MEDITATION BEFORE MASS
The Mass is not a private prayer of mine
Such as I can say at home,
nor a public prayer of pious people.
It is the mystery of Our Lord’s supplication,
His perfect prayer of self-oblation,
adoration and thanksgiving
in which I take a part.
It is then more than words and wishes,
more than hymns of praise,
more than asking things of God.
It is a giving, an offering, a sacrifice
Whosoever offers sacrifice offers self:
the offerer and the victim must somehow be one.
So I am here to give rather than to get,
to fulfill a duty,
to pay a debt,
to render homage,
to satisfy the claims and rights of God,
my Sovereign Lord, Creator, King of Kings.
This I can never do alone.
I am not worthy.
But do it I can most perfectly
In this Holy Mass
with Jesus my Savior,
through Whom are given
to God all glory, worship, honor, thanks,
and to me continued mercy, a Father’s love and guidance,
and with that the best of all things.
Amen
Preparatory Prayers
(Which the worshipper ought to pray silently with the celebrant)
Think of Jesus falling down on His Face, praying in the garden
[STAND]
Priest: In the Name of the +Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Server. Amen.
The Priest begins the Antiphon:
Priest: I will go unto the altar of God.
Server: Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.
Psalm 43. Judica me, Deus.
The Priest’s pleading of the Cause of God’s People
Priest: Give sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people: O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man.
Server: For thou art the God of my strength, why hast thou put me from thee, and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me?
Petition to approach God’s Altar devoutly Priest: O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me: and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling.
Server: And that I may go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness: and upon the harp will I give thanks unto thee, O God, my God. Act of Confidence in God
Priest: Why art thou so heavy, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me?
Server: O put thy trust in God: for I will yet give him thanks, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Act of adoration of the Triune God
Priest: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.
Server: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
The Priest then repeats the Antiphon
Priest: I will go unto the altar of God.
Server: Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.
Acknowledgment of our unworthiness
Priest: Our help +is in the Name of the Lord.
Server: Who hath made heaven and earth.
Confiteor
Priest: I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to thee brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, (here thrice strike the breast) through my fault, through my own fault, through my own most grievous fault. Therefore I beg Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and thee brethren, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Server: Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life.
Priest: Amen
Confiteor
Server: I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to thee Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, (here thrice strike the breast) through my fault, through my own fault, through my own most grievous fault. Therefore I beg Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and thee Father, to pray for me to the Lord our God. The Priest asks God to accept our Confession
Priest: Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life.
Server: Amen.
The Priest prays for full absolution
Priest: The Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.
Server: Amen.
The Priest asks for spiritual renewal
Priest: Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, O God?.
Server: That thy people may rejoice in thee.
Priest: Shew us thy mercy, O Lord.
Server: And grant us thy salvation.
Priest: Lord, hear my prayer.
Server: And let my cry come unto thee.
THE ORDINARY AND CANON OF THE MASS
Part I. The Mass of the Catechumens
[STAND]
FIRST SALUTATION
(Which marks the beginning of the Mass of the Catechumens, or the preparation for the Sacrifice)
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Opening Hymn.
[KNEEL]
The Introit
The Introit is a portion of a psalm or a short scriptive passage appointed to be read or sung on a specified day. Following this reading the Priest usually begins: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
The People then respond:
People: As it was in the beginning is, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Priest blesses the incense saying:
BE thou bl+essed by him in whose honour thou art to be burned. Amen.
And then he censes the Altar, after which he is censed. This is done as an act of honour to the Altar and its Priest, in preparation for the sacrifice, and it teaches us that the grace of Jesus Christ must cleanse and sweeten our lives and our worship if our sacrifice is to be acceptable to God.
IMMEDIATE PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
The First Sunday of each month the Priest, turning to the People, shall say The Ten Commandments; and the People, still kneeling, shall, after every Commandment, ask God mercy for their transgressions for the time past, and grace to keep the law for the time to come. The Decalogue is found on back of this Missalette.
The Collect for Purity
In this prayer which comes from the early Christian church, and is preserved almost solely by the Anglican or English churches, we ask God to help us to worship him worthily. We pray for grace to offer this, our sacrifice of praise, as in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for strength to offer his bitter sacrifice of pain.Here the priest offers up this prayer to God for himself and the congregation, that all may be prepared by his mercy for the solemn rite in which they are about to take their respective parts. By saying “Amen,” after this and the other prayers in this service, you make the prayer your own.
ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
The Summary of the Law
On the other days (Sundays) during the month, the minister recites our Lord’s summary of the Law (p. 69). When the Lord Jesus was asked which of God’s commandments was the greatest, he replied that all God’s commandments could be summed up in a few words; this is called the Summary of the Law. And following the summary, we all sing or say the Lord Have Mercy (p. 70). This is a petition to God asking for his mercy upon us, because we have failed to obey these commandments. To be a citizen in the kingdom of God means to be subject to its laws. Here we are reminded of Christ’s word, who summed up the commandments into the love of God and love of neighbor.
HEAR what our Lord Jesus Christ saith.
THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Kyrie Eleison
Opening Litany or General Supplication
This most ancient of hymns is sung. Reflect on the denial of St. Peter, who did not repent until the Lord looked upon him. Like St. Peter when temptation comes, we yield to it. Think of all His goodness: think of all our sins. May God give us true repentance as he did for St. Peter At Masses not sung, it is recited alternately with the Priest.
Lord have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us.
Christ have mercy upon us.
Christ have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon us
[STAND]
Gloria in Excelsis
The Gloria in excelsis is a paraphrase of the Angels salutation which announced the Incarnation. This hymn of praise is not said during Advent, Lent or in Masses for the dead.
GLORY be to God on high, And on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, +art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect or Collects of the Day
This part of the service is made up primarily of Scripture lessons and a sermon and is in essence a service of instruction and witness for edification of both the baptized and the unbaptized. Its basic pattern was taken over by the church from the Jewish synagogue. The salutation (the Lord be with you…and its response, and with thy spirit), not only marks the beginning of this part of the service, it is the original greeting of the celebrant or priest and the people with which the liturgy opened in ancient times. It is a reminder that liturgical worship is a corporate action of both minister and congregation, conducted under the inspiration and judgment of the Lord. For each Sunday and Holy Day in the church year, we have what is called the Propers of the day; the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel. In the Collect, we collect our thoughts together for this particular day in the form of a prayer, and the priest on behalf of himself and the people, offers these thoughts to God.
SECOND SALUTATION
(Which introduces the Collect for the Day or the principal variable prayer of the Mass)
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Then shall the Priest say the Collect(s) of the Day, one of up to three prayers appointed to be read on a designated day.
[SIT]
The Epistle
We sit for the epistle. God speaks to His people through His written word, the Epistle and Gospel, generally taken from one of the letters written by St. Paul or one of the apostles to the Christians of the early church or from the Old Testament. These letters were written to help the Christians with various problems and to instruct them on how to become better Christians. They are used in the same way today, that we may be instructed and encouraged in living our lives for Christ.
The Epistle is written in the _chapter of the_beginning at the_ verse.
Following the Epistle it is customary to respond:
People: Thanks be to God.
[SIT]
The Gradual
The Gradual is a psalm, anthem or hymn appointed for the day; it is to be read or sung between the Epistle and Gospel. In seasons other than Advent or Lent the Gradual may be concluded by the words “Alleluia, Alleluia”. During Advent and Lent these words are omitted and a Tract is read.
Personal Prayers of the Celebrant Before the Gospel
(Which the worshiper should also pray)
Munda cor meum.
CLEANSE my heart and my lips, O Almighty God, who didst purge the lips of Isaiah the Prophet with a live coal: and of thy gracious mercy vouchsafe so to purify me, that I may worthily proclaim thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Priest asks God for a blessing; and this the worshipper ought also to do, in the following prayer which asks that he may be a good missionary for Christ.
Jube, Domine. Dominus sit. PRAY, Lord, give me thy blessing. The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that worthily and rightly I may proclaim this Gospel. Amen.
[STAND] The Holy Gospel
After the Epistle reading, the server moves the altar book to the “gospel” side of the altar. This movement represents Christ led from Pilate to Herod. He was questioned as to His doctrine, questioned, mocked and rebuked. The “gospel procession” brings the priest and server down the center aisle to the middle of the congregation, reminding us of our duty to carry the Gospel to those who do not know it; to take the Gospel to all the people. We stand and face the priest for the reading of the Holy Gospel out of respect for our Lord’s words, which we hear in the reading. We show our joy by responding
THIRD SALUTATION
(Which introduces the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus Christ, being the climax of the Mass of the Catechumens)
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
The Priest announces the Holy Gospel with the following words:
+ The Continuation (or the Beginning) of the Holy Gospel according to ______________.
People: Glory be to thee, O Lord.
After the Gospel is read the people respond:
People: Praise be to thee, O Christ.
[STAND] The Nicene Creed
The Creed (p. 71) is a statement of what we believe about God and the things he has done for us. It was written down by the bishops of the early church so that all of the world might know what Christians believe. We stand and say it together as a promise of loyalty to God who is our maker, Savior, and guide. At the words “And was incarnate… and was made man” we genuflect in reverence to the honour of the mighty mystery of Incarnation – our Lord Jesus coming down from heaven to earth, and humbling himself to be born as a poor child in a stable. At the end of the Creed, we may cross ourselves, for we were baptized into this faith and marked with the sign of the cross on our foreheads in token that we should not be ashamed to confess this faith of Christ crucified. By reciting the creed we unite ourselves to all our brothers and sisters in God’s church who believe and live by these wonderful things God has done for us and which we recite in the creed. The Nicene Creed is to be read here on all Sundays and on certain feast days.
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; Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, [here genuflect]AND WAS INCARNATE BY THE HOLY GHOST OF THE VIRGIN MARY, AND WAS MADE MAN: [here rise] And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried: And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets; And I believe one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church: I acknowledge 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.
[STAND] Sermon Hymn
[SIT] THE SERMON
The Sermon, which explains and interprets the Word proclaimed in the lessons, now follows, and this brings the Ministry of the Word to a close. Following the Sermon, the Priest faces the congregation and says the following:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. V. 16.
Part II. The Mass of the Faithful or the Action
1. Oblation or The Offertory
This is the first act of The Action. The Priest now offers and places on the Altar the Bread and Wine which the worshippers have provided by their offering, wherein and whereby each worshipper offers himself to God The solemn offering to God of the bread and wine to be consecrated for the Holy Communion has always been a prominent feature of the service.
FOURTH SALUTATION
(Which marks the beginning of the Action).
[STAND]
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
The offertory begins with an offertory sentence from pp. 72-73. It is now that the alms basket is passed around to the congregation. The gathering of alms is a secondary part of the offertory. Here everyone is invited to add their part to the offering to God and the work of his church. The offertory sentence is read.
Offertory Hymn
At the offertory, we recall to mind Jesus scourged by Pilate’s soldiers and the resignation of Christ and His offering of Himself to bear all things for the redemption of mankind. The Personal Prayers of the Celebrant at the Offertory
(Which the worshiper should also pray as one’s act of self-oblation)
At the Offering of the Host
It is at this time that the priest removes the veil from the chalice and lays it aside, reminding us of our Lord laying aside his robes of glory in heaven to come into this world to be born as a child. Jesus first came to us in Bethlehem, the name means “house of bread.” He still comes to us in a “house of bread” for he makes himself known to us in the “breaking of bread.”
Suscipe, sancte Pater.
RECEIVE, O Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, this spotless Host, Which I, thine unworthy servant do offer unto thee, my God, the living and the true, for my countless sins, offences, and negligences, for all here present, and for all the faithful in Christ, both quick and dead: that it may be profitable both to me and to them for salvation unto life eternal. Amen.
At the Blessing of Water
The server brings the bread to the altar and the priest offers it to God while praying that God will accept our gifts on behalf of those present and also all those throughout the world who join with us on this occasion. The bread that is offered represents us who are participating in the service. Next the priest prepares the chalice. With the wine he puts in a little water. The wine and water mingle and can never be separated again, just as our Lord Jesus will never separate himself from his children. He is like the strong wine; we are like the weak water. When we receive him in Holy Communion he comes into our souls with all his strength and goodness. Deus, qui humane substantiae.
O GOD, who didst wonderfully create, and yet more wonderfully renew the dignity of the nature of man; grant unto us, that through the mystery of this water and Wine, we may be sharers in his divinity who vouchsafed to be made partaker of our humanity, Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.
At the offering of the Chalice
And the priest offers the wine to God, offering ourselves symbolically, which the Lord will bless and give it back to us as His precious Blood, nourishment for our souls.
Offerimus tibi.
WE offer unto thee, O Lord, the cup of salvation, humbly beseeching thy mercy, that it may go up before thy Divine Majesty with a sweet savour for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen
At the offering of Ourselves
The Priest bows and says:
In spiritu humilatis.
IN the spirit of humility, and with a contrite heart, let us be accepted by thee, O Lord, and so let our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, that it may be well pleasing unto thee, O Lord our God.
At the Invocation of Him Who is the Font of all Holiness>
Veni, sanctificator.
COME, O thou Sanctifier, Almighty and Everlasting God, and bl+ess this Sacrifice prepared for thy Holy Name.
Here, if the Offering is received, it is brought forward accompanied by the singing of a hymn or anthem.
THE LITTLE LITURGY OF THE INCENSE
At the Censing of the Oblations and Worshippers
(Whereby both are honoured as one sacrifice)
At the Blessing of the Incense
Per intercessionem.
THROUGH the intercession of blessed Michael the Archangel, who stands at the right hand of the Altar of incense, and of all his elect, may the Lord vouchsafe to bless this incense, and to accept it as a sweet-smelling savour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. At the Censing of the Oblation
Incensum istud.
MAY this incense, blessed by thee, rise up to thee, O Lord, and may thy mercy come down upon us.
At the Censing of the Cross and Altar
Dirigatur, Domine.
LET my prayer, O Lord, be set forth in thy sight as the incense; and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and keep the door of my lips. O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing: let me not be occupied in ungodly works. Before Censing of the Priest and People
Accendat in nobis.
MAY the Lord kindle in us the fire of his love, and the flame of his everlasting charity. Amen.
Pilate tried to excuse himself for his most wicked act by washing his hands, but did not escape the guilt itself. The Priest ceremonially washes his hands, saying the following from Psalm 26. The Priest washing his hands should remind us that we must approach the holy altar with a clean conscience, and pure heart, with fear, meekness, and earnestness.
At the Washing of the Priest’s Hands
Psalm 26. 6. Lavabo
I WILL wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to thine altar.
That I may show the voice of thanksgiving: and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house: and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
O shut not up my soul with the sinners nor my life with the bloodthirsty;
In whose hands is wickedness: and their right hand is full of gifts.
But as for me, I will walk innocently: O deliver me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth right: I will praise the Lord in the congregations. 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.
Prayer for the Acceptance of Ourselves and Our Gifts
Suscipe, sancta Trinitas.
Receive, O Holy Trinity: this oblation which we offer unto thee, in memory of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ our Lord; and in honour of blessed Mary ever Virgin, of blessed John the Baptist, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul; and of all thy Saints: that it may avail them to their honour, and us to our salvation; and may they whose memory we celebrate on earth vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen
Announcement of Intentions
At this point the Priest may ask the secret intercessions of the congregation and for any who have desired the prayers of the Church, including those who have celebrated birthdays or anniversaries, those who are sick, those who are traveling or for the souls of those who have departed this life. Following these requests, the Priest states the Intention of the Mass.
THE PRIEST AND PEOPLE PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
Orate, fratres.
PRAY, brethren that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
Suscipiat Dominus.
MAY the Lord receive this sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of his Name; both to our benefit and that of all his holy Church. And then the Priest, in a low voice says: Amen.
[KNEEL] PRAYER OVER THE OBLATIONS
Prayer for the Church
Then the Priest, without saying Let us Pray, immediately adds the Secret(s) for today’s Mass.
Priest: Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our [alms and] oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
We beseech thee also, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.
Give grace, O heavenly father, to all Bishops and other Ministers, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.
And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service, and to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, Our only Mediator and Advocate.
People: Amen.
The Order of Ministering the Holy Communion to the People
Commonly called Communion devotions
The Exhortation
The Exhortation on page 75, calls us to the worthy reception of the Holy Communion. The priest invites us to make a general confession in preparation for the receiving of Communion. Continue to kneel.
YE who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.
The General Confession
Everyone violates God’s laws, including Christians. At this point in service we acknowledge this fact before God and ask Him to forgive us. As we say these things we call to mind all of the things we have recently said or done which displeased the Lord. The General Confession is the prayer we say aloud together when we are telling God we have done wrong and need his forgiveness. We acknowledge our sinfulness and ask for forgiveness, praying that we may better serve God.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Priest stand up, and turning to the People, say,
The Absolution
When we confess our sins, God forgives us. We receive Absolution (p. 76) for our sins from God through his minister, the priest, who was given this authority at ordination. God is always ready to forgive us and to give us his strength. The priest tells us this when he says the absolution. We are reminded that God has promised through his mercy, that he will forgive us, providing we fulfill the requirements: faith and repentance are the necessary conditions to receive his promise of pardon from guilt. As the priest makes the sign of the cross over us, we are reminded that forgiveness does not come from the priest, but from God, through the cross of our Saviour.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. People: Amen.
The Comfortable Words
God’s forgiveness to repentant sinner is not based on our hope but in His promises from Holy Scripture. The minister reads God’s promises to assure us that we are truly forgiven. The strengthening words (p. 76) are peculiar to the English liturgy and are here as scriptural warrant of the words of the Absolution, expressed in the words of Christ and his apostles. Then the priest shall say,
Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to him.
COME unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St. Matt. 11. 28.
So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish,but have everlasting life. St. John 3. 16.
Hear also what Saint Paul saith. This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. 1. 15.
Hear also what Saint John saith. If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the Propitiation for our sins. 1 St. John 2. 1, 2.
THE PREFACE TO THE CANON OF THE MASS
2. Consecration or the Eucharistic Blessing
This is the second act of The Action. Our Lord gave thanks, which means that he blessed the Bread and Wine by means of a form of thanksgiving, for which reason the chief name of the Mass is the Eucharist. The great Thanksgiving of Consecration is therefore begun solemnly with the reverential chant of the Preface, and the worshipper should join in the Preface privately with a heart full of thankfulness, and thus give himself to be consecrated to God along with his offerings, according to the Covenant which God made with his people.
FIFTH SALUTATION
(Which begins the Eucharistic Consecration)
Sursum corda
Having confessed our sins, received God’s forgiveness and assurance of divine pardon, the Christian heart rejoices. “Sursum Corda” is Latin for “lift up your heart.” This part of the service dates from the second century A.D. It is at this point in the service that we are to lift up our hearts and join in offering this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving before the throne of God. This begins the central part of the service, (p. 76), and we are to prepare ourselves for what is coming and think of nothing but the Lord.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
People: It is meet and right so to do.
The Preface
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy, Father Almighty, Everlasting God.
[Preface of the Day]
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying:
Sanctus and Benedictus, qui venit
Now, (p. 79) we join in with the heavenly worship as portrayed by Isaiah (6:3), John (Revelation 4:8) in Scripture and also on that day when Jesus last entered the city of Jerusalem.
HOLY, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. +Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Canon of The Mass
We now come to the most solemn prayer in the service, the Prayer of Consecration,(p. 80-81), in which our Lord Jesus uses the lips and hands of his priest to bless and break the bread, and bless the cup of wine, and we hear our Lord’s own words of institution. Here we must offer ourselves to God, the Father, with our Lord Jesus Christ. The Sanctus bell is rung at this time to emphasize the importance of the holy action. This prayer focuses on The Words of Institution and Consecration, The Oblation and The invocation.
The Consecration
This comes directly from 1 Corinthians 12:23-26, Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25 and Luke 22:19-20 when Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist. The Priest, extending and then joining his hands, raising his eyes to heaven and at once lowering them, bowing profoundly before the Altar with his hands placed upon it, says:
(Hanc igitur)
ALL glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one + oblation of + himself once + offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
FOR in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given + thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU; Do this in remembrance of me.
Here the priest represents before God the Father the lifting up of Jesus on the Cross. At the elevation of the Host meditate on Christ nailed to the Cross by His hands and His feet, set forth as a spectacle to the whole world. We recognize the Lord by saying MY LORD and MY GOD. Here the Priest genuflects and then elevates the Host; and having replaced it upon the Paten, genuflects again.
Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup; and when he had given + thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for THIS IS MY BLOOD
OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, WHICH
IS SHED FOR YOU, AND FOR MANY,
FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS;
Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
At the elevation of the Chalice reflect how freely Christ poured fourth His Blood from His most sacred wounds for the washing away of our sins. He replaces the Chalice, genuflects, elevates the Chalice, and having replaced it upon the corporal as before, genuflects again: and then standing erect with hands extended, says:
The Oblation (Unde et memores)
The Oblation is sometimes called Anamnesis-Memorial. “Do this in remembrance of me.” In this part of the prayer, we declare the memory of and obedience to this Supper that Christ instituted.
WHEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.
The Invocation
(Quam oblationem) (Sometimes called Epiclesis) The minister invokes the Holy Spirit, since the entire mystery of the Holy Eucharist is based on the action of the Holy Spirit to set apart the bread and wine for holy use (1Cor10:16).
AND we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bl+ess and sanc+tify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his Most blessed Bo+dy and Bl+ood.
(Supra quae propitio)
AND we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.
Then bowing slightly, with hands joined upon the Altar, he continues:
(Supplices te rogamus)
AND here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him.
(Commemoratio pro Defunctis)
REMEMBER also, O Lord, thy servants and handmaidens, who have gone before us with the sign of faith and are at rest in the sleep of peace. [Names] We beseech thee, O Lord, that unto them, and unto all such as rest in Christ, thou wilt grant a place of refreshing, of light, and of peace. And vouchsafe to give unto us some portion and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs; and with all thy Saints; within whose fellowship we beseech thee to admit us;
Striking his breast he continues:
(Nobis quoque peccatoribus)
AND although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but Pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by +whom, and withwhom, in the+unity of the Holy Ghost, all + honour and +glory be unto thee, O FATHER Almighty, world without end.
People: Amen
The Priest joins his hands.
Let us pray: And now, as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,
The Priest extends his hands.
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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Personal Prayer of the Celebrant Before the Fracture
(Which the worshipper ought also to pray)
Libera nos.
DELIVER us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come: and at the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with that of thy blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of Andrew and all thy Saints, favour ably grant peace in our time, that by the help of thy mercy, we may ever be kept free from sin, and safe from all disquietude. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, Who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God, World without end. All: Amen
3. The Fracture or Utilization of the Sacrifice Presented
This is the third act of The Action, imitating our Lord’s act in breaking the bread. Offer your will to be broken by Christ to his use. SIXTH SALUTATION
(Which introduces the proclamation of the Lamb of God as our Sacrifice)
The Priest then breaks the consecrated Host.
The + peace of the + Lord be + always with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Personal Prayer of the Celebrant After the Fracture
(Which the worshipper ought also to pray)
Haec commixtio.
Then putting a particle into the Chalice, he says in a low voice:
MAY this mingling and consecration of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord be unto us who receive it an approach to everlasting life. Amen.
Agnus Dei
In Masses for the dead, the responses are: “Grant them rest”, “Grant them rest”, and “Grant them rest eternal.”
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
Have Mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
Have Mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world.
Grant us thy peace.
FOR THE PEACE OF THE CHURCH
Domine Jesu Christe.
O LORD Jesus Christ, who saidst unto thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: regard not my sins, but the faith of thy Church; and grant to it that peace and unity which is according to thy will, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
PRAYERS TO RECEIVE CHRIST WORTHILY
Prayer of Humble Access
WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most Precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
Panem caelestem.
I WILL receive the bread of heaven and call upon the Name of the Lord.
The Priest now thrice strikes his breast at which time the bell is rung three times, as a sign that the Sacrifice is about to be consummated by the Priest’s reception of the Blessed Sacrament, and also to notify the People to come forward to receive the Holy Communion, as he thrice repeats the words of the holy Centurion whose humility and faith won the healing of his servant from our Lord. The Priest prays audibly only the first five words; the rest be says privately, thus:
Domine, non sum dignus.
LORD, I am not worthy the rest is said secretly that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed. Then shall the Priest first receive the Holy Communion in both kinds himself and proceed to deliver the same to the people.
4. UNIFICATION WITH OUR LORD, OR ADMINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
This is the fourth and final act of The Action, wherein our Lord gives Himself to us in return for our gift of ourselves to Him.
After receiving communion the Priest then turns to the people. And, holding the Blessed Sacrament, he repeats the words of St. John the Baptist when he says: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him that taketh away the sins of the world.
The following words of the Centurion are appropriately said by the Priest and People together, thrice:
Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.
If the worshipper is not fasting, or is otherwise unprepared to receive the Holy Communion, he ought nevertheless to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, such as the following:
The Communion Devotions
Anima Christi.
SOUL of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesu, hear me. Within thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from thee. From the malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me, And bid me come to thee, That with thy Saints I may praise thee. For ever and ever. Amen. Administration of the Holy Sacrament
When the Priest administers the Sacrament of the Body, he says:
Corpus Domini.
THE Body of our Lord Jesus + Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
As he administers the Sacrament of the Blood, he says:
Sanguis Domini.
THE Blood of our Lord Jesus + Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.
When all have communicated the Priest shall return to the Altar, and reverently consumes what remains of the consecrated Elements. The Priest, now makes the Ablutions, saying meanwhile:
Quod ore sumpsimus.
GRANT, O Lord, that what we have taken with our lips, we may receive with a pure heart; and that from a temporal gift it may become for us an eternal remedy.
Corpus tuum, Domine.
LET thy Body, O Lord, which I have taken, and thy Blood which I have drunk, cleave unto my soul; and grant that no spot of sin may remain in me, whom this pure and holy Sacrament hath refreshed; Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
[KNEEL] Communion Hymn.
Let us Pray
The General Thanksgiving Following Communion the Priest and people pray together:
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of his most precious death and passion. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
The Final Thanksgiving
Communion and Post-communion
The Priest says or sings the Communion verse which is found in today’s Mass Insert.
SEVENTH SALUTATION
(Which introduces the Post-communion or final thanksgiving)
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Let us Pray
The Post-communion verse(s) are said.
The Dismissal
EIGHTH SALUTATION
(Which introduces the Dismissal)
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Priest: Depart in peace.
People: Thanks be to God.
The (Pontifical) Blessing of the People
[Bishop: Blessed be the Name of the Lord
People: From this time forth forever more.
Bishop: Our help is the Name of the Lord
People: Who has made heaven and earth
THE Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be amongst you and remain with you always. People: Amen.
[STAND]
The Last Gospel
or Final Proclamation of the Good News Concerning Jesus Christ
NINTH SALUTATION
(Which introduces the Last Gospel)
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Priest: The Beginning of the Holy Gospel according to Saint John.
People: Glory be to thee, O Lord.
IN the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was not any thing made that was made: in him was life, and the life was the light of men: and the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Here genuflect. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, Here rise. (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. People: Thanks be to God.
[STAND]
Recessional Hymn
Stand for the Recessional Hymn then kneel while candles are extinguished.