly at the sacrifice of the mass; to abstain from servile works, and to keep those days holy. II. To abstain from flesh-meat on all days of fasting %nd abstinence; and on fast-days to eat but one meal. SUMMARY OF CHRIST[AN DOCTRINE. 19 III. To confess their sins at least once a year. IV. To receive the Blessed Sacrament at least once a year, and that at Easter, or during the Paschal Season, which begins, in this country, on the first Sunday of Lent, and ends on Trinity Sunday. V. To contribute to the support of their Pastors. VI. Not to marry within the fourth degree of kindred, nor privately without witnesses; nor to solemnize marriage at certain prohibited times. I. The Fourth Council of LATERAN, Can. 21, ordained, "That all the faithful of both sexes, after they come to the years of discretion, chall, in private, faithfully confess all their sins, at least once a year, to their own pastor; and take care to fulfil, to the best of their power, the penance enjoined them; receiving reverently, at least at EASTER, the sacrament of the Eucharist, unless, perhaps, by the counsel of their own pastor, for some reasonable cause, they judge proper to abstain from it for a time: otherwise let them be excluded out of the Church while living; and when they die, be deprived of Christian burial." 2. The Solemnizing of Marriage, that is, the celebration of the rite during the mass pro sponso et sponsc, is forbidden, from the first Sunday of Advent, till after Twelfth Day; and from the beginning of Lent till Low Sunday. THEz SACRA NTS ARE SEVEN. 1. Baptism,... att. xxviii. 19. 2. Confirmation,... Acts viii. 17. 3. Holy Eucharist,..... latt. xvi. 26. 4. Penance,.....John xx. 23. 5. Extreme Unction,.... James v. 14. 6., Holy Orders,.... Ltke xxii. 19. 7. Matrimony,.....Iatt. xix. 6. MEE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES ARE THREE, Faith, —Hope,- Charity. 20 SUMMARY OF CHRISTIIAN DOCTRINE, THE CARDINAL VIRTUES ARE Foui. tf. Prudence, 3. Fortitude, 2. Justice, 4. Temperance. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST ARE SEVEN. Isaias xi. 2-3. 1. Wisdom, 5. Knowledge, 2. Understanding, 6. Piety, 3. Counsel, 7. The fear of the Lord 4. Fortitude, THE FRUITS OF THIE HOLY GHOST ARE TWELVE. 1. Charity, 5. Longanimity, 9. Fidelity, 2. Joy, 6. Goodness, 10. Modesty, 8. Peace, 7. Benignity, 11. Continency 4. Patience, 8. Mildness, 12. Chastity. THE THREE EKINENT GOOD WoaRKS. 1. Alms-deeds —2. Prayer-3. Fasting. THE THREE EVANGELICAL COUNSErS. 1. Poverty-2. Chastity-3. Obedience. TIIE SIx SINs AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. 1. Presumption on 4. Envy at another's God's mercy, spiritual good, 2. Despair, 5. Obstinacy in sin, 3. Impugning the 6. Final impenitence. known truth, SUMMARY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 21 THEo FOUR SINS WHICH CRY TO HEEAVEN FOR VENGEANCE. 1. Wilful murder, 4. Defrauding the la2. The sin of Sodom, borer of his wages. 3. Oppression of the poor, NINE WAYS OF BEING ACCESSARY TO ANOTHER'S SIN. 1. By Counsel, 6. By Concealment, 2. By Command, 7. By Partaking, 3. By Consent, 8. By Silence, 4. By Provocation, 9. By Defence of the ill 5. By Praise or Flattery, done. THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS, AND THE OPPOSITE VIRTUES. 1. Pride, Humility, 2. Covetousness, Liberality, 3. Lust, Chastity, 4. Anger, Meekness, 5. Gluttony, Temperance, 6. Envy, Brotherly love, 7 Sloth, Diligence. THE SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY ARE SEVEN. 1. To admonish sinners, 4. To comfort the sor2. To instruct the igno- rowful, rant, 5. To bear wrongs pa3. To counsel the doubt- tiently, ful, 6. To forgive all injuries, 7. To pray for the living and the dead. TIIE CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY ARE SEVEN. 1. To feed the hungry, 6. To harbor the har2. To give drink to the borless, thirsty, 6. To visit the sick. 3. To clothe the naked, 7. To bury the dead. 4. To visit and ransom the captives, AJ G SUMMARY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, TmIE EIGHT BEATITUD5, St.,Matt. v. 1. Blessed are the Poor in spirit; For theirs is Ihe kingdom of heaven. 2. Blessed are the Meek; For they shall possess the land. 3. Blessed are they that Mourn; For they shall be comforted. 4. Blessed are they that Hunger and Thirst after Justice; For they shall be filled. 5. Blessed are the Merciful; For they shall obtain Mercy. 6. Blessed are the Clean of Eleart; for they shall see GoD.' 7. Blessed are the Peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God. 8. Blessed are they that suffer Persecution for Justice' sake; For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. A PROFESSION OF CATHOLIC FAITH. EXTRACTED FROMI THE COUNCIL OF TRENT, By IHis Holiness Pope Pius IV. I, [N —], Believe and Profess with a firm faith, all and every one of those things, which are contained in the Symbol of Faith used in the Holy Catholic (Roman) Church, viz: I Believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages; God of God; Light of Light; true God of tirue God. Begotten, not made; Consubstantial to the Father, by Whom all things were made, Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and WAYS us SUMMARY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 23 fIARNATE BY THE HOLY GHOST OF THE VIRGIN MARt, AND WAS MADE MAN. Was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and rose again the third day according to the Scripture, and ascended into Heaven; sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead: of Whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who, together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified; Who spoke by the Prophets. And One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I Confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And IExpect the Resurrection of the dead; and the Life of the world to come.. Amen. I most firmly Admit and Embrace Apostolical and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and all other Constitutions and Observances of the same Church. I also admit the Sacred Scriptures, according to the sense in which our Ioly Mother, the Church, has held, and does hold them, to whom it belongs to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the Holy Scri'ptures; nor will I ever take and interpret them otherwise than according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers. I profess also, that there are.truly and properly Seven Sacraments of the New Law, instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord, for the Salvation of Mankind, though not all necessary for every one: viz., Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Order and Matrimony; and that they confer grace: and that of these, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Order, cannot be reiterated without sacrilege. I also receive and admit The Cerenmonies, which the Catholic Church admits and approves of, in the solemn Administration of all the above-said Sacraments. 24 SUMMARY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. I Receive and Embrace all and every one of the things which have been defined and declared in the Holy Council of Trent, concerning Original Sin and Justification. I Profess likewise. that in the Mass is offered to God a True, Proper, and Propitiatory Sacrifice for the Living and the Deca: and that in the AMost Holy Sacrament of the.Eucharist these is truly, really, and substantially present, the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that there is made a conversion of the whole substance of the Bread into the Body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the Blood; which conversion the Catholic Church calls Transubstantiation. I Confess also that, under each kind, Christ is whole and entire, and a True Sacrament is received. I constantly Hold that there is a Purgatory, and that the Souls therein detained are helped by the suffrageg of the Faithful. Likewise, that the Saints reigning to. gether with Christ, are to be honored and invocated; that they offer prayers to God for us; and that their Relics ought to be venerated. I most firmly Assert that the Images of Christ, and of the Mother of God, ever a Virgin, and also of the Saints, are to be had and retained, and that due honor and veneration are to be given them. I also Affirm that the power of Indulgences was left by Christ to the Church, and that the use of them is most wholesome to Christian People. I Acknowledge the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church to be the Mother and Mistress of all Churches; and I Promise true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth. I also undoubtedly Receive and Profess all other SUMMARY OF CHRlISTIAN DOCTRINE. 25 things delivered, defined, and declared by the Sacred Canons and General Councils, and particularly by the Holy Council of Trent; and I also Condemn, Reject. and Anathematize all things contrary thereto, and al, Heresies whatsoever condemned, rejected, and anathe matized by the Church. This True Catholic Faith, out of which none can be saved, I now truly Profess and truly Hold. And I, [N —], Promise to hold, and profess the same whole and entire, with God's Assistance, to the end of my life. Amen. DAILY REMEMBRANCE. Remember, Christian Soul, that thou hast this day, and every day of thy earthly pilgrimageGOD to gloify, Heaven to gain, JEsus to imitate, Eternity to prepare for, The Angels and Saints to Time to profit by, invoke, Neighbors to edify, A soul to save, The world to despise, A body to mortify, Devils to combat, Sins to expiate, Passions to subdue, Virtues to acquire, Death perhaps to suffer, Hell to avoid, And judgment to undergo. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and first commandment: and the second is like to this-Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.-St. Mat. lxii. 37. I. ITS EXCELL'NCE AND POWEM.-2. ITS NxCFFssrITY. 3. ITS CONDITIONS. ~ 1. The Excellence and Power qf Prayer. RAYER, says St. John'Chrysostom, is the foundation and root of all virtues, and of all good to men., By Prayer we are raised to be with the Angels, and even to the presence of God Himself, out of Whose infinite and admirable mercy we are found worthy to speak with Him, and make known to Him our petitions. When a God of infinite majesty deigns to hearkdn to His sinful creatures, it is in itself an inconceivable favor: but He does more, He absolutely binds himself to man in prayer. Our Lord himself declares: " Amen, Amen, I say unto you, if you ask the Father any thing in my name, He will give it you" (John xvi. 23). Holy Writ abounds with numberless examples of the excellence and efficacy of Prayer. It purges the soul from sin. The Publican in the Gospel said but this prayer, "0 O Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner," and yet he went down into his house, delivered from his sins. Prayer is our strong shield against all dangers in this world and the next, and against our enemies visible and invisible-most especially the great enemy of all. By the prayer of Moses on the Mountain, Josue pre. vailed over the Amalekites: by prayer Jeremias was OF PRAYER. 27 comforted in his dungeon, Daniel was triumphant among the lions, and the penitent thief on the croms entered Paradise. Prayer penetrates the heavens, even to the throne of God, and obtains from Him all graces and helps of soul and body, necessary to salvation. It is the refuge and consolation of the Christian, banishes his pains, lightens his burdens, sweetens his happiness, sheds upon him a peace which the world cannot give, lifts him, as on wings, even to the presence of his Maker, and confirms him in everlasting glory. ~ 2. The Necessity of Prayer. Although to the infinite wisdom of God our wants be already known, yet Prayer is necessary as the most acceptable acknowledgment we can make of our entire dependence on Him, and of our obligation every hour and moment of our lives, to recur to the succor of His overflowing mercy and omnipotence. Trlis necessity of Prayer He has been pleased to enforce upon us in a variety of ways in the Scriptures. Asl,' and it shall be given you, says our Lord (Matt. vii. 7). We are required to as7c, before we can obtain. And to impress upon us our own litter helplessness without His saving grace; again: Without me, you can do nothing (John xv. 5). Prayer is necessary, because it is the communication of the soul with God, without which the soul languishes and is lost, as the body without the soul perishes. Hearken to the Divine warning: Watch ye and pray, that ye enter not intc temptation (St. Jiatt. xxvi. 41). It is said by a great Saint and, doctor of the Church, St. Thomas, that without continual prayer, we cannot enter Heaven: for though all sins are remitted in Baptism, there still remain the concupiscence of the flesh to assail us from within, and the world and the devil to attack us from without. It is in Holy Writ a most remarkable and solemnn instance of the necessity of Prayer, that so long as Moses on the mountain held up his hands in prayer, the children of Israel prevailed over the Amalekites; but when, becoming wearied, he held up his hands no 28 OF PRAYER. longer, victory inclined to the Amalekites. Shall we not then pray always and not faint. ~ 3. Of the Conditiom of Prayer. Whatever may be said of the excellence, efficacy, and necessity of Prayer, the proper mode of performning that holy action is beyond doubt the chief thing of all to the purposes of this book, and the salvation of the Christian. Ile hath learned to live well, says St. Augustine, who hath learned to pray well. It is even so. A good life and good prayer help one another; nor can one exist without the other. A good life enforces prayer; and prayer preserves and promotes a good life. To pray well, it is not enough to be exact in the making of prayers, devotions, and other such offices of piety. All, even the reprobate, can say off, dr read, prayers and devotions. It is necessary to entertain actually the sentiments we express with our lips, or at least to have an earliest desire thereof; remembering what is written: This people honor one with their lips, but their heart is farfronm me: And the reproach to the sinner, "Why dost thou declare my justices?" -An illustrious saint, who, by his life and writings, has greatly enforced the virtue of prayer, says its most necessary conditions are threefold: 1. FAITHI; 2. HUMILITY; and, 3. PERSEVERANCE. We should pray with FAITH; that is, with an entire and child-like confidence that our prayers will be heard by our Heavenly Father. St. James, even when inculcating the necessity of prayer, adds: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.... Therefore let not him (that wavereth) think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord (St. James i. 6, 7). Our Blessed Redeemer exhorts us: All things whatsoever ye ask ye as/ wiun ye pray, believe that yo~u shall receiwe, and they shall come unto you (St. Mark xi. 24). Since in the noblest and most divine of all prayers, given to us from the lips of Christ Himself, we are a]lowed to call the Almighty, " FATIIER, should we not approach Him in prayer with faith and confidence as little children? OF PRAYXY, 29 Prayer should be humble. It is especially said: God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble (St. James iv. 6). And again: The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds, and he will not depart until the IMost Ifigh behold (Ecclus. xxxv. 21). That is, the prayer of an humble soul penetrates the very heavens to the throne of God, and thence departs not until it has found favor in His sight: and however weighty may have been the sins of such a soul, its supplications shall not be rejected. For, A contrite and humbled heart, 0 Lord, thou wilt not despise (Ps. 1. 19). Thus, while the prayers of the proud Pharisee were disregarded, the simple ejaculation of the humble Publicarn, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner," brought him the priceless treasure of salvation. The end crowns the work, hence prayer should have the quality of perseverance. This our Blessed Redeemer has vouchsafed to inculcate upon us in the most affectionate and impressive manner, by the parable of the man who refused to give the loaves asked by his friend knocking at his door at midnight, until after the most importunate demands: Yet if he shall continue knockcing, I say to you, although he swill not ~rise and give because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will r'ise and give him ucs swtnsy as he needeth (Luke xi. 8); giving us to understand, that though the issue of our prayers appears not immediately, and is even put off for a season, yet we are not therefore to cease our supplications, but insist more earnestly. For (as St. Augustine says), if to be freed from importunity such a friend gave, even against his will, the loaves that were asked of him, how much more will the God of goodness, Who exhorts us to ask, and is offended when we do not ask, give what we seek from HiRln? It is a mournful and instructive truth, that many sinners are converted by divine grace, and obtain pardon of their sins; but because they omit to pray with perseverance for God'o help to maintain them in the paths of virtue, they relapse into their former, or greater, sins, and " the last state of that man is worse than the first." So ranlrh, therefore, being clear as to the excdlence. effxacy, vecssity, and conditions of prayer, we come 1no. g, 30 OF PRAYER. to the requisites which should immediately attend the Act of Prayer in the Christian. THE ACT OF PRAYER. Prayer is twofold, vocal and mental. Our present purpose is to treat of vocal prayer, though much that we say applies to both. Here take heed not to understand by vocal prayer that which needs only the lips to ntfter it. The heart and thoughts, the intention and understanding, must be in it, or it is in vain. Without this, prayer is as the chaff without grain, blossoms without fruit, the body without the soul. Wherefore, the use of words, rites, ceremonies, and forms, as kneeling, &c., to move the spirit, and bend it to the great work of prayer. Behold Abel and Cain, two brothers: God sees each of them offering unto Hilll, but according to the different spirit of each did Hoe distinguish between their offerings, so that He is said to have had regard only t~ the sacrifice of Abel. ~ 1. BEFORE PRAYER, VOCAL OR MKENTAL. Prepare thy soul, and be not as a man that tempts God (Ecclus. xviii. 23). 1. Setting aside all other business, choose such time and place as are most free from noise and distraction, and may give you power, without impedim7et, to attend upon wr Lord (1 Cor. vii. 35). 2. Think seriously on what yon are about to do. It is to God your creator, and the Almighty Lord of Heaven and earth, you are to speak; to offer Him praises; to lay before Him your wants and infirmities; to beg His help and graces. You, that are dust and ashes, are about to deal with the Most High. With what recollection, reverence, devotion, piety, and humility should you be filled in the presence of Infinite Mejesty! 3 Remember that you are about to pray to Him OF PRAYER. 31 Who holds in abomination the formal prayers of the unrepenting sinner. Excite in yourself a hem ty sorrow for your sins, and make a short Act of Contrition. 4. Propose to yourself some good intention, or, r1ailer, many. Unite your prayers with those of the whci;e, Church, for the greater glory of God, your own and your neighbor's salvation, the overcoming of some particular vice, the obtaining of some special grace or virtue. 5. Beg God's help to pray with devotion, attention, and profit. Resolve not wilfully to allow your mind to wander from your prayer, and if distractions arise, to resist and repulse them. ~ 2. DURING VOCAL PRAYER. Bearing in mind what has been alreadv said of the conditions of prayer generally, the three great essentials of the Act of Prayer are Attention, Devotion, and Reverence. 1.'Attention is the serious application of the mind to the meaning and object of the words, so as to understand perfectly what you read, and what you ask. This is to pray in understanding with the Apostle, 1 Cor. xiv. 15. For the procuring and securing of this attention, you should, 1. Deliver your words, not hastily, or indistinctly, but deliberately and fully; 2. Keep your mind free fiom idle fiancies, vain curiosities, or worldly business, recalling your thoughts as ofter as they wander, from earth to Heaven; to that end also keeping a guard upon your exterior senses, so that your eyes may not see, nor your ears hear, aught to the distraction of your soul]; and, 3. Pause now and then to recollect yourself, and to renew your remembrance of the Divine Presence, if necessary, weighing the words and sentences, and considering what consolation and instruction may be therein. 2. Devotion consists in exciting and producing such feelings and affections as correspond wiLn the sense of what you repeat. For example, in reading the Psalms your heart must keep pace with the Psalmist's words, ats St. Augustine says: "By fearing where he fears; by ioving where lie loves; by praising where he praises; 32 OF PRAYER. by sorrowing where he sorrows; by supplicating where he supplicates; by humbling yourself where he confesses his own nothingness, &c. Thus only carl you pray in spirit with St. Paul and not incur the heavy displeasure of God with those insincere and undevout prayers which He reproves, saying:'These people (craw near to me with their mouth, and honor 1Ie with their lips, but their heart is far from me' " (Isa. xxiX. 13). 3. eve, ence is, 1. Inwardly —that profound sense of the iavful majesty of Him with Whom you speak in prater, as shall take possession of your heart and soul; and, 2. Outwardly-such dress, posture, and comportient of the body as shall best correspond therewith, pironote attention and devotion, and testify your subjectiion to Almighty God, and entire dependence on iimn for every grace and favor you enjoy, even for the lif htest breath you draw. Such was the prayer of the 1'Lblican, who, standi'ng afar off, would not so much as lift his eyes towards Heaven; but knocked his breast, s,-ying: "God be merciful to me, a sinner" (St. Luke xviii. 18). it is to be noted, however, that all such exterior carriage an(- actions are to be avoided as serve to distract others, or savor in yourself rather of conceit or singularity t'in of Devotion and Reverence. ~ 3. AFTER PRAYER. The end crowns the work of Prayer; the frLit whereof depends muuch on its beginning, more on its progress, and most on its conclusion: andc therefore, Better is t]e ezd of' Proayer than the beginning (Ecc. vii. 9). Be imindful, therefore, to conclude your prayers proAdmllitted by the King of- kings to confer with Him on your own concerns, that being done, beware how you11 turn your back on Hin, aid depart without any sign of your reverence or gratitude. Therefore, examine with yourself the issue of your prayers. Grieve for tbi-eir (defects, and resolve to avoid them for the fuiture: thea hrnbly offer them, how imperfect soever, to Gocd OF PRAYER. 33 beseeching Him to accept them for the endor intention you proposed to yourself, in saying them in union with the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mother and all the Saints, through the abundant merits of Christ His Blessed Son. All this may be done very easily and briefly, according to the forms hereafter given. Conclesion.-If we have sought at some lengrth to move the devout reader to a proper sense of the Excellence, Merits, and Requisite Conditions of Prayer, it is that he might not umprepared approach so great a subject. Suffice it now to say, that in this Book will be found a diversity of Prayers and Exercises proper to stir up pious affections, and the practice of all virtues..As in a banlquet, various mlleats are set before the guests that each may take according to his tastes so here this variety of prayers and devotions is adapted to the different inclinations of men, or the same at different times, each having a sweetness andc savor of its own, and all answering to the varying inclinationis or necessities of readers. Let each one take what he feels is fitted for him at the time, and use, all to his own salvation and the greater glory of God; remembering, somLetimes, if he should deem it worthy, to offer up a prayer for those that have bestowed some labor on this Book, were it but a single ejaculation to the AMost High. Which may be used with Profit before any Prqyer, PMeditacicn,, or Pious ~eXocise. LMIGIITY and everlasting God, I, an unworthy sinner, but the work of Thy han(fs, comle into Thly presence to praise T1hee lecause Thou art my God, my Lord, llmy Crleator, my Saviour, and mly Preserver; AWho alc)ne, 1 know, calnst bestow gifts profitable to lny ownl and my neig'hbor's salvatioln, because Thou art su 34 OF PRAYER. premely powerful; nor can I doubt Thy will, be, cause Thou art supremely good: to Whom all creatures in heaven and earth owe praise, and can never praise as Thou meritest to be praised. But wretch that I am, how unworthy,,alas, and unprepared, from the countless numlber of my sins do I come to pray to Thee! From the bottom oc lmy heart I am sorry that I have ever offended'Thee, my God, Who art supremely good, Whom I ought to have praised and loved above all things. But Thou of Thy mercy make me worthy, and cleanse me from all my iniquities, with the precious blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ, my Saviour. Deliver also my heart from all vain, hurtful, and idle thoughts, that I may be able to adore and praise Thee in spirit and in truth, and obtain whal-.t I purpose humbly to ask of Thy infinite goodness; and this according to the good pleasure of Thy most gracious will, to which in all things I cheerfully bow myself. But how can one who is an unprofitable servant find grace in Thy sight? Look, O Father, upon the face of Thy Christ, in whom Thou art well pleased; in whose name I humbly entreat Thee mercifully to bear me. -Behold, I offer Thee His most ardent prayers, devout affections, and holy desires, His most holy thoullghts, words, and works, and all the merits o, His Life, Passion, and Death, that from their tunion a, nd periection all my defects may be supplied, -and that by Him as our Mediator and Advocate, this my obedient service, may be pleasing to Thee, O Eternal Father! And oh, that with the affection, zeal, and fervox OF PRAYER. 35 of the Most [Blessed Mlother and Vilrgin MIary, of the holy angels, and of all the blessed, especially my Patrons (naczming them), I may be cable to worship Thee, love Thee, and praiise Thee! And this to the end that Thou mayest take away firom me all, especially (namne tZh.e particular sin or fault you wish to overcome) that is displeasinlg to Thee in me. Thy eyes see my imperfection, O Searcher of hearts I And that Thou mayest bountifully bestow on me grace and virtues most necessary to me, as these (name the particular virtue you wish to acquitre), that I may the more worthily serve Thee in my vocation. That I may do all things to the greater glory of Thy name, and to my own and my neighbor's salvation, especially of those to -whom I am ilost especially bound. This only, O Lord, is the earlnest desire of my soul to serve Thee, please Thee, and adhere to Thee, now and forever. For Thou art my God and my all. Amen. A Shorter Prayer. Open, O Lord, my mouth to bless Thy holy name: cleanse, too, my heart fi'om all vain, perverse, and distracting thoughts; enlighten my understanding, inflame my heart that I may worthily, attentively, and devoutly offer this prayer (or recite this office),'and merit to be heard in the sight of Thy divine majesty. Through Christ our Lord. A me n. Lord, in union with that divine intention, wherewithl Thou Thyself didst here below offer praise to God, I offer this to Thee. 36 OF PRAYER. Another. Inlspire, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, our actions by Thy Spirit, and further them by Thy aid, that all our prayers and works may ever begin and end alike with Thee. Through our Lord. I gravec To be said after Prayer, Meditation, or other Pious Exercise. Most merciful God, Who of Thy infinite goodness last vouchsafed to permit me, a sinner, to stand and. praise Thee in Thy presence; forgive me, I pray Thee, all the errors which I have admitted into my prayers, whether through dryness, negligence, or natural infirmity.; that my prayer may not be turned to sin, and my enemy boast against me, that he wounds me with the very weapons with which he was to have been wounded himself. Regard, O Lord, my humilEty-and my toil, and pardon me all my faults, through Thy only-begotten Son, in whom Thou art well pleased. Let rue please Thee in prayer as well as in deed, though, alas, there is much in it that is defective. But Thou wilt not, O Holy Father, despise it, if Thou look upon the face of Thy Christ; for Thou hast heaped upon Him all the treasures of Thy grace and bounty; that we might be rich through His abundance. Confirm, O God, that which Thou hast wrought in me; for I have sworn and determined to keep the judgments of Thy justice. Make me love Thy OF PRAYER. 37 commandmnents.above gold and the topaz, that I may love Thee and be loved by Thee, to all eternity. Amen. A Sf7iorter Prayer. Receive, 0 most merciful God, my dutiful services, through the intervention of the merits of Thy only-begotten Sonll Christ Jesus, and also of the prayers of the most Blessed Virgin Mary and of all Thy.saints. And if I have done any thing worthy of praise, favorably regard it; and that which has been done negligently, mercifully pardon. Who, in the perfection of the Trinity, livest and reignest, God, world without end. Another. To the most holy and undivided Trinity, tho humanity of our Crucified Lord Jesus Christ, the most blessed, and glorious, and fruitful integrity of the ever Virgin Mother, and the host of all the Saints, be everlasting praise, honor, power, and glory, fiom every creature, and to us the remissioa of all our sins forever and ever. Amen. ral)er5gob f Q erciBCe FOR DAILY USE. _MORNING EXERCISE. General Remarks. S soon as you awake, make the sign of the cross devoutly, and fervently offer your heart, with its best affections, to your good Father in Heaven, X, Who has guarded you from all danger during the night. Fix your hour of rising the preceding night; and give yourself the good, though mortifying habit of leaving your bed, as if it were.on fire,:the mon. ent the appointed hour has arrived. Do not, to obtain a momentary indulgence, sacrifice your first waking moments to that subtle enemy who seeks in all things oxr destruction. Begin the day, as you hope to end it, by taking up your cross, and walking in the footsteps of Him Who is the Way, the'Truth, and the Life. Recite your morning prayers carefully, looking on them as the first-fruits of the day, which should be consecrated to God with peculiar fervor. On the fidelity with which this first duty is performed, depends the success of all the actions of the day. WV cannot foresee the trials, accidents, and temptations which await us during its progress; therefore it is prudent to invo.ke the Sovsreign Arbiter of all events, the Giver of all graces, the PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 36 Author of all good. We are so weak, so beset by temptations, so liable to reverses, that our only safety is in God, who is infinitely merciful, and ever ready to assist all who invoke Him with confidence. Never omit tho sacred duty of morning Prayer, but consecrate to it youi first free moments, lest you nxay afterwards be interrupted in its discharge; and daily repeat the same form of prayer, by which means you will more surely avoid distraction. Offer the whole day to God, with every action and occurrence that it includes: this generali oblation will supply for any omission in offering the detail of your occupations, and will render them all meritorious. Remember that this day may be the last of your life, and resolve to spend it in the most perfect manner. PIOUS PRACTICES WHILE RISINo AND DRESSING. 1. Our earliest moment on awaking belongs, by an especial prerogative, to God, as the first-fruits of the day, and I-e is most jealous of His rights. On this moment, in a great measure, will depend your whole day. Give it, then, to God, with your whole heart. Make the sign of the cross, not only as a safeguard against the enemy, but as a profession of faith, and an invocation of the Three Divine Persons of the Most Holy Trinity and thanksgiving to them, especially for the great Mystery of Redemption; then use the follorwing ejaculatory prayer, or any other which your devotion may prompt: "O my God'! to Thee do I watch at break of day. I offer Thee all my thoughts, words, and actions this day, to Thy honor and glory, and for my salvation, with the intention of gaining all the indulgences which Thy holy Church has accorded.'" 2. Rise immediately, and without a moment's hesitation, as though your guardian angel said to you, A" ise, quickly" (Acts xii. 7). Remember the promise 40 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. of Eternal Wisdom: "They that in the morning early watch for me shall find me. He that shall find me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord" (Prov. viii. 17, 34). And hear the words of reproach: " What! could you not watch one hour with me?" (Matt. xxvi. 40). " How long wilt thou sleep, 0 sluggard? when wilt thou rise out of thy sleep?'' (Prov. vi. 10). Dread the fate of the foolish virgins, who "' slumbered and slept," and heard the dread sentence, "Anen! I know you not." Be assured that the observance of this simple rule of rising early and promnptl'y, besides affording you more time for your devotions, will give you a great increase of fervor and recollection in your spiritual affairs of the day. Experience shows, on the contrary, that a little laziness in the morning leaves a certain dulness and tepidity in your interior which are dangerous.to the Christian life, and expose you to be disordered and overcome by the least contradiction and temptation. At rising, consider how precious to millions of poot- lost souls would be the opportunities of this one day, now dawning upon you, and say: " Our Lord Jesus Christ, guide and keep inme this clay, and giant me to rise with Thee to life everlasting." 3. Dressing yourself with modesty and recollection, reflect, from time to time, that if so much care is taken of the body, in defending it from the changes of the seasons, how much greater should yours be in adorning your spul to appear in the sight of God, and guarding it from the temptations of the (lay! Even the minutest actions in dressing may prompt some peculiar sentiment of piety. Thus, in so trifling an act as that of combing you r hair, you may reflect, that since not a hair.of your head falls without God's permission, your confidencc in His good Providence should be unbounded. Above all things, let not your clothing, which, as a mark of man's fall from innocence, should be our perpetual confusion, ever excite in you sentiments of weak vanity or conceit. When dressed, say: PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY uSE. 41 "Lord, why should dust and ashes be proud I Keep far from me all sinful conceits and vain-glory, and adorn ame with modesty and humility, and the gifts and graces of Thy Holy Spirit." 0 most amliable Jesus! the true spouse of amy soul, give me the wedding garment of divine love and perpetual charity. If you wear a habit, kiss it affectionately, with a tender feeling of the happiness of your vocation; and do the same if you wear only a scapular. Look on it as the livery of Heaven, and pray that it may be to you a sign and pledge of your being clothed here with sanctity, and hereafter with glory. As: O dear Lord, may this vesture, which is the outward sign of my earthly alliance with Thee, the Divine Spouse of my soul, become to me Thy sign and shield against sin and temptation here, and thy robe of righteousness and glory hereafter. 4. While washing, or at first taking the holy water, earnestly wish that you might thus cleanse your soul from sin, and say: Saving blood of Jesus, cleanse me: water from the side of Christ, wash away my sins, and purify my soul! Wash me yet more from my iniquities, and cleanse me from my sin. Grant me, O Lord, such waters of penance u shall wash me from even the least stain of sin. 5. When dressed, pause a moment to direct your intention, then kneel down and say the Morning Prayers. If you are to read them aloud,, do so without unseemly hurry, on the one hand, or unnecessary tediousness on the other; but with such distinctness, deliberation, 4* 42 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. and reverence, as shall manifest, in the most edifying manner, your own attention to what you repeat, and animate the devotion of those that hear yo a. Our prayers and devotions must consist of acts of adoration, homage, praise, and thanksgiving to God for His imercies, of confession for our sins, resolution of amendment, oblation of ourselves to God's service, prayers for pardon and grace for ourselves and others, &c. All forms of prayer are composed, more or less, of these parts, though not always in the same order. Each person is at liberty to please himself, both as to the form and arrangement of his prayers. Some forms are useful, if not necessary, for all. We shall give several of those forms which have been most approved, and are most used, to suit the different tastes of ctifferent minds, and to afford to all the advantages of occasional variety. Each should select according to his wants, blending with them such other devotions as his piety may prompt, in all liberty of spirit. MUarning Vrapcr. lEake the Sign of the Creoss, saying: In the name of the 4-4 Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever. Amen. Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.* Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and Th.ou shalt renew the face of the earth. Indulgence, 100 days. (Plus VI.) PRAYERS AND EXERCISIES FORa DAILY USE. 43 God, Wlho hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right judgment ia'all things, and evermore to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 1. AN ACT OF FAITHI IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD O my God, I firmly believe that Thou arJ here present, and perfectly seest mle, and observest all my actions, all my thoughts, and the most secret lmotions of my heart. I acknowledge that I am not worthy to come into Thy presence, nor to lift up my eyes unto Thee, because I have so often sinned against Thee. But Thy goodness and mercy invite me to come unto Thee. Assist me, therefore, -with Thy Holy Spirit, and teach me to pray to T`hee as I ought. THE LORD'S PRAYER. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and ]ead us not into temptation; but deliver us fiom evil. Anzen. THE ANGELICAH SALUTAT10N. Hail, Mary,t full of grace, our Lord is with thee; biessed art thou among women, and blessd is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the ho1101 of our death.. Amen. t4 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAII. USE. Tin APOSTLES' CREED. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator,of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; sufferled under Pontius Pilate; was ciucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third dclay he rose again friom the dead; he ascended into Heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; finom thence he.will collme to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 2. AN AcT OF ADORATION AND THANKSGIcING. O Eternal God! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the Beginning and End of all tlings; in Whom we live, and move, and have our being; prostrate before Thee in body and soul, I adore Thee with the most profound humility. I praise and bless Thee, and give Thee thanks for all the benefits'which Thou hast conferred upon ume; that Thou hast created me out of nothing', made ine after Thine own image and likeness, redeemed ime with the precious blood of Thy Son, and sanctified me waith Thy Holy Spirit. I thank Thee that Thou hast called me into Thy Church, assisted me by Thy grace, so often admitted me to Thy sacrarnents, borne with my ingratitude so long, watched over me by Thy special providence; blessed me, notwithstanding my sins and utter uirnworthiness, w'th t he continuance of Thy gracious protection; PRAYERS' AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 45 and for all the innumnerable lilessings which I owe to Thv undeserved bounty. IParticularly this morlling, I thank Thee for having preselved me during the night past, and for bringing nme in safety to the beginning of another day. O my God, how good art Thou unto me! What return can I mnake unto Thee for all that Thou hast done unto me? I will bless Thy holy name, and serve Thee truly all the days of my life. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me praise His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that Ite hath done for thee. Here call to mind the chief sins of your past life, and make resolutions against the temptations and dangerous occasions you may probably meet with this day. 3. AN ACT OF CO.NTRITION, WITI GOOD RTESOLU'IONS. O my God, how little have I served -Thee in time past! how greatly have I sinned against Thee! I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is lways'before me. But I repent, 0 Lord, I repent. I am heartily sorry that I have lost that time in offending Thee which Thou gavest me to be employed in Thy service, in advancing the good of my own soul, and obtaining everlasting life. I detest all the sins which I have committed against Thy Divine Majesty, and I resolve never to commit them any more. I am sorry, above all things, that I have offended Thee, because Thou art infinitely good, and sin is infinitely displeasing to Thee. I love Thee with my whole heart-at least I desire so to do; and I firmly purpose, by the help of Thy grace, to serve Thee more faith. ful'y or'ho time to come. 4~ PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USEB Receive, I beseech Thee, the offiering I now make to Thee of the remainder of my life. I renew the vows and promises made in my baptism. I renounce the devil, and all his works; the world, and all its pomps. I now begin, and will endeavor to spend this day according to Thy holy will, performing all my actions so that they may be pleasing unto Thee. I will take particular care to avoid the failings I am so apt to commit, and to exercise the virtues most agreeable to my state and employment. 4. AN OBLATION. I offer to Thee, O my God, the life and death of Thy only Son; and with them these my affections and resolutions, my thoughts, words, deeds, and sufferings of this day, and of all my life, in honor of Thy adorable Majesty; in than-ksgiving for all Thy benefits, in satisfaction for my sins, and to obtain the assistance of Thy grace; that, persevering to the end in doing Thy holy will, I may love and enjoy Thee forever in Thy glory. 5. A PETITION. Thou knowest, O God, how weak and unable I am to do good. Leave me not to myself, but take me under Thy protection, and give me grace faithfully to comply with these holy resolutions. Enlighten my understanding with a lively faith, raise up my will to a firm hope, and inflame it with an ardent charity. Strengthen my weakness, and cure the corruption of my heart; grant that, overcoming my enemies, both visible and invisible, I may make good use of Thy grace,, and vouchsafe PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 47 to add to these. blessings the inestimable gift of final perseverance. V. Unto Thee, 0 Lord, I have lifted up mly voice. B. And early in the morning my prayel shall come befoge Thee. V. Let my mouth be ever filled with Thy praises. R. That I may sing of Thy glory, and all the day long of Thy greatness. V. Turn away Thy face, O Lord, from my sins. B. And blot out a11 my iniquities. V. Create in me a clean heart, O God. R. And renew a right spirit within me. V. Cast me not away from Thy presence. B. And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. V. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation. R. And strengthen me with a perfect spirit. V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. B.. Who hath made heaven and earth. V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, d.. To keep us without sin. V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord. B. Have mercy upon us. V. Let Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord. B. As we have put our trust in Thee. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. B. And let my cry come unto Thee. A COLLECT. O Lord God Almighty, Who hast safely brought me to the beginning of this day, defend me in the same by Thy mighty power; that this day I may 48 PRAYERS AND XERCRISES FOR DAILY USEfall into no sin, hut that my words may always proceed, and my thoughts and actions be directed, to the perfornmance of Th'y justice, through our Lord Jesus Christ, rTh y Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen. O Lord God, King of heaven and earth, vouchsafe this day to direct and sanctify, to rule and govern our hearts and bodies, otur thoughts, words, and deeds, in Thy law, and in thei worlks of Thy commandments; that henceforth and forever, O Saviour of the world, we may be protected and saved, through Thy mighty help, Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. O Almighty Father! let no unworthy motive, I implore Thee, actuate me this day; and grant me Thy grace to turn away my eyes from all tlhat can be displeasing in Thy sight. Grant me, out of the fulness of Thy unspeakable mercy, grace to avoid (name snome particular fault), and to practise the virtue of (name the virtue you need most). Guard me and uphold me through whatever trials and temptations it shall be Thy holy will that I meet. "Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God" (Ps. clii. 12). ]ORNING HYMN. Jcam lcis owto scldre. Now doth the sun ascend the sky, And wake creation with its ray: Keep 1us fr'om sin, 0 Lord, Most Iigh. Through all the actions of the day. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USA 49 Curb Thou for us th' unruly tongue; Te'ach us the way of peace to prize; And close our eyes against the throng Of earth's absorbing vanities. Oh, may our hearts be pure within! No cherish'd madness vex the soul! May abstinence the flesh restrain, And its rebellious pride control. So when the evening stars appear, And in their train the darkness bring, May we, 0 Lord, with conscience clear, Our praise to Thy pure glory sing. To God the Father glory be, And to His sole-begotten Son; The same, 0 Holy Ghost! to Thee, While everlasting ages run! Aftanp of the Mot-!'ame of'3esut, (Indulgence of 800 days. —SixTus V.) Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy. i yrie eleison. Lord have mercy. Christe eleison. Christ have mercy. ihriste eleison. Christ have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy. Christe audi nos. Christ hear us. Christe exaudi nos. Christ graciously hear us. Pater de ccelis Deus, God the Father of heaven Fili Redemptor mundi God the Son, Redeemer g Deus, of the world, Spiritus Sancte Deus, God the Holy Ghost, Pancta Trinitas, unus h Holy Trinity, one God, Q Deus, 3 Jesu, Fili Dei vivi, S'Jesus, Son of the living ~' God, Jesu, Splendor Patris, Jesus, Splendor of the Father, bO PRAYERS AND EXERCISES F( It DAILY USE. Jesu, Candor lucis ztter- Jesus, Briglhtness of nm, Eternal Light, Jesu, Rex gloriD, Jesus, King of glory, Jesu, Sol justitive, Jesus, the Son of justice, Jesu, Fili Marira Vir- Jesus, Son of the Virgin ginis, Mary, Jesu, admirabilis, Jesus, most admirable, Jesu, Deus fortis, Jesus, the mighty God, Jesu, Pater futuri sn- Jesus, Father of the culi, world to come, Jesu, magni consilii An- Jesus, the Angel of gele, great counsel, Jesu, potentissime, Jesus, most powerful, Jesu, patientissilme, Jesus, most patient, Jesu, obedientissime, Jesus, most obedient, Jesu, mitis et humilis Jesus, meek and humcorde, ble of heart, Jesu, Amator castitatis, Jesus, Lover of chas~ tity, Jesu, Amor noster, I Jesus, our Beloved, Jesu, Deus pacis,? Jesus, the God of peace, Jesu, Auctor vita,; Jesus, the Author of ~ 5 life, Jesu, Exemplar virtu- ~' Jesus, the Example ofi tum, all virtues, Jesu, Zelator anima- Jesus, the zealous Lover rum, of souls, Jesu, Deus noster, Jesus, our God, Jesu, Refugium nos- Jesus, our Refuge, trum, Jesu, Pater pauperum, Jesus, the Father of the poor, Jesl, Thesaurus fideli- Jesus, the Treasure of um, the faithful, Jesu, Bone Pastor, Jesus, the Good. Shepherd, Jesu, Lux vera, Jesus, the true Light, Jesu, Sapientia 2Eterna, Jesus, the Eternal Wisdom, Jesu, Bonitas infinita, Jesus, infinite Goodness, Jesu, Via et Vita nos- Jesus, our Way and out tra, Life, PRAYERS AND RXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 51 Jesu, Gaudium Angelo- Jesus, the Joy of the rum, Angels, Jesu, Magister Aposto- Jesus, the Master of the lorulm, Apostles, Jesu, Doctor Evangelis- Jesus, the Teacher of taruIn, q the Evangelists, Jesu, Fortitudo Marty- q Jesus, the Strength of rum, M Martyrs, Jesu, Lumen Confesso- Jesus, the Light of Conrum,' fessors, Jesu, Puritas Virginum, Jesus, the Purity of Vir-. gins, Jesu, Corona Sanctorum Jesus, the Crown of all omniumrn, Saints, Propitius esto. Be merciful. Parce nobis, Jesu. Splare us, 0 Jesus. Propitius esto. Be merciful. Exaudi nos, Jesu. Graciously hear us, 0 Js sUs. Ab omni peccato, From all sin, Ab ira tuna, From Thy wrath, Ab insidiis diaboli, From the snares of thdevil, A spiritu fornicationis, From the spirit of for, nication, A morte perpetua, From everlasting denth, A neglectu inspiratio- From neglect of Thy innum tuarum, > spirations, Per mysterium sancts e Through the mystery a Incarnationis tuin, a of Thy holy Incarnation, Per Nativitatem tuam, Through Thy Nativity, Per Infantiam tuam, 9 Through Thine Infancy, Per divinissimam Vitam Through Thy most di-. tuam, vine Life, Per Labores tuos, Through Thy Labors, Per Agoniam et Passio- Through Thine Agony nem tuaim, and Passion, Per Crucem et Derelic~ Through Thy Cross and tionem tuam, Dereliction, Per Languores tuos, Through Thy Weariness and Faintness, 5 M PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY US; Per 4Lortem et Sepultu- Through Thy Death and ram tualll, Burial, C Per Resurrectionem. tu- q Through Thy Resurrec- am, $ tion, Per Ascensionerm tuam, Q Through Thine Ascen-. sion, q Pes Gaudclia tua, Through Thy Joys, a Per Gloriaim tuam. Through Thy Glory, Agnus Dcei, qui tollis Lamb of God, Who tapeccata mundi, kest away the sins of the world, Parce nobis, Jesu. Spare us, 0 Jesus, Agnus Dei, qui tollis' Lamb of God, Who tapeccata mundi, kest away the sins of the world, Exaudi nos, Jesu. Graciously hear us, 0 Jesus. Agnus Dei, qui tollis Lamb of God, Who tapeccata mundi, kest away the sins of the world, AMiserere nobis, Joesu. Have mercy on us, 0 Jesus. Jesu, audi nos. Jesus, hear us. Jesu, exaudi nos. Jesus, graciously hear uls. V;: Colrfitebimur tibi, V: We will praise Thee, Deus. 0 God. R. Et invocabimus No- R. And we will call upmen tuum. on Thy Name. Oremus. Let us pray. Domine Jesu Christe, qui 0 Lord Jesus Christ, dixisti, " Petite, et accipie- Who hast said, "Ask, and tis; qunrite, et invenie- ye shall receive; seek, and tis; pulsate, et aperietur ye shall find; knock, and vobis;." quasumus, dano- it shall be opened unto bis petentibus divinissimi you;" grant, we beseech tui amoris affectum, ut te Thee, to us who ask the toto corde, ore et opere di- gift of Thy dlivine love, ligamus, et a tua nunquamn that we may love Thee laude cessemus. with our whole heart, in word and work, and never cease fromi showing fori~ Thy praise. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 53 Sancti Nominis tui timo- Grant that we may have rem pariter et amnorem fac a perpetual fear and love nos habere perpetuum: of Thy holy Name; for quia nunquam tua guber- Thou never failest to dinatione destituis, quos in rect and govern tlhose soliditate tuae dilectionis whom Thou instructest in instituas. Qui vivis et reg- Thy true and solid love. nas Deus in saecula secu- Who livest and reignest, lorum. Amen. God, forever and ever. Amen. Deus, qui unigenitum 0 God, Who hast apm Filium tuumn constituisti pointed Thine only-begothumani generis Salvato- ten Son the Saviour ol rem, et Jesum vocari jus- mankind, and hast comsisti; concede propitius, ut manded that he should be cujus sanctum nomen ve- called Jesus; mercifully neramur in terris, ejus quo- grant that we may enjoy que aspectu perfruamur in in heaven the blessed viscoelis. Per eundem Domi- ion of Him Whose holy num nostrum. Amen. name we venerate on earth. Through our same Lord. Amen. Vel, Or, Deus qui gloriosissimum 0 God, Who hast made nomen Domini nostri Jesu the most glorious name Christe, unigeniti ilii tui, of our Lord Jesus Christ, fecisti fidelibus tuis sum- Thine only-begotten Son, mo suavitatis affectu ama- so lovely to Thy faithful, bile, et malignis spiritibus that their hearts are ravtremendum atque terri- ished witfh delight, and so bile; concede propitius ut terrible to the spirits of omnes, qui hoc nomen evil that they tremble beJesu devote venerantur fore it; mercifully grant in terris, sancth consolati- that, all who devoutly venonis dulcedinem in prm - erate this name Jesus on senti percipiant et in fu- earth, may experience the turo gaudcium exultatio- sweetness of a holy consolanis, et interminabilis jubi- tion in the present life, and lationis obtineant in ccelis. attain unto joys unspeakaPer eundem Dominum nos- ble, and never-ending glotrum Jesum Christumn Fili- ry hereafter in heaven. 54 PRAYERS AND EXERCISKE, FOR DAILY USE. um tlaum, qui tecum vivit Through the same oil et regnat in unitate Spiri- Lord Jesus Christ, Thy tus Sancti Dens, per omnia Son, Who liveth and reign szecula saculorum. Amen. eth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. SALVE R~EGINA. (For reciting the "Salve Regina" in the morning, and the "Sub Tuum" in the evening, with their proper V. and lP., there is a plenary indulgence on two Sundays in each month, on All Saints, and on every feast of the Blessed Virgin; and in the article of death; also, an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines every Sundday, and a hundred days every other day of the week.) Y,X ALVE, Regina, Ma- Hail, holy Queen, Moth<^ ql ter nmisericordia; er of mercy; Vita, dulcedo, et Our life, our sweetness, spes nostra, salve., and our hope, all hail. Ad te clamamus, exules To thee we cry, poor filii IHevie; banished sons of Eve; Ad te suspiramus, ge- To thee we sigh, weepmentes et flentes in hac ing and mourning in this lacrymaTumn valle. Yale of tears. Eia ergo, Advocata nos- Therefore, 0 our Advotra, cate, Illos tuos misericordes Turn thou on us those oculos ad nos converte; merciful eyes of thine; Et Jesumr, benedictum And after this our exile, fructum ventris tui, show us Nobis post hoc exilium The blessed fruit of thy ostende, womb, Jesus, 0 clemens, 0 pia, 0 dul- 0 merciful, 0 kind, 0 cis Virgo Maria. sweet Virgin MIary. V. Dignare me lauda- V. Make me worthy to rete Virgo sacrata. praise thee, 0 holy Virgin. R. Da mihi virtutem R. Give me strength contra hostes tuos. against thy enemies. V. Benedictus Del3 in V: Blessed be God in sanctis suis. ~ is saints. R. Amen. R. Amen. tIRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 55 PRAYER TO TIIE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. O blessed Virgin Mary, unspotted Mother of my God and Saviour Jesus Clhrist, be tl)ou a mother to me, since thy adorable Son has been pleased to call us all His brethren, and to recoimmend us all to thee, in the person of His beloved disciple. Take me and -mine under thy holy protection, and continually represent to the eternal Fathel) in our behalf, the merits of the death and passion of thy Son our Saviour. PRAYELR TO ALL SAINTS AND ANGELS. O all ye glorious angels and saints, and you in particular, my holy patrons, N. and N., happy citizens of the heavenly Sion, pray for us poor children of Eve, to our commron Lord, by the merits of our common Mediator, that we may ex-er.ove Him and serve Him here, till we come wit.o. you to love, praise, and enjoy Him for all eternity. PRAYER TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL. (A plenary indulgence every month, on the 2d of October, and in the article of death, for reciting it every morning and evening: a partial one of 100 days every time.) Angel of God, who art my guardian, enlighten, guard, direct, and govern me, who have been committed to thee by the supernal clcmenoy. Amzen. Glory be to the Father, &c. GENERAL OFFERING. Accept, O holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, these prayers which I Thy unworthy servant offer unto Thee, my true and living God, for my 56 PRAYERS AND EXEROISES FC R D.AILY USE. innumerable sins, offences, and negligences, and for all faithful Christians, living and dead, especially my kindred, and such as I am especially bound to pray for, that they' may be profitable unto my salvation and theirs unto life eternal, Amen. God the Father, -4 bless me; Jesus Christ defend me; the virtue of the Holy Ghost enlighten me and sanctify me now,' and for evermore.:-4 Glory be to the Father, and tD to the Son, and I to the Holy Ghost; now and fbor evermore.:]!tIorter.form of Mlornini g Vratcr. ~, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen. ADORATION AND TIANKSGIVING. Almighty God, Who, dwelling in the highest heavens, vouchsafest to regard the lowest creature on earth; I humbly adore Thy sacred Majesty, and with all the powers of my soul exalt and praise Thy name for the infinite blessings Thou least so fireely bestowed on me; for electing me in Thy love, and creating me in Thy own image; for redeemling mle by Thy Son, and sanctifying ine with Thy Holy Spirit; for preserving me in dll the chances and accidents of this life, and raising up my thoughts to the hope of a better; antd particularly this morning, that Thou hast protected me fiom the dangers of the night, and hast brought me safely to the beginning of this day PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 57 Continue, O Lord, Thy mercy to me; and as Thou hast awakened my body from sleep, so raise lmy soul from sin, that I may walk soberly and chastely; as in the clay, in all holy obedience before Thy face. OFFERING. I desire to spend this day in Thy divine service; and therefore I now offer up to Thee all my thoughts, words, and actions, that they may be all consecrated to Thee by a pure intention of Thy greater glory; in union with that pure intention with which our Lord Jesus Christ performed all His actions in His mortal life. I beg that my whole soul, with all its powers, may be ever Thine; that my memory may be always recollected in Thee, that my understanding may always be enlightened by Thy truth, and my will always inflamed by Thy love. THE LoRD's PRAYER. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. THE ANGELICAL SALUTATION. ]Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 58 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. TILE AtPOSTLES' CREED. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of ]beaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His oCnlv Soll, our Lord, Who was conceived by the H-Ioly (lhost; born of the Virgin Mary; suifered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and bluried; Tle descended into hell; the third day l]e rose again from the dead; He ascended into heav en; and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence Hle will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of Saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. TErE CONFITEOR, OR GENERAL CONFESSION. I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael, the archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and deed, th rough my fault, through my fault, thLr ough my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mitry, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God f.or mle May Almighty God have mercy on me; forgive me my sins; and bring me to life everlasting, Amen. May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant me 4 pardon. remission, and absolution of all my sins, Amen. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY'USE. 59 O Lord God Almighty, Who hast safely brought me to the beginning of this day, defend me in the same by Thy Inighty power; that this day I may fall into no sin, but that my words may always proceed, and my thoughts and actions be directed to the performance of Thy justice, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God for ever and ever. Amen.! * PETITION. O God the Father, who saidst in the beginning, Let there be light, and it was made; enlighten my eyes, that I may never sleep in sin, lest at any time the deceits of the enemy, or my own corruption, should'prevail against me. O God the Son, most beautiful and true light, shining in darkness, and enlightening every one that comes into the world; dispel all clouds of ignomrance, and give me a right understanding, that in Thee, and through Thee, I may see and know the Father; Whom to know is to live; and to serve, is to reign forever. O God the Holy Ghost, Who inflamest the wills of all those in whom Thou vouchsafest to dwell with heavenly affection; pour into my mind the gifts of holy charity, that, despising all vain and transitory things, I may, with a continual desire, long for the true and everlasting joys of Thy.heavenly kingdom. O holy Trinity, one God, defend me this day from the deceits and temptations of the devil, keep me from all sin, and preserve me from sudden and unprovided death. Raise up, 0 God, my body 60 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. from sleep and drowsiness, and my soul from sin, that I may praise and glorify Thy holy name, to WThom belongs all benediction, and honor, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, now and forever. Amen. Give me grace, O Lord, to do what Thou commandest, and command what Thou pleasest. Give me grace to suffer what Thou permittest, and permit what Thou pleasest. O holiest Virgin, Mother of my God, and My especial Patroness! show thyself my mother, and take me under thy protection this day. Angel of God, who art my guardian, enlighten guard, direct, and govern me, who have been committed to thee by the supernal clemency Amen. And ye, 0 holy saints (N. N.), my chosen and beloved patrons, intercede for me to God, that, by the guidance of His grace, I may love, and rejoice, and praise Him lhie; and hereafter, with you, behold His face for all eternity. Amen. The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon me, and dwell in my heart forever. Amen. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 6 ] FURTHER PRAYERS FOR MORNING. acts of rafftj, Mope, and lCarftt. (Plenary indulgei.ce once a month, and in the article of death, If recited daily. Partial indulgence seven years and seven quar antines, each time. —BENEDICT XIIL and XIV.) AN ACT OF FAITh. O imy God, I firmly believe all the sacred truths Thy holy Catliolic Church believes and teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, ~Who neither canst deceive nor be deceived. AN ACT OF HOPE. O my God, relying upon Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain the pardon of my sins, the assistance of Thy grace, and life everlast. ing, through the merits of oure Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AN ACT OF CHARITY. O my God, I love Thee with my whole heart and soul, purely because Thou art infinitely worthy and deserving of my love. I love also my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee; I forgive all who have injuled me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. ACTS OF FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY. By Pope Pius P1. ACT OF FAITH. I firmly believe that there is only one God it. nature and essence, but three Divine persons, namely, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost' that God is a being infinitely 6 62 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILM USE. perfect; that He rewards good and punishes evil, that God the Son became man, suffered, and died for us; that the soul of man is immortl, and that God's grace is necessary to obtain salvation. I belies e all that God has levealed, and by the Holy Catholic Church has ordered us believe. And I believe all this because God, Who is the Eternal Truth and Infinite Wisdom, neither can deceive, nor be deceived. ACT OF HOPE. Almighty God! Father of infinite mercy, by Thy grace and my co-operation I hope from Thee, with a firml confidence, eternal salvation, the remission of my sins, and all other means which are necessary for salvation; I hope for all this, because Thou my God hast promised it, Who art infinitely good, faithful in thy promises, and allpowerful to fulfil them. ACT OF CHARITY. My God and my all! I love Thee with my whole heart, with my whole soul, with my whole inld, and with all my strength, purely and solely because Thou art infinitely perfect and infinitely good in Thyself, and also to us. I desire to be united with Thee forever, and to do all that pleases Thee in order to maintain a perfect union with Thee, O my God! I love my neighbor as myself for Thy love. OTHER ACTS OF FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY. ACT OF FAITH. 0 my God! I firmly believe that Thou art one only God, the Creator and Sovereign Lord of PRAYERtS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILI JSE. 63 heaven and earth, infinitely great and infinitely good. I firmly believe that in Thee, one only God, there are three Divine Persons, really distinct, and equal in all things-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I firmly believe that Jesus Christ, God tlhe Son, became man; that He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and was born of the ever Imnmaculate Virgin Mary; that He suffered and died on a Cross to save and redeem us; that He arose the third day fiom the dead; that HI-e ascended into heaven; that He will come at the end of the world to judge mankind; and that He will reward the good with eternal happiness, and condemn the wicked to the everlasting pains of hell. I likewise most firmly believe, that out of His infinite love to us, He has left us in the most adorable sacrament of the altar, His own most precious Body and Blood, His soul and His divinity, for our spiritual good and for our sacrifice; and that I-le has left in His Church the power of forgiving sins. I believe these and all other articles which the Holy Roman Catholic Chlluch proposes to our belief, because Thou, my God, the infallible truth, hast revealed them; and Thou hast commanded us to "hear the Church, which is the pillar and ground of truth." In this faith I am firmly resolved, by Thy holy grace, to live and die. AN, ACT OF HOPE. 0 my God! Who hast graciously promised every blessing, even heaven itself, through Jesus Christ, to those who keep Thy commandments; relying on Thy infinite power, goodness, aud mercy, and 64 PRAYERS AND EXERCISE, FOR DAILY USE. on Thy sacred promises to which Thou art alw.ty-a faithful, I confidently hope to obtain pardon of all my sins, grace to serve Thee faithfully in this life, by doing the good works Thou hast comlmanded, and which, with Thy divine assistance, I now firmly purpose to perform, and eternal happiness in the next; through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AN ACT oF CHARITY. 0 my God! I love Thee with my whole heart and soul, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely good and perfect, and most worthy of all my love; and for Thy sake I love my neighbor as myself. Mercifully g'rant, O my God! that having loved Thee on earth, I may love and enjoy Th'ee forever in heaven. Amen. Ele ngeltus. (Indulgence 100 days every time, and to those who recite it daily at the sound of the bell, a plenary indulgence once a mouth.BENF.DICT XIV.) In Catholic countries, and in religious houses even here, the Angelus bell is rung in the mlorning, at noon, and in the evening. Great indulgenlces have been conferred on this devotion in honor of the mystery of the Incarnation; and where the bell is not rung, they mlay be gained by reciting it about the timnes specified. It should be said kneeling, except on Saturday evening and on Sunday. 1. V. Angelus Domi- I. V. The Angel of ni nuntiavit Marine. the Lord announced unto Mary. R. Et concepit de R. And she conceived Spiritu Sancto. of the Holy Ghost. vTA, Maria, &c. Hail, Many, &c. PRAYERS AND EXEBICISES FOR DAILY USE. 65 II. V. Ecce ancilla II. V. Behold the Domini. handmaid of the Lord. B. Fiat mihi secun- R. Be it done unto dum verburn tuumn. me according to Thy word. Ave, Maria, &c. Hail, Mary, &c. III. Y. Et Verbum III. V.And the Word careo facturn est. was made flesh. R. Et habitavit in R. And dwelt among nobis. us. Ave, Maria, &c. Hail, Mary, &c. Oremus. Let us pray. Gratiam tuam, que- Pour forth, we besumnus, Domine, menti- seech Thee, O Lord, Thy bus nostris infunde, ut grace into our hearts; qui, angelo nuntiante, that we, to whom the Christi filii tui incaina- incarnation of ChristThy tionern cognovimus, per Son was made known passionern ejus et crucem by the message of an ad resurrectionis gloriam angel, may, by His pasperducamur; per eun- sion and cross, be demnChristum Domi-num brought to the glory oi nostrum. Amen. hisresurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. During the Paschal season, that is, from Holy Sadurday a noon to 43inity Eve at noon, instead of the foregoing, th following is said, standing. Regina Cceli hetare, Rejoice, O Queen of &lleluia. Heaven, Alleluia. 6* 6 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. Quia quem meruisti For I-e of whom Thl portare, Alleluia. wast meet to be the motIler, Alleluia. Resurrexit sicut dixit, Hath arisen, as He Alleluia. foretold, Alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, Pray for us to God, Alleluia. Alleluia. V. Gaude et ietare, V. Rejoice and be Virgo Maria, Alleluia. glad, O Virgin Mary! Alleluia. R. Quia Dolminus sur- R. Because our Lord rexit vere, Alleluia. hath truly risen, Alleluia. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui, per resur- 0 God, Who by the rectionem Filii tui Do- resurrection of Thy only mini nostri Jesu Christi, Son, our Lord Jesus mundura latifiecare dig- Christ, didst vouchsafe natus es. prrsta qu su- to gladden the world, mnus, ut per ejus Geni- gTant that hb the intertricem Virginem Mariam cession of Vis'Virgin perpetuT capiamus i'au- Mother, we nJIv repeive dia vitae. Per eundeir the joys of etenmial life, Christurn Dominulm nos- throuh tbha sarma k.bni truim. Amen. our Lord, A im. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE:. 63 lueaitatfolotl or Ala enta1 G, rader. (A plenary intulgence once a month to all who meditate balf or even a quarter of an hour a day.-BsENEDICT XIV.) The most serious business of the interior life is Mental Prayer, of which some spiritual writers and even Saints have spoken, as if it were almost necessary to salvation: certain it is that it is necessary to perfection, and that there can be no spiritual life without it. For mental prayer means the occupation of our faculties upon God, not in the way of thinking or speculating about Him, but stirring up the will to conform itself to Him, and the affections to love Him. The subject on which the mind is engaged are the works of God, as well as His perfections; but above all, the sacred Humanity of our Blessed Lord. The length of time to be spent in it will vary with individual cases; and there are a variety of methods out of which all may choose; but it is most important to keep to a method once adopted. The following is the method introduced by St. Ignatius, and for which most books of meditation are adapted. lMETHOD OF MEDITATION. Preparation for meditation is remote or immediate. Remote Pr'epication consists in prayer for the gift of meditation, in removing the obstacles, which are, a good opinion of ourselves, dissipation of mind, negligent custody of the senses, and all that tends to wean us from God; and lastly, in obtaining the necessary aids, humility, simplicity, purity, a custody of the senses, and some degree of mortification. rImmediate prepacrationz consists in carefully reading the matter of our meditation over-night; in thinking of it as we go to sleep and as soon as we awake in the morning, so as to exclude all dissipating thoughts and images. These two preparations are followed by an act of adoration, and a preparatory prayer. Then picture to yourself the matter of the meditation, if an incident, in the life of our Lord, endeavoring to fix it so as to prevent the mind fronm wandering, and PRAYERIIlS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. ia a short plryer solicit earnestly the grace you espe ciLlly seek to gain. After all these comes the body of the meditation, which consists in three things, the use of the memory, the use of the understanding, and the use of the will. l emoizor. —'o apply the memory, put to yourself the following questions, as to the mystery or text. Who? What? Where? With what means? Why'? How? When? For instance, if you meeditate on the text, W" hat will it profit a man," &c., ask, Who says this? You mnust answer, "Jesus Christ, the Son of the living or-'d, who neither can deceive nor be deceived," &c, ~WVhat is this doctrine that he declares? If on the Nativity: "Who is thus born in a stable?" The object of these queries is to fill the mind well with the matter in all its bearings, so that the understandilg may apply it to ourselves. U[dterislandiTlg.-We next apply the subject of the nmeditation to ourselves, we draw conclusions, we weigh mnotives, we examine past and present conduct, and we aiticipate future dispositions. To do this the following questiois will materially aid us. What ant I to think abo-ut this? What practical lesson am I to draw from it? What motives persuade me to it? How have I hitherto acted? What must I do im future? What obstacle must I remove? What means shall I take? Will.-The understanding thus convinced, we must now adopt resolutions and produce affections; and for the latter it is well to have texts of Scripture,, or words of the saints in our mind, to express our various emotions. As to our resolutions, they must be few, suitable, practical, and, if possible, with reference to the very day. Having thus finished the body of the meditation, we conclude by pious and somewhat familiar colloquies with Godc, Our Lady, or the Saints, begging the fruit we need, rejoicing in the mystery, praising, giving thanks, &c. Then we may close with an Our Father, and a HaU Mary, or other short prayers. PRAYA~S AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 09 ACT OF ADORATION. What am I about to do? Who am 1, 0 Father Almighty, that I dare present myself before Thee? The heavens cannot contain Thy glory, the Angels and Saints ever sing Thy praises, and hlow shall I, who ambut dlst aid ashes, offel Thee aught? Overwhelm me with a sense of my dependence and of Thy condescension, and accept the homage of mly being, which I now hulubly ofier Thee. Forgive mle any irreverence in Thy awful presence, and reject not Thy weak and sinful creature. PREPARATORY PRAYER. 0 my God! prostrate befure Thee I implore Thy pardon for the manifold sinls by which I have effended Thy Divine Majesty; I detest them fi'om the bottom of my heart, and will endeavor henceforward, by due consideration of Thy holy law, to walk in the way of Thy service. I render the homage of my being and life, and consecrate all my powers to Thee. Grant me Thy grace, O Lord, to meditate now in a manner pleasing to Thy Divine will, and let all my thoughts, wvords and actions be directed to Thy honor and glory andl my own salvation. Amen. o0 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USIL. ON SANCTIFYING STUDY. Esgecially by Young Persons. As study is the chief duty of the young, it is most important to sainctify it. For as it will avail nothing to have obtained success, if nothing has been done for God, so, on the contrary, the most trifling school duty is meritorious if offered to Him. First, Look on study as next in importance to spiritual duties; since submission to the will of God, obedience to parents, andi justice to self, demand every exertion to acquire useful knowledge. Secondly, The primary motive in all studies should be to accomplish God's holy will, to please His divine MaIjestv,,and to obey your parents, as likewise those who hold their place. Tlhirdly, According to the advice of St. Vincent Ferrer to young persons: "Let devotion accompany your studies: consult God, the giver of all science and ask Him with humility to make you understand what you read and learn. Interrupt your application by short ejaculatory prayers: never begin or end your studies but by prayer. Learning is a gift of the Father of ]Jights; do not, therefore, consider it as the fruit of your own intellect or industry." PRAYER. I offer, 0 my God! in union with the adorable actions and sufferings of Jesus Christ during His mortal life, the duties I am now going to perform for Thy love, and in obedience to Thy most holy will. I most humbly beg Thy divine blessing, aind the light of Thy holy Spirit, that all my studies may tend to Thy greater glory and my eternal salvation; as likewise to the service and edification of my neighbor. Amen. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 71 MANNER OF SPENDING THE DAPY. Having given God the first-fruits of thle day, each enters on his accustolmed avocations. But we must not imagine that any moment of the day or any action is wholly our own. For all we must render an account at the moment of our death, a fearful and terrible account. Let us then walk in the presence of God, iremembering that though we may forget Him, He never forgets us. Having in our morning plrayer offered all our actions, renewed our resolution to combat our predominant failing, and endeavored to foresee the telmptations of the day, let us go forth into the battle of life, and endeavor to consecrate each action to God, and recollect ourselves from time to time, to see whether our actions have been pleasing in His sight. Wherever you go, whatever you do, be always like one who walks in the presence of God. Raenmembet that He is present everywhere, His eye follows you everywhere, and He knows your most secret thoughts. Begin every thing you undertiake with a good intention, and keep in mind the words of the Apostle: " Wicther yoiu eat or drink, or; whatever else you do, do adl for the glory of God" (1 Cor. x. 31). GRACE BEFORE AND AFTER MEAT. Before Mleat. V. Benedic, Domihe, V. Bless us, 0 Lord, nos et hbe tua dona, and these Thy gifts, qure de tua largitate which of Thy bounty sumus sumpturi; per we are about to reChristum Dominum nos- ceive; through Christ trum. our Lord. B. Amen. B. Amen. After Bleat. Agimus tibi gratias, We give Thee thankr, omnipotens Deuis, pro Almighty God, for al 72 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. universis teneficiis tuis; Thy benefits; Who livest qui vivis et reguas in sre- and reignest, world withcula sveculorum.l Amen. out end. A-men. BEFORE ANY IMP3RTANT ACTION. Veni Sancte Spiritus! - Come, Holy Ghost, relple tuoruml corda fide- replenish the hearts of lium et tuo amorlis in eis Thy faithful, and enkinignern taccende. die in them the fire of Thy di,.ine love. T. Emitte spiritum V. Send forth Thy tuum et creabuntur. Spirit, and they shall be created. R. Et renovabis fa- R. And Thou wilt recem terrve. new the face of the earth. Deus qui corda fide- 0 God, whohast taught lium Sancti Spiritus il- the hearts of the faithful lustratione docuisti, da by the light of the Holy nobis in eodem spiritu. Spirit; grant us in the recta sapere et de ejus same Spirit to relish what semper consolationegau- is right, and ever to ire dere. Per Christum joice in His consolation; Dominumn nostrum. A- Throulgh Christ, our men. Lord. Amen. Vel, Or, Actiones nostras, que- Inspire our actions, 0 sumusDomine aspirando Lord, by Thy grace, and prmeveni et adjuvando continue them by Thy prosequere; ut cuncta aid; that every prayer nostra oratio et operatio and worlk of ours may a te semper incipiat et begin with Thee, and by per te cepta finiatur. Thee begun, be happily Amen. ended. Amen. 12 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE 73 EVENING EXERCISE. General Remarks. F it be a duty of the greatest importance to begin!_j_ the lday well, it is doubtless one of no less con_ sequence to conclude it properly. The new graces conferred on us during the course of the day, and the protection we stand ihneed of against the dangers of the night, are urgent reasons why we should address ourselves to God, and pray to Him with the utmost gra titude and fervor. A daily examination of conscience, both in general with regoard to our whole conduct throughout the day, and in particular with regard to our predominant vice, passion, or evil custom, and the particular virtue w. want to acquire, is strongly recommended by all spir itual writers, as one of the most important duties of a Christian life, and the most profitable exercise we can apply ourlselves to, both for the avoiding of sin, and the acquiring of virtue. It is a looking-glass in which we see ourselves in our true colors, and come to the knowledge of our inclinations. iThe nightly examination of conscience makes up the principal part of the last exercise of the day. It consists in the following acts: The presence of God, Thaliks'iving for His favors, Supplication for light, Examination, Contrition, and Resolution of Amendment. Never in your evening exercise omit, under any pretext, this most necessary duty: prepare thus for the sacramental confession, whlih you cannot omit or perform negligently under pain of mortal sin; and still more, forestall thus the terrible judgment which will follow your death. Judge now, condebln now, that you may not then be judged, and perhaps condemned. The day, with its cares and its troubles, its joys and its sorrows, its good and evil deeds, has reached its. r 71 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. close, and you are again to commune with God; to appear in the presence of that God to whom in the morning you made so many professions of adoration, homage, love, and fear. Alas! you cannot but feel that many of your promises have been broken, many of your good rebolutions forgotten. Full of confusion, then, recall to your mind the awful presence of God, and reflecting on this, read a chapter in some spiritual book, and having attentively prepared the matter of your morning meditation, kneel down to recite your evening prayers. Say them attentively, in the doubt whether vou may open your eyes again to the rising sun. Etvznting V rantr. In the name of the si Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for evermore. Come, O Holy Spirit, replenish the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy Divine love. V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us, in the same Spirit, to relish what is right, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Amen. 1. ACTr OF ADORATION. Almighty Lord of heaven and earth,.I pros. trate myself before Thee: with all the angels and PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAII,Y USE. 75 saints I adore Thee; I acknowledge Thee to be my Creator and my Sovereign Lord, ly first beginniug and my last end. I render Thee the homage of mly being and life, and devote myself to Thy holy service, this day and forever. I believe in l'hee, because Thou art truth itself; I hope in Thee, because Thou art infinitely good; I love Thee with my whole heart, because Thou art infinitely amiable; and I love my neighbor as myself,; for the love of Thee. (The fuller acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, may be here used, if preferred.) 2. THANKSGIVING. Enable me, O Lord, to return Thee dlue thanks for all Thy inestimable blessings and favors. Thou hast thoullit of me and loved me fiom all eternity; Thou hast created me out of nothing; Thou hast redeemed me by the precious blood of Thy Divine Son, shed on the cross for me; and, not satisfied with this, Thou hast preserved me fiom falling into the abyss of eternal misery, when my repeated sins provoked Thee to cut the slender thread of my life; Thou hast, in spite of my repeated rebellions, given me time and grace to repent, and especially hast borne with me this day. Alas! my God, what return can I make for the innumerable blessings Thou hast conferred upon me during the whole course of my life, as well as for the particular favors of this day? O, all ye angels and Saints! unite with me in praising a God of mercy, Who is so bountiful to so unworthy a creature. 76 PRAYERS AN-D EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 3. PETITION FOR LIGHT. O Eternal Source of Light! "True light wllich enllighteneth every man that cometh into this world," enlighten mny eyes that I sleep not in the Jteath of sin; illuminate the darkness of r my undelrstanclingi and dispel those shades of ignorance and error which conceal friom me the filth and enorlmitv of mly offences. Let me see myself as 1 am in Thy sight. Discover to me, I beseech Thee, all thle sins I have committed this dagy, whether in thought, word, deed, or omission; grant me a lively sense of their enormity, in order that I may hold thema in the utmost detestation, and dread nothing so much as to commit them heereafter. 4. EXAMINATION. iecite the first part of the Confiteor, and pause to txamine yourl conscience; either, I. Rlinning over the various actions of the day, fiom rising, remembering the places where, the persons with wihom, the employments in which you have been engaged, and see whether in any you have sinned by thought, word, deed, or omission of any duty of your state of life; or, II. By examining whether you have during the dclay sinned: Agzainst God. —By omission o: neglect of any devotion or religious duty, or by perfrmnling it in a careless, irreverent, or distracted manner; resistance to Divine grace; murmurings; want of confidence and resignation. Aglyainst oer XNeighbor.-Disobedience to our superiors; neglect of duties of our state of life; neglect of those committed to our care; quarrelling; anger; fraud; scandal; leading our neighbor into sin by counsel, provocation, bad example, bad books, or otherwise; imprecation; detraction; raillery; hardness of heart; of forgiveness; uncharitableness. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY TUSE. 70 Against Orselves. —By sloth; anger; idleness; intern perance; impurity in thoilght. word, or deed; by vanity; human respect; lies; waste of time in reAding bad or useless books; or in giving too much of our time to the recreation or entertainment of the body, by neglecting the care of our soul. Consider also whether you have been faithful to your resolutions of the pieceding night, especially with regard to the subject of your particular examen, and endeavor to see whether you have advanced in the ways of God's service. Then finish the Confiteor. "' Therefore," &c. 5. AN ACT OF CONTRITION. O Father of mercies! Who desirest not the death of sinners; look upon me, a miserable sinner, according to the multitude of Thy mercies. I acknowledge and confess, and am heartily sorry for all the sins of my past life, and of this day in particular. I cast myself at Thy feet, and beseech Thee to cover all my sins with that infinite love with which Thou hast loved us from all eternity. I grieve from the bottom of my heart that I have been so ungrateful to Thee for Thy benefits, and have so often offended Thee, my God and my chief good. Spare me, I beseech Thee, by the death and love of Jesus Christ Thy Son; and mercifully forgive me whatsoever sins I have this day, or heretofore, committed against Thee, myr neighbor, or myself. (Here you may say the Miserere, or any other act of penmace.) 6. A IRESOLUTION OF AMIEND\MENT. 0 Almighty God! i firmly resolve, here in Thy presence, and before the whole company of heaven, to live more exactd v iD conformity to Thy will, 7* 78 PIVRXYERS AND EXERCISES I OR DAILY USE. and to the rule of Thy commandments, hereafter I resolve to keep a more strict watch over myself; to correct my faults and evil habits; to attend more diligently to my duties; and to avoid more ca refully all sin, and all temptations and occasions of sin. 13ut without Thy assistance, 0 Lord, tllere is no strength in man. Thou, therefore, AWAho makest me to will that which is good, give me also the power to performn it. Give grace to do what Thou coiimmiandest, and command what Thou wilt, that 1 may live soberly, righteously, and piously in this world, and praise Thee forever with Thy saints in the world to come. If in your examination you have remembered a mortal sin, be filled Awith a sense of your fearful position. Renew your act of contrition from the pure love of God, and resolve to confess it as soon is you can find an opportunity of doing so. 7. INTERCESSION. Here say the Our Father, I-Tail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed. Send down Thy blessings, 0 Lord, on my parents, benefactors, friends, and enemies; protect those whom Thou hast appointed my superiors, temporal and spiritual; comfort the poor, the afflicted, the agoniziing, and all prisoners and travellers. God of mercy and compassion! have pity on the souls suffering in purgatory; shorten the period of their torments, and admit them speedily to the mansions of light, repose, and ever asting bliss, purchased for them by the blood of Thy Son, our Redeemer. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 19 SUB TUUi. (If recited every evening, and the Salve Reginae every morning, a plenary indulgence two Sundays in each month, and on every feast of thei Blessed Virgin, and in the moment of death, and partial indulgences of 100 days each day, and seven years and seven quarantines each Sulday.) Sub tuum prasidium We fly to thy patronconfugimus, sancta Dei age, 0 holy Mother of Genitfrix, nostras depreca- God, despise not our petitiones ne despicias in ne- tions in our necessities' cessitatibus nostris; sed a but deliver us always from periculis cunctis libera nos all dangers, 0 glorious and semper, Virgo gloriosa et blessed Virgin. benedicta. V: Dignare me laudare V. Make me worthy to te Virgo sacrata. praise thee, 0 sacred Virgin. R. Da mihi virtuteml R. Give me strength contra hostes tuos. against thy enemies. V Benedictus Deus in V. Blessed be God in aanctis suis. his saints. R. Amen. R. Amen. Witanp~ of tle 3lIesSlJ tiftrlfn tJar, Commonly called " The Litanery of Loretto." (If recited daily, a plenary indulgence on the feasts of the Immaculate Conception, Nativity, Annunciation, Purification, and Assumption. A partial indulgence of 300 days each time it is recited.) Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy. Kyrie deison. Lord have mnercy. Clhriste eleison. Christ have mercy. Christe eeiison. Christ have mercy.. Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy. Christe audi nos. Christ hear u, C/riste exaudi azos. Chriist graciously hear us_ Pater de celis Deus, Mise- God the Father of heaven, rere nbim. I]Zive mercy an us. 80 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. Fili Rledemptor mundi God the Son, Redeemer cl Deus, lMfiserere nobis. the world, fiave mercy on Its. Spirituls Sancte Deus, Kfise- God the Holy Ghost, -iave rese 7ubis, mercy on us. Sancta T''rinitas, uus Deus, Holy Trinity, one God, Miserree nobis. Have?en&cy on uts. Sancta Mlaxia, Holy Mary, Sancta Dei Genstrix, Holy Mother of God, Sancta Virlo virginum, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mater Christi, Mother of Christ, Mater divinn grati;e, Mother of divine grace, Mater purissiln, aIMother m.ost pure, Mater castissilma, Mother most chaste, la:ter inviolata, MIother inviolate, Mater inteniercata, Mother undefiled, Mater allabilis, Mother most amiable, Mater admirabilis, Mother rmost admirable, Jater Creatoris, Mother of our Cleator, Mater Salvatoris, Mother of our Saviour, Virgo prudentissima, Virgin'Most prudent, Vir'o veneranda, Virgin mlost venelable, Virgo psrdicanda, Virgin most renowned, Virgo poteus, V Virgin most powerful,, Virgo clemens, o Virgin most merciful,' Virgo fidelis, i Virgin most ftithful, Speculum justitia, M lMirror of justice, Sedes sapieIlti, Seat of wisdom, Causa nostra lcetitic- Cause of our joy, Vas spirituale, Spiritual vessel, Vas honorabile, Vessel of honor, Vas insigne devotionis, Singular Vessel of devotion, Rosa snystica, viystical Rose, Turris Davidlica, Tower of iDavid, Turris ebusrnea,. Tower of ivory, DoImus aurea, House of gol,:-, FnIderis area, Ark of the covenan*tJanua CCeli, Gate of heaven, Stella mnatutina, 1Molr ing star, Salus infirmorum,, I-eatlit of the sick.A iefugiunm peccatou nm-, Refuge of ssir.m 0, PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 81 Consolatrix affliCtorum, Comforter of the afflict. ed, Auxilium. Christiano- Help of Christians, rum, Regina Angelorrum, Queen of Angels, Gl.%'ina Pattliarcharlum, S Queen of Patriarchs, Regina ProphetaLnin, & Queen of Prophets, Regina Apostolorum, h Queen of Apostles, Regina Martyrulln, Queen of Martyrs, Regina Confessourn,. Queen of Confessors, Regina Vi.ginurm, Queen of Virgins, Regina Sanctorumr om- Queen of all Saints, nium, Regina sine labe con- Queen conceived withcepta, ont sin, Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- Lamb of God, Who takest cata mundi, away the sins of tho world, Parce nobis, Doniine. Spare us, 0 Lord. Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- Lamb of God, Who takest cata mundi, away the sins of the World, xzagudi nos, Domine. Graciously hear us, 0 Lord. Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- Lamb of God, Who takest cata mundi, away the sins of tho world, Aliserere nobis. icave mercy on us. Christe audi nos. Christ hear us. C(hristi exaudi nos. Christ graciously hear is. Ant. Sub tuum prmsidi- Ant. We fly to thy pat unm confugimus, sancta Dei ronage, 0 holy Mother of Genitrix, nostras de preca- God, despise not our petitiones ne despicias in ne- tions in our necessities; cessitatibus nostris; sed a but deliver us always from periculis cunctis libera nos all dangers, 0 glorious and semper, Virgo gloriosa et blessed Virgin. benedicta. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta FV Pray for us, 0 h ly Dei Genitrix. Mother of God. R. Ut digni efficianur R. That we may be promissionibus Christi. made worthy of the pronmises of Christ. 82 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. Oremus. Let us pray. Gratiar tuam, qumsu- Pour forth, we beseech Imus, Domine, mentibus Thee, 0 Lord, Thy grace nostris infunde: ut qui, into our hearts; that we, Angelo nuntiante, Christi to whom the Incarnation Filii tui Incarnationem of Christ, Thy Son, was cognovinius, per Passio- made known by the mesnem ejus et CrLceni ad sage of an Angel, may, by Resurrectionis gloriam per- His Passion and Cross, be ducamur. Per eundem brought to the glory of Christum Dominum nos- His Resurrection. Through trum. the same Christ our Lord. _R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Divinum auxilium V. May the divine as maneat semper nobiscum. sistance remain always with us. R. Amen. R. Amen. EVENING HYMN. Te lucis ante krminum. Now with the fast-departing light, Maker.of all! we ask of Thee, Of Thy great mercy throumgh the night Our guardian and defence to be. Far off let idle visions fly; No phantom of the night molest: Curb Thou our raging enemy, That we in chaste repose may rest. Father of mercies! hear our cry; Hear us, 0 sole-begotten Son! Who, with the Holy Ghost most high, Reignest while endless ages run. PRAYER OF ST. ALOYSIJS TO THE BLEssED 7'II1aN. To thee, 0 holy Mary, my sovereign Mistress, to thy blessed trust and special charge, and to the PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 3 bosom of thy mercy, this day and every day, and at the hour of my death, I commend. myself, my soul and my body; to thee I commit 11 l y hope and all my consolation, my distresses and my miseries, my life and the end thereof; that through thy most holy intercession, and through thy merits, all my works may be directed and disposed according to thy will and the will of thy Son. Amnen PRAYER TO ALL TIHE SAINTS AND ANGELS. And you, my holy patrons, pray for me. Thou first, 0 holy Virgin, Mother of my God; thou too, my angel guardian; and ye, my chosen patrons, N. and N., and all ye heavenly citizens, angels. and saints, who praise God unceasingly, even while we sleep; take me under your protection, and commend me to God; that I may be protected fiom all the snares of our enemies, who are ever ready to hurt us while we sleep. A PRAYER TO YOUR (GUARDIAN ANGEL. Angel of God, who art my guardian, enlighten, guard, direct, and govern me, who have been committecl to thee by the supernal clemency. CONCLUSION. Despise not, O Lord, my petitions, for Thine infinite mercies' sake, but ceptthis my evening sacrifice, and let it ascend as incense in Thy sight. Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell therein to preserve us in peace; and may Thy blessing be upon us forever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 84 PRAYER\S AND EXE XRC'ISS.Or DAILY USE. O Eternal Father, I beseech Thee, by the life and death of Thy beloved Son, and by the bowrels of Thy mercies, grant that I miay persevere unto the end in good works, and die in T'hy grace. O good Jesus, I beseech Thee, by the love of the Eternal Father, and by the last words with which Thou didst commend Thy spirit to Him upon the cross, receive my soul at mly last hour. O Holy Spirit, have mercy on me, and by Thy holy inspiration strengthen me always, but especially at the hour of my death. O most holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on me now, and at the hour of mny death. Amen. V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night, B. To keep us without sin. V. Have mercy on us, O Lord..R. Have mercy on us. V. Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, R. As we, have hoped in Thee. V. O Lord, hear my prayer, -R. And let my praryer come unto Thee. Sa.ve us, O Lord, waking, and keep us -while we sleep, that we may watch with Christ anid rest in peace. PRAYERS AND 2XERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 8b Dious -racricce AFTER EVENING PRAYERS. HIaving concluded your evening devotions, prepare to retire to rest-not with a mind given up again to the vanities and follies of the world, but wilh a deep feeling of your sinfulness, and remembering that death, of which sleep is so striking a figure, may surprise you this very night, and that the torments of hell and the joys of heaven are infinite and eternal. Prepare then to retire to rest, as if about to descend into the grave, to which your sins condemn you. Occupy your mind with pious thoughts, hulliliation, gratitude, and a desire of serving God, that you may so rest and so rise, with God's grace accompanying you through life, that you may one day awake to everlasting joy. While you are undressing, be careful to observe the utmost modesty, as your angel guardian is by your side, and sayStrip firom my soul, 0 my Jesus, all the garments of iniquity, all sin and all affection to sin, all pride and vanity, all self-will and self-love, all that is in the least displeasing to Thy divine Majesty, and robe me in the wedding garment of Thy love. Then commend yourself especially to the Blessed Virgin Immaculate, and the choirs of countless angels, imploring them to watch over you during the night. When undressed, kneel for a moment by your bedside, and sayIn the name of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified, I lay me down to rest; may He bless, govern, and preserve me, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen. tG PRAYERS AND EXERJISES FOR DAILY LoE. And recite the following aspirations, to which an in, dulgence of 300 days is attached. Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, I offer you my heart, [ give you my life. Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, come to my assistance in my last agony. Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, may my life close in pt:ace in your love. Lain down, aSy: Bless, 0 Lord, the repose I am going to take in order to renew my strength, that I may be better able to serve Thee; and all ye saints and angels, but chiefly thou, O mother of God, intercede for me this night, and during the rest of my life, but particularly at the'hour of my death. Finish the day as you have begun it, in flying to the protection of God. The few moments before sleep are precious. Profit by them: make an act of contrition for the faults which you have committed that day, and generally during your life: implore the Blessed Virgin Immaculate, for all sinners and for yourself, and recite some prayer clear to her, such as the Magnificat, the Ave Maris Stella. After thus again invoking your good ]Mother and your holy Angel Guardian, sleep sweetly in the arms of our Lord. "In peace in the self-same I will sleep and I will rest" (Ps. iv. 9). "Into Thy hands I commend my spirit" (Ps. xxx. 6). If you awake during the night, raise up your mind to God, and renew your act of contrition. You may also renew the aspiration "Jesus, Joseph, Mary," and in the silence of night unite yourself with the choirs of angels who unceasingly praise and glorify God. PRAYERS AND EXERC.SES FOR DAILY USE. 8 Sneteir jorni of Jbenilzg W3astr. In the namle of the ~14 Father, &c,. Blessed be the holy and undivided, &c. Our Father, &c. Hail, Mary, &c. I believe, &c. 0 Eternal, Infinite, and Almighty God, whose glory the heaven of heavens cannot contain; look down on me, Thy unworthy servant, prostrate at the feet of Thy mercy, and humbly confessing to Thee, in the sight of all Thy holy angels and blessed saints, the sinfulness and vanity of my life, and especially the transgressions of this day. TIE CONITEORt, on GENERAL CONFESSION. I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Here examine diligently what sins you may have fallen into this day, by thought, word, deed, or omission, and humbly confessing them, pray, thus: Of these, and all my other sins, now or at any former lime committed, I most sincerely repent; and am heartily sorry for every thought, word, and deed, by which I have displeased the eyes of Thy glory, and provoked Thy wrath and indignation against me; especially for my disobedience 88 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. to so holy a law, and extreme ingratitude to so gracious and bountiful a God. Have mercy upor me, 0 God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of l'hy tender mercies blot out mine iniquity. Wash me yet more fiom my iniquity, and cleanse me fiom sin. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. I beseech Thee, O Lord, to hear me, and have mercy upon me. And I beseech blessed Mary ever virgin, blessed Michael the archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me. May Almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to life everlasting, through Christ our Lord. Amen. May the almighty and merciful God grant me pardon, absolution, and full remission of all my sins. Amen. And now, O most gracious Benefactor, I praise and magnify Thy holy name for Thy great and innumerable benefits, proceeding purely firom Thy bounty, and intended wholly for my good; particularly for preserving me this day in the midst of so many dangers incident to my condition, and delivering me from the many calamities and miseries which are due to my sins. Thou art my Creator, O my God, and kind Protector; Thou art the ultimate end of mr y beiing, and supreme perfection of my nature. Under the hadow of Thy wings is perpetual repose, and from me light of Thy countenance flows eternal joy and felicity. To Thee be glory ar. honor, to Thee PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 89 adoration and obedience, fiom all Thy creatures forever. Amen. And since Thou hast ordained the day to labor, and the night to take our rest, as I praise Thee for the blessings of the day, so I implore Thy protection during the night. Let the eyes of Thy Provicdence watch over me, and Thy holy angels pitch their tents about me; that being safely do livered from all dangers, and comfortably lefieshed with moderate sleep, I may the better be enabled to perform the employments of my calling and state of life, and faithfully persevere in the discharge of the duties of Thy service; and so daily advance to new victories over my passions, and to a more perfect observance of Thy commandments; till, having passed my days in Thy fear, I may end them in Thy favor, and rejoice with Thee forever in Thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and only Saviour; who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. PRAYER FOR TIIE FAITHFUl DEPARTED. O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of Thy servants departed, the remission of all their sins; that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired; who livest and reignest| world without end. Amen. V. Eternal rest give unto them, 0 Lord. B. And let perpetual light shine upon them, V. May th hy rest in peace. R. Amen. at* 90 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. PR.AYEER TO TEIE SACRED HEART OF JESUS AND MARY. Lord Jesus, out of Thy love for Thy Church Thou hast enriched her with the infinite treasures of Thy most Sacred Heart. Grant me that my heart may receive of the same overflowing bounties, and in the next life enjoy the eternal and infinite happiness which Thy Divine Heart has in store for Thy blessed in Heaven. Amen. God of mercy, Who, for the help and salvation of us weak and sinful creatures, hast made the pure and immaculate Heart of the blessed Virgin Mother of Thyv Son an abundant source of tenderness and pity unto us, grant to all those who duly honor her pure and loving Heart the grace to become, through her intercession and merits, her children, in the love and Heart of her dear Son. Amen. A PRAYER TO YOUR ANGEL GUARDIAN. Angel of God, who art my guardian, enlighten: guard, direct, and govern me, who have been comrn mitted to Thee by the divine clemency. THE BLESSING. olo God the Father, bless me; Jesus Christ defend and keep me; the virtue of the Holy Ghost enlighten and sanctify me this night and forever. Amen. Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Lord Je:us, receive my soul. PRAYERS AND EXEROCISES FOR DAILY USE. 91 When you go to bed, say: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, + cruciied, I lay me down to rest. Bless me, O Lord, defend and govern me; and after this short and miserable pilgrim'age, bring me to everlasting happiness. Amen. A PRAYER AT SETTLING TO SLEEP. 0 Lord Jesus Christ, Whose unwearied eye neither slumbers nor sleeps, but continually watches in defence of Thy servants, take me and mine, I beseech Thee, into Thy protection; and grant that whilst my body is asleep my soul may be awake to Thee, and that I may hereafter behold Thee in that blessed and heavenly country, where Thou, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, rulest eternally, and where all the angels, with the blessed saints, are citizens forever. Amen. TRISAGIUMI. (If recited daily, a plenary indulgence once a month; partial isdulgence one hundred days every time.) Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts! the eartif is full of Thy glory. Glory be to the FatheL glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Ghost. ACT OF RESIGNATION TO THE WILL OF GOD. (if racited daily, a plenary indulgence once a year, and in the moment of death. A hundred days each time.-Pius VII.) May the most just, most high, and most amiable will of God be done, praised, and eternally exalted in all things. Into Thy hands, 0 Lord, I commnend my spirit. Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. I will sleep in peace, and take my rest. (See Practice for iRetiring to Rest, p. 85.) FOR MORNING AND EVENING. I. MIORNING. IN the name of the 1A Feather, and of the Son, and of the HIoly Ghost. R. Amen. V. Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever. -R. Amen. V. Collme, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And lkindle in them the fire of Thy love. V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be ereated, BR. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. V. 0 Lord, open Thou our lips, B. And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. V. O God, come to our assistance. R. O Lord, make haste to help us. Ourl I'atlher, Who art in heaven, lallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily blead; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Andi aead us not into temptation. B. B3u.t deliver us fi'om evil. Amen. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILI USE. 93 Hail, Mary, full of grace, our Lora is with Thee; olessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy wonmb, Jesus. R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinnets, now, and at the hour of our death..Aten. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again firom the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, R. And the life everlasting. Amen. All this we firmly believe: we believe also all other doctrines which Thy holy Churnch proposes to be believed, because Thou, O God, Who art the sovereign truth, hast promised to guide her into all tlruth, and hast revealed all these things unto her. In this faith and for this faith we'are regolved, b hyThy grace, to live and die. n. In this faith and for this faith, &c. AN ACT OF HOPE. Most merciful God, we hope, through the merits and death of Jesus Christ, that Thou wilt grant us here Thy grace and -the forgiveness of our sins, 94 PRAYERnS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. and hleleafter eternal life; because Thou, 0 G od1 art almlighlty, and infinitely good unto us, and faitllful in'rly promlses. R. In Thee, 0 Lord, have we hoped; let us not be confounded everlastingly. AN ACT OF LOVE. We love Thee, 0 God, with our whole soul, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely worthy of all love. We love Thee for Thine own sake; and for Thy sake also we love our neighbor as ourselves. Make us love T'hee ever more and more. PR. We love Thee, O God, with our whole soul, and above all things. Make us love Thee ever more and more AN ACT OF CONTRITION. O Lord God, we grieve, from the bottom of our hearts, for the sins which we have comluitted against Thee, because by them we have offended Thee, Whom we ought to love above all thingrs; and we detest them, because they are displeasing to Thee. We firmly resolve, by Thy grace, to sin no more, and henceforth to avoid all occasions of sin. B. Wash us yet more from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sin. AN ACT OF THANrSGIVINO. We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for Thy care and preservation of us; in the night past; for having brought us in safety to the beginning of another day; and for all the manifold blessings PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 9B which Thou hast bestowed upon us. Grant that we may pass the remainder of our lives in worthy acts of praise and thanksgiving. R. We give Thee thanks, O Lord, for all Thy mercies. V. Unto Thee, O Lord, have we lifted up our voice; R. And early in the morning our prayer shall oome before Thee. V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, R. To keep us without sin. V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. V. Our help is in the name of tle Lord; R. Who hath made heaven and earth, Let us pray. O Lord God Almighty, WVho hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us in the same by Thy mighty power, that this day we may fall into no sin, but that our words may always proceed, and our thoughts and actions be directed, to the performance of Thy justice. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen. O God, the Creator and Governor of all men, in Whom we live, and move, and have our being, and without Whom we have no power to do any thing of ourselves, we consecrate all our thoughts, words, deeds, and sufferings, of this day, to the glory of Thy name, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. 96 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. (Here may be said the Litany of the Holy Namo.) We fly to thy patronage, 0 hoJy Mother of God I despise not our petitions in oure necessities, but deliver us always firom all dangers, 0 glorious and blessed Virgin. R. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, O holy AMother of God. Holy Michael, the Archangel, R_. Defend us fi'om our enemies. Saint Joseph, our patron saints, and all the saints of God, -R. Intercede for us. O holy angel guardians, to whose care we have been committed by the divine goodness, enlighten, preserve, and govern us this day; defend us from all spot of sin, and obtain for us all needful grace, that we may love God, and serve tHim here, until we come with you to love, praise, an4l enjoy Him hereafter, in life everlasting. Amen. May thile Lord bless us, and preserve us fiom all evil, and bring us to everlasting life; and may the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. II. EVENING PRAYER. In the name of the,{q Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. V. Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever. R. Amen. V. Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful. R. And kindle in them the fire of Thy love. PRAYERS AND EXERCISE S FOR DAILY USE. 97 V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. B. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. V. 0 Lord, open Thou our lips, R. And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. V. O God, come to our assistanlce. R. O Lord, make haste to help us. Inspire, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions, by Thy grace, and further them with Thy continual help, that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from Thee, and through Thee be likewise ended. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth witb Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forevev and ever. Amen. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. I believe, &c. Let us give thanks to God for all his mercies, especially for those which we have received this day. (A pause.) We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for al Thy mercies bestowed upon us, especially for those which we have received this day. (A short pcause.) V. WhVllat shall we render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto us? B. We will take the chalice of salvation, ani call upon the name of the Lord. V. We will pay our vows unto the Lord, R. Before all His people. V. We will walk in the ways of the Lord, R. And serve Him all the days of our life. V. Blessed be the name of the Lord, R. Henceforth and forever. Amen. 9 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES.VOR DAIL,Y USE, Let us pray for light to see into our conscience. V. Enlipgliten our eyes, O Lord, R. That we sleep not in the sleep of sin. V. Prove us, 0 God, and know orue hearts. R. Examine us, and know our paths. V. See if there be in us any evil wway; R. And lead us in the way everlasting. (A pause.) We confess unto Thee, Almlighty God, that we have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through our fault, through our fault, through our own most grievous fault. We are 1eartily sorry for all our sins, especially those, which we have committed this day (a pause, for exarmination of conscience); 1 and we resolve, by Thy grace, never more to sin against Thee. Therefore we beseech Thee, O Lord, to have mercy upon us, and to forgive us all our sins, and to bring us to life everlasting. And we beseech the blessed Maxry ever Virlgin, the blessed Michael the Archangel, the blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for us. R. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, and forgive us our sins, and bring us to life everlasting. V. Wash us yet more from our iniquity; R. And cleanse us from our sin. V. Create in us a clean heart, O God; R. And renew a right spirit within us. Here say the Collect for the Week and -Day; or this: Look down, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, upon this Ity family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ did PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOA DAILfY USE. 93 not refuse to be delivered into the hands of sin ners, and to undergo the torment of the cross, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the units of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end Amen. O.God, from whom all holy desires, all right counsels, and all just works proceed, give to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts being yielded to obey Thy commandmeants, and the fear of our enemies being taken away, the times, by Thy protection, may be peaceful, through our Lord Jesus Christi Who liveth, &c. For Peace. Give peace, O Lord, in our days; for there is none other that striveth for us but only Thou, our God. V. Let peace be in Thy strength. B. And plenteousness in Thy towers. Then recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. Let us pray for the Dead. Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Oh, let Thy ears be attentive to the voice ot my supplication. If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand it? For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul hath yelied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning-watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. 100 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DA'ILY USE. Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him is plentiful redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. K. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord. P. And let perpetual light shine upon them. Here may follow a Collect for any member of the family, or othee Catholic, lately deceaed, or on their anniversary davy. Then, O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the fafithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed, the remission of all their sins, that through our 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 H1oly Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen. V. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff, N. R?. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, antid make him blessed upon the e-,tli; and deliver him not up to the wiil of lIis eneluies. Y; Let us pray for our benefactors. R. Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, for Thy name's sake, to reward with eternal life all them that do us good. V. Let us pray for our absent brethren..R. Save Thy servants, who hope in Thee, O my God. V. Send them help from Thy holy place, IR. And delfend them out of Sion. V. O Lorll, hear our prayer, R. And let our cry come unto Thee. We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mothler ct God! despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O ever gloritns and blessed Virgin. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 101 Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us from our enemies. R. Amen. Saint Joseph, our patron saints, and all the saints of God, 1R. Intercede for us. O holly angel guardians, to whose care we have been committed by the divine goodness, defend us this night from all evil. R. Amen. THE HYMN (p. 82). V. Save us, O Lord, waking; and keep us while we sleep; that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace. R. Amen. V. Preserve us as the apple of Thine eye. R. And protect us under, the shadow of Thy wings. V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night, B. To keep'us without sin. V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. V. Let Thy mercy be upon us, 0 Lord, R. As we have hoped in Thee. V. O Lord, hear our prayer, R. And let our cry come unto Thee. Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation9 and drive far from it all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace, and may Thy blessing be always upon us; through Christ our Lord. Amen. May the Lord bless us, and keep us, and deliver us frodm all evil; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. FOR EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK. Mornint g Praper. SUNDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy G(host, Amen. To HALLOW THE SCUNDAY. be Thou pleased, 0 Lord, in Thy mercy to teach us how to spend this day. Lift up our hearts with the spirit of devotion. Of ourselves we ares not able to form so much as one good thought. We neither know how to pray, nor what we ought most to pray for. Give us, therefore, Thy holy Spirit, which may both help our weakness and pray within us, for then our prayers I'll assuredly be acceptable to Thee. Treach us to prepare our minds for this holyv duty. Speak first Thyself to our hearts, that they may be ready and disposed to speak to Thee. Open our lips, that our mouths may declare Thy PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 103 praise. Thou listenest not to the prayers of the irreverent: enable us, therefore, to rank among the happy nulmber of those who worship Thee in spirit and in truth, and to whose sighs Thou lendest a willing ear. "Create clean hearts in us, 0 Lord, and renew right spirits within us." Teach us, also, to ask for those things only that are agreeable to Thee and useful to our salvation. Grant us the grace of truth and steadiness, that we may not carelessly ask for that best of all blessings-the enjoyment of Thy protection; for to be blessed by Thee is the great end and aim of all our prayers. It is in Thy name, divine Saviour, that we are about to offer up our petitions grant us the grace to fix our minds on Thee at all times; but most of all at this morning's service, when we shall directly converse with Thee. Stop the fancies of our wandering hearts, the thoughts of our preoccupied heads, and quell the power of our spiritual enemies, who endeavor at such times to draw our minds from Heaven by many vain imaginings. So enable us, with joy and thankfulness, to look on Thee as our deliverer from the evils we have escaped, and as the giver of all the good we have received or can hope for. So teach us to see that Thou Thyself art our only good, and that all otlher things are but means orlained by Thee to make us fix our minds on Thee, to make us love Thee more and more, and by loing Thee to secure eternal happiness. 0 Jesus, take up all ote' thoughts here, that, shunning vain and hurtful fancies, our souls may become worthy to behold Thee face to lace, in Thy kingdom forever. 104 PRAYERS AND EXEROISES FOR DAILY USE. May Thy divine assistance remain always ilith us, and may the souls of the faithful departed through Thy mercy rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen. Mornting Jraper. MONDAY. Bn -the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. AN ACT OF RESIGNATION. Almighty God, we again beseech Thee, at the beginning of a new week, to take us entirely into T'hy holy keeping. We offer unto Thee all the faculties of our souls and bodies: let the one be ever recollected in Thee, and the other ever anxious to fulfil all the duties Thou mayest impose upon it. Raise up our souls frequently, we beseech Thee, to heaven, that we may never forget the end of all our pursuits in this life. Prevent us fiom neglecting the obligations of the situations in which Thou hast placed ts, but make us attend to them in obedience to Thy divine will, that in every action we mlay feel that we are serving Thee in the manner most agreeable to Thy providence. O Lord, we cast all our cares and hopes on Thee. lDo Thou protect Thy servants, and prompt all our feelings, whether in distress or an plea:ure. Keep us, also, O Lord, fiom all over-anxiety in, affairs of this life, by reminding us of thee shortness of the time for which we labor; and that PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 105 none, but Thou, can foresee whether the things we are striving for will ultimately lead to our earthly welfare or not. But make us in every thing feel happily resigned to Thy holy will, for that Thou alone canst and wilt make every thing a help to our eternal salvation. Amen. THE " PATER NOSTER.'' Our Father WVho art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. -Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tresp-asses as we forgive them that trespass ag'ainst us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. THE " AVE MARIA." Hail, Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou amonigst women, and blessed is the firuit of Thy womb) Jesus. HIoly Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amlen. TIIANKSGIVING FOR HEAVFNLY AND EARTHLY GtOOD. Mlost bountiful Saviour Jesus Christ, who didst not only create us, but didst also render us capable of aspiring to Thee the greatest good.; and'Who, when we had incurred hopeless exile frmom heaven, didst redeeim us with Trhy sacred blood, and take upon Thee the punishment due to our sins;-for these, O Lord, and for all Thy other mercies, we return Tllee our lnost heartfelt and lhumlble thanks; we offer ourselves to be wholly Thine, ana we beseech Thee, of Thy infinite good 106 PRAYERS AND EXERCES S FOR DAILY USE. ness, to protect and keep us during thiffs week from all occasions of offending Thee. Receive, meost kind~ Saviour, our grateful acknowledgments for all the spiritual helps Tkou hos;t vouchsafed to us. Continue Thy mercy to us, and give us also so much of Thy wIorlly bilessings as Thou knowest to be for our good. Grannt that the fi'uits of the earth may increase and- multiply by Thy holy favor; defend them fiom all storms and tempests, and fronm whatever else may be hurtful to them. It is from Thy hand only that we look for succor, and to Thee we have recourse in all our necessities. Enlighten, also, O Lord, the powers of our souls with Thy divine grace, and give us strength to contend more resolutely and to subdue all wicked inclinations for the future. In all humility and sincerity of heart, we purpose, by Thy assistance, never more to transgress Thy laws. WATe desire to love Thee, fear Thee, and serve Thee, and to live always according to Thy holy example. And we beseech Thy goodness so to govern and direct us 11during this week that all our actions may tend to the advancement of Thy honor and glory, our euiglhbor's welfare, and the benefit of our own souls. Arnmen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the fauthful de}rar a through the mercy of God, rest in pcaoe. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen. PRAVERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 107 Mornaing raner4 TUESDAY. Tn the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Most holy and merciful God, we kneel before Thee to bless and praise Thy name for all the mercies bestowed on us; for Thy goodness in pr,serving is during the past night, and for bringing us in safety to the beginning of this day. Bless, O Lord, Thy creatures whom Thou hast thus preserved; and as Thou hast awakened our bodies from sleep, so we beseech Thee to awTaken our hearts to know, to love, and to serve Thee. Through Thy mercy alone do our eyes behold the light of a new day; let our minds also feel the light of Thy holy Spirit, and vouclsafe that by its saving help we may be enabled to do that which is agreeable to Thee. Grant us to profit by the instructions which, in our different situations, we may either give or receive. Make us humble and diligent in all our duties-feeling our unworthiness of Thy favors and the value of the time Thou hast given us for our improvement. Protect us during this day from all evils, both of soul and body, fiom all temporal misfortunes, and from all occasions of offending' Thee. Grant, O Lord, that we may employ this day for the best purposes; that we may direct all our thoughts, words, and actions, to Thy honor and glory; and thus hourly endeavor to improve in every heavenly grace and in every Christian virtue. 108 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOlt DAILY USE. Our Father, &c. Hail, Mary, &c. O Lord, since Thou hast appointed unto all men once to die, and after death to be judged, give us g'race to remember that time passes quickly away; that it is not only short, but uncertain; and that at this very hour Thou mayest require our souls of us, and call upon us to acecount even'or the manner in which we have begun this day. O make us properly value our own happiness; and, les3t we should be miserable for all eternity, make us endeavor to live through every hour as if we thought each hour would be our last. Of our. selves, weak and sinful as we are, we cannot hope to do this; but do Thou, most mercifuil Savioul, grant us that aid which can alone avail us, and for the blessing of which we now devoutly pray. Jesus, grant us grace to order our lives witl reference to our eternal welfare, intending and de siguing all the impulses of our souls and bodies, to fit them for the enjoyment of Thy infinite and eternal happiness. For what else is this world but a school to train up souls and fit them for the other? and how can they be taught unless they keep constantly in view the object of their existence? Break our froward spirits, make us humble and obedient to Thy will: grant us grace to prepare to depart hence with contempt of this world, and hearts filled with joy at going to Thee. Le.t the memory of Thy passion make us cheerfully undergo all temptations and sufferings here fur Thy sake, while our souls breathe after the blissful state which that passion has opened. PRAYERS AND EXEIRCiSES FOR DAILY VSE. 109 0 Jesus, make us frequently and attentively consider that whatsoever we gain, if we lose Thee, all is los.t; and that whatsoever we lose, if we gain Thee, all is gained. May Thy divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through Thy mercy, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen. ilorning Wrater. WEbNE SDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. FOin DEVOUT DISPOSITIONS. Grant, 0 merciful God, that we may ever earnestly desire the things that are agreeable to Thee; that we may search after them with prudence, that we may discern them without mistake, and perfectly accomplish them to the praise and glory of Thy name. Do Thou order our state of life, and bestow upon us the knowledge of what Thou requirest us to do, and then help us to execute it as we oughlt, and as will most benefit our own souls. Lord God, grant that we may be neither puffed up with prosperity, nor cast down with adversity. Let all that passes away have only a temporary value to us; and all that concerns Thee be dear to us for Thy sake, and Thou, O God, above all things. Let that joy be olr aversion which is displeasing to Thee, and let us never desire any thing besides Thyself. Let us never repine at 110 PRAYERS AN'D EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. suffering foi Thee; and let our hearts never rest thoughtless of Thy providence. Grant us to raise up our mninds friequently to heaven, and help us to reflecS on our failings with sorrow, and a purpose of amendment. Amen. Our Father, &c. Hail, Mary, &c. Fo GooD TEIPERS. Almighty God, we desire to resign into Thy hands all the faculties of our souls. Make us, we beseech Thee, obedient, without contradiction; poor, without losing courage; patient, without grumbling; humble, without counterfeiting; cheerful, without levity; or sorrowful, without despondency; speakers of the truth, without double dealing. Grant us to do good without presumption; to edify our neighbors both by word and example, without dissembling. Give us, O Lord, watchful hearts, not to be carried away by idle vanities and temptations; generous hearts, not to be borne down by any unwor-thy affections; upright hearts, not to be misled by opportunities; invincible hearts, not to be broken by tribulations; hearts entirely free from all that may interfere with holy aspirations to Thee. Lord God, bestow uporn us understandings enlightened with the knowledge of Thee; diligence, bent upon seeking Thee; wisdom to find Thee; or perseverance to wait for Thee with fidelity and hope. Let us partake of Thy painful sufferings by penance, and make a right use of Thy benefits on our way to Thy country of eternal glory. PRAYERS AND EXERiSE S CR DAILY USE. 111 O Jesus, do Thou help us to overcome all temptations to sin, and the mlalice of our ghostly enellnies. Strengthen us in soul and body, that we may please Thee by executing such works of mercy as may bring us to Thy everlasting kinggdom:. Grant us a firm' purpose, most melrciful Saviour, to aimend our lives, and to compensate for days past-for those clays which we have misspent to Thy displeasure in vain or wicked thoughts, words, deeds, and evil customs. Make our hearts obedient to Thy will, and readly for Thy love to' do all works of mercy. Grant us the gift of the Holy Ghost, which may at length brl'ilng us, through virtuous and contented lives, to Thy presence in paradise. May Thy divine assistance reimain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, throug'h tle mercy of God, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amlen.:tiorninag Vraltr: THURSDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. AN ACT or GRATITUDE. \WTith all the faculties of our souls we bless and praise Thee, Eternal Lord, for all the mercies Thou hlast bestowed upon us; for creating us to Thy own image and likeness; for sending Thy almighty Son to redeem us with his precious 112 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. blood; and for associating us by baptism to the children of Thy adoption. All that could be hoped for from the most bountiful creator Thou hast fulfilled towards us; tempering Thy justice with mercy, and ever calling upon us not to reject those means of salvation which Thou hast provided for our weakness. To Thee we render our most grateful thanks for having expected, firom our childhood to this time, that we might come to the amendment of our lives, and to the grateful acknowledgment of all Thy benefits. We praise and glorify Thee for having so often delivered us from distresses and misfortunes, and especially for having preserved us fi'om the punishment due to our sins. We praise and glorify Thee for having bestowed upon us so many favors in common with others, and so many particular benefits which others have wanted, and which we have in no way deserved. We beseech Thy goodness so to perfect these Thy gifts as to remove fi'om our hearts whatever displeaseth Thee; and to deliver us fiom all such dangers and difficulties as may hinder our progress to Thee, or prevent our looking forward to Thy blessed haven ofrest and peace. Amen. Our Father, &c. FOR CHARITY AND THANKFULNESS. Almighty God, let us still and ever adore Thee as our Creator and Sovereign; let us still and ever acknowledge the many benefits Thou hast conferred upon us, in relation both to body and soul. Oh, let us not continue to be ungrateful and unprofitable servants. In returning Thee thanks for PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 113 naving preserved us during the past night, let us determine to labor this day with more diligence than we have hitherto clone for obtaining that immortal glory which Thou hast prepared for us. Let our hearts be every day more spiritualized, that they may still render Thee a more ample tribute of praise and thanksgiving. Never, O Lord, leave us to ourselves, but let Thy holy fear be always in our thoughts, to curb and keep us within the compass of obedience. Let that fear, which is the beginning of wisdom, lead us on to the more perfect love which may banish fear and temper all trials and temptations, that we may never more be overcome. For Thou knowest how frail we are, and that our strength is nothing; Thou knowest we have nothing to depend upon but Thee. Give us, therefore, such a thankfulness for past favors as may secure to our souls a continuance of Thy heavenly protection. Amen. Hail, Mary, &c. FOR BIoTHERLY LOVE. Almighty Saviour, Who hast taught us to consider this life as a preparation to a blessed immortality, of which none can partake who do not carry with them hence that spirit of peace and charity which may be suited to the divine harmony of paradise, grant us to cultivate those feelings of brotherly love to one another, and of thankfulness towards Thee, which a commnon share in Thy favors ought ever to beget. Jesus, grant us Thy grace to love all men in Thee, and Thyself above all. Grant us truly to love Thee for Thy infinite goodness, and those 10. 114 lPRP.AYERS ANI EXEIXRCISES FOR DAILY USE. blessings we have received and ever hope to receive fi'om Thee. Let the remem brance of Thy kindness and patience master the evil inclinations of our perverted nature. Let the thought of Thy many calls in the -way of our lives make us tremble at our ingilatitude. For what dost Thou require of us ifor all Thy mercies, but to be gzateful and obedient? and why dost Thou require it, bat for our good? 0 Jesus, encouragi e us to give up our whole lives to Thee for the future, in token of our humble acknowledgment of all Thy past favors and forbearance. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. _lttitng ~taQer. FRIDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Bloly Ghost. Anmen. FoR SALVATION THROUGH THE REDEMPTION. O blessed Jesus, the God of m1ercy, and overflowing fountain of compassion, we humbly beseech Thee to grant us grace to spend this passing life in virtuous and holy exercises: that when the day of death shall come, thlough we may feel pain in the body, we may fin<4 comfort in our souls; and with faithful hope in Thy mercy, sincere love PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAIIY USE. 1.1 of Thee, and perfect charity towards the world, may deplart from this vale of misery to be received into that glorious country in which Thv sacred blood has purchased for us an everlasting inheritance. Oh, let us be ever mindfil of the mysterious ordler of our redemption; let us be ever mindful of the cause and object of Thy death. Grant us to apply to our souls the melits of Thy redeeming sacrifice, without which Thy fallen creatur'es could never have aspired to pass the" bright gates of heaven. Oh, let not that sacred blood have been shed for us in vain i Make us rather have ever in remembrance the bitterness of Tf'hy passion, and daily learn to die to the world for the love of Thee, WLo hast vouchsafed to die upon the cross to rescue us from Thy offlnded justice. Ami-len. Our Fatlher, &c. Hail, Mary, &c. FOR A HAPPY DEATH. Receive,.0 gracious Lord, our hulmble thanks for having given us an object the attainment of which is deservNing of all our endeavors; for having opened to us the bright prospect of heaven as a goal to which all our energies in this life can be alone worthily directed. We bless and praise Thy goodness for having thus raised our ambition above the petty cares and pursuits of this world, which could present no object to satisfy the wants of those immortal souls Thou hast breathed into us. Oh11 enable us to resist all those weaklnesses by which we have attached too mluch iniportance to the things of this world, which have so of:ten 116 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. led us to think of death with fear, rather than with gratitude and trembling hope. Teach us, O Lord, in futur'e, to reflect on our latter end more rationally than we have hitherto done; and if we dread the justice of Thy judgments, enable us to cleanse our consciences now, that we may look forward to the bliss which Thou hast propared for us in heaven, as to a sure inheritance, in which we are destined to possess an everlasting share, and of which we can be deprived by nothing but our own wilfulness. Grant us, therefore, most merciful Saviour, to look forward with cheerful hope to the time of our death, and to the great account we are then to give; that, our souls being always well dis posed, they may depart out of this world in Thy grace. Then remember Thy mercy, and turn not Thy face fromn us because of our oflences; secure us against the terrors of that day, by causing us now to die daily to all earthly things, and to have our continual cohversation in heaven. Let the remembrance of Thy death teach us how to esteem life, and the memory of Thy resurrection encourage us to descend cheerfully to the grave with the assured hope of arising again to Thee, and to a blessed immortality. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always wtth us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mlercy of Go i, rest in p-eace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE, 117 SATURDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy GChost. Amen. Olur Father, Who art in heaven, b1allowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. Fon A CHRISTIAN LIrE. Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we give Thee our' most humble and heartfelt thbanks for all Thy goodness to us and all men. We thank Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all we thank Thee for the inestimable love shown in Thy redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and the hope of glory. And we beseech Thee to give us such a sense of Thy mercies. that we may be really grateful, and show forth Thy praise, not only with our lips, but also in our lives; that we may turn to Thy service, and, by walking before Thee all the days of our lives, strive for the blissful hereafter which heaven ofibrs. Hail, Mary, &e. THEa PRAY-ER OF SAINT CHRYSOSTOM. O Almighty God, Who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common 118 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DA.LY USE. supplicatiorns unto Thee; and hast promised ihat, when two or three are gathered together in'hy name, Thou wilt glant their requiests; fulfil now, O Licrd, the desiles and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most expedient for theml; granting us in this world knowledge of Thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. AGAINST WOORLDLY CARES. We beseech Thee, most merciful Lord Jesus, to protect us firoin the dangers of business and inordinate care, and so to ward off fiom us the temptations of this world that we may never be ensnared by any of its more engrossing interests. Keep us firom all irregular sadness, grief, and worldly. fear, and from whatever Thou knowest to be a hindrance to our souls. And hereby, 0 Lord, we ask to be delivered not only from the greater sins, but also fiomn those daily weaknesses which proceed fi'ou the common corruption of mankind and our own fallen natures, which, calling us back to earth, prevent our spirits from soaring to Thee when we would. Help us, 0 Lord, that flesh and blood may not overcome us, and mlake us prefer a short and deceitfull pleasure before an immense and eternal joy; that we may not make less account of the honor and treasures of Thy everlasting kingdom, than of the vain honors and perishing riches of the world; and lastly, that we may not be circumvented by the crafts and wiles of the enemy, who never ceases to endeavor our destruction. Give us, O Lo;d, spiritual prudence to discern, courage to resist, patience to suffer, and constancy to per PRAAYERS AND EXEItCIF3ES FOR DAILY USE. 119 severe Give us, rather than any worldly comfort, the sweet consolations of the Holy Ghost, and our into our souls the all-pervadcing love of Thy eoly name. Make us to continue in virtue aIndl godliness, and never to give over Thy service, till lthou bringest us to our reward in Thy kingdom. In all pious customs and holy duties, in our honest and necessary employmlents, confirm and:strengthen, O Lord, both our souls and bodies. Is our life any thing but a pilgrimage on earth towards the new Jerusalem, to which he that sits down or turns out of the way can lever arrive? O Jesus, nmpe us always consider Thy blessed example-through- how much pain and how little pleasure Thou didst press on to a bitter deaththat being the way to a glorious resurrection. Make us, divine Redeemer, seriously weigh those severe words of Thineo that lie only who perseveres to the end shall be saved. May Thy divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, hlrough Thy Inercy, rest in peace. Amen. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks bhe to God. 120 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY U'SLo Eveninjg Praflrs FOR EVERY DAY IN THE WEEE. SUNDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. SIR TIIOHMAS MOR.E'S PRAYER IN nTII TOWER. Grant us, 0 Lord, Thy grace, that, in every pain and difficulty against which we may be inclined to murmurn, we may think on the great agony which Thou, our Creator and Redeemer, didst suffer on Mount Olivet before Thy bitter passion; and, in meditating thereon, grant that we may receive such spiritual comfort as may teach us resignation to Thy holy will. Take fiom us all vain-glorious thoughts; all desire for our own praise; all envy, covetousness, gluttony, sloth, and luxury; all froward affections; all wish for revenge; all desire of others' harm; all pleasure in provoking any person to anger; all delight in insulting or triumphing over any in their affliction and calamity. Give us humble, peaceable, patient, and charitable minds; and, in all our thoughts, words, and deeds, to have the approbation of Thy Holy Spirit. Give us a lively faith, a firm hope, and a con PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 121 stant charity-a love of Thee incomparably above the love of ourselves, that we may love nothing to Thy displeasure, but every thing in order to Thy satisfaction. Give us a longing to be with Thee, not so much for avoiding the evils of this world, nor for attaining the joys of heaven with respect to our own good, as purely for the love of Thee. Continue to us, 0 Lord, Thy love and favor which our love for Thee, were it ever so great, could not deserve, without Thy infinite goodness. Pardon oul boldness in making such high petitions; we admit that we are unworthy to obtain them. Yet, O Lord, they are the blessings we are bound to wish for, and which we might hope to receive if our manifold sins were not a hindrance: oh! wash us firom them by the merits of that sacred blood that issued from Thy body in the divers torments of Thy bitter passion. Take firom us, also, O Lord, our lukewarm manner of meditation, our dullness in prayer; give us patience in sorrow, and grace in every thing to conform our wills to Thine, and to labor truly to deserve those favors for which we have prayed. Amen. TiE " PATER NOSTER.'; Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we ftrgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. 11 122 PRtA]iRS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. rT E " AVE MARIA." Hail, Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fiuit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. FoR THE DEAD. o God, the giver of pardon and the lover of human salvation, with Thee live the spirits of the just, and in Thy keeping are thile souls of those who, by their imperfections, being still unworthy of Thy presence, are detained in a state of suffering and delayed hope. While, therefore, we bless -Thee for Thy saints who are already admitted to Thy glory, so, also, we hullbly offer up our prayers for these Thy afflicted servants; and, in particular, for our departed friends, relations, and benefactors. Pardon them their past failings, supply for the unprepared state in which they were called before Thy judgment-seat; that they may see Thee, and, in Thy glorious light, rejoice eternally. Amen. PRAYER FOR SELF-KNOWLEDGE. o Lord Jesus Christ, give us Thy grace carefully to examine our conduct during this day Make known to us if we have been guilty of offending Thee during those hours which should have been given up entirely to innocent rest and spiritual rejoicing. Discover to us all our sinful thoughts, words, actions, and omissions; that we may implore Thy pardon for neglecting the holy PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 123 inspirations and the helps to devotion which this day has afforded to our weakness. * e e (Pause for Self-exaninzation.) AN ACT OF SORROW. Almighty God, we fear that we have offended Thee, and ill complied with all our duties. But do Thou strengthen our weakness which so often leads lus to do that of which we afterwards repent. Do Theou, O Lord, whenever we are about to do wrong, re-mind us of all that we owe to Thy goociness,,and thus save us firom the sin of ingratitude, which necessarily increases every offence against Thee, to Whom we owe so much. Accept, merciful Saviour, our sorrow for the past, and let Thy saving providence keep us in all future trials. Amen. PRAYER AND H[YMi TO THE HOLY GH-OST. O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that we may, by the gift of the same Spirit, be alwavs truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolations. Bright, Holy Spirit! kindly pour Thy saving grace our senses o'er. Do Thou each worldly impulse stay, And lead our souls their heavenward way. May doubt, anxiety, and fear, And worldly hope no more enthrall; Becalm our thoughts, our spirits, cheer With hope of joys more bright than all. Thy sure and certain hope bestow To raise our hearts from all below. Oh, raise our hearts, dear Lord, to Theel Let mildness, joy, benignity, 124 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. Instill'd by Thee, our tempers rule. Teach us on earth our hearts to school: To live in friendliness and love With all, and thus our souls prepare For Thee and all Thy saints aboveFeeling on earth as all feel there. May'lThy best gifts on earth be given, And bear their fruits on earth for heaven. 0 Holy Ghost, the Comforter, to Thee we recv onlluend ouri souls and bodies, the beginning and end of our lives. Of ourselves we are corrupt and blind in our affections and desires; and are easily seduced into error, easily overcome by temptations when we rely on our own juclgment and strength. Wherefore, Q Lord, we offer and commit our souls to Thee and to Thy divine protection. Do Thou teach us all things, and bring all things to our minds, whatsoever have been spoken to us by our divine Saviout. Amneu Visit, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this house and family, and drive far from them all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and may Thy blessing be always upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Tlianks be to God. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 12b Qventting - rau2er. MONDAY. In the name of the Father, Sonl, and Holy Ghost. Amen. FoiR ATTENTION DURING PRAYERS. Almighty and eternal God, we beseech Thee to impress upon our minds the importance of the duty we fulfil whenever we address Thee. Thou hast taulght us that we ought to be ever recollected in Thee, and to sanctify the Lord Jesus in our hearts. Keep, therefore, our fickle minds fiom wandering at the very time when we profess to be praising Thee, and to be asking for a continuance of Thy care and favor. Gracious Lord, we have called for Thy attention to our requests:-let us not insult Thy goodness by putting them forth as if we ourselves were heedless whether we obtained them or not! Oh, let us not call down Thy anger by worshipping Thee with our lips only, while our hearts are far firom Thee! May our prayers be prayers indeedrising warn from our hearts to Thy throne of mercy, and leaving our hearts open to receive the answering showers of Thy descending grace. Our Father, &c. Hail, Mary, &c. For PROTECTION DURING THE NIGHT. Almighty and eternal God, be Thou pleased, in Thy mercy, to watch over us that we nmay not sleep in dea h. Forgive us if this day has been firuitless to Is in good works. It was given us 126 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. that we might labor in it to please Thee, and to secure our everlasting salvation. It may be the last of our lives; and can we hope in Thy mercy if we have squandered it away in spiritual sloth and vain occupations! This very night, perhaps, our Redeemer may come suddenly upon us, and require of us those souls which should be the images of His divine perfections: oh, pardon us if we have ungratefully defiled them with sin, with thoughtlessness, or with religious indifference; and grant us time to amend our lives for the future. Give us, 0 Lord, this important future, and give us Thy protection for the night to come. Let Thy providence watch kindly over us, and may Thy holy angels attend and guard us; may we be so protected and inspired through the night as to be enabled hereafter to perform better all the duties of our calling, and more faithfully to persevere in Thy service. Grant that henceforward we may advance daily to fiesh victories over our passions, and to a more perfect observance of Thy comnmandiments: grant that we may pass the remainder of our days in Thy holy fear, that we may die in Thy favor, and that we may then be happy with Thee forever in Thy heavenly kingdom. Amnlen. / PRAYER BEFORE SELF-EXAMINATION. Almighty Saviour, make known to us if we have offended Thee during this day. Oh, let us not, at the beginning of a new week, heap up unrepented sins upon our consciences. Discover to us our faults, whether of thought, word, deed, or PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY;USE. 127' omission, that we may strictly judge ourselves now, and so escape the terror of Thy searching justce. (Pause for Sdfe-examiatiwo. ) AN., ACT OF SORROW. Merciful God, we are sorry from the bottom o, our hearts for these and all our offences against Thee. We implore Thy clemency, and humbly hope to obtain Thy pardol. For this end, we offer Thee the sacred merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, in satisfaction for all our sins. We resolve, by the help of Thy grace, never more' to offend Thee wilfully. We resolve, henceforward, to love Thee and to serve Thee better than we have hitherto done. Strengthen us and keep us in this good purpose for the glory of Thy name, and for the eternal salvation of our own souls. Amen. PSALM CXXIX. DE PROFUNDiS: FOR THE DEAD. Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, 0 Lord. Lord, hear my voice. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou, 0 Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand it? But with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, 0 Lord. My soul hath relied on His woird; my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plentiful redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities; 128 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. EDernal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins; that, by pious supplications, they nmay obtain that pardon they have always desired through Christ our Lord. Amen. Visit, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this house and family, and diive far from it all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and may Thy blessing be always upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mnercy of God, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God1 Oening tpraer. TUESDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. AN ACT OF UNIVERSAL CIIA.RITY. Almighty Saviour, Jesus Christ, WVho hast loved mankind so as to offer up Thyself to death for us; WVho wast reckoned among the wicked and cruelly wounded for man's iniquity; we beseech Thee, O Lord, in Thy unspeakable mercy, to inflame our hearts with Thy heavenly grace; that the fire of Thy charity may always burn in our souls, and produce in us such chastened affections, such PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 129 piety, and such a disinterested benevolence, as may, for the love of Thee and in imitation of Thy universal love, be extended to all creatures. Grant that to Thy greater glory we may earnestly endeavor to promote the salvation of every one. Grant u. also, O Lord, Thy divine Spirit, which may teach us to love our neighbors, not in word and show only, but in deed and truth. Take from us all bitterness of mind, even towards our enemies; all anger, disdain, suspicion, envy, and whatever is contrary to pure and sincere charity: so that in plain simplicity of heart we may have a good opinion of all, judging none rashly, but loving every one in Thee with holy affection, and, both in word and deed, showing them all kindness and brotherly love. Oh, let us thus endeavor to profit by Thy divine instructions, which have taught us that this world is only given as a preparation for heaven; that we must here school our tempers to the charity and benevolence of Thy kingdom of holy peace, where no feelings of jealousy, anger, or pride can ever hope to be admitted. Let us thus endeavor, O Lord, to obtain here, by prayer and penance, such dispositions as may suit us for the company of Thy blessed of Paradise. Amen. Our 1Father Who art in heaven, &c. Hail, Mary, full of grace, &c. FoR THE DEAD. Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in lhe sleep of peace. To these, O Lord, and to all 130 PRAY.BRS AND EXnCIiSES FOPR DAILY USE. whllo sleep in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refresllment. light,,and peace. Etelrnal rest give to tleml, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen. To BE SHOWN OUR SINS. O Lord, we are aware of our' imperfections, for Thou art all holy and pure, and we are made subject to the misguidance of these corruptible bodies. Yet it is our desire to make our conduct more agreeable to Thee by checking at once every inclination to evil. Make known to us, therefore, if we have offended Thee by thought, word, deed, or Olmission, that we may feel a proper repentance for the past., and endeavor to avoid hereafter whatever we find to be an occasion and temptation to sin, (Pause for kSelf -examinatio. ) AN AcT OF SORROW. O God, we are sorry for these as well as for all other sins which we have committed against Thy divine majesty. We are sorry that we have done wrong, because Thou art infinitely good, and sin displeases Thee. We offer Thee our whole hearts, and firmly purpose, by the help of Thy grace, never more to offend. Forgive us, 0 Lord, and in Thy mercy watch over us for the time to come; and mnake us ever feel and thankfully acknc' wledge all Thy great goodness towards us. For many are the favors given, Kind Lord, to man while exiled here! Earth is so fair that even heaven Could scarce excel wert Tsiou not there: Avnd earth itself would be divine Were all it holds true sons of Thine. PRAYXSS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 131 Oh! be our grateful homage paid For Thy magnificence and loveThat love which all earth's splendors made To guide our souls to Thee above. While thus on earth Thy glories shine,'Oh, let our hearts, dear Lord, be Thine! LIt our hearts, O Lord, be ever Thtine; warmed with the spirit of piety towards Thee; beholding in all things proofs of Thy goodness; and anxious to make the little return in our power by living according to Thy holy precepts and commandments. Amen. Visit, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, this house and family, and drive far from them all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and may Thy blessing be always upon us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen. 3t~nifing rayer. WEDNE SDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Our Father Who art in heaven, &C. FoR TIIE DEAD. Be minilful, 0 Lord, of Thy servants who are dead, and restore unto them the joy of Thy alvaieiorl 132 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. Let Thy good Spirit lead them into the right land, and in Thy mercy bring their souls out of trouble. Enter not into judgment, 0 Lord, with Thy servants, for no man shall be justified in Thy sight unless Thou vouchsafe to forgive him all his sins. Let not, therefore, we beseech Thee, Thy award of punishment remain upon those whom the true supplication of Christian faith recommenideth to Thee; but, through the assistarnce of Thy grace, may they escape the sentence of condemnation who, while they were living, were signed with the malrk of the blessed Trinity. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord. And maY perpetual light shine upon them. Hail, Mary, full of grace, &c. THE APosLES' CREED. I believe in CGod the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ.His only -Son our Lord, Whfo was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. lHe descended into hell; the third day He rose again fioom the dead. IHe ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: from thence He shall come to judge both the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 133 AN ACT OF HoPE. Merciful God, we humbly thank Thee for having revealed to us the filturity of bliss to which Thy goodness and justice encourage us to look forward. Grant that, in every pain and distress, our souls may rise buoyant and inspired by trust in Thy promises; and that, by subjecting all our worldly interests to the dictates of duty, we may at length receive the reward which Thou holdest out to our patience and fidelity. Amen. AN ACT OF CHARITY. Fill our hearts, O Lord, we beseech Thee, nith a grateful memory of Thine infinite perfections, and with thoughts of all Thou hast done for us; that being thus always mindful of Thy goodness, we may, in return, feel a constant lively charity; and may endeavor to love Thee " with our whole hearts, our whole soils, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbors as ourselves." Amen. Fon SELF-KNOWLIEDGE. O Lord, we lay open our hearts before Thee' and beseech Thee to make known to us all their faults and sinful inclinations. Discover to us if we have offended Thee in THOUGHT-by dwelling on subjects which our minds ought to have shunned, or by judging evil of others; in WORDby speaking irreligiously of Thee, or wrongfully of our neighbors; in DEED-by doing that which Thy providence has forbidden; in OMIssION-by neglecting to prais, Thee by the cheerful fulfil. 134 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. menlt of those duties with which Thou hast charged our situation in life. Give us Thy grace to judge ourselves severely, that with real sorrow we may implore Thy pardon.;' e e * (Pause for Sef-examinatiou. ) Ad ACT OF SORROW. -lMerciful God, again we call upon Thee to forgive us our sins. We are sorry for them, and will endeavor to correct those feelings which have hitherto led us to do that which is displeasing to Thee. But, 0 God, do Thou give us Thy grace, without which these resolutions will be as vain as those we have so often made before. Do Thou create clean hearts in us, and make us really endeavor to please Thee by renouncing all those tastes and inclinations which we know to be likelv to lead us into sin. Amen, FOR TEEM BLESSING oF JESUS CHRIST. Divine Saviour of our souls, Who art the source of every good gift, behold, we now earnestly beseech Thee, in Thy mercy, to shower down upon us Thy gracious benedictions. And in order that nothing may put a stop to the course of Thy blessing, take away from our hearts whatsoever is displeasing to Thee. Pardon us our sins, which for the love of Thee we sincerely renounce. Purify our hearts and sanctify our souls.. Bless us, O Jesus, with a blessing such as was that with which Thou didst bless TJly apostles when, leaving this world, Thou didst ascend into heaven. Bless us with a blessing that may sanctify and change us; that may fill us with Thy spirit, and unite us inti PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE..134 mately to Thee; that may be to us, even in thia life, an assured pledge. of those blessings which Thou hast prepared for Thy elect in Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. Visit, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this house and family, and clive far from them all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, aind may Thy blessing be always upon us, through Jesus Christ our' Lord. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Tbhanks be to God. Ouening 3raeer. THURSDAY. In the name of' the Father, Son, and To1bI Ghost. Amen. THE IAGNIFICAT. LUIKE I. 46. M\y soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because He hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me " blessed." Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name: And His mercy is from generation to generation tQ them that fear Him. He hath showed might in His arm, He hath seoat tered the proud in the conceit of their heart. 136 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He Zath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent enmpty away. He hath receiired Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abrahamn and his seed fore ver. Hail. Mary, full of grace, &c. FoR THE DEAD. Have mercy, O Lord, we beseech Thee, on the souls of Thy servants, and our brethren and benefactors, wrho are gone before us to Thy judgmentseat. Oh, accept our prayers in their behalf, and forgive the punishment which Thy justice has awarded in atonement for their sins. Pardon them, 0 Lord; and when they are admitted into Thy joy, listen to their prayers in behalf of us who are still liable to the trials from which they are so happily set fiee. Eternal rest give to them, 0 Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. Our Father Who art in heaven, &c. THANKSGIVING TO THE BLESSED TRINITY. Blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and IHoly Ghost, we humbly adore and praise Thee. Thou art the highest good, fiom which all other goodness flows. Thou art the well-spring and the giver of happiness, and in Thee only is true happiness to be found. We bless and praise Thee, Who of nothing didst frame heaven and earth, and all the creatures therein; Who didst make the 1loly angels to adore Thee eternally; Who didst create man to Thine PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE, 137 own image and likeness-bestowing on him lunderstanding, knowledge of Thee, and firee will to adore Thee. Blessed, O Lord, be' Thy name for Thine inestimable gifts! We return Thee thanks for having placed us in a world so adorned by Thy splendor as to raise our minds to Thee; for having taught us to love and serve Thee during a life of spiritual hope, and Cor enabling us to look forward, after a short while of easy service, to the inheritance of lasting bliss to which the great sacrifice of our Redeemer again permits us to aspire. From the bottom of oUr hearts we praise Tlly holy nanme, and desire that all honor, glory, and adoration should be given Thee by all creatures now and fo-lever. Amen. BEFORE SELF-EXAMINATION. O blessed Lord, while we acknowledge Thy goodness towarcls us, enalble us to see how we have complied with Thy sacred commandments; and whether we have always studied, by the innocence and devotion of our lives, to show our thankTulness for all Thy favors. Give us Thy grace carefully to examine our conduct during this day, and to see whether we have not offended Thee either by thought, word, deed, or omission. If we nave, let not our sins be hid fiom us, but discover them fuml7 to our minds as they are already known t* * * *fe * * (Pacusefor Self-exaanin'4ion,) 138 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. AN AcT OF SORROW. We beseech Thee, 0 Lord, have compassion on Thy servants. Judge us not according to our works, for we have been disobedient to Thy comrmandments; but, as Thou lovest repentance, have mercy on us who before Thy face make confession of our sins. For the glory of Thy holy name blot out our offences, and let us add the grace of Thy pardon to all the mercies we have received fiom Thee. Fou GOOD FAME AND SPIRITUAL COMIEORT. Help us, O Jesus, we beseech Thee, to spend our time in virtuous actions, and in such labors as are acceptable to Thee; that we may deserve and keep good names by living peacefully and piously to Thy honor, our own comfort, and the benefit of others. Grant us Thy grace to avoid all ill colmpany: or, if we chance to come among such, we beseech Thee, by Thine own incorrupt conversation amongst sinners, to preserve us fiom being overcome by any temptations to sin. Cause us rathler, O Lord, to remember with dread that Thou art present and hearest, and wilt take an account of all our thoughts arid actions, and wilt judge us by them. Destroy not our souls with the wicked, but make us constant in faith, hope, and charitygiving us persevelrance in all virtues, and resolution never to offend thee. Enlighten us with spilitual wisdomn to know Thy goodness and those things which are most agreeable to Thee. Grant ts the grace to benefit the souls of others by our PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 139 good example; and to bring round, by our good conduct, those who misbehave themselves towards us; so that, proceeding wisely from virtue to virtue, we may ever approach nearer to the clear sight of Thy glorious majesty. Comfort us, dear Jesus, in our pilgrimage, and give us grace to place our chief, our only joy in Thee. Send us heavenly meditations, spiritual sweetnesses, and fervent desires for Thy glory: encourage our souls with the contemplation of heaven, where we may everlastingly dwell with Thee. Bring often to our remembrance Thine unspeakable goodness, Thy gifts, and the great kindness Thou hast shown us: and when Thou remnindest us of the sins by which we have so often offended Thee, comfort us with the assurance of obtaining Thy grace by means of that spirit of perfect penance which may cleanse away our guilt, and prepare us for Thy kingdom, where we may bless and praise Thee forever and ever. Amen. Foit SCIISMIATICS AND H:EEtMTICS. Look down, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, with pity and compassion on all those deluded souls, who, under the name of Christians, have gone astray from the paths of truth and unity, and from the one fold and the one Shepherd, Thy only Son Jesus Christ, into the by-paths of error and schism. Oh, bring them back to Thee and to Thy church. Dispel their darkness by Thy heavenly light; take off from before their eyes the veil with which the common enemny has blindfolded them; let them see how they have been misled by Inisapprehensions and misrepresentations. RIemove the preju ]140 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. dices of their education: take away from them the spirit of obstinacy, pride, and self-conceit. Give them hu-mble and docile hearts. Give them a st-roncg desire of finding out the truth, and a strong gr ace to enable them to embrace it, in spite of all the opposition of the world, the flesh, and thU e devil. Unite us all in thlis life, in the bonds of brlotherly love and divine charity; and enable l:s to carry the same sentiments into Thy heavenly liugdc-lom, where we may forever praise Thee for hlaving led us into the way of salvation. Amen. Visit, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this house and family, and drive far fiom them all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and may Thy blessing remain always upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with uIs, and miay the souls of the faithful departed, through the Inercy of God, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen. uvening, 1JraQcr FOR FRIDAYS AND FASTING DAYS. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PART'OF PSALM XXIV. To Thee, 0 Lord, have I lifted up my soul. In Thee, 0 God, I put my trust; let me not be hanmed. PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 141 Neither let my enemies laugh at me, for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. Let all them be confounded that act unjust thing without cause. Shew, 0 Lord, Thy ways to me, and teach me Thy paths. Direct me in Thy truth, and teach me, for Thou art God my Saviour, and on Thee have I waited all the day long. Remenmber, 0 Lord, Thy bowels of compassion; and Thy nercies, that are from the beginning of the world. The sins of my youth and my ignorance, do not remember. According to Thy mercy, remember Thou me: for Thy goodness sake, 0 Lord. The Lord is sweet and righteous; therefore He will give a law to sinners in the way. He will guide the mild in judgment; He will teach the meek his ways. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth tto them that seek after His covenant and His testimonies. Look Thou upon me, and have mercy on me; for I am alone and poor. The troubles of my heart are multiplied; deliver me from my necessities. See my abjection and my labor; and forgive me all my sins. O God, TWho by sin art offended, and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people who make. supplication unto Thee, and turn away the scourge of Thy anger, which we deserve for our sins. Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people; and as Thou hLast appointed fasting, prayer, atnd penance as a imeans of satisfying Thy offended [ustice, grant that we may now find comnfort ir Thy melrcy, thlrough Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, imTho art in heaven, &e. Hail, AIary, fill of grace, &(c. 142 PRaAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE, FOR THE DEAD. To Thee, 0 Lord, we recommend tfhe souls of Thy servants departed; that being dead to the world they may live to Thee; and whatever sino they mray hlave committed through humnan frailty. we beseech Thee in Thy goodness mercifully to pirdon. Eternal rest g;ve to them, O Lord, and may p,,l-l,tual light shine upon them. Amen. FOR A GOOD LIFrE, AND A HAPPY DEATH. Eternal rest give to us also, 0 Lord, when our soul-s shall cast off these bodies of our humiliation, aind be hurried into Thy dread presence. Oh, girant that we may often have that moment in our i.loughts! Thou hast not created us for this Aworld, whLere we pass, as it we;e, only a few moments of our existence. Raise up our thoughts, we beseech Thee, to the world of our lasting laome: teach us to consider this life as a part of the life to come: teach us to remember that, after death, we shall still continue to live; that we shall still continue to live as we may have lived here —adoring and loving Thee in heaven if we have loved and adored Thee here, or banished friom Thy sight then if we now banish Thee from our thoughts and dispositions. O Lord, let our tempers and actions be ever directed by the knowledge that this life and the next are one: that if we would hereafter live in heaven we rmust now live in a manner to suit us for heaven;.and that, at the hour of death, this PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE.',141life and the next blend into one for a continuance of either hlappiness or woe. O Lord, make us therefore show by' our conauuct now that we have already begun to live as we may continue to live hereaftea in Thy blessed mansions of the just. Amnen. Foa SELF-KNOWIDGE. O Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of the living and of the dead, before Whom we lmust one day appeal to give an exact account of our whole lives, enlightfen us, we beseech Thee, and give us humnble and contrite hearts,' that we may see wherein we have offended Thy divine Majesty this day by tlought, woid, deed, or omission; and may judlge ourselves novv ~vlith such a just severity that Thou mayest then judllge us with mercy and clemency. *@ *; * *,k I * (Pas,uobr Self-examination. ) AN ACT OF SRROV. Most wise andcl neiciful Lord, Who hlast ordain ed this life as a passage to the future, confining the use of repentance to the time of our pilgrimage here, and keepitng for hereafter tlhe state of punishmen-t or rewmald-accept our heartfelt conitrition for all our faltlts, and vouchsafe to us who are yet alive, and still have the means of reconciliation ~o Thee, that we may so repent of all our past faults, for which we humbly beseech Thy pardon, and so correct every least departure fronm the true way of heaven, that we may neither be sur.prised with our minds unprepared, nor with our sins unforgwiven, but that, when our bodies go 144 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USR. flown to the grave, our souls may ascend to Thee, and dwell forever in Thy mansions of eternal felicityv. Amen. THE PRAYER OF FAITH. Grant, 0 Lord, that we may accept of death as a, homage and adoration which we owe to Thy divine Majesty; as a punishment justly due to our sins; in union with the death of our dear Redeemer; and as the only means of coming to Thee, ore' beginning and last end. We firmly believe all the sacred truths'Thy Church believes and teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, and by the assistance of Thy holy grace we are resolved to live and die in the communion of this Thy Church. 5Relying on Thy goodness, power, and promises, we hope to obtain pardon for our sins and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son, our only Redeemer, and by the intercession of His bleved Mother and all the saints. We love Thee with our whole hearts, and desire to love Thee as the blessed do in heaven. W'e forgive all who have injured us, and ask pardon of all we have injured. We renounce the devil with all his works, the world with all its pomps, the flesh with all its temlptations. We desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. Father, into Thy hands we commend our spirits, Lord Jesus, receive our souls. Visit, O Lord, Tv beseech Thee, this house and family, P.*nd drive far from them all snares of the PRAYERS AND EXER6'ISRE FORI DAIIY USE. 14, enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace; and may Thy blessing.be always upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, atnd:nay the souls of the faithful departd. through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Let, us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Quetting Praer. SATURDAY. In the name of the Father, Son, anact Holy Ghbost. Amen. Our Father, &c. Hail, Mary, full of grace, &c. FOR THEn DEAD. O God, Who hast taught us that it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed firom their sins, grant, we beseech Thee, that our humble prayers in behalf of the souls of Thy servants, and our brethren, friends, and benefactors, may be of use to them; so that LThou mayest deliver them from all punishment, and make them partakers of the redemption Thou lhast purchased for them. Eternal rest give to them, 0 Lord. And may perpetual light shine upon them. Amen. 146 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FORi DAILY USE, OF GRATITUDE FOR GOD'S PROVIDENCE. Almighty God, we firmly believe that Thou art here present, and that Thou observest all our thoughts and the most secret motions of our hearts. Thou watchest over us with intcomrparable love-every moment bestowing' favors, and pieserving us fi'om evil. Blessed be Thy holy nane, and may all creatures praise Thy goodness for the benefits we have received from Thee. Mlay the saints and angels supply our defects in rendering Thee due thanks. Never permit us to be so base and wicked as to repay Thy kindness with ingratitude, and Thy blessings with offenees and injuries. Amlen. BEFORE SELF-EXAMINATION. O Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we humbly.?,rave the light of Thy grace to show us wherein we have offended Thee this day by thought, word,,aeed, or omission; that, by a careful examination of our copsciences, we may see what is faulty in our conduct with sorrow, and Thy unspeakable,mercy with zealous and firm purposes of amendinent. * - * * e a * (Pausefor Self-eramination.) ACT OF SORROW FOR LESSER SINS. We are now aware, O Lord, of the carelessness with which we have hitherto squandered away our time.'We acknowledge the ingratitude wherewith we have so long abused Thy goodness; and'we hummbly ask Thy pardon, and implore forgiveLess. WVe are sorry that we have displeased PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 147 Thee, and froll the bottom of oiu' hearts we re. gret the offences with which we have so often re quited Thly goodness in our behalf. Oh, keep ua fronm yielding to temptations for the future. Makle us sensible also, 0 Lord, of the mnany ways in which we do wrong without even being avware of it at the time, or afterwards thinking of oul negligence. Thou hast said that the just man f1alls seven tinmes: how often, therefore, have we not reason to fear that we fall -firom our duties; anlll this without so nmuch as owning our faults! Oh, make us watch more carefully over our' passing thougihts and words: make us attend nmore rigorously to all the slightest movements of our tempers, all the hidden springs of our actions. Accept our gratefnl thanks if Thou hast removed Us from occasions of committing great and grievous sins: if, through Thy mercy rather than our own endeavors, we have none such upon our consciences. h01, make us ever sensible of the favor Thou hast shown us in protecting us in preference to so many other souls which are led astray, not by inclinations naturally worse than ours, but by the temptations to which their situations in life expose them. But, O Lord, teach us also to show, by our conduct now, that, in any other situation, we should have the stren gth to.resist seductions, and to serve Thee. Teach us properly to judge of our guilt if we only abstain from offending Thee mortally because we have no opportunity of doing so. Grant, O Lord, rathex that we may the more carefully watch over our tempers, and every bad feeling of our hearts, that, by conforming to Thy will in 1.48 PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. small things, we may deserve Thy protection in all greater danr.gers and trials to" hich we may be exposed hereafter. Amen. Visit, O Lord. we beseech Thee, this house and family, and drive far from then all snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy angels dwell hereill, who may keep us in peace, and may Thy blessing be always upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the divine assistance remain always with us, an(d may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen. )raners for Vartiralar fieaomn. To be added before the concluding night prayer, "Visit, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee." For EMBER DAYS. Listen, Almighty God, we beseech Thee, to the prayers which Thy universal Church offers to Thee at this time, beseeching Thy blessing on those who are about to be admitted to Thy holy service at the altar. Give Thy grace to all who are called to any office and administration amongst Thy. clergy, and so replenish them with the truth of Thy doctrine, and indue therm with innocence of life, that they may faithfully serve Thee, to the PRAYERS AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. 149 glory of Thy great name, and the benefit of Thy holy Church. Amen. O God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the treasure is infinite, we humbly thank Thee for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us. Continue Thy imercy to us, and give us also so much of Thy temporal blessings as Thou knowest to be for our g'ood. Grant that the fruits of the earth may, by Thy holy favor, increase and mnultiply. Defend them from all drought, frosts, or tempests, or whatever else may be hurtfful to them. It is firom Thy hand only that we look for succor, and to Thee we have iecourse in all our necessities. Amen. FOR ADVENT. Raise up our hearts, 0 Lord, we beseech Tlhee, in expectation of the coming of Thine only Son, that, by His advent, being reconciled to Thee, we may serve Thee in holiness all the days of our ives. Amen. FoR LENT. 0 Lord, Who, for our sake, didst fast forty days and forty nights, give us grace to use such abstinence that, our flesh being subdued to the spirit, we may worthily lament and acknowledge our wretchedness, and may obtain perfect remission and forgiveness of Thee, the God of all mercy, Who'livest and'.eignest, with' the Father and Holy Ghost, one God, world witlhout end. Amen. is* 150 PRtAYTES AND EXERCISES FOR DAILY USE. ON FESTIVALS OF OUl LORD. 0 God, TWhio dost rejoice the hearts of Thy faitfiul by the annual solemnity of the great mysteries of our redemption, grant that we may ever celebrate them with a deep sense of Thy mercy and -witfh ever-inclresing love for Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who liveth alndl reigneth with Thee in the unity of the IHoly Ghost, one God, world without end. ON FESTIVALS OF OUR, LADY. Almighty ald eternal God, YlWho, by the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother, Mary, that she migDht become a worthy habitation for Tlly Soli, and, 1by her fruitful virginihly, give to the world the means of eternal salvation, grant that, as we joyffilly celebrate her festivals and memlory, we may experience her intercession, and receive the joys of eternal life friom Iimni Whom she was found meet to bear, Jesus Christ, oUT Lord. gh SECTION I. BACRIFICE THE UIGHEST ACT OF WOtSHIP'-SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. O D, being the creator and preserver of all things, the soulrce of all natural and supelnatural good things which we enjoy, we owe him the homage of all we have and all we are. Nay, more, he cannot dispense us from this duty, inasmuch as he cannot dispense himself f fiom doing all things for his glory, whichl is the only end worthy of him. Now, the only true means of acknowledging and honoring, outwardly, God's sovereign domain, not only over life and death. but over thle very being, is sacrifice, that is to say, thl offering, the consumption, and entire destruction, whether real or mystic, of that being. Sacrifice is, then, the essential, indispensable act of religion. It is as impossible to conceive a religion without a sacrifice, as to conceive a God without do main over his creaturps, or creatures under no obligation to rendler homage to God. Even in the state of innocence, had it been maintained, there would have been sacrifices, because there would have been a religion, but there would have been no bloody sacrifice. because death had not yet entered the world by sin. Of all truths, none has beenr so universally p-reserved as the necessity of 152 THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS sacrifice. Not only was it religiously preserved among the Jews, but there never has been found a pagan nation that did not honor its gods by sacrifices, and what is more, by bloody sacrifices. This proves that every nation, since the fall, has been convinced that man is guilty and deserved death, that he stands in need of an expiation, and that God himself, to prefigure the only sacrifice worthy of him, that to be instituted by the Messias, taught man the merit of bloody sacrifices. How could man, of himself, imagine that an animal immolated in his place would exempt him from death, and that God would accept the substitution? If it was not revealed, this idea would be the strangest, and even the rmost absurd, that can be conceived. Our Saviour could not then leave without a sacrifice the religion which he came among men to establish; he must necessarily have instituted one. And he did so. During the Last Supper he offered and instituted the pure, spotless sacrifice of the new law, of which all the ancient sacrifices were only the figures, and which the prophet Malachias had announced in these words: "I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will not receive a gift from your hand. For from the rising of the sun, even to the going down, my name is great among the gentiles, and in every place there is a sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation, for my name is great amnong the gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.' Malachias i. 10-11. Now in the first place this prophecy has, according to the testimony of the Holy Fathers, been always applied to the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Let us hear Saint Irenmus. "Jesus took what in its nature was bread; he blessed it and said: This is my body. In like manner he took the chalice.... declared that it was his blood, and thus manifested to us the sacrifice of the new law, which the Church has received from the Apostles, and which she offers to God throughout the whole world, and of which Mailachias speaks in these words:'I have no pleasure in you,' &c." II. It is clear that the Almighty, in this prophecy, announ-ces, 1st. The abolition of the ancient sacrifices, ever those of tihe Jewish blmnw. 2d. The institution of THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF TIE, IASS. 15e a ne w exterior sacrifice, for Malachias speaks of a scarifice which did not then exist, buit wbich was to be instituted; consequently. he does not mean an interioi sacrifice of praise, thanlksgiving, good works, for such sacrifices had been offered to God from the remotest times by the patriarchs. Moreover, he contrasts the sacrifice of which he speaks with the sensible, exterior sacrifices of the Jewish priests, whence it follows that the new sacrifice was to le a real sacrifice, an exterior sacrifice, and for that reason the prophet designatles it by the word victim. Finallly, he calls it a clean, spotless sacrifice; it must, therefore, be a sacrifice that cannot be sullied by the unworthiness of the minister, which is not the case with interior sacrifices, which aecessarily partake more or less of the unworthiness, the stains of which the minister is guilty. III. The prophet announces a sacrifice which is far to surpass in value and dignity the sacrifices of the Jews alnd Pagans. IV. It is said of this sacrifice that it was not to be offered only in one single spot, like the Jewish sacrifices, which could be offered only in the temple of Jcrusalem; moreover, that it was not to be offered only once, like the bloody sacrifice of the cross, but in all places, from the rising of the sun to the going down, and that to the end of the world. Hence, David calls the Messias " Priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedec," for all the holy Fathers apply this passage of the Psalms to the Messias. Now, from the last prophecy of David, it follows, V. That the new sacrifice was to be an unbloody sacrifice, for the Messias was to offer it as a priest, not according to the order of Aaron, but according to that of Melchisedec; now, according to the Holy Scripture, Melchisedec offered in sacrifice bread and wine, consequgently an unbloody sacrifice. It is then very evident that these two prophecies cannoel be applied either to the bloody sacrifice of the cross, or to interior sacrifices of thanksgiving, praise, good works, or the sacrifices of the pagan.s and the jews. They can then be fulfilled only in the sacrifice istituted by oun Lord Jesus Christ, hduring the Last 154 THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS., Supper, and which has been, without cessation, offered by the priests of his Church in all parts of the world. T'o be convinced of this we have only to consider what Jesus Christ did during the Last Supper, and what is still practised in the Catholic Church. SECTION II. OF THE INSTITUTION Cfr THE MASS-ITS PRESENT FORM AND PARTS-TIHE PRIEST AND mIIS ATTENDANTS. On the eve of his passion, while he was at table with his disciples, Jesus, according to St. MIatthew, took bread, blessed, broke and gave it to his disciples, saying: "Take ye, and eat, this is my body." Then he took the chalice, gave thanks, gave it to his apostles, saying: " Drink ye all of this, for this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many for the remission of sins." The words of St. Matthew agree perfectly with those of St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. Paul. Now in this important act we find all the marks necessary for a real sacrifice, so that no doubt can exist but that Jesus Christ instituted a real sacrifice. In it we find, 1st, the Benediction, that is, thanksgiving and praise to God, the author of all good; 2d, the mystic destruction of the oblation, that is, the change of the bread into the body of Christ, and the wine into his blood, by the omnipotence of the Saviour's words, and consequently, the mystic if not real separation of his body and blood; 3d, the distribution of the victim, for distribution and consumption form an integral part of sacrifice. Hence, it follows, that Christ really, in the List Supper, instituted a pure, holy, unspotted sacrifice, according to the order of Melchisedec, announced by the prophet. He instituted it, moreover, as an eternal memorial of his passion, and he commanded his apostles, and in their persons all their successors, to offer this same sacrifice, in all times, in all places, among all nations: "Do this for a commemoration of me," and as one person cannot represent another without full power so to do, it THE UMULY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 155 follows that the apostles and their successors alone, that is, bishops and priests, can offer the Holy Sacrifice. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is, then, nothing but the fulfillment of this divine commandment, and a re newal and continuation of the sacrifice which he offered and instituted on the eve of his passion. To be convinced of this we have only to compare the two sacrifices. As in the last supper Jesus, 1st, gave thanks to God and blessed the offerings; 2d, changed, by his almighty word, the bread and wine into his body and blood; 3d, made his disciples partake of his body and blood, so in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we find these same three integral parts: 1st, The Offertory; 2d, The Transubstantiation; 3d, The Communion.:: From what we have just said it follows that the Sacrifice of the Mass is the same as the Sacrifice of the Cross. The only difference that exists between the two sacrifices is, that on Calvary the blood of Jesus was really separated from his body, while on our altars it is separated only in a mystic manner; on the cross Jesus Christ paid the price of our ransom, while on the altar he applies to us the fruit of that payment. Except these two points of difference, the two sacrifices are the same, for on the altar, as on Calvary, we behold the same priest, the same victim. During the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as on Calvary, the priest who offers the sacrifice is Christ himself. At the Mass the mortal priest is only the minister, the organ of the Eternal Priest, not his successor. To show that he acts only in the name of Christ, the Priest, at the Consecration uses no words of his own, he merely repeats the words of our Lord-" This is my body." The secondary priest disappears, in a manner, to allow the principal priest to convert the substance ot bread and wine into the substance of his body and blood. In the second place, on the altar, as on the cross, Christ is the only victim of the sacrifice. At the * The Mass, as far as the Offertory and the Collects, &c., said in the course of the Mass are not essential parts of the Holy, Sacrifice, but were introduced in the ear!liest times, to give greater solemnity to the celebration of the holy mystery, and impress us better with its nfinite val. 156 TItE HOLY SACRIFICE OF rHlE MASS. very moment when the priest pronounces these words: "Thwis is my body... this is my blood," the substance of the bread, as well as that of the wine disappears, and Jesus, the Son of God, descends from hit throne, and concealing himself under the appearances of bread and wine, he says once more to his Father: "A sacrifice thou wouldst not: therefore I said, Behold I come." This is the victim immolated on our altars, Jesus, who though God, nevertheless as man, humbles, annihilates, immolates himself, dies in a mystic manner, and thereby offers to his Eternal Father a pleasing sacrifice. The sacrifice of the Mass is then the same as the sacrifice of the Cross, only the manner of offering it is different. I-ence it follows, as St. Thomas observes, that the sacrifice of the altar being only the application, the renewal of the sacrifice of Calvary, a Mass is as good and efficacious for the salvation of men as the sacrifice of the cross, as it fulfils the ends for which it is offered in a manner as perfect, as complete, as excellent as that last sacrifice. The apostles themselves began, after the day of Pentecost, to celebrate the eucharistic sacrifice, as their Redeemer had commanded them, observing with the utllost care and fidelity all that belongs to the essence of the sacred act; and in those things which were merely accessory, either observing the same ceremonies and order, or else varying them according as they were taught by Christ Himself, or His Holy Spirit, which was given for their guidance. Accordingly, in the begin ning, the blessed adpostles celebrated in any place, provided it was decently adorned for the purpose, and furnished with all thilgs lcequired for the offering the sacrifice, such as a table, nnleavened bread, chalice, and vessels for the wine and water, napkins, lights, books, &c. In like manner, in imitation of our Lord, they made use of prayers, hlynins, lessons, and discourses, before and after the consecration, as well to instruct those who welre present, as to excite greater reverence and fervor during the ofifring of the most holy sacrifice. For this purpose, by degi'es, were introduced THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MIASS, lOi tht various ceremonies and rites wlhich the holy Cllurch has made use of in succeedling ages-such as the variety of sacred vestments, the incense, the chant, and the different degrees of sacred ministers assisting. The use of all those particular forms and rites which make up the sacred liturgy is to be explained and accounted for, moreover, by reference to two other causcs: First, that the Christian Church succeeded inmediately to the Jewish, wherein, by colmmand of God Himself, firom the time of Moses, it had been the custom to make use of great pomp and majestic splendor of external ritual in the public w orship of God. And as this was also most confoilrmable to the natural law and the constitution of man, it was fit that the Church of the New Covenant should show herself superior even to that of the older dispensation, and thus bring out into its flll development and perfection even the external part of the divine worship. In the second place, as there is every reason to believe that very many of the ceremonies, rites, and other circumstances of the sacred liturgy were copied, so to speak, friom the pattern shown on the Mount of revelation to Moses, so that of the New Covenant, the covenant of love, was exhibited to the apostle and evangelist, St. John, when, in spirit, he was transported into heaven, and beheld those secret things which he recounts in the book of his Apocalypse; and there we read of the worship paid in thle heavenly Jerusalem to the divine Lamb of God, of an altar of incense, of chants and prayers, the various ranks and orders of the blessed, adorned with palms, and white garments, and sacred vestments, and crowns of gold, and all the splendor of a heavtenly ritual. Lastly, it is mnost probable that the apostles themselves' did not use, at all times and under all circumstances, precisely the same forms in the offering of the divine sacrifice, but employed one more or less solemn, according as the circumstances of time or place, of tranquillity or persecution in the Church, dictated. And here we might recall the origin of the different. liturgies for celebrating the eucharistic sacrifice which have been in use in the various Churches, whether of 14 158 TIHE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. the East or cf the West, all which, within tlheie, wn linlits, are respected and allowed by the mother and mistress of all Churches, the holy Church of Rome and See Apostolic. But leaving these, as beside our.preient purpose, we nwill touch briefly on the liturgy which the Rloman Church makes use of, as having more authority, and being of more universal usage. From the dlaiys of the apostles it was always the case that many Pagais and Jews were accustomed to be present at the functions of religion celebrated in the chulches of the Christians —some drawn by curiosity to see what was there do-ne, others by a desire of being instuctecl and admitted into the new religion. As it was necessary, on the one hand, to receive all, with the greatest charitty to teach them to know their God and Redeemer Jesus Christ, so, on the other,'it was requisite to excludce persons who were not yet instructed and baptized fieom being plresent at the celebration of the more august and profound mysteries of the altar, that they might not expose to derision or profaneness that of Twhich1 they, aS yet, kInew or believed nothing. In order, therefore, to reconcile these two important objects, it wa s thought right to divide the sacred liturgy into two parts, at the celebration of the first of which all; whether faithlful or unbelievers, might be present with p)ropr iety ancd advantage, whilst tLe second part was ireseired for the faithful alone. The first part was called the mass of the catechumens, or scholars in the faith; the second, the mass (f the faithiful. The sacred litulgy of the mass of the catechumens consisted of three principal parts, viz. of the confessian of Sins, the Prayers, and the Instructions, which were directed chiefly to prepare the catechumens for receiving holy lBapt.sm, whereby they were to be admitted into the class of the faithful. This first part of the mass, therefore, was merely the remote preparation for the sacrifice, and during this the prayers, the psalms, and other parts, sung or recited, were directed to implore the mercy of God on the catechumens and unbelievers, that they might obtain thle grace of faith and of holy lhaptism, and to enlighten and instruct them by lessons taken from the holy Scriptures, and by sacred THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MA~S. 159 discourses. The mass of the catechumens estxendedl s far as the Offertory, at which part of the liturgy they were dismissed, and none remained but the faithflul only. The 1mass of the faithful, or the Sacrifice, properly began now, and also consisted of three parts, viz., the Offertory, the Consecration, and the Colminunion. The Offertory consisted of an offering of bread and wiile, andc at tilnes of other gifts also, which were carried by the faithful, and presented at the altar; of these the sacred ministers took so nmuch as was required for the sacrifice, and for distributing the holy Eucharist to all those who desired to colmmulnica te: tlhe remainder' was set apart for the use of the poor. The portion of bread and wine set apart for the sacrifice was then offered up and presented to God by the celebrating priest; and he, togethler with the whole people, offered up prayers over thle oblation for himself, for the whole body of the clergy, for the civil powers of the state, and for the whole Church militant on earth and in the middle state of purgation. After the Offertory, which vas succeeded b)y a preface, wherein the people were encouraged to offer thanksgivings and praises to God, in union with ang'els, and archangels, and all the company of heaven, the consecration of the bread and wine followed immediately; and then, once moie, in the presence of our Lord, under the sacramental veils, prayers, the same in substance as before, in behalf of the whole Church, were again recited. LUst of all came the Communion, or dispensing of the body and blood of Christ to all the faithful who desired or were worthy of Communion. After which, and the recitation of certain other prayers called the Post Communrion,. or prayers after'Communion, the deacon dismissed the people with the words, fle, missa est-" Go, you are dismissed," and thus finished the ~Mass, or 1i'isa.; for so the sacred liturgy came ta be called from this ceremony of disanissal performed by the deacon, first at the end of the liturgy of the catechumens, and afterwards at the end of the Mass of the, faithful' In procesb of) time tihe distinction between the catechumens and tsl. faithfll ceased, as well on account 160 IRaE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THIE MASS. of the Church's custom of baptizing children in their infancy, as on Ccco nt of the conversion of whol] e nations to the f:ilth. The Mass of the catechuslens was not, however, discontinued, but was retained in substance as mosoi usieful for the faitllftl themlielves, forming a beautif ul supplement and( addition to the Mass itself, and sersiing excellently to prepare and dispose. the souls of the worshippeis for the off'eling of the mystic sacrifice. There are thr-ee things which principadlly hindei usi f ron assisting worothily, anid from partaking in all the fulness of the inestimable bless ing contained in these tremenlous nysteies These s steies. ese defects are —first, sin; secondly, our natural unworthines s and misery; and thilrdly, ou ignorance of the things of God. It sihotl, therefore, be our unceasing study to remove these hindrcances, and to mlake this our principal preparation for assisting at the divine sacrifice. Accordingly, it is to this end thait the portion of the sacred liturgy of the Mass prececing the Offertory is directedl. For herc, in the first place, it is thse intention of the Church that thie priest, adcl the whole peo-ple tog-ether with him, should publicly acknowledge themselves guilty, and confess that they have sinnedl in tihe presence of God and of the whole couirt of heaven, and therefore implore His mercy and pardon. In the next lilace, she directs them to beseech. Almighty God, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin andl of all the saints, that He woulcl vouchsafe His grace to all present in an especial manneor (as also to those who are absent, for whom prayer is likewise made); beseeching Him to supply, fiom the infinite abundance of Hig grace, all that is wanting through their vileness, misery, and unworthiness. Lastly, by the resading of the Prophecies, the Epistles, anri Gospel, and tile recitation of tile Creed-the records of Divine revelation-she enlighters and instru cts her children in the wisdom from above. The Mass, the sacrifice of the new law, can, like those of the old law, bu e offered only by priests dully ordained and set apart by the sacrament of holy orders for this function. The bs8hops, archbishops, and pa THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 161 triarchs, as priests, have the same power, for they belong to the order of the priesthood. While ministering at the altar, they require attendants, who, like the Levites of the old law, may assist them in the various parts of the sacred rites. These attendants are the deacons, subdeacons, acolythes, and others-now nmerely degrees through which the priest passes before being raised to the sacerdotal character. On solemn occasions priests officiate as deacons and subdeacons; but in our times the attendants on the priests are youths selected for purity and piety. The priest must be duly ordained by a bishop, oth6rwise he has no power to say Mass, that is, to offer the sacrifice. The matter of the sacrifice is bread and wine. The bread is unleavened, circular, and thin, like the bread used by our Lord at the Paschal solemnity, and by the Jews to this day-not a modern roll or loaf of leavened bread. The wine is to be the pure juice of the grape, such as our Lord used. SECTION III. THE CTIURCH AND ITS DIrISIONS —THE ALTAR AND ITS AOCESSORIES —THE CHALICE AND ITS ACCESSORIES-THIE VESTMENTS —THE USE OF HOLY WATER. Properly speaking, the Cenacle, or Il"upper chamber," was the first temple of the sacrifice of the Mass: there it was instituted; and as if to justify the size, the decoration, and richness of our churches, the God Who was born in a stable, Who had not where to lay His head, and Who died on a cross, chose for the celebration of the Eucharist "a large dining-room, fillnished." The. height of Calvary, lying beyond the walls of Jerusalem, became, a few hours after, the altar of the whole world. After that, it was again celebrated in the Cenacle, as a place consecrated by ouI Lord's selection. During the ages of persecution, the house of some privileged Christian, the depth of the forest, the hollow of the rocks, the prison, the catacomb, or the cewa14* 1620 THE HOLY SACRIFIC(,E OF THE MASS etery were the asylum of the sacred mysteries. Somn public churches were built when the reign of perse(ution was over; and by favor of the peace restored to the Christian community, vast edifices rose on every side in honor of the true God. The piety of each succeeding age, and the progress of art, added to their magnificence, till the chuich became the shrine of all that was beautiful in architecture, sculpture, painting, and music.'rhe ancient basilica has given place to the modern Gothic church, but the changes made from necessity of time and place have not destroyed the original form ancd meaning of the Christian temple. The cross which crowns the portal, or steeple, indicates the saciifice which is daily renewed; the bells, like the pastor's voice, assemble the faithful to the collect; the ltoly water at the porch denotes the purity required for the oblation; the confessionals offer the means of recovering it if lost; the pulpit instructs the people to unite the sacrifice of the heart to the immolation of the gi eat VTictiIn of the'world; the choir, organ, and other inst ruments of music celebrate the arrival of God amlong -: His children; the sanctuary has its seats for the clergy and their attenclants, while reliqcuaries, statues, and paintings recall the memory and glory of those who have already consummated their sacrifice: finally, and above ail, stands the altar, the central point in our chur ches. The altars of the Catholic Church are of the higl'est antiquity: they go back to the tinies of the apostles, as we see by the Epistle of St. Paul to the IIebre'ws (xiii. 10). Their consecration was in use from the earVest period. The altar of the sacrifice, says St. Gregory'f Ny5ssa, is of common stone indeed, but because it has.een blessed and consecrated, it is the holy table and altar of God (1 Cor. x. 21). These altars were raised over the graves of the martyrs, or inclosed their hallowed remains; and in continunatioa of this usage, the altar-stone even now always contains some relics to wvhich allusion is nade in the Mlass itself. Tlhee is, then, every thing here to nourish piety aind religion. In fact, the altar in itself naturally recalls the rcmero THlE HOLY SACRIFICE OE T'IlE MASS. 1 63 Prance of the holy tabll on which our Lord instituted the holy Eucharist, or the cross on which He offe1red Hi.mself a victim for us. Being of stone, it represents Jesus Christ, the corner-stewz, so called in holy writ fiom His divine power, and because He is the solid bond uniting the Jew and the Gentile by the mceanls of salvation which He offers to both. Its form remlinds of the times of persecution, and the relies of the nartyrs teach us that the Ch-rch has in all time sought their intercession with the common Lord of all. The linen clott with which the altar is covered represent those in which Christ is enveloped in the sepulchre. The tabernacle in the middle, in which the sacred Host is reserved, reminds us of the ark of the covenant, and of the sepulchre of our Lord. The cross above it is the sign of the Son of Man, a trophy of the victory which the divine Lamb has won over the world.'The lighted candles on the right and left are a symbol of joy, a remembrance of the catacombs, and a figure of that " true lighbt which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world." We find in early times the usage of chalices of vari ous materials; but long since, the Church, to prevent the profanations which might result from fragile Ymaterials as well as out of greater respect, ordered that chalices should only be of gold or silver, the interior being in the latter case gilded or plated with gold. The chalice must be consecrated by a bishop, who also consecrates the pateze, a little round plate on which the B3ody of Christ reposes. Like the chalice, it must be gold or silver, gilt on the upper surface. The puwificator is a linen cloth placed over the chalice, and is used to wipe and cleanse it. The pall, or linen stretched over a card, in order to cover the chalice during Mass, to prevent any thing falling into it. The veil is a piece of the same stuff and color as the vestments, and is used to cover the chalice, purificator, and pall. Finally, the bzcse, also of the same stuff and color, contains a fine linen cloth, called a colpoeral, which is vpxead out under the chalice, to touch and receive the 164 THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS, Body of Christ, and the particles which might separate from the consecrated host. St. Bonaventure,' in his " Exposition of the Mass," sees in the chalice the image of the sepulchre of Christ; in the patena, the stone which closed the entrance; in the corporal, the winding-sheet in which I-e was wrapped; and in the purificatory, the sponge full of vinegar and gall presented to Him when He asked for a drink in His'excessive thirst. Finally, the veil which covers the chalice calls to mind the darkness which-covered the earth on the Saviour's death. The Vestm ezts.-If civil society.has a distinctive dress for the different grades of the magistracy, the army, the navy, and the various officials of the state —if the form and color of these vestments change and vary according to the days of solemnity, joy, or mourning-it is not surprising that the great Christian society, the Church, should use particular dresses in its holiest mysteries. The weakness of our senses requires this pomp, which exalts the exterior splendor of the divine mysteries, without adding any thing' to their real greatness. Originally, however, these vestments were like the ordinary apparel of t-he time, only,.to show respect, they used in church more clean and precious robes, intended exclusively for the occasion. The ancient form has been preserved, with some modification. They should be blessed before being -used in divine worship; and prayers analogous to their mysterious significatior are recited every time they are put on. These vestments are1. The camict, or white veil, with which the sacred minister covers his neck. It is a sign which reminds the priest of the modesty and respect with which he should approach the holy mysteries. This vestment, says Pope Innocent ITI., reminds us that Christ, to effect our salvation, veiled His divinity beneath the cloud of our nature. 2. The alb, or robe of white linen, was the toga worn in the.loman empire by persons of distinction. The Church has preserved it because, by its whiteness, it shows the exalted purity which priests should have to THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 16e approach the altar and immolate the Lamb without spot. It may remind us of the white garment in which,Herod clothed our divine Lord as a fool, and teaches us to bear patiently, after His example, the railleries of men who insult us for our virtue.'3. The cincture, or cord, with which he girds the alb, is the sign of chastity, which should be the priest's first virtue. It may also remind us of the bonds with which our Saviour was attached to the pillar during the flagellation. 4. The stole was a fine linen used by the wealthy to wipe the face. In the sixth century it changed its use and form. Since then it has been made a long narrow band of stuff as at present, and became a vestment of honor, and the symbol of the power attached to the sacerdotal character. Innocent III. regards it as the mark of obedience and servitude which Christ assumed to restore us to the liberty of the children of God. Priests cross it over the breast during Mass, to show that all their power is derived from the cross of Christ. 6. The maniple was anciently a little handkerchief, which replaced the stole when the latter became only an orln.ment, and served as the stole did, to wipe the perspiration from the face. Since the twelfth century, the maniple, too, has become a mere ornament, of the savme stuff and color as the vestment, and is placed on the left arm; but it preserves its original signification, that of evanrgelical labors, sweat, and tears. 6. The chasuble was formerly a circular cloak,.in which the priest was enveloped, and having only a small slit in the centre to pass the head through. WIhen the wearer wished to use his hands, he raised it in folds on his arms, and it then hung down before and behind, much like the modern chasuble, which, for convenience sake, has had the superfluous part cut away. The priest's assistants, in early times, had to support this heavy cloak at the sides, at certain stages of the service, and, in remembrance of this, the clerk still raises the hem of the chasuble. This vestment represents charity, which should, as it were, cover the whole priest; and the amiable yoke of Christ, which the sac I d'1sTHE UIO LY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. rificer should bear with grace andl joy, is denoted by the c -oss which is u orked on the back of it. We imay also regard the chiasuble as the purple roje w lich was thrn own0 over our Saliou's shoulders.'lThle pillar to which Hie was bound during the flagellation is represented before: the cross on the othll side may remind its of the Man-God, proceeding along the rugged path t, Calvary, with. the cross upon his shoulders. 7. Thlle dalatic and tenishi were forinerlv the dress of servants: they have become the vestments put over the alb by the deacon and subdeacon, when attending the priest at the altar. 8. The colpe was. anciently a, cloak withl a hood, worn in rainy weatlher in processions, and was accordingly called lttvitale. This cloak became subsequently a mere oarnam-ent used in sacred ceremonies, and may signify, like the chasuble, the evangelical charity which should transform the sacred mninister into a new man. The interior dispositions of the faithful ought in some sort to harmonize wRith these virtues proper to the sacrifice which -they offer with Jesus Christ and His representative. The ainict should teach them the decency of attire, the recollectedness and silence proper in the house of God; the alb and cinctule of purity and modesty; tb mnaniplc, the good life'and worklis of faith which tlh'y sh!ould unite to the holy Victiram the stole, the digpitv of their vocation, which calls upon them to sacrifice e erth, and reign in heaven' the c/.auzble, the yoke cf faith to which they should submit in all the details of lif: in fline, this exterior pomp should speak to the eyes, but still more to the soul, in order to exalt the greatness of the sacrifice, its long preparation, and the abundant fruit we should derive from it. We have next to speak of the color of the sacred vestments. White is used on the joyous and glorious mysteries of our Lord Jesun C!.hrist, on the festivals of the blessed Virgin and sa'n.t1s, not martyrs. This color denotes joy, splendor, p.urity. lRed is used or, Whitsunday, the festivals of the mar tyrs, and portrays a spirit of sacrifice, the effusion of blood, the ardor of charity. THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 167 7-rei is for Sundays and ordinary cd0.ays, when the office is of the feria, from Triniity Sunday to Advent, and from Christmas to Septuagesima. It is the ermblem of the fecundity of the earth, and the richness of spiritual labors. riolet, a sombre color, is the symbol of penance, and worn in Advent, and from Septuagesima to the close of Lent. 3Bl1ck is for the mourning of the Church and her children. A requient is a mass said in black; but a mass may be offered for the dead on any day, even when by the rubrics it cannot be in black. Holy dVater. —On Sundays, before High Mass, the celebrant, clothed -in his sacred vestments, except: the chasuble, blesses water to sprinkle it on the.people. This blessing of water, the custom of sprinkling it over the faithful, and of taking it on cltce.ring the church to form the sign of the cross on the forehead, are of the highest antiquity. The earliest fathers of the Church speak of its use, and, as St. Augustine observes, " When we see a practice universally adlnitted into the Church, spread over all the nations that have embraced the faith, and for the origin of which no point in the lapse of ages between the apostles and our own times can be assigned, we must suppose that it has come domwnl from the apostolic days." I The Cl-hurch blesses water in order that, by virtue of the prayers which it offers in blessing and exorcising it, the evil spirits may have no power over what the water will touch, but that the Holy Ghost may deign to diffuse over it His sanctifying power. She mingles blessed salt with the holy water, because salt being the symbol of prudence and wisdom, as our Lord says, and having the power of preserving from corruption, its mixture with water, the symbol of candor and purity, indicates the salutary effects of God's grace in our souls-simplicity, the purity of the dove, the prudence of the serpent, that true wisdom which presersies from the corruption of sin. With this water the priest sprinkles the altari aznd the tanctuary, to banish all that might disturb,the recol 168 THE HC LY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. lectedness of the ministers-the people to dispose them for the sacrifice, and excite in all hearts the sentiments of penance expressed in the psalm AMiserere, recited during the aspersion. Holy water is put at the porch of the church, that the faithful may, while taking this water, ask God's grace to be puriiied friom their sins, in order to render their prayers more pure and efficacious. It is good to use this water on rising, going to bed, before prayer, in temptation, during a tempest, to sprinkle it over the niclk or the dead, and on spots where we fear the malignity of the devil. These are practices approved by the Church of Jesus Christ. and she can approve and recommend only what is holy. But to make the use of holy water salutary, it -must be used in a spirit of faith and compunction, because this water operates nlaught of itself, independently of the faith of him who uses it joined to the prayers of the Church. SECTION IV. TiE LANGUAGE OF TIE MASS. In the eastern churches several languages were from the first used in the celebration of the Mass. In the west it has always been Latin. To many persons who have not been accustomed to reflect upon the doctrines' of the Catholic Chiurch, this appears strange, but their great difficulty arises from an almost inevitable error to which they are exposed. They know nothing of religion but praying, preaching, and reading; and because they have known nothing else in religion, they imagine that religion has nothing else. This is a most erroneous impression. Religion has a Sacrifice and &acraments, which are not any of those acts, though much prayer and some instruction are found to accompany them. They are acts; thus Baptism, which is more efficacious than either prayer, or preaching, or reading, is neither one, nor two, nor all of those-but it is an act instituted by Christ, upon the performance of which IHe has bound Himself to produce a certain rIIE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 169 effect: it is true, there are words accompanying the act, but as they are for thle Lord, Who understands all languages, it is no nllatter in what language they are spoielw. So the Mass is not a common prayer, but an act of sacrifice, in which, by the ministry of the priest, God does acts beneficial to the people. The benefit to the people is derived not merely fronm the words said, but from the acts done. The acts are the producing the Victim upon the altar, and offering Hin to God for our sins after He has been produced; and the producing the holy Sacrament of the Eucharist; that the faithful may receive the body and blood of the Saviour in this Sacrament. Now, as the object of the Mass is the performance of those acts, the questions for consideration are: First, Is any particular language essential to their performance; and next, are there any sufficient reasons why a dead language should be continued in use rather than a living language be adopted? With regard to the first, it may be unhesitatingly answered -No particular language is essential to the validity of the acts. Secondly, there are many sufficient reasons for continuing the use of the Latin language in our liturgy, in preference to adopting the modern languages. 2. In the first place, the doctrine of the Church being essentially unchangeable, a dead language, which is subject to no change, as to the meaning of its expressions, is far better calculated to preserve it unchangeably than modern languages, which are perpetually varying. The same idea which was conveyed by those words one thousand years ago, is now conveyed by them, and, if the world should -so long continue, will be conveyed by them after the lapse of one thousanfl years more; whereas, if the English words which, one thous cnd years ago, were used to convey the same idea, were now written for us, they would be perfectly unintelligible. Thus an unchangeable language is used as the medium for conveying, through fluctuating times and changing people, an unalterable doctrine. 3. Next, this doctrine is not merely that of an isolated people, who speak the sa'me language, but that of mainy nations, who speak different tongues, though 15 P20 TtHE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS,' they have the same faith.'They preserve amlongEt them, of necessity, a perpetual communion, for the preservation of which a common hlanguage is necessary, an(d they use that which has been originally established, and univeisally received amnongst thenl from the beginning. Their mode of commilunion is by their sacramlents, sacrifices, andl public offices; hence they are all celebrated in that coinmmon language. 4. Again: Their clergy and laity are frequently under the necessity of travelling from one country to another, and this common language enables them to offer up and attend' at the Holy Sacrifice, in whatever place they nmay be, with the same beencfit as if thlicy were in the land of their natiAity; and though they should not be acquainted with an individual in the place, nor understand one word of the lanuaga:e of the country, the clergyman or the layman finds himself amongast blethren, to whom he may adclminister, or from whom he may receive sacraments, and with whom he can join in the adoration of his God, and whose belief is identically th!e same as his own, on every point of faith. 5. By preserving this'common language, also, the clergy of those various lands, hownever remote or dissimilar in habits and toigues, can communicate with each other. Their bishops holdcl intercourse between themselves and that see which is their common centre, aInd thu-s be certain of the continuance and existence of the true faith, and hold the comnumnion of saints. 6. These and many other advantages are the results of the liturigy being in the Latin tongue; and the publication everywhere of prayer-books, with ample instructions, and devotions which are closely copied from the piraiyers of the liturgy, together with the frequent instrluctions of the pastors, to which they are obliged by the Council of Trent, are sufficient to remedy the only inconvenience which would be apprehended-by making those who do not understand the Latin language acquainted with the meaning of what is said in tkat tongue. 7. Some of the service is read in a loud voice, and tmore of it in a low inaudible manner, which is a custom older than even Christianity, tending to impress THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. ] 71 ppon the mind that some things are clearly knownl and distinctly understood, and that other things are now hidden from us, for the trial of our obedience and faith. The Jewish people did not hear the prayers which thleii priest used - when he offered incense, and on varioUS other occasions they pirayed abroad in the court, whilst he offered in the sanctuary, at the altar. Again ~ Let it; be remembered that the Mass is not a naked form of prayer, by using which we merely entreat God's mercy; it is a sacrifice in which the flesh and blood of Christ are produced, anld oler1ed up on our behalf, and according to the devotion with which we attend, we may expect the favor of the Most High. All'his may be done in a low voice, as well as in an audible tone. SECTION V. THE ENDS FOR WIIC1I THE SACRIFICE OF THEI-I MASS IS OFFERED. As the Almighty instituted the symbolic sacrifices of the old law for various ends, so the commemorative sacrifice of the new law is offered for the same ends. It is a holocaust offered to God' in acknlowledgment of His greatness and sovereign dominion o-ver all creatures. We should then join in it with sentimients of profound adoration, and entire submission to His divine will. It is a euchaeristic sacrifice, or act of thanksgiving, to thank God for the benefits He has lavished on us. We should, then, enter into sentiments of gratitude and love. It is a pro]-pticatory sacrifice, offered for the remission of sins-not in the sense that it is sufficient to hear Mass with faith in o Cler to obtain the remission of oun iniquLities, without its being necessary to recur to confession, jbut because it produces the effect of appeasing God, and obtaininl the grace and dispositions necessary to receive w ith profit the sacramennt of penance. In order, then, that it may produce this effect in us, ws 172 THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. must hear Mlass with sentiments of repentance, and a firm purpose of amendment. It is, finally, an invpetrcstory sacrifice-that is to say, it is offered to God to oltain of Him all the spiritual and temporal aid we need: whence it follows that we must take part in it, with faith, piety, fervor, and confidence. Thus the dispositions which should actuate us during this august sacrifice, flow from the very views of the Church in offering it to God. It is offered to God, and to God alone, because it is a honmage that designates the supreme dominion of the Creator. To address it to others would be a sacrilegious worship, idolatrous, and reproved by God. When we speak, then, of a IMass in honor of the Blessed Virgin, angels, and saints, we do not mean offering the Holy Sacrifice to them, but only mrhaking in the Mass a commemoration of them, to thalnk God for the graces which He has bestowed upon them, and to implore Him, through their intercession, to grant us the graces which we solicit by-the sacrifice. This holy sacrifice is offered to God for all men, living and dead, in union with those in heaven and the angels of God: hence the memento of the living and the memento of the dead, in which we commemorate both to recommeind them to the Lord. Tfor the Living.-'The holy Victim is immolated for all rmen-for infidels, pagans, Jews, heretics, schismatics, and persons under excommunication-because God wishes all to be saved. The Church entemrs into His views by renewing every dclay the sacrifice once offered for all the human race. These general obljects are expressed whenever we say at th Malass: " Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdoin come; Thy will be done"a prayer of zeal and charity, which, pronounce d amid our holy mysteries, expresses our ardent desire that all men may come to the knowledge of the tiuth and the kingdom of God: hence the Church on Good Friclay prays publicly and by name for tile conversion of the Jews, infidels, and others who are not in the way of salvation. But the livi7ng for whomi she offers tlle IToly Sacrifice, especially are her devoeed and faithful chil THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 173 dren. This is the special prayer of the priest in offering the host, as if already consecrated, to the eternal Father: "Accept, 0 holy Frther, almnighty and eternal God, this immnaclate host vwhich I, Thy unwolthy servant, offer unto Theefor allfaitlhtfu l Christianis." For the Dead.-The dead for whom we offer the Holy Sacrifice are neither the saints in heaven, who no longer need prayers, nor the damned, for in hell there is no.redemption, but for the souls which, not having yet entirely satisfied God's justice, are detained in purgatory-a place of expiation.-till they are purified from all the slight sins with which they left this terrestrial life. It is of faith that they are relieved, and even delivered by the prayers, and especially by the HIoly tSacrifice of the Miass, which the Church has at all -limes offered for them. As the Holy Mass is celebrated for all the living, and for all those who have died in God's grace, when the faithful ask the priest to offer the sacrifice of the altay for their intention, or- for some living or deceased person whom they choose, this does not mean that the rest of the faithful living and dead are thereby excluded from a, participation in the holy mysteries, but thereby the priest is invited to pray God to vouchsafe in His mercy to apply in a special manner the fruit of the Holy Sacrifice. for the living or deceased person more especially reeommnended. and we cannot suppose our Lord insensible to their desire. SECTION VI. THE DISPOSITIONS FOR AN3ISTING AT THIE HOLY SA0CRIrFICE OF THIE MASS 1. Such being the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, such its object and intention, the reader will readily conceive that certain dispositions are necessary in order to hear it with profit-that a mnere mechanical attendance by no m.eans satisfies the command'given us by the Church to assist it every Sunday and holy day. The dispositions necessary are interior and exteaio — 1i74 HIE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. sentiments and feelings, as well as an outward deportment, corresponding to the great action. 2. As to the interior sentiments, we may briefly state them as Faith, Contrition, and Confidence. Faith is necessary, because without it wse would not be enabled to penetrate the wonderls which pass before our eyes on the altar. Conltritioz for sin is naturally to be expected from every one who considers in the Mass a lively representation and renewal of the sacrifice of the cross, which was offered for its expiation; and Cmnficlence in the infinite mercy of God is a dispositioin at all times calculated to obtain great favors friom. the Divine goodness, but it is particularly so. at Mlass. Endeavor always to excite this sentiment in our hearts when we assist at the august sacrifice, by considering the greatness and infinite value of the Victim then offered to God. Had we been at the foot of the cross when Jesus Christ imnulolated Himnself in torments for our sake, there is no favor which we would have hesitated to ask. Our confidence in God should be equally lively whlenever we hear Mass, for we have the very same grounds for hope. It is the sane God Who ofiers Himself for us-it is the same unboundecld love that causes Him to do so; His sacred blood and. infinite nlerits plead our cause just as efficaciously on the altar as they did on Mount Calvary, where, wit/h a load cry and tea rs, as St. Paul expresses it, He implored mercy alcnd salvation for all sinlers, and amongst them for Lus Ask, then, for any thling and every thing you need; ask wTith confidence, and you shall receive, for in presenting Jesus Christ to His eternal Father, you offer a Victimn greater than all the favors you ask. 3. As to the profound respect, recollection, silence, and guard over the senses, which are the exterior dispositions, or rather, that which forms the comportment required f6r assisting at Mlass, it would appear sufficient to have faith not to fail in them. "When you behold," as St. Clhrysostom says, "the Lord Himnself lying a Victim on tile altaLr, and the priest attending, and praying over the sacrifice, purpled with His precious blood- when you consider that what is then done JA far more awful, more astonishing, more extraordinary, THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 1I5 than when fire, falling from heaven, consumed the sac rifice of Elias, you cannot, without inexcusable presumption and impiety, be guilty of exterior disrespect at AMass." If we have a proper idea of the importance of our joining in the Holy Sacrifice, we will not allow years to roll by without hearing more than the masses of strict obligation, while it is daily offered so near us. There are, it is true, cases in which duties of obligation may prevent our assisting at Mass on week days. Such, however, will rarely occur, if the morning be profited by for discharging a duty so well calculated to draw down a blessing on the day. Whenever we are absent from Mass on week days, onzlg to perform the more manifest will of God elsewhere, we lose nothing before God, Who, in all cases, and under all circumrstances, requires the discharge of duty before the gratification of private devotion. SECTION VII. TEE METHOD'OF HEARING MASS. 1. The method to be observed in hearing BIass may vary according to each person's devotion. It is in itself of less consequence than all the rest, because those whose hearts are penetrated with the dispositions here pointed out, cannot fail to hear Mass well, whatever method they adopt. 2. Devout methods of hearing Mass are to be found in most spiritual works: among them all, none is more salutary, nor better adapted to the spirit of the Holy Sacrifice, than to consider the Passion of Jesus Christ, and to apply its various circumstances to the different parts of the sacred mysteries. The Sacrifice of thle Altar being in fact a renewal of the oblation once of fercd on the cross, it should therefore forcibly remind us of Calvary, and excite in our souls the sentiments we should naturally have experienced, had Nve witnessed the sorrows and sufferings attendant on tile death of the Son of God. The best way to attain tlris end is 176 THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. to study in the ceremonies used at the altar, the hi6 tory they represent, and in the movements of the priest, to follow Jesus step by step. 3. Transport yourself, then, in spirit, to Jerusalem: follow your Saviour, first, to the Garden of Olives, and afterwards to the mountain of sorrow and ignominy, uniting yourself with Mary and the holy women, who journeyed in the road ma.rked out by the traces of His blood. 4. Like Simon of Cyrene, share with the innocent Lamb of God the burden of the heavy cross; attend to the last words of your dying -ledeemer; receive His expiring sighs; strike your breast with sorrow, and shed tears of love and repentance. 5. When yo-u are going. to hear 3Mass, let your first care be to endeavor to recollect yourself, as well as you can, by calling home your wandering thoughts, and, takling them off from all other business and concerns. Ilnagirne that you hear within you the sweet voice of youi Saviour, inviting you to come to His sacrifice, and to unite yourself to I-Him. 6. On your way to the church or chapel, put yourself in spirit in the company of the Blessed Virgin, and th6 other pious women going to Mount Calvary to be present at the passion and death of our Lordcl. epresent your Saviour as carrying His cross before you to be immolated thereon for your sins, and beivail these sins of yours as the causes of all His sufferings. 7. When you enter the church ol chapel, humble yourself profoundly in the presence of God, Whose house you come into; and if the blessed sacrament be kept there, adore your Saviour upon your bended knees. At taking the holy water, make the sign of the cross upon yourself, beg pardon for your sins, and humbly crave that you may be washed and cleansed from them by the blood of the Lamb. 8. Choose, as much as you can, a place to kneel in, where you may be most recollected, and least disturbed. There represent to yourself, by a lively faith, tlhe majesty of God, and humbly beg HI;is mercy and grace, that you may assist at this tremenldors sacrifice in the manner you ought. prayerz bWfort as. Going to church, meditate on these words: "V W bhall go into the house of the Lord" (Ps exxi. 1) "We will go into His tabernacle: we will adore in the pl-ace where His foot stood" (Ps. cxxxi. 7). "How terrible is this place i this is lio other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven" (Gen. xxviii. 17). On taking holy water, say: Thou snalt wash me firom my sins;, Lord, and I shall be made clean. 0 Lord, Thou shalt pulify me with Thy blood; and I shall become wlhiter than snow, Cre-ate a clean heart within mne, O my God, and renew a right spirit in my heart. I- RAYERS FOR THE AUTHORITIES. We pray'Thee, O AlmniAhty and Eternal God,. TWho, throug'h Jesus Chlist, hast revealed'ThI glory to all nationu, to prese-wve the works of Thy nercyg; that Thy Church, lbeing spread th-ioiTgh,the whole world, may continue with unchlllngini faith, in the confession of Thy name. We plray Thee, V Who alone ailt good and Ir loly, to endow with heavenlly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief Bishop [lzcame hiu,s, j17~8 PPRAYERS FOR THE AUTHORITIES. the vi.car of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of His Church; our own Bishop [name him], all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church, and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation. AWe pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitiude, the President of these United States; that his administraticn may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently usefui to Thy people over whom he presides, by encouraging dlue respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all their proceedings, and laws enacted for our' rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty. We pray for his excellency, the Governor of this State, for the members of Assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers, who are alppointed to guard our political welfare_; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability. We recommend, likewise, to Thy unbounded PR.YERS FOR TtHE AUTHORITIES. l 9 mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens, throughout the United States, that they may beL blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace whi()ti the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admllitted to those whicl ire eternal. Finally, we pray Thee, 0 Lord of mercy, to re^ member the souls of Thy servants departed, who are gone before us, with the sign of faith, and repose in mne slep of peace; the souls of o-ur parents, relations, and friends; of those, who, when living, were members of this congregatio-n and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of ail benefactors, who, by their donations or legacies to this church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of dIvine worship, and proved their claim to our gratefuk and charitable remembrance. To these, 0 Lord, and to all that rest in Christ grant, we beseech Thee, a plade of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace: Through the same Jesuts Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. ISO ANTHEAMS, ETC. n1 t Il C a s Al SPRINKLING THE HIOLY "WATER. Before High Mass in parish churches, the priest, having put on, with their appropriate prayers, the amice, alu, giridle, and the stole, enters the church, preceded by the clerk bearing the holy-water pot, and kneeling at the foot of the altar, intones the following psalm. Then while tlhe choir is chanting it, he descends through the nave of the church, sprinkling the holy water over the faithful. Ant. Asperges me, Do- Ant. Thou shalt sprinmine, hyssopo, et mun- kle me with hyssop, O dahor: lavabis me, et Lord, and I shall be super nivem dealbabor. cleansed: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Ps. Miserere mei, Ps. Have mercy on Deus, secundum mag- me, 0 God, according nam misericordiam tu- to Thy great mercy. am. V. Gloria Patri, &c. V. Glory be, &c. Ant. Asperges me. Ant. Thou shalt sprin-, kle me. The Priest, being returned to the feot of the Altar, says: V. Ostende nobis, Do- V. Show us, 0 Lord, mine, misericordiam tu- Thy mercy. am. R. Et salutare tuum R. And grant us Thy da nobis. salvation. ANT'rHEMS, ETC. 18 1 V. Domine, exaudi V. 0 Lord, hear my orationem' meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cr te veniat. come unto Thee. V. Dominuns vobiscum. rV. The Lord be with you. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. R. And with Thy spirit. Orem-us. Let us pray. Exaudi nos, Domine Hear us, 0 holy Lord, sanete, Pater omnipo- almighty Father, eterlll tens, aeterne Deus; et God; and vouchsafe to mitteredi-gneris sanctum send Thy holy angel angelunm tuum de coelis, firom heaven to guard, qui custodiat, foveat, cherish, protect, visit, protegat, visitet, atque and defend all that are defendat omnnes habitan- assembled in this house. tes in hoe habitaculo. Through Christ our Lord. Per Christurn Dominumr Amen. nostrum. Amen. Fonom Easter to Wthitsunday inclusively, instead of the foregoing Anthem, the followiny is sung, and Alleluia is added to the V., and also to its R. Ant. Vidi aquam egre- Ant. I saw water flowdientem de templo a la- ing from the right side of tere'dextrd, Alleluia; et the temple, Alleluia; and omnes ad quos pervenit all to whom that water aqua ista salvi facti sunt, came were saved, and et dicent, Alleluia. they shall sqy, Alleluia. Ps. Confitermini Domi- Ps. Praise the Lord, no, quoniambonus: quo- for He is gcocl: for His niam in smculum miseri- mercy endureth forever. cordia ejis. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. i6 L 82 PRAYERS TO BE SAID BEFORE MASS. PRAYER BEFORE MASS. Lord, all things are Thine in heaven and on earth. I desire to offer myself up to Thee as a voluntary oblation, and to remain forev-er Thine. Lord, in the sincerity of my heart, I offer myself to Thee this day, to be Thy servant, evermore to serve Thee, and to become a sacrifice of perpetual prayer to Thee. Receive me with this sacred oblation of Thy precious Body, which, by the hands of Thy priest, I offer to Thee this day in the presence of Thy angels, invisibly standing by, that it may be for mine and all the people's salvation. Lord, I offer to Thee all my sins and offences which I have committed in Thy sight, and that of Thy holy angels, from the day that I was first capable of sin until this hour, upon Thy propitiatory altar, that Thou mayest burn and consume them all with the fire of Thy charity, and mayest remove all the stains of my sins, and cleanse my conscience from all offences, and restore me to Thy grace, which I have lost by sin, by fully pardoning me all, and mercifully receiving me to the kiss of peace. What can I do for my sins, but humbly confess them, and kament them, and incessantly implore Thy mercy for them? Hear me, I beseech Thee, in Thy mercy, where I stand before Thee, O my God. All my sins displease me exceedingly. I will never commit them any,more. I am sorry for them, and will be sorry for thbern as long as I live. I am willing to do pen PRAYERS TO BE SAID BEFORE MASS. 183 ance for them, and to make satisfaction to the utmost of my power. Forgive, 0 my God, forgive me my sins for Thy holy name's sake. Save my soul, -rhich Thou ]last redeemed with Thy prei cious blood. Behold, I commit myself to Thy:mercy: I resign myself into Thy hands. Deal with me according to Thy goodness, not accor'cling to my wickedness and iniquity. I offer also to Thee all the good I have done, though very little and imperfect; that Thou mlayest make it better, and sanctify it; that Thou mayest be pleased with it, and make it acceptable to Thee, and perfect it more ancd more; and mlayest, moreover, bring me, who am a slothful and unprofitable wretch, to a good and happy end. I offer to Thee, also, all the godly desires of Thy devout servants, the necessities of my family, my parents, friends, brethren, sisters, and of all that are dear to me; and of all such as, for the love of Thee, have been benefactors to me and others, or who have desired or begged of me to offer up prayers for themselves, and all that belohged to them, whether they live as yet in the flesh, or whether they are now departed out of this world; that they all may be sensible of the assistance of Thy grace, of the benefit of Thy comfort, of Thy protection from dangers, and of a deliverance.from their pains, and that being freed friom all evils, they may with joy give wporthy thanks to ~Thee. I offer up also to Thee my prayers, and this sacrifice of propitiation for those in particular who have in aany way wronged me, grievedl me,,r 184 PIRAYERS TO BE SAID BEFORE M ASSo abused me, or have done me any injury oi di5, pleasure; and for all those, likewise, whom I have at any timle grieved, troubled, injured, or scandalized, by words or deeds, knowingly or nnknowingly; that it may please Thee to forgive us all our sins and offences, one against another. Take, 0 Lord, from our hearts all jealousy, indignation, wrath, and contention, and whatsoev-er may hurt charity, and lessen brotherly love. laveTe mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those that crave Thy mercy: give grace to them that stand in need thereof, and grant that we may be worthy to enjoy Thy grace, and attain to life everlasting. AiSTi-ER PRAYERa BEFORE MASS, In the Spirit of the four ends of the Sacrifice. 0 Lord God, to AWhose likeness I have been created, give me grace to assist at the approaching sacrifice with due reverence and devotion, and offer it acceptably with Thy priest to Thy divine Majesty: 1st, to the greater honor and glory of Thy name, to Whom alone this sacrifice is due; 2d, as a memorial of Thy passion and death, which Thou bast cormmanded this sacrifice to be; 3d, in thanksgiving for all Thy favors bestowed on me; 4th, in satisfaction for all my faults and sins, which I wash away in this sacrifice in Thy most precious blood; 5th, to obtain Thy grace. and assistance in (name any particular object or undertaking); 6th, for my dearest family, parents, friends, and benefactors, especially for (nacme the PRAYERS TO BE SAID BEFORE MASS. 185 particular person); 7th, for the faithful departed, especially (nanme them). May this my intention be pleasing to Thee, O Lord, and hear me, through the same Christ, our Lord. AN OFFERING Or MASS, To tiankle Godfor grace obtainedfor ourselves or,thers. O God, Whose goodness is infinite, and Who, regardless of our constant infidelity, dost incessantly pour forth Thy blessing upon us, vhatthanks of ours could eqpal their multitude and their greatness, if Thou hadst not given us Th. adtorable Son, and at the same time given us the imeans of offering Him to Thee? He, O' Lord, wvil thank Thee for us in this sacrifice. As He is our propitiation, H-Ie will also be our gratitude. Receive, most Holy Father, Eternal God, this offering which I make Thee in thanksgiving for the iavor Thou hast granted to me (or to 1N.), conjuri-llg Thee to continue to show forth Thy mercy upon us. In this way we should always offer 7th1e Mass for some particular olbject, to thank God for some particulae faxvor, to implore some grace for ourselves or others, of in behalf of the souls in purgatory. AN OFFERLGN OF A JMASS FW'OBLIGATION. I offer Thee, 0 my God, this Mass at, which I am going to assist, in union with the Sacrifice of Christ, my Saviour, to satisfy the precept of Thy Church, and in obedience to the laws of tlat holv 16* 186 PRAYERS TO' BE SAID BEFORE MASS. spouse; of Thy divine Son. Accept, 0 Lord, my submlission to her laws, and, forgiving my coldness and tepidity, receive this sacrifice for the intentions for which I offelr it: to thank Thee for Thy benefits, to implore Thy graces, to obtain the ienission of imy sins, aend to beg of Thy infinite goodness, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and rmy patron saint, the grace (namzce c~any pC'aticular grace you seek), and especially the grace of final perseverance. I also offer Thee this august sacrifice, 0 Lord, for Thy whlole Church, and the pastors who have charge over us; for all my relatives, firiends, and neighbors; for all for wholn I am especially bound to pray. Accept it, too, 0 Lord, for the faithful departed, particularly for the souls of (namne the persons). Vouchsafe, 0 mul God, to hear my prayer, for the infinite merits.F: Jesus Christ, Thy Son, and my Saviour. -f~IiI I ( -Ife Orbilmtq of tlc 11as%.kfass' is said either as Low Mfiss, (the responses bein;g madlle by the Clerk); or as a High 3etiZss, wheXL the Responses, Gloria, Creed, and Preface are chanted by,the Choir; or a Solenn fl I2g'h4 Mas's, in which the Deacon and Subdeacon officiate, chant certain portions, and in which incense is used. The opening. of the lMass, originally the MIass of tho Catechumens, extends to the Creed, and may be cornpaf'ed to the Synagogue service under the old Law. As catechumens, Jews, and even Pagans might be present, it contains no allusion to the awful mysteries which occupy the MIass of the Faithful, but consists of Confession and Conmpunction; a Hymn of Adoration, Praise, and Th'lanksgiving; Prayers for our wants; the reading of the Scriptures, both Old and New; Instruction and Profession of Faith. FIRST PART OF TIE M:ASS. TAIE PREPARATION AT THE F OOT OF THE ALTAt. The Priest, arcrayed in his vestzetds, enters the Sactlzuary, preceded by the Clerk, cand beaesiny the Chalice, covered uwith the veil, and the burse lying spon it. Placing t1ese on the Altar, he desce7ds to the foot qf the Altar-steps, and begins the Mass-the Choir at High Hass commnzencing the Introit or Kyrie Eleison, and all the People kneeliny. In Nornine Patris, + In the name of the etFilii, etSpiritusSancti. Father, + and of the Son, &men. and of the Holy Ghost. Amlen. 188 THE ORD1NARY OF THE MASS Joining his hands before his breast, he ays the followosy Antiphon, and the Psalns from which it is taken, except in Mlasses for the Dehid, and from Passion SunEday to oIolt Saturday. Ant. TItroibo ad al- Anth. I will go unt" tare Dei. the altar of God. R. Ad Deum, qui lfti- R. To God, Who giv ficat juventutem mleam. eth joy to sy youth. Psalm xlii. Judica me, Deus, et Judge me, 0 God discerne causam nmeam and distinguish my cause de gente non san.cta: ab from the nation that is homine iniquo et doloso not holy: deliver me erue mne. from the unjust and deceitful man. Qu. Quia tu es, Deus, R. For Thou art God, fortitudo lnea, quare men my strength; why hast repulisti? Et quare tris- Thou cast mne off? And tis incedo, dum affligit why do I go sorrowful, me inimicus? whilst the enemy afflict eth me? P. Ernitte lueem tu- P. Send forth Thy am, et verita tern tualn: light and thy truth: they ipsa lle deduxerunt, et have conducted sme, and adduxerunt in Montenm brought me to Thy holy sanctum tuum, et in Ta- Mount, and into Thy Tabernacula tua. bernacles. R. Et introibo ad al- R?. And I will go intare Dei; ad Deum, qui to thie altar of God; to 1etificat juventutem ume- God, tWho giv'eth joy to ain. my youth. P. Confitebor tibi in R. To Thee, 0 Godc cithasia, Deus, Dens, my God, I will give prais THE ORDINAY OF THE MASS, 189' aeus, quare tristis es, on the harp': why art animla mea, et quare con- thou sad, 0 mlly soul, ancad turb tas me? why dost thou disquiet me? P. Spera in Deo, PR. Hope in God, for quoniam adhuc confite- I will still praise Him: bor illi: salutare vdltus the salvatiou of my counmei, et Deus nmeus. tenance and my God. P. Gloria Patri, et P. Glory be to the Filio, et Spikitui Saneto. Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. Sicut erat in prin- R. As it wtas in the cipio, et nunc, et semper, beginning, is now, and et in secul.a seculo.rum. ever shall be, world withAmen. out end. Amen. P. Introibo ad altare P. I will go unto the Dei. al-al of God. R. Ad Deuln, qui he- R. To God, Who givtificatjuventutem mream. eth joy to my youth. P. Adjutorium nos- R. Our help is in the trum in normine Domini. name of the LorLd. R. Qui fecit coelunm. Who made heaven et terraln. and eartlh. These Prayers exp)ess the desire qf entering thfe house of God, and ofer ing Him the uvorshi2) Ie hacs rescribed; nid, cansciows of his uwnoorthiness, the Priest bows dmwn arid says: THE CONFITEOR. P. Confiteor Deo orm- P. I confess to Alnipotenti, &c. mighty God, &c. R. Misereatur tui om- R. May Ahlmighty nipotens Deus, et, dimis- God have m1iercy upon sis peccatis tuis, perdu- thee, forgive thee thy 190 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. cat te ad vitam aeter- sins, and bring thee to naxn. life everlasting. P. Amen. P. Aimen. The Clerk then, in tle naame of the People, repeats the samr Confession of Sin, and all should join in it with deep cmpunction. Confiteor Deo om- I confess to Almighty nipotenti, beate Ma.riie God, to blessed Mary ever semper Virgoini, beato Virgin,to blessed Michael Michaeli Archangelo, the Archangel, to blessbleato Joanni Baptis- ed John Baptist, to the te, sanctis Apostolis holy Apostles Peter and Petro et Paulo, omni- Paul, to all the saints, bus sanctis et tibi, Pa- and to you, Father, that ter, qnuia peccavi niuis, I ha've sinned exceedcogitatione, verbo, et ingly in thought, word, opere, inea culpa, mena and deed, through my culpa, mena maxina' cul- fault, throlugh mny fault, pa. Ideo plecor beatam through my most grievMar'iam semper Virgi- 0ous fault. Therefore I nerm, beaturn Michaelerl beseech the blessed MaIry Archangelur m, beatumn ever Virgin, blessed AliJoannela Baptistam, chael the Archangel, sanctos Apostolos Pe- blessed John Baptist, the trum, et Paulurn, oinnes holy Apostles Peter and sanctos, et te, Pater, Paul, and all the saints, orare pro me ad' Domi- and you, Father, to pray num. Deum nostrum. to our Lord God for me. The Priest then,:ith joined hands, gives tle Absolution, ssying: / P. Misereatur vestri P. May Almighty omnipotens Deus, et, God have mercy on you, T.RE ORDiNARY OF THIE M SSo 19i dimissis peccatis vestis,, forgive you your sins, perducat vos ad vitall and bring you to evereternam. lasting' life. B. Amien. B. Amen. Signin2g hinself wio th e sign -of the Cross, he continus oll Indulgentiam, ab- o-X May the Almighty solutionem, et remissio- an'[ Merciful Lord grant nem peccatorum nos- us palrdon, absolution, trorum, tribuat nobis ore- and remission of our nipotens et misericors sins. Dominus. B. Amen. B. Amen. Bowing down, but in a spirit of hope, the Priest ontinues: P. Deus, tu conver- P. Thou wilt turn, 0 sUs, vivificabis nos. Lord, and bring us to life. R. Et plebs tua loeta- R. And Thy people bitur in to. shall rejoice in Thee. P. Ostende nobis, P. Show us, O Lord, Domine, mnisericordiam Thy mercy. tuam. B. Et salutare tuam R. And grant us Thy da nobis. salvation. P. Domine, exaudi P. 0 Lord, hear my orationem mearm. prayer. R. Et clamor meus BR. And let my cry ad to veniat. comle unto Thee. P. Dorninus vohis- P. The Lord be with oeum. you. R. Et cuni spiritu tuo. R. And with thyspirit, 192 THE ORDINARY OF THIE MASS Again joining his hands, 7he says Oremus (Let us r;tay), and goe up to the Altar, csaying in a low voice: P. Aufer b nobis P. Take away from us quasumus, Domine, ini- ouriniquities, we beseech quitates nostras; ut ad Thee, O Lord, that we Sancta Sanctorurn pulis may be worthy to enter mereamur mentibus in- with pure minds into the troire. Per Christuml Holyof Holies: through Dominumn. Amen. Christ our Lord. Amenm Bowing down, he kisses the Altar-stone, containing the relics of some martyr or other saint, and saying the followeing appropriate prayer for forgiveness in cosesideration of their virtue: P. Oramus te, Dolni- P. We beseech Thee, ne, per merita sanctorum O Lord, by the merits of tuorum quorum reliquite Thy saints, whose relics hic sunt,' et omnnium are here, and of all the sanctorum, ut indulgere saints, that Thou wouldst digneris omnia peccata vouehsafe to forgive me meao Amen. all my sins. Amen. hIC SING AT SOLmEIN iHIGH MAss. At Solemn uJgh Masses, the Priest blesses the incense, saying: Ab illo bene,+ dica- Be thou blessed + by ris in cujus honore ere- Him in whose honor maberis. thou shalt be burned. le then returns the censer to the Deacon, wuho incenses him. Incense is a figure of prayer, and its use is derived from the old law. It reminds us that our'a-yer should, like it, rise to heaven. Trhe Priest and Peoplez are incensed to remind se that we are tenples of the Hioly Gtfat. After this incensing, or where there ss none, the Pri2est snakes the sign of the cross, and, proceeding to the illissal, reads thl Introit, a part of the Mass, consisting gesnerally of a,feua versics from one of the Psalms, aud vary. ith the day. THE' ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 193 SECOND PART OF THE MIASS. FROAM THE INTROIT TO THE OF'ERTORY. THE INTROIT OF TRINITY SUNDAY. Benedicta sit Sancta Blessed be the Holy Trinitas, atque indivi- Trinity, and undivided sa Unitas: confitebi- Unity: we will give mlur ei, quia fecit no- glory to Him, because biscumn misericordianm He hath shown His suam. Ps. Domine, mercy to us. Ps. O Dominus noster, quam. our Lord God, how wonadmirable est nomen derful is Thy namne in tuum in universa' terra! all the earth i V. Gloria Patri, &c. V. Glory be, &c. Benedicta, &e., to Ps. Benedicta, &c., to Ps. The Priest, at Me middle of the Altar, or, in solemn Hiiyh.fasses, at the Epistle side, repeats alternately with the Clerk, or Attendants, the Kyrie Eleison, as below. All should join in this cry for mercy, but with a truly contrite and humble heart. P. Kyrie eleison. P. Lord have mercy. R. Kyrie eleison. R. Lord have mercy. P. Kyrie eleison. P. Lord have mercy. PR. Christe eleison. 1. Christ have mercy. P. Christe eleison. P. Christ have mercy. R. Christe eleison. R. Christ have mercy. P. Kyrie eleison. P. Lord have mercy..R. Kyrie eleison. R., Lord have mercy. JP. Kyrie eleison. P. Lord have mercy. Then follows the Gloria in Excelsis, a canticle of joy, swhicA is omitted when pTple or blackc vestments are w.orn, and on sowm other occasions. 194 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. n Iligh Maisses the Priest chants the first words, ald says the rest in a low tone, after which he sits down with his attc-ndants till the choir has colclinded it. During this time we should excite in ourselves the various sentin.ents it expresses. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Glory be to God on et in terra pax homini- high, and on earth peace blus bonx voluntatis. to men of good-will. We Laudamrus te, benedici- praise Thee; we bless mus te, adoramus te, Thee; we adore Thee; glorificamus te. Gra- we glorify Thee. We give tias agirnus tibi propter Thee thanks for Thy magnam gloriam tuam, great glory, 0 Lord God, Domine Deus, Rex' ce- heavenly King, God the lestis, Deus Pater omni- Father Almighty. O potens. Domine, Fill Lord Jesus Christ, the unigenite Jesu Christe: only-begqtten Son: O Domine Deus, Agnus Lord God, Lamb of God, Dei, F-ilius Patris, qui Son of the Father, Who tollis peccata mundi, talest away the sins of miserere nobis: Qui tol- the world; have mercy lis peccata mundi, sus- on us: Who takest cipe deprecationem nos- away the sins of the tram: Qui sedes ad wbrld, receive o-o' praydexteram Patris, misere- ers: Who sittest at the re nobis. Quoniam Tu right hand of the Father, solus sanctus, Tu solus have mercy on us. For Dominus, Tu solus altis- Thou only art Holy: simus, Jesu Christe,cium Thou only art Lord: Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Thou only, O Jesus Dei Patris. Amen. Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, art Most High in the Glory of God the Father. Amen. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS, 195 Returnizg to the Altar, the Priest then kisses the Altar, and tiusnisg to tthepeople, acdresses them thepious sactltation P. Dominus robis- P. The Lord be with cum. you. R' Et cum spiritu R. And with thy tuo. spirit. THE COLLECT. TH then reads the C'ollect of the day, atprayer so called from embracing, as it were, the collected wants of the faithftl. Occasionally a second, and sometines a thdid, Collect is said. Collect for Trinity Simnday. Almighty God, Who hast granted to Thy servant, in the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Thy majesty to adore the Unity: Grant that by steadfastness in the same faith we may ever be defended fiom all adversities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.* (For the proper Collect of each Sunday and Festival, see p. 319.) T1e followazzy Collect, wvith its corresponding Secret and P. commulnion, is said every da~y cas a second Collect, c. (Doubles anzd within Octaves excepted), from CandlemnasDay to Passion Sunday, aczdfrom Trinity Sunday to the fir.st Sunday of Advent, inctlsively. Defend us, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, from all dangers of mind and body: and by the intercession * If our Lord is mentioned in the beginning of the prayer, it terminates,' Throgh, osur same Lord JessUs Cherist," c&,.; if mentioned in the close, "' Who liveth and reigneth wits7 Tiee in tha Unity," (ec.; if mention be imade of the HIoly Ghost, "ThrougS &c., in the Unity of the same Holy Ghost." 196 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. of the blessed and glorious Mary ever Virgin, and of Thy Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and Blessed (N. *), and of all the *Saints, nmelrciaully grant us safety and peace; that, all adversities and errors being destroyed, Thy Church may serve Thee with secure liberty. TiEs EPIsTFE. The Epistle or Lesson is a portion of Scripture g'enerally selected from the Epistle of St. Paul or the other Apostles of our Lord, and occasionally from the Acts or Apocalypse, or from the books of the Old Testament, generally the Prophecies. In Solemn High Masses it is chanted by the Subdeacon, in other Masses read by the Priest audibly, the people sitting. It is always introduced as below: "Lesson qf th.e Epistle of the Blessed Apostle,"'' or " Lesson of Isaicts the P'ophet,'' Lesson of the Book of Genesis;;" if from Proverbs or the other Sapiental books, " Lesson of the Bookl of W;isdom. " This Epistle reminds us of the harmony of the teaching of the Patriarchs and Prophets with that of the Apostles, and upbraids our coldness in hearing the word of God. It is heard by the people sitting or axneeling. yEpistle of Trinity Seunday. (Rn1. xi. 33.) Lesson of the Epistle of the bles;:ed Apostle Paul to the Romans. O the depth of the riches, of the wisdolm, and of the knowledge of God! How incorlprehensible are His judg'!nents, and how unsearchable His ways! For who hatl ]known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor? Or who haitlh first given to Him? and reccinpense shall be made Himin. For of I-Tim, and by Him, H Here insert the naime of the Patron,f the Church. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 19] and in Him, are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. (For the proper Epistle of other Sundays and Holidays, see p. 819 At the end of the Epistle, the Clerk responds: R. Deo Gratias. R. Thanks be to God.'PIkEE GRADUAL Consists of a few versicles chanted forimerly from the steps of the Altar. The Alleluias are omitted in the, proper Masses for ferias or week days, during Advent and from Septuagesima to Easter. Gradual for Trinity Snzday. (Dan. iii.) P. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Who beholdest the deep, and sittest on the Cherubim. V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmamentr of heaven, and worthy of praise forever. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and worthy of praise forever. Alleluia. TIEE TRACT. When Alleluia is not said, a portion of the Psalms called the Tract, from the mournful tone of tLe chant, is introduced. THE SEQUENCE. On certain feasts, and in certain Mlasses, after the Alleluia, a hymn called the Sequence or Prose is recitea( or sung. These will be fofind in this volume with the proper Epistle. Having finished the Tract or' Sequence, if any, the Pr'iest goes to the middle of the Altar, and while the Clerk removes the Mlissal to the left hand or Gospel side of tle Altar, says the following prayer, forl grace to annzounce the Go:C pd, in which 17;: 1]98 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. all should join, that the words of God, which we have heard and not keplt, may not hereafter rise in judgment against us. P. Munda cor meum P. Cleanse my heart nc labia mea, Omnipo- and my lips,OA 0 Almihty tens Dens, qui labia Isaiae God, Who didst cleanse propherat calculo mun- the lips of the Prophet dasti igunito: ita me tua Isaiah with a burning grata uitseratione dig- coal; and vouchsafe, nlare mundare, ut Sane- through Thy gracious tum Evangel.iumn tuum mercy, so to purify me, digne valeam llnlutiare. that I may worthily proPer Christulm Dominum claim Thy holy Gospel. nostrum. Amen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. P. Dominus sit in P. FMay the Lord be corde meo et in labiis in my heart, and on my meis ut cligne et compe- lips, that I may worthily, tenter annuntiem Evan- and in a becoming mangeliumn suum. Amen. ner, announce His holy Gospel. Amen. I71 Solemn Ifigh MLasses, the Deacon, after the Sequeznce or Gradual, places the 1iissal on the Altar. The Priest blesses the Incense, csand the Deacons, having recited the prayer Mulnda knzeeling before the Altar, goes up, takes the book, kneels to ask the Priest's blessi.ng, which is given as above, Dominus, &c., substitzting the second person for the first. After this the Deacon kisses the Priest's'hands and proceeds to the left side of the Sanctzcwy, anzd wshile the book is held by the Sulbdeacon between two lighted candles, inlcenses it and p2roceeds as below. 3z ordinary 3'Masses, the Priest, aflte the prryer Dominus, goes to the book andproceeds: P. Dominus vobis- P. The Lord be with eulr.. you. 1R. Et cum spiritu R. And with thy tuo. spirit. THE ORDINARY OF TIlE IASS. 199 THE GOSPEL. Thle Priest or Deacon then gives out, Sequentia ancti Evan- The continuation of the gelii secundum Matthae- HIly Gospel according to ur1. Matthew. (0r Initium Evangelii, &c., secundum Maricum, Lucarnm, Joannem"-" Beginn-ing of the Gospel," &c., according to ilairk, Luke, Jaohn, as the case may be.) 77Te Priest or Deacon makes the sigs of the Cross with his iAlmb oil the Gospel, and on his Jbrehead, lips, and breast, which the people standizng also do, and while the clerk or choir anszvers, Gloria tibi Domine, Glory be to Thee, 0 Lord, the Deacon in Solemn ]Missses incenses the book a d lz r eds: Gospel of Trinity Sunday., (Mlatt. xxviii. 18-20.) At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations: baptizing them *n heo name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you; and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. After this, the Deacon in Solemnzs asses i2cenzses the Priest, who has been standing on the Epistle side turned towards him, while the clerk or choir ancswers: R. Laus tibi Christi. B. R. aise be toThee, 0 Christ. Then the Subdeacon carrtes the book to the Priest, who kisses it ~saying: 200 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. P. Per evangelica P. ]By the Gospe' dicta deleantur nostra words niay our sins be delicta. blotted out. In ordinary Masses, the Clerk, after the Gospel, respoods, R. Laus, &c., and the Priest, kissing the book, proceeds, P. Per, &c, At High MIass in parish churches the Banns are now proclaimed, prayers asked for the repose of the lately deceased, and feasts and fast days announced. After which the Gospel is generally read in the language of the congregation, and a sermon delivered. This may be prefaced by a short plrayer, that it may not fall unprofitably on our ears, as on those whose state our Lord denounced, "That hearing they may hear, and not understand" (Mark iv. 12). THE NICNE CREED. A.fter the Sermon, the Priest, who has been seated, returns to the middle of the Altar, and intones the first words of the Creed, which is inmnediately taken sup by the choir, while lhe continues it in a low tone, and sreturns to his seat. In Low Masses he says it all in a low tone, immediately ajifer the Gospel. During this prqfession of faith, the people stazd, and during the chant all shozld 1renew their faith in its articles. P. Credo in ununi P. I believe in one Deum, Patremn ouniipo- God, the Father Altentem, factorerl cceli et mighty, Maker of heaterrm, visibilium oniniumrn ven and earth, and of et invisibilium. all things visible and invisible. Et In ununm Domi- And in. one Lord Jenum Jesum Christuin, sus Christ, the only-beFiliumn Dei unigenituln, gotten Son of God, and et ex Platre naturn ante born of the Father be. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 20] omnia sseula; Deum de fore air ages; God of Deo, lumen de lumine, God, Light of Light, I)eum veruln de Deo true God of true God; vero; genitum non fac- begotten, not made; conturn, consubstantialem substantial with the FaPatri, per quem omnia ther, byWhom all things facta sunt. Qui prop- were made. Who for ter nos homines, et prop- us men, and for our salter nostram salutem, de- vation, came down frorm scenditdecelis; etincar- heaven; andc w-as incarnatus est de Spiritu Sane- nate by the Holy Ghost, to, ex Maria Virgine; ET of the Virgin Mary; AND [JOMO FACTUS EST. BECAME MAN. (Here all kneel in honor of the Incarnation of our Divine Lord.) Crucifixus etiam pro He was crucified also nobis, sub Pontio P>ilato, for us, suffered under passus, et sepultus est. Pontius Pilate, and was Et resurrexit tertia die, buried. And the third secundum scripturas; et day He rose again, acascendit in coelurm; se- cording to the scripdet ad dexteraml Patris; tures; and ascended into et iterum venturus est heaven, sitteth at the cum gloria, judicare vi- right hand of the Favos et mortuos; culljus ther; and Ie is to come regni non erit finis. again with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; of Whose kingdom there shall be no end. Et in Spiritum Sanc- And in the Holy tumrn, Dominum et vivi- Ghost, the Lord and ficantem, qui ex Patre giver of life, Who proe Fil'oque procedit; qui ceedeth fi'on the Father 202. Tile ORDITNARY OF TIHE IMAS$S cure Patre et Filio simnul and the Son: TWho toadoratur, et congglorifica- getherl with the Father tur; qui locutus est per and the Son, is adored Prophetas. Et unam anid glorified: Who -sanet-am Catholicamn et spoke by the Prophets. Apostolicam Ecclesiamn. And one holy Catholic Confiteor unum Baptis- and Apostolic Church. ma in remissionem pec- I confess one Baptism catorum. Et expecto for the renmission of sins. resurrectionemr mortuo- And I expect the resurIrumI, et vitam venturi rection of the dead, and s culi. Amen. the life of the world to come. Amen. The Priest retu~rning to the cenIre of the Altar, cisses it, and turning to the people, again salutes thelm: P. Dominus vobis- P. The Lord be with cum. you. 1. Et cum spiritu R. And with thy tulo. spirit. P. Oremus~ P. Let us pray. THE OFFERTORY. Then follows the Offertory, a short sentence which varies like the Epistle, &c. The Qffetory for Trinity Sunday. Bkessed be God the Father, and the only-begotten Son of God, as likewise the toly Ghost, foi He has shown mercy to us. TRE ORDINARY OF THE AMASS. 203 THIRD PART OF THE MgASS. COMMENCEMENT OF THE 8AORIFIOE 0R ORBLATION. The previous portion of the Mass, sometimes called tthe lIass of tihe Cateclatmenis, contains no allusion to the Sacrifice. The Mass of the Faithful enbrlacing' this now begins, and every prayer and action of the priest has reference to it. Greater recollectedless is now required, and we shoulld disili-ss all distractinog thoughts, as in the old time all who had not been initiated were then dismissed. Removing the chalice to his right, the priest spreads out the corporal on the centie of the Altar, and taking in his hands the paten with the Host upon it, or receiving it from the hands of the deacon in solemn Masses, he raises the paten with both hands, saying the following prayer, in which the words, as in the offrjing of the chalice, refer not to what it is, but to what, by the omnipotence of God and the words of Christ, it is soon to become. OBLATION OF THE HOST. Suscipe, sancte Pater, Accept, 0 holy Father, omnipotens interne De- almighty, eternal God, us, bane immaculatam this immaculate Host, Htostiam, quam ego in- which I, Thy unworthy dignus famulus tuus of- servant, offer unto Thee, fero tibi Deo meo vivo my living and true God, et vero, pro innumera- for my innumerable sins, bilibus peccalts, offen- ofl'ences, and negligensionibus et negligentiis ces; and for all here meis, et pro omnibus present; as also for all circumstantibus; sed et faithful Christians, both pro omnibus fidelibus liv-ing and dead; that it 204 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. Christianis, vivis atque may be profitable for my defunctis; ut mihi et own and for their salvaillis proficiat ad salu- tion unto life everlasting. temrn in vitam weternam. Amen. Amen.Then movtng the paten so as to form the sign of ihe Gloss, an memoly of the death of the divine Victim, he lbys the 1Hos on the corporal, and slides the paleon partly beneatlh it. In solemn Masses the Deaccon then pours the wine into the Chalice, and the Priest says the prayer Dens qui, while the Subdeacon peowrs a few drops of water into it: the Deacon thea hands the Chalice to thze Priest. 1in othler iasses the Priest receives the cruets f.rom the Clerk, and pours in the wine, and a few drops of' water, which he blesses, except in /tassesfor the Dead, and says: Dens wT qui humanlll 0 God, 4'I Who, in substangmt dignitateml creating human. nature, mirabiliter condidisti, et didst wonderfully digmirabilius reformasti; nify it, and hast still da nobis per hujus Aqum mol;e wonderfully reet Vini rystel-irun, ejus newed it; grant that, divinitatis esse consortes, by the mystery of this qui hulnanitatis nostrt Water and Wine, we fieri dig-natus est parti- may be made partakers ceps, Jesus Christus Fill- of His divinity, Who us tuus Dom-inus noster; vouchsafed to become qui tecum vivit et reg- partaker of our humannat, in unitate Spirituis ity, Jesus Christ Thy Sancti, Deus,, per omnia Son our Lord, Who with s.ecula sseculorum. A- Thee, in the unity of the mena. 1oly Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. Amen. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS, 205 n solemrn Mlasses, the Deacon, after handing ihe Chcalice to the Priest, holds back his vestment on the rigllht, and touching the Chalice with his rigcht hatd, says the fot/iowing prayer with the Priest. in other Masses, the Priest retilrns to the mniddle of the Altar, and raisina the C/ihsice with both hands, says: OBLATION OF TIHE CHIALIFE. Offerimus tibi, Dolmi- We offer unto Thee, 0 ne, Calicen salutaris, Lord, the Ch'alice of saltuAtn deplecantes cle- vation, beseeching Thy mentiam, ut in conspec- clemency, that in the tu divinx MaNljestatis sight of Thy Divine Mature, pro nostra. et totiuns jesty it may ascend with mundi salute, cum odo- the odor of sweetness, re suavitatis ascendat. for our salvation, and Amen. for that of the whole world. Amen. Making the sign of the ahoss with the Chalice, he lays it amvn on the corporal, and covers it with the pall. Iavisng t:us, like Melchisedec, solemnly qofered bread and wine to the 3iost Iligh, by a pure and holy site that associates uts wciti the Patriarchs and Saints qf the old Lawz, he closes his hands, and bendalg over the Altar, says, conscious of his unwzortis/ ness: In spiritu humilitatis, In the spirit of hxiet in anirno contrito sus- mility, and with a concipiamur a te, Domine; trite heart, let us be reet sic fiat. sacrificium ceived by Thee, 0 Lord; nostrum in conspectu and grant that the sacrituo hodie, ut placeat tfibi, lce we offer in Thy sight Domine D)eus. this day may be pleasing to Thee, O Lord God. Rauvtny iZ neaa, he rates mns extended hands, and uith i plifted bt instantly downcast eyes, he says (blessing, in t/4 mean tinie, the bread and wine) 206 THE ORDINARY OF THE MAAS. Veni, sanctificator, Come, O sanctifier omnipotens aeterne De- Almighty and Eternal Is, et beneocldic hoc sa- God, and bless 1-4 this crificium tuo sancto no- sacrifice prepared to Thy m;ini praeparatum. Holy Nanme. LNCENSING IN SOLE MN MASSES. Fhen, in solemn JMasses, the Deacon qff'ers the incense culp, say ing, " Bless, Reverend Father;" and the Priest blesses the incense, as before, and puts some in the censer, sayinzg: Per intercessionem May the Lordl, y the oeati Michaelis arch- intercession of blessed angeli stantis, a dextris Michael the archangel, Altaris Incensi, et omni- standing at the right Lm electorum suorumn, hand of the Altar of incensum istud dignetur Incense, and of all His Dominus O betiedicere, elect, vouchsafe to bless Oi> et in odorem suavitatis this incense, and receive accipere. Per Christumn it as an odor of sweetDominUnn nostrulir A- ness. Through Christ men. our Lord. Amen. T7hen, taking the cenzer fomn the Deacon, he incenses the offer. ing, making the sign of rthe Cross thrice over them, and incensing thrice around tem;i argying: Incensurn istud h te May this incense which benedictum, ascendat ad Thou hast blest, O Lord, te, Domine, et descendat ascend to Thee, and may super nos misericordia Thy mercy descend uptua. on US. The Deacon then remove3 the Chalice, which he has bees holding, to the Epistle side, and the Priest, bowing, incenses the Crucifix oVter the Altar thrice; goes to the Epistle side and incenses it on the side, above aicd belomv; then returns to the middle oj the Altar, incenses it is hze goes, and, makiny an inclination, THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 207 proceeds in the same way to the Gospel side, which he incensest in like manner, and returns to the centre of the Altar, in3, censing the front. Datring this ceremony, he says (Psalm xl. 2): Dirigatur, Domine, Let my prayer, O0 oratio mea sicut incen- Lord, be directed as insum in conspectu tuo: cene in Tlhy sight: the elevatio manuum mea- lifting up of my hands rum sacrificium vesperti- as, evening sacrifice. num. Pone, Domine, Set a watch, Lordl, becustocliam ori meo, et fore my mouth, and a ostinlu circumstantin la- door round about my biis meis, ut non decli- lips. Incline not my net coIr meum in verba heart to evil wocrds, to maliti-e, ad excusandas make excuses in sin. excusationes in peccatis. Then returning the censer to the Dacon, he says; Aecendat in nobis May the Lord enkinDomninus ignemn sui dle in us the fire of His amoris, et flammam at- love, and the flame 6f ternme calitatis. Amen. everlastiug charity. The.Deacon then incetnses the P5r'iest, the dtendant Clergy}, and the Subdeaconz, eho holds the paten in a veil. The Censes'bearer thens incenses the Deacan, Acolythes, and Peopte. TIein LAVABO. TIe Priest, after being ilncensed-or, in Masses not solemn, after the Veni Sanctificator —? oceeds to the _Epistle side of the Altafr, and the Clerc yopors water on his fjisgers, and the Priest wipeS thenm on a towel, saying meawMhile (Ps. xxv. 6): Lavabo inter inno- I will wash my hands centes manus meas; et among the innocent' circundabo altare tuum, and will compass Thy Domine. altar, 0 Lord. Ut audiam vocena That I may hear the 208 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. laudis; et enarrem uni- voie of Thy praise; and versa mlirailita tua. tell all Thy wondrous works. Domine, dilexi deco- I have loved, 0 Lord, rein domilUs tuit, et locurn the beauty of Thy house, habitationis glorie tuve. and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Ne perdas cum impiis Take not away my armimalm meam, et cumn soul with the wicked, viris sanguinum vitam nor my life with bloody nleam. men. In quorum manibus In whose hands are iniquitatessunt: dextera iniquities: their right,orum repleta est mune- hand is filled with gifts. ribus. Ego autem in inno- But as for me, I have centia mnea ingressus walked in my innocence: sum': redime me et mi- redeem me and have serere uei. mercy on me. Pes imeus stetit in di- My foot hath stood recto: in ecclesiis bene- in the direct way; in dicane te, Domiine. the churches I will bless Thee, O Lord. Then follows, except in Miasses for the Dead, alnd in Possiontime, the Doxology: Gloria Patri et Filio, Glory be to the Fact Spiritus Sancto; si- ther, and to the Son, cut erat in principio et and to the Holy Ghost, nunc et semrper et in sie- as it was in the begincula seculorumn. Amen. ning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Rzetrnzng to the middle of the Altar, the Priest bowus down ald again offers the sacrifice which he is about to accom7pl/ish, irn TIHE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 209 lwioring the intercession of the Scints, in, whose honor it is offered, and says: Suscipe, sanecta Trini- Receive, 0 Holy Trintas, hane Oblationem, ity, this Oblation which quam tibi offerimus ob we make to Thee in nmememoriam Passionis, mory of the Passion, Resurrectionis, et Ascen- Resurrection, and Ascensionis Jesu Christi Do- sion of our Lord Jesus mini nostri, et in hono- Christ,- and in honor of rem beatze MariaL semper the blessed Mary ever Virginis, et beati Joan- Virgin, of blessed John nis Baptista, et sancto- Baptist, the holy Aposrum Apostolorunm Petri tles Peter and Paul, of et Pauli, et istorum, et these, and of all the omnium Sanctorum; ut Saints; that it may be illis proficiat ad hono- available to their honrem, nobis autem ad sa- or, and our salvation; lutem; et illi pro nobis anid may they vouchsafe intercedere dignentur in to intercede for us in ccelis, quorum memori- heaven, whose memory am agimus in terris. Per we celebrate on earth: eundemn Christurn Dori- Through the same Christ nu1n nostrum. Amen. our Lord. Amen. THE ORATE FRATRES. e then kisses Itke Altar, and turning towards the people, invites thenato join with hint in the sacrifice which he offers for them,commenoing aloud, zwiih caIs2 hands, as'if in sign of earnestness: Orate, fiatres, ut me- Brethren, pray that um ae vestruin sacrifici- my sacrifice and yours urnm aceptabile fiat apud may be acceptable to Deum pattern or.eipo- God the Father AlLentemo. lamighty. 210 THIE OIIDINARY OF THE MASS. The 6Yierk in the name of the people responds, whast each should in heart repeat, if he desires the sacrijice to be realty his —lha is, hesneficil to him individually. R. Suscipiat Domninus R. May the Lord re sacrificiutm de manibus ceive the sacrifice firom tuis ad. laudemn et glori- thy hands, to the praise am nominis sui, ad utili- and glory of His name, tatem quoque nostram, and to our benefit, and totiusqatc Ecclesire sua that of all His Holy sanctie. Church. RP Amen, R. Amen. The PriLst then, in a ve'y low tone, recites the Secret, a prayer which varies like the Epistle,,gc. Secret for Trinity Sunday. Sanctify us, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, by the invocation of Thy holy name, the, victim of this oblation; ancl through the same perfect us to Thee an eternal offering. TI. Secret. Graciously hear us, O God, our Saviour, and by virtue of this Sacrament defend us fi'om all enemies of mind and body; bestowing upon us grace now ancd glory hereafter. Through, &c. The Priest having silestly read the Secret, utters aloud tie last woords of the " Throu0h, S'c." P. Per -omnia secula P. Forever and ever. puloruil. To wzhich tfhe Cerk or hoir' responds: R. Amen. P. Amen. The Priest aithot te;nrng caround, with his hands resting o 1th iAtar, Proceeds (chanting at lIigah MIass); THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 211 P. Dominus vobis- P. The Lord be with culm. you. R. Et cum spiritu R. And with thy tuo. spirit. P. Sursulm corda. P. Lift up your hearts. R. IHabemus ad Do- R. We have lifted minlun. them to the Lord. Closing hzs hands, he continues: P. Gratias aganus P. Let us give thcanks Domino Deo nostro. to our Lord God. R. Dignum et justuln R. It is just and est. right. FOURTH PART OF THE MA SS T AE CANON, OR RULE OF CONSECRATION, PREOCEDED BY THE PREFEACE. THE. PREFACE. This imposing canticle is so called fromn its serving as a preface or introduction to the Canon, the Rmost solemn part of the Mass, which contains the consecration and consummation of the Sacrifice. There are eleven various forms of the Preface for different portions of the Ecclesiastical Year. As the object is to recall the attention of the faithful, it is of great beauty and solemnity, and its chant is of very high antiquity. Preface of Trinity Szncday, aezd every other Suncday that h'as no proper one. I. Vere dignum et jus- 1. It is truly meet and turn est, mquum et sa- just, right and salutary, lutare, nos tibi semper, that we should always, et ubique gratias agere, and in all places, give Domine sancte, Pater thanks to Thee, 0 holy 212 TIlE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. onipotens, aterne De- Lord, Father Almighty, us: Eternal God. IL. Qui cum unigen- II. Who together with ito Filio tuo et Spiritu Thy only-begotten Son Sancto unus es Deus, and the Holy Ghost, art unus es Dominus; non one God and one Lord; in unius singularitate not in a. singularity of Personse, sed in unius one Person, but in a Trilitate substantiwe. Trinity of one substance. Quod eniln de tua glo- For that which by Thy ria, revelante te, credi- revelation we believe of llnus, hoc de Filio tuo, Thy glory, the same we hoc de Spiritu Sancto, believe of Thy Son, and sine difierentia discre- the same of the Holy tionis sentimlus. Ut in Ghost,withoutany differconfessione verse, sempi- ence or distinction: that ternoque Deitatis, et in in the confession of a true Personis proprietas, et and eternal Deity, disin essentia unitas, et in tinctness in the Persons, Majestate adoretur re- unity in the essence, and qualitas. Quam laudant equality in the Majesty. angeli atque archangeli, may be adored. Whom cherubimn quoque ac se- the angels and archanraphim; qui non cessant gels, the cherubim also claimare quotidie, una and seraphim praise; voce dicentes: and cease not daily to cry out with one voice, saying: III. Sanctus, Sanctus, III. Holy, Holy, Holy Sanctus, Dominus Deus Lord God of Hosts. Sabaoth. Pleni sunt cceli Et ter- The heavens apd the ia gloria tuaa. earth are full of Thy glory. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 21. 3 Hosanna in excelsis! iHosanna in the high est! Benedictus qui venit Blessed is he that i ill nomine Domini: cometh + in the name of the Lord. Eosann-a in excelsis! I-osanna in the highest! In Masses for the Dead, and on doubls and semi-doubles havib7?zo proper preface: I. As on p. 211. 1. As on p. 211. II. Per Christuml Do- II. Through Christ our ninuin nostrumi; * per Lord; * through Whom queml rlnlajestatem tuam the angels praise Thy taudant angeli, adorant majesty, the dominations dominationes, tremunt adore, the powers do potestates; cceli ccelo- hold in awe, the heaverns, rumque virtutes, ac beata and the virtues of the seraphim, socia exulta- heavens, and the blessed tione concelebrant. Cum seraphim, do celebrate quibus et nostras voces, with united joy. In ut admittijubeas depre- union with Whomn we camur, supplici confes- beseech Thee, that Thou sione dicentes: wouldst comnmand our voices also to be admitted with suppliant confession, saying: III. As on p. 212.' III. As on p. 212. h'omn Cihristlnas-doy to te Epiiplany; on Cpwus Cloisti; ad on o ou Lord's Trazsfiguerationz: I. As on p. 211. I. As on p. 211. II. Quia per incarnati II. Because by the mnvsVerbi nmysterium, nova tery of the W5or made men-tis nostrm oculis lux flesh, the new light of 214 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. tua~ claritatis infulsit; ut Thy brightness hath dhm visibiliter Deum shone upon the eyes of cognoscimlus, per hune our minds; that while in invisibilium amnoreim we behold God visibly, rapiamur. we may by Him be carried on to the love of things invisible: Et ideo, cum angelis And therefore, with et archangelis, cum the angels and archanthronis et dominationi- gels, with the thrones bus, cumque omlni mili- and dominations, and tia ccelestis exercittis, with all the army of the hymnum gloria tua3 heaovenly host, we sing cahnimus, sine fine dicen- a hymn to thy glory, tes: saying without ceasing: II. As on p. 212. III. As on p. 212. On the Epiphany and daring its Octave: I. As on p. 211. I. As on p. 211. II. Quia cunl unigeni- II. Because when Thy tus tuus in substantia only-begotten Son apnostre mortalitatis ap- peared in the substance parnUit, nova nos immor- of our mortal flesh, He talitatis sum luce repara- repaired us by the new Vit. light of His immortality. Et ideo, cum angelis, And therefore, with et archangelis, cum the angels and archanthronis et dominationi-'gels, with the thrones bus, cumque omni mili- and dominations, and tia ccelestis exercitfis, with all the army of the hymnum glorike tune heavenly host, we sing eanimus, sine fine dicen- a hymn to thy glory, tes: saying without ceasing: III. As on p. 21.2. III As on p. 2120 TES ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 9 1 5 In Lent till Passion Sunday: I. As ran p. 211. I. As on p. 211. I1. Qui corporali jeju- II. Who by bodily f.istrLiovitia comprimis, men- ing dost repress vices, tem elevas, virtutenm lar- elevate the mind, bestow giris et prremia: virtue and rewards. Per Christumn, &c. Through, &c. (p. (p. 213). 213). III. As on p. 212. III. As on p. 212. On Passion and Palm Sundays, z1aundy ThUryla, and Feasts of the tholy Cross. I. As on p. 211. I. As on p. 211. II. Qui salutem hu- II. Who didst effect the mani generis in ligno salvation of mankind on Crulcis constituisti; -ut the wood of the Cross: undoe mors oriebatur, in- that from whence death de vita resurgeret, et qui came, thence life might in ligno vincebat, in lig- arise; and that He who no quoque vinceretur. overcame by the tree, Per Christun Dominum might also by the tree nostrum, &c. (p. 213). be overcome. Through, &c. (p. 213). III. As on p. 212. III. As on p. 212. From Iloly Saturday to Ascen2sion-day. I. Vere dignumn et It is truly meet and justum est, mquum et just, right and salutary, salutare, te quidem Do- to praise Thee, 0 Lord, mine omni tempore, sed at all times, but chiefly [in hac potissimum noc- [on this night or day, te el die, vel] in hoc po- or] at this tilme, whlen tissinum gloriosius prae- Christ our Passover,was 210 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. di&-are, cum Pascha nos- sacrificed for us. For He trurn immolatus est is the true Lamb AWho Christus. IpsC enimn ve- bath trken away the sinis rus est Agnus, qui abstu- of the world,l Who bydylit peccata mundi, qui ing destroyed our death, mortem nostraml moli- and by rising again reendo destruxit, et vitanl stored us to life. resurgendo reparavit. Et ideo, cumr angelis, And therefore, with et archgl gUelis, cum the angels and archanthronia, et dominationi- gels, with the therones bus, cumque omni mili- and dominations, and tia coelestis exercitus, with all the army of the hymnum glorie ture heavenly host, we sing canimus, sine fine di- a hymn to nThy glory centes: saying without ceasing III. As on p. 212. III. As on p. 212. Fromn Ascensioz day to Whitstn-eve. I. As on p. 211. I. As on p. 211. II. Per Christum Do- II. Through Christ our minum nostrum. Qui Lord. Who, after His post resurrectionem su- resurrection, appeared am omnibus discipulis openly to all His discisuis manifestus apparuit, ples, and in their sight et ipsis cernentibus est ascended up to heaven, elevatus in ccelum, ut to make us partakers of nos divinitatis sure tri- His divinity. And therebueret esse participes. fore with the angels and Et ideo cum angelis et archangels, with the archangelis, cum thronis thrones and dominations, et dominationibus, cum- and with all the army of que omllni militia cceles- the heavenly host, we tis exercitus, hymnum sing a hymn to Thy THE ORDINARY 0 F TRI~ MA1SS. 21'PorixE'tue canimus, sine glory, sa'ying without ne dicentes. ceasing: III. As on p. 212. III. As on p. 212. From }Vhitsmn-eve to Trinity Sunday; and in Votive Maesse of the Ily GChost. I. As on p. 211. I. As on p. 211. II. PerChristum Do- II. Throug'h Clhrist nzinlu nostrum. Qui our Lord. Who, asascendens super omnes. cending above all the coelos, sedensque ad dex- heavens, and sitting at teram tuan, promissum Thy right hand, sent Spiritum Sanctum [ho- down the promised Holy dierna die] in filios adop- Spirit [this day] upon tionllis effudit: Quaprop- the children of adoption: ter profuisis g-audiis totus Wherefore the whole in orbe terrarum mun- world exults in overdus exultat. Sed et flowing joy. The heasupernme virtutes atque venly virtues also, and angelici potestates, the angelic powers, tohymnum gloriTe tuoe gether hymn Thy gorry, concinunt, sine fine di- saying: centes' III. As on p. 212. III. As on p. 212. On Festivals of the BlessedT Virgin Mary, the Purif ation excepted, on which is said the Preface of Chrirstmas. I. As on p. 211. I. As on p. 211. II. Et te in N. beatm II. And that we should Marite semper Virginis praise, bless, and procollaudare, benedicere, claim Thee on the N. of et predicare. Quae et blessed Mary ever Virunigenitul tuum Sanc- gin. Who by the overti Spiritfis obumbratione shadowing of the Ho. 19 218 THIE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. concepit, et virginitatis ly Ghost conceived Thy gloria permanente, lu- only-begotten Son, and men oetelrnuin mundo the glory of her virgineffudit, Jesum Christurn ity still remaining, shed Dominum nostrum.* Per forth upon the world the quem, &c. (p. 213). eternal light, Jesus Christ our Lord. * Through whom, &c. (p. 213). III. As on p. 212.! II. As on p. 212. On the Festivals of the Apostles. I. Vere Jignum et jus- I. It is truly meet and turn est, equum et salu- just, right and salutary, tare, te Domine suppli- humbly to beseech Thee citur exorare, ut gregeml that Thou, O Lord, our tuum, Pastor iterne, eternal Shepherd, non deseras, sed per bea- wouldst not forsake Thy tos apostolos tuos con- flock, butkeepit, through tinua protectione ousto- Thy blessed apostles, in clias. Ut iisdem rectori- continual protection; ~bus gubernetur, quos that it may be governed operis tui vicarios eidem by those same rulers contulisti preesse pas- whom, Thou hast aptores. pointed to preside over it as pastors in Thy stead. Et ideo, cum angelis, And therefore witl et archan-gelis cumthro- the angels and archannis et dominationibus gels, with thethronesand cumque omni militia ece- dominations, and with testis exercitus, hymnum all the army of the glorie tun eanimus, sine heavenly host, we sing ine dicentes. a hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing: 11I. As on p. 212.. II. As on p. 212. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 219 THE CANON OF THE MASS. This most solemn part of the HIoly Mysteries is so called, because the wvord Imeans, in Greek7 a rule or decided formilda. It is almost literally the samine in all the various rites, Greek, Latin, Arlmenian, &c. The language is very grave and dignified, and it is read in a low voice to express the silence of Christ in His passion, and His hiding at that tine His glory and diiinity, as well as to signify the vast importance of that colnnon cause to. all mankind, which the priest is then representing to the ear of God, and the reverence and awe with which priest and people ought to assist at these tremendous mysteries. The Priest extending, raising, cndjoininj his han2ds (raising, too, his eyes, as if to direct his attention, end ignmediately lowerilg themo), bows over the Altar, and with his hazels resting on the Altar, invokes the li}dher of fIercies, through Christ Ilis Son, on the Church militanzt on earth. * Te igitur, clemrentis- We, there-fore, hbumsime Pater, per Jesum bly pray and beseech Cillistulln Filium tuutl Thee, most mereliful FaDoini nur nostlum, sup- thel, through Jesus plices rogamus, ac peti- Christ Thlly Son, our imus, uti accepta habeas Lord, that Tllhou wouldst et benedicas h e -1ldona, vouchsafe to accept and htc ll munera, hmo bless these 4- gifts, these sancta P1* sacrificia illi- o-v presents, these holy bhats, imnpriinis qul tibi 014 unspotted sacrifices, offerirnus pro Ecclesia which i-n the first place tua' sancta Catholica, we offer Thee, for Thy quam pacificare, custo- holy Catholic Church; dlire, adunare, et regere to which vouchsafe to digneris toto orbe terra- grant peace, as also to Turn; una curm famulo preserve, lunite, and govtuo Papa Nostro N. et ern it throlughout the 220 THE ORDINARY OF THIE MASS. Antistite nostro N. et world; together with omnibus orthodoxis at- Thy servant N. our Pope, que catholic et apos- N. our Bishop, as also all tolicte fidei c-ultoribus. orthodox believers and professors of the catholic and apostolic faith. TmI I\AMENTO OF THE LIVING. The preceding prayer contained the offering of the sacrifice for the whole Church, but with holy iuportunity the priest renews the oblation for those reconmmended to him, and for all who hear the Mass. Memento, D omine, fa- Be mindful, 0 Lord, muloruln famnularumnque of Thy servants and tuarum. N. et N. handmaids N. and N. Here the Priest joins his hanzds, and prays, as we all shodld, for thosefor whom he specially intends to pray; then extending his hanzds, he proceeds: Et omniium circum- And of all here prestantium, quorum tibi sent, whose faith is fides cognita est, et nota known, and devotion devotio, pro quibus tibi apparent unto Thee, for offerimus, vel qui tibi whom we offer, or who offerunt hoe sacrificium offer up to Thee this saclandis, pro se suisque rifice of praise for themomnibus, pro redemrp- selves, their families and tione animarum suarumn, friends, for the redemlppro spe salutis et inco- tion of their souls, for lumitatis suae, tibique the hope of their safety reddunt vota sua ieteru ) and salvation, and who Deo, vivo et vero. pay their vows to Thee, the eternal, living, and true God. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS, 221 DYPTICS, oR' Co0AIUNICANSTEE." Then commemorating the saints in glory, putting himsetf in Communion with those blessed members of the Church tiriumpliant in heaven, he implores them to unite with him inz the Sarifice, naming especially the Apostles, the early Popes, and other celebratted martyrs at Rome. (On certain festivals this prayer varies slightly.) Communicantes, et Communicating with) memo-riam venerantes, and honoring the me imprimis gloriose seer- mory, in'the first place, per Virginis Marin, of the ever-glorious VirGenitricis Dei et Doami- gin Mary, Mother of our ni nostri Jesu Christi; Lord and God Jesus sed et beatorum Apos- Christ; as also of thle tolorum ac Macrty'um blessed Apostles and tuorum, Petri et Pauli, Martyrs, Peter and lPaul, Andreac, Jacobi, Joan- Andrew, James, John, his, Thomre, Jacobi, Thomas, James, Philip, Phlippi, Bartholomiei, Bartholomew, Matthew, Matthbei, Simonis et Tha- Simon and Thaddeus, dL i, Lini, Cleti, Clemen- Linus, Cletus, Clement, tis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cy- Xystus, Cornelius, Cy. priani, Laurentii, Chry- prian, Lawrence, Chrysogoni, Joannis et Pauli, sogonus, John and Paul, Cosmra et Dalliani, et Cosmas and Damian, omnium Sanctorum tuo- and of all Thy saints, rumn, quorum meritis pre- through whose merits cibusque concedas, ut in and players grant that omnibus protectionisturn we may be always demnuiamur auxilio. Per fended by the help of eundeml Christurn Domi- Thy protection. Throulgh lum nQstrum. Amen. the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 19*! 222 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. Spreading the hcands, in the maner of the ancient sacrifices, over the lost and Chalice, he again renzews the oblation, saying, while thte Clerk l'rings the bell to recall the attenotion of the people H-Ianc igitur oblatio- We therefore beseechl nem servitutis uostli Tlhee, O Lord, graciously sed. et cunctte familire to accept this oblationl of turT, qulesumus, Doii- our service, as also of ne, ut placatus accipias; Thy whole family, and to diesque nostros in tua dispose our days in Thy pace disponas, atque ab peace; preserve us ftoml mtern'a damlnatione nos etelrnal damnatiolln, and eripi, et in electorum nuimber us in the flock tuoruml jubeas glrege nu- of Thine elect. Through merari. Per Christumn Christ our Lord. Amen. Dominum nostrum. Amhen. As he closes thisplrayer, he joinzs his hacds, and contsutes soaenaly siYgning the oblation. cith thesign of the Cross; and, in alltsion to the tords qf St. Poauzl to the Romszzs, impiloing the Almighty to efect the snirwacelous changce which Ic -is divine Son instituted, anzd first perbfomed. Quam oblationem r Which oblation do tu. Deus, in omnibus, Thou, O God, vouchsafe qumesumus, benle~*dic- inl all respects to malke tam, adscripoaltaml, ra- Pt1 blessed, olo approved, tam, rationaIbilem, ac- P14 ratified, reasonable, cepta + biletmque faceve ald acceptable, + that digneris, ut nobis Coirt- it may become to us pus et Sand-1guis fiat di- the + body and r1 blood lectissimi Filii tui Domi- of Thy most beloved ni nostli Jesu Christi. Son, Jesus Christ oru's Lord. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 223 te onnlcratfonl The awful moment of the Mass has s ow come. The bread and wine are to be consecrated in Christ's own words, pronounced by the priest. While th3e angels, in adoring awe, bow around the altar, tile priest perfornms this mlost essential part of the sacrifice, in which thle Body and Blood of Christ are really exhibited and presented to God, and Christ is mystically immolated. As he utlters the words, he peformns each action they indicate: Qui pridie quinn pa- Who the day before teretur, accepit panem He suffered, took bread in sanetas ae venerabiles into His holy ancd vener manus suas, et elevatis able hands, and with His oculis in eelurnm, ad te eyes lifted up towards Deumn Patrem suum onm- heavenl, to God, His alnipotentein: tibi gratias mighty Fatller: giving agens, bene+dixit, fr egit, thanks to Thee, did bless, dleditque discipulis suis, break, and give to His dicens: Accipite, et man- disciples, saying: Take, ducate ex hoc onmles: and eat ye all of this: HEOC EST EN1MN COfRPUS FoR TTHIS IS MY BODY. MEUM..After proonoa2cing the woords qf conseceratioS, while all the people knceel in profobend and silent adorations, the Priest, ineeliny, adores tie sacred Hlost: risig, he elevates it, caniid the ringing of tie bell; and thesn placinPy it on the coqporal, aygain aedores it. After this he never disjoias his fingers and thunmbs, ezcep-t whoa he is to ta/ce tie l6-st, wutil tih Ablution. Be thenz proceeds, taking the C halice in I;oth handslc Sinlili modo, lpost- In like manlner, after quam ccenatum est, ac- hie had supped, taking 224 rHVE ORDINARY OF THE MBASS. cipiens et hune praecla- also this excellent chai, rum calieem in sanctas ice into HIis holy and ac venerabiles manus venerable hands, and suas, item tibi gratias giving Thee thanks, He agens, bene+dixit, dedit- bless+ed, and gave to que discipulis suis, di- His disciples, saying: cens:.cAcipite et bibite Take and drink ye all of ex eo omInes, Hic EST this, FOR THIS iS THE ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS CHALICE OF MY BLOOD ME1, NOVI ET ETERNI OF THIE NEW AND ETERTESTAMEN TI, MYSTERIUM NAL TESTAMENT; THE FIDEI: QUI P1IO VOHjIS MhlYSTERY OF FAITH O ET PRO MULTIS EFFUNDE- WHICH SHALL BE SHED TUR IN REMISSIONEM PEC- FOR YOU, AND FOR MANY, CATORUM. TO THE REMISSION OF SINS. -HmC quotiescumque As often as ye do feceritis, in mei memo- these things, ye shall do riam facietis, them in remembrance of Me. Kneeling, lie adores7 r isizg, he elevates the Chalice for the adoration of' he Jfilltlfl wvhile t1/e bell rings thrice again; then t-he Priest revlaces the Chalice on0 the coporal, covers it, and again adoring, 2roceeds, extendiig his hands: Unde et Inemores, Wherefore, 0 Lord, Domine, nos servi tui, we Thy servants, as also sed et plebls tua sancta, Thy holy eoplle, calling ejusdem Christi Filii tui to mind thll blessed pasDomini nostri tam bea- sion of the same Christ tm passionis, neenon et Thyv Son our Lord, His ab inferis resiurrectionis, reslrrection from hell, sed et in cemlos gloriosde' and glorious ascension ascensionis: offerimus into heaven, oiler unto THE O-DITN.RY OF'1TE MASS. 225 pr,'eclarm Majestati tie, Thy Imost excellent M~a dcle tuis donis ac d~atis, jesty, of Thy gifts andci HIostiami + pulam, HIos- grants, a puire + I-Host., a tiail+sancltum, Ilostiam holy +.ost, an imlmacu. + imlmaculatam, panem late + Hlost, the holiy + + sanctum vitT,terli he, bread of eterlnal life, and et calicemra + salutis per- the chalico + of e'verlast peture. ing salvation. Stil. extendinz hli hnis, he pl'oceeds: Slpra qume propitio Upon which voucRhac sereno vultu respicere safe to look, with a prodigneris, et accepta ha- pitious and serene counbere, sicuti accepta ha- tenance, and to accept bere dignatus es munera then, as Thou wast grapueri tui justi Abel, et ciously pleased to accept sacrificium Patriarchl the gifts of Thy just nostri Abrahe; et quod servant Abel, and the tibi obtulit sumlinus sa- sacrifice of our Patlice'dos tnus Melchise- arch Abraham, and that dech, sanctumln sacrifici- which the higlh-priest rlmn,;mmaeculatam hos- Melchisedech offered to tialn. theo, a holy sacrifice, an immaculate host. Bowing down profoundly, with his hands joined and placed upon2 the Altar, he says, full of hlmnility: Supplices te rogamus, We most humbly beomnipotens Deus, jube seech Thee, almighty mhec perferri per manus God, command these sanucti angeli tui in sub- things to be carried by lime altare tuum, in con- the hands of Thy angel specta divinve Majestatis to Thy altar on high, in tus, ut quotquot ex hac the sight of Thy divine 2026 THE ORDINARY OF THE hIASS. altaris participatione +4 Majesty, that as many sacrosanctum Filii tui of us [lie kisses the altar] cor+pus + et sani+gui- as by participation at neml sulpserimus, omni this altar, shall receive benedictione caelesti et the most sacred Y- Body gratia iepleamuur. Per andc + Blood of Thy Son, eundlem ChristumiDomi- may, be filled with all nuna nostrum. Amen. heavenlyv - benediction and grace. Through the same Christ out Lord. Amen. MEIMENTO FOR THE DEAD. Then as he has already zunited himself with the Church triumphant in heavez, and the Clhu ch militant on earth, the Priest also enters by this gr?eat sacrifice into commzsunion with the Clurch slfferisig in Purgatory, offering it for them, that it may hereafter be offered for himself. Memento etiam, Do- Be mindful, 0 Lord, of mine, famulorum famu- Thy servants and handlarumque tuarum N. et maids, [N.] and [N.] N. qui nos priecesserunt who are gone before us cum signo Fidei, et dol- with the sign of faith, miunt in somno pacis. and slumber in the sleep of peace. JHere he pazuses to recoszmend the souls for wshom he especially desires to pray; and all should do the same, for it is not only his sacrifice but theirs. Ipsis, Domine, et om- To these, O Lord, and nibus in Christo quies- to all that rest in Christ, cen tbis, locurn refii- grant, we beseech Thee, gerii, lucis et pacis, ut a place of refieshlment, indulgeas deprecamur: hlght, and peace: through I'xHiE ORDINTItl OF T'HSE MASS. %2'2 per eunclem Christuan the same Christ our Dolinuin nostrum. A- Lord. Amen. men. - Then, cts thogh th the thought of od's lerrible justice, in exacting satisfactionJbr the slihtestfctulf.ns, recalled the mnemiory of his sins, he contonzzes, fJlr the jiet time razizin his voice: Nobis quoque pecca- And to us sinners toribus flamulis tuis, de Thy servants, hoping in multitudine miseration- the mlultitude of r'hy Urm, tuarlum sperantibus mlercies, vouchsafe to partemn aliquain et socie- grant some part and feltatem donare digneris, lowship with Thy holy cumr tuis sanctus apos- apostles and martyrs; tolis et martyribus; cum with John, Stephen, Joanne, Stephano, Miat- Matthias, Barnabas, Igthia, Barnaba, Ignatio, natius, Alexander, MarAlexandrco, Marcellino, cellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Petro, Felicitate, Perpe- Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, tua, Agatha, Lucia, Ag- Agnes, Cecily, Anastanote, Ccecilia, Anastasia, sia, and with all Thy et omnibus sanctis tuis: Saints: into whose comintra quorulm nos con- panly we beseech Thee to sortinim, non estimator admit us, not as a remeriti, sed venita, qute- warder of our merit, but uMlus, largitor admitteo as a free bestower of parPer Christurn Dominule don. Through Christ nostrum. our Lord. Then blessing the sacred spc twice, he says: Per quaem hec omania, By whom, 0 Lord, Domine, semper bona thou dost always create, creas, sancti+ficas, vi- sanctify, + quicken, +,viu-ficas, bene+dicis, et bless, + and give us all parstas nobis. these good things. 228 TIHE GORDINARY OF THE MASS, Ie uncovers the CUhalice, cand makes a genJ.te.cion; tfhen takien the'lhost in his right hand, and holding the Chalice in his left, he makes thfe sign of the C'oss three tiazes over the mouth of the Chalice, saying: Per ip sulm, et curn m Ihi ough Hinm, n and ipNIso, et in ip-14so, est with -lin, - c iandi in hin, tibi Deo Patri rI* olnui- + is to Thee, God the + potenti, in unitate Spiri- Father almighty, in the tus *Sancti, ollnllis ho- unity of the Holy b nor et gloria. Ghost, all honor and glory 9aurizg the last words he holds the sacr ed Iiost over the chalice, and slightly elevates both of them together; after which, he replaces thesm as before, and making a genuAiexian, says alouzd: P. Per omnia secula P. Forever and ever. sveculorum. R. Amen..D Amen~ FIFTH PAR.T OF THE 1ASISo PREPARATION FOPB aOM mNION. THE LoRD's PRAYER. e tian recites or chanzts that Prayer, which is thfe suzm and model qf otll others, hagubly preJfced as follows: Orenmus. Let us pra,y. Prueceptis salutaribus Instructed by Thy savmoniti, et livina. institu- iungl preepts, and followtione formati, audemt us ing Thy divine instruedicere tion, we presule to sYy ~ 'IEm ORDINARY OF TtIrE MASS. 2229 PATER, NOSTER, qui OUR FATITER, Who es in ccelis, sanctificetur art tn heaven, hallowed nomen tuum; aiveniat be ThyName; Thy kingregnum tuumn; fiat vo- dom come; Thy will luntas tua sicut in ccelo, be done on earth, as et in terra; panemn nos- it is in heaven: Give trum quotidianum. da us this day our daily nobis hodie'; et dimitte bread; and forgive us nobis debita nostra, sicut our trespasses, as we for'et nos dimittimus debi- give tlem that trespass toribtis nostris; et ne against us; and lead us nos inlducas in tentatio- not into temptation. nem. R. Sed libera nos a R. But deliver us malo. fromn evil. P. Amen. P. Amen. The Priest, taking the paten in his hand (or in Solemn 9Masses receiving it frnom the Subdeacon by the hands qf the Deacon), continues full of the spirit of the Lord's Prayer, asfollows, crossing himself with the patzen towards the close: Libera nos, qlIesu- Deliver us, 0 Lord, we runs, Domine, ab om- beseech Thee; friom all nibus, malis, prImteritis, evils, past and present, praesentibus, et fituris; and by the intercession et intercedente beata of the blessed and gloriet gloriosi sempel Vir- ous ever Virgin Mary gine Dei Genitrice Ma- Mother of God, Thy holy ria, cumr beatis apostolis Apostles Peter and Paul, tuis Petro et Paulo, at- and Andrew, and all the que Andrea, et omnibus saints, grant peace in our sanetis, da propitius pa- days, that through the cem in diebus nostris, assistance of''hy mercy, ut ope misericordit tuWe we may be always free 20 230 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. adjuti, et a peccato si- from sin, and secure mus semper liberi, et ab from all disturbance. omni perturbatione securl. glidciny the paten under the Host, hie takes the pall frogm tho Chalice and nmalces a genuflaexicon; and taking the Bost, breaks it over the Chalice accoirding to the divine institution-Ha BLESSED AND BROKE, and says: Per eundem Domlinulr Through the same J'enurstrum Jesum Chris- sus Christ, Thy Son our turn Filium tuum. Lord. Laying down the portion in his right hand, he breaklcs apartice from the other, continuing: Qui tecurn vivit et reg- Who, with Thee and nat, in unitate Spiritus the Holy Ghost, liveth Sancti, Deus. and reigneth, God. Conclulding, as he holds this particle in his right hand, and the Chalice in the left, V. Per omnia saecula V. World without smculorum. end. R.' Amen. R. Amen. MMaking the sign of the Cross with the particle over the Chalice, he addresses the peop le, but zithout turning: V. l'ax + Domini sit V. May the peace 4 + semper vobisqcum. of the Lord be + always with,+/ you. B. Et cum spiritu P. And with thy tuo. spirit. Dropping the particle of the Host into the Chalice, he says: Tee commixtio et May this mixture qnd eonsecratio corporis et consecration of the body THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 231 sanguinis Domnini nostri and blood of our Lord Jesu Christi fiat acci- Jesus Christ, be to us pientibus nobis in vitam that receive it effectual eternam. Amen. to eternal life. Amen...-. covers the Chalice vcaces a geztflexion, and then bowing dotwn and striking hzm,reast three tivmes, he says. the following, which the choir at %ligh Mass immediately intone and chant till acfter the Communion. Agnus.Dei, qui tollis Lamb of God, Who peccata mundi, miserere takest away the sins of nobis. the world, have mercy upon us. Agnus Dei, qui tollis Lamb of God, Who peccata mundi, miserere takest awcay the sins of nobis. the world, have mercy upon us. Agnus Dei, qul tollis Lamb of God, Who peccata mundi, dona no- takest away the sins of bis pacem. the world, grant us peace. In Masses for the Dead, instead of the words " "mziserere nobis," "dona nobis pacem, " the Priest says, " dona eis requien,"'' "dona eis requiem sempiternam''-" give them rest,'" " give them eternal rest" -and omits the foltowing praye' for peace. P. Domine Jesu P. Lord Jesus Christ, Christe, qui dixisti apos- Who said to Thy Apostolis tuis: Pacem relin- tles, I leave you peace, quo vobis, pacem meam I give you my peace, redo vobis: ne respicias gard not my sins, but peccata men, sed fidem ithe faith of Thy Church; Ecclesiae tune; eamque and grant her that peace secundumvoluntatemltu- and unity which is agreeama pacifi(are et coadu- able to Thy will: Whe 232 THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. nare digneris; qui vivis livest and reignest foret reguas, Deus, per ore. ever and ever. Amen. nia swecula sw'culorum. Amen. Kissinzg the Altas, tlhe Priest, in solemn M1asses, gives the kiss of peace to the Deacon, uwho in the same man'zier saluttes the Subdeacon.'The Plriest says: P. Pax tecum. P. Peace be with thee. R. Et cumn spiritu tuo. R. And with thy. spirit. P. Domine Jesu Chris- P. Lord Jesus Christ, te, Fili Dei vivi, qui ex Son of the living God, voluntate Patris, co-ope- Who, according to the rante Spiritu Sancto, per will of Thy Father, hast mortemn tuam rmundum by Thy death, through vivificasti, libera me per the co-operation of the hoc sacro-sanctuml cor- Holy Ghost, given life pus et sanguinem turum to the world, deliver mle ab omnibus iniquitatibus by this Thy most sacred meis, et universis nmalis; body and blood from all et fac me tuis senmper my iniquities, and fi'om inhmrere mandatis, et all evils; and mnake me a te nunquam separari always adhere to rThy permittas; qui cum eo- commandments, and nevdem Deo Patre et Spiri- er suffer me to be sepatu Sancto vivis et regnas rated fiom'Thee; WY ho Deus in stecula secudlo- livest and reignest with rum. Amen. God the Father, &c. A, 11lle1. Perceptio corporis tui, Let not, 0 Lord Jesus Domine Jesu Christe, Christ, the participation quod ego indignus su- of Thy Body, which I, mere pnrtesumo, non raihi though unworthy, pre THE ORDINkARY OF THE MASS) 232 prova niat in judicumn et sume to receive, turn to condemnationema; sed my judgment and conpro tua pietate prosit demnation; but,tthrough mihi adcl tutamentum Thy mercy, may it be to mentis et corporis, et ad me a safeguard and remedelam percipiendam; medy, both for soul and qui vivis et regnas cum body: Who vwith God ])eo Patre, in unitate the Father, in the unity Spiritfis Sancti, Deus, of the Holy Ghost, livest per omnia stecula swecu- and reignest God, forlorum. Amen. ever and ever. Ameno The application of the IMass, the Communion, now begins, by which we become, in an especial manner, partakers in the sacrifice. "The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the Commlunion of the Blood of Christ? and the bread which we break, is it not the partaking of the Body of the Lord? For we being many are one; all that partake of one bread. Behold Israel accodling to the flesh, are not they that eat of the sacrifices parttakers of the altar?" (1 Cor. x. 18.) " Wve have an altar whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle" (Roin. xiii. 10). The Priest prepering to communicate himself, before giving the Body Jf the Lord to the faithful, meakes a genuflexion, and risirng, says: Panem ccelestem acci- I will take the bread piam, et nomen Domini of heaven, and call upon invocabo. the name of our Lord. Theen slightly bending, he talces the two portions qf the Ilost and the paten in, his hand benlecth it: he strikes his breast, humbly repeatiseg the psayer of the Centr'ZZio, ewhile the Cle'k rings the bell to sunmmson all toho desire to aepreoach tre table of the Lord. 20* 2 4: THE ORDINAIRY OF THE MASS. Bomine, non sum dig- Lord, I am not worthy nus ut intres sub tectum that Thou shouldst enter meumrn; sed tantum die under my roof; say but verbo, et sanabitur ali- the word, and my soul ma mea. shall be healed. Signing himnself with the sacred -lost, he reverently consumes it, saying: Corpus 1-1 Domini nos- May the Body of our tri Jesu Christi custodiat Lord o Jesus Christ preanimam meanm in vitam serve my soul to Ifef, teternam. Amen. everlasting. Amen. i]e then joins his hands, and bows down in silent meditc.aon and thanksgiving. After zwhich he uncovers the Chalice, and collectisng on the paten any particles which remainz on the corporal, he says (Ps. cxv. 12): Quid retribuamn Do- What shall I render miro pro omnibus que to the Lord for all He retribuit mihi? Calicem hath rendlered unto me? salutaris accipiam, et no- I will take the chalice men Domini invocabo. of salvation, and call Laudans, invocabo Do- upon the name of the minum, et at. inimicis Lord. Praising, I will meis salvus erl. call upon the Lord, and shall be saved fro mlly enemies. Tskisng the Chalice in his right hand, after dropping the parulcles into it he says the following prayer, anld receives tlzh Precious Blood of the Divi FVictinm. ~ Sanguis Domini 1I4 May tfle Blood of nostri Jesu Christi cns- our Lord Jesus Christ todiat aninam mleam in preserve Ly soul to evervitam aternam. Amen. lasting life. Amen. THlE ORDINARY OF TIHE MASS. 235 THE CoMMuNION OF THE FAITH FUL. wFhen tlere are Communicants, the Clerk ineels on the steps near the Epistle side of the Altao, and?ecites the Confiteor, as at the beginning of the MaIs; and having JfiniSled it, tihe Priesi-who has meanzwhile tacken the Ciboriunm out of the Tabernacle, and 2uncovered it —keels, then turns to the People, and says the Misereatur auad Inclulgoeantiao11 (p. 190), to each of which the Clerik respoznds, Amen. Tttrnuizg back to the Ait'rs, he takes the Ciborium ien his left hand, and raising a Hlost over it in his right, tnGZs again to the Peoyle, saying Ecce Agnus Dei, eccee Behold the Lamb ot gui tollit peceata mundi. God, behold Him Who taketh away the sins ot the world. And rep-eats thrice the " Domine non sums7 Dignses." Descending the steps of the Altar to the Commnzuiczants, accompanied in solenll Masses by the Deacon swith the patezn, the Priest, while all bow icn reverence, administers the fJbl Colammrunion, saying to each: Corpus Domini nos- May the Body of our tri Jesu Christi custodiat Lord Jesus Christ preanimam tuam in vitam serve thy soul to life teteralam. Amen. everlasting. Amen. $IXTH AND LAST PART OF THEE ASS. TIIANKSGIVING. THE ABLUTION. Reiurning to the Altaos, the Priest covers the Ciborimn, replaces it in the Tabernacle, and, makcing a yenuflexion, closP the door. He thesn says: Quod ore snmpsimus, Grant, 0 Lord, that Domi ie, p ira mente what we have taken with 236 THE OEDINARY OF THE MASS. capiamus, ut de munere our mouth, xwe may re temDorali fiat nobis re- ceive with a pure mind, medium sempiternum. that of a temporal gift it may become to us an eternal remedy. And extends the Chalice to the Clerk, who pours some wine into it [in solemn Masses the Deacon takes the Chalice, and, pouring wine into it, hands it to the Priestl. -The Priest then takes this, and says: Corpus tuum, Domi- May Thy Body, 0 ne, quod sunipsi, et san- Lord, which I have reguis quem potavi, adhmc - ceived, and Thy blood reat visceribus meis' et which I have drunk, prTsta ut in me non re- cleave to my bowels; maneat scelerum macu- and grant that no stain la, quem pura et sancta of sin may remain in me, refeceIunt sacramenta: who have been fed with qui vivis et regnas in His pure and holy sacrasiecula seculorum. A- ment: Who livest and men. reignest, &c. Amen. Then taking the Chalice in his hands, holding over the mouth the fingers uwhich have touched the sacred species, he proceeds to the 4vistle side of the Altar, where the Clerk pours wine, and then water, uton thesm. The Priest takes this second ablution, cleanses the chalice, lays the paten upon it, and taking the veil fraonc the Clerk, lays it over, (as in the beginning of the Mllass: t hen he proceeds to the MiIissal, uwhich the Clerk has nozv replaced on the Epistle side, and reads the Commun nion, which is generally a versicle from ScrLipture. CosIsuIsUoON FOlR TRINITY SUNDAY. We blless the God of heaven, and we will praise Hinm in the sight of all the living: because He hath shownll us Inelr'V. THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS. 237 Returning to the middle of the Altar, the Priest kisses it, and turning to the People, says: P. Dominus vobis- P. The Lord be with CUmll. you. R. Et cum spiritu R. And with thy tuo. spirit. TiZning back, he proceeds to the book and reads the Post-Conz munion, a prayer which ~aries with the Collects and Secrets: PosT-COMMUNION rOR TZhINITY SUNDAY. May the receiving of this sacrament, 0 Lord our God, avail us to the salvation of body and soul, together with the confession of an everlasting Holy Trinity, and of the undivided Unity thereof. Tlhrough, &c. II. P. CoMM.-May the oblation of this divine sacrament, we beseech Thee, O Lord, both cleanse and defend us; and by the intercession of the blessed Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, of blessed N., and of all the saints, free us from all sin, and deliver us fiom all adversity. Through, &c. R. Amen. After reading the Collects, the Priest closes the book, uinless it be a day when a proper Gospel is to be read at the end of the -Mass, in which case he leaves it open, and goiny to the middle of the Altar, turns and says: P. Dominus vobis- P. The Lord be with cum. you. Bi. Et cum spiritu R. And with thy tuo. spirit. 4A4 continues, still turned towards the People, chanSily at High Mass, or in solemn Masses till the Deacon chants it: 238 TPHE ORt])INARY OF TIHE MASS~.P. Ite missa est. P. Go, the Mass hi ended. 1?. Deo gratias. R. Thanls be to God. When the Gloria has been omitted, and, vwhen violet is worn, inlstead of the foregoing, he says: P. Blenedicamus Do- P. Let us bless the m1111e0. Lord. Pi. Deo gratias. R. Thalnks be to God. Inz Iasses for the Dead, however: P. Requiescant in.P. May they rest is pace. peace. R. Amen. P. Amen.. Ame Turning to the Altar, the Priest recites the followzing, which, as a conclsion of the 31ass, begs the Almighty to accept the eac rifice offered, in spite of his unwsvorthiness: Placeat tibi, saneta Let the performance Trinitas, obsequium ser- of my homage be pleasvitutis mere; et prmsta, ing to Thee, O holy ut sacrificium quod ocu- Trinity; and grant that lis ture Majestatis indig- the sacrifice which I, nus obtuli, tibi sit accep- unworthy, have offered tabile, mihique et omni- up in the sight of Thy bus pro quibus illud Majesty, may be acobtuli, sit, te miserante, ceptable to Thee, and propitiabile. Per Chris- through Thy mercy be a tum Dominum nostrum. propitiation for me, and Amen. all those for whom I have offered it. Through, &c. The Priest then kisses the Altar, and, before invoking God's blessing on the People, raises his hands and eyes to heaven, joins his hands, and bowoing says (tu7rning to the I'eople cfter the first three words, and blessing themn in the forrs of the Gross). TIHE ORDINARY OF TilE A MSS. 239 P. Benedicat vos, om- P. May Almighty nipotens Deus,' [Pater, God, " the Father, "Son, et Filius, et Spiritus and Holy Ghost, bless Sanctus. you. R. Amen. R. Amen. gre Aast cosPelI. Then turniPng to the Gosyel side of the Altar, he says: P. Dominus vobis- P. The Lord be with:mllm. you. R. Et cnl spiritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit. Then making the sign of the C'ross on the Altar, on his foreheca, lips, and heart, he begins the Last Gospel, which is always taken from the first chapter of St. John, except wheri the ofice of afestival has suzpe seded the olfice of the Sunday, or feria, in which case the Gospel of the latter is now read. ThZat read on Trinity Sunday, will be found (p. 446). P. Initium sancti E- P. The beginning o0 rangelii secundum Joan- the Gospel according to nem o. St. John. B. Gloria tibi, Do- R. Glory be to Thee, imine. O Lord. P. In principio erat P. In the beginning Verbum, et Verbum erat was thle Word, and the apud Deum, et Deus Word was with God, erat Verbumn. Hoc erat and the Word was God. in principio apud Deum. The same was in the beOmnia per ipsum facta ginning with God. All tunt, et sine ipso factum things were made by est rinil, quod factum Him, and without Him est. In ipso vita erat, was made nothing that et;,ta erat lux homi- was made. In Him was 240 TTHE ORDINAR.Y OF THE MASS. numm; et lux in tenebris life, and the life was the lueet, et tenebr e can light of men; and the non complrehenderunt. light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. Fuit homo missus B There was a man sent Deo, cui nomen e-at firom God, whose name Joannes. ITic venit in was John. This man testimonium, ut testimlo- came for a witness, to nium perhiberet de lu- give testimony of the mine, ut omnes crede- light, that all men might rent per illum. Non believe through him. erat ille lax; sed uit tes- He was not the light, timonium perhiberet de but was to give testilumnine. Erat lux vera, mony of the light. That que illuminat omnem was the true light which hominem venientem in enlighteneth every man hune munduml. that cometh into this world. In mundo erat, et He was in the world, mundus per ipsum fac- and the world was made tus est, et mundus eum by Him, and the world non cognovit. In pro- knew Him not. He came pria venit, et sui euml unto His own, and His.non receperunt. Quot- own received Him not. quot autem receperunt But as many as received eum, dedit eis potesta- Him, to them Hle gave tem filios Dei fieri; his'power to be made the qui credunt in nomine sons of God; to them ejus, qui non ex san- that believe in His name, guinibus, neque ex volun- -who are born, not ol tate carnis, neque ex vo- blood, nor of the will of luntate Siri, sed ex Deo the flesh, nor of the will nati sunt. of man, but of God. TlE OII)INARtY OF THE MASS~ 2~4- (1t berbum. MrO aub 1ie Wor'BaCIn eIII' Iaa5 mabe fig$ ], (Tere ll Ekneel in honor of the Incarnation.) et habitavit avi noobis; et and dwelt among us; vidimus glorian- ejus, and we saw His glory, as gloriaim quasi Ulligel iti it were the glory of the % Patre, plenum glatice Only-begotten of the Faet veritatis. ther, full of grace and truth. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. The Priest then ret urns to the middle of the Alt'ar, takes th7 Chalice covered withc the veil, and, bowing, descends to the foot of th/e All/r-steps: there, with tlhe Clerk, he makes aq y#encu,ilexion, and, preceded by him, r~eres ircco the san2ctuary. GRAINT me, 0 God, that grace of Thy Holy Spirit, which Thou vouchsafedlst to Thy holy disciples in the upper chamber on Mount Sion and Mount Olivet; nor take it from me, either in this world or the next: for from Thee is every good and perfect gift. O Lightl of lights, Creator of the world, Thee we adore, Thee we glorify, now and forever, unto endless ages! Farewell in peace, most holy Altar! -Shrine of the Word made flesh, may I return to Thee again in peace. May the Victim which I have received from Thee, and by the hands of Thy priest offered unto Thee, be the forgiveness of my debts and the pardon of my sins, and obtain for me to stand before the judg. ment-seat of Christ, without debt or shame; for I know not whether I shall ever join in offering sacrifice to Thee again. FIST PART OF TIE MIASS. FROM THE OOMMENMENT TO' THIE INTEOT. I In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. At the Psalm "Judica." It is a preparation for the sacrifice by sentiments of fear, desire, confidence, and holy joy, in which we should unite. I comlie to Thy altar, 0 Lord, Who art the lighof those who are in darkness, and Who art my refuge in the evils that encompass me. Visit 1-my soul, and bring me the salvation for which I sigh. 0 Holy Ghost, inspire me with prayers whieh merit to be favorably heard; direct nmy will; strengtlhen my courage, that I may triumph over 244 PeRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MISS. the world and myself: make me ever obedient to Thy inspirations: above all, make me love Thee. At the Coznfiteor. Although, 0 Lord, Thou needest not my confession to know my sins, and readest in my heart all my iniquities, I now confess them in the face of heaven and earth; I acknowledge that I have offended Thee in thought, word, and deed. I accuse myself here of themi all, and hlumbly beag Thy pardon and mercy. 0 Blessed Virgin Immaculate, and all ye angels aLnd saints in heaven, plray for nce a sinner, and while we groan in this valley of misery and tears, intercede for us aL, and obtain for us forgiveness of our sins. At the lisereaetur. Thy holy Church prays for me, 0 my God! vouchsafe to listen to her minister. In union with lhim I implore the preciotus gift of repentance and pardon, which Thou hast promised even to the greatest sinn;ers who acknowledge their iniquity, and mourn for having offinded Thy infinite sanctity and despised Thy infinite goodness and love. Pardon us all, O Lord, Thy priest and people, myself and family, all our sins, and grant us full and entire remission. TLhe Priest sceends and Icisses the Altar. The kiss refers to Jesus Christ, and to the saints, whose relics are enshriined in the altar, who are the same victim and altar as Christ. The priest kisses the altar to show his hope of obtaining pardon for himself and the people. To obtain this pardon, 0 Lord, we unite to the PRAYERS TO BE SAiD AT MASS. 245 merits of the Man God, Thy Son, our Victim, the merits of Thy saints who became victims of Thy glory, and especially of those whose sacred relics repose on Thy altar. Grant to us, the successors of their faith and holy desires, the grace of reconciliation, which was here below the commencement of the peace which they now enjoy in Thy bosom. SECOND PART OF THE MHASS. PRAYERS AND INSTRUCTIONS FRO-M5 THE INTROIT TO THI OFFERTOR Y. At the introit. The priest reads the Introit, a part of a psalm once sid entire, to draw down the spirit of grace and player so necessary during Mass, as well as to express the sighs of the ancient patriarchs for the coming of the Messias. Thou, 0 Lord, Who didst inspire the saints of the Old Iiaw with such ardent desires to see Thy only Son descend on earth; grant me some of their holy ardor, and in spite of the miseries and trials of this life, let me feel a holy desire to be united to Thee in the most ardent charity. At the ly-ie Eleison. These words, signifying "HZver mercy, Lord," are frequently repeated to teach us, that by prayer alone we can obtain God's assistance in our necessity. Hear, 0 Lord, the redoubled cries of Thy priest and people, and have mercy on us! We ask Thy 246 PRAYERS TO B IESAIL AT MASS. mercy in the -words of the blind man of Jericho, with the hperseveralice of the Calsanite woman, wNith the ea;ger ness of all, whom Thou bulhst heard, when they cried " -Have mlercy, O Lt rd' At the Gloria iSl dielis. This hymin, of x which the first s ords w\re, sung by tle angels at the birth of our Lord, is at series of praises of God; and we should raise ounrlr heaUcl to those heavenly choirs, ani join in tnileir celestitl chLilnt of praise, adoration, and igrattitude, either epeating it with th e priest or ini spirit, beside the crib at Bethleheml, ieditatin.g on it as follows, rwhile the choir invests it with all the beaiutv which lart can confer. Glory be given to Godl on high, Who in this great mnrystery has. ia so nislceakab l le a manner, displayed the wonders of His visdlom, mercy, and power. Peace on earth to men; the God of peace HIimself has brouglht it into the wolrld. Haippy the nmen of good-wVill who will open thoir hearts to this divine and heavenly peatce atnd are disposed to receive it. Great God! God infinitely holy, infinitely good at tile siglht of all these prodigies of Thy love, what can we do but offer ore' praise, benediction, adoration, every feeling of ouli hearts! Almhnigbhtv God! K'inog of heavenl and earth, we render Thee the thanks we owe Thy love and gloiry; but ineapa b!e ourseives?f o-fferinn Thee a worthy homage, we join in that vwhich the angels and. the Spirits of the blessed rendel Thee in heaven. O Jesus! only Son of the heaveltly Father! Lamb of God, WIho takest away the sins of the world, have mercy oin us. O Thou, Who as a vctimn alrleady washest away the sins of men in Thy tears, and wilt One day wash them entirely awvay with Thy blood, hear and giant otur praye-rs: PRAYERS To BE SAID AT MASS. 247 although annihilated to our eyes on earth, Thou sittest at the right hand of Thy Father in heaven; we conjure Thee have mercy on us; come and heal our woes by sharing them wirh us. We acknowledge Thee, O infant God! as alone holy, alone Lord, alone great, infinitely rIaised atove all greatness. Thou reignest witl the Holy Ghost in the glory of Thy heavenly Father: Come and reign as a sovereign in our hearts; we consecrate theim at the fdot of Thy cradle, to be forever devoted to Thee. For whom can they henceforward sigh but for Thee, our Saviour, our benefactor, a God full of goodness and love? We wish to love Thee with all our hearts in time, so as not to cease loving Thee for eternity. At the Dominzus Vobiscunm. These words and their response, show the spirit of love and charity which should exist between the priest and the people, especially in the prayers which they offer to God. Yes! be with us, 0 Lord, and with Thy' minister, that we may pray piously, and be heard by Thee, for Thy glory and our salvation. At the Collect. While the priest implores the Almighty to look down on the wants of the faithful, we should join our intention to his, and say: Receive, O04ord, the prayers addressed to Thee in our behalf; grant us the graces and virtues which Thy Holy Church asks in our favor by the ministry of the priest. Wse do not indeed deserve to be hear'd; but remember, 0 Lord, that we ask 248 PRAYERS TO BE SAIl) AT MASS. these graces through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Wh.L liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen. Give me, O Lord, a holy compunction of heart. that I may bewail at the foot of Thy altar my long wanderings and guilty weakness; invest me with Thy strength, that no toil, no danger, no obstacle, no persecutior of men, no bad example, may ever separate me from Thee. These graces I ask, 0 Lord, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour. Amen. At the Epistle. The Jews opened their Synagogue service on the Sabbath by reading Moses and the Prophets. The early Christians adopted this usage on Sundays, and in all ages the Church began by reading lessons fronm Holy Scripture, taken from the Old Testament or the writings of the Apostles. This was done before the Gospel, as if to follow the example of our Lord, Who, foretold by the prophets, sent His disciples before Him to announce His coming. I regard this Epistle, O Lord, as a letter come to me fiom heaven, to teach me Thy adorable will. Grant me the strength I need to accomplish Thy commands. Thou, O Lord, diidst inspire the Plrophets and Apostles to write; cast at the same time into my heart a spark of the sacred fire which inflamed them, in order that, like them, I may love Thee and serve Thee enearth. At the Gradual. During this prayer let us raise rur hearts to heaven in union with the choirs of angels, and endeavor to imitLte their joy at the sight of God's benefits. PRAYERtS TO BE SAID AT MASS. 240 Thy lessons instruct and delight me, 0 Lord; they fill me with a joyful hope of beholding Thee one day in heaven, my true home. Whfen the book is carried to the Gospel side. This transfer represents the Apostles abandoning the obstinate Jews to annoulnc the Gospel to the Gentiles. Let us pray that our sins may never cause us to be abandcloned, as we so justly deserve. But that iwe imay merit that heavenly country, purify, 0 Lord, tile heart in' which Thou art to dwell; purify my lips with the burning coal of Thly holy love, as Tllou didst the lips of the prolphet Isaias, so that after having wortlhily proclaimed Thy glory on eartl, I may be hereafter admitted to celebrate it in heaven. 0 my God! preserve me firom the errors which scatter their poisons ar'ound us, and never punish me by depriving me of the torch of fith. At the Dominus Vobisctnm. Teach me, 0 Lord, to do Thy will! Speak, 0 my God, Thy servant heareth! At the Gospel. The incensing of the Gospels should reluind us of tlhe good odor diffused in our souls by the wordl of God. The lighted candles teach us that Jesus Christ is thie true lighlt, to' enliohten every man that comleth into the world. We stand d(lnl'ing the Gospel to show tlhat we are ready to follow Christ, as thle only ma ster whom we acknowledge. Reardl the Gospel Ih.ichl you tare about to hear, as tlhe rule of your faith alns morals, a rilde wbich iln Baptisn ylou plr- li:se to follow, and by which you will be rigorously judgdc. tle priest makles the sign of the Cr'loss as a solein p'rotession 0o 250 PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. faith;.nd we make it first on the forehead, to show that we do not blush at the Gospel; next on the mouth, to protest our willingness to confess with the lips a heavenly doctrine which we confess in thought; and lastly on the breast, to show that we desire to engravo the Cross of Christ deeply on our hearts, and prove by our works our attachment to the faith. We must adore Wisdom and Truth itself in every word of the Gospel: Jesus Christ there speaks to us, and whom shall we hear "but Him," Who hath the words of eternal life. When the priest kisses the book out of respect, let us unite our hearts to God by love. I rise. 0 sovereign Lawgiver, to show that I am ready to defend, even at the risk of my life, the eternal truths which are contained in Thy holy Gospel. Thou teachest us that not all who say, Lord! Lord!-that is, not all those who mnerely profess Thy Gospel with their lips, without a firm will of practising it-shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but that those only shall enter who conform their lives and works to Thy command. ments. Grant me the grace to be as faithful in accom. plishing Thy divine word as Thou makest me fitm in believing it. Alas! what will it avail me, when I appear before Thee, to have had the faith without the merit of charity and good works, except to render mly sentence more terrible, my eternal lot more fearful! O God of mercy! judge me not by the perpetual contradiction I exhibit between Thy maxims and my conduct; inspire me with courage to practise what I believe, that I may hear Thee say, "Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and do it." All the glory, 0 Lord, will be Thine. PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS, 251 At the Creed. The Gospel is followed on Sundays and certain feasts lay the Creed, because it is on such solemnities that the people should, before the altar, renew the adoration'of all our mysteries, and give a solemnn testimony of their entire belief in the Gospel truths contained in -the Creed. If the Creed is chanted by the choir, you may make the renewal of your baptismal vows, or say: How shall I worthily thank Thee, O my God, for the precious gift of faith which Thou hast bestowed on me in preference to so many others who languish seated in the shades of error? Let this admirable gift be ever dear to me, O Lord! learer than the honors, the riches, the vanities, and the pleasures of this world that passes away. Give me perfect docility for all that faith teaches, that I may adore, with equal respect, what I undclerstand, andclwhat I do not understand, in Thy ineffable mysteries. As my intelligence is so limited that I do not understand myself, I conceive, O infinite God, that it is neither just nor possible for me to fathom Thy divine secrets. But Thou hast convinced me by Thy grace of the intelligence and sincerity of those by whom Thou hast announced to the world Thy sacred oracles. The world has believed them: it would be the greatest of miracles had it believed them without miracles. And where should I go to find greater security? If I am deceived, Thou hast led me into error. Even if my senses, then, and imagination doubt, my season andu~ my will shall never doubt. Thly faith, 0 Jesus! that faith which the Apostles have preached throughout the earth; that faith which so many thousand martyrs have sealed with their 25 2 PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT NMASS,. blood; ftlat faith which so many; holy doctors hlave defended with their immnortal writings; thllat fiith of all ages, which has enmbalmed thle earth with virtues, and peopled heaven with saints; that faith which never left suffering wmithoult consolation, or evil without a remedy; —that sublime faith shal be ever mine. Accomplish then Thy work in me, I implore Thee, O my divine and loving Saioiur, not only by preserving in my soul the torch of flith tdclimmed, but also by making it produce works of light for my eternal salvation. Amen. At the Dominus Vobiscucn. O my God! let Thy grace be e-ver with us, and with the priest, Thy minister, to offer Thee this sacrifiee with piety and devotion. THIRD PART OF THE MASS. THIE COmMENCEmxNT OF THE SACRIFICE oR OBLATION. At the Offertory. As the unbaptized and penitents were formerly compelled to leave the Church at this point, we cannot but feel how holy our dispositions should be in uniting wi-th the priest in the awful sacrifice about to be offered. Let the heavens and the earth witness the sincerity of my affection, and the joy I would feel in giving my own life to prove my love and fidelity to Thee, O Lord, my Gol I PRAYERS TO BE SAID A'1 MASS. 2,53 The Oblation of the HIost. When the priest offers the Host, which, composed of many grains, represents the Church, let us unite ourselves to it, and beg the Eternal Father to accept us and change us too, that we may say with the Apostle —" live now not I, but Christ liveth in me" (G(l. ii. 20), Receive, 0 Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, this spotless Host,' this wheat of the elect, which Thy priest now offers Thee, O Living God, for my sins, and those of all here present, and for all the faithful living and dead; and accept, 0 Lord, the offering which I now make Thee of my whole being, my soul with all its powers, my heart witih all its affections, all that I have and am. Accept me, O Lord; and as Thou wilt change this offering into the Body of Thy divine Son, change me, so that I may henceforth be all Thine, and Tlhou all mine. Take and receive, 0 Lord, all my liberty: my memory, my understanding, and all my will: all that I am or have. Thou hast given me all: to Thee, O Lord, I return it: dispose of it according to Thy will: give me Thy love and Thy grace: that is all I ask. When the Priest mingles the wine and water. When the priest mingles a few drops of water with the wine, in conformity with the tradition that, oue divine Lord d(lid so in the institution of this sacrifice, let us think of the union which should subsist between ourselves, represented by this water, and the divin3 Victim, Whose blood the wine is soon to become. O Almig.lty God, temper the heat of my passions by the waters of Thy grace! inflame my 22 254 PRAYERS TO BE S AID AT MASS. heart with the wine of Thy love; and as Thou hast so wonderfully created, and still more wonderfully redeemed me, grant' that by this holy sacrifice I may participate in the divinity of Thy divine Son, who deigned to take upon Himself our humanity. At the Oblation of the Chalice. In union with the sacrifice of Melchisedec, Thy holy priest, and with all the sacrifices of the patriarchs, and of the temple, I offer Thee, O Lord, by the hands of Thy priest, the chalice of salvation, this chalice of benediction, this wine that maketh virgins, that it may ascend to Thy divine Majesty as a sweet odor, and be offered Thee by Thy holy angels on the golden altar before Thy throne, O Lord, for our salvation, and that of the whole world. During the incensing in solemn Jicasses. Accept, 0 Lord, this incense, ever used in Thy solemn worship from the earliest days; and let my prayer ascend with it in Thy sight: sanctify for Thy service Thy Church, thy altar, thy ministers and people, as this incense rises around them. Wh7.en the Priest washes his fingers. As our Lord washed the feet of His apostles before instituting the Holy Eucharist, so the priest now washes the tips of his fingers, to show us that to participate in the holy mysteries it is not enough to be free'from criminal actions, but that we must be purified from the least stain of sin. O my God! wash my soul, and cleanse it from all stain of sin; destroy in me the least imperfec PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. 255 tions, and render my soul, by Thy holy grace, as pure as it was after baptism. Grant me, O Lord, the grace to forget this world, which mlust undergo Thy judgments-to despise this world, which will be the prey of Thy vengeance; and to disrogarcl these plans, these schemles, whose term is a day, a minute, a second. Let me trample under foot these honors which degrade, tlese dangelrous pleasures which intoxicate, these false goods which corrupt the soul, these false talents which amnuse, this hollow fiiendship which produces so many victims; let my first and most earnest care be to rob of its terrors the day of Thy vengeance, when Thou wilt exact so rigorous an account of Thy benefits and Thy graces! I ask it, O mly God, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ. At the Orate J3fatres. When the priest turns to ask our prayers, that, the sacrifice-ourls as well as his-which he is about to offer to the Most Holy Trinity, may be accepted in memory of the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord, let us all join our prayers with his, and say: 0 Lord! hear the players of all Thy faithful, united here to offer Thee this great sacrifice, which we implore Thee to receive for the glory of Thy name, for our particular benefit, and the good of all Thy Church. Pour forth into- our hlearts the dispositions "necessary to assist with fruit at this great act of our religion: sanctify tile priest who celebrates Thy divine mysteries; and purify his hands and heart, that he may be in a state to draw down Thy graces on himself and on us. 256 PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. At the Secreta. While the priest in a low tone, or secretly, prays the Almighty to look favorably on the oblation, and sanctify us so to become victims worthy of being offered to Him, we should unite in his petition. Change, O my God i these oblations into Thy body and blood, and transform into Thyself our weak hearts by the power of this adorable mystery. Let Thy divine Word descend on these gifts which we offer, that they may become a saving victim, acceptallb? to Thy divine Majesty, and useful to Thy servants, by the application of the merits of the blood of Thy divine Son. May an abundant blessing descend by this sacrifice on Thy faithful; change their hearts, destroy sin and earthly affection, and prepare Thee an afreeiable holocaust and permanent abode in ufIion, and by the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy SQ)n our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with 9 hee. FOURTH PART OF THE bIASS. riIE (CANON OR RULE OF THE CONSECRATION, PRECEDED BY THE PREFACE. The Preface is an introduction to the prayers of the Canon, and by its solemn chant, its ancient beauty calls on us to raise our hearts to God, and give Him our thanks for the great miracle which he is about to effect in the Consecration. 0 Eternal Father, the moment approaches when Thy divine Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, is PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. 257 about to descend on this altar: nothing of earth should now engage my mind; my heart should sigh only after that pure Victim, Who taketh away the sins of the world: purify it by the fire of Thy love, that it may relish only the good of heaven. By what gratitude shall I acknowledge all Thy benefits, and especially that of giving us a victim of propitiation, Who, every day, and several times a dcay, renews for us the sacrifice which He offered Thee on Calvary, to draw down Thy mercy on us! Through Thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ, all the blessed, 0 Eternal Father, glorify Thee, and render Thee their homage. Permit us, O Lord, sinners as we are, to join our feeble prayer to that of those heavenly intelligences, and permit us all, with one heart and one mind, to say with transports of joy, love, gratitude, and admiration: Holy! Holy! Holy is the Lord God of Hosts; the heavens and the earth are full of Thy glory. Let the saints and angels bless Him in heaven, while we on earth adore Him Who is about to descend in the name of the Lord, to Whom be honor and glory forever and ever. At the Canon. This ancient form of prayer is full of the noblest sentiments of religion, and fills us with a sense of the dignity of our own souls. While the priest silently offers the sacrifice through the merits of Christ, and in union with the Immaculate Virgin, the holy Apostles, and blessed Martyrs, we must in spirit unite ourselves with him and with all present, and not let our minds wander from the sacrifice of Calvary, of whiclh the repeated crosses made by the priest remind us. WVe beseech Thee, O Father of mercy, and conare Thee by Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to 22* 258 PRAYERS TO [BE SAID AT MASS. accept and bless this adorable sacrifice, which we a're about to offer Thee, a pure host, a spotless host, the Body and Blood of Thy divine Son. We offer it, O Lord; by the hands of Thy minister for Thy whole Church, imploring Thee to unite, protect, and govern it; and also for our Holy Father the Pope, and all the bishops and priests throughout the world, especially those who preside over us, as well as of all Thy faithful comlmitted to their care. leiementb of the Livizyg. As the priest then makes an especial comlmemoration of those for w+horm he offers the sacrifice, we should imitate him, saying: We offer it, O Lord, in an especial manner, for ourselves, our family, relatives, fiiends, and enemies; for all who ha'le offended us, or whom we have offended; for all to whom Awe have in any way been an occasion of sin; and especially for (N. N.) For these, O Lord, we offer up to Thee this sacrifice of praise for the redemption of our souls, and the hope of our salvation. C'ut~memoration of the Saizts. The priest then, mindful of the communion of the saints, offers the sacrifice in union with them. To Thee, eternal, true, and living God, we pay our vows, reverently communmicating with the Blessed Virgin Ihmnlmaculate, whose memory we honor, and with Thy holy apostles, martylrs, doctors, confesso:s, andi holy virgins, by whose merits and prayers we hope to be ever protected and defendled by Thee, through Christ our Lord. PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. 259 When the Priest spreads his hands over the oblation. Accept, O Lord, this Victim, over which Thy priest extends his hands, as over the sin-offerings of the Old Law: accept, O Lord, this Victim of propitiation for the sins of the worldcl: accept it, O Lord, as a substitute for us, who should really be the victims of Thy justice and wrath: accept it, O Lord, favorably, and grant us, during this mortal life, the peace which comes from Thee: preserve us fiom eternal damnation, and enroll us in the number of Thy elect, through Christ our Lord. At the Consec~ration. "Drop down dew, ye heavens, frlom above, anl, let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened, and bud forth a Saviour'." "Come, O Lord Jesus "! Come, amiable restorer of the world: come, and accom plish a mystery, which is an abridgment of all Thy wonders: come, and affect a change more surprising than the creation of the world! Behold the Lampb of God! Verily Thou art a hidden God: the God of Israel the Saviour. At the Elevation. Jesus Christ having, according to His promise, become present, the priest kneels and adores, then lifts Him uip to be adored by the people. At this'solemn zmoment make every effort to enter into the sublimie sentiments of adoration of the heavenly spirits who surround the altar, and annihilate themselves before- the sovereign aMaster of heaven an(l earth: behold them with thel eyes of faith, seized with trembling awe, anvd consumned avith the flamines of most ardent love for a God infinitely holy, infinitely amiable, and so lavish of Hfis benefits: thinl, that if -Ie descends fIom thhe throne of liss gloly, it is to bring you tL.n 260 PRAYERS. TO BE SAID AT MASS. treasures of. His graces. Oh, receive not in vain Hlls gracious visit: you will hereafter desire it, ask it, perhaps in vain! Adoration, repentance, love, gratitude, submission, hope-all these you must offer at this moment to your divine Saviour, Who comes to you full of mleekness, and with the promiuse of His infinite mercy: sinners, prepare to meet your God. Hail, Body of Christ i Victim offered for me and all mankind on the gibbet of the Cross! Christeternal King —Man crucified for man-look upon Thy most holy flesh, crucified and pierced for -me. Hail, most glorious Blood! —gushing from the side of my Lord Jesus Christ,'and washing out all the stains of original and actual sin-wash, sanctify, and preserve my soul to live everlasting. 0 divine Lord, Who didst say, " When I am lifted up I will draw all hearts to myself," draw me to Thee, and let me never be separated firom Thee. I adore Thee devoutly, 0 hidden Deity, Who really art invisibly present beneath these elements. My whole heart subjects itself to Thee, because, contemplating Thee, all human powers fail. Sight, taste, touch alre deceived in Thee; but by hearing alone we safely believe. I believe whatever the Son of God hath said: nothing is more ~true than this word of truth. On the Cross, the Divinity alone was hid; but here, humanity too is concealed; yet, believing and confessing both, I pray with the penitent thief. I do not see Thy wounds, as Thomas did; yet I confess Thee my God. Make me ever believe more in Thee, hole more in Thee, and love Thee more. 0 mnemorial of the death of our Lordl O living bread, giving life to man i Let my mind ever live by Thee, and PRAIERS TO BE SAID AT MASS,. 261 ever relish Thy sweetness. O pious Pelican, O Lord Jesus, cleanse my uncleanness in Thy blood one drop of which can save the whole world firom all sin. O Jesus, whom veiled I now behold, grant what I thirst for, that, beholding Thy face unveiled, I may be blessed with the sight of Thy glory. After the elevation. Almighty Father, Who hast so loved the world as to give Thy only-begotten Son, that none who believe in Him should perish, but have everlasting life; by this Thy beloved Son, whose most holy passion and glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven I commemorate, conduct, I beseech Thee, my soul out of prison, that it may praise Thy name. Deliver me from the chains of my sins, and bec:ause my own deserts make me fear the condemnation of death, be appeased by the intercession of Thy beloved Son, and mercifully restore me to life. For what other mediator to send Thee, I know not, but Him who is the propitiation for our sins, who sits at Thy right hand making intercession for us, my advocate with Thee the Father, the High Priest, stained not with the blood of others, but His own! A holy Victim, well-pleasing and perfect, offered and accepted for an odor of sweetness; the Lamb without spot, Who did no sin, but has borne our sins, and with His own bruises healed our infirmities. This is He whom Thou hast struck for the wickeduess of Thy people, Thy beloved Son though He be, in whom Thou art well pleased. 262 PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. Look, most gracious Father, on the humanity of Thy beloved Son, and have pity on the infirmity of Thy weak creature. Behold the punishment of the Redeemer, and forgive the offences of the redeemed. Let me run, O Lord, in the way of Thy comrn manciments, that I may be united to Him in spirit WVho disdained not to be clothed in my flesh, Jesus Christ, blessed forever. At the MIemzento for the Dead. The sacrifice is offered not only for the living, but for those who having died in the Lord, still expiate their lesser faults in purgatory. For these the Church has ever prayed specially in the Mass: she loves her children beyond the grave. Let us enter into her spirit, and pray as we hope to be prayed for. We pray Thee also, 0 IHoly Father, for the spirits of the faithful departed, that they may have eternal salvation, joy, and refreshment. Accept, 0 Lord, this sacrifice, not only for uts who are still on this earth, but let its virtue be felt even where the faithful departed expiate in suffering their faults colmmitted here. Hear their groans, 0 Lord, and vouchsafe to introduce them into that glorious life for which we are all clreated. Hear, 0 Lord, the prayers this day offered for them, and grant them eternal rest. At the Nobis quoque peccatoribus. Reminded by the thought of the departed of our own future, let us again, with the priest, invoke God to be mercilful to us, and accept the sacrifice on our behalf. Have mercy also, 0 Lord, on me Thy unworthy PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS.o 23 servant, according to the multitude of Thy mer cies; grailt inme pardon for my sins in this world,:and suffer nme not to be tormented with the wicked in the next. But give me some little portion with Thy saints in heaven, who being Thy members, and made one with Tllee, did not hesitate, for the precious blood which Thou hast shed -for them, to shed their own glorious blood for Thee, and for their brethren: in their life they loved Thee, and imitated Thee in their death, and therefore have they merited crowns of triumph. With whom, thou'gh unequal to them in merits, yet solely by Thy mercy, ialake me a partaker, by the assistance of their merits and prayers. Amen. FIFTH PART OF THE KASS. PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION. Pr~eface to the Lord's Prayeer. Admonished by the saving command of Jesus Christ, and in obedience to the divine instructions which He has left us, we presume to say: PATER NOSER. Our Father, &c. After th Pater. Deliver me, 0 my God, from past evil, the sins I have committed in the days which have passed, and for which I am accountable to Thy justice; deliver me from present evil, fiom bad habits, and, 264 PRAYERS 10' BE SAID AT MASS. the ever present concupis-ence which allures me to sin; and lastly, 0 my God, deliver ine firom future evil, the temptations'of the devil, the flesh, and the world, and above all from eternal death. At the Agnus Dai. When the priest kisses the paten, and striking his breast thrice repeats the words of the Precursor of our Lord, let us renew our faith in the mystery of His di vine presence, and say: My Saviour Jesus Christ! Thou art the true Lamb of God, immolated to efface our sins; grant that having received,'through Thy grace, pardon for our sins, we may lead a new life; grant us too that peace and charity with our neighbors, which Thou hast so earnestly commended, and which is so necessary to us to share in the effects and graces of Holy Communion. At the Priest's Cozmmznzon. According to the desire of the Church, all shoula oe pure enough to communicate every day. If we have not this happiness, let us beg our Lord to grant it to us, and to inspire us with tender affection for Him, a hearty sorrow and repentance for our sins, and an earnest desire of receiving Him; so as to communicate at least spiritually. Our divine Lord often grants to a fervent spiritual communion, the same graces as to a sacramental one. Pi-cyer fror Spiritucal omnmunion. 0 Lord Jesus! I acknowledge that Thou art the true living bread which came down from heaven, and that Thou art truly present in body, soul, and divinity, under the species of bread and wine, by a wonderful goodness, a touching mercy, PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. 265 and an admirable power, in order to nourish us with Thyself. I adore Thee in all the sincerity of my heart. I believe that in this adorable Sacrament Thou concealest infinite treasures of heavenly graces, of which my poor wretched soul longs to partake. I believe in Thy words: "HI-e who eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, remaineth in Me and I in him; and he shall possess everlasting life." Behold me then, O living bread! wretched and languishing with hunger and thiirst, subject to countless miseries: oh! how I would desire to receive Thee, that united to Thee, the sovereign physician of our souls, I may live fully and truly of Thy life. I avow, nevertheless, with confusion and a profound repentance for my sins, that I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof: I dare not introduce Thee into my soul, by really receiving Thy sacred body; but I know and believe with the Centurion, that though absent-that is, without sacramental communion-Thou canst with a single word purify my soul from all that renders it unworthy to receive Thee. Ahl vouchsafe to utter that word of power and sanctification: by the all-powerful unction of Thy grace heal my poor soul, and. come take up Thy abode in it, to nourish it in its hunger, and strengthen it in its extreme weakness-Thou who by the will of the Father, with the operation of the Holy Ghost, hast given life to the world by Thy death, nourish me, quicken me, sanctify me by Thy sacred body and blood. O God of love! Thou whom henceforward T 28 266 PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. wish to love above all things, grant that I maynever again offend Thee: grant me Thy grace to avoid the fault (name it) into which I fall most easily and most frequently; bind me to Thee in the bonds of the most ardent love, and assure my fidelity here below, that I may have the unspeakable happiness of loving and possessing Thee for all eternity. Amen. SIXTH AND LAST PART OF THE XEASS. The prayers which follow the Communion are a thanksgiving for the great benefit just bestowed, and a new protestation of fidelity. We should unite with the priest in displaying our gratitude, and protesting our sincere resolution to lead henceforward a Christian life, as souls now made one with Christ. At the last Collects. How shall I thank Thee, O Lord, for all Thy favors! How shall I ever show the gratitude I owe Thee for such bounty, and such love! Accept, O Lord, I beseech Thee, to supply the insufficiency of my praises, those of all Thy just on earth, of the Im-nmaculate Mary, the purest of virgins, of all the angels, and of all Thy saints in heaven. I will now depart, purified, I trust, by Thy divine mysteries: aided by Thy grace I shall endeavor to preserve myself from all that can sully me again; I will watch over my senses, that death may not again enter my soul by sin; and I shall not cease to pray Thee, humbly and fervently, to defend me till my latest sigh against all the ene PRAYERS TO BE SAID AT MASS. 267 mies of my salvation! Render me faithful to these holy resolutions, which Thou hast inspired, O my God, my Father; I implore it through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Thzen the PIriest bows down before the Benediction. 0 my God, look not on my unworthiness; have regard only to Thine own inexhaustible mercy, and the infinite merits of the divine Victim, Who has immolated Himself to take away the sins of the world, and let the abundance of Thy blessings descend upon me. At the last Gospel. The piety of later ages introduced the custom, made a rule by Pope Pius V., of reading the commencement of the Gospel according to St. John. All our religion is comprised in these words; we should hear them standing and with respect, and ask God's grace to remain till death children of God, as His divine Son has made us by his incaxnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. O Eternal Word, by Whom all things were made, and Who, becoming incarnate in the fullness of time, hast instituted this august sacrifice, we most humbly thank Thee. May all the angels and saints praise Thee in heaven, and grant that we may begin ourselves to bless Thee on earth, by living in a manner worthy of our divine adoption, this day and so long as it shall please Thee to have us remain in this world. *p a bu t after Mfass. THANKSGIVING AFTER MASS. The world proclaims its joys and empty pleasures, and shall we not also loudly publish our happiness in having eaten the bread of angels, and drunk of the wine of virgins? We have beheld the mystical sacri fice of Jesus Christ, and shall we not exclaim with the Apostle, "The world is crucified to me and I to the world?" My God, I thank Thee for the favor Thou hast granted me in permitting me to assist at Matss, preferably to many others who have not enjoyed this happiness. I humbly ask Thy pardon for all the faults I have committed in Thy presence. May this sacrifice purify me firom past sins, and strengthen me against temptations. I go confidently to the occupations to which duty calls me, hoping not to lose sight of the grace Thou hast granted me; and I purpose, with Thy assistance, to use every means of avoiding sin, and preserving the fruits of the Mass I have heaLd. Amen. TsE DEUM. Te Deum laudamus: We praise Thee. 0 te Dominum confitemur. God: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lor4 PRAYERS TO BE SAID AFTER MASS. 269 Te sternum Patrem All the earth doth omnis terra veneratur. worship Thee, the Father everlasting. Tibi omnnes angeli: To Thee all angelscry tibi cmli et universze po- aloud: the heavens and testates. all the powers therein. Tibi cherubim et sera- To Thee cherubim phim, incessabili voce and seraphim, continuproclamant; ally do cry; Sanctus, sanctus, sanc-r Holy, holy, holy, Lord tus, Dominus Deus Sa- God of Sabaoth. baoth. Pleni sunt cceli et ter- Heaven and earth are ra majestatis glorie tuse. full of the majesty of Thy glory. Te gloriosus Aposto- The glorious choir of lorum chorus. the Apostles praise Thee. Te Prophetarum lau- The admirable comdabilis numerus. pany of the Prophets praise Thee. Te Martyrum candi- The white-robed army datus laudat exercitus. of Martyls praise Thee. Te per orbem terra- The holy Church rum saneta confitetur throughout all the world Ecclesia. doth acknowledge Thee. Patrem immensm ma- The Father of an injestatis. finite majesty. Venerandum tuum Thy adorable, true, verum et uniculm Fili- and only Son. Um. Sanctum quoque Pa- Also the Holy Ghost raclitum Spiritum. the Comforter. Tu Rex gloria, Chris- Thou art the King of te. Glory, 0 Christ. 23* 270 PRAYERS TO BE SAID AFTER MASS. TuPauris sempiternus Thou art the everlasth es Filius. ing Son of the Father. Tu ad liberandum sus-'When Thou tookest cepturus hominem, non upon Thee to deliver horruisti Virginis ute- man, Thou didst not abrum. hor the Virgin's womb. Tu devieto mortis When Thou hadst aculeo, aperuisti creden- overcome the sting ol tibus regna ccelorum. death, Thou didst open *the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Tu ad dexteram Dei Thou sittest at the sedes in gloria Patris. right hand of God in the glory of the Father. Judex crederis esse We believe that Thou venturus. shalt come to be our Judge. Te ergo quaesumus, We pray Thee, theretuis famulis subveni, fore, help Thy servants, quos pretioso sanguine whom Thou hast reredemisti. deemed with Thy precious blood. zterna fac cum Sanc- Make them to be tis tuis, in gloria nume- numbered with Thy rari. Saints, in glory everlasting. Salvum fac populull 0 Lord, save Thy peotuum, Domine, et bene- ple, and bless Thine indie hvereditati tu~e. heritanee. Et rege eos, et extolle Govern them, and lift illos usque in eternum. them up forever. Per singulos dies, be- Day by day, we maguedicimus te. nify Thee. Et laudamus nomen Ancl we praise Thv PRAYERS TO BE SAID AFTrER MASS. 271 tauul in seculum, et in name forever, yea, forsecudlum sxculi. ever and ever. Dignare, Domine, die Vouchsafe, O Lord, isto, sine peccato nos this day, to keep us custodi re. without Sin. Miserere nostri, Do- O Lord, have mercy nline, mliseere nostri., upon us, have mercy UpOD1 US. Fiat misericordlia tua, O Lord, let Thy mercy Domine, super nos: be showed upon us: as quemadmnodum speravi- we have hoped in Thee. Inus in te. In te, Domine, spera- 0 Lord, in Thee have vi: non confundar in I hoped: let me not be leternum. confounded forever. *4,K o1oftiollZ for faUzz, BY WAY OF MEDITATION ON THE PASSION AND DEATH 01 OR DIVINE LoaD. OF all tLt methods traced by the masters of the Spiritual Life to nourish the piety of the faithful during the sacrifice of the Mass, there is perhaps none more useful than the remembrance of the passion of our Lord, and the alpplication of its various circumstances to the actions of the priest, and the different parts of;he holy mysteries. The sacrifice of the altar being the same as that of the Cross, should naturally recall our -nilds to Calvary, and awaken in us the sentiments that would have actuated us, had we with our own eyes witnessed the sufferings and death of the Son of God The most natural means to effect this is, surely, to seek in the signs and ceremonies the narrative of what they commemorate, and thus follow Christ step by step in all the movements of the priest. Let us then repair in thought to Jerusalem, to the garden of Olives, to the house of Caiphas, to the tri bunal'of Pilate, to the mount of sorrow; let us join MIary and the holy women: like Simon, of Cyrene, let us take the cross from the shoulders of Jesus; let us receive His last word and His last sigh; let us strike our bleast; let us shed tears of repentance and love. If just, this execise and these sentiments will merit us new graces: if sinners, they will excite us to penance, and prepare the way f )r our reconciliation. MASS IN UNION WITH THE PASSlON. 2f73 A PRAYER BEBORE MASS. 0 divine Jesis! sacred Victim, immolated for the redemption of mankind! I earnestly beseech Thee that I may assist at this adorable sacrifice with the most lively faith, animated hope, unbounded gratitude, and tender love. Permit mo to follow Thee in spirit through the different stages of Thy sacred passion, and *give me an abundant share of that infinite charity which in-. duced Thee to suffer such excessive torments for my sake. With the daughters of Sion, who met Thee carrying Thy cross, and Thy blessed Mother, who saw Thee expire for our salvation, I desire to compassionate Thy sufferings, and to detest sin, as the only sovereign evil. I offer this divine sacrifice, to commemoiate in a special manner Thy dolorous passion, and to obtain through its efficacious merits the grace of true and sincere devotion towards Thy life-giving sufferings and death. At the Beginning of Mass. The priest going from the sacristy to the altar, represents Jesus Christ retiring froml the cenacle to the garden of Gethsemani. Unite your sentiments with the divine dispositions of the Son of, God, and dispose yourself by sincere repentance to assist worthily at the great sacrifice about to be offered. O divine Lord! in the multitude of Thy mercies I will enter Thy house, and adore Thee in Thy holy temple. Though my sins are multiplied beyond number, yet I will appeal to Thy unbounded mercies, which far exceed my malice, or the extent of my ingratitude. I will confide in the 27i4 MASS IN UNION WITH THE PASSION. suftt;rings of my Redeemer, and hope, through Ills infinite merits, to find g'race and salvation, 0 dear Jesus! Thou who hast wash.ed me h ereto fore. in tle laver of baptism, wash me yet moro firom my iniquity, and cleanse me fiom my sin: sprinkle me with Thy blood, asnd I shall be cleansed; wash men, and I shall be made whitel than 81OW. At the Introit. When the priest bows and kisses the altar, contemnplate our divine Lord prostrate before His heavenly Father, loadedl with the sils of mankind, and bathed in blood through excess of sorrow. Reflect on the anguish which the treacherous kiss of Judas caused our divine Redeemer. O good Jesus! I fervently bless Thee, for all Thou hast done and suffered for my salvation. Give me grace to weep over those sins which drew streams of blood from Thy sacred veins. I desire to commemorate with the most lively and humnble contrition Thy agony in the garden, and I firmly resolve to detest my sins to the latest mnonlent of my life. Pierce my soul with grief for having repaid Thy goodness with ingratitude, and let me fiequently cry out with the humble publican: O God! be merciful to me a sinner. May those bonds which confined Thy sacred hands, burst the fetters of my sins, and restore me to the sweet liberty of Thy children. I cast myself at Thy sacred feet, and conjure Thee to strengthen me by Thy all-powerful grace; that under every trial and affliction, I may submit cheerfully to the decrees of Thy adorable Providence, and never cease to bless Thy holy name. MASS IY UNION WITH TiHE PASSION. 275 At the Kyrie eleison and Gloria in excelsis. The Kyrie eleison is repeated three times to honor the adorable Trinity; it may also serve to remind you or the denials of St. Peter, anl to excite the deepest regret for your much more frequent denials of so good a Master. At the Glotia in excelsis, reflect on the miraculous conversions which signalized the public life of Jesus Christ, and beg that one benign glance may convert and penetrate your soul, as it did St. Peter's. O my God! have mercy on me, according to Thy great mercy: pardon me, who have so often had the misfortune of denying Thee, by a life altogether opposite to Thy sacred maxims. Look on me, divine Jesus, with that compassion and tenderness, which the sight of misery always excited in Thy most amiable heart. Purify me, as Thou didst Thy penitent apostle, that I may worthily unite with Thy Church in celebrating the wonderful work of man's redemption. Oh, how fervently should I join in Thy praises, most amiable Jesus! How ardently should I sing', Glory be to God on high, glory be to that adorable Being, Who, forgetf!t of His own glory, underwent for my sake uch prodigious humiliations! O my sovereign King 1 my divine and adorable Model! since Thou wast pleased to descend so low as my fiail nature, grant that I may place all my glory, honor, and happiness, in sharing Thy humiliations, and carrying Thy cross. At the Epistle and Gospel. When the priest goes from the middle of the altar to the Epistle side, ani thence to the Gospel side, represent to yourself the eternal Son of God, dragged about 276 MASS IN U.NION WITH THE PASSION. to the different tribunals of Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod; and when you stand to hear the Gospel, remember that it is the word of Him, Who alone has the words of eternal life; of Him, Who came from heaven to instruct you, and Who, for your sake, confirmed His doctrine by shedding His precious blood. O eternal God! unerring Truth! Whose sacred word I am so happy as to hear, penetrate my heart by the influence of Thy grace, that I may not hear it to my eternal reprobation, like the Jews, who so long, and so fruitlessly, listened to Thy sacred maxims. O spotless Lamb of God i while Thy judges proclaim Thee an impostor, I rise without fear or shame, to declare in the face of heaven and earth, that I believe Thee to be Christ, the Son of the living God; and that I most unreservedly assent to all, and every article proposed by Thy holy Church to my belief. But, O divine Lord! give me grace to profess my faith by my actions, as well as by my words. Have mercy on all who are involved in the dreadful night of infidelity; may the light of Thy grace shine upon them, and so penetrate their hearts, that they may embrace the truth, and be united to the communion of Thy holy Church. At the Offertory. When the priest unveils the chalice, and offers the bread and wine, contemplate your merciful Redeemer, stripped of His garments, bound to a pillar, and cruelly scourged; offer yourself, in union with the sacrifice of His precious blood which He then offered, and which He now renews on the altar. Adorable Jesus! when I reflect on the torments Thou didst endure when fastened to the pillar, I MASS IN UNION WITH THE PASSION. 2 77 begin to conceive the enolmity of sin, and the imnmense extent of Thy eternal love. I behold in Thy wounds the greatness of my ingratitude, and the depth of the misery to which I aril educed. But, O) Lord! how happy am I, in being able to present Thee, at this moment, a victim of thanksgiving and atonement, fully proportioned, or rathei far exceeding, the magnitude of my obligation, and the multitude of my crimes. I offer Thee the streams of blood that flowed from IlThy sacred body during Thy ignominious scoulmging, and also the bread and wine which is now presented to Thy divine Majesty. Accept, in union with this precious oblation, my body and soul, my thoughts, words, desires7 affections, and sufferings; in fine, my whole being, that henceforward I may be entirely Thine by the bonds of ardent charity. At the LIavabo and Orate Fratres. When the priest washes his hands, call to mi4d the testimony which Pilate gave to the innocence of Jesius Christ; and at the Orate Fratres adore your Saviouri exhibited to the people as a mock king. Prostrate yourself in spirit before your sovereign Lord, and pour out at His sacred feet the grateful effusions of your compassion and love. 0 most adorable blood! which flowed as a remedy for all human woes, I beseech Thee to wash, purify, and sanctify my sinful soul, that I may, with a pure and upright conscience, assist at these awful mysteries. I cannot, 0 my God! presume to wash my hands among the innocent, for alas!: I have been long since excluded fiom the happy few who never offended Thee; but, at least, 24 278 MASS IN UNION WITH THE PASSION. I can claim a privilege not reserved to the inno. cent alone, but mercifully granted even to the most guilty. I can wash my hands, my heart, my soul, in Thy precious blood. I can cast myself on Thv divine mercy, with a firmn- resolution, rather to die than to offend Thee during the rernaindelI of my life. O King of my soul I I aclknowledge Thee for nmy sole and sovereign Lord. O Jesus! I implore, by the sorrow and agony of heart Thou didst endure when Barabbas was preferired to Thee, that Thou wouldst preserve me fiom ever preferring any created object to Thy friendship and favor. By Thy ignominious clothing with a purple garment, I entreat Thee to give me a garment of justice, when I shall appear before Thy dread tribunal; and I fervently conjure Thee that, through Thy infinite mercy, and the merits of Thy thorny crown, I may hereafter obtain a crownl of immortal glory. At the Preface. The priest praying some time in secret before the Preface, represents and commemorates the admirable silence observed by Jesus Christ in the course of His sacred passion. Do you now address your divine Lord in the secret of your heart; represent to Him all your spiritual -necessities; implore an application of His infinite merits to the wounds of your soul; and when the priest raises his voice to recite the Preface, do you redouble your fervor, and join in spirit with the Church militant, triumphant, and suffering, in praising and magnifying that divine Lamb who was slain for the salvation and life of His own creatures. 0 divine Searcher of hearts! from Whom nothing is hidden, since Thou desirest so ardently to establish Thy reign in my soul, permit me to MASS IN UNION WITH THE PASSIDN. 279 represent to Thee its miseries, and all the obstacles which unfortunately oppose the sweet empire of rThy love in my heart. O Lord, Thou needest not nly representations to discern may wants. I am too insensible to kel my miseries as I ought; too weak to call loudly on Thy mercy; too guilty to deserve being heard. Let my silence, then, speak, 0 most melrciful Saviour I let my multiplied miseries plead in my behalf. Thou wilt not be deaf to their eloquent supplications: and surely, my God! Thou needest but consult Thy own sacred heart, and that infinite love which brings Thee daily on our altars, to find motives for granting pardon and mercy to the most unworthy of Thy creatures. O blessed spirits of heaven! holy and happy saints of God I Who, in the mirror of His adorable sanctity, behold the enormity of sin, supply for me, who am unworthy to join with the Church in celebrating His praises and magnifying His goodness. At the Canon. Let the low and solemn voice in whiclh the Canon is read, remind you of that mourning and consternation which amazed and silenced all nature at the sufferings of Jesus Christ; and when the priest spreads his hands over the oblation, making the sign of the cross, call to mind the torments our divine lledeemer endured when. fastened to the cross. O my God! when I reflect on the number and enormnity of my sins, I am sbusible tllhat I have no claim to a share in those precious graces which Thou hast died to purchase for Thy creatures; but when I contemplate that cross on awhich Y'hou didst agonize —when I turn my eyes on this altar 280 MASS IN UNION WITH THE PASSION. this new Calvary, on which Thou art about to descend, and again offer Thyself for my salvation, I feel convinced that Thou wilt always be to me a Jesus-a Saviour. Accept, therefore, of my whole being, in union with the sacred oblation I am about to offer. Purify my sinful soul in those streams of blood which gushed from Thy adorable wounds, and which will soon flow on this altar. Grant to us all, through its efficacious merits, the grace to practise what Thy holy law collmands, and to avoid what it prohibits. Extend the blessings of peace and unity to Thy Church; repentance and pardon to all sinners; comlfort to the sick, the dying, and the afflicted; in a word, lercy and eternal happiness to all, since for all, 0 divine Victim i Thou didst shed Thy adorable and saving blood. I particularly implore Thy precious graces, O my God, for those for whom I ani bound to pray-those who have recommended themselves to imy prayers-who pray for mle, or who, at this moment, may specially want Thy divine assistance. Oh, mlay this adorable and august sacrifice be received by Thy divine Majesty as was the victim which Christ offeled in His own person on the altar of the cross. At tlw leation. At the Elevation of the sacred Host and Clhalice, reflect on the pangs which Jesus endured, when, lifted up between heaven and earth, His precious blood flowed abundantly for the remission of your sins, for the conversion of the world, and of His greatest enemies. Let the first-fruit of His cross and passion, applied to the penitent thief on the cross, encourage you to recur confideiftly to His mercies, and to hope that HIis infinite love will one day assign you likewise a place in paradise. MASS IN UNION WTITH THE PASSION. 281 Hail, O King of Glory! Prince of Peace! and Saviour of the World! RHail, O immaculate Victin m! sacrificed for me and all mankind on the altar of the cross. I bless Thee, I adore Thee, I love Thee, O divine Jesus! and I ardently invite the whole universe to join in praising anrd blessing Thy holy name. O bleeding and adorable Victim of my sins! why have I not the faith, the love, the anguish which penetrated the hearts of those who beheld Thy sacred blood flow fiom Thy precious wounds? Hear, O eternal God! the voice of this blood, which cries loudly, not for vengeance, but for pardon and mercy. Oh! let it plead powerfully on my behalf; let it blot out my. sins, cleanse every stain from my soul, and render me pure and pleasing in Thy sight. After the Elevation. Behold, almn-ighty and all-gracious God! Thy Son Jesus, in whom Thou art well pleased. Look upon the face of Thy Christ and my Saviour, here present; look upon this spotless Lamb, this adorabje victim, this pure holocaust of obedience, humbled to the ignominious death of the cross. Behold in Him what may move Thee to look upon us with an eye of mercy and compassion. IHe is our High Priest, sprinkled with His own blood. Rleceive the sacrifice HTe has offered for us, in consideration of the honor and homlage that are due to Thy sovereign goodness fromt me and all creatures. Extendcl, 0 compassionate Creator! its efficacious virtue to the souls of the faithfuil departed, and grant them rest and life eviefit 82 RMASS IN UNION WITH THE PASSION. lasting, particularly to N. N.: deign to mitigate their punishment, and translate them to that place of glory for which they are destined. Thou didst once promise that, looking on the rainbow, Thou wouldst remnemrber the covenant made between Thee and the patriarch Noe. Ah! canst Thou. then, look on the blood of Thy beloved Son Jesus, offered to Thee in sacrifice, without remembering'the great covenant of the New Law, sealed and confirmed with the effusion of His sacred blood? 0 dearest Jesus! why cannot I love Thee as Thy goodness deserves? The more Thou hast humbled Thyself for my sake, the more I am bound to love Thee, and spend my life in Thy service. Remenmber, Thou hast purchased rny soul at a dear rate; oh, let not Thy blood be lost or shed in vain, but receive me into the number of Thy elect. I detest mny sins, which were the cause of Thy sufferings; alas! they were the nails that pierced Thy hands and feet, and fastened Thee to an ignominious cross. Oh, who. wil give sorrow to my heart, and a fountain of tears to my eyes, that I may bewail thenm in the bitterness ot nmy soul all the days of my life, and thus, at the hour of death, be entitled to hear those consolatolry words addressed to the penitent thief, " This day shalt thou be with me in paradise." I acknoiwledge that I do not deserve to be ranked among the number of Thy children; yet in obedience to Thy precept, and with profound veneration for Thy sacred words, I will pres.ume to say that heavenly prayer which Thou hast taught me: Our Father, &c. MASS 3]N &NiN WITHI THE PASSION. 283 At the Aynus Dei. When the priest says the Agnus Dei, reflect on the miraculous change of heart wrought in the centurion and other witnesses of the death of Jesus Christ, and be careful, as far as it depends on you, not to depart from this new Calvary without participating in their holy dispositions. O innocent Lamb of God! Who takest away the sins of the world, lhave mercy on me, for Thy peculiar and distinguishing property is infinite mercy. Give to lmy heart the. sorrow and relentance of those who.mourned Thy cruel death, and teach me, like them, to place all my hopes in Thee, and to love and seek Thee as my only sovereign good. I most humbly beseech Thee, by all the anguish Thou didst endure during the course of Thy passion, especially at the separation of Thy sacred soul from Thy body, that Thou wouldst have mercy and compassion on me, when I shall be on the point of appearing before Thy dread tribunal. Let Thy passion and death then interpose between my soul and the rigors of Thy justice. Ahi! while I yet sojourn in this valley of tears, let the rememebrance of Thy bitter- draught of vinegar and gall preserve me fr'om delighting in the false pleasuraes of this world, and let Thy burning tlirst upon the cross make me thirst only afkter the enjoyment of Thy presence. May the recollection of Thy saving death penetrate my soul with such lively gratitude, that from this moment I may place al. my' happiness in loving and serving Thee, my only joy and sovereign felicity. E84 AlSS IN UNION WITH THIE PASSIO;. At the Commnunion. The Priest's Conmmunion represents the burial of Jesuo UChiist's sacred body when it was talken fiom the cross; iLd the covering of the chalice is a figure of the sepulchre shut up, and covered with a stone. This is the time peculiarly adapted to invite our Lord, by a spiritual co:muniuion, to repose in your heart, and to honor it frhequently by His sacrarmental presence, or habitually by the influence of His holy grace. 0 my God i how can I reflect on the happiness of those who approach worthily to the Holy Euchalmist, vithout ardently desiring to enjoy the like blessino' how can I assist at this adorable sacrifice, without regretting the sills and miseries which justly deter me fiioln receiving Thee sacramentally! I aLm not worthy, O infinite Purity, to lodge Thee in my heart; I am not worthy to share in the happiness of those who now enjoy Thy sacramental presesnce. But, Lord! though I cannot unite myself t:o Thee really, yet I am not forbidden to do so in spirit and desire. I believe most firmly that Thou ait present in this sacred lHost; I hope in that infinite inelcy which detains Thee there; and I ldently love andl desire to receive Thee, notwithstanding my unworthiness. I unite in the adoration, love, humility, and fervor of all who this day receive Thee throughout the universe; and I earnestly beg of Thee, by that tender love which induces Thee to give Thyself to Thy creaturles, to accept every thought, word, and action, until nmy next communion, as so many acts of love, desile, and preparation to receive Thee; andl I earnestly conjure Thee to ciown all Thy blessings by tile grace ef a worthy communion at the hour of my death. MASS IN UNION WITH THE PASSION. 285 At the last Collects. The last Collects represent the apparitions and instruc tions of Jesus Clirist to His apostles and disciples aftel His resurrection; and the Priest's blessing denotes that parting benediction given by our divine Lord when ascending into heaven, Remember, when the last Gospel is reading at the left side of the altar, that Jesus Christ did not come to call the just, but sinners, to repentance; and that His infinite mercy in thus daily renewing on our altars the sacrifice of the Cross, shl-ould anilmate even the most guilty to recur with confidence to His infinite goodness and abundant mlerits. O blessed Redeemer! Who coming forth from the glrave didst rise triumphant over death, I praise and glorify Thee for all Thy mercies, and in particular for having conversed so long with Thy apostles, and confirmed them in that saving faith which they were destined to transmit to succeeding ages. Oh! how shall I thank Thee for the inestimable advantage of having beheld Thee sacrificed on this altar, and for having thereby participated iii the abundant merits of Thy passion and death! Let me not depart from'this sanctuary iwithout those sentiments of piety, and that spiritual strength for the amendment of my life, which may be always drawn from this adorable sacrifice. Pardon, O Lord! nyv distractions and irreverences. Engrave on my heart the remembrance of Thy suffering's, tl4at 1 may henceforward glory only in Je.sus C1hrist, nid in Him crucified:. Teach me to follow Thy-v divine example, that, rising with Thee to a new 4ife, I may, by Thy power-ffd grace, advance daily ind hourly in virtue, and at length attain to the unlimirea and eternal enjoyment of Thee, my God aind my aii, in the -ingdom of Thby gloliy. Amen. 2XI zxrtdio of Uniotn rit) e f al l ter Cjzat of Drug batin.g llat, In assisting at the august sacrifice of the Mlass, we ought to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who offers Himself for love of'us. Meditate on His mercies towards all the children of Adam. Endeavor to show the same sorrow for your sins as if you saw Him crucified anew on Calvary. )Direct your Iltention. I offer Thee, O my God, this august i.;acrifice, to honor Thy unspeakable perfections, to thank Thee for all the graces which Thou hast so often lavished Upon me, to ask Thy pardon for my numn betless infidelities, and to obtain new favors. O Jesus, grant me, I beseech Thee, a constant attention, a profound reverence, a lively faith, and a tender devotion during the adorable sacrifice: inflame me with the love of Thee, that I may share in the merits which Thou hast acquired for me at the price of Thy blood. Thile the Priest is at the foot of the Altar. O divine Jesus, Thou art the victim laden with nil tl)e incquitie~ of the world; for them Thou MIASS OF THE SACRED HIEART. 287 didst shed bitter tears; Thou didst expiate them by the most dreadful torments and by the most cruel of deaths. I come to mingle my tears with Thine: I confess tc) Thee, in the presence of Mary ever Virgin, and of all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly; that by my ingratitude I have pierced Thy htart, and put Thee to a cruel death. O God, my Saviour, through Thy tearls, through Thy agony in the garden of Olives, through Thy precious blood and the wound in Thy Sacred Heart, I beseech Thee to pardon me, and grant me the remission of all my sins. At the Introit. Let us adore the Heart of Jesus, which has loved us so much; let us prostrate ourselves before Him, and bewail the sins of which we have been guilty. Grant us, O Lord, a contrite and humble heart, let the homage of our adorations be as acceptable to Thee as if we offered Thee thousands of victims. At the KIyrie. O Father of infinite mercy, have pity on Thy children: O Jesus, immolated for us, apply to our souls the merits of Thy precious blood: O Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, descend into our hearts, and inflamne them with Thy love. At the Gloria in ExcelsMs. What a happiness for us that the Son of the Most High should have been pleased to dwell amongst us, and have vouchsafed to offer us a refuge in IHis divine Heart! Permit us, O Lord, to mingle our voices with those of the angelic 288 XMASS OF THE SACRED HEART. cholr, to thank Thee for so great a favor; and let us say with them, " Glory to God in the highest!" O alimighty Father, we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we give Thee thanks for all the benefits which Thou hast lavished upon us without ceasing. O Jesus, Lamb without spot, Who takest iaway the sins of the world, have ilercy on us; Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Who reignest with the Fatler and the tHoly Ghost in glory, and meritest all our homage on earth. At the Collects. 0 divine Jesus, inexhaustible fountain of all good, open to us, we beseech Thee, the interior of Thy Heart; that, having entered, by pious meditation, into this august sanctuary of divine love, we may keep our hearts forever there, as the place wherein are found the treasure, the repose, and the happiness of holy souls: Who livest and reignest forever and ever. At the Epistle. (Isaias'liii. 2.) "He shall grow up as a tender plant before the Lord, and as a root out of a thirsty ground; there is no beauty in him, nor comeliness: and we have seen him, and there was no sightliness, that wa should be desirous of him: despised, and the most abject of men, a man of soirows, and acquainted with infirmity: and his look was as it were hidden and despised; whereupon we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows; and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was MASS OF THE SACRED HEIART. 289 bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peaco was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one b1ath tuinned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth: he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his lhearer, and he shall not open his mouth. He was taken away from distress and from judgment: who shall declare his generation? because he is cut off out of the land of the living; for the wickedness of my people have I struck him." At the Gradual. Let the tears fl.ow from our eyes day and night, as a torrent;'let ourl hearts 1)e poured out like water before the Lord: let us raise up our hands to him. Heaft of Jesus, pardon thy children;:let not thy heritage fall into reproach; save us, and we will never cease to sing thy mercies. At the Gospel. (John xiv. 17.) 0 Lord Jesus, teach us what,we must do to gain eternal life. My little children, I give you a new commandment: That you love one another as I halve:loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another. If you love mse keep my commanldments. And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you the Spirit of truth, whom the world knoweth not. I will not leave 290 MASS OF THE SACRED HE ART. you orphans: I will come to you; you shall know that I am. in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He that keepeth my commandments, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will open to him my heart. Abide in me:. if any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as. a branch, and shall wither, and they shall cast him into the fire, and he burneth. If you ahbde in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. It is the will of my Father that you bring forth good fruit, and become my disciples. A little while and you shall not see me: you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man shall take fi'om you. In the'world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name whom Thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we also are. I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from evil. Father, I will that where I am, they also whom Thou hast given me may be with me, that they may see my glory. At the Credo. I believe, O my God, the truths which Thou'hast revealed to Thy Church. I desire to live and die in this faith. Grant, O Lord, that my life may be conformable with my faith, that my faith may be animated by good works, that I may never be as lamed to declare myself a Catholic, MASS OF THE SACRED IIEART. 291 and may constantly maintain the interests of Thy holy religion. O Church of Rome, the persecutions which Thou hast endured, far from weakening nay faith, do but give it strength, for Thy divine spouse foretold them ai. I vow inviolable attachment to Thee. Lord, draw close the bonds that bind me to Thy holy Church; pour into my heart a spirit of perfect obedience to its lawful pastors. In its bosom I became Thy child, and in its bosom I wish to live and dlie. Amen. At the Offertory. O Jesus, we draw near with confidence to Thy Sacred Heart; cast- upon us, we beseech Thee, a look of pity, and make our hearts a perpetual offering consecrated to Thy glory..Fr'om the Q)fertory to the Preface. Sin made us the enemies of our God, but Jesus Christ, by His death, hath reconciled us with His divine Father. In the Sacred Heart is this reconciliation accomplished. 0 my soul, how J esus Christ hath loved us I At what a price He hath redeemed us! Not with gold, nor with riches; but by the voluntary shedding of His blood. He hath sacrificed Himself for us: let us then live only for Him —let us sacrifice ourselves together with Him. Thou wiliest, O Jesus, that I should be a victim of love, wholly consecrated to Thy divine Heart: it is my most ardent desire. Thy benefits are numberless:' Thou hast broken the bonds of my servitude; Thou hast adopted me for Thy child 292 MASS OF TIlE SAChED HEART. Thou hast admitted me to Thy table; Thou hast given me a place in Thy divine Heart; and even now, for all my continual prevarications, Thou preparest me an everlasting blessedness: how can I ever forget so many benefits! I will publish Thy mlercies, and will never cease to love Thee with all the fervor of may heart. But, 0 my God, my heart is not full enough of love and fervor to be an offering worthy of Thee. What, then, shall I give Thee? I will give Thee'Thy Son. That Son, the most worthy object of Thy complacency, will supply my inability. O Lord, look not on me, but on this divine offering. At the Prefaite. Lift up, 0 Lord, lift up my heart to Thee. Take firom it all unholy thoughts, all earthly affections. Lift it wholly up to heaven, where Thy Heart is worthily adored, and' to the altar, where it is about to manifest itself to me. My life is but one continual succession of Thy mercies, let it be one continual succession of thanksgivings; and as Thou art now about to renew the greatest of all sacrifices, is it not meet that I should burst forth in expressions of heartfelt gratitude? Suffer me, then, to join my feeble voice with the voices of all the heavenly spirits, and in union with them to say in a transport of joy and admiration, Holy, holy, holy is' the Heart of Jesus, the worthy object of the Divine complacency, and of the homnage of heaven and earth. The whole earth is full of its glory and its mercy; let my heart be full also of its love. MASS OF T-HE SACRED HEART. 293 A.t the commencement of the Canon. O God of infinite holiness, if lly sins provoke Thee, and make me abominable in Thy sight, look upon the Lamb'without spot, Who is about to immolate Himself to take away the sins of the world, and, beholding His merits, remember not my ingratitude. Remember only that I have been graciously admitted into the Heart of Thy divine Son, and am intimately united to it. This Heart, infinitely merciful, prayed for me on Calvary, and soon will it renew the sacrifice of itself for me. O my God, would that I had all the sorrow which filled the Heart of' Jesus, the Man of sorrows, when, weighed down under the heavy burden of my sins, and ready to expiate them by cruel torments, He wept grievously in the garden of Olives, and, all covered with a bloody sweat, made an act of reparation to Thy outraged Majesty, imploring Thy mercy for me with deep sighs and groans! 1 earnestly desire this perfect sorrow; I ask it of Thee with all my heart; I confess that I have sinned exceedingly in offending Thee, and repaying Thy benefits only with outrages and insults. There is nothing I would not do to expiate my innumnerable sins, and I would willingly shed my blood to satisfy Thy justice. But what do I behold upon the altar? Is it not that holy Victim which shall reconcile me to my God? 0 my soul, this bread will become the Body of the Son of God, and this wine His Blood, and this most marvellous change will be wrought by one only world. Tllere needed but one word to creaLe this vast auniverse; that same word will this %5* 294 MASS OF THE SACKRED HEART. day work the greatest of all wonders, and will renew it even to the end of the world. Mary, Mother of God, and all ye blessed spirits who surround the throne of the Most High,,holy men and women, saints of God, come ye and witness this miracle of love, which is the pledge of my salvation. O my soul, entel into thyself; believe that Jesus Christ is really present in the Holy Eucharist. Yes, my God, this is Thy Body, this is Thy Blood': Thou sayest it; I am silent before Thee, I believe, I adore. 1r'om the Consecration to the Pater. O Jesus, Victim. of Thy love for me, touch my heart; communicate to me at this mollent all the ardent affections of the saints, who have loved Thee with the deepest tenderness, and all the, burning adorations of the seraphim, whose blessed privilege it is always to behold Thee. Kindle in my heart the devouring fire that consumnes Thine own, that, animated with Thy Spirit, I may live a life altogether new. 0 my Saviour, Thou standest ever before Thy Father, Thou showest Hlim the marks of Thy wounds and the opening in Thy heart, Thou ever livest to make intercession for us. And dost Thou not perform the same ministry upon this altaar? Occupied lwholly wit-h my needs, Thou layest thenm before Thy Father, Thou presentest Thy heart to HEilm, to appease His anger and obtain His grace for mle. O divine Intercessor, I lay all my petitions at Thy feet; vouchsafe to present them to Thy Father. I pray for the conversion of sinnurs, the perseverance of the just, and the t-~ MASS OF THE SACRED HEART. 295 amph of our holy religion. O Jesus, who didst die for all men, bring back to the fold of Thy Churchl those who are separated from it. Enlighten all infidels and heretics: bless the effbrts of those who labor to convert them. Have pity on the souls of the faiithful departed; remit their debts, and grant thorn a place of refi'eshment, light, and peace. I beseech Thee particularly to have compassion on N. At the Paler. O my Father, if a guilty child be permitted to call by this tender name a God whom he hath so often offended, grant that I may ever labor for the glory of Thy holy name, that in all things I may do Thy will, and sigh unceasingly for Thy heavenly kingdom. Feed me with the bread of heaven, with which Thou feedest the beloved children of Thy Heart. Let the forgiveness which Thou grantedst to Thy murderers be my model in forgiving those who have illjured me; give me superiors, both spiritual and temporal, that love Thee, and fiiends that serve r'hee faithfully; and if ever I expose myself to sin, do Thou deliver me from the danger, that I may never outrage Thy divine Heart. At the Agnus Dei. LaLnmb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, hlave nmercy on me. Give me the peace which the world cannot gmive: peace with Thee, by a true reconciliation and a perfect submission to Thy will; peace with myself, by the subjection of my passions; peace with my neighbor, by the union of a sincere chma'ity with all the children of 290 MASS OF THE SACRED HEXRT. men. Give. peace to the world, by the extinctlwn of wars and divisions. At Communion. (Tf you i4ntend to receive, say:) Is there any love to be compared with Thine, my Saviour! It was on the cross that Thou offeredst Thy sacrifice, and it is in my heart that Thou desirest to consummate it. O my God, is it possible that Thou choosest for Thy sepulchre a heart so wretched! Alas, I am nothing but a sinner! Whence is it, Lord, that, for all my unworthiness, Thou desirest me to sit down at Thy table? Since thus it is, speak but the word, and my soul shall be healed; say to me, as Thou saidst to the sinful woman, " Thy sins are forgiven.9 Let me hear the words which Thou spokest to Zaccheus, "Make haste; for this aay I mullust abide in thy house." (If you are not to commnicate.) O nm-y most loving Saviour, since I cannot have the happiness of receiving Thee this day, suffer mle to gather up the precious crumbs that fall frol Thy table, and to unite myself to Thy divine Heart by faith, hope, and charity. I confess I do not deserve the bread of the children; but I venture humbly to declare that, without Thee, nmy soul is dried up with thirst, and my heart cast down with faintness. Come,, then, into me, 0 my divine Jesus! come into my mlind, to illuminate it with Thy light; come into my heart, to enkindle in it the fire of Thy love, and to unite it so closely to Thy own, that it may be 1no more I that live, bul Thou that lit est in lre, and reignest in me forever MASS OF THE SACRED H[ERT. 29'I TFhilst the Priest is reading the Communion. Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls: My yoke is sweet, and My burden light. During the Post-Communion. Lord, we have hlad the happiness of being admitted into the sanctuary of Thy divine Heart; give us grace that we may abide therein forever; so that we may obtain the 1happiness which Thou hast prepared for Thy elect: through Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. At the Priest's Benediction. O Heart of Jesus, I will not depart till thou hast blessed me. Bless me in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and let thy blessing descend upon all those for whom I ought to pray. At the last Gospel. O Eternal Word, Who wast made man that Thou mightest make men the children of God, I thank Thee for this unspeaklable grace. How great is the blessing I enjoy, not only of bearing the name, but of being indeed the child of God! Grant, 0 lmy Jesus, that I may preserve this blessed title, by faithfully imitating Thy Sacred Heart, and showing myself always filled with love for Thy holy law. If I remain faithful, Thou assurest me that I shall be co-heir with Thee, and shall enjoy the happiness which Thou hast purchased for us with Thy precious blood; and this I hope tc obtain through Thy infi.nite mercy. 298 MASS OF THE SACRED HEART. After Mass. How great will be my happiness, 0 Lord, if, by assisting at this divine sacrifice; I have received all the graces which Thou grantest to those who bring thereto a lively faith and a pure heart! Accept, I beseech Thee, the reparation which I offer to Thy divine Majesty for all the sins of which I have been guilty before Thy holy altar. I am going to occupy myself with those duties in the world to which Thy providence hath called me. Grant that I may have ever before my mind Thy patience in adversities, Thy obedience to Joseph and Mary, and Thy tender charity in bearing with all men. Strengthen me against all temptations; preserve me from all sin; make me firm and immovable in the faith; in fine, transform me into Thyself, O Jesus, so that Thy heart and my heart may be united in one, both in tilue and in eternity. Amen,;-' kkxt.RS;.; Praperf at ans for t1tl BP bE A PRAYER BEFORE MASS. 0 God of all mercy! I come to offer Thee the blood of the spotless Lamb, on behalf of those souls who, though oondemned to most severe torments, are yet the cherished objects of Thy love, and whose only desire is to see and glorify Thee in heaven. Open to them, O Lord, this day, the immense treasures of the merits of Thy divine Son, apply to them the fruits of His passion and death, and through the infinite virtue of this adorable sacrifice, grant them a full release from the debt due to Thy sovereign justice. While the Priest is at thefoot of the Altar. I confess my sins, O my God! in humility and sorrow of heart, and I acknowledge that in Thy fight no one living can be justified. Woe to me, if Thou judge me according to the claims of Thy justice, and not according to the suggestions of Thy mercy! To appease Thy anger, O Lord! I recur to the unblcody sacrifice of Him Who once was nailed to the Cross for our salvation, and Who ceases not to mediate for us in heaven. O God Pf all clemency! forgive me my sins, I entreat 300 PRAYERS AT MASS FOR TIzE DEADe Thee, and forgive also the faults committed by our deceased brethren, in the days of their mortal pilgrimage! Oh, let Thy mercy now prevail over Thy justice, and let the voice of the blood of Jesus plead more loudly for pardon, than the voice of our ikiquities eries for vengeance 1 Tnm ISTROIT. Grant thenm, 0 Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine on them. A hymn becometh Thee, O God, in Sion, and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem. H:ear my prayer. All flesh shall: come to Thee. Grant them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine on them. AT THE KYRIE. O Jesus, show that Thou art the God of mercy; and take pity on the suffering souls who sigh and weep for the day of their deliverance. Oh, admit them without delay into Thy bosomn AT THIE COLLECT. O God!.vWhose property it is always to have mercy and to spare, we humbly present our pray ers to Thee in behalf of the souls of Thy servants (N. N.), whom Thou hast summoned from this world, beseeching Thee not to deliver them into the hands of the enemy, nor to forget them forever; but command tblem to be received by the holy Angels, and carried into paradise, that as they believed andc hoped in Thee, they may be delivered firom the pains of hell, and inherit everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYERS AT MASS FOR TIHE DEAD. 301 AT THE EPISTLE. Instead of grieving immoderately for the loss of those who were so dear to nme, I will arouse my faith in Thy word, O Lord, and I will not be " sorrowful, even as others who have no hope." — (1 Thess. iv.) I believe that eternal life is the immediate portion of those souls who are so happy as to quit this world in Thy grace, and free from the least debt to Thy sovereign justice. O consoling truth! I believe that those who depart this life indebted to Thy justice, are relieved by the oblation of the holy sacrifice; and as "it has ever been the constant practice of the Church to make a particular commemoration of those who die in the cornmunion of the body and blood of Jesus Christ." so now, 0 Lord, I offer this sacrifice unto Thee by the hands of Thy priest. Thus, O my God, dost Thou faithfully fulfil Thy promise, not to abandon forever the souls of Thy servants. Thou inspirest me to aid the departed faithful by my prayers and alms-deeds, and above all by applying to them the fruits of this most precious sacrifice. 0 Lord I ] desire to correspond with Thy merciful views, by presenting Thee to-day my most earnest supplications on behalf of my departed brethren. AT THE GRADUAL. "The sorrows of death have compassed me, and the perils of hell have found me. Tribulation and sorrow have overwhelmed me, and I called or. the name of the Lord. O Lord, deliver my soul. The Lord is -merciful and righteous, and our God 26 302 PRAYERS AT MASS FOR THE DEAlD. is full of compassion. I humbled myself, and He delivered me." Eternal rest grant them, 0 Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. AT THE GOSPEL. Enlighten me, O Lord, and teach me what I must do to avoid the dreadful fate which one day awaits those who here below close their eyes to. the light of Thy Gospel. O merciful Jesus! deign to cast on me a look of compassion, and to say to my heart the consoling words, " Thy sins are forgiven thee." Deign to receive my petition on behalf of the suffering souls in Purgatory, and to cheer them with the consoling announcement, " This day you shall be with Me in paradise." O Lord! I know that Thy inexorable justice must be satisfied; that our bodies must return to the dust whence they were taken, and that our souls must be purified by avenging flames, before they can enjoy Thy presence. But, O Lord! remember that Thy mercies are above all Thy works, surpassing even our sins. My lot is in Thy hands; oh! receive my submission to Thy will, as an acceptable sacrifice to Thy sovereign dominion. THE OFFERTORY. Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the flames of hell, and from the deep pit. Deliver them from the lion's mouth, lest hell swallow them, lest they fall into darkness: and let the standard-bearer, St. Michael, bring them into the holy light, which Thou promisedst of old to Abraham and his posterity. We offer Thee, 0 Lord, a sacrifice of praise PRAYERS AT MASS FOR THE DEAD. 3 3 and prayers; accept them in behalf of the souls we commemorate this day, and let them pass from death to life, which Thou promlisedst of old to Abraham and his posterity. O Judge of the living and the dead! I will descend in spirit into that region of torment where Thy well-beloved children, the heirs of eternal happiness, are overwhelmed by the rigors of Thy terrible justice. Then I will sigh, and weep, and unite my petitions with the sacrifice of Thy Son, to obtain that Thou wouldst mercifully abridge their pains, and transform their sufferings into unspeakable bliss, their humiliation into never-ending glory. " Remelber, O Lord, Thy compassion, and Thy tender mercies, which are from the beginning." For myself also I pray:-" One favor I have asked of Thee, and this I will seek; that I may dwell in Thy house all the days of my life. That I may see Thy beauty, and dwell forever in Thy holy temple." AT THE SECRET. Have mercy, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, on the souls of Thy servants (N. N.), for whom we offer this Victim of praise, humbly beseeching Thy Ma jesty, that by this sacrifice they may arrive at eteinal rest, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. AT THE PREFACE. It is truly just, and reasonable, and salutary, to return Thee thanks at all times, and in all places, O Almighty Father, eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whose merits we hope for a glorious resurrection; so that if the sentence 30A PRAYERS AT MASS FOR THE DEAD. of d1oath alarms and dejects, the' promise of immortality consoles and animates us; for, to Thy faithful servants, death is only. the passage from this life to a better, —the exchange of an earthly habitation for the everlasting tabernacles. rherefore we unite with all the blessed citizens of the heavenly country in singing a hymn to Thy glory, and saying without ceasing, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Sabaoth: the heavens and the earth are fuill of His glory. Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord; His blood pleads for pardon, and Itis voice rises even to the throna of mercy on behalf of His miserable creatures. AT THE CANON. 0 Almighty Father, Whose tender providence extends to all creation, cast an eye of pity on those souls who ardently love Thee, and whose greatest suffering is their separation from Thee. Relember, O Lord, that they are the work of Thy hands, and that they have been purchased at no less a. price than the death and infinite merits of Thy only Son, Jesus Christ. Oh, will not the sound of that sweet name of salvation move Thee to pity and forgive them? I offer on their behalf; the precious blood which streamed fi'om the sacred body of my dying Redeemer on the Cross; I offer Thee the powerful intercession of the most holy Mother of Jesus, the Mother of sorrows and Queen of Dmartyrs; I offer Thee the prayers of St. Joseph,: St. Peter, St. Paul, and all the saints, together with the earnest supplications of Thy Church on earth; and I beseec h Thee, through this accept I'RAYERS AT MASS FOR THE DEAD.- 305 able oblation, to take pity on the souls Thou lovest tenderly, even amidst Thy anger; to manifest to them Thy glory, to receive them to Thy heart, and to inundate them with that torrent of bliss, of which Thou art the inexhaustible fountain. AT THE ELEVATION. Sacred Host! Victim of man's salvation! be propitious to us, and hear our prayers. Precious blood of Jesus! shed to wash away the sins of the world, sanctify our souls, and plead for mercy for the faithful departed. AFTER THE ELEVATION. O Jesus! Who didst descend into Limbo, to liberate the souls of the patriarchs and prophets, who there sighed for Thy coming visit, we beseech Thee, for the souls of Thy servants in the place of expiation, to which Divine justice has condemned them for a time. Temper by' the dew of Thy grace, the activity of the flames which consume: them. Thou hast declared, that whatever we do fir the least of our brethren, Thou wouldst consider as done for Thyself; I may then hope, that my anxious desire to relieve the suffering souls in purgatory, is a-s pleasing to Thee, as if I sought to relieve Thyself. 0 my God! mayest Thou be appeased by the intercession of her, who is deservedly styled the comfortress of the afflicted, as well as by the prayers of all the saints. Grant eternal rest to the faithful departed, particularly those souls for whose happiness I am at this moment most interested. 26* 306 PRAYERS AT MASS FOR THE DEAD. AT THE PATER NOSTEEL, 0 Jesus! at Whose name every knee bends in heaven, on earth, and in hell! sovereign Judge of the living and the dead! may Thy naime be honored by the deliverance of the souls for whom we pray. May the gates of heaven be open to receive them, and may Thy will, which desires the salvation of all men, be this day perfectly accomplished in their regard. Grant that, after having been fed on the bread of sorrow, they may be replenished with the living bread of heaven in the possession of Thyself. We implore the remission of the sins of our parents, friends, and benefactors, particularly of the sins to which we may have been unhappily accessory in them. Preserve us from those avenging flames, which we have but too well merited by our continued abuse of grace, our tepidity in Thy service, and our negligence in resisting temptation. Deliver us from sin, the greatest of all evils, and enable us to feel and understand that it is "a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." AT THE AGNUS DEI. O Jesus! how incomprehensible was the love which induced Thee to offer Thyself as a victim of expiation for the sins of this world! How great, again, the charity which prompts Thee to become a security for our debts, even after death! 0 what should be our gratitude for such favors! Lamb of God! Who by Thy death didst tram. ple on the lion about to seize his helpless prey have mercy o,- the souls of the faithlul departed. PRAYERS AT MASS FOR THE DEAD. 30O Lamb of God! Who wast offered as a sacrifice of expiation, that by Thy death we might be rescued firom the slavery of sin, have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed. Lamb of God! Who wast immolated for love of us, that we might pass from the region of malediction to the true laud of promise; Thou Who hast declared, "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in Me, even though he be dead, shall live;" grant to the souls of the faithful departed, the plenitude of that spiritual life, of which they have received the germ in the holy sacra-.ments; grant them the bliss of which they have so often possessed the pledge in the most adorable eucharist. I desire to participate spiritually in Thy precious body and blood, and by applying to themn Thy merits, to procure for them, as far as it is in my power, a place among Thy elect. I offer for all, especially for (N. N.), my prayers and good works of this day, united to Thy prayers and divine actions.; Despise not, O my Redeemer, my unworthy supplications; console me Thyself for the loss I have sustained, by receiving into Thy bosom the soul so dear to me. TIHE COMMUNION. May eternal light shine on them, O Lord, together with Thy saints forever, for Thou alt merciful. Grant them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine on them. AT TIlE POST-COMMUNION. O God, Who wiliest that while I pray for the souls in purgatory, I should at the same time re 808 PRAYERS AT MASS FOR THE DEAD. member the most essential of my duties-my ob. ligations towards my own immortal spirit,-grant me, through Thy infinite merits, and unbounded charity, the pardon of my past negligence and tepidity. May the view of that justice which condemus Thy friends to consuming flames, for faults I commit so frequently, inspire me with a generous resolution to enter on the practice of penance, to expiate my past sins, and to guard vigilantly against future transgressions. I will not defer the all-important duty of penance, lest it may soon be too late to discharge my debts to Thee. I will fervently and perseveringly pray for the souls in purgatory; and apply to them also the fruits of my alms-deeds and exercises of mortification. 0 my God! bless these resolutions, and strengthen me to observe them faithfully. AT THE LAST GOSPEL. "I believe that my Redeemer liveth, and that on the last day I shall rise from the earth, and that in my flesh I shall see my God and Saviour, whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold. This my hope is laid up in my bosom." After having sat in darkness, and dwelt amidst the shades of death, I shall rise to the contemplation of eternal glory, and repose forever amidst the brightness of everlasting day! In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, _3t me hever be confounded! For the Collect, Prose, &c., of the Iass for the Dead] Me p. 491. letbob of ~Searing ~fias ~3pirittuall, for tbce 2bunt. As it often happens that a Christian may; from hip Remoteness from a church, illness, or other unavoidable impediment, be unable to fillfil the obligation of hearing Mass on Sundays, and holidays of obligation, devotions are here given which may be recited in such cases. Causes may excuse bodily presence, but do not dispense us with uniting ourselves in spirit to those who then actually enjoy the happiness of being in God' s holy temple. The Sundays and feasts are instituted by the Church, that we may render unto God, in a solemn form of divine institution, that worship which we owe Him evaery moment of our lives. This worship-the only one on which God looks down with an eye of favor —is the Mass; and it is offered for us even when not,actually present. But to enjoy the benefits which it procures, we must, by a spiritual communion, become partakers of the altar from which we are temporarily banished. Excite a desire of visiting the house of God: "H ow is my sojourning prolonged?" and choosing a proper time, let the whole family kneel before a crucifix, statue of the Blessed Virgin, or pious picture. Then transporting themselves in spirit before the altar where Mais is celebrating, endeavor to follow the service these performed. PRAYERnS FOR IMASS -FOR THE ABSENT. + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. O Lord, King of heaven and earth, deprived as I am of the happiness of assisting at the august 310 AMASS-PRAYIERS FOR T-IE ABSENT. sacrifice, where Thy divine Son vouchsafes to renew for us that which He once offered in a bloody manlner on Calvary for the salvation of the world, by shedding the last drop of His blood, and offering Thee His life for the remission of our sins; vouchsafe now to accept my regret, and mercifully accept my homage and prayers as if I actually kneltamong those who surround Thy holy altars. I unite myself in spirit to the sacrifice which is now offering; and, relying on the merits of the Blessed Virgin, and of all the angels and saints, whose assistance I implore, united to Thy holy Church, and all Christians who at this moment enjoy the happiness of assisting at the most holy sacrifice of the Mass, I adore IThy greatness; I acknowledge my nothingness; I confess and detest my sins; I thank Thee for all Thy favors, and bless Thy holy name. With them I groan over my miseries, and I earnestly beseech Thee to grant me all the graces of which I am in most pressing need: I ask and hope for them through the infinite merits of that pure and holy Victim, Whose voice is more powerful before Thy throne than that of our iniquities. As I know that we are on this world only for Thee, I offer Thee my labors, my occupations, my pains, my sufferings, which I accept in expiation of my sins; and I especially conjure Thee to grant me, with the light of the true faith, the grace to triumph over the snares Of the many enemies that I have to struggle with in myself, and to be preserved from sin, the only real evil that can befall me in this life; and grant that. living and dying in Thy love, I may praise Thee eternally in heaven. Amen. MASS-PRAYERS FOR THE ABSENT. 311 Psalm lxxxiii. Quacm dilecta. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts: my soul longeth ard fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh: have rejoiced in the living God. For the sparrow hath found her a house: and the turtle a nest for herself where she may lay her young. Even Thy altars, O Lord of hosts: my King and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord: they shall praise Thee' forever and ever. Blessed is the man whose help is from Thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps, in the vale of tears, in the place that he hath fixed. For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Behold, O God, our protector: and look upon he face of Thine Anointed. For one day in Thy courts: is better than a thousand. I have chosen rather to be an abject in the house of my God: than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners. For God loveth mercy and truth: the Lord will give grace and glory. He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: O Lord of hosts, blessed. is the man that hopeth in Thee. 312 MASS-PRAYERS FOR THE ABSENT. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen Tze Confiteor. Recite the Confiteor, and say: thou art just, O Lord, in all judgments. I acknowledge Thy justice in thus depriving me of a grace which I have so often abused. -low often, O Lord, have I heard Mass with coldness, tepidity, and indifference, unmindful of the greatness of the sacrifice, my own wants, and Thy Sovereign Majesty! But, though my sins, O Lord, deserve that I should be deprived forever of the happiness of appearing before Thy holy altar; still, O Lord, hearken to Thy mercy, and grant that I may not be long deprived of this blessing. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! At the Gloria in excelsis. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good-will. We praise Thee; we bless Thee; we adore Thee; we glorify Thee. WMe give Thee thanks for Thy great glory,, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son: 0 Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us: Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayers: Thou who sittest at the right hand of the:Father, have mercy on us. For Thou only art holy: Thou only art the Lord: Thou MASS-PRAYERS FOR THE ABSENT. 313 only, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in thle glory of God the Father. Amen. Then recite the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel of the Sunday, and the Nicene Creed. I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God of God; Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: AND WAS MADE MAN. [H'ere kneel down.] He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. The third day He rose, again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father: and He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead: of Whose kingdom there shall be no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Life-giver, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son: Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified; Who spake by the prophets. And one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. ST 314 MASS-PRAYERS FOR THIE ABSENT. AN OFFERING OF THE MASS. Renew then your faith in the divine mystery of the eal presence of our Lord, and in the efficacy of the Mass as a sacrifice acceptable to God; and offer to the heavenly Father all the Ivasses then saying throughout the world. An Act of Faith. 0 my God! I firmly believe all the sacred truths which Thy holy Catholic Church believes and teaches; and I especially believe and priofess ihat in the Mass there is offered unto Thee, 0 Father Almighty, Eternal God, a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice for the living and dead; and that in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist there are truly, really, and substantially the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that there is made a change of the whole substance of the bread into the Body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the Blood; and I confess and believe that in tie most holy sacrifice of the Mass, the Body and Blood of Thv divine Son are really and truly offered unto Thee for the sins of the world, to obtain for us the graces necessary to salvation, and a speedy release to the suffering souls in purgatory. AN OBLATION. I offer Thee, 0 Eternal Father, in union with all Thy priests who now minister at the altar, this oblation of the Body and Blood of Thy only Son, to Thy honor and glory, in remembrance of my Saviour's passion, in thanksgiving for'hy benefits, MASS-PRAYERS FOR THE A1 SENT. 31 in satisfaction for all my sins, and for oltlaining Thy grace whereby I may be enabled to live virtuously and die happily. I beseech Thee likewise to accept it, O God, for N. N., my parents, friiends, and benefactors; grant them all blessings spiritual and temporal: likewise fbr all such as are in misery; for those I have any ways injured in word or deed; for all my enemi'es; for the conversion of sinnelrs,sand enlightening of all that si~t ill darkness. Pour forth Thy blessings on all, according to their different necessities: through the merits of Thy only Son our Lord. Here every one may add his pariticular necessities, as likewise those of his friends, &c. Give ear, we beseech Thee, to the prayers of Thy servan-s, the priests appointed to offer sacrifice on our behalf; and grant it may be effectual for the obtaining those blessings which they ask for us, absent as we are froml Thy holy altar. Be Thou, O Lord, the eternal bond of all our friendships and socia.ies; and as Thou hast vouchsafed to join us not only in communion with Thy sacred household of faith here below, but also with those who are now triumphing in heaven, with the martyrs and apostles, and Thy blessed virgin mother,; be Thou the sacred tie to fasten and preserve us therein forever. I also offer this holy sacrifice of the Body anud Blood of Thy only Son, in behalf of the faithful departed, and in particllar for the souls of N. N., my parents, relations, benefactors, neighbors, &c. likewise of such as I have anywise injured, or been 31X 6 jM-ASO3-PRAYERS FOR THE ABSENT, the occasion of their sins; of such as have injured me, and been my enemies; of such as die in war, or have none to fray for them, &c. For these and all others, as many as are yet in the state of suffering, waiting for their discharge, we beseech Thee to hear us: grant them rest, O Lord, and eternal salvation, and admit them to the company of Thy blessed saints. V ouchsafe to grant the same one day to us, poor and miserable sinners as we are, and judge us not according to our demerits; but, through the infinite multitude of Thy mercies, in which we hope, liberally extend to us Thy grace and pardon. We ask it of Thee in the name of Thy dear Son, Waho lives and reigns eternally with Thee, and in that form of prayer which He Himself hath taught us. Then recite the Lord's Prayer. Lamlb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on ss! Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mlercy on'us! Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, give us peace! 0 Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath said to Thy apostles, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you," look not upon my sins, but upon the faith of Thy Church, and be pleased to keep her according to Thy will in peace and unity. An Ade of Adoration. Almight, LTord of heaven and earth! with all the angels and saints I adore Thee: with all the MASS-PRAYERS FOR THE ABSENT. 317 ministers of Thy Church, I adore Thee: and ii praise, adoration, and thanksgiving, I offer Thee all the Masses now saying in any part of the world. I render Thee the homage of my being and life, I devote myself to Thy holy service now and forever. Make, with great reverence, the Spiritual Communion. O my sweet Saviour Jesus Christ, Thou who art my sovereign Good, the fountain of all goodness, my God and my all, I most firmly believe that for us sinners, and for our salvation, Thou wast pleased to come down fiom heaven, to take upon Thee, by the mystery of Thy incarnation, our human nature, and to become one of us, that so Thou mightest be our High Priest and our victim. I most firmly believe that Thou offeredst Thyself upon the Cross a sacrifice for us all, after having suffered many cruel torments for us, and that by Thy glorious resurrection and admirable ascension, Thou hast opened the gates of heaven for us. I most firmly believe that in the sacred mysteries Thou art truly and really present, and that Thy sacred body and blood are there offered up in sacrifice, and verily, and indeed, received by the faithful ill remembrance of Thy death. Oh, how happy are those souls who worthily receive thee in Thy divine sacrament! Oh, what graces, what sanctity, do they receive from that fountain of all holiness Oh, that I were so happy as to be worthy to kneel this day before Thy holy altar! Oh, that I were worthy to approaclh Thy heavenly banquet and feed on the food of life, the bread of angels-! But alas! I am the most wretched (f all 2T* MASS-PRAYERS FOR THE ABSENT. sinners, who, from my first coming to the'use of reason to this hour, have in innumerable ways offended Tllee, my God. My soul is overspread with a universal leprosy, covered on all sides with ulcers, and is unclean and filthy beyond measure; and therefore infinitely unworthy to approach the Lord of all purity and sanctity. In this lamentable state I am unworthy to approach Thy altar, fiom which my sins have justly banished me; but with eyes cast down and a heart depressed, and with a deep sense of my manifold treasons and great unworthiness, I humbly beg pardon of Thee for all my sins and imhplore Thy mercy. Oh, fountain of mercy, have compassion on me, and suffer me at least to sigh after Thee; and though I am unworthy of Thy embraces, permit me, like the penitent Magdalen, to present myself at least in spirit at Thy feet, and wash them with my tears! Oh, may Thy sacred blood, which Thou liast shed for all sinners, cleanse my poor soul this day firom all its filth! Oh, come to me, dear Lord, in spirit, and take possession of all the powers of my soul! Keep my memory fixed on Thee, enlighten my understanding, and inflame my will with Thy love. Oh, let me be thine, and Thou mine from henceforth and forever, and let nothing in life or death ever separate me from Thee any more. In this one prayer, O Lord, hear me, and in all things else do with me as Thou wilt. May the tl blessing of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, descend upon ame now, and remain forevermore. R TE SUNDAYS AND OLY DAYS, FOR'THIE SUNDAYS AND HOLY DAYS, AND THE CEREMOYIES AND OFFICE OF HOLY WEEK, WITH EXPLANATIONS OF THE VARIOUS FESTIVALS AND SEASONS. ADVENT. Advent is a time of prayer and penance, established by the Church, to prepare us for the due celebration of the feast of Christmas. It begins on the Sunday near est the feast of St. Andrew, and includes four Sundays, representing the four thousand years during which our Saviour's advent or coming was expected. The selection of the Epistles and Gospels, the longf Collects, the omission of the Gloria and Alleluia, the sad color of ilhe vestments, even the rigorous season, should all in the intention of the Church lead us to serious reflection, to repentance for our faults, and an earnest desire for our deliverance and salvation, by the comling in our h art of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. 320, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AkND GOSPELS. fimit ~Snnba of 2bUent. COLLECT. I. Arouse, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy power and come: that from the dangers which our iniquities threaten, we may merit to be rescued byThee, our protector; saved by Thee, our liberator; Who livest and reilgnest with God, the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. IL. O Godl, who didst will that Thy Word should, at the message of an Angel, take flesh in'the wolmb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant to us, Thy suppliants, that we who believe her to be truly the mother of God, may be aided by her intercession with Thee. Th7is second Collect is said during Advent, and one of the two followinyg as a third. FOR THE CHIURCH. III. Mercifully hear, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, the prayers of Thy Church; that all adversities and errors being destroyed, she may serve Thee with secure liberty. Fon THE POPE. O God, the pastor and ruler of all the faithful, look propitiously on Thy servant [ ], whom Thou hast set as pastor over Thy Church; grant, we beseech Thee, that both by word and example he 2say edify those over whom he is placed, so that with the flock committed to his care, he may attain everlasting life: Through. 0CILMEiTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPE1S. 321 EPISTLE. (Romans xiii. 11-14.) Brethren, Knowing that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our.alvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is passed and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light; let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting or drunkenness, no+ in chambering and impurities, not in contention and en ry: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. GOSPEL. (Luke xxi. 25-33.) At that timne Jesus said to his disciples: There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moonl, and in the stars: and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confision of the roaring of the sea and of the waves, men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved: and then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with great power and mlajesty. But when these things begin to. colme to pass, look up and lift up your heads: because your redemption is at hand. And he spoke to them a simnilitude. See Jae fig-tree, and all the trees: when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know. that summer is nigh; so you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Aimen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. ieconb ntlbnia of abtett. COLLECT. Stir up our hearts, 0 Lord! to preplare the wayS ot Thy only-begotten Son; that with miilnds puri 322 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. fied by Ills advent, we may be worthy to serve Thee: Who livest. II. and III. as on First Sunday. EPISTLE. (Romans xv 4-13.) Brethren, what things soever were written, wcre written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures, we might have hope Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: that with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honor of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. But that the gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it was written: "Therefore will I confer to thee, 0 Lord, among the gentiles, and will sing' to thy name." And again he saith: " Rejoice, ye gentiles, with his people." And again: "Praise the Lord, all ye gentiles; and magnify him, all ye people." And again Isaias saith:'There shall be a root of Jesus; and he that shall rise up to rule the gSentiles, in him the gentiles shall hope." Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost. GOSPEL. (Matt. xi. 2-10.) A t Vtiat time: When John had heard in prison the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples he said to him: Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another? And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead:- rise again, the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes con COLLECrS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 32 3 cerning John: What went you out ipto the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind? But what we-nt you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings. But what went you out to see? a prophet? yea, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: "B1ehold I send my Angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee." $[lirb ~nn1ba~ of ~bZ t~,Z COLLECT. Incline Thy ear, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, unto our prayers: and enlighten the darkness of our mind, by the grace of Thy visitation. Who livest, &c. II. and III. as on First Sunday. EPISTLE. (Phil. iv. 4-7.) Rejoice in the Lord always; again, 1 say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men: the Lord is high. Be nothing solicitous, but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgivings, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. GOSPEL. (John i. 19-28.) At that time: The Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to John to ask him: Wlm art thou? ~And hie confessed and. did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ. And they asked him: What then? Art tho u Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the 324 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. prophet? And he answeredl: No. They said therefore unto him: Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? what sayest thou of thyself? He said: "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord," as said the prophet Isaias. And they that were sent, were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said to him: Why then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet? John answered them, saying: I baptize with water; but there hath stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not. The samle is he that shall come aftei me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am hot worthy to loose. These things were done in Bethania beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. fSnbtt unanban sf a2butr t. COLLECT. Arouse Thy might, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, allnd come and succor us with great power, that by the aid of Thy grace, Thy indulgent pl:opitiao tion may accelerate what our sins impede. Wnho reignest, &c. II. and III. as on First Sunday. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. iv. 1-5.) Breth~ren: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers. of Christ, and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. Here now it is required among the dispensers, that a man be found faithful. But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by man's day: but neither do I judge my own self. For I am not conscious to myself of any thing, yet am I not hereby jus. tified: but be that judgeth me, is the Lord. There s,OLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 325 fore judge not before the time; until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things o' darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise from God. GOSPEL. (Luke iii. 1-6.) Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and HerIod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina, under the high-priests Annas and Caiphas: the word of the Lord was made unto John the son of Zachary, in the desert. And he camne into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins: as it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: " A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled; and every mountainm and hill shall be brought low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain. And all flesh shall tee the salvation of God." l)-ciomae lap, OR TIIE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Amid the darkness and ailence of the night, the Church fills her temples with her canticleoi of joy, and displays all the splendor of her worship to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the Son of God made man, and bh:inginz light and life into the world. On this day priests can say three Masses: the Midnight Mass, to coinmemorate the moment when our Saviour was born in the poor cradle of Bethleheml; theb Mass of the Aurora; and the Mass of the Day. By the holy sacrifice thus' thrice repeated, the Church inlends-to honor the three births of the Son of God: Ilis oternal generation in the bosom of Hiis Father, His temporal birth as the Bon of the Blessed Virgin at Bethlehem, and His spiritual birth by Hils grace in the hearts of the just. Others attribute the hI tentior 28 t82 6 COLLECTS, EPISTLES) AND GOSPELS. of joining our adoration first, to that of Mary, Joseph, and the AIlgels; second, to that of the Shepherds, representing the Jewish nation; third, to that of the Wise Men, representing the gentiles. We are not obliged to hear the three Masses, but our piety shou d prompc us to do so. MIDNIGHT MASS. COLLECT. 0 God, Who hast made this most sacred night shine forth with the brightness of the true light, grant, we beseech Thee, that having known the mystery of His light on earth, we may partake of His joys in heaven. EPISTLE. (Titus ii. 11-15.) Dearly heloved: The grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and comling of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us fiom all iniquity, and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pur.suer of good works. These things speak, and exhort, in Christ Jesus our Lord. GOSPEL. (Luke ii. 1-14.) At that time: There went out a decree from Coesar Augustus; that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and lamily of David, to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife who was with child. And it came to pass,' that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 327 forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no rom11 for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night-watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the angel said to theml: Fear not; for behold I bring you tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: for this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will. THE MASS AT DAY-BREAK. COLLECT. Grant, we beseech Thee, Alnighty God, that as we are bathed in the new light of Thy incarnate Word, what slineth in our minds by faith, may be resplendent in our works: Through. EPISTLE. (Titus iii. 4-7.) Dear beloved: The goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared; not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy he' saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovatiln of the Holy Ghost, whom he hath poured forth' upon us abundantly, through'Jesus Christ our Saviour: that being justified by his grace, we may be heirs, according to hope; of life everlasting, in Christ Jesus oulr Lord. GOSPEL. (Luke ii. 15-20.) At that time: The shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Betlilehem, and let us see this word that CGLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard wondered: and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, gloryfying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto theum. THE MASS OF THE DAY. COLLECT. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth in the flesh of Thy only-begotten SonI may deliver us, whom the ancient bondage holds under the yoke of sin: Through. EPISTLE. (Heb. i. 1-12.) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke, in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days, hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he hath made the world: who being the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of his sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels hath he said at any time, " Thou art my son, to-day have I begotten thee?" And again, " I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?" And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world he saith: "-And let all the angels of God adore him." And to the angels indeed he saith: "' "He that maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. " But to the Son': " Thy throne, 0 God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of justice is the COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. t29 sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." And: " Thou in the beginning, 0 Lord, didst found the earth: and the works of thy hands are the heavens. They shall perish, but thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment. And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the- self-same, and thy years shall not fail." GOSPEL. (John i. 1-14), p. 239. ualtbaq witl)in tle ~tMaue of (briotmas COLLECT. Almighty, eternal God, direct our actions in Thy good pleasure; that in the name of Thy beloved Son, we may deserve to abound in good works: Through. II. Grant, &e. (p. 328). EPISTLE. (Gal. i. 4-7.) Brethren: As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all: but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father: so we also, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law: that he might redeem them who were under the law; that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore now' he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God. 28* 530 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. GOSprEL. (Luke ii. 33-40.) At thal tinle:.Joseph, and ilery, the mother of Jesus, were wondering at these things, which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. Now she at the same hour coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, into their city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in him. 1)c Citranmtdi o1t of onr ttob. All the descendants of Abraham were circumcised by the order of God Himself. The circumcision, which was performed a week after the birth, was the distinctive mark of the holy nation in which the Messias was to be born. To this law our Saviour, as a descendant of Abraham, submitted: on this day Ile shed the first fruits of His blood, and received the name of Jesus, which signifies Saviour, according to the words of tie archangel to Mary. This feast, which coincides with the first of January, has been rendered most solenmn by the Church, in order to divert tile faithful from the disorders caused by tile Pagans in celebratillg the New Year. COLLECT. 0 God, WVho, by the fruitful virginity of the Blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon mankind the COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 331 rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession for us, through wholn we have merited to receive the Author of life, Jesus Christ our Lord:. Who, &c. EPISTLE. (Titus ii. 11-15), p. 326. GOSPEL. (Luke ii. 21.) At that time: After eight days were accomplished that the child should be circunlcised: his name was called JESUS, which was called by the Angel, before he was conceived in the womb. Epiphany means manifestation, and the festival is so called because it is the anniversary of the (lay when the Saviour of the world mannifested I-imself as God to the wise men who came to sdore IIim, and in their person to the nations in darkness and the shadow of death. The wise men, warned by a miraculous star, came from the East and offered Jesus, as a homage, gold, frankinceuse, and myrrh, acknowledging the new-born babe as King, God, and Man. The Feast of Epiphany is very ancient: it dates from the earliest days of Christianity, and forms a continuation of the festival of Chlristmas. COLLECT. O God, Who, on this day, by the guidance of a star, didst reveal Thy only-begotten Son to the gentiles; mel'rcifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, mnay be brought even to contemplate the beauty of Thy highness: Through. EPISTLE. (Isaias lx. 1-6.) Arise, be enlightened, 0 Jerusalem: for thy liglLt is come, and the tglory of the Lord is risen upon thee, For 332 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. behold darkness shall cover the earth, and a laist the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the gentiles shall walk in thy light, and kiings in the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thy eyes round about, and see: all these are gathered together, they are come to thee: thy sons shall come from afar, and thy daughters shall rise up at thy side. Then shalt thou see and abound, and thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged, when the multitude of the sea shall be converted to thee, the strength of the gentiles shall come to thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Madian and Epha: all they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense: and showing forth praise to the Iord. GOSPEL. (Matt. ii. 1-12.) When Jesus, therefore, was born in Bethlehenm ofJudea, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him. And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him: and asselmbling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him, In B.ethlehem of Juda: for so it is written by the prophet: "And thou Bethlehemn, the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall coime forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.'" Then Herod, priv ately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; and sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him. Who having heard the king, went their wvay: and behold, the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down, they adored himl; and opening theil vOXLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSP'iLS. 333 treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answ6r in sleep that they shour;ld not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country. fir~ t -ilnnba after pitpllanno Epiphany is followed by six Sundlays, connected with it, and re. calling, in their gospels, traits of the childhood or public life of ou0 Lord prior to His passion. When Easter comCes early in the year, there is not room for these six Sundays befoire Epiphany, and such offices as cannot be said, are transferred to the end of the year. COLLECT. Of Thy heavenly mercy hear, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the vows of Thy suppliant people, that they may see what they are to do, and have strength to fulfil what they see: Through. EPISTLE. (Rom. xii. 1-5.) Bretdien: I beseech you, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable; and the perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that is given me, to all that are amuong you, not to be more wise than it behoveth to be wise, but to be wise unto sobriety, and according as God hath divided to every one the measure of faith. For as in one body we have, many mlemnbers, but all the members have not the same office: so we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another in Chlist Jesus our Lord. 334. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. GOSPEL. (Luke ii. 42-52.) WThen Jesus: was twelve years old, they going up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished st his wisdom and his answers. And, seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know that I must be about rrv Father's business? And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth: and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men. ~aconb Gt5nban after eVpip'janV. FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS. COLLECT OF THE FEAST. O God, Who didst ordain Thine only-begotten Son to be the Saviour of mankind, and didst command that He should be called Jesus, mercifully grant that we who venerate His holy name on earth, may enjoy the blessed vision in heaven: Throug] COLLECIs, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELSo 33, COLLECT OF THE SUNDAY. Almlighty, everlasting God, Who dost ogovern all things in heaven and on ear'th, mercifully hear the prayers of Thy people, and grant us Thy peace in our' days: T'rllouglh. EPISTLE. (Acts iv. 8-12.) In those dcys: Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear: If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirmn man, by what means he hath been made whole, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him this man standeth here before you whole. This is "the stone which was rejected by you the builders; which is become the head of the corner." Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. GOSPEL OF THE FEAST. (Luke ii. 21), p. 331. GOSPEL OF THE SUNDAY. (John ii. 1-11.) Said at the end of Mass. At that time' Thb are was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is it to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures a-piece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of 336 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief stewaid had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and he manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him. Tjitrb anntba after C~ipvjan~ COLLECT. I. Almighty, eternal God, mercifully look upon our infirmity, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to protect us: Througlh. II. 0 God (p. 330). III. as on p. 320. EPISTLE. (Rom. xii. 16-21.) Brelhrm: Be not wise in your own conceits. To no ~main rendering evil for evil. Providing good things not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as is in you, having peace with all men. Not revenging yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: "IRevenge to me: I will repay, saith the Lord." But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him to drink; for doing this thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not ov( rcome by evil, but overcome evil by good. GosrEL. (Matt. viii. 1-13.) At that tiime: When Jesus -was core down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him; and behold a leper came and adored him, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thoiu canst make me clean. And Jesus, stretching COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS., 33 forth his hand, touched him, saying: I will, be thou made clean. And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith to him: See thou tell no man; but go show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them. And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, imy servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him. And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. And Jesus, hearing this, marvelled; and said to them that followed him: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel. And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour. Sorttb ~unba arfter Opipvanp. COLLECT. I. 0 God i WMho knowest thmat, placed amidc,t so many dangers, we cannot, through human frailty, stand, grant us safety of mind aind body, that we may, by Thy aid, surmount those things which we suffer for our sins: Through. II. and III. as on Third Sunday. 29 3118 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AN1; GOSPELS. EPISTLE (Rno. xiii. 8-10.) Brelhren: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbor, hath fulfilled the law. For "Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt not covet." And if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." The love of our neighbor worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law. GospER. (MIatt. viii. 23-27.) At that time: When Jesus entered into the boat, his disciples followed him: and behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish. And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey him? fifilb 0nmbcQ after Q5pipl)lann. COLLECT. I. Guard Thy family, O Lord, we beseech Thee, in Thy constant mercy, that, as it leans only on the hope of Thy heavenly grace, it may always be defended by Thy protection: Through. II. Defend us, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, rorn all dangers of mind and body; and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary ever Virgin, mother of God, with blessed Joseph, and Thy COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AIhD GOSPELS. 3 9 blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and blessed N., and all the saints, mercifully grant us safety and peace, that all adversities and errors being destroyed, Thy Church may serve Thee with secure liberty. EPISTLE. (Coloss. iii. 12-17.) Brtdhren: Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have char ity, which is the bond of perfection: and let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, all things do ye in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Jesus Chr'ist our Lord. GOSPEL. (Matt. xiii. 24-30.) At that time: Jesus spoke this parable to the multitude, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field. But while men were asleep, his enemy came and oversowed cockle among the wheat, and went his way. And when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. Then the servants of the good man of the house came and said to him: Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it cockle? And he said to them: An enemy hath done this. And the servants said to him: Wilt thou that we go and gather it up? And he said: No, lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Suffer both to grow until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Gather up first the cockle, and bind it in bundles to burn: but the wheat gather ye into my barn. 340 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELs. Si% ix ltbio Q u aftec QpiillaDo - COLLECT. I. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty Go)d, that, always maeditating what is reasonable, we may in word and deed do what is pleasing to Thee: Through,. II. as on last Sunday. EPISTLE. (1 Thess. i. 2-10.) Brethren: We give thanks to God always for you all: making a remembrance of you in our. prayers without ceasing, being mindful of the work of your faith, and labor, and chatty, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father: Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election: for our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and ini much fulness, as you know what manner of meil we have been among you for your sakes. And you became followers of us, and of the Lord': receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that you were made a pattern to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you were spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place, your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead), Jesus who hath delivered us from the wrath to come. GOSPEL. (Matt. xiii. 31-35.) At that tome: Jesus spoke to the multitudes this parable The kingdom of heaven is like to a gaini of muis COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 341 tard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which is the least indeed of all seeds: but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the ail come and dwell in the branches thereof. Another parable he spoke to them. The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world."!Uvtlageojita 2iillgbapThe names of SeptuagesiLu%, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima, were given in very ancient times to the three Sundays before Lent, from analogy to Quadragesima, as biung about the Seventieth, Sixtieth, and Fiftieth days from Easter. These three weeks are a preparation for penance and a herald of Lent. COLLECT. I. Graciously hear, 0 Lcrd, we beseech Thee, the prayers of Thy people, that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may, for the glory of Thy name, be mercifully delivered: Through. II. (Before Purif.) p. 330.'(Aft, Purif.) p. 196, EPISTLE. (1 Cor. iX. 24; x. 5.) Brethren: Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every one that strivethl for the mastery refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown: but we an'Corruplk; ible one. I therefore so rum, not as at an una <. tMnit 29, .342 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. I so fight, not as one beating the air: but I chastise n M body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when 1 have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. And all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud, and in the sea: and did all eat the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink: (and they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.) But with the most of them God was not well pleased. GOSPEL. (Matt. xx. 1-16.) At that time: Jesus said to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like to a householder, who went early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And having agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle. And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did, in like manner. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you there all the day idle? They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go you also into my vineyard. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the laborers and pay them their hire, beginning firom the last.even to the first. When therefore they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, they received every mOan a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny. And receiving it, they murmured against the master of the house, saying': These last have worked bhut one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. But he answerillg one of them, said: Friend, I do theu no wrong' didst thou not agree wi.th me for a penny? Take what COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOST ELS. 343 is thine and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? is thy eye evil because I am good? So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. COLLECT. 1. 0 God, Who seest that we confide in no acthon of our own; grant, in Thy mercy, that we mlay be defended fiom all adversities, by the protection of the Doctor of the Gentiles: Through. II. as on p. 196. EPISTLE. (2 Cor. xi. 19; xii. 9.) Brethren: You gladly suffer the foolish: whereas yourselves are wise. For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you on the face. I speak according to dishonor, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein any man dares (I speak foolishly) I dare also. They are Hebrews: so am I. They are Israelites: so am I. They are the seed of Abraham: so am I. They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise), I aml more: in many more labors, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes, yave one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was ftoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea: in journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren: in labor and painfulness, ir 344 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. many watchings, in hunger and thirst, in many fast, ings, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire? If I must needs glory: I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knoweth that I lie not. At Damascus the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes to apprehend me. And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and so escaped his hands. If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed): but I will come to the visions aund revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not, God knoweth), such an one rapt even to the third heaven. And I know such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth: that he was caught up into paradise; and heard secret words which it is not granted to man to utter. For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory in nothing, but in my infirmlities. For even if I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me. And lest the greatness of the revelations should lift me up, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of satan, to buffet me. For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me: and he said to me: MIy grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. GosPrE. (Lukeviii. 4-15.) At that time: When a very great multitude was gath cred together and hastened out of the cities unto him, he spoke by a similitude. The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air de COLLECOT, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS; 345 voured it. And other some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundred fold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him healr. And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And they by the way side, are they that hear: then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; who believe for a while, and in time of temptation, fall away. And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked, with the cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience. Qninquagesima ftnba. COLLECT. I. Graciously hear our prayers, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and loosing us from the bonds of our sins, guard us from all adversity: Through. TI. as on p. 196. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. xiii. 1-13.) Brethrn: If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding Mbrass or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have proph 346 COLLIECTS, EPISTIES, AND GOSPELS. ecy, and sholld know all mnysteries, and all knowledge, andc if I sho0uld have all faith, so that I could remove mo intains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I should di'triribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it pr ofiteth me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed op, is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the'truth: beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endurethl all things. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfeet is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away the things of a child. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain, faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greater of these is sharity. GOSPEIS. (Luke xviii. 31-43.) At that time: Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said to them: Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man. For he shall be delivered to the gentiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon: and after they have scourged him, they will put him to death, and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid from them, and they nnderstood not the things that were said. Now it came to pass when he drew nigh to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way-side, begging. And when be heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying: Jesus, son ot COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 34Z David, ha ve mercy on me. And they that went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace. But he cried out n uch more: Son of David, have lnerly on me. And Jesus standing commanded him to be brougllt unto him. And when he was conme near, he asked him, saying: mWhat wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see. And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he saw, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Lent is a season of fasting and prayer, set apart by the Church in remembrance of our Saviour's fast, and to prepare us for the great solemnity of His resurrection at Easter, when she requires all her children to receive the Holy Eucharist. It is a tinae of sorrow for sin, of reflection on our past life, and of preparation for the fuature. To convince us of this she puts ashes on our foreheads, like the penitents of old, ceases her chants of joy, lays aside her gayer attire, and, by frequent instruction, invites us to serious reflectiol. Let us not lose so precious a time, but begin fiom Ash Wednesday to prepare for our Easter duty, uniting our penance to that of the whole Church, and imploring the graces we need. COLLECT. I. Grant to Thy faithful, 0 Lord, that they may begin the venerable solemnities of fasting with becoming piety, and perform them with secure devotion: - Through. II. Defend (p. 195). III. O Almighty and Eternal God, Who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all whom Thou foreknowest shall be Thine by faith and good works; we humbly beseech Thee, that they for whom wye have purposed 348 COLLECTS, EPISTLES~ AND GOSPELS. to pour forth prayers, and whom either the preselt world still detains in the flesh, or the future has received alraheady divested of the body, may by the intercession of all Thy saints, and the clem ency of Thy pity, obtain pardon of all their sins. Through. EPISTLE. (Joel ii. 12-19.) Thtzs saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your'heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich iri mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancient:i, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from nis bed, and the bride out of her bride-chamber. Between the porch and the altar the priests the Lord's ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, 0 Lord, spare thy people: and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God? The Lord hath been zealous for his land, and hath spared his people. And the Lord answered and said to his people: Behold I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and you shall be filled with them: and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations, saith the Lord almighty. GOsPEL. (Matt. vi. 16-21.) At that time.: Jesus said to his disciples: When you fast, be not as the\hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face. That thou appear not to men to fast, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSP'ELS. 34 but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in hieaven: where neither rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also Sirst Otnban of tafnt. COLLECT. I. 0 God! Who dost purify Thy Church by the annual observance of Lent; grant to Thy servants, that what they endeavor to obtain of Thee by abstinence, they may by good works secure Through. II. and III. as on Ash Wednesday. EPISTLE. (2 COr. Vi. 1-10.) Brethren: We do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith: "In an accepted time have I heard thee: and in the day of salvation have I helped thee." Behold now is the acceptable time: behold now is the day of salvation.' Giving no offence to any man, that our ministry be not blamed: but in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation,. in necessities, in distresses, in: stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, in chastity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God: by the armor of justice on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and: good report: as deceivers 80 -350 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, acid yet true: as unknown, and yet known: as dying, and b-ehold we live: as chastised, and not killed: ass sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing, and possessing all things. GOSPEL. (Matt. iv. 1-11.) At that time: Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempt.ed by the devil. A nld when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afteirw-ards he was hungry. And the tempter coming, said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Who answered and said: It is written, " Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proccedeth from the mouth of God." Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set h]im upon the pinnacle of the temple, and said to hill: If thou be- the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: " That he hath given his Angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone." Jesus said to him: It is written again: "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain: and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me. Thlen Jesus saith to him: Begone, satan: for it is written, " The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve." Then the devil left him: and behold Angels came and ministered to him. Jrtonb 0ftnban of s ent. COLLECT. I. 0 God, W7ho seest us to be destitute of strength, keep us both inwardly and outwardly; that we COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 351 may be defended in body from all adversities, and cleansed in mind firom evil tLoughts: Through. II. and III. as on Ash Wednesday. EPISTLE. (1 Thess. iv. 1-7.) Brethren: We pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have receivld of us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from fornication. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor: not in the passion of lust, like the gentiles that know not God: and that no man overreach, nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before, and have testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification in Christ Jesus our Lord. GOSPEL. (Matt. xvii. 1-9.) At that time: Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, an-d John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking' with him. And Peter answering, saicld to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: heat ye him. And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down 352 C(LLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELSo. from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying [tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. TIitrb ~iuanbaU of ~fet.t COLLECT. I. W5e beseech Thee, O Almighty God, regard the plrayers of Thy humble servants; and stretch forth in our defence the right hand of Thy majesty: Through.. Ilo and III. as on Ash Wednesday. EPISTLE. (Eph. v. 1-9.) leBrhren: Be ye the followers of God, as most dear children. And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness. But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not so.nuc,h as be named among you, as becometh saints: or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks. For know ve this, and understand that no fornicator, nor unclean, ior covetous person (which is a serving of idols), hatb.nheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no mlan deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk ye as children of the light: for the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and justice, and truth. GOSPEL. (Luke xi. 14-28.) At that time: Jesus was casting out a devil, and the same was dumb; and when he had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke; and the multitude were in admiration at it: but some of them said He casteth out devils by COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 353 Beelzebub, the prince of devils. And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven. But he, seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house shall fall.' And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say, that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub: by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I, by the finger of God, cast out devils: doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his court: those things are in peace which he possesseth. But if a stronger than he come upon him and overcome himn: he will take away all his armor wherein he trusted, and will distribute his spoils. He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest: and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. And it came to pass: as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd lifting up her voice said to him v Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. fonrtlj} 0nntba of Kfent. COLLECT. I. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, who justly suffer for our deeds, may be relieved by the consolation of Thy grace: Through. II. and III. as on Ash Wednesday. $ - 354 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. EPISTLE. (Gal. iv. 22-31.) Brdhren: It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bond-woman, and the other by a free-woman: but he who was of the bond-woman, was born according to the 1iesh: but lhe of the free-woman, was by promise. Which things are said by an allegory: for these are the two testaments; the one from Mount!Sina engendering unto bondage; which is Agar: for Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which nowv is, and is in bondage with her children. But that Jerusalem which is above, is free: which is our- mother. For it is written:''Reioice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband:" now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he, that was born according to the flesh, persecuted him that was after the spirit: so also it is now. But what saith the Scripture? " Cast out the bond-woman and her son; for the son of the bondwonman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman." So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bond-woman, but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free. GOSPEL. (John vi. 1-15.) At that time: JeSus went over the sea of Galilee, which Is that of Tiberias: and a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were diseased. JesTus therefore went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the rpasch, the festival day of the Jews, was near at hand. When Jesus therefore had lifted up his eyes, and seen that a very great multitude cometh to himl, lie said to Philip: Wihence slall we buy bread that these may eat? And this he said to try him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him: Twa hundred pennywvorth of bread is not sufficient for thlen, that every one iiay take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brotber of Simnon Peter, saith ta COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 155 him: There is a boy here that hath five barley hI.bves, and two fishes; but what are these among so many? Then Jesus said: Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves: and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were sat down. In like,manner also of the fishes as much as they would. And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost. They gathered up therefore, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten. So those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet that is to come into the world. Jesus therefore when he knew that they would come to take him by force and make him king, fled again into the mountain himself alone. This Sunday is so called, because the moment is approaching for the commemoration of the Passion of our Lord, to which the Church now turns all her attention, and to the contemplation of which she devotes the whole ensuing week. From this day, as a sign of her grief at the sufferings of her divine Spouse, she puts on additional signs of mourning. The paintings and statues are all veiled, even the Crucifix is hidden, to make us feel more sensibly our need of a Redeemer. COLLECT. I. Look mercifully, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God! upon Thy family; that by Thy bounty, it: may be governed in body, and by Thy preservation, may be guarded in mind: Througho II. For the Church, or for the Pope (p. 320). 3 56 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. EISTLE. (Ieb. ix. 11-15.).Brelren: Christ being come an high-priest of tho good things to come, by a greater and more pelrfee tabernacle not made with hands. that is, not of this ereation: neither by the blood of goats, nor of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the Holies, lhving obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an heifer being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of -Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? And therefore he is the medi-'ator of the new testament: that by means of his death, for the redemption of those transgressions, which were unlder the former testament, they that are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance in Clhrist Jets oz'. Lord. GosPrIL. (John viii. 46-59.) At tihat time. Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: Which of you shall convince me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe me? He that is of God, heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God. The Jews therefore answered and said to him: Do not we say well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered: I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you have dishonored me. But I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Amen, amen, I say to you: if any man keep my word, he shall not see death forever. The Jews therefore said: Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest: If any man keep my. word, he shall not taste death forever. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Whom dost thou make thyself? Jesus answered: If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my father that glorifieth me, of whom you say that he. is your God. And you have not knowa COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 357 himA, but I know him. And if I shall say that I know him not, I shall be like to you, a liar. But I do know him, and do keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced that he might see my day: he saw it, and was gladl. The Jews therefore said to him: Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I am. They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple. HIOLY WEEK. 1aim lulnbap. This'Sunday recalls the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem a few days before His passion, when the people, bearing palm branches, came out to welcome Him. crying: "I-[osanna to the Son of David!" and acknowledging It-im to be their KIing. The Church accordingly blesses palms and other branches on this day, which tlie faithfnl carry in the procession, and hold during the Gospel. Let us, however, while exultins with Jesus, beware lest, like the faithless Jews, we soon by sin cry out, " Crucify Him I" THE BLESSING OF THE PALMS. After the sprinklling of hIoly Water, the PaBms are blessed as follows: Tihe Choir sings. Hosanna to the Son of David!' blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. 0 King of Israel Hosanna in the highest! Then the Priest says: V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy snirit. 358 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. Let us pray. 0 God! Whom to love is righteousness, multi. ply in our hearts the gifts of Thy unspeakable grace; and as by the death of Thy Son Thou hast made us hope for those things, which we believe, grant that by His resurrection we may arrive at the happy end of our journey: Who liveth and reigneth. After this, the Slubdeacon sings thefollowing Lesson: Lesson from the Book of Exodns, xv. and xvi. In those days: The children of Israel came into Elim, where there were twelve fountains of water and seventy palm trees; and they encamped by the waters. And they set forward from Elim, and all the multitude of the children of Israel came into the desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, the fifteenth day of the second month after they came out of the land of Egypt And all the congregation of the children of Israel mtur tmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them: Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat over the flesh-pots and eat bread to the full; why have you brought us into this desert, that you might destroy all the multitude with famine? And the Lord said to Moses: Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; let the people go forth and gather what is sufficient for every day, that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law, or no. But the sixth day let them provide for to bring in; and let it be double to that they were wont to gather every day. And Moses and Aaron said to the children of Israel: In the evening you shall know that the Lord hath brought you forth olit of the land of Egypt; and in the morning ye shall see the glory of the Lord. R. The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said: What do we, for this man doth many C LLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 359 miracles? If we let him alone so, all men will believe in hill; and the Romans will come and take away our place and nation. V. But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest that year, said to them: It is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. From that day therefore they devised to put him to death, saying: And the Romans. ALzother R. On Mount Olivet he prayed to his Father: 0 Father! if it is possible, let this chalice pass from me. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak; thy will be done. V. Watch ye and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit. Then the Deccon sings the following Gospel, with the usaer ceremonies. A continuation of the holy Gospel, according to St. Matthew xxi. 1-9. At that time: When Jesus drew nigh to Jerusalem, and was come to Bethphage, unto Mount Olivet; then he sent two disciples, saying to them: Go ye into the village that is over against you, and immediately ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her; loose them, and bring them to me; and if any man shall say any thing to you, say ye that the Lord hath need of them, and forthwith he will let them go. Now all this was done, that the word might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet, saying: Tell ye the daughter of Sion, behold thy king cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of her that is used to the yoke. And the disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them. And they brought the ass and the colt, and laid their garments upon them, and made him sit thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut down boughs from the trees, and strewed them in the way; and the multitude that went b'efore and that followed, cried, saying: Hosaina to the Son of David! blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. 360 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. Yie Blessing of the Palms. lihe Priest standi~ng at the osem of the pEvistle, says: V. The Lord be with you. B. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Increase, 0 God! the faith of them that hope in Thee, and mercifully hear the players of Thy suppliants; let Thy manifold mercy come upon us, and let these branches of palm-trees, or olive-trees, be blessed; and, as in a figure of the church, Thou didst multiply, Noe going out of the Ark, and Moses going out of Egypt with the children of Israel; so let us, carrying palms and branches of olive-trees, go and meet Christ with good works, and enter through Him into eternal joy: Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reign eth, one God, world without end. R. Amen. V. The Lord be with you. B. And with thy spirit. V. Lift up your hearts. 2R. We have them lifted up to the Lord. V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. B. It is meet and just. It is truly meet and just, right and profitable to salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places; give Thee thanks, O holy Lord, Almighty Father, and Eternal God! Who art glorious in the assembly of Thy saints. For Thy creatures serve Thee, because they acknowledge Thee for their only Creator and God. The whole creation praiseth Thee, and Thy saints bless Thee; because they COLLECTS, EPISTLES. AND GOSPELS., 3{1 confess with freedom before the kings and powers of this world, the great name of Thy only-begotten Son; before whom the angels and archangels, the thrones and dominations stand, and with all the troops of the heavenly host, sing the hymn of Thy glory, saying without ceasing: The Choir sings: Holy holy, holy, is the Lord God of hosts! The heavens and the earth are full of Thy glory. HIosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Then the Priest says: V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. The Priest then reads the following prayers: Let us pray. We beseech Thee, O holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eterna' God! that Thou wouldst be pleased to bless and sanctify these branches which Thou hast caused to spring firom the olive-tree, and which the dove, returning to the ark, brought in its bill; tihat whoever receiveth it may find protection of soul and body; and that it may prove, 0 Lord! the remedy of our salvation, and a sacred sign of Thy grace: through our Lord. B. Amen. Let us pray. O God! Who gatherest what is dispersed, and premervest what is gathered: Who didst bless the 81 362'COLLECTS, EPISTLESI AND GOSPELS. people that carried boughs to meet Jesus; bless also these branches of the palm-tree and -olivetree, which Thy servants take with faith, for the honori of Thy name; that into whatever place they may be carried, the inhabitants of that place may obtain Thy blessing; and Thy right hand preserve fiom all adversity, and protect those that. have been redeemed by oir Lord Jesus Clhrist, Thy Son, WTho liveth and reigneth. Let us pray. O God' Who, by the wonderful order of Thy providence, wouldst even by insensible things show us the -malaner of our salvation, grant, we be. seech Th,:e that the devout hearts of Thy faithllful may savinglv understand the mystical meaning of that cerelmony, which the multitude performed, when by direction from heaven, going this day to meet our Redeemer, they strewed under His feet palm and olive branches-the palms represent His triumph over the prince of death; and the olive branches proclaim, in some manner, the spreading of a spiritual unction. For that pious multitude knew even then what was signified by them; that our Redeemer, compassionating the miseries of mankind, was to combat for the life of the whole world with the prince of death, and to triumph over him by His own death. Hence it was, they made use of such emblems as might declare both the triumph of His victory, and the riches of His mercy. We, also, with a firm faith, retaining both the ceremony and its signification, humbly beseech Thee, O holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal God! through the same Lord Jesus ChristA UOLLECTS, EPISTLES, A4ND GOSPELS. 36i that we, whom Thou hast made His members, gaining by Him, and in Him, a victory over the empire of death, may deserve to be partakers of His glorious resurrection: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee. Let us pray. O God! Who by an olive branch didst colmmand the dove to proclaim peace to the world, grant us, we beseech Thee, Thy grace to sanctify by Thy heavenly benediction these branches of the olive and other trees; that they may be serviceable to all Thy people for their salvation: through Christ, our Lord, 2R. Amen. Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, we beseech Thee, these branches of the palm-tree, or olive-tree; and grant that what Thy people this day corporally perform for the honor of Thy name, they may with the greatest devotion s]iritually accomplish, by gaining a victory over their eneimy, and ardently loving works of mercy: through our Lord. The Priest sprinkles the palms vith holy water, saying, "Than, shalt sprinzkle me,"'c., and incenses them, saying: V. The Lord be with you. 1?. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. 0 God! Who for our salvation didst send into this world Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, that humbling IEimself to our condition, He migoht recall us to Thee; Who also, as IHe was going to .364 COLLEC'TS, EPIS'TLES, AND GOSPELS. Jerusalem l to fulfil the Scriptures, was met by a multitude of faithful people, with zealous devotion, spreading their ga'ments together with branches of palm-trees in His path; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may prepare IIim the way of faith, from which the stone of offence and the rock of scandal being removed, our actions may flourish with branches of justice, so that we may be able to follow His steps: Who liveth and reignetho The palms being blessed, they are distributed by the Priest to the clergy and to the laity. The palms are received kneeling. The r'eceiver kisses thepalm, and, if a man, the Priest's hand. Durizg the distribution, thefollowing Antiphons are sung: The Hebrew children carrying olive branches met ocr Lord, crying out, and saying: Hosanna in the highest! The Hebrew children spread their garments in the way, and cried out, saying: Hosanna to the Son of David! blessed is he that cometh ill the name of the Lord. Then the Priest say8: V. The Lord be with you..R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Almighty, Eternal God! Who wouldst have our Lord Jesus Christ ride on the colt of an ass, and didst inspire crowds of people to spread their garments, or the branches of trees, in His way, and to sing Hosanna in HIis praise: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may imitate thei innocence, and deserve to partake of their merit: through the same Christ our Lord..R. Amer. aOLLECTS, EPISTLES; AND GOSPELS. $65 THE PROCESSION. The Priest p2lts incense in the censer, and the Dacon, turnino to the people, says: Let us go in peace. R. In the name of Christ. Amen. The Censer-bearer leads the way, followed by the Subdeacon,,eearing the cross, and attended by two acolytes with lighted tapers; next conze the clergy in order; and, last of all, the Priest, with the Deacon at his left, all bearing palsns in their hands. During the procession, thefollowving Antenms are sung: Ant. When the Lord drew nigh to Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples, saying: Go ye into the village that is over against you, and you shall find the colt of an ass tied, on which no man hath ever sat; loose him and bring him to me. If any man shall ask you: Why do you loose him? you shall say thus unto him: Because the Lord hath need of his service. They loosing him brought him to Jesus, and laid their garments on him, and he seated himself upon him. Some spread their garments in the way; others strewed branches cut from trees; and they that followed cried out: Hosanna, blessed is he that comes in the name of our Lord i blessed is the kingdom of our father David I Hosannra in the highest! have mercy on us, 0 Son of David! Ant. When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him; and the children cried out, saying: This is he that is to come for the salvation of the people. He is our salvation, and the redemption of Israel. How great is he, whom the thrones and dominations go out to meet? Fear not, 0 daughter of Sion I behold thy king cometh to thee sitting on an ass's colt; as it is written. Hail, 0 king, the Creator of the world, who art come to redeem us! Ant.. Six days before the solemnity of the pasch, when the Lord was coming into the city of Jerusalem, the children met him, and carried palm branches in 81' l6u S3 ()LLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. their hands; and they cried with a loud voice, say. ing: Hosanna in the highest! blessed art thou, who art come in the multitude of thy mercy. Hosanna in the highest! Ant. The multitude go out to meet the Redeemer with flowers and palms, and pay the homage due to a triumpllant conqueror; nations proclaim the Son of God; and their voices rend the skies in the praise of Christ. Hosanna in the highest! Ant. Let us faithfully join the angels and children, singing to the conqueror of death: Hosanna in the highest! Ant. A great multitude, which had assembled for the festival, cried out to the Lord: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! At the return of the procession, two or four chanters go into the Church, cad shutting the door,.stand with their faces toordcls the'procession, singing the two first verses, To Thee: suhich are repeated by the Priest, and the others without the Church. Then they that are within sing the other followzing verses, and they that are without, at every second verse, anssc'er, To Thee. To Thee, 0 Christ! be glory, praises loud: To Thee, Hosanna, cried the Jewish crowd. RW. To Thee, &c. We Israel's monarch, David's Son proclaim; Thou cornl'st, blest King! in God's most holy name. R. To Thee, &c. Angels and men in one harmonious choir, To sing Thy everlasting praise conspire. R. To Thee, &c. Thee Israel's children met with conquering palms, To Thee our vows we pay in loudest psalms. R. To Thee, &c. For Thee, on earth, with boughs they strewed the ways, To Thee, in heaven, we sing melodious praise. R. To Thee, &c. Accept this tribute which to Thee we bring, As Thou didst theirs, 0 good and gracious King 1 R. To Thee, &c. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AiND GOSPELS. 36? 4fter this, the Subdeacon cnoc7cs at the door with thefoot of tht cross; anzd when it is opened, the procession goes inato the church,i sizging: R. As our Lord entered the holy city, the Hebrew children, declaring the resurrection of life with palm branches, cried out: Hosanna in the highest!.': When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they went out to meet Him, and with palm branches, &c. THE MIASS. COLLECT. Almighty everlasting God, Who didst cause our Saviour to take upon Him our flesh, and undergo the cross, that mankind should imitate the example of His humility, mercifully grant that we may deserve both to hold to the lessons of His patience, and be made partakers of His resurrection: Through. EPIsTLE. (Phil. ii. 5-11.) Brethren: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought t not robbery to be equal with God: but debased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the ikeness of men, and in habit found as a manl. H.e hunbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted hilm, and hath given him a arlme which is above every name: that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that tho Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. 368 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELoS Then follows, without Munda, Dominus, or crossizy, the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matt. xxviL and xxvii. A& that timve: Jesus said to his'discip.es: You know that after two days shall be the pasch, and the Son ol man shall be delivered up to be crucified.'Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of tho people into the court of the high-priest, who was called Caiphas: and they consulted together, that by subtilty they might apprehend Jesus, and put him to death. But they said: Not on the festival day, lest perhaps there should be a tumult among the people. And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon -the leper, there came to him a wolman having an alabaster-box of precious ointment, and pousred it on his head as he was at table. And the disciples seeing it, had in dignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste 9 for this might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. Alld Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? Fo she hath wrought a good work upon inme. For the poor you have always with you: but me you have not always. For she in pouring this ointment upon my body, hath done it for my burial. ALen, I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole wolrld, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memory of her. Then went oie of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests. And said to them: What will you give me, and I vill deliver him unto you? But they ap ointed him thirty pieces of silver. Anid from thenceforth he sought opportuiruty to betray him. Anid onr the first dcay of the Azyomes the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Where wilt thoen that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch? But Jesus said: Go yqe into the city to a certain man, and say' to him: The masier saith, My tizne is near at hanid, with thee I make tec pasch with my disciples. And the disciples did as Je;,us had appointed to them, and they prepared the pasch. B t'hen. it. a. eveiils, he sat, dcown ukh COLLECTS. EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 3 6 his twelve disciples. And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me. And they being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I, Lord? But he answering said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me. The Son of man indeed goeth. as it is written of him: but woe to that manl, by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed: It were better for him, if that man had not been born. And Judas that betrayed him, answering said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it. And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke' and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat this is my body.. And taking the chalice he gave thanks; and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins. And I say to you I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. And a hymn being said, they went out into mount Olivet. Then Jesus saith to them: All you shall be scandalized in mue this night. For it is written: " I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed." But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee; And Peter answering, said to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, I will never be scandalized. Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, that in this night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. Peter saith to him: Yea, though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manhier said all the disciples. Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani: and he said tolhis disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he. began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here and watch with me. And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass firom me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh to his disciples: and findeth them 38 70 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you noe watch one hour with me? Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak. Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away. but I must drink it, thy will be done. And he cometh again, and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time saying the self-same word. Then he cometh to his disciples and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest: behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be. betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me. As he yet spoke, behold Judas one of the twelve came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people. And he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, hold him fast. And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed him. And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up, and laid hands on Jesus, and held him. And behold one of them, that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking the servant of the high-priest, cut off his ear. Then Jesus saith to him: Put up- again thy sword into its place: For all that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels? How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done? In that same hour Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out as it were to a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laid not hands on me. Now all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples all leaving him, fled. But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high-priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled. And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court of the highpriest. And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end. And the chief priests and the COLLEC.'S, EPISTLES, ANnD,GOSPELS, 3t1 whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they imight put him to death: and they found not, whereas many false witness *s had come in. And last of all'there came two false witnesses: and they said::This man said, I am able to (lestroy the temple of God, and after three days to rebuild it. And the high-priest rising up, said to him: Answerest thou nothing to the. thlngs which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high-priest said to him: 1 adjure thee by the living Godl, that thou tell us if tl oen be tlhe Christ the Son of God. Jesus saith to him Thou hast said it. Nevertheles I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high-priest rent his garments, saying: Ie hath blasphemed: what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy; what think you? Dlut they answering said: He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face. and buffet him, and others struck his face with the palms of their hands, saying: Prophesy unto us, 0 Christ; who is lie that struck thee? Iut Peter sat without in the court; and there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast Nwith Jesus the Galilean. But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thoe sayest. And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him, and she saith to them that were there: This manl, also was with Jesus of Nazareth. And again lie denied with an oath: That I knowv not t he man. And after a little while they came that stood by, and said to Peter: Surely thou also art one of them: for even thy speech doth discover thee. Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of J esus which he had said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And going forth he wept bitterly. And when morning waS come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus, that they might put him to death. And they brought him bound, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned; reper ting himself, $t2 COLL.CTS, EPISTESE, AisN GOSPIEiS.. brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the c hie priests and ancients, sayi-ng: I have sinned in betraymg innocent blood. But they said: What is that t-: us? look thou to it. And casting down the pieces ol silver in the temple he departed: and went and hanged himself with a halter. But the chief priests having aken the pieces of silver sa id: It is not lawful to put them into the coibona, because it is the price of blood. And a'fter they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field,. to be a burying-place for strangers. For this cause tbat field ias called Haceldanma, that is, the field of blood, even to this day. Then -as fulfilled that swhich was spoken by Jeremnias the prophet, sayinlg: " Arnd they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, who i they prized of the children of Israel. And they gave them unto the potter's field, as the Lord appointed to me." And Jesus stood before tlhe governor, andcl the governor asked hi-1n, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to himr: Thou sayest it. And when he was accused by the chief priests and anciexits, he ansveied nothing. Theni Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how great testimonies they allege against thee? And he ansisered him not to any word: so that the governor wonderecd exceedingly. Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would. And he had then a notorious prisoner, that was called Balabbas. They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you talct I release to you, larabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they h-ad deliveredl him. And as he was sitting ol the judgment-seat his wife sent to him, saying: HIave thou nothing to do with that just man. For I have suffered.mnany things this day in a dreaml because of him. But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people, that they should ask Barabbas, and make Jesus au-cy. And the governor an.sweming, said to themn: WXVhethler vill you of the two *to bereleased unto you? B-.t t'hely said, Bailabbas. Pilate saith to them: What shall I do the-ta with Jesus that i. called Christ? They say all: Let himn be crucified. The gtovernol sail to thenx: Why awhat evil hath ht COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 372. donme? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be cructfied. And Pilate seeing that he prevailed noth ing: but rather a tumult was made: taking water, washed his hands before thie people, saying: I am in nocent of the blood of this just man: look you to it, And the whole people answering, said: His blood be upon us and upon our children. Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified.'.Lhen the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band; and stripping hilm, they put a scarlet cloak about him. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before hinm, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews. And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head. And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him and put on him his own garnments, and led him away to crucify him. And going out they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross. And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary. And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he:had tasted, he would not drink. And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments; casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots." And they sat and watched him. And they put over his head his cause, written: " THIs is JEsus THEI-I KING or THIE JEws." Then were crucified with hil two thieves: one on the right hand, and one on the left. And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it: sava thy own self: if thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. In like manner also the chief priests with the scribes and ancients mocking, said: He saved others: himself he cannot save: if he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God: let him now deliver him if he will have him; for he said: I am the Sob of God. 32 374 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. And thet self-same thing the thieves also, that w ler crucified with him, reproached him with. Now from the sixth'hour there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamima sabacthani? that is, My God, my God, nhy hast thou forsaken me? And some that stood there and heard, said: This man calleth Elias. And immediately one of them running took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar; and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. And the others said: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to deliver him. And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, YIELDED UP THE GHOST.C' And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the hot tom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent. And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept, arose, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, Awere sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God. And there were there many women afar off. who hlad followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto hinm: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mnother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way. And there w-as there Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre.t And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the * Here all kneel, and pause. t Here the priest goes to the middle of the altar, and says the prayer ~fuqzda, &c., as in the Ordinary of the Mass. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, 375 Pharisees came together to Pilate, saying: Sir, we have remembered, that that seducer said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise again. Commancl therefore the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day: lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and say to the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said to them: You have a guard; go, guard it as you know. And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards. OR, THU-IRSDAY OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. On this day the Church celebrates the eve of our Saviour's passion, and especially His institution of the Blessed Sacrament. This calls forth her joy even in this solemn week: tile bells are rung, the Gloria sung, and the remembrance of the bitter passion for a moment suspendedl. After the Mass, in Catholic countries, the celebrant washes the feet of thirteen poor men, in memory of our Saviour's act; and the day is called Mandy Thursday, from the Antiphon fandcathsam, then sung. At this JI3ass the Priest consecrates two large flosts, one of which he consulnesa; the other', after the lass, he carries in procession to a Repository or shrine paepared Jbr it. COLLECT. O God! from Whom Judas received the punishment of his guilt, and the thief the reward of his confession: grant us the effects of Thy mercy; that, as our Lord Jesus Christ, at the time of His passion, dispensed on both different rewards ot their merits, so He may destroy the old man in us, and give us the grace of His resurrection: Who. E76 COLLECTS, EPIST~LES, AND GOSIELS. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. xi. 20-32 ) Brrethren: When you come together into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord's supper. For every one taketh before his supper to eat. And one indeed is hungry, and another is drunk. What! have you not houses to eat and drink in? or despise ye the Church of God, and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke it, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the conmmemoration of me. In like manner, also, the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink it, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink this chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord, until he come.'Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body,and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep. But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. Butwhilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we be not condemned with this world. GOSPEi,. (John xiii. 1-15.) Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And when supper was done (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him), knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and COLLECTS, EPISTLES, A'ND GOSPELS. 377 goeth to God: he riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments, and having taken a towel, girded himself. After that, he putteth water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to him: Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered, and said to him: What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith to him: Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me. Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. Jesus sith to him:m: He that is washed, needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all. For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: You are not all clean. Then after he had washed their feet and taken his garments, being sat down again, he said to them: Know you what I have done to you? You call me Master, anvd Lord; and you say well, for so I am. If then I, being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet; for I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so do you also. At this Mllass the Priest conseci'ates two Ilosts. One being reserved for the next clay, he places, before the Ablution, in another Chalice, which the Deaconz covers Fwith pall, paten, and veil, and places on the middle of the altar. The JlMass is then finished as usual, the Priest, however, makhing a genuflexion whenever he approaches the rmiddle qf the altar. At the end of the fiass, the Priest, in a white cope, puts incense snto the censer at the foot of the altar, and thrice incenses the Host; after which he ascends to the altar, talces the chalice,from the hands qf the.Deacon, and, attended by Deacon and Subdeacon, followed by the clergy and pebple with lights, caries it in solemn procession to the Repository, a sort of altar in another part of the church, decently adorned with lights and drape y. Dutring tlheprocession, thefollowing hymn is sung: 32* $78 COLLECTS), EPISTLES, AND GOSPELBS Pange Cingua. Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory, Of His flesh the mystery sing: Of the blood, all price exceeding, Shed by our immortal King, Destined, for the wocrld's redemption, From a noble womb to spring. Of a pure and spotless virgin Born for us on earth below, He, as man, with man conversing, Stay'd, the seeds of truth to sow; Then He closed in solemn order, Wondrously, His life of woe. On the night of that Last Supper, Seated with His chosen band, He, the paschal victim eating, First fulfils the Law's command; Then, as food to all His brethren, Gives Himself with His own hand. Word made Flesh, the bread of nature By His word to flesh He turns; Wine into His blood He changes:What though sense no change discerns Only be the heart in earnest, Faith her lesson quickly learns. Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail! Lo o'er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail.'ro the everlasting Father, And the Son Who reigns on high, With the Holy Ghost proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honor, blessing, gMight. and endless majesty. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPEIS. 379 n arriving at the Repository, the Deacon knceels, and, tak ing the chalice fron the Priest,. places it on? the altar, where the Priest incenses it anzd puts it in the Tabernacle; after swhich the Procession r6et)lurns to the high altar, where Vespers are said, and the altar stri pped duribg Ate recitation of the twenty-first Psalm. THE MORNING OFFICE. The Church commemorates every day the bloody sacrifnio of Jesus Christ on the cross, by a true and real unbloody sacrlifice;.in which she offers to God the same body and blood that were given. for the sins of the world. But on Good Friday she offers no sacrifice, nor is there any consecration of the holy Eucharist-the priest receiving the sacred Host which he had consecrated the' (lay before. So that, in the office which is performed, instead of' the AMass, she contents herself with a bare representation of the passion, and makes it her chief business to expose to the faithful, Jesus Christ crucified for them. For this end she reads such Lessons and Tiracts as contain predlictions of Hi-s comring for their redemption, and types ot His immolation on the cross; and then, she reads the history of the passion as related by St. John, to show how the law anll the prophets were verified by the Gospel. The faithful by these lessons are instructed in the mystery of this day, and therefore beg with the priest the fruit and alpllication of this passion, by praying for all sorts of persons, even Schisrnatics, Heretics. Jews, and Pagans. None are excluded from the snffrages of the Church on a day when Jesus Christ prayed for His persecutors, and offered llis blood to His Father4 for the salvation of those who shed it. Next, both priest and people adore Jesus Christ crucified, expressing their a(loration by kneeling thrice before they kiss the cross. The veneration of the cross is as ancient as Christianity itself. If at the bare name of Jesus every knee should bend, what feelings should arise in a Chlristian breast at the sight of the sacred sign of redemption? It is not to the frail materials of the cross that, we pay our adoration, but to Him who, on it, offered for our sins the sacrifice of propitiation. After the ceremony, the priest brings back to the altar the body of our Lord, with the same solemnity as it was carried from thence en Thursdsy, and finishes the office by receiving the sacred victim that was s!lain this day for the redemption of mankind. 380 C )LLECTSI EPISTL$S, AND GOSPE]LS. THE MA8S5. The Priest and his linisters, in black estements, go to the oltar, without lights and incense, and prostrate themselves before it, while the acolytes cover it with one linen cloth. Then the Priest, with his minister, goes up to the altar, and one of tie cleryy reads thefollowing Lesson. TJIE FIRST LESSON. (Osee vi. 1-6.) Thuts saith the Lord: In their affliction they will rise early to me. Come, and let us return to the Lord; for he hath taken us, and he will heal us; he will strike, and he will cure us. He will revive us after two days on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. We shall know, and we shall follow on, that we may know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning light, and he will come to us as the early and the latter rain to the earth. What shall I do to thee, 0 Ephraim? what shall I do to thee, 0 Juda? YoTur mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth away in the morning. For this reason have I hewed them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments shall go forth as the light. For. I desired mercy, and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God more than holocausts. THE TRACT. Lord! I have heard thy hearing, and was afraid: I considered thy;'works, and trembled. V. Thou wilt appear between two animals; when the years shall be accomplished, thou wilt make thyself known: whe n the time shall come, thou wilt be rasnifested. V. When my soul shall be in trouble, thou wilt remember thy mercy, even in thy wrath. V. God will come from Libanus, and the Holj One fiom the shady and dark mountain..V His majesty overspreads the heavens, anE Ihe earth is full of His praise. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 381 THE COLLECT. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. 0 God! from Whom Judas received the punishment of his sin, and the thief the reward of his confession, grant us the effects of Thy mercy; that as our Lord Jesus Christ, at the time of His passion, bestowed on each a different recompense for his merits, so, having destroyed the old man in us, He may give us the grace of Hi.s resurrection: Who liveth. THE SECOND LESSON. (Exod. xii. 1-11.) in those days, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall be to you the beginning of months: it shall be the first in the months of the year. Speak ye to the whole assembly of the children of Israel, and say to them: On the tenth day of this month let every man take a lamb by their families and houses. But if the number be less than may suffice to eat the lamb, he shall take unto him his neighbor that joineth to his house, according to the number of souls which may be enough to eat the lamb. And it shall be a lamb without blemish, a male of one year; according to which rite also you shall take a kid. And you shall lteep it until the fourteenth day of this month; and the whole multitude of the children of Israel shall sacrifice it in the evening; and they shall take of the blood thereof, and put it on upon both the side-posts znd on the upper door-posts of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh that night roasted at the fire, and unleavened bread with wild lettuce. You shall not eat thereof any thing raw, nor boiled in water, but only roasted at the fire: you shall Eat the head with the feet and entrails thereof. Neither 382 COLLEUTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPEiL-. shall there remain any thing of it till morning. If tiere be any thing left, you shall burn it with fire. And thus you shall cat it you shall gird your reins, and you shall have shoes on your- feet, holding staves in your hands: and you shall eat in haste. For it is the Phaue (that is, the passage) of the Lord. ThEII TRACT. (Psalm cxxxix.) Deliver me, 0 Lord! from the evil man, rescue mne from the unjust man. i. Who have devised iniquity in their hearts, all the day long they designed battles. V. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of asps is under their lips. V. Keep me, 0 Lord! from the hand of the wicked and from unjust men deliver me. F. Who have proposed to supplant my steps: the proud have hidden a net for me. V. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumbling-block by the way side. V. I said to the Lord: Thou art my God; hear, 0 Lord! the voice of my supplication. V. 0 Lord! Lord the strength of my salvation: IThou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle. V. Give me not up, O Lord! from my desire to the wickedl; they have plotted against me; do not Thou forsake me, lest they should triumph. V. The head of their compassing me about: the labor of their lips shall overwhelm them. V. But as for the just, they shall give glory to Thy name: and the upright shall dwell with Thy countenance. The Passion of our Lord Jesuis Christ according to St. John, Chap. xviii.-xix. At that time, Jesus went forth with his disciples, over the brook of Cedron, where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: because Jesus had often resorted thither together with his disciples. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 383 Judas therefore having received a baudll of men and servants from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanthorns and torches and weapons. Jesus there )re, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth and said to them: Whom seek ye? They answered him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them: I am he. And Judas also who betrayed him, stood With him. As soon then as he had said to them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore, he asked them: WVhom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered: I have told you, that I am he. If therefore you, seek me, let these go away. That the word might b6 fulfilled which he had said: Of them whom thor[ hast given ce, I have not lost any one. Then Simon Peter having a sword, drew it, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And thie nalle of the servant was Malchus. Then Jesus said to Peter: Put up thy sword into the scabbard. The clhalice which my Father hath given me, shall not I drink it? Then the band, andu the tribune, and the selvants of the Jews took Jesus, arnd bound him': and they led hinm away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiphas, who was the high-priest of that year. Now Caiphas was he who had given the counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. And that disciple was known to the highpriest, and went in with Jesus into the court of the high-priest. But Peter stood at the door without. T'hen the other disciple who was known to the highpriest, went out, and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. And the maid that waited at the door, saith to Peter: Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith: I am not. Now the servants and officers stood at a fire of coals, because it was cold, and warmed themselves. And with them was Peter also standing, and warming himself. The high-priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him: I have spoken openly to the world: I have always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither all the Jews 384 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELSB resort: and in secret I have spoken nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them who have heard what I have spoken to theml: behold they know what things I have said. And when he had said these things, one of the officers standing by, gave Jesus a blow, saying: Answerest thou the high-priest so? Jesus answe;ed him: If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil: but if well, why strikest thou me? And Annas sent him bound to Caiphas the high-priest. And Simon Peter was standing and warnting himself. They said therlefore to him: Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said: I amn not. One of the servants of the high-priest, a ki'nsman to hirm whose ear Peter cut off, saith to him: Did not I see thee in the garden with him?'TIhen Peter ag'ain denied, and imm-ediately the cock crew. Then they led Jesus fiom COaiphas tG the governor's hall. And it was morning: and they went not into the hall, that they might not be defiled, but that they might eat the pasch. Pilate therefore went out to themin, and said: What accusation bring you against this man? They answered and said to him: If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee. Pilate then said to them: Take him you, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. That the word of Jesus might be fulfilled which he said, signifying what death he should die. Pilate therefore went int,o the hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me? Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done? Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not' be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence. Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world, that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice. Pilaee saith to him: What COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 385 is truth? And when he had said this, he went out, agai-n to the Jews, and saith to them: I find no cause in him. But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the pasch: will you therefore that I release unto you the king of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying: Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. Then, therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platting a crown of thorns, put it upon his head: and they put on him a purple garment, and they came to him, and said: Hail, king of the Jews And they gave himblows. Pilate, therefore, went forth again, and saith to them: Behold I bring him forth to you, that you may know that I find no cause in him. Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And he saith to them: Behold the man. When the chief priests, therefore, and the officers had seen him, they cried out, saying: Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith to them': Take him you, and crucify him; for I find no cause in him. The Jews answered him: We have a law; and according to the law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore had heard this saying, he feared the more. And he entered into the hall again, and he said to Jesus: Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him: Speakest thou not to me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee? Jesus answered: Thou shouldst not have any power against me, unless it were given thee from above. Therefore he that hath delivered me to thee, hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him. But the Jews cried out, saying: If thou release this man, thou art not Caesar's friend. For whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Cesar. Now when Pilate had heard these words, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment-seat, in the place that:is called Lithostrotos, and in Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the parasceve of the passover, about the sixth hour, and he saith to the Jews: Behold your king. But they cried out: Away with him, away 386 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. with him, crucify him. Pilate saith to them: Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered: We have no king but Causar. Then, therefore, he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led hinm forth. And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. This title, therefore, msany of the Jews did read, because the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, ill Greek, and in Latin. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not, The king of the Jews; but that he said, I am the king of the Jews, Pilate answered: What I have written, I hav e wr itten. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified him, took his garments (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part), and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They sail then one to another: Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the Scripture migltl be fulfilled which saith: They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots. And the soldiers indeed did these things. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother' s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. WThen.Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing v whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman! behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own. Afterwards Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they put a sponge full of vinegar, about hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had taken the vinegar, he said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost. Here all kneel, and pause a little, to mediatte on toe redemaiot of mankind. COLLECTS, EP_~STLES, AND GOSPELS. 3S7 Then the Jews (because it was the lparasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath-day (for that was a areat sabbath-day), besought Pilate that their legs nmght be broken, and that they might be taken away. T'he soldiers, therefore, came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers opened his side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it hath given testimony, and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true, that you also may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of him. And again another Scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced. Ihere Mllunda cor meunl is said as on p. 198 bezt the blessing not asked, nor are lights used as in other Gospels; and t/1m'Priest, at the end, kisses not the book. And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore and took away the body. of Jesus. And Nicodemus also came, he who at the first came to Jesus by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight. They took therefore the body of Jesus, and wrapt it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now there was in the place where he was crucified a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein no man yet had been laid. There, therefore, because of'the parasceve of the Jews, they laid Jesus; because the sepulchre was nigh at hand. Then tile Priest, at the Epistle-corner, says the followssan prayers: Let us pray, beloved brethren, for the holy Chulrch of God, that our God and Lord will be 388,OLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. pleased to give t peace, maintain it in un onl, and preserve it over the earth; subjecting to it the princes and potentates of the world; and grant us, who live in peace and tranquillity, grace to glorify God the Father Almighty. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. Almighty and everlasting God! Who, by Christ, hlast revealed Thy glory to all nations, preserve the works of Thy mercy; that Thy Church, spread over the whole world, may persevere with a constant faith in the confession of Thy name: through the same Lord Jesus Christ. P. Amen. Let us pray also for our Holy Father Pope N., that our Lord God, Who elected him to the order of the Episcopacy, will preserve him in health and safety, for the good of His holy Church, to govern the holy people of God. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees.. Rise up. Almighty and everlasting God! by Whose judgment all things are founded, mercifully regard our prayers, and by Thy goodness preserve our Bishop, chosen for us; that the Christian people, who are governed by Thy authority, may increase the merits of their faith under so great a Prelate: through our Lord Jesus Christ. B. Amen. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND G OSPELS. 389 Let us pray also for all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers, Porters, Confessors, Virgins, Widows, and for all the holy people of God. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise uLp. Almighty and everlasting God! by Whose Spirit the whole body of tile Church is sanctified and governed, hear our prayers for all orders; that, by the assistance of Thy grace, Thou mayest be faithfully served by all degrees: through our Lord.... in the unity of the same, &c. R. Amen. Let us pray also for our catechumens; that our Lord God will open the ears of their hearts, and the gate of His mercy; tllat, having received by the laver of regeneration the remission of all their sins, they also may belong to our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. Almighty and everlasting God! Who always makest Thy Church fruitful in new children, increase the faith and understanding of our catechumens; that, being regenerated in the waters of baptism, they may be admitted into the society of Thy adopted children: through our Lord. R. Amen. Let us pray, beloved brethren, to God the Father Almighty, that He will purge the world of all errors, cure diseases, drive away famine, open 28* 390 -DOLLEC'S, EPISTLES, AID GOSPEUto prisons, break chains, grant a safe return to travellers, health to the sick, and a secure haven to such as are at sea. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. B. Rise up. Almighty and everlasting God! the comfort of the afflicted, and the strength of those that labor, let the prayers of those that call upon Thee in any trouble, be heard by Thee; that all may, with joy, find the effects of Thj mercy in their necessities: through our Lord. Ro Amen. Let us priay also for heretics and schismatics; that our Lord God will be pleased to deliver them finom all their errors, and recall them to our holy mother, the Catholic and Apostolic Church. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. Almighty and everlasting God! Who savest all, and wilt have no man perish, look on the souls that are seduced by the deceit of the devil; that the hearts of those who err, having laid aside all heretical malice, may repent, and return to tho unity of Thy truth: through our Lord. R. Amen. Let us pray also for the perfidious Jews; that our Lord God will withdraw the veil from their hearts; that they also may acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ. 6"Ae'" is h' l/n.tt COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 391 Almighty and everlasting God! Who deniest not Thy mercy even to the perfidious Jews, hear our prayers, which we pour forth for the blindnesof that people; that by acknowledging the ligh' of Thy truth, which is Christ, they may be broughl out of their darkness: through the same Lord. R. Amen. Let us pray also for the Pagans, that Almighty God will take iniquity out of their hearts; that, quitting their idols, they may be converted to the true and living God, and His only Son Jesmu Christ, our God and Lord. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. Almighty and everlasting God! Who seekest not the death, but the life of sinners, muercifully hear our prayers, and deliver them from the worship of idols; and, for the praise and glory of Thy name, admit them into Thy holy Church: Through. R. Amen. After the prayers, the Priest puts off his chasuble, and ta7ilng from the altar the Cross covered with a veil, he goes to the Epistle-corner, where he uncovers the top of it, and shows it to the people, singing the Antiphon: Ecce lignum crucis, Behold the wood of the croSS, Then the Deacon and Subdeacon join with him in singing Ath rest: In quo salus mundi pe- On which hung the salpendit. vation of the world. And the choir, prostrate on the ground, answers ~ Venite, a loremus. Come, let us aaore. 392 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. frl.m thence, the Priest proceeds to the right side of the altar, szl'ere he uncovers the right arm of the Cross, singing a secornd tahe, Ece lignum, as before. Lastly, he goes to the nziddle of the altar, and uncovers the whole Cross, singing a th/ird time, Ecce lignum, as before. After which, he lays it on a cushlicn before the altar, and, takicg off his shoes, (cp2roaches, klnCelib2g thrice, and kisses it. The clergy then, two by two, approach in like nmanner. The people then, in order, approach the communnion-rail, and the Cross is carried around jabr themz to Iciss reverently. Daring the adoration, two chanters in the middle of the chozr sing the following verses: 5My people! what have I done to thee? Or in what have, I grieved thee? Answer me. fr Because I brought thee out of the land of Egypt: thou hast prepared a cross for thy Saviour. One side of the choir sings: Holy God. Agios o Theos. The other side answers: Holy God, Sanctus Deus. The first side: HLoly and strong God. Agios ischyros. The second side: Holy and strong God. - Sanctus fortis. The first side: Holy and immortal God! - Agios athanatos, eleison have mercy on us. imas. The second side: Holy and immortal God! Sanctus immortalis, i have ruercy on us. serere nobis. CPlJEUiqTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS.,9t After this, two of the second side sing: V. Because I led thee through the desert forty years, and fed thee with manna, and brought thee in-to a excellent land; thou hast prepared a cross for thy Saviour. Then Agios o Theos is repeated as before, and two of the firs side sing: V. What snore should I have done to thee, and ha ve not done? I have planted thee for my most beautifull vineyard; and thou hast proved very bitter to me: for in my thirst thou gavest me vinegar to drink; and with a spear thou hast pierced the side of thy Saviour. Agios o Theos is repeated as before. The follomwng verses are sung alternately by the two chanters on each side of the choir. Both sides repeat, after each verse, My people (p. 392). V. For thy sake I scourged Egypt with her first-born; and thou hast delivered me to be scourged. V. I brought thee out of Egypt, having drownved Pharao in the Red Sea: and thou hast delivered me over to the chief priests. V. I opened the sea before thee: and thou with a spear hnast opened my side. V. I went before thee in a pillar of the cloud: and thou hast brought me to the court of Pilate. V. I fed thee with manna in the desert: and thou hast beaten me with buffets and scourges. V:. I gave thee wholesome water to drink out of the rock: and thou hast given me gall and vinegar. V. For thy sake I struck the kings of the Chanxaanites: and thou hast struck my head with a reed..V:. I gave thee a royal scoptre: and thou hast give.n me a crown of thorns. TV I have exalted thee with great strength: and thou hast hanged me on the gibbet of the cross. 394 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND G)SPELAS. Both. sides repeat Popule meus, and then sing the following Antiphin: Ant. We adore Thy cross, 0 Lord! and we praise and glorify Thy holy resurrection: for by the wood of the cross the whole earth is filled with joy. Psalm. May God have mercy on us and bless us; may His countenalnce shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us. We adore, &c. After tlis, is sung the versicle Crux fidelis, with the hymn Pangls lingua gloriosi; and after each verse, is srpeated Crws fidelis, or Dulce lignum, in thefollowing mzaner: a7rum Fidelis. Faithful Cross, 0 tree all beauteous! Tree all peerless and divine; got a grove on earth can show us Such a flower and leaf as thine. iweet the nails and sweet the wood Laden with so sweet a load. HYnm. Pange linguza lorio8si. Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory; Tell His triumph far and wide; Tell aloud the famous story Of His body crucified; How upon the cross a victim, Vanquishing in death, He died. Faithful Cross, 0 tree all beauteous, Tree all peerless and divine; Not a grove on earth can show us Such a flower and leaf as thine. Eating of the tree forbidden, Man had sunk in Satan's snare, When our pitying Creator Did this second tree prepare COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND G OSPELS.. Destined many ages later That first evil to repair. Sweet the nails and sweet the wood Laden with so sweet a load. Such the order God appointed When for sin He would atone; To the serpent thus opposing Schemes yet deeper than his own; Thence the remedy procuring, Whence the fatal wound had come. Faithful cross, &c. So when now at length the fulness Of the sacred time drew nigh, Then the Son, the world's Creator, Left His Father's throne on high; From a Virgin's womb appearing, Clothed in our mortality. Sweet the nails, &c. All within a lowly manger, Lo! a tender babe He lies; See His gentle Virgin mother, Lull to-sleep His infant cries! While the limbs of God incarnate Round with swathing-bands she tail Faithful cross, &c. Thus did Christ to perfect manhood In our mortal flesh attain; Then of His free choice he goeth To a death of bitter pain; And as a lamb upon the altar Of the cross for us is slain. Sweet the nails, &c. Lo! with gall, His thirst He quenches See the thorns upon His brow! Nails His tender flesh are rending! See, His side is open'd now! Whence, to cleanse the whole creatiot Streams of blood and water flow Faithful cross, &c. S39( COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND G-OSPELS Lofty tree, bend down thy branches, To embrace the sacred load; Oh, relax the native tension Of that all too rigid wood; Gently, gently bear the members Of thy dying King and God. Sweet the nails, &c. Tree, which solely wast found worthy, The world's great victim to sustain. Harbor from the raging tempest! Ark that saved the world again i Tree with sacred blood anointed Of the Lamb for sinners slain. Faithful cross, &c, Blessing, honor everlasting, To the immortal Deity; To the Father, Son, and Spirit, Equal praises ever be: Glory through the earth and heaven To Trinity in Unity.' Towards the end of the Adoration of the Cross, the candles art lighted on the Altar, and the Priest goes in procession to brinaS back the blessed Sacrament from the Repository. During the procession is sung the hymgn VEXILLA REGIS. Forth comes the Standard of the King; All hail, thou Mystery adored! Hail, Cross! on which the Life Himself Died, and by death our life restored: On which our Saviour's holy side, Rent open with a cruel spear, ~Of blood and water pour'd a stream, To wash us from defilement clear. O sacred wood! in thee fulfill'd Was holy David's truthful lay; Which told the world that from a tree The Lord should all the nations sway. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 39 Most royally empurpled o'er, How beauteously thy stem doth shine! How glorious was its lot to touch Those limbs so holy and divine! Thrice blest, upon whose arms outstretch'd The Saviour of tile world reclined; Balance sublime! upon whose beam Was weighed the ransom of mankind. Hail, Cross! thou only hope of man, Hail on this holy Passion-day! To saints increase the grace they have; From sinners purge their guilt away. Salvation's spring, blest Trinity, Be praise to Thee through earth and skies: Thou through the Cross the victory Dost give; oh, also give the prize! "r"e Priest having come back to the Altar, places the holy Sae rament on it, fnumes it with incense, on his knees, and lays the sacred Host on the corporal. Then wine and water are ps2 into the Chalice, which is set on the Altar, and the incense i* put into the censer; with which the Priest fumes the sacre.host, and the offering of wine and water, saying: May this incense (p. 206). Then he fumes the Altar, saying: Let my prayer, &c. (p. 207). And gives the censer to the Deacon, saying: May the Lord, &c. (p. 207). After this, he goes down from the Altar on the Epitle sid&, and there washes his hands. Then returning to the mriddle of the Altar, he says, bowing down: In a spirit of humility (p. 205). Then turning to the people, he sagye Pray, brethren! &c. (p. 209). 84 398 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. And turning again to the Altar, he says: Let us pray. Instructed, &c. Our Father, &c. (p. 228). Deliver us, O Lord, &c. rhen the Priest elevates the sacred host, and after breaking it as usual, says: Let not, &c. (p. 232). Then he kneels, and takes the paten with the body of Christ, and says, with great humility and reverence: I will take, &c. (p. 233). Then striking his breast thrice, he says: Lord, I am not worthy (p. 234).,After which he signs himself with the blessed Sacrament, saying: The body of oux Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen. Then he reverently receives the body, and immediately after the particle of the sacred hlost, with the wine in the Chalice. And having, as usual, washed his fingers and taken the purifiec% tion, bowing in the middle of the Altar, with his hands joined, he says: Grant, O Lord,&c. (p. 235). After this, tke Priest, having made a rever mmee to Me Altar, deirts. Vespers are then said. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 399 Th a office of this day, by anticipation, represents our Savloar's resurrection, and was in ancient times said during the following night. The aniars are again clothed with ornnmlents, and a new fire blessed. The office begins with lighting a triple candle, which is emblematic of the light of Christ, and signifies that the light of the blessed Trinity is communicated to us by Christ's resurrection. The Paschal candle, blessed by the Deacon, is a figure of the body of Christ embalmed with spices, and its lighting is a token of His resurrection. Then fiollow the Prophecies, lessons from the Old Testament read to Catechumens, whom it was customary to baptize on this day, the most appropriate of all; for as we are dead in sins, so in baptism we rise with Christ (Rom. vi. 4). The baptismal font is then blessed with many prayers and celeo monies, all full of (deep significance. If any are to be baptized, the sacramenlt is then conferred, and these ceremonies conclude with the Litany of the Saints. The Mass which follows has no Offertory, Kiss of Peace, ir "Communion." THE BLESSING OF THE NEW FIRE. A fire is struck with a flint without the churcih, cand coals lighted: after which, the Priest, with his attendanits bearing the cross, holy water, and incense, before the church-gate, if it can be conveniently done (otherwise in the very entrance of the ch/erch), blesses the new fire, saying: V. The Lord be with you. B. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. 0 God! Who by Thy Son, the corner-stone, hast bestowed on the faithful the fire of Thy brightness, sanctify this new fire produced from a flint for our use; and grant, that during this PLascbal solemnity, we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may come to the solemnity of eternal splendor: Through th same Christ our Lord. R. Amen. 400 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, Let us pray. O Lord God, Almighty Father, never-failing light! Who art the author of all light; bless this light, which is blessed and sanctified by Thee,'Who hast enlightened the whole world; that we may be enlightened by that light, and inflamed with the fire of Thy brightness: and, as Thou didst give light to Moses, when he went out of Egypt, so illuminate our hearts and senses, that we may obtain light and life everlasting: Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Let us pray. Holy Lord, Almighty Father, eternal God! vouchsafe to co-operate with us, who bless this fire in Thy name, and in that of Thy only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and of the Holy Ghost; assist us against the fiery darts of the enemy, and illuminate us with Thy heavenly grace: Who livest and reignest with the same only Son and Holy Ghost, one God forever and ever..R. Amen. Then he blesses the five grains of incense that are to be fixed in the Paschat candle, saying the following prayer: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, Almighty God! Thy abundant blessing on this incense, and kindle, O invisible regenerator! the brightness of this night: that not only the sacrifice, which is offered this night may shine by the secret mixture of Thy light; but also, that into whatever. place any thing sanctifioed by these mystical prayers shall be car COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 401 ried, there, by the power of Thy majesty, all the malicious artifices of the devil may be defeated: Through Christ our Lord. B. Amen. Whilst he blesses the grains of incense, an Acolyte puts some of the blessed fire into the censer, and the Priest, after the prayer, puts incense into it, blessing it, as usual, saying: May thou be blessed by Hiim, in whose honor thou shalt be burnt. Amen. Then he sprinkles the grains qf incense and the fire thrice with holy water, saying: Thou shalt sprinkle me, 0 Lord! with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. After which, he incenses them thrice. Then the Deacon, putting on a white Dalmatic, takes the rod with the three candles fixed on the top. The Censer-bearer goes first with an Acolyte carrying in a plate the five grains of incense; the SSubdeacon with the cross follows, and the Clergy in order; then the Deacon with the three candles, and last of all the Priest. When the Deacon is come into the church, an Acolyte, who carries a candle lighted from the new fire, lights one of the three candles on the top of the rod; and the Deacon, holding up the rod, knees, as do all the rest, except the Sub deacon, and sings alone: Behold the light of Christ. R. Thanks be to God. The same is done in the middle of the church, and before the Altar, when the other two candles are lighted. Being comn to the Altar, the Priest goes to the EJpistle side, and the Dea con zuith the book asks the blessing of the Priest, saying: Pray, Fatheri! bless me. 34* 402 COILECTS, EPISTLES, AN'D GOSPELS. Then the Priest says: The Lord be in thy heart and lips; that thou mayest worthily and fitly proclaim His Paschal praise; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 1R. Amen. After this, the Deacon goes to the desk on the Gospel side, where he incenses the book; and, all standing as at the Gospel, he blesses the Paschal candle, saying: Let now the heavenly troop of angels rejoice; let the divine mysteries be joyfully celebrated; and let a sacred trumpet proclaim the victory of so great a king. Let the earth also be filled with joy, being illuminated with such resplendent rays; and let it see the darkness, which overspread the whole world, chased away by the splenu or of our eternal king. Let our mother the Ch-lj h also rejoice, being adorned by the rays of so great a light; and let this temple resound with the joyful acclamations of the people. Wherefore, beloved brethren! you who are now present at the admirable brightness of this holy light, I beseech you to invoke with me the name of the Almighty God; that He, Who hath been pleased above my desert to admit me into the number of His Levites, will, by an effusion of His light upon me, enable me to celebrate the praises of this emblernatic taper: through our Lord Jesus Christ His Son; Who with Him and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reign. eth one God forever and ever. R. Amen. V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. V. Lift up your hearts. R.^ We have them lifted up to the Lord. V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. R. It is meet and just. It is truly meet and just to proclaim, with all the affection of our heart and soil, and with the sound of our voice, the invisible God the Father Almighty, and His only Son our Lord Jesus Christ, Who paid for us COLLECTS EI'ISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 403 to His aternal Father the debt of Adam, and by His sacred blood cancelled the guilt contracted by original sin. For this is the Paschal solemnity, in which the true Lamb was slain, by whose blood the doors of the faithful are consecrated. This is the night in which Thou formlerly broughtest forth our forefathers the Thildren of Israel out of Egypt, leading them dry-foot through the Red Sea. This then is the night which dissipated the darkness of sin, by the light of the pillar. This is the night which now delivers all over the world those that believe in Christ from the vices of the world and darkness of sin, restores them to grace, and clothes with sanctity. This is the night in which Christ broke the chains of death, and ascended conqueror from hell. 0 how admirable is Thy goodness towards us. 0 how inestimable is Thy love! Thou hast delivered up Thy Son, to redeem a slave. 0 truly necessary sill of Adun, which the death of Christ has blotted out! 0 happy fault, that merited such and so great a Redeemer! O truly blessed night! wllich alone deserved to know the time and hour, when Christ rose again from hell. This is the night of which it is written: And the night shall be as light as day; and the night shineth upon me in my pleasures. Therefore the sanctification of this night blots out crimes, washes away sins, and restores innocence to the fallen and joy to the sorrowful. It banishes enmities, produces concord, and humbles empires. e1re the Deacon fixes the five grains of incense in ie candle, in the fobr of a cross. Therefore, on this sacled night, receive, 0 holy Father! the evening sacrifice of this incense, which Thy holy Church, by the hands of her ministers, presents to Thee in this solemn oblation of' this wax candle,'made out of the labor of bees. And now we know the excellence of this pillar. which the sparkling fire lights for the honor of God. 404 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPILS. ere the Deacon lights the candle with one of the three candle4 on the rod. Which fire, though now divided, suffers no loss from the communimation of its light. Because it is fed by the melted wax, produced by the bee, to make this taper. Iere the lamps are lighted. 0 truly blessed night! which plundered the Egyptians, and enriched the Hiebrews. A night in which heaven is united to earth, and God to mailn. We beseech Thee, therefore, 0 Lord 1 that this candle, consecrated to the honor of Thy name, may continue burning to dissipate the darkness of this night; and being accepted as a sweet odor, may be united with the celestial lights. Let the mnorning-star find it burning. That morningstar, I mean, which never sets. Which being returned from hell, shone with brightness on mankind. We beseech Thee, therefore, 0 Lord! to grant us peace during this paschal solemnity, and with Thy constant protection to rule, govern, and preserve us,'l'hy servants, all the Clergy, and the devout Laity, together with siur Holy Father, Pope N.; and our Bishop N.:' Through the same Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God, forever and ever. 1R. Amen. After the benediction of the Paschal candle, the Prophecies are read, and the Catechumens are instructed and d repared to re. ceive bsptism. THE FIRST PROPHECY. (Gen. i. 1-31; ii. 1-2.) In the beginning, God created heaven and earth, And the earth was void and empty, and dalrkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved over the waters. And God said: Be light made. And light was made. And God saw the light that it was good: and he divided the light from the darkness. And he called the light day, and the darkness night: and there was evening and morning one COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 405.ay. And God said: Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God mlade a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament, from those that were above the firmament. And it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven: and the evening and the morning were the second day. God also said: Let the waters that are under the heaven, be gathered together into one place and let the dry land appear. And it was so done. And God called the dry land, Earth: and the gathering together of the waters he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And he said: Let the earth bring forth the green herb, and such as may seed; and the fruit-tree yielding fruit after its kind, which may have seed in itself upon the earth. And it was so done. And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as yieldeth seed according to its kind, and the tree that beareth fruit, having seed each one according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. And God said: Let there be lights made in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years: to shine in the firmament of heaven, and to give light upon the earth. And it was so done. And God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night; and the stars. And he set them in the firmament of heaven, to shine upon the earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and morning were the fourth day. God also said: Let the waters bring forth the creeping creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven. And God created the great whales, and every living and moving creature, which the waters brought forth, according to their kinds, and every winged fowl according to its kind And God saw that it was good. And he blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth And the evening and morning were the fifth day. At-nd God said: Let the earth bring forth 406 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. the living creature in its kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds: and it was so done. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and cattle, and every thing that creepeth on the earth after its kind. And God saw that it was good. And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth. And God said: Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind, to be your meat: and to all beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done. And God saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good. And the evening and morning were the sixth day. So the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the furniture of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made: and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. S. Rise up. O God'! Who hast wonderfully created maln, and more wonderfully redeemed him; grant us, we beseech Thee, such strength of mind and reason against the allurements of sin, that we may deserve to obtain eternal joy: Through Jesua Christ our Lord. B.1 Amen. COLLECTS, EIISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 407 TaH SECOND PROPHECY. (Gen. v. 31; vi. 1-22; vii. 6, 11-14, 18-24; viii. 1-3, 6-12; 15-21.) Noe, when he was five hundred years old, begat Sern, Chanm, ancl Japheth. And after that mlen began to be multiplied upon the eirth, and daughters were born to them. Thle sons of God seeing the daughters of men, that they were fair, took to themselves wives of all which they chose. And God said: MIy spirit shall not remain in man forever, because he is flesh, and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. Now giants were upon the earth in those days. For after the sons of God went in to the daughters of men, and they brought forth children, these are the mighty men of old, men of renown. And God seeing that the wickedness of men was great on the earth, and that all the thought of their heart was bent upon evil at all times, it repented him that he had made man on the earth. And being touched inwardly with sorrow oi heart, he saidl: I will destroy man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth, from man even to beasts, from the creeping things even to the fowls of the air, for it repenteth me that I have made, tiem. But Nde found grace before the Lord. These. zr the generations of Noe: Noe was a just and per,e rman in his generations, he walked. with God. Anm' k.e hegat three sons, Serm, Chain, and Japheth. Anti t7le earth was corrupted before God, and was filleC'-,.h iniquity. And when God had seen that the eart;.;-aas corrupted (for all flesh had corrupted its way- upcr the earth), he said to Noe: The end of all flesh is con.e, before me, the earth is filled with iniquity through thrmn, and I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of timber planks; thou shalt make little rooms in the ark, and thou shalt pitch it within and without. And thus shalt thou make it. The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits: the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. Thou shalt make a window in the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish the top of it; and the doo: of the ark thou shalt set in the side; with lower middle hanmbers and third stories shalt thou make it. Behold I will'bring the waters of a great flood 408 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELf. upon the earth, to destroy all fleslh, wherein is the breath of life under heaven. All things that are in the earth shall be consunmed. And I will establish my covenant with thee and thou shalt enter into the ark. thou and thy sons, and thy wife, and the wives of thy sons with thee. And of every living creature of all flesh, thou shalt bring two of a sort into the ark that they may live with thee: of the male sex, and the female. Of fowls according to their kind, and of beasts in their kind, and of every thing that creepeth on the earth according to its kind: two of every sort shall go in with thee, that they may} live. Thou shalt take unto thee of all food, that may be eaten, and thou shalt lay it up with thee: and it shall be food for thee and them. And Noe did all things which God commanded him.. And he was six hundred years old when the waters of the flood overflowed the earth. All the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the flood-gates of heaven were opened: and the rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. In the self-same day Noe, and Serm, and Chain, and Japheth, his sons, his wife, and the three wives of his sons with them went into the ark. They and every beast according to its kind, and all the cattle in their kind, and every thing that moveth upon the earth according to its kind, and every fowl according to its kind... A-nd the ark was carried upon the waters. And the waters prevailed beyond measure upon the earth: and all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The water was fifteen cubits higher than the mnountains, which it covered. And all flesh was destroyed that moved upon the earth, both of fowl and of cattle, and of beasts, and of all creeping things that creep upon the earth; and all men. And all things wherein there is the breath of life on the earth died. And he destroyed all the substance, that was upon the earth, fronm man even to beast, and the creeping things and fowls of the air; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noe only remained, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon tLe earth a huliclred and fifty days. And God remembered Noe, a.nd all the living creatures, and all the.,cattle whiril were with him in the ark, and COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 409 brought a wind upon the earth, and the waters were abated. The fo intains also'of the deep, and the floodgates of heaven, were shut up: and the rain from heaven was restrained. And the waters returned from off tlie earth going and coming: and they began to be abated after a hundred and fifty days... And after that forty days were passed, Noe opening the window of the ark, which he had made, sent forth a raven: which went forth, and did not return till the waters were dried up upon the earth. He sent forth also a dove after him to see if the waters had now ceased upon the face of the earth. But she not finding where her foot might rest, returned to him into the ark. for the waters were upon the whole earth: and he put forth his hand, and caught her and brought her into the ark. And having waited yet seven other days, he again sent forth the dove out of the ark. And she came to him in the evening carrying a bough of an olive-tree, with green leaves, in her mouth. Noe therefore understood that the waters were ceased upon the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days: and he sent forth the dove, which returned not any more unto him... And God spoke to Noe, saying: Go out of the ark thou and thy wife, thy sons and the wives of thy sons with thee. All living things that are with thee of all flesh, as well in fowls, as in beasts, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, bring out with thee, and go ye upon the earth: increase and multiply upon it. So Noe went out, he and his sons: his wife, and the wives of his sons with him. And all living things, and cattle, and creeping things that creep upon the earth, according to their kinds, went out of the ark. And Noe built an altar unto the Lord: and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, offered holocausts upon the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savor. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. O God! WYhose power is unchangeable and Whose light is eternal; mercifully regard the 85 410 COLIECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. wonderful sacrament of Thy whole Church, and by an effect of Thy perpetual providence, perform with tranquillity the work of human salvation; and let the whole world experience and see, that what was fallen is raised up, what was old is made new, and that all things are re-established through Him that gave them their first being, our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee. THE TIsiRD PROPHECY. (Gen. xxii. 1-19.) In those days: God tempted Abraham and said to him: Abraham! Abraham! And he answered: Here I am. He said to him: Take thy only-begotten.son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and go into the land of Vision: and there thou shalt offer him for an holocaust upon one of the mountains which I will show thee. So Abraham rising up in the night, saddled his ass: and took with him two young men, and Isaac his son. And when he had cut wood for the holocaust, he went his way to the place which God had commanded him. And on the third day, lifting up his eyes, he saw the place afar off. And he said to his young men: Stay you here with the ass: I and the boy will go with speed as far as yonder, and after we have worshipped, will return to you. And he took the wood for the holocaust, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands fire and a sword. And as they two went on together, Isaac said to his father: My, father! And he answered: What wilt thou, son? Behold, saith he, fire and wood: where is the victim for the holocaust? And Abraham said: God will provide himself a victim for a holocaust, my son. So they went on together. And they came to the place which God had shown him, where he built an altar, and laid the wood in order upon it. And when he had bound Isaac his son, he laid him on the altar upon the pile of wood. And he -put forth his hand, and took the sword, to sacrifice his son. And behold an angel of the Lord from heaven called to him, saying: Abraham Abraham! Araham Ad he answered: Here I am COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 411 And he said to him: Lay not thy hand upon the boy, neither do thou any thing to him: now I know that thou fearest God, and hast not spared thy only-begotten son for my sake. AbTaham lifted up his eyes, and saw behind his back a ram amongst the briers, sticking fast by the horns, which he took and offered for a holocaust instead of his son. And he called the name of that place, The Lord seeth. Whereupon even to this day, it is said: In the motmtain the Lord will see. And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, saying: By my own self have I sworn, saith the Lord: because thou hast done this thing, and hast not spared thy only-begotten son for my sake, I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the sea-shore: thy seed shall possess the gates of their enemies. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice. Abraham returned to his young men, and they went to Bersabee together, and he dwelt there. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. B. Rise up. O God! the sovereign Father of the faithful, Who throughout the world multipliest the children of Thy promise by the grace of Thy adoption, and makest Thy servant Abraham, according to Thy oath, the Father of all. nations; by this Paschal Sacrament, grant that Thy people may worthily receive the grace of Thy vocation: Through our Lord. THE FOURTH PROPHECY. (Exod. xiv. 24-31; xv. 1.) In those days: It came to pass in the morning watch, and behold the Lord looking upon the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, slew their host, and overthrew the wheels of the chariots, and they were carried into the deep. And the Egyptians 412 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. said: Let us flee from Israel: for the Lord fighteth for them against us. And the Lord said to Maoses: Stretch forth thy hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and horsemen..And when Moses had stretched forth his hand towards the sea, it returned at the first break of day to the former place; and as the Egyptians were fleeing away, the waters came upon them, and the Lord shut them up in the middle of the waves. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all the army of Pharao, who had come into the sea after them; neither did there so much as one of them remain. But the children of Israel marched through the midst of the sea upon dry land, and the waters were to them: as a wall on the right hand and on the left. And the Lord delivered Israel in that day out of the hands of the Egyptians. And they saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore, and the mighty hand that the Lord had used against them: and the people feared the Lord, and they believed the Lord, and Moses his servant. Then Moses and the children of Israel sung this canticle to the Lord, and said: TaE TRACT. Let us sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously magnified; the horse and the rider he hath thrown into the sea; he hath been my help, and my protector unto salvation. V. He is my God, and.I will glorify him; the God of my father, and I will exalt him. V. The Lord putteth an end to wars; the Lord is his name. *Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. O God! Whose ancient miracles we see renewed in our days, whilst, by the water of regeneration, Thou performest for the salvation of the gentiles, that which by the power of Thy right hand Thou COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 413 didst for the deliverance of one people from the Egyptian persecution; grant that all the nations of the world may become the children of Abraham, and partake of the dignity of the people of Israel: Through our Lord. TEE FIvTnI PROPHECY. (Isaias liv. 17; lv. 1-11.) This is the inheritance of the servants of the Lord, and their justice with me, saith the Lord. All you that thirst, come to the waters: and you that have no money, make haste, buy and eat: come ye, buy wine and milk without money, and without any price. Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which doth not satisfy you? Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be delighted in fatness. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the faithful mercies of David. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, for a leader and a master to the gentiles. Behold thou shalt call a nation, which thou knewest not; and the nations that knew not thee shall run to thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found: call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he is bountiful to forgive. For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways. exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts. And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it, saith the Lord Almighty. 85* 414 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, Let us pray. Let tus bend our knees. R. Rise up. Almighty and eternal God! multiply for the honor of Thy name what Thou didst promise to the faith of our forefathers; and increase, by Thy sacred adoption, the children of that promise; that, what the ancient saints doubted not would come to pass, Thy Church may now find in great part accomplished: Through our Lord. THE SIXTHI PROrHEcY. (Baruch iii. 9-38.) Hear, O Israel! the commandments of life; give ear, that thou mayest learn wisdom. How happeneth it, O Israel! that thou art in thy enemies' land? Thou art grown old in a strange country, thou art defiled with the dead: thou art counted with them that go down into hell. Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom: for if thou hadst walked in the way of God, thou hadst surely dwelt in peace forever. Learn where is wisdom, where is stiength, where is understanding: that thou mayestl know also where is length of days and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace. Who hath found out her place? and who hath gone into her treasures? Where are the princes of the nations, and they that rule over the beasts that are upon the earth? that take their diversion with the birds of the air, that hoard up silver and gold, wherein men trust, and there is no end of their getting? who work in silver and are solicitous, and their works are unsearchable? They are cut off, and are gone down to hell; and others are risen up in their place. Young men have seen the liglht, and dwelt upon the earth: but the way of knowledge they have not known, nor have they understood the paths thereof, neither have their children received it, it is far from their face. It hath not been heard. in the lind of Chanaan, neither hath it been seen in Themnan. The children of Agar also, that search after the wisdom that COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 415 is of the earth, the merchants of Merrha, and of Themana, and the tellers of fables, and searchers of prudence and understanding: but the way of wisdom they have not known, neither have they remembered her paths. 0 Israel! how g'-at is the house of God, and how vast is the place of h!: possession! It is great, and hath no end: it is high and immense. There were the giants, those renowned men, that were from the beginning, of great stature, expert in war. The Lord chose not them, neither did they find the way of knowledge: Therefore did they perish. And because they had not wisdom, they perished through their folly. Who hath gone up into heaven, and taken her, and brought her down from the clouds? Who hath passed over the sea, and found her, and brought her preferably to chosen gold? There is none that is able to know her ways, nor that can search out her paths. But he that knoweth all things,'knoweth her; and hath found her out with his understanding: he that prepared the earth for evermore, and filled it with cattle and four-footed beasts: he that sendeth forth light, and it goeth: and hath called it, and it obeyeth him with trembling. And the stars have given light in their watches, and rejoiced: they were called, and they'said: IIere we are: and with cheerfulness they have shined forth to him that made them. This is our God, and there shall no other be accounted of in comparison of him. He found out all the way of knowledge, and gave it to Jacob, his servant, and to Israel, his beloved. Afterwards he was seen upon earth, and conversed with men. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. O God! Who continually multipliest Thy Church by the vocation of the gentiles; mercifully grant Thy perpetual protection to those whom Thou u rshest with the water of baptism ~ Through. 416 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. TnE SEVENTH PROPHECY. (Ezech. xxxvii. 1-14.) In those days: The hand of the Lord was upon me, and brought me forth in the spirit of the Lord: and set me down in the midst of a plain that was full of bones. And he led me about through them o-x every side: now they were very many upon the face of the plain. And they were exceeding dry. And he said to me: Son of man! dost thou think these bones shall live? And I answered: 0 Lord God! thou knowest. And he said to me: Prophesy concerning these bones: and say to them: Ye dry bones! hear the word of the Lord, Thus saith the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will send spirit into you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to grow over you, and will cover you with skin: and I will give you spirit, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord. And I prophesied as he had commanded me: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a commotion: and the bones came together, each one to its joint. And I saw, and behold the sinews, and the flesh came up upon them: and the skin was stretched out over them, but there was no spirit in them. And he said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, 0 son of man! and say to the spirit: Thus saith the Lord God: Come, spirit, from the four winds, and blow upon these slain, and let them live again. And I prophesied as he\ had commanded me: and the spirit came into them, and they lived: and they stood -up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. And he said to me: Son of man! all these bones are the house of Israel. They say: Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost, and we are cut off. Therefore prophesy, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves, and will bring you out of your sepulchres, O my people! and will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have opened your sepulchres, and shall have brought you out of your graves, 0 my people! and shall have put my spirit in you, and you shall live, and I shall make you rest upon your own land, saith t1w Lord Almighty. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 41 Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. B. Rise up. O God! Who by the Scriptures of both Testaments, teachest us to celebrate the Paschal Sacra mernt; give us such a sense of Thy mercy, that by receiving Thy present graces, we may have a firm hoDe of Thy future blessings: Through our Lord, TI'E EIGHTH PROPHECY. (Isaias iv. 1-6.) In that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, take away our reproach. In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence, and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them, that shall have escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem. If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalenm, out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create lipon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the day-time from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind and from rain. THE TRACT. My beloved had a vineyard on a hill in a fruitful place. V. And he fenced it in, and digged it about, and planted it with the choicest vines, and built a tower in the midst thereof.' 418] COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. r. And he set up a wine-press therein; for the vine yard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. O God! Who by the mouths of Thy holy prophets hast declared, that through the whole extent of Thy empire it is Thou that sowest the good seed, and improvest the choicest branches that are found in all the children of Thy Church; grant to Thy people, who are called by the name of vines and corn, that they may root out all thorns and briers, and bring forth good fruit in abundance: Through our Lord. THE NINTH PROPHECY. (Exod. xii. 1-11, as on p. 381.) Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. O Almighty and eternal God! Who art wonderful in the performance of all Thy works, let Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed understand, that the creation of the world in the beginning was not more excellent than the immolation of Christ, our Passover at the end of the world Who with Thee. THE TENTH PROPHEcY. (Jonas iii. 1-10.) In those darys: The word of the Lord came to Jonas the second time, saying: Arise, and go to Ninive the great city; and preach in it the preaching that I bid thee. And Jonas arose, and went to Ninive according to the word of the Lord: niew Ninive was a great, city of three days' journey: and Jonas began to enter into COLLECTS, EPISTLES AND GOOPELS. 419 the city one day's journey and he cried, and said: Yet forty days, and Ninive shall be destroyed. And the men o, Ninive believed in God: and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least. And the word came to the king of Ninive: and he rose up out of his throne, and cast away his robe from him, and was clothed with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published in Ninive from the mouth of the king and of his princes, saying: Let neither men nor beasts, oxen, nor sheep taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water. And let men and beasts be covered with sackcloth, and cry to the Lord with all their strength, and let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the iniquity that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and forgive: and will turn away from his fierce anger and we shall not perish? And God saw their worls, that they were turned from their evil way: and the Lord our God had nmercy on his people. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. O God! WTho hast united the several nations of the gentiles in the profession of Thy name; give us both the will and the power to obey Thy command, that Thy people called to eternity may have the same faith in their minds, and piety in their actions: Through our Lord. TIIE ELEVENTH PROPHECY. (Deut. xxxi. 22-30.) In those days: Moses wrote a canticle, and taught it to the children of Israel. And the Lord commanded Josue the son of Nun, and said: Take courage, and be valiant: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land, which I have promised, and I will be with thee. Therefore after Moses had wrote the words of this law in a volume, and finished it, he commanded the Levites, who carried the ark of the covenant of the 420 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GCBPELS. Lord, saying: Take this book, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a testimony against thee. For I know thy obstinacy, and thy most stiff neck. While I am yet living, and going in with you, you have always been rebellious against the Lord: how much more when I shall be dead? Gather unto me all t.he ancients of your tribes, and your doctors, and I will speak these words in their hearing, and will call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that, after my death, you will do wickedly, and will quickly turn aside from the way, that I have commanded you: and evils shall come upon you in the latter times, when you shall do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him by the works of your hands. Moses therefore spoke, in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel, the words of this canticle, and finished it even to the end. THE TRACT. Hear, 0 ye heavens! and I will speak: let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth. V. Let what I say be looked for like rain; and let my words drop down like dew. V. Like the shower upon the grass, and the snow upon the dry herb; for I will call upon the name of the Lord. V. Publish the greatness of our God: he is God; his works are perfect, and all his ways are justice. V; God is faithful, in whom there is no iniquity: the Lord is just and holy. Let us pray. Let us bend our knees. R. Rise up. O God, the exaltation of the humble, anC the fortitude of the righteous i Who, by Thy holy servant Moses, didst please so to instruct Thy people by the singing of the sacred canticle, that the repetition of the law might be also our direction; COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AN1) GOsfELSo 421 show Thy power to all the multitude of gentiles justified by Thee, and by mitigating Thy terrors, grant them joy; that,' all their sins being pardoned by Thee, the threatened vengeance may contribute to their salvation: Through our Lord. THE TWELFTHI PROPHECY. (Dan. iii. 1-24.) In those days: King Nabuchodonosor made a statue of gold, of sixty cubits high, and six cubits broad, and he set it up in the plain of Dura of the province of Babylon. Then Nabuchodonosor the king sent to call to gether the nobles, the mlagistrates, and the judges, the captains, the rulers, and governors, and all the chief men of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the statue, which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. Then the nobles, the magistrates, and the judges, the captains, and rulers, and the great men that were placed in authority, and all the princes of the provinces were gathered together to come to the dedication of the statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. And they stood before the statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. Then a herald cried with a strong voice: To you it is commanded, O nations, tribes, and languages! that in the hour, that you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, and of the flute, and of the harp, of the sack-, but, and of the psaltery, and of the symphony, and of all kind of music; ye fall down and adore -the golden statue, which king Nabuchodonosor hath set up. But if any man shall not fall down and adore, lie shall the same hour be cast into a furnace of burning fire. Upon this therefore, at the time when all the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind of music: all the nations, tribes, and languages fell down and adored the golden statue, which king Nabuchodonosor \had set up. And presently, at that very time, some Chaldeans came and accused the Jews, and said to king Nabuchodonosor: O king! live forever: thou, 0 king! hast made a decree that every man, that shall hear the sound of the trumpet, the 38 422 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind.,of music, shall prostrate himself, and adore the golden statue: and that if any man shall not fall down and adore, he should be -cast into -a furnace of burning fire. Now, there are certain Jews, whom thou hast set over the works of the province of Babylon, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago these men, 0 king! have slighted thy decree: they worship not thy gods, nor do not they adore the golden statue which thou hast set up. Then Nabuchodonosoi in fury and in wrath, commanded that Sidrtch, Misach, and Abdenago should be brought: who immediately were brought before the king. And Nabuchodonosor the king spoke to them, and said: Is it true, 0 Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago! that you do not worship my gods, nor adore the golden statue that I have set up? Now therefore if you be ready, at what hour so, ever you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, harp, sackbut, and psaltery, and symphony, and of all kinds of music, prostrate yourselves, and adore the statue which I have made: but if you do not adore, you shall be cast the same hour into the furnace of burning fire: and who is the God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Sidrach, Mtlisach, and Abdenago answered and said to king Nabuchodonosor: We have no occasion to answer thee concerning this matter. For behold our God whom we worship, is able to save us from the furnace of burning fire, and to deliver us out of thy hands, 0 king! But if he will not, be it known to thee, 0 king! that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue, which thou hast set up. Then was Nabuchodonosor filled with fury: and the countenance of his face was changed against Sidrach, Mlisach, and Abdenago, and he commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times more than it had been accustomed to be heated. And he commanded the strongest men that were in his army, to bind the feet of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the furnace of burning fire. And immediately these men were bound, and were cast into the furnace of burning fire, with their coats, and their caps, and their shoes, and their garments, for the king's COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND G OSPELS. 423 comnmandment was urgent, and the furnace was heated exceedingly. And the flame of the fire slew those men that had cast in Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago. But these three men, that is, SIdrach, Misach, and Abdenago, fell down bound'in the midst of the furnace of burning fire. And they walked in the midst of the flame praising God, and blessing the Lord. Let us pray. Almighty, everlasting God! only hope of the world, Who, by the voice of Thy prophets, bast manifested the mysteries of this present time; graciously increase the desires of Thy people: for in none of Thy faithful can any virtue advance without Thy inspiration: Through our Lord. If the Church has no baptismal Font, the following benediction of the Font is omitted, and the Litany is said immediately after the Prophecies. Bnst where there is a Font, the Priest, in a violet cope, with his ministers and the clergy, goes in processiOn to tthe Font, singing: THE TRACT. As the hart panteth after the fountains of waters; so my soul panteth after thee, 0 God! V. My soul hath thirsted after the living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God? V. My tears have been my bread day and night, whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God? Before the blessizy of the Font, the Priest says: V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O Almighty and everlasting God! mercifully Iegard the devotion of the people who are to be 124 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. regenerated, and who, like the hart, pant after the fountain of Thy waters; and mercifully grant, that the thirst of their faith may, by the sacramient of baptism, sanctify their souls and bodies: Through our Lord. R. Amen. The Priest begins the blessing of the Font, saying. V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O almighty and everlasting God! be present at these mysteries, be present at these sacraments of Thy great goodness; and send forth the spirit of adoption, to regenerate the new people, whom the font of baptism brings forth: that what is to be done by the ministry of our lowliness, may be accomplished by the effect of Thy power: Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee and the samle Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth one God forever and ever. R. Amen. V. The Lord be with you. R?. And with thy spirit. V. Lift up your hearts. R. We have them lifted up to the Lord, V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God R. It is meet and just. It is truly meet and just, right and profitable to salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal God! Whe, by Thy invisibl) power, dost wonderfully produce tl e COLLECTS, EPISTLES7 AND GOSPELS. 425 eflects of Thy sacraments; and, though we are unworthy to administer so great mysteries, yet, as Thou dost not forsake the gifts of Thy grace, so Thou inclinest the eats of Thy goodness even to our prayers. O God! whose Spirit, in the very beginning of the world, moved over the waters; that even then the nature of water might receive the power of sanctification; O God! Who by water didst wash away the crimes of the guilty world, and by the overflowing of the deluge didsL give us a figure of regeneration; that by the mystery of one and the same element there might be the end of vice, and the origin of virtue. Look, O Lordl on the face of Thy church, and multiply in her Thy regenerations, Who by the streams of Thy abundant grace fillest Thy city with joy, and openest the fonts of braptisim all over the world, for the renewing of the gentiles; that by the command of Thy majesty, she ilay receive the grace of Thy only Son from the Holy Ghost. The Priest divides thie water in the form of a cross. Who, by a secret mixture of His divine virtue, may render this water firuitfiul for the regeneration of men; to the end that, sanctification being conceived, they may, born again new creatures, come forth from the immaculate womb of this divine font, a heavenly offspring; and that grace, as a mother, may bring forth to the same infancy all, however distinguished by sex in body, or age in time. Far hence, therefore, may all unclean spirita by Thy command, 0 Lord! depart; far may the whole malice of diabolical deceit be banished; may no power of the enemy have ISO 426 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. place here; let him not fly about, ensnaring, creep in by lurking; corrupt by infection. lie touches the water with his hand. May this holy and innocent creature be, free from all the assaults of the enemy, and purified by the destruction of all his malice. May it become a living fountain, a regenerating water, a purifying stream; that all to be washed in this saving laver, may obtain, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, the grace of a perfect purification. He makes the sign of the cross thrice over the Font, saying: WVherefore I bless thee, 0 creature of water! by the living God, by the true God, by the holy God; by that God Who in the beginning separated thee by His word from the dry land; whose spirit moved over thee. Mie divides the water with his hand, and throws sonme of it out towards the four pa7s of the world, saying: Who made thee flow from the fountain of Paradise, and commanded thee to water the whole earth with thy four rivers. Who changing thy bitterness, in the desert, unto sweetness, made thee fit to drink, and produced thee out of a rock to quench the thirst of the people. I bless thee also by our Lord Jesus Christ, His only Son, who in Cana of Galilee changed thee into wine, by a wonderful miracle of His power. Who walked upon thee, and was baptized in thee by John in the Jolldan. Who made thee flow out of His side together with His blood, and commanded COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, 427 His disciples, that such as believed should be baptized in thee, saying: Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. D)o Thou, Almighty God! mercifully assist us, who observe this commandment; do Thou graciously inspire us. lHe breathes thrice 2tpon the water in the form of a cross, sayingy Do Thou with Thy mouth bless these clear waters; that besides their natural virtue of cleansing the body, they may also be effectual for purifying the soul. Here the Priest sinks the Paschal candle into the water three different times, saying each time: May the virtue of the Holy Ghost descend into all the water of this font. Then breathing thrice sTon the water, he says: And make the whole substance of this water fiuitful, and capable of regenerating. _Hre the Paschal candle is taken out of the water, and he goes on: Here may the stains of all sins be washed out; here may human nature, created to Thy image, and reformed to the honor of its authori be cleansed from all the filth of the old man; that all who receive this sacrament of regeneration, may be born again new children of true innocence; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son: Who is to come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. B. Amem 428 COLLECTS, EPIST1ES, AND GOSPELS. iEn the peoe are sprinkled woith the blessed watto', sovm of which is reserved to be clistributed to the.aithJid for use in their houses. After this, the Priest pours some oil of Catechumezs into the water in the formn of a cross, saying: May this font be sanctified and made fruitful by the oil of salvation, for such as are regenerated in it unto life everlasting. A. Anmen.,sz he pours chrism into it, in the same manner, saying: May this infusion of the chrism of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, be made in the name of the Holy Trinity. r?. Amen. Latzly, he pours the oil and chr-ism both together into the water, in the fo'm of a cross, saying: May this mixture of the chrism of sanctification, and of the oil of unction, and of the water of baptisi-n, be made in the name of the Father, and of the Son, aid of the Holy Ghost. R. Amen. ThenZ he mingles the oil with the water, and with his hand spreads it all over the Font. If there are any to be baptized, they snau be baptized cfter the usual manner. After the blessinlg of the Font, he returns to the Altar, where he and his nllinisters lie prostrate before it, and all the rest kneel, zwhilst the ]iitasny is sung by two Chanters in the middle of the Choir, both sides repeating the same. Kyrie eleison, &c. (p. 1097), down to "We sinners." tel e the Priest and his JIinisters go into the Sacristy, to vest themselves iz white for the celebration of the Mass; and the catndles are lighted upoon the Altar, the Litany being continued by the Choir. " That Thou spare us," &c. (p. 1100), clown to 6.Christ., graciously hear us." COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, 429 THE MASS. fHere the Chanters solemnly intone the Kyrie el,ison. In the mean tie the Priest goes to the Altar, beginning the Mass in the accustomed manner, as p. 187, inserting the Psalm Judica me Deus, uwith Gloria Patri. Iaving kissed Ois Altar, he begyis the Gloria in excelsis, as at p. 194; dsriny lwhich the bells are rung. Aftsr which the Priesl sajys: V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. COLLECT. 0 God! VWho makest this most sacred night illustrious by the glory of the resurrection of our Lord: preserve in the new offspring of Thy familythe spirit of adoption, which Thou hast given them; that being renewed in body and soul, they may serve Thee with purity of heart, through the same Lord Jesus Christ... in the unity of the same Holy Ghost. EPISTLE. (Col. iii. 1-4.) Brethren, if you be risen with Christ, seek the thigsa that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God: mipd the things that are above, not the things that are oy the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Whlen Christ shall appear, who is your life, then shall you appear with hlim in glory. After the Fl.~istle, the Priest siings thrice Alleltuia, uwhich is thrice?repeated by the Choir; after the third, he siZlgs the following verse: F. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; for his mnei cy endureth forever. 430 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. TEE TRACT. Praise the Lord, all ye nations, and praise hin, all yo people! V. For his mercy is confirmed upon us; and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever. At the Gospel, lights are not carried, but incense only. The 5Munda cor Meum, asp. 198. GOSPEL. (Matt. xxviii. 1-7.). In the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to view the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven: and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and blecame as dead men. And the Angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you: for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. And going, quickly tell ye-his disciples that he is risen: and behold he will go before you into Galilee; there you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you. Thlere is no Creed, Offertory, or Agnus Dei, nor Post-Communion. After the Priest's Conzunion, Vespers are said, and then Maiss' coscludes as usual. earlter Sulm. On this day the Church commemorates the kesurrection of our Lord; and this feast is historically the first festival of the Church; for huimanity. regenerated by the blood of Jesus Christ, began to live a new life with Him at the moment of IHis resurrectiot. This iaplm solerlity, renewed every week, has replaced the Jewisb, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 431 Sabbath; and around the great solemnity of Easter are grouped successively, in the ecclesiastical year, all the other feasts relative to the mysteries of salvation, of which the resurrection is the pledge and sanction. As it replaces the Pasch, the great solemnity of the Jewish year, the Church exalts and ennobles it by all her pomp and joy. COLLECT. 0 (God I Who this day didst open to us the en trance to eternity by Thy only Son, victorious over death: prosper our vows by the aid of Thy grace, which Thou dost anticipate by Thy inspiration: Through the same. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. v. 7-8.) Brethren: Purge out the old leaven, that ySou may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ, our pasch, is sacrificed. Therefore let us feast, not With the old leaven, nor with the leaven of nmslice aMd. wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of 4incerity and truth. SEQUENCE. Forth to the Paschal Victim, Christians, bring Your sacrifice of praise: The Lamb redeems the sheep; And Christ, the sinless One, Hath to the Father sinners reconciled: Together Death and Life In a strange conflict strove; The Prince of Life, who, died, Now lives and reigns. What thou sawest, Mary, say? As thou wentest on the way. I saw the tomb wherein The Living One had lainr; I saw His glory as He rose again, Napkin and linen cloth, and Angels twrin Yea. Christ is risen, my hope, and lie Will go before you into Galilee. 432 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. We know that Christ indeed has risen from the grave; Hail! thou King of Victory; Have mercy, Lord, and save. GOSPEI. (Mark xvi. 1-7.) At th nze: Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the mlorning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen. And they said one to another:'Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And looking, they saw the stone rolled back: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre,'they saw a yoirng man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted; ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: lhe is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there you shall see him, as he told you tom Mnnban, or Z!5nbai in wl)ltv. This Sanday is called in the Missal, the Sunday in White, as the newly baptized wore till this day the white robe. COLLECT. Grant, we beseech Thee, 0 Almighty. God! that we who have performed the paschal solemnities, may by Thy bounty preserve them in our life and conduct. Through. EPISTLE. (1 John v. 4-10.)'.Dearly beloved: Whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is COLI,,LCTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 4.13 the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only, but by watex and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth, that Christ is the truth. For there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit, and the water, and the blood, and these three are one. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth in the Son of God, hath the testimony of God in him. self. GOSPEL. (John xx. 19-31.) At that time: When it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands, and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you. Then he saith to Tlhomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless but believing. Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God, Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, ST 434' COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELSE thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have oelieved. Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God: and that believing vou may have life in his name. 0erotb uandas after (atere. COLLECT. 1. 0 God! Who, by the humility of Thy Son, hast raised up a fallen world, grant to Thy faithful everlasting joy; that those whom thou hast delivered from the evils of eternal death, Thou mayest bring to the enjoyment of everlasting happiness: Through the same. II. Grant, O Lord God! we beseech Thee, that we Thy servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and that, by the glorious intercession of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, we may'be delivered from present sorrows, and possess everlasting joy. III. as on p. 320. EPISTLE. (1 Peter ii. 21-25.) Dearly beloved: Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. " Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered,'he threatened not: but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly. Who his own self bore our sins n his body upon the tree: that we being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed COLLECTS EPISTLES, AND GOSPEELS. 485 For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls. GOSPEL. (John x. 11-16.) At that time Jesus said to the Pharisees: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coning and leaveth the sheep, and flieth: and the wolf catcheth and scattereth the sheep: and the hireling flieth, because he is a hireling: and he hath no care for the sheep. I amn the good shepherd: and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father kIoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. pitrb 3unnTba after (garter. FEAST OF TIIE PATRONAGE OF ST. JOSEPII. St. Joseph, the chaste spouse of the immaculate Virgin, mother of God, the foster-father of our Lord, has ever received from the Church an honor suited to his high prerogatives. Anxious to serure his protection, the early missionaries to North America, not without Divine admonition, chose him as the Patron of the whole continent. His festival is celebrated in March, but in a special manner commemorated by the Church on this Sunday. COLLECT. 0 God! Who, by Thy unspeakable providence, didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy mother, grant that, as we venerate Him a protector on earth, we may merit to have Him an intercessor in heaven: Who. a60 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPxLSe COLLECT OF THE SUNDAY O God! Who dost show to the erring the light of Thy truth, that they may return to the way of justice: grant to all who are nulmbered in the profession of Christianity, to reject those things which are incompatible with this name, and to pulsue those which are becoming: Through. EPISTLE. (Gen. xlix. 22-26.) Joseph is a growing son, a growing son and comely to behold; tile daughters run to and fro upon the wall. But they that held darts provoked him, and quarrelled with him, and envied him. His bow rested upon the strong, and the bands of his arms and his hands were loosed, by the hands of the mighty one of Jacob: thence he came forth a pastor, the stone of Israel. The God of thy father shall be thy helper, and the Almighty shall bless thee with the blessings of heaven above, with the blessings of the deep that lieth beneath, with the blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of thy father are strengthened with the blessings of his fathers: until the desire of the everlasting hills should come; may they be upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the Nazarite among his brethren. GOSPEL OF THE FEAST. (Luke iii. 21-23.) At that time: It came to pass, when all the people was baptized, that Jesus also being baptized and praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape as a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son: in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself was beginning about the age of thirty years, being, as it was supposed, the son of Joseph. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 137 GOSPEL OF THE SUNDAY. (John xvi. 16-22.) Said at the end of the Mass. At that time Jesus said to his disciples: A little while, and now you shall not see me; and again a little while, and you shall see me: because I go to the Father. Then some of his disciples said one to another: What is this that he saith to us: A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me, and because I go to the Father? They said therefore: What is this that he saith, a little while? we know not what he speaketh. And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask him; and he said to them: Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said: A little while, and yeu shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me? Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice; and your joy no man shall take from you.:fourt~!unban after faiter. COLLECT. O God! Who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant to Thy people to love what Thou commancldest, to desire what Thou promisest; that among the changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true joys abide: Through. IH. and III. as on p. 434. 3T1~ 438 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. EPISTLE. (James i. 17-21.) Dearly beloved: Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we migI t be some beginning of his creatures. You know, my dearest brethiren: and let every nian be swift to hear, but slow to spealk, and slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God. Wherefore casting away all uncleanness, and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. GOSPEL. (John xvi. 5-14.) At that timle Jesus said to his disciples: I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: Whither goest thou? But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go: for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment. Of sin: because they believed not in me. And of justice: because I go to the Father; and you shall see nie no longer. And of judgment: because the prince of this world is already judged. I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. But whlen he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but w'l at things soever he shall hear, he shall speak, and C.e things that are to come he shall shew you. He sb!1 glorify me; because he shall receive of mine, and bh i shewv it to you. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, 439 fifth Onnbap after a (gater. COLLECT. 0 God! from Whom all good things proceed, grant to Thy supplicants that by Thy inspiration we may thinkl those things that are right, and by Thy direction perform the same: Through. EPISTLE. (James i. 22-27.) Dearly beloved: Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if a man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his natural countenance in a glass. For he beheld himself, and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was. But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty, and hath continued therein, not becoming a forg'etful hearer, but a doer of the work; this man shall be blessed in his deed. And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Religion clean and unde-'filed before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation; and to keep one's self unspotted from this world. GOSPEL. (John xvi. 23-30.) At that tigme, Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, amen I say to you, if you ask the Father any thing in my nanme, he will give it you. Hitherto you have not asked any thing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive' that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no more. speak to you in proverbs, but will show you plainly of the Father. In that day you shall ask in my namle: and I say not to you, that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself love th you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I cauma ouk from God. I came forth from the Father, an4 440 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. am come into the world: again I leave the world, and I go to the Father. His disciples say to him: Behold now thou speakest plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now we know thait thou knowest all things, and thou needest not that any man should ask thee. By this we believe that thou comest forth from God. QIj'e sfenzion of outr torz. Forty days after His resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ, having confirmed His apostles in their faith, having instructed and consoled them, led thenl to Mount Olivet. Here lie gave them their mission to teach and baptize all nations, and ascended to heaven, blessing them. Two angels robed in white announced to the wondering apostles the second coming of Christ at the end of the world; and the apostles,. with the Blessed Yirgin, retired to the Cenacle, where Jesus, on the eve of Itis passion, had instituted the holy Eucharist. There they awaited, in recollection and prayer, the promised descent of the Holy Ghost. COLLECT. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God! that we who believe Thy only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, ascended this day into heaven, may ourselves also in mind dwell in heavenly things: Through. EPISTLE. (ACtS i. 1-11.) The former treatise I mlade, 0 Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day on which, giving commandaments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard, saith he, by my COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, 441 mouth: for 3ohn, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. They therefore who were come together asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdoml to Israel? But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments which the Father hath put in his own power. But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments, who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven?'lrhis Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven. GOSPEL. (Mark xvi. 14-20.) At that time: As the eleven were at table, Jesus appeared to them, and upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues: they shall take up serpents: and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed 442 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. Ounitrban mitljin tbae cltaue of- tfe, ensionl. COLLECT. I. 0 Almighty and everlasting God! grant us ever to have a will devoted to Thee, and to serve Thy Majesty with a sincere heart: Through. TI. as on the Ascension of our Lord (p. 440). EPISTLE. (1 Peter iv. 7-11.) Dearly beloved: Be prudent, and watch in prayers. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude o sins. Using hospitality one towards another without' niurmuring. As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the power which God administereth: that in all things God may be honored through Jesus Christ our Lord. GOSPEL. (John xv. 26, 27; xvi. 1-4.) At that time, Jesus said to his disdcples: When the Paraclete cometh whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me. And you shall give testimony, because you are with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized. They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God. And these thir.gs will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things I havo told you, that when the hour of them shall come, you may remember that I told you. COLLEOTS, EPISTLES, AND GOIPELS. 443 ieast ot o enetos t; or Wjitlan b oa Fifty days after Easter, the Jews celebrated the promulgation 9f the Law of God rnade onSinai. Itwas on that day that the HIoly Ghost, promised by Jesus Christ to Ilis apostles, descended on them; and they, filled with the Holy Ghost, and forgetful of their former cowardice, boldly went forth to preach Jesus of Nazareth, and, converting thousands, laid the foundation of the Church. COLLECT. 0 God! Who on this day didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of Thy Holy Ghost; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and ever rejoice in His consolation. EPISTLE. (Acts iR. 1-11.) When the days of the pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it werQ of fire, and it sat upon every one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem JeWs, devout men out of every nation under heaven.. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans? And how have we heard every man our own tongue wherein we were born? Parthiatls, and Medes, and Elamites,'and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphilia, Egypt, and the parts of Lybia about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome; Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. 444 COLLECTS, EPSTLES AND GOSPEMI, SEQUENXCE. Veani Sance spirift Holy Spirit, Lord of light! From Thy clear celestial height, Thy pure beaming radiance give. Come, Thou Father of the poor! Comle with treasures which endure; Come, Thou Light of all that live i Thou, of all consolers best, Tisiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow. Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, Solace in the midst of woe. Light immortal! Light divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine And our inmost being fill. If Thou take Thy grace away, Nothing pure in man will stay; All his good is turned to ill. Heal our wounds, our strength renew W On our dryness pour Thy dew; Wash the *tains of guilt away; Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide the steps that go astray. Thou, on'those who evermore F"hee confess and Thee adore, In Thy sevenfold gifts descend: Give them comfort wbhen they die; Give them life w-ith Thee on high; Give them joys which never end, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 445 GOSPEL. (John Xiv. 23-31.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: If any-n man love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our ab)ode with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you. But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have heard that I have said to you: I go away, and come again to you. If you loved me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world cometh, and in me he hath not any thing. But that the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given me commandment, so do I. irinit Dunhbam. Although the Church intends to honor the Most Holy Trinity on every day, and at every hour, as she shows by her very forms of prayer; and although Sunday is more especially set apart to glorify God in His adorable divinity, and commemorate the action of the Father in creating, the Son in redeeming, and the Holy Ghost in sanctifying the world, she has, nevertheless, to meet the pious wishes of the faithful, selected this day to honor the Blessed Trinity by a solemn homage rendered to the three divine persons Collect I. (p. 195). 88 446 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. COLtEmcr OF FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. O God! the strength of them that hope m Thee, graciously give ear to our prayers; and since human infirmity without Thee can do nothing, grant us the help of Thy grace, that, in fulfilling Thy commandments, we may please Thee both in will and deed: Through. EPISTLE AND GOSPEL (P. 196, 199). GOSPEL OF FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. (Luke vi. 36-42.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: Be ye merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. And he spoke also to them a similitude: Can the blind lead the blind? do they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master. And why seest thou the mote in thy brother's eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not? Or how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye: when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? 1Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thy own eye: and then shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother's eye. feast of CLorpun lt)ri!ti. The most holy mystery of the Eucharist has been at all times the object of the worship of the Church. On every day in the holy ac.rifice, and especially on Mandy Thursday, the anniversary of its COL LECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 44' Institution, have Christians shown their adoration and love fur Jesus, veiled under the sacramental species. In the thirteenth century, however, Pcpe Urban IV., at the entreaty of St. Juliana Falconieri, instituted this special feast for which St. Thomas Aquinas composed the office. In Catholic countries a procession of the Blessed Sacrament renders it one of the most glorious festivals of the year. COLLECT. 0 God! Who in this wonderful sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy passion; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to reverence the sacred mysteries of Thy body and blood, that we may ever perceive within us the fruit of Thy redemption: Who livest. EPTSTLE. (1 Cor. xi. 23-29.) Brethren: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you: that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, a:l.i giving thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat, this is my body which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. SEQUENCE. Sion, lift thy voice and sing; Praise thy Saviour and thy King; Praise with hymns thy Shepherd true. Strive thy best to praise Him well; Yet doth He all praise excel; None can ever reach His due. 448 COLLECTS, EPISI'LES, AND GOSPELS, See to-day befcre us laid The living and life-giving Bread! Theme for praise and joy profound! The same which at the sacred board Was, by our Incarnate Lord, Given to His apostles round. Let the praise be loud and high; Sweet and tranquil be the joy Felt to-day in every breast; On this Festival divine, Which records the origin Of the glorious Eucharist, On this Table of the King, Our new Paschal offering Brings to end the olden rite; Here, for empty shadows fled, Is Reality instead; Here, instead of darkness, Light. His own act, at supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated, In His Memory divine; Wherefore now, with adoration, WVe the Host of our salvation Consecrate from bread and wine. Hear what holy Church maintaineth, That the bread its substance changeth Into Flesh, the wine to Blood. Doth it pass thy comprehending? Faith, the law of sight transcending, Leaps to things not understood. Here, beneath these signs are hidden Priceless things, to sense forbidden; Signs, not things, are all we see; Flesh from bread, and Blood from wine Yet is Christ, in either sign, All entire, confess'd to be. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSFELS. 4 L They, too, who of Him partake, Sever not, nor rend, nor break, But entire their Lord receive. Whether one or thousands eat, All receive the self-same meat, Nor the less for others leave Both the wicked and the good Eat of this celestial Food; But with ends how opposite! Here'tis life-; and there'tis death; The same, yet issuing to each In a difference infinite. Nor a single doubt retain, When they break the Host in twain But that in each part remains What was in the whole befou; Since the simple sign alone Suffers change in state or form, The Signified remaining One And the Same for evermore. Lo! upon the Altar lies, Hidden deep from human eyes, Bread of Angels from the skies, Made the food of mortal man Children's meat to dogs denied In old types foresignified; In the manna iheaven supplied, Isaac, and the Paschal lamb. Jesu! Shepherd of the Sheep! Thou thy flock in safety keep. Living Bread! thy life supply; Strengthen us, or else we die; Fill us with celestial grace: Thou, who feedest us below! Source of all we have or know! Grant that with thy Saints abores Sitting at the feast of love, We may see Thee face to face. sSB 450 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. GOSPEL. (John vi. 56-59.) At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews.; My flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed: he that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live forever. 2ierotlb O2nunba after lentzcoslt. Pentecost is followed by twenty-four Sundays, which bring us to the end of the ecclesiastical year. This time represents the centuries employed by the divine mercy in the sanctification of souls by the merits of the blood of Jesus Christ, that is, the labors and struggles rf the Church to the end of the world. COLLECT. Grant, O Lord, that we may have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy name, for Thou never deprivest of Thy guidance those whom Thou dost ground in the steadfastness of Thy love: Through. II. (Collect of Corpus Christi p. 447.) EPISTLE. (1 John iii. 13-18.) Desarly beloved: Wonder not, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother, is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethlren. He that hath the substance of this world, COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 451 and shall see his brother in need, and shall put up his nowels from him: how doth the charity of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word, aor in tongue, but in deed and in truth. GOSPEL. (Luke xiv. 16-24.) At that time: Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable: A certain man made a great supper, and invited many. And he sent his servant at the hour of supper to say to them that were invited, that they should come, for now all things are ready. And they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I have bought a farm, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee, hold me excused. And another aid: I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them; I pray thee, hold me excused. And another said: I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And the servant returning told these things to his lord. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant: Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and the feeble, and the blind and the lame. And the servant said: Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is iroom. And the Lord said to the servant: Go out into the highways and hedges; and compel them to come iA, that my house may be filled. But I say unto you that none of those men that were invited, shall taste of my supper. ICeat of t1ie actrreb Heart of Yewls. God, in His infinite wisdom, rekindles from time to time, our talth and love, by presenting to us, under new aspects, His infinite love for us. In the seventeenth century, the Church approved the devotion to the Sacredl Heart of Jesus, which we adore, as we adore }[is humanity personally united to the Divinity. 452 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELSB COLLECT. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who, glorying in the most sacred heart of Thy beloved Son, celebrate the singular benefits of fis love towards us, may rejoice equally in their operation and their fruit. Through. EPISTLE. (Isaias xii. 1-6) I will give thanks to thee, 0 Lord, for thou wast angry with me: thy wrath is turned away, and thou hast comforted mre. Behold, God is my saviour. I will deal confidently, and will not fear: because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and he has become my salvation. You shall draw waters with joy out of the Saviour's fountains: and you shall say in that day: Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name: make his works known among the people: remember that his name is high. Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done great things: show this forth in all the earth. Rejoice, and praise, 0 thou habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of thee, the holy One of Israel. GoSPEL. (John xix. 31-35.) At that time, the Jews (because it was the parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath-day (for that was a great sabbath-day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came: and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it hath given testimony: and his testimony is true. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 453 Ztirb Sunban after enltecot. COLLECT. 0 God, the protector of those who hope in Thee, without whom nothing is sure, nothing is holy, multiply Thy mercy upon us, that, under Thy rule and guidance, we may so pass through temporal blessings as not to forfeit those that are eternal: Through. II. Collect (p. 196). EPISTLE. (1 Peter v. 6.) Dearly beloved: Be you humbled under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation. Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you. Bie sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom lie may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befals your brethren who are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect, you, and confirm you, and establish you. To him be glory and empire forever and ever. Amen. GOSPEL. (Luke xv. 1-10.) At that time, the publicans and sinners drew near unto Jesus to hear him. And the Pharisees and the Scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spoke to them this parable, saying: What man is there of you that hath an hundred sheep: and if he shall lose one of them, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert, and go after that which was lost until he find it? And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders rejoicing: and coming home call together his friends and neighbors, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found 45 4 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. my sheep that was lost? I say to you, that e en so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance. Or what woman having ten groats, if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle and sweep the, house and seek diligently, until she find it? And when she hath found it, call together her friends and neighbors, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found the groat which I had lost. So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance. onrntlJ Znnqat after 1eniteQ t. COLLECT. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord! that the course of the world, by Thy decree, may be peacefully directed for us; and that Thy Church may rejoice in tranquil devotion: Through. II. as on p. 196. EPIsTLE. (Rom. viii. 18-23.) Brethren: I reckon, that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that shall be revealed in us. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope: because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature groaneth, and is in labor even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemp. tion of our body, in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~OLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 455 GosPEL. (Luke v. 1-11.) At that time: When the multitudes pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God, he stoogd by the lake of Genesareth. And he saw two ships standing by the lake but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And going into one of the ships that was Simon's, he desired him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting, he taught the multitudes out of the ship. Now when he had ceased to speak; he said to Simon: Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said to him: Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing: but at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they inclosed a very great multitude of fishes, and their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners that were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they were almost sinking; which, when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus's knees, saying: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord. For he was wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. And so were also James and John the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus saith to Simon: Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And having brought their ships to land, leaving all things, they followed him. fifrtl uinbnp a fter pentetoot. COLLECT. I. O God! Who hast prepared invisible good for them that love Thee, pour forth into our hearts the affection of Thy love, that, loving Thee in all 456 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. things, and above all things, we may obtain Thy promises,which surpass our every desire: Through. II. as on p. 195. EPISTLE. (1 Peter iii. 8-15.) Dearly beloved: Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood. merciful, modest, humble: not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing. " For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him decline from evil, and do good: let him seek after peace, and pursue it: because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers: but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things. And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good? But if also you suffer any thing for justice sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled; but sa-detify the Lord Christ in your hearts, GOSPEL. (Matt. v. 20-24.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: Amen I tell you, unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brotner, itRaca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 45F 6ixftl 6lunbaLi after Vrntgcro.t COLLECT. 1. 0 God of hosts! to Whom belongeth all that is best, implant in our breasts the love of Thy name; and grant within us an increase of devotion, that Thou mayest nourish what is good, and by our zealous piety preserve what Thou hast nourished: Through. II. as on p. 195. EPISTLE. (Rom. vi. 3-11.) Brethren: We all, wlao are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in his death. For we are buried together with him by baptism unto death: that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, and that we may serve sin no longer. For he that is dead is justified from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall live also together with Christ: knowing that Christ rising again from the dead, dieth now no more, death shall no more have dominion over him. For in that he died to sin, he died once: but in that he liveth, he liveth- unto God. So do you also reckon that you are dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord. GosPEL. (Mark viii. 1-9.) At that time: When there was a great multitude with Jesus, and they had nothing to eat, calling his disciples together, be saith to them: I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat. And if I shall 89 458 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, kND GOSPELS. send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way, for some of them came from afar off. And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness? And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? who said: Seven. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke, and gave to his disciples to set before them, and they set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes, and he blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them: And they did eat and were filled, and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets.' And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. efett tl) nntbrnQ aftar Meutereot COLLECT. I. 0 God! Whose providence erreth not in its appointments; we humbly beseech Thee to remove from us all that is hurtful, and grant all t;hat will prove profitable: Through. II. as on p. 195. EPISTLE. (REom. vi. 19-23.) Brethren: I speak a human thing, because of the infirmity of your flesh. For as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity, unto iniquity; so now yield your members to serve justice, unto sanctification. For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from justice. What fruit therefore had you then in those things, of which you are now ashamed? For the end of them is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting. For the wages of sin is death; but the grace of God, life everlasting in Christ Jesus our Lord COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 459 GoSPEL. (Matt. vii. 15-21.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know thell. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree' bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Not every man that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. ieightsl ~Sutban after "enite ots. COLLECT. I. Grant us, in Thy mercy, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord! at all times the spirit of thinking and doing what is right; that we, who cannot exist without Thee, may be able to live according to Thee: Through. I. as on p. 195. EPISTLE. (Reon. viii. 12-17.) Brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die. But if by the spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear: but you have received the spirit of adoption of 460 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. sons, whereby we cry, Abba (Father). For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God. And if sons, heirs also: heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ. GOSPEL. (Luke xvi. 1-9.) At that timce, Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable:. There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said to him: How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship: for now thou canst be steward no longer. And the steward said within himself: What shall I do, because my lord taketh away from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able, to beg I am ashamed. I know what I will do, that when I shall be removed from the ~tewardship, they may receive me into their houses. therefore calling together every one of his lord's debtors, he said to the first: How much dost thou owe my lord? But he said: An hundred barrels of oil. And he said to himl: Take thy bill and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then he said to another: And how much dost thou owe? Who said: An hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take thy bill, and write eighty. And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children, of light. And I say to you: Make unto.you friends of the mammon of iniquity, that when you shall fail they may receive you into everlasting dwellings. Niatb) Zlnbqa after enltecowt. COLLECT. L. Open, O Lord! the ears of Thy mercy to the prayers of Thy suppliants; and that Thou mayest grant what Thy petitioners desire, make thanw COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND OSPELS. 461 ask those things which are pleasing to Thee: Through. II. as on p. 195. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. x. 6-13.) Brethren: We should not covet evil things, as they also coveted. Neither become ye idolaters, as some of them:, as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."'' Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and there fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ: as some of them tempted, and perished by the serpents. Neither do you murmur: as some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them in figure: and they are written for our correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall. Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able 7but will make also with temptation issue, that you may bo able to bear it. GOSPEL. (Luke xix. 41-47.) At that time: When Jesus drew near Jerusalem, seeing the city, he wept over it, saying: If thou also hadst known, and that in this thy day. the things that are to thy peace; but now they are hidden from thy eyes. For the days shall come upon thee: and thy enemies shall cast a trencls about thee, and compass thee round, and straiten thee on every side, and beat thee flat to the ground, and thy children who are in thee; and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone: because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation. And entering into the temple, he began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought, saying to them: It is written: " Mv house is the house of prayer;" but you have made it a den of thieves. And he was teaching daily in the temple. 89* 462 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. ~ent[]i Sn.ian after entlJetot. COLLECT. O God! WTho dost particularly manifest Thy omnipotence by sparing and showing mercy, multiply Thy mercy towards us; that Thou mayest admit to the participation of Thy heavenly goods, us running to Thy promises: Through. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. xii. 2-11.) Brethren: You know that when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols, according as you were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus. And no man can say, The Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit: and there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one, indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: to another, faith in the same Spirit: to another, the grace of healing, in one Spirit: tc another, the working of miracles: to another, prophecy: to another, the discerning of spirits: to another, divers kinds of tongues: to another, interpretation of speeches: but all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as he will. GosPEL. (Luke xviii. 9-14.) At that time: To some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, Jesus spoke this parable: Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee, standing, prayed thus with himself: 0 God! I give thee thanks'that I am not as the rest of men, extor COLLECTS, EPISTLES7 AND GOSPELS. 402 tioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week; I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: 0 Gol! be merciful to me a sinner! I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other; because every one that exaltoth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. (l91,eve-nb 113nbap waftet Veatec court. COLLECT. I. 0 Almighty and everlasting God! Who, by the abundance of Thy mercy, dost exceed the desires, and deserts of Thy suppliants; pour forth Thy mercy upon us, that Thou mayest forgive what our conscience fears, and grant what our prayer does not presume so ask: T''hrough. II. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. xv. 1-10.) Bretdren: I make known unto you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand: by which also you are saved, if you hold fast after what manner I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures: andd that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day, according to the Scriptures: and tbhat he was seen by Cephas, and after that by the eleven. Then was he seen by more than five hundred brethren at once, of whom many remain until this present, and some are i64 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. fahlkn asleep. After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles. And last of all,4he was seen also by me, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace in me hath not been void. GOSPEL. (Mark vii. 31-37.) At that time: Jesus going out of the coasts of Tyre, came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. And they bring to him one deal and dumb; and they besought him that he would lay his hand upon him. And taking him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears, and spitting, he touched his tongue: and looking up to heaven, he groaned, and said to him: Ephpheta, which is, Be thou opened. And immediately his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke right. And he charged them that they should tell no man. B]ut the more he charged them, so riuch the more a great deal did they publish it. And so much the more did they wonder, saying: He hath done all things well; he bath made both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. wf:e1ft) aunba~ after Pentecost. COLLECT. I. O almighty and merciful God'! from whose gift it comes that Thou art worthily and laucably served by Thy faithful; grant us, we beseech Thee, to run without offence to Thy promises: Throullh. I.. as on Fourth Sunday. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS, 465 EPISTLE. (2 Cor. iii. 4-9.) Brethren: Such confidence we have, through Christ towards God. Not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is fiom God. Who also hath made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter, but in the Spirit. For the letter killeth: but the Spirit quickeneth. Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious; so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of RMoses, for the glory of his countenance, which is made void: How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather in glory? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory; much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory. GosrPEL. (Luke x. 23-37.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them. And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him, and saying: Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? But he said to him: What is written in the law? how readest thou? He answering, said: " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself." And he said to him: Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And ewho is my neighbor? And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell amuong robbers, who also stripped him, and, having wounded him, went away, leaving him half dead. And it chanced that a certain priest went down the same way; and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. But a certain SamarItan being on his journey came near him; and seeing 466 COLLECTS$ EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to all inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two poence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him alnd whatsoever thou shalt spend over and abov-le, I at my return will repay thee. Which of these lth;ree in thy opinion was neighbor to him that fell tamon- the r(obbers? But he said: He that showed mercy to hinm. And Jesus said to him: Go and do thou in like malnner. ti t teien tl) Uanlba3n after vlentecrt. COLLECT. T. 0 almighty and eternal God! grant us an in crease of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may deserve to obtain what Thou promisest, make us love what Thou comnmandest: Through. Ii. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Gal. iii. 16-22.) Brethren: To Abraham were the promises made, and to his seed. He saith not, " And to his seeds," as of many: but as of one, "And to thy seed," which is Christ. Now this I say, that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years, doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come, to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. N:oow a mediator is not of one: but God is one. Was the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. For if there COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 46' Lad been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. But the scripturs hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to theml that be,lieve. GOSPEL. (Luke xvii. 11-19.) At that time: As Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria in Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there-.met him ten meh that were lepers, who stood afar off; and lifted -up their voice, saying; Jesus, master, have lmercy on' us. Whom when he saw, he said: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying -God; and he fell on his face, before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said: Were not ten made clean? and where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, -but this stranger. And he said to him: Arise, go thy way, for thy faith hath'made thee whole. ourteentfl) Onnbap after t ente ot.r COLLECT. I. Guard Thy Church, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord! with perpetual mercy; and since, without Thee, mortal man goes astray, may he be ever withheld by Thy grace from what is hurtful, and directed to what is profitable: through. II. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Gal. v. 16-24.) Brethren: I say then, walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfil the ltsts of the flesh. - For the flesh lusteth against the spirit: and the spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary one to another: so that you do mot 41,68 COLLECTS, ELPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. the things that you would. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, w-hich are, fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, idolatry, witchcraftts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects. envies, mlurders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things, shall not oltain the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's, have crucified their flesh, with the vices and concupiscences. GOSPEL. (Matt. vi. 24-33.) At thfat tim7we, Jesus said to his disciples: No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat, and the body more than the raiment? Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? And which of you by taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow: they labor not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. And if the grass of the field, which is to-day, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, 0 ye of little faith? Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be,'ied unto you. COLIECTS, EPISTLES, kND GOSPELS. 469 fifirtmtl fnbaji after:entaeot. COLLECT. I. May continued mercy purify and defend Thy Church, O Lord! and since without Thee it cannot remain safe, may it ever be governed by Thy bounty: Through. II. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Gal. v. 25, 26; Yi. 1-10.) Brethren: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one anlother. And if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens: and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ. For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every one prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in himself only, and not in another. For every one shall bear his own burden. And let him that is instructed in the word communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith. GOSPEL. (Luke vii. 11-16.) At that time: Jesus went into a city that is called Naim; and there went with him his disciples, and a great mul to 470 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. titude. And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow: and a great multitude of the city was with her. Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, he said to her: Weep not. And he came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it stood still. And he said: Young man, I say to thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. And there came a fear on them all: and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet is risen up among us: and God hath visited his people. Oixt~efltt) ftnbaza after ]eutecrot COLLECT I. May Thy grace, O Lord! ever precede and follow us, and make us ever intent upon good works: Through. II. as on Fourth Sunday (p. 195). ErISTLE. (Eph. iii. 13-21.) Brethren: I pray you not to faint at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened by his Spirit with might unto the inward man. That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts: that being rooted and founded in charity, you may-be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth. and length, and height, and depth. To know also the charity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fulness COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 471 of God. Now to him who is able to do all things mlore abundantly than we desire or understand, according to the power that worketh in us: to him be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus, unto all generations, world without end. Amen. GOSPEL. (Luke xiv. 1-11.) At that time: When Jesus went into the house of one of the chief of the Pharisees, on the sabbath day, to eat bread, they watched him. And behold there was a certain man before him that had the dropsy. And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? But they held their peace. But he, taking him, healed him, and sent him away. And answering them, he said: Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately draw him out on the sabbath day? And they could not answer him to these things. And he spoke a parable also to them that Adere invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them: When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honorable than thou be invited by him: and he that invited thee and him, come and say to thee, Give this man place: and then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art invited, go; sit down in the lowest place: that when he who invited thee cometh, he may say to thee: Friend, go up higher. Then shalt thou have glory before them that sit at table with thee. Because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 472 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. reueftecutftlj 2nba. after Ventecoot. COLLECT. I. Grant to Thy people, we beseech Thee, O Lord i to avoid the contagion of the devil, and with a pure mind to seek Thee, the only God: Through. II as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Eph. iv. 1-6.) Brethren: As a prisoner in the Lord, I beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, with all hlumility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity, careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. One body and one Spirit: as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all, who is blessed forever and ever. GOSPEL. (Matt. xxii. 85-46.) At that time, the Pharisees came nigh to Jesus: and one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul,:and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying: What think you of Christ? Whose son is he? They, say to him: David's. He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying: "T lThe Lord said to my Lord: Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy foot-stool?" If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word: neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 473 eigflttentbt fnnbaD after Vpenterot. COLLECT. I. May the working of Thy mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord! direct our hearts; for without Thee we cannot be pleasing to Thee: Through. II. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. i. 4-8.) Brethren: I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus, that in all things you are made rich in him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that nothing is -wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. GOSPEL. (Matt. ix. 1-8.) At that time: Jesus entering into a boat, passed over the water and came into his own city. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee. And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth. And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the man sick of the palsy,) Arise; take up thy bed and go into thy house. And he arose, and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that ga e such power to men. 40* 474 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. Ninldcteletll) mtnba aaftcr VntCIIco3t COLLECT. I. 0 Almighty and merciful God! graciously d ifend us from all that is hurtful, that, firee in mind and body, we may with ready minds perform all that belongs to Thy service: Thlough. II. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Eph. iv. 23-28.) Brethren: Be renewed in the spirit of your mind: and put on the new man, who, according to God, is created in justice, and holiness of truth. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger. Give not place to the devil. He that stole, let him now steal no1 more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need. GOSPEL. (Matt. xxii. 2-14.) At that time: Jesus spoke to the chief priests and pharisees in parables, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son. And he sent his servants to call them that were invited tb the marriage: and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited: Behold, I have prepared my dlinner; my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage. But they neglected, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise. And the rest laid hands on his servants, and, having treated them contumeliously, put them to death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and, sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. When he saith to his servants; The COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 475 marriage indeed is ready: but they that were invited were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests. And the king wevnt in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. 9mentietll) unban after etateroot. COLLECT. I. We beseech Thee, 0 Lord! in Thy mercy, grant Thy faithful pardon and peace, that they may both be cleansed from all their offences, and serve Thee with a quiet mind. TI. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Eph. v. 15-2i.) See, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise, but as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury, but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord: giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father: being subject one to another in the fear of Christ. 476 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. GOSPEL. (John iv. 46-53.) At that time: There was a certain ruler whose son was sick at Capharlnaumn. He having heard that Jesus was come from Judea into Galilee, went to him, and prayed him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not. The ruler saith to him: Lord, come down before that my son die. Jesus saith to him: Go thy way, thy son, liveth. The man believed the word which Jesus said to him, and went his way. And as he was going down, his servants met him: and they brought word, saying that his son lived. He asked therefore of them the hour wherein he grew better. And they said to him: Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. The father therefore knew that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him, Thy son liveth; and himself believed, and his whole house. Tment~-n-f t Ountbap a.fter @8enteoset COLLECT. I. Keep Thy family, O Lord! we beseech Thee, by Thy continued goodness; that, through Thy protection, it may be free from all adversities, and devoted in good works to the glory of Thy name. II. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Eph. vi. 10-17.) Brethren: Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power. Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh mand blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 4 77 wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. and having on the breast-plate of justice: and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the mlost wicked one. And take unto you.the helmet of salvation; and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). GOSPEL. (Matt. xviii. 23-35.) At that time: Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant, falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all Arid the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, let him go, and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants that'owed him a hundred pence; and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest. And his fellow-servant, falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. Now his fellow-servants, seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that wasdone. Then his lord called him, and said to him: Thou wicked servant! I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellowservant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. 47s8 COLLECTS, EPIST1 ES, AND GOSPELS. Cbn~en~tl~s n $~!3tanbq after V entaecost COLLECT. 1. 0 God! our refuge and strength: Thou who art the Author of mercy, attend to the pious prayers of Thy Church, and grant that what we ask in faith we may efifectually obtain: Through. II. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Phil. i. 6-11.) _Brethren: We are confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all: for that I have you in my heart; and that in my bonds, and in the defence, and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding: that you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ. Filled with the fruit of justice through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. GosPEL. (Matt. xxii. 15-21.) At that time: The Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to ensnare Jesus in his speech. And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying': Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us therefore what dost thou think, is it lawful to give tribute to Csesar, or not? But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? Show me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? They COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 479 iay to him: Cssar's. Then he saith to themn: Rellder therefore to Cnsar the things that are Cssar's, and to God the things that are God's. rCg ntu tutJi~b!unbqa after 1lentemolt. This Collect, &c.. are for the last Sunday after Pentecost. If there be more than twenty-three, the Collect, &c., for tile Twenty-third and intervening Sundays are those after Epiphany which have been omitted; but the Introit, Offertory, and Commtunion are those of the Twenty-third Sunday. COLLECT. I. Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord! the sins of thy people: that we may be delivered by Thy goodness fiom the bonds of sin, which by our frailty we have contracted: Through. II. as on Fourth Sunday. EPISTLE. (Phil. iii. 17-21; iv. 1-3.) Be followers of me, brethren, and observe them who walk so as you have our model. For many walk, of whoml I have told you often(and now tell you weeping) that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction: whose God is their belly: and whose glory is in their shame: who mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven: frolm whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of his glory, according to the operation whereby also he is able to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, and most desired, my joy and my crown: so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beg. of Euodia, and I beseech Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, my sincere companion, help those Nvomen 480 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND G OSPELS. that have laibored with me in thile gospel with Clement and the rest of my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life. GosPEL. (Matt ix. 18-26.) At that tibze: As Jesus was speaking these things unto them, behold a certain ruler came up, and adored him, saying: Lord, my daugllhter is even now dead; but come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus rising up, followed him, with his disciples. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only his garment, I shall be healed. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude making a rolit, he said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. And when the multitude was put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand. And the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that country. gwentlpfonrftl ~unbaa after Menterost. COLLECT. I. Enliven, we beseech Thee, O Lord! the wills of Thy faithful; thfat more earnestly seeking after the fruit of Thy divine grace, they may more abundantly receive the he)aling gifts of Thy mercy. II. as on Fo irth Sunday COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 481 EPISTLE. (Col. i. 9-14.) Brethren: We cease not to pray for you, and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding: that you may walk worthy of God, in all things pjleasing: being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: strengthened with all might according to the power of his glory, in all patience and long-suffering with joy, giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light: who hath delivered us fromn the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love: in whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins. GOSPEL. (Matt. xxiv. 15-35.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: When you shall see " the abomination of dclesolation," which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth, let him understand. Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains. And he that is on the house-top, let him not come down to take any thing out of his house: and he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat. And woe to them that are with childl, and that give suck in those days. But pray that your flight be not in the winter, or on the sabbath. For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved: but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say to you: Lo here is Christ, or there, do not believe him. For the.re shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold I have told it to you beforehand. If therefore they shall say to you: Behold he is in the desert;'go ye not out: Behold he is in the closets; believe it not. For as lightning cometh out of the east, aud appeareth even unto the west: so 41 482 COLLECTS7, PISTLES, AND GOSPELS. shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall r'om heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be moved. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of man comirg in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. And he shall send his angels with a trumpet, and a great voice: and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. And from the fig-tree learn a parable: when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors. Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shalh pass away, but my words shall not pass away. FESTIVALS OF THE YEAR NOT DEPENDING ON LENT OR ADVENT. n1rifictiiobn of 1tl Bl 33 idT brgi n, OR, CANDLEMAS DAY. On this day, the Church celebrates three mysteries: 1st, The Purification of the Blessed Virgin - 2d, The presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple; 3d, The ncknowledgmrent of our Lord by Simeon an(l Anna. The Blessed Virgin did not need to present herself in the temple to be purified, like the womnen of Israel; but from her profound humility submitted to all the HIebrew law. Every first-born male ch'ld had to be presented in the teLmple, ifi token of (OLLECTS1 EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS 483 God's supreme dominion over all His creatures; and was ransomed by its parents for a lamb or a pair of doves. Simeon was a holy old man, who ardently awaited the coming of the Messias, and was permitted by God to know Him. He foretold His passion and Mary's sorrows. On this day candles are blessed and distributed: hence the English name, Candlemas. COLLECT. Almighty, eternal God! we humbly beseech Thy Majesty, that as-Thine only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so we also may, with purified hearts, be presented unto Thee: Through. EPISTLE. (Mal. iii. 1-4.) Thus saith the Lord: Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before thy face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts: and who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb: and he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years, saith the Lord Almiyhty. GOSPEL. (Luke ii. 22-32.) At that time;: After the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord: "Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord." And to offer a sacrifice according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, 484 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer fron the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, 0 Lord, according to thy word, in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. annnnaciation of tlje Ble 1b 1birain. MARCH 25. The Church on this day celebrates the mystery of the Incarnation-the foundation of Christianity-tlhe source of our redemption. It is called the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, inasmuch as the outward sign of it was the Annunciation made by the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin, that she had been chosen above all other women to become the mother of the long-expected Messias. It is a feast that should excite our liveliest gratitude to Almighty God, and lead us to renew our love for our Divine Redeemer, and for her who, by consenting to the will of God, accelerated the redemption of man. COLLECT. 0 God! Who didst please that Thy Word should take flesh, at the message of an angel, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant to Thy suppliants that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee: Through. EPIsTIE. (Isaias vii. 10-15.) In those days: The Lord spoke to Achaz, saying: Ask.hee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 485 of hell, or unto the height above. And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said: HIear ye therefore, O house of Davidc: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. He, shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good. GOSPEL. (Luke i. 26-38.) And in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who, having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father, and he shall reign in the house of Jacob, his father, forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren; because no word shall be impossible with God. And MIary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. 41' 486 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. bioitation of tlh Bleseb b)itgiln. JULY 2. COLLECT. Vouchsafe, Lord, we beseech Thee, to Thy servants the gifts of Thy heavenly grace; that as in the childbirth of the Blessed Virgin our salvation began, so firom the votive solemnity of her Visitation we may obtain an increase of peace: Through. EPISTLE. (Cant. ii. 8-14.) The voice of my beloved, behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the hills. lily beloved is like a roe or a young hart. Behold he standeth behind our wall, looking through the windows, looking through the lattices. Behold my beloved speaketh'to me: Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land: the fig-tree hath put forth her green figs: the vines in flower yield their sweet smell. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come. My dove in the clifts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, sheow me thy face, let thy voice sound in my ears: for thy voice is sweet, and thy face comely. GOSPEL. (Luke i. 39-47.) And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill-country with haste, into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Masry, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And v hence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord C OLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 487 should come to me? For behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. astntumtion of tie BZlieb birgin. AUGUST 15. The Church on this day celebrates the death of our Blessed Lady, and her glorious assumption into heaven, whither it is piously believed she was borne, not only in sou], but in body also, to be united forever with her Divine Son. Her triumph is the triumph of the whole human race; and entering thus into the kingdom of heaven, she utterly crushed the head of the infernal serpent, who fell from heaven by his pride; then, too, was completely realized her prophecy: "I-Ie hath put down the mighty from their seat, and exalted the humble." We must sanctify the feast by endeavoring to acquire her humility, if we would, like her, be exalted. COLLECT. Pardon, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the transgressions of Thy servants; that we who, by our own deeds, are unable to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of thy Son our Lord: Who. EPISTLE. (Ecclus. xxiv. 11-20.) In all these things I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. Then the Creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and he that made me rested in my tabernacle. And he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect. From the beginniung 488 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. and before the world was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God, his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints. I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress-tree on Mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm-tree in Cades, and as a rose-plant in Jericho: as a fair olive-tree in the plains, and as a plane-tree by the water in the streets was I exalted. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh. GOSPEL. (Luke x. 38-42.) At that time: Jesus entered into a certain town; and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who, sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard his word, But Martha was busy about much serving; who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her, therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things. But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her. Nativitt of tile Blce!b Fbiimft. SEPTEMBER 8. COLLECT. Vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, to us Thy servants, the gift of Thy heavenly grace: that, as in the childbirth of the Blessed Virgin our salva COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 489 tion began, so, from the. votive solemnity of her nativity, we may obtain an increase of peace.:Through.' EPISTLE. (Proy. viii. 22-35.) And GOSPEL. (Matt. i. 1-16, p. 495.) hAe feast of Ull!aint%, OR, ALL HALLOWS. NOVEMBER 1. We seek the intercessiol of all who, triumphing through the merits of Christ, now reign with him in heaven; but the Church permits no one to be invoked on her solemn offices, whose virtues andt sanctity she has not thoroughly examined. This examination is called the Process of Canonization; and those whose invocation is thus permitted, are venerated, on particular days, as models and intercessors. But as all the blessed, the whole Church triumphant in heaven, intercedes and prays for the Church militant on earth, this day is set apart to implore more earnestly the aid of all our brethren in the flesh, who now enjoy the beatific vision. COLLECT. Almighty, everlasting God, Who givest us to venerate in one solemnity the merits of all Thy saints, we beseech Thee to bestow upon us, through our multiplied intercessors, the fulness of Thy propitiation l Through. EPISTLE. (Aioc. vii. 2-12.) In those days: Behold I TJohn saw another angel ascending fiom the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living Cod; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whorn it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying: Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the 490 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GCOSPELS, trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda, were twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Reuben, twelvethllousand signed. Of thetribeofGad, twelvethousand signed. Of the tribe )f Aser, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Nephthali, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand signed.. Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand signed. After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues: standing before the throne, and ill sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands: and they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the thlone, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen. GOSPEL. (Maftt. v. i. 12:) At that time: Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up intc a mountain, and when he was sat down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that ffer fp l tion for justice sake: for theis is the COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 491 kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake; be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. Sea-t of all 6ounl. COMMEMOCRATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED. iNOVEMBER 2. As the Church yesterday implored the intercession of all the saints, of all the elect-that is, of the Church triumphant-so now she again shows her Communion of Saints by praying for all the souls in purgatory-that is, for the Church suffering. Every Mass. indeed, is offered for them generally, and some for special souls; but to show the union of the Church militant on earth with the Church suffering, all join to-day in imploring a speedy relief for those saints who are, for a time, withheld from the enjoyment of glory. INTROIT. Requiem. Eternal rest give to them, O 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. O Lord, hear my prayer: all flesh shall come to Thee. Eternal rest, &c. COLLECT. O God! the creator and redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed, the remission of all their sins, that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired: Through. EPISTLE. (1 Cor. xv. 51-57.) Brethren: Behol I I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. 492 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 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 chlanged. For this corruptible must put 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: I 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: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. GRADUAL. Eternal rest give to them, 0 Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Ps. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance; he shall not fear the evil hearing. TRACT. Absolve, 0 Lord, the souls of the faithful departed from every bond of sin; and by the help of Thy grace, may they be enabled to escape the judgment of punishment, and enjoy the Lappinesa of everlasting light. SEQUENCE. Dies irce, dies illac Nigher still, and still more nigh Dawns the Day of Prophecy, Doom'd to melt the earth and sky. Oh, what trembling there shall be, When the world its Judge shall see, Coming in dread majesty! Hark! the trump, with thrilling tone, From sepulchral regions lone, Summons all before the throne: COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 4 9L Time and Death it doth appall, To see the buried ages all Rise to answer at the call. Now the books are open spread; Now the writing must be read; Which condemns the quick and dead: Now, before the Judge severe Hidden things must all appear; Naught can pass unpunishl'd here. What shall guilty I then plead? Who for me will intercede, When the Saints shall comfort need King of dreadful Majesty! W5ho dost freely justify; Fount of Pity, save Thou me! Recollect, 0 Love divine!'Twas for this lost sheep of Thine Thou Thy glory didst resign: Satest wearied seeking me; Sufferedst upon the tree; Let not vain thy labor be. Judge of Justice, hear my prayer! Spare me, Lord, in mercy spare! Ere the reckoning-day appear. Lo! Thy gracious face I seek; Shame and grief are on my cheek Sighs and tears my sorrow speak. Thou didst Mary's guilt forgive; Didst the dying thief receive; Hence doth hope within me live. Worthless are my prayers, I know;s Yet, oh, cause me not to go Into everlasting woe. 42 49!4 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. Sever'd from the guilty band, Make me with Thy sheep to stand, Placing me on Thy right hand. When the cursed in anguish flee Into flames of misery; With the blest then call Thou me. GOSPEL. (John v. 25-29.) At that time, Jesus said to the multitude 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. F'or 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 jludgrnent, 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. Jmmaralate taonaeption of t1ie DBlet b bitrgin. DECEMBER 8. Long held throughout the Church as a pions belief, it has in our day been proclaimed a dogma of faith, that Mary, in her conception, was exempt from original sin: that she, who was the mother of GOod-man, was never for an instant subject to the power of Satan; but that she waw, through the merits and by the power of her divine Son, exempted from original sin. Never has there been a doubt in the Church in the Western World as to this prerogative of Mary: devotion to it has prevailed from pole to pole, and the feast has been chosen in an especial manner, as the patronal feast of the United States. Let us exult and rejoice on it." COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. 495 COLLECT. O God Who, by the immaculate conception of the Virgin, didst prepare for Thy Son an habitation worthy of Him; grant us, by her intercession, faithfully to keep our hearts and bodies illlmaculate for Thee, Who didst preserve her from all stain: Through. EPISTLE. (Prov. viii. 22-35.) The Lord possessed me in the beginnining of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out: the mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established,: before the hills I was brought forth: he had not yet made the earth nor the rivers nor the poles of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was present; when with a certain law and compass he inclosed the depths,; when he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters; when he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits; when he balanced the foundations of the earth, I was with him forming all things; and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times; playing in the world, and my delights were to be with the children of men. Now therefore,.ye children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall find me shall find life, andshall have salvation from the Lord. GOSPEL, (Matt i 1-16.) The book of the generation of Jesus',r~ity t!~- son of David, the son of Abraham: Abrahamx ~. tac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begt far~ and 4.96 COLLECTS, EPISTLES, AND GOSPELS. his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara 0o Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jessie. And Jessie begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Jorarm. And Jorain begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot hIanasses. And Mlanasse~ begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel.- And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abitd. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot liucld. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom wa, born Jesus, who is called Christ. ulpr toer Tim public prayers of the Church, other than those in the grea sacrifice of the Mass, are contained in the Breviary. The whole Office for each day consists of Matins, or Morning Song; Lauds, or the Divine praises; Prime, Tierce, Sext, and None, or the prayers for the first, third, sixth, and ninth hours, the old Roman division of the day; Vespers, or Even Song; and Compline, or the Conclusion. This office was originally chanted daily by the faithful, and is still chanted by some religious orders, the preservers of primitive tradition and fervor. It is daily recited by the clergy; and on Sundays and holidays the Vespers are publiciy chanted as part of the solemn worship of the day, to enable the faithful to join in so holy and venerable a form of prayer. The chant is inseparable from worship; and the Church, selecting the solemn Gregorian tones, condemns the frivolous worldly music, which it so little resembles. All the parts of the office consist of psalms and canticles from the Scripture, with lessons also from Scripture, or the Holy Fathers, and appropriate to the day. The psalms in the Vespers for Sunday are the 109th, and the following, including the 11Sth, although, very frequently, the 116th is substituted for the last of these. This series of psallls is most suite able to the ordinary wants of the Church on her weekly festivals. The first is a kind of commemoration of all the great mysteries os our redemption; the second alludes to the praise of God "in the congregation;" the third comllmemorates,the graces and privileges of the just; the fourth is a psalm of praise, as is also that substituted occasionally for the fifth; the fifth celebrates the deliverance of thie 42* 498 VESPERS. Israelites from Egyptian bondage. All are prophecies of our Lord. and of His inmnaculate mother, as well as of the Church. In them we chant Christ, our Lord, as priest forever, offering sacrifice, like Melchisedec, in the form of bread and wine; as Lor( of lorlds, and King of kings; as true to His promises of ever abiding by iis Church, investing her with miraculous powers; and ever spreading the mystic banquet: in thern we chant Him as our Redeemer and our God, whomn we adore; in them we chant that immaculate Virgin-the "joyful mother of lmany clhildren,"-and with her raise our hearts and voices to glorify God. It is not, then, an u1nemeaning service; but one most appropriate and consolin5g. Hence, though it is not of obligation to attend Vespers, as it is to hear Mass, all the saints and spiritual writers of the Church urge the faithful to be present at it with piety and devotion. For there is always more benefit and comfort to be derived from the public offices of the Church, than from private devotions, God having ordained that communion of prayers should always have the preference. ORDER AND ERExMONY O.F VESPERS. The priest, at the appointed time, enters the sane tuary with his attendants in surplice, over which, on festivals, and whenever incense is used, he wears a cope-a vestment already described in the explanation of the Mass. In large churches, he is on solemn occasions attended by a smaller or greater number also in copes, and by the censer-bearer and acolytes. Proceeding to the foot of the altar-steps, he kneels in the middle, and says, in a low tone, the prayer " Open, 0 Lord;" and rising, proceeds to his seat, saying the " Our Father" and " Hail, Mary," after which he intones the " Domine in adjutorium," and when the choir begin the first psalm, sits down, and puts on the birette or cap. Whenever the doxology is chanted, he uncovers, and bows his head. After the psalms are chanted, he rises to intone the Little Chapter, and while the choir chant the " Magnificat," he incenses the altar, as at High Mass. Returning to the foot of the altar, the priest chants the collect, first intoning Oeemus (let us pray), after Which follow appropriate versicles and responses. When these are ended, the choir intone the anthem of the Blessed Virgin for the season, after which he chants the proper prayer, and concludes the Vespers. VESPERS. 499 PRAYER BEFORE VESPERS. O King most high! O Lord supreme! O God, worthy of all praise! Creator of all things, of angels, and of men! how long shall I tarry sojourning on earth, far removed from Thee, and all Thy holy angels in heaven? Poor and wretched creatui'e as I am, how long shall I eat with men the bread of toil and sorrow? IEHow long shall I be deprived of the food of angels?-that exquisite food, containing all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste. O Lord, when shall I hear the sound ofThy praises sung by Thy holy angels in heaven; as the blessed apostle John, when in exile, heard the voices of many angels singing, Holy! Holy! Holy! Oh that I were one of that holy company, and had a voice like theirs! 01 how willingly would I praise Thee in company with them! beyond the loudest canticles in heaven would I sing Thy praise, and magnify Thy holy name to all eternity. O ye cherubim and seraphim, how beautifully, how fervently, how excellently ye sing those joyous hymns in presence of your God, without lassitude, without fatigue, without cessation, in eternal felicity! But since I am unable to soar aloft to these sublime and heavenly canticles, I bewail my sad fate, and through the whole period of my life, I cease not, nor shall I ever cease, to sing Thy praises, O my God! in the sight of Thy holy angels; but I shall ever honor and magnify Thy name, until my soul will go to seek Thee, my God; for to praise and love Thee above all things, is the supreme happiness of the angels and saints in Thy heaven y kingdom. VESPERIS. beavers for 25nobaQo The Priest, waith his attendcants, enters the sanctuary, anffd ckneeling before the altar, recites the prayer Open, 0 Lord, Our Father, and Hail, Mary, and proceecds to the fpisti4 side, where he intones the Vespers. P. Deus, in adjutorium P. Incline unto my aid, meuni intende. 0 God. Choir. Domine, ad adju- Choir. 0 Lord! make vandums me festina. haste to help me. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Glory be to the Father, Spiritui Sancto. and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost. Sicut erat in principio, As it was in the beginet nunc, et semper: et in ning, is now, and ever swcula s wculorun. Amen. shall be: world without Alleluia. end. Amen. Alleluia. siz Lent, instead of Alleluia, is said: Laus tibi, Domine, Rex Praise be to Thee, 0 aternem glorhi. Lord! King of eternal glory. PSALM cix. Dixit Dominus Doimino The Lord said to my meo: Sede a dextris meis; Lord: Sit thou at my right hand, Donec ponam inimicos Until I make thy enetuos: scabellum pedum mies: thy footstool. tuoruml. ~irgam virtutis tua- The Lord will send forth emittet Dominus ex Sion: the sceptre of thy power dom-inare in medio inimi- out of Sion: rule thou in cornum tuorum. the midst of thy enemies. Tcuar principium in die With thee is the princivirtutis tuae, in splendori- pality, in the day of thy bus sanctorumn: ex utero strength, in the brightness ante llciferur genui te of the saints: from the -womb, before the day-star, I begot thee. VESPERS..501 Juravit Dominus, et non Tle Lord hath sworn, poenitebit eum: tu es sa- and he will not repent: cerdos in nternunm secun- thou art a priest forever, dum ordinem Melchise- according to the order of dech. Melchisedec. Dominus a dextris tuis The Lord at thy right confregit in die iree sune hand: hath broken kings reges. in the day of his wrath. Judicabit in nationibus, He shall judge among illplebit ruinas: conquas- nations; he shall fill rusabit capita in terra mul- ins: he shall crush the torum. heads in the land of many. De torrente in via bibet: He shall drink of the proptereA exaltabit caput. torrent in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head. Gloria Patri, &c. Glory be to the Father. PSALM CX. Confitebor tibi, Domine, I will praise thee, 0 in totocordemeo: in con- Lord, with my whole cilio justorum, et congre- heart: in the council of gatione. the just, and in the congregation. Magna opera Domini: Great are the works of exquisita in omnes volun- the Lord: sought out actates ejus. cording to all his wills. Confessio et magnificen- tis work is praise and tia opus ejus: et justitia magnificence: and his jusejus manet in suculum tice continueth forever and suculi. ever. Memoriam fecit mirabi- He hath made a rmeemlium. suorum, misericors et brance of his wonderful mliserator Domlinus: escam works, being a merciful dedit timentibus se. and gracious Lorcl: lie hath given food to them that fear him. AMemor erit in smculum He will be mindftul fortestamenti sui: virtutem ever of his covenant: he operum suorum annunti- will show forth to his peo atit populo suo: pie the power of his works. 502 17ESPERS. Ut det illis h" reditatem That he may give them gentium: opera manuum the inheritance of the genejus, veritas et judicium./ tiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment. Fildelia omnia mandata All his commandments ejus, confirmata in ssecu- are faithful, confirmed forlurm sieculi: facta in veri- ever and ever: made in tate et vequitate. truth and equity. Redemptionem misit po- He hath sent redemption pulo suo: mandavit in to his people: he hath ~nternum testamentum su- commanded his covenant urn. forever. Sanctum et terribile no- Holy and terrible is his men ejus: initiumn sapien- name: the fear of the Lord tin3 timor Domini. is the beginning of wisdom. Intellectus bonus omni- A good understanding bus facientibus eum: lau- to all that do it: his datio ejus manet in encu- praise continueth forever lum sssculi. and ever. Gloria Patri, &c. Glory be to the Father, PsALM cxi. Beatus vir qui timet Blessed is the man that Dominum: in mandatis feareth the Lord: he shall ejus volut nimis. delight exceedingly in his commnandments. Potens in terra erit semen tHis seed shall be mighty ejus: generatio rectorum upon earth: the generationr benedicetur. of the righteous shall be blessed. Gloria et divitiae in domo Glory and wealth shall ejus: et juLstitia ejus manet be in his house: and his ia seculum smculi. justice remaineth forever and ever. Exortum est in tenebris To the righteous a light lumen rectis: misericors, is risen up in darkness: he et niserator, et justus. is merciful, and compassionate, and just. Juctmdus homo qui mi- Acceptable is the man VESPERS. 503 seretur, et commodat, dis- that showeth mercy, and ponet,sermones suos in lendeth; he shall order judicio: quia in eternum his words with judgment: non commovebitur. because he shall not be moved forever. In memoria rterna erit The just snall be in everjustus: ab auditione mala lasting remembrance: he non timebit. shall not fear the evil hearing. Paratum cor ejus sperare His heart is ready to in Domino, confirmatum hope in the Lord; his est cor ejus: non commo- heart is strengthened: he vebitur donec despiciat ini- shall not be moved until micos suos. he look over his enemies. Dispersit, dedit paullperi- He hath distributed, he bus; justitia ejus manet hath given to the poor; in saeculum suaculi: cornu his justice remaineth, forejus exaltabitur in gloria. ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory. Peccator videbit, et iras- The wicked shall see, cetur, dentibus suis frenzet and shall be angry; he et tabescet: desiderium shall gnash with his teeth, peccatorum peribit. and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. Gloria Patri; &c. Glory be to the Father. PSALM CXii. Laudate pueri Dominum: Praise the Lord, ye chillaudate nomen Domiui. dren: praise ye the name of the Lord. Sit nomen Domini bene- Blessed be the name of dictum: ex hoc nunc, et the Lord: from henceusqae in suculum. forth, now, and forever. A solis ortu usque ad From the rising of the occasum: laudabile nomen sun unto the going down of Domini. the same: the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. Excelsus super omnes The Lord is high above gentes Dominus: et super all nations: and his glory erlos gloria ejus. above the heavens. Quis sicut Dominus Deus Who is as the Lord our 504 VESPERS. noster, qui in altis habitat: God, who dwelleth on et humilia respicit in ccelo high: and looketh down et, in terra? on the low things in heaven and in earth? Suscitans a tern, inopem: Raising up the needy et de stercore erigens pau- from the earth: and liftperum: ing up the poor out of the dunghill: Ut collocet eum cum That he may place him principibus: cum principi- with princes: with the bus populi sui. princes of his people. Qui habitare facit steri- Who maketh a barren lem in domo: matrem fili- woman to dwell in a house: orum l tantem. the joyful mother of children. Gloria Patri, &c. Glory be to the Father. In place of the next TPaltm, Psalm cxvi. (p. 606) is generally sung. PSALM CXiii. In exi-tu Israel de -2Egyp- When Israel went out ot to: domus Jacob de populo Egypt: the house of Jacob barbaro: fiom a barbarous people: Facta est Judoa sanctifi- Judea was made his catio ejus: Israel potestas sanctuary: Israel his doejus. minion. Mare vidit et fugit: Jor- The sea saw and fled: danis conversus est retror- Jordan was turned back. sum. Montes exultaverunt ut The mountains skipped arietes: et colles sicut ag- like rams: and the hills ni ovium. like the lambs of the flock. Quid est tibi, mare, quod What ailed thee, O thou fugisti?: et tu Jordanis, sea, that thou didst flee? quia conversus es retror- and thou, O Jordan, that sum? thou wast turned back? Montes exultastis sicut Ye mocuntains, that ye arietes?: et colles sicut ag- skipped like rams?: and ni ovium? ye hills, like the lambs of the flock? VESPERS. 505 A fadcie Domini mota est At the presence of the terra: A facie Dei Jacob. Lord the earth was moved: at the presence of the God of Jacob. Qui convertit petram in Who turned the rock instagna aquarum: et rupem to pools of water: and the in fontes aquarum. stony hills into fountains of waters. Non nobis, Domine, non Not unto- us, 0 Lord, nobis: sed nomini tuo da not unto us: but to thy gloriarm. name give glory. Super misericordia tua, For thy mercy and for et veritate tua: nequando thy truth's sake: lest the dicant gentes, ubi est Deus gentiles should say, Where eorum? is their God? Deus autem noster in But our God is in heaven: ccelo: omnia qusccumque he hath done all things voluit, fecit. whatsoever he would. Simulacra gentium ar- The idols of the gentiles gentum et aurumn: opera are silver and gold: the manuum hominurn. work of the hands of men. Os habent, et non lo- They have mouths, and quentur: oculos habent, speak not: they have eyes, et non videbunt. and see not. Aures habent, et non They have ears, and hear audient: nares habent, et not: they have noses, and non odorabunt. smell not. Manus habent, et non'They have hands, and palpabunt: pedes'habent, feel not; they have feet, et non ambulabunt: non and walk not: neither clamabunt in gutture suo. shall they cry out through their throats. Similes illis fiant qui Let them that make faciunt ea: et omnes qui them, become like unto confidunt in eis. them: and such as trust in them. Domus Israel speravit in The house of Israel hath Domino: adjutor eorum, hoped in the Lord: he is et protector eorum est. their helper and their protector. Domus Aaron speravit The house of Aaron hath in Domino; adjutor eo hoped in the Lord: he i, 48 b06 VESPERS. rum, et protector eorumn their helper and their )roest. tector. Qui timent Dolminum, They that fear the Lord speraverunt in Domino: have hoped in the Lord: adjutor eorum, et protec- he is their helper and their tor eorum est. protector. Dominus remor fuit The Lord hath been nostri: et benedixit nobis. mindful of us: and hath. blessed us. Benedixit domui Israel: He hath blessed the benedixit domui Aaron. house of Israel: he hath blessed the house of Aaron. Benedixit omnibus qui He hath blessed all that timentDolinium: pusillis fear the Lord: both little cum majoribus. and great. Adjiciat Dominus super May the Lord add'blessvoyes: super vos et super ings upon you: upon you, filios vestros. and upon your children. Benedicti vos A Domino: Blessed be you of the qui fecit ecelum et terram. Lord: who made heaven and earth. Ccelum cceli Domino: The heaven of heavens terram autem dedit filiis is the Lord's: but the hominum. earth he hath given to the children of men. Non mortui laudabunt The dead shall not praise te, Domine: neque omnes thee, 0 Lord: nor any of qui descendunt in infer- them that go down to hell. num. Sed nos qui vivimus, But we that live bless benedicimus Domino: ex the Lord: from this time, hoc nunc et usque in svecu- now, and forever. lurm. Gloria Patri, &c. Glory be to the Father. The following is occasionally sung. PSALM cxvi. Laudate Dominum, om- 0 praise the Lord, all ye nes gentes: laudate eum, nations: praise hira, all yo omnes populi. people. Quonliam confirmata est For his mercy is con VESPERS. 507 supernosmisericordiaejus: firmed upon us: and the et veritas Domini manet in truth of the Lord remainEternum. eth forever. Gloria Patri, &c. Glory be to the Father. WA en the choir has ended the chantingt of the psalms, the Priest rises and chants the Iittle Chapter —gezerally the first sentenos qf the Epistle of the day; bztt fiom the Third Sundaty after Ep}iphany till Septuagesima, and from the Third Stunday after Pentecost till Advent, the following: TIrE LITTLE CHAPTER. (2 Cor. i. 3.) Benedictus Deus, et Pa- Blessed be the God and ter I)omiini nostri Jesu Father of our Lord Jesus Christi, Pater misericordi- Christ, the Father of merarum, et Deus totius con- cies, and the God of all solationis, qui consolatur comfort, who comforteth nos in omni tribulatione us in all our tribulations. nostra. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. He then sits dowzan while the choir sings the hymn of the day, which varies according to season ansd solemnity. "Thap which corresponds with the Little Uhapter, Benedictus, is asj Ilowts: Lucis Creator optime, Lucem dierum proferens, Primordiis lucis novm Mlundi parans originem: Qui mane junctum vesperi Diem vocari prlecipis; Illabitur tetrum chaos, Audi preces cum fletibus. Ne mens gravata crimine, Vitme sit exul munere, Dum nil perenne cogitat, Seseque culpis illigat. Cceleste pulset ostium; Vitale tollat prmcmium: Vitemus omne noxium: lPurgemus omne pessimum. 608 VESPERS, Prmsta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar unice, Curn Spiritu Paraclito, Regnans per omne sxeculiam. Amen.:. Dirigatur Domine, oratio mea, Choir. Sicut incensumr in conspectu tuo. (Thie same in English.) 0 blest Creator of the light! Who dost the dawn from darkness bring; And framing Nature's depth and height, Didst with the new-born light begin: Who, gently blending eve with morn, And morn with eve, didst call them day; Thick flows the flood of darkness down; Oh, hear us as we weep and pray! KeeplThou our souls from schemes of crime, Nor guilt remorseful let them know; Nor, thinking but on things of time, Into eternal darkness go. Teach us to knock at Heaven's high door' Teach us the prize of life to win; Teach us all evil to abhor, And purify ourselves within. Father of mercies, hear our cry! Hear us,'O sole-begotten Son! Who, with the Holy Ghost most high, Reignest while endless ages run. Amen. g Way my prayer, 0 Lord! be directed Chker. Like incense in Thy sight. At thii., aed rise, and the choir chants the Magnificat, or Canticlc of the Blessed Virgin, during which the Priest puts on the cope, if he has not corn it from the commencement; and, proceeding to the foot of the altar, blesses incense ana puts t into the censer. le then ascends to the altar, and neesss it in the same manner as at High Mass. VESPERS. 509 TrEE MAGNIFICAT, OR CANTICLE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Magnificat,.: anima mea My soul: doth magnify Dominum; the Lord; Et exultavit spiritus me- And my spirit hath reus: in Deo Salutari meo. joiced: in God my Saviour. Quia respexit humilita- Because he hath regardtern ancill sum: ecce enim ed the humility of his ex hoc beatam me dicent handmaid: for behold, omnes generationes. from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Quia fecit mihi magna For he that is mighty qui potens est: et sanctum hath done great things to nomen ejus. me: and holy is his name. Et mlisericordia ejus a And his mercy is from progenie in progenies: ti- generation to generation: mentibus eum. to them that fear him. Fecit potentiam in bra- He hath showed might chio suo: dispersit super- in his arm: he hath scatbos mente cordis sui. tered the proud in the conceit of their heart. Deposuit potentes de se- He hath put down the de: et exaltavit humiles. mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble. Esurientes implevit bo- - He hath filled the hunnis: et divites dimisit ina- gry with good things: and nes. the rich he hath sent away empty. Suscepit Israel puerum He hath received Israel suum: recordat-us miseri- his servant: being mindcordin sum. ful of his mercy. Sicut locutus est ad pa- As he spoke to our fatres nostros: Abraham et thers: to Abraham, and semini ejus in secula. to his seed forever. Gloria Patri, &c. Glory be to the Father, &c. The Pr wst then, at the foot of the altar, says: P. Dominuls vobiscum. P. The Lord be with you. R, Et cumr spiritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit. 432* 510 VESPERS. EIe thel recir the Collect of the day (see p. 319), and continues: P. Domlinus vobiscum. P. The Lord l)e with you. Choir. Et cum spiritu Choir. And with thy spituo. rit. P. Benedicamus Donmi- P. Let us bless the Lord. no. Choir. Deo gratias. Choir. Thanks be to God. The' Priest, in a solemn tone, then says: P. Fidelium animiu, per P. May the souls of the misericordiam Dei, requi- faithful, through the merescant in pace. cy of God, rest in peace. Choir. Amen. C/hoir. Amen. Pater noster (secreto). Our Father. P. Dominus det nobis P. Our Lord grant us suam pacem. his peace. B. Et vitam oeternam. R. And life everlasting. Vespers are nowt enzded, but the service is usually concluded by chacting the Anthem of the Blessed Virgin Iiary proper to the season, which see (Ants. of B. V). tPrubtialO of tfu llsy s Ba6~sueeato Tni Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a rite In which J 3sus, in the sacrament of His love, is not only exposed to the adoration of the fatithful, but in which he, present in that sacrament, is implored to bless the faithful present before the altar. In the language of theologians, it is not the priest who blesses the people with the sacrameont, but Jesus himself, in the sacrament, who bestows His benediction upon us. Vested in surplice and cope, the priest goes up to the altar, while the choir intone the " O0 salutaris Hostia;" and opening the tabernacle, he kneels, and taking out a consecrated Host inclosed in a kind of locket, called a.swtsa, with a crystal on each side, places this in the centre of the Meonstrance or Ostensoriuml-a stand of gold or silver, witli rays like a sun. He then descends to the foot of tle. altar, and puts incense in the censer; kneeling again, he receives it from the hand of the censer-bearer, and incenses thle adorable Host. When the choir chant the second line of the "'Tantuin ergo," all bow humbly (lown, and then, or during the'" Genitori," tile priest again incenses the Blessed Sacrament. As soon as the choir have ended the hymn, the priest chants the, -rersicle; and when they have responded, chants the prayer of the Blessed Sacrament, an I sometimes another prayer. lie then kneels again, and a scarf is thrown around his shoulders, after which he ascends again to the altar, and, making a genuflexion, takes the MIonstrance. and, turning to the people, gives the benedicti.n in silence, nlmaking the sign of the cross once over the kneeling congregation. Replacing thle Hiost in the tabernacle, he descends; and preceded by his assistants, retires, while the choir chant the psalml " Laudate Doneinule omnes gentes," or some other permlitted by the usiage of the place. Duling this consoling ceremony, the devout Catholic may either ioin in the chant of the choiri, or plour oult his soul in aspirations of ove, aedoration, gratitude, petition, or contrition to the sacred heart of Jesus, thius humnbled for our love, We add a prayer, whIich Ilay serve, at least, in times of dryness, or when the heart dos nlot prompt the effusionls which we feel dies. 512 BENEDICTION OF TIHE BLESSED SACRAMENT. While the P'riest ascends to the Altar, the Choir sir: 0 salutaris Hostia, Coeli qui pandis ostium: Bella premunt hostilia, Da robur, fer auxilium. IUni trinoque Domino Sit sempiterna gloria, Qui vitam sine termino, -Nobis donet in patria. (The same tin English.) O saving Victim! opening wide The gate of Heaven to man below! Our foes press on from every side; Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow. To Thy great Name be endless praise, Immortal Godhead! One in Three! Oh, grant us endless length of days, In our true native land, with'l'hee! Thel follows, smiless already chanted, the Anthem of the Blessa Virgin, or some other hymn. After which the choir begin ths TANTUM ERGO. T'Iintum ergo Sacramentum, Veneremur cernui; Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui; Praestet fides supplementunm, Senstsum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque Laus et jubilatio; Salus, honor, virtus, quoqueoqu Sit et benedictio; Procedenti ab utroque, Compar sit laudatio. Am,. BENEDICTION OF TIE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 513 (T/he amnse in English.) Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail! Lo! o'er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of grace.prevail; Faith, for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail. To the Everlasting Father, And the Son who reigns on high, WVith the Holy Ghost proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honor, blessing, Might, and endless majesty. V. Panem de ccelo pra- IV. Thou hast given them atitisti eis. Allelica. bread from heaven. Allebuia. R. Omne delectamentum R. Having met every dein se habentem. Alleluia. light. Alleluia. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus qui nobis, sub sac- 0 God, Who, in this ramento mirabili, passionis wonderful sacrament hast tuse memoriam reliquisti; left us a perpetual memoritribue, quxLsumus, ita nos al of Thy passion; grant us, corporis et sanguinis tui sa- we beseech Thee, so to reera mysteria. venerari ut verence the sacred mysteredemptionis tuW fructum ties of Thy body and blood, in nobis jugiter sentiamus. as in our souls to be alQui vivis, &c. ways sensible'of the redemption Thou hast purchased for us. Who livest. PRAYER AT BENEDICTION. D)ivine Saviour of our souls, Who hast vouchsafed to leave Thy precious body, and precious blood, in the most holy sacrament of the altar, I adore Thee with profound respect: I thank Thee most humbly for all the graces that Thou doest us; and, as Thou art the 514 BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, source of all blessings, I conjure Thee to pour them forth this day on me, and on those for whom I intend to pray. But that nothing may arrest the course of Thy benedictions, take from my heart all that displeases Thee, O my God! pardon my sins: I sincerely detest them for Thy sake; purify my heart; sanctify my souR; bless me, my God, with a benediction like that which Thou didst bestow on Thy disciples when ascending to heaven. Bless me with a benediction that may change me; consecrate me, and unite me completely to Thee; that may fill me with Thy Spirit, and may be even in this life a pledge of the blessing which Thou hast prepared for Thy elect. Or, O God! Whom I adore in this august and profound mystery, under these appearances which hide Thee from my eyes. Thrice Holy God! bless me; let Thy benediction fill my heart with joy and consolation; let it banish from my mind every thought of which Thou art not the sole object; let it scatter the vain phantoms which surround me; let the effect of Thy divine presence fortify me. Bless us all, 0 Lord, that we may all chant Thy praises in a spirit of peace and union. O God! come to my aid; Lord, make haste to help me, for without Thee we perish: turn towards us, 0 my God! and Thou wilt give us life. Show Thyself, 0 Lord! amid Thy sanctuary; cast a look of mercy on us; let Thy voice echo in our hearts; 0 God, save us, have mercy on us; prostrate, at the foot of Thy altars, we ask Thy sacred benediction, in the name of the Far ther, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. VIs'ERns are not the only portion of the Breviary service publicly recited In hlie evening of Wednesday, Thlrs(lay, anld Friday of HIoly Week, the Church perfcrmns a solemn Office commonly called the Teizeb?,ce; which is really the Matins and Lauds of Mandy Thursday, Good Friday, and Iloly Saturday. The name of Teleb2rcs is given to it, from the circullstance of extinguishing, duling the course of it, all the candles which have been prepared in the sane. tuary, for the ceremony. The rites of the Church declare her concern for the sufferings of her Redeemer. She lays aside every expression of joy. Her Offices are not commenced with those usual invocations, by which she beseeches the Lord to open her lips to sing His praises. The Gloria Pctri is omitted at the end of the Psalms; no hymns are sung; no Domtilus v'obisscmi is said, to ask the blessing of God upon the people. The Psalms and the Lessons that constitute her Office, breathe scarcely any thing else but sighs and lamnentations. Her canonical hours are all terminated by the same prayer, imploring Gotd to look with an eye of pity on those for whom His Son, our Lord, has vouchsafed to suffer death. At every other time, before she offeirs up a prayer, the people are invited to unite with her in spirit, and at the conclusion express their assent by the acclamation Amlen; but upon this occasion, to evince still more the greatness of her sorrow, the invitation and the acclamation are both omitted. The six candles on the altar, and the fifteen candles placed on the Epistle side, ill burning at the beginning of the Office, signify the Lights of faith preached by the prophets and Jesus Christ; of which faith the fundamental article is the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, represented by the triangular candlestick. At the repetition of tile fourteen Antiphons in the Matins and Lauds, fourteen of the candles in the triangular candlestick are extiaguished; and at the last verses of the Bcnedictqcs those on the altar are put out, to teach us that the Jews were deprived of the light of faitll, when they put our Saviour to deatll. But the fifteenth candle, which represents the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, is only hidden for a time nuder the altar, and afterwards brought out again, to signify that, though Christ, according to I-is humanity, died, and was laid in the sepulchre, yet Ile was always alive according to IIs' Divinity, by which HIe raised His body again to life. The darkl]iess which pervades the sanctuary, while the lMiseiere and Prayer are said, naturally puts us in mind of the darkness that covered the whole earth at Hlis death; and the noise made at the end of the Prayer represents the confusion of nature for the loss of its Author, when the earth tremabled, the rocks were rent, the graves opened, and the veil of the temple was torn from the top to the bottomi. 516 TENEBRE IN HOLY WEMIEK eZnebrM on Webne-bauo MATTNS OF THIURSDAY. Pater Noster, Ave Maria, and Credo are saicd in a low voice. THE FIRST NOCTURN. Ant. The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up, and the reproaches of thetm that reproached thee are fallen upon me. PsALM 1xviii. Save me, 0 God! for the waters are come in even unto my soul. I stick fast in the mire of the deep, and there is no sure standing. I am come into the depth of the sea; and a tempest hath overwhelmed me. I have labored with crying; my jaws/are become hoarse; my eyes have j'failed whilst I hope in my God. They'are multiplied above the hairs of my head, who hate me without cause. My enemies are grown strong, who have wrongfully persecuted me: then I paid that which I took not away. 0 God! thou knowest my foolishness: and my offences are not hidden from thee. Let not them be ashamed for me, who look for thee, 0 Lord! the Lord of hosts. Let them not be confounded on my account, who seek thee, 0 God of Israel! Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger to my brethren, and an alien to the sons of my mother. For the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. And I covered my soul in fasting: and it was made a reproach to me. TENEBRE IN HOLY WEEK. b1. And I made haircloth my garment: and I became a by-word to them. They that sat in the gate spoke against me: and they that drank wine made me their song. But as for me, my prayer is to thee, 0 Lord! for the time of thy good pleasure, 0 God! In the multitude of thy mercy, hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Draw me out of the mire, that I may not stick fast: deliver me from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the tempest of water drown me, nor the deep swallow me up: and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.. Hear me, 0 Lord! for thy mercy is kind: look upon me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. And turn not away thy face from thy servant: for I am in trouble; hear me speedily. Attend to my soul, and deliver it: save me because of my enemies. Thou knowest my reproach, and my confusion, and my shame. In thy sight are all they that afflict me: my heart hath expected reproach and misery. And I looked for one that would grieve together with me; but there was none; and for one that would comfort me, and I found none. And they gave me gall for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Let their table become as a snare before them, and a recompense, and a stumbling-block. Let their eyes be darkened that they see not; and their back bend thou down always. Pour out thy indignation upon them: and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. Let their habitation be made desolate: and let there be none to dwell in their tabernacles. Because they have persecuted him whom thou hast smitten; and they have added to the grief of my wounds. Add thou iniquity upon their iniquity; and let them not come into thy justice. 518 TENEBRIE IN HOLY WEEK. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and with the just let them not be written. But I am poor and sorrowful: thy salvation, 0 God! hath set me up I will praise the name of God with a canticle: and I will maginify him with praise. And it shall please God better than a young calf, that bringeth forth horns and hoofs. Let the poor see and rejoice: seek ye God, and your soul shall live. For the Lord hath heard the poor; and hath not despised his prisoners. Let the heavens and the earth praise him; the sea, and every thing that creepeth therein. For God will save Sion, and the cities of Jirda shall be built up. And they shall dwell there, and acquire it by ilheritance. And the seed of his servants shall possess it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein. Ant. The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up, and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. Ant. Let them be turned backward and blush for shame, that desire evils to me. PSALM lxix. 0 God! come to my assistance: 0 Lord! make haste to help me. Let them be confounded and ashamed, that seek my soul. Let them be turned backward and blush for shame, that desire evils to me. Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame, that say to me:'Tis well,'tis well. Let all that seek thee rejoice, and be glad in thee, and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified. But I am needy and poor; 0 God! help me. Thou art my nelper and my deliverer: 0 Lord make no delay. TElNEBR. IN HOLY WEEK. 519 Ant. Let them be turned backward and blush for shame, that desire evils to me. Ant. Deliver me, 0 my God! out of the hand of the sinner. PSALMr lxx. In thee, 0 Lord! I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy justice, and rescue me. Incline thy ear unto me, and save me. Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of strength, that thou mnayest make me safe. For thou art my firmament and my refuge. Deliver me, 0 my God! out of the hand of the sinner, and out of the hand of the transgressor of the law, and of the unjust. For thou art my patience, 0 Lord! my hope, 0 Lord! from my youth. By thee have I been confirmed from the womb; from my mother's womb, thou art my protector. Of thee shall I continually sing; I am become unto many as a wonder; but thou art a strong helper. Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may sing thy glory, thy greatness all the day long. Cast me not off in the time of old age; when my strength shall fail, do not thou forsake me. For my enemies have spoken against me: and they that watched my soul have consulted together, Saying: God hath forsaken him; pursue, and take him: foi' there is none to deliver him. O God! be not thou far from me: 0 my God! make haste to my help. Let them be confounded and come to nothing, that detract my soul: let them be covered with confusion and shame that seek my hurt. But I will always hope; and will add to all thy praise. My mouth shall show forth thy justice, thy salvation, all the day long. Because I have not known learning, I will enter into the powers of the Lord: 0 Lord! I will be mindful of thy justice alone. Thou hast taught me, 0 God! from my youth: and till now I will declare thy wondlerful works. '520 TENEBRtE IN HOLY WEEIK. And unto old age and gray hairs, 0 God I forsake me not. Until I show forth thy arm to all the generation that is to cc me. Thy power and thy justice, 0 God! even to the highest great things, thou hast done; 0 God! who is like to thee? How great troubles hast thou showed me, many and grievous, and turning thou hast brought me to life; and hast brought me back again from the depths'of the earth. Thou hast multiplied thy magnificence; and turning to me, thou hast comforted me. For I will also confess to thee thy truth, with the instruments of psaltery; 0 God! I will sing to thee with the harp, thou holy one of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I shall sing to thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. Yea, and my tongue shall meditate on thy justice all the day; when they shall be confounded and put to shame, that seek evils to me. Azt. Deliver me, 0 my God! out of the hand of the sinner. r. Let them be turned backward and blush for shame, R. That desire evils to me. Our Father (privately). THIE FIRST LESSON. The beginning of the Lamentation of Jeremiss the Prophet. CHAP. i. Aleph. How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people? how is the mistress of the gentiles become as a widow? the princes of provinces made tributary? Bet/h. Weeping, she hath wept in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; there is none to comfort her among them all that were dear to her: all her friends having despised her, and are become her enemies. Ghimel. Juda hath removed her dwell_.g-place, because of her affliction and the greatness of her bondage: sheo ath dwelt among the nations, and she hath found TENEBRN E IN HOLY WEEK. 521 no v:est; all her persecutors have taken her in the midst of straits. Daleth. The ways of Sion mourn, because there are none that come to the solemn feast; all her gates are broken downr: her prieks sigh: her virgins are in affliction, and she is oppressed with bitterness. We. Her adversaries are become her lords, her enemies are enriched: because the Lord hath spoken against her for the multitude of her iniquities; her children are led in.to captivity, before th.e face of the oppressor. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. He prayed to his Father on Mount Olivet: Father! if it is possible, let this chalice pass from me: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. V. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed, &c. THE SECOND LESSON. Vau. And from'the daughter of Sion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like rams that find no pastures: and they are gone away without strength before the face of the pursuer. Zain. Jerusalem hath remembered the days of her affliction,, and prevarication of all her desirable things, which she had from'the days of old, when her people fell in the enemy's hand: and there was no helper: the enemies have seen her, and have mocked at her sabbaths. Heth. Jerusalem hath grievously sinned, therefore is she become unstable: all that honored her have despised her, because they have seen her shame: but she sighed and turned backward. Teth. Her filthiness is on her feet, and she hath not remembered her end: she is wonderfully cast down, not having a comforter: behold, 0 Lord! my affliction, because the enemy is lifted up. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. My soul is sorrowful even unto death; stay you here, and watch with me. Now ye shall see a multi44* 5 9,2 TENEBRE IN HOLY WEEK. tude, that will surround me: ye shall run away, and I will go to be sacrificed for you. V. Behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners: Ye shall. THE THIRD LESSON. Jod. The enemy hath put out his hand to all her desirable things: for she hath seen the gentiles enter into her sanctuary, of whom thou gavest commandment that they should not enter into thy church. 6Ciph. All her people sigh, they seek bread: they have given all their precious things for food to relieve the soul: see, OLord! and consider, for I am become vile. Lamned. 0 all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow: for he hath made a vintage of mQ, as the Lord spoke in the day of his fierce anger. Mern. From above he hath sent fire into my bones, and hath chastised me: lie hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate, and wasted with sorrow all the day long. Mum. The yoke of my iniquities hath watched for me: they are folded together in his hand, and put upon my neck: my strength is weakened: the Lord hath delivered me into a hand, out of which I am not able to rise. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. Behold we have seen him having neither beauty nor comeliness; there is no sightliness in him; he hath borne our sins, and suffereth for us; and he was wounded for our iniquities: and by his bruises we are healed. y: He hath truly borne our iniquities and carried our sorrows; and by his bruises, &c.-Behold we have seen him, &c. ITHE SECOND NoCTURN. Ant. The Lord hath delivered the poor from the mighty, and the needy that had no helper. TENEBRE IN HOLY WEEK. 523 PSALMr lxxi. Give to the king thy judgment, 0 God! and to the king's son, thy justice:; To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with,udgment. Let the mountains receive peace for the people, and the hills justice. He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor; and he shall humble the oppressor. And he shall continue with the sun, and before the moon; throughout all generations. He shall come down like rain upon the fleece, and as showers falling gently upon the earth. In his (lays shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away. And he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. Before him the Ethiopian shall fall down: and his enemies shall lick the ground. The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts. And all kings of the earth shall adore him; all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: andc the needy that had no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and he shall save the souls of the poor. He shall redeem their souls from usuries and iniquity: and their name shall be honorable in his sight. And he shall live; and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia; and for him they shall always adore, they shall bless him all the day. And there shall be a firmament on the earth, on the tops of mountains above Libanus shall the fruit thereof be exalted: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. Let his name be blessed for evermore: his name continueth before the sun. 524 TENEBRIE IN HOLY WEEK. And in him shall all the tribes of the earth b e blessed.: all nations shall magnify him. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone doth wonderful things. And blessed be the name of his majesty forever, and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. So be it, so be it. Ant. The Lord hath delivered the poor from the mighty, and the needy that had no helper. Ant. The impious have thought and spoken wickedness; they have spoken iniquity on high. PSALM lxxii. How good is God to Israel, to them that are of a right heart! But my feet were almost moved; my steps had wellnigh slipt. Because I had a zeal on occasion of the wicked; seeing the prosperity of sinners. For there is no regard to their death, nor is there strength in their stripes. They are not in the labor of men: neither shall they be scour'cld like other men. Therefore pride hath held them fast: they are cover ed with their iniquity and their wickedness. Their iniquity hath come forth, as it were from fatness: they have passed into the affection of the heart. They have thought and spoken wickedness: they have spoken iniquity on high. They have set their mouth against heaven: and their tongue hath passed through the earth. Therefore will my people return here: and full days shall be found in them. And they said How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold these are sinners: and yet abounding in the eorld, they have obtained riches. And I said: Then have I in vain justified my heart, and washed my hands among the innocent. And I have been scourged all the day; and my chastisement hath been in the mornings. TENEBRAE IN HOLY WEEK, 525 If I said: I will speak. thus; behold I should condemn the generation of thy children. I studied that I might know this thing: it is a labor in my sight. Until I go into the sanctuary of God, and understand concerning their last ends. But indeed for deceits, thou hast put it to them: when they were lifted up, thou hast cast them down. How are they brought to desolation? they have suddenly ceased to be; they have perished by reason of their iniquity. As the dream of them that awake, 0 Lord! so in thy city thou shalt bring their image to nothing. For my heart hath been inflamed; and my reins have been changed, and I am brought to nothing, and I knew not. I am become as a beast before thee, and I am always with thee. Thou hast held me by my right hand; and by thy will thou hast conducted me, and with glory thou hast received me. For what have I in heaven? And besides thee, what do I desire upon earth? For thee my flesh and my heart hath fainted away: thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever. For behold, they that go far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that are disloyal to thee. But it is good for me to adhere to God: to put my hope in the Lord God: That I may declare all thy praises, in the gates of the daughter of Sion. Ant. The impious have thought, and spoken wickedness; they have spoken iniquity on high. Ant. Arise; 0 Lord! and judge my cause. PSALM lxxiii. 0 God! why hast thou cast us off, unto the end? Why is thy wrath enkindled against the sheep of thy pasture? Remember thy congregation, which thou hast posh sessed from the beginning. 2B6''TENEBRt. INM HOLY WEEK. The sceptre of thy inheritance, which thou hast redeemed: mount Sion in which thou hast dwelt. Lift up thy lhanlds against their pride unto the end see what things the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary And they that hate thee have made their boasts in the midst of thy solemnity. T'hey have set up their ensigns for signs, and they knew not; both in tile going out, and on the highlest top. As with axes in a wood of trees they have cut down at once the gates thereof; with axe anlt hatchet they have brought it down. They have set fire to thy sanctuary: they have defiled the dwelling-place of thy name on the earth. They said in their heart, the whole kindred of them together: Let us abolish all the festivalsdays of God from the laud.. Our signs we have not seen, there is now no prophet: and he will know us no more. How long, 0 God! shall the enemy reproach? is the adversary to provoke thy name forever? Why dost thou turn away thy hand: and thy right hand out of the midst of thy bosom forever'? But God is our king before ages: he hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. Thou by thy strength didst make the sea firms:: thou didst crush the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon: thou hast given him to be meat for the people of the Ethiopians. Thou hast broken up the fountains and the torrents: thou hast dried up the Ethan rivers. Thine is the day, and thine is the night: thou hast made the morning light and the sun. Thou hast made all the borders of the earth: the summer and the spring were formed by thee. Remember this, the enemy hath reproached the Lord; and a foolish people hath provoked thy name. Deliver not up to beasts the souls that confess to thee: and forget not to the end, the souls of thy poor. Have regard to thy covenant: for they that are the obscure of the earth have been filled with dwellings of iniquity. T NEBR.E IN HOLY WEEK. 527 Let not the humnble be turned away with confusion: the poor and needy shall praise thy name. Arise, O God! judge thy own cause: remember thy reproaches with which the foolish man hath reproached thee all the day. Forget not the voices of thy enemies: the pride of them that hate thee ascenldetll continually. Ant. Arise, O Lord! and judge my cause. V. Deliver me, O my God! out of the hand of the sinner. R. And out of the hand of the transgressor of the law and the unjust. Our Father (privately). THE FOURTH LESSON. From the treatise of St. Augustine the Bishop on the Psalms. On the TFifty-fo.urth Psale.'Hear, O God! my prayer, and despise not my suppli cation: be attentive to me, and hear me." These are the words of a uman in trouble, solicitude, and affliction. He prays in his great sufferings, desiring to be fieed from some evil. Let us now see what evil he lies under; and when he begins to tell, let us acknowledge ourselves to be there; that by partaking of the affliction, we may join in his prayer. " I am grieved in my exercise," says he, " and am troubled." Where is he grieved? where is he troubled? He says: In my exercise. He speaks of the wicked men, whom he suffers, and calls such sufferings of wicked men, his exercise. Think not that the wicked are in this world for nothing, and that God does no good with them. Every wicked man lives, either to amend his life or to exercise the good. R. The sign by which my friend betrayed me was a kiss: whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: hold him fast. He that committed murder by a kiss, gave this wicked sign. The unhappy wretch returned the price of blood, and in the end hanoged himself. V. It were better for that man, if he had not been born. The unhappy wretch. V'28 TENEBRI IN HOLY WEE.T THE FIFTH LESSON. Would to God, then, they that now exercise us, were converted and exercised with us; yet as long as they exercise us let us not hate them; for we know not whether each will persevere to the'end in that wherein he is wicked. And generally when thou thinkest to hate an enemy, thou hatest a brother and knowest not. The Holy Scriptures plainly show us, that the devil and his angels are doomed to eternal fire. Only. their amendment we may despair of, with whom we wage an invisible war; for which the Apostle arms us, saying: Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, that is, not against the men you see, but against the principalities, and powers, and rulers of the world, of this darkness. And lest by his saying of the world, you might think perhaps that the devils are the rulers of heaven and earth, he added, of this darkness. By the world, then, he meant the lovers of the world; by the world, he meant the impious and the wicked; by the world, he meant that of which the gospel says: And the world knew him not. R. The wicked merchant, Judas, kissed the Lord; he, like an innocent lamb, refused not the kiss to Judas.,-For a few pence, he delivered Christ to the Jews. V: It were better for that man if he had not been born. For a few pence. THE SIXTH LEssoN. "For I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city." See the glory of the cross. That cross that was the derision of his enemies, is now placed on the foreheads of kings. The effect is a proof of his power; he conquered the world, not by the sword, but by the wood. The wood of the cross was thought a subject of scorn by his enemies, who as they stood before it, shook their heads and said: If he is the son of God, let him come down from the cross. He stretched forth his hands to an unbelieving and seditious peoplie. For if he is just that lives by faith, he is unjust that hath not faith. By iniquity, then, here TENEBRIA IN HOLY WEEK. 529 yen must understand infidelity. The L,rd, therefore, saw iniquity and contradiction in the city, and stretched forth his hands to an nnbelieving and seditious people; and yet, he waited for them too, saying: Father! forgive them, for they know not what they do. R. One of my disciples will this day betray me: woe to him by whom I shall be betrayed. It were better for that man if he had not been born. T' He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me into the hands of sirnners. It were. One of my disciples, &c. THEn THIRD NOCTURN, Ant. I said to the wicked: Speak not iniquity against God.'PSALMa lxxiv. We will praise thee, 0 God! we will praise, and we will call upon thy name. We will relate thy wondrous works: when I shall take a time, I will judge justices. The earth is melted, and all that dwell therein: I have established the pillars thereof. I said to the wicked: Do not act wickedly; and to the sinner: Lift not up the horn. Lift not up your horn on high; speak not iniquity against God. For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert hills; for God is the judge. One he putteth down, and another he lifteth up: for in the hand of the Lord there is a cup of strong wine, full of mixture. And he hath poured it out from this to that; but the dregs thereof are not emptied,; all the sinners of the earth shall drink. But I will declare forever; I will sing to the God of Jacob And I will break all the horns of sinners; but the horns of the just shall be exalted. 45 b30 TENEBRAE IN HOLY WEEK. Ant. I said to the wicked: Speak not iniquity against God. Ant. The earth trembled and was still, when God arose in judgment. PSALM lxxv. In Juidea God is known, his name is great in Israel. And his place is in peace, and his abode in Sion. There hath he broken the powers of bows, the shield, 1he sword, and the battle. Thou enlightenest wonderfully from the everlasting hills: all the foolish of heart were troubled. They have slept their sleep: and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands. At thy rebuke, 0 God of Jacob! they have all slumbered that mounted on horseback. Thou art terrible, and who shall resist thee? from that time thy wrath. Thou hast caused judgment to be heard from heaven: the earth trembled and was still. When God arose in judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. For the thought of man shall give praise to thee; and the remainders of the thought shall keep holiday to thee. Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God; all you that round about him bring presents. To him that is terrible, even to him who taketh away the spirit of princes, to the terrible with the kings of the earth. Ant. The earth trembled and was still, when God arose in judgment. Ant. In the day of my tribulation, I sought God, with my hands lifted up to him. PsALM lxxvi. I cried to the Lord with my voice: to God with my voice, and he gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble, I sought God, with my hands lifted up to him in the night; and I was not deceived. My soul refused to be comforted; I remembered God, TENEBRAih 1N HOLY WEEK. 53 and was delighted, and was exercised, and my spirit swooned away. My eyes prevented the watches; I was troubled, and I sDoke not. I thought upon the days of old: and I had in my mind the eternal years. And I meditated in the night with mine own heart: wnd I was exercised, and I swept my spirit. Will God then cast off forever? or will he never be more favorable again? Or will he cut off his mercy forever, from generation to generation? Or will God forget to show mercy? or will he in his anger shut up his mercies? And I said: Now have I begun: this is the change of the right hand of the Most High. I remembered the works of the Lord: for I will be mindful of thy wonders from the beginning. And I will meditate on all thy works, and will be employed in thy inventions. Thy way, 0 God! is in the holy place: who is the great God like our God? Thou art the God bthat dost wonders. Thou hast made thy power known amongst the nations: with thy arm thou hast redeemed thy people, the children of Jacob, and of Joseph. The waters saw thee, 0 God! the waters saw thee; and they were afraid, and the depths were troubled. Great was the noise of the waters: the clouds sent out a sound. For thy arrows pass: the voice of thy thunder in a wheel. Thy lightnings enlightened the world: the earth shook, and trembled. Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in many waters; and thy footsteps shall not be known. Thou hast conducted thy people like sheep, by the hand of ]Moses and Aaron. A' nt. In the day of my trouble I sought God with my hands lifted up to him. Arise, 0 Lord! R. And judge my cause. Our Father (2pivately). 532 TENE1BRA3 IN HOLY WEEK. TILE SEVENTh LESSON. Out of the First Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthlauns CHAP. Xi. Now this I ordain; not praising you, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all I hear that when you come together in the church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must be also heresies; that they also, who are approved, may be made manifest among you. When you come together therefore into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord's supper. For every one taketh before his own supper to eat. And one indeed is hungry, and another is drunk. What! have you not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God; and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not. R. I ws like an innocent lamb; I was led to be sacrificed, and' I knew it not: my enemies conspired against me, saying: Come, let us put wood on his bread, and cut him off from the land of the living. V. All my enemies contrived evils to me; they determined against me an unjust word, saying: Come, &c. THE EIGIHTH LESSON. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye and eat: this is my body which shall be delivered for you; this do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped,, saying: This chalice is the new testament in.my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink this chalice, you shall show' the death of the Lord, until he come. R. Could you not watch one hour with me, you that were resolved to die for me? Or do you not see Judas, how he sleeps not, buLt malkes haste to betray me to the Jlew? TENEBRJE IN HOLY WEEK. 3 V. Why do ye sleep? Arise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. Or do ye not see, &c. THE NINTH LESSON. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep. lBut if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord; that we be not condemned with this world. Wherefore, my brethren! when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If any man be hungry, let him eat at home; that you come not together unto judgment. And the rest I will set in order, when I come. R. The ancients of the people consulted together that by subtilty they might apprehend Jesus and put him to death: they went out with swords and clubs as against a robber. V The priests and Pharisees held a council how they might, &c. The ancients, &c. THE LAUDS. Ant. That thou mayest be justified, 0 Lord! in thy words, and mayest overco-me, when thou art judged. PSALM 1. (See page 929.) Ant. The Lord was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and he opened not his mouth. PSALMI lXXXiX. Lord! -thou hast been our refuge, from generation to generation. Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed; from eternity and to eternity. thou art God. Turn not man away to be brought low; and thou hast said: Be converted, 0 ye sons of men! &5, 534: TENEBRE IN HOLY WEEK. For a thiousand years in thy sight, are but as yester. day which is past and gone. And as a watch in the night; as things that are counted nothing, shall their years be. In the morning, man shall grow up like grass: in the morning he shall flourish, and pass away; in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither. For in thy wrath we have fainted away, and are troubled in thy indignation. Thou hast set our iniquities before thy eyes, our life in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are spent; and in thy wrath we have fainted away. Our years shall be considered as a spider; the days of our years in them are threescore and ten years. But if in the strong, they be fourscore years; and what is more of them is labor and sorrow. For mildness is come upou us; and we shall be corrected. Who knoweth the power of thy anger * and for thy fear can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known: and men learned in heart, in wisdom. Return, O Lord! how long? and be entreated in favor of thy servants. We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days. We have rejoiced for the days in which thou hast humbled us: for the years in which we have seen evils. Look upon thy servants, and upon their works: and direct their children. And let the brightness of the Lord, our God, be upon us; and direct thou the works of our hands over us yea, the work of our hands do thou direct. 4Ant. The Lord was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and he opened not his mouth. Ant. My heart is broken within me, all my bones tremble. PSALMS lxii. and lxvi. (See p. 798.) Ant. MIy heart is broken within me, all my bones tremble. T~NEBRE IN HOLY WEEK.' 53b Ant. Thou hast enr2ouraged us with thy power, and thy holy refieshment 0 Lord! THE CANTICLE OF MoSES. (Exod. xv.) Let us sing to the Lord; for he is gloriously magnified; the horse and the rider he hath thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my praise; and he is become a salvation to me. He is my God, and I will glorify him; the God of my father, and I will exalt him. The Lord is as a man of war, Almighty is his name. Pharao' s chariots, and his army he hath cast into the sea. His chosen captains are drowned in the Red Sea; the depths have covered them; they are sunk to the bottom like a stone. Thy right hand, 0 Lord! is magnified in strength; thy right hand, 0 Lord! hath slain the enemy. And in the multitude of thy glory, thou hast put down the advers;aries. Thou hast sent thy wrath, which hath devoured them like stubble. And with the blast of thy anger the waters were gathered together. The flowing water stobd, the depths were gathered together in the midst of the sea. The enemy said: I will pursue and overtake: I will divide the spoils; my soul shall have its fill. I will draw my sword; my hand shall slay them. Thy wind blew, and the sea covered them; they sunk as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like thee among the strong, 0 Lord i who is like to thee, glorious in holiness, terrible and praiseworthy, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst forth thy hand, and the earth swallowed them. In thy mercy thou hast been a leader to the people, which thou hast redeemed. And in thy strength, thou hast carried them' to thy holy habitation. Nations rose up and were angry; sorrow took hold on the inhabitants of Philistiim. Then were the princes of Edom troubled, trembling seized on the stout men of Moab; all the inhabitants of Chanaan became stiff. 536 TENEBR3 IN HOLY WEEK. Let fear and dread fall upon them, in the g ecamess of thy arm. Let them become unmovable as a stone, until thy people, O Lord! pass by; until this thy people pass by, which thou hast possessed. Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thy inheritance, in thy most.firm habitation, which thou hast made, 0 Lord! Thy sanctuary, O Lord! which thy hands have estabitshed; the Lord shall reign forever and ever. For Pharao went in on horseback, with his chariots, and horsemen into the sea; and the Lord brought back upon them the waters of the sea. But the children of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst thereof.'Ant. Thou hast encouraged us with thy power and thy holy refreshments, 0 Lord! Ant. He was offered because it was his own will, and he himself hath carried our sins. PsaLMs cxlviii., cxlix., cl. (See p. 803.) Ant. He was offered, because it was his own will and he himself hath carried our sins. V.: The man of my peace, in whom I trusted. R. Who eat my bread hath greatly supplanted me. Ant. He that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, lay hold on him. THE CANTICLE OF ZACHARY. (LUKE i. See p. 808.) Ant. He that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: WhomsoeNver I shall kiss, that is he, lay hold on him. Dzucing the Benedictus, the six candles on the altar are extingzlished one by one, so that the last candle may be pzt out at the last verse. When the Antiphon Traditor is rqeeated, the candle, which was left burning at the top of the triangular candlestick, is taken dowzn, and concealed uznder the Epistle side of the altar. The rest is said kneeling. F. Christ became obedient for us unto death. Our Father (privately). TENEBR-& IN HOLY WEEK. 537 The P satlm Miserere (p. 929) is recited in a low voice; and in the end, the following prayer, without the Oremus. Look down, 0 Lord! we beseech Thee, on this Thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ IwVas pleased to be delivered into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer the torment of the cross. But say in a low voice: Who with Thee and thle Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. At the eod of the prayer, a little noise is maude; the ligluted casndle is br ought from ezunder the ailtr, and all r'ise and srtire in silence. etenhbrr olt c ltartba3. MATINS OF GOOD FRIDAY THE FIRST NoCTURN. Ant. The kings of the earth stood up, and the p)rinc(s met together against the Lord, and against his Christ. PSALM.ii. WThy have the gentiles ra.ged, and the people devised vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together against the Lord, and against his Christ. Let us break their bonds asunder, and let us cast away their yoke fronm us. He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them, and the Lord shall deride them..'Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage. But I am appointed. king by him over Sion, his holy moe ntain, preaching his commandment. i538 TENEBRIE IN HOLY WEEK. The Lord hath said to me: Tliou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I will give thee the gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel. And now, 0 ye kings'! understand; receive instruction, you that judge the earth. Serve ye the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto him with trembling. Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way. When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him. Ant. The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together against the Loid, and against his Christ: Atlo. They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my Vesture they cast lots. PSALM xxi. O God, my God! look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins. O my God'! I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear; and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me. But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel. In thee have~our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them. They cried to thee, and they were saved; they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. A1ll they that saw me have laughed me to scorn; they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head. He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him. For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother. I was cast upon thee from the womb. TENEBRE'IN HOLY WEEX. 539 From my mother's womb thou art my God; depart not fioll me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me. Many calves have surrounded me; fat bulls have besieged me. They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening and roaring. I am poured out like water; and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels. My strength was dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws; and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death. For many dogs have encompassed me; tlhe council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hanis and my feet: they have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me: they parted my garments amongst them, and upon my vesture they cast lots. But thou, 0 Lord! remove not thy help to a distance from me: look towards my defence. Deliver, 0 God! my soul from the sword, and.my only one from the hand of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth, and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the church will I praise thee. Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him. Let all the seed of Israel fear him: because he hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor mlan. Neither hath he turned away his face from me; and when I,erient to him he heard me. With thee is my praise in a great church; I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him. The poo.r shall eat and shall be filled; and they shall praise the Lord, that seek him; their hearts shall live forever and ever. 540 TENEBRAI IN HOLY WEER. All the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord. And all the kindreds of the gentiles shall adore in his sight. For the kingdom is the. Lord's; and he shall have dominion over the nations. All the fat ones of the earth have,eaten and have adored; all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him. And to him my soul shall live; and my seed shall serve him. There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come; and the heavens shall show forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made. Ant. They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots. PSALM xxvi. (See p. 1058). Ant. Unjust witnesses have risen up agailnst me, and iniquity hath lied to itself. V. They parted my garments amongst them. R. And upon my vesture they cast lots. Our Father (privately). TEE FIRST LES3SON. From the Lamentation of Jeremias the Prophet CGAP. ii. I1th. The Lord hath purposed to destroy the wall do the daughter of Sion: he hath stretched out his line, and hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: and the bulwark hath mourned, and the wall hath been destroyed together. Teth. IHer gates are sunk into the ground: he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the gent4les: the law is no more, rad her prophets have found no vision from the Lord. Jod. The ancients of the daughter of Sion sit upon the ground, they have held their peace: they have sprinkled their heads with dust, they are girded with haircloth; the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground. TENEBRE13 IN HOLY WEEK. 541 Caph. My eyes have failed with weeping, my bowels are troubled: my liver is poured out upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people, when the children, and the sucklings, fainted away in the streets of the city. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. All my friends have forsaken me, and they that lay in ambush for me prevailed: he whom I love has betrayed me: And they with terrible looks striking me with a cruel wound, gave me vinegar to drink. V They cast me out among the wicked, and spared not my life. And they. THE SECOND LESSON. Lamed. They said to their mothers: Where is corn and wine? when they fainted away as the wounded in the streets of the city,: when they breathed out their souls in the bosoms of their mothers. AIeri. To what shall I compare thee? or to what shall I liken thee, 0 daughter of Jerusalem? to what shall I equal thee, that I may comfort thee, 0 virgin daughter of Sion? For great as the sea is thy destruction: who shall heal thee? Nunz. Thy prophets have seen false and foolish things for thee: and they have not laid open their iniquity, to excite thee to penance: but they have seen for thee false revelations and banishments. Samech. All they that passed by the way, have clapped their hands at thee: they have hissed, and wagged their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying: Is this the city of perfect beauty, the joy of all the ea ahl? Jerusalem! Jerusalem! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. The veil of the temple was rent, and all the earth quaked: the thief from the cross cried out, saying: Lord! remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. V. The rocks were rent, and the graves were opened, a-d many bodies of the saints that had slept, arom &nd all the earth 5i42 TENEBR2E IN HOLY W EEl. THE THIIRD LESSON. (Ch. iii.) Aleph.. I am the man that see my poverty by the rod of his indignation. Aleph. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, and not into light. Aleph. Only against me he hath turned and turned again his hand all the day. Beth. My skin and my flesh he hath made old, he hath broken my bones. Beth. He hath built round about me, and hath conmpassed me with gall, and labor. Beth. He hath set me in dark places as those that are dead forever. Ghinmel. He hath built against me round about, that I may not get out: he hath made my fetters heavy. Ghimel. Yea, and when I cry, and entreat, he hath shut out my prayer. Ghimel. He hath shut up my ways with square stones, he hath turned my paths upside down. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. 0 my chosen vineyard! it is I that have planted thee; how art thou become so bitter, that thou shouldst crucify me and let Barabbas go? V. I have fenced thee in and picked the stones out of thee, and have built a tower. How art thou.-O my chosen. THE SECOND NOCTURN. Anthem. They that sought my soul used violence. PSALM xxxvii. (See p. 928.) Ant. They that sought my soul used violence. Ant. Let them be confounded and ashamed, that seel after my soul, to take it away. PsALtIS XXXiX. With expectation I have waited for the Lord, tnd he was attentive to me. TENEBR.E IN HOLY WMEEK. b43 And he heard my prayers; and brought me out of the pit of misery, and the mire of dregs. And he set rBy feet upon a rock; and directed my steps. And he put a new canticle 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 trust is in the name of the Lord: and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies. Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, 0 Lord, my God! and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken: they are multiplied above number. Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt-offering and sin-offering thou didst not require: then said I: Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of me; that I should do thy will: 0 my God! I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart. I have declared thy justice in a great church: lo, I will not restrain my lips, 0 Lord! thou knowest it. I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council. Withhold not thou, 0 Lord! thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me. For evils without number have surrounded 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 hath forsaken me. Be pleased, 0 Lord! to deliver me; look down, 0 Lord! to help me. Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that do'sire evils to me. 544 TENEBR. E IN HOLY WEEK. Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me:'Tis well,'tis well. PSALmM liii. (See p 562.) Ant. Strangers have risen up against me, and the mighty have sought after my soul. V. Unjust witnesses have risen up against me B. And iniquity hath lied to itself. Our Father (privately). TIIE FOURTH LESSON. From the treatise of St. Augustine the Bishop on the Psalms. On the Sizty-thir:d Psalbm. "Thou hast protected me, 0 God! from the assembly of the malignant, fiom the multitude of the workers of iniquity." Now let us behold our head himself. Many martyrs have suffered such torments; but nothing is so conspicuous as the head of martyrs: there we see better what they endured. He was protected from the multitude of the malignant; that is, God protecting himself, and the Son, and the Man assumed by him, protecting his own flesh. For he is the Son of man and the Soli of God: the Son of God, because of the form of God; the Son of man, because of the form of a servant, having in his power to lay down his life, and take it up again. What could his enemies do against him? They killed his body, but they did not kill his soul. Take notice then: It signified little for our Lord to exhort the martyrs by word, if he had not fortified them by his example. R. You are come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I was daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you laid not hands on me, yet now you scourge me, and lead me to be crucified. V. And when they had laid hands on Jesus, and held him, he said to them: I was daily. THE FIFTH LESSON. You know what was the assembly of the malignant Jews. and what the mu altitude of the workers of iniquity. TENEBRE IN HOLY WEEK. 545 But what was that iniquity? It was that they intended to kill our Lord Jesus Christ. Many good works, saith he, I have showed you; for which of those works do you kill me? He bore with all their weaknesses, he healed all their sick, he preached the kingdom of heaven, he concealed not their crimes, that they might rather hate them than the physician who healed them. Yet such was their ingratitude for all these cures, that like men raving in a high fever they raged against the physician who came to cure them, and formed a design of destroying him; as if they had a mind -to try whether he was a real man that could die, or something above men, and would not die. We find their words in the Wisdom of Solomon. Let us condemn him, say they, to a most shameful death-let us examine him-for there shall be respect had unto him by his words. If he be truly the Son of God, let him deliver him. W. Darkness covered the earth, whilst the Jews crucified Jesus; and about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice: My God! why hast thou forsaken me? And bowing down his head, he gave up the ghost. V. Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And bowing down. THE SIXTH LESSON. "' They have whetted their tongues like a sword. " Let not the Jews say: We did not kill Christ, under pretence that therefore they delivered him up to Pilate the judge, that they might seem innocent of his death; and that when Pilate had said to them: Put him to death yourselves, they answered: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. They sought to throw the injustice of their crime upon that judge who was a man; but could they deceive the Judge who is God? What Pilate did, made him partaker of their crime; but in comparison of them, he was much more innocent. For he did what he could to rescue him fiom their hands, and for that reason ordered him to be scourged and shiown to them. This he did to our Lord, not by way of persecution, but to satisfy their rage; 46* 546 TENEBRE IN HOLY WEEK. that the sight of him in that condition might move them to pity, and make them desist from desiring his death. All this he did. But when they still persisted, you know that he washed his hands, and said that he had not done it, that he was innocent of his death. And yet he put him to death. But if he was guilty for doing so against his will, are they innocent who forced him to it? Not at all. He pronounced sentence upon him, and commanded him to be crucified, and so might be said to kill him; but you also, 0 Jews! have killed him. How have you killed him? With the sword of your tongues: for you whetted your tongues. And when gave you the stroke, but when you cried out, Crucify him, crucify him? R. I have given my dear soul into the hands of the wicked, and my inheritance is become to me as a lion in the wood: my adversary gave out woi:ds against me, saying: Come together, and make haste to devour him: they placed me in a desolate wilderness, and all the earth mourned for me: because there was none that would know me and do me any good. 1. Men without mercy rose up against me, and they ipared not my life. Because, &c.-I have given, &c. THE TmIRD NOCTURN. Ant. Defend me from them that rise up against me, O Lord! for they are in possession of my soul. PSALM lviii. Deliver me from my enemies, 0 my God! and defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from them that work iniq~uity, and save me from bloody men. For behold they have caught my soul; the mighty have rushed in upon me. Neither is it my iniquity, nor my sin, 0 Lord! without iniquity have I run, and directed my steps. Rise up thou to meet me, and behold; even thou, 0 Lord! the God of hosts, the God of Israel. Attend to visit all the nations: have no mercy on all them that work iniquity. TENEBR2S IN HOLY WEEK. 547 They shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs, and shall go round about the city. Behold they shall speak with their mouth, and a sword is in their lips: for who, say they, hath heard us? But thou, 0 Lord! shalt laugh at them, thou shalt bring all the nations to nothing. I will keep my strength to thee, for thou art my protector: my God, his mercy shall prevent me. God shall let me see over my enemies: slay them not, lest at any time my people forget. Scatter them by thy power, and bring them down, 0 Lord! my protector. For the sin of their mouth, and the word of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride. And for their cursing and lying they shall be talked of, when they are consumed: when they are consumed by thy wrath, and they shall be no more. And they shall know that God will rule Jacob, and all the ends of the earth. They shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs, and shall go round about the city. They shall be scattered abroad to eat, and shall murmur if they be not filled. But I will sing thy strength, and will extol thy mercy in the morning. For thou art become my support and my refuge, in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, 0 my helper! will I sing; for thou art God my defence, my God, my mercy. Ant. Defend me from them that rise up against me, 0 Lord! for they are in possession of my soul. Ant. Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me; I was delivered up, and came not forth. PSALM lxxXVii. 0 Lord, the God of my salvation! I have cried in the day and in the night before thee. Let my prayer come in before thee; incline thy ear to my petition. For my soul is filled with evils, and my life hath drawn nigh to hell. 548 TENEBRIE IN HOLY WEEk. I am counted among them that go down to the pit; I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. Like the slain sleeping in the sepulchres, whom thou rememberest no more; and they are cast off from thy hand. They have laid nle in the lower pit, in the clark places, and in the shadow of death. Thy wrath is strong over me, and all thy waves thou hast brought in upon me. Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me they have set me an abomination to thenmselves. I was delivered up, and came not forth: my eyes languished through poverty. All the day, I cried to thee, 0 Lord! I stretched out my hands to thee. Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? or shall physicians raise to life, and give praise to thee? Shall any one in the sepulchre declare thy mercy, and thy truth in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark, and thy,ustice in the land of forgetfulness? But I, 0 Lord! have clied to thee: and in the morning my prayer shall prevent thee. Lord I why castest thou off my prayer? why turnest thou away thy face from me? I am poor, tnd in labors from my youth; and being exalted, have been humbled and troubled. Thy wrath hath come upon me, and thy terrors have troubled me. They have come round about me like water all the day; they have compassed me about together. Friend and neighbor thou hast put far from me; and my acquaintance, because of misery. Ant. Thou hast. put away my acquaintance far from me; I was delivered up, and came not forth. Ant. They will hunt after the soul of the just, and will condemn innocent blood. PSALMI XCiii. The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth; the God of revenge hath acted freely. TENEBRE IN HOLY WEEK. 549 Lift up thyself, thou that judgest the earth: iendet a reward to the proud. How long shall sinners, 0 Lord! how long shall sinners glory: shall they utter and speak iniquity: shall all speak who work injustice? Thy people, 0 Lord! they have brought low; and they have afflicted thy inheritance. ~ They have,slain the widow and the stranger, and thev have nmurdered the fatherless. And they have said: The Lord shall not' see, neither shall the God of Jacob understand. Understand, ye senseless among the people! and, you fools! be wise at last. He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? or he that formed the eye, doth he not consider? IHe that chastiseth nations, shall he not rebuke, he that teacheth man knowledge? The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vain. Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord! and shalt teach him out of thy law. That thou mayest give him rest fiom the evil days: till a pit be dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his own inheritance. Until justice be turned into judgment, and they that are near it are all the upright in heart. Who shall rise up for me against the evil doers? or who shall stand with me against the workers of iniquity? Unless the Lord had been my helper, my soul had almost dwelt in hell. If I said: My foot is moved: thy mercy, 0 Lord! assisted me. According to the multitude of nmy sorrows in my heart, thy comforts have given joy to my soul. Doth the seat of iniquity stick to thee: who framest labor in commandment? They will hunt after the soul of the just, and will condemn innocent blood. But the Load is my refuge: and my God the help of my hope. B550 TENEBRAE IN HOLY WEEK. And he will render them their iniquity: and itheir malice he will destroy them.: the Lord our God will destroy them. Ant. They will hunt after the soul of the just, and will condemn innocent blood. V. They have spoken against me with deceitful tongues. R. And they have compassed me about with words of hatred; and have fought against me without cause. Our Father (privately). THE SEVENTH LESSON. From the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Hebrewa. CHAP. iv. and v. Let us hasten therefore to enter into that rest: lest any man fall into the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two-edged sword: and reaching unto the division of the soul and spirit, of the joints also, and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature in visible in his sight; but all things are naked and openl to his eyes, to whom our speech is. Having, therefore, a great high-priest that hath passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God: let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high-priest, who cannot have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin. P1. They delivered me into the hands of the impious, and cast me out amongst the wicked, and spared not my life: the powerful gathered together against me: and like giants they -stood against me. V:. Strangers have risen up against me, and the mighty have sought after my soul. And like giants. THE EIGHTH IESSON. Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace; that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid. For every high-priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain TEN'EBR2E IN HOLY WEEK. 551 to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins; who can have compassion on them that are ignoirant, and that err: because lie himself also is compassed with infirmity: and therefore he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. R. The wicked man betrayed Jesus to the chief priests and ancients of the people: but Peter followed him afar off, to see the end. V. And they led him to Caiphas, the high-priest, where the Scribes and Pharisees were met together. But Peter. THE NINTH LESSON. Neither doth any man take the honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself that he might be made a highpriest: but he that said to him: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place: Thou art a priest forever, according to the order of Mechisedech. -Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications, to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence. And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered: and being consumhmated, he became to all that obey him the cause of eternal salvation. Called by God a high-priest acZording to the order of Melchisedech. S. My eyes are darkened by my tears; for he is far from me that comforted me. See all people! if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow. V. 0 all ye that pass by the way, attend and see. If there be.-My eyes. THE LAUDS. Ant. God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. PSALM 1. (See p. 929.) Ant. My spirit is in anguish within me, my heart within me is troubled. 652 TENEBRfA IN H-~OLY WEEKe PSALM cxlii. (See p. 933.) Ant. My spirit is in anguish within me, ray hesar within me is troubled. Ant. One thief said to the other: We indc ed receive the due reward of our deeds; but what hath this man done? Lord! remember me, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. PsALn lxii. (See p. 798.) PSALM lxi. (See p. 799.) Ant. When my soul shall be in trouble, 0 Lord thou wilt be mindful of thy mercy. THE CANTalcLE OF HABACUC. (Cap. iii.) O Lord! I have heard thy hearing, and was afraid. O Lord! thy work, in the midst of the years bring it to life. In the midst of the years thou shalt make it known: when thou art angry, thou wilt remember mercy. God will come from the south, and the Holy One from mount Pharan. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise. His brightness shall be as the light: horns are in his hands. There is his strength hid: death shall go before his face. And the devil shall go forth before his feet. He stood, and measured the earth. He beleld and melted the nations; and the ancient mountains were crushed to pieces. The hills of the world were bowed down by the journeys of his eternity. I saw the tents of Ethiopia for their iniquity, the curtains of the land of Madian shall be troubled. Wast thou angry, 0 Lord! with the rivers? or was thy wrath upon the rivers? or thy indignation in the sea? Who will ride upon thy horses, and thy chariots are alvatio-n. TENEBRE IN' HOLY WEEK. 553 Thou wilt surely take up thy bow: according to the oaths which thou hast spoken to the tribes. Thou wilt divide the rivers of the earth; the mountains saw thee, and were grieved, the great body of waters passed away. The deep put forth its voice: the deep lifted up its hands. The sun and the moon stood still in their habitation: in the light of thy arrows, they shall go in the brightness of thy glittering spear. In thy anger thou wilt tread the earth under foot: in thy wrath thou wilt astonish the nations. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people: for salvation with thy Christ. Thou struckest the head of the house of the wicked: thou hast laid bare his foundation even to the neck. Thou hast cursed his sceptres, the head of his warriors, them that came out as a whirlwind to scatter me. Their joy was like that of him that devoureth the poor man in secret. Thou madest a way in the sea for thy horses, in the mud of many waters. I have heard, and my bowels were troubled: my lips trembled at the vbice. Let rottenness enter into my bones, and swarm under me. That I may rest in the day of tribulation: that I may go up to our people that are girded. For the fig-tree shall not blossom; and there shall be no spring in the vines. The labor of the olive-tree shall fail; and the fields shall yield no food. The flock shall be cut off from the fold; and there shall be no herd in the stalls. But I will rejoice in the Lord: and I will joy in God my Jesus. The Lord God is my strength": and he will make my feet like the feet of harts. And he the conqueror will lead me upon my high places singing psalms. 4T 554 TENEBRIE IN HOLY WEEK. Ant. When my soul shall be in trouble, 0 Lord! thou wilt be mindful of thy mercy. Ant. Lord! remember me, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. PSALM cxlviii. (See p. 803.) PSALM cxlix. (See p. 804.) PSALM C1. (See p. 805.) V. RBe hath made me to dwell in darkness. 1. As those that have been dead of old. Ant. They put over his head his cause written: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. THIE CANTICLE OF ZACHARY. (Luke i.) Blessed be the Lord (p. 808). Thefollowing zs said kneeling: F. Christ became obedient for us unto death; even the death of the cross. Our Father (privately). The Psalm Miserere (p. 929) is recited in a low voice: and in the end thefollowing prayer, without the Oremus. Look down, 0 Lord! we beseech thee, on this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was pleased to be delivered into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer the torment of the cross. [But say in a low voice.] Who with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. At the end of the prayer, a little noise is made: the lighted candle is brought from under the Altar, and all rise and retire in 8t. TENEEBRB IN HOLY WEEK. 555 Zencbrac on 1j)urvbap MATINS OF GOOD FRIDAY. THE FIRST NOCTURN. Ant. In peace in the self-same I will sleep %nd I will rest. PSALM iv. When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me; when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men! how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying P? Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful; the Lord will hear me, when I shall cry unto him. Be ye angry, and sin not; the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds. Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord. Many say: Who showeth us good things? The light of thy countenance, 0 Lord 1 is signed upon us, thou hast given gladness in my heart. By the fruit of their corn, wine, and oil, they are multiplied. In peace in the self-same I will sleep and I will rest. For thou, 0 Lord! singularly hast settled me in hope. Ant. In peace in the self-same I will sleep and I will rest. Ant. He shall dwell in thy tabernacle, he shall rest, on thy holy hill. PSALM xiv. Lord! who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? or who shall rest in thy holy hill? He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice. He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue. TENEBR:E IN HOLY WEEK. Nor hath done evil to his neighbor, nor taken up a reproach against his neighbors. In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth theml that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his neighbor, and deceiveth not, he that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall not be moved forever. Ant. He shall dwell in thy tabernacle, he shall rest on thy holy hill. Ant. My flesh shall rest in hope. PSALuI XV. Preserve me, 0 Lord! for I have put my trust in thee. I have said to the Lod: Thou art my God, for thou hast no need of my goods. To the saints, who. are in his land, he hath made wonderful all my desires in them. Their infirmities were multiplied; afterwards they made haste. I will not gather together their meetings for bloodofferings: nor will I be mindful of their names by my lips. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup; it is thou that wilt restore mine inheritance to me. The lines are fallen unto me in goodly places; for my inheritance is goodly to me. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding; moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night. I set the Lord always in my sight; for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved. Therefore my heart hath been glad, anld my tongue hath rejoiced; moreover my flesh also shall rest in hop. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell: nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance; at thy right hand are delights even to the end. TENEBRAE IN HOLY WEEK.;57 Ant. My flesh shall rest in hope. F. In peace in the self-same. R. I will sleep and I will rest. Our Father (jprivately). THE FIRST LESSON. From the Lamentation of Jeremias the Prophet. (CHAP. tit) Teth. The mercies of the Lord that we are not con surled: because his comlmiserations have not failed. tieth. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness. Ileth. The Lord is my portion, said my soul; therefore will I wait for him.. Tethl. The Lord is good to them that hope in him, to the soul that seeketh him. Teth. It is good to wait with silence for the salvation of God. Teth. It is good for a man, when he hath bomne the yoke from his youth. Jod. He shall sit solitary and hold his peace, because he hath taken it up upon himself. Jod. He shall put his mouth in the dust; if so be, there may be hope. Jod. He shall give his cheek to him that striketh him; he shall be filled with reproaches. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and while he was maltreated he opened not his mouth; he was condemned to death, that he might give life to his people. V. He lhath delivered his soul unto death, and was reputed with the wicked. That he might, &c. IVHE SECOND ILESSON. (Chap. iv.) Aleph. How is the gold become dim, the finest color is changed, the stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the top of every street! Beth. The noble sons of Sion, and they that were clothed with the best gold, how are they esteemed as earthen vessels, the work of the potter's hand! 41*p 558 TENBi5BRE IN HOLY WEEK. Ghirdel. Even the sea-monsters have drawn out the breast, they have given suck to their young; the daughter of my people is cruel, like the ostrich in the desert. Daleth. The tongue of the suckling child hath stuck to the roof of his mouth for thirst; the little ones have asked for bread, and there was none to break it unto them. He. They that were fed delicately have died in the streets; they that were brought up in scarlet, have embraced the dung. Vau. And the iniquity of the daughter of my people is made greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and hands took nothing in her. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. Arise, Jerusalem! and put off thy garments of joy; put on ashes and hair-cloth, for in thee was slain the Saviour of Israel. y: Let tears run down like a torrent day and night, and let not the apple of thy eye be silent. For in thee. THE THIRD LESSON. The beginning of the Prayer of Jeremias the Prophet. CHAP. V. Remember, 0 Lord! what has come upon us: consider and behold our reproach. Our inheritance is turned to aliens: our houses to strangers. We are become orphans without a father: our mothers are as widows. We have drunk our water for money: we have bought our wood. We were dragged by the necks, we were weary, and no rest was given us. We have given our hand to Egypt, and to the Assyrians, that we might be satisfied with bread. Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities. Servants have ruled over us: and there was none to redeem us out of their hand. We fetched our bread at the peril of our lives, because of the sword in the desert. Our skin was burnt as an oven, by reason of the violence of TENEB3RE IN HOLY WEEK. 559 the famine. They oppressed the women in Sion, and the virgins in the cities of Juda. Jerusalem! Jerusalem.! be converted to the Lord thy God. R. Mourn as a virgin, my people! howl, ye pastors, in ashes and hair-cloth; for the great and exceeding bitter day of the Lord is coming. V. Gird yourselves, ye priests! and mourn, ye ministers of the altar! sprinkle yourselves with ashes. For the great, &c.-Mourn as a virgin, &c. THE SECOND NOCTURN. Ant. Be ye lifted up, O eternal gates! and the king of glory shall enter in. PSALM xxiii. (See p. 776.) Ant. Be ye lifted up, O eternal gates! and the king of glory shall enter in. Ant. I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. PSALM xxvi. (See p. 1058.) Ant. I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Ant. Thou hast brought forth, O Lord! my soul from hell. PSALM xxix. I will extol thee, O Lord! for thou hast upheld me; and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me. O Lord, my God! I have cried to thee; and thou hast healed me. Thou hast brought forth, O Lord! my soul from hell; thou hast saved me from them that go down in to the pit. Sing to the Lord, O ye his saints! and give praise to the memory of his holiness. For wrath is in his indignation; and life in his good will. 560 TENEBRIE IN HOLY EWEEk. In the evening weeping shall have place, and ill the morning gladness. And in my abundance I said: I shall never be moved. 0 Lord! in thy favor, thou gavcest strength to my beauty. Thou turnedst away thy face from me, and I became troubled. To thee, 0 Lord! will I cry; and I will make supplication to my God. What profit is there in my blood, whilst I go down to corruption? Shall dust confess to thee, or declare thy truth? The Lord hath heard, and hath had mercy on me: the Lord became my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into joy: thou hast cut my sackcloth, and hast compassed me with gladness. To the end that my glory may sing to thee, and I may not regret; 0 Lord, my God! I will give praise to thee forever. Ant. Thou hast brought forth, Q Lord! my soul from hell. F. But thou, 0 Lord! have mercy on me. R. And raise me up again, and I will requite themi. Our Fatller (privately). THn FOURTH LESSON. From the Treatise of St. Augustine the Bishop on the Psalms. 0On the Sixty-third Psalm. "Man shall come to a deep heart, and God shall be exalted." They said: Who shall see us? They failed making diligent search for wicked designs. Man came to those designs, and suffered himself to be seized on as a man. For he could not be seized on if he were not man, or seen, if he were not man, or scourged, if he were not man, or crucified, or die,'if he were not main. Man, therefore, came to all these sufferings, which could have no effect on him, if he were not man. But if he had not been man, man could not have been rede mned. Man came to a deep heart, that TENEBRAE IN HIOLY WEiEK. 541 is, a secret heart, exposing his humanity to human view, but hiding his divinity; concealing the fo(rm of God, by which he is equal to the Father; and offering the form of the servant, by which he is inferior to the Father. R. Our shepherd, the fountain of living water, is gone, at whose departure the sun was darkened: for he is taken, who held the first man a prisoner; to-day our Saviour broke forth the locks and gates of death. V. He destroyed the prisons of hell, and overthrew the power of the devil. For he, &c. TIE FIFTH LEssoN. How far did they carry this their diligent search, in which they failed so much, that, when our Lord was dead,Ad buried, they placed guards at the sepulchre? For they said to Pilate: This seducer; by which name our Lord Jesus Christ was called, for the comfort of his servants, when they are called seducers. "This seducer," say they to Pilate, " whilst he was yet alive, said: After three days, I will rise again. Command, therefore, the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day; lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and say to the' people: He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said to them: You have a guard, go, guard it as you know. And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone and setting guards." R. 0 all.ye that pass by the way! attend and see, if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow. V. Attend, all ye people! and see my grief. If there, &c. THE SIXTH LESSON. They pla;ed soldiers to guard the sepulchre. The earth shook, and the Lord rose again: such miracles were done at the sepulchre, that the very soldiers who came as guards might be witnesses of it, if they would declare the truth. But that avarice, which overcame the disciple, companion of Christ, overcame also the soldier, guard of the sepulchre. We will give you money, said they: and declare ye, that whilst you 662 TENEBRiE IN HOLY W EER. were asleep, his disciples came and took him away; they truly failed in making diligent search. What is it thou hast said, 0 wretched craft? Dost thou shut thy eyes against tile light of prudence and piety, and plunge thyself so deep in cunning as to say this: say, that whilst you were asleep, his disciples came and took him away. Dost thou produce sleeping witnesses? Certainly thou thyself sleepest who failest in making search after such things. R. Behold how the just man dies, and nobody takes it to heart; and just men are taken away, and nobody considers it. The just man is taken away from the face of iniquity, and his memory shall be in peace. V. He was dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and opened not his mouth; he was taken away from distress, and from judgment. And his memory shall be in peace.-Behold, &c. THE THIRD NOCTURN. AnL. God is my helper: and the Lord is the protector of my soul. PSALM liii. Save me, 0 God! by thy name, and judge me in thy strength 0 God! hear my prayer: give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen up against me: and the mighty have sought after my soul; and they have not set God before their eyes. For behold God is my helper: and the Lord is the protector of my soul. Turn back the evils upon my enemies; and cut them off in thy truth. I will freely sacrifice to thee, and will give praise, 0 God! to thy name: because it is good. For thou hast delivered me out of all trouble, and my eye hath looked d(own upon my enemies. Ant. God is my helper, and the Lord is the protector of my soul. Ant. His place is in peace, and his abode in Sion. TENEBRE IN HOLY WEEK. 563 PSALMU lXXV. In Judea God is known: his name is great in Israel. And his place is in peace, and his abode in Sion. There hath he broken the powers of bows, the shield, the-sword, and the battle. Thou enlightenest wonderfully from the everlasting hills: all the foolish of heart were troubled. They have slept their sleep: and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands. At thy rebuke, 0 God of Jacob! they have all slumbered that mounted on horseback. Thou art terrible, and who shall resist thee? from that time thy wrath. Thou hast caused judgment to be heard from heaven: the earth trembled and was still. When God arose in judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. For the thought of man shall give praise to thee; and the remainders of the thought shall keep holyday to thee. Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God; all you that round about him bring presents. To him that is terrible, even to him who taketh away the spirit of princes, to the terrible with the kings of the earth. Ant. His place is in peace, and his abode in Sion. Ant. I am become like a man without help, free among the dead. PSALM lXXXVii. (See p. 547.) An.. I am become a man without help, free among the dead. V. His place is in peace. R. And his abode in-Sion. Our Father (privately). 564 TENEBRAE IN HOLY WEER. TrHE SEVENTHI LESSON. From the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews. CRAP. iX. But Christ being come an high-priest of the good., things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation; neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but by' his own blood, entered once into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of a heifer being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of. Christ, who, through the Holy Ghost, offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? i. The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes assembled together, against the Lord, and against his Christ. V. Why have the nations raged? and the people meditated vain things? Against the Lord, &c. THE EIGHTH LESSON. And therefore he is the mediator of the new testament: that, by means of his death, for the redemption of those transgressions, which were under the former testament, they that are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament. the death of the testator must of necessity come in. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is as yet of no strength, whilst the testator liveth. Whereupon neither was the first indeed dedicated without blood. R. I am counted among them that go down into the pit: I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. K. They have laid me in the lower pit; in the dark places, and in the shadow of death. I am become, &c. TENEBRH IN HOLY WEER, 56b THE NINTH LESSON. For when every commandment of the law hal been read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool and hyssop and sprinkled both the book itself and all thl people, saying: This is the blood of the testament, which God bhath enjoined unto you. The tabernacle also, and all the vessels of the ministry in like manner, he sprinkled with blood. And almost all things, according to the law, are cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no r1emission. R. When the Lord was buried they sealed up the sepulchre, rolling a stone before the mouth of the sepulchre, and placing soldiers to guard him. V. The chief priests went to Pilate and asked him. And placing soldiers, &c.-When the Lord, &c. THE LAUDS. Ant. O death! I will be thy death; O hell! I will be thy bite. PSALI 1. (See p. 929.) Ant. They shall mourn for him as for an only son, because our innocent Lord is slain. PSAL xlii. Judge me, 0 God! ahd distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy; deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man. For thou art God, my strength: why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful, whilst the enemy afflicteth me? Send forth thy light and thy truth; they have conducted me, and brought md to thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles. And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth. To thee, 0 God my God! I will give praise upon the harp: why art thou sad, 0 my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? 48 566f TENEBRA IN HOLY WEEK. Hope in God, for I will still give praise to hiin: the salvation of my countenance, and my God. 4nt. They shall mourn for him as for an only son, b-cause our innocent Lord is slain. Ant. Behold, all ye people! and see my grief. PSALM lxii. (See p. 798.) PSALM lxvi. (Seep. 799.) Ant. From the gate of hell, 0 Lord! deliver my soul. TIHE CANTICLE OF EZECHIAS. (Isaias xxxviii.) I said: In the midst of my days I shall gc to the gates of hell. I sought for the residue of my years; I said: I shall not see the Lord God in the land of the living. I shall behold no man more, nor the inhabitant of rest. My generation is at an end, and it is rolled away.from me as a shejfherd's tent. My life is cut off, as by a weaver: whilst I was yet but beginning, he cut me off: from morning even to night thou wilt make an end of me. I hoped till morning, as a lion so hath he broken all my bones. From morning even to night thou wilt make an end of me: I will cry like a young swallow, I will meditate like a dove. My eyes are weakened looking upward. Lord! I suffer violence, answer thou for me. What shall I say, or what shall he answer for me, whereas he himself hath done it? I will recount to thee all my years in the bitterness of my soul. 0 Lord! if man's life be such, and the life of my spirit be in such things as these; thou shalt correct me, and make me to live. Behold, in peace is my bitternoss most bitter. But thou hast delivered my soul, that it should not perish; thou hast cast al1 my sins behind thy back. For hell shall n i confess to thee, neither shall death TENEBRA IN HOLY WEEK. 56I praise thee: nor shall they that go down into the pit, look for truth. The living, the living, he shall give praise to thee, as I do this day; the father shall make thy truth known to the children. 0 Lord! save me, and we shall sing our psalms, all the days of our life, in the house of the Lord. Ant. From the gate of hell, 0 Lord! deliver my soul. Ant. 0 all ye that pass by the way i behold ane see, if there be grief like to my grief. PSALMa cxlviii. (See p. 803.) PsALM cxlix. (See p. 804.) PSALM cl. (See p. 805.) V. My flesh shall rest in hope. R. And thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption. Ant. The women sitting at the sepulchre lamented, weeping for our Lord. THE CANTICLE OF ZACHARY. (Luke i.) Blessed be theiLord. (Seep. 808.) Thefollowing is said kneeling: V. Christ became obedient for us unto death, even the death of the cross; wherefore God hath also exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above every name. Our Father (privately). The Psalm MBiserere (p. 929) is recited in a low voice; and in the end thefollowingprayer, without the Oremus. Loohk down, 0 Lord! we beseech thee on this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was pleased to be delivered into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer the torment of the cross. [But say in a low voice:] Who with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one, God, world without end. Amen. At the end of the prayer, a little noise is made: the lighted candle is brought from under the Altar, and all rise and reirm in silence. ITS NECESSITY AND INSTITUTION. MAN restored to the friendship of God by the salutary waters of baptism, is not exempt from sin. Weak as the reed which bends to every wind, with passions violent and temptation around him, he fiequently falls into sin, and loses again that sanctifying grace which -unites him to God. Has the Almiglhty left him then w!ithout a hope? Can he no longer obtain part in the redemption purchased by the blood of the Man-God? Our divine Saviour has not left us orphans: as he instituted the Sacrament of Baptism to cleanse us from original sin, so lie instituted the Sacrament of Penance to cleanse us, when penitent, from actual sin, giving each sacrament that efficacy which his Sacred Blood had purchased. The principal things to be considered in every Sacranent are the following: 1. The outward and visible sign or ceremony. 2. The invisible grace. 3. The Minister, or dispenser of the Sacrament; and 4. Its institution by Jesus Christ. 1. The outward visible sign of the unseen and inward grace given in the Sacrament of Penance, is the form of absolution pronounced by the Priest over the penitent, in these words: " I absolve thee freom thy sins, in the meanzd of the Father, and qf the Sor, and of the Ioly Ghost;" and also. the exterior signs manifested by the penitent, of an inward sorrow for his sins. 2. The invisible grace of this Sacrament of Penance s the pardon of sins. THE SACRAMENT OF PENAL CE. 569 3. The Ministers of this Sacrament are the Priests alone.'Never did our Redeemer use terms more clear, precise, or devoid of figures, than when he instituted the Sacrament of Penance: " Whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven." (Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18.) Even this clear expression, addressed to Peter, and repeated to the Apostles, did not suffice. Before leaving the continuers of his work, he again said, as he breathed upon them: "Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." (John xx. 23.) No Sacrament has clearer words 6f institution, none a more explicit grant of power. But did the Apostles use this power? "All things," says St. Paul, "are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. For God indeed was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their sins, and he hath placed in us the word of reconciliation. For Christ, therefore, we are ambassadors, God, as it were, exhorting by us. For Christ we beseech you be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. v. 18.) This ministry of reconciliation did not end with the Apostles; they were but the first glorious link in the pastoral chain which was to embrace the world and the succession of ages, and the priests of the new law have constantly exercised it in each succeeding age. Thus verifying the oracle of the prophet: " In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for the cleansing of the sinner." (Zach. xiii. 1.) The power thus vested in the priest of remitting or retaining the sins of the faithful implies a discernment and a judgment which cannot take place without a knowledge of the sins. Hence, by the ve~y institution of the sacrament, it became incumbent on the faithful to confess their sins to the priest, in order to obtain the loosing or absolution from them which the priest was 48 570 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. empowered to give. At all times faith in Christ and the virtue of peiiance-that is, sorrow and compunction for sin with a resolution of amendnment and a submission to God's chastisements-were necessary to obtain pardon for sin; but when once Christ had raised penance to the dignity of a sacranment, confession became also necessary, in order through the mlerits of his Passion to obtain remission of sin. " To pretend that it is sufficient to confess to God alone, is," says St. Augustine, "to destroy the commission of Christ, to contradict the gospel, and make void the power of the keys, which is given to the Church." (Hom. 49.) The enemies of Christ asked him: " Who can forgive sins but God alone'?" and he wrought a miracle before themn, to show that as Man he had power on earth to forgive sins. When the enemies of his Church, therefore, use similar language, it should never trouble us, for as Lactantius wrote in the third century, "That is the true Church in which there is confession and penance." This sacrament, necessary to all who have lost God's friendship by sin, must be received' once every year, by an express commandment of the Church. II. SIN, TIlE MATTER OF CONFESSION-ITs DIVISION. The matter of confession is sin which we have ourselves committed, and which is commonly called actual sin. But as the sacrament of penance is instituted to restore us to the friendship of God, mortal sin only, which deprives us of that friendship, is the necessary matter for confession, and this leads us to speak of the nature and distinction of sin. Sin is a voluntary transgression of the divine law, that is, of any law binding on the conscience; or it is any thought, word, or deed in violation of the law of God. The gravity of sin depends on the object, end, and circusmstances, and according to these the sin is either less or greater. Mortal sin is a grievous transgression of the divine law, which produces in the soul a rupture of friendship THE SACRAMENT OF FENANCE. 57] with God, and by depriving it of sanctifying grace renders it subject to eternal punishment. To constitute this terrible state three things ar; necessary: a matter grave in itself, or rendered so by attendant circumstances; a full advertence of the malice of the act, and a full consent of the will. Where the transgression is of a law slightly binding, or the act is not with full advertence and consent of the will, the sin becomles venial. Many nlatte-rs, in almost all cases, constitute a mortal sin, such as impurity, blasphemy, pejlury, heresy, idolatry, &c., whilst others, as sins against justice, are often venial, from the slightness of the matter. A single mortal sin dooms a person to eternal ptmishment, and renders necessary a speedy recourse to the sacrament of penance; and there each mortal sin must be made known to obtain pardon of any. Venial sins are a sufficient matter of confession, and should be confessed, although this is not of obligation. Still, as many may delude themselves, thinking that light and venial which has grievously offended God, all that reproaches the conscience with the aggravating circumstances should be manifested to the minister of God, that, like the priest of the old law, he may decide whether it be leprosy or not. To realize the inestimable blessings which we derive from the sacrament of penance, it is necessary to bear in mind the fearful evils caused in the soul by mortal sin, and to fathom the meaning of the words, " friendship of God," "eternal punishment;" —and from the reflections which we shall hereafter propose, it will be evident, that while on the one hand we should be filled with a deep and awful horror of sin, we should on the other be unceasing in our thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which prompted the Saviour of men to give us, in the sacrament of penance, a second plank after shipwreck, a means of reaching again the vessel of salvation from which our weakness, folly, or want of taith had swept us. 572 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. III. OF THE PARTS OF PENANCE-ON THE PART OF ToI PENITENT, CONTRITION CONFESSION, AND SATISFACTION: ON THE PART OF THE PRIEST, ABSOLUTION. Sin, mortal or venial, being the remote matter of the sacrament of penance, the immediate matter is the three acts of the penitent, contrition, confession, and satisfaction, and in these the sacrament especially con sists. Contrition is a sorrow and detestation of sins corn mitted, accompanied with the firm resolution of never offending God again. This sorrow may arise from various considerations, and hence contrition is either perfect or imperfect. Where the sinner, horrified at the sight of his sins, and the outrage which he has coinmitted against God by them, is overwhelmed with cowt fusion at his own ingratitude in repaying so ill the infnite love of his Creator, and in tramnpling on the blood of his Redeemer, or by perfect love for God, infinitely good in himself, deplores them, this is perfect contrition, and it justifies the sinner at once, provided he hau the desire of receiving the sacrament of penance; but when he regrets his sin because he has forfeited the joys of heaven, or beholds hell gaping before him, or sees sin in all its horrid deformity, and turns loathing an-way, this contrition, though good, yet as not springing from the love of God, is termed imperfect or attrition, and only disposes him to receive pardon of his sins in the sacramnent of penance. In order to be available, contrition, whether perfect or imperfect, must be interior, supernatural, sovereign, and universal. Iztelior, or true, that is, in the heart and not in outward show merely: " Rend your hearts and not your garments." saith the Lord. Supernatural, that is, it must come from God himself, be elicited by the aid of grace as based on a supernatural motive leading us to God; for natural motives, fear of infamy, loss of property, and the like, are of no avail-natural. means cannot lead to a supernatural end. Sovereign, that is, he must detest the sin above all other evils, and be resolved to lose all and suffer all rather than THE SACRAMINT OF PENANCE. 4o 7 commit it again; for as sin is a total turning away from God, so his conversion to God must be complete. It must finally be zuziversal, extending to all mortal sins committed, whether occurring to the mind or not, be. cause no actual sin is remitted without sorrow, n.nd one cannot be remitted without another. Confession is the accusation of sins committed after baptism to an approved priest, in order to obtain absolution. It must 1)e based on a close examination of our coniscience, and be a complete confession of all the mortal sins which we can call to mind, not already remitted by the sacrament, with such circnimstances as may aggravate or alter their character, and it imust be made sincerely, simply, and with humility. All must be confessed, for, the concealment of a sin - gle mortal sin, or of consideraible circumstances that alter the character of a sin, mnakes the confession sacrilegious, and instead of obtaining absolution the soul is burdened with an additional. sin, and removed still further froll the heart of God. The routine into which some fa.l, vague and general accusations, do not suffice; the sins must be told clearly, with the number of times, or where habitual, the frequence of it each day, week, or month; and as we have gaid, the circumlstances, which are: Time.-Thlle tile in which a sin is habitual increases its enormity. An evil thought is aggravated by the time during wvlich the mind wilfully entertains it. Place.-A sacred place gives to a sin the stamp of sacrilege; a sin committed in public is aggravated by the scandal. Thing.-The quantity, quality, and importance of the object. Person. —In sins of impurity the enormity of the sin,s increased by the condition of the object of the sin. Scandlal give-L to the young, committed to our care by God, is gre t;er than that given -co older and more experienced persons. The rahk of superiors heightens our offence ag-ainst them. A2lcotive.-l'o lend a bad book is a sin; to land it for the purpose of corrupting renders the offence. still more heinous. ~5 4 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE..~leansi or persons employed in committing the sin Jlla7ner, whether through levity or malice. Cobsequences resulting from the sin committed. Satisfaction is the completion of the act of the peni. tent, and consists in the performance of such plrayers or othes good works as may be enjoined by the priest as the condition of the remission of the sins, and by the performance of which, in union with the Sacred Blood of our Redeemer, the sins are forgiven, if all the proper dispositions have been entertained. Such are the acts necessary on the part of the sinner; on that of the priest is the absolution which he pronounces, and in which especially the sacrament resides, this being the outward act ordainedl by Christ, and the imposition of the penance or satisfaction not only as a guard for the future, but as a punishment for the past. IV. GENERAL CONFESSIONS. A general confession, that is, a confession of the sins of a whole life or of a long period, in which several particular confessions had been made, is sometimes of counsel, but in certain cases it becomes absolutely necessary. According to the teaching of divines, there are four cases in which a General Confession is absolutely necessary: 1st. When a person has knowing and willingly, through shame, or any other motive, concealed a mortal sin, or what he believes to be such. 2d. When confessions have been made with no examination of conscience, or so careless a one as to amount to none. 3d. When confessions have been made without leal sorrow for sin. 4th. When a party has been ignorant of the principies and mysteries of religion, and of the nature and end of the sacrament of penance. TU'.SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 575 PREPARATION FOR CONFESSION. THIE ADVANTAGES OF CONiESSION-THE DANGER OF DB LAY-TIHE ENORMIITY OF A BAD CONFESSION. How consoling to the repentant sinner to think that God in his infinite mercy has provided so accessible a means of reconciliation! How grateful we should ever Ie, and how faithfully and punctually should we perform all that is necessary for the obtaining of sacramental absolution! Had our Lord instituted it with many long and difficult ceremonies, it would still have been a boon which we should sacrifice all to obtain. How great its advantages are we may see by reflecting that by a sincere and contrite confession, joined to the priest's absolution, we not only obtain for all eternity pardon for our sins, but are restored to sanctify-ilg grace, the friendship of God, and our right to heaven. Nor is this all, we can look back without fear of eternal punishment on those errors of our life, for God. by forgiving the sin, cancels the sentence of condemnation recorded against us. Moreover, we are restored to thi merit of all our good works, and again share in those of the whole church; and what a treasure are even our own! How consoling to think that as every man is to be judged according to his works, we have some pleasing to God, which induce him to give us new graces. The sacrament of penance by thus restoring us to God's friendship.gives us peace of soul, and infuses into us a new strength to resist temptation and persevere in virtue, rendering us better in all our social relations, so that the whole human family is indebted to it as a preserver of order, peace, and justice. Nothing can be more dangerous than delay in confessing our siis. The devil, by every means, seeks to divert men from it, to persuade them to defer it. Yet as one mortal sin is enough to damn a soul, the moment we fall into mortal sin we should be in constant anxiety till we have effaced it in the tribunal of penance; miuch less should we dare to plunge deeper in iniqu ity. "Bind not sin to sin," says the Holy Ghost, b79B THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. "for even in one thou shalt not be unpulished." "Add not sin upon sin, and say not: The m:ercy of the Lord is great, he will have mercy on the multitude of my sins; for mercy and wrath quickly come from him, and his wrath looketh upon sinners. Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day, for his wrath shall come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy thee." Time, the Holy Council of Trent assures us, was given only to do penance and obtain God's mercy; how then dare we mock the Holy Ghost, and not only defer repentance, but seek to make it impossible, by widening the abyss which separates us from the friendship of God. Remember, too, the graces which our divine Saviour has so frequently lavished on us. and hear his terrible warning addressed to the cities that disregarded his merciful summrons. "Woe to thee, Christian soul, woe to thee! for if in those that know me not b-id been wrought the mighty works that have been wrought in thee, they would have done penance long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes." " What doth it avail thee to defer thy confession for a long time? Purge thyself with speed; spit out the venom presently, make haste to taste this remedy, and thou shalt find it better for thee than if thou hadcst deferred it for a long time. If thou lettest it alone today, for this cause, perhaps to-morrow a greater will fall out, and so thou mayest be hindered a long time." Lose not the many advantages which a good confession will give, but bathe quickly in that fomnltain ever open. But while it is important to go to confession speedily, what shall we say of the enormity of a bad confession, of one in which our contrition has not been sincere, ox our accusation not entire? How fearful is the profanation of a sacrament! Heal the words of the Holy Ghost to those guilty of so great a crime. " Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men but to God," and tremble at the fate which so soon overtook Ananias, although of a far less grievous sin. "Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord, and oome not to him with a double heart," says the Holy THIE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. lo 17 Ghost again. "Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumbling-block to thee. Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonor upon thy soul, and God reveal thy secrets and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit." (Ecclus. i. 36.) What indeed do we gain by a bad confession? We are spared a little humiliation; we have hypocritically made our confessor believe us better than we are, and for this we have profaned the sacrament of reconciliation, we have trampled on the precious Blood of Christ, we have defied God's justice, despised his mercy, and perhaps raised an obstacle to our salvation which we shall be too weak to overcome. For if we were held back at first by shame, the matter for shame is but increased; if it was difficult at first, it is still more so now. Let no consideration then ever lead us into so frightful a sin, and if we have ever fallen int6 it, seek at once to be reconciled to God by a general confession. " Be not ashamed to confess thy sins." (Eccles. iv: 31.) " He that hideth his sins shall not prosper, but he that shall confess and forsake them shall obtain mercy." (Prov. xxviii. 13.) A PRAYER TO IMPLORE THE GRACE OF CONVERSION AND THE DIVINE ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION. (To be repeated several days before confession.) Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Creed. Behold, O my God! prostrate in spirit before the throne of Thy mercy, an ungrateful child, who has a thousand times offended Thee and abused Thy kindness. Thou hast created me out of nothing, and redeemed me by the precious blood of Thy only Son. I Thou hast given me the grace 49 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. to be born in the true faith, to be brought up amid good example and the blessings of Thy Church. Thou hast given me to know how good and lovely Thou art; Thou hast asked me to love Thee, and offered me heaven in return, and yet I have not hesitated to offend Thy Divine Majesty. I have sinned wilfully and knowingly; I have preferred the emptiest trifles to Thee. Alas, my God, all this I have said before; again and again have I sought reconciliation with Thee in the sacrament, of penance; again and again have I promised fidelity to Thee, yet, alas, my God, although Thou hast cleansed me in Thy sacred blood, behold me again prostrate before Thee, covered with the hideous leprosy of sin, unable to return to'Thee, unless Thou call me, and in Thy mercy lift me up. Oh, give me the grace now at least to make a good confession; fill my heart with sorrow for sin, let me see Thee, see myself, see all creatures, as I shall see-them when death shall have removed the veil from my mortal eyes. Let me feel the importance of approaching worthily Thy tribunal of penance, and guard me from a profanation of Thy sacred blood by a bad or careless confession. Give me Thy light to see my sins in all their enormity; a hearty sorrow to regret and bewail them; sincerity to confess them, that, cleansed and purified in the saving'blood of Thy Son, I may have strength to'struggle against the enemies of my soul, and go on in the way of Thy commandments, without stumbling. O Lord! Father and Sovereign Ruler of my life, leave me not to the counsel of my lips, -ror suffer me to fall by them. Who will set THE SACRAMENT oF PENANCE. 5 9 scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not in their ignorances, and that their sins may not appear, lest my ignorances increase, and my offences be multiplied and amy sins abound, and I fall before my adversaries, and my ene'my rejoice over me O0 Lord, Father and God of my life, give me not haughtiness of my eyes, and turn away from me all coveting. Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and foolish mind." EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. To enable us to confess well, we must carefully examine our past life; we must, laying aside all self-love, "judge ourselves, that we be not judged." So important an inquiry demands retirement, recollectedness, and attention; above all, it requires God's grace to remove our weakness and blindness, and this grace we should implore by some suitable prayer. PRAYER FOR LIGIIT TO SEE OUR SINS AND DETEST THEM. 0 my God! I am firmly convinced, that however sincerely I may desire to discover all my offences, yet that I am absolutely incapable of discerning even the least of my sins, without the assistance of Thy holy Spirit. 0 Judge of the living and the dead! before whom I must appear one day, to give an account of all my thoughts, words, actions, and omissions; from my coming to the use of reason to the last instant of my life, give me, I entreat of Thee, that light and grace without which I can do nothing. Eternal 580 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. Source of Light, who trieth the heart and the reins of man, and from whom nothing is hidden, I come to Thee, entreating Thee to pour Thy light into my soul, that by its rays I may discover the state of my conscience, and the sins of which I am guilty before Thee. O Lord, say, " Let there be light,' and then Thy light will dawn upon my soul, and dispel the dark clouds which overshadow it. Show me myself such as I am in Thy sight, that, recognizing the number and enormity of my sins, I may be able to accuse myself of them in the tribunal of penance, and there obtain pardon. Descend into my heart, and grant me one ray of that light which will enlighten my soul at thc moment of her departure from this world, that knowing all my sins I may expiate them in thy sacrament. Alas! I shall then see all my sins in their true colors, when it will be too late to detest and renounce them; but now is the acceptable time, the day of salvation, every moment of which is precious: this life is that season of mercy in which Thou hast promised to receive and pardon a repenting sinner. Oh! do not then refuse me Thy divine assistance; show. them to me so as to excite my deepest sorrow and contrition, now that the knowledge of myself can lead to my perfect conversion. Discover to me all that displeases Thee in my heart; let nothing escape the exact scrutiny I am about to make, that I may thoroughly know myself, and then, by an humble, candid, contrite accusation, make myself known to Thy minister, and let me not deceive myself by a false repentance, which would only make me still more guilty in Thy sight. THE SA)RAMAENT )F PEwNANR:. ge1 FORMULA FOR THOSE WHO CONFESS RARIrT. Those who confess often may use the same formula as in evening prayer. Begin by examining yourself o'. your last confession and communion. Whether a grievous sin was forgotten by want of proper examination; concealed or disguised through shame. Whether you confessed without a true sorrow, a firm purpose of amendment, and repairing evil done to your neighbor. [If this be the case the confession and communion are sacrilegious, and the confession should be repeated.] See whether you received without recollection or devotion, or neglected to offer a proper thanksgiving, which should be for at least a quarter of an hour. Whether the penance was performed without voluntary distractions. Whether you have neglected your confessor's counsel, and fallen at once into habitual sins. Whether we have renounced all affection to mortal sin, or remained long in sin without eliciting acts of contrition and returning to confession. EXAMINATION ON THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND THE CHURCH. All the commandments of the Church may be comprised in those of God, and they are treated here with the seven capital sins in one general examination. Do not neglect to consider the circumstances which alter the grievousness of the sin, nor the various ways in which we become accessory to the sins of others. FIRST COMMANDMENT, WITH THE THIRD AND FOURTH COMMANDIMENTS OF THE CHURCH. [This commandment enjoins the worship of God by faith, hope, and charity, and by proper acts of outward religious worship; and forbids all that is contrary to these virtues, or any omission of the religious duties which the Church enjoins.] Sins against Faith. By thoutght.-Have we consented or wilfully entertained thoughts or doubts against any truth of religion49* 582 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. refused to believe it-curiously sought to fathom any mystery? BY wvords.-Colnmunicated our doubts to othersopenly refused our belief to a point of faith-or ridiculed the belief of the Church? By actions.-Exposed ourselves to lose the faith by listening to free-thinkers, enemies of the Church, persons in error, or reading works against the truths of Catholicity-have we given such books to others —been ashamued of our religion-denied it? By omission.-Neglected to be instructed in the doctrines and precepts of the faith-been ignorant of what is absolutely necessary for salvation-or of what is necessary for approaching the sacraments? Sins cyaist lIope. By thought. —Iave we despaired of God's mercy, by giving up all endeavors to amend, or presumed on his goodness by deferring our repentance-have we failed in submission to Providence in the events of life-atetributed success to our own talents? By word.-Manifested thoughts of discouragement, presumption, or despair-murmured against Providence -led others to such thoughts? By actions.-Resisted inspirations of the Holy Ghost, especially those that were clear and frequent-exposed ourselves to mortal sin —boasted of our talents? By omission.-Not had r ecourse to God in temptation? Sins more especially ayainst Charity. By thougyh.-Consented to thoughts of disgust or ha tred to God? By word.-Spoken blasphemously, boasted of sincondemned others for observing the law of God, or prevented them from doing good? By actions. -Lived in forgetfulness of God, and in disregard of our salvation-violated God's law through human respect, preferring the creature to the Creator? By omission.-Omitted a good work through human respect-thabitually neglected to offer and refer all our thoughts wor Is, and deeds to God? THE SACRAMENT OF PE'NANCE. 683 Sins agaist thle virtue of Religion and the Divine Wlorship. By thozyht. — Voluntary distractions in prayer, whether of obligation or not-despised relics, holy pictures, th. rites, and other things approved by the Church-taken pleasure in irreligious acts-put faith in dreams-resolved to neglect the yearly confession and Easter co mmunion? By words. —Spoken with contempt of holy things, or any religious object entitled to respect-ridiculed the Divine worship or its ceremonies? B3y actions.-Profaned the sacraments-been irrever ent in holy places-been guilty of superstition by using in our devotions unauthorized practices, or putting our confidence in things which haive no virtue in themselves or by the institution of the Church of God-consuited fortune-tellers-made rash vows? By ominssionzs.-Omitted to adore God daily, to pray to him morning and evening, to thank him for his favors -omitted the obligatory annual confession and Easter communion-omitted to approach the sacrament of penance after falling into sin-neglected the fasts and abstinences of obligation-omitted to make frequent acts of faith, hope, and charity, for it is a sin to pass days and weeks and months without makihg them? SECOND COMAIANDMENT. [This commandment ordains honor and respect to the holy name of God, his Saints, and holy things in general, and forbids irreverence to them, cursing, swearing.] In thougf/t. —Have you intended to swear falsely? By words.-Blasphemed God, the Blessed Virgin, or the Saints-pronounced the name of our Lord without respect-usedlwords of the Scriptures in jest-sworn unnecessarily or falsely or in doubtful imatters-sworn to be revenged or commit any other sin, (such an oath is a sin, and the keeping of it is another)-promised with an oath, without intending to fulfil it-:affirsmed with imprecations what we knew to be false or doubtful? By actions.-Induced any one to swear falsly, or been the cause of other' blasphemy? 584 THlE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. By omiesions.-Not accomplished vows, or done it ill and late. THIRD COMIMANDMENT OF GOD-FIRST AND SECOND CO.X MANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH. [The duties enjoined by these Commandments relate to the sane~ tiffcation of the Sunday and holidays of obligation by hearing Mass and doing good worlks, such as hearing sermons, reading good books. They forbid all neglect of heari ig Mass, except when preovented by illness or other just impediment, and especially all misspending of the day in worldly or sinful amusements. They also enjoin the observance of the fasts and abstinences ordained by the Church.] In thought.-Resolved not to hear Mass or to work on Sundays and holidays of obligation-been voluntarily distracted during a Mass of obligation, especially during the more solemn parts-neglected to hear a second Mass when the first has not been properly heard-resolved not to observe the fasts or abstinences of the Church? Itn sords.-Talked from levity or any worse motive during Mass or any other office of the Church? In deeds.-Worked, or made others work on Sundays or holidays without absolute necessity-bought or sold not of necessity-neglected to sanctify such days by prayer and good Works-spent them in vaiit amusements-in sinfuln excesses-prevented others from hearing Mass and sanctifying the day? By omission.-Neglected to watch that those under our care fulfilled their duty on Sundays and holidays — omitted to hear Mass on such days, or heard only a part of a Mass-habitually heard only a low Mass when we might attend the high Mass and sermon-omitted to sanctify the day, especially when unable to hear Mass? FOURTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD AND FIFTH COMMiANDMIENT OF THE CHURCwI. [These commandments comprise our duties towards our parents and to all our superiors, civil and spiritual, and is violated by disobedience, disrespect, rebellion against lawful authority, neglect to assist our parents. &e. They also include the duties of parents and superiors to those under their care. Under this head come all o - domestic relations. as parent and child, master or mistress, and servant or apprentice, teacher ard pupil, &c.]: LA thouglht.-Hated faither'or mnother-desired their THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCEo 585 reatih or injury-judged them rashly or despised their inferiority-entertained such feelings towards any superior, temporal or spiritual? In wor'd.-Spoken ill of them —cursed, threatened, or insulted them-done so to superiors or other persons in the family-to our pastors? In deeds.-Showed disrespect-struck or attempted to strike them —disobeyed them in important matterscaused in them anger or blasphemy-taken their property without their permission — neglected to execute their last will, or obeyed them in forbidden thingsshowed contempt for civil or ecclesiastical superiors?-'If parents: punished children not for their good or from love, but from anger and a spirit of revenge — forced them against their will into marriage or the religious state-not left them free in the choice of their state of life-given them bad example-ordered them to do what was contrary to the law of God, or prevented their fulfilling the duties of their religion? By om2issionz. —Not assisted parents when in need, whether in sickness or in health-promised marriage without consulting them, or married against their just opposition —neglected to contribute according to our means to the support of our pastor? —If a father: not given what was necessary to wife and family-neglected the instruction, especially the religious instruction, of your children —not corrected them when in faultneglected to watch over their company, associations, reading, &c.-prevented their settling suitably in life? [Let each here examine his duty as child, pupil, apprentice, servant, &c.] FIFTH. COMMANDMENT. [This commandment, which forbids taking away the life of the body by wilful murder, and of the soul by scandal, or causing any one to fall into mortal sin-also quarrelling, revenge, bad example, hatred-includes the principal duties prescribed by the great precept of fraternal charity, or loving our neighbor as ourselves.] Is thought. -Had aversion or hatred for our neighbor, desired revenge or his misfortune-rejoiced at his reverses —envied him-maintained feelings of enmitybeen impatient in trouble, or desired death? In words.-Counselled or approved revenge-insulted 586 THE 8ACRAMENT OF PENANCE. or slandered any one —harshly dismissed the poor-p caused disunion and enmity by reports true or false, and to what extent? —neglected to repair the evil? In deeds.-Exposed one's self unnecessarily or sinfully to danger of death, as by duelling-injured health by excess of any kind-deprived one's self of absolute necessaries from avarice-revenged injuries-given way to anger or impatience-struck or wounded any onecaused the death of any one-done any act from which death would be likely to result-caused or attempted abortion-given death to our neighbor's soul by lead ing him into sin, in any of the ways by which we may be accessory-neglected the baptism of our children? By omission.-Not given good advice when able-not pardoned an enemy, or when in wrong asked pardon -refused to aid a neighbor by alms or otherwise-why? SLXTH AND NINTH COMMANDMIENTS, AND SIXTH COMMANDMIENT OF THE CHIURCH. [I. These commandments ordain, first, that those united in marriage should love and respect each other, support each other's failings, and devote themselves harmoniously to the great object of the sacrament of matrimony, the bringing up their children in the love and fear of God, a duty alleady treated of. II. These commandments forbid, in the married, all violation of the marriage-bed, and, in all, every sin in thought, word, or deed, against that sovereign purity of soul and body which our holy religion enjoins upon us. They not only forbid adultery, fornication, and every sin of impurity with ourselves and otihers, bhut also require us to seek the virtue of purity and chastity in its highest perfection.] I. Ditty of Ifusband and TV1fe. In thought.-Courted danger by thoughts which could alienate from our lawful spouse-been unfaithful in thought or desire-entertained feelings of anger, hatred-intended to deceive? In word.-Been unreserved in speech, so as to excite jealousy-spoken unkindly-had harsh and angry disputes? In deed.' Married secretly, or when any impediment existed-not been united by a lawful pastor-not prepared for the sacrament-been unfaithful-(if a husband) treated my wife harshly or with neglect-deprived her of necessary or proper apparel, &c.-exposed THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 58' her to danger-(if a wife) been wanting in submission -dressed extravagantly or with evil motives —maintained acquaintances without the hl:sband's knowledge -abandoned each other-refused to be reconciled? By omission. —Neglected to retain the affection of each other-not prayed for each other-not sought to maintain each other in God's service —neglected the care of your children, if God has blessed you with any —neglected your household duties (if a wife), or to support the family (if a husband)? II. Sins against Pturity. We shall not enter into details on this subject. It is a pitch which defiles. Those who sin against these two commandments, know it well: those who do not, should never learn. One thing is certain, there is nothing light in this matter-it is almost impossible to sin only venially. It is a pest which infests the whole being. If attacked, we must examine all our faculties, lemnory, understanding, and will; all the senses, hearing, sight, and touch; sound our thoughts, words, and actions; our very dreams, to know whether we have consented on waking, or caused them voluntarily; see whether we have caused or taken pleasure in irregular sensations; examine whether we have led others to sin by letters, messages, presents, songs, indecent actions or bad example; exposed one's self to sin by permitting dangerous or forbidden pleasures. We must examine whether we have dressed with bad intentions or contrary to decency-gone to church with evil intentiolis-omnitted to pray when violently tempted. It is necessary to state the condition of the person with whom we have sinned or desired to sin-that is, whether married or not, bound by vows or not-and also our own. We must also state whether the sin is habitual or not. SEVENTH- AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS. [These commandments forbid us to covet or take our neighbor's ~goods without his permission, and include all modes of taking, how ever indirect; great care is necessary in examining in this particular, inasmuch as sins against it can be forgiven only on restitution 588 THIE SACRAMENT OF PE'ANCEo being made, except where the party is wholly unable to do so, and then the restitution is only suspended. This commandment also forbids avarice, or an inordinate love of earthly temporal things.] In thought.-Desired or wished to take another's property, to cheat him, not pay him, or restore him his property-avariciously desired wealth or other property? In words.-Gained by falsehood'or false oaths —counselled or approved any wrong done our neighbor? In deeds.-Taken another's property by fraud or Violence-how much-with or without the design of taking more-from a poor person-from a church-been avaricious-hoarded up property-been in any way accessory to a theft —defrauded the State of its rightsappropriated an article found without making any endeavor to find the owner? Cheated in any way in trade-by false weights or measures, and selling inferior goods by imposing on the ignorant-passed bad money-profited by a person's necessity to get an exorbitant price-bought things stolen-bought of such as had no right to sellcombined with others to run up prices -combined with others to extort higher wages from masters, or to give lower wages to persons in employ? Made illegal contracts-defrauded government by overcharges, or the public by fraudulent failures? Aided others to recover money not justly due? Exacted payment for services not rendered? Gambled away the property of our families, or spent it in carousing, amusements, or associations of any kind. Given money to bribe judges or jurors in our favor — or to obtain office-or accepted bribes? By onsissioz.-Omitted to do the duties for which we were employed-neglected to pay our servants, workmen, &c., or kept back their wages-paid them in such a way that they were losers-not paid our debtslived so extravagantly that awe could not, and neglected to retrench —not prevented a loss to our neighbors when we could-neglected to give alms and aid the poor according to our means-refused to,aid works of charity when able —neglected to make restitution, or made it only after long delay-how long? THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 5{8 EIGHTH COMMANDMENT. [This commandment forbids all perjury and false swearing, all lies, falsehood, and equivocation. It also embraces every sin against charity, whether by detraction, rash judgment, suspicion, ill-natured reports, or insinuation, want of kindness, or forbearance, and a vio. lation of the clear and positive rule of charity, which points out every one's duty on this head, viz. to act, speak, and even thikzs qf others, as awe wishi thcy should thivak, act, and speak of us.] In thought.-Suspected or misjudged our neighbor unreasonably? it word.-Manifested our suspicions or rash judgments to others-revealed secrets confided to us-lied with or without detriment to our neighbor-calumniated him, that is, spoken evil of him falsely-made known his faults-to how many-taken pleasure in hearing him calumniated or slandered —drawn conversation to it? hIa deed.-Made false accusations to superiors or the authorities-sworn falsely, either in court or elsewhere -induced others to give false testimony and commit perjury-given money to carry on frauds at elections, and so induce perjury-aided such frauds in any way, excused or justified them? Forged documents, stolen or destroyed records to injure others? By omission. —Have you taken the oaths of the Freemasons, Odd-fellows, or any other society, condemned by the Church-neglected to stop calumny or slander when we could or were bound to do so by our station -not given all the honor due them-not repaired the evil caused our neighbor by our sins in these particulars? Duties of our State of Life. What are they-have we fulfilled them day by day -in what respect especially have we transgressed? Have we lived without really thinking of God and our duties as Christians-made no effort to advance in virtue? [Observe that every matter noted in this examen does not constitute a mortal sin, but such only as are a violation of God's law in a grievous matter, with full advertence and a deliberation of the wilL 50 590 THE SACIRAMENT OF PENAINCE. Observe, too,-that a sin is not less grievous because habitual, or done without attention to it at the moment: on the contrary, habit renders it more grievous, if, with a firm will, we do not struggle against it, and use the means prescribed.] OF CONTRITION. Having by a diligent and prudent examination o( your conscience, endeavored to discover all the sins you have been guilty of since your last confession, you may pass to the second part of your preparation for the Sacrament of Penance, by endeavoring to excite in your heart the deepest contrition. Of the nature and qualities of contrition we have already spoken. This indispensable disposition for a good confession, nlust be a special gift from God. His powerful grace alone can penetrate the soul with that sincere sorrow, which, as St. Augustine says, " so changes the. heart, as to embitter those things which once appeared sweet, and to change into subjects of real anguish, torment, and affliction, those objects which heretofore delighted the sinner." The first step you should take, for acquiring true contrition, is to beg of God most earnestly to dispose your heart for conceiving that lively and sincere sorrow he requires from you. "Those only," says St. Ambrose, "on whom Jesus deigns to look, can detest their sins." Peter denies his Divine Master, and weeps not, because the Lord had not looked on him —he repeats his ungrateful denial, nor does he yet weep, because the penetrating glance of Jesus had not pierced his soul. But Peter a third time denies his Lord; Jesus then looks on him,and immediately this penitent apostle weeps most bitterly. Do you then earnestly beseech of Jesus to look on you, to dispose your heart for conceiving all the sorrow required from you, and to give you himself, that precious gift of sincere contrition, which you cannot procure of yourself, which he alone can bestow, and without which you can never be absolv.ed? THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCi. 591 A PRAYER TO BEG OF GOD THE GRACE OF SINCERE CONTRITION. I have now, 0 my God! aided b) Thy grace, endeavored to discover the number of my transgressions, and have examined, to the best of my power, the state of my conscience. But, alas! O Judge of the living and the dead i how far different is my judgment fiomn Thine I How many offences are still perhaps hidden from my view, though perfectly known to Thee! But, my God I as I am persuaded it is not so much a knowledge of their number, as sorrow for their deformity, that Thou requirest, I now earnestly implore of Thee to give me that lively, sincere, efficacious contrition, which I know is a necessary condition of my pardon. My heart was formed by Thee, Thou alone canst change it; it is in Thy hands, and though most ungrateful, most insensible, it is not too obdurate for Thee to penetrate and soften. One drop of Thy adorable blood, one of those precious tears which my offences drew from Thy eyes, would suffice to produce in my soul the most lively contrition. Ah! look on me, Eternal Light! and my understanding will be enlightened to conceive the enormity of sin; touch my heart, and it will be broken with sorrow for having ever offended Thee. Convert me; and I shall be converted; for my destruction, my misery, and my misfortune, is from myself, but my salvation must come from Thee, O my most merciful Father! from Thee, whom I have so ungratefully abandoned, and so grievously offended. 5 9 2 THE S CRAMENT OF PEN ANCE. MOTIVES FOR EXCITING CONTRITION. Though contrition must be produced in the heart by the special aid of God's grace, yet that does not dispense sinners from making, on their part, every effort to excite in their souls the most lively sorrow. For this purpose, after begging of God the grace of contrition, you should next do what lies in your power, by seriously and deliberately meditating on the following motives, for exciting sentiments of sincere contrition. TIIE DEFORMITY OF SIN. Consider, first, the nature of sin itself, and endeavor to conceive, if possible, an adequate idea of its hateful deforamity. This is a point on which Christians in general are not only blinded,- but even infatuated. Those who would grieve over the death of a friend, give a mortal wound to their own souls without a feeling of sorrow. Thousands who would scorn to be subject to a fellowcreature, and detest a mean action, according to the world, enslave themselves willingly to the devil, and are guilty of the basest acts of treachery towards God, without an emotion of shame or regret. -Why? Because nothing is so rare as a just idea of sin, nothing so difficult as to find a person who considers an offence against God in its proper light; that is, who considers sin as the greatest misfortune, disgrace, and humiliation; the only real evil that can be endured. This is a truth so certain, that were all the scourges of heaven, sickness, hunger, thirst, famine, plague, humiliations, poverty —in a word, every species of torment the mind can conceive, or the body endure, collected on one side, and a single mortal sin opposed on the other, the misfortune of committing that sin would as far exceed all the other calamities, as the heavens are elevated above the earth. O! if sinners were thoroughly persuaded of this truth, what tears of contrition would deluge the universe! what groans and sighs of repentance would be heard on all sides! But do you conceive better than others less favored, the horrid act you committed when you sinned'? You would think it madness to harbor a Tep4 r in your house, lest you should catch his disgust THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 593 tng disease; yet, by yielding to one single temptation, you opened, not your house, but your heart, to a monster, whose loathsome and abominable deformity would strike you with. deadly horror, were it visible; a mon. ster, who robbed you in an instant of the greatest treasure you possessed, your Creator's friendship;-who cruelly despoiled you of the lovely ornament of sanctifying grace, and of all the merit you may have acquired in the whole course of your life; who shamefully degraded you from the glorious dignity of a child of God, and covered your soul with so frightful a leprosy, as would strike you dead with horror, if you could but.see the melancholy, hideous figure into which you were transformed. 0 sin! dreadful misfortune! only real evil! can the soul thou hast miserably degraded feel it difficult to detest, to renounce thee forever! THE PAINS OF HELL. Consider, in the second place, that by sin you have been made mad enough to expose yourself to endure the intolerable and eternal pains of hell, and to dwell forever in that infernal abyss, an object of anger and indignation to God-of scorn and insult to the devils-and of hatred and horror to yourself. Descend in spirit into that lake of fire and brimstone, which will eternally blaze, without ever being extinguished, and contemplate the wretched fate of those, whom the just vengeance of God cut off in the midst of their mad career. Behold them surrounded, penetrated, consumed with fire; trampled on by hideous demons, whose temptations they unfortunately listened to during life; cursing and detesting the day that gave them birth, and vainly calling on death to terminate those insufferable woes, which are never to have an end. Consider, that even the least of their torments is so aggravated by the importunate idea of eternity, as to be rendered insupportably agonizing, and rhen ask yourself how it is possible, that those who believe in hell, should dare to sin; or how those who have sinned, and deserved hell, should be insensible to the greatness of their misfortune? 0 great God! whose justice is not exercised until thfy mercy has been slighted, pierce my. hea;t 50* 594 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. with thy fear, that I may tremble at thy judgments. Oh! let the torrents of burning tears which the damned will forever shed, teach me that sin alone is a just subject of tears and regret-let that sting of remorse, that worm of conscience, which gnaws them to the soul, ana which will never die, teach me to listen now and during my whole life, to the solitary admonitions and remorse of my conscience. Let their bitter, violent sorrow for the abuse of thy graces, urge me to profit by those yet within my reach, and teach me to detest, from the bottom of my heart, not only all my past sins, but even the shadow of sin in future, since I know that there is no fault, however small, which may not lead to a mortal offence, and thereby to hell; and that there are few among the damned who did not descend into the dreary, dismal dungeon of woes by the fatal neglect of slight faults. TIIE Loss OF THEAVEN. Consider, thirdly, beside the awful risk you have run of being condemned to hell, you have also forfeited by sin your claim to the kingdom of heaven; that blessed city, whose walls, as the holy Scripture describes them, are of precious stones, whose streets are of pure and transparent gold, watered with the river of Life flowing from the throne of God;-that city whose dazzling splendor knows no night-from which pain, sickness, grief, privations, and every description of sufferings, however trivial, are eternally banished, and whose blessed inhabitants, crowned with wreaths of immortal glory, and shining far brighter than the sun, magnify and adore their munificent Benefactor, in one uninterrupted transport of love. For happiness like this you were created; you were placed on earth to merit lehaven; you were born and instructed in the true faith; thus, placed in the road to heaven, the sacred character of baptism gave you an undoubted claim to that blessed abode. Your desires are generally left unsatisfied, that disappointment may force you to sigh after heaven; and' your pleasures and pursuits often embittered, that you may learn to undervalue temporal delights, ard labor to merit those of heaven. But what havo THE SA CRAMENT OF PENANC,]. 595 you done, by committing one mortal sin? You, in a manner renounced an'eternity of bliss-you blotted out your own name from the book of life-you excluded yourself from the seat of eternal delights-you closed the gates of heaven against your own soul. For contemptible pleasures, momentary enjoyments, which were never free from bitterness, you. sacrificed, you willingly relinquished immortal blessings, everlasting treasures. If Esau was overwhelmed with anguish for having relinquished his birthright; if he?roared out, as the Scripture says, with great anguish, what should be your sorrow, for having forfeited a place in the kingdom of your Father-for having abandoned the society of the saints, those friends of God, who once had the same temptations you have to endure, but who were faithfill to the end, and thereby received the crown of life. Endeavor to detest your criminal indifference to your own eternal interests, and fervently thank God, for having still left abundant means within your reach of regaining yourbirthright, and opening once more, by sincere contrition, those gates to bliss which your sins had closed. Gon's INFINITE GOODNESS. The fourth motive for contrition is, the thought of having offended a God infinitely good to us. This motive should be particularly dwelt on, because the sorrow produced by gratitude is certainly much more perfect than that which springs from fear, or the privation of any benefit. Besides, this motive seldom fails to excite feelings of sincere sorrow. The double recollection of innumerable benefits received from God, and innumerable offences committed against God, is so just a motive of regret, that no heart which is not completely hardened could be insensible to it. Endeavor, then, to recall to your remembrance the principal benefits you have received from that God, who, amongst other marks of his tenderness, thought of you even before you existed; who caused you to be born in the true faith, and brought you safely to the waters of baptism, in preference to so many others more deserving. Ask yourself, who was it watched over you while you were 596 TPITHE A.\ CRAMENT OF PENANCE. a weak infant, and inspired others with the tendern(sa which induced them to do for you what you were unable to do for yourself? Who provided you with tender parents and friends, of which others more deserving are left destitute? Why were you not born among those savage tribes, who live and die without ever hearing the name of their Creator? Who gives you, daily rnd hourly, all the temporal blessings you enjoy, food, clothing, lodging? Why are you not like thousands who are poor, abandoned, shivering with cold, and deprived of all the common necessaries of life? But principally, and particularly, who has so often pardoned you your sins, and waited your repentance until now? Why were you not cut off the first time you were so unfortunate as to sin? Why are you not burning this moment with the damned in hell, many of whom offended God less than you have clone? Who is it that inspires you with a desire of returning to God, and provides you with an opportunity of confessing your sins, which any one of the damned would give ten thousand worlds to, purchase? These inquiries, which may be considerably lengthened, will prove to you that God has been indeed infinitely good to you. Nevertheless, it is this God of infinite goodness you have outraged by sin; it is this divine and liberal Benefactor, whose benefits you have not only received with indifference, but often perverted into occasions of sin. Ah! would you not blush at such base ingratitude towards a fellow-creature who had served you thus? Has not gratitude often urged you to exertions for them which you never made for God? Should not the benefits of your Creator, contrasted with such insensibility and repeated transgressions, be a powerful motive for contrition during the remainder of your life? The fifth motive for detesting sin is, because it offends a God infinitely good in himself. This motive, which is no other than the perfect love of God, produoes that pure and disinterested sorrow, which is properly called contrition. Generally speaking, sinners are much less affected by this motive than by all the rest: the sorrow it excites may more justly be termed the fruits THU SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 597 and recompense of conversion, than its primary cause. Should you feel little impressed with this pure motive, be at least humbled and'astonished at your insensibility. Recollect that nothing is more natural than to admire what is beautiful, and to love what is amiable The greatest savage would refrain from injuring an innocent, beautiful, engaging child, because there is something in beauty, virtue, and innocence, which engages love and admiration for themselves alone. Why, then, should you feel so insensible to the adorable perfections, sacred attributes, and enchanting beauty of that divine Being, whose most perfect works and greatest saints are but a faint image of himself? This proceeds chiefly fiom your having formed no conception of what Godl is in himself. It is true, that a clear view of his divine perfections is reserved for heaven; but there is an inferior knowledge of God, which may be acquired upon earth, chiefly by two means: the first, by endeavoring habitually so to trace all perfect tion to God, as to admire the beauty of God alone in all that is admirable, and to love the goodness of God in all that is amiable; but the second, and most essential, is to avoid even the least deliberate sin, and thereby merit those pure lights, which discovered to the saints such perfections in God, as caused some of them to weep their whole lives over one venial offence. The day will come when you will think as they did; but, in the mean time, endeavor to animate your faith, and profit by their experience. Ask the blessed in heaven, what constitutes their bliss, and they will reply, that their paradise is the possession, the view, the enjoyinent of God. Descend into the abyss of hell, and you will learn from the damned, that their chief punishment is, not the fire that consumes them; not the devils who torment them; nor the eternal darkness which surrounds them; but that their hell is truly the loss of God-the eternal loss of that transporting beauty, that immense ocean of every perfection, which they see as he is since they quitted this life. What, then, must God be in himself? How transporting must that beauty be, which enraptures the saints, and even attracts the very reprobate, in 598 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. spite of themselves! How inexpressibly amiable must that infinite Goodness be, whom it is sufficient to have seen once, or even imperfectly conceived an idea of, to love without measure! If you could form even a slight conception of that eternal Sun of Justice, how soon would you exclaim, with the model of penitents, St. Augustine: " Too late have I known thee, O infinite Beauty!" Your detestation of sin would be proportioneel to your love for God, whom it offends; and though there were no hell to punish your transgressions, nor a heaven to reward your services, you would still flee from the shadow of sin, and bitterly lament having committed a single imperfection, because it of fends a God infinitely good in himself. TILE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST. The sixth and last motive recommended by your Catechism for exciting contrition, is, to reflect on the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. You may, whenever you feel inclined, confine yourself to this consideration alone in exciting yourself to sorrow; it is better calculated than any other to touch the heart, and to give weight to all the motives on which you have already meditated. Place yourself, with the greatest humility and recollection, at the foot of the cross, and consider the torments of mind and body which Jesus endures; consider this adorable Victim covered with wounds, his sacred head crowned with thorns, his divine eyes closed with agony and streaming in tears; his hands and feet pierced, and his whole body resting on those nails, whereby his wounds are every instant enlarged; his most amiable heart tortured by the ingratitude of those whom he had worked miracles to relieve and convert. This affecting spectacle would no doubt penetrate your soul with horror, compassion, and anguish, if, with a lively faith, you viewed the work of your sins in the sufferings of your Redeemer. Alk! if you beheld a parent, a friend, even a stranger, expiring of a broken heart, caused by the pain and misery your faults had occasioned, what would be your feelings? But should that parent or friend uanexpect edly recover froml the extremity of death, and again T'E SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 599J msperiencs friom you the same treatment as beRfore, would you not acknowledge yourself, and be looked on By all the world as a monster of the basest ingratitude? This is precisely the light in which you should now view yourself. You have caused the death of your true parent-your sins, more than his cruel enemies, fastened him to the cross; your pride covered a God with humiliation; your impatience under the slightest contradictions, exposed this meek Lamb to the most insulting outrages; your vanity and attachment to the vain amusements of the world, crowned his divine head with thorns; your ingratitude and insensibility pierced his heart; your selfish search after every gratification, deprived him even of a cup of cold water in the agonies of death. You know that sin caused his death, and yet you have repeatedly sinned; you have crucified again the Son of God; that is, you have, as far as is in your power, renewed the sufferings of Jesus Christ, by renewing their cause. Have you ever considered this truth? Reflect seriously on it now, and that you may conceive that sincere detestation of your sins which is the foundation of solid conversion, recall to your mind once more the other -motives of lively sorrow on which you have already reflected. One glance at the Cross of Jesus Christ should suffice to remind you of them all, for it clearly proves the horrid loathsomeness of sin, since the blood of a God alone could efface its stain. It shows you the danger of sin, since, notwithstanding the effusion of that blood, sin still condemns millions to hell, rekindles the flames which Jesus died to extinguish, transforms his infinite love into inexorable justice, and despoils so many thousands of that kingdom of glory, so dearly purchased for them. It plainly proves the ingratitude of sin, which does not blush to offend anew a God so good to man, as to die for his redemption; and, lastly, it proves the abominable malice of sin, which has urged sinners to offend a God who must be infinitely good in himself to suffer so much for those whose reprobation could not, for an instant, diminish his beatitude. Such reflections as these m-ust make an impression on any heart which is not absolutely hardened. 600 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. After you have sincerely weighed these motives for sincere sorrow, you should endeavor to produce acts of lively and sincere contrition. As those should proceed much more from your heart than your lips, they will be best made in your own words. You would do well, however, if leisure permit, to repeat fervently the following acts, because they express the dispositions for justification required by the holy Council of Trent, which says, that " those who would obtain the grace of justification, must, Ist, have faith; 2d, they must fear the justice of God; 3d, must hope for mercy through Jesus Christ; 4th, must begin to love God; 6th, must hate sin; 6th, must sincerely resolve to change their lives, and keep the commandments." ACT OF CONTRITION FOR THOSE WHO ARE GUILTY OF MORTAT SIN. O infinite Inajesty of my God! I am so full of shame at the sight of the ingratitude and malice of which I find myself guilty before Thee, that I dare not raise my eyes to heaven. I confess, O most gracious and merciful Lord, that by the multitude and enormity of my sins I have deserved to be abandoned by Thee, and condemned to eternal torments. Ah, unhappy being that I am, how can I have dared to offend Thee! Can it be, O my Saviour, that I have trampled under foot Thy blood, by which I was redeemed; and that I have thus renewed the pains of Thy passion and of Thy death! Allh, why, why did I not dia at once, rathler than displease Thee! How could I dare to offend against Thee, who art infinite goodness, wisdom, and beauty!... Thee, who art perfection itself!.... Thee, who art my God, my Creator, my beginning, my end, my happiness, THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 601 my all!... Thee, from whom I have received my being, my life, and all that I am!... Thee, who hast guided and protected me with the tenderest love under the shadow of Thy wings I.... Thee, who hast adopted me for Thy child, and made me heir to Thy eternal kingdom!.... Thee, i ho hast redeemed me by Thy most precious blood, and hast so often nourished me with Thy lmost sacred body and blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist! And yet, notwithstanding these, Thy great and manifold blessings, I have offended Thee, O my God! I have abandoned Thee, to league with Thy enemies against Thee. I have preferred a vile gratification to Thy love. Oh, ingratitude! Oh, delusion! Oh, madness! Ah, when,shall I detest my sins as much as they deserve! O my sweet and merciful Lord Jesus, of whose goodness there is no end, and of whose mercy the treasure is infinite, have pity on me, and save my soul! Pardon me, O most bountiful Lord, pardon me, I entreat Thee, by the merit of Thy bitter passion and death! emember not my iniquities, but regard Thy infinite mercy. I promise that, by the help of Thy grace, I will never fall into them again. From this very momnent I break all the ties that bind me to the world, to the flesh, to the devil, and to sin. I am from this moment firmly resolved to trample under foot all worldly vanities, and to consecrate myself entirely to Thy holy love. Oh, never allow me to fall back into my old habits of sin! Never permit that -honors, or interest, or pleasure, or pride, or the love of life, or the fear of death, or any other motive, shall cause me to swerve fi'om 51 302'iHE SACRAMENT' OF PENANCE. Thy divine commands. Grant that I may keep them with my whole heart, though it should cost me the sacrifice of my life, and of all I hold dearest in the world. Ah, what has been my folly and my wicked.ec ness in having so often and so grievously offended my God, my heavenly Father, my gracious and loving Redeemer! What ingratitude, what an excess of malice! At the very moment I was receiving with one hand the greatest favors and graces from this my most tender and merciful Lord, witlh the other I was plunging a dagger into His bosom —I was crucifying Him again within my soul! I have sold myself to the devil for a worthless pleasure; I have renounced the kingdom of heaven and all the joys of paradise for a trifling enjoyment; I have signed the decree for my eternal damnation to gratify my pride; I have condemned myself to stffer an eternity of torments and all the agonies of hell, to indulge an unworthy passion! Ah, who will give to my eyes a fountain of tears, that I may weep and lament over my sins! O my divine Redeemer, whose love I have unhappily despised, whose blood I have trodden under foot, whose wounds I have reopened, and whose death I have renewed by my sins! How can I present myself before Thee after so great an excess of ingratitude and malice! O my gracious Saviour, what hadst Thou done to me that I should treat Thee so cruelly! Thou hast reconciled me to Thy Father by Thy death,and I have again drawn dowr upon myself His indignation by repeated sins. Thou hast snatch THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 603 ed me from the slavery of the devil, and I have again entangled myself in his snares. Thou hast healed my wounds, and I have inflicted fresh ones on myself. Thou, hast delivered me frolm the eternal flames of hell, to which I was condeinned by my sins, and I have cast myself into them again. Thou hast obtained heaven fbr me, and I have sold tile right which Thou clidst purchase at the price of thy blood, for a trifling pleasure, for a corruptible ciown. Is it possible to conceive folly, stupidity, malice, equal to mine I confess it here before thee, O Lord; I detest it fiom the depths of my soul; and resolve to die a thousand times rather than fall again into it. Ali, wilt Thou reject a contrite and humble sinner, when Thou didst come down from heaven to call sinners to iepentance? Wilt Thou refuse to receive this strayed sheep which returns from his wanderings, after thou hast sought him so long, to bring him back to the fold? Wilt Thou reject this prodigal child, who comes to throw himself at Thy feet, after Thou hast so much grieved over his loss? Wilt Thou leave me forever to groan under the insupportable weight of sin, when Thou didst invite all those who are hlbrdened to cast btheir load at Thy feet? Thou didst absolve the sinful woman when, kneeling before Thee, she implored Thy mercy; Thou didst remit the sins of the publican when he humblecl himself in Thy temple; Thou did'st pardon the good thief when he acknowledged Thy power on the cross; and shall I be the only one to whom Thou wilt refute grace? No, my adorable Saviour, not so. I trust that, however unworthy I have made myself of 604 THE SA(IRAMENT OF PENANCE. pardon, yet thou wilt grant it to me, and that Thy precious blood will appease Thy Father'swrath against me, and wash away the stain of my sins. Offer it, then, to Him for me, O Lord, and apply it so effectually to me that I may be entirely cleansed, and may be judged worthy to enter into the blessed mansions, where nothing defiled can be admitted. Amen. ACT OF CONTRTITION FOR VENIAL SINS. Prostrate at Thy feet, 0 Lord, I ask Thy pardon for all the failings and negligences which my frailty, my ignorance, and my malice have caused me to commit against Thy infinite Majesty, especially for all those which I have perpetrated since my last confession. I am confounded, Lord, when I remember their number, and how much I have displeased and offended Thee by them. Ah, how little do I love Thee! how little do I love my neighbor! With what coldness, with what cowardice have I attended to Thy service! How niuch on the contrary have I yielded to self-love, and how much I still retain of affection for creatures! Oh, how- rarely do: I enter into myself, and think seriously of Thee! How filled with distractions are my prayers, my meditations, and all my exercises of devotion! How much vanity enters into all my actions! how much attachment to my own will, my own ease, and my own conLenience Ah, Lord, draw me, I entreat Thee, out of the abyss of my misery, and purify me from the multitude of my sins. Art thou not overwhelmed with shame, O my soul, at the sight of t113 many offences which thou hast committed THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 605 against thy sovereign Lord? Is it thus hat thou servest a God of infinite Majesty? Is this what thou hast promised Him so often, and to which thou art engaged by the holiness of thy vocatibn? Knowest thou not that the least sin is an offence to the infinite Majesty of God, that it contains an infinite malice, that it is an evil which insults and offends thy most loving Father, thy most bountiful Saviour, thy most sweet and merciful Lord? Ah, if thou didst but know what venial sin really is; if thou didst but comprehend the stain which it produces upon thee, the deformity, the wounds it occasions in the eyes of God; the torment which it draws upon it in the other life, the danger to which it exposes thy salvation, thou wouldst give a thousand lives, if thou hadst them, rather than sully thy conscience with it. Thou feelest a difficulty in conceiving a bitter sorrow for thy ordi. nary faults, because they are venial; but this arises fiom thy want of light. The Saints, to whom God communicated in abundance His supernatural inspirations, wept day and night bitterly over their faults, which were slighter than those thou dost commit daily. It is enough, O my God, that slight as these sins appear, they have displeased and offended Thee, to induce me to conceive an extreme horror for them, and to make me employ all lmy efforts to correct them. I love Thee, O God of love; I praise and glorify Thee, O infinite majesty! O Purity of Heart, which cannot endure any attachment or affection to the slightest sin, how lovely art thou! How happy is he who is possessed of thee, for thou renderest us favorites + S~~~~~~~~~~Bta BO6 TIiTHE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. of God, thou makest our souls temples of the Holy Ghost, and dost draw down upon us all the graces~ and blessings of heaven 1 I will omnit no pains that I may obtain thee in future. But it is from Thee alone, 0 Lord, that I may hope for this happiness: I am too weak to aspire after it by my own efforts. Thou alone canst enrich me with a gift so precious; grant it to me, I pray Thee, 0 my God. Amen. RESOLUTION OF AMENDMENT. If your heart be really penetrated with the sentiments you have expressed in the foregoing Act of Contrition, it will not be necessary to suggest the obligation you are under of forming serious resolutions for the anmendmcnt of your life.'This resolution of never sinning again, is so essential to contrition, that without it there can be no real sorrow. It is, nevertheless, a point on which many persons fail; the greater number contenting themselves with a sort of general intention of doing better in future, an intention which costs nothing; which often is only in imagination; which, at best, is very weak and indeterminate. As this defect of a firm decided purpose of amendment, and the want of foreseeing and resolving against habitual faults, is the great cause of so many fruitless confessions, you should be particularly careful in making your resolution. This resolution should be firim, distinct, and hum/ble. When you have made all the resolutions you judge necessary, and that as firmly, distinctly, and humbly, as you are able, place them in the hands of God, in the sacred heart of Jesus, and Inder the protection of his most blessed Mother. GooD RESOLUTIONS. Since I have had the misfortune to offend Thee, 0 my God, and that I cannot recall the past, T resolve at least, with the assistance of Thy grace, t repair it by henceforth carefiully avoiding all THE SACRAMENT OF PENANiCE. 607 that displeases Thee. I will shun sin, With its sources an'd occasions, particularly those sins into which my natural frailty most' frequently leads me. I will adopt the means suggested by Thy minister for the correction of my faults, listenling to his words as if spoked by Thyself. I know, O my God, what I should have to apprehend from the severity of Thy justice, if Thy anger had not been appeased by the merits of Jesus Christ. I feel that Thou wilt not reject the Prayer of Thy innocent Sons whose blood pleads for me, His guilty creature. In this hope, O God of goodness! I present myself at Thy tribunal, there to accuse myself of my sins entirely, sincerely, and humbly, with full confidence that Thou wilt ratify in heaven the absolution pronounced on earth. Holy Virgin! Mother of grace and mercy! Refuge of sinners! intercede for me, tbat in this confession I may receive full pardon for the past, and grace to avoid sin in future. My good Angel I who hnst been the witness of my transgressions, help me to rise from my evil habits, and obtain for me strength against future relapses. Amen. ANOTHER PRAYER. Divine Jesus! whose holy grace has opened my eyes to the miserable and sinful state of my soul, who hast penetrated my heart with sorrow for mny offences, it is in Thy presence I now most solemnly resolve to begin a new life, and endeavor to become, from this very moment, what I shall certtainly wish to have been at the hour of my death. I resolve to adopt all the means I know to be necessary for preserving Thy grace, and per 608 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCEo severing in virtue. I resolve to discharge my spiritual duties with the utmost fidelity, to err ploy my time careftilly, and in the lumanner that Thou requirest, since I must account for every moment of it to Thee. I resolve to strive particularly against those faults I am most accustomed to commit, and to avoid those dangerous occasions;Nhich have hitherto led me into sin. These are my firml resolutions, 0 my God! but I tremble when I consider my former inconstancy and present weakness. I do not deserve those graces I have so often abused; but notwithstanding, since Thou knowest I can do nothing without Thee, I humbly. hope Thou wilt give me the grace and strength necessary for persevering in Thy love, and keeping most faithfully the resolutions I now make. ~Preserve me, O Lord; from presumptuous confidence in my own strength, for that alone wouldl cause my fall. Alas! there are many now in hell, who at some period of their mortal life felt more fervor, more sorrow for sin, and made more firm purpose of amendment than I do; I also may deserve to be abandoned by Thee. My God and only hope I leave me not to myself-accept my resolutions, but do Thou give them effi cacy; permit me to place them in Thy hands,: Thy sacred heart, and under the protection of TL. nImmaculate Mother, and my good Angel; and that thus my weakness may, be powerfully assisted, and that I may be preserved from the misfortune of a relapse into sin. As all the contrition you could feel, or all the sorrow which ever filled the hearts of the greatest penitents, vould of itself be insufficient, to atone for your sins, THE SACRAMENT OF'PENANCE. 609 you should always recollect to build your hopes of pardon on the merits of your Redeemer, and to unite your Eentiments of contrition to the bitter anguish and eftE cacious sorrow which Jesus Christ was pleased to endure for your offences, particularly in the Garden of Olives. PRAYER. O divine Lord! I am fully sensible that it is the greatest of all misfortunds to offend Thy divine Majesty, and that no misery can exceed that which is attached to the violation of Thy law; therefore I again declare that I abhor my sins, and return to Thee with my whole heart. But, O my God! when I consider that one single offence is a just and sufficient cause for eternal tears —when I reflect on the bitter regrets which the saints felt for a venial sin, and then compare my grievous qffences with my imperfect sorlrow, I am justly alarmed at my great insensibility. 0! why is not my sorrow as great as my offences — why cannot I grieve for them even unto death, and collect in lly heart all the contrition that was ever fMlt by the greatest penitents, that thus it may truly be broken with sorrow, and incapable of enjoying any other satisfaction than that which is found in unceasing regret! But since those holy dispositions are graces to which I have no claim, I beseech of Thee, O divine Lord! to accept my desires, and to'supply from the treasure of Thy infinite merits all the deficiencies in my preparation for this confession. Accept on my behalf, 0 adorable Jesus! the clear viewr Thou hadst of all my sins in the Garden of Olives, to slpply for my imperfect knowledg(e of them, or a,1ly defect in my examination. I offer up Thy 610 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. sighs, Thy tears, Thy fainting, Thy bloody sweat~ and the bitter anguish which penetrated Thy amiable heart, to supply for the weakness of my contrition. I offer Thee Thy merciful resolution of dying for the expiation of sin, to atone for any deficiency Thou mnayest discern in my determlination never more to offend Thee, and to perform all the actions of my life in the spirit of con'trition and penance. O adorable Heart of Jesus! which was sorrowful even unto death for those very sins I am about to accuse myself of; which was wounded on the Cross, and thus rendered the, refutge of sinners. I call on Thee now with all the earnestness, humility, and confidence I am capable of, and entreat of Thee by Thy infinite lovo for sinners, to remember all I cost Thee, and to apply to my soul abundantly the infinite merits of Thy humiliations, sufferings, and anguish. CONFESSION. Bear in mind the qualities necessary for a good confession, despise all the whispers of the enemy and the promptings of self-love, be sincere and humble yourself before the judgment of your God, and there in the bitterness of your heart prepare to lay open your heart to your confessor. PRAYER IN IMMEDIATE PREPARATION BEFORE GOING TO PPRESENT ONE'S SELF AT THE TRIBUNAL OF CONFESSION. Let us go, then, my soul, and throw ourselves It the feet of our divine Redeemer, that we may there cast off the heavy burden of our sins, and obtain grace and mercy. Let us go wash and purify ourselves in the precious bath of H is blood, which He has prepared for us in this sa x,'rament. THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 611 I come, Lord, my heart pierced with sorrow, and my countenance covered with shame, to cast myself at the feet of Thy priest, and there to confess and bewail my sins. Incline Thine ears to the prayers of Thy servant, and cleanse my soul from all iniquity. Approach the confessional with the same recollectedeess, silence, and modesty which would fill your heart if Christ our Lord were seated there in person ready to hear your confession, and not the priest who is really his representative. When your turn has come, kneel down and say. " Bless me, Father, for I have sinned," and then begin the " Confiteor," proceeding as far as " Through my fault," &c. Then tell when you last approached the sacraments, the period your confession is to embrace, and begin the avowal of your sins. Accuse yourself first of the faults, if any, in your last confession and communion, and when you have stated all, especially if you are so happy as to have no mortal sin on your conscience, conclude thus: "For these and all the sins of my past life, especially my sin of (naming some grievous sin), I'am heartily sorry, beg pardon of God, and absolution of you, my Father," and conclude the " Confiteor;" Listen then with humility and docility to the advice of your confessor, and during this time avoid all recurrence as to the confession itself; remembering that sins forgotten after a serious examination are really comprised in the absolution. Accept with submission the penance imposed, and if any obstacle that you foresee will prevent your accomplishing it, state this respectfully. Should your ghostly father deem it proper to defer atosolution, acknowledge your unworthiness, murmur not, least of all show your want of contrition by any spiteful emotion, any thought of not returning. Leave the confessional resolved to use every effort, by a change of life and sincere repentance, to obtain God's pardon, which his minister will ratify. 612 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE, PRAYER AFTER CONFESSION, WHEN ABSOLUTION HAS BEEB DEFERRED. Alas! my God, I leave the tribunal of mercy, without having received the grace of justification which I so earnestly desire. I feel and acknowledge that I am unworthy of so great a favor, for I have broken my repeated promises, neglected my resolutions, and, for a trifling gratification, deliberately offended Thee. But instead of casting me into despair, the delay of absolution shall only prove an incentive to courageous and vigorous efforts to correct my faults, to repair my past omissions of duty, to practise solid virtue, and adhere more faithfully to my promises in future, than I have done hitherto. With the assistance of that grace which I now earnestly implore, and on which alone I rely, I will adopt every means in my power to recover Thy friendship, and merit the happiness of being reinstated among the favored number of Thy children. Amen. Renew for several days your thanksgiving to the Almighty for so great a blessing conferred upon you, frequently raising your heart in effusions of gratitude and love; but above all endeavor by a careful amendment of your life, by flying occasions of sin, and struggling to obtain a victory over yourself, to show that the giace has not been received in vain. If your confessor thinks proper to give you absolution, regard it as a grace of which you are unworthy; receive it with humility, with head and body bowed humbly before God Pronounce an act of contrition, and say some such prayer as the following: I beg of Thee again, O my'Jesus, Thy mercy and pardon. Flow over me, O precious blood of my Saviour hanging on the cross, at the foot of THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 613 which I stand; flow over me, and wash m. from the filth of my sins; flow, sacred balsam, and heat all my wounds; flow, divine oil, to anoint and strengthen me, that I may henceforward overcome my enemies, and never again fall into sin. And as the priest pronounces over you the words of absolution make the sign of the cross, and modestly retire with a heart full of gratitude to thank God for his infinite mercy. THANKSGIVING AFTER CONFESSION. How great are Thy mercies towards me, O Lord, in having pardoned my sins after so many relapses! I now know better than ever the evil of having offended a God of infinite goodness. Thou mightest have condemned me a thousand times, and cast me into hell, as Thy justice demanded, but Thou hast had compassion on me. Ah blessed forever be Thy unspeakable and infinite mercy! How can I thank Thee, worthily, 0 Lord! Ye heavens and earth assist me in offering thanksgivings to my God. Ye flowers, lend your per.. fumes. Ye trees, bend down your tops. Ye mountains, burn like holocausts. Oh, that 1 could convert the entire universe into one temple, and fill it with my voice, in order to celebrate the praises of my God and Saviour. O Lord, I unite myself with every creature in earth and heaven, exclaiming, with them, "Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb! Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and poweg and strength to our God, forever and ever." Ama, 614 THE SAORAMENT OF PENANCS. Mary, my most tender mother, lend me thy heart, that I may love thy divine Son. Ye blzssed angels, thank God in my place. All ye saints, come to my aid. Thou art now cleansed, 0 my soul, in the blood of Jesus Christ, from all thy sins. Ah! beware lest thou soil thyself again by new ones. God has bestowed upon thee the inestimable treasure of grace, of which thou art quite unworthy, whilst he has cast thousands less guilty than thee into hell; but though he has hitherto done this, he has not promised to continue his undeserved mercy forever. Abuse not his goodness any further; oblige him not to avenge the neglect of his grace by thy destruction; avail thyself carefully of the reconciliation which he has just granted to thee. It may be the last time that he will afford thee such an opportunity. There may be no more pardon for thee, if thou hast again the misfortune to fall into thy former sins. The Saviour has broken thy chains, and delivered thee from thy hard slavery to the devil. Have a care that thou fall not into it again; remember that the cruel tyrant out of whose hands he has rescued thee daily increases the weight of the chains with which he' binds those who fall into his power, and prevails on them to add new and more fearful crimes to those from which they have been absolved. Doubt not that he will make thee worse than thou vast before, if thou permittest thyself to come again under his. yoke. Each sin which God has been pleased to remit should be a fresh and pressing motive to excite thee to love him more and more. So act, then, for the future, that as thou hast abounded in crimes, so thou mayest superabound in love. Offer thy heart to God, and promise to employ the remainder of thy life to his honor and glory. Place all thy hope in the death and blood of thy Saviour; pray of him unceasingly to apply to thee his merits. Now that he has already washed away thy sins in the Sacrament of Penance, say to him with the Prophet-king: Ampliwt lava me ab iniquitate mea;-" Wash me still more from my THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 615 Iniquity." Beseech the heavenlyFather to look upon the face of his Chirist, and to hear the prayers and supplications which he offers up to his throne in thy behalf. PRAYER AFTER CONFESSION. Can I persuade myself, 0 Lord! that, criminal as I was a few moments since, I am now, by the gra-,ce of the sacrament, puriified from my sills! God of mercy! who, by the absolution pronounced by Thy minister, hast cleansed me firom my iniquities, and restored me to Thy favor, shedding on me Thiy precious blood, and applying to my soul the virtue of Thy sacred wounds, how shall I acknowledge the wonders of Thy love! Truly, O Lord i are Thy mercies above all Thy works! How shall I prove my gratitude to Thee, 0 Divine Benefactor of my soul! I will offer Thee this day, and all the days of my life, a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and incessantly extol Thy divine munificence. I will consecrate my whole existence to Thee, shunning sin, and loving Thee with my whole heart. Oh, permit not that I should again trample on the blood which saved me, and grieve the heart which was broken for me. Give efficacy to my desire never more to offend Thee: fortify my weakness; preserve me from occasions of sin; grant me the grace of steady perseverance in my good resolutions. O Strength of the weak! in proportion as I distrust myself, so do I firmly hope in Thee; grant me, then, Thy all-powerful assistance on which alone I rely. Prostrate at Thy feet, O my Saviour! with the penitent Magdalen, I implore this, as the greatest of all favors. O Father of mercies! I know that 616 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCH.o Thou art reluctant to destroy the vesse, of clay Thy hands have formed; strengthen me, then, against future relapses. Holy Virgin, support me by Thy powerful protection; all ye angels anid saints, intercede for my conversion and sanctification. PSALM cii. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and let all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion. Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's. The Lord doth mercies and judgment for all that suffer wrong. He hath made his ways known to Moses, his wills to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long suffering and plenteous in mercy. He will not always be angry, nor will he threaten for ever. He hath not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For according to the height of the heaven above the earth, he has strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us. As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him, for he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust, man's days are as grass; as the flower of the field, so shall he flourish. THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE 61O For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be; aad he shall know his place no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him. And his justice unto children's children to such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom shall rule over all. Bless the Lord, all ye his angels, you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders. Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his that do his will. Bless the Lord, all his works, in every place of his dominion: 0 my soul, bless thou the Lord. Before leaving the chapel offer your penance, or such portion as you can, prefacing it with the following or some appropriate prayer. OFFERING OF THE PENANCE ENJOINED AT CONFESSION. O God of sanctity! of myself I have no means of satisfying thy rigorous justice, but I offer Thee an abundant satisfaction in the infinite merits of a God-Man. I present Thee, O my God! the sacred heart of Thy Son, filled with sadness and pierced with wounds for me, that Thy jilstice may thus be appeased. I unite my sufferings to the bitter'pangs of my dying Saviour. May the abundance of His merits, and the immense charity of His heart, supply for the imperfection and insufficiency of my works. 0 Lord! who hast severed my chains, strengthen me with Thy grace, that I may never resume them; that I may conquer the bad habits which have been so long opposed to Thy spirit, and courageously resist the 618 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. temptations to which I have hitherto so easily yielded. Amen. ASPIRATIONS, SOMIE OF WHICH MAY BE USED ADVANTAGEOUSLY BEFORE OR AFTER CONFESSION. My Lord and my God, I sincerely acknowledge myself a vile and wretched sinner, unworthy to appear in Thy presence; but do Thou have mercy on me, and save me. Most loving Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before Thee, and am uhiworthy to be called Thy child; make me as one of Thy servants, and may I for the future be ever faithful to Thee. It truly grieves me, 0 my God, to have sinned, and so many times transgressed Thy law; but wash me now friom my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. I detest my sins, O Lord: I abhor my wickedness: I confess mly ingratitude, and seek refuge in Thy mercy. From this moment I purpose never more to offend Thee: oh, let me& suffer all kinds of pain and infamy, nay, even death itself, rather than return to my former course of life, and live Thy enemy. O loving Father, assist ine by Thy grace, that I may bring forth worthy fruits of penance, and not suffer mly sins to go unpunished. Now, O Lord, I begin to live, not trusting in my own strenbth, or in the resolutions I make, but in the multitude of Thy mercies. Perfect, O God, the work which Thou hast begun in me. Thou hast given me peace and understanding; but, wretched sinner that I am, how ungratefully THE fTACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 619 have I abused all Thy gifts. And yet now, with all the tenderness of a loving Father, thou recallest.me from sin and rescuest mle from hell and everlasting damnation. Alas! my soul is full of anguish and confusion at the recollection of the many sins whereby I have offended Thee, my merciful Redeemer, made myself a slave to the devil, and provoked Thy angel. Oh, that I had never transgressed Thy comimandinmets, nor fallen into such an abyss of misery and calamity! Oh, that I had never sinned! Happy those souls who have preserved their innocence: oh, that I had been so happy! But now I am resolved, with the help of Thy grace, to be more watchful over myself, to amend my failings, and fulfil Thy law. Look down on me with the eyes of mercy, O God, and blot out may sins. Forgive me what is past, and, through Thine infinite goodness, secure me, by Thy grace, against all my wonted failings for the time to come. My sillns surpass in number the sands of the sea, and I confess myself, O Lord, unworthy oI Thy mercy; but Thy goodness is above all my offences. Thou hlast declared, 0 Lord, that there is joy in heaven for the conversion of a sinner; grant me, then, the grace of true repentance, and let heaven rejoice at my amendment. Thou willest not the death of a sinner, but that he be converted and live; grant me, then, that spiritual life which I need; for behold, 0 Lord, T sincerely desire, to live to Thee. 620 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. Thou didst come, O dear Redeemer, not to call the just, but sinners, to repentance; behold a miserable sinner here before Thee: oh, draw me powerfully to Thyself. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and, according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my iniquities. Sprinkle me with Thy precious blood, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let not Thy precious blood, my dear Saviour, be shed for me in vain; but may it now bring forth in me the fiuit of sincere repentance, and open to me the way to life everlasting. How great is Thy goodness, O Lord, in having sa long spared such a worthless servant, and waited with so much patience for his amendment. What return shall I make for Thy infinite mercies? Oh, let this mercy be added to the rest, that I may never more offend Thee: this single favor I earnestly beg of Thee, 0 Lord, viz. that I may for the future irenouznce mny own, way to follow Y'hine. Help ame, 0 Lord my God, and have compaa-,ion on my sinful soul Amen. AND pevothing for fot) nuuIR111on. I. TmE HOLY EUCHARIST AS A SACRAM3IENT. WE have already, in the instruction on Mass, spolen of:the institution of the Blessed Sacrament, and of its consecration and consumption in the Mass: but then we regarded the Mass itself as a sacrifice, the only sacrifice acceptable to God, a sacrifice at which the Church commands all her children to be present with faith and devotion on every Sunday and holiday in the year. But it is not our mere presence that she requires, she commands us at least once every year to approach the altar, and in holy communion receive the Blessed Saciament, the adorable Victim sacrificed for us, that by it we may become partakers of the redemption purchased for us: and she renews the sacrifice daily, that we may, if possible, daily there find strength amid the trials, temptations, and dangers of this world's pilgrimage. This sacrament was instituted by Christ himself, in words clear, distinct, and precise, which require no comment- to enable us to understand them. With his own hands he gave his Sacred Body and Blood under the form of bread and wine, and commanded his apostles, the priestl ood of the new law, to renew to the end of time the listribution among his disciples. 622 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS This great sacrament had not been unannounced. Addressing the Jews at Capharnaum, he had promised this heavenly bread, the true manna. " I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread he shall live forever. And the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." The Jews shrunk away from the idea conveyed by his words, but he, the God of all truth, repeated again and again the same expression, to show that he had not been misunderstoodcl: " Verily, verily I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day, for my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me, and I in him., As the living Father hatt.sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eatetl, mle, even he shall live by me." In vain did some of his disciples mnurmur, Our Lord spoke to them of still greater mysteries; and when they persisted in their unbelief, and abandoned him, he asked the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" Communion was the mode which his infinite love de vised for effecting a close union with such as believed in him.' It would even seem that Judas, who remained, disbelieved and fell; and even so thousands, refusing to believe, have left the Church, and our Lord seems to turn to us, who remain, and ask, " Will ye also go?" Let us remember who it is that speaks to us and says, " This is my Body,'" and answer with St. Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." How immense is the honor conferred on nman by this sacrament i who could believe-had not the Almighty himself spoken-that God could, for love of man, become man, endure all the hardships of life, die on a cross, and give himself to the end of time to be devoutly received and consumed by those who love him, that he might dwell in them forever! The Eucharist is the most august and most holy FOR TIOLY COMIMUNION. 623 acrT'ameuLt, the sacrament ocf sacraments. In the others we receive the gift of God: in this -we receive Jesus Christ himself, God and man, the author of all grace, to wlomn we are hound by every tie. Gricatt as is the power of God, he could not conceive a greater favor to bestow upon man, for in giving us his beloved Son he hath given us all things. The very excellence of the saclrament has given the enemy of man two sources of temptation. On the one hand he seeks to lead men into disbelief, asking, " 1-low can God do thir?" and many, alas! like tlle unbeliev ing Jews, listen to his false and fatal suggestion. With those whoml he cannot-lead to doubt and deniy the faith he pursues another course, and holding up to them their own misery, asks, "How dare you approa,(l so excellent a sacrament?" and by dissuading them from communion seeks to defeat our divine Lord's object in founding this signal mark of his love. Let us carefully guard ourselves against these temptations, and with St. Peter reply to the first, " If we doubt the express words of Christ, to whom shall we go? He has the words of eternal life." And let it still the second by the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria: " If we would attain life everlasting, if we would possess the author of immortality, let us readily and willingly receive the Eucharist; and let us be greatly on our guard, lest the devil should ensnare us in a damnable religion through a pretended motive of respect for this sacrament." How glreat is the happiness of those who have learned to taste iand see how sweet the Lord is! No greaten favor can be conferred on a Christian than to cornmunicate early in life, and afterwards frequently. Christian paren-ts should never de-fer tlie first communion of their children, but prepare them for it with care; inasmuch as the communions of the whole life depend in no slight degree on their first. Man cannot maintain his spiritual life without this bread of the strong, and shoauld early accustom himself to take this salutary food, that he may have strength to finish his pilgrimage. One worthy communion enriches the soul with more graces than can accrue from all the other practices of religion combined; no words, then, express 6'S4 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS the effect of worthy communions repeated during life; so that no greater pledge of immortality can be conceived than frequent communion. The blessed Eucharist is the object of the ardent desires and holy transports of the saints; it is the bread of angels, the food of the strong, the manna of the elect. It is not only the comfort of the soul in her exile, but likewise the root of immortality, the pledge of a happy eternity. It is the memorial of the Saviour's sufferings and death, the miracle of God's goodness, the consummation of his charity, the invention of his wisdom, the perfection of his atonement, the plenitude of all graces. When Jesus unites himself to the soul, he communicates to her his riches and his virtues; he gives her strength to correct her faults, and inebriates her with pure delights. Inflamed with the holy ardor of divine love, that favored soul sounds forth the praises of her allmerciful Benefactor, devotes herself irrevocably to his service, and by her ardent effusions expresses her sense of the bliss she enjoys. Great as is her happiness, greater still awaits her, when, to his corporal presence, Jesus adds the experimental feeling of sensible union. She then no longer recurs to the help of faith, to assure herself of the reality of his visit; she feels that God is her guest, that he is entirely hers. These momentm are short, it is true, but they are inexpressibly precious, and too sweet for this earth, being in truth a foretaste of the eternal joys of heaven. Communion is, then, the greatest grace God can bestow on us in this world: let us endeavor to prove our gratitude to Jesus Christ for his immense love in this sacrament of sacraments. Commlunion is the greatest happiness a creature can enjoy on earth; let us ardently desire it, at the same time confessing our unworthiness of a privilege, to which even the angels are not entitled. Communion is the holiest act of religion; let us, as far as depends on us, bring to it the most perfect dispositions. Let us never forget how great a treasure we possess in Jesus veiled in the sacrament of his love, and endeavor to fathom, if we can, the devotionate affection of a St Aloysius, a St. Francis Xavier, a St. Alphonsus FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 6(25 Liglori, a St.'Francis of Assisium, whose hearts were inflamed with love for Jesus in his sacrament, so inflmned that, in St. Philip Neri, his heart, in its palpitations, broke even the bony frame around it. Let us in spirit at least join those silent worshippers who perpetually adore Jesus hidden on our altars, and hasten to the participation in the divine banquet whenever we can. II. Or THE FREQUENCY OF COMMUNION. All Christians are obliged, under pain of mortal sit, to receive the Holy Eucharist during the Paschal season. It would seem strange that men, having so great a treasure within their reach, should needs be compelled to take it; but even this our Lord foretold in the parable of'the great supper, where he sent his servants to compel the guests to come to it. " Much is it to be lamented and pitied," says the holy author of the Imnitation, " that we should be so lukewarm and negligent as not to be drawn with greater affection to the receiving of Christ, in whom consists all the merit and hope of those that shall be saved. Much is it to be lamented that many take so little notice of this saving mystery which rejoices heaven and preserves the whole earth. Oh, the blindness and the hardness of the heart of man, that doth not consider so unspeakable a gift, and from daily use falls into a disregard of it! For if this holy sacrament were celebrated in only one place, and consecrated by only one priest in the world, how great a desire would men have to go to that place, and to such a priest of God; that they might see the divine mysteries celebrated, and partake thereof!" But as our Lord in the wilderness gave the miraculous undiminishing bread to his apostles to distribute to the people, and divided the latter into fifties and hundreds, that all might receive, so has he given us everywhere churches and pastors to enable all to partake. He has given us this blessed sacrament, moreover, under the form of bread and wine, the ordinary food which men daily take to sustain the body, that we might use it for the sustenance of our soul, as we do ordinary food for that of our bodies. The early Christians received daily, 58 626 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS and found in this adorable sacrament strength to over. come the enemies of salvation. It was only as piety grew cold that men began to neglect Holy Communion, and that the Church deprived of the very name of Christian those who were so ungrateful and so neglectful as to let the whole year pass by without receiving. She does not address her commandment to those who love her as dutiful children, but to the weak and tepid. They must receive at least once a year, and no pretext of their own unworthiness, or of the perfections of God, will excuse them. If in mortal sin, she calls on them to repent, and by a sincere and contrite confession be reconciled to God, and then approach the blessed Eucharist. The only condition which our Lord requires for admission to his holy table, is to be in a state of grace, and to have a desire to receive him. No one then can attempt to decide better than our Lord himself what is necessary. A feeling of our own unworthiness, far from banishing us from Holy Communion, should lead us to it; we need it to become better, and the very sense of our unworthiness will fill us with awe, gratitude, love, and joy, at such condescension in our kind and loving Redeemer. Some admit the advantage of frequent communion, but object their aridity and indevotion. Unable to excite any sentiments of fervor and piety, it seems to them a sort of sacrilege to approach the holy table in such a state. These should remember that sensible devotion, tears, and the ardor of divine love, do not constitute true piety, although they may accompany it; that God asks one proof of divine love, or true piety, and that proof is the keeping of his commandments. The constant feeling that we are not Nhat we should be, that with all the graces bestowed upon us we should indeed be saints, is no ground for keeping aloof from communion. The saints became such by frequent union with Jesus in the holy Eucharist, and there too we should deplore our misery and seek strength. If on the one hand a negligent soul has no right to expect favors from Jesus, on the other a faithful soul should not regret an opportunity of proving that she serves God for himself and not for his gifts. POR HOLY 0 MMUNXIoNT. 027 Remember the saying of St. Francis of Sales, that two classes of persons should communicate often, the imperfect in order to become perfect, and the perfect in order to remain so. Sir Thomas Mlore, constantly occupied as he was in the duties of his exalted station, communicated daily, and his reply to the lukewarm who censured him, we may well adduce to such as condemn us for frequently receiving: "' The very reasons which you bring to withdraw me from frequent communion, are exactly those which induce me to it; my distractions are great and many, and communion brings on recollection; the occasions of offending God present themselves daily, and I daily arm myself against them by communion. I stand in need of wisdom and penetration to unravel, and conduct with propriety and justice, several intricate and perplexing matters. I therefore, every day, go and consult Jesus Christ in his holy sacrament." But the best argument in favor of frequent communion is the fruits which it produces. Receive frequently, and you will perceive the graces and blessings which it procures, the strength in temptation and tiial; then indeed you will know what it is to possess Jesus, and in him all things. The Church in our times in order to encourage the faithful to the practice of frequent communion has not only granted many indulgences which require monthly communions to obtain, but has expressly granted the following to those who practise frequent communion: 1st. A plenary indulgence on the patronal feast of their place to those who communicate monthly and on the festivals of our Lord, of the Blessed Virgin, of the Apostles, and on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. 2d. A partial indulgence of ten years at each communion as above. 3d. A partial indulgence of five years whenever the faithful communicate on other holidays. III. PREFPARATION FOR COMMUNION. Preparation for Holy Communion is of two kinds — remote and proximate. The former consists in an innocent, regular, and truly Christian life, so that we may 628:NSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS be at all times worthy to receive. The latter consists in a spirit of recollection, into which for some days before communion we should seek to enter, in order to dispose our soul to receive the Divine guest with whom we expect to form. so close a union. It consists, finally, in the exercises of piety, to which, in a more especiaJ manner, we should devote the day of our communion. To favor this spirit of recollectedness it would be well to imitate the example of many saints who made a retreat of three days, or, at least, to read some suitable book on the morning and evening of the three days before Holy Communion, and make it the chief object of:our thoughts. For this purpose we may read the following chapters of the " Following of Christ:" First day, Book III., chapter 53, Book I., chapters- 20 and 21; second day, Book I., chapters 22. 23, and 24, Book III., chapters 14, 48, and 59; third day, Book IV., chapters 6, 7, 18, 10, and 13 or 16. The virtues with which we should at this time endeavor to adorn our souls are purity of conscience, purity of intention, and actual devotion. This purity of conscience should consist not only in cleansing our soul from the stain of mortal sin by the sacrament of penance, but in a detestation of our venial sins, and a total renunciation of them. Besides making a good confession, then. we should endeavor to cleanse our soul from all that can offend the eye of a God of all purity, and adorn it with acts of virtue that will please and gratify him.. If we expected a king to come and visit our dwelling how carefully would we cleanse it all, removing the least dust, and seek to give every thing a new polish and brightness, and, if possible, procure some new article of furniture for his especial use. Yet here the reality surpasses the figure; the King of kings actually comes to us, and in our inability we must constantly implore him to prepare'our hearts for his abode. Our intention should be pure. We must communicate not from custom, or human respect, or as it were perforce, nor even in the hope of obtaining sensible devotion. Our object should be to be united to our God in love, and correspond in gratitude to his infinite love for v,, to seek strength in our trials and temptations, to FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 629 Implore paidon for mir sins, or some particular favor for ourselves or others. Let us then purify our intention, and never approach the Holy Communion -without proposing to ourselves some special intention, to increase in love for God, gratitude for the favors bestowed upon the Saints, upon ourselves and others, joy in his infinite happiness, a greater desire of serving him, the avoiding of sin, the conversion of sinners, and all who are strangers to the Church, the relief of the souls in purgatory, &c. The actual devotion is not a mere sensible feeling, but sentiments in accordance with its holiness and dignity, a very great respect, a profound humility, much love and confidence, but especially a hunger for this heavenly bread. These sentiments we must endeavor to excite by suitable considerations, which will suggest themselves to -our mind, if we ponder well these simple questions: Who comes?:To whom does He comne For what purpose does He come? In the first you may consider your Saviour under the various titles which he bears, or has assumed, for the love of mankind, viz.; as your God, your King, your Redeemer, your Father,'leacher, Physician, Pastor, Friend, and Spouse of your soul; and see how perfectly he has fulfilled these titles, and fulfils them still in the Blessed Eucharist. In the second, consider the corresponding titles in yourself; viz.: of his creature, his subject, his rescued captive, his child, disciple, patient, lost sheep, his friend and spouse, and see how you comply with the duties annexed to these glorious names. Thirdly, consider the intentions of mercy and love, which bring him down from heaven and detain him in this sacrament, and the inexhaustible treasures of grace there open to mankind, which to be lavished on them require no merit on their side, but only that they would offer no obstacle to his goodness. The following will serve as an example: CONSIDERATION-CHRIST OUR GOD. 1. Who is it that comes to thee? Christ Jesus, " who is over all things, God blessed forever;" in whom " dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporally;" whom,53* 630 INSTRUCTIONS AND'DEVOTIONS all the choirs of angels adore. Oh amazing condescen. sion! " Is it, then, credible that God should dwell with men on earth? If the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee, how much less this my house?" Alh! love, and praise, and bless this thy " hidden God;" pour forth thy whole soul in deepest thanksgiving, and exclaim with the Apostle St. Thomas, "' My Lord and my God!" 2. To whom does He come? To thee, a vile and wretched worm of earth! To thee, who hast so often despised hitm- who is thy God and thy Creator! To thee, who hast made an idol of thy own glory! For thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, thou hast cast off his sweet yoke, anad hast said, I will not serve; and hast turned aside to strange gods, to serve the world, the flesh, and the devil. Ah, wretched soul, behold thy own wickedness! " See what an evil and bitter thing it is for thee to have forsaken the Lord thy God!" Cast thyself in shame at his sacred feet, and with a contrite and humble heart exclaim with the Publican, " 0 God, be merciful to me a sinner 1" or with the penitent Davi;d cry out, " Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy." 3. For what purpose does le come? To give himself entirely and unreservedly to thee, " that thou mayest, " as Tertullian says, " be wholly inebriated with thy God;" that thou mayest become partaker of his divine nature; that thou mayest abide in him and he in thee; and that thus thou mayest live forever. Penetrated, then, with wonder and admiration at so much love, burst forth into'accents of praise and adoration, inviting all creatures, with holy David, to bless the Lord thy God, saying, " Praise ye the Lord from the heavens, praise ye him in the high places; praise ye him for his mighty acts, praise ye him according to the multitude of his greatness." And resolve henceforth to live no longer to thyself, but to him alone, exclaiming with the royal Prophet, " Shall not my soul be subject to God? for from him is my salvation." My soul in what an important affair art thou about to be engaged! Thou hast to prepare within thee a dwelling lot for man, but for a God of infinite Majesty! FOR IIOLY COMMUNION, 631 But, 0 Lord, thou only canst make it ready. Whaf ran I do, who am a weak and wretched creature, quite unworthy to possess thee? Holiness, 0 Lord, shoula be the ornament of thy house; glory and magnificence should shine around. Fill, then, my soul with holiness; do within her great and magnificent things, that she may become worthy of thee. We should also meditate, frequently meditate, on the passion and death of our Lord, for he expressly instituted this sacrament as a memorial thereof, as the Apostle St. Paul ex ressly teaches us: " As often as you shali eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord until he come." k PRAVER WvICH MAY BE SAID SOME DAYS BEFORE COMMUNION. O Lord Jesus Christ! whom I aspire to receive in a few days within the temple of my soul, I come to implore that Thou wilt Thyself prepare Thy destined abode, cleansing it from every stain, and enriching it with ornaments worthy of Thy presence. Grant me an increase of faith, hope, and charity; grant me true contrition, and profound humility; grant me to sigh with holy Simeon for Thy coming, and, like him, to centre in Thee alone the ardent affections and fervent desires of my heart. O Lord! whose throne is surrounded by cherubim and seraphim! whose presence is felt by all creation, whose spotless sanctity the angels themselves contemplate with awe, I acknowledge my extreme unworthiness to receive Thee; but animated with lively confidence in Thy paternal goodness, I conjure Thee to prepare me Thyself, and to supply from the treasury of Thy abundant. mercies for all my deficiencies. 0 Thou 632 INSTRUCTIONS AN'D DEVOTIONS who hast come on earth to save me, and who by Thy sufferings hast opened heaven to receive me, grant me grace to profit by all Thou hast done and endur'ed for my salvation! ASPIRATIONS WHICH SHOULD BE USED THE DAYS PREODINGE COMMUNION. As the wearied hart pines for the refreshing water, so does my soul thirst f6r Thee, 0 Lord! My soul sighs for the possession of God; when shall I come and appear before Him? Lord, I come to Thee; but how shall I prepare the way for Thee? I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed. How can I receive Thee into a heart so full of iniquities, and yet how can I abstain from the living Bread come down from heaven to give life to the world? Have pity, I beseech Thee on me, a sinner; and deign to prepare Thyself a dwelling in my heart; grant that fi'om Thy adorable body may proceed a virtue to give strength and life to my soul. Prepare me for Thyself, O Jesus! and render me worthy of Thy visit; look on me, 0 Lord! and inflame me with Thy love; that I may run after the odor of Thy perfumes. Grant me humility of spirit, and pure charity, to render me worthy of participating in the bless ed food of heaven. I wish to attract Thee by my love, and to enjoy Thy presence in tlhe centre of my soul. O my God! my life! my all! I beseech Thee to come into my heart, and to unite me to Thyself forever. FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 633 PRACTICE FOR THE DAY OF COMMUNION. Having made it your last thought on retiring to rest, and preserved recollection during the eve, awake to the voice of your guardian angel calling you: "Behold, the spouse cometh; go forth to meet him:" and rise without delay. Say your morning prayers with more than ordinary fervor, and repair early to the church, to prepare leisurely for the happy moment. If there before Mass begins, or while another is saying, occupy your mind with thoughts of the great blessings which our Lord bestows on those who love him, and recite such prayers as the following. During the Mass you may employ your usual devotions, or the special prayers for such as are about to receive; but after the consecration, renew or repeat the acts which are here given, or some embracing acts of the same virtues. ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI'S PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. ACT OF FAITH. "[Behold, He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the hills" (Cant. ii. 8). Ah, my most amiable Saviour, over how many, what rough and craggy mountains, hast Thou had to pass in order to come and unite Thyself to me by the'means of this most Holy Sacrament! Thou, from being God, hadst to become mlan; from being immense, to become a babe; -from being Lord, to become a servant. Thou hadst to pass from the bosom of Thy Eternal Father to tbhe womb of a Virgin; from heaven into a stable; from a throne of glory to the gibbet of a criminal. And on this very morning Thou wilt come from Thy seat in heaven to dwell in my bosom. "Behold RHe standeth behind our wall, look t 34 IN'STR'UCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS i) ga thlrough the. windows, looking through the lattices" (Cant. ii. 9). B3ehold, 0 my soul, thy lofing Jesus, burning with the same love with which He loved thee when dying for thee on the Cross, is now concealed in the Most Blessed Sacramelt under the sacred species; and what doing? "Looking through the lattices." As an ardent lover, desirous to see his love corresponded with, frlom the Host, as firom within closed lattices, whence he sees without being seen, He is looking at you, who are this morning about to feed upon His Divine Flesh; He observes your thoughts, what it is that you love, what you desire, what you seek for, and what offerings you are about to make Him. Awake, then, my soul, and prepare to meet thy Jesus; and, in the first place, by faith say to Him: So, then, my beloved Redeemer, in a few moments Thou art coming to me? O hidden God, unknown to the greater part of men, I believe, I confess, I adore Thee in the Most Holy Sacrament as my Lord and Saviour! And in acknowledgment of this truth I would willingly lay down my life. Thou comest to enrich me with Thy graces, and to unite Thyself all to me; how great, then, should be my confidence in this Tby so loving visit t ACT OF CONFIDENCE. My soul, expand thy heart. Thy Jesus can do thee every good, and, indeed, loves thee. Hope thou for great things from this thy Lord, who, urged by love, comes all love to thee. Yes, my dear Jesus, my Hope, I trust in Thy goodness, FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 635 that, in giving Thyself to me this morning, Thou wilt enkindle in my poor heart the beautiful flame of Thy pure love, and a real desire to please Thee; so that, from this day forward, I may never will any thing but what Thou wiliest. ACT OF LOVE. Ah, my God, my God, true and only Love of my soul, and what more couldst Thou have done to be loved by me? To die for me was not enough for Thee, my Lord; Thou wast pleased to institute this great Sacrament in order to give Thyself all to me, and thus bind and unite Thyself heart to heart with so loathsome and ungrateful a creature as I am. And what is more, Thou Thyself invitest me to receive Thee, and desirest so much that I should do so! O boundless love! incomprehensible love! infinite love! a God would give Himself all to me! My soul, believest thou this? And what doest thou? what sayest thou? 0 God, O God, O infinite amiability, only worthy object of all loves, I love Thee with my whole heart, I love Thee above all things, I love Thee more than myself, more than my life! Oh, could I but see Thee loved by all! Oh, could I but cause Thee to be loved by all hearts as much as Thou deservest! I love Thee, O most amiable God, and I unite my miserable heart in loving Thee, to the hearts of the Seraphim, to the heart of the most blessed Virgin Mary, to the Heart of Jesus, Thy most loving and beloved Son. So that, O infinite Good, I love Thee with the love with which the Saints, with which Mary, with which Jesus love Thee. And 636 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS I love Thee only because Thou art worthy of it and to give Thee pleasure. Depart, all earthly affections, which are not for God, depart fiom my heart. Mother of fair love, most holy Virgin Mary, help me to love that God whom thou dost so ardently desire to see loved! ACT OF HUMILITY. Then, my soul, thou art even now about to feed on the most saN-ed Flesh of Jesus! And art thou worthy? My God, and who am I, and who art Thou? I indeed know and confess whom Thou art who givest Thyself to me; but dost Thou know what I am who am about to receive Thee? And is it possible,O mly Jesus, that Thou who art infinite purity desirest to come and reside in this soul of mine, which has been so many times the dwelling of Thy enemy, and soiled with so many sins? I know, O my Lord, Thy great majesty and my misery; I am ashamed to appear before Thee. Reverence would induce me to keep at a distance from Thee; but if I depart from Thee, O my life, whither shall I go? to whom shall. I have recourse? and what will become of me? No, never will I depart from Thee; nay, even I will ever draw nearer and nearer to Thee. Thou art satisfied that I should receive Thee as food, Thou even invitest me to this. I come then, O my amiable Saviour, I come to receive Thee this morning, all humbled and confused at the sight of my defects; but full of confidence in Thy tender mercy, and in the love which Thou bearest me. FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 637 ACT OF CONTRITION. I am indeed grieved, O God of my so il, for not uaving loved Thee during the time past; still worse, so far from loving Thee, and to gratify my own inclinations, I have greatly offended and outraged Thy infinite goodness: I have turned my back against Thee, I have despised Thy grace and friendship; in fine, O my God, I was deliberately in the will to lose Thee. Lord, I am sorry, and grieve for it with my whole heart. I detest the sins which I have committed, be they great or small, as the greatest of all my misfortunes, because I have thereby offended Thee, O infinite Goodness. I trust that Thou hast already forgiven me; but if Thou hast not yet pardoned me, oh, do so before I receive Thee: wash with Thy Blood this soul of mine, in which Thou art so soon about to dwell. ACTr or DESIRE. And now, my soul, the blessed hour is arrived in which Jesus will come and take up His dwelling in thy poor heart. Behold the King of Heaven, behold Thy Redeemer and God, who is even now coming; prepare thyself to receive Him with love, invite Him with the ardor of thy desire; come, O my Jesus, come to my soul, which desires Thee. Before Thou givest Thyself to me, I desire to give Thee, an i I now give Thee, my miserable heart; do Thou accept it, and come quickly to take possession of it. Come, my God! hasten; delay no longer. My only and infinite Good, my Treasure, my Life, my ~6E8 gINSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS Paradise, my Love, my All, my wish is to receive Thee with the love with which the most holy and loving souls have received Thee; with that with which the most blessed Virgin Mary received Thee; with their communions I unite this one of mine. Most holy Virgin and my Motheo Mary, behold, I already approach to receive thy Son. Would that I had the heart and love with which thou didst communicate! Give me this morning thy Jesus, as thou didst give Him to the shepherds and to the kings. I intend to receive Ihim from thy most pure hands. Tell Him that I am thy servant and thy client; for He will thus look upon me with a more loving eye, and now that He is coming, will press me more closely to Himself. PRAYER BEFORE COMMUNION OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS. Almighty and Everlasting God! behold I approach the sacrament of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I approach as one sick to the physician of life; as one unclean to the fountain of mercy; as one blind to the light of everlasting brightness; as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Therefore I implore the abundance of Thy measureless bounty, as far as Thou mayest vouchsafe to heal my infirmity, to cleanse my filth, to enlighten my blindness, to clothe my nakedness, that I may receive the bread of angels, the King or' kings, the Lord of lords, with so much reverence and humility so much contrition and devotion, so much purity and faith, such a purpose and intention, as FOR HOLY'COMMUNION. 63 9 is expedient to my soul's salvation. Give me, I beseech Thee, not the sacrament only of our Lord's body and blood, but also the substance and efficacy of the sacrament. 0, most gracious God, give me so to receive the body of Thy only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Which He drew from the Virgin Mary, that I may merit to be incorporated with His mystical body, and to be numnbered amongst its members. O most loving Father, grant that I may at. length perpetually contern,plate, with face revealed, Thy beloved Son, whom now I purpose to receive, veiled on the way, who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever'and ever. Amen. FOR THOSE ABOUT TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION. Before Mass. PRAYER TO DIRECT THE INTENTION. O my God! I offer Thee the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Communion which I am about to receive, to obey the precept of our holy mother, the Church, to render Thee the adoration due to Thee; to consecrate my whole being to Thee, my first beginning and last end; to beg' Thee to come and reign in my heart, to apply to my soul the infinite merits of Thy passion and death, and forgive me all lny sins. I offer Thee this Commnunion to obtain all graces necessary for the amendment of my life, to acquire the virtue of 640 INSTRUCTIONS AND) DEVOTIONS ----—,and to resist the temptations to which I am most liable to yield. I offer it to Thee, to obtain of Thy mercy final perseverance, and life everlasting, which Thou hast promised to those who worthily receive Thee and nourish their souls with this divine bread. I wish to receive Thee, O my Saviour, for all the intentions in which Thou hast instituted it, uniting myself in spirit with Thy immaculatQ Virgin Mother, and with all Thy saints, that the ardor of their love, the depth of their devotion, their detachment from all that is not Thee, may atone for my want of all. I offer this communion, also, O Lord, for our holy Father, the Pope, and for all Thy Church, for the conversion of all sinners and unbelievers, for the preservation of the just in grace, and the deliverance of the souls in purgatory. Let all, O Lord, experience the saving fruits of Thy precious blood1that we may all be united in Thee, and sing Thy praises for all eternity. At the Confiteor. ACT OF HUMIILITY. I have sinned, O Lord; I have violated Thy commandments. What ought to have made me agreeable in Thy eyes, has been employed in making me culpable. My thoughts, my words, my actions, and all that I possess interiorly or exteriorly, ought to be directed to Thy glory. Thou gavest me a being only to love and obey Thee, but alas! how seldom have I submitted to the duties of obedience, or been faithful to those of love. This I confess and acknowledge to my s:hame and confusion. I will not seek to justify FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 641 myself before Thee. Yes, it is through my fault, through my grievous fault, that I have sinned; this I cannot too often repeat, to pay homage to the truth, and to confound my pride. Thy inspirations, assistance, and grace, have never been wanting to me; but, alas! I have slighted them. Thou gavest me an upright heart, and didst engrave on my soul the principles of religion and justice; but I have misapplied them. My faults have been frequent, multiplied, and even enormous, since they bave been sufficiently so to displease Thee. How then, O my God! shall I dare present myself at the banquet of the elect, and there partake of the food of angels. O holy Virgin! temple of the Word made flesh I holy John the Baptist, angel of the desert, who prepared the way for the Redeemer of the world! faithful disciples, who listened to His instructions with so much docility, and who received Him with so lively a faith in this mysterious banquet! blessed souls, who now possess Him in heaven, and enjoy, without shadow or darkness, all the treasures of His divinity, join me in petitioning for pardon and grace. He will graciously hear your prayers, His mercy itself will interpoce and appease His anger. O my God! that I could but receive Thee into a heart- as pure as is that of Thy holy Mother; as penitelnt as that of David; as tractable as those of Thy disciples; and as fervent as those of the blessed whom'Thou'hast crowned with diadems of everlasting glory. I know that their affections and sentiments are beyond measure greater than mine; but as I cannot possibly possess 54kt, 642 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS thern, may I be allowed at least to desire them. Amen. At the Kyrie. AcT OF CONTRITION AND AMIENDMENT. O my God! infinite Beauty, boundless Goodness, who shouldst captivate my heart! grant that the bitter regret which I feel for having so long unknown Thee, may blot out my iniquities. Wretch that I am! how long have I prized all but Thee. I have done nothing'for Thy love, I have not dreaded Thy justice, I have despised Thy graces, I have closed my ears to Thy wounds pleading to me to think of my eternal welfare. My life has been one continued opposition te Thee. Thy Church now raises the angelic chant. of joy, but how can I join my voice to her's? O merciful Jesus! 0 God of infinlite goodness! from the depths of my misery I implore Thee: Thou nast never despised a contrite and humble heart, accept mine, which grieves for having offended Thee, and despised Thy goodness. I detest my sins, not only because they have -exposed me to Thy justice, not only because they have deprived me of heaven, but still more because they show my monstrous ingratitude to Thee, my unwearied benefactor, and especially because I have displeased Thee, O infinite beauty, sanctity abhorring the slightest stain of sin, goodness so worthy of our love and all our affections. Accept my repentance, let it be no longer sterile: I now sincerely renounce sin, and resolve in Thy Dresence never more to relapse, to die rather than offend TD ee again by mortal sin. The rest of my FOR HOLY C 0OMUNIO. 643 life shall be a penance for the past, and in a spirit of gratitude will I receive whatever crosses and tribulations Thou shalt send me. Forgive me, O Lord, that with Thy angels I may bless and glor:ify Thee here on earth, and forever in heaven. During the Gospel. ACT OF HOPE. O Gracious Lord, whose bounty is infinite, who never ceasest to call us to Thee by Thy Apostles and Thy holy Church which they have founded; who hast given us the means of reconciliation with Thee, I come, full of hope in Thy gracious invitation, to receive Thee. I come with confidence, for Thou not only dost invite, but even command us to come to Thee, to receive Thee inl my soul; no, Thou wilt not drive me from Thy presence; Thou wilt purify the temple which Thou hast chosen for Thy abode. If my unworthiness alarms me, Thy goodness reassures me; if I cannot bathe Thy feet with my tears as Magdalen did, I take courage when I remember that Thy precious blood, shed for me, can blot out not only my sins, but all the iniquities of the world. I shall then receive a God who wishes only my salvation; I shall publish His praises and exalt His divine charity, that all sinners may re turn to Him in sincerity of hearts. O Almighty God, who givest the bread of heaven to those who live on earth, give me the fervor, the burning love of the blessed souls who reign with Thee in heaven, and especially some little of that more than seraphic love of Thy immaculate Mother. 644 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS At the Creed. Make an act of Faith of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I not only believe, 0 Lord! that Thou existest in three distinct persons, who, notwithstanding their distinction, are only one indivisible substance; but I also believe that Thou, O Jesus, second person of the undivided Trinity, ali here really present, to give Thyself to me. I believe that Thou renewest in this sacrament of Thy body and blood, the same mysteries that I read in Thy gospel; I find in it again the mystery of Thy birth, in seeing Thee on the altar, as.newly born, and wrapped up in swaddling clothes, unknown except by the heavenly spirits and the humble; the mystery of Thy life, in seeing Thee deserted and forgotteni the mystery of Thy death, in seeing Thee sacrificed every day upon this altar, as Thou wast upon the cross; the:mystery of Thy interment, in seeing Thee buried in the tabernacle as within a tomb; and the mystery of Thy resurrection, in seeing Thee feed men with Thy glorious flesh, which is freed forever from the empire of death. I no longer, then, envy the happiness of those who saw Thee during the course of Thy mortal life; I neither feel the concern nor the impatience of those kings and prophets who longed so much to behold Theefaith here discloses to me all that the kings and prophets wished with so much eagerness to behold. FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 645 At the Offertory. ACT OF OBLATION. O my God! it is to adore Thee as our God, to acknowledge Thee as our Sovereign Master, to praise Thee as our thrice holy Lord, and love Thee as the Incomprehensible Goodness, that we offer Thee this adorable Host, Thy Only Son. What joy do I not feel that I can offer Thee a God who sacrifices Himself for Thy glory, and who honors Thee as Thou deservest.'But grant, I implore Thee, that I may sincerely accompany this sacrifice, which is infinitely acceptable to Thee, by an oblation of myself, in order that I may derive the abundant fruits of salvation which it is destined to pour into our souls. With these elements of brea&d and wine, about fo be changed into the adorable Body and Blood of Thy Son, I offer. Thee ny'heart, my mind, my whole being, that unmindful of its miseries Thou mayest change and annihilate entirely the old man in me,,and that I may henceforth be one with that divine Victim whom I hope to receive. Accept, O Lord, all my thoughts, desires, affections, all my words and actions, that purified in the sacred blood of Thy Son they imay be all pleasing in Thy sight. Let this change consist not, O Lord, in mere words of mine; speak, for nothing can resist Thy all-powerful word. Say to mny soul, I am thy salvation; bring me back from nmy wanderings, Thou who art the way, the truth, and the life; deliver me from my inconstanc; give me, in this communion to which Thou lost invite me, a relish for heavenly things, 646 INSTRUCTI('NS AND DEVOTIONS and grant, in. Thy boundless mercy, that the hap. piness which I am about to enjoy, of a close union with Thee, may enkindle in my heart an ardent desire of frequently approaching Thy table, to partake of this divine manna. At the Preface. Join with the Saints and Angels in doing Homage to Jesus Christ. What do I hear? —It is the voice of Thy minister, who exhorts me to forget the earth, and to raise up my mind and heart to heaven. What is it that I there behold?. 0 great God! the angels who adore Thee, the heavenly powers who abase themselves before Thee, the pure souls who contemplate, love, and admire Thee, and whose delight is to dwell with Thee. Ah! how profoundly ought I to humble myself in this sight! What! shall I receive this same God who reigns in heaven with so much glory! Ah, Lord! though I am unworthy to unite my voice in the canticles of Thy saints, yet Thou hast given me permission to solicit their intercession to procure Thy help to my weak endeavors. Holy! holy! holy! Lord God of Hosts! the heavens resound with Thy praises, the universe is filled with Thy glory. Thou art going to descend on me, and to unite Thyself to me. Although my sins and ingratitude have rendered me unworthy of so great a favor, yet Thou art about to communicate to me the pleni tude of Thy divine nature. FOR IHOLY COMMUNION. 647 At the Canon. ~ACT OF PETITION. 0 my Jesus! what may I not expect, now 4hat I am about to receive Thee in my heart, who art the sovereign good, the source of grace, the antidote to sin, and pledge of immortality? Full of confidence in Thy power and goodness, I pray Thee to come and reign in my heart, to pardon me for the past, and preserve me in future, that I may at last enjoy that eternal life which Thou hast promised to those who receive Thee in this adorable Sacrament. Pour forth Thy graces on Thy Church, and on all Thy faithful, and vouchsafe to preserve' them, in faith and good works; convert all sinners, bring back such as have strayed from Thy fold, and look down inf Thy mercy on the poor souls in purgatory. Shorten the term of their captivity, and let all feel the saving effects of Thy goodness. Especially I commend to Thy care those whom Thou hast made most dear to me, as well as my benefactors, friends, and enemies, Saviour of all, let us be all united in Thee ACT OF LOVE. O my amiable Saviour! I love Thee above all things; O well-beloved of my heart! I love Thee, or, at least, I. desire to love Thee, with all my heart: Thy infinite beauty, Thy countless benefits, and the favors which Thou art about to bestow upon me, all call for my love. I love Thee more than my life, more than myself; I love Thee solely for Thyself. Increase this love, O Lord, in my heart, that I may be dissolved in lowng and for 648 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS get all creatures in Thee. 0 Beauty, ever ancient and ever new, let me never cease to deplore the time when, absorbed in creatures, I was unmindful of Thee. At the Elevation. ACT or ADORATION. I adore Thee, Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, really present in this Host; I adore Thee, O Lamb of God, adorable Victim! that takest away the sins of the world. I adore Thee again, immolating' Thyself on this altar for my sake. O Jesus! consume my heart in the fire of Thy love, that I may immolate myself on this altar with Thee. I adore TheQ, O my Saviour! in this chalice of Thy blood, which Thou hast shed for us. I prostrate myself here before Thee, as before my Creator, my sovereign Master, and I annihilate myself before Thy throne; I adore Thee, 0 Divine Majesty! although veiled under these appearances of bread and wine, my faith discovers Thee under these sacred shades which surround Thee, and I enter into transports of joy when I think that I am soon to receive Thee, O infinite in power and goodness. After the Elevation. ACT OF DESIRE. The moment has come at last, O my soul! Behold the King of kings comes to thee, full of mildness and peace. O Lord! I am but sin, and Thou art sanctity itself; Thou art God, and I am vileness and nothing. Yet come, divine Jesus, lay Thy adorable heart on mine, so full of wretchedness, and Thou wilt sanctify it. EOR'HOLY COMMUNION. 649 Lo! Hle approaches, the well-beloved of my soul! O God, what love! Thou art raised above the cherubim, and Thou descendest to me; Thbou forsakest the highest heavens to show me the eagerness of Thy love: oh, incomprehensible mercy 1 Behold that God of majesty now upon this altar; at a single word He has descended. Behold that God of love; He comes to thee, lay soul-run to HIim! Yes, Lord, I run to Thee, come to Thee. Come, my well-beloved, I desire Thee alone, love Thee alone: my heart is agitated, it burns to approach Thee more nearly: come and take possession of-it, to fill its emptiness, and reign there alone, to be my only delight, lay all to pour forth therein Thy manifold consolations, to satiate it, to make me forget my misfortunes and disquiets. O compassionate Jesus! be not averted by the aspect of a heart so unworthy of Thy favors. The house of my soul is not yet sufficiently adorned to receive Thee, but Thou wilt ever be all its orna. ment; Thou perceivest stains that keep Thee aloof, oh, cleanse it by Thy divine touch. Perhaps Thou perceivest enemies, but art Thou not the strong man armed? Thy very presence will scatter them, and all will be in peace when Thou art in possession of my soul-come, then, O my good Master, establish this sweet peace in me; do not delay, my soul is disfigured by a thousand wrinkles, but Thou dost renew its youth like the eagle's! It is seared with the marks of its old iniquities, but Thy blood will efface them. Come, then, sweetest Jesus, and do not delay; all blessings will come w;th Thee, all virtues that can gi 650 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS render me pleasing in Thy sight. O Jesus! be mine, and then no adversity, no prosperity shall ever separate me from Thee. I shall hold the sufferings of this life, its joys aund honors, as naught after this foretaste of Thy glory. Come, then, 0 mly benefactor! many King! come reign in a heart which implores Thee, with all earnestness: reign forever there, and give me the grace of a glorious immortality, in which I may enjoy Thee, and possess Thee fdr eternity. At the Pater. Say it with the priest, dwelling especially on the petion, "Give us this day our daily bread," and earnestly imploring the Eternal Father to grant you the living bread which came down froml heaven and gave life to the world. hioom the Pater to the Communion. Repeat the prayers of St. Alphonsus Liguori before communion, or other pious aspirations: implore all the Angels and Saints, and especially the Blessed Virgin Imnmaculate, and your Guardian Angel, to aid you to receive your divine guest, and say: O adorable Jesus! I am, it is true, wretched and unworthy, but hast Thou not denominated Thyself the Father of the poor; and shall not that endearing title encourage me to recur to Thee, as to my Father, and the best of friends? Yes, mlly God, I will go to Thee, for Thou well knowest, that had I the heavens and the earth at my disposal, I would sacrifice all, rather than forego the, happiness I am now going to enjoy. What have I in heaven, and besides Thee what do F01o HOLY COMMUNION. 6~1 I desire upon earth? Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever. 0 amniable Virgin! thou who art styled by excellence Blessed among women, show thyself now my tender mother and powerful advocate: obtain for me the grace to receive with faith, purity, fervor, and humility, the divine object of Thy ardent love. Blessed spirits! you who unceasingly attend, love, and adore the Almighty Being I am about to receive, intercede for me at this awful moment, and supply by your ardent charity for the tender devotion with which I would wish to receive my Redeemel under n y roof. When the moment comes to approach the railing, excite in your heart a new act of contrition while the " Confiteor " is recited and the priest pronounces the absolution, in order to merit more and more the remission of your sins, and obtain a perfect purity to receive the spotless Lamb. At the Agnus Dei, and Dom~ine non sum dignus, pour forth your heart in sentiments of love, cohfusion, joy, respect, self-immolation, and tenderness. Say interiorly: "Whence comes it, that this Lamb of God, that this God of purity and majesty, can vouchsafe to lower HIimself to me, so unworthy of His presence. Yes, Lord, I do not deserve that Thou soulidst come to me; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed." Communicate with these sentiments and the religious feeling which Faith inspires, and after receiving this sacredl pledge of your salvation, retire with respectful and religious modesty, and remain some time iin sweet 652 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS and respectful silence, with eyes closed or cast don n, to avoid distraction. During this time, every moment of which is precious, converse lovingly with Jesus, whoml you have actually present in you.; let your heart speak, its language pleases him, as well as an outpouring of love an(l confidence. Adore him, thank him, devote yourself to him, represent to him your poverty and necessity; ask all necessary aids and graces for yourself, an4 those for whom you are bound to pray; ask earnestly, ask confidently. Jesus, who has given you himself, can refuse nothing that you ask for your salvation. If God speaks to you, listen humbly: if good thoughts come, entertain them sweetly, without seeking others. AsPIRATIONS FiROM HOLY SCRIPTURE. "I have found him whom my heart seeketh; I will hold him, and I will not let him go." "My beloved to me, and I to him." "Who shall separate me from the love of Jesus Christ." " O God of my heart, and my portion forever.'" "What shall I render to the Lord for all that he hath done to me." " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Speak! thy servant heareth." 1" Show me the way in which I must go; teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God." TIHANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION. There is no prayer more acceptable to God and more profitable to our own souls than that which is offered in thanksgiving after holy communion. Christ our Saviour remains present with us until the sacramental species are consumed. During these sacred moments, we may imagile that we hear from the mouth of Jesus Christ FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 653 himself these words, Which he spake formerly to his disciples: "But me ye have not always with you." (St. John xii. 8.) It is not well immediately after Communion to begin reading in a book; it is far better to pass some few nmoments in solitary and confidential conversation with Jesus Christ, thus kindly present in our heart, and to give silent encouragement to those emotions and desire, which naturally arise. It will not do, however, to loss this precious time; and if the mind begins to wander, we must fix our attention immediately by means of the Prayer Book. Oh, what treasures of grace can a pious soul obtain if she converses in spirit with her beloved Jesus at least a half hour after holy Communion! During the rest of the day the devout soul should often think of that great guest, whom she has ruceived in her communion. ACTS AFTER COMMUNION. (By Saint Alphonsus Liguori.) AcT OF FAITH. Behold, my God is even now come to visit me; m" Saviour to dwell in my soul. My Jesus is even now within me. He is come to make Himself mine, and at the same time to make me His. So that Jesus is mine and I belong to Jesus: Jesus is all mine, and I am all His. O Infinite Goodness! O Infinite Mercy! O Infinite Love! that a God should come to unite Himself to xne, and to make Himse.lf all mine! My soul, now that thou art thus closely bound to Jesus, that thou art thus one with Him, what doest thou? HIast thou nothing to say to Him; dost thou not sonverse with thy God, who is with 55* 654 INSTRUCTIONS 4.ND DEVOTIONS tlee? Ah, yes, renew thy fiith; remember that the angels now surround thee, adoring their God, who is withlin thy breast; do thou also adore thy Lord within thyself. Enter into thyself, and banish thence every other thought. Unite all thy affections together, and, clinging closely to thy God, say: AN ACT OF WrELCOME. Ah, my Jesus, my Love, my Infinite Good, my All, be ever welcome in the poor dwelling of my soul! Ah, my Lord, where art Thou I to what a place art Thou come! Thou hast entered my heart, which is far worse than the stable in which Thou wast born; it is full of earthly affections, of self-love, and of inordinate desires. And how couldst Thou come to dwell there? I would address Thee with St. Peter: "Depart fiom menc, for I am a sinful man." (St. Luke v. 8.) Yes, depart from me, O Lord, for I amin indeed unworthy to receive a God of infinite goodness; go and find repose in Those pure souls who serve Thee with so much love. But no, my Redeemer; what do I say? Leave me not; for if Thou departest, I am lost. I embrace Thee, my life; I cling to Thee. Mad indeed have I been in having separated myself from Thee for the love of creatures; and in my ingratitude I drove Thee from me. But now Iv will never more separate myself from Thee, my Treasure; I desire to live and die united to Thee. Most blessed Virgin Mary, Seraphim, and all souls, do you who love God with pure love lend mne your affections, that I may worthily attend on my beloved Lord. FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 655 ACT OF THANKSGIVING. My God and Lord, I thank Thee for the grace wnich Thou hIast this morning bestowed upon me, of coming to dwell in my soul; but I would wish to thank Thee in a manner worthy of Thee and of the great favor which Thou hast don-e me. But what do I say? how can such a miserable creature as I am ever worthily thank Thee? Father Segneri says, that the feeling most becomling a soul who communicates is that of wondering astonishment at tlle thought, and to repeat, "A God is united to me; a God is mine!" David said, "' What shall I render to the Lord for all the things that He hath rendered to me?" (Ps. cxv. 12.) But I! what return shall I make to Thee, my Jesus, who, after having given me so many of Thy good things, hast this morning, moreover, given me Thyself? My soul, bless, then, and thank thy God as best thou canst. And thou, my Mother Mary, iny holy advocates my guardian angel, and all ye souls who love God, "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will tell you wh1at great things He hath done for my soul." (Ps. 1xv. 16.) Come and bless and thank nmy God for me, admiring and praising the truly great graces which He has granted me. ACT OF OBLATIoN. "My Beloved to me, and I to Hiiim." (Cant. iit 16.) Should a king go to -isit a poor shepherd in his hut, wh at can the shepherd offer himl other than his whole h1lt, such as it is? Since, then, O Je;ius, my divine King, Thou hast come to visit 656 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS the poor house of my soul, I offer and give Tlwe this house and my entire self, together with my liberty and will: "My Beloved to me, and I to Him." Thou hast given Thyself all to mle; I give myself all to Thee. My Jesus, from this day forward I will be no longer mine; I will be Thine, and all Thine. May my senses be Thine, that they may only serve me to please Thee. And what greater pleasure, says St. Peter of Alcantara, can be found, than that of pleasing Thee, most amiable, most loving, most gracious God. I at the same time give Thee all the powers of my soul, and I will that they shall be all Thine; my memory I will only use to recall to mind Thy benefits and Thy love; my understanding I will only use to think of Thee, who always thinkest of my good; my will I will only use to love Thee, my God, my All, and to will only that which Thou willest. My most sweet Lord, I offelr, then, and consecrate to Thee this morning all that I am and have,-my senses, my thoughts, my affections, my desires, lmy pleasures, my inclinations, my liberty, in a word, I place my whole body and soul in Thy hands. Accept, O Infinite Majesty, the sacrifice of the hitherto most ungrateful sinner Thou hast ever had on earth; but who now offers and gives himself all to Thee. Do with me and dispose of me, O Lord, as Thou pleasest. Come, O consulming Fire, O Divine Love i and consume in me all which is mine, and which is displeasing in Thy most, pure eyes, so that from henceforward I may be all Thine, and may live only to execute, not Thy commands and counsels FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 657 alone,:ut all Thy holy desires and good pleasure also. Amen. O most holy Mary, do thou present this offering of mine to the AMfost Blessed Trinity with thine own hands; and do thou obtain Their acceptance of it, and that They may grant me the grace to be faithful unto death. Amen, amen, amen. ACT or PETITION. O my soul, what art thou doing? The present is no time to be lost: it is a precious time, in which thou canst receive all the graces which thou askest. Seest thou not the Eternal Father, who is lovingly beh.olding thee? for within thee Ile sees His beloved Son, the dearest object of His love. Drive, then, far from thee all other thoughts; rekindle thy faith, enlarge thy heart, and ask for whatever thou willest. iearest thou not Jesus Himself who thus addresses thee: "W' hat wilt thou that I should do to thee?" (St. Mark x. 51.) 0 soul, tell me what dost thou desire of Me? I am come for the express purpose of enriching and gratifying thee; ask with confidence, and thou wilt receive all. Ah! my most sweet Saviour, since Thou hast come into my heart in order to grant me graces, and desirest that I should ask Thee for them, I ask Thee not for the goods of the earth-riches, honors, or pleasures; but grant me, I beseech Thee, Intense sorrow for the displeasures I- have caused Thee; impart to me so clear a light, that I may know the vanity of this world, and how deserving Thou mtrt of love. Change this heart of mine, detach it fioma all earthly affections; give me a 658 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS heart conformable in all things to Thy holy dill, that it may seek only for that which is more pleasing to Thee, and have no -other desire than Thy holy love: "Create a clean heart in me, 0 God." (Ps. 1. 12.) I deserve not this; but Thou, my Jesus, deservest it, since Thou art come to dwell in nay sould: I ask it of Thee through Thy merits, and those of Thy most holy Mother, and by the love which Thou bearest to Thy Eternal Father. Here pause, to ask Jesus for some other particular grace for yourself and for your neighbors. Do not forget poor sinners, or the souls in Purgatory. Eternal Father, Jesus Christ Himself, Thy Son, has said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father any thing in My Name, He will give it you." For the love, then, of this Son, whom I now hold within my breast, do Thou graciously hear me and grant my petition. My most sweet Loves, Jesus and Mary, may I suffer for you, may I die for you; may I be all yours, and in nothing my own! May the Most Blessed Sacrament ever be thanked and praised! Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary'PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS. Soul of Christ,'sanctify me; Body of Christ, protect me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water of the side of Christ, purify me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me. FOR hOLY rCOMMUNION. 659 0 good Jesus, hear Thou me; Within Thy woundcls, oh, hide me; Suffer me not to leave Thee; Frolm the evil one defend me; In my last hour call Thou me; Bid me, oh, bid male, come to Thee; With saints and angels may I praise Thee Through endless ages of eternity. Amen. LOVING ASPIRATIONS TO JESUTS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. [They can be used either before or after Communion, or in visiting the Blessed Sacrament.] I. "Go forth, ye daughters of Sion, and see King Solomon in the diadem wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals." (Cant. iii. 11.) 0 daughters of grace, O ye souls who love God, quit the darkness of earth, and behold Jesus, your King, crowned with a crown of thorns; the crown of contempt and suffering with which the impious synagogue, His mother, crowned Him on the day of His espousals,-that is to say, on the day of His death, by the means of which He espoused Himself on the cross to our souls. Go forth again, my soul, and behold Hi-m all full of compassion and love, now that He comes to unite Himself to thee in this sacrament of love. Has it indeed, then, cost Thee so much, my beloved Jesus, before Thou couldst come and unite Thyself to souls in this most sweet sacrament? Wast Thou indeed obliged to suffer so bitter and ignominious a death? Oh, come, then, without 660 INSfRUCTIONS ANT DEVOTIONS delay and unite Thyself tu my soul also. It was at one time Thy enemy by sin; but now Thou desirest to espouse it by Thy grace. Come, 0 Jesus, my Spouse, for never more will I betray Thee; I am determined to be ever faithful to Thee. As a loving spouse, my whole thought shall be to find out Thy pleasure. I am determined to love Thee without reserve; I desire to be all Thine, my Jesus-all, all, all. II. "A bundle of myrrh is my Beloved to me; He shall abide between my breasts." (Cant. i. 12.) The myrrh plant when pricked sends forth tears, and a healthful liquor from the wounds. Before His passion, our Jesus determined to pour forth His divine blood from His wounds in so painful a way, to give it afterwards all to us: for our salvation in this Bread of Life. Come, then, 0 my beloved Bundle of Myrrh, 0 my enamored Jesus; Thou art indeed a subject of grief and pity to me, when I consider Thee all wounded for me on the cross; but then, when I receive Thee in this most sweet sacrament, Thou becomest, indeed, to me more sweet and delicious than a bunch of the choicest grapes can be to one who is parched with thirst: "A cluster of cypress my Love is to me, in the vineyards of Engaddi." (Cant. i. 13.) Come, then, to my soul, and revive and satiate me with Thy holy love. Ah, what sweetness do I feel in my soul at the thought, that I have to receive within myself that same Saviour of mine who for my salvation was pleased to be drained of all His blood, and sacrificed on a cross! "He shall abide between my breasts." No, my Jesls, nevex FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 661 more will I drive Thee hence; and Thou shalt never more have to leave me. I am determined ever to love Thee, and to be always united to and closely bound up with Thee. I will always belong to Jesus, and Jesus will be always mine; forever, forever, forever "He shall abide between my breasts." DEVOUT ASPIRATIONS OF ST. FRANCIS OF SALES, TO BE MADE BEFORE AND AFTER COIMMUNION. Before Communion. O MY true and perfect Love, what affection is this that brings Thee to such a miserable thing as 1? Come, yes, come, desired of my heart; my soul sighs for Thee; I offer to Thee, O my God, this communion, to satisfy the desire Thou hastto come and unite me to Thyself, my God, and my All. Oh, what a wonder! A God descends from heaven for me, and hides His majesty under the vile clothing of the species of bread and wine! Oh, how true it is, my Lord, that having always loved Thine own, Thou hast loved them especially at-the end, when Thou didst institute this divine sacrament. O my God, Thou art goodness itself; how, then, is it possible that I can love any thing else but Thee? Ah, Lord, draw me always closer and closer into Thy heart. I prefer Thy love and Thy, goodness above all that is to be found in the world. Thou art the only object of my affections. I wish for ncne other but Thee. I will leave all 56 662 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS in order to love Thee. Give me grace to do it; without that I can do nothing. Ah, my Beloved, if Thou wouldst have me look to Thee, do Thou first turn to me, and by Thy Spirit draw mine to Thee. I am nothing, I can do nothing, I am worth nothing; therefore let me not be ungrateful for all the graces that Thou hast deigned to grant me. I offer myself for Thy love, to be entirely deprived of every sensible consolation, and to suffer all the afflictions Thou shalt be pleased to send me, whether in time or eternity. I am, and will be all Thine; I dare to ask Thee not only for Thy gifts, but also for Thyself. I desire to receive Thee, to be more united to Thee. O Eternal Father, I offer to Thee the Passion of Thy Son for my salvation and that of the whole world. Look not at my sins; but look at the love of Thy beloved Son towards us, which has drawn Him into this sacrament. By this love, my God, have pity on me! My Redeemer, I acknowledge myself to be infinitely unworthy of approaching to receive Thee, by reason of my sins and my want of purity. Therefore I say to Thee, Lord, I'am not worthy. Even if I had all the love of the Seraphim, I should still be unfit to receive Thee; again, th'en, I repeat, Lord, I am not worthy. Come, O my sweet Saviour, and work in me that which Thou dost come to me to do. I am nothing but wretchedness; but Thy goodness does not let Thee see my misery. Come into my soul and sanctify it; take possession of my heart and purify it; enter into my body and keep it; and never separate me from Thy love. FOR HOLY CO1AMUNION. 663 Burn, 0 consuming Fire, all Thou dost see in mlie unworthy of Thy presence, and that may put an obstacle to Thy grace'and love. O Mother of my Redeemer, have compassion on me a poor sinner; pray for me, that by thy help I may embrace thy Son with perfect love, and become a soul after His own heart. After Communion. 0 excess of love I Sacred Host, I adore Thee within me. One heart is too little to love Thee, my Jesus; one tongue is not enough to praise Thy goodness. 0 my Saviour, how great are my obligations to Thee, for visiting such a poor creature as I am! I offer myself all to Thee, in gratitude for so great a favor. No, I will no longer live in myself, but that Jesus alone should live in me. He is mine, and I am His, for \all eternity. Oh,'love, love; no more sins! I will never forget the goodness and mercy of God, my Saviour and my guest. Yes, my God, I firmly believe that Thou, Body and Soul, art in my breast: Thy Divinity is now within me, and united to me. I adore Thee, and I venerate Thee, as if I were the smallest worm crawling along in the dust of its own nothingness, to testify the desire I have to give Thee glory. But is it possible that Thy Infinite Majesty should have deigned to visit the least of Thy creatures? With a softened heart, my dear Saviour, I thank Thee for this great gift. I thank Thee for it a thousand times. Grant that I may thank Thee for it as Thou dost deserve. May Thy most holy Mother, and all the angels 664 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS and saints, give Thee thanks for it! On my part, I offer Thee all the praises and thanksgivings that have been and ever shall be offered to Thee by all creatures. O my God, Thou dost come to unite Thyself to me, to apply to my soul more abundantly the merits of Thy Passion, and to sanctify me. Accomplish in me, then, all that Thou didst come to do. My God, Thou art all-wise and all-powerful, let not the fruit of Thy coming be lost: unite Thyself to me, and me to Thee, by an inseparable union and a perfect love. Unite the abyss of Thy mercy with the abyss of my misery, and make me live a life all divine. My Jesus, Thou knowest what is wanting in me; Thou knowest that without Thee I can do nothing; Thou knowest my weakness; have pity on me; give me humility, purity of heart, love and conformity to Thy holy will, strength against my bad habits, remission of my sins, and grace never more to commit them. Give me a thorough contempt for all things, so that I may love none other but Thee. Give me patience to suffer for Thy love all that may happen to me. I hope all from Thee. O most holy Virgin, my dear Mother, beg-of thy Son, by the love He bears thee, to grant me, for thy sake, all I ask. My God, and my only good, I am more pleased in Thy infinite perfections than if they were my own. I rejoice that nothing in the world can take them from Thee, or diminish them. Come, then, Thou art always welcome; always perfect and infinite in Thy majesty, O my Jesus, my Love ai d my God. Come and make me all Thine. FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 665 My Saviour, by that infinite goodness which made Thee come down to this earth, I pray Thee, let me experience the -effects of Thy love, in feeling my soul so absorbed in, Thee, that, despising all earthly things, it may see nothing but Thee, and think of nothing but Thee; that the same love which made Thee die for me on the cross may make me in like manner die in Thee, to live in Thee for tall eternity. O God of my soul, who meritest to be loved above all creatures, I protest that I hold Thee as the only object of may affections, and I prefer Thee to all the goods of the world, and to myself. I desire to be faithful to Thee, and never more to see myself separated friom Thee. I resign and abandon myself entirely to Thee, embracing with ail affection and respect Thy will, and Thy just designs over me. And I pray that whatever Thou hast ordained concerning me in time and in eternity may be accomplished; but I hope one day to see Thy divine face and Thy infinite beauty. My God, draw me to Thee, to love Thee and to burn with Thy love, by which I would be entirely consumed. Hide me, I pray Thee, in Thyself, that no creature may ever be able to find me again. O Eternal Father, for the love of Thy Son, fill my memory with holy thoughts, which shall constrain it to have a continual remembrance of Thee and of Thy Son. Oh, mnake me know and do all that Thou desirest of me. And Thou, O Holy Spirit, fill my will with holy affections, that shall bring forth all those fruits which proceed from Thy love. Illuminate me with Thy light; so shall I walk 56* 666 11fSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS straight to Thee, and my will shall be no longer free to give itself to any but Thee. My God and my All, I will no more seek any thing out of Thee, now that I can find all things in Thee. O merciful Father, make me have a care for Thy service as Thou hast had so much for my good. I wish to employ all my thoughts in seeking ways to please Thee, and in preserving me from offending Thee any more. O incarnate Lord, make me love Thee, and none other than Thee. Remove from me all occasions which might drive me from Thy love. Let my heart be always occupied in contemplating Thee and serving Thee, Thou. that art the masterlove of all hearts. Thou didst but come into the world to dwell in the hearts Thou hadst redeemed with Thy blood; then may my heart be all Thine, do Thou possess it. See, then, all my wants, and enlighten me; excite me, and make me prompt to obey Thy will. O Jesus Almighty, take from me all that can hinder the effects of Thy power and goodness. I renounce my liberty, and consecrate it entirely to the designs of Thy will. Have pity on me, and cure me of all my impurities and infidelity; fill me with Thy grace and wisdom. I abandon myself wholly to Thee, O my Jesus; I wish to be all Thine, I wish to employ myself with fervor for Thy glory, and to suffer patiently all tribulations at the sight of Thy sufferings. Enable me to employ myself solely in things that are pleasing to Thee. My God, let me discern Thee with a true faith, to know Thlee and love Thee; let me know Thy will to fulfil it; let me see myself to FOR hOLY COMMUNION. 667 confess my deformity, to abhor and humble myself; and in the end let me see Thy Divine face in all eternity. Lord, I have wasted my substance, like the prodigal son; but I have not been able to exhaust Thy mercies. Grant that I may take Thy will for the sole guide of my life, and not my own senses nor human respect. Write in my heart the law of Thy love so deeply, that it may never be effaced. My God, even if there were no place of torment for the wicked, I would not leave off loving Thee and suffering for Thee. Make me correspond to Thy desires. From this time forth Thou shalt be my portion forever. I submit myself with confidence to all that Thou shalt ordain for me in time and in eternity. O incarnate Word, wash my heart with Thy Blood, and imprint there, as a sign of Thy love, Thy holy Name of Jesus. Lord, abandon me not into the power of my vices; remember that I am the work of Thy hands; permit me not to become the prey of demons. I am a sinner, it is true; but I have been redeemed by Thy Blood. Eternal Father, look at the Passion of Thy Son, whose merits sue mercy for me; these I offer to Thee; by these do Thou detach me from worldly affections and fill me with Thy love, and make me die with resignation, with faith, with confidence, and with perfect love. O my Jesus, by that eternal love which Thou hast borne me, give me grace to love Thee during the short time that remains for me to live on this earth, that I may afterwards love Thee eternally 668 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS en heaven. O God of love, make me live only for Thee. When shall I be all Thine, as Thou art all mine? When shall I die to myself, to live only for Thy love? I do not even know how to give myself to Thee as I ought. Ah, my God, take me, and make me all Thine! My God, I wish for my eyesight only to look at Thee; for my tongue only to speak of Thee; for my heart only to love Thee; for my body only to offer it to Thee; for my life only to sacrifice it to Thee. O God of love, give me Thy love. Infinite Power, help my weakness. Eternal Wisdonm, enlighten my darkness. Immense Goodness, pardon my malice. O Infinite Goodness, too late have I loved and known Thee: do with me what Thou pleasest: I wish for nothing but what Thou shalt do. O Blessed Virgin, I rejoice with thee in that thou hast gained the heart of thy God; ah, unite me wholly to thy Son, speak to kim for me, and obtain for me the grace of follouing all His inspirations. Thou must teach me to practise the virtues thou didst exercise on earth, and detach me from affection to all that is not God, that I may love Him with all my strength. My God, enkindle Thy love in me, so that I may seek nothing else but Thy pleasure; so that nothing may please me that does not please Thee; and drive from mvy heart all things that are not agreeable to Thee. May I always be able to say with true affection: My God, Thee alone do I desire, and nothing more. My Jesus, give me a great love for Thy Passion, tllhat, Thy sufferings and Thy death being always before my FOR HOLT COMMUNION. 669 eyes. they may continually excite my love I owards Thee, and make me desirous of rendering Thee some token of gratitude for so much love. Give me also a great love to the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in which Thol hast revealed thp.great affection Thou dost bear us. Besides this, I beg of Thee to give me a tender devotion to Thy most holy Mother: give me grace always to love and serve her; always to have recourse to her intercession, and to induce others to honor her; an.d to give me and to all men a great confidence, first in the merits of Thy Passion, and next in the intercession of Mary. I pray Thee to grant me a holy death. Enable me at that moment to receive Thee with great love in the most holy viaticum; so that, united to Thee, burning with a holy fire, and with a great desire of seeing Thee, I may go forth fiom this life to embrace Thy feet the first time it shall be given me to see Thee. O my King, come and reign alone in my soul; do Thou possess it entirely, that it may not serve nor obey any thing but Thy love. O my Jesus, would that I could annihilate myself all for Thee, who hast annihilated all Thy life for me! O Lamb of God, sacrificed on the cross, remember that I am one of those souls that Thou hast redeemed with so much suffering and grief. Let me never lose Thee. Thou hast given Thyself all to me, let me be all Thine; let all my eagerness le to please Thee. I love Thee, O immense Good, in order to please Thee; I love Thee because Thou art worthy of it: my greatest sor s6 70 -INSTRUCTIONS AND DEIVOTIONS row is to think I have been so long in the world withoit loving Thee. My beloved Redeemer, make me feel the grief Thou hadst for my SilS in the garden of Gethsemani. 0 my Jesus, would that I had died before, and had never offended Thee! O love of my Jesus, Thou art my love and my hope i I will rather lose my life a thousand times than lose Thy grace. My God, if I had died when I was in sin, I could never love Thee again: I thank Thee for giving me time, and calling me to love Thee. Now, then, that I can love Thee, I will love Thee with all my soul. For this reason hast Thou borne with me, that I should love Thee; yes, I will love Thee. Ah, by the blood which Thou hast shed for me, permit me not to betray Thee again: "In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; I shall not be confounded forever." What is the world? what are riches? what are pleasures? what are honors? God, God, I will have God alone. My God, Thou art sufficient for me, Thou art an infinite good. O my Jesus, bind me altogether to Thy love, and draw all my affections to Thee, that I may love none other but Thee: make me all Thine before I die. Ah, my God, as long as I live I am in danger of losing Thee. When shall the day come that I can say to Thee: My Jesus, I cannot lose Thee more! O Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus Christ, despise me not; accept of me to love Thee, and FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 67!1 do Thcr. give me Thy love. I wish to love Thee much this life, that I may love Thee much in the next. O infinite Good, I love Thee; but make me -know the great Good. that I love, and give me uch a love as Thou dost desire. May I conquer all things to please Thee! O Mary, of thee, who so much desirest to see thy Son beloved, do I ask this grace, to love Him during all the remainder of my life; and I desire nothing more. My Lady and my Mother, I trust in thee; thou dost obtain all thou dost ask of thy God; thou dost pray for all who are devoted to thee, pray also for me. a fltain of C1Iantkgiuing after (Qommanilon. At the commencement of Mass. The presence of Jesus Christ is within me. Why art thou still sorrowful, 0 my soul; and why dost thou still disquiet me? Alas! I know it but too well; it is the remembrance of thy sins that afflicts thee; thou canst not rid thyself of it, this bitter remembrance; it recurs to thy mind incessantly; thy grief is most just. And yet, hope in the Lord, abandon thyself to the sweet thought of His mercies. What oughtest thou not to expect from a God who is come to visit thee, to console thee, and to strengthen thee! 0 Jesus, obliterate the least traces of.my past sins; root out fiom my heart every affecticn, every inclination which could 672 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS grieve Thy divine heart. O holy Virgin, who wast always faithful to the grace which preserved thee firom the taint of sin; O holy precursor of Jesus Christ, who didst preserve to the last moment of thy life the grace which had. sanctified thee in thy mother's womb; O beloved disciples, who were confirmed in all those sentiments of faith and piety with which your divine Master had inspired you; and you, O blessed souls, who are exempted forever fiom all return to weakness and inconstancy, pray for me; obtain for me that gift of perseverance, which so happily conducted you to the harbor of salvation. At the Introit. O divine Jesus, I love Thee with all my heart; may I ever be grateful to Thee for the blessings which Thou hast bestowed upon me this. day. Again Thou art about to descend upon this altar, and to renew Thy sacrifice: come, then, O Lord Jesus; my weakness implores Thy tender compassion. 0 ye heavens, let fall your precious dew, that the clouds may bring forth the Just One, and I may have the happiness once. more: of beholding my Saviour. At the Kyrie. O merciful Father, adopt me forever into the number of Thy beloved children. O most loving Jesus, say to my soul: Fear not; I am Thy salvation. O sanctifying Spirit, give me a right und&rstanding of all the truths of faith; breathe into my heart the spirit of piety; make me partaker ol all the fruits of a fervent comlmunion, and grant FOR HOLY COMMJNI JN. 673 me grace to walk constantly in the path of virtue and good works. At the Collects. 0 Lord, vouchsafe favorably to hear the prayers which Thy priest offers to Thee for the Church and for me. I earnestly beseech Thee to grant me those graces and virtues of which I have need, in order to deserve Thy love. Fill my heart with eternal gratitude for the blessing which Thou hast just conferred upon me, with a lively horror of sin, and with perfect charity towards my neighbor. Make my whole life worthy of one who is Thy child. I deserve not to be heard for my own sake, O myGod; but I beseech Thy mercy through the merits of Thy, divine Son, who lives within me. At the Epistle. "My dearly-beloved, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in the time of visitation; casting all your care upon Him, for He hath care of, you. Be sober and watch; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith, knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will Himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. To Him be glory and empire forever and ever. Amen." 6i4 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS At the Gnadual. If it were sufficient for a woman of Israel onl) to tonch Thy garment to be healed, what ought not T to hope fi'om Thee, O Jesus, to whom Thou hast but just given Thyself wholly in Conlmunion! Heal, 0 my Saviour, all the infirmities of my soul; enlighten its darkness, and teach m.e how sweet is Thy yoke, and how light Thy burden. At the Gospd. 4 "Jesus said to the Jews: My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth me the same also shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead; he that eateth of tl:is bread shall live forever." Make me meditate deeply on these words, O Jesus; may I show by my works that may strongest desire is to sit often at Thy table, in the midst of Thy beloved children. At the Offertory. I oiler myself to Thee, O Lord, as Thou didst offer Thyself to Thy Father, when Thou wast fastened to the cross: and as Thou didst reserve nothing to Thyself which Thou didst not give up in sacrifice, so do I wish to keep nothing back, but to give up all to Thee. Receive, then, O Lord, the offering of'1 my thoughts, or -11 my 'FOit HOLY COMMUNION 675 affections, of my whole being. I cannot retuin Thee thanks proportioned to Thy benefits, and therefore I call to my aid the prayers and merits of all those who have the happiness of uniting themselves to Thee by fervent communions. At the Lavabo. 0 my Jesus, would that I could ask Thee to witness the holiness of my life and the innocence of my heart! But, with the prophet, I must cry out: It is in Thy mercy only that I place my hope: my consolation is in meditating on Thy promises to the penitent heart, and Thy faithfulness in performing them; confounded at all that I have committed to this day, and encouraged by the favors with which Thou hast just loaded me, I can but promise to correspond better with Thy graces than I have hitherto done. No, never, after the Communion which I have this day made, will I be found in the society of the wicked; I will purify myself more and more with tears of penitence; I will bless Thee as I do this day, and I will sing of the wonders of Thy power and of Thy mercy. At the Preface. Thou art within me, O Jesus; bless, adore, and give thanks to Thy heavenly Father. By Thee it is that the powers of heaven praise and adore the divine Majesty; in Thee that I am united with them to sing eternally. Blessed forever be thou, O Jesus, for having come down on earth to revive amongst us the glorious title of the children of God; blessed forever, for having come this day to 76 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS visit my poor dwelling, and enabling me to offer to God thrice-holy, my Creator and Benefactor, that homage of adoration and praise, of love and thanksgiving, which is due unto Him from me and all His creatures. At the Canon. I bow myself down before Thee, O Father of mercies, and pray Thee to pour down upon me rhy holy benediction and Thy sanctifying grace. Accept the sacrifice which I make to Thee of my soul and all its powers, my body and all its senses, in union with the sacrifice of Thy divine Sonil, which the priest now offers to Thee. I unite myself with the glorious Mary ever Virgin, and I beseech her to intercede for me with Thee, and to obtain for me the graces which I ask. I unite myself with Thy Apostles and Martyrs (especially N. and N.); vouchsafe to receive the offering of my heart and of my life, for the sake of the sacrifice which they made to Thee of themselves and of all that they possessed. There wants but one only word from Thee to work the greatest marvels. Speak the word, O my God, and again the body of Thy Son will be present under the species of bread, and his blood under the species of wine; speak the word, my body and my spirit and my heart shall be devoted and consecrated to Thee forever. O Jesus, the sweet delight of mN soul, let heaven and,earth, with all their glory, veil thermselves before Thee. All their beauty and grandeur come from Thee, and can never approach to a comparison with Thy adorable perfections. FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 677 At the El-evation. Prostrate yourself before the Lord your God, and adore him, for he is the good Shepherd, who has brought back the sheep that had strayed from the fold, and who has nourished it with his own flesh and blood. O Jesus, whom we now discern through a thick veil, we beseech Thee to hear our most fervent petitions. We desire to behold Thee one day face to face, and to enjoy the blessedness of Thb elect. O sacred Host, who openest the gates of heaven, our enemies press on us fiom every side, do Thou sustain our strength, and we shall obtain the victory over hell, the world, and our own evil thoughts. During the remainde of the Canon. O my God, I know not how to, give Then thanks for the favor Thou hast bestowed upon me in feeding me with the body and blood of Thy divine Son; but I find in the sacred Victim which has been immolated on this altar wherewithal to repay Thee for so great a benefit. I have offered it to obtain thne grace of receiving Thee worthily; I now offer it to testify to Thee my gratitude for the Communion which I have had the happiness to make. I have presented Thee this spotless Lamb as a victim of expiation, a victim of sanctification; I now present it to Thee as a victim of thanksgiving; receive it, O my God, and let the entire sacrifice which Jesus Christ makes to thee of His adorable person, be the model of that sacrifice which I make to Thee of my whole self at the foot of Thy altar. 57* '78 INSTRCTIONS: AND DEVOTIONS Since I have the happiness of possessing Thee, O Jesus, permit me to open my heart to Thee, and to enjoy Thee as my soul desires; so that Thou mayest make me to hear Thy voice, and I may speak to Thee in secret, as friend converses with friendl. Thou art within me, O Lord, and hast admitted me into the interior of Thy heart; keep me united to Thee eternally. Thou art my beloved, chosen from among a thousand; in Thy heart my soul desires to dwell forever: what blessing, what consolation shall I never fail to find in T'hee! Make me to taste the unspeakable sweetness of Thy love. That which most delights the heart of the children of Adam in this world can never more be pleasing to me; I desire to love nothing more on ealth but for the love of Thee; I desire only Thee, 0 unchangeable Beauty; to possess Thee is to enjoy th(. purest, the most heavenly delights. In Thee alone, 0 Jesus, I find a solid peace, a life exempt firom troubles and disquietudes. He who possesses Thee enters into the joy of the Lord: he has no longer any thing to fear; he can want nothing, so long as he remains united with the Supreme Good, which contains all goods. At the Pater. How sweet is it, O my God, to give Thee tho name of Father! Thou reignest in the heavens, and Thou hast descended into my heart. Let my life be employed in glorifying Thy name; let all my thoughts and all my affections be henceforth subject to Thy wl1, and referred to Thy glory. Thiie is the desirv, 3 Lord, which most affects my FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 679 1hart, to come often to tlis same table, to the foot of this same altar, to nourish myself with the bread of angels. O my Father, this is the bread of Thy beloved children, suffer me never to render myself unworthy of it. Sustain me so powerfully by Thy grace, that I may often have the happiness of receiving Thee. O my Jesus, immolated for the love of me, had I but as great desire to unite myself to Thee, as Thou hast to unite Thyself to me, I should not be deprived of this happiness any day of my life; increase, tben, in me this holy desire: strengthen me against the assaults of the enemy of my salvation, who flatters me in order to destroy me, who tempts me in order to corrupt me, who draws me to himself that he lmay cast me down to hell; make me to burn with the same love for Thee that Thou burnest with for me. At the Agnus Dei. Lamb of God, adorable Victim, who wast immolated for the expiation of my sins, blot out the slightest stains' of sin in a soul which possesses Thee, and wishes to be wholly Thine. Thou hast taught me how thou lovest sweetness and humility; destroy, by Thy presence, every thing that could henceforth trouble the peace of my soul, and deprive me of Thy love. At the Communion. Thou art going to leave me, 0 my Saviour; Thy body and Thy blood will soon cease to reside within me; say to me, as Thou saidst to Thy A- ostle' that Thou leavest Thy peace with me 680 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVt rIONS give it to me in pledge of the graces and succors of which I shall have need, that I may never lose the fruit of the Communion which I have had the happiness of making. May this Communion deliver me from the tyranny of my bad thoughts, break off the yoke of my evil habits, and dispose me always to the practice of Thy holy commandments. Let nothing henceforth separate me from Thee, 0 Jesus; not the attractions of the world, nor the illusions of sense, nor the wanderings of my imagination, nor the evil passions of my heart. At the Post-Communion. Intercede once more for me, 0 Mother of my God, my advocate, my tender Mother; ye Angels of the Most High, watch over me; and ye, 0 elect of God, whom the Church hath given me for protectors, employ your powerful influence, that the Communion which I have made this day may consecrate forever to the Lord my mintd, my heart, and my whole being. At the Benedzwtzon. May the blessing of the priest, 0 most Holy Trinity, be to me the pledge that Thou wilt be faithful to Thy promises; and since Thou blessest, from the height of Thy glory, those whom Thy ministers bless on earth, may Thy blessing descend upon me, accompany and follow me, so that ever bearing in mind Thy benefits, I may occupy myself only with testifying to Thee the gratitude I owe Thee. FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 681 At the last Gospel. O Word divine, Light of men, who shinest through the darkness of our understanding, banish forever from my heart the fatal shades of sin; bid the Sun of justice rise upon me, and it will enlighten me. Say, Let there be light, and nothing shall obscure it.:Alas, the world which Thou createdst, and which Thou camest to redeem, knew Thee not! and I, who have now the happiness of possessing Thee, what will it profit me to be enlightened by Thy light, if I follow not the way it leads? VWhat firuit shall I draw from that treasure of graces which Thou hast brought me, if I dissipate and waste it? Shall I forget in one day the exceeding love which Thou hast lavished upon me? O Jesus, who art full of grace and truth, impress upon my mind the truth that enlightens, establish in my heart the grace that sanctifies, and make me find, in the unchangeableness of the one, and in the continual succor of the other, a restraint upon my inconstancy, and a support to my weakness. After illass. O my God, I am about to return to my ordinary occupations, but I return to them with a spirit and a heart altogether new. Henceforth I will seekl only to please Thee; Thou'shalt be the beginning and the end of all my actiorls. I will endeavor to show that it is no longer I that live, but Thou that livest and movest in me. 682 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS AFTER COMMUSNION. I thank Thee, Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God, because Thou hast vouchsafed to satisfy me, a sinner, Thy unworthy servant, for no merit of my own, but only by the condescension of Thy mercy, with the precious body and blood of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I entreat Thee that this holy communion may be to me, not guilt for punishment, but saving intercession for pardon. May it be to me the armor of faith and the shield of good-will; may it be to me the evacuation of my faults, the extermination of concupiscence and lust, the increase of charity and patience, of humility and obedience, the strong defence against the snares of all my enemies, as well visible as invisible; the perfect quieting of my impulses, both in mind and body; my firm adhesion to Thee, my one and true God; the happy consummation of my end. And I pray Thee that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring me, a sinner, to that unspeakable feast, where Thou, with Thy Son and the Holy Ghost, art to Thy saints true light, full contentment, everlasting joy, consummate pleasure, and perfect happiness, through the same Christ, our Lord. PRAYER OF ST. BONAVENTURE. Transfix, most dear Lord Jesus, the marrow and heart of my soul with the most sweet and wholesome wound of Thy love, that the most holy charity, that is true and serene and apostolic, that is, that my soul may swoon and melt ever with the sole love and desire of Thee; let it FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 683 long and faint for Thy courts; let it wish to be dissolved and be with Thee. Give my soul to hunger for Thee —the bread of angels, the refireshment of holy souls, our daily super-substantial bread, that has all that is sweet in taste, and all that is delicious in sweetness. Let my heart ever hunger for Thee and consume Thee, on whom the angels desire to look, and let my inmost soul be filled with Thy sweetness. Let it ever thirst for Thee-the fountain of life, fountain of wisdom and knowledge, fountain of everlasting light, torrent of pleasure, plenty of the house of God. Let it ever sue for Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, go to Thee, arrive at Thee, meditate on Thee, talk of Thee, and do every work to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with readiness and affection, with perseverance, even to the end; and be Thou alone always my hope, my whole confidence, my treasure, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquillity, my peace, my sweetness, my odor,' my relish, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, and my treasure, in which my soul and my heart may ever be fixed and firm and immovably rooted. Amen. Another. I humbly implore of Thy unspeakable mercy, 0 Lord Jesus Christ, that this sacrament of Thy body and blood, which I, though unworthy, have received, may be to me the cleansing of my offences, the strengthening of my frailties, my stay against the dangers of the world, the obtaining 684 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS of my pardon, the continuance of grace, the neAd icine of life, a remembrance of Thy passion. my nourishment against weakness, the viaticuml of my exile. Let it conduct me as I go, bring me back when I stray, receive me when I return, hold me when I stumble, raise me vwhen 1 taIl, and introduce me into Thy glory when I persevere. 0 most high God, let the most blessed presence of Thy body and blood so change my heart, that besides Thee it may never feel any sweetness, love any beauty, seek any unlawful affection, desire any consolation, admit any delight, care for any honor, nor fear any cruelty: Who livest and reignest. 4irot Communion.. The year of first communion is an important year fof the young; it is a decisive crisis in the development of the soul, and, when properly made, exercises the most marked influence on the remainder of the life. At the moment when childhood ends and youth begmns, the Church lavishes on her children the most attentive and eager care. Her more extended teachings gradually unveil all the profound and wonderful secrets of which God has made her the depository. She opens the treasures of divine mercy, by!admitting them to the grace of the sacrament which pardons and reconciles; she calls them to the communion of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, in order to bind them by the closest ties to their only good. For such a grace each Christian parent-above all, each Christian mother-should most anxiously and carefully prepare the child whom God -has intrusted to her care. From the dawn of reason, the pure soul should be taught to aspire to that happy day when it FOR HOLY COMMUNION. 685 Is to be admitted to the embrace of a loving Saviour; that grace should be held up to it as one to be sought by a life of piety and virtue, and thus a noble impulse be implanted in the heart of the child. In a country where the clergy are few, the prepara. tion for first communion devolves, in a great measure, on the parents, and is a duty not discharged by merely sending the child to the public instructions. The parent must, too, devote time to instruct and form the young heart. This preparation is twofold-Remote and Immediate. A remote preparation is necessary, for if the whole be hurried over in a few weeks, it cannot produce any lasting impression on the mind or heart of the child; and this impression is always made where a careful preparation precedes. A good first communion has been to many the star which has guided them in virtue, or recalled them when they have wandered into the darkness of sin. This remote preparation will consist in frequently, during the year preceding the happy day, setting forth the greatness of the adorable sacra-. ment, the infinite love of Jesus, especially for the young, and the blessings which result from a good communion, especially from a first communion well made. Some short prayer should be recommended to be said every Sunday, or even every day, for the purpose of imploring the graces of which the child stands in need. The following one, to be made before the blessed sacrament, really or spiritually, will answer the purpose: PRAYER FOR CIIILDREN WHO ARE PREPARING TO RECEIVE FIRST COMMUNION. Our Father. Hail Mary. O Jesus, my Saviour and my God, who art here present amid us in Thy holy tabernacle, and who 4wishest in so short a time to come and dwell in our hearts, I come to prostrate myself before Thee, to adore Thee, to thank Thee. to praise Thee, and to learn from Thee how I must prepare 08 686 IST''RUC'TIONS AND DE VOTIONS to receive Thee. Let me hear, in the depths of my heart, Thy salutary voice, O Lord; and since, by an incomprehensible excess of Thy love, Thou vouchsafest to give Thyself to me, let me purify my heart from every stain; and let me prepare in it an abode as holy as possible, with the help of Thy grace. Give me, O my God, a bitter sorrow for my sins, and a firm resolution never again to relapse into them. Let me detest the devil, with all his pomps and works. I consecrate myself to Thee, O Jesus, and I choose Thee for my portion, for the only friend of my soul. I am not, indeed, worthy to be nourished with Thy adorable flesh and blood, for I deserve only punishment; but, my Saviour, Thou Thyself dost invite and encourage us. Thou hast said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." And I am a child, O my God; I will approach Thee with confidence. Thou hast said also, " Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you," and I begin, 0 my God, to be weary and burdened with sin; I begin to feel the burden of the flesh and the weariness of temptation, and I beg of Thee strength and relief. Yes, my Jesus, my life, I desire Thee, I sigh for Thee; but increase this desire; give me an ardent thirst, and let my soul be saved. Come, Lord Jesus, come, lest indifference for Thy holy:acrainent, source of life, justly make it a sourco,of death to me. Convince me, 0 Lord, of this truth, that my first communion, for which I am preparing, is the most important action of my life, and may decide my lot for eternity. Let me, then, neglect no FOR HOLY COMMUNION, 687 thing in my preparation. I wish often, during these days of grace, to remember the love Thou showest me; and, as often as I can, I will raisa my heart to Thee, to offer it to Thy divine goodness. In miy conduct, I will be obedient and mortified, to imitate Thee and purify my soul from every stain. O my Saviour, let me lard.ently desire Thee, and approach Thee with confidence and joy. As the time of the first communion approaches. the parent should prepare the child to make its confession sincerely and fully, with due compunction and resolution of amend ment. As the examittions of conscience in prayer-books are often not adapted to the young, it will be necessary to see that the child understands the conmmandments, and in what way sin is committed against thelm. Children are often embarrassed on this point, and are shy of asking, but will profit greatly by a short oval explanation of each, from the lips of a parent or member of the family. The duties of children should be especially dwelt upon-their relations to their parents, teachers, playmates, &c. As to the sixth and ninth commandments, great care should be taken, and it would be better to advise them generally to confess every thing of which they would feel ashamed to speak to their parents. The enormity of a bad confession cannot be too strongly inculcated, nor the advantages of one made with proper dispositions. When the great affair of the confession has thus obtained attention, let the parents nourish in every way devotion to the blessed sacrament, and manifest the interest they feel in the first communion of their beioved child. If the object of their care has the advantages of a reti eat before first communion, this will be an occasion of previous instruction. 688 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS DAY OF THE FIRST COMMUNION. [Acts to be pronounced aloud by one before they have re'elved~, or which may be devoutly recited by each child.] AN ACT OF FAITH. My Lord Jesus Christ, I firmly believe that I am about to receive, in communion, Thy body, Thy blood, Thy soul, and Thy divinity. I believe it because Thou hast said it, and I am ready to give my life to maintain this truth. AN ACT or ADORATION. My Saviour and my God, I adore Thee in the holy Eucharist, where Thou art concealed through love for me; I acknowledge my entire dependence, and render homage to Thee as my creator, from which I hold all that I have and all that I am. AN ACT OF HUMILITY. My Saviour Jesus Christ, how can I approach Thee whom I have so often offended? No; I do not deserve that Thou shouldst enter my heart-the number and magnitude of my sins render me unworthy; yet speak I ut the word, and my soul shall be healed. AN ACT OF CONTRITION My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, because Thou art'infinitely good, infinitely amiable, and because sin displeases Thee; I firmly purpose, by the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee, and to do penance for my sins. FOR HOLY COMMUNION, 689 AN ACT OF HOPE. O my amiable Saviour, I hope from Thy infinite goodness that, when I shall have the happiness of receiving Thee, Thou wilt sanctify my soul, purify my body, and fill me with Thy gracQ and love. AN ACT OF LOVE OF GOD. O my divine Jesus, who hast so loved me as to nourish me with Thy adorable flesh, I love Thee with all my heart and above all things; I wish to live and die in Thy holy love. AN ACT OF DESIRE. Come, 0 my Jesus, come and take possession of my heart; I long impatiently to unite myself to Thee. After all have received, one may read aloud the following acts: AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING. My Lord Jesus Christ, I thank Thee with all the warmth of which my heart is capable for all the graces which Thou hast done me, and especially for the infinite goodness with which Thou hast given Thyself to me in the holy communion which I have just received. What shall I render to Thee, 0 my amiable Saviour, for all the goods which I have received of Thee? AN ACT OF OBLATION. 0 my divine Saviour, I offer Thee all my thoughts, all my words, all my actions, all my desires, all my affections-in one word, all that I 58* 690 INSTRUCTIONS AND DEVOTIONS, ETC. have and aml; and that my offering may be me o pleasing in Thy sight, I make it by offering to Thyself Thy infinite merits. AN Act OF LovE. 0 my amiable Saviour, I love Thee with all the ardor of which my heart is capable; enkindle, inflame, consume my heart with Thy divine lo-ve. AN ACT OF PETITION. My\I God, I earnestly implore Thee to grant me all the graces which I need to live according to Thy holy law. Grant, above all, that I may be ever united to Thee by the bonds of love. Each should then occupy his mind in reflecting on tile great happiness bestowed upon him, and excite sulch feelings of gratitude and love as he may be able. He may, if necessary, read some prayers after commnlunion. During the Mass, which he should hear in thanlaksgiving for the great benefit which IKe has received, he may use the prayers gilven for that purpose. Where it is usual to renew the baptismal vows on the day of the first communion, all should at the time appointed meet for that consoling ceremony. V $ tirrti na ft4 $utrmiit oan CONFIRhMATION is a sacramlenlt, defined to be the unction of charism, by a Bishop, on the forehead of the baptized, whereby is con.ferred an increase of grace and an especial strength, firmly to hold, and boldly to profess the faith. That confirmation is a sacrament instituted by our Lord, we see clearly in the Acts of the Apostles, where it is expressly stated that the apostles, by the imposition of hands, conferred on the faithful, after baptism, the Holy Ghost, whom they had received on Whitsunday (acts viii. 14-16). This is also proved by tile records of the Primnitive Church. " All should hasten," says St. Clement, " to be born again to God, and then to be sealed by the bishop, that is, to receive the seven-fold gifts of the Itoly Ghost; for as we have learned from St. Peter, and as the other apostles taught in obedience to the command of our Lord, lie who contumelilously, and not from necessity, but voluntarily, neglects to receive this sacrament, cannot possibly beconme a perfect Christian.' Tule matter of the sacrament is chrism, a mixture of oil and balsams, solemnlly consecrated by the bishop on Maundy Thursday. The form of the sacrament consists in the words, "I sign thee with the sign of the cross, and I confirm thee writh the chrism, of salvation, in the name of the Pathler, and of the Son, and of the HIoly Ghost," pronounced by the bishop. The rn-linister of the sacrament is a bishop duly consecrated in the Church of God, they alone having, as we see in thie Acts of the htpostles, the poiwer of administering confirmslation. The inyward grace (of this sacrancnt.is, says the Catechisln of the 692 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION., Holy Council of Trent, its perfecting and increasing the grace o baptism: those who are initiated into the Christian religion share, as it were, the tenderness and infirmity of new-born infants; but they afterwards gather strength fiom the sacrament of chrism,,to combat the assaults of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and are confirmed in faith to confess and glorify the name of our Lord. The principal effects of this sacrament are, a fortifying grace, in order to strengthen the soul against all the visible and invisible enemies of the faith; and a certain dedication and consecration of the soul by the IIoly Ghost, the mark of which is left in the soul as a character wiich can never be effaced. The dispositions to receive the sacrament worthily are, Ist, a purity of conscience, at least from all mortal sin: for which reason one ought to go to confession before he is confirmed; for the IHoly Ghost will not come to a soul in which Satan reigns by mortal sin; id. a sincere desire of giving himself up to the Holy Ghost, to follow the influence of h'hs divine grace, to be his temple forever, and by his assistance to fulfil all the obligations of a soldier of Christ. Parents should diligently prepare their children for this sacrament, and early take occasion to imbue their minds with a sense of its digsity, so as to excite in them a desire to receive it. When they approach the age when it is proper for them to receive it, regular instructions should be given them adapted to their comprehension, so that they may come fully prepared, in mind and heart, to receive the immense blessings which God showers down on those who receive this sacrament worthily. As prayer is the especial preparation, they should be induced to adopt some peculiar devotions, or prayers, not too long or too many, but such as they can easily understand and feel. As the day approaches, if the children have not the advantage of a retreat, the parents should endeavor to preserve their recollectedness, and erCourage them, by exhortations and advice, to spend a few days in spiritual reading, prayer, and preparing b:y a good confession for the reception of the Holy Ghost. PRAYER FOR OBTAINING RIGHT DISPOSITIONS FOR RECEIVINQ THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRSMATION. 0 my God, through thy great mercy, I have received three of thy most holy sacraments; the first to make me thy child, the second to efifce the stains which sin THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION, 693 had made in my soul, the third to unite mue with thy divine Son. Grant, then, I beseech thee, that the sacrament whlich I am now n preparing to receivAe, mlay avail to make me a perfect Christian; that it may give me strength andl courage to combat my evil habits, to overcome all temptations, to conform perfectly to thy Ihlw, ancl to become a true soldier of Jesus Christ, reatly to suffer any thing rather than renounce his holy religion, and to maintain it, if need. be, even at the peril of my life. This I most earnestly beseech thee, 0 my God, through the merits of thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee forever and ever. Anmen. PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE H:OLY GHOST. 0 almighty and eternal God, thou hast vouchsafed to adopt me for thy child in the holy sacrament of Baptism; thou hast granted me the remission of my sins at the tribunal of penance; thou hast made me to sit at thy holy table, and hast fed me with the bread of angels; perfect in me, I beseech thee, all these benefits. Grant unto me the spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world, and love the things that are eternal; the spirit of Understanding, to enlighten me and to give me the knowledge of religion; the spirit of Counsel, that I may diligently seek the surest ways of pleasing God and obtaining heaven; the spirit of Fortitude, that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the spirit of Knowledge, that I may be enlightened in the ways of God; the spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God both sweet and anliable; the spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God, and may dread in any way to displease him. Seal me, in thy mercy, with the seal of a disciple of Jesus Christ, unto everlasting life; and grant that, carrying the cross upon my forehead, I may carry it also in my heart, and confessing thee boldly sefore men, may merit to be one day reckoned in the lumber of thy elect. Amen. 694 TIHE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. PRA YEi FOR TBHE TWELVE FRUITS OF TilE HOLY GIIS T. O Holy Spirit, Eternal Love of the Father and the Son, vouchsafe to grant unto me, I beseech thee, the fruit of Charity, that I may be united to thee by divine love; the fruit of Joy, that I may be filled with a holy consolation 4 the fruit of Peace, that I may enjoy inward tranquillity of soul; the fruit of Patience, that I may endure humbly every thing that may be opposed to my own desires; the fruit of Benignity, that I may willingly relieve the necessities of my neighbor: the fruit of Goodness, that I may be benevolent towards all; the fruit of Longanimity, that I may not be discouraged by delay, labut may persevere in prayer; the fruit of Mildness, that I may subdue every rising of evil temper, stifle every murmur, and repress the susceptibilities of my nature, in all my dealings with my neighbor; the fruit of Fidelity, that I may rely with assured confidence, on the word of God; the fruit of Modesty, that I may order my exterior regularly; the fruits of Continency and Chastity, that I may keep my body in such holiness as becometh thy temple, so that, having by thy assistance, preserved my heart pure on earth, I may merit, in Jesus Christ, according to the words of the Gospel, to see God eternally in the glory of his kingdom. Amen. AcTs BEF'ORE CONFIRMATION. Act of Taith.-O Holy Spirit, I firmly believe that I am about to receive thee in the sacrament of Confirmation. I believe it because thou hast said it, and thou art the truth itself. Act of Iiope.-R-elying on thy infinite goodness, O Holy and Sanctifying Spirit, I confidently hope, that, receiving thee in the sacrament of Confirmation, I shall receive the abundance of thy graces. I trust in Thee that Thou wilt make me a perfect Christian, and that thou wilt give me strength to confess the faith, even at the peril of my life. Act of Charity..-I love Thee, 0 Holy Spirit, with all my heart, and with all my soul, above all things, be. cause thou art infinitely good and worthy to be loved. THIE SACRAMENT OF (JONFIRiMATIOI. 695 Kidle in my heart the fire of thy love; and grant that, having received thee il the sacrament of Confirmnation, I may faithfully perform all the duties of my Rtate, to the end of my life. ~te~ of eoalntirmatfton'he Bishop, cearing a rochet, amict, stole, and white cope and mitere, goes ip to the faldstool placed in jiont of the altar, or in sone convenzient sot, and sits down zcitc his face to the people and his back to the altar, holding his crosier in his s'ight hand. lie then admolznishes the people standineg before himiz conlcerning the sacrament, and has those to be coizfirned arranyed before hici. This being done, the Blishop, still sitting, washes his hILaids, czrd layi2y/ aside his mnitre rises, and tuirzilig to those to be conJfirmed, whco are kFceeling before him wuith clasped hands, lie clasps his hands, and says: Spiritus Sanctus super- May the Holy Ghost veniat in VOs, et virtus Al- come down upon you, and tissimi custodiat vos a pec- may the power of the Most catis. High preserve you from sins. R. Amen. 1R. Amuen. Tlhen, signing himnself, with his right hand, with the sign of the C'oss, from his forehead to /is breast, he says: 1. Adjutorium nostrum V. Our help is in the in Iomine Domini. name of the Lord. i. Qui fecit celulm et R. Who hath made terrain. heaven and earth. V. Domine, exaudi eora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionemr meam. prayer. B. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. V. Dominus vobiscum. V. The Lord be with you. R. Et curn spiritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit.'hen, witc his hands extended towards the person to be confirmed, he says: Oremus. Let us pray.:Omnipotens sempiterne Almighty, everlasting D eus, qui regenerare dig- God, who hast vouchsafed 696 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRM.ATIOTN natus es hos famnulos tuos to regenerate these thy ser ex aqua et S'piritu Sancto, vants by water and the quique dedisti eis remis- Holy Ghost, and hast givsioneml omnium peccato- en unto them the remisrum; emitte in eos septi- sion of all their sins, send formem Spirituln tuum, foith upon them thysevensanctum. Paraclitum, de fold Spirit, the Holy Paraccelis. clete, fronm heaven. R. Amen. R: Amlen. Spiritum sapientie et in- V. The spirit of wisdom tellectus. and of understanding. R. Amen. R. Amen. Spiritum consilii et forti- V. The spirit of counsel tudinis. and of fortitude. R. Amen. Pt. Amen. Spiritum scientim et pie- V. The spirit of knowl tatis. edge and of godliness. R. Amen. R. Amen. Adimple eos spiritu timo- Replenish them with the ris tui, et consigna eos sig- spirit of thy fear, and sign no era + cis Christi, in vi- them with the sign of the tam propitiatus internam. cross + of Christ, in thy Per eumdeml Dominumr mercy, unto life eterlnal. nostrum Jesunm Christurn Through thy same Son Filium tuuml, qui tecurn Jesus Christ our Lorcl,who vivit, et regnat in unitate liveth and reigneth with ejusdem Spiritus Sancti, thee in the unity of the Deus, per omnia snecula same Holy Spirit, God eculorum. world without end. R, Amen. R. Amen. The Bishop, sitting on the falcdstool, with his mit/re on his head, confirms them, arranged in rows, and kneeling itn order. lie inzqezires separately the nasne of each person to be conJfirmed, who is presented to him by the GodJt~ther or CGodmother, cneeling; and having dipped the end of the thumb oj his right hand inz chrisen, he says: N., signo te signo cru- N., I sign thee with the + cis. sign of the cross +. Whilst sayisn these words, he makes the sign of the Cross, with his thumb, on the forehead of the persoa tc be confirmed, and then says: h THE BSACRAMENT OF CONFIIRMATION. 697 Et confirmo te chrismate And I confirmr thee with salutis. In nomine Pa + the chrism of salvation. In tris, et Fi + lii, et Spiri- the name of the Fa + ther, tus + Sancti. and of the Son +, and of the Holy + Ghost. R. Amen. R. Amen. Then he strikes him gently on the cheek, saying: Pax tecunm. Peace be with thee. When all have been confirmed, the Bishop wipes with bread, and washes, his thumlb and hands over a basin. Whilst he is washing his hands, the following Antiphon is sung or read by the Clea;ks: Confirma hoc, Deus, Confirm, 0 Lord, that quod operatus es in nobis, which thou hast wrought a templo sancto quod est in us, from thy holy temun Jerusalem. ple which is in Jerusalem. R. Gloria Patri. R. Glory be to the Father, &c. Contrma. Confirm. Then the Bishop, laying aside his mitre, r'ises stp, and standing near the Altar, with his hands joinled, says: V.: Ostende nobis, Do- V. Show us thy mercy, mine, misericordiam tuam. 0 Lord. R. Et salutare tuum da R. And grant us thy salnobis. vation. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. V. Dominus vobiscum. V. The Lordbe with you. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit. Then, with his hands still joined before his breast, and all thl persons confirmed devoutly kneeling, he says: Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui Apostolis tuis God, who didst give tc Sanctum dedisti Spiritum, thine Apostles the Holy et per eos, eorumque suc- Spirit, and didst ordain cessores, cmteris fidelibus that by them and their 59 698 THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION. tradendcul esse voluisti; successors he should be de respice propitius ad humili- livered to the rest of the tatis nostue faLmulatumn; et faithful,' look mercifully praxsta, ut eorum corda, on the service of,ur huquorum frontes sacro chris- ulility; and grant that the mate delinivimus, et signo hearts of those whose foresanrict Crucis signavinmus, heads we have anointed idem Spiritus Sanctus in with the sacred chrisn,ancl eis superveniens, tenmplum signed with the sign of the glorie sum dignanter inha- holy Cross, may, by the bitando perficiat. Qui,cum same Holy Spirit descendPatre et eoderm Spiritu ing -upon them, and vouchSancto, vivis et regnas De- safing to dwell. therein, be us, in smcula sculorum. made the temple of his glory. Who, with the Father, and the same Holy Spirit, livest and reignest, God, world without end. R. Amen. R. Amen. Thenz he says: Ecce sic benIedicetur ore- Behold, thus shall every nis homo, qui timet ljomi- man be blessed that fearnum. eth the Lord. And turning to the persons confirmed, he nmaes over them the sign of the C'ossI, saying: Bene dicat voyes Doemi- May the Lord bless + nus ex Sion, ut videatis you out of Sion, that you bona Jerusalerm omnibus may see the good things of diebus vitro vestrne, et ha- Jerusalem all the days of beatis vitaIm toternam. your life, and have life everlasting. R. Amen. R. Amen. ACTS AFTER CONFIRtMATION. An Act of Thanksgiving.-O Holy Spirit, although I am Unable to understand all the greatness of the benefit which thou hast now bestowed upon me, in communicating thyself unto me with the abundance of thy graces; I return thee my most humble thanks for thy unspeakable gift, and I beseech thee to accept the grateh1 homage of my heart, which I here offer tc thy di THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 699 vine Majesty. Oh, let this mflvellous grace, lwhich has imprinted on mny soul the character of a perfect Christian, relmain forever engraven there, ard excite within me a never-failing gratitude. An Act of Consecration.-O Divine Spirit, who, of thy pure bounty and infinite goodness, hast given thyself to me, notwithstanding my great unworthiness, how could I be so ungrateful as not to give myself wholly to thee? Receive, then, I beseech thee, the offering which I make to thee of all I am. I consecrate to thee my mind with all its thoughts; my soul with all its faculties; my heart with all its affections: henceforth thou shalt be the God of my heart, and my portion forever. Perfect, O Divine Spirit, what thou bast begun in me; strengthen the good desires with which thou last inspired me, and make me ever wholly on fire with the love of thee. An Act of Petition. —O Holy and Sanctifying Spirit, thy love towards me hath lavished upon me all thy gifts, and it is thy powerful protection alone that can preserve them to me. I possess this most precious treasure in a frail. and earthen vessel; strengthen my weakness, I beseech thee, and grant that henceforth I may show myself worthy of the glorious title of a disciple of Jesus Christ. Rather let me die than drive thee from my heart A PRAYER TO BE SAID BEFORE LEAVING TiHE CHURCH. O Lord, I am about to leave this holy place, in which thy Holy Spirit hath vouchsafed to visit my soul. I am going to return to the world, whose whole spirit is opposed to the mind of Jesus Christ. Withdraw not thyself from me, 0 most Holy Spirit; give me not up to its malice and wickedness. Let thy love surround me on every side. Suffer not that this forehead, on which the holy unction is still glistening, should ever be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, nor the members of my body, which is now become'thy temple, should ever be dishonored and defiled by sin. Oh, may my heart never resist thee, 0 most blessed Spirit, but ever yield to the impressions of thy grace; for thou art the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of strength, and thou only canst accomplish in me those good desires with which thou inspirest me. Amen. OvUR private devotions will depend on our own choice; but some are necessary in any one who seeks to lead a Christian life. We accordingly add a selection of those most generally approved, arranged under convenient heads, the Litanies being all placed by themselves. To these we add the devotions of the confraternities which are authorized by the Church. The devotions which we insert form no part of the Liturgy of the Church, if we except the Litany of the Saints, but most of them have been long used by the pious, and encouraged by the Sovereign Pontiffs. The devotions are arranged as follows: Devotions to the Holy Trinity, to the Holy Ghost. Devotions to our Lord, His Infancy, Passion, His Sacred Heart, and to HIim really present in the Blessed Sacrament. Devotions to our Blessed Lady. Devotions to the Holy Angels, and the Saints in general, or to particular Saints. Devotions for particular seasons or circumstances. Devotions for particular states in life. Devotions for time of sickness. Devotions for the dead. Litanies. Confraternities and Sodalities, with their devotions. aENERAL. DEVOTIONS. 701 DEVOTIONS TO THE' MOST HOLY TRINITY. PRAYER TO GOD THE FATHER. 0 most clement Father of mercies and God of all consolations! I, a most wretched worm of earth, who am not worthy to be called Thy child, relying solely on the infinite merits of Thy onlybegotten Son, my Redeemer Jesus Christ, stand before Thy divine Majesty, my Creator and Lord. Joyfully do I consecrate to Thee, as an everlasting sacrifice, my body and soul, and all that is in me, acknowledging them all to be Thy gifts. Accept this oblation, wretched as it is, in union with that hallowed sacrifice which Thy beloved Son offered Thee on the altar of the cross. Look on the face of Thy Christ, and recognize in me Thy image made on this model. Let His dignity excuse my vileness, let His sanctity atone for my malice, and enable me to live and die bound to Thee in perpetual charity. PRAYER TO GOD THE SON. O most benignant Son of the Almighty Father, splendor of His glory and figure of His substance, upholding all things by the word of Thy power! who, although Thou wast in the form of God, didst humble Thyself, becoming obedient even unto death, the death of the cross, in order to rescue me, a slave of Satan, from the doom of eternal death. What shall I render to Thee, Lord Jesus, for all that Thou hast done for me? Do I not owe myself entirely to Thee, who, when I was lost and doomed to the flames of hell, hast 59* /02 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. restored me to Thy Father's grace and eternal salvation? Receive me, 0 Jesus, receive Thy pledge, alas! too dearly purchased; receive what is Thine, for all that is in me is the work of Thy omnipotence. Receive and preserve it, lest the infinite price of Thy most sacred blood perish forever. PRAYER TO THE EIOLY GHIOST. O Holy Ghost, who proceedest from the Father and the Son, of the same divinity, substance, and glory as the Father and the Son! O life and solace of my soul, I acknowledge that in Thee I was born to heaven by the waters of baptism, by Thee in faith espoused to Thee my God; that by the infusion of Thy power and help of Thy goodness I am governed and defended. How shall I repay Thy innumerable benefits? As I have nothing among created things dearer than myself, and Thou askest nothing without me, accept my heart, my senses, all that is in me. Bind me, a bond of eternal love, to Thee and to the Father and to the Son; inflame and purify me with Thy flames, that I may serve with chaste body and please Thee by a clean heart. THANKSGIVING TO TuIE MOST HOLY TRINITY. I acknowledge, O most holy Trinity, the immense and countless benefits which have been conferred upon me from the first moment of my existence to this hour, for which, with all my strength, I render Thee thanks. I give Thee tihanks, O Father, for creating me to the image and.ikeness of Thy deity, and for. constantly GEVERAL DEVOTIONS. 703 preserving me, that I may praise and blcss Thee to all eternity, and Thy Son and the Holy Ghost, with Thy chosen angels. I render Thee thanks, O God the Son, that Thou didst, through love for me, assume my nature, shed Thy blood for me, and undergo a most cruel death,' to rescue me from eternal death and reconcile me to Thy Father. I render Thee thanks, O Holy Ghost, for pouring Thyself out upon me in the laver of regeneration, sanctifying me, and making me an heir of the eternal kingdom. How, O most blessed Trinity, shall I thank Thee, in such a way as to be pleasing to Thee? O blessed spirits, O elect of God, and thou especially whom all generations call blessed, Virgin Mother, blessed among women, offer praise and thanksgiving for me; for not all liy members, if turned into tongues, could suffice to pay due thanks to Thee, my triune God. Amen. TRIAGION. (A plenary indulgence once a month, to those who recite it daily. A partial indulgence of 100 days every time.-CLsMENT XIV.) Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts i the earth is full of Thy glory. Glory be to the Father, glory to the Son, glory to the Holy Ghost. DOXOLOGY. (If repeated thrice at morning, thrice at noon, and thrice at night, a plenary indulgence once a month, and a partial indulgence of 800 days each time.) Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, an [ ever shall be, world without end Amen. '704 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. DEVOTIONS TO THE HOLY GHOST. (For reciting daily the following hymn, or the Sequence (page 444), there is a plenary indulgence once a month, with part.al in dulgences of 300 days on every day in Whitsun-week, and one hun dred on other days.-PIus VI.) WHITSUNDAY. Veni CS6eator Spiritus. Come, 0 Creator Spirit blest i And in our souls take up thy rest; Come, with thy grace and heavenly aid, To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. Great Paraclete! to Thee we cry: O highest gift of God most high! O fount of life! 0 fire of love! And sweet anointing from above! Thou in thy sevenfold gifts art known: Thee, finger of God's hand, we own; The promise of the Father Thou! Who dost the tongue with power endow. Kindle our senses from above, And make our hearts o'erflow with love: With patience firm, and virtue high, The weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, And grant us thy true peace instead; So shall we not, with Thee for guide, Turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may thy grace on us bestow, The Father and the Son to know, And Thee through endless times confess'd Of both th' eternal Spirit blest. All glory while the ages run Be to the Father, and the Son Whlo rose from death; the same to Thee, 0 Holy Ghost, eternally. TO TIIE 3.rrcl ulttwnnitj of ouar orb. THE sacred humanity of our Lord, in consequece of the hypostatic union, is an object of our adoration and worship. Many devotions, are accordingly in use for this purpose, of which we give the most approved. These embrace devotions to our Lord, to his' Infancy, Passion, Sacramental Life, and his Sacred Heart. 3tosar)t of our YLorb. (Plenary indulgence every year, for those who say it four times a week, on any day that it is said. Plenary indulgence in the moment of death, on uttering the holy name of Jesus, if the Rosary is said once during the illness. Plenary indulgence to those who recite it every day for a month. Plenary indulgence every Friday in March, to those who recite it, meditating on the Passion. Partial indulgence of ten years, every time any one wearing beads about him hears mass or sermon, or does any action useful to his neighbor, or performs any spiritual or temporal work in honor of our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, and the Saints.-CLIEMENT X; Lao XII.) This devotion was instituted in 1519 by the blessed Michael of Florence, and is composed of thirty-three Our Fathers, in memory of the thirty-three years which: Jesus Christ spent on earth; and of five Hail Marys, in union with Mary's compassion for the five wounds o" our divine Saviour, and concludes with the Creed. 706 DEVOT.IONS TO THE It is recited as follows: One Hail Ma1ry and ten Om Icithers, three times; one lfiail Afary, and three Oui eathers; then one Hail Se[ary and the Creed. To gain the indulgences, the beads must be blessed by a Camaldolese Father, or a priest especially empowered to bless them. MIYSTERIES. Mlysteries of the coming of our Lord. FIRST DECADE. Begin with an act of contrition, and at the EHail Mary meditate on the Incarnation; and during the Oulr Fathers of the first decade,-l, on the birth of Jesus; 2, the canticle of the angels; 3, the adoration of the shepherds; 4, the circumcision; 5, the adoration of the wise men; 6, the presentation; 7, the flight into Egypt; 8, the massacre of the innocents; 9, the return to Nazareth; and, 10, the dispute with the doctors in the temple. Glory be to the Father, &c. Mystery of our Lord's life among mens SECOND DECADE. At the hIail Mary, meditate on the obedience of Jesus to Mary and Joseph; and during the Our Fathers,-i, on the baptism of our Lord; 2, his fast; 8, his preaching; 4, his vocation of the Apostles; 5, his first miracle; 6, his healing the sick; 7, his converting sinners, his forgiving sins; 8, his charity towards his persecutors; 9, his transfiguration; and, 10, his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Glory, &c. MXyster ies of the.Death of our Lord. THIRD DECADE. At the flail Mary, meditate on the blessed Virgin permitting her Son to go and die for our salvation. D ur:ng the Ouzr Pathers, thinlk-1, of our Lord washing his disciples' feet; 2, instituting the blessed Eucharist; 3, his bloody sweat; 4, the treason of Judas; 5, the false witnesses; 6, Peter's conversion; 7, the despair of SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 707 Judas; 8, the flagellation; 9, crowlinGl withl thorns; and, 10, his crucifixion and death. Glory, &Sc. lMysteries of the Glorious Life of our Lord. At the Iail lMar?, ieeditate on his apparition to our Lady, after the resurrection; during the Our Fathfers1, on his apparition to the Marys; and, 2, to his disciples, and, 3, on his ascension. CoLclude with Hail Mary and Creed. It is not of obligation to meditate on all these, or in this order, but simply to meditate on the mysteries of the life of our Lord. When said for the dead, instead of " Glory be to the Father," it is usual to say, " Eternal rest," &c., at she end of each decade. Howard of tfe 33leaesseb Ane of 3esu%, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips. R. And my tongue shall declare thy praise. V. Incline unto my aid, O God. R. 0 Lord, hasten to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. THE FIVE MYSTERIES OF THE FIRST PART. I. The Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Mleditation.-The Son of God assumes hunian flesh out of the pure blood of the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, and is made man in her womb. 0 Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. (Tin hsmes.)-Glory, &c. 708 DEVOTIONS TO THE II. The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Meditation.-The Saviour of the world is born foT our redemption; his mother remaining a Virgin. O Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. (Ten times.)-Glory, &c. III. The Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Meditation.-Our Saviour being eight days old, begins to suffer for our sins, and his blood already flows for us. He is circumcised according to the law, as if he had been himself a sinner. 0 Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. (Ten times.)-Glory, &c. IV. Our Lord Jesus Christ is found in the Temple. The Meditation.-Our Saviour being twelve years old, shows himself more than mortal by his knowledge and wisdom, teaching the teachers of the Jews. O Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. (Ten times.)-Glory, &c. V. The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Meditation.-The Saviour of the world is baptized by St.o John. The Eternal Father declares him to be his Son. O Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. (Ten times.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. THE PRAYER. O Jesus, whose name is above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee may bend, of those that are in heaven, on earth, or in hell; who at the time appointed by the Eternal Wisdom, assunmedst flesh in the womb of the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, and thus becamedst the Son of ]David; whose birth gladdened men and angels; who began so early to suffer for us, and to shed, SACiRED HSUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 70) on onr account, that blood which washed away the sins of the world; whose immortal wisdom appeared at the age of twelve years; to whose baptism all heaven was attentive; grant us to celebrate those mysteries, to thy honor and oui own salvation: who, with the Father and the Htoly Ghost, livest and reignest, one' God, for all eternity. Amen. THE FIVE MYSTERIES OF THE SECOND PART. I. Our Saviour washeth his Disciples' leet. The 3Meditation. —Our Saviour, to show us an example of humility, and how much we ought to serve each other, descended so low as to wash the feet of his disciples, though he is the God whom heaven and earth adore. O Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews, have mercy on us. (Ten timnes.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. II. The Prayer of our Lord oJesus Christ in the Garden. The Meditation.-Our Saviour, knowing his passion to be now at hand, is so affected.with the thoughts of it, and so oppressed with the load of our sins, that he prays to his Almighty Father, that the bitter cup might pass away fiom him. O Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews, have mercy on us. (Ten times.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. III. Our Saviour is apprehended. The Meditation.-Our Saviour, as if he had been no more than mortal, yields to the power of men, and permits himself, for our redemption, to be apprehended, as if he were a malefactor. O Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews, have mercy on us. (Ten times.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. IV. Our Saviour carries his aCros. The Meditation.-Our Saviour, being torn with scourges, and pierced with thorns, to expiate our sins, is obliged ~60 o10 DEVOTIONS TO THE to carry the cross on which he is to die, and moves on, laboring in sorrow, towards the place of his crucifixion. O Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews, have mercy on us. (Ten timnes.) —Glory, &c. V. The D)escent of our Saiour into Hell. Thie Meditation -The soul of our Saviour being separated by death from the body, descends to the place where the saints were expecting his redemption. O Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews, have mercy on us. (Tun tines.)-Glory, &c. THE PRAYER. O Jesus, whose name is above all names, that in the name of Jesus every knee may bend, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and in hell; whose mysterious humiliations and sorrows, appointed for Thee, on account of our sins, appeared in Thy washing of the feet of Thy servants and creatures; in Thy distress and prayer, and bloody sweat; in Thy being secured and brought before courts as a criminal; in Thy bearing the load of the cross, and in the separation of Thy soul from the body, and its descent to the regions below; grant to us to celebrate those mysteries to Thy honor and our own salvation: who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one God, for all eternity. Amen. THE FIVE MYSTERIES OF THE THIRD PART. I. Tile Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Meditation.-The soul of our Lord Jesus Christ, which had been separated from the body, is reunited to it, by a miracle of the almighty power; and that body which had been dead rises to die no more. O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. (Ten tirnes.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD, 711 Ii. The Ascension of our Lord Jes usChrist. THe Meditation.-The body of our Lord Jesus Christ ascends to the highest heaven, where the Saviour o. mankind sits upon the right hand of God, the almighty Father. O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. (Ten times.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. III. Our Lord Jesus Christ sends down the hIoly Ghost. The Meditation.-Our Saviour, now seated at the right hand of God, his almighty Father, sends down the Holy Ghost to inspire and animate his disciples, that they may be qualified to publish to mankind his cross and his glory. O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. (Ten tismes.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. IV. Our Lord Jesus Christ crowning the Blessed Virgin and Saints. The M1editation.-Our Saviour having by his passion, resurrection, and ascension, opened the way for the sons of Adam to heaven, which they had lost by sin, bestowed on his mother and his saints crowns of immortal glory. O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. (Ten timnes.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. V. Ou6r Lord Jesus Christ coming to Jaudgmnent. The Meditation.-Our Saviour will come in power and -majesty, to judge the living and the dead, and to render to every one according to his works. O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. (Ten times.)-Glory be to the Father, &c. THE PRAYER. O Jesus! whose name is above all names, that in the name of Jesus every knee may bend, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and in hell; 712 DEVOTIONS TO THE whose, body that was nailed to the cioss for mankind, the Almighty raised from death glorious and immortal; who by Thy ascension triumphed over death, and held captivity captive; who, according to Thy promise, sent down the Spirit that proceedeth from the Father and the Son, the comforter and the enlivener; who, stretching forth the bounty of Thy almighty hand, shed upon the chosen children of Adam that glory that eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man; and who will come forth in power and majesty to judge the living and the dead, before whose throne all mortals will appear, grant us to celebrate those mysteries to Thy honor and our own salvation' who, with the Father and the HToly Ghost, livest and reignest, one God, for all eternity. Amen. N. B. The repeatin thle above prayers or meditations is not absolutely necessary. Those who cannot meditate on the mysteries, may say the Creed beforehand. baeotfon to tlhe x~ifant Jesmts. (All who devoutly prepare for the festival of Christmas by a novena, or perform a novena to the Infant Jesus at any other time, gais a plenary indulgence Christmas eve, Christmas day, or any day of the octave, and a partial indulgence of 800 days for each day of the novena. —Pius VII.L The following prayers, to which a partial indulgence of 800 days is attached for each recitation, and a plenary indulgence on the 25th of each month, when recited in churches-where the Devoti( n of the Holy Infancy is performed, may be used for the novena.) THE MBYSTERIEs OF T-E HOLY INTFANCY. T. Incline unto my aid, 0 God. R. 0 Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, &c. Our Father, &c. SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 713 I. The Incarnation. O most sweet infant Jesus, who for our salvation didst descend from the bosom of the eternal Father into the womb of the Virgin Mary, where, conceived by the Holy Ghost, Thou didst take upon Thee, 0 Incarnate Word, the form of a servant. Have mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. II. The Visitation. O most sweet infant Jesus, who by means of Thy Virgin Mother didst visit St. Elizabeth, and filling Thy forerunner, St. John Baptist, with the Holy Spirit, didst sanctify him from his mother's womb. Have mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail lary, &c. III. The Expectation of the Birth. O most sweet infant Jesus, who for nine months inclosed in the womb didst wait, for the time of Thby birth, and didst meantime inflame the heart of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph with most ardent longings, and didst offer Thyself to God the Father for the salvation of the world. Have mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. IV. The Htoly Nrativity. O most sweet infant Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, wrapped in poor swaddling 60* 714 DEVOTIONS TO THE clothes, laid in the manger, glorified by angels, and visited by shepherds. Iave mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. 0 Jesu! born of Virgin bright, Imlortal glory be to Thee; Praise to the Father infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally V. Christ is at hand. R. 0 come, let us worship him. Our Father, &c. V. The Circumcision. o most sweet infant Jesus, circumcised when eight days old, and called by the glorious name of Jesus, and proclaimed, both by Thy name and by Thy blood, to be the Saviour of the world. Have mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. VI. The Adoration of the Kings. o most sweet infant Jesus, manifested to the three'kings, who worshipped Thee as Thou didst lie on Mary's breast, and offered to Thee the mysterious presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Have mercy upon us. V;. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. R. Have inercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c, VII. The Presentation. O most sweet infant Jesus, presented in the temple by the Virgin Mary, embraced by the SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 15 holy old man Simeon, and revealed to the Jews by Anna the prophetess. Have mercy upon us. Y. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. VIII. The Flight into Egypt. O most sweet infant Jesus, whom Herod sought to slay, carried by St. Joseph with Thy Mother into Egypt, saved firom death by flight, and glorified by the blood of the holy Innocents. Have mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. O Jesu! born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to Thee; Praise to the Father infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally. V. Christ is at hand. WI. 0 come, let us worship him. Our Father, &c. IX. The Sojourn in Egypt. O most sweet infant Jesus, who didst dwell as an exile in Egypt for seven years, where Thou utteredst Thy first words, and, loosed from Thy swathing bands, didst first begin to walk uponthis earth, and, in the destruction of the idols, didst work in a hidden manner Thy first miracles. Have mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary &c. 716 PEVNOTIONS TO THE X. h7ie Return from Egypt. 0 most sweet infant Jesus, who when Herod was dead wast recalled out of Egypt into the land of Israel, and didst in the journey suffer many fatigues and hardships, and wast carried back by Mary and Joseph to the city of Nazareth. H-ave mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, Q Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. XI. The Isife in the Roly House. O most sweet infant Jesus, who in the holy house of Nazareth didst dwell most holily, and didst pass Thy life in obedience, poverty, and toil, and as Thou increasedst in years didst manifest to God and men signs of wisdom and of grace. Have mercy upon us. T. Have mercy upon us, 0 Lord. P1. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. XII. The Dispting with the Doctors. 0 moist sweet infant Jesus, who wast taken to JSerusalem when twelve years old, wast lost by Thy parents, and sought for by them with sorrow, and after three days wast found, to their exceeding joy, with the doctors in the temple. Have mercy upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord. R. Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, &c. 0 Jesu! born of Virgin bright Immortal glory be to Thee; Praise to the Father infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally. Our Father, &c. SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 717 During the Year. F. The Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt amongst us. At Christmas, and during the Octave, add Alleluia. At the Epiphany and during the Octave. V. Christ hath manifested hinmself unto us. Allelui&a R. 0 come, let us worship him. Alleluia. Let us pray. O almighty and everlasting God, Lord of heaven and earth, who didst reveal Thyself to little ones, grant, we beseech Thee, that while we duly celebrate and honor the most holy mysteries of Thy Son, the infant Jesus, and worthily strive to imitate them, we may arrive at that heavenly kingdom which Thou hast promised to little children, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, -world without end. Amen. Say, "Eternal rest give to thenm," 9c., three times for the souls in purgatory who were devout to the infant Jesus, and one Hail;Mary for the intention of the promoter of this de oijao.. wratoiong to tsus (Trudificb TnnE S'ATIONS, oR HOLY WAY oF THE CROSS. C(he same indulgences are gained by this devotion as by a viskt to the holy places; many of these are plenary, and all are applicable to the souls in purgatory. They may be gained by any one in a state of grace, and do not require confession and communion at the tirmie. Pilgrimages have in all ages heen a favorite mode of devotion, and many visited Palestine to pray on the spots hallowed by the sufferings and death of our Lord. To enable such as could not really make the pilgrimage. the devotion of the Way of the Gross was instituted by the Franciscan FatheTs.) This devotion represents, in fourteen parts. the painful journey of our Lord fromt the habl of Pilate to CalL a~ __ ~ul journeyi of our Lolad fr~om the hiall ojf P)ilate to Ca>? DEVOTION-S, ET. vary. To gain the indulgences, it must be peiformied at stations set up by a Franciscan or priest duly authorized. These stations are represented by crosses or pictures of the mystery, set up in regular order, and the devotion consists in piously visiting them successively, meditating on each mystery, and praying mentally or vocally. No prayers are necessary, but it is usual to say at each, five Our Fathers and five alil Jl/arys, or one Our Falther, Haail Nary, and Glory be to the Fcdzher, with a stanza of the Stabat AMater. Various especial prayers are to be found, which each may use at pleasure. In performing this devotion-a person must proceed from one station to another, kneeling at each. Persons physically or morally unable to visit stations canonically erected, may gain the indulgences by reciting fourteen Our Fathers and fourteen Bflfail larys, one for each station, and five more with the Glory be to the TFather, and then one -Our Father and liHail Mary for the Pope, holding, during the whole time, a crucifix or cross specially blessed for the purpose by an authorized priest. This enables persons, in places where there is no chapel with the stations, to gain the indulgences. PRAYERS OF ST. ALPIsONSUS LIGUORI, FIRST STATION. JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider how Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross. My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate; no, it was my sins that condemned Thee to die. I beseech Thee, by the merits of that sorrowful jour 12t0 JDEVOTIONS TO THIE ney, to assist my soul in her journey towards eternity. I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may loVe Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, andl'die with Thee. SECOND STATION. JESUS IS MADE TO BEAR HIS CROSS. Y. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee, R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemo thle world. Consider how Jesus, in making this journey with the cross on His shoulders, thought of us, and for us offered to His Father the death He was about to undergo. My most beloved Jesus! I embrace all the trib ulations Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love Thee, Jesus my love, above all things; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always, and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu I for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. SACRED HUMAN RITY OF OUrR LORD.'21 THIRD STATION. JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME UNDER IIIS CROSS. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider this first fall of Jesus under His cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head crowned with thorns, and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely wa4k, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times. My Jesus, it is not the weight of the cross, but of my sins, which has made Thee suffer qo much pain. Ah, by the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin. I love Thee, 0 my Jesus; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. FOURTH STATION. JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTIIER. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider the meeting of the Son and the M tther, which took blace on this iourney. Their 61 722 DEVOTIONS TO THE looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly. My sweet Jesus! by the sorrow that Thou didst experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who wast overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me, by thy intercession, a continual and tender remembrance of the passion of thy Son. I love Thee, Jesus my love, above all things; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself fiom Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and tfhen do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu [ for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. FIFTH STATION. THE CYRENIAN HELPS JESUS TO CARRY HIS CeOSS. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider how the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus was on the point of expiring, and fearing He would die on the way, when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross behind our Lord. My most beloved Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I accept it-I embrace it. I accept in particular the death Thou hast destined for me, with all tie pains which may accompany it; I unite it to Thy death-I offer it to Thee. Thou hast died for love of me; I will die SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 723 for love of Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus my love, above all thinos; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself fiom Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. SIXTH STATION. VERONICA WIPES TITE FACE OF JESUS. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by'l'hy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider how the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jests so ill-used, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a lt6wel, with which IIe wiped his adorable face, le:ving on it the impression of His holy countenance. My most beloved Jesus! Thy face was once beautiful, btit in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds (and blood have disfigured it. Alas! my soul also was once beautiful, when it received Thy grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it si nce by my sins. Thou alone, my Redeemler, canst restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Thy passion, 0 Jesus. I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself fioln Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our FatLer. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. 724 DEVOTIONS TO TIlE SEVENTH STATION. TESTUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME. V". Wre adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise TkLec. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider the second fall of Jesus under the cross — a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds of His head and members. My most sweet Jesus! how many times Thou hast pardoned me, and how many times have I fallen again, and begun again to offendl Thee! Oh! by the merits of this second fall, give me the necessary helps to persevere in Thy grace until death. Grant that in all temptations which assail me I may always commend myself to Thee. I.ove Thee, Jesus my love, above all things; I repent with my whole heart for having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. EIGHTH STATION. JESUS SPEAKS TO TI-E WOMEN OF JERUSALEM. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider how those women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in such a pitiable state, streaming with blood, as IHe walked along. BACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 725 "Weep not for Me," said He, "lbut for your, child-ren.' My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offences I have committed against Thee, because of the pains they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure they have caused Thee, who hast loved me so much. It is Thy love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart for having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. NINTH STATION. JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. HIis weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of Htis executioners excessive, who tried to hasten His steps when He could scarcely move. Ah, my outraged Jesus! by the merits of the weakness Thou didst suffer in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect, and all my wicked passions, which have led me to despise Thy friendship. I love Thee, Jesus my love, above all things; I repent with my '726 DEVOTIONS TO THE whole heart for having offended Thee. Never permuit me to saparate muyself fiom Thee again. Grant that 1 may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee TENTH STATION. JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMIENTS. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast'redeemed the world. Consider the violence with which the executioners stripped Jesus. His inner garments adhered to His torn flesh, aucd they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with themln Compassionate your Saviour thus cruelly treated. My innocent Jesus! by the merits of the tor ment Thou hast felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in Thee, who art so worthy of my love. I love Thee, O Jesus, above all things; I repent with my whole heart for having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate my self from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee, SACRED IUMANiTY OF OUR LORD. 721 ELEVENTH STATION. JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS. F. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider how Jesus, after being thrown on the cross, extended IHis hands, and offered to His eternal Father the sacrifice of His life for our salvation. These barbarians fastened Him with nails, a d then planting the cross, allowed Him to die with anguish on this infamous gibbet. My Jesus! loaded with contempt, nail my heart to Thy feet, that it may ever remain there, to love Thee, and never quit Thee again. I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart for having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me bhat Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou goest to Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. TWELFTH STATION. JESITS DIES ON TH:E CROSs. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider how Jesus, after three hours' agony.on the cross, consumed with anguish, abandoned IHimself to the weiglht of His body, bowed HIl head and died 728 DEVOTIONS TO THE O lly dying Jesus! I kiss devoutly the cross on which Thou didst die for love of me. I have merited by my sins to die. a miserable death, but Thy death is my hope. Ah! by the merits of Thy death, give mel grace to die, kissing Thy feet, and burning with love to Thee. I commit my soul into Thy hands. I love Thee, 0 Jesus, above all things; I repeat of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou dliedst on Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. THIRTEENTH STATION. JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM TIlE CROSS. V. We adore Thee, 0 Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast recdeemed the world. Consider how our Lord, having expired, two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodelnus, took Him down froml the cross, and placed Himl in the arms of His afflicted Mother, who received Him with un utterable tenderness, and pressed Him to her bosolm. 0 Mother of sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for thy servant, and pray for me. And Thou, mny Redeelmer, since Thou fhast died for me, peremit me to love Thee; for I wish but Thee, and nothing more. I love Thee, my Jesus, above, all things; I repent of ever having offelnded Thee. Never permit mnc to offendc Thee again. Grant SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD.'729 that I mav lov3'Thee alhways; and then do with me what'lilou -wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of mne Thou (ciedst on Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. FOURTEENTH STATION. JESUS IS PLACED IN TE SEPULCIIRE. V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider how the disciples carried the body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied by His holy lMother, who arranged it in the sepulchre with her own hands. They then closed the tomb, and all withirew. Ah, my buried Jesus! I kiss the stone that incloses Thee. But Thou dlidst rise again the third day. I beseech Thee by Thy resurrection, make me rise glorious with Thee at the last day, to be always united with Thee in heaven, to praise Thee, and' love Thee forever. O Jesus, I love Thee, and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Permit not that I ever offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee; and then do with me what thou wilt. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. Jesu! for love of me Thou diedst on Calvary; Grant me to live, suffer, and die with Thee. 730 DEVOTIONS TO TIlE Tbotlon to tio t Jffe Mintt0 nUs. (For the following Prayers, recited ten times a month, a plenary indleulgence 3d of May and 14th of September, and a plenary indulgellce on [Easter Sunday, if recited daily from Passion Sunday. Par tial iiilndellnce of one hundred days, each time.) AN ACT OF CONTRITION. O Jesus Christ crucified, most amiable Redeemel o l my soul, I prostrate myself before Thee. My (oulscience charges me'with the guilt of having laiiled Thee to the cross by my own hands, as of'ten as I have committed grievous sins, while I iclllered riyself loathsome to Thee by my enorinous ingratitude. My God, most perfect and s.overeign good, and most worthy of all my love, for the favors Thou hast always bestowed on me, mliselrable sinner as I am, I cannot as I would wish undo my evil works, but I detest them with heartfelt sorrow, because they have displeased Thee, O infinite Goodness. I cast myself prostrate at Thy sacred feet to sympathize with Thee, to return Thee thanks, and to entreat Thy pardon, and the grace of amendment. With all the devotion of my heart, I offer Thee these prayers. TO THE WOUND OF TIE LEFT FOOT. O my divine Saviour, I humbly adore the sacred wound in Thy left foot, and I feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused Thee. I thank Thee for the love with which Thou didst labor to overtake me, whilst I was straying in the ways of perdition; wounded as Thou wast by my sins. I offer to the eternal Father the grief and love of Thy most sacred humlnity, in expiation SACREB HUMANrITY'F OUR tLORD. 3 of my wic~kedness, Wllich I detest with sincerst ano bitter contrition. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, &c., once. Holy Mother, obtain this favor, that the wounds of the Lord may be impressed on my heart. TO TIHE WOUND O T.II RIGHT FO0T. O rmy divine Saviour, I humbly adore the sacred wound of Thy right foot, and I feelingly' compassionate the intense pain it caused Thee. I thank Thee for the love with which Thou didst suffer such intense pain as contracted Thee with spasms, and covered Thee with blood to atone for my transgressions, and the guilty gratifications of my unruly passions. I offer to the eternal Father, the grief and love of Thy most sacred humanity, and beseech Him to give me grace to weep bitterly for my past iniquities, to peosevere in the good which I havy begun, and never again to depart from the obedience due to thy divine Commandments. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, once. Holy Mother, obtain this favor, that the wounds of the Lord may be impressed on my heart. TO THE WOUND OF THE LEFT HAND. O my divine Saviour, I humbly adore the sacred wound of Thy left hand, and I feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused Thee. I thank Thee for having, with such love, averted the scourges, and everlasting damnation, merited by my iniquities. I offer to the eternal Father 1732' DEVOTIONS TO TH' the grief and love of Thy most sacred humanity and beseech Him to give me grace to make use of the remainder of my days in bringing forth worthy fr'uits of penance, in order to disarm the divine Justice provoked by my sins. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, once. Holy Mother, obtain this favor, that the wounds of the Lord ma-ay be impressed on my heart. TO THE WOUND OF THE RIGIHT HAND. O my divine Saviour, I humbly adore the sacred wound of Thy right hand, and I feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused Thee. I thank Thee for havingl alwayrs and with so much love, bestowed Thy blessings on me whilst I made a most unworthy return. I offer to the eternal Father the grief and love of Thy most sacred humanity, and beseech Hiin to convert my heart, to purify my afi-ections, and to give me the grace to perform all my actions agreeably to his holy will. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, once. Holy Mother, obtain this favor, that the wounds of the Lord may be impressed oni my heart. TO TE wOUND OF THE SACR:D SIDE. 0 my divine Saviour, I hunibly adore the sacred wound of Thy opened side. I compassionate Thee, O Lord, under this most grievous insult, I tha11nk Thee for the love with which Thou didst SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 733 suffer Thy side to be pierced, and Thy heart opened, to give us even the last drop of Thy precious blood, that our redemption might be most abundant. I offer to the eternal Father the outrages suffered, and the love manifested by Thy most holy humanity, in order that my soul, having once entered into, may never abandon Thy most loving heart, which is ready and desirous to embrace the greatest sinners. Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, once. Holy Mother, obtain this favor, that the wounds, &c., as before. A PRAYER TO THE MOST HOLY AND SORROWFUL VIRGIN. O Virgin Mary, Mother of God, martyr of love and sorrow, in beholding the rude treatment and outrages suffered by Jesus, thou hast concurred in the merciful work of my redemption, suffering numberless afflictions, and offering to the eternal Father His and thy only-begotten Son, as a holocaust and victim of propitiation for my sins. T feelingly compassionate thy most bitter sorrow, and thank thee for thy almost infinite love, in depriving thyself of the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, true God and true man, to save me, a sinner. Interpose thy powerful mediation with thy Son and His Father, that I may truly correct my miorals, so as never to crucify my most loving Redeemer ahy more by new faults, but that, persevering in His grace till death, I may obtain eternal life, through the merits of His most painful sufferings and death on the cross. Then say, Hail Mary, &c., three times. 83i4 DEVOTIONS TO THE PRAYER. O Jesus, my Lord and my God! who dicist about the sixth hour, vouchsafe to be nailed to the cross, for the redemption of the world, and on it to shed Thy precious blood for the remission of our sins, we humbly supplicate Thee to grant, that, after our death, we may be admitted into the mansions of the blessed, there to adore, love, praise, and enjoy Thee forever. O Saviour of the world i we humbly supplicate Thee to be, according to Thy tender mercies, propitious to us now, and at the hour of our death, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, Thy mother, whose soul was pierced with a sword of sorrow, at the foot of the cross. ROSARY OF THE FIVE WOUNDS. (Same indulgences as last.) Th-se beads must be blessed by the General of the Passionists, and consist of five parts, each composed of a medal, on which a HNil Maay, and five beads, on which a Glory be, &c., is recited. in honor of the five wounds of our Lord, and the compassion of the Blessel Virgin. S9e0ftattons of t. YftranctS Be s ales, ON THE PASSION or OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. 1. 0 good and gracious Jesus, who, being most high in the glory of thy Father, and equal to his divine essence, vouchsafedst of thy infinite charity to be made man, to be born in a stable, to be laid in a manger. to be circumcised, and fly into Egypt; afterwards to be baptized, to be tempted, to fast, to watch, to teach the ignorant, and heal the diseased; in thy whole life to suffer continudtl afflictions and persecutions; and at SACRED HUMANI'i Y OF OUR LORD.'735 length voluntarily suffer death upon the cross, and all this for me, and such wretched creatures as myself. 2, 0 good and gracious Jesus, thou having eaten the Paschal Lamb, with thy dearly beloved disciples, didst arise from supper, and gird thyself with a towel, and pour water into a basin, and kneeledst on thy knees, and humbly washed the feet of thy discilples, and wiped them with thy own hands. 3. 0 good and gracious Jesus, who, when the time of thy death approached, didst bequeath a most excellent legacy to thy children, leaving us thy most sacred body to be our meat, and thy most precious blood to be our drink: no wit can reach, nor understanding penetrate, the bottomless depth of this thy charity. 4. 0 good and gracious Lord! thou, entering into the garden of Olives, beganst to fear and be heavy, whereupon thou saicist to thy disciples, My soul is sor rowful unto death; and then leaving them, kneeledst upon the ground, and falling flat on thy face, prayedst to thy Father, If it be possible, let this cup pass from me. And yet, with perfect submission, wholly resigned thyself to him, saying, " Father, not my will, but thine be done 1" and at length, through most painful agony, thy afflicted and fainting body sweat drops of blood. 5. 0 good and gracious Jesus! who, inflamed with ineffable desire to redeem me, didst go to meet thine enemies, and sufferedst Judas the traitor to kiss thee, and thyself to be taken and bound with cords, and as a:malefactor disgracefully led by the basest of the people to Annas, where, with admirable meekness, thoul receivedst a cruel stroke on thy face, most unjustly given thee by a vile wretch and slave. 6. 0 good and gracious' Jesus! who wast led, fast bound like a notorious malefactor, from Annas to the house of Caiphas the high-priest, where the Jews' most unjustly accused thee, and with barbarous insolence spit upon thy meek and amiable face, buffeting thy cheeks and blindfolding thy eyes, scornfully mocking, and maliciously affronting thee with injuries all that night. 7. 0 good and gracious Jesus! thou in the morning wast brought to the presence of Pilate, and with a most DEVOTIONS TO THE sweet an d humible countenance, casting thine eycs down, stoodst before hllm in the judgment-hall; and when thou wast most falsely calumniated by the Jews, and many an insult and provocation given th.ee, thou rneekly heldst thy peace, and patiently sufferedst their unjust proceedings. 8. O good cand gracious Jesus! who wast sent from Pilate to Hierod, who, out of vain curiosity, coveting to see some miracle at thy hand, demanded many things of thee, and the Jews continuing still their perverseness against thee: but to all these thy meekness replied not a word! wherefore Herod and all his court despised thee, and putting on thee a white garment in scorn and derision, sent thee thus back again to Pilate. O unspeakable humility and obedience to the will of thy enemies! thou wentest forth and returnedst again, and wast led up and down from place to place without gainsaying, and suffering them:to do whatever they would. 9. 0 good and gracious Jesus! thou in the judgmenthall wast stripped naked, and without any compassion most cruelly scourged. There was thy blessed, virginal, and tender flesh -cut with. whips and torn with stripes, altogether mlangled and deformed, and made livid with wounds; so that the streams of thy most precious blood ran down on every side upon the earth. 10. 0 good and gracious Jesus! after thy sharp and bloody scourging, to nut thee to more shame and confusion, as also to increase thy torments, they clothed thee with an old purple garment, and platting a crown of thorns, pressed it on thy holy head, till the sharp points pierced thy temples, and thy most precious blood ran down, and covered thy face and neck; they gave thee in derision a reed for thy sceptre, and kneeling down before thee in scorn, saluted thee, saying, " All hail, King of the Jews;" then took they the reed out of thy hand, and with it struck thy sacred head, and again spit upon thy sacred face. 11. O good and gracious Jesus! thou wast brought forth from Pilate to the Jews, to be gazed on, wearing the crown of thorns and purple garment, Pilate showing thee to the yp ople, and saying, "Behold the MIan!" SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD, 73 but they cried out with a loud rage and insatiable malice, " Crucify him, crucify him." 12. 0 good and gracious Jesus! thou wast delivered up to the will and pleasure of the Jews, who immediately led thee to be crucified, laying the heavy cross upon thy sore and bloody shoulders: thus didst thou most humbly bear thine own cross, whose weight pained thee excessively, and coming to the place all weary and breathless, thou refusedst not to taste wine mingled with gall and myrrh, which was the only relief there given thee. 13. O good and gracious Jesus! when thou wast again stripped nalked, then were thy wounds, by the violent pulling off thy clothes, renewed. What bitter pains didst thou suffer when thou wast with cruel nails fastened to the cross, and the joints of thy limbs stretched as on a rack! Oh, with what love and sweetness of charity didst thou offer thy hands and feet to be pierced, whence, as from a fountain, thy precious blood gushed out. 14. 0 good and gracious Jesus! thou, hanging on the cross between two thieves, wast assailed with blasphemies, and after so long continuance of thy tortures, thou prayedst to thy Father to forgive them, and, even when their filry was at the highest, didst thou exercise the greatest bounty, promising paradise to the repent ing thief, and bequeathing thy dearly beloved mother (who, pierced with sorrow, stood by the cross) to thy beloved disciple John, and in him to us all, to be our mother; and after thou hadst saffered three long hours intolerable pains and extreme thirst, they gave thee vinegar to drink, which, when thou hadst tasted, bowing down thy venerable head, thou yieldedst up thy spirit. 15. 0 good and gracious Jesus! 0 good shepherd! thus thou bestowedst thy life for thy sheep, and even after death still thou wouldst suffer for us; the sacred side of thy dead body being opened by a spear, out of which flowed water and blood: thus, at last, ended all thy suffering. Then thy enemies having satisfied their thirst after thy blood, an being gone away, thy discipl s came and took thy immaculate body down friom 82* 738. DEVOTIONS TO TLE the cross: they placed it on the knees of thy blessed Mother, and after all imaginable expressions of piety, reverence, and love, they wrapt it up in linen and laid itqin a new sepulchre. THE PRAYER. O mild and innocent Lamb of God, thus heartily didst Thou love me: these things Thou didst for me: these pains most patiently and lovingly Thou sufferedst for me i What shall I render Thee? I adore and glorify Thee, I praise Thee and give Thee thanks, with all the powers of mny soul, Jesus, Son of the living God, King of kings, and Lord of lords! Hail, most glorious Redeemer of our souls, whose death quickens and gives life to the world. O blessed Saviour, have mercy on me for Thy goodness' sake: forgive me all my sins; destroy and mortify in me whatever displeases Thee. MBlake me one according to Thy heart, and grant that, to the utmost of my powel, I may most diligently imitate Thy holy life. O blessed Father of heaven! behold I offer Thee the most holy incarnation, life, and passion of Thy dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in full satisfaction for all my sins, and perfect amendment of my life. Grant, most merciful Father, through the merits of Thy only-begotten Son, to the living, mercy and grace, and to the souls departed, rest and life everlasting Amen. SACRED HUMANITrY DI OUR LORD. 739 etbotfon to our,abfour agonfflilg on tio Oroos., AND ON THE SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS. (To those who meditate or pray on Good Friday from noon till three o'clock, on the sufferings of our Lord os the seven worvis, a plenary induligence, provided they sr.mmlunicate between Mandy Thursdlay and Low Sunday. Plenary indulgence, for meditating or praying thereon for a time, on last Friday of each month, provided they communicate within a week. Partial indulgence of 800 days for the devotion on the seven words.-Plus VII.) This devotion, instituted in the last century at Peru, by Father Alonzo Messia, of the Society of Jesus, has spread over the whole world, and has been enriched by the approbation of the Holy Father. No particular prayers are requisite, but the following have been approved by the Congregationi of Rites: THE SEVEN WORDS UPON TIIE CROSS. PIOUS EXERCISE IN MEMORY OF THE AGONY OF JESUS CHRIST. V. 0 God, stretch forth to aid me. 1R. 0 Lord, make haste to help me Glory be to the Father, &c. l'he First Word. "' ather, forgive them, for they know not what they do." V. We adore thee, 0 Christ, and we bless thee. R. Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world. 0 my beloved Jesus, who for the love of lme didst agonize on the cross that Thou mightest pay by Thy sufferings the debt due to my sins, and didst open Thy divine mouth to obtain my pardon firom eternal justice, have mercy on all the faithful in their agony, and on myself when I shall be 740 DEVOTIONS T. THE in that extlemity, and, by the merits of Thy most precious blood shed for our salvation, give us so lively a sorrow for our sins that we may breathe out our souls into the bosom of Thine infinite mercy. Glory be, &c., three times. F. Have mercy on us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy on us. O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I repent of having offended Thee by my sins. The Second Wford. "To-day thou shalt be with me in Paradise." V. We adore thee, 0 Christ, and we bless thee. R. Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world. O my beloved Jesus, who for the love of me didst agonize on the cross, and with such readiness and bounty didst respond to the faith of the good thief who, in the midst of Thy humiliation, acknowledg'ed Thee to be the Son of God: O Thou who didst assure him of Paradise, have mercy on all the faithful in their agony, and on me when I shall be in that extremity, and, through the merits of Thy most precious blood, revive in our spirits a faith so firm and constant, that it may not waver at any suggestion of the devil, so that we also may obtain the holy reward of Paradise. Glory, &c., three times. V. Have mercy on us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy on us. O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and, I repent of having offended Thee by my sins. SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 741 17ze Third Word. "Behold thy mother; behold thy scn." P We adore thee, 0 Christ, and we bless thee. R. Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world. 0 my beloved Jesus, who for the love of me didst agonize on the cross, and, forgetting Thy sufferings, didst leave us, as a pledge of Thy love, Thine own most holy Mother, that through her we might confidently have recourse to Thee in our greatest need, have mercy on all the faithful in their agony, and on me also when I shall be in that extremity, and, through the interior martyrdom of this Thy dear Mother, awaken in our hearts a firm hope in the infinite merits of Thy most precious blood, that we may avoid the eternal damnation which our sins have merited. Glory, &c., three times. V. Have mercy on us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy on us. O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, love Thee, and I repent of having offended Thee ny my sins. The Fourth }Word. " BMy God! my G od! why hast thou forsaken me?" V. We adore thee, 0 Christ, and we bless thee: R. Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world. O my beloved Jesus, who for the love of me didst agonize on the cross, and, heaping suffering on suffering, didst endure with infinite patience not only Thy many bodily tortures, but the most heavy affliction of spirit through the dereliction of [hine el,3ral Father, have mercy on all the 42!'DEVOTION'S TO TIT! faitihful who are in their agony, and on ix e also when I s1Jall be in that extremity, and, through tlie mlerits of Thy most precious blood, give us grace to suiffer with true patience all the pains ancd afflictions of our agony, that, uniting therm with Tlhine, we may be partakers of Thy glory in Paradise. Glory, &c., three timzes. V. Have mercy on us, 0 Lord. R. Havte mercy on us. O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I repent of havifig offended Thee by my sins. The Fifth Wfrord. "I thirst.' V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee. R. Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world. O my beloved Jesus, who didst agonize on the cross for the love of me, iand who, not satisfied with all the ignominy and suffering, wouldst willing'ly have suffered yet more, so that all men mlight be saved, as was clearly proved when all the torrents of Thy passion would not allay the thirst of Thy tender heart, have pity on all the faithful who are in their agony, and on me also when I shall be in that extremity, and, through the merits of Thy most precious blood, enkindle such a fire of charity in our hearts as may cause them to languish with the desire of uniting themselves to Thee for all eternity. Glory, &c., three times. V. Have mercy on us, 0 Lord. R. Have mercy on us. O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, BA(CRED HUAMANITY OF OUR LOtRD. 743 I love Thee, and I repent of having offended Thee by my sins. The Sizth Word. " It is consuinmated.". V. We adore thee, 0 Christ, and we bless thee. R. Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world. O my beloved Jesus, who for the love of me didst agonize on the cross, and fiom that chair of truth didst announce the completion of the work of our redemption, through which, firom being the children of wrath and perdition, we are become the children of God and the heirs of Paradise, have pity on all the faithful who are in their agony, and on me also when I shall be in that extremity, and, through the merits of Thy most precious blood, detach us entirely firom the world and fiom ourselves, and at the moment of our agony give us grace sincerely to offer Thee the sacrifice of our. life in expiation of our sins. Glory, &c., three times. V. Have mercy on us, 0 Lord..R. Have mercy on us. O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I repent of having offended Thee by my sins. The Seventh Word. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." V. We adore thee, 0 Christ, and we bless thee. R. Because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the world. O my beloved Jesus, who dldst agonize on the cross for the love of me, and who, in comp'eting this great sacrifice, didst accept the will of Thine 744 DEVOTIONS TO THE eternal Father, by resigning thy spirit into His hands, and then bowing Thine head and dying, have mercy on all the faithful who are in their agoony, and on me also when I shall be in that extremity, and, through the merits of Thy most precious blood, give us, in our agony, an entire conformity to the divine will, that we may be ready either to live or die according as it shall best please Thee, desiring nothing but the ac. complishment of Thy blessed will in us. Glory, &c., three times. V. Have mercy on us, O Lord. R. Have mercy on us. O my God, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I repent of having offended Thee by my sins. A PRAYER TO OUR BLmSED LADY OF DOLORS. O most- holy Mother, most afflicted by the mntense martyrdom which thou didst endure at the foot of the cross, during the three hours' agony of Jesus, vouchsafe to assist all of us, the children of thy sorrows, in our last agony, that through thine interference we may pass from the bed of death, to form a crown for thee in the heavenly Paradise. Hail Mary, three times. O Mary, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, Protect us from the enemy, And receive us at the hour of death. V. From sudden and unprovided death, R. Deliver us, O Lord. V. From the deceits of the devil, R. Deliver us, O Lord. V. From eternal death, deliver us, O Lord. SACRED HUMA.NITY OF OUR LORD. o 745 Let us pray. O God, who for the salvation of mankind di.dst give alln example and a help in the most painful death of Thy Son, grant, we beseech Thee, that in the extremity of death we may experience the effects of this Thy charity, and deserve to be partakers in the glory of Him our Redeemer, througih the samlve Jesus Christ our Lord. -R. Amen. PRAYER or ST. AuGUSTINRE ON THE PAsSION AND DEATH OF OUR LORD. (Plenary indulgence on one of the last three days of the month, when recited daily. Partial indulgence of three hundred days, each time.-Pius VII.) O God, who for the redemption of the world didst vouchsafe to be born; circumcised; rejected by the Jews; betrayed by the traitor Judas with a kiss; bound in fetters; led like an inno, cent lamb to slaughter, and unbecomingly exposed to the sight of Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herodl; accused by false witnesses, buffeted, spit upon, scourged with stripes, crowned with thorns; struck with a reed, blindfolded, harassed with inm sults, stripped of thy clothes, nailed to the cross, raised upon the cross, counted amid robbers, given vinegar and gall to drink, and wounded with a lance. Do Thou, O Lord, by these most holy pains of Thine, which I, unworthy, recall, and by Thy holy cross and death, free me from the pains of hell, and deign to lead me whither Thou didst lead the thief crucified with Thee; who, with the Father and Holy Ghost,:livest and reignest God, forever and ever. Amen. 68 %7s46 D~:TDEVOTIONS TO 1THIE Five Otr lFathers, five MIail Jlatrys, and five Glory be to the Fitther. PRAYE~R TO JESUS CIUCIFIED. (Plenary indulgence for reciting this before a cruciflx, or representation of the crucifixion,-after communion.-PIus VII.) Behold, O good and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself on my knees in Thy sight, and with the greatest a-rdor of my mind, I pray and implore Thee to deign to imprint in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, and a true penance for my sins, with a most firm will of amendment; while with great affection and lglrief of mind I consider in myself Thy five wounds, having that before my eyes which the prophet David said in his own person of Thee, O sweet Jesus, " They have dug my hands and feet, they have numbered all my bones." M)z 1ravers of Zt, 3trflget..O BE SAID IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED WOUNDS OF OUR DIVINE SAVIOUR. O MOST sweet Lord Jesus Christ, eternallsweetness of those who love Thee, and joy, desire, and firm hope of the hopeless; solace of the sorrowful, and most merciful lover of all penitent sinners, t7hlo hast said, Thy delight is to be with the children of men, for the love of whom Thou didst assume human nature in the fulness of time; remember, most sweet Lord Jesus,,ll those sharp sorrows which did pierce Thy sacred soul, from the first instant of Thy incarnation, until the time of Thy sorrowful passion, preordained from all SACRED HUMANITY' OF OUR LORD. 741 eternity; remember, 0 most amiable Savic _',al that bitter anguish Thou didst suffer, wh-len at Thy last supper Thou didst wash the feet of Thy disciples, didst feed them with the sacred banquet of Thy precious body and blood, and most siweetly comforting them, clidst foretell them Thy ensuing passion; aftel which going' to Mount Olivet, Thou saidst, "My soul is sorrowful unto deatll." Remember, I beseech Thee, O most sweet Saviour, that bitter grief and anguish which Thy sacred soul did suffer, when praying three several times to Thy heavenly Father, Thou didst sweat water and blood; Thou wast betrayed by Thy own disciple, appr1ehended by Thy chosen people, accused by false witnesses, unjustly arraigned before three judges, and in Thy chosen city, in the pasclal solemnity, in the flourishing age of Thy youth, wronlgfullly condemned, bound, beaten, spurnied, spit upon, despoiled of Thy garments, clothed with others in scorn; wast blindfolded, buffeted, spit upon again, bound naked to a pillar, most cruelly scourged, crowned with thorns, struck with a reed, and afflicted with innumerable other torments, pains, and injuries. O my Lord Jesus, by the memory and merit of all that bitter pain and ang'uish before Thou breathedst Thy last upon the cross, vouchsafe to grant me, before amy'death, true contrition, entire confession, a flowing fountain of tears, full satisfaction, and plenary remission of all my sins. Amen. O most gracious Lord Jesus, be propitious ta me; a sinner. Our Father, &c. HIail Mary, &o. 748 DEVOTIONS TO THE O MOST sweet Lord Jesus, overflowin fountain of heavenly delights, remember, I beseech Thee, that grief and sorrow which Thou clidst suffer, when Thy cruel enemies, like fierce lions with furious and dreadful looks, compassing Thee round about, did pluck out Thy hair, spit up )n Thy sacred face, lacerate, buffet Thee; and with all manner of unheard-of injuries, outrages, and torments, did most cruelly aud basely blaspheme, scorn, and affront Thee. O most sweet Lord Jesus, by all those most barbarous and inhuman outrages Thou didst suffer, vouchsafe to deliver me from all my enemies, visible and invisible, that, protected under the shadow of Thy wings, I may safely arrive at the port of eternal glory. Amen. O most gracious Lord Jesus Christ, be propitious to me, a sinner. Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &e. O MOS' sweet Lord Jesus, omnipotent creator and fabricator of the world, and repairer of mankind, who containest both heaven and earth in Thy hand, and whose immensity no bound can limit; remember, I beseech Thee, that bitter pain and anguish which Thou didst endure when the perfidious Jews pierced Thy delicate and tender hands and feet with most rough and blunt nails, stretching them forth violently with cords to the holes which they had made in the cross. Thus they heaped pain upon pain, most cruelly disjointing all Thy bones, breaking all Thy veins, and renewing all Thy sacred wounds. O most sweet Jesus, by the memory of all these pains and torme' % on the cross, vouchsafe. to give me Thy SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 749 tear and love, with perfect charity towards my neighbor. Amen. O most pious Lord Jesus, &c., &c. O MOST sweet Lord Jesus, heavenly physician of human nature, and eternal King, remember, I beseech Thee, all those bitter pains which Thou didst endure in Thy sacred members, who, being hoisted upon the cross with all Thy precious body rent and torn, all Thy bones being so disjointed that not one remained in its right place; not having from the crown of Thy head unto the soles of Thy feet any part left whole; so that no anguish could be compared to Thine; at which time, being unmindful of Thy own torm-ents, Thou clidst mercifully pray to Thy heavenly Father for Thy cruel enemies, saying, " Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." O most meek and merciful Lord Jesus, by this Thy admirable benignity, goodness, love, and mercy, and by all thy bitter pains and torments, grant that the memory of Thy dolorous passion may be to me a most powerful protection of my soul and body against all the deceits, temptations, and molestations of the devils, my cruel enemies. Amen. O most merciful Lord Jesus, &c., &c. O MOST sweet Lord Jesus Christ, mirror of eternal brightness, and wisdom of the omnipotent Fa-.%her; remember the bitter grief and sorrow Thy sacred soul did feel, when beholding, in the clear mirror of Thy divine presence, the predestination of the elect, who, through the merits of thy most wholesome passion, were to be saved; and the -reprobation of the twicked, who ware for their in08' Ji50 DEVOTIONS TO THE gratitude to be damnied; and the abyss of Thy immense mercy, by which Thou didst commiserate and' shed tears for us, miserable, lost, forlorn sinners; and chiefly by that mercy Thou didst show to the thief upon the cross, saying to him, " This day thou shalt hbe with me in Paradise;" I beseech Thee, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my Lord andl my God, to show the like mercy to me, now and at the hour of my death. Amen. O most sweet Lord Jesus, &e., &c. O MOST sweet Lord Jesus, omnipotent king and most amiable friend, remember the bitter grief and sorrow Thy sacred soul did suffer, when, being forsaken by all Thy friends and acquaintance, Thlou didst'hang naked, rent, and torn upon the 1.ross, having none to comfort or compassionate Thee, but only the blessed Virgin Mary, Thy mother, who standing under the cross, in the bitterness of her soul, accornpanied Thee in all Thy tormnelnts; unto whom Thou didst cohlmend Thy Ieloved disciple St. John, in Thy place, saying into her, " Woman, behold thy son!'" and after, to Thy disciple, "Behold thy mother!" O most sweet Lord Jesus, by that sword which did then transpierce her sacred soul; and by that tender love and compassion wherewith Thou didst behold the sad distress of Thy sorrowful Mother, have pityr and compassion on me, I beseech Thee, my dearest Lord, and mercifully help, comfort, succor, and assist me in all my tribulations, adversities, ner,essities, sorrows, and sufferings, both spiritual and corporal. Amen. 2 most blessed Lord Jesus, &c., &e. SAC!RED HUMANITY OF OUR, LORD. 751 0 MOST sweet and blessed Lord Jesus; crown of joy, treasure of felicity, sweet source of consolation, and unexhausted fountain of mercy; who, hanging on the cross, out of the most inflamed desire Thou hadst for the salvation of our souls,'aidst, I thirst for the redemption of mankind. 0 dearest Lord, by this Thy ardlent charity, inflame our healrts with Thy holy love, enkindle our desires to accomplish diligently all good works, and wholly extinguish in me the heat of all evil concupiscence, and worldly affections. Amen. O most excellent Lord Jesus, &c., &c. O mOST sweet Lord Jesus, the true light of those who believe in Thee; suavity of our hearts, and sovereign solaca of all faithlful souls, by that bitter gall and vinegar Thou didst taste upon the cross at the hour of Thy death, grant us, miserable sinners, grace worthily to receive at all times (and particularly at the hour of death) Thy most precious body and blood: that by virtue of this divine banquet and all other salutary sacraments, we may be preserved from all evils, sills, and punishments; and being replenished with all joy, securely appear in Thy divine presence. Amen. O MOST sweet Lordl Jesus, king of virtues, and source of all delights, remember, I beseech Thee, that excessive pain and anguish Thou didst en(lure for us sinners on the cross, when through the bitterness of death, and the impious blasphemies, derisions, scO'ns, and reproaches of the Jews, with: loud voice and weeping eyes, Thou didst cry to Thy h eavenly Father, with this sad corn 4t52 DEVOTIONS TO THE plaint: "My God, my God, why hast Tt.rju forsaken me?" O most sweet Lord Jesus, by this Th1v bitter torment, sorrow, grief, and ang'ush, )vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to have pity on me, and succor me in all my sorrows, sufferings, and tribulations, and particularly at the hoaur of my (leath; O then, my dear Lord and my God, vouchlsafe to assist and succor me, and do not for. sakle me, I beseech Thee. Amen. 0 most gracious Lord Jesus, &c., &c. o:NIOST sacled Lord Jesus, Alpha and Omega; the beginning and end of all things, and mirror of al1 virtues; remember how, from the crown of Thy lheald to Thy feet, Thou wast immerged in the deluge of Thy dolorous passion, for the love of us vile sinners. O most sweet Lordcl Jesus, by the length, breadth, greatness, and multitude of Thy mlost sacred wounds, take from me the love of the world; and teach me, by true and perfect charity, always to keep Thy holy laws and comlmandTnents. Amen. O most wise Lord Jesus, &c., &e. O MOST sweet Lord Jesus, sovereign goodness, eternal beatitude of Thy saints, and most profound abyss of mercy! by the deep and dolorous wounds, which did not only transpierce Thy sacred flesh, but even Thy bowels, and the marrow of Thy bones, be merciful to me a sinner, who now am drowned in my sins and iniquities, and hide me in Thy sacred wounds fiom thle face of Thy wrath, until Thy indignation be passed away and appeased. Amen. O most sweet Lord Jesus, &c., &ec SACOED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 753 O MOST sweet Lord Jesus, mirror of truth, pledge of union, bond of charity, remember the innumerable multitude of all those painfulwound. wherewith Thou wast covered fiom head to foot all Thy holy body most cruelly rent and torn bh the impious, and dyed with Thy most preciou-s blood; all wlich most dreadful dolors Thou dids: endure for us vile sinners. O most gracious Lord engrave these Thy dolors deeply in my heart, and write theml there with Thy precious blood, that in thedm I may always read Thy love and dolors; so that the memory of Thy painful passion may.dailvy be renewed in me, and my love increased towards Thee, and I remain perpetually thanlkful to Thy immense charity to the last period of my life, until I come to enjoy Thee, my only dear Lord and most desired treasure, abounding with all joy anld felicity; which through thy goodness be pleased to grant, O most sweet Lord Jesus. Amen. O most noble Jesus, &c., &c. O MOST sweet Lord Jesuts, most victorious lion, invincible, triumphant, and immortal king; remember, I beseech Thee, all that bitter pain and anguish Thou didst endure when, all the forces of Thy soul and body failing, bowinug down Thv sacrecd head, Thou saidst, "It is consuuuirmated." 0 dearest Lord, by these Thy deadly dolors, have mercy on ne at my last passage, when my heart and soul shall be in anguish and anxiety. Amen. O most noble Lord Jesus, &c., &c. O MOST s-weet Lord Jesus, only-begotten Son of thel eternal Father, figure of His substance, splender of His glory; remuce'er that iaost earnest, 754 DEVOTIONS TO THE recommendation, wherewith Thou didst comlmend Thy sacred soul to Thy almighty Father upon the cross, saying, " Father, unto thy hands I coummend ray spirit;" at which time Thou didst hlang naked upon the cross, with Thy most holy body all wounded, rent, and torn; pouring forth streams of mnost precious blood; with Thy face pale and wan, Thy head crowned with thorns,'I'hr arms extended, Thy hands nailed, Thy veins brloken, Thy bones disjointed, Thy bowels of mercy opened, Thy eyes weeping and obscured, Thy voice failing, Thy palate thirsting, andti Thy whole hleart broken. 0 my most merciful Lord, unto all those cruel pains and torments didst Thou deliver Thy most sacred, innocent. tender, pure, and precioas body, for the redemption of us, most wretched, vile, and miserable sinners, and in this manner r'enderest Thy sweet soul to Thy heavenly Father, by which most precious and innocent death of Thine, and by virtue of the holy cross, I beseech Thee, O Father of mercy, and omnipotent King of saints, to give me grace to resist the world, the flesth, and the devil; that being dead to all terrestrial things, I may live to Thee alone, and have the happiness to be received by Thee at my last passagge, when this my miserable exile shall be ended. Amen. O most pious Lord Jesus, &c., &c. O MOST sweet Lord Jesus, most flourishing, true,,1and faithful vine; remember the superabundant effusion of Thy precious blood which Thou didst our forth so plenteously fro-m all parts of Thy holy body, like a cluster of pressed grapes, when SACRED HUMANITY 0F' OUI LORD. 7S 5 Thou Thyself alone didst tread the wine-press on the cross, and out of Thy pierced side didst give us water and wine to drink, not leaving so inueb as one drop, being then like a bundle of pure and precious myrrh: Thou wast hanged on high upoa the cross, at which time the marrow of Thy bone~ dried up, and Thy most delicate and tendel body wholly fainted and failed. O fiost sweet Lord Jesus, by this most liberal effusion of Thy precious blood, by all the sacred wounds of Thy bitter passion, vouchsafe to wound my heart with that tender love wherewith the holy heart of Thy most blessed Mother was wounded under the cross, that tears of love and penlance rmay be my bread day and night; and convert me wholly -to Thee, that my heart may be Thy perpetual habitation, my conversation pleasing and acceptable to Thy divine Majesty, and the end of my life so precious in Thy sight, that having finished this mortal pilgrimage, I may be admitted into imn mortal glory, to praise and glorify Thee, my sovereign Lord, in the sweet society of Thy holy angels and saints to all eternity. Amen. O most gracious Lord Jesus, &c., &c. 0 MOST sweet Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, vouchsafe to receive these prayers, in union with that most excellent love wherewith Thou didst suffer all the wounds of Thy most precious body; and be merciful tc me Thy poor unworthy servant, and to all sinners, with all faithful souls, both living and dead; graciously grant, ing to us all, mercy, grace, remission of sins, and life everlasting. Amen. Uerotionu to ouar.orb int tlp) B1ceseb!~ atrament. VISIT TO TIIE 1LESSED SACIAMENT. Our Lord delights to be with the children of men, and therefore does not only give us his sacred body and blood, as our victim in the Mass and our nomirishment in communion, but he remains on our altars to be our comfort in the trials of life. Naturally, then, caises the devotion of visiting him in his tabernacle, to speak to him as a friend to a friend, to adore him as our God, to sympathize in his passion, to thank him *for his favors, and implore new graces for soul and body. PRAYER FOR THE VISIT BY ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI. O Jesus Christ, my Lord, who for the love which Thou bearest to men, dost dwell night and day in this Sacrament, full of goodness and love, waiting for, inviting, and welcoming all those who come to visit Thee, I believe Thee here present in the Sacrament of the Altar. From the deep abyss of my own nothingness, I adore Thee, and I thank Thee for all Thy graces granted to me hitherto, and especially for having given'hyself to me in this Sacrament, for having given me Thy most holy Mother Mary for my advocate, and for having called me to visit Thee in this church. I now ~lute Thy most loving heart; and this for three DEVOTIONS TO, ETC. 757 ends: I. In thanksgiving for this great gift; 2. To make amends to Thee for all the outrages which Thou receivedst in this Sacrament from all Thine enemies; 3. I intend by this visit to adore Thee in all the places on earth in which Thou art present in this Sacrament, and in which Thou art the least revered and the most abandoned. My Jesus, I love Thee with my whole heart. I grieve for having hitherto so often offended Thy infinite goodness. I purpose by Thy grace never more to offend Thee for the time to come; and now, miserable and unworthy though I ble, I consecrate myself to Thee without reserve; I give Thee and renounce my entire will, my affections, my desires, and all that I possess. From hlenceforward do, Tlhou dispose of me and of all that I have as Thou pleasest. All that I ask of Thee and desire is Thy holy love, final perseverance, and the perfeet accomplishment of Thy will. I recommnend to Thee the souls in purgatory; but especially those who had the greatest devotion to the most blessed Sacrament and to the most blessed Virgin Mary. I also recommend to.Thee all poor sinners. In. fine, my dear Saviour, I unite all my affections with the affections of Thy most loving heart; and I offer them, thus united, to Thy eternal Father, and beseech Him in Thy name to vouchsafe, for Thy love, to accept and grant them. SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. A spiritual communion, according to St. Thomas, consists in an ardenit desire to receive Jesus in the most holy Sacrament, and in lovingly embracing him as if 75a-8 DEVOTIONS TO THE we had actually received him. Accordmclngly, wve find it practised and recommended by all the Saints; and St. Alphcnsus Liguori, after extolling its advantages, says: " All those who desire to advance in the love of Jesus Christ, are exhorted to make a spiritual communion at least once in every visit that they pay to the most blessed Sacrament, and at every Mass that they hear; and it would even be better on these occasions to repeat the communions three times, that is to say, at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end." And it is not only a devotion permitted and approved, but to conceive its importance it will suffice us to know that the holy Council of Trent greatly praises spiritual communions, and encourages the faithful to their practice. ACT FOR A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. My Jesus, I believe that Thou art truly present in the most blessed Sacrament..1 love Thee above ail things, and I desire to possess Thee within my soul. Since I am. unable now to receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace Thee as being already there, and unite myself wholly to Thee; never permit:me to be separated fiom Thee. A SIIORTER ACT. I believe that Thou, O Jesus, art in the most holy Sacrament i I love Thee and desire Thee! Come.:into my heart. I emrnraceTl'h e; oh, never leave me "May the burning and. most sweet power of Thy love, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech Thee, absorb my mind, that I imay die through love of Thy love, who wast graciously pleased to (ie,through love of my love."' —St. Frcancis of Assissi. "0 Love who art not loved! 0 Love who art not:known." —St. Hary facydcalene of Pazzi. SACRED IUMANNITY OF OVA LORD. 759 "6 0 my Spouse, when wilt Thou ravish me in Thyself?"-St. Peter of Alccantara. VISIT, AND THIE PANGE LINGI/A. (Those who recite the Pange Lingua, p. 387, with the V. and 11. and prayer, p. 513, ten times a month, can gain a plenary indulgence on aundv Turl'llday, Corpus Christi, and one day at option by come mrunicatiltg nll( visiting the blessed Sacrament on the day. Partial indulgence of three hundred days for reciting it, to be gained once a day.-Plus VII.) VISIT AND PrAYE'R OF ST. CAJETAN. (Plenary indulgence on the first Thursday of each month for communicants visiting the, blessed Sacrament and reciting this prayer. Partial indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines on other Tlhursdays. — Pus VII.) Look down, 0 Lord, from Thy sanctuary, and from the high habitation of heaven, and behold this sacred oblation which our great HIIgh Priest, Thy holy Servant, the Lord Jesus, illlmolates unto Thee for the sins of his brethren, and be propitious to the multitude of our iniquities. Behold, the voice of the blood of Jesus, our brother, cri eth to Thee fiom the cross. Graciously hear, O Lord; be appeased, 0 Lord, hearken and do, Delay notl for Thy own sake, mly God, because Thy name is invoked upon this city and upon Thy people, and do with us accocrding to Thy mercy. EJACULATION. (Plenary indulgence once a month, three hnndred daye each Thursday and day in Octave of Corpus Christi-one hundred daya at other times.-PIus VII.) May all praise and thanks be continually give. to the most holy and most august Sacrament. 160 DEVOTIONS TO THE Mlte lebotfon of tbe'6 auarant On` x, OR FORTY HOURS' PRAYER. (Plenary Indulgence for visiting church each day of exposition, and receiving holy communion.-CLEMENT XIII. Partial tndul gence ten years, and ten quarantines each visit. —PAUL F.) This devotion continues for forty hours, in memory of the forty hours during which the body of our Lord remained in the sepulchre. It was becrun at Milan in 1534, and was introduced into Rome by St. Philip Neri in 1548, and sanctioned by Pope Clement VIII., who issued a solemn Bull respecting it, November 25, 1592. The forms of prayers used in this devotion are the Litany of the Saints, with its Collects, to which may be added the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, the Miserere and the Te Deum. Private devotions may be used at discretion. THE HOLY HOUR. This is a devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and consists in an hour's devotion on Maundy Thursday, before the Blessed Sacrament. Wiith the usual condition, there is a plenary indulgence for this; and a partial indulgence of 300 days for the same devotion on other Thursdays. THE AGNUS DEI. An Agnus Dei (so called from the image of the Lamb of God impressed on the face of it) is made of virgin wax, balsam, and chrism, blessed according to the form prescribed in the Roman Ritual. The Pope consecrates the Agnus Dei the first year of his'pontificate, and afterwards every seventh year, on SACRED HIUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 761 Saturday before low Sunday, with many solemn ceremonies and devout prayers. The use of the Agnus Dei is very ancient. Pope Leo III. made a present of one to the Emperor Charlemagne, who received it as a treasure sent from heaveni, and reverenced it with a singular piety and devotion. A PRAYER,TO BE DAILY SAID BY THOSE WHO CARRY ABOUT THEM AN AGNUS DEL. O my Lord Jesus Christ, the true Lamb who taketh away the sins of the world, by Thy mercy, which is infinite, pardon my iniquities, and by Thy sacred passion', preserve me this day from all sin and evil. I carry about me this I olv Agnus in Thine honor, as a preservative against mine own weakness, and as an incentive to the practice of that meekness, humility, and innocence which Thou hast taught us. I offer myself up to Thee as an entire oblation, and in memory of that sacrifice of love which Thou didst offer for me on the cross, and in satisfaction for my sins. Accept this oblation, I beseech Thee, O my God, and may it be acceptable to Thee in the odor of sweetness. Amen. Dtbotfon to thae hamtter c Leart. OrFERING TO THE SAcRIED HEART. (Plenary indulgence once a m)nth when recited daily. Partial indulgence once a day.-Pius VII.) O Jesus, amiable Saviour, I give Thee my heart in gratitude for all Thy benefits; I consecrate myself entirely to Thee, in reparation for my past infilelities; and I resolve with the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee in future. W~a 762 DEVOTIONS'0 THE VISIT TO' TIlE SACRED HEART. (Partial indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines to all who visit an image or pictur e of tila Sacred Hteart, in any church or oratory, and pray according to the intentions of this Pope.-PIam VI.) Heart of Jesus, which remlainest with us night and day, ilviting, awaiting, and receiving all who come to visit Thee, I adore Thee and acknowledge my misery and nothingness in Thy sight: I thank Thee for all the graces Thou hast bestowed on me, especially for having fieed nme from the slavery of the devil, for having restored to ine the title of Thy child, which I had forfeited by sin, for having given rme Mary as an Advocate, and for having now inspired me to come into Thy sacred presence. I thank Thee with my whole soul for admitting me, and I wish to atone for the insults I have been so unhappy as to offer Thee, by my former coldness and indifference inl Thy service: I earnestly wish that I could honor Thee as Thou shouldst be honored in all the places of the earth wherein Thou art most abandoned. ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE ADORIABLE HEART OF JESUS. Prostrate at the foot of Thy altar, and penetrated with gratitude for Thy benefits, I come, O sacred tHeart of my Jesus, to protest an earnest devotion to Thee, and a complete fidelity in Thy service: deign to accept the homage of all that I have, and of all that I am. I should be wretched indeed were I to love any thing Thou hast forbidden me to love, or if I were not ready to sacrifice all at the first intimation of Thy will: my possessicns, my health,. my liberty, my very life are SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD, 76i Thine; dispose of them as Thou pleasest; I offel them to be employed in Thy service. Reign over all the powers of my soul, reform all the affections of my heart, regulate all that concerns me, as Thiu seest best: how can I refuse to consecrate my life to Thee, who hast so generously sacrificed Thine for me? If I offer Thee perishable goods, dost Thou not instantly give me priceles& ones in their place?' 0 Heart of Jesus, I consider as lost every moment of my life, every affection of my heart which I have not consecrated to Thee: if I cannot love Thee as much as I wish, and as Thou dost deserve, make me at least love Thee as much as I am capable of loving; away from Thee I wish to find nothing but bitterness, affliction, and disgust, that I may thus be under the happy necessity of attaching myself to Thee alone, and living henceforward only for Thee, Atlen. ANOTI-IER ACT OF CONSECRATION TO TIlE SACRED HEART' OF JESUS. Adorable Heart of my loving Jesus, Seat of every virtue, and inexhaustible Source of grace; divine Heart, which burnest with love for mankind, though Thou canst find in them nothing but hardness, f-rgetfulness, ingratitude, and contempt; Heart full of goodness, always pitying our misery, and earnestly desiring to make us share Thy treasures, and'to give Thyself wholly to us; Thou lovest, and art not loved in return: we re spond to Thy benefits and to Thy love only by the most criminal insensibility —-too often by the'nmost sac rilegious insults. Penetrated with grief for such $64 DEVOTIOS TO TI T ingratitude, and wishing to repair it as mtich as possible, I offer Thee my heart with all its powers: true, it is quite unworthy of being laid before Thee, but Thou, divine Heart, callust purify it, inflame it with Thy love, and make it worthy of Thee. O refuse me not this grace, but make my heart henceforward Thine: I wish to live for Thee only, and therefore I give myself to Thee, sincerely protesting that I desire to forget myself, and to consider myself as a victim wholly devoted to Thee. I consecrate to Thee my body and my life, my thoughts, actions, labors, and sufferings. Divine Jesus, paurify and complete my sacrifice in the flames of Thy love, teach me a perfect forgetfulness of myself, that I may think of Thee only; and as I will do nothing henceforth but for Thy sake, grant that all I do may be worthy of Thee, and teach mre what I mnust do to obtain a pure love of Thee: give me, above all things, this pure, affectionate, ardent`love for Thee, and that profound humility, and unchangeable meekness, without which we cannot please Thee; and make me perfectly fulfil Thy holy will, in time and in eternity~ Amen. AN OFFF RING OF ALL THE ACTIONS OF TIlE DAY TO THI ADORABLE HEART OF JESUS. My God, all the days of my l1fe belong to Thee and all the actions which fill their course should be referred to Thee; frmn this moment I offer them all in honor of Thy sacrec( ac-ealt, and by this offering I consecrate thlemn withllout reserve, to its great glory. HIow powemrful should tlis motive be in making me 1 o all my aetion.s in the most SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 76l holy and perfect mnanner I am capable of! Permlit not, O my God, that any motive should insinuate itself which could render them unworthy of Thy Heart; henleforward I renounce all vanity and self-love, and all human respect, which might diminish their mcrit: grant, O my God, that I may begin, and continue, and end them all in Thy grace, and solely with the intention of pleasing and serving Thee; deign to receive and accept them in union with the merits and sentiments of Thy adorable Heart, which should be their beginning and end, as it will be their crown and reward. Amen. PRAYER TO JESUS IN TI-IE IMOST HOLY SACRAMENT AND TO HIS SACRED HEART. (Partial indulgence one hundred days.-Pis VI.) My most loving Jesus, behold how far Thy excessive charity has gone: Thou hast prepared for me a divine banquet of Thy own body, and of Thy most precious blood, that Thou mayst give Thyself wholly to me. What can have urged Thee to such an excess of love? Certainly nothing but Thy most loving Heart. 0 adorable Heart of my Jesus, burning furnace of Divine love, receive my soul into Thy most sacred wound, that in this school of charity I may learn to correspond to the love of that God, who gives me such wonderful proofs of His love. AN Acr OF EPARATION TO T THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS. 0 sacred Heart of my amiable Saviou,; how sensible Thy.ove renders Thbe to our miseries I 766 DEVOTIONS TO THE O my God, what goodness in Thee to become for us a victim in the adorable Eucharist! and yet, what dost Thou see in the heart of most men, but revolt against Thy will, and ingratitude for Thy benefits! Was it not enough, O Jesus, to abandon Thyself once to a cruel agony in the Garden of Olives, where Thou didst bear the burden of our sins? Must these same pains be daily renewed on Thy altars at the sight of so much iniquity? What were then, and what are now the sentiments of Thy heart? How can hearts be so hard as not to be touched by it? Permit me, O my Redeemer, prostrate and annihilated before Thee, to make Thee now an act of reparation for all the insults with which Thy children still load Thee, and for all the bitterness with which they fill Thy heart. Would that I could wash in my tealrs and blood every spot where Thou art outraged, and by every species of humiliation, atone for the unworthy contempt shown for Thy graces! Vould, above all, that I could dispose all hearts to become a sacrifice to Thee, and console Thee by this homage for the guilty insensibility of those who have been unwilling to know Thee, or knowing, been unwillinag to love Thee! I will at least, 0 Lord, offer myself; immolate me, consume me as Thy victim but before all purify me, make me begin to love but Thee, live but for Thee, nor ever take back my heart once consecrated to Thee: in fine, let me find in Thy Heart my perpetual asylum, my peace at the hour of death, and beatitude for eternity. Amen. SACRED HUMANITY OF OUR LORD. 767 A NOVEN A TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESTS O sacred and adorable Heart of Jesus! Furnace of eternal charity! Ocean of infinite mercy! Consolation of the afflicted! Refuge of sinners! and Hope of the whole world! I most fervently adore Thee, and unite my heart, my affections, and supplications to the perpetual homage Thou Thyself renderest the Divinity on our altars. Most amiable Heart! which hbast loved us with an eternal love, supply Thyself for my insensibility, and receive my desire at least of loving Thee with all the ardor and sincerity Thou so justly meritest. But remember, 0 adorable Heart! that Thou hast not disclosed Thyself to us only as an object of our adorations; Thou desirest much more to gain our love, and to become the ground and motive of our tender confidence. For this end Thou wast pierced through with a lance on the cross; and for the same purpose Thou remiainest a daily victim of Thy own love on our altars. O infinitely compassionate Heart of Jesus! which was overwhelmed with sorrow in the Garden of Olives, at the view of our spiritual and corporal miseries, I recur to Thee now with all the confidence Thou desirest I should repose in the extent of Thy power and the riches of Thy mercy. Convinced that those things which are impossible to human means are infinitely easy'to Thee, and relying with an hil mble, steadfast faith on the sacred worcds of Truth itself, that whatever we ask the Father in the name of Jesus should be granted, I now most humbly implore in that adorable name, 768 DEVOTIONS, ETC. in virtue of that promise, and through the abundant mercies of the sacred Heai t of Jesus,. the particular favor I petition, for in this Novena. (Specify it.) O blessed St. Gertrude! and all you glorious servants of Christ! who while on earth were particularly devoted to the sacred Heart of Jesus, join your players with imine, aind implore from the divine Object of all your devotion the grant of the petition which I now makle, and specially offer up through your intercession!. I beg likewise, from this adorable Heart, whir l}has dominion over all hearts, and can in a momient change the most obdurate, to have compassion on those who are in the dreadful state of mortal sin, and to open to lus all the treasures of. its mercy at the hour of oun death. Amen. PRAYER OF ST. G'ERTRUDE TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESI;S. O sacred Heart of Jesus! living and lifegiving fountain of eternal life, infinite treasure of the divinity, glowing furnace of love! Thou art my refuge and my sanctuary. O my adorable and lovely Saviour! consume my heart with thatL b.urning fire wherewith Thine is ever inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Thy love, and let my heart be so united with Thine, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things conformed to Thine May Thine be the rule, alike of my desires and o~ my actions. Amen. euati1tO t0U tI) ek b virot1 THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. (Partial indulgence 100 days each time. Where said once a week by a person habitually carrying a blessed Rosary, the sams Indulgences as for saying the Rosary.) Prayers uesual7y said before each Office. Aperi, Domine, os meum Open thou my mouth, 0 ad benedicendum rnomen Lord, to bless thy holy sanctum tuum: munda quo- name: cleanse my heart que cor meum ab omnibus also fi'om all vain, perverse, vanis, perversis, et alienis and distracting thoughts; cogitationibus; intellectum enlighten my understandillumina, affectuan inflam- ing, inflame my affections, ma: ut digne, attente, ao that I may recite this Office devote hoc Officium beatin of the blessed Virgin Mary Virginis Marihe recitare va- with worthy attention and leam et exaudiri merear devotion, and may deserve ante conspectum divinee to be heard in the sight of Majestatis tu r; per Chris- thydivineMajesty; through turn Dominum nostrum. Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen. Domine, in unione illius 0 Lord, I offer these divinsa intentionis, qua ipse HouIs unto thee, in union in terris laudes, Deo per- with that divine intention 65 770 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. solvista, has tibi Horas per- wherewith thou didst thy, solvo. self offer piaises to God, whilst thou wast on earth After each OQice. Sacrosanct& et individux Everlasting praise, honor, Trinitati, crucifixi Domini power, and glory be given nostri Jesu Christi Humani- by all creatures to the most tati, beatissimre et gloriosis- holy and undividedTrinity, simle, semperque Virginis to the Humanity of our Mariae feecundLc integritati, crucified Lord Christ Jesus, et omniium Sanctorumn uni- to tile fruitful purity of the vel:sitati, sit sempiterna most blessed and most glolaus, honor, virtus, et gloria rious,Mary ever Virgin, and ab omni creatura,. nobisque to the company of all the remissio omlnium peccato- Saints; and may we obtain rum, per infinita sucula the remission of all our srcculorum. Amen. sins through all eternity. Amen. V. Beata viscera Marie Tr. Blessed is the womb Virginis, qune portaverunt of the Virgin Mary, that veterni Patris Filium. bore the Son of the eternal Father. R. Et beata ubera quas R. And blessed are the lactaverunt Christumn Do- breasts that nourished minum. Christ our Lord. *atlhr. Ave Maria. Hail, Mary. V: Domine, cq lalbia mea V. Thou, 0 Lord, b aperies. shalt open my lips. R. Et os meum annun- R. And my mouth shall tiabit laudem tuam. announce thy praise. V. Deus, i- in adjuto- V. Incline unto my aid, rium meum intende. sv7 0 God. R Domine, ad adjl Lran- R. 0 Lord, mak(e laste dum me festina. to help me. Gloria Patli et Filio et Glory be to the Father, Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat and to the Son, and to the in principie et nune et Holy Ghost, as it was in DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED IRGIN. 77] semper et in ssecula ssecu- the beginning, is now, and lorum. ever shall be, world with Amen. Alleluia. out end. Amen. Alleluia,'rom Septuagesizma to Easter, instead of Alleluia, is said, Laus tibi, Domine, Rex Praise be to thee, 0 Lord, vaternn glorin. King of dIernal glory. Invitatory. Twice repeated. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Hail, Mary, filll of grace, Dominus tecum. the Lord is with thee. n Paschal time, Aileluia is added at the end of the Invitatory, Antiphons, Versicles, anid Responsories. PSALM xciv. Venite, ezultemus. Venite, exultemus Do- Come, let us praise the mino, jubilemus Deo salu- Lord with joy; let us joytani nostro; prmoccupemus fully sing to God, our Safaciem ejus in confessione, viour; let us come before et in psalmis jubilemnus ei. his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalmhns. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Hail, Mary, full of grace, Dominus tecum. the Lord is with thee. Quoniam Deus magnus For the Lord is a great Domilus, et Rex magnus God, and a great King super omnes deos: quoni- above all gods: for the am non repellet Dominus. Lord will not reject his plebeml suam, quia in manu people; for in his hands ejus sunt omnes fines terra3, are all the ends of the etaltitudines montiumipse earth, and he beholdeth conspicit. the heights of the mountains. Dominus tecum. The Lord is with thee. Quoniam ipsius est mare, For the sea is his, and et ipse fecit illud, et aridam he made it; and his hands fundaverunt manus ejus: formledthe dryland. Come, venite, adoremus, et proci- let us adore and fall down damus ante Deum; plore- before God; let us weep 772 DEVOTIONS TO TIIE BLESSED VIRGIN, mus coram Domino qui fe- before the Lord that made cit nos; quia ipse est Do- us. For he is the Lord our minus Deus noster: nos God; and we are his peoautem populus ejus, et oves ple, and the sheep of his pascuna e3jus. pasture. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Hail, Mary, full of grace, Dominus tecum. the Lord is with thee. Hodie si vocem ejus au- To-day, if you shall heal dieritis, nolite obdurace his voice, harden not your corda vestra, sicut in exa- hearts. As in the provocacerbatione secundum cliem tion, according to the day tentationis in deserto: ubi of temptation in the wilder tentaverunt me patres ves- ness: where your fathers tri, probaverunt, et vide- tempted me, they proved runt opera mea. me, and saw my works. Dominus tecum. The Lord is with thee. Quadraginta annis prox- Forty years long was I imus fui generationi huic, offended with that genera et dixi: Semper hi errant tion, and I said: These alcorde; ipsi vero non cog- ways err in heart. And noverunt vias meas: quli- these men have not known bus juravi in ira mea: Si'my ways; so I swore in my introibunt in requiem me- wrath thlLt they shall not aml. enter into my rest. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Hail, Mary, full of grace, Dominus tecum. the Lord is with thee. Gloria Patri, &c. Amen. Glory be to the Father, &c. Amen. Dominus tecum. The Lord is with thee. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Hail, Mary, full of grace Dominus tecum. the Lord is with thee. HYMN. Quem terra, pontus, sidera Mundum pugillo continens, Colunt, adorant, priedicant, Ventris sub arca clausus est. Trinam regentern machinam Claustrum Mariae bajulat. Beata cceli nuntio, Faecunda Sancto Spiritu, Cui lhna, sol, et omnia Desideratus gentibus Deservitnt per tempora, Cuius per alvum fusus est. Perfusa cceli gra;tia Gestant puellhe viscera. Jesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virgine, Beata Mater, munere Cum Patro, et all-o Spirite, Cuj us s pernus artifex, In sempiterna secula. Amn DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 7J3 (The same in Engbish.) The Lord, whom earth, and sea. and sky, With one adoring voice proclaim; Who rules them all in majesty; Inclosed himself in Mary's frame. Lo! in a humble Virgin's womb, O'ershadowed by Almighty power, He whom the stars, and sun, and moon, Each serve in their appointed hour! O Mother blest! to whom was given Within thy body to contain The Architect of earth and heaven, Whose hands the universe sustain. To thee was sent an angel down, In thee the Spirit was enshrined; Of thee was born that mighty One, The long-desired of all mankind. O Jesu! born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to thee; Praise to the Father infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally. Then are said three Psalmzs, according to the day of the wwte FIRST NOCTURN. On Sunday, MIonday, and Th'ffsday. Ant. Benedicta tu. Ant. Blessed art thou. PSALM viii. Domine, Dominus noster. Domine, Dominus nos- 0 Lord our Lord, how ter: quam admirabile est admirable is thy name in nomen tuum in universa the whole earth! terra! Quoniam elevata est For thy magnificence is magnificentia tua: super elevated above the heavcalos erns. 65*~P '774 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED N [hGIN, Ex ore in-fntium et lac- Out of the mouths of In tentiumn perfecisti laudem, fants and of sucklings thou propter inimicos tuos: ut hast perfected praise, bedestruas inimicum et ulto- cause of thy enemies, that rem. thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger. Quoniam videbo ccelos For I will behold thy tuos, opera digitorum tuo- heavens, the works of thy rum: lunam et stellas, fingers: the moon and the qua tu fundasti. stars which thou hast founded. Quid est homo, quod What is man that thou melaor es ejus? aut filius art mindful of him? oT hominis, quoniam visitas the son of man that thou eum? visitest him $ Minuisti eum paulo mi- Thou hast made him a nus ab angelis, gloria et little less than the angels, honore corontsti eum; et thou hast crowned him constituisti eun super ope- with glory and honor: ra manuuor tuarum. and hast set him over the works of thy hands. Omnia subjecisti sub pe- Thou hast subjected all dibus ejus: oves et boves things under' his feet, all universas, insuper et peco- sheep and oxen: moreora campi. ver the beasts also of the fields. Volucres cceli, et pisces The birds of the air, and maris: qui perambulant the fishes of the sea, that semitas maris. pass through the paths of the sea. Domine, Dominus nos- 0 Lord our Lord, how ter: quam admirabile est admirable is thy name in nomen tuum in universa all the earth i terra i Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ant. Benedicta tu in Ant. Blessed art thou mulieribus, et benedictus among women, and blessed fructus ventris tui. is the fruit of thy womb. Ant. Sieut myrrhCl Ant. Like the choicest myrrh. DEVOTIONS TO THE B3LESSED VIRGIN.'75 PSALMI XViii. C'eli enzarrat. celi enarrant gloriamL The heavens show forth Dei: et opera manuum the glory of God, and the ejus annuntiat firmament- firmament declareth the urn. work of his hands. Dies dliei eructat ver- Day to day uttereth buim: et nox nocti ihdicat speech, and night to night scientiam. sheweth knowledge. Non suntloqueln, neque There are no speeches sermlones: quorum lion au- nor languages, where their diantur voces eorum. voices are not heard. In omnemn terrain exivit Their sound hath gone sonus eorum: et in fines forth into all the earth: orbis terrm verba eorum. and their words.s unto the ends of the world. In sole posuit tabernacu- He hath set his talernalum suum: et ipse, tan- cle in the sun: and he as quam sponsus procedens a bridegroom coming out de thalamo sue, of his bride chamber, Exultavit ut gigas ad Hath rejoiced as a giant currendam viam: a sum- to run the way: His going mo ccelo egressio ejus, out is from the end of heaven, Et occursus ejus usque And his circuit even to ad summum ejus: nec est the end thereof: and there qui se abscondat a calore is no one that can hide ejus. himself from his heat. Lex Domini immacula- The law of the Lord ta, convertens animas: tes- is unspotted, converting timonium Donuini fidele, souls: the testimony of sapientiam preostans par- the Lord is faitllful, givvulis. ing wisdom to little ones. Justitice Domini recta, The justices of the Lord laetificantes corda: prLtcep — are right, rejoicing hearts: tum Domini lucidunm, illu- the commandment of the minans oculos. Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes. Timor Domini sanctus, The fear of the Lord is permanens in s seulnum holy, enduring forever and sseculi: judicia Domini ever: thejudglments of the 776 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. vera, justificata in seme- Lord are true, justified in tipsa. themselves. Desiderabilia super au- More to be desired than rum, etlapidemn pretiosum gold and many precious multum: et dulciora super stones: and sweeter than mel et favllm. honey and the honey comb. Etenim servus tuus cus- For thy servant keepeth todit ea: in custodiendis them, and inkeeping them illis retributio lnulta. there is great reward. Delicta, quis intelligit? Who can understand Ab occultis meis munda sins? from my secret ones me: et ab alionis parce cleanse me, 0 Lord: and servo tuo. from those of others spare thy servant. Si mei non fuerint domi- If they shall have no donati, tunc ilmrzaculatus minion over me, then shall ero: et emlundabor a de- I be without spot: and I licto maximo. shall be cleansed from the greatest sin. Et erunt ut complaceant And the words of my eloquia oris mei: et medi- mouth shall be such as tatio cordis mei in con- may please:and, the medispectu tuo semper. tation of my heart always in thy sight. Domine, adjutor meus: O Lord, my helper and et redemptor meus. my redeemer. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ant. Sicut myrrha elec- Ant. Like the choicest ta odorem dedisti suavita- myrrh, thou hast yielded tis, sancta Dei Genitrix. an odor of sweetness, 0 holy Mother of God. Ant. Ante thorum. Ant. Before the couch. PSALM xxiii. Domini est terra. Domini est terra, et ple- The earth is the Lord's, nitudo ejus: orbis terra- and the fulness thereof: rum, et universi qui habi. the world, and all they tant in eo. that dwell therein. Qulia is;e super maria For he hath founded it fundavit eum: et super;Ipon the seas, and hath flumina prseparavit eum. prepared it upon the rivers, DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSE.D VIRGIN. 777 Quis ascendet in montem Who shall ascend into Domini: ant quis stabit in the mountain of the Lord: loco sancto ejus? or who shall stand in his holy place? Innocens manibhus et The innocent in hands, mundo corde: qui non ac- and clean of heart, whc cepit in vano animam su- hath not taken his soul in am, nec juravit in dolo vain, nor sworn deceitfully proximno suo. to his neighbor. Hic accipiet benedictio- He shall ieceive a blessnem a Domino: et miseri- ing from the Lord, and cordiam a Deo salutari suo. mercy from God his Saviour. HMc est generatio quae- This is the generation of rentium eum: qunrentium them that seek him, of faciem Dei Jacob. them that seek the face of the God of Jacob. Attollite portas, princi- Lift up your gates, 0 ye pes, vestras, et elevamini, princes, and be ye lifted portmaternales: etintroi- up, 0 eternal gates: and bit Rex glorie. the King of Glory shall enter in. Quis est iste Rex glori? Who is this King of Dominus fortis et potens; Glory? the Lord, who is Dominus potens in preelio. strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle. Attollite portas, princi- Lift up your gates, 0 ye pes, vestras, et elevamini, princes, and be ye lifted port,( tternales: etintroi- up, 0 eternal gates: and bit Rex gloria. the. King of Glory shall enter in. Quis est iste Rex glorie? Who is this King of Dominus virtutum, ipse Glory? the Lord of hosts, est Rex glorie. he is the King of Glory. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ant. Ante thorum hujus Ant. Before the couch of Virginis frequentate nobis this Virgin sing often unto lulcia cantica dramatis. us sweet strains of art. e1s Versicles, Abs( lution. Lessons, 4c., as -it the end of the third Arocturn. 27 18 DEVOTIONS TO THiE BLESSED VIRGIN. SEECOND NoeTURN. On1 Tuesday and Friday. Amt. Specie tua. Ant. With thy comeli ness. PsALr xliv. Eructavit cor meum. Eructavit cor mleum ver- My heart hath uttered a bum bonurn: dico ego good word: I speak my opera mea regi. works to the king: Lingua nmea calamus My tongue is the pen of scribal: velociter scriben- a scrivener that writeth tis. swiftly. Speciosus forma prc filiis Thou art beautiful above hominumn, diffusa est gratia the sons of men: grace is in labiis tuis: propterea poured abroad in thy lips; benedixit to Dens in aeter- therefore hathll God blessed urm. thee forever. Accingere gladio tuo su- Gird thy sword upon per femur tuum: potentis- thy thigh, 0 thou most sime. mighty. Specie tua et pulchritu- With thy comeliness and dine tua: inteonde, prospere thy beauty set out, proprocede, et regna. ceed prosperously, and reig'n. Propter veritatem, et Because of truth and mansuetudinem, et justi- meekness and justice: and tiam.: et deducet te mira- thy right hand shall conbiliter dextera tua. duct thee wonderfully. Sagitta3 tu-e acute, po- Thy arrows are sharp: puli sub teo cadent: in cor- under thee shall people da inimicorum regis. fall, into the hearts of the king's enemies. Sedes tua, Deus, in scnu- Thy throne, 0 God, is lum sasculi: virga direc- forever and ever: the sceptionis, virga regni tui. tre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness. Dilexisti justitiam, et Thou hast loved justice, odisti iniq-.itatemn: prop- and hated iniquity: thereterea unxit to Deus, Deus fore God, thy God, hath DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSLD VIRGIN. I9 tmUS, oleo l.etiti prm con- anointed thee with the oil sortibus tuis. of gladness above thy fel lows. Myrrha, et gutta, et casia Myrrh and stacte and a vestimentis tuis, a domi- cassia perfume thy garbus eburneis: ex quibus ments, from the ivory delectaverunt te filim re- houses; out of which the gum in honore tuo. daughters of kings have delighted thee in thyglory. Astitit regina a dextris The queen stood on thy tuis in vestitu deaurato: right hand, in gilded clothcircumdata varietate. ing; surrounded with variety. Audi, filia, et vide, et in Hearken, 0 daughter clina aurem tuam: et obli- and see, and incline thy viscere populum tuum, et ea r: and forget thy people domum patris tui. and thy father's house. Et concupiscet rex deco- And the king shall great. renm tuum: quoniam ipse ly desire thy beauty: fo:. est Dominus Deus tuus, et he is the Lord thy God adorabunt eum. and him they shall adore. Et filie Tyri in muneri- And the daughters o. bus: vulturn tuum depre- Tyre with gifts, yea, a31 cabuntur omnes divites the rich among the people, plebis. shall entreat thy countenance. Omnis gloria ejus filime All the glory of the regis ab intus: in fimbriis king's daughter is withir. aureis, circumamicta varie- in golden borders, clothed tatibus. round about with varieties. Adducentur regi virgines After her shall virgins post eanm: proximas ejus be brought to the king: afferentur tibi. her neighbors shall be brought to thee. Afferentur in lsetitia et They shall be brought exultatione: adducentur in with gladness and rejoictemplum regis. ing: they shall be brought into the temple of the king. Pro patribus tuis nati Instead of thy fathers, sunt tibi filii constitues sons are born to thee: thou eos principes.si per omanemr shalt make them princes terrain. over all the earth. 780 0EV[OTIONS T) THE BLESSED VIRG-IN. Memores erunt nominis They shall remember tui: in omni generatione thy name throughout all et generationelm. generations. Propterea populi confite- Therefore shall people buntur tibi in roternum: praise thee forever, yea, et in s&cullum seculi. forever and ever. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ant. Specie tua et pul- Ant. With thy comelichritudino tua intende, ness and thy beauty set prospere procede, et regna. out, proceed prosperously, and reign. Ant. Adjuvabit earn Ant. God shall help her. Deus. PSALM xlv. Deus noster refugizun. Dens noster, refugimn et Our God is our refuge virtus: adjutor in tribula- and strength: a helper in tionibus quT invenerunt troubles, which have found nos nimis. us exceedingly. Proptereanoutimebilnus Therefore we will not dum turbabitur terra: et fear when the earth shall transferentur mlontes in cor be troubled, and the moun maris. tains shall be removed into the heart of the sea. Sonuerunt, et turbathe Their waters roared and sunt aquna eorum: contur- were troubled: the mounbati sunt mnontes in fortitu- tains were troubled with dine ejus. his strength. Fluminis impetus i1Ttifi- The stream of the river cat civitatem Dei: sancti- maketh glad the city of ficavit tabernaculum, suum God; the Most High hath Altissimus. sanctified his own tabernacle. Deus in medio ejus, non God is in the midst therecommovebitur: adjuvabit of, it shall not be moved: eamrn Denus mane diluculo. God will help it in the morning early. Conturbatn sunt gentes, Nations were troubled, et inclinata sunt regna: andkingdomsboweddown: dedit vocemi suam, mota he uttered his voice, and est terra. the earth trembled. Dominus virtutum no- The Lord of armies is DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED V~lG-iN. 781 biscum: slusceptor noster with us: the God of Jacot Deus Jacob. is our protector. Venite, et videte opera Come and behold ye the Domini, qum posuit prodi- -works of the Lord, what gia super terram: auferens wonders he hath done upbella usque ad finern terrm. on earth: making wars to cease, even to the end of the earth. Arcum conteret, et con-, He shall destroy the bow, fringet arna: et scuta corn- and break the weapons: buret igni. and the shields he shall burn -with fire. Vacate, et videte quoni- Be still, and see that 1 am ego sum Deus: exalta- am God: I will be exalted bor in gentibus, et exalta- among the nations. and I bor in terra. willbe exalted in the earth. Dominus virtutum no- The Lord of armies is biscun: susceptor noster with us: the God of Jacob Deus Jacob. is our protector. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ant. AdjuvabiteamDeus Ant. God shall help it vulltu suo: Deus in medio with his countenance: God ejus, non commovebitur. is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved. Ant. Sicut letantium. Ant. Our dwelling in thee. PSLIM lxxxvi. Fundamenta ejus. FIundamenta ejus in The foundations thereof montibus sanctis: diligit are in the holy mountains: Dominus portas Sion super the Lord loveth the gates omnia tabernacula Jacob. of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob. Gloriosa dicta sunt de Glorious things are said te: civitas Del. of thee, 0 city of God. Memor ero Rahab et Ba- I will be mnindful of Rabylonis:* scientium me. hab and of Babylon know. ing me. Ecce alienigenae, et Ty- Behold the foreigners rus, etpopulus Althiopum: and Tyre, and the people hi fuerunt illic. of the Ethiopians, these were there. 66 '782 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Numnquid Sion dicet; Shall not Sion say. Th'i Homo et homo natus est man and that man is born in ea: et ipse fundavit earn in her? and the Highest Altissimus? himself hath founded her. Domlinus narrabit in The Lord shall tell in his scripturis populoi'um et writings cf peoples and of wrincipum: horum qui fue- princes, of them that have runt in ea. been in her. Sicut l'tantium omni- The dwelling in thee is i m: habitatio est in te. as it were of all rejoicing. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ant. Sieut 1'etantiumn Ant. Our dwelling in omnium nostrum habitatio thee is as it were of all reest in te, sancta Dei geni- joicing, 0 holy mother ot trix. God. The Versicles, Absolution, Lessons, Sc., as at the end of thd third Nocturn. THIr D NOCTURN. On Wednesday and Saturday. Ant. Gaude, Maria Virgo. Ant. Rejoice, 0 Virgin Mary. PsALA xcv. Cantate Domino. Cantate Domino canti- Sing ye to the Lord a umn novum: cantate Do- new canticle: sing to the mino, omnis terra. Lord, all the earth. Cantate Domino et bene- Sing ye to the Lord and dicite nomini ejus: annun- bless his name: shew forth tiate de die in diem salu- his salvation from day to tare ejus. day. Annuntiate inter gentes Declare his glory among gloriam ejus: in omnibus the Gentiles: his wonders populis mirabilia ej us. among all people. Quoniam magnus Domi- For the Lord is great, nus, et laudabilis nimis: and exceedingly to be terribilis est super omnes praised: he is to be feared deos. ab,ve all gods. DEVOTIONS TO TilE BLESSED VIRGIN. 3 Quoniam omnes dii gen- For all the gods of thoe tium dnmonia: Dominus Gentiles are devils: but the auitern ccelos fecit. Lord made the heavens. Confessio et pulchritudo Praise and beauty are in conspectu ejus: sancti before him: holiness and monia et imagnificentia in majesty in his sanctuary. sanctificatione ejus. Bring ye to the Lord, 0 Afferte Domino, patrim ye kindreds of the Gengentium, afferte Dolinho tiles, bring ye to the Lord gloriam et honorem: af- glory and honor; bring to ferte Domino gloriam no- the Lord glory unto his mini ejus. name. Tollite hostias, et introi- Bring up sacrifices, and te in atria ejus: adorate come into his courts: adore Dominum in atrio sancto ye the Lord in his holy ejus. court. Commoveatur a facie Let all the earth be ejus universa terra: dicite moved at his presence. Say in gentibus, quia Dominus ye among the Gentiles,T'he regnavit. Lord hath reigned. Etenim correxit orbeia For he hath corrected terrae, qui non comlmovebi- the world, which shall not tur: judicabit populos in be moved: he will judge vequitate. the people with justice. Loetentur cwli, et exul- Let the heavens rejoice, tet terra, commoveatur and let the earth be glad; mare et plenitude ejus: let the sea be moved, and gaudebuntcampi, etomnia the fulness thereof; the quae in eis sunt. fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful. Tune exultabunt omnia Then shall all the trees ligna silvarum a facie Do- of the woods rejoice before mini, quia venit: quoniam the face of the Lord, bevonit judicare terrain cause he c)meth: because he cometh to judge the earth. Judicabit orbern terrie in He shall judge the world equitate: et populos in with justice, and the peoveritate sua. pie with his truth. Gloria, &c. Glo'ry, &c. Ant. Gaudeo. Maria Vir- Ant. Rejoice, 0 Virgin go, cunctas hareses sola Mary, thou alone hast de 'I 84 DEVOTIOOWS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. interemisti in universo stroyed all heresies in all mundo. the world. Ant. Dignare. Ant. Make mne worthy. PsALrM xcvi. Dominus reyzavit. Dominus regnavit, exul- The Lord hath reigned, tet terra: la3tentur insulke let the earth rejoice: let mult.. many islands be glad. Nubes et caligo in cir- Clouds and darkness are cuitlu ejus: justitia et judi- round about him': justice ciuml corr1ctio sedis ejus. and judgment are the establishment of his throne. Ignis ante ipsum prsece- A fire shall go before doet: et inflamlmabit in cir- him, and shall burn his cuitu inimicos ejus. enemies round about. Illsxerunt fullgura ejus His lightnings have shone orbi terrae: vidit, et corn- forth to the worldl; the rnota est terra. earth saw and trembled. AMlontes sicut cera fluxe- The mountains inelted runt a facie Domini: a fa- like wax at the presence of cie Donmini omnis terra. the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the earth. Annuntiaverunt cceli j us- The heavens declared his fitiani ejius: et viderunt justice: and all people saw omnes populi glorianm ejus. his glory. Confundantur omnes qui Let them be all conadorant sculptilia: et qui founded that adore graven gloriantur in simulacris things, and that glory in suis. their idols. Adorate eum, omnnes an- Adore him, all you his geli ejus: audivit, et lhetata angels: Sion heard, and est Sion. was glad. Et exultaverunt fili Ju- And the daughters of dne: propter judicia tua, Juda rejoiced, because of Dornine. thy judgments, 0 Lord. Quoniam tu Dominus al- For thou art the most tissimus super omnem ter- high Lord over all the ram: nimis exaltatus es su- earth: thou art exalted per omnes deos. exceedingly above all gods. Qui diligitis Dominmnl, You that love the Lord, odite malum: custodit Do- hate evil: the Lord premninus animas sanctorum serveth the souls of hi~ DEVOTIONS ro THE LLESSED VIRGIN. 788i suorum, de mnanu peccato- saints, he will deliver them ris liberabit eos. out of the hand of the sinner. Lux orta est justo: et Light is risen to the just, rectis corde lntitia. and joy to the right of heart. Laetamini, justi, in Do- Rejoice, ye just, in the minoe: et confitemini me- Lord: and give praise to morive sanctificationis ejus. the remembrance of his holiness. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ant. Dignare me laudare Ant. Make me worthy te, Virgo sacrata: da mihi to praise thee, 0 sacred virtutem contra hostes tu- Virgin: give me strength os. against thine enemies. Ant. Post parturn. Ant. After child-birth. Adv. Angelus Domnini. Adv. The angel of the Lord. PSALAr xcvii. Ccntate Domzino. Cantate Domino canti- - Sing ye to the Lord cuM novunm: quia mirabi- a new canticle; because lia fecit. he hath done wonderful things. Salvavit sibi dextera His right hand hath ejns: et brachium sanctum wrought for him salvation, ejus. and his arm is holy. Notunm fecit Dominns sa- The Lord hath made lutare suum: in conspectu known his salvation: he gentiunm revelavit justiti- hath revealed his justice in am sunal. the sight of the Gentiles. Recordlatus est miseri- He hath remembered his cordian sun: et veritatis mercy and his truth tosunn domui Israel. ward the house of Israel. Viderunt omnes termini All the ends of the earth terrm: salutare Dei nostri. have seen the salvation of our God. Jubilate Deo, omnis ter- Sing joyfully to God, all ra: cantate et exultate, et the earth: make melody, psallite. rejoice and sing. Psallite Domino in ci- Sing praise to the Lord thara, in cithara et voce on the harp, on the harp, 786 DEVOTIONS TO THIE -BLESSED VIRGIN. psalmi: in tubis ductilibus, and with the voice of a et voce tube cornen. pstalmu: with long truml pets, and sound of cornet. Jubilate in conspectu re- Make a joyful noise begis Domini: inoveatur ma- fore the Lord our king: let re, et plenitudo ejus; orbis the sea be moved and the terrarum, et qui habitant ful]ness thereof: the world in eo. and they that, dwell therein. Flumina plaudent ma- The rivers shall clap nu, simul montes exulta- their hands, the mountains bunt a conspectu Domini: shall rejoice together at quoniam venit judicare the presence of the Lord: terraim. because he cometh to judge the earth. Judicabit orbem terra- He shall judge the world rumn in justitia: et populos with justice, and the peo. in Tquitate. pie with equity. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ant. Post partum virgo Ant. After child-birth inviolata permansisti: Dei thou didst remain a pure Genitrix, intercede pro no- virgin: intercede for us, 0 bis. Mother of God. In Adventeu.:- -Ant. An- In Advent.-' -Ant. The gelus Domlini nuntiavit angel of the Lord announc Marikt, et concepit de Spi- ed unto Mary, and she conr'tu Sancto. Alleluia. ceived of the Holy Ghost. Alleluia. V. Diffusa est gratia in V. Grace is poured forth.abiis tis. on thy lips. R. Propterea benedixit R. Therefore hath God te Deus in rternum. blessed thee forever. Pater noster, &c. Our Father, &c. V. Et ne nos inducas in V. And lead us not into tlentationeem. temptation. IP. Sed libera nos a ma- R. But deliver us from lo Amen. evil. Amen. The Al solutoln. Precibus et meritis be- By the prayers and merRtI Manie semper Virginis, its of the blessed Mary ev~ Or on the Feast of the Annunciation. DEVOTICeNS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN, 787 et omnium Sactnctorum,per- el Virgin, and of all the ducat nos Dominus ad reg- Saints, may the Lord bring na ccelorum. us to the kingdom of heaven. R. Amen. R. Amen. V; Jube, domne, bene- V. Pray, sir, a blessing. dicere. The Blessing. Nos cum prole pia bene- May the Virgin Mary, dicat Virgo AMaria. with her holy Child, bless us. R. Amen.'R. Amen. The three followvinzg Lessons are said from Christmas-Day to Advent: but in Advent are said the Lessons ithatfollow the Te Deum, p. 790. FIRST LESSON. ECclus. xxiv. 11-13. In omnibus requiem In all these I sought lqunsivi, et in hoereditate rest, and I shall abide in Domini morabor. Tune the inheritance of the prnecepit, et dixit mihi Cre- Lord.''Then the Creator of ator omnium, et qui crea- all things commanded, and vit me, requievit in taber- said to me; and he that naculo meo, et dixit mihi: made me rested in my tabIn Jacob inhabita, et in ernacle, and he said to mle: electis meis mnitte radices. Let thy dwelling be in Ja,Tu autema, Domine, rmise- cob, and thy inheritance rere nobis. in Israel, and take root in my elect. But thou, Lord, have nmercy on us. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. R. Sancta et immacu- R. 0 holy and immaculata virginitas, quibus te late virgin, with whatl laudibus efferam nescio: e praises I shall extol thee, I Quia quem cceli capere non know not: 0' For he whom poteranlt, tuo gremio con- the heavens could not contu listi. tain, rested in thy bosom. V. Benedicta tu in mu- V. Blessed art thou lieribus, et benedictus fruc- among women, and blessed 788 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRCGIN. tus ventris tui. Quia is the fruit of thy womb,. quem, &c. For he whom, &c. V: Jube, domne, bene- V; Pray, sir, a blessing. dicere. The Blessing. Ipsa Virgo virginum in- May the Virgin of virtercedat pro nobis ad Do. gins herself intercede for,minum. us with the Lord. B. Amen. 1. Amen. SEcoN-D LESSON. Ecclus. xxiv. 15, 16. Et sic in Sion firmatta And so was I established sum, et in civitate sancti- in Sion, and in'the holy ficata simliliter requievi: city likewise I rested; and et in Jerusalem potestas my power was in Jerusamea. Et radicavi in popu- lem. And I took root in lo honorificato, et in parte an honorable people, and Dei mei htreditas illius, et in the portion of my God in plenitudine Sanctoruim his inheritance, and my detentio mnea. Tu autem, abode is in the full assemDomrinse, mliserere nobis. bly of Saints. But thou, Lord, have mercy on us. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. R. Beata es, Virgo Ma- R. Blessed art thou, O ria, quai Dominumn portas- Virgin Mary, who didst'i Crestoreni miundi:: bear the Lord, the Creator Genuisti qui te fecit, et in of the world: Thou wast eteurnlll permanes virgo. the mother of him who made thee, and remainest a virgin forever.'. Ave Maria, gratia V. Hail, Mary, full of plena, Dominus tecum. grace, the Lord is with thee. R. Genuisti, &c. R. Thou wast the mother, &c. When the Te Deum is said, there is addedl at the end of this Responsory: Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Glory be to the Father, Spiritui Sancto. Genuisti, and to the Son, and to tho &c. Holy Ghost. Thou wast the mother, &c. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 789 V. Jube, domne, benedi- E. Pray, sir, a blessing. cere. T/e Blessing. Per Virginem Matrem, Through the Virgin Mq concedat nobis Dominus ther, may the Lord gran Balutem et pacem. unto us salvation and peace R. Amen. R. Amen. TrIIRD LESSON. Ecclus. xxiv. 17-20. Quasi cedrus exaltata I was exalted like a ce-,umr in Libano, et quasi dar in Libanus, and as a cupressus in Monte Sion. cypress-tree on Mount Quasi palma exaltata sum Sion. I was exalted like in Cades, et quasi plantatio *a palm-tree in Cades, and. rosea in Jericho. Quasi as a rose-plant in Jericho. oliva pretiosa in campis, As a fair olive-tree in the et quasi platanus exaltata plains, and as a plane-tree sum juxta aquas in plateis. by the water in the streets, Sicut cinnamoinum et bal- was I exalted. I gave a simuln aromatizans odlo- sweet smell like cinnarein dedi: quasi myrrha mon and aromatic balm: electa dedi suavitatemn odo- I yielded a sweet odor like ris. Tu autem, Dominie, the best myi'rh. But thou, miserere nobis. Lord, have mercy on us. R. Deo gratias. 11. Thanks be to God. The Te Deum is not sctid in Advent, oor' from'0Septageesima to Easter, except on the Feasts qf the Blessed Virgin. The /bllowing Responsory is said whez the Te Deum is onzitted. /R. Felix namque es, sa- R. Surely thou art hap-L cra Virgo Maria, et onli py, 0 holy Virgin Mary, laulde dignissima: 0. Quia and most worthy of all eN te ortus est sol justitin, praise:: For out of thee ~ Christ-us Deus noster. arose the Sun of justice, 0 Christ our God. V: Ora pro populo, inter- 1r Pray for the people, veni pro clero, intercede mediate for the clergy, inpro devcto femineo sexu. tercede for the devoted Sentiant omnes tuum ju- females. Let all experivamlen, quieumque cele- ence thy assistance, whobrant tuam sac ctam com- ever celebrate thy holy 790 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGINo meinorationem. Quia ex commemoration. For out t;e, &c. of thee, &c. V: Gloria Patri, et Fillo, V, Glory be to the Faet Spiritui Sancto. Chris- ther, and to the Son, and tus Deus noster. to the Holy Ghost., Christ our God. Te Deum. Te Deum laudamus: te We praise thee, 0 God: Dominum confitemur. we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. Te teternum Patren: All the earth doth wor omnis terra veneratur. ship thee: the Father everlasting. Tibi omnes angeli: tibi To thee all angels cry cceli et universe potes- aloud: -the heavens and tates; all the powers therein; Tibi cherubim et sera- To thee cherubim and phim: incessabili voce pro- seraphim: continually do clamanut; cry; Sanctus, sanctus, sane- Holy, holy, holy: Lord tis: Dominus Deus Saba- God of Sabaoth. oth. Pleni sunt cCeli et terra: Heaven and earth are majestatis glorias ture. full: of the majesty of thy glory. Te gloriosus: Apostolo- The glorious choir of the rum chorus. Apostles: praise thee. Te Prophetarulm: lauda- The admirable company bilis numerus. of the Prophets: praise thee. Te Martyrum: candida- The white-robed arm-y tus laudat exercitus. of Martyrs: praise thee. Te per orbem terrarum: The Holy Church sancta confitetur Ecclesia. throughout all the world. doth acknowledge thee. ~Patrerm: immensaa ma- The Father: of an injestatis. finite majesty. Venerandum tuum ve- Thy adorable, true: and rum: et unicum Filiunm. only Son. Sanctum quoque: Para Also the Holy Ghost: clituri Spiritum. the Comforter. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRG-IN. 791 Tu Rex glorihe: Christe. Thou art the King of Glory' 0 Christ. Tu Patris: sempiternus Thou art the everlasting es Filius. Son: of the Father. Tu ad liberandum sus-' When thou tookest upon cepturus hominem: non thee to deliver man: thou horruisti Virginis uterumn. didst not abhor the Virgin's womnb. Tu devicto mortis acu- When thou hadst overleo: aperuisti credentibus come the sting of death: regna coelorum. thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Tu ad dexteram Dei Thou sittest at the right sedes: in gloria Patris. hand of God: in the glory of the Father. Judex crederis: esseven- We believe that thou turus. shalt conme: to be our Judge. iTe ergo qunSsumus, tuis 1 We pray thee,therefore, famulis subveni: quos pre- help thy servants: whom tioso sanguine redemisti. thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. AE3terna fac cum Sanctis Make them to be num tuis: in gloria numerari. bered with thy saints: in glory everlasting. Salvum fac populum 0 Lord, save thy peo tuum, Domine: et bene- pie: and bless thine indie hmreditati tua. heritance. Et rege eos: et extolle Govern them: and lift illos usque in nternum. them up forever. Per singulos dies: bene- Day by day: we magnify dicimus te. thee. Et laudamus nomen, And we praise thy name tuum in suculum: et in forever: yea, forever and seculum. siculi. ever. Dignare, Domine, die Vouchsafe, 0 Lord, this isto: sine peccato nos cus- day: to keep us without todire. sin. Misererenostri, Doanine: O Lord, have mercy upon miserere nostri. us: have imercy upon us. I Hee it is usual to kneel. * 2 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Fiat misericordia tua. 0 Lord, let thy mercy Domine, super nos: que- be upon us: as we have madmodum speravimus in hoped in thee to. In te, Domine, speravi. 0 Lord, in thee have I non confundar inT ternum. hoped: let me not be confounded forever. Tle following Lessons are said in Advent, aernd on the lFeam of the Annunciation. Absolution and First Blessing, as above, p. 786. FIRST LESSON. Luke i. 26-28. Missus est angelus Ga- The angel Gabriel was briel a Deo in civitatem sent from God into a city Galil as, cui nomen Naza- of Galilee, called Nazareth, reth, ad virginem despon- to a virgin espoused to a satam viro cui nomen erat man whose name was JoJoseph, de domo David; seph, of the house of Da. et nomen virginis Maria. vid; and the virgin's name Et ingressus angelus ad was Mary. And the angei eam, dixit: Ave, gratia being come in, said unto plena, Dominus tecum: her: Hail, full of grace, benedicta tu in mulieribus. the Lord is with thee: Tu autem, Domino, mise- blessed art thou among rere nobis. women. But thou, Lord, have mercy on us. iR. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. R. Missus est Gabriel R. The angel Gabriel angelus ad Mariam, vir- was sent to Mary, a virgin ginem desponsatam Jo- espoused to Joseph, anseph, nuntians ei verbum, nouncing to her the word, et expavescit virgo de lu- and the virgin was afraid mine. Ne timeas, Maria, at the light. Fear not, invenisti gratiam apud Mary, thou hat found Dorainum: * Ecce conci- grace with the Lord: 0pies, et paries filium, et Behold, thou shalt convocabitur Altissimi Filius. ceive, and bear a son, and he shall be called the Son of the Most High VF Dabit ei Dominus Y. The Lord God shall DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 79 Dens sedem David patris give unto him the throne ejus, et regnabit in domo of David his father, and he Jacob in aeternum. Ecce shall reign in the house of concipies, &c. Jacob forever. Behold, thou shalt conceive, &c Second Blessing, as above, p. 788. SECOND LESSON. Luke i. 29-33. Qua cum audisset, tur- Who having heard, was bata est in sermone ejus, troubled at his saying, and et cogitabat qualis esset thought with herself, what ista salutatio. Et ait an- manner of salutation this gelus ei. Ne timeas, Ma- should be. And the angel ria, invenisti enim gratiam said unto her: Fear not, apud Deum. Ecce conci- Mary, for thou hast found pies in utero, et paries grace with God. Behold, filiuml et vocabis nomen thou shalt conceive in thy ejus Jesuln. Hic erit mag- womb, and shalt bring nus, et Filius Altissi mi vo- forth a son, and thou shalt cabitur. Et dabit illi Do- call his- name Jesus. He minyus Deus sedem David shall be great, and shall patris ejus, et regnabit in be called the Son of the domo Jacob in Sternum; Most High. And the Lord et regni cjus non erit finis. God shall give unto him Tu autem, Domine, rise- the throne of David his rere inbis. father, and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. But thou, Lord, have mercy on us. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to Go4. R. Ave Maria, gratia R. Hail, Mary, full of plena, Dominus tecum. * grace, the Lord is with Spiritus Sanctus superveni- thee. 0. The Holy Ghost et in te, et virtus Altissimi shall come upon thee, and obumbrabit tibi: quld enim the power of the Most High ex te nascetur Sanctum, shall overshadow thee: for vocabitur Filius Dei. the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. CT 794 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSEDI VIRGIN. V. Quomodo fiet istud, Y: How shall this bN quoniam virum non cog- (ldone, seeing I know not nosco? Et respondens an- man? And the angel angelus, dixit ei: Spiritus swering, said unto her: Sanctus superveniet in te, The Holy Ghost shall come &c. upon thee, &c. Third Blessing, as above, p. 789. THIRn LmEsoN. Luke i. 34-38. Dixit autem Maria ad And Mary said to the angelumn: Quomodo fiet angel: How shall this be istud, quolliam virum non done, because I know not cognosco? Et respondens man? And the angel angelus, dixit ei: Spiritus answering, said to her: Sanctus superveniet in te, The Holy Ghost shall come et virtus Altissimi obum- ulpon thee, and the power brabit tibi. Ideoque et of the Most High shall quod nascetur ex te Sanc- overshadow thee. And tum, vocabitur Filius Dei. therefore also the Holy Et ecce Elizabeth cognata which shall be born of thee tua, et ipsa concepit filium shall be called the Son of in senectute sua, et hic God. And behold, thy mensis sextus est illi, qum cousin Elizabeth, she also vocatur sterilis, quia non hath conceived a son in crit impossibileapud Deum her old age, and this is the omne verbum. Dixit au- sixth month with her, that temr Maria: Ecce ancilla is called barren; because Domini, fiat mihi secun- no word shall be impossidum vea'bum tuum. Tu ble with God. Anld Mary autem,.Domine, miserere said: Behold the handmaid nobis. of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. But thou, Lord, have mercy on us. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. R. Suscipe verbumn, Vir- R. Receive, 0 Virgin go Maria, quod tibi a Do- Mary, the word which hath mino per angelumn trans- been communicated to thee missum est: concipies, et by the Lord through the paries Deum pariter et angel: thou shalt conceive, honrinem.: Ut bened:cta and bear both God and DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 795 dic ris inter omnes muli- man: o That thou mayest eres. be called blessed among all women. V. Paries quidem filium, V. Yea, thou shalt bear et virgiinitatis non patieris a son, and shalt suffer no detriilentltn: etfcierlis gra- detriment in thy virginity; vida, et eris mater semper thou shalt be with child, intacta. Ut benedicta di- and shalt become a mocaris, &c. ther, remaining ever a virgin undefiled. That thou mayest be called, &c. V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, Y. Glory be to the Faet Spiritui Sancto. Ut ben- ther, and to the Son, and edicta dicaris, &c. to the Holy Ghost. That thou mnayest be called, &c. ~ a U beS Ave Maria. Hail, l~Mary. V; Deus, in adjutorium V. 0 God, come to my meum inltende. assistance. R. Domine, ad adjuvan- R. 0 Lord, make haste dumrn me festina. to help me. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. QOice 1. Prom the Pri.ification to Advent. Ant. Assumpta est. Ant. Mary was taken up Qflice 2. In Advent. Ant. Missus est. Ant. The angel, Office 3. From Christmas to the Purification. Ant. 0 admirabile corn- Ant. 0 mar'vellous intex mercium! course! PSALMi xcii. Dominus regnavit. Dominus regnavit, deco- The Lord hath reigned, rem indlutus est: indutus he is clothed with beauty: est Domninus fortitudinem, the Lord is clothed with et priecinxit se. strength, and hath girded himself, [96 DEVOTIONS'10 TIIE BLESSED VIRGIN. Etenim firmavit orberm For he hath establisned Berrse: qui non commove- the uworld: which shall not bitur. be moved. Parata sedes tua ex tunc: Thy throne is prepared a &Pculo tu es. from of old: thou art from everlasting..Elevaveruntflumina, Do- The floods have lifted mine: elevaveruntflumina up, O Lordl the floods ocem suam. have lifted up their voice. Elevaveruntfluminafluc- The floods have lifted tus suos: a vocibus aqua- up their waves, with the rum multarum. noise of many waters. Miiabiles elationes ma- Wonderful are thesurges ris: mirabilis in altis Do- of the sea: wonderful is minus. the Lord on high. Testimoniatua credibiiia Thy testimonies aro befacta sunt nimis: domurm come exceedingly credituam decet sanctitudo, Do- ble: holiness becomneth thy mine, in longitudinell die- house, 0 Lord, unto length rumn. of days. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. QOfce 1. Ant. Assumpta est Ma- Ant. Mary was taken up ria in ccelum, gaudclent an- into heaven, the angels regeli, laudantes benedicunt joice, and with praises bless Dominum. the Lord. Ant. Maria Virgo. Ant. The Virgin Mary. Office 2. Ant. Missus est Gabriel Ant. The angel Gabriel angelus ad Mariam, virgi- was sent to Mary, a virgin nem despQnsatam Joseph. espoused to Joseph. Ant. Ave Maria. Ant. Hail, Mary. Office 3. Ant. 0 admirabile com- Ant. 0 marvellousintermercium! Creator generis course! the Creator of humani, animatum corpus mankind, taking an anisumens, de virgine nasci mated body, vouchsafed to dignatus est: etprocedens be boar of a virgin: and DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.''97 homo sine semine, largitus becoming man without est nobis suam deitatem. man's concurrence, bestowed upon us his deity, Ant. Quando natus es. Ant. When thou wast born. PSALM xcix. Jubilate Deo. Jubilate Deo, omnis ter- Sing joyfully unto God, ra: servite Domino in l.- all the earth: serve ye the titia. Lord with gladness. Introite in conspectu Come ye in before his ejus: in exultatione. presence: with exceeding joy. Scitote quoniam Domi- Know ye that the Lord nus ipse est Deus: ipse fe- he is God: he hath made cit nos, et non ipsi nos. us, and not we ourselves. Populus ejus et oves pas- We are his people, and cul ejus: introite portas the sheep of his pasture: ejus in confessione, atria go ye into his gates with ejus'in hymnis: confitemi- thanksgiving, and into his ni illi. courts with hymns; give glory unto him. Laudate nomen ejus, Praise ye his name, for quoniam suavis est Domi- the Lord is gracious, his nus, in eternum misericor- mercy is everlasting: and dia ejus: et usque in gene- his truth endureth from rationem et generationem generation to generation. veritas ejus. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Office 1. Ant. Maria Virgo as- Ant. The Virgin Mary sumpta est ad athercum was taken up to the heavthalamum, in quo Rex re- enly chamber, where the gum stellato sedet solio. King of kings sitteth on his starry throne. Ant. In odorem. Ant. We run. Office 2. Ant. Ave Maria, gratia Ant. - Hail, Mary, full of plena, Dominus teum n: grace, the Lord is with 67, 4798 DEVOTION-S TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Denedicta tu in mulieri- thee: blessed art Lhou bus. among women. Ant. Ne timeas, Maria. Ant. Fear not, Ma ly Office 8. Ant. Quando natus es Ant. When thou wast ineffabiliter ex virgine, born of a virgin,,after an tune implets sunt Scrip- ineffkble manner, then turae. Sicut pluvia in vel- were the Scriptures fulfilllus descendisti, ut salvum ed. Thou didst come down faceres genus humanum: like rain upon the fleece, te laudamus, Deus noster. that thou mightest save mankind: we praise thee, 0 our God. Ant. Rubum quem vide- Ant. In the bush which rat. Moses. PSALM lxii. Detus, Deus meus. Deus, Deus meus: ad te 0 God, my God, to thee de luce vigilo. do I watch at break of day. Sitivit in te anima mea: For thee my soul hath quam multipliciter tibi ca- thirsted; for thee lly flesh, ro mea. I 0 how many ways! In terra deserta, et invia, In a desert land, and et inaquosa: sic in sancto where there is no way, and apparui tibi, ut viderem no water: so in the sancvirtutem tuam et gloriam tuary have I come before tuam. thee, to see thy power and thy glory. Quoniamr melior est mi- For thy mercy is better sericordia tua super vitas: than lives: thee my lips labia mea laudabunt te. shall praise. Sic benedicam te in vita Thus will I bless thee all mea: et in nomine tuo le- mny life long: and in thy vabo manus meas. name I will lift up my hands. Sicut adipe et pingue- Let my soul be filled as dine repleatur anima mea: with marrow and fatness: at labiis exultationis lau- and my mouth shall praise dabit os ineum. thee with joyful lips. Si memor fui tui super If I have remembered DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 799 stratum meum, in matuti- thee upon'my bed, I will nis meditabor in te: quia meditate on thee in the fuisti adjutor meus. morning: because thou last, been my helper. Et in velamento alarum And Itwill rejoice under tuarulm exultabo; adhoesit the covert of thy wings: anima mea post te: me my soul hath stuck close suscepit dextera tua. to thee: thy right hand hath received me. Ipsi vero in vanum qua3- But they have sought sierunt anminanl meam, in- my soul in vain, they shall troibunt in inferiora terrm: go into the lower parts of tradentur in manus gladii, the earth: they shall be partes vulpium erunt. delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes. Rex vero letabitur in But the king shall reDeo, laudabuntur omnes joice in God, all they shall qui jurant in eo: quia ob- be praised that swear by structum est os loquenti- him: because thie mouth um iniqua. is stopped of them that speak wicked things. PSALM lxvi. Deus misereatur. Deus misereatur nostri, May God have mercy on et benedicat nobis: illu- us, and bless us: may he minet vultum suum super cause the light of his counnos, et misereatur nostri. tenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on US. Ut cognoscamus in terra That we may know thy -viam tuam: in omnibus way upon earth: thy salgentibus salutare tuum. vation in all nations. Confiteantur tibi populi,, Let peoples confess to Deus: confiteantur tibi po- thee, 0 God: let all peopuli omnes. ples give praise to thee. 4Latentur et exultent Let the nations be glad gentes: quoniam judicas and rejoice; for thou judgpoptlos in tquitate, et est the peoples with jusgentes in terra dirigis. tice, and directest the nations upon earth. (Confiteantur tibi populi Lot peoples, 0 God, con. 300 DEV OTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN Deus, confiteantlur tibi po- fess to thee: let all pecP pulli oinnes: terra dedit ples give praise to thee: fructum suum. the earth hath yielded her fruit. Benedicat nos De)us De- May God, our God, bless us noster, benedicat nos us, may God bless us: and Deuls: et metuant euni all the ends of the earth omnes fines terr s. fear him. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. O.fice t. Ant. In odoreml unguen- Ant. We run to the torum tuorum currimus: odor of thy ointments: the adolescentulh dilexerunt young maidens have l}oved te nimis. thee exceedingly. Ant. Benedicta filia. Ant. Thou, 0 daughter. ice 2. Ant. Ne timeas, Maria, Ant. Fear not, Mary, invenisti graltiam apud Do- thou lhast found grace with ininum: ecce concipies, et the Lord: behold, thou paries filium. Alleluia. shalt conceive, and bear a son. Alleluia. Ant. Dabit ei Dominus. Ant. The Lord shall give unto him. Offce 3. Ant. Rubuim quem vide- Ant. In the bush which rat Moyses incombustum, Moses saw unconsumed,wo conservatam agnovimus acknowledge thy admituam lauclabilemn virgini- rable virginity preserved: ta-tem: Dei Genitrix, in- intercede for us, 0 Mother tercede pro nobis. of God. Ant. Germinavit radix Ant. The root of Jesse Jesse. hath budded. Thie Benedicite, or Sony of the Three Children. BE-NEDIClT, omnia opera 0 all ye works of tho Domini, Domino: laud-ate Lord, bless. ye the Lord: et superexaltate eum in praise and exalt him above secu1la. e1 foreAever DEVOTIO~iS TO THE BLESSED YIRGIS. 801 Benedicite, angeli Domi- 0 ye angels of the Lorld, ni, Domlino: benedicite, bless ye the Lord: bles, celi, Domino. the Lord, ye heavens. Beneclicite, aqun omnes 0 all ye waters that are qum super cclos sunt, Do- above the heavens, blees ye mino: benedicite, omnes the Lord: bless the Lord, virtutes Domini, Domino. all ye powers of the Lord. Benedicite, sol et luna, 0 ye sun and moon, bless Domino: benedicito, stellw ye the Lord': bless the eceli, Domino. Lord, ye stars of heaven. Benedicite, omnis imber 0 all ye showers and etros,Domino: benedicite, dew, bless ye the Lord: omnes spiritus Dei, Domi- bless the Lord, all ye spino. rits of God. Benedicite, ignis et aes- 0 ye fire and heat, bless tus, Domino: benedicite, yetheLord: bless theLord, frigus et iestus, Domino. ye winter and summer. Benedicite, rores et pru- 0 ye dews and hoarIna, Domino: benedicite, frost, bless ye the Lord: 9gelu et frigus, Domino. bless the Lord, ye frost and cold. Benedicite, glacies et ni- 0 ye ice and snow, bless ves, Domino: benedicite, yetheLord: blesstheLord, noctes et dies, Domino. ye nights and days. Benedicite, lux et tene- 0 ye light and darkness, bre, Domino: benedicite, bless ye the Lord: bless fulgura et nubes, Domino. the Lord, ye lightnings and clouds. Benedicat terra Domi- 0 let the earth bless the num: laudet et superex- Lord: let it praise and exaltet eum in secula. alt him above all forever. Benedicite, montes et 0 ye mountains and colles, Domino: benedi- hills, bless ye the Lord: cite, universa germinantia bless the Lord, all things in terra, Domino. that spring forth Upon the earth. Benedicite, fontes,Dcomi- 0 ye fomntains, bless ye no: benedicite, maria et the Lord: bless the Lord, flumina, Domino. ye seas and goods. Benedicite, cete et omlnia 0 ye, whales, and all qune moventur in aquis, tlhat move in the waters, Domino benedicite, oem- bless ye the Lord: bless 802 DEVOIIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. nes vo]lcres coeli, Domi- the Lord, all ye fowls of no. the air. Benedicite, omnes bestiax 0 all ye beasts and catet pecora, Domino: bene- tie, bless ye the Lord: dicite, filii hominum, Do- bless the Lord, ye sons of mino. men. Benedicat Israel Domi- 0 let Israel bless the num: laudet et superex- Lord: let him praise and altet eum in secula. exalt him above all for ever. Benedicite, sacerdotes 0 ye priests of the Lord, Domini, Domino: benedi- bless ye the Lord: bless cite, servi Domini, Doli- the Lord, ye servants of the no. Lord. Benedicite, spiritus et 0 ye spirits and souls anima justorum, Domino: of the just, bless ye the benedicite, sancti et humi- Lord: bless the Lord, all les corde, Domino. ye that are holy and humble of heart. Benedicite, Anania, Aza- 0 Ananias, Azarias, Mi ria, Misael, Domino: lau- sael, bless ye the Lord: date et superexaltate eumn praise and exalt him above in saecula. all forever. Benedicamus Patremrn, et Let us bless the FaFilium, cum Sancto Spi- ther, and the Son, with ritu: laudemusetsuperex- the Holy Ghost: let us altemus eum in ssecula. praise and exalt him above all forever. Benedictus es, Domine, Blessed art thou, OLord, in firmamento cceli: et in the firmament of heavlaudabilis, et gloriosus, et en: worthy to be praised, superexaltatus in snecula. and glorious, and exalted above all forever. The Gloria is not said Office 1. Ant. Benedicta, filia, tu Ant. Thou, 0 daughter, a Domino; quia per te art blessed of the Lord, for fructum vitae communica- through thee hlave we been viunus. made partakers of the fruit of life. Ant. Pulchra es. Ant. Thou art fair,. DEVOTTINS TO THE BLESSEI VIRG IN. 803 Ovice 2. Ant. Dabit ei Dominus Ant. The Lord shall give sedem David patris ejus, et unto him the seat of Daregnabit in aternum. vid his father, and he shall reign forever. Ant. Ecce ancilla Domi- Ant. Behold the. handi ni. maid of the Lord. 0~ce 3. Ant. Germinavit radix Ant. The root of Jesse Jesse, orta est stella ex hath budded, a star hath Jacob; virgo peperit Sal- arisen out of Jacob; a virvatorem: te lauldamus, gin hath born the Saviour: Deus noster. we praise thee, 0 our God. Ant. Ecce Maria. Ant. Behold Mary. PSALI cxlviii..Laudate DLominum. Laudate Dominum de Praise ye the Lord friom coelis: laudate eumn in ex- the heavens: praise ye him celsis. in the high places. Laudate eum omnes an- Praise ye him, all his geli ejus: laudate eum, angels: praise ye him, all omnes virtutes ejus. his hosts. Laudate eum, sol et lu- Praise ye him, 0 sun and na: laudate eum, omnes moon: praise him, all ye stelli et lunmen. stars and light. Laundate eum cceli ccelo- Praise him, ye heavens rum: et aquae omnes quw, of heavens: and let all the super colos sunt, laudent waters that are above the nomen Domini. heavens praise the name of the Lord. Quia ipse dixit, et facta For he spoke, and they sunt: ipse mandavit, et were made: he commandcreata sunt. ed, and they were created. Statuit ea in sternum, He hath established et in seeculun sreculi: prme- them forever, and for ages ceptum posuit, et non prae- of ages: he hath made a teribit. decree, and it shall not pass away. Laudate Dominum de Praise the Lord from the 804 DEVOTIONS TO THIS BLESSEI) VIEGIN. terra: dracones et omnes earth. ye dragons, and al abyssi. ye deeps. Ignis, grando, nix, gla- Fire, hail, snow, ice, cies, spiritus procellarum: storLmy winds, which fulfil qure faciunt verbum ejus. his word. Montes et omnes colles-: Mountains and all hills, ligna fructifera et omnes fruitful trees and all cecedri. dars. Bestira et universa peco- Beasts and all cattle: ra: serpentes et volucres serpents and feathered pennatse. fowls. Reges terras et omnes po- Kings of the earth and puli: principes et onmnes all people: princes and all judices terrie. judges of the earth. Juvenes et virgines, se- Young men and maidnes cum junioribus, laau- ens: let the old with the dent nomen Domini: quia younger, praise the name exaltatum est nomen ej us of the Lordl: for his name solius. alone is eealted. Confessio ejus super cm- The praise of him is lunm et terram: et exalta- above heaven and earth' vit cornu populi sui. and he hath exalted the horn of his people. Hymnus ormnibus Sanc- A hymn to all his saints: tis ejus: filiis Israel, popu- to the children of Israel, a lo appropinquanti sibi. people approaching to him. PsAaLn cxlix. Canztae Dominzo. Cantate Domino canti- Sing ye to the Lord a cue novum: laus ejus in new canticle: let his praise ecclesia Sanctorum. be in the chl rch of his saints. Lutetur Israel in eo qui Let Israel rejoice in him fecit eum: et filii Sion ex- that made hi mll: and let ultent in rege suo. the children of Sion be Joyful in their king. Laudent nomen ejus in Let them -a aise his name shoro: in tympano et psal- in choir: let them sing to torio psallant ei. him with the timbrel and the psaltely. Quia bene placitum est For the Lord is wel1 DEVOTIONS TO TIEE BLESSED VIRG1N. 805 Domino in populo suo: et pleased with his people: exaltabit mansuetos in sa- and he will exalt the meek lutem. r unto salvation. Exultabunt Sancti in The saints shall rejoice ir gloria: ~ ltabuntur in cu- glory: they shall be joyfu. bilibus suis. in their beds. Exaltationes Dei in gut- The high praises of God ture eorum: et gladii;anci- shall be in their mouth: pites in manibus eorum. and two-edged swords in their hands: Ad faciendam vindictam To execute vengeance in nationibus: increpatio- upon the nations, chastisenes in populis. ments among the people: Ad alligandos reges eo- To bind their kings with rum in compedibus: et no- fetters, and their nobles biles eorum in manicis fer- with manacles of iron. reis. Utfaciant in eis judicium r'o execute upon them conscriptum: gloria hnec the judgment that is writest omnibus Sanctis ejus. ten: this glory is to all his saints. Alleluia. PSALI el. Laudlate Dominmrn in sanctis. Laudate Dominum in Praise ye the Lord in his sanctis ejus: laudate eum holy places: praise ye him in firmamento virtutis in the firmament of his ejus. power. Laudate eum in virtuti- Praise ye him for his bus ejus: laudate eumr mighty acts: praise ye him secundum multitudinem according to the multitude magnitudinus ejus. of his greatness. Laudate eum in sono tu- Praise him with the bc: laudate eum in psalte- sound of trumpet: praise rio et cithara. him with psaltery and harp. Laudclate eum in tympano Praise him with timbrel et choro: laudate eum in and choir: praise him with chordis et organo. strings and organs. Laudate eum incymbalis Praise him on high bene sonantibus; laudate sounding cymbals: praise eum in cymbalis jubilatio- him on cymbals of joy: let 806 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. nis: omnis spiritus laudet every spirit.praise the Dominum. Lord. Alleluia. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ofce 1. Ant. Pulchra es et deco- Ant. Thou art fair and ra, filia Jerusalem: terribi- comely, 0 daughter of Jelis ut castrorum acies ordi- rusalem: terrible as an nata. army set in array. Office 2. Ant. Ecce ancilla Doami- Ant. Behold the handni: fiat mihi secundum maid of the Lord: be it verbum tuum. done unto me according to thy word. Office 3. Ant. Ecce Maria genuit Ant. Behold Mary hath nobis Salvatorem, quem borne us the Saviour,whom Joannes videns exclama- John beholding, exclaimvit: Ecce agnus Dei; ecce ed: Behold the Lamb of qui tollit peocata mundi. God; behold him who Alleluia. taketh away the sins of the world. Alleluia. The Little Chapter. Off.ce 1 and 3. Cant. vi. 8. Viderunt eam filie Sion, The daughters of Sion et beatissimam proedicave- saw her, and declared her runt: et regine laudave- most blessed: and queens runt eam. praised her. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. Ofice 2. Isa. xi. 1, 2. Egiedietur virga de ra- There shall come forth a dice Jesse, et flos de radice rod out of the root of Jesejus ascendet: et requi- se, and a flower shall rise escet super eum Spiritus' up out of his root: and the Domini. Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.?. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. DE VOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 807 HYMN. O gloriosa virginum Tu Regis alti janua, Sublimis inter sidera, Et aula lucis fulgida; Qui te creavit, parvulum Vitam datam per Virginerm, Lactente nutris ubere. Gentes redemptaa plaudits Quod Ieva tristis abstulit, Jesu tibi sit gloria, Tu reddis nluo germine; Qui natus es de Virgine, Intrent ut astra flebiles, Cum Patre, et almo Spiritu, Cceli recludis cardines. In sempiterna swcula. Amnas (T7he same ins English.) O Queen of all the virgin choir! Enthroned above the starry sky! Who with pure milk from thy own breast Thy own Creator didst supply. What man had lost in hapless Eve, Thy sacred womb to man restores; Thou to the wretched here beneath last opened -Heaven' s eternal doors. Hail, 0 refulgent Hall of light! Hail, Gate sublime of Heaven's high hlng! Through thee redeemed to endless life, Thy praise let all the nations sing. O Jesu! born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to thee; Praise to the Father infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally. V. Benedicta tu in muli.- V. Blessed art thou eribus. among women. R. Et benedictus fructus R. And blessed is the ventris tui fruit of thy womb. Office 1. Ant. Beata Dei Geni- Ant. 0 blessed Mother trix. of God. In Paschal time. Ant Regina cxli. Ant. O queen of heaven. 808 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Office 2. Ant. Spiritus Sanctus, Ant. The Holy Ghost. Office 3. Ant. Mirabile mysteri- Ant. A wonderful mys. Um. tery. The Benedictls, or Canticle of Zachary. BENEDICTUS Dominus De- Blessed be the Lord God us Israel: quia visitavit, et of Israel: for he hath visfecit redemptionem plebis ited, arnd wrought the resue. demption of his people. Et erexit cornu salutis And hath raised up a nobis: in domo David pueri horn of salvation to us: sui. in the house of David his servant. Sicut locutus est per os As he spoke by the sanctorum: qui a sc culo mouth of his holy proph sunt, prophetarum ejus. ets: who are from the be gilning. Salutem ex inimicis nos- Salvation from our ene tris: et de manu omniumrn mies: and from the hand qui oclerunt nos. of all that hate us. Ad faciendam misericor- To perform mercy to our diam ceum patribus nostris: fathers: and. to remember et memorari testamenti sui his holy testament. Bancti. Jusjurandum quod jura- The oath which he swore vit ad Abraham patrem to Abraham our father: nostrum: daturum so no- that he would grant to us: bis: Ut sine timore, de manu That being delivered inimicorurn nostrorum li- from the hands of our eneberati: serviamus illi, mies: we may serve him without fear, In sanctitate et justitia In holiness and justice coramm ipso: omnibus die- before him: all the days bus nostris. of our life. Et Iu, puer, propheta A1- And thou, child, shalt tissimi vocaberis: pruibis be called the prophet of tha DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 809 enimt ante faciem Domini Highest: for thou shalt go parare vias ejus. before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. Ad dandam scientiam sa- To give knowledge of luntis plebi ejus: in remissi- salvation unto his people: onem peccatorum eorum. for the remisson of their sins. Per viscera misericordira Through the bowels of Dei nostri: in quibus visi- the mercy of our God: tavit nos oriens ex alto. whereby the Orient from on high hath visited us. Illuminare his qui in te- To enlighten them that nebris et in umbra mortis sit in darknless, and in the sedent: acld dirigendos pe- shadow of death: to direct des nostros in viam pacis.' our feet into the way of peace. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Olce 1. Ant. Beata Dei Genitrix, Ant. 0 blessed Mother Maria, Virgo perpetua, tem- of God, Mary ever Virgin, plum Domini, sacrarium temple of the Lord, sancSpiritus Sancti; sola sine tuary of the Holy Ghost; exemplo placuisti Domino thou alone, without examnostro Jesu Christo: ora ple, wast well-pleasing to pro populo, interveni pro our Lord Jesus Christ: clero, intercede pro devoto pray for the people, medifemineo sexu. ate for the clergy, intercede for the devoted females. In Paschal time. Ant. Regina cneli, la- Ant. Queen of heaven, tare, allelulia. Quia quem rejoice, alleluia. For he meruisti portare, alleluia. whom thou wast meet to Resurrexit sicut dixit, alle- bear, alleluia. Hath arisen luia. Ora pro nobis Deum, as he said, alleluia. Pray alleluia. to God for us, alleluia. Office 2. Ant. Spiritus Sanctus in Ant. The Holy Ghost te descendet, Maria; ne ti- shall come upon thee, 68* 810 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. meas; habebis in utero fili- Mary; fear not, thou s: )alt urn Dei. Alleluia. bear in thy womb the Son of God. Afleluia. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. Dens, qui de beatm Ma- 0 God, who wast pleased rie Virginis utero Verbum that thy Word, at the mestuum, angelo nuntiante, sage of an angel, should carnerm suscipere voluisti; take flesh in the womb of presta supplicibus tuis, ut the blessed Virgin Mary; qui vere eam Genitricem grant to us, thy humble Dei credimus, ejus apud servants, that, as webelieve te intercessionibus adjuve- her to be truly the Mother mur. Per eumdem Chris- of God, we may be assisted tum Dominum nostrum. also by her intercessions with thee. Through tho same Christ our Lord. R. Amen. R. Amen. Office 3. Ant. Mirabileemysterium Ant. A wonderful mysdeciaraturhodie: innovan- tery is declared to-day: tur naturoe; Deus homo new things are wrought in factus est. Id quod fuit nature; God is made man. permansit, et quod non What he was he hath reerat assu n.psit, non com- mained, and what he was mixtionem passus, neque not he hath assumed, sufdivisionem. fering neither confusion nor division. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ,,have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. DEVOTIONS D THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 811 R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry conme te veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui salUtis mternae, 0 God, who, by the fruit beatwm Marin virginitate fre- ful virginity of blessed Macunda, humano generi prse- ry, hast given to mankine mia prmstitisti; tribue, the rewards of eternal salqumsumus, ut ipsamn pro vation; grant, we beseech nobis intercedere sentia- thee, that we may experimus, per quam meruimus ence her intercession for auctorem vitre suscipere us, through whom we have Dominurel nostrum Jesum received the author of life, Christum Filium tuum. our Lord Jesus Christ thy Qui tecum vivit et regnat Son. Who liveth and reignin unitate Spiritus Sancti, eth with thee in the unity Deus, per omnia svecula of the Holy Ghost, God, sxculorum. world without end. R. Amen. R. Amen. Here is commonly, but not necessar'ly, recited the followinq Antiphon. LAN ANTIPHON TO BLESSED JOSEPH. Fidelis servus et prudens, A faithful and wise serquem constituit Dominus vant, whom the Lord apsuc Matris solatium, sum pointed to be the consoltacarnis nutritium, et solum tion of his: mother, the in terris magni consilii co- nursing-father of his own adjutoitem fidelissimlum. flesh, and alone in all the earth the most faithful fellow-helper of great counsel. V. Ecce homo sine que- V. Behold a man withrela, verus Dei cultor. out blame, a true worshipper of God. R. Abstinens se ab omni R. Abstaining from eveopere malo, et permanens ry evil workl, and abiding in innocent ia sua. in his innocence. 812 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Oremus. Let us pray. Sanctissimsr Genitricis Assist us, 0 Lord, we tuoe M sponsi, qusesumus, beseech thee, by the merits Domine, meritis adjuve- of the spouse of thy most mur, ut quod possibilitas holy Mother, that what of nostra non obtinet, ejus ourselves we are unable to nobis intercessione done- obtain, may be granted to tur. Qui vlvis et regnas us by his intercession. in soecula sseculorum. Who livest and reignest, world without end. R. Amen. R. Amen.] COM5MEMORATION OF THE SAINTS. Office 1 and 3. Ant. Sancti Dei omnes, Ant. 0 all ye saints of intercedere dignernini pro God, vouchsafe to internostra omniumque salute. cede for our salvation, and that of all mankind. V. Levtaminiin Domino, V. Rejoice in the Lord, et exultate, justi. and be glad, 0 ye just. R. Et gloriamini, omnes R. And glory, all ye that recti corde. are right of heart. Oremus. Let us pray. Protege, Domine, popu- Protect thy people, 0 lum, tuum, et apostolorum Lord, and preserve them tuorum Petri et Pauli, et by thy continual defence, aliorum apostolorumpatro- who trust in the patronage cinio 6onfidentem, perpe- of Peter and Paul, and all tua defensione conserva. thy other apostles. Oinnes Sancti tui, quln- Let all thy Saints, we besumus, Domine, nosubique seech thee, 0 Lord, assist adjuvent; ut dum eorum us everywhere; that, while nmerita recolimus, patroci- we honor their merits, we nia sentiamus; et pacema may experience their pattuam nostris concede tern- ronage: grant us thy peace poribus, et ab Ecclesia tua in our times, and repel cunceam repelle nequitiam; all wickedness from thy iter, actus, et voluntates Church: dispose our way, nostras, et olnium famu- our acts, and wills, and DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 81[; lorum tuorum in salutis those of all thy servants, turn prosperitate dispone: in the good success of thy benefactoribus nostris sem- salvation: render to our piterna bona retribue, et benefactors everlasting omnibus fidelibusdefunctis blessings, and to all the requiem toternam concede. faithful departed grant Per Domlinum, &c. eternal rest. Through our Lord, &c. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. V. Benedicamus Domi- V. Let us bless the no. Lord. R. Deo gratias. n. Thanks be to God. V. Fidelium animma, per V. May the souls of the misericordiamDei, reqiies- faithful, through the mercant in pace. cy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. R. Amen. Office 2. Ant. Ecce, Dominus ve- Ant. Behold, the Lord niet, et omnes Sancti ejus shall come, and all his 1um eo, et erit in die illa Saints with him, and in lux magna. Alleluia. that day there shall be a great light. Alleluia. V. Ecce, apparebit Do- V. Behold, the Lord minuis super nubem candi- shall appear upon a shining dam. cloud. R. Et cum eo Sanctorum R. And with him thoumillia. sanids of Saints. Oremus. Let us pray. Conscientias nostras, Visit, 0 Lord, we bequmsumus, Domine, visi- seech thee, and purify our tando purifica; ut veniens consciences,; that Jesus Jesus Christus Filius tuns Christ thy Son our Lord, Dominus noster, cum om- when he cometh with all nibus Snr ctis, paratam sibi his Saints, may find in us in nobis inveniat mansio- a mansion prepared for 311 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. nerrL. Qui tecul vivit et him. Who liveth and regnat, &c. reigneth, &c. 2R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meamn. prayer. RI. Et clamor meus ad _R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. V. Benedicamus Domi- V. Let us bless tho no. Lord. R. Deo gratias.. P. Thanks be to God. V. Fidelum anilmaz, per V. May the souls of the misericordiarnDei, requies- faithful departed; through cant in pace. the mercy of God, rest in peace. B. Amen. R. Amen. [If any of the other Ilours be recited immedicately in order, what follows is not said here, but at the end qf the last Ifour.] Pater noster (secreto). Our Father (in secret). V. Dominus det nobis V. May the Lord give us suam pacem. his peace. R. Et vitam seternam. R. And life everlasting. Amen. Amen. Then is said one of the Antiphons of the Blessed Virgin,- according to the season. The Antiphon is to be said knzeeling, both here and at the end of Compline, except in Paschal time, when it is to be said standing. ionm Conpline on Candlemas, to None on H1oly Satsurday, inclusively. TIIE ANTIPHON. Ave, Regina ccelorum 1 Gaude, Virgo gloriosa, Ave, domina angelorum I Super omnes speciosa. Salve, radix, salve, ports, Vale, 0 valde decora I Ex qua mundo Lux est orta. Et pro nobis Christum exora. (The same in, Eglish.) Hail, 0 Queen of Heaven enthroned! Hail, by angels mistress owned! Root of Jesse! Gate of morn! Whence the world's true Ligbt; was born. DEROTIO.I3 TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 815 Glorious Virgin, joy to thee, Loveliest whom in heaven they see; Fairest thou where all are fair! Plead with Christ our sins to spare. V. Dignare me laudare V. Make we worthy to te, Virgo sacrata. praise thee, 0 sacred Virgin R. Da mihi virtutem R. Give me strength contra hostes tuos. against thy enemies. Oremus. Let us pray. Concede, mlisericors De- Grant, 0 merciful God, us, fragilitati nostrm pries3i- support to our frailty; that dium; ut qui sanct Dei we who commemorate the Genitricis memoriam agi holy Mother of God, may, mus, intercessionis ejus by the help of her intercesauxilio a nostris iniquitati- sion, arise from our iniquibus resurgamus. Per eum- ties. Through the same dem Christumr, &c. Christ our Lord, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Divinum auxiliuwm F. May the divine asmaneat semper nobiscum. sistance remain alwaepy with us. R. Amen. R. Amen. In Paschal time. THE ANTIPHON. Regina Celi, laetare; alleluia. Resurrexit stout dixIt; telt Quia quem meruisti portare; al- Ora plro nobis Deum; aileluia. lelula. (The same in English.) Rejoice, 0 Queen of Heaven; alleluia. He whom thou wast meet to bear; alleluia. Haoth risen as he did declare; alleluia; Beseech God for us; alleluia. V. Gaude et latare,Vir- V. Rejoice and be glad, go Maria: alleluia. 0 Virgin Mary: alleluia. R. Quia surrexit Domi- R. For the Lord hathb nus vere: alleluia. risen indeed: alleluia. 816 DEVOTIONS TO TIlE BLESSED VIRGIqN. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus,qui per resurrectio- O God, who didst voiuch. nem Filii tui Domini nostri safe to give joy to the Jesu Christi rnundum lti- world through the resur ficare dignatus es; prLesta, rection of thy Son our Lord qusesumus, ut per ejus Jesus Christ; grant, we beGenitricem Virginem MIa- seech thee, that, through riam perpetue capiamus his Mother, the Virgin Magaudia vitae. Per eumdem ry, we may obtain the Christum, &c. joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Divinum auxilium V. May the divine asmaneat semper nobiscum. sistance remain always with us. R. Amen. R. Amen. Brom the Feast of the IHoly iTrinity to Advent. THE ANTIPHON. Salve, Regina, mater miseri- Eia ergo, Advocata nostra; cordie; Illos tuos misericordes oculos Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, ad nos converte; salve. Et Jesum, benedictum fructunm Ad te clamamns, exules flii ventris tui, Heve; Nobis post hoc exilium os. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et tenle, flentes in hac lacrymarum 0 clemens, 0 pia, 0 dulcis Virvalle. go Maria. ( T1 samre in Englis7.) Mother of mercy, hail, 0 gentle Queen! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope, all hail I Children of Eve, To thee we cry from our sad banishment; To thee we send our sighs, Weeping and mourning in this tearful vale. Come, then, our Advocate; Oh, turn on us those pitying eyes of thine: And our long exile past, Show us at last DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 817 Jesus, of thy pure wombl the fruit divine O Virgin Mary, mother blest! O sweetest, gentlest, holiest! V. Ora pro nobis, sancta V. Pray for us, O holy Dei Gelitrix. Mother of God. R. Ut digni efficiamur R. That we maybemado promissionibus Christi. worthy of the promises of Christ. Oremus. Let us pray. Omnipotens sempiterne 0 almighty, everlasting Deus, qui gloriosve Vir- God, who, by the co-opeginis Matris Marhe corpus ration of the Holy Ghost, et animaml, ut dignum Filii didst prepare the body and tui habitaculum effici nmere- soul of MIary, glorious Virretur, Spiritu Sancto co- gin and Mother, to become operante, pr;parasti; da, the worthy habitation of ut cujus commemoratione, thy Son; grant that we hltamur, ejus pia interces- may be delivered from insione ab instantibus malis stant evils and from everet a morte perpetua libe- lasting death by her pionu remur. Per eumdem Chris- intercession, in whose corntumrn, &c. memoration we rejoice. Through the same Christ, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. T. Divinum. auxilium V. MlIay the. divine asmaneat semper nobiscum. sistance remain always with us. R. Amen. P.. Amen. From Advent to the Purification. Office 2 and 3. THE ANTIPHON.'Alma Redemptoris Mater, qume Natura mirante, tuum sanctum pervia cceli Genitorem: Porta manes, et Stellamaris, suc- Vilrgo prius ac posterius, Gabrtecurre cadentis lis ab ore, Surgere' qui curat, popule: tu Sumens illud Ave, pecoatorum qua0 genuisti, miserere. 69 818 DEVOTIONS TO THEE BLESSED VIRGIN ( The same in English.) Mother of Christ! hear thou thy people's cry, Star of the deep, and Portal of the sky! Mothler of Him who thee from nothing made, Sinking we strive, and call to thee for aid: Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee, Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see. In Advent. V. AngelusDomini nun- V. The angel oftheLord tiavit MaIii. announced unto Mary. R. Et concepit ie Spiri- R. And she conceived of tu Sancto. the Holy Ghost. Oremus. Let us pray. Gratiam tuam, qnusu- Pour forth, we beseech mus, Domil-e, mentibus thee, 0Lord, thy grace innostris inffunde; ut qui, to our hearts; that we, to angelo nuntiante, Christi whom the incarnation of Filii. tui incarnationem Christ thy Son was made cognlovimus, per passio- known by the message of nem ejus et crucem ad re- an angel, may, by his passurrectionis gloriamn per- sion and cross, be brought ducarmur. Per eumdem to the glory of his resurrecChristum Dominulm nos- tion. Through the same trum. Christ our Lord. R. Amen. R. Amen. Flrom Christmas-day to the Purification. V. Post partumn virgo V. After childbirth thou ilviolata perlllansisti. didst remain a pure virgin. R. Dei Genitrix, inter- IR. Intercede for us, 0 cede pio nobis. Mother of God. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui salutis iterne, 0 God,who, by the fruit. beatie Marke virginitate fe- ful virginity of blessed Macunda,humano generi prin- ry, hast given to mankind mia pruestitisti; tribue, the rewards of eternal salqu.sumus, ut ipsam, pro vation; grant, we beseech DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 819 nobis intercedere sentia- thee, that we may experimus, per quam meruimus ence her intercession for auctorem vitra suscipere, us, through whom we hrave Donminum nostrum Jesum received the author of life, Christumn Filium tuum. our Lord Jesus Clllrist. thy Qui vivit, &c. ~Son. Who liveth, &c. R. Amen. P. Amen. V. Divinum auxilium V. May the divine asmaneat semper nobiscum. sisr;ance remain always with us. Rt. Amen. R. Amen. Pater noster (secreto). Our Father (secretly). Ave Ml~aria. Hail, Mary. V. Deus, in adjutorium V. 0 God, come to my meum intende. assistance. P. Domine, ad adjuvan- 2. 0 Lord, make haste dum me festina. to help n e. Gloria, &e. Glory, &c. i11Y'N. Memento, rerum Conditor, Tu nos ab hoste protege, Nostri quod olim colrporis Et mortis heora suscipe. Sacrata ab alvo Virginis Nasce.ndo formam sumpseris. Jesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virgine, Maria, mater gratie, Cuin Patre, et alino Spiritu Dulcis parens clementia, In sempiterna secula. Amen, (The salne in Eanglish.) Remember, 0 Creator Lord! That in the Virgin's sacred womb Thou wast conceived, and of her flesh Didst our mortality assume. Mother of grace, 0 Mary blest! To thee, sweet fount of love, we fly; Shield us through life, and take us hencce To thy dear bosom when we ie 820 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN, 0 Jesu [ born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to thee i Praise to the Father infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally. Ofice 1. Front the Purification to Advei, Ant. Assumptat est. Ant. Mary was taken up, Office 2. In Advent. Ant. Missus est. Ant. The angel. Office 3. ireom C.ir stnmas-day to the Purification. Ant. 0 admirabile corn- Ant. 0 marvellous inter mner.ium! course i PsALar liii. Deus, mn nomine tuo. Deus, in nomaine tuo sal- Save me, 0 God, by thy vurn me fac: et in virtute name, and judge me in thy tua judica me. strength. Deus, exaudi orationem 0 God, hear my prayer: meamn: auribLs percipever- give ear to the words of ba oeis mei. my imouth. Quoniam alieni insurrex- For strangers have risen erunt adversum me, et up against me; and the fortes quwsierunt aniaLam mighty have soug'ht after meam: et non proposue- my soul: and they have:unt Deum ante conspec- not set God before their tum suum. eyes. Ecce enim Deus adjuvat For behold God is my me: et Dominus susceptor helper: and the Lord is est anima mere. the protector of my soul. Averte mala inimicis Turn back the evils upon meis: et in veritate tua my enemies: and cut them disperde illos. off in thy truth. Voluntarie sacrificabo ti- I will freely sacrifice to bi: et aonfitebor nomini thee, and will give praise, tuo, Dominne, qucuiam. bo- 0 God, to thy name: benum est. cause it is good: Quoniam ex omni tribu- For thou hast delivered latione erip uisti me: et su- me out of all trouble: and DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN,'L21 per inimicos meos despexit my eye hath looked down oculus meus. upon mine enemies. Gloria, &c, Glory, &c. PSALM lxxxiv. Benedixisti, Doenine. Benedixisti, Domine,ter- Lord, thou hast blessed ram tuam: avertisti capti- thy land: thou hast turnvitatem Jacob. ed away the captivity of Jacob. Remisisti iniquitatem Thou hast forgiven the plebis tua: operuisti om- iniquity of thy people: nia peccata eorum. thou hast covered all their sins. Mitigasti omnem iram Thou hast mitigated all tuam: avertisti ab ira in- thy anger: thou hast dignationis tua3. turned away from the wrath of thy indignation. Converte nos, Dens salu- Convert us, 0 God our taris noster: et averte saviour: and turn off thy iramr tuam a nobis. anger from us. Nulnquid in ueternum Wilt thou be angry with irasceris nobis: ant ex- us forever: or wilt thou tendes iram tuam a gene- extend thy wrath from ratione in generationeml? generation to generation? Dens, tu conversus vivi- Thou wilt turn, 0 God, ficahis nos: et plebs tua and bring u* to life: and I-atabitur in te. thy people shall rejoice in thee Ostende nobis, Domine, Shew us, 0 Lord, thy misericordiam tuam: et mercy; and grant us thy salutare tuum da nobis salvation. Audiam quid loquatur in I will hear what the me Dominus Deus: quoni- Lord God will speak in me: am loquetur paceml in ple- for he will speak peace unbern suam: to his people: Et super Sanctos sues: And unto his saints: and et in eos qui convertuntur unto them that are conad cotr. verted to the heart. Verumntamen prope ti- Surely his salvation is mentes, eum salutare ipsi- near to them that fear us: ut inhabitet gloria in him: that glory may dwell terra nostra. in our land. 69* 822 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Miseri. ordia et veritas Mercy and truth have obviaverunt sibi: justitia met each other: justice et pax osculatee sunt. and peace have kissed. Veritas de terra orta est:'lIuth is sprung out of. et justitia de ccelo pros- the earth; and jlstice hath pexit. looked down from heaven. Etenim Domlinus dabit For the Lord will give benignitateml: etterranos- goodness: and our earth tra dabit fructumn suum. shall yield her fruit. Justitia ante euma ambu- Justice shall walk before labit: et ponet in via gres-. him, and shall sethis steps sus suos. in the way. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PsALM cxvi. Laudate Dominum. Laudate Dominum, om- Praise the Lord, all ye nes gentes: laudate eum, nations: praise him, all ye omnes populi. peoples. Quoniam. confirmata est For his mercy is consuper nos misericordia firmed upon us: and the ejus: et veritas Domini truth of the Lord remainmanet in seternum. eth forever. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c Ofice 1. Ant. Assumpta est Ma- Ant. Mary was taken up ria in ccelum: gaudent an- into heaven: the angels regeli, laudantes benedicunt joice, and with praises Dominum. bless the Lord. Office 2. Ant. Missus est Gabriel Ant. The angel Gabriel angelus ad Mariam, virgi- was sent to Mary, a virgin nern desponsatam. Joseph. espoused to Joseph. Oigce 3. Ant. 0 admirabile corn- Ant. 0 marvellous intermerciumr! Creator generis course! the Creator of' humani, animatumn corpus mankind, taling a body sumens, de virgine nasci with a living soul, vouch DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 823 dignatus est; et procedens safed to be born of a virhomo sine semline, largitus gin; and becoming man est. nobis suam deitatem. without man's concurrence, bestowed upon us his deity. The Little CUapter. Oflce 1 and 3. Cant. vi. 9. Qum est ista qum pro- Who is she that cometh greditur quasi aurora con- forth as the morning rissurgens, pulchra ut luna, ing, fair as the morn, electa ut sol, terribilis ut bright as the sun, terrible castrorum acies ordinata? as an army set in array? R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Dignare me laudare V. Make me worthy to te, Virgo sacrata. praise thee, 0 sacred Virgin. R. Da mihi virtutem R. Give me strength contra hostes tuos. against thine enemies. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. 3leison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem mneam. prayer..R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. _From the Purifixation to Advent. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui virginalem anu- 0 God, who didst vouchlam beata Maikie Virginis safe to choose the chasite in qua habitares, eligere chamber of the blessedclVi. dignatus es; da, quasu- gin Mary to dwell therein mus, ut sua nos defensione grant, we beseech thes munitos, jucundos facias that fortified with her de sun interesse commemo- fence, we may find our jot. rationi. Qui vivis et reg- in taking part in her conmnas, &c. memoration. Who livest and reignest, &c. R. Amen R. Amen. 824 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. V. Domine, exaudi bra- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meos ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. V. Benedicamus Domi- V. Letusbless theLord. no. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Fideliuu anim. u, per TV. May the souls of the misericordiam Dei,:equi- faithful, through the merescant in pace. cy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. R. Amen. P'rorn Christmas to the Purification. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui salutis seternn, 0 God, who by the fruitbeatnx Mari' virginitate ful virginity of the blessed foecunda, humano generi Mary, hast given to manprlinia prstistiti; tribue, kind the rewards of eternal quncsumus, ut ipsam pro salvation; grant, we benobis intercedere sentia- seech thee, that we may exIrnus per quam mernimus perience her intelcession, auctoreuit vitr suscipere, through whom we have reDominum nostrum Jesum ceived the author of life, Christum. Qui vivis et our Lord Jesus Christ. regnas, &c. Who livest and reignest, &c. R.'Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi, &c. Y. O Lord, hear, &c. (as (ut supra). above). The Little Chapter. Office 2. Isa. vii. 14, 15. Ecce, virgo concipiet, et Behold a viygin shall pariet filium, et vocabitur conceive, and bear a son, nomen ejus Emmanuel: and his name shall be callbutyrum et mel comedlet, ed Emmanuel: butter and ut sciat reprobare iealum, honey shall lhe eat, that he el eligerf, bonum. may know to refuse tho evil, and to choose the good. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 825 R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. Y. Dignare me laudare V. Vouchsafe that I may te, Virgo sacrata. praise thee, 0 sacred Virgin. R. Da mihi virtutem. R. Give me strength contr. hostes tuos. against thine enemies, Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Domine, exaudi oera- V. O Lord, hear my fionem mealm. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui de beatnm Ma- 0 God, who wast pleased rim Virginis utero,Verbum that thy Word at the mestuum, angelo nuntiante, sage of an angel, should carnem suscipere voluisti; take flesh in the womb of prTe-sta supplicibus tuis, ut the blessed Virgin Mary; qui vere eam genitricem grant to us, thy suppliDei credimus, ejus apud te ants, that, as we beintercessionibus adjuve- lieve her to be truly the mur. Per eumdem Do.mi- Mother of Gbdcl, we may num, &c. be assisted also by her intercessions with thee. Through the same Lord, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. V. Benedicalllmus Dorni- V. Let us bless the Lord. no. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Fidelium animne, per V. May the souls of tht, miseii.cordiam Dei, requli- faithful, through the merescaB t in pace. cy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. R. Alen. 826 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIrGINe Ave Maria. Hail, Mary. VF Deus, in adjutorium V. 0 God, come to om meum intende. assistance. R. Domine, ad adjuvan- R. 0 Lord, make haste dum me festina. to help us. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. HFymn, Memento, xs above, p. 819. Ofice 1. Ant. Maria Virgo, Ant. The Virgin Mary. Office 2. Ant. Ave Maria. Ant. Hail, Mary. Ofice 3. Ant. Quando natus es. Ant. When thou wast born. PSALM cxix- Ad Dominum. Ad Dominum, cumn tri- In my trouble I cried bularer, clamavi: et exau- to the Lord: and he heard divit me. me. Domine, libera animam 0 Lord, deliver my soul meam a labi'is iniquis: eta from wicked lips: and a lingua dolosa. deceitful tongue. Quid detur tibi, aut quid What shall be given to apponatur tibi: ad lingu- thee, or what shall be addam dolosam? ed to thee: to a deceitful tongue? Sagittne potentis acutse: The s arp arrows of the cum carbonibus desolato- mighty with coals that riis. lay waste. lleu mihi, quia incolatus Woe is me, that my sumeus prolongatus est! journing is prolonged! 1 EIabitavi cum habitantibus have dwelt with the inhabCedar: multum incola fiit itanlts of Cedar: Imy soul anima mea. hath been long a sojourner. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIY. 82. Cum his qui oderunt pa- With them that hated cem, eram pacificus: cum peace, I was peaceable: loquebar illis, impugna- when I spoke to them, bant me gratis. they fought against me without cause. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PSALM cxx. Levavi oculos. Levavi oculos meos in I have lifted up my eyes montes: unde veniet aux- to the mountains: from iliunm mihi. whence help shall come to me. Auxilium meum aDomi- My help is from the no: qui fecit ccelum et ter- Lord: who made heaven ram. and earth. Non det in commotio- May he not suffer thy n.em pedem tuum: neque foot to be moved: neither dormitet qui custodet te. let him slumber that keepeth thee. Ecce, non dormitabit ne- Behold he shall neither que dorumiet: qui custodit slulmber nor sleep: that Israel. keepeth Israel. Dominus custodit te, Do- The Lord is thy keeper, minus protectio tua: super the Lord is thy protection: manurn dexteram tuam. upon thy right hand. Per dienm sol non uret te: The sun shall not burn neque luna per noctem. thee by day: nor the moon by night. Dominus custodit te ab The Lord keepeth thee omni malo: custodiat ani- from all evil: may the main tuaim Dominus. Lord keep thy soul. Dominus custodiat in- May the Lord keep thy troitum tuum, et exitum coming in and thy going tuum: ex hoc nunc, et out: from henceforth now usque in saculum. and forever. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PSALM cxxi, Lxctatus sum in his. Lxtatus sum in his qune I rejoiced at the things dicta sunt mihi: In do- that were said to me: We mr-m Domini ibimus. shall go into the house s/ the Lord. 828 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN,. Stantes erant pedes nos- Our feet were standing tri: in atriis tuis Jerusa- in thy courts: 0 Jerusatem. lem. Jerusalem, quse sadifica- Jerusalem,which is built itur ut civitas: cujus par- as a city': which is conticipatio ejus in idipsum. pact together. Illuc enim ascenderunt For thither did the tribus, tribus Domaini: tes- tribes go up, the tribes of tihnonium Israel, ad confi- the Lord: the testimony tendumn nomini Dolnini. of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord. Quia illic sederunt sedes Because there seats have in judicio: sedes super do- sat in judgment: seats upmum David. on the house of David. Rogate qum ad pacem Pray ye for the things sunt, Jerusalem: et abun- that are for the peace of dantia diligentibus te. Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee. Fiat pax in virtute tua: Let peace be in thy et abundantia in turribus strength: and abundance tuis. in thy towers. Propter fratres meos et For the sake of my proximos meos: loquebar brethren and of my neigh pacem de te. bors: I spoke peace of thee. Propter domum Domini Because of the house of Dei nostri: quaesivi bona the Lord our God, I have tibi. sought good things for thee. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. qfice 1. Ant. Maria Virgo as- Ant. The Virgin Mary sumpta est ad ethereum was taken up to the heavthalamum, in quo rex re- enly chamber, where the gum stellato sedet Polio. King of kings sitteth on his starry throne. Office 2. Ant. Ave Maria, gratia Ant. Hail, Mary, full of plena, Dominus tecum: grace, the Lord is with benedicta tu in mulieri- thee: blessed art thou bus. among women. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGII. 82$l Offi 3. Ant. Quando natus es Ant. When thou wast Ineffabiliter ex Vi-gine, born of a Virgin, after an tune inlpletkr sunt Scrip- ineffable manner, then turLn. Sicut pluvia in vel- were the Scriptures fullus descendisti, ut salvum filled. Thou didst come faceres genus humanum: down like rain upon the te laudamus, Dens noster. fleece, that thou mightest save mankind: we praise thee, O our God. The Little Chiapter. Office 1 and 3. Ecclus. xxiv. 15. Et sic in Sion firmata And so was I established sum, et in civitate sanctifi- in Sion, and in the holy city cata similiter requievi, et likewise I rested, and nmy in Jerusalem potestas mea. power wtas in Jerusalem. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Diffusa est gratia in V. Grace was poured labiis tuis. forth on thy lips. R. Propterea benedixit R. Therefore hath God te Deus in atternum. blessed thee forever. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. O Lord, hear my tionemr meam. prayer. R. Et clamor metls ad te R. And let my cry come iceniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us )ray. Deus, qui salutis -ternm, 0 God, who, by the fruitbeatma Marhi virginitate ful virginity of blessed Mafcecunda, humaneo generi ry, hast given to mankind prmmia prmstitisti; tribue, the rewards of eternal ~alqucsumus, ut ipsam, pro vation; grant, we besqbch nobis intercedere sentia-. thee, that we may expemus, per quam meruimus rience her intercession auctorem viUtr suscipere, through whom we have reT0 830 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Dominum nostrum Jesum ceived the author of life, C(hristrum. Qui vivit et our Lordl Jesus Christ. regnat, &c. Who livest and reignest, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come Teniat. unto thee. F. Benedicamus Domi- V. Let us bless the Lord. no. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. T. Fidelium animes, per F. May the souls of the misericordiam Dei, requi- faithful, through the merescant in pace. cy of God, rest in peace R. Amen. R. Amen. The little Chapter. Qgice 2. Isa. xi. 1, 2.' Egrediteur virga de ra- There shall come forth a dice Jesse, et flos de radice rod out of the root of Jesejus ascendet, et requies- se, and a flower shall rise cet super eum Spiritus Do- up out of his root, and the mini. Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Diffusa est gratia in V. Grace was poured labiis tuis. forth on thy lips. R' Propterea benedixit R. Therefore hath God te Deus in aeternum. blessed thee forever. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come to veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. DIeus, qui de beatoe Ma- 0 God, who wast pleased rih Virginis utero verbum that thy Word, at the mes DEVOTIONS TO THIE BLESSED VIRGIN. 831 tunu, angelo nuntiante, sage of the angel, should carnera stuscipere voluisti; take flesh in the womb of prLesta sUl)l)licibus tuis, ut the blessed Virgin Mary' qui vere cam Genitricem grant to us, thy suppliDei credlilnls, ejus apud te ants, that, as we beintercessionil)us adjuve- lieve her to be truly the mlur. Per etulldem Domi- lMother of God, we may numi nostrum, &c. be assisted also by her intercessions with thlee. Through the same Lord, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. O Lord, hear my tionero meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te B. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. V. Benedicamus Dorni- Y. Let usblesstheLord. no. R. Deo gratias. R.'Thanks be to God. V. Fideliurn animma, per V. May the souls of the misericordliLa Dei, requi- faithful, through the merescant in lace. cy of God, rest in peace. R. AmLn. R. Amen. Ave Maria. Hail, Mary. V. Dens, in adjutorium V. O God, come to my meum intende. assistance. R. Domine, ad adjuvan- R. O Lord, make hasto dum me festina. to help me. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Hymn, Memento, as above, p. 819. Office 1. Ant. In odorem. Ant. We run. Office 2. Ant. Ne timeas, Maria. Ant. Fear not, Mary. 832 DEVOTIONS T'O THE BLESSED VIRGINo Oqice 3. Ant. Rubum quem vi- Ant. In the bush which derat Moyses. Moses saw. PSALA CXxii. Ad te levavi. Ad te levavi oculos me- To thee have I lifted up Ds: qgui habitas in ccelis. my eyes: who dwellest in heaven. Ecce, sicut oculi servo- Behold as' the eyes of rumr: in mnanibus domino- servants: are on the hands rum suorulm; of their masters; Sicut oculi ancill in As the eyes of the handmanibus domirui suna: ita maid are on the hands ot oculi nostri ad )oininum her mistress: so are our Deum nostrum, donec mi- eyes unto the Lord our sereatur nostri. God, until he have -mercy on us. Miserere nostri, Domine, Have mercy on us, 0 miserere nostri: quia mul- Lord, have mercy on us: turn repleti sumus despec- for we are greatly filled tione. with contempt. Quia multum repleta est For our soul is greatly animra nostra: opprobrium filled: we are a reproach abundantibus, et despectio to the rich, and contempt superbi. to the proud. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ps.aI. cxxiii. Nisi quia Domius. Nisi quia Dominus erat If it had not been that in nobis, dicat nunc Israel: the Lord was with us, let nisi quia Dominus erat in Israel now say: If it had nobis; not been that the Lord was with us Cum exurgerent homi- When men rose up nes in nos: forte! vivos de- against us: perhaps they glutissent nos. had swallowed us up alive. Cum irasceretur furor When their fury was eneorum in nos: forsitan kindled against us: per tq aa absorbuisset nos. haps the water had swallowed us up. bEVOTIONS TO TIIE BLESSED VIRGIN 833 Torrentem pertransivit Our soul hath passed anima nostra: forsitan per- through a torrent: perhaps transisset anima nostra our soul had passed through aquam intolerabilem. a water insupportable. Benedictus Domlinus: Blessed be the Lord: qui non dedit nos in cap- who hath not given us to tionem dentibus eorum. be a prey to their teeth. Animanostrasicutpasser Our soul hath been deerepta est: de laqueo ve- livered'as a sparrow out of rnantiumn. the snare of the fowlers. Laqueus contritus est: The snare is broken: et nos liberati sumus. and we are delivered. Adjutorium nostrum in Our help is in the name nomine Donmini: qui fecit of the Lord: who made ccalum et terrain. heaven and earth. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PSALTNI CSxiv. Qui confidunt. Qui confidunt in Dollli- They that trust in the 1io, sicut mons Sion: non Lord shall be as Mount Sicommovebitur in ternum, on: he shall not be moved qui habitat in Jerusalem. forever that dwelleth in Jerusalem. Montes in circuitu ejus: Mountains are round et Dominus in circuitu po- about it: so the Lord is puli sui, ex hoc nunc, et round about his people usque in sculum. from henceforth now and forever. Quia non relinquet Do- For the Lord will not minus virgam peccatorum leave the rod of sinners super sortem j ustorurm: ut upon the lot of the just: non extendant justi ad ili- that the just may not quitateml manus suas. stretch forth their hands to iniquity. Benefac, Domine, bonis: Do good, 0 Lord, to et rectis corde. those that are good: and to the upright of heart. Declinantesautemin ob- But such as turn aside ligationes, adducet Domi- into bonds, the Lord shall nus culll operantibus ini- lead out with the workers of quitatem: pax super Israel. iniquity: peace uponIsrael. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. 70' 834 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Office 1. An;. In odorem unguen- Ant. We run to the odor torum tuoruml currimus: of thy ointments: the adolescentul dilexerunt young maidens have loved te nimis. thee exceedingly. Office 2. Ant. Ne timleas, Maria,:Ant. Fear not, 1Mary, invenisti gratiam apud Do- thou hast found grace with minum: ecce, concipies et the Lord: behold, thou paries filium. Alleluia. shalt conceive and bear a son. Alleluia. Office 3. Ant. Rubum quem vide- Ant. In the bush which rat Moyses incombustum, Moses saw unconsumled, we conservatani agnovimus acknowledge thy admiratuam laudabilem virgini- ble virginity preserved: tatem: Dei Genitrix, in- intercede for us, 0 Mother tercede pro nobis. of God. T/ze Little Chicater. Ofice 1 and 3. Ecclus. xxiv. 16. Et radicavi in populo And I took root in an honorificato, et in parte Dei honorable people, and in mei ha3ireditas illius: et in the portion of my God his plenitudine sanctorum de- inheritance: and my abode tentio mea. is in the full assembly of Saints. R. Deo gratias. n. Thanks be to God. V. Benedicta tu in mu- V. Blessed art thou lieribus. among women. R. Et benedictus fiuc- R. And blessecl is tho tus ventris tui. fruit of thy womb. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my qionem meam. prayer. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 835 R. Et clamor mleus ad te R. And let my cry come Veniat unto thee. ZFrom the Purification to Advent. Oremus. Let us pray. Concede, misericors De- Grant, 0 most merciful us, fragilitati nostrss pra- God, a support to our frailsidium, ut qui sanctss Dei ty, that we who commemoGenitricis memoriam agi- rate the holy Mother of mus, intercessionis ejus God, may, by the assistauxilio, a nostris iniqui-' ance of her intercession, tatibus resurgamus. Per arise from our iniquities. euLdem. Through the same Lord. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaldi era- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem nmeam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. V. Benedicamlus Domi- V. Let us bless the Lord. ]o. R. Deo gratias. B. Thanks be to God. V. Fidelium animn, per V. May the souls of misericordiam IDei, requi- the faithful, through the escant in pace., mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. R. Amen. From Cizristnmas to tlhe Purification. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus,qui salutis imternae, 0 God,who, by the fruit beatse MariLe virginitate ful virginity of the blessed fceclunda, humano generi Mary, hast given to manprwmfia pra-stitisti; tribue, kind the rewards of eternal quleasurmu s, ut ipsan pro salvation; grant, we benobis intercedere sentia- seech thee, that we may be nus, per quam meruimus sensible of her intercesauctoreln vitr suscipere, sion, throligh whom we Lominum nostrum Jesum have received the author 836 DEVorIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Christum. Qui vivit et of life, our Lorld Jesus regnat, &c. Christ. Who liveth and reigneth, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi, &c. V 0 Lord, hear, &c. (a (Ut supra). above). The Little Chacpter. O.ice 2. Luke i. 32. Dabit ei Dominus Deus The Lord God shall give sedem David patris ejus: unto himn the throne of et regnabit in (domo Jacob David his father: and he in rternum, et regni ejus shall reign in the house of non erit finis. Jacob forever, and of his kingdomn there shall be no end R. Deo gratias. Pt. Thanks be to God. V. Benedicta tu, &e. (Ut V. Blessed art thou, & aupra). (as above) Oremus. Let us pray. Dens, qui de beatm Mla- 0 God, who wast pleased r1m virginis utero Verbun1 that thy WQrd, at the mestuum, angelo nuntiante, sage of an andgel, should carnem suscipere voluisti; take flesh in the womb of ptrmsta supplicibus tuis, ut the blessed Virgin Iaryl; quli vere eaon Genitrlicem grant to us, thy suppliDei credilrs, ejus apud -te ants, that, as wve believe lntercessionibus adljuve- her to be truly the maother mtur. Per eumndemt &c. of God, we may be assisted also ly her intercessions with thee. Through the same Lord, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaunci, &c. V. 0 Lcrd, hear, &c. (sm supra). above). DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 837 Ave Maria. Hail, Mlary. V. Deus, in adjutoriumn O0 God, come to my meuunl intende. assistance. R. Dom.ine, ad adjuvan- R. 0 Lord, make haste du1m me festina. to help me. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. l/ymn, Memento, as above, p. 819. Office 1. Ant. Pulchra es. Ant. Thou art fair. Ofee 2. Ant. Ecce ancilla Domi- Ant. Behold the hand. maid. Oqf/ce 3. Ant. Ecce Maria. Ant. Behold Mary. PSAL-( Cxxv. In converteundo. In convertendo Dominus When the Lord brought captivitatem Sion: facti su- h back the captivity of Sion, mus sicut consolati. we became like men comforted. Tnne repletum est gau- Then was our mouth filldio os nostrum: et lingua edl with gladness, and our nostra exultatione. tongue with joy. Tune dicentinter gentes: Then shall they say Magnificavit Dominus fa- among the Gentiles: The cere cum eis. Lordcl hath done great things for them. Magnificavit Dominus The Lord hath done facere nobiscum: facti sn- great things for us: we mus litantes. are become joyful. Converte, Domine, cap- Turn again our captivity, tivitatemJ nostram: sicut 0 Lord, as a stream in the torrens in austro. south. 838 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN Qui seminant in lacry- They that sow in tearg mis:.in exultatione me- shall reap in joy. tent. Euntes ibant et flebant: Going they went and mittentes selnina sua. wept, casting their seeds. Venientes autem venient But coiming they shall cum exultatione: portan- come with joyfulness, car. tes manipulos suos. rying their sheaves. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PSALM CXxvi. Nisi Dominus. Nisi Dominus xdificave- Unless the Lord build rit domum: in vanim labo- the house, they labor in raverunt quia dificant earn. vain that build it. Nisi Domintus custodierit Unless the Lord keep the civitatem: frustra vigilat city, he watcheth in vain qui custodit earn. that keepeth it. Vanum est vobis ante It is vain for you to rise lucem surgere: surgite before light: rise ye after postquam sederitis, qui you have sitten, you that manducatis panem doloris. eat the bread of sorrow. Cum dederit dilectis suis When he shall give sleep somnumrn: ecce hnreditas to his beloved: behold the Domini filii, merces fruc- inheritance of thie Lord are tus ventris. children: the reward, the fruit of the womb. Sicut sagittfe in manu' As arrows in the hand of potentis: ita filii excusso- the mighty, so the chilrum. dren of them that have been shaken. Beatus vir qui implevit Blessed is the man that desiderium suum ex ipsis: hath filled his desire with non confundetur, cum lo- them: he shall not be conquetur inimicis suis in por- founded when he shall ta. speak to his enemies in the gate.. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PSALM cxxvii. Beati omnes. Beati omnes qui timent Blessed are all they that Dominum: qr i ambulant fear the Lord; that walk in viis ejus. in his ways. DEVOTIONS TO THiE BLESSED VIRGINR. 889 Labores manuria tua- For thou shalt eat the rum quia manducabis: bea- labors of thy hands.; blesstus es, et bene tibi erit. ed art thou, and it shall be well with thee. Uxor tua sieut vitis Thy wife as a fruitful abundans: in lateribus do- vine on the sides of thy mus tu;la. house. Filii tui sicut novelhl Thy children as olive olivaruma: in circuitu men- plants, round about thy M tuse. table. Ecce sic benedicetur ho- Behold, thus shall the mo: qui timet Dominum. man be blessed that feareth the Lord. Benedicat tibi Dominus May the Lord bless thee ex Sion: et videas bona out of Sion; and mayst Jerusalem omnibus diebus thou see the good things vita tuWe. of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Et videas filios filiorumn And mayest thou see thy tuorum: pacem super Is- children's children: peace rael. upon Israel. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Office 1. Ant. Pulchra es et deco- Ant. Thou art fair and ra, filia Jerusalem: terri- comely, 0 daughter of Jebillis ut castrorum acies or- rusalem: terrible as an dinata. army set in array. Oilce 2. Ant. Ecce ancilla Domi- Ant. Behold the handni: fiat milli secundum maid of the Lord: be it verbum tuum. done unto me according to thy word. O.ice 3. Ant. Ecce, Maria genuit Ant. Behold, Mary hath nobis Salvatorem, quemn born us the Saviour, Joannes videns exclama- whom John beholding, exvit, dicens: Ecce Agnus claimed, Behold the Lamb 840 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSEBD VIRG1IV Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata of God, behold him who mundi. Alleluia. taketh away the sins (of the world'. Alleluia. The Little Chapter. Ofifce I and 3. Ecclus. xxiv, 19, 20. In plateis sicat cinnamo- In the streets, like cinmum et balsatmum aroma- namon and aromatic balrm, tizans odorema dedi: quasi I gave forth a sweet framyrrha electa, dedi suavi- granee: like the choicest tatem odoris. myrrh, I yielded a sweetness of odor. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Post partum virgo V. After child-birth thou inviolata permansisti. didst remain a pure virgin.. R. Dei Genitrix, inter- R. Intercede for us, 0 cede pro nobis. Mother of God. Kyrie eleison., Christe Lord, have mercy. Christ eleison. Kyrie eleison. have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Dornine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. 1Et clamor meus ad toe R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. From n ie Pie7ification to Advezt. Oremus. Let us pray. Famulorum tuorum, Forgive, 0 Lord, we bequesumus Domrine delictis seech thee, the offences of ignosce; ut qui tibi placere thy servants; that we,who de actibus nostris non va- are una')!e to please thee lemus, Genitricis Filii tuli by our own acts, may be Domini nostri Jesu Christi saved by the intercession intercessionesalvemur. Per of the Mother of thy Son, eumdem, &e. Jesus Christ our Lord. Throug'h the same, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem i: eam. prayer. DEVOTIONS TO TI-IE BLESS}D VIRGIN. -84i R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let -my cry come yeniat. unto thee. V Benedicamus Domi- V. Let us bless the Lord. no. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be t( God. V. Fidelium animrne, per V. May the souls of the misericordiam Dei, reauies- faithful, through the mercy cant in pace. of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. R. Amen. In Advent. Oremus. Let us pray. lDeus, qui salutis tter- 0 God, who, by the fruitnse, beatte Marin virgini- ful virginity of the blessed tate faecunda, humanlo ge- Mary, hast given to manneri praemia prtustitisti; kind the rewards of eternal tribue, qun.sumus, ut ip- salvation, grant, we besam pro nobis intercedere seech thee, that we may sentiamus, per quam me- experience her intercesruimus auctorem vite seUS- sion, through whom we cipere Dominumn nostrum have received the author of Jesum Christum Filium life, thy Son, Jesus Christ, tnum. Qui tecum vivit.et our Lord. Who liveth and regnat, &c. reigneth with thee, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi, &c. V: 0 Lord, hear, &c. (as (et supra). above). The Little Chapter. QO/ce 3. Isa. vii. 14, 15 Ecce Virgo concipiet, et Behold, a Virgin shall parliet filium, et vocabitur conceive and bear a son, nomen ejus Emmanuel: and his name shall be callbutyrum et mel comedet, ed Emmanuel: butter and ut sciat reprobare malum, honey shall he eat, that et eligere bonum. he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose tho good. R. Deo gratins. P. Thanks be to God. 842 D)EVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIX. V. Angelus Domini nun- V. The angel of the L Crd tiavit Marin. announced unto Mary. R. Et concepit de Spiri- }R. And she conceived oI tu Sancto. the Holy Ghost. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, havemlercy. Christ, eleison. Kyrie eleison. have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Dolmine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui de beate Ma- 0 God, who wast pleased rim Virginis utero,Verbum that thy Word, at the mestuum, angelo nuntiante, sage of an angel, should carnem suscipere voluisti; take flesh in the womb of prnesta supplicibus tuis, ut the blessed Virgin Mary, qui vere eam Genitricem grant to us, thy suppliDei credimus, ejus apnd te ants, that, as we believe intercessionibus adjuve- her to be truly the Mother mur. Per eumdem Domi- of God, we may be assisted num, &c. also by her intercessions with thee. Through the sa me Lord, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi, &c V.. 0 Lord, hear, &c. (as (ta supra). above). resp tr Ave Maria. Hail, M'/ary. V. Deus, in adjutorium V. 0 God, come to my meum intende. assistance. R. Doline, ad adjuvan- R. 0 Lord, make haste dum me festina. to help me. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Office 1. Ant. Dum -sset rex. Ant. While the king. DEVOTIONS' TO THE BLESSED VIRi(IN. 843 0/ce 2. Ant. Missus est Gabriel 4Ant. The angel Ga'oriel angelus. was sent. Ofice 3. Ant. 0 admirabile corn-. Ant. 0 marvellous inter. merciu!rn course! PSALM cix. Dixit Dominus. Dixit Dominus Domino The Lord said to my meo: Sede a dextris meis: Lord: Sit thou at my right hand:l Donec ponam inimicos Uintil I make thy enetuos: scabellum pedum tu- mies: thy footstool. orum. Virgam virtutis tue The Lord will send forth emittet Dominus ex Sion: the sceptre of thy power dominare in medio inimi- out of Sion: rule thou in corum tuorum. the midst of thy eneamies. Tecum principium in die With thee is the princivirtutis tun in splendori- pality in the day of thy bus Sanctorum: ex utero strength, in the brightness ante luciferurn genui te. of the Saints: from the womb, before the day-star, I begot thee. Juravit Dominus, et non The Lord hath sworn, pclnitebit eum: Tu es sa- and he will not repent: cerdos in sternum secun- Thou art a priest forever dum ordinem Melchisedec. according to the order of Melchisedech. Dominus a dextris tuis: The Lord at thy right confregit in die irs sus re- hand: hath, broken kings ges. in the day of his wrath. Judicabit in nationibus, He shall judge among implebit ruinas: conquas- the nations, he shall fill sabit capita in terra multo- ruins: he shall crush the rum. heads in the land of many. De torrente in via bibet, He shall drinkl of the propterea exaltabit caput. torrent in the way: therefore shall he lift up his head. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. 844 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. OTice 1. Ant. Dum esset rex in Ant. While the kingn wa accubitu, suo, nardus lnea reposing, my spikenard dedit odorera suavitatis. yielded the odor of sweet. ness. Ant. Ln'va ejus. Ant. His left hand. Offce 2. Ant. Missus est Gabriel Ant. The angel Gabriel angelus ad Mariamr, virgi- was sent to Mary, a virgin nem desponsatam Joseph. espoused to Joseph. Ant. Ave Maria. Ant. Hail, Mary. Office 3. Ant. 0 admirabile corn- Ant. 0 marvellous intermercium! Creator generis course! the Creator of humani, aninmatuim corpus mankind, taking a body sumens, de virgine nasci with a living soul, vouchdignatus est, et procedens safed to be born of a virhomo sine semnie, largitus gin: and becoming man est nobis suam deitatem. without man's concurrence, bestowed upon us his deity. Ant. Quando natus es. Ant. When thou wast born. PSALM cxii. Laudate, pueri. Laudate, pueri, Domi- Praise the Lord, ye chilnum: laudate nomen Do- dren: praise ye the name mini. of the Lord. Sit noren Domini bene- Blessed be the name of dictum: ex hoc nunc, et the Lord: from henceforth, usque in smculum. now, and forever. A solis ortu usque ad From the rising up of the occasumn: laudabile nomen, sun unto the going down Domini. of the same: the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. ixct-lsus super omnes The Lord is high above DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. [45 gentes Dominus: et super all nations: and his glory eelos gloria ejus. absove the heavens. Quisisicut Dominus Deus Who is like unto the noster, qui in aitis habitat: Lord our God, who -dwellet humilia respicit in' cclo eth on high: and looketh et in terra? down on the low things in heaven and in earth? Suscitans a terrainopem: Raising up the needy et de stercore erigens pau- from the earth: and lftperem: ing up the poor out of the dunghill: Ut collocet eum cum That he may place him principibus: cum principi- with princes: nwith the bus populi sui. princes of his people. Qui habitare facit steri- Who maketh a barren lem in domo: matrem fili- woman to dwell in a house: orun la3tantem. the joyfull mother of chil dren. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ofice 1. Ant. Loava ejus sub capi- Ant. His left hand under te meo, et dextera illius my head, and his right amplexabitur me. hand shall embrace mue. Ant.. Nigra sum. Ant. I am black. Ofice 2. Ant. Ave 3Maria, gratia' Ant. Hail, Mary, full of plena, Dominus tecum: grace, the Lord is with benedicta tu in mulieribus. thee: blessed art thou Alleluia. among women. Alleluia. Ant. Ne timeas, Maria. Ant. Fear not, Mary. O.fice 3. Ant. Quando natus es in- Ant. When thou wast effabiliter ex virgine, tune born of a virgin, after an implet, sunt Scriptura: ineffable manner, then sicut pluvia in vellus de- were the Scripttures fulscendisti, ut slvnm faceres filled. Thou didst comea 846 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. genus humanum: te lauda- down like rain upon the mus, Deus nostel. fleece, that thou migh.,est save mankind: we praise thee, 0 our God. Ant. Rubum quem vide- Ant. In the bush which rat Moyses. Moses saw. PSALM cxxi. Lcetatus sum in his (as above, p. 827). O.gce 1. Ant. Nigra sum, sed for- Ant. I am black, but mosa, filieJerusalem: ideo beautiful, 0 daughters of dilexit me rex, et intro- Jerusalem: therefore hath duxit me in cubiculum the king loved me, and suum. brought me into his chamber. Ant. Jam hiems transiit. Ant. Now is the winter past. OQce 2. Ant. Ne timeas, Maria, Ant. Fear not, Mary, invenisti gratiam aplud Do- thou hast found grace with minum: ecce concipies, et the Lord: behold, thou paries filium. shalt conceive, and bear a son. Ant. Dabit ei Dominus. Ant. The Lord shall give nlto him. Office 3. Ant. Rubum quem vide- Ant. In the bush which rat Moyses incombustum, Moses saw unconsumed,we conservatam agnovinus acknowledge thy admituam laudabilem virgini- rable virginity preserved: tatem: Dei Genitrix, in- intercede for us, 0 Mother tercede pro nobis. of God. Ant. Germinavit radix Ant. The root of Jesse Jesse hath budded. B7SVOTION-S TO TRE BLESSED VIRGIN. 847 PSALM cxxvi. Nisi Dominus (as above, p. 838) Office 1. Ant Jam hiems transiit, Ant. Now is the winter amber abiit et recessit: sur- past, the rain is over and Ne, amica mea, et veni. gone: arise, my beloved, and come. Ant. Speciosa facta es. An2t. Thou art become beautiful. Office 2. Ant. Dabit ei Dominus Ant. The Lord God shall Deus selem David patris give unto him the throne ejus: et regnabit in rater- of D)avid his father: and num. he shall reign forever. Ant. Ecce ancilla Domi- Ant. Behold the handni. maid of the Lord. Office 3. Ant. Germinavit radix Ant. The root of Jesse Jesse, orta est stella ex hath budded, a star hath Jacob; virgo peperit Salva- arisen out of Jacob; a virtorem: te laudamlus, Deus gin hath borne the Saviour noster. we praise thee, 0 our God. Ant. Ecce Maria. Ant. Behold Mary. PSALM cxlvii. Lauda Jeruvsalenz. Lauda Jerusalem Domi- Praise the Lord, 0 Jenum: lauda Deum tuum, rusalem: praise thy God, Sion. 0 Sion. Quoniam confortavit se- Because he hath strengthras portarum tuarum: ben- ened the bolts of thy gates: edixit filiis tuis in te. he hath blessed thy children within thee. Qui posuit fines tuos Who hath placed peace pacem: et adipe firumenti in thy borders: and filleth satiat to. thee with the fat of corn. Qui emittit eloquium su- Who sendeth forth his unm telrr: velociter currit speech to the earth: his sermo efus. word runneth swiftly. 848 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED V IRGIN. Qui dat nivem sicut la- Who giveth snow like nam: nebulam sicut cine- wool: scattereth mists like ram spargit. ashes. Mittit crystallurn suum He sencleth his crystal sicut buccellas: ante faci- like morsels: who shall, em frigoris ejus quis sus- stand before the face of tinebit? his cold? Emittet verburt suumn, He shall sendc out his et liquefaciet ea: flabit word, and melt them: his spiritus ejus, et fluent wind shall blow, and the aqure. waters shall run. Qui annuntiat verbum Who declareth his word suun Jacob: justitias et to Jacob: his justices and judicia sua Israel. judgments unto Israel. Non fecit taliter omni He hath not clone in like nationi: et' judicia sua manner to every nation: non manife.avit eis. and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Ofce 1. Ant. Speciosa facta es et Ant. Thou art become suavis in deliciis tuis, sanc- beautifiil and sweet in thy ta Dei Genitrix. delights, 0 holy MIother of God. Office 2. Ant. Ecce ancilla Doami- Ant. Behold the handni: flat muihi secuncdum maid of the Lord: be it verbum tuum. done unto me according to thy word. Ogice 3. Ant. Ecce, Maria genuit Ant. Behold, Mary hath nobis Salvatolrem, quein born us theSaviour,whom Joannes videns exclamaa- John beholding exclaimed, svt, dicens: Ecce agnus saying: Behold the Ialmb Dei, ecce quli tollit peccata of God; behold him who hlundi. Alleluia. taketh away the sins of the world. Alleluia. DIVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED I IRGIN. 949 The Little CVapter. Office 1 and 3. Ecclus. xxiv. 14. Ab initio et ante sticula From the beginning, and creata sum, et usque ad before the world was I-crefuturum seculum non de- ated, and unto the world to sinam, et in habitatione come I shall not cease to sancta coram ipso minis- be, and in the holy dwelltravi. ing-place I have ministered before him. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. The Litt'e Chapter. O. ice 2. Isa. xi. 1, 2. Egredietur virga de ra- There shall come forth a dice Jesse, et flos de radice rod out of the root of Jesejus a.?eendet, et requiescet se, and a flower shall rise Esupe]'um Spiritus Doeni- up out of his root, and the ni. Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. X Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. Ave, maris stella, Qui pro nobis natus, )ei Mater alma, Tulit esse tuus. Btqne semper Virgo, Felix cceli porta. Virgo singularis, Inter omnes mitis, Suinens illud Ave Nos culpis solutes Gabrielis ore, Mites fea et castes. Funda nos in pace, MUtans Even nomen. Vitam praista puram, Iter para tutum; Solve vincla reis, Ut videntes Jesum, Prefer lumen cocts, Semper colletemnur. Mala nostra pelle, Bona cuncta posce. Sit laus Deo Patri, Summum Christo decus, Monstra te esse Matrem, Spiritni Sancto, Stmat per te preces Tribus honor nus. Amen. (T1he same in Enqflish.) Gentle Star of ocean! Portal of the sky! 850 DEVOTIONS TO THE B. ESSED VI~RUIg Ever Virgin Mother Of the Lord most high! Oh! by Gabriel's Ave, Uttered long ago, Eva's name reversing, Stablish peace below. Break the captive's fetters; Light on blindness pour; All our ills expelling, Every bliss implore. Show thyself a Miother; Offer him our sighs, Who for us Incarnate Did not thee despise. Yirgin of all virgins! To Ihy shelter take us: Gentlest of the gentle! Chaste and gentle make usn. Still, as on we journey, Help our weak endeavor: Till with thee and Jesus We rejoice forever. Through the highest heaven, To the Almighty Three, Father, Son, and Spirit, One same glory be. Amen. V. Diffusa est gratia in V. Grace was pout ed labiis tuis. forth on thy lips. R. Propterea benedixit R. Therefore hath the te Deus in teternum. Lord blessed thee forever. Ofce 1. Ant. Beata Mater. Ant. Blessed Mother. In Paschal time. Ant. Regina cceli. Ant. Queen of heaven. DEVOTIONS TO TH 3 BLESSED VIRGIN. 851 Office 2. Am Spiritus Sanctus. Ant. The Holy Ghost. Office 3. Ant. Magnum heredita- Ant. A great mystery sO is mysterium. inheritance. The Magnficcit. Magnificat: anima incmea My soul doth magnify: Dominumr. the Lord. Et exultavit spiritus me- And my spirit hath reus: in Deo salutari meo. joiced: in God my Saviour. Quia respexit humilita- For he hath regarded tern ancille suee: ecce enim the humility of his handex hoc beatarn me dicent maid: for behold from omnes generationes. henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Quia fecit mihi magna Because he that is mighqui potens est: et sanctum ty hath done great things to nomen ejus. me: and holy is his name. Et misericordia ejus a And his mercy is from progenie in progenies: ti- generation unto generamentibus eum. tions: to them that fear hinm. Fecit potentiam in bra- He hath showed might chio suo: dispersit super- in his arm: he hath scatbos mente cordis sui. tered the proud in the conceit of their heart. Deposuit potentes de He hath put down the sede: et exaltavit humiles. mighty fiolm their seat: and hath exalted the humble. Esurientes implevit bo- He hath filled the hunnis: et divites dimisit ina- gry with good things: and nes. the rich he hath sent empty away. Suscepit Israel puerumr He hath received Israel suum: recordatus miseri his servant: being mindful cordise sume. of his mercy. Sicut locutus est ad pa- As he spake to our fa 852 DEVOTIONS TO TI-E' BLESSED VIRGIN. tres nostros; Abraham, et thers: to Abraham and to -senmini ejus in sucula. his seed forever. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. O.$ce 1. Ant. Beata Mater et in Ant. Blessed Mother and tacta Virgo, gloriosa Regi- inviolate Virgin, glorious na mundi, intercede pro Queen of the world, internobis ad Dominum. cede for us with the Lord In Pasc7al time. Ant. Regina cmli, hlitare, Ant. Queen of heaven, alleluia. Quia quenl me- rejoice, alleluia. For he ruisti portare, alleluia. whom thou wast meet to Resurrexit sicut dixit, al- bear, alleluia. Hath arisleluia. 01ra pro nobis en as he said, alleluia *Deum, alleluia. Pray to God for us. alleluia, Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord. have mercy. V Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, heai my tioneml mearn. prayer. R. Et clamor menus ad R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. Concede nos famalos tu- Grant, we beseech thee, os, qusesumus, Domine De- 0 Lord God, that we, thy us, perpetua mentis et cor- servants, may enjoy perpetporis sanitate gaudere; et ual health, both of mind gloriosa beatn Marine sem- and body; and by the gloper Virginis intercessione, rious intercession of blessa prmsenti liberari tristitia, ed Mary everf Virgin, may et Peterna perfirui letitia. be delivered from present Per Dominum nostrum, sorrow, and attain unto &c. eternal joy. Through our Lord, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. Ogice 2. Ant. Spiritus Sanctus in Ant. The Holy Ghost te descendet, 5M.aria: ne ti- shall come upon tiee, Ma DEVOTIONS T3 TIIE BLEESED ~IRGINo 853 nemas, habebis in utero Fill- ry; fear not, thou shalt um Dei. Alleluia. bear in thy Awomlb the Son of God. Alleluia. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.. Donline, exaudi ora- Vr 0 Lord, hear'my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui de beatn Ma- O God, who wast pleased rie Virginis utero,Verbum that thy Word, at the mestuum, angelo nuntiante, sage of an angel, should carnell suscipere voluisti; take flesh in the womb of prcesta supplicibus tuis, ut the blessed Virgin Mary; qzi vere eam Genitricem grant to thy sluppliants, Dei credimus, ejus apud that we, who believe her te intercessionibus adjuve- to be truly the IMother mur. Per eumdem Do- of God, may'be assisted iminum nostrum. by her intercessions with thee. Through the same our Lord. R. Amen. R. Amen. Office 3. Ant. Magnum huredita- Ant. A great mystery of tis mysterium: templum inheritance: the womb of Dei factus est uterus nes- one that knew not man cientis virum; non est pol- hath become the temple of lutus ex ea carnem assu- God; taking flesh of her, mens: omnies gentesveni- he was not defiled: all na. ent, dicentes, Gloria tibi, tions shall come, saying, DominQ. Glory be to thee, 0 Lord. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. TV. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let mu cry come te veniat. unto thee. 854 DEV'OTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Oremus. Let us pray. Des, quli salutis aterna, 0 God, who, by the fruit. beatu MaritL virginitate fce- ful virginity of the blessed cunda, Ilnilano generi pm- Mlary, hast given to manmia priestitisti; tribue, kind the rewardslof eternal qusesullmus, ut ipsam pro salvation; grant, we benobis iltercedere sentia- seech thee, that we may exmus, per quam meruimus perience her intercession auctorelm vitx suscipere for us, through whom we Dominumn nostrum Jesum have received the author of Christuin Filium tuum. life, thy Son Jesus Christ Qui tecun vivit et regnat, our Lord. Who liveth cand &c. reigneth with thee, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. For the Commemoration of the Saints, &c., see the end o. Lauds, p. 812. If the ogice is ended here, one of the Antiphons of the Bless. ed Virgin is said according to the season. eomplfine. Ave Malia. Hail, Mary. V. Converte nos, Deus V. Convert us, 0 God salutaris noster. our Saviour. R. Et averte iram tuam R. And turn away thine a nobis. anger from us. V. Deus, in adjutorium V. 0 God, come to my meum intende. assistance. R. Domine, ad adjuvan- R. 0 Lord, make haste dum inmc festina. to help me. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PSALaM cxxviii. Sgepe expugnaversunt. Sspe expugnaverunt me Often have they fought a juventute mea: dicat against me from my youth, nunc Israel. let Israel now say. Swpe expugnavermt me Often have they fought DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIhGIN. 855 a juventute mea: etenim against me fromn my youth, non potuerunt mihi. but they could not prevail over me. Supra dorsum meum, The wicked h.ave wrought fabricaverunt peccatores: upon my back: they have prolongaverunt iniquita- lengthened their iniquity. temn suam. Dominus justus concidit The Lord, who is just, cervices peccatorum: con- will cut the necks of sinfundantur et' convertantur ners: let them all be conretrorsum omnes, qui ode- founded and turn back runt Sion. that hate Sion. Fiant sicut fcenum tec- Let them be as grass torum: quod, priusquam upon the tops of houses, evellatur, exaruit. which withereth be'ore it be plucked up. De quo non implevit ma- Wherewith the mower nuln suam, qui ruetit: et filleth not his handcl nor sinuim suum qui manipulos he that gathereth sheaves colligit. his bosom. Et non dixerunt qui prse- And they that passed by -teribant, Benedictio Domi- have not said: The blessni super vos: benediximus ing of the Lord be upon vobis in nomine Domini. you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PsAanM cxxix. De profundis. De profundis clamavi ad Out of the depths I have te, Domine: Domine, ex- cried to thee, 0 Lord: audi vocem meam. Lord, hear my voice. Fiant aures tue inten- Let thy ears be attentive dentes: in vocemn depreca- to the voice of my supplitionis mese. cation. Si iniqdi-tates observave- If thou, 0 Lord, wilt ris, Domine: Domine, quis mark iniquities; Lord, who sustinebit? shall stand it. Quia apud te propitiatio For with thee there is est: et propter legell tu- merciful forgiveness; and anm sustinui te, Domine. by reason of thy law I have waited for thee, 0 Lord. 856 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Sustinuit anima mea in My soul hath relied on verboej us: speravitaanima hM;s word: my soul hath mea in Domino. hoped in the Lord. A custodia matutia us- From the morning watch que ad noctemn: speret Is- even until night, let Israel rael in Domino. hope in the Lord. Quia apud Dominum Because -with the Lord misericordia: et copiosa there is mercy; and with apud eum redlemptio. him plentiful redemption. Et ipse rednlinet Israel: And he shall redeem Isex omnibus iniquitatibus rael from all his iniquities. ejus. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. PSALm cxxx. Domnine, nons est. Domine, non est exalta- Lord, my heart is not tam cor meum: neque ela- exaltedl: nor are my eyes ti sunt oculi mei. lofty. Neque alnbulfavi in mnag- Neither have I walked nis: neque in mirabilibus in great matters, nor in super me. wonderful things above me. Si non humiliter sentie- If I was not humbly bam: sedl exaltavi animnamn minded, but exalted my eam; soul: Sicut ablactatus est su- As a child that is weanper matre sua: ita retri- ed is towards his mother, butio in a.inma inea. so reward in my soul. Speret Israel in Domino: Let Israel hope in the ex hoc nunc, et usque in Lord, from henceforth now steculum. and forever. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Fymnn, 3Memento, as above, p. 819. lThe Little Charter. QOfice 1. Ecclus. xxiv. 24. Ego mater pullchlr dilec- I am the mnother of fair tionis, et timoris, et agni- love, and of fear, and of tionis et atncto spei. knowledge, and of holy hope DEVOTIONS TO T'HE BLESSED VIlGINo, 857 R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta V. Pray for us, 0 holy Dei Genitrix. Mother of God. R. Ut digni efficiamur R. That we may be made promissionibus Christi. worthy of the promises of Christ. Ant. Sub tuum praisi- Ant. We fly to thy patdium. ronage. In Paschal time. Ant. Regina cceli. Ant. Queen of heaven. The Little Chapter. )fice 2. Isa. vii. 14, 15. Ecce, Virgo concipiet, et Behold, a Virgin shall pariet filium, et vocabitur conceive, and bear a son, nomen ejus Emmanuel: and his name shall be callbutyrum et mel comedet, ed Emmanuel: he shall ut sciat reprobare malum, eat butter and honey that et eligere bonunm. he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Angelus Domini nun- V. The angel of the Lord tiavit Marinn. announced unto Mary. R. Et concepit de Spiri- R. And she conceived of in Sancto. the Holy Ghost. Ant. Spiritus Sanctus. Ant. The Holy Ghost. The Little C/hapter. Office 3. Ecclus. xxiv. 24. Egp mater pulchrwa di- I am the mother of faii lecti nis, et timoris, et ag- love, and of fear, aiid of nitionis, et sancta spei. knowledge, and of holy hope. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta V. Pray for us, 0 holy Dei Genitrix. Mother of God. 72* 858 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. R. Ut digni efficiamur R. That we may be made promissionibus Christi. worthy of the promises of Christ. Ant. Magnum hIertedita- Ant. A great.mystery of tis mysterium. inheritance. Canticle of Siimeon. Nunc dimittis servum Now dost thou dismiss tuum. Dominie: secundum thy servant, 0 Lord, in verbum tuuml iln pace. peace: according to thy word. Quia viderlunt oculi mei: For mine eyes have seen salutare tlunm. thy salvation. Quod parasti: ante fa- Which thou hast pre ciera omnium populorum. pared: before the face of all people. Lumen ad revelationemr A light to enlighten the gentium: et gloriai ple- Gentiles: and the glory of bis tue Israel. thy people Israel. Gloria, &c. Glory, &c. Office 1. Sub tuum prmlsidium Ant. We fly to thy patconfugimus, sancta Dei ronage, 0 holy MIother of G-enitrix: nostras depreca- God: despise not our petitiones ne despicias in ne- tions in our necessities, but cessitatibus; sed a pericu- deliver us always from all Ils cunctis libera nos sem- dangers, 0 glorious and per, Virgo gloriosa et bene- blessed Virgin. dicta. ln Paschal time. Ant. Regina cceli, latare, Ant. Queen of heaven, alleluia. Quila quem me- rejoice, alleluia. For he ruisti portare, alleluia. Re- whom thou wvast meet to surrexit sicut dixit, alle- bear, alleluia. Hath aiisen, luia. Ora pro nobis Deum, as he said, alleluia. Pray alleluia. for us to God, alleluia. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. Christ, eleiso-n. Kyrie eleison. have mercy. Lord, have mercy. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 859 V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionemi mearn. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. BeatCe et gloriosas sern- Let the glorious interperque Virginis Mariae, cession of the blessed and qunesumus, Domine, inter- glorious Mary ever Virgin, cessio gloriosa nos prote- protect us,we beseech thee, gat, et ad vitam perducat 0 Lord, and bring us to aternam. Per Dominuma, life everlasting. Through tce. our Lord, &c. _R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Dominc, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. B. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come te veniat. unto thee. V. Benedicamus Domi- F. Let us bless the Lord. no. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. -The Blessing. Benedicat et custodiat MIay the almighty and nos omnipotens et miseri- merciful Lord, Father, and cors Dominus, Pater, et Son, and Holy Ghost, blese Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. and preserve us. R. Amen. R. Amen. O0ice 2. Ant. Spiritus Sanctus in Ant. The Holy Ghost te descendet, MIaria: ne shall comeuponthee, Mary: timeas, habebis in utero fear not, thou shalt bear in Filium Dei. thy womb the Son of God. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord,havemercy. Christ, eleison. Kyrie eleison. have mercy. Lord, have lmercy. V. Donmine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, ihear my tionerm mleam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. 860 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGINo Oremus. Let us pray. Deus, qui de beatt Ma[- 0 God, who wast pleased rime Virginis utero,Verbum that thy Word at the mestuum, angelo nuntiante, sage of an angel, should carneml suscipere voluisti; take flesh in the womb of proasta supplicibus tuis, nt the blessed Virgin MIary; qul vere earn geritricemn grant to us, thy suppliDei credimus, ejus apud ants, that, as we bete intercessionibus adjuve- lieve her to be truly the tlur. Per eumdem Domi- Mother of God, we may numl nostrum, &c. be assisted calso by her intercessions with thee. Through the same Lord, &c. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi, &c. V. 0 Lord, hear, &c. (as (ut sypra). - above). Office 3. Ant. Magnumn heredlita- Ant. A great mystery of tis mysterium: templum inheritance: the womb of Dei factus est uterus nes- one that knew not man cientis virurm; non est pol- hath become the temple of lutus ex ea carnem assu- God; taking flesh of her, mens: omnes gentes ve- he was not defiled: all' nanient, dicentes, Gloria tibi, tions shall come, saying, Domine. Glory be to thee, 0 Lord. Kyrie eleison. Christe Lord, have mercy. eleison. Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. Domine, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lord, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. Deua., qui salutis interne, 0 God, who by the fruitbeatne Marila virginita/te ful virginity of the blessed fiecunda, humano generi Mary, hast given to manprvtmia prsestitisti; tribue, kind the rewards of eternal DEVOTIONS TO TIHE BLESSED VIRGIN. 861 qnuesumus, lit ipsam pro salvation; grant, we benobis intercedere sentia- seech thee, that we may exmius, per quam meruimus perience her intercession, auctorem vitao suscipere, through whom we have reDominuinn nostrum Jesum ceived the author of life, Christurn Fililum tuum. thy Son Jesus Christ, our Qui tecum vivit et regnat, Lord. Who liveth and &C. reigneth, &c. R. Amen. 1R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi ora- Y. 0 Lord, hear my tioner in leal. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te I R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. Y. Benedicamus Domi- V. Let us bless the Lord. no. R. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to God. The Blessing. Benedicat et custodiat 3May the almighty anld nos onluipotens et miseri- mercifulLord, Father, and cors Dominus, Pater, et Fi- Son, and Holy Ghost, blesR lius, et Spiritus Sanctus. and preserve us. R. Amen. R. Amen. T72en is said one of the Antiphons of the Blessed Virgin., accorcinvg to the season, as at the end of Lauds, p. 814. After the Prayer is said: V. Divinum auxilium t. May the divine asmaneat semper nobiscum. sistance remain always with hus. 1. Amen. R. Amen. Th ar se id, secretly, Pater —Ave- Crsdo 862 DVrOTIONS TO THE BLESSED ~IRGIlI. Vittci fDfiie of t1e imma:nlnate Ctoncp tion. At lJfatins. Eja, mea labia, nunc annuntiate Laudes et prsconia Virginis beataa. (The same in Ehglish.) Come, my lips, and wide proclaim The blessed Virgin's spotless fame. V. Domina, in adjuto- V. 0 Lady, make speed alium meum intende. to befriend me. R. Me de manu hostium R. From the hands of potlenter defende. the enemy mightily defend me. V. Gloria Patri. Alle- V. Glory be to the Fal uia. ther, &c. Alleluia.'rose Septuaesima to Easter, instead of Alleluia, is said: Lus tibi, Domine, Rex Praise be to thee, 0 nternm glorie. Lord, King of everlasting glory. HYMN. Salve, mundt Domina, Ab weterno Deminua Ccelorumn Regina: Te prieordinavit Salve, Virgo virginum, Matreinem unigeniti Stella matatina. Verbi, quo creavit. Salve, plena gratia, Terrani, ponturn, aethera Clara luce divina: Te pulchram ornavit Mundi in auxilium, Sibi Sponsam, qu., in Dolmina, festina. Adam non peccavit. Amen. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIROGIN, 86' (The same in English.) Hail, Queen of the heavens' Hail, Mistress of earth i Hail, Virgin most pure, Of immaculate birth! Clear star of the morning, In beauty enshrined! O Lady, make speed To the help of mankind. Thee God in the depth Of eternity chose; And formed thee all fair As his glorious Spouse; And called thee his Word's Own Mother to be, By whom he created The earth, sky, and sea. Amen. F. Elegit eam. Deus, et V. God elected her, and prm-elegit eamn. pre-elected her. R. Tn tabernaculo suo R. He made her to dwell habitare fecit eam. in his tabernacle. V. Domina, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lady, hear my tionem meam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te R. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee. Oremus. Let us pray. Sancta Maria, Regina Holy'Mary, Queen of coelorum, mater Domini heaven, Mother of our nostri Jesu Christi, et mun- Lord Jesus Christ, anil di Domina, qune nullum Mistress of the world,'wh derelinquis, et nullum des- forsakest no one, and depicis; respice me, Domina,i spisest no one; look upon clemlenter oculo pietatis, et me, 0 Lady, with an eye imnpetra mihi apud tuum of pity, and entreat for me, dilectum Filium cuncto- of thy beloved Son, the rum veniam peccatorum: forgiveness of all my sins; ut qui nune tuam sanctam that, as I now celebra/ SG4 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRnOIN. et immlaculatam Concep- with devout affection thy tionem. devoto affectu re- holy and immaculate Concolo, nternme in futuruml ception, so, hereafter, I beatitudinis bravium capi- may receive the prize oi am, ipso, queln virgo pe- eternal blessedness, by tho peristi, donante Domino grace of him whonr thou, nostro Jesu Christo; qui in virginity, didst bring curn Patre et Sancto Spiri- forth, Jesus Christ, our tu vivit et regnat, in Trini- Lord, who, with tht Fat-ate perfecta Deus in smecu- ther and the Holy Ghost, Ia snculorum. Amen. liveth and reigneth, in perfect Trinity, God, world without end. Amen. V. Domina, exaudi ora- V. 0 Lady, hear my tionem rneam. prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad R. And let my cry come L veniat. unto thee. V. Belnedicamus Doumi- V. Let us bless the no. Lord. R. Deo gratias. B. Thanks be to God. V.: Fidelium animx, per V: May the souls of the misericordciam Dei, requi- faithful, through the mer ofcant in pace. cy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. R. Amen. At Prinle. V. Domina, in adjut*- V. 0 Lady, make speed rium meum intende. to befiiend me. R. MIe de manli hostium R. From the hands of potenter defende. the enemy mightily defend me. B. Gloria Patri. Alle- V. Glory be to the Fa. a;a. ther, &c. Allelnia. HIYMN. Salve, Virgo sapients, Tu, Mater viventium, Domus Deo dicata, Et porta es Sanctorum: Columna septemplici Nova stella Jacob, Mensaque exornata. Domina Angelerunm. Ab omni coautagio Zabulo terribilis Mundi prmservata: Acies castrorlum: Ante sancta in utero Portus et refugiuln Parentia, quam nata. Sis Christianorutn. Amexi DEVOTIOTNS TO TIIE BLESSED VIRI GIN 5 ( he samne iL English.) Hail, Virgin most wise! Hail, Deity's shrine! With seven fair pillars, And table divine! Preservedfrom the guilt Which hath come on us all! Exempt, in the womlb, From the taint of the Fall! O new star of Jacob! Of Angels the Queen! O gate of the Saints! O mother of men! 0 terrible as The embattled array! Be thou of the faithful The refuge and stay. ~ Amen. V. Ipse creavit illam in V. The Lord himself lJpiritu Sancto. created her in the Holy Ghost. R. Et effudit illam inter R. And poured her out omnia opera sua. among all his works. V. Domina, exaudi, &c. V. O Lady, hear,s&c. (as on p. 864). At Teace. V. Domima, in adjuto- V. O Lady, make speed rium meum intende. to befriend me. R. Me de manu hostium R. From the hands of potenter defende. the enemy mightily defend me. V. Gloria Patri. Alle- V. Glory be to the FaLuia. ther, &c. Alleluia. HYMN. Salve, arcs frederis, Virga frondens germnits' Thronus Salomlonis, Vollus Gedeonis: Arcus pulcher ltheris,'Porta clausa numidis, Rubus visionis: 7? Favusque Samsonee 866 DEVOT'1rINS TO THIE BLESSED VIRGIEN. Decebat tam nobilem Almam, quam oleegerak Natum, prrecavere Genitricem vere, Ab originali Nulli prorsus sinens Labe Matris Evye Culpa subjacere. Amen (The same in English.) Hail, Solomon's throne! Pure ark. of the law! Fair rainbow! and bush, Which the Patriarch saw. Hail, Gedeon's fleece! Hail, blossoming rod! Samson's sweet honeycomb! Portal of God! Well fitting it was, That a Son so divine Should preserve from all touch Of original sin; Nor suffer by smallest Defect to be stained, That Mother, whom he For himself had ordained. Amen. V. Ego in altissimis ha- r. I dwell in the highest. bito. B. Et thronus meus in R. And my throne is on columna nubis. the pillar of the clouds. V. Domina, exaudi, &c. V. 0 Lady, hear,. &c. (aa onp. 864). At Sext. F. Domina, in adjuto- V. 0 Lady, make speed rium meum intende. to befiiend me. R. Me de mann hostium R. From the hands of potenter defende. the enemy mightily defend me. F. Gloria Patri. Alle- F. Glory be to the Fa. luia. ther, &c. Alleluia. DEVOTIONS TO THE BILES1SED VIRGIN. 867 HYAIN. S3alve, Virgo puerpera, Terra es benedicta Ternplmr Trinitatis, 1A sacerdotalis, Angelorlm gaudiumn, Saneta et irullunis Cella puritatis: 3ulp' originalis. Solarnen mcerentium, Civitas altissimi, Hlortus voluptatis: Polta orientalis: Pallmal paietietie, In te est omnis gratls, Cedrus castitatis. Virgo singularis. Amne (17te same in Evglish.) Hail, virginal Mother! Hail, purity's cell! F'air shrine where the Trinity Loveth to dwell. Hail, garden of pleasure! Celestial balm! Cedar of chastity! Martyrdom's palm! Thou land set apart From uses profane I And free from the curse Which in Adam began! Thou city of God! Thou gate of the east! In thee is all grace, 0 joy of the blest Amen. V. Sicut'ilihm inter V. As the lily among spinas. the thorns. R. Sic amica -h a inter. R. So is my beloved filias Ade. among the daughters ol Adam. V. Domina, exaudi, &c. V. 0 Lady, hear, &c (as 0o1. 864). At Vone. V. Domina, in adjuto- V. 0 Lady, make speed rium meuam intende. to befriend me. 868 DE~VotiONS TO TIHE BLESSED VIRGIN, R. Me de manu hostiumr R. From the hands of potenter defehde. the enemy mightily defend me. V. Gloria Patri. Alle- V. Glory be to the Faluia. ther, &c. Alleluia. HymN. Salve urbs refugii, 0 mulier fortis, Turrisque munita Et invicta Judith I David, pl opugnacnlis Pulchra Abisag virgo, Armisque insignita. Yerumn fovens David I In Conceptione Rachel curatorem Charitate ignita, _ lgypti gestavit: Draconis potestas Salvatoremn inundi Est a te contrita. Maria po:tavit. Amen. (Thte same in Etgsgish.) Hail, city of refuoe! Hail, David's high tower I With battlements crowned And girded with power! Filled at thy Conception With love and with light! The dragon by thee Was sholn of his might. 0 worman most valiant! 0 Judith thrice blest! As David was nursed In fair Abishag's breast; As the saviour of Egypt Upon Rachel's knee; So th. world's great Redeemer Was cherished by thee. Arena. V. Tota pulchra es, ami- V. Thou art all fair my ca mea beloved. R. Et macual originalis R. And the original Ds'mquam fuit in te. stain was never in thee. P. Domina, exaudi, &c. V. O Lady, hear, &c. (as on p. 864). DEVOTiONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN, 869 At Vespers. V. Domina, in adjuto- V. 0 Lady, make speed rium meum irrtende. to befrield me. R. Mle de manu hostium R. From the hands of potenter defende. the enemy mightily defend me. Ir. Gloria Patri. Alle- V. Glory be to the Faluia. ther, &c. Alleluia. HYMN. Salve, horologium, Solis hujus radiis Quo retrogradiatur Maria coruscat; Sol in decem lineis; Consurgens aurora Verbum incarnatur. In conceptu micat. Homo ut ab inferis Lilium inter spinas, Ad summa attollattnr, Qusa serpentis conterat Immensus ab Anelis Caput: pulchra ut luna'Paulo minoratur. Erlantes collustrat. Amem (ThIe saine in English.) Hail, dial of Achaz! On thee the true sun Told backward the course Which from old he had run! And, that man might be raised, Submitting to shame, A little more low Than the angels became. Thou, wrapt in the blaze Of his infinite light, Dost shine as the morn On the confines of night; As the moon on the lost Through obscurity dawns; The serpent's destroyer! A lily'mid thorns! Amea. V. Ego feel in coelis, ut V. I made an unfailing orietur lumen indeficiens. light to arise in heave'-L 78* 870 DiBYVOTIONS TO THI-E BLESSED VIRGIN. R. Et quasi nebula texi R. And as a mist I over ononem terrain. spread the whole earth. V. Dosmina, exaudi, &c. V. 0 Lady, hear, &c. (a8 on p. 864). At Complilze. V. Couvertat nos, Do- V1 M{ayJesusChrist, thy mina, tuis precibus placa- Son, reconciled by thy tus Jesus Christus Filius prayers, 0 Lady, convert tUUs. our hearts. R. Et avertat iram. su- R. And turn away his am a nobis. anger from us. V. Domina, in adjuto- V. 0 Lady, make speed riuml meunm intende. to befiiend me. R. Me de mann hostium R. Froml the hands of potenter defende. the enemy mightily (lefencl me. V. Gloria Patri. Alle- Y. Glory be to the Faluia. ther, &c. Alleluia. HYBiN. Salve, Virgo florens, Per te, Mater gratise,. Mater illibata, Dulcis spes reorumn, Regina clementise, Fulgens stella maris, Steilis coronata. Portus ilaufragoruim, Super omnes Angelos Patens eceli janua, Pura, immaculata, Salus infirin'orm, Atqun ad( regis dexteram Videamus tegein Stana veste deaurata. In aula Sanctor au. Aule.x (The sacne in Englis7h.) Hail, Motllher most pure! Hail, Virgin renowned! Hail, Queen with the stars As a diadem crowned! Above all the angels In glory untold, Standing next to the King In a vesture of gold I! 0 Mother of mercy! 0 star of the wave I IEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 87! 0 hope of the guilty! 0 light of the grave! Through thee nmay we come To the haven of rest; And see heaven's King In the courts of the blest! Amen. V. Oleum effusum, MIa- T. Thy name, 0 Mary, tia, nomcn tuum. is as oil poured out. R. Servi tui dilexerunt R. Thy servants have te nilis. loved thee exceedingly. V. DTmina, exaudi, &c. V. 0 Lady, hear, &c. ( on p. 864). The Comnmndation. supplices offerimus Ducas cursu prospero T.bi, Virgo p.ia, Et in agonia lheac laudurn prseconia; Tu nobis assiste, Fac nos ut in via 0 dulcis Maria. (The same in English.) These.praises and prayers I lay at thy feet, 0 Virgin of virgins 0 Mary most sweet! Be thou my true guide Through this pilgrimage here; And stancd by my side When death draweth near. B. Deo gratias. R. Thanks be to G.d (Those who recite the whole rosary or the third part on bead, duly blessed, once a week, gain 100 days' indulgence each time, and a plenary indulgence on Christmas, T'wnelftliday, Candlemas, Anl nunciation, Easter, Ascension, WVhitstnday, Trinity, Corpus Christi, Assumption, Nativity of t.hq Blessed Virgin, Nautivity of St. John, the Feasts of the Apostles and of St. Joseph, and in the hour ol death. Many other indulgences can be gained by those who wear them, as will be seen under the general head of iidulgences.) This devotion was instituted in its present shape by St. Dominic, the founder' of the Frliars preachers, or Dominicans. Tlhe faithful had lono been in the habit of reciting one hundred and fifty Our Fathers or HI-ail Mlarys, to unite thenmselves with tile monks and religious who recited dlaily the one hundred and fifty Psalms of David. St. Dominic clivided it into decades, and taught the people while reciting each to meditate on some mystery in the life of or Lordcl or his blessed Alothlero The whole rosary is divimded into.thr e parts —-th joy ful, sorrowful, and glorious nysteries —each of five de7 aades, and the beads or clhaplet is arranged for the recital of one part, and contains six large and fiftythree small beads. No devotion can excel these short and easy meditations on the mysteries of the fiLth, or more closely unite us to Jesus. To aid us in reflecting on the particular mystery set apart for each decade, several methods are in use, which we shall now expilain. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSEl) VIRGIN. 873 METHOD OF SAYING THE BEADS. Bless yourself, and on the cross or medal say the Apostles' Creed, then on the large bead the Our Father, and three Hail Marys on the three small beads, and end this introductory part by"GloryIbe to the Father, and to the Son, and to the IIoly Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Allenl." Then there are three different ways to proceed. I. With contenmplation and Prayers. Read in the book the contemplation for the -first mystery of the part which you wish to recite, and, reflecting on this, say the Our Father on the large bead, teln Hail Marys on the ten small beads, and the Glory be to the Father after the last: then read in the book the prayer of the first mystery. II. The method of lathler Busee, ~used by the J.esuits and Reclenzptorists. Say the Our Father on the large bead, and on each small bead the Hail Mary as far as the word " Jesus," then add in the words, "Whom thou didst conceive at the message of an Angel," and then "Holy Mary, " &c., and end the decade with a " Glory be to the Father." In this way introduce appropriate words into the Hail Mary in each decade, thus: JOYFUL MYSTERIES. Ist DECADE.-" Whom thou didst conceive at the message of an angel." 2d DECADE.-" Whom thou didst carry in thy womb on thy visit to St. Elizabeth." 3d DECADE.-" Who was born of thee at Bethlehem." 4th DECADE.-" Whom thou didst present in the tenpie." 5th DECADE.-" Whom thou didst find in the temple." 874 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. SORROWFUL MYSTERIES. 1st DECADE. —' Who sweat blood for us in the garden."' 2d DECADE.-" Who was scourged for us." 3d DECADE.-" Who was crowned with thorns for us 4th DECADE.-" Who carried his cross for us." 5th DECADE.-" Who was crucified for us." GLORIOUS MYSTERIES. 1st DECADE.-" Who arose firom the dead." 2d DECADE. —" Who ascended into heaven." 8d DECADE.-" Who sent down the Holy Ghost." 4th DECADE. —" Who took thee up into heaven." 5th DECADE.-" Who crowned thee in heaven." The advantage of this method is, that the mystery is kept before the mind without any effort, and as the words are easily learnt, a book will not be needed. III. MI?2nner of saying the Beads swith others. Where several say the beads together, the leadei says the Creed as far as the words, " the living and the dead:" then all the rest begin, "I believe in the Holy Ghost," &c., and finish the Creed. The leader then recites the Our Father to the vords "'' as it is in heaven, " and the rest all together begin at the vwords, " Give us this day," and finish it. The leader then begins the Hail Marys and goes down to the holy name of " Jesus, " and the rest finish. He then recites the Glory be to the Father to the words " Holy Ghost," and the rest continue it. If they recite the first way, the leader then in each decade reads the contemplation and begins the Oun Father, the rest end it, and he says the first part of the THail MIary, which they complete; and when this is done ten times, he says the first part of the Glory, &c., and when they have finished it, he reads the prayer, and the next contemplation. If they are reciting the second way, the leader in each mnysterly, after his part of the Hail MIary, adds the words given above. NoTE.-Only one part, or five decades, need be said at once to gain the iDd-ilgences. DEVOTIONS TO ThE BLESSED VIRGIN. 875 IV. The Livinyg Rosary. A new and pious way of saying the beads has been approved by the Churclh, and is called the Liv,ing Rosary. Fifteen persons divide the rosary among them, each taking one mystery, and by reciting only this one decade each day they gain all the indulgences attached to the recitation of the whole rosary, besides several others. This decade should be preceded by the Creed, Our Father, three Hail Marys, and the Glory be to the Father, and may be recited in either of the two ways given. END OF TIIE BEADS. When the five decades have been recited, it is usual to add the hymn Salve Regina, and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, with its prayer or the prayer of the rosary. DAYS FOR THE YARIOUS PkARTS. The Joyful Mysteries are recited on Mondays and Thursdays. The Sorrowful Mysteries are recited on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Glorious Mysteries are recited on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and on all the Sundays of the year. Some, however, on the Sundays from Advent to Lent, recite the Joyful Mysteries; on the Sundays in Lent, the Sorrowful Mysteries; and on the Sundays from Easter to Advent, the Glorious Mysteries. u3o0sav of t$e most 3Iemszb 1tMfvn 4Tav.o In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Hail, Mary. V. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord. R. And my mouth shall show forth thy praise. V. 0 God, come to my assistance. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, &c. 876 DEVOTIONS TO TIIE BLI SSED VIRGIX' THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES. I. The Annoiciation. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the angel Gabriel saluted our Blessed Lady with the title,' Full of grace," and declared unto her the Incarnation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our Father. Ten Hail Marys. Glory be to the Father. PRAYER. O holy Mary, Queen of Virgins; through the most high mystery of the Incarnation of thy beloved Son, our Loid Jesus Christ, wherein our salvation was begun, obtain for us, throulgh thy most holy intercession, light to understand the greatness of the benefit H-e hath bestowed upon us, in vouchsafing to become our Brother, and giving thee, His own beloved mother, to be our mother also. Amen. II. Thle Vissitation. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the blessed Virgin Mary, understanding from the angel that her cousin St., Elizabeth had conceived, went with. hasta into the mountains of Judea to visit her, bearing her divine Son within her womb, and remained with hei three months. Our Father, &c. PRAYER. 0 holy Virgin, most spotless mirror of humility; by that exceeding charity which moved thee to visit thy holy cousin, St. Elizabeth, obtain for us, through thy intercession, that our hearts being visited by thy divine Son, and freed fiom all sin, we may praise and give thanks to Him foreVer. AJellen. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 87 III. The.Birth of our Saviour Christ in Bethlehem. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the blessed Virgin Mary, when the time of her delivery was come, brought forth our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, at midnight, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inns at Bethlehem. Our Father, &c. PRAYER. O most pure mother of God; through thy virginal and most joyful delivery, whereby thou gavest to the world thy only Son, our Saviour, we beseech thee obtain for us, through thy intercession, the grace to lead such pure and holy lives in this world, that we may become worthy to singl, without ceasing, the mercies of thy Son, and His benefits to us by thee. Amen. IV. The Presentation of our Blessed Lord in the Tenzple. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the blessed Virgin Mary, on the day of her purification, presented the child Jesus in the Temple, where holy Simeon, giving thanks to God, with great devotion received him into his arms. Our Father, &c. PRAYER. O holy Virgin, most admirable mistress and pattern of obedience, who didst present the Lord of the Temple in the Temple of God; obtain for us, of thy blessed Son, that, with holy Simeon and devout Anna, we may praise and glorify Him forever. Amen. V. the finding of the child Jesus in the Temnple. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the blessed Virgin Mary, after having lost (through no fault of 74 878 DEVOTIONS TO TIlE IIIESSED VIRGIN. hers) her beloved Son in Jerusalem, souight him for the space of three days; and at length found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions, being of the age of twelve years. Our Father, &c. PRAYEtR. o most blessed Virgin, more than martyr in thy sufferings, and yet the comfort of such as are afflicted; by that unspeakable joy wherewith thy soul was filled, when at length thou dlidst find thy well-beloved Son in the Temple, teaching in the midst of the doctors, obtain of Iilm that we may so seek Him and find Him in His holy Catholic Church, as never more to be separated from Hirn. Amen. Salve Regina, as at p. 54, with V. and R.; and the following prayers: Hear, O merciful God, the prayer of Thy ser vants; that we who meet together in the society of the most holy Rosary of the blessed Virgin, mother of God, may, through her intercession, be delivered by Thee from the dangers that continually hang over us; through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life,'death, and resurrection, hath laid open to us the rewards of everlasting life, grant, we beseech Thee, that, pondering in our hearts these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they set forth, and obtain what they promise; through the same ouvr Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. DEVOTIONS TO TO TIE BLESSED VIRGIN. 879 THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES. I. DTe Prayer and Bloody Sweat of ou'r Blessed Saviour in tihe Garden. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus was so afflicted for us in the garden of Gethsemane, that his body was bathed in a bloody sweat, which ran down in great drops to the ground. Our Father, &c. PR.AYER. O most holy Virgin, more than martyr; by that ardent prayer which our beloved Saviour poured forth to I-Iis heavenly Father in the garden, vouchsafe to intercede for us, that, our passions being reduced to the obedience of reason, we may always, and in all things, conform and subject ourselves to the holy will of God. Amen. II. The Scourzlgi? of our Blessed Lord at the Pillar. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ was most cruelly scourged in Pilate's house, the number of stripes they gave him being about five thousand. Our Father &c. PRAYER. O mother of God, overflowing fountain of patience; through those stripes thy only and muchbeloved Son vouchsafed to suffer for us, obtain of I-Iim for us grace to mortify our rebellious senses, to avoid the occasion of sin, and to be ready to suffer every thing rather than offend God. Amen. III. The Crotwnin of our Blessed Saviour with thorns. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how those cruel ministers of Satan plaited a crown of sharp thorns, and 880 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. cruelly pressed it on tha sacred head of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Fathe:, &c. PRAYER. O mother of our Eternal Prince, the King of Glory; by those sharp thorns wherewith His sacred head was pierced, we beseech thee obtain, through thy iltelcession, that we may be delivered firom all motions of pride, and escape that shame which our sins deserve at the day of judgment. Amen. IV. Jesus carrying his Cross. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being sentenced to die, bore, with the most amiazing patience, the cross which was laid upon him for his greater torment and ignominy. Our Father, &c. PRAYER. O holy Virgin, example of patience; by the most painful caL'rying of the cross, in which thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, bore the heavy weignht of our sins, obtain for us of Him, through thy intercession, courage and strength to follow His steps, and bear our cross after Him to the end of mur lives. Amen. V. DZe Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being come to Mount Calvary, was stripped of his clothes, and his hands and feet nailed to the cross, in the presence of his most afflicted mother. Our Father, &c.' PRAYER. O holy Mary, mother of God; as the body of tky beloved Son was for us stretched upon the DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGibN. 881 cross, so may we offer up our souls and bodies to be crucified with Him, and our hearts to be pierced with grief at His most bitter Passion; and thou, 0 most sorrowful mother, graciously vouchsafe to help us, by thy all-powerful intercession, to accomplish the work of our salvation. Amen. Salve Regina and prayers, as before. THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES. I. The Resurrection of our Lordfriom the Dead Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, triumphing gloriously over death, rose again the third day, immortal and impassible. Our Father, &c. PRA YER. O glorious Virgin Mary; by that unspeakable joy thou didst receive in the resurrection of thy divine Son, we beseech thee obtain for us of Him, that our hearts may never go astray after the false joys of this world, but may be forever wholly employed in the pursuit of the only true and solid joys of heaven. Amen. II. The Ascension of Christ into Rleaven. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, foity days after his resurrection, ascended into heaven, attended by angels, in the sight, and to the great admiration, of his most holy mother, and his holy apostles and disciples. Our Father, &c. PRAYER. O mother of God, comforter of the afflicted; as thy beloved Son, when He ascended into heav 74* o82 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. en, lifted up His handl and blessed His apostles, as He was parted from them; so vouchsafe, most holy mother, to lift up thy pure handls to Him in our behalf, that we may enjoy the benefits of His blessing, and of thine, here on earth, and hereafter in heaven. Amen. III. The Descent of the Iioly Ghost on the Apostles. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being seated on the right hand of God, sent, as he had promised, the Holy Ghost upon his apostles, who, after he was ascended, returning to Jerusalem, continued in prayer and supplication with the blessed Virgin Mary, expecting the performance of his promise. Our Father, &c. PRAYER. O sacred Virgin, Tabernacle of the Holy Ghost; we beseech thee obtain, by thy intercession, that this most sweet Comforter, whom thy beloved Son sent dclown upon His apostles, filling them thereby with spiritual joy, may teach us in thi. world the true way of salvation, and make us to wallk in the path of virtue and good works. Amen. IV. The Assunption of the blessed Virgin Mary into HIeaven. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the glorious Virgin, twelve years after the resurrection of her Son, passed out of this world unto him, and was by -him assumed into heaven, accompanied by the holy angels. Our Father, &c. PRAYIER. 0 most prudent Virgin, who, entering the heavenly palaces, didst fill the angels with joy and man with Ihope, vouchsafe to intercede for us at the hour of our death, that, being delivered from the DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 883 illusions and temptations of the devil, we may joyfully and securely pass out of this temporal state, to enjoy the happiness of eternal life. Almen. V. The Coronation of the most blessed Virgin Mary in reaven. Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the glorious Virgin Mary was, to the great jubilee and exultation of the whole court of heaven, and particular glory of all the saints, crowned by her Son with the brightest diademn of glory. Our Father, &c. PRAYER. O glorious Queen of all the heavenly host, we beseech thee accept this rosary, which, as a crown of roses, we offer at thy feet; and grant, most gracious lady, that, by thy intercession, our souls may be inflamred with so ardent a desire of seeing thee so gloriously crowned, that it lmay never die within us, until it shall be changed into the happy fruition of thy blessed sight. Amen. Salve Regina, &c., as before. z Nav.ena, OR NL1NE DAYS' DEVOTION TO TILE EVER-BLESSEJD VIRGIN. Incomparable Virgin, chosen by the ever-adorable Trinity, froin all eternity, to be the most pure Mother of Jesus, allow thy servant to elmindc thee of the joy thou receivedst in the instant of the most sacred Incarnation of our divine Lord, and during the nine months thou carriedst Him 884 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN, in thy mast chaste womb. Oh! that I couldb t renew, and if possible, increase this thy joy by the fervor of'my prayers. Most tender Mother of the afflicted! obtain for me fiom thy divine Son those maternal consolations, and that peculiar protec& tion, thou hast promised to those who shall devoutly commemorate this ineffable joy. Relying on thy powerful intercession, I most humbly entreat thee to obtain from Jesus Christ, thy dearly beloved Son, my request. [aIaving specified it, say:] May this light I burn before thy image, stand as a memorial of the lively confidence I repose in thy prayers. May it be consumed in honor of that ardent and supernatural love and ioy, with which thy sacered heart was replenished during the abode of thy blessed Son in thy womb, in veneration of which I offer to thee the sentiments of my heart, and the following salutations. PRAYER. Mother of my God! to thee I offer these Hail Marys: they are so many brilliant jewels in the diadem of thy exterior glory, which will be increasing to the end of the world. I beseech thee, 0 comforter of tile afflicted, by the joy thou re-'ceivedst in the submission and obedience of thy Son, to comlfort my poor heart, and. obtain of Him for mle a favorable answer to the petition I make to thy coimpassionate mercy and benevolence. To this effctL I offer to thee all the good works that have ever been performed in the confiraternities of thy sacred heart, and other associations in thy honor. I most humbly entreat thee, on this considet:ation, and tfor the love of the sacred Heart DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 885 af Jesus, with which thy own was so inflamed, to Asten to my voice and grant my request. Amen. THE REPARATION OF HIONORt. Mother of God, whose sanctity and a,ublime merit surpass the comprehension of the angels themselves, how great is the maternal tenderness of thy heart towards mankind! How great thy favors! How.unworthy our acknowledgment, our gratitude, our return! My very soul is penetrated with grief at the consideration of the many injuries~thou receivest firom infidels and wicked Christians, by the execrable blasphemies vomited out against thy maternal virginity, sanctity, and integrity, but especially at the anguish with which those sinners load thee, who heaping sin upon sin against thy divine Son, draw down vengeance and damnation on their own souls; all which stand in direct opposition to thy tender -ove and compassion. lPierced with. grief and sorrow, I throw myself at thy feet, and though the greatest of sinners, most unworthy of, and least corresponding with the graces I have received, I here enter my protest against such unwarrantable proceedings, and beseech thee, 0 Virgin, more than mriartylr to accept the same, as a reparation of honor. Obtain pardon for my past offiences and indignities, and those of all mankind, 0 good Mother. May we, sinners that we are, become sensible of the favors thou hast obtained for us; and being truly contrite for the past, may we, by thy aid and assistance, breaking the chains of our former thraldorn and slavery, live henceforward in thy favor, and in the happy liberty of the chil 880 DEVOTIONS TO TIlE BLESSED VIRGlN. clren of God. MAay this our act and deed, 0 Saviour of tdle world! as all we do to testify our love and glratitucde to Thy blessed mother is also most agorceablle to Thee, be approved and confirrmed by Thy blessing and authority. Amen. ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI's PRAYER BFO A VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Unable to repair really to the presence of the 3Mother of God, the Saints have made it a practice to visit a statue or picture of her, that the symbol may excite their love and devotion to her whom Jesus loved above all creatures, the prophetess of the new law, the Mother of the Redeemer, and source of the Gospel. Most holy immaculate Virgin and my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother of mlly Lord, the Queen of the Wvorlcl, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, I have recourse to-day, —I, who atnl the most miserable of all. I worship thee, 0 great Queen, and I thank thee for all the graces which thou hast hitherto granlted me; and especially I thank thee for having'delivered me from hell, which I have so often deserved. I love thee, most amiable Lady; and for the love which I bear thee, I promise always to serve thee, and to do all that I can that thou mayest also be loved by others. I place all my hopes in thee, and I confide my salvation to thy care; accept me for thy servant, anld receive me under thy mantle, 0 Mother of AMercy. And since thou art so powerfill with God, do thou deliver me firom all temlptations, or rather obtain me strength to triumph over themn until death. Of thee I ask the true love of Jesus Christ; through thee I hope to die a good& death. My Mother, by the love which thou bear DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIR1GIN 887 est to God, I beseech thee to help me always, but especially at the last moment of my life; leave me not until thou seest me safe in heaven, blessing thee and singing thy mercies to all eternity. PnR YEP OF ST. EPIIREM TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. O immaculate and wholly pure Virgin Mary! mother of God, queen of the universe, our most excellent Lady, thou art superior to all the saints, thou art the only hope of the Fathers, and the joy of the blessed. By thee we have been reconciled to our God. Thou art the only advocate of sinners, the secure haven of the shipwrecked. Thou art the consolation of the world, the redemption of captives, the joy of the sick, the comfort of the afflictedl, the refuge and salvation of the whole world. 0 great princess! mother of God! cover us with the wings of thy compassion: have pity on us. We have no hope but in thee, O most pure Virgin! WTe are given to thee, and consecrated to thy service; we bear the name of thy servants; do not permit Lucifer to draw us down to hell. 0 immaculate Virgin! we are under thy protection; therefore, unitedly we have recourse to thee, and supplicate thee to prevent thy Son, whom our sins have offended, from abandoning us to the power of the devil. O full of grace! illuminate my intellect, loosen my tongue that it may sing thy praises, and es. pecially the Angelic Salutation, so worthy ot thee. I salute thee, 0 peace! 0 joy! 0 salvation and consolation of the whole world! I salute thee, 0 greatest of miracles! paradise of delight i secure haven of those who are in dan 388 DEVOTIONS TO TILE BLESSED VIRGIN. ger! fountain of grace! mediatrix of God and of mnen! PRAYER OF ST. ATHANASIUS. Hearken, 0 most holy Virgin, to our prayers, and remember us. Dispense to us the gifts of thv riches, and the abundant graces with which thou art filled. The archangel salutes thee and calls thee full of grace. All nations call thee blessed; the whole hierarchy of heaven blesses thee, and we, who are of the terrestrial hierarchy, also say to thee: " I-Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." Pray for us, O mother of God, our Lady and our Queen. ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI'S vtra(eJrt to the Blesseb birlin FOR EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK. Sunday. PRAYER TO THE MOST HIOLY M]ARY TO OBTAIN PARDON OF SINS. Behold, 0 mother of God, at tliy feet a miserable sinner, the slave of hell, who has recourse to thee, and trusts in thee. I do not even merit that thou shouldst look upon me, but I know that having seen thy Son die to save sinners, thou hast the greatest desire to aid them. O mother of mercy, look on my miseries, and have pity on me. I hear thee called by all, The refuge of sinners, the hope of the desperate, the help of the abandoned. Then thou art my refuge, my hope, DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSEB VIRGIN. 889 my help. Thou must save me by thy intercession. Succor me for the love of Jesus Christ, give thy hand to a poor fallen sinner who recommends himself to thee. I know that thou dost find consolation in helping the sinner when thou canst; help me, then, for thou canst help me. I, by my sins, have lost the grace of God and my own soul. Now I place myself in thy hands; tell me what I must do to return.to the favor of mny Lord, for I1 will do it without delay. HIe sends me to thee, that thou mlayest succor me, and He wishes me to have recourse to thy mercy, that not only the merits of thy Son, but also thy prayers may aid in my salvation. To thee then I have recourse; thou who dost pray for so many others, pray also to Jesus for me. Ask Him to pardon' me, and Cie will pardon me; tell Him that thou dost desire my salvation, and He will save me. Make known the good that thou canst do to those who confide is: thee. Amen; thus I hope, thus may it be. MJonday. PRAYEtR TO THE MOST HOLY MIARYt TO OBTAIN HOLY PERSEVERANCE. 0 queen of. heaven, I who once have been a miserable slave of Lucifer, now dedicate myself to thee, as thy servant forever, and offer myself to honor and serve thee for my whole life; accept me, do not refuse me as I merit. 0 my mother, I have placed in thee all my hopes, fiom. thee I hope all blessings. I thank and bless God, who in His mercy has given me this confidence in thee, which I consider as the great earnest of my salvation. Ah, how have I fallen in my past life, I a vs 890 DEVOTIONS TO TIlO TI BESSED VIRGIN. miserable sinner, because I have not had recourse to thee! Now I hope to be pardoned through the mrerits of Jesus Christ, and through thy prayers. 13ut I may again lose the divine grace; the d(anger is not over; my enemies do not sleep. How many new temptations remain for me to conquer! Ahl, my most sweet Lady, protect me, and do not permit me again to be their slave; help me always. I know thlat thou wilt help mne, and with thy help I shall conquer, if I recommnend myself'to thee; but this I fear, that in occlasions of falling into sin, I may neglect to call on thee, and thus may be lost.'This grace I ask of thee, obtain for me that in the assaults of hell, I may always Ilave recourse to thee, saying: Mary, aid me. My good mnother, do not permit me to lose my God. Tuesday. PRAYErR TO 3MARY MOST HOLY TO OBTAIN A HAPPY DEATH. O Mary;, what will be may death? I tremble and am confounded when I now consider my sins, and think of that great, decisive moment of my salvation or eternal danaation, when I shall die and be judged. O my most sweet mother, my hopes are in the blood of Jesus Christ, and in thy intercession. O consoler of the afflicted, do not abandon me then; do not cease consoling me in that great affliction. If now I am tormented with -remorse on account of past sins, the uncertainty of pardon, the danger of relapse, and the rigor of divine justice, what will become of me'then If thou dost not aid me, I am lost. Ah, my Lady, before my death arrives, obtain for me a great sor DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 891 row for my sins, a true amendment, and fidelity tc God for the life that remains to me. And when the last moment of my life comes, 0 Mary my hope, aid me then in my great distress, cand encourage me thean that I may not despair at the sight of my sins which the demon will piesent to me. Obtain for mlie the grace to invoke thee thein more constantly, that I may expire with thy sweet name, and that of thy most holy Son, upon my lips. And now, 0 Lady, pardon my boldness before I expire, come thyself to console me by thy presence. This grace thou hast granted to so many of thy servants, I also wish and hope for it. I am, indeed, a sinner, and I do not merit it; but I am thy servant, who loves thee, and has great confidence in thee. 0 Mary, I wait for thee, do not leave me disconsolate. At least, if I am not worthy of so great a favor, assist me from heaven, that I may die in the love of God and of thee, and come to love God and thee eternally in paradise. Wednesday. P'RAYER TO MARY MOST I-IOLY TO OBTAIN DELIVERANC:D nEROM HELL. 0 my dearest Lady, I thank thee that thou hast so often rescued me from hell: as often as I have deserved it through my sins. A miserable sinner! I was already condemned to that prison, and that sentence would perhaps have been executed upon nce after my first sin, if thou hadst not in thy mercy helped me. Thou wast not even invoked by me, but by thy mercy alone thou hast restrained the divine justice, and then subduing 892 DEVOTIONS TO'I1E BLESSED VIRGIN. my hard-heartedness, hast drawn me to tak6 con.. fidence in thee. And oh, into how many sins I should have fallen in the dangers to which I have been exposed, if thou, my most loving mother, hadst not preserved me by the graces which thou hast obtained for me! Ah, my queen, still preserve me fi'om hell. But of what avail will be thy mercy and the favors thou hast bestowed on me, if I should be condemned? If once I loved thee not, now, after God, I love thee above every thing. Ah, do not permit that I should turn lmy back upon thee and upon God, who, through thee, hath dispensed to me so many mercies. My most amiable Lady, do not permit that I. should hate and curse thee in hell. Wilt thou suffer a servant of thine who loves thee to be lost 0 Mary, what dost thou say to me? I shall be lost if I leave thee. But who could have the heart to leave thee How could I forget the love thou hast borne me? My mother, since thou hast done so much to save me, complete the work; continue to aid me. Dost thou wish to help me? But what do I say? If thou dlidlst show me so much favor when I lived forgetful of thee, how much more ought I now to hope, when I love thee and recommlend myself to thee! No, he who has recourse to thee is never lost; only he who dloes not recommend himself to thee. Ah, my mother, do not leave me in my own hands, for I shall be lost; malke me always to have recourse to thee. Save me, my hope, save me from hell; but first fro n sin, which alone can condemn me to hell. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 89Z Thursday. PRAYER TO THE MOST HOLY MARY TO OBTAIN MEAVENY 0 queen of heaven, who sittest above the choirs of angels, nearest to God; from this vale of misery I, a miserable sinner, salute thee, and pray thee to turn towards me those kind eyes of thine, that dispense graces to all those they look upon. See, 0 Mary, in how much danger I am, and must be, while I live on this earth, of losing *my soul, heaven, and God. In thee, 0 Lady, I have placed all my hopes. I love thee, and long to come to thee, see thee, and praise thee in heqven. Ah, Mary, when will the day come that I shall see myself safe at thy feet, and shall behold the mother of my Lord and my mother, who has been so occupied with my salvation? When shall. i kiss that hand which has so many times delivered me from hell and bestowed on me so many graces, rwh,1n, by my sins, I merited to be hated and abandoned by all. 0 Lady, I have been very ungrateful to thee in my life; but if I reach heaven, I will be no more ungrateful. There I will love thee as much as I can, every moment through all eternity, and I will make amends for my ingratitude by blessing thee and thanking thee forever. Above all, I thank God who gives me such confidence in the blood of Jesus Christ and in thee; namely, that thou wilt save me, that thou wilt free me from my sins, and obtain for me light and strength to execute the divine will, and finally conduct me to the port of heaven. All this have thy servants hoped, and none have been deceived. Neither shall I be deceived. Mary, I wish nothing 7?5. 894 DEVOTIONS TO 1T1E B LESSED VIRGIN. else; thou must save me. Pray thy Son Jesus, as I alsG pray Him, through the merits of His passion, to preserve in me, and always more increase this confidence, and I shall be saved. ~Friday. PRAYERI TO THE MOST HOLY MTARY TO OBTAIN LOVE TOWARDS HER AND JESUS CHRIST. 0 Mary, I know that thou art the creature the most noble, the most sublime, the most pure, the most beautiful, the most merciful, the most holy; in a word, the most lovely of all creatures. 01h, if all knew thee, O my Lady, and loved thee as thou dost merit i But I console myself that so many happy souls in heaven and on earth live enamored of thy goodness and beauty. Above all, I rejoice that God himself loves thee alone more than all men and angels united. My most amiable queen, I, a miserable sinner, also love thee, but I love thee too little: I desire a love greater and more tender towards thee; and this thou must obtain for me, for to love thee is a great sign of predestination, and a grace that God does not grant except to those whom He wishes to be saved. I see myself then, 0 my mother, greatly indebted to thv Son. I see that I-e merits an infinite love. Thou who desirest nothing but to see Him loved, this is the grace that above all others thou must obtain for me; obtain for menc a great love for Jesus Christ. Thotu dost obtain froml God whatever thou dost wish; ah. obtain for me this grace, to be so united with the divine will that I may never more be separated firoml it. I do not ask of thee the goods of earth, neither honors nor DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSID VIRGIN. 896 riches; I ask of thee what thy heart most desires, I wish to love my God. Is it possible that thou wilt not aid me in this my desire, which pleases thee so much 1 No, for thou dost even now help me, already thou art praying for me; pray, pray, and never cease to pray until thou seest me in heaven, beyond the danger of being able any more to lose my Lord, and certain of loving Him forever, together with thee, my dearest mother. Saturday. PRAYER TO THE MOST HOLY MARY TO OBTAIN HER PAT RONAGE. O my most holy mother, I know what graces thou hast obtained for me, and I see the ingratitude of which I have been guilty towards thee. The ungrateful are no longer worthy of favors; but I will not on this account distlrust thy mercy, which is greater than my ingratitude. -0 my great advocate, have pity ona me. Thou art the dispenser of all the graces which God grants to us mniserable sinners, and for this end Hle has made thee so powerful, so rich, and so merciful, that thou mightest succor us in our miseries. Ah, mother of mercy, do not leave me in my poverty.'Thou art the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners who have, recourse to thee, defend me also, who recommend myself to thee. Do not tell me that it is difficult to gain my cause, for the mlist desperate causes are all gained when they are defended by thee. In thy hands, then, I place my eternal salvation, and to thee I commit my soul. It was lost; thou, by thy intercession, must save it. I wish to be enrolled among thy mo.t 8906 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN devoted servants;' do not cast me out: thou dost go in search of the wretched to relieve them; do not abandon a miserable sinver who has recourse to thee. Speak for me; thy Son does whatever thou dost ask bf i-Him. Take me under thy protection, and this will be enough: yes, for if thou clost protect me, I fear nothing; nothing from my sins, for thou wilt obtain for me the remedy for the inljury I have inflicted upon myself; nor from the delmons, for thou art more powerful than all hell united; nor fiom Jesus my Judge Himself, for by one prayer of thine He is appeased. I only feat that through my negligence I may cease to invoke thee, and shall thus be lost. My mother, obtain for me the pardon of all my sins, love to Jesus, holy perseverance, a good death, and finally, paradise; especially obtain for me the grace always to recommend myself to thee. It is true that these graces,are too much for ine who do not merit them, but they are not too much for thee who art so much beloved by God that Hie grants thee whatever thou dost ask of Him. It is enough that thou dost begin to speak,'and He denies thee nothing. Pray then to Jesus for me; tell Him that thou dost protect me, and He will not fail to have ])ity on me. My mother, I trust in thee; in this hope' I repose and live, and in this I wish to die. Amen. Live always, Jesus our love and Mary our hope! (For the preceding prayers, plenary indulgence oince a month, tf recited regularly with three Hail Marys. Partial, 300 days each time.-PIus VII.) DEVOTIONS 10 THE BLESSED VIRGINo 8t) Rcts of Jfilfal ULeberence to ftnD. (Partial Indulgence 100 days; plenary, once a month.-LEo X[L', I. I venerate thee with all my heart, 0 most holy Virgin, as the daughter of the Father of heaven: and I consecrate to thee my soul, with all its powers. Hail, Mary, &c. II. I venerate thee with all my heart, 0 most holy Virgin, as the mother of the only Son of God; and I consecrate to thee my body, with all its senses. Hail, Mary, &e. III. I venerate thee with all mly heart, 0 most holy Virgin, as the beloved spouse of the Holy Ghost; and I consecrate to thee mny heart, with all its affections; obtain for me of the Holy Trinity the graces necessary for my salvation. Hail, Mary, &c. AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF MIARY. O heart of Mary, I offer, I consecrate to thee imy heart; thou shalt ever be the object of my veneration, love, and confidence; I will pay thee my devotions every day; I will celebrate thy feasts with joy; I will proclaim thy greatness and thy goodness without ceasing; I will neglect nio means of obtaining thee the honor and the homage which are due unto thee; I will bring all the thoughts andcl affections of my lheairt into conforamity with thine; and I will make it my duty to 898 DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. imitate thy virtues, especially thy purity and thy humility. Vouchsafe, 0 Mary, to open to me thy heart. and to receive me therein, in union with all thy dear and faithful children. Obtain for me the grace I need to imitate thee, as thou hast imitated Jesus Christ; succor me in all dangers, console me in all afflictions, and teach me how to make a holy use of all the goods and ills of life.' Amen. PRAYER OF ST. GERTRUDE TO TILE SACRED HEART OF MARY. 0 immaculate heart of Mary, I have nothing in myself to offer thee that is worthy of thee; but what thanks ought I not to pay thee, for all the favors which thou lhast obtained for Ine from the heart of Jesus! What reparation ought I not to make thee for all my tepidity in thy service! 1 desire to return thee love for love; the only good that I possess is the sacred heart of Jesus, which thou thyself hast given me. I offer thee this treasure of infinite price; I cannot do more, and thou dost not deserve less at my hands; but, receiving from me this gift most precious in thy sight, be pleased, I beseech thee, to accept my heart, which I here offer to thee, and I shall'be forever blessed. Amen. ~ge Yoth) of Mxtac. (Plenary indulgence on any day, at option, on the usual conditions. Partial indulgence of three hundred days, each time. — PIus VII.) The devotion of the Month of Mary consists in consecrating the month of May to her honor, by perform DEVOTIONS TO I'HE BTLESSED VIRGIN. 899 ht.g every day some particular devotion, prayers, good works, or practices of virtue. No particular form of prayer is needed, but our efforts should tend to imitate the blessed Virgin, by increasing in virtue, piety, and fervor, and especially by an amendment of life and an entire reconciliation to God, if we are so unhappy as to be his enemies by sin. As there is usually a public devotion in the churches, all should endeavor to be present there, or have family devotions for the same object at home. Of the devotions given in this book, many will be appropriate to the month of May. Mie A1fttlt 33eatas or (tro1n of t)~e 3nmxacutate tonetjtlon. (Plenary indulgence once a month, recited daily. Partial, 100l lays. Applicable to the souls in Purfgatory.-Pius IX.) In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the _Hly Ghost. Amen. O God, incline unto may aid: 0 Lord, make haste to help me. 1st. I thank thee, 0 Eternal Father, because by thy power thou didst preserve Mary, thy most blessed Daughter, from the stain of original sin. Then ofn the large beade, say, Our Father; and o the fotre small, Hail Mary; adding each time, Blessed be the pure, holy, and inumaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 2d. I thank thee, 0 Eternal Son, because by thy wisdom thou didst preserve Mary, thy most blessed Mother, from the stain of original sin. Our Father, four Hail Marys, and Blessed, as before. 3d. I thank thee, 0 Holy Ghost Eternal, because by thy love, thou didst preserve Mary, thy most blesed Spouse, from the stain of original sin. Our Father, foyur Hail Marys, and Blessed, cc., as above. Conclude with: Glory be to the Father, ic., in honor of purity of St. Joseph. re3gtions to f9ly )011p Agels. WHEN we remember that the Almighty deputes his angels to guard over us, and that the common opinion is that each one of us has an Angel Guardian specially deputed, it seems ungrateful to God not to show our devotion, reverence, and respect to that prince of the heavenly city, who wards off froml us so many spiritual and temporal dangers, and obtains incessantly for us such priceless graces. Jrapert of tIe Tllnurtb IN HONOR OF THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. O God, who in Thy unspeakable providence, vouchsafest to send Thy angels to keep guard over us; grant unto Thy suppliants that we may be continually defended by thelr protection, and rejoice eternally in their society. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, forever and ever. Amen. PRAYER OF ST. MICHAEL. O God, who didst render blessed Michael, Thy Archangel, victorious over the proud Lucifer, and all the wicked spirits, we beseech Thee, that com DEYvOTIOlNS TO 1IIE HIOLY ANGELS. 901 bating under the Cross, and ever adopting his motto, "Who is like God," we may be victorious over all our enemies, and delivered fiom all lnmpediments, regulate our lives according to Thy will and commandments. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.-i Amen. OF ST. GABRIEL. O God, the lover of the salvation of mankind, who didst commission blessed Gabriel, assisting before Thy throne, to announce to the ever-glorious Virgin, the mystery of Thy blessed Son's becoming nian, we beseech Thee, that recurring to his intercession, we may be succored in all our wants, spiritual and temporal. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Or ST. RAPHAEL. O God, who in Thy ineffable goodness hast ren. dered blessed Raphael the conductor of Thy faithful in their journeys, we humbly implore Thee that we may be conducted by him in the way of salvation, and experience his help in the maladies of our souls. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. k Novena IN HONOR OF THE NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS. To MY GOOD ANGEL GUARDIAN. Most faithful guardian of all that I am! when: I reflect on my ingratitude and your unceasing cares, imy mind is bewildered, and I know not wE'tt to say, but that you are a heavenly intelli7B 9OZ DEVOTIONS TO THE IIOLY ANGELS, gence, a spirit of light and love, and a pritce of the celestial realms-while I am but dust and ashes, a miserable sinner, and the least of men. Great Prince! why do you love me so tenderly a why is there not one moment of my life undistinguished by your favors? What shall I rendel you in return for them? I have nothing to offer, dear Guardian of my heart, except the firm resolution of loving you henceforward with your blessed companions in glory. Present my resolution, together with this Novena, to these holy choirs; it will be better received from you; and tell them, in your angelic manner, how sorry I am for not having always loved them. Tell them how much I wish to see their devotion extended, and that all men should know and love the Holy Angels, for the glory of God alone. It is this God alone, 0 most amiable of friends! that I desire in all things. Amen —Amen-God alone! God alone! the end of all devotion to the glorious Virgin, the Angels, and Saints. Amen. PRAYER TO THIE HOLY ANGELS. 0 pure and happy spirits who'm the Almighty selected to become the angels and guardians of men! I most humbly prostrate before you, to thank you for the charity and zc-al with which you execute this commission. Alas! how many pass a long life, without ever thanking that invisible friend to whom they a thousand times owed its preservation! 0 charitable guardians of those souls for whom Christ died! 0 burning spirits, who cannot avoid loving those whom Jesus eternally loved! permit me to address you on behalf DEVOTIONS TO THE HOLY ANGELS 903 of all those committed to your care, and to imra plore for them-i all' i general a grateful sense of your many favors, and also the grace to profit by your charlitable assistance. O Angel of those happy infants, who as yet " are without spot before God," preserve their innocence, I earnestly conjure you. Angels of youth, who are exposed to so many dangers, conduct them safely to the bosom of God, as Tobias was conducted back to his father. Angels' of those who employ themselves in the instruction of youth i animate them with your zeal and love; teach them to emulate your pnrity and incessant view of God, that they mtay worthily and successfully co-operate with the invisible guardians of their young charge. 0 Angels of the clergy "who have the eternal Gospel to preach to tlhem that sit upon ea'th," present their words, their actions, and their intentions to God, and purify them in that fire of love which consulles you. Angels of infidels whom the true faith has never enlig'htened! intercede for them, that, practising what they know, they may at length discover the hidden secrets of the kingdom of God. 0 Angels of all those who throughout the world are deprived of religious instruction! open for them some source of salvation; raise up some one to break for thenm the bread of the world. And you, 0 Guardian Angels of sinners! charitable guides of those unhappy mortals, whose perseverance in sin would embitter even your unutterable joys, were you not established in the peace of God, oh join me, I ardently beseech you, in imploring their converdion. Angels of all those who at this moment 904: DEVOTIONS TO TIIE HOLY ANGELS, struggle in the agonies of death strengthen, encourage, and defend them against the attacks (f their infernal enemy. 0 faithful Guides! holy spirits! ardent adorers of the Divinity! Guardian Angels of all creatures! protect us allteach us to love to pray, to combat on earth, and rather obtain for us instant death, than permit us to commit one mortal sin. Amen. PROTESTATIONS OF ST. CHARLES BOIROiEmo, TO HIS ANGEL GUARDIAN TO OBTAIN A HAPPY DEATH. I. In the name of the most holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I a wretched and unhappy sinner, protest before thee, 0 beloved Angel Guardian, assigned to me by the Divine Majesty, that I wish to die in that only faith which the holy Roman and Apostolic Church holds and professes, in which all the saints of the new law have died, and out of which there is no salvation. II. I protest also, 0 angel of God, that I wish to depart this life under thy holy guardianship and protection, with a firm hope of obtaining the divine mercy, notwithstanding the multitude and enormity of my sins, secutrely believing that one single slightest drop of the most precious blood of Jesus Christ, abundantly suffices. to wipe away not only my sins, but those of the whole world. III. I likewise protest, 0 holy Angel, that I desire from the bottom of my heart to be a partaker of the merits of Jesus Christ, and of his goodness and clemency, which he refuses to no sinner, however grievous and abominable, on his doing true penance. Would that I had never offended my God, whom I love above all things, and desire to love still more! I grieve from all my heart, and willingly pardon all offences of others against me, and pour every fault of amine into the DEVOTIONS TO THIE IOLY ANGELS. 905 most benignant heart of Jesus, my Redeemer, to be effaced. IV. I also protest, my Guardian, that I beseech the Divine goodness, to vouchsafe to receive me into the number of those, whom from all eternity he has predestined and made heirs of his glory. From my desire, which ravishes me to heaven, I offer not only to bear all evils, to which tihis wretched life is subject, but also to undergo the pains of purgatory to the final day ofjudgPnent, provided I at last attain, through God's infinite mercy, eternal beatitude. V. I finally protest, 0 most faithful Guardian, that I make thee executor, of my last will. Obtain three graces for me of God: first, that I may not depart this life without being duly fortified with all the sacraments of the Church. Second, that of the many tearful sighs which Jesus Christ heaved, during the three hours on the cross, I may obtain at least one, by virtue and efficacy of which I may mitigate the tearful sobs and groans of my heart, and that the most sweet mother of Jesus may vouchsafe me one of those looks which, beneath the cross, she directed to the face of her most beloved Son, when struggling with death; thus receiving me into the number of those, who, by'her maternal. patronage, will obtain eternal salvation in the day of judgment. The third grace is, that thou, 0 my most faithful Guardian, shouldst succor me chiefly in that hour when my soul shall be severed from my body, and propitiate my Judge, whose paternal breast was inflained on the crosb with the fire of the most ardent charity for the salvation of sinners. 0 nmost merciful Guardian, keep my soul confided to thee alone, and when it issues from the prison of the body, deliver it into the -lands of its Creator and Redeemer, that with thee and all the saint:i, it may clearly see him in the joys of heaven, love him perfectly, and enjoy him fully' to all eternity. Amen, As the Saints in heaven are constantly interceding for us, we cannot in our endeavor to efibect our own salvation, neglect to implore their assistance, and obtain through them graces, not knowing what great and signal favors God, in his providence, has determined to grant us, througLh them. But while we imlplore the Blessed Virgin Ilmmaculate, the Choirs of Angels, the multitude of Saints to intercede for us, we cannot but feel especial devotion to the Saint whose name was given us in B3aptism, or whom we have 6cosen as our patron. To him our hearts will often rise, and as in life he would not have disdained to hell) us, heaven surely has not made hi hheartless and unfeeling. As the number of Saints, whose public venertation the Church permits, is great, we cannot here give any I mlt general and more wide spread devotions. fHYMn OF TIHE CIIURC TO ALL THE AINTSl. Saletis ceter'nce dator. Giver of life, eternal Lord! Thy own redeem'd d(efend; Mother of Grace! thy children save, And help them to the end. Ye thousand thousand Angel hosts 1 Assist us in our need; DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. 907 Ye Patriarchs! with the Prophet Choir! For our forgiveness plead. Herald of Christ! an(d thou'who still Dost heaven's dread keys retain! Ye glorious Apostles all! Unloose our guilty chain. Army of Martyrs! holy Priests In beauteous array! Ye happy troops of Virgins chaste; Wash all our sills away. All ye who high above the stars In heavenly glory reign! May we, through your blest prayers, the gifts Of endless life obtain. Praise, honor, to the Father be, Praise to his only Son; Praise to the Spirit Paraclete, While ceaseless ages rnn. ANTIPRHON. 0 ye Allgels, Archangels, Thrones and Dominations, Principalities and Powers; ye Virtues of the heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim; 0 ye Patriarchs and Prophets, holy Doctors of the Law; Apostles; 0 all ye Martyrs of Christ, holy Confessors, Virgins of the Lord, Hermits, and all ye Saints, intercede for us. Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, 0 almighty God, that the intercession of holy Mary, Mother of God, of all the holy apostles, martyrs, confessors, and virgins, and of all Thy elect, nlay cause us everyvhere to rejoice; that while we celebrate their nerits, we may experience their patronage. Throutgh Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and 908 DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. A PRA.ER TO OUR IOLY PATRON OF BAPTIM. Glorious Saint, whose namxe I bear, who wast given to me in baptism as a protector and a pattern, and who although secure of thy own immortal bliss, art nevertheless solicitous about my happiness; assist -me by thy powerful intercession as those instructed by the exawiples of thy holy life. For there Ican truly behold, as in a bright imirror, what I am to practice, and what in me needs amendment. Thou hlast been like me, subject to suffeling, enlc >mpassed with infirmities, assaulted with temptations; hut being rooted and founded in charity, thou hast spurned the rage and persecutions of tle world, d( spised its allurements, and triumphed over its malignity. Obtai:n by thy prayers that I may be endued with thy spirit., and become a fotllower of thee, as thou bast been of Christ. Draw me, that I may run after thee in the odor of thy ointiments, that is, of thy virtues. On the day on which I was buried together with Christ by baptism unto death, thou wast given me for a witness, and a guardian of my engagements~ I beseech thee, therefore, that thou assist me in thy;prayers for me to God, that I may hold fast the confession of my hope without wavering, and that laborino' to make sure mv vocation and election by good works, I may pursue towards the mark for the prize'f the celestial vocation of God in Christ Jesus. DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. 909 NovENA TO A PATRON SAINT. I. My most loving Saint, behold me kneeling at thy feet, beseeching thee with all the affection of my heart to grant me thy special protection, particularly when in danger of offending God. 0 my dear.and holy advocate, remember Ime before the throne of the most holy Trinity, and obtain for me fioml the infinite goodness of God, the virtues of humility, purity, obedience, and the grace to fulfil exactly the duties of my state. Our Father, Hail Mary' Glory. II. 0 my dear Saint -, I renew to the Lord, thlough thee, the holy resolutions which I have' erequently made of intending to love and serve Hill faithfully. I am resolved to detach myself from. every earthly thing, and I desire ardently to anite myself to tlim, as my first beginning, last end, and sovereign good. My dear Saint —, I beseech thee to offer to the most holy Trinity the sacrifice of my whole being, particularly of my judgment and will, in order to conform fully to God most holy, becanse I desire nothing else besides His grace and His holy love. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory. III. My sweet and holy Protector (Protectress), -, behold me again full of love for thee and full of confidence, beseeching thee to cast thyself on thy knees before the throne of the most holy Trinity, and entreat most ardently that God, through His infinite goodness, may grapt me the grace to fly sin, and the gift of final perseverance. Thou knowest, 0 my dear Saint —, how great are the temptations to which man is subject, and 010 DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS, how continual are the perils I run of being lost; do thou assist me with thy efficacious prtyers. Our Father, iHail Mary, Glory. SUPPLICATION TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY. Alost holy, most august, most amiable and divine Trinity, I fall prostrate before the throne of Thy imlmense majesty, and full of the sweetest confidence, I present to Thee the merits of this, Tlhy servant, and those, moreover, of holy Mary, whom Thou hast given me as a most loving Mother, Queen, and Advocate. Therefore, I beseech Thee, in view of their merits, be pleased to grant me the graces which I particularly desire.... O Lord, I hope in Thee, let me not be confounded. Grant my prayer, 0 Lord, and have pity oa me. If the Saint be a man. Ant. Well done, thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. V. The' Lord led the just man through right paths, R. And showed him the kingdom of God. Let us pray. May the intercession of the blessed —, we beseech Thee, O Lord, commend us to Thee; that what we cannot obtain by our own merits, we may receive by his patronage; through our Lord. If the Saint be a wonan. Ant. Come, spouse of Christ, and receive the ciown which the Lord hath prepared for thee from all eternity. DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. 911 V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty, R. Gc forth, proceed prosperously, and reign. Let us pray. Graciously hear us, 0 God our Saviour, that as we rejoice in the festivity of Thy blessed-, %o, also, we may be instructed in the affection of a true devotion; through our Lord, &c. A NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPI. 0 glorious descendant of the kings of Juda! inberitor of the virtues of all the patriarchs! just and happy St. Joseph! listen to my prayer. Thou art my glorious protector, and shalt ever be, after Jesus and Mary, the object of my most profound veneration and tender confidence. Thou art the most hiddcln, though the3 greatest saint, and art peculiarly the patron of those who serve God with the greatest purity and fervor. In union with all those who have ever been most devoted to thee, I now dedicate myself to thy service; beseeching thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who vouchsafed to love and obey thee as a son, to become a father to me; and to obtain for me the filial respect, confidence, and love of a child towards thee. 0 powerful advocate of all Christians! whose intercession, as St. Teresa assures us, has never been found to fil, deign to intercede for me now, and to implore for me the particular intention of, this Novena. (Specify it.) Present me, O great Saint, to the adorable Trinity, with whom thou hadst so glorious and so intimate a correspondence. Obtain that I may Ri2 DEVOTIONS TO ThE SA1NT, uever efface by sin the sacred image according to the likeness cLfwhich I was created. Beg for me, that my divine Redeemer would enkindle in my heart, and in all hlearts,, the fire of HIis love, and infuse therein the virtue of His adorable infancy, His purity, simplicity, obedience, and humility. Obtain for me likewise a Iively devotion to thy Virgin Spouse, and protect me so powerfully in life and death, that I may have the happiness of dying as thou diclst, in the fiiendship of my Creator, and under the immediate protection of the Mother of God, PRAYER TO ST. JosEPH. O holy St. Joseph, who didst calmly breathe forth thy pious soul in the company of Jesus and Mary, r'emember that moment so atwful for me, and be mlly helper and protector, 0 blessed St. Joseph! when I bid an eternal farewell to this land of exile. Amen. PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. O Mary! watch the hour when my departing soul shall lose its hold on all earthly things, and stand unveiled in the presence of its Creator. Oh. then be my tender Mother, and place the merits of thy adorable Son Jesus in the scales of Justice in. my behalf. Amen. A PRAYER TO ST. AuGUSTINE. O( glorious St. Augustine! the ligoht and oracle of the facithful, I mlost fervently join with the whole Church of Christ in thanking the Almighty for having chosen thee to become a peculiar object of His love, and an everlasting mo-nument of DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. 913 IIis tender mnercies. Illustrious penitent! thy admirable conversion proves to the whole world, that no crimes are too greet for the God of all mercies to pardon-no hearlt too corrupt for His love to purify-and no obstacle too strong for His grace to overcome. Penetrated with veneration for thy virtues, I choose thee for my father, my protector, and my advocate. I most humbly beseech thee to have compassion on my youth, and to protect me in those dangers which thou well knowest are attendant on my inexperienced age. O blessed victim of charity! obtain that I may seriously consecrate my heart to my Creator, and faithfully observe that great commandment of charity so deeply engraven on thy heart. Thou wast the son of thy mother's precious tears, the conquest of her prayers, and afterwards the faithful imitator of her virtues; obtain for me the most profound respect and tender affection for my parents, gratitude for their care, and the grace to profit by the advantages which their solicitude for my eternal welfare has provided for me. I recommend to thee, in a particular manner, 0 great saint! all those unhappy souls who are in the dreadful state of mortal sin, and conjure thee by the unceasing tears thou didst shed over thine own wanderings, to procure'for them the grace of conversion, and to obtain for me such horror of sin, that I may avoid it as the only real evil, and thereby Rerit to behold for all eternity that increated beauty, who was too long hidden from thy view, and eternally love that infinite goodness, whom thou didst bitterly regret having loved too late. Amen. 914 DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS, A NOVENA TO ST. PATRICK. 0 blessed Apostle of Ireland! glorious St. Pat. rick! who didst become the father and benefactor of that land long before my birth; receive my prayers, and accept the sentiments of gratitude and veneration with which my heart is filled towards thee. Thou wast the channel of the greatest graces; deign then to become also the channel of my grateful thanksgiving to God for having granted, through thee, that precious gift of faith, which is dearer to us than life. O most blessed father and patron of that country! do not, I beseech thee, despise my weakness. Remember that the cries of little children were the mysteri. ous invitation that thou didst receive to go thither Listen, then, to my most humble supplications; I unite them to the praises and blessings which will ever follow thy name and thy memory throughout the Irish church; I unite them to the prayers of the multitude of our ancestors, who now enjoy eternal bliss, and owe their salvation, under God, to thy zeal and charity. They will eternally share thy glory, because they listened to thy word, and followed thy example. Ah i since I am descended from saints, may I blush to differ fromr them; may I begin from this moment to love God with all my heart, and serve Htim with all my strength. For this end I most humbly beg thy blessing, O great St. Patrick! and thy particular intercession, for obtaining whatever grace thou seest to be most necessary for me, and also the particular intentions of this Novena. (Name ther,,.) DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. 915 0 charitable Shepherd of the Irish flock! who wouldst have laid down a thousand lives to save one soul, take my soul, and the souls of all Christians, under thy special care, and preserve us from the dreadful misfortune of sin. Thy zealous' preaching provided us the blessings of religious instructions which we now enjoy; obtain that none of us may receive them in vain. Thou didst teach our ancestors how to connect the pursuit of virtue with that of science; deign'also to take me under thy protection, and to obtain for me the grace to sanctify my life by a pure motive of pleasing God. I most humbly recommend to thee that nation, which was so dear to thee while on earth. Protect it still; and above all, obtain for its pastors, particularly those who instruct us, the grace to walk in thy footsteps, that they may share in thy eternal bliss. A PRAYER TO ST. ANGELA, Foum)RESS Ct THIE UnSULIhM ORDER. Most blessed St. Angela! who art now in possession of that eternal crown which is promised to those who instruct others unto justice, permit me to have recourse to thee, as to my glorious Patroness, and to choose thee for my special Advocate before the tlihrone of God. In union with all those happy souls, who, under God, are indebted to thee for the glory they now enjoy in heaven, I thank God for having raised thee up, to provide for millions the great blessings of religious instruction. How grateful should I be for the happiness of being ranked among the number who now enjoy the fruits of thy charity and zeal. 0 916 DEVOTIONS TO TIIE SAINTS. glorious Patroness and Mother of the weakest portion of Christ's flock! do not abandon thy charge, now that thou seest more clearly than ever the dangers to which youth are exposed. I entreat of thee, by that lively zeal for God's glory, which caused thee to devote thy life to the instruction of the ignorant, to take me as thy child, and to obtain for me the grace to profit by the blessings which the Almighty has bestowed on me through thee. Procure for me by thy prayers a docile heart-a lively horror of sin —sincere love of God and my neighbor-and so great a share in that tender compassion for the poor which distinguished thee, that I may never neglect an opportunity of affording them any spiritual or corporal assistance in my power. Teach me, by thy example, to practice works of mercy, that like thee I may find mercy, and join thee for all eternity in praising and blessing that good God, who has exempted me from the miseries suffered by many of my more deserving fellow-creatures. Amen. NOVENA, ORI DEVOTIONS OF TEN FrIDAYS IN HONOR OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER. Glorious Apostle of the Indies! St. Francis Xavier, I come with humble confidence to implore thy protection this day, and beg thee to stand as my intercessor, at the throne of the Father of mercies. Thou hast ever been so zealous for souls, so charitable to assist them in every need; thou still daily givest such signal marks of the power which thou enjoyest in heaven; do not, 0 great Saint, refuse the same zeal and charity to me: mav thy fitvot with the Most High avail to obtain DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. 917 for me the grace which I beg of Him in this No vena which I perform in thy honor. Thou didst go to the ends of the earth to serve barbarians and enemies of the faith; and now a child of the Church comes to thee, who honors thee, who blesses God with his whole Iheart for tile graces He showered on thee; who chooses thee as his protector, and who invokes thee with unwavering trust. Canst thou be less zealous and less powerful this day than thou wast then? Those who invoke thee, daily experience the happy effects of thy zeal and power; shall I alone be excluded from thy tender and compassionate charity? No, my beloved protector, thou wilt not refuse me; my confidence in thee is too great not to believe that thou wilt hear my prayer, that thou wilt intercede for me, tha't I may obtain the grace which I ask for thy greater glory. A PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS OF AssISIISm. 0 seraphical, and most blessed Father; imitator and ensign-bearer of the most sweet Jesus crucified, who hlath ordained thee, amongst other of His saints, with special privilege of love and honor, for He hath filled thy soul with the light of love, and in thy body HIe hath renewed His most holy wounds; I beseech thee by the love of our most benign Jesus, that thou be always and in every place my helper, fat'her, and keeper, and advocate with our Lord, -both in life and death. 0 beloved of God, I do also humbly and earnestly entreat thee, to obtain for me of our Lord Jesus Christ, compunction and remission of my sirs. Entreat also our most benign Lord, that 918 ]DEVOTIONS TO THE S. INTSo by Hrs melcy and piety, He may cause me to know Him, to love Him, to desire Him above all things, and to serve Him all the days of my life. 0 most glorious Francis, confessor of God, intercede for me, that our Lord by His mercy and charity may fill my soul with those graces wherewith He replenished thine, that I may be a light to others, and example of doing well. Most loving father, I entreat thee, by the love of the blessed Mother of God, unto whom thou hadst great devotion, that I also may reverence her, and may ever have special devotion unto her. I do also humbly beseech thee by the said devotion, that thou assist me when my soul departs from my body, and pray for me that our Lord by His holy'mercy, and by the merits of His holy passion, by the love and merits of His most holy Mother, and by thy merits, and the merits of all the saints of thy Order, may bring my soul to paradise, with thee and all the saints in glory. Amen. DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. 919 BerhtiQtof to 0I. 2109Uoiu. (Plenary Indulgence on his feast, on receiving and visiting his 5tatue or picture. Plenary indulgence for the devotion of six Sundays before his feast, or at any other time.-BENEDICT XIII., CLEEXNT XII., BENEDICT XIV., and PIUs VIi.) DEVOTIONS OF THIE SIX SUNDAYS. No particular prayers are prescribed for this devotion, but a plenary indulgence is gained each Sunday, by receiving as usual, and meditating, praying, or performing any other act of piety in honor of the saint. PRAYER TO ST. A;OYSIUS. (Indulgence of one hundred days to he gained once a day.) 0 Saint Aloysius, adorned with angelical manners, although I am thy unworthy servant, I recolmmend to thee in an especial manner the chastity of my soul and body; I conjure thee, by thy angelical purity, to commend me to Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb, and to His most holy Mother, the Virgin of virgins. Preserve me firom every grievous sin; never suffer me to sully my soul with any impurity; whenever thou seest me in temptation or danger of sin, ward off from me every impure thought and affection, and awakening in me the remembrance of eternity and of Jesus crucified, imprint deeply in my heart the sentiment of the fear of God. Inflame me with divine love, in order that by imitaling thee on earth, I may merit to enjoy God w th thee in heaven. Amen. Our Father, Tlail Mary, 920 DEVOTIONS TO THE SA.INTS. THm DLvour CLIENT's ADDRESS TO ST. ALOYSIUS. Angelical youth, Aloysius, by the particular ap pointment of God's vicar upon earth, patron of those who apply to studies: thou who hast illustrated the Church by a holy contempt of an earthly principality, but more by the innocence of thy manners, sanctity of thy life, and glory-of thy miracles, allow me, from this day, to choose and adopt thee, patron and protector of my life and studies, firmly resolved to follow the example and pattern, as well of piety as of industry, thou hast put; before me. For the love thou hadst for Christ crucified, and His most blessed Mother, receive me as thy client and obedient servant/; aid and assist me in the pursuit of virtue and learning; nourish and increase in me a purity of body and mind; turn off the snares laid against my chastity; ward and defend me against the dangers of the world; inspire my heart with a true and filial confidence in the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of good counsel; govern and direct me in my choice of a state of life, and let the grace of God be my perpetual defence against all mortal sinl: that as thou always livedst in a purity and integrity truly angelical, so assisted by thy patronage, and aided by the grace of God, I may live chastely and holily in this world, and deserve to be associated with thee and joined to the company of the angels in heaven. Amen. Recite six Paters and Aves, with the Gloria Patri. DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. 921 jhtaedrs for te Iuse of the.Socfetj of St. Ffnce1nt of a1aul. At the opening of the Sitting. In the name of the Father, &c. Come, 0 Holy Ghost, replenish the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of thy love. V. Send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created. A. And thou wilt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, who by the light of the Holy Ghost, didst instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may ever be truly wise, and rejoice in his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. P. St. Vincent de Paul. R. Pray for us. In the name of the Father, &c. T27e Closing Prayer8. In the name of the Father, &c. P. St. Vincent de Paul. B. Pray for us. Let us pray. O most loving Jesus, who didst raise up blessed Vincent in thy Church as an Apostle, of thy most ardent charity impart to us, we beseech thee, the' same fervent and holy spirit, that for love of thee we may cheerfully de. vote our goods and our lives to the service of the poor. Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest world without end.. Amen. FORe BENSEFAOTORS. Most tender Jesus, who hast promised a hundred-fold, with a heavenly kingdom, to those who do works of mercy in thy name, vouchsafe to bestow upon the beneaectc rs of 4ll- poor the inestimable treasures of thy grace. 9o2 DEVOTIONS TO THE SAINTS. R. Amen. We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in ouvr necessities, but deliver us from all dalngers, 0) ever glorious and blessed Virgin. I. Amen. Mlay the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. In the name of the Father, &c. A PRAYER FOR THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. We give thee thanks, O Lord, for the great and manifold blessings, which, in thy bounty, thou hast hitherto conferred upon the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Continue, we most humbly beseech thee, to regard with the same eye of mercy the various branches of this dear brotherhood, and in particular, that of whliCh we are members. Grant thllt in all places it may flourish and extend, ever:i thfully preserving its primitive spirit of piety, simplicity, and brotherly love, and that, being entirely divested of all worldly interest and passion, its works may become daily more fruitful for heaven. Thou knowest thyself; 0 Lord, how manifold are the wants, both spiritual and temporal, of the poor families we endeavor to relieve, as well as the greatness of our own wants; have pity on them, 0 Lord, and let us all experience alike the effects of thy infinite mercy. To such of our brethren also as are now suffering under affliction, vouchsafe, 0 merciful Father, thy gracious assistance: give them fortitude, prudence, peace, and confidence; mercifully grant that we and they may patiently bear our sufferings for Christ's sake, that the offering we make of them may be acceptable to thee, and contribute to our salvation. Lastly, 0 Lord, we fervently implore of thee, through'the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the special intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary and St. Vincent, that at our departure from this world all that are bound to us by the ties of kindred or friendship, the poor intruste I to our charge, and all the dear brethren of our Society, may with us be made partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Veni Creator. De Profundis. / e~pPt St0B i ( a FOR artirtlt r $mul 0lbt firrun lnwltm tq. FOR OUR HOi Y FAT#I..R THE POPE. O ALMIGSHTY, eternal God, dignity of the priesthood, and author of royalty, bestow on Thy servant ~ our Pontiff, grace to govern Thy Church with fruit, in order that, constituted and crowned by Thy mercy, Father of kings and Guide of all the faithful, all things by the help of Thy providence may be duly governed: through Jesus Christ our Lord. FOR THE POPE. O God, the Pastor and Governor of all the faithful, mercifully look upon Thy servant N., whom Thou hast been pleased to appoint the pastor of Thy Church; grant, we beseech Thee, that both by word and example he may edify those over whom he is set; and, together with the flock committed to his care, may attain everlasting life: through, &c. 024 DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR FOR TIEIB WHOLE CHUTTRCI,. RECITED ETERY SATURDAY A ST. PETER's, ROmE. In Thy mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord; ]oose the bands of our sins, and through the interce& sion of the Blessed and ever Virgin Mary, Mothei of God, with Thy blessedl apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, guard us Thy servants and out homes in all sanctity; cleanse from vice and adorn with virtue all that are bound to us by the ties of blood, of kindred, or of fi'iendship; givc us health and peace; remove all visible and invisible enemies; grant healthy air; give charity to our friends and enemies. Guard Thy city; preserve our pontiff; defend all prelates, princes, and the whole Christian people from all adversity. May Thy blessing be ever upon us, and to all the faithful departed grant eternal rest: through Christ our Lord. For BISIIOPS, AND TIIE PEOPLE COMMITTED TO THEM. Almighty and everlasting God, who alone doest great marvels, send down upon Thy servants, the Bishops of Thy Church [especially N. our Bishop], and all the congregations committed unto them, the spirit of Thy saving grace; and that they may truly please Thee, pour upon them the continual dew of Thy blessing: Through. FOR ALL DEGREES OF MEN IN THE CHURCH. Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed: mercifully hear our humble supplications for all degrees and orders therein; that by the gift of Thy grace, all, in their several stations, may faithfully serve Thee: Through, SEASONS AND CIRCUMSTAiSCES. 925 FoIn HERETICS AND SCHISIMATICS. Almighty and eternal God,, who savest all, and wilt have none to perishl, have regard to those souls who are led astray by the deceits of the devil, that rejecting all errors, the hearts of those who err may be converted, and may return to the unity of Thy truth: through Christ our Lord. Amen. A PRAYER FOR ALL WANDERERS FROM THE TRUTH. (By His Eminence, Cardinal Wiseman.) 0 God, who hlast given Thy only-begotten Son as a sacrifice of propitiation for the salvation of the world, that being exalted above the earth, He might draw to Himself the hearts of all men; and who dost not wish that any should perish, but dost earnestly desire that all should be saved; we humbly beseech Thee that, by the wounds and most precious blood of that beloved Son, Thou wouldst graciously look upon all men in all parts of the world, whom the subtilty of error has deceived, or the darkness of ignorance has blinded, and lead them back into the way of truth and salvation. Remember, O Lord, that they are Thy creatures: despise not therefore the work of Thy hands. Regard the tears of Thy Church, the spouse of Thy Son; hear the groans of Thy servants; and grant that all heresies and schisms being done away, we may enjoy perpetual peace and concord. Grant that all nations, joined in unity of faith, and perfect charity, under the govern ment of Peter, may be brought to the pastures o) eternal life; and let there be through the whole world, one fold and one shepherd. So I e it, so be it. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Ts 926 DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, FOR THE CONVERSION OF ALL UNBELIEVERS. O God i Eternal Miaker of all things, remember that the souls of the unbelievers were created by Thee and formed to Thy image and likeness. B)ehold, Lord I to Thy dishonor hell is filled with them. Rlemember that Jesus, Thy Son, suffered for their salvation a mrost cruel death. Let the heathen no longer, O Lord, I implore Thee, despise Thy Son. But appeased by the prayers o, r'hy Saints and of Thy Church, the most holy spouse of Thy Son, and forgetful of their idolatry and unbelief, grant that they too may at last acn knowledge our Lord Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent, who is our salvation, life, and resurrec. tion, by whom we have been saved and redeemed. To whom be glory through ages of ages without end. Amen. SEASOLS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 927 ~1je iveen ~lcnitentinill tsalmtts. TEE ANTIPIHON.. Remember not, 0 Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents, neither take thou vengeance of our lns. PSALM vi. -Domine, infu'rorse. She prayer of a penitent sinner under the scourge of God. 0 Lord, rebuke me not in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy wrath. Have mercy on me, 0 Lord, for I am weak: heal me, 0 Lord, for my bones are troubled. And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but thou, 0 Lord, how long? Turn to me, 0 Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercy's sake. yI For there is no one in death that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell? I have labored in my groanings, every night I will wash lly bed: I will water my couch with my tears. My eye is troubled through indignation: I hatve grown old amongst all my enemies.Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed, and be very much troubled: let them be turned back, and be ashamed very speedily. PSALIM XXXi. Beati quo'unZ. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 92 8 DEVOTIONS OR1 PARTICULAR Because I was silent, my bones grew old; -whilst l cried out all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I %mr turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened. I have acknoxvledged my sin to thee, and my injustice I have not concealed. I said, I will confess against myself my injustice to tlie Lord: and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin, For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy, deliver me from them that surround me. I will give thee undlerstanding, and I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: I will fix my eyes upon thee. Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee. Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart. PSAL.M xxxvii. Donline, ne inlfurore. A prayer of a penitent for the?1emitsion of his sins. Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath. For thy arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon me. "There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins. For my iniquities are gone over my head: and aa a heavy burden are become heavy upon me. Ty sores are putrified and corrupted, because of my foolishness. I amr become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end; 1 walked sorro hNill all the day long. SEASONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 929 For my loins are filled with illusions; and there is nG health in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hidden front thee. MIy heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with me. My friends and my neighbors have drawn near, and stood against me. And they that were near me stood afar off: and they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth. And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth. For in thee, 0 Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, 0 Lord my God. For I said: lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me. For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare my iniquity: and I will think for my sin. But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They that render evil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness. Forsake me not, 0 Lord my God: do not thou depart from me. Attend unto my help, 0 Lord, the God of my salva. tion. PsALM 1. Miserere. Tie repentance and confession of David after his sin. Harve mercy on me, 0 God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iliquity: 930 DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me frEom mly sin. For I, know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. To thee only have I sinned, ald have done evil before thee: that thou mayest be justified in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou art judged. For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me. For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansedc: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness; and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 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 thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee. Deliver rne from blood, 0 God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice. 0 Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt-offerings thou wilt not be delighted. A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise. Deal favorably, 0 Lord, in thy good-will with Sion;,,,hat the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt-offerings: then shall they lay cailves upon thy altar. SEASONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 931 PSALM ci. Dom1ine, exaudi. A prayer for one in affliction. Hear, 0 Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to thee. Trnm not away thy face from me: in the day when I am in troutle, incline thy ear'unto me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee: hear me speedily. For my days are vanished like smeke: and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire. I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: because I forgot to eat my bread. Through the voice of my groaning: my bone hath cleaved to my flesh. I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: I am like a night-raven in the house. I have watched: and am become as a sparrow all alone on the house-top. All the day long my enemies reproach me: and they that praised me did swear against me. For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. Because of thy anger and indignation: for having lifted me up thou hast thrown me down. My days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. But thou, O0Lord, endurest forever: and thy memorial to all generations. Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion; for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come. For the stones thereof have pleased thy servants, and they shall have pity on the earth thereof. And the gentiles shall fear thy name, 0 Lord! and all the kings of the earth, thy glory. For the Lord hath built up Sion; and he shall be seen in his glory. He hath had regard to the prayers of the humble; and he hath not despised their petition. Let these things be written unto another generation; and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord. *32 DEVOTIONS FOR P iRTICIOUJLAR BE —a;lse he hath looked forth fromn his high sanctuary; from heaven, the Lord hath looked up( n the earth. That he might Lear the groans of them that ale in fetters; that he might release the children of the slain: That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion, and his praise in Jerusalem. When the people assembled together and kings, to serve the Lord. ie answered him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days. CJall me not away in the midst of my days; thy years are unto generation, and generation. In the beginning, 0 Lord, thou foundedst the earth; and the heavens are the works of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou remainest; all of them shall grow old like a garment. And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art always the self-same, and thy years shall not fail. The children of thy servants shall continue; and their seed shall be directed forever. PsALM cxxix. De profundis. A prayer of a ainner trusting in the meroaes of God. Out of the depths I have cried to thee, 0 Lord! Lord! hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, 0 Lord! wilt mark iniquities, Lord! who shall stand it? For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law I have waited for thee, 0 Lord! My soul hath relied on his word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because wvith the Lord there is mercy; and with him, plentiful redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all lis iniquities. SEASONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 988 PSALM cxlii. Domine, exaudi.'he psalmist in tribulation calleth 2upon God for his delivery. HTear, 0 Lord! my player, give ear to my supplication in thy truth; hear me in thy justice. And enter not into judgment with thy seivant: for In thy sight no man living shall be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old: and my spirit is in. anguish wi-thin me: my heart within me is troubled. I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands. I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee. Hear me speedily, 0 Lord: my spirit hath fainfted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go dlown into the pit. Cause me to hear thy miercy in the morning; for in thee have I hoped. Make the way known to me wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee. Deliver me fiom my enemies, 0 Lord, to thee have I fled: teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land: for thy lname's sake, 0 Lord, thou. wilt quickenu me iia thy justice. Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble: and in thy mercy thou wilt destroy my enemies. And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul. for I am thy servant. ECie rEtrb o-f %t. Rtjbanasils. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is neces7sary that he hold the Catholic faith. Which faith, except every one do keep entire and inviolate, with )ut doubt he shall perish everlastingly. 9-34 DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR Now the Catholic faith is this; that we worship cas God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. The. Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal. As also they are not three uncreateds, nor three incomprehensibles; but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible. In like manner the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Ghost almighty. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty. So the Father is God, the Son God, and the Holy Ghost God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. So likewise the Father-is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Ghost is Lord. And yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every person by himself to be God and Lordl: So we are forbidden by the Catholic religion, to say there are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is from the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is from the Father and the Son, not made, nor create 1, nor begotten, but proceeding. 69* SEASONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 935 So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, n )t three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity, there is nothing before or after, nothin-g greater or less; but the whole three Persons are eo-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity is to( be worshipped in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity. He, therefore, that will be saved, must thus think of the Trinity. Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation, that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the right faith is, that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and man. He is God of the substance of his Father, begotten. before the world; and he is man of the substance of his Mother, born in the world: Perfect God and perfect man; of reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father according to his Godhead; and less than thle Father according to his manhood. Who, although he be both God and man, yet he i; not two, but one Christ: One, not by the conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by the taking of the manhood unto God: One altogether, not by confusion of substance, bull by unity of person. For as the reasonable soul and the flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ. Who suff ~red for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven; he sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies, and shall give an account of their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully and steadfastly, he cannot be saved. Glory, &c. DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR E Enibersal taevt, FOR ALL TIINGS NECESSARY TO SALVATION. 0 my God, I believe in thee; do thou strengthen mn faith. All my hopes are in thee; do thou secure them I love thee; teach me to love thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended thee; do thou increase my sorrow. I adore thee as my first beginning; I aspire after thee as my last end. I give thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon thee as my sovereign pro tector. Vouchsafe, 0 my God, to conduct me by thy wisdom, to restrain me by thy justice, to comfort me byv thy mercy, to defend me by thy power. To thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think only of thee, speak of thee, refer all my actions to thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whtatever thou shalt appoint. Lord, I desire that in all things thy wilH may be done, because it is thy will, and in the manner that thou wiliest. I beg of thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, a* d to sanctify my soul. Give me strength, 0 my God, to expiate my offences, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state. Fill my heart with tender affection for thy goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world. Let me always remember to be submissive to my superiors, condescending to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies. Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion. 0 my God, make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient.in affliction, and humble In prosperity. SEASONS AND CIRCUMISTANCES. 931 Grant that I may be ever attentive at my prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, ncld constant in my resolutions. Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my comportment regular. Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome nature, to correspond with thy grace, to keep thy commandclments, and to work out my salvation. Discover to me, 0 my God, the nothingness of this world, the greatness of heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity. Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear thy judgments, escape hell, and in the end obtain heaven; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen. SOLOMON'S PRAYER FOR WISDOMI. God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word, and by thy wisdom least appointed man that he should have dominion over the creature that was made by thee; that he should order the world according to equity and justice, and execute justice with an upright heart; give me wisdom that sittetll by thy throne, and cast me not off from among thy children; for I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid, a weak man, and of short time, and falling short of the understanding of judgment and laws; for if one be perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded. Send her out of thy holy heaven, and from the throne of thy majesty, that she may be with me, and may labor with me, that I may know what is acceptable with thee; for she knoweth and understandeth all things, and shall lead me soberly in my works, and shall preserve me by her power: for who among men is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of God is?' For the thoughts of mortal men are fearful, and our counsels uncertain. For the corruptible body is a load upon the soul, and the e'rthly habitation presseth down the mind that 938 DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR museth upon many things. And hardly do we guess aright at tiings that are upon the earth: and with labor do we find the things that are before us. But the things that are in heaven, who shall search cut? And who shall know thy thought, except thou give wisdom, and send thy holy Spirit from above? PRAYER OF MANASSES. 0 Lord, Almighty God of our fathers! who hast made heaven and earth, with all the ornaments thereof; who hast set bounds to the sea by the word of thy commandment; whom all men fear, and before whose power all men tremnbl, for thine angry threatening toward sinners cannot be borne; but thy merciful promise is unsearchable. Throu. 0 Lord! according to thy great goodness, lhast prormised forgiveness to them that have sinned against thee, and, of thine infinite mercies, hast appointed repentance unto sinners, that they may be saved. Behold, 0 Lord! my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to look up to heaven, for I have'provoked thy \wrath, and done evil before thee: I have not done thy will, neither kept thy commandments. Now, therefore, I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. I have sinned, 0 Lord, and acknowledge mine iniquity, wherefore I humbly beseech thee to forgive me. Be not angry with me forever, by reserving evil for me, neither condemn me to the lower parts of the earth; for thou art the God of them that repent; and in me thou wilt show all thy goodness. Surely thou wilt save me, though I am unworthy, according to thy great mercy. Therefore I will praise thee forever, all the days of my life, as all the powers of heaven do praise thee, for thine is the glory forever and ever. Amen. UNDEtR TEMPTATIONS. Lord! thy enemies and mine have risen up against ime; they seek my soul to destroy it, and use their ut, most efforts to drag it into the bottomless pit. I there. fore cast myself at thy feet to implore thy succor. SEASONS AND CIRCUMSIANCES. 939 Ah! suffer not that soul which thou hlast redeemed at the price of thy blood to become their prey. Be thou my protector and my refuge; receive me illto thy arms, atld shield me froml their rage: confound their devices; destroy their power; disappoint their malice. Thy glory, 0 my Saviour! is concerned in not suffering those tlhat belong to thee to fall into the hands of thy enenies. Support me, therefore, I beseech thee, in the severe conflicts I have to sustain against them, and make me Nictorious over all their efforts. Amen. ~eboutt ara!mrs of E11tonrae a &entlfo. A PRAYER TO I3MPLORE THE GRACEl OF DEVOTION. 0 Lord, mly God, thou art all my good, anclwho am I that I slhould dare speak to thee. I am thy most poor servantt, and a wretched little worm, much more poorl and contemptible than I can conceive or dare express. Yet remember, 0 Lord, I am nothing, I have nothing, and can do nothing. Thou alone art good, just, andl holy; thou canst do all things' thou givest all thlilngs; thou fillest all things, leaving only the sinner empty. Relemember thy tender mercies, and fill my heart writh thy grace, thon who wilt not have thy works to le empty. How can I support myself in this wretched life, unless thy mercy and grace strengthen me? T'1urn not thy face from me; delay not thy visitation; withdraw not thy comfort, lest my soul become as earth Nwithout water unto thee. 0 Lord, teach me to do thy will, teach me to converse worthily and humbly in thy sight, for thou art my Wisdom, who knowest me in truth, and didst know me before the world was made, and before I was born in the world. A PRAYER FOR ENLIGHITENING THE MIND. Enlighten me, 0 good Jesus, with the brightness of internal light, and cast out all darkness from the dwelling of my heart. Restrain my many wandering thoughts, and suppless the temptations that violently assault me. Figlht strongly for me, and overcome these wicked 940 DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR beasts: 1 mean these alluring concupiscences, that peace may be mande in thy power, and the abundance of thy praise nmay resound to thy holy court, which is a clean conscience. Command the winds and stornms: say to the sea, Be thou still, and to the north wind, Blow thou not, and a great calm shall ensue. Send forth thiv light and thy truth, that they may shine upon the earth; for I am as earth that is empty and void, but tlhou enlightenest me. Pour forth thy grace from above, water my heart with the dew of heaven; send down the waters of devotion to wash the face of this earth, to bring forth good and perfect fruit. Lift up my lmisd, oppressed with the load of sins, and raise my whole desires towards heavenly thlings, that having tasted the sweetness of the happiness above, I may have no pleasure in thinking of the things of the earth. Draw me away, and deliver me from all unstable comfort of creatures; for no created thing can fully quiet and satisfy my desires. Join me to thyself by an inseparable bond of love; for thou alone canst satisfy the lover, and without thee all other things are frivolous. A PRAYERt FOR THIE FULFILaING OF THE WILL OF GOD. Grant me thy grace, most merciful Jesus. that it may be with me, and continue with me to the end. Grant me always to will and desire that which is most acceptable to thee, and which pleaseth thee best. Let thy will be mine, and let my will always' follow thine, and agree perfectly with it. Let me always will or not will the same with thee; and let me not be able to will or not will any otherwise than as thou wiliest or wiliest not. Grant that I may die to all things that are in the world, and for thy sake love to be despised, and not to be known ir this world. Grant that I may rest in thee above all things desired, and that my heart may be at peace in thee. Thou art the trite peace of the heart, thou art its only rest; out of thee all things are hard and uneasy. In this peace, in the self-same that is in thee, the one sovereign eternal good, I will sleep, and I will rest. Amen. SE.iSONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 941 A PRAYER FOR CLEA.NSING TIIE HEART AND 0BTA1NINd HEAVENLY WISDOrI. Confirm me, 0 God, by the grace of thy Holy Spirit. Give me power to be strengthened in the inward man, and to cast out of my heart all unprofitable care and trouble; let me not be drawn away with various desires of any thing whatsoever, whether it be of little or great value; but teach me to look upon all things as passing away, and myself as passing along with them. Nothing is lasting under the sun, where all is vanity and affliction of spirit. Oh, how wise is he who considers things in this manner! Give me, 0 Lord, heavenly wisdom, that I may learn above all things to seek thee and to find thee: above all things -to relish thee and to love thee, and to understand all other things as they are, according to the order of thy wisdom. G.rant that I may prudently decline him that flatters me, and patiently bear with him that contradicts me. For it is great wisdom not to be moved with every wind of words, nor to give ear to the wicked flattering syren; for thus shall we go on securely in the way we have begun. IN THE TIME OF TRIBULATION. Blessed, 0 Lord, be thy name forever, who hast been pleased that this trial and tribulation should come upon me. I cannot fly from it, but must of necessity fly to thee, that thou mayest help me, and turn it to my good. Lord, I am now in tribulation, and my heart is not at ease; but I am much afflicted with my present suffering. And now, dear Father, what shall I say? I amn taken, 0 Lord, in these straits: 0 save me from this hour. Butt for this reason I came unto this hour. that thou nightest be glorified, when I shall bo exceedingly humbled, and delivered, by thee. M{ay it please thee, 0 Lordj to deliver me; for, poor wretch that I am, what can I do, and whither shall I go without- thee? Give me patience, 0 Lord, at this time aisc. Help me, 0 my God, and I will not fear how munch 942 DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR soever I may be oppressed. And now, in the midst of these things, what shall I say? Lord, thy will be done: I have well deserved to be afflicted and troubled. I iust needs bear it, and would to God it may be with patience, till the storm pass over, and it be better. But thy almighty hand is able to take away from me this temptation also, and to moderate its violeince, as thou hast often done heretofore for me, lest I quite sink under it, 0 my God, my mnercy Aind the Imore difficult this is to me, the easier to thee is this change of the right hand of the Most High. A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING UPON TIIE BECOVERY OF A " PERSON PRO3I SICKNESS. Almighty and everlasting God! I here acknowledge thy blessing in the recovery of my health, alnd return thee my most hearty thanks for it. I beg thy grace, to enable me to make a better use of it tlan I have hitherto done; to correct all the errors of my past life, that I may improve in virtue, be an example to others, and consecrate that health to thee, which is now thy special gift; that thus living to thee, I imay be ever prepared for nmy last hour: Through JesLis Christ our Lord. Amen. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul! may he be praised and glorified forever. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul! and forget not all his benefits. Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers: let praise and glory be given to him forever. I will praise thee, 0 nmy God! while I live: I will glorify thy holy name, while I have my being.'Oh! magnify the Lord with me, all ye holy angels: praise him, all ye saints. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Give glory to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth, new and farever. SEASONS iND CIRCUMSTANCES.. 943 From the rising of the sun unto the going down o. the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. Glory be to the Fathel, &c. PRAYER BEFORE EREADING THE SCRIPTURES. Grant, 0 Lord, that we may never read without due respect the holy volume which contains the revelation of thy will to man. Suffer us not to be so unlearned in mind, or unstable in heart, as to wrest it to our own destruction; but assist us to adhere to the authority which explains it, neither diminishing nor adding to thy sacred word. Have mercy on those who have wandered from the fold, and in thy great goodness recall them; correct also the ignorance of those within thy fold, " who would teach for doctrine the traditions of men." Being sealed with the one baptism, and glorying in the one faith, may wve please thee, the one Lord, by the benevolence of our hearts, and by carefully avoiding to judge others, lest we ourselves be judged. Enable us to show forth our faith, not by our lips only, but more especially by the holiness of our lives, by our meek forbearance with the failings of others, and a severe scrutiny of our own. Miay,we thus be doers of the word, and not hearers only; may our zeal for thy law be tempered with the mildest charity, according to knowledge, and may our lives convince our brethren, how good it is to dwell together in unity: through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OF THANrKSGIVING FOR THE GRACE OF FAITH. I thank thee, 0 my God, for my birth in the bosom of the Catholic Church, out of which there is no salvation'; may I never forget my obligation of loving, revering, and praying for that holy Church. Thou hast established it the pillur and the ground of truth; thou hast made it the guardian and depository of thy word, thb sacrarments, and thy graces; thou hast chosen it for thy sacred spouse couldst thou have provided me with a M[othler more deserving of my gratitlude and retpect? I beseechl thee, 0 my God., to grant that I may 944 DEVOTIONS FOR PARTICULAR be evei attached to thb, doctrine she teaches, and docile to the omnmandments she imposes. Mercifully listen to the petitions she presents thee in the name of her children, and accept my humble supplications for her peace and prosperity. Preserve, conduct, and guard her; shield her against heresy and schism; and may all who have bad the misfortune of separating fro m her communion, return at last to seek shelter and life in her bosom. Permit not-that the holiness purchased fcr her by the blood of Jesus Christ, should ever be sullied or dishonored by the vices of her children. May she to the end of time enjoy the happy privilege granted her in the early da3ys of her establishment, that of seeing thy followers united here in heart and mind, and participating hereafter in the happiness of heaven. 0 Jesus, invisible Head of that Church, against wnich the gates of hell shall not prievail, I recommend to thee its invisible head, ouI holy Father the Pope, beseeching thee, that he may be the model, as he is the pastor of his flock; that lie nmay be the first in holiness of life and integrity of doctrine, as he is in dignity; that, in a word, he may be thy living image on earth. Inspire him with ardeont zeal for thy glory, and the salvation of soulss; grant himn zealous co-operators, who, by word and example, may touch and convert the hearts of sinners, confirm the just in sanctity, and restore to thy holy religion its former splendor. Amen. PRAYER TO OBTAIN GRACE TO CONQUER OUR PASSIONS. Holy God,- Father of mercies, who ha:st created me only to serve thee in the liberty of thy children, perlni -not that I should longer be. subject to the degrading slavery of mVy passions, and assist me in the struggles, vwithout which I can never hope to escape fi on their oppressive bondg. e. 0 Lord, thou knowrest my weakness, and the strength of the enemies who have dominion over me; thou art the continual witness of my faults and risei-es; I a-m puffed up nwith pri(le; my feelings are ermlbttered lby resentment and ill-lhumor; I am indolent in the dischsarge of duty, an(l the few good works I perf orm -are coriuptc. lI by slv-love, whl;ich n SEASONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 945 sinuates itself into my best actions. 0 my God, how wletched a slavery for a soul, which, notwithstanding these and innull erable other miseries, desires to belong unreservedly to thee alone 1 My resolution is tatken; whatever it may cost me, I am determined to listen no more tc the danoclerous suggestions of my evil inclinations, lbut to avoidl sin and conquer the passions which unhappily leadl to it. In thy name, 0 Almiighty God, I will taike up armsis against the enemies, which so many others hvchallppily combated with the assistance of thy grace. In thy Iiame, also, I hope to gain the victory, thlrmog'l the merits of our Lord and Sariour Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen. PRAYER TO OBTAIN HUITILITY. 0 God, who resistest the proud, and givest thy grace to the humble, grant me that true humility of which thy adorable Son has left us the example. Notwithstandcing the powerful obstacles which my natural inclinations oppose to this virtue, I ardently desire to learin of him to be meek a-nd humble of heart. I am filled with confusion, O Lord, when I reflect on my inolrdinate love of esteem and applause, my extreme fear of contempt and humiliation, my independence of spirit, my attachment to my own ideas and opinion, my secret satisfaction in success, my latent mortification at seeing others preferred, my insatiable desire of praise and honor. O Lord, I should despair of the cure of mala(lies so numerous and grievous, did not I know that thou art an Almighty Physician, to whom nothing is impossible. Cast on me, O my God, a look of compassion, and have mercy on me. Grant that I may know thee, to love thee alone; that I may know myself, to comprehend the depth of my miseries. May I never forget the many motives that urge me to the practice of humility, the sins of my past life, my inclination to evil, my inconstancy in virtue, my tepidity in thy service, my ingratitude towards thee, my daily infidelities, and the innumerable defects which, notwithstanding my p l.d, I cannot disguise from myself. IMay I nt 946 DEVOTiONS FOR PARTICULAR length do myself justice, by sincerely believing mysielf to be the last of all creatures; may I henceforth shun praise as sedulously as I have hitherto sought it; may my only aim be to please thee, my only desire to be forgotten by the world; may the remembrance of the account I shall have to render of thy graces, prove a perpetual stimulus to the practice of humility in the use of them. If by thy grace I am ever capable of doing any thing to promote thy honor, I will refer the glory to thee alone; I will think of the voluntary humiliations of my Saviour; I will take him for my model, that by attaining resemblance with him, I may deserve to be one day ranked among his elect in the kingdom of heaven. Amen. PRAYER TO OBTAIN THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS. 0 God, have mercy on me a sinner, and permit me to offer thee my earnest supplications on behal f of all souls in sin; for thou wiliest not the death of a sinner, but his conversion. When Moses besought thee to pardon a rebellious nation, thou coulcdst not resist his entreaties. It grieves thee, when none inteopose to appease thine anger ~ thou commandest us to pray for one another, assuring us that by causing a sinner to be converted from the error of his ways, we deliver our own souls from death, and cover a multitude of iniquities. Relying on thy merciful promises, I come before thee with great confidence, to implore for others the pity I so much need myself. Forgive them, 0 Lord! for they know not what they do; open their eyes, that entering into themselves, they may see the extent of their crimes, and feel how sad a misfortune it is to have forsaken thee. Open their ears to the sound of that Almighty voice, which can raise the dead to life; soften the obduracy of their hearts, that they may no longer resist thy grace. Remember thy tender mercies; remember the precious blood of Jesus Christ; save the souls which have been purchased at -so great a price. Hear our prayers, inspired by the Spirit of thine own charity, and offered from the sole motive of pleasiig and glorifying thee. Amen. SEA:SONS AND CIRCUeMSTANTCES. 947 PRAYER TO OBTAIN DIE GIFT OF FINAL PERSE, TBRANCE. 0 eternal Father! humbly prostrate at thy feet, I adore thee, I thank thee, for my cre