The Complete Manual of Catholic Piety Containing a Selection of Fervent Prayers, Pious Reflection, and Solid Instructions, Adapted to Every State of Life. To Which is Annexed a Supplement, Containing Excellent and Approved Devotions, With the Epistles and Gospels for All the Sundays and Festivals of the Year.

Part V.

Chapter 653,004 wordsPublic domain

The Public Thanksgiving After Communion.

Dominus vobiscum:

The Lord be with you:

R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

R. And with thy spirit.

P. Oremus.

P. Let us pray.

The Post Communion being also different every day, what follows may be said:

We give thee thanks O God, for thy mercy in admitting us to have a part in offering this sacrifice to thy holy name: accept it now to thy glory, and be ever mindful of our weakness; pardon all our defects, and grant our request; through, &c. Amen.

P. Dominus vobiscum:

P. May the Lord be with you:

B. Et cum spiritu tuo.

R. And with thy spirit.

P. Ite, Missa est.

P. Depart, the Mass is finished.

Or, if "Gloria in excelsis" has not been said,

P. Benidicamus Domino.

P. Let us bless the Lord.

R. Deo gratias.

R. Thanks be to God.

In Masses for the Dead.

P. Requiescant in pace.

P. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.

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May the performance of this my homage be pleasing to thee, O Holy Trinity; and grant that the sacrifice which I, though unworthy, have offered up, in the sight of the Divine Majesty, may be acceptable to thee, and, through thy mercy, become a propitiation for me, and all those for whom it hath been offered: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Priest turning himself towards the people, says, (except in Masses for the Dead.)

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

P. Dominus vobiscum:

P. May the Lord be with you:

R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

R. And with thy spirit.

P. Initium sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.

P. The beginning of the Gospel according to St. John.

R. Gloria tibi, Domine.

R. Glory be to thee, O Lord.

The Gospel According To St. John.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word; the same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men: and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. It was the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.

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He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him to them he gave power to be made the sons of God, to those that believe in his name; who are born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And _the Word was made flesh_, and dwelt amongst us. And we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

R. Deo gratias.

R. Thanks be to God.

Another Devout Method

Of Assisting At The

Holy Sacrifice Of The Mass,

By turning the attention and affections of the soul towards the mysteries of our blessed Saviour's passion and death, which are thereby represented and shown forth according to these words, THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME; that is, for a perpetual and grateful commemoration of my sufferings and death, as the apostle explains it. 1 _Corinthians_ xi. 26.

The Mass is called by St. Francis of Sales, _Introd_. _p_. 2, _c_. 14, the sun of spiritual exercises, the centre of religion, the heart of devotion, and the soul of piety. It is offered to none but God alone; as the nature of a sacrifice, in the common judgment of all mankind, is to acknowledge the supreme dominion of God over us, and our total subjection and dependence on him. It is a standing memorial and a commemorative sacrifice, that represents the sacrifice of the cross, and was prefigured by the sacrifice of Melchisedech, and foretold by the prophet Malichi.--c. i. v. 10. The faithful should go to it as if they were going to Mount Calvary, to be present at the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, and assist at it with a grateful remembrance and a feeling sense of his sufferings. {368} The altar on which this great sacrifice is offered, with a crucifix erected thereon, is a figure of Mount Calvary, and of Christ crucified. The corporal and linen cloth that covered the altar, signify the linen cloth that wrapped the sacred body of Christ when he was buried. The chalice denotes the holy sepulchre of our Lord. The paten denotes the great stone that was rolled against the door of the sepulchre. The two candles signify the two testaments, and the light of faith revealed to the Jews and Gentiles. The priest who officiates represents the person of Christ, who is the High Priest of the New Law; his tonsure represents the crown of thorns which Christ wore; and the robes with which he is vested, represents the robes of derision with which Christ was ignominiously clothed. The amice represents the veil with which his eyes were muffled, when he was desired to prophesy who it was that struck him. The alb represents the white robe with which he was covered by Herod out of contempt. The cincture, maniple, and stole represent the cords and bandages with which he was bound like a malefactor. The chasuble, or outward vestment, represents the purple garment with which he was clothed like a mock king. The figure of a pillar on the front of the chasuble, represents the stone pillar at which he was scourged; and the figure of a cross on the back, represents the wooden cross which he carried on his shoulders from Jerusalem to Mount Calvary. The three languages, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, which are used in the Mass, remind us of the title of the cross, which was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin letters. The different parts and ceremonies of the Mass correspond to the different stations of his passion, and represent all that happened from his entering into the Garden of Olives, until the day of his ascension into heaven, and the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles; _as will appear to the devout reader of the explanations premised to each prayer_.

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A Prayer Before Mass.

O Divine Spirit, descend into my soul, purify it from the dross of its imperfections, and replenish it with the flames of thy sacred affections, that it may breathe nothing but thy love, and desire nothing but the accomplishment of thy will. O ye angels, saints, and all creatures, come help me to honour, praise, bless, and love our Lord Jesus Christ, who once offered himself a bloody sacrifice on the cross for my salvation, and now offers himself an unbloody sacrifice on the altar for the same end.

Give me grace, O sweet Jesus, to assist at this holy sacrifice with the fervour and devotion of the pious shepherds in the stable of Bethlehem; and with a lively faith, profound respect, and humility of the three wise men of the East, who came to adore thee in the manger, and to offer thee the three mystical presents of frankincense, gold, and myrrh, in testimony of thy divinity, royalty and humanity. And now, since I, who am but dust and ashes, have presumed to speak, permit me to follow thee in spirit through the different stages of thy passion, and accompany thee to Mount Calvary.--Make me partaker of that charity which conducted thee to it, that I may return love for love, life for life, death for death. Give me such a feeling sense of thy sufferings, as the daughters of Sion had, when they met thee with thy cross on thy shoulders, and a thorny crown on thy head. Grant me resignation of my will to thine, like that of thy Virgin Mother at the foot of the cross. Prostrate before the throne of thy divine Majesty, I humbly implore thy pardon for all my offences, and thy grace to avoid relapse into sin. {370} I offer up this divine sacrifice, by the hands of thy priest, to the glory of thy name; in acknowledgment of thy infinite greatness, and of my own nothingness; in thanksgiving for all thy benefits; in satisfaction for all my sins; in memory of thy dolorous passion; and to obtain of thy bounty, for myself and for thy whole church, for my superiors, spiritual and temporal, for my parents, benefactors, friends, and enemies, and all mankind, those precious graces and favours which thou knowest us to stand in most need of.

Explanation.

"The priest going from the sacristy to the altar, and retiring to the foot of it, in order to recite the 42nd psalm, _Judica me Deus_, &c. represents Jesus Christ retiring from his last supper, and praying to his heavenly Father in the garden of Gethsemani, situate at the foot of Mount Olivet. The beginning of the Mass, with the sign of the cross, and the invocation of the three persons of the most Holy Trinity, signifies that it is in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that the faithful assembled, in order to celebrate the memory of Christ's passion and death. The psalm which is then repeated, expresses the deep concern of a soul kept at a distance from the temple of God, like David when he was persecuted by Saul, and the ardent desires with which we are to approach the altar, and partake of the divine mysteries. The _Introit_, or entrance of the Mass, and the _Confiteor_, or general confession made to the whole court of heaven, represent the fall of Adam, which was the source of all our miseries, and remind us that we ought to dispose ourselves for this great sacrifice by a sincere repentance for our sins."

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Prayer At The Beginning Of Mass.

O Lord, in the multitude of thy mercies I will enter thy house, and adore thee in thy holy temple and confess to thy name. Though my sins are without number, I have still thy goodness to appeal to, I have still a confidence in the sufferings of my Redeemer, and hope, through his infinite merits, to find mercy, grace, and salvation. Thou, O dear Jesus, hast washed me once in baptism; wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sins. Sprinkle me with the hyssop of thy blood, and I shall be cleansed; wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

Explanation.

"The priest bowing down before the altar, and saying the _Confiteor_, represents our Saviour loaded with the sins of mankind, prostrate at his prayers in the garden, and falling into a bloody sweat and most painful agony. The priest going up to the altar and kissing it, represents our Saviour going to meet his enemies, and receiving the treacherous kiss from Judas. When he goes to the book at the corner of the Epistle, forms the sign of the cross, and reads the _Introit_, he represents our Saviour seized, bound, and led captive to the courts of Annas and Caiphas, where he was struck across the face, blindfolded, buffeted, spit upon, and treated with the greatest indignity, by the servants of the high priest, as if he were a mock prophet."

Prayer At The Introit And Kyrie.

Blessed be thou, O Jesus, for all thou hast suffered for our redemption. It is but just that my sins should draw tears from my eyes, since they have drawn streams of blood from thy veins. I desire to join the most humble contrition of my soul with thy agony in the garden, and resolve to be sorry for my sins, even unto the hour of my death. {372} My heart is pierced with grief to think that I have repaid thy goodness with such ingratitude; but until I cease to live, I will never cease to cry, with the humble publican: _O God be propitious to me a sinner_. May those bonds that tied thy innocent hands, loosen the chains of my sins, break the fetters of my iniquities, deliver me from the captivity of Satan, and restore me to the sweet liberty of thy children, that I may be enabled to cry out with thy prophet: _Thou hast broken my chains: I will sacrifice to thee an host of praise_. I cast myself at thy feet, and beseech thee by thy infinite charity, to strengthen me with thy all-powerful grace under all trials and afflictions. Never suffer me to betray thy sacred truths, or to take part with the world against thee. Grant that when any tribulation or anguish shall assault me, I may receive it with humility like unto thine, and with a true submission and resignation to thy heavenly Father's will. Grant that under the severest scourges I may call upon thee as a father, confide in thee as a father, and seek no comfort out of thee. Remember me at my last hour, when the terrors of death shall begin to seize me; then let thy angels comfort me; then let the memory of thy sufferings support me against all apprehensions, that no fear of death or judgment may ever lessen the hope I ought to repose in thee.

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Explanation.

"The repetition of the _Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison_, &c. (that is, Lord have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us,) three times, in honour of each of the three Divine Persons, reminds us that Christ was denied three times by St. Peter. The _Dominus vobiscum_, or, Our Lord be with you, which is the usual salutation in the scriptures, and which the priest says after the _Gloria in Excelsis_, it being the greatest of all blessings for the Lord to be with us, and we with him, reminds us how Peter was touched with repentance, when Christ cast a glance of his merciful eyes upon him. The aforesaid hymn, which a choir of angels sung in the air at our Saviour's birth, denotes the joy that is in heaven among the angels upon the conversion of a sinner, The _Kyries_ also remind us of the longing desires of the holy fathers for the coming of the Messiah. The _Gloria_ represents Christ's nativity. The Collects, Epistle, and Gospel, his prayers, miracles, and preaching.--The priest returning to the epistle side of the altar, and reading the Collects and the Lesson, represents Christ sent by Caiphas to Pilate, after being falsely accused and unjustly condemned by the Sanhedrin of the Jews. Then the priest goes to the middle of the altar, and humbly bowing himself down, prays in silence. This represents Christ conducted to Herod, and interrogated and scoffed at by him, without returning the least answer, or saying a word to justify himself. The priest going to the gospel side of the altar, and returning to the middle to make a profession of faith, by repeating the Nicene Creed, represents Christ sent back to Pilate in a fool's dress, and professing that he came to bear witness to the truth, and that his kingdom is not of this world. The removal of the Mass-book from the right to the left side of the altar, signifies that the new law of the gospel being rejected by the Jews, who were the first called, was preached to the Gentiles, who embraced it with joy, and were converted to the Christian religion in great multitudes. The lighted candles are emblems of their spiritual joy and of God's glory, and denote the light of faith which Christ brought to the world by his gospel.--At the beginning of the gospel, the priest and the people make the sign of the cross, first upon their foreheads, to signify that they are not ashamed of the cross of Christ, nor of his doctrine; secondly, upon their mouths, to denote that they are ready to profess it openly by word of mouth; and thirdly, upon their breasts, to signify that they will always preserve it carefully in their hearts. The people rise up and stand during the gospel, to show by this posture their readiness to go and practise whatever they shall be commanded by the word of God."

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Prayer At The Gloria, Epistle, And Gospel.

Let heaven and earth join together, and the choirs of angels he united with the voices of men, to sing eternal praises to God, in trinity and unity, for the mercies we have received in the admirable work of our redemption. O my amiable Jesus, how am I bound to love thee! How black must my ingratitude be, if, after such demonstrations of love, I can continue to offend thee! I am the offender, I am the malefactor, and thou hast taken upon thee the punishment due to my sins! It is I who deserve to be accused, arraigned, dispised, and condemned, and not thou: O innocent and spotless Lamb of God, eternal praise be to thy name. Whilst the Jews proclaim thee a blasphemer, I own thee for my Lord; and beseech thee, that under all reproaches and calumnies I may remember what thou hast suffered for me, and that I may endeavour, by an humble and patient silence, to show myself on all occasions to be thy true disciple. Grant that whenever I am persecuted by lies or false accusations, thy example may be my comfort, my model, and my rule. Give me courage, constancy, and patience, under all the injuries, crosses, and contradictions, which thy providence shall permit to befall me during my pilgrimage here on earth. {375} Do not suffer me to despair of thy mercy, or die in my sins, like unhappy Judas: but soften my stony heart, and melt it into tears of compunction. Leave me not to myself, but teach me to confide wholly in thee. Look on me with an eye of pity, and awaken me from the sleep of death, that I may bewail my past sins in the bitterness of my soul, and persevere in serving thee and promoting thy glory. May the fall of Peter be a lesson to me all the days of my life, to shun all evil company, to fly all the dangerous occasions of sin, and never to deny thee, my Lord and my God, either by word or deed; but openly to profess my faith without fear or shame. I thank thee for revealing thy heavenly truths, and for instructing us by thy holy apostles in the only true saving faith. Give me grace to attend to thy doctrine, to live up to the maxims of thy gospel, to profess thy faith by the practice of good works, and never to swerve from thy sacred law. Have mercy on all those that are involved in the dismal state of mortal sin, and grant them the grace of sincere repentance. Let the light of thy countenance shine upon those who are sitting in the darkness of infidelity, and in the gloomy shade of death.-- Bring back the strayed sheep to thy fold, and unite them to the communion of thy church, that we may all become one sheepfold under one shepherd.

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Explanation.

"When the priest unveils the chalice for the Offertory, he represents Christ stripped of his garments and bound to the pillar. The offering of the bread on the paten, denotes Christ offering up his body to be scourged. The mingling of the water with the wine, denotes the water and blood that flowed from his side on the cross. The offering the chalice with the wine, represents Christ scourged, and the streams of his blood flowing down upon the ground. The covering the chalice with the paten, represents him crowned with thorns, and treated as a mock king. The washing of the fingers at the _Lavabo_, reminds us how Pilate washed his hands before the multitude, and pronounced Christ innocent and just. The _Orate Fratres_ reminds us that Christ was shown to the people with ensigns of mock royalty, Pilate crying out at the same time: _Ecce Homo_, Behold the man. The priest saying the Secret Prayers in silence, represents Christ condemned to be crucified, and submitting to the unjust sentence without any defence or reply. The Preface, (so called because it serves as an introduction to the Canon of the Mass,) and the Canticle of the Hebrew children, which are repeated with a loud voice, remind us that Christ was loaded with the cross; the pious Hosanna being changed into the clamorous and cruel _Crucifige_, or crucify him."

Prayer At The Offertory, Lavabo, And Preface.

O my soul! run to thy suffering Lord, and at his feet pour out thyself in thanksgiving, and in all the ecstasies of love and praise. It is thy God that suffers, that he may redeem a slave, a poor sinful worm of the earth. When I behold thee, O dear Jesus, stripped naked, fastened to the pillar, cruelly scourged, torn, and mangled, I see the immensity of thy love for us, and the greatness of our sins against thee. I see in thy wounds, the slavery into which we are degraded, and the punishment due to our crimes. Our sins bound thy hands, and every stroke thou didst receive was the effect of our iniquities. {377} I offer thee my heart and soul, to be eternally consecrated to thy divine service, and to be washed and purified in the purple streams that gushed forth from every pore of thy sacred body. I throw myself into the arms of thy infinite mercy, with a firm resolution to die rather than renew thy passion, by relapsing into any mortal sin. No, dear Redeemer, I never will prefer Barabbas to thee; I never will set thee in competition with the world, or its delusive charms, sinful pleasures, or sordid interests. O amiable Jesus, thou shalt be my choice for ever. I will strike no more nails into thy hands by my evil deeds. I will add no more thorns to thy painful crown by my sinful thoughts. I will no more pierce thy sacred side by any unlawful desires. I will not scourge thy holy flesh by curses or blasphemies, nor crucify thee over again by any fresh crime. I am determined, with thy assistance, to put off the old man with all his acts, by a candid and naked confession of all my past sins. O grant that I may never appear naked of virtue in thy sight; but may be clad with the white robe of innocence when I shall be presented before thy awful tribunal. Pierce my heart with the thorns of penance and compunction here, that I may, through thy merits, be crowned with glory hereafter. Grant that whenever I am under any affliction, meet with any adversity, disgrace or contempt, or feel any part of the thorny crown on my head, I may rejoice in bearing such a resemblance of thy sufferings, and show by my patience and humility whose disciple I am. {378} Give me grace to submit with cheerfulness to the rod of thy paternal correction; and support my natural weakness, that I may not sink under the weight of any cross with which it shall please thy Divine Providence to visit me. Disengage my heart from all earthly affections. Raise and elevate my soul to thee, that I may always live and converse in heaven, where thou, my only treasure, art. I now presume to join my unworthy voice with the heavenly choirs of all thy angels and saints, who are incessantly singing eternal praises to thee:

_Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and Earth are full of thy glory: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosannah in the highest, &c._

Explanation.

"The Canon, which is the most sacred and most solemn part of the Mass, is read in a low voice, to denote the mourning and affliction of the faithful at the time of our Saviour's passion, which amazed and silenced all nature. The priest raises his hands, in imitation of Moses, who, as we read, (_Exodus_ xvii.) prayed with his hands lifted up, whilst Josue was combating with the Amalekites. After the _Memento_ for the living he spreads his hands over the bread and wine that are to be consecrated, in imitation of the priests of the old law, who were ordered, (_Lev_. 1.) when they offered sacrifice, to lay their hands upon the victim before it was immolated. These ceremonies represent Christ led away to be crucified, carrying his cross on his shoulders to Mount Calvary, admonishing the devout women on the way, who wept over him, to mourn for themselves and for their children; and when he arrived at the end of his painful journey, stripped again of his garments, and laid on the painful bed, without any other pillow to support his head but the thorns with which he was crowned. {379} The signing of the oblation with the sign of the cross, denotes how his hands and feet were stretched and nailed on the cross. The separated consecration of the bread and wine, represents his body slain, and his blood shed, for the remission of our sins. The elevation of the consecrated Host, represents him exalted on the cross in the sight of the whole multitude. The elevation of the Chalice represents the sacred blood flowing from his wounds. The ringing of the bell denotes the earthquakes and other signs which happened at his death. The five crosses formed over the oblation, signify the five principal wounds in his body. The time from the elevation to the communion corresponds to the three hours he hung alive on the cross. The _Memento_ for the dead denotes that whilst he was thus elevated between heaven and earth, he prayed as a powerful mediator for the whole world, even for his enemies and crucifiers. The conversion of the thief on the cross, on one side of him, is represented by the priest striking his breast, and saying, _nobis quoque peccatoribus_. The seven petitions of the _Pater Noster_ remind us of Christ's last words on the cross. The breaking of the Host is used in imitation of his having broken it before he gave it to his disciples at his last supper. The breaking of it in three parts represents his mystical body, or the church in three states: the blessed in heaven, the souls in purgatory, and the faithful on earth; this great sacrifice being offered for the whole church, triumphant, suffering, and militant; in honour of the first, that is, in thanksgiving to God for all the graces bestowed upon them, and for all the happiness they enjoy; for the relief of the second, to obtain a speedy admittance for them into eternal glory; and for the benefit of the last, according to the four great ends of sacrifice. The breaking of the Host also represents the death of Christ on the cross, and is a figure of his soul being separated from his body after he bowed down his sacred head. The mixing a particle of the Host with the sacramental species in the chalice, represents the descent of his soul into _Limbo_, or the prison of the Fathers of the old testament."

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Prayer At The Canon Of The Mass.

O King of glory! when shall I leave this earthly prison, this miserable Babylon, and be admitted into thy lovely tabernacles? O ocean of sweetness, and fountain of divine love, when shall I contemplate thee face to face in thy happy kingdom? My sins are a terror to my soul, but having so plentiful a redemption, I never will despair. Thy wounds cry out for mercy. Mercy, then, O God of goodness! have mercy on me. O Jesus, be a Jesus to my soul, and save me. I am thy purchase, snatched from the jaws of hell by the merits of thy sacred passion; accept me, therefore, an unworthy sinner. Purify me in those sacred streams that flowed from thy bleeding wounds, and present me to thy eternal Father, that through thee I may obtain his blessing and favour, which of myself I do not deserve. Extinguish in me all ambition, pride, and vanity, the love of the world, and every degree of vicious self-love. Grant me true humility, perfect patience, unfeigned charity, and sincere devotion. Give me only grace to practise what thou commandest, and command what thou pleasest. Increase true religion; plant thy faith in our hearts; give peace and unity to thy church; repentance and pardon to all sinners. Grant comfort to the sick and afflicted; relief to the distressed; mercy, grace, and salvation to all those for whom thou hast shed thy blood, and whom I am bound to pray for, particularly _N_. {381} We render thee thanks for admitting us to have a part in this great sacrifice, which thy Catholic Church offers to thy holy name, by the hands of the priest, for thy people. Accept it now, we beseech thee, O Lord, to thy glory, in satisfaction for all our offences and ingratitude, and in union with that divine intention with which our blessed Saviour offered it up, when he instituted it at his last supper, and consummated it upon the altar of the cross.

Prayer At The Elevation Of The Consecrated Host And Chalice.

Hail, O King of glory, Prince of peace, and Saviour of the world! Hail, O immaculate Host! offered for me and all mankind on the cross! I adore, bless, and glorify thee, O loving Jesus, with all the faculties of my soul and body. May all thy creatures sound forth thy praises. O sacrament of piety! O sign of unity! O bond of charity! O the goodness of my God! O how wonderful are the ways of divine love! How incomprehensible are the riches of the divine bounty!

O my bleeding Jesus, I bow down to the ground to adore thee! Hail! most precious blood, shed for me and the sins of the whole world! Hear, O eternal Father, the voice of thy Son's blood, that cries out loudly to heaven, not for vengeance, but for mercy: let it now speak in my behalf, and plead my pardon; let it blot out my iniquities, and cleanse my soul from all the foul stains of sin. I beg it most humbly for the sake of Jesus, who died upon the cross for my redemption.

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Prayer After The Elevation.

Behold, O almighty 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 adorable victim, this pure holocaust of obedience, humbled to the very death of the cross. Behold in him what may move thee to look down upon us with an eye of mercy, and to forgive us our sins. He is our High Priest, sprinkled with his own blood. Receive the sacrifice he has offered for us, in consideration of all the honours and homages that are due to thy sovereign goodness from me and all creatures. Extend, O compassionate Creator, the virtue of it unto the souls in the church suffering, and grant to the faithful departed rest and life everlasting, particularly to _N_.; mitigate their punishment, and translate them to that state of glory for which thou hast designed them. Thou hast formerly promised, that looking on thy rainbow thou wouldst remember the covenant made between thee and the patriarch Noah, (_Genes_, ix.); canst thou then look down on the blood of thy beloved Son Jesus, offered here to thee in sacrifice, and not remember the great covenant of the new law, sealed and confirmed with the effusion of his sacred blood?

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O dear Jesus! that I could love thee as thy goodness deserves. The more thou hast humbled thyself for my sake, the more I am bound to love thee. Remember thou hast bought me at a dear rate. O let not thy blood be lost or spilt in vain for me; but receive me into the number of the elect. I detest my sins, which were the cause of thy sufferings, and thy most cruel executioners. My crimes, alas! were the nails that bored thy hands and feet, and fastened thee to an ignominious cross. O who will give sorrow to my heart, and a fountain of tears to my eyes, that I may bewail them in the bitterness of my soul all the days of my life, and that at the hour of my departure I may, by means of a true conversion, be entitled to hear those comfortable words which thou saidst to the penitent thief on the cross: _This day shalt thou be with me in paradise._ I acknowledge my unworthiness, I do not deserve to be ranked among the number of thy children, yet I will presume to say that heavenly prayer which thou hast taught me: "Our Father, who art in heaven," &c.

Explanation

"When the priest strikes his breast, and says the _Agnus Dei_, (that is, O Lamb of God, &c.) he reminds us of the Centurion and many others striking their breasts with sorrow, and bewailing their offences, when they beheld Christ expiring on the cross, and were eye-witnesses of the prodigies which happened at his death. {384} The Prayer for Peace, before the communion of the priest, signifies, that to communicate worthily, we must be in peace with God and our neighbour, and approach with a clean heart and pure conscience. The priest's communion is a sign of the burial of Christ's body, which was taken down from the cross, wrapped up in clean linen, and laid in a new monument, cut out of a rock, near Mount Calvary. The purifying and covering of the chalice represents Christ's sepulchre, shut and covered with a stone. The resurrection of Christ from the dead is represented by the priest going to the corner of the Epistle, and reading the Post Communion, the mass-book being brought back to the right side of the altar, to signify that the Jews are to be converted to the Christian faith at the end of the world. _Dominus vobiscum_ represents Christ appearing to his disciples, and giving them his peace. The last Collect represents Christ conversing forty days with his disciples, and speaking to them of the kingdom of God. The last _Dominus vobiscum_, represents Christ's last apparition to his disciples; and the blessing given by the priest to the people, denotes that Christ lifted up both his hands, and blessed his apostles and other disciples before he left them, and in their sight ascended into heaven. The _Ite Missa est_, and the reading of the Gospel at the left corner of the altar, denote that Christ came not to call the just, but sinners, to repentance: and sent his apostles to teach all nations; and that they preached the gospel with amazing success in all parts of the known world, after the descent of the Holy Ghost."

Prayer At The Agnus Dei.

O Innocent Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on me; for nothing is more pleasing to thee than to have compassion on those that are miserable. Give me tears of repentance, that I may mourn for the evil I have committed. In thee I place all my hope, because thou alone art my salvation, my strength, my refuge, and the fountain of all my good. {385} I most humbly beseech thee, by the anguish of thy passion, and by thy sufferings on the cross, especially at that hour when thy blessed soul left thy body, to spare me in that dreadful moment, and have mercy on my soul. Let me experience the multitude of thy tender mercies, when I shall be in conflict with the pangs of death. Let thy passion and death stand then between my soul and thy justice. I accept the sentence of my death, in whatever manner I am to suffer it, in union with thy death on the cross. I humbly submit to it, and now offer it to thy divine majesty as a sacrifice and a just punishment due to my sins. I commend my soul into thy hands, and most earnestly entreat thee to give me thy blessing this day, and to grant me perseverance in thy service, that on the day of judgment I may be ranked in the happy number of those blessed souls, who are to be invited by thee to take possession of the kingdom of thy glory. During the time of my sojourn here on earth, preserve me from thirsting after the false goods of this world.--May I always remember thy vinegar and gall, and rest contented with what is sufficient to support nature. May I every day increase in thy love, and may all created objects be of little account with me, that thou mayest be the only delight of my soul and my everlasting joy.

Prayer At The Communion.

I Adore, O dear Jesus, thy sacred body and blood, soul and divinity, here present on the altar under the sacramental forms. {386} Praised be this most holy sacrament with as many praises as there are stars in the heavens, atoms in the air, drops of water in the ocean, sands in the sea, sparks in the fire, motes of dust upon the earth, flowers in the spring, grains of corn in the summer, leaves in the autumn, flakes of snow and hailstones in the winter, or creatures in the universe. O that I had the necessary dispositions of a worthy communicant! how willingly would I unite myself to my divine Redeemer in this sacrament of love! O may I receive it worthily at the hour of my death, that it may serve me as a viatic to a happy eternity. Though I am unworthy to receive it now sacramentally, yet I wish to receive it spiritually into my soul by faith, love, and devotion. Enter then, O divine bridegroom, into this poor lodging: you vouchsafed to lodge in a stable, you did not refuse to enter into the house of Zachæus, the publican; enter into my house as into the house of another Zachæus, and give a blessing to my soul, as thou didst to the house of Zachæus: say unto me, as thou saidst unto him: _Salvation is this day come to this house_.--Luke, xix.

A Prayer At The Last Collects, &c.

Praise, honour, and glory be to thee, O blessed Redeemer, who coming forth out of the grave, didst rise triumphantly from the dead, and having conversed with thy disciples for forty days, didst ascend into heaven, where thou sittest at the right hand of thy eternal Father. Inflame my heart and soul with thee, that I may seek nothing but to be united to thee for ever in heaven.

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Hear, O eternal Father, whatever the holy Catholic Church asks of thee in the name of thy beloved son. We beseech thee, that this our sacrifice may be acceptable in thy sight, and become profitable to us and to thy whole church. Receive my unworthy prayers, supply all my defects, pardon all my indevotions, distractions, and irreverences. Engrave in my heart the rules and maxims of thy gospel, and give me grace to live according to them. Teach me to follow thy example, that rising with thee to a new life of piety and holiness, and walking in thy footsteps, I may live to thee alone, and advance every day towards everlasting happiness. Amen.

_I did not judge to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified_. St. Paul, 1 Cor. ii. 2.

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The Epistles And Gospels For The Sundays And Principal Festivals Throughout The Year.

First Sunday Of Advent.

Epistle. _Romans_ xiii. 11, 14. _Brethren_: Know, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is past, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel. _Luke_ xxi. 25, 33. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion 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 the heavens shall be moved; and then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption is at hand. And he spoke to them a similitude: See the 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. Amen, 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. Credo.

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Second Sunday Of Advent

Epistle. _Romans_ xv. 4, 13. _Brethren:_ What things soever were written, were 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 honour 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 is written: "Therefore, will I confess to thee, O 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 Isaiah saith: "There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, 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. _At that 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. {390} And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitude, concerning John: What went ye out into the desert to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye 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 ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: "Behold, I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee." Credo.

Third Sunday Of Advent.

Epistle. _Philip_ iv. 4, 7. _Brethren_: Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, 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.

Gospel. _John_ i. 19, 28. _At that time:_ The Jews sent from Jerusalem Priests and Levites to John, to ask him: Who art thou? And he confessed, and did not deny; and he confessed: I am not the Christ. And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou a prophet? And he answered: 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 same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me; the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose. These things were done in Bethania beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.--Credo.

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Fourth Sunday Of Advent.

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ iv. 1, 6. _Brethren:_ 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 amongst 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 I am not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge not before the time till the Lord come; who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsel of 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 Cæsar (Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother Tetrarch of Iturea and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilana, under the high priests Annas and Caiphas) the word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zachary, in the desert. And he came 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 words 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 mountain and hill shall be brought low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain:" and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Credo.

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Christmas Day. First Mass. At Midnight.

Epistle. _Titus_ ii. 11, 15. _Dearly beloved:_ 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 coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Gospel. _Luke_ ii. 1, 14. And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Cæsar 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 family 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 forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room 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 them: Fear not: for behold I bring you good 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. Credo.

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Second Mass. At Break Of Day.

Epistle. _Titus_ iii. 4, 7. _Most dearly 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 renovation 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, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel. _Luke_ ii. 15, 20. _At that time:_ The shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that has 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, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Credo.

Third Mass. In The Day Time.

Epistle. _Hebrews_ 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 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 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. {394} 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, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of justice is the 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, O 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. 14. 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 made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men; and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. That was the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. {395} He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them he gave power to be made the sons of God; to them that believe in his name, who are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And _the word was made flesh_, and dwelt among us; and we saw his glory, as it were the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Sunday Within The Octave Of Christmas.

Epistle. _Galatians_ iv. 1, 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 serving 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.

Gospel. _Luke_ ii. 33, 40. _At that time:_ Joseph, and Mary the mother of Jesus, were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold the 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 Asar; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. {396} And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving day and night. 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, to their city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.

The Circumcision.

Gospel. _Luke_ ii. 21. _At that time:_ After eight days were accomplished that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb. Credo.

The Epiphany.

Lesson. _Isaias_ lx. 1, 9. Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and a mist 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 kings in the brightness of thy rising. {397} 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 Lord.

Gospel. _Matthew_ ii. 1, 12. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juda, 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 Herod hearing this was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born, but they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Juda." For so it is written by the prophet: "And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel." Then Herod privately 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 way; 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 him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their own country. Credo.

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First Sunday After Epiphany.

Epistle. _Romans_ xii. 1, 5. _Brethren:_ 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, by the grace that is given me, to all that are among 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 members, but all the members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel. _Luke_ ii. 42, 52. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went 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 at 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 my 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 those words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men. Credo.

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Second Sunday After Epiphany.

Lesson. _Acts_ iv. 8, 12. _In those days:_ Peter being 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 infirm 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. _Luke_ ii. 33, 40. _At that time:_ Joseph, and Mary the mother of Jesus, were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold the 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 Asar; 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 day and night. 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, to their city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.

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Third Sunday After Epiphany.

Epistle. _Romans_ xii. 16. _Brethren:_ Be not wise in your own conceits. To no man 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 in you, having peace with all men. Not revenging yourselves, my dearly beloved, but give place unto wrath. For it is written: "Revenge 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 on his head. Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good."

Gospel. _Matthew_ viii. 1, 13. _At that time:_ When Jesus was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him; and behold a leper came and adored him, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus stretching 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, my 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. {401} For I also am a man under 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 when Jesus heard this, he 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 unto 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. Credo.

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany.

Epistle. _Romans_ xiii. 8, 10. _Brethren:_ Owe no man any things, but to love one another; for he that loveth his neighbour, 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 neighbour as thyself." The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love, therefore, is the fulfilling of the law.

Gospel. _Matthew_ viii. 23, 27. _At that time:_ When Jesus entered into a boat his disciples followed him; and behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the ship was covered with waves; but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awakened him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish. And Jesus saith to them: Why are ye 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? Credo.

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Fifth Sunday After Epiphany.

Epistle. _Colossians_ iii. 12, 17. _Brethren:_ 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 you also. But above all these things have charity, 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, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel. _Matthew_ 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? from 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 while you gather up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Let both 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 gather the wheat into my barn.

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Sixth Sunday After Epiphany.

Epistle. 1 _Thessalonians_ 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 you in the work of your faith, and hope, and charity, 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 to you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men 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 that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and in 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. _Matthew_ xiii 31, 35. _At that time:_ Jesus spoke to the multitude this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which indeed is the least 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 air 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. {404} All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes, and without parables he did not speak to them; that the word 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." Credo.

If there be not VI. Sundays between the Epiphany and Septuagesima, what remain are omitted, and taken in between the XXIII. and the last Sunday after Pentecost.

Septuagesima Sunday.

Epistle, 1 _Corinthians_ ix. 24, _and_ x. 1. _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 striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things; and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air: but I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway. [_Chap_. x. 1, 6.] 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. _Matthew_ xx. 1, 16. _At that time:_ Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like to a householder who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when having agreed with the labourers 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. {405} 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 here 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 said to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. When therefore they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should have received 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 but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us that have borne the burden of the day, and the heats. But he answering said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take what 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. Credo.

Sexagesima Sunday.

Epistle. 2 _Corinthians_ xi. 19, 33. _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 dishonour, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare (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. {406} They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise) I am more: in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes, save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, 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 labour and gainfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides these 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 for ever, 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. [_Chap_. xii. 1.] If I must glory, (it is not expedient indeed,) but I will come to the visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ about fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not, God knoweth,) such a one rapt even to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth) how he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which is not granted to man to utter. For such a one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities. For though 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. {407} And lest the greatness of the revelations should lift me up, there was given me a string of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing I thrice besought the Lord, that it might depart from me: and he said to me: My 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.

Gospel. _Luke_ viii. 4, 16. _At that time:_ When a very great multitude was gathered together, and hastened out of the cities to meet Jesus, he spoke by a similitude. A 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 devoured 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 sprung up, and yielded fruit a hundred-fold. Saying these things he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 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 they 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 hearts, 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; for they 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 the 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.

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Quinquagesima Sunday.

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ xiii. 1, 13. _Brethren:_ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy, and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind. Charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; it is not puffed up, it 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, endureth 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 perfect 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 now see 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 greatest of these is charity.

Gospel. _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. {409} And this word was hid from them, and they understood not the things that were said. Now it came to pass, that when he drew nigh to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way-side, begging. And when he 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: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. And they that went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace. But he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus, standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, saying: What 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. Credo.

Ash-Wednesday.

Lesson. _Joel_ ii. 12, 19. Thus saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, 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 in 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 ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of the bride-chamber. Between the porch and the altar, the priests, the Lord's ministers, shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people; and give not thine inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule over them. {410} 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; you shall be filled with them, and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations, saith the Lord Almighty.

Gospel. _Matthew_ 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 to 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, but to thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, will reward thee. Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 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.

First Sunday In Lent.

Epistle. 2 _Corinthians_ vi. 1, 10. _Brethren:_ We exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith: "In an acceptable 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 prison, in seditions, in labours, 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 armour of justice on the right hand, and on the left: by honour, and dishonour: by evil report, and good report: as deceivers, and yet true: as unknown, and yet known: as dying, and behold we live: as chastised, and not killed: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing, and possessing all things.

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Gospel. _Matthew_ iv. 1, 11. _At that time:_ Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards hungry. And the tempter coming, said to him, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said: It is written, "Not by bread alone doth man live, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Then the devil took him into the holy city, and set him upon a pinnacle of the temple, and said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, "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 thou wilt fall down and adore me. Then Jesus said 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.--Credo.

Second Sunday In Lent.

Epistle. 1 _Thessalonians_, iv. 1, 7. _Brethren:_ We pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us, how you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. {412} 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 honour, not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God; and that no man over-reach 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.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xvii. 1, 9. _At that time:_ Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and 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. Then Peter answering, said 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; hear ye him. And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said unto them: Arise, and be not afraid. And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man shall be risen from the dead. Credo.

Third Sunday In Lent.

Epistle. _Ephesians_ v. 1, 9. _Brethren:_ Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God, for an odour of sweetness. {413} But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not so much 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 ye this, and understand, that no fornicator, or unclean or covetous person, (which is serving of idols,) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man 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 Belzebub, 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 Belzebub I cast out devils. Now, if I cast out devils by Belzebub, 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 him, he will take away all his armour 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. {414} 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: 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. Credo.

Fourth Sunday In Lent.

Epistle. _Galatians_ iv. 22, 31. _Brethren:_ 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 flesh; but he by 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 now is, and is in bondage with her children. But that Jerusalem, which is above, is free; which is our mother. For it is written: Rejoice, 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 bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free; by the freedom wherewith Christ hath made us free.

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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. Jesus therefore went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the pasch, 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 him, he said to Philip: Whence shall 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: Two hundred penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him: There is a boy here that hath five barley loaves, and two fishes; but what are they 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. Now these 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. Credo.

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Passion Sunday.

Epistle. _Hebrews_ ix. 11, 15. _Brethren:_ 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 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 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.

Gospel. _John_ viii. 46, 59. _At that 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 we not say well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered: I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and you have dishonoured 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 for ever. 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 for ever. 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. {417} It is my Father that glorifieth me, of whom you say that he is your God; and you have not known him, but I know him. And if I should say that I know him not, I should 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 glad. The Jews then 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.

Palm Sunday.

Epistle. _Philippians_ ii. 5, 11. _Brethren:_ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names; that in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of the Father.

Gospel. _The_ Passion _of our_ Lord Jesus Christ, _according_ to Matthew xxvi. _and_ xxvii. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: You know that after two days shall be the pasch, and the Son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified. Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people into the court of the high-priest, who was called Caiphas; and they consulted together, that by subtlety they might apprehend Jesus, and put him to death. But they said: Not on the festival day, lest perhaps there should be a tumult amongst the people. {418} And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper, there came to him a woman having an alabaster-box of precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he was at table. And the disciples seeing it, had indignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste? For this might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? For she has wrought a good work upon me. 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. Amen, I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memory of her. Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests, and said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver. And from thenceforth he sought an opportunity to betray him. And on the first day of the Azymes the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch? But Jesus said: Go ye into the city to a certain man, and say to him, "The Master saith, My time is near at hand. I will keep the pasch at thy house with my disciples." And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them, and they prepared the pasch. Now when it was evening, he sat down with is 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 man, by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born. {419} 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 for the 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 new with you in the kingdom of my Father. And a hymn being said, they went out into mount Olivet. Then Jesus said to them: All you shall be scandalized in me 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 manner said all the disciples. Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his 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 from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh to his disciples and findeth them asleep, and he said to Peter: What! could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is 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. {420} 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 words. 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 said 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 multitude: 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 high-priest; and going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end. And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; and they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. {421} And last of all there came two false witnesses; and they said: This man said, I am able to destroy 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 things which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high-priest said to him: I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God. Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless 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: He hath blasphemed, what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy: what think you? But 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, O Christ, who is he that struck thee? But Peter sat without in the court; and there came to him a servant-maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean. But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thou sayest. And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him, and she saith to them that were there: This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath: That I know not the 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 swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus 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 council against Jesus, that they might put him to death. {422} And they brought him bound, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, saying: I have sinned, in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? look thou to it. And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed, and went and hanged himself with a halter. But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood. And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field, to be a burying-place for strangers. For this cause that field was called Haceldama, that is, the field of blood, even to this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, whom 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 the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it. And when he was accused by the chief priests and ancients, he answered nothing. Then Pilate saith to him: Dost thou not hear how great testimonies they allege against thee? And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor wondered 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 Barabbas. They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man. For I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. {423} But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people that they should ask Barabbas, and make Jesus away. And the governor answering, said to them: Whether will you of the two to be released unto you? But they said, Barabbas. Pilate saith to them: what shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified. The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified. And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made; taking water he washed his hands before the people, saying: I am innocent 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. Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band; and stripping him, 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 him, 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 his own garments, and led him away to crucify him. And going out they met a man of Cyrene named Simon: him they forced to take up the 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 the King of the Jews._ {424} Then were crucified with him 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, save 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 Son of God. And the self-same thing the thieves also that were 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, lamma sabacthani? that is, "My God, my God, why 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 us see whether Elias will come and deliver him. And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. [Here all kneel and pause.] And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, 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 to many. Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God. And there were there many women afar off who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the Mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. {425} 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 hewn out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way. And there was there Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre. And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the 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. 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: 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.

Easter Sunday.

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ v. 7, 8. _Brethren:_ Purge out the old leaven, that you 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 malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Gospel. _Mark_ xvi. 1, 7. _At that time:_ Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, brought sweet spices, that coming they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen. {426} 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 young man sitting on the right side clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted: you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he 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. Credo.

Quasimodo, Or Low Sunday.

Epistle. 1 _John_ v. 4, 9. _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 the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth, that Christ is the truth. And 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, 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 himself.

Gospel. _John_ xx. 19, 31. _At that time:_ When it was late that same day, being the first day 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. {427} 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 hands 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 said to Thomas: 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 said to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed. 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 you may have life in his name. Credo.

Second Sunday After Easter.

Epistle. 1 _Peter_ ii. 21, 25. _Dearly beloved;_ Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps. _Who did no sin, neither was guile found in is 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 in his body upon the tree: that we being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray: but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

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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 coming 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 am the good shepherd: and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father knoweth 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. Credo.

Third Sunday After Easter.

Epistle. 1 _Peter_ ii. 11, 19. _Dearly beloved:_ I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims to refrain yourselves from carnal desires, which war against the soul, having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation. Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God's sake: whether it be to kings as excelling: or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of the good: for so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God. Honour all men: love the brotherhood: fear God: honour the king. Servants be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thanks-worthy _in Jesus Christ our Lord_.

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Gospel. _John_ xvi. 16,22. _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 it 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 you 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 labour, 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. Credo.

Fourth Sunday After Easter.

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 might be some beginning of his creatures. You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak, 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.

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Gospel. _John_ xvi. 5, 15. _At that time:_ 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 me 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 when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak: and the things that are to come he shall show you. He shall glorify me: because he shall receive of mine, and shall show it you. Credo.

Fifth Sunday After Easter.

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 own 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 forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work: this man shall be blessed in his deed. And if any man think himself religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain. _Religion_ clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and the widows in their tribulation: and to keep one's self unspotted from the world.

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Gospel. _John_ xvi. 23, 30. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, amen, I say to you; if you ask the Father any thing in my name, 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 no more will speak to you in proverbs, but will show you plainly of the Father. In that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not to you, that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples say to him: Behold now thou speakest plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now we know that thou knowest all things, and thou needest not that any man should ask thee. By this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Credo.

Ascension-Day.

Lesson. Acts i. 1, 11. The former treatise, I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day on which, giving commandments 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, by 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 mouth: for John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. {432} They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of 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 to 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? This 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:_ Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at table; and he 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 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, preached every where: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed. Credo.

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Sunday Within The Octave Of The Ascension.

Epistle. 1 _Peter_ iv. 7, 11. _Most dearly beloved:_ Be prudent, and watch in prayers. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring. 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 honoured through Jesus Christ; to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. _Amen_.

Gospel. _John_ xv. 26. xvi. 1, 4. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: 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 doeth a service to God. And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things I have told you; that when the hour shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. Credo.

Whit-Sunday.

Lesson. _Acts_ ii. 1, 11. When the days of 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 were 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. {434} 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? Parthians, 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.

Gospel. _John_ xiv. 23. 31. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode 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 said to you: I go away, and I 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. Credo.

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Trinity Sunday.

Epistle. _Romans_ xi. 33, 36. O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him? For of him, and by him, and in him are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xxviii. 18, 20. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going, therefore, teach all nations: _Baptising them in the name op the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost._ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. Credo.

Gospel of the First Sunday _after_ Pentecost. _Luke_ vi. 30, 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 be given 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? Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother's eye. _Deo gratias_.

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Corpus Christi

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ xi. 23, 29. _Brethren:_ 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, 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 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 of the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and 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.

Gospel. _John_ vi. 56, 59. _At that time:_ Jesus said to the multitude 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 for ever. Credo.

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Second Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. 1 _John_ iii. 13, 18. _Dearly 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 brethren. He that hath the substance of this world, and shall see his brother in need, and shut up his bowels from him: how doth the charity of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Gospel. _Luke_ xiv. 16, 24. _At that time:_ Jesus spoke this parable to the Pharisees: 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 must needs go out and see it: I pray thee, hold me excused. And another said: 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 room. And the Lord said to the servant: Go out into the high-ways and hedges; and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. But I say unto you, that none of those men that were invited, shall taste of my supper. Credo.

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Third Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. 1 _Peter_ v. 6, 11. _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. 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 into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm and stablish you. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. _Amen_.

Gospel. _Luke_ xv. 1, 10. _At that time:_ The publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him. And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. And he spoke to them this parable, saying: What man of you that hath a 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 neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost? I say to you, that even 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 neighbours, 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. Credo.

{439}

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Romans_ 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 travaileth in pain 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 redemption of our body in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel. _Luke_ v. 1, 11. _At that time:_ It came to pass, that when the multitude pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood 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 up 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 laboured all the night, and have taken nothing; but at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed 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. {440} Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus's knees, saying: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O 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. Credo.

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost.

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, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this you are 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 against them that do evil things." And who is he that can hurt you, if you be jealous 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 sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts.

Gospel. _Matthew_ v. 20, 24. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Unless your justice exceed 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 hall 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 brother, _Raca_, shall be _in danger of_ the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be _in danger of_ hell fire. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there shalt 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. Credo.

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Sixth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Romans_ vi. 3, 11. _Brethren:_ All we who 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 also be 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 yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel. _Mark_ viii. 1, 9. _At that time:_ When there was a great multitude with Jesus, and had nothing to eat: calling his disciples together, he 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 send them away fasting to their own home, they will faint in the way: for some of them came afar off. And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness? {442} And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke, and gave to his disciples for 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. Credo.

Seventh Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Romans_ vi. 19. _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.

Gospel. _Matthew_ 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 them. 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 everyone that saith, 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. Credo.

{443}

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Romans_ 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 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 time:_ 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 stewardship, 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: A hundred barrels of oil. And he said to him: Take thy bill and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then he said to another: And how much dost thou owe? Who said: A 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. Credo.

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Ninth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ x. 6, 13. _Brethren:_ Let us 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 let him that thinketh himself to stand, 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; but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.

Gospel. _Luke_ xix. 41, 47. _At that time:_ When he drew near to 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 trench 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: "My house is the house of prayer." But you have made it a den of thieves. And he was teaching daily in the temple. Credo.

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Tenth Sunday After Pentecost.

_Epistle._ 1 _Corinthians_ 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; and 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; to 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 in 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:_ Jesus spake this parable to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others. Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one was a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in the 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: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, because every one that exalted himself, shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Credo.

{446}

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ xv. 1, 10. _Brethren:_ 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: and that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day according to the Scriptures: and that 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 fallen asleep. After that he was seen by James, then by all the apostles: and last of all, he was seen also by me, as 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 coast of Tyre, he came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coast of Decapolis. And they bring to him one deaf 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, that is, Be 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. But the more he charged them, so much 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 hath made both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. Credo.

{447}

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. 2 _Corinthians_ iii. 4, 9. _Brethren:_ We have confidence through Christ towards God: not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from 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 Moses, 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.

Gospel. _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 neighbour as thyself." {448} 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 who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who had 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 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 an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pieces, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I at my return will repay thee. Which of these three in thy opinion was neighbour to him that fell among robbers? But he said: He that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner. Credo.

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Galatians_ 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, or 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. {449} Now a mediator is not of one; but God is one. Was the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Gospel. _Luke_ xvii. 11, 19. _At that time:_ As Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off, and lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Whom when he saw, he said: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that 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. Credo.

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Galatians_ v. 16, 24, _Brethren:_ Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit; and the spirit against the flesh: for these are contrary to one another, so that you do not 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, which are, fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, envy, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. {450} Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain 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. _Matthew_ vi. 24, 33. _At that time:_ 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 labour 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, O 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 added unto you. Credo.

{451}

Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Galatians_ v. 25. vi. 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 another. (Chap, vi.) Brethren, 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 instructed 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 called Naim; and there went with him his disciples, and a great multitude. And when he came nigh to the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and much people of the city were with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and 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 delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on them all: and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet is risen up amongst us, and God hath visited his people.

{452}

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Ephesians_ 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 knee 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 clarity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do all things more 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. {453} And he spoke a parable also to them that were 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 honourable 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 exalted himself, shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Credo.

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

Epistle. _Ephesians_ iv. 1, 6. _Brethren:_ I who am a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called. With all humility 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 for evermore.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xxii. 35, 46. _At that time:_ The Pharisees came to Jesus; and one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: Master, which is the great commandment of 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 neighbour as thyself_. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. {454} 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: _The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool?_ 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. Credo.

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ 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. _Matthew_ ix. 1, 8. _At that time:_ Jesus entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into his own city. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy, lying on 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 heart? Whether is it 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 said 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 gave such power to men. Credo.

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Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Ephesians_. 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 neighbour: 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 no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xxii. 1, 14. _At that time:_ Jesus spoke to the scribes and Pharisees in a parable, 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 to the marriage: and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited: Behold, I have prepared my dinner: 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. Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready: but they that were invited, were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the high-ways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests. {456} And the king went 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 on a wedding garment? But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and his feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called but few are chosen. Credo.

Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Ephesians_. v. 15, 21. _Brethren:_ See, therefore, 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.

Gospel, _John_ iv. 46, 53. _At that time:_ There was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capharnaum. 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. Credo.

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Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Ephesians_. vi. 10, 17. _Brethren:_ Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirit of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armour 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 most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xviii. 28, 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. {458} And 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 paid the debt. Now his fellow-servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. 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 fellow-servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers, until he paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. Credo.

Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Philippians_ 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 bands, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you are all 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.

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Gospel. _Matthew_ 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 thou dost think, is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar 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 say to him: Cæsar's. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's. Credo.

Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost.

Should there be but 23 Sundays after Pentecost, the Mass of the 24th is said to-day, and this on the preceding Saturday, (if it be neither a double nor semi-double,) in which case it is said on some vacant day before it.

Epistle. _Philippians_ iii. 17, 21; iv. 1, 3. _Brethren:_ Be followers of me, and observe them who walk so as you have our model. For many walk, of whom 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 their shame: who mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven: from 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. (Chap, iv.) 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 Evodia, and I beseech Syntyche, to be of one mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, my sincere companion, help those women that have laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement and the rest of my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

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Gospel. _Matthew_ ix. 18, 26. _At that time:_ As Jesus was speaking to the multitude, behold a certain ruler came up and adored him, saying: Lord, my daughter 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 rout, 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. Credo.

As there cannot be less than 23, nor more than 28 Sundays after Pentecost, it is to be observed, that the Mass of the 24th is always said on that Sunday which immediately precedes Advent. When, therefore, it happens that there are any intervening Sundays between the 23rd and the last, the Epistles and Gospels are taken from the Sundays which were omitted after Epiphany: for instance, if but one Sunday, the Mass is of the 6th after Epiphany; if two, of the 5th and 6th; if three, of the 4th, 5th, and 6th; and if four, of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Twenty-Fourth, Or Last Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle. _Ccolossians_ 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 pleasing: 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 from 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.

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Gospel. _Matthew_ xxiv. 15, 35. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: When you shall see the abomination of desolation, 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 child, and give suck in those days. But pray that your flight be not in the winter, nor 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 could 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 there 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 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, and appeareth even into the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. {462} 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 from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be moved: and there shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of man, coming 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 these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass, but my words shall not pass. Credo.

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The Common Of Saints.

Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 8th December.

Lesson. _Proverbs_ viii. 22, 35. The Lord possessed me in the beginning 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 water 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 there: when with a certain law and compass he enclosed he 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 delight is 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, and shall have salvation from the Lord.

Gospel. _Matthew_ i. 1, 16. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. {464} And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminidab. And Aminidab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her who 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 Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Menasses. And Menasses 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 Abiub. And Abiub begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Matham. And Matham begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Of St. Patrick, ap. and Patron of Ireland. 17th March.

Lesson. _Ecclesiastes_ xliv. xlv. Behold a great priest, who in his time pleased God, and was found just; and in the time of wrath became an atonement. There were none found like him in observing the law of the Most High. Therefore by an oath did the Lord make him great amongst his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and established his covenant on his head. He acknowledged him in his blessings: he stored up his mercy for him; and he found favour in the eyes of the Lord. (Chap, xlv.) He exalted him in the sight of kings; and gave him a crown of glory. He made with him an eternal covenant: and bestowed on him a great priesthood: and rendered him blessed in glory. To perform the priestly office, to sing praises to the name of God; and to offer him precious incense for an odour of sweetness.

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Gospel. _Matthew_ xxv. 14, 23. _At that time:_ Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: A man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability; and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents, coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, 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. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, 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.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 25th March.

Lesson. _Isaiah_ vii. 10. 16. _In those days:_ The Lord spoke unto Achaz, saying: Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above. {466} And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear ye, therefore, O house of David; 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. _At that time:_ 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 Mary, 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 for ever, 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 Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.

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SS. Peter _and_ Paul.

29th June.

Lesson. _Acts_ xii. 1, 11. _In those days:_ Herod the king stretched forth his hand to afflict some of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of Azymes. And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending after the pasch to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him: and a light shined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side raised him up, saying: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said to him: Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said to him: Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And going out he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first and second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through one street: and immediately the angel departed from him. And Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xvi. 13, 19. _At that time:_ Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some, John the Baptist, and other some, Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. {468} Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona; because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. Credo.

Assumption _of the_ Blessed Virgin Mary.

15th August.

Lesson. _Ecclesiastes_ xxiv. 11, 20. I sought rest every where, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. Then the Creator of all things gave his orders, 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 beginning, 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 I was so established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power _was_ in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honourable 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: like the myrrh I yielded a sweet odour.

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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 from her. Credo.

Feast Of All Saints.

1st November.

Lesson. _Revelation_ vii. 2, 12. _In those days:_ Behold I, John, saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying: Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we have signed 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 Judah, were twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Nephtali, 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 Zebulon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand signed. {470} 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 in 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 throne, 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, honour, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel. _Matthew_ v. 1, 12. _At that time:_ Jesus seeing the multitude, went up into a mountain, and when he was set 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 suffer persecution for justice sake; for theirs is the 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. Credo.

Commemoration _of the_ Faithful _departed_.

2nd November.

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ xv. 51, 57. _Brethren:_ Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall all indeed rise again; but we shall not all be changed. {471} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible; and we shall be changed. For this corruptible 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: _Death is swallowed up in victory, O grave, where is thy victory? O 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.

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. For as the Father hath life in himself; so he hath given to the Son also to have life in himself: and he hath given him power to do judgment, because he is the Son of man. Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the grave 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.

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Common Of Saints.

For The Vigil Of An Apostle,

Which May Be Read On The Festival Day.

Lesson. _Ecclesiastes_ xliv. _and_ xlv. The blessing of the Lord is on the head of the righteous man. Therefore did the Lord give him an inheritance, and assign him a part among the twelve tribes; and he found grace in the sight of all flesh. And he made him great to the terror of his enemies, and by his words he tamed monsters. He rendered him glorious in the presence of kings, and gave him his commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him his glory. For his faith and meekness he sanctified him, and made choice of him among all flesh: and publicly gave him his precepts, and the law of life and discipline, and highly exalted him. He settled with him an eternal covenant, and encompassed him with the girdle of righteousness: and the Lord hath put on him a crown of glory.

Gospel. _John_ xv. 12, 16. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. I will not now call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth. But I have called you friends: because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you that you should go, and should bring forth fruit: and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Of a Martyr and Bishop.

Epistle. _James_ i. 12, 18. _Dearly beloved:_ Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him. {473} Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man. But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death. Do not err therefore, my dearest brethren. 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 might be some beginning of his creatures.

Gospel. _Luke_ xiv. 26, 33. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it: lest, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, saying: This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or, what king about to go and make war against another king, doth not first sit down and think whether he be able with ten thousand, to meet him that with twenty thousand cometh out against him. Or else, whilst the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace. So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.

Of a Martyr not a Bishop.

Lesson. _Wisdom_ x. 10, 14. The Lord conducted the just man through the right ways, and showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things: made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. {474} In the deceit of them that over-reached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable. She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all. She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit, and in bands she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and showed them to be liars that accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.

Gospel. _Matthew_ x. 34, 42. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's enemies against they of his own household. He that loveth his father and mother more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it. He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

Of Many Martyrs.

Epistle. 1 _Peter_ i. 3, 7. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his great mercy hath regenerated us into a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that cannot fade, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are kept by faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations; that the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise, and glory, and honour, at the appearing of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Gospel. _John_ xv. 5, 11. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: I am the vine, you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth. If you abide in me, and my word abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. In this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much fruit, and become my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father's commandments, and do abide in his love. These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled.

Of A Confessor And Bishop. Lesson _and_ Gospel, _as in page_ 79.

Of A Confessor Not A Bishop.

Lesson. _Ecclesiastes_ xxxi. 8. 11. Blessed is the man that is found without blemish; and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him, for he hath done wonderful things in his life. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting, He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.

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Gospel. _Luke_ xii. 35, 40. _At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands, and you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from their wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord, when he cometh, shall find watching: Amen, I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broke open. Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.

Of a Virgin And Martyr.

Lesson. _Ecclesiastes_ li. 1, 8. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, my King, and I will praise thee, O God, my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name, for thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. And thou hast delivered: me according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from the roaring _lions_, that were ready to devour me. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: from the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue: my soul shall praise the Lord even to death, because thou succourest those that trust in thee, and deliverest them from the hands of the Gentiles, O Lord our God.

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Gospel. _Matthew_ xxv. 1, 13. _At that time:_ Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven shall be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered, saying: Amen, I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.

Of Many Virgins And Martyrs.

Epistle. 1 _Corinthians_ vii. 25, 34. _Brethren:_ Concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I think therefore, that this is good for the present necessity, for a man so to be. Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of the flesh. {478} But I spare you. This therefore I say, brethren: the time is short: it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not: and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife; and he is divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord: that she may be holy both in body and spirit, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xxv. 1, 13, _as in page_ 92.

Of a Virgin only.

Epistle. 2 _Corinthians_ x. 17; xi. 1, 2. _Brethren: _Let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord: for not he that commendeth himself is approved; but he whom God commendeth. [_Chap_. xi.] Would to God you could bear with some little of my folly: but do bear with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xxv. 1, 13, _as in page_ 92.

Of Holy Women.

Lesson. _Proverbs_ xxxi. 10. Who shall find a valiant woman? the price of her is _as of things brought_ from afar off, and from the uttermost coasts. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. She will render him good and not evil, all the days of her life. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands. She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar. And she hath risen in the night, and given prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens. She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard. {479} She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm. She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night. She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor. She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow, for all her domestics are clothed with double garments. She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry; fine linen and purple is her covering. Her husband is honourable in the gates, where he sitteth among the senators of the land. She made fine linen and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chananite. Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue. She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Gospel. _Matthew_ xiii. 44, 52. _At that time:_ Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kinds of fishes. Which, when it was filled they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just. {480} And shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man who is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.

Anniversary Mass Of The Dedication Of A Church.

Lesson. _Revelation_ xxi. 2, 5. _In those days:_ I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people: and God himself with them shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat on the throne said: Behold I make all things new.

Gospel. _Luke_ xix. 1, 10. _At that time: _Jesus entering in, he walked through Jericho. And behold there was a man named Zacheus, who was the chief of the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and he could not, for the crowd, because he was low of stature. And running before he climbed up into a sycamore tree that he might see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up he saw him, and said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down: for this day I must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received him with joy. And when all saw it, they murmured, saying: that he was gone to be a guest with a man that was a sinner. But Zacheus standing said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor: and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him four-fold. Jesus said to him: This day is salvation come to this house; because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Credo.

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For The Dead _On the day of Decease or Burial._

Epistle. 1 Thessalonians iv. 12, 17. _Brethren:_ We will not have you ignorant concerning them that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them who have slept through Jesus, will God bring with him. For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept. For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment: and with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ, shall rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. Wherefore comfort ye one another with these words.

Gospel. _John_ xi. 21, 27. _At that time:_ Martha said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith to her: Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith to him: I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live. And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this? She saith to him: Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ the Son of the living God, who art come into this world.

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Instructions And Devotions

For Confirmation.

Confirmation is a sacrament instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, to enable us to arrive at the state of perfect Christians, and to strengthen the spiritual life of grace which we received at baptism. It is called _Confirmation_, from its effect, which is to _confirm_ and _fortify_ those who receive it with the necessary dispositions, in the possession of the true faith, to arm them against their spiritual enemies, and to complete and finish in them the sanctification which baptism had begun. In baptism we receive the character of the children of God; in confirmation we receive the strength of men, and the character of the soldiers of Jesus Christ, says St. Melchiades. In baptism we are enlisted under the standard of Christ crucified; in confirmation we are armed with the shield of faith, and enabled to combat against the devil, the world, and the flesh. In baptism we are regenerated, and receive the sanctifying grace of God for the remission of sins; in confirmation we are prepared for a spiritual warfare, and receive the Holy Ghost for a force and corroboration, that we may stand firm in the divine service, for the sake of Christ, with a holy vigour of spirit and constancy of mind, amidst the terrors of the severest trials and persecutions.

The effects of this sacrament appear visibly, not only in thousands of holy martyrs, but also in the apostles, who, after they had been confirmed on Whitsunday, by the Holy Ghost coming down upon them, were immediately changed into new men, and were animated by this Divine Spirit to that degree, that sufferings for the sweet name of Jesus became the subject of their glory. It is evident from Acts, viii. and xix., that the apostles practised confirmation, as a means to communicate the graces and gifts of the Holy Ghost to the faithful. {483} It is of confirmation also that St. Paul makes mention, Hebrews vi. 1, 2, and 2 Corinthians i. 21, 22, where he expressly says: _Now he who confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts._

The testaments of the most ancient writers plainly show, that the church of God, from the apostles' days, has always believed confirmation to be a sacrament of the new law, and administered it as such. Among the rest, St. Clement, a contemporary of the apostles, says, chap. 4, that he received this doctrine from St. Peter and other apostles; and therefore he exhorts all, without delay, to hasten to be signed by the bishop, that they may receive the seven-fold grace of the Holy Ghost, since he cannot be a perfect Christian who wilfully neglects this sacrament. Tertullian, St. Fabian, and St. Melchiades, who flourished in the second, third, and fourth centuries; St. Cyprian, St. Jerome, St. Ambrose, &c. have handed down the same doctrine: and St. Augustine, cont. lit. Petil. 2, c. 104, says in express terms, "The sacrament of chrism in the kind of visible seals, is sacred and holy, even as baptism itself." Moreover, it is plain from the 8th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, ver. 14, that the _visible sign_ of the imposition of hands has annexed to it an _invisible grace_, viz. the imparting of the Holy Ghost. Consequently, confirmation is a sacrament, as it has all things necessary to constitute a sacrament, and is a _visible sign of an invisible grace, &c._

The ordinary minister of this sacrament is a bishop only; and it was for this reason that St. Peter and St. John, who were both bishops, were sent to confirm the Samaritans, who had been converted and baptised by Philip, the deacon; which is an additional proof, that confirmation is a holy sacrament, and not a mere ceremony, as Calvin pretends; for were it only a ceremony that they had administered, why did not Philip, the deacon, who baptised the Samaritans, use that ceremony? Where was the necessity of sending two bishops to Samaria, as the apostles did?--_Acts_ viii.

As water is made use of in baptism, so chrism is used in confirmation. _Chrism_ is a sacred ointment, composed of _oil of olives_ and _balsam_ (or _balm_) _of Gilead_, solemnly blessed by a bishop on Holy Thursday. {484} The unction, or outward anointing with _chrism_, represents the inward anointing of the soul with the gifts of the Holy Ghost; as the outward ablution with water in baptism, denotes the inward washing of the soul by the sanctifying grace of God. The oil, whose properties are to assuage our pains, to fortify the limbs, and to give a certain vigour to the body, represents the spiritual effects of the grace of this sacrament in the soul; and the balm, which is of a sweet smell, and whose property is to preserve bodies from putrefaction, represents the good odour or sweet savour of Christian virtues with which we are to edify our neighbours after having received this sacrament. The form of words used in conferring this sacrament is this: _I sign thee with the sign of the cross, I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost._ Whilst the bishop pronounces the form, he makes the sign of the cross with the holy chrism, upon the forehead of each person that is to be confirmed, to give them to understand, that no worldly fear or shame is to deter them from confessing Christ crucified; but that they are openly to profess the doctrines and maxims of his gospel, and live as becomes members of his church in spite of the ill example and corrupt maxims of the world. Hence Tertullian says, lib. 1. adv. Marc. "The flesh is anointed, that the soul may be consecrated. The flesh is signed, that the soul may be fenced. The flesh, by the imposition of hands, is shadowed, that the soul, by the spirit, may be illuminated."--This is what the bishop prays for, when turning himself towards those that are to be confirmed, with his hands joined before his breast, he says, _May the Holy Ghost come down upon you and the power of the Most High keep you from all sins.--Amen_. A little blow is given on the cheek to the persons confirmed, to imprint in their minds, that they are to be ready to bear with meekness and patience, all crosses, persecutions, trials, affronts, and injuries, for the sake and glory of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ. At the same time the bishop says, _Peace be with thee_, to signify that the true peace of God, which, as St. Paul says, _exceeds all understanding_, is chiefly to be found in patient suffering for God and his truths. Lastly, the bishop prays for those who have been confirmed, that the Holy Ghost may ever dwell in their hearts, and make them temples of his glory. After which be dismisses them with his blessing, &c.

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Q. Can this sacrament of confirmation be received more than once?

A. No; because, like baptism, it imprints an indelible character or spiritual mark in the soul, which always remains.

Q. Is there any spiritual kindred contracted in confirmation?

A. Yes; the godfather or the godmother contracts the same spiritual kindred as in the sacrament of baptism.

Q. Is confirmation absolutely necessary to salvation?

A. It is not so necessary but that a person may be saved without it; yet, when a favourable opportunity offers for receiving it, it would be certainly a sin to neglect so powerful a help to salvation, and deprive ourselves of the benefit of this holy sacrament, which our blessed Redeemer was mercifully pleased of his infinite goodness to institute, as the never-failing means in his church to communicate his divine spirit to his followers. It would be a still more grievous crime to neglect confirmation through contempt, disregard, or want of faith. It is to a wilful neglect of this sacrament that the holy fathers attribute the downfall of several apostates from the true religion.

Q. What kind of persons stand most in need of the grace of this sacrament?

A. Those who are most exposed to temptations against faith, or to persecutions upon account of their religion.

Q. At what age may a person be confirmed?

A. Ordinarily speaking, the church does not give confirmation to children before they are seven years old; but defers it till they come to the use of reason, and are sufficiently instructed and prepared. Fathers and mothers should take care to have them carefully instructed in the Christian doctrine, and regularly prepared to be presented to the bishop for confirmation at the proper time, before they have received the Blessed Eucharist. If their children be lost through ignorance, they shall answer for it to God.

Q. What are the dispositions necessary for receiving the sacrament of confirmation worthily?

A. A person must be free from the guilt of mortal sin, and in the state of grace; for the _holy spirit of wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subject to sins_.--Wisdom i. 4. He must also be well instructed in the principles of the Christian faith, according to his age and capacity, and have a proper sense of what he is doing.

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Q. In what manner then must a person prepare himself for confirmation?

A. First, he must examine his conscience diligently, and if he find it charged with wilful sin, he must take care to purge it by a good sacramental confession; for it would be a grievous sacrilege to presume to receive the sacrament of confirmation, knowingly in the state of mortal sin.--Secondly, he must prepare himself some days before by devout and humble prayer, frequently and fervently calling upon God to dispose his soul for receiving the Holy Ghost, who communicates his gracious gifts and favours in proportion to the dispositions with which they are received.

Q. As confirmation is ordained for the sanctification of souls, why do not all who receive it become saints?

A. The fault is entirely their own. God on his part is ready to bestow all the graces necessary to enable them to become saints; but, alas! how few are disposed to improve and co-operate with them as they might and ought! How few make the proper use of them! How many on the contrary resist them, like the stiff-necked Jews! How many _contristate_ and _extinguish_ the divine spirit, as the apostle expresses it! How many banish this heavenly guest from the temple of their souls by falling into mortal sin, and thus obstruct the operation of this holy sacrament!

Q. Is a person obliged to receive the sacrament of confirmation fasting?

A. No. There is no strict obligation or precept for it, though to fast on the eve and day of confirmation is a laudable custom, and conformable to the practice of the primitive church.

Q. Why are the fervent exercises of piety and devotion required before confirmation?

A. For two reasons: First, because our Saviour has assured us that his _heavenly Father will give his good spirit to them that ask it._--Luke, xi. 13. Secondly, in imitation of the apostles, who, during the ten days between the ascension of our Lord and the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, retired from the noise and tumults of the world, and continued with one accord in prayer, with Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.--_Acts_, i. 14.

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Q. Why are we to invoke the Holy Ghost in particular?

A. Not that we are to neglect praying to the Father and the Son also, as we know that all the three persons are but one and the same God; but because the work of our sanctification, the pouring down the grace of God into our souls, and all the heavenly favours and helps that are necessary for conducting us in the way of salvation, are the effects of the divine love, and are by a peculiar approbation attributed in a special manner to the operation of the Holy Ghost, as it is the love of the Father and of the Son, and as it is from God's love that all grace, all virtue and sanctification, flow and proceed.

A Prayer Before Confirmation.

O God of infinite goodness and bounty, who has been pleased, at my baptism, to make me a Christian, to sanctify my soul with thy grace, and to honour me with the glorious title of thy child; which, alas! for my part, I have so wretchedly corresponded with, and have even forfeited a thousand times by my sins: behold, notwithstanding all my ingratitude, and my repeated treasons, which thou hast so long and so patiently endured, thou art still pleased, not only to invite me to return to thee, and to offer me thy mercy, but also to call upon me at this time, to come and present myself, in order to receive the greatest of all thy gifts, even thine own most Holy Spirit; to be consecrated to thee by his unction; to be made a strong and perfect Christian, and a soldier of thy Son. O may all heaven and earth praise thee, bless thee, and glorify thee for ever, for all thy mercies, goodness, and bounty to me. {488} And now, dearest Lord, I desire to come, because such is thy will and my duty, to receive this great sacrament of Confirmation; that I may like thy apostles, be _baptised with the Holy Ghost, and be endowed with power from on high;_ and like them be changed by divine grace, into another man, in such manner as henceforward to live up to the dignity, and to fulfil every part of the duty of a _soldier of Christ!_ and to preserve and maintain even to death, that purity and sanctity which become the temple of the living God. But, O my God, how far am I from being worthy to approach this heavenly sacrament! How can I expect that thy Holy Spirit should come into my inward house, to make it his temple, which has been so long possessed by unclean spirits? Where are the dispositions in me, which the apostles brought, and which all Christians ought to bring along with them, to the receiving of the Holy Ghost? O! I acknowledge myself infinitely unworthy; I confess and detest from the bottom of my heart, all my past uncleanness and abominations; I humbly crave thy mercy and pardon, through Jesus Christ thy Son; and beg, through him, that thou wilt be pleased to cleanse my soul from all its filth with his precious blood, and to give me thy grace to come to this sacrament with that humility, faith, and devotion, which is most agreeable to thee. {489} O Divine Spirit, do thou prepare my soul for thyself! Behold, I come, desiring to give up myself to thee for all time and eternity, that thou mayest ever live and reign in my soul; and O let my whole soul henceforward he perpetually subject to thee, and let nothing in me ever more rebel against thee. Amen.

Those who are preparing themselves for the sacrament of Confirmation, may likewise breathe forth, from time to time, the following short Ejaculations:

Come, Holy Ghost, who replenisheth the hearts of the faithful, descend into my soul, and make it the place of thy abode.

Come, O Divine Spirit, take full possession of my heart, and kindle in it the fire of thy divine love.

Enter into my soul and abide there for ever, to be my light, my guide, and my strength.

Come, Holy Ghost, with all thy gifts, and fill my soul; enlighten, direct, and conduct me in all my ways. Strengthen me against all the assaults of self-love, remove from me all vicious shame, and inspire me with a Christian courage.

O grant that I may make the gospel the rule of my life. Preserve me from the corruption of sin, and from the pernicious maxims of the world. Give me grace, O God, to do thy will in all things. Enlighten my eyes, O Lord, that I may never sleep in death.

O uncreated fire, when wilt thou consume whatever is imperfect in my soul.

Inebriate my soul with thy holy love, O thou sovereign beauty.

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O may I never forget the obligations that are contracted, by being enlisted a disciple of the cross, in the sacrament of confirmation.

O grant that I may ever have before my eyes the duties thereunto annexed, and that I may live henceforward according to the spirit of a true and perfect Christian.

"Short ejaculations of this kind, frequently darted from an humble and fervent heart, penetrate the clouds, pierce the paternal heart of the Father of Mercies, and draw down an ample benediction on those pious souls to whom they become familiar by practice and habit; this manner of prayer is highly commended by the saints, and was one of the principal excercises by which the ancient solitaries arrived at the highest perfection. It has this peculiar advantage, that one can practise it at all times, on all occasions, and in the midst of external employment, without being exposed to the danger of vain glory, as it is secretly performed in the closet of the heart. It is short and easy, does not distract or fatigue the mind, but keeps up the fervour of the spirit, and attention to the divine presence."

A Prayer After Confirmation.

O my God, I now desire to adore thee, bless thee, and glorify thee, for ever, for all thou hast done for me, and for thy whole church, both of heaven and earth. I would now gladly join both my heart and my voice with all thy angels and saints in heaven, and with all that fear thee and love thee on earth, in giving perpetual praise to thee for thy infinite goodness, and in particular for that love thou hast shown to me this day. I give thee thanks from the bottom of my heart, for having sent down the Holy Spirit into my soul, with all his gifts and graces. {491} O let him now take full possession of my soul; let this heavenly unction penetrate into the very centre of my interior; let his divine _wisdom_ ever preside there, may it ever enlighten me with his gifts of _understanding_, and dispel all my darkness: may it direct me with his _counsel_, strengthen me with his _fortitude_, instruct me with his _knowledge_, make me ever fervent in all good, with his _piety_ and _godliness_ and let his _divine fear_ ever restrain me from _evil_. And now, dear Lord, since thou hast been pleased, by this sacrament, to consecrate and sanctify my soul for thyself, and to make it thy temple, be pleased also to drive far from it, by thy grace, all that may violate or profane it, or render it any ways disagreeable to thy eyes. O keep it for ever for thyself, and restrain Satan from ever entering into it any more. O let it be a _house of prayer_, in which thou mayest be ever _worshipped, in spirit and in truth_, and suffer it not to be made any more a _den of thieves_. Give me grace also to fulfil, with perfection, every branch of the duty of thy _soldier_,--which glorious title thou hast _conferred_ on me this day: arm me completely for the warfare in which I am happily engaged, and stand by me in all my conflicts, to crown me with victory. O make me _faithful unto death_, and bring me safe through all the dangers of my mortal pilgrimage, to the crown of everlasting life: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

_N. B.--Here repeat the Hymns_, "Creating Spirit, come posses;" _and,_ "Come, Holy Ghost, send down those beams," _which are inserted, with the Latin, at the end, under the head of Whit-Sunday_.

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The Psalter Of Jesus.

"There is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved."--_Acts_. iv. 12.

This Psalter is divided into three Parts; each part consisting of five Petitions, and each Petition prefaced by a tenfold repetition of the sacred name of _Jesus_. As it is not to be run over in too hasty a manner, but performed with the utmost reverence and recollection, the whole may be said without interruption; or, each Part at three distinct periods of time; according to the leisure which persons may find, after discharging the indispensable duties of their several states and conditions of life.

First Part.

"At the name of _Jesus_ let every knee bend, both in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and let every tongue acknowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father."--Philippians ii.

The First Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) thou God of compassion, have mercy on me, and forgive the many and great offences I have committed in thy sight. Many have been the follies of my life, and great are the miseries I have deserved for my ingratitude. Have mercy on me, dear Jesus, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for I am unable to help myself. Deliver me from an inordinate affection for any of thy creatures, which may divert my eyes from incessantly looking up to thee. For the love of thee, grant me henceforth the grace to hate sin, and out of a just esteem of thee, to despise all worldly vanities.

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Have mercy on all sinners, I beseech thee, dear Jesus; turn their vices into virtues; and making them sincere lovers of thee, and observers of thy law, conduct them to bliss in everlasting glory. For the sake of thy glorious name Jesus, and through the merits of thy bitter passion, have mercy also on the souls in purgatory. O blessed Trinity, one eternal God, have mercy on me. Our Father. Hail, Mary.

The Second Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) help me to overcome all temptations to sin, and the malice of my ghostly enemy. Help me to spend my time in virtuous actions, and in such labours as are acceptable to thee. Enable me to resist and repel every inordinate emotion of sloth, gluttony, and carnality. Render my heart enamoured of virtue, and inflamed with desires of thy glorious presence. Help me to merit and preserve a good name by a peaceable and pious life, to thy honor, _O Jesus!_ to my own comfort, and the edification of others.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c. _as in the first petition_. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Third Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) grant me effectual strength of soul and body, to please thee in the performance of such virtuous actions as may bring me to thy everlasting joy and felicity. {494} Grant me, O most merciful Saviour, a firm purpose to amend my life, and to make atonement for the years past; those years, alas! which I have lavished, to thy displeasure, in vain or wicked thoughts, evil words, deeds, and habits. Make my heart obedient to thy will, and ready, for thy love, to perform all the works of mercy. Grant me the gifts of the Holy Ghost, which, through a virtuous life, and a devout frequenting of thy most holy sacraments, may at length conduct me to thy heavenly kingdom.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Fourth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) comfort me, and grant me grace to fix in thee my chief joy and only felicity; inspire me with heavenly meditations, spiritual sweetness, and fervent desires of thy glory; ravish my soul with the contemplation of heaven, where I hope to dwell everlastingly with thee. Bring thy unspeakable goodness to my frequent recollection, and let me always with gratitude remember thy gifts; but when thou bringest the multitude of the sins whereby I have so ungratefully offended thee, to sad remembrance, comfort me with the assurance of pardon; and by the spirit of true penance purging away my guilt, prepare me for the possession of thy heavenly kingdom.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

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The Fifth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) make me constant in faith, hope, and charity. Grant me perseverance in virtue, and a resolution never to offend thee. May the memory of thy passion, and of those bitter pains thou didst suffer for my sake, fortify my patience, and refresh my soul under every tribulation and adversity. Render me a strenuous professor of the Catholic faith, and a diligent frequenter of my religious duties. Let me not be blinded by the delights of a deceitful world, nor my fortitude shaken by internal frauds or carnal temptations. My heart has for ever fixed its repose in thee, and resolved to contemn all things for thine eternal reward.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Lord Jesus "Christ, for our sakes, became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." _Philippians_ ii.

Hear these petitions, O most merciful Saviour, and grant me the grace frequently to repeat and consider them, that they may serve as so many easy steps, whereby my soul may ascend to thy knowledge and love, and to a diligent performance of my duty to thee and my neighbour, through the whole course of my life.-- Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. I believe in God.

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Second Part.

Begin as before, saying, "At the name of Jesus let every knee bend, both in heaven, on earth, and under the earth," &c, as in part the first, _page_ 492.

The Sixth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) enlighten me with a spiritual wisdom, whereby I may arrive at a knowledge of thy goodness, and of every thing which is most acceptable to thee. Grant me a perfect apprehension of my only good, and a discretion to regulate my life accordingly. Grant me wisely to proceed from virtue to virtue, till at length I enjoy a clear sight of thy glory. Forbid it, dear Lord, that I return to the sins of which I accused myself at the tribunal of confession. Let others be edified by my pious example, and my enemies mollified by my good counsel.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c, _as before, page_ 493. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Seventh Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) grant me grace inwardly to fear thee, and avoid every occasion whatsoever of offending thee. Let the threats of the torments prepared for sinners, the dread of the loss of thy love and of thy heavenly inheritance, always keep me in awe. Suffer me not to slumber in sin, but rather rouse me to repentance, lest through thine anger I may be overtaken by the sentence of eternal wrath, and endless damnation. {497} Let the powerful intercession of thy blessed mother, and of all thy saints, but above all, thine own merits and mercy, serve as a rampart between my poor soul and thy avenging justice.--Enable me, O my God! to work out my salvation with fear and trembling, and the apprehension of thy sacred judgments. Make me a more humble and diligent suitor to the throne of thy mercy.

Have mercy, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Eighth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) grant me the grace truly to love thee, for thine infinite goodness, and those excessive bounties I have received, or shall ever hope to receive from thee. Let the recollection of thy benignity and patience conquer the malice and wretched propensity of my perverse nature. May the consideration of the many deliverances, frequent calls, and continual helps, I have received from thee during the course of my life, make me blush at my ingratitude. Ah, what return dost thou require of me for all thy mercies, but that I love thee! And why dost thou require it? Because thou art my only good!--thou art my dear Lord! the sole object of my life; and I will diligently keep thy commandments, because I truly love thee.

Have mercy, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Ninth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) grant me the grace always to remember my latter end, and the account I am to give in after death; that so my soul may be always well disposed, and ready to depart out of this life in thy grace and favour. {498} At that important hour, by the powerful intercession of thy blessed mother, the glorious assistance of St. Michael, and my good angel, rescue my poor soul, O Lord, from the snares of the enemy of my salvation. Remember then thy mercy, O dear Jesus! and hide not thy face from me on account of my offences. Secure me against the terrors of that awful period, by causing me now to die daily to all earthly things, and to have my conversation continually in heaven. Let the remembrance of thy death teach me to set a just value on life; and the memory of thy resurrection encourage me to descend cheerfully to the grave.

Have mercy, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Tenth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) send me my purgatory in this life, and thus prevent me from being tormented in the cleansing fire which awaits those souls who have not been sufficiently purified in this world. Vouchsafe to grant me those merciful crosses and afflictions which thou seest necessary for weaning my affections from things here below. Suffer not my heart to find any repose but in sighing after thee, since no one can see thee, who loves any thing which is not for thy sake. Too bitter, alas! will be the anguish of the soul that desires to be united to thee, and whose separation is retarded by the heavy chains of sin. {499} Keep me then, O my Saviour, continually mortified in this world, that being purified thoroughly with the fire of thy love, I may pass from hence to the immediate possession of thee in everlasting glory.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c. &c. _as at the conclusion of the fifth petition, page_ 495.

Third Part.

Begin as before, saying, "At the name of Jesus let every knee bend," &c., _page_ 492.

The Eleventh Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) grant me grace to avoid bad company; or, if I should chance to come in the midst of such, preserve me from being infected with the least temptation to mortal sin, through the merits of thine uncorrupt conversation among sinners. Art thou not always present, O Lord? and wilt thou not take an exact account of all our words and actions, and judge us accordingly? How then dare I converse with liars, slanderers, drunkards, or blasphemers; or with such whose discourse is either vain, quarrelsome, or dissolute?--Repress in me, dear Jesus, every inordinate affection to carnal pleasures, and to delights of taste; and strengthen me by thy grace to avoid such company as would enkindle the flames of those unruly appetites. May thy power, thy wisdom, and thy fatherly compassion defend, direct, and chastise me; and cause me to lead such a life here amongst men, as may qualify me hereafter for the conversation of angels.

Have mercy, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

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The Twelfth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) grant me the grace to call on thee for help in all my necessities, and frequently to remember thy death and resurrection. Wilt thou be deaf to my cries, who hast laid down thy life for my ransom? or canst thou not save me, who took it up again for my crown? _Call on me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee_. Whom have I in heaven but thee, O my Jesus! from whose blessed mouth issued such balmy words? Thou art my sure rock of defence against all mine enemies, and my gracious assistant in every good work. I will, then, invoke thee with confidence in all my trials and afflictions, and when thou hearest me, O Jesus! thou wilt have mercy on me.

Have mercy, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Thirteenth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) enable me to persevere in a virtuous life, and never to grow weary in thy service till thou rewardest me in thy kingdom. In pious customs, holy duties, and in all honest and necessary employments, continue, O Lord, to strengthen me, both in soul and body. My life is nothing on earth but a pilgrimage towards the heavenly Jerusalem, to which he that sits down, or turns out of the way, can never arrive. {501} May I always, O Jesus! follow thy blessed example. With how much pain, and how little pleasure, didst thou press on to a bitter death, that being the assured way to a glorious resurrection. Let me frequently meditate on those severe words of thine: _He only that perseveres to the end shall be saved._

Have mercy, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

The Fourteenth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) grant me grace to fix my mind on thee, especially whilst I converse with thee in time of prayer. Check the wanderings of my fanciful brain, put a stop to the desires of my fickle heart, and suppress the power of my spiritual enemies, who at that time endeavour to withdraw my mind from heavenly thoughts to vain imaginations. Thus shall I joyfully look on thee as my deliverer from all evil, and thank thee as my benefactor for all the good I have received, or hope to obtain. I shall be convinced that thou art my chief good, and that all other things were ordained by thee only as the means of engaging me to fix my affections on thee alone; that by persevering till death in thy love and service, I might be eternally happy. Let all my thoughts, O beloved of my soul! be absorbed in thee, that my eyes being shut to all vain and sinful objects, may become worthy to behold thee face to face in thy everlasting glory.

Have mercy, &c. Our Father. Hail Mary.

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The Fifteenth Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) grant me the grace to order my life with reference to my eternal welfare, sincerely intending, and wisely referring all the operations of my soul and body towards obtaining the reward of thy infinite bliss and eternal felicity. For what else is this world but a school for the tutoring of souls created for eternal happiness in the next? And how are they educated but by an anxious desire of enjoying God, their only end? Break my froward spirit, O Jesus! by the reins of humility and obedience. Grant me grace to depart hence with the most sovereign contempt of this world, and with a heart overflowing with joy at the thoughts of going to thee. Let the memory of thy passion make me cheerfully undergo every temptation or suffering in this state of probation, for love of thee; whilst my soul, in the mean time, languishes after that life of consummate bliss and immortal glory, which thou hast prepared for thy servants in heaven. O Jesus! let me frequently and attentively consider, that whatsoever I may gain, If I lose thee, all is lost; and that whatever I may lose, if I obtain thee, all is gained.

Have mercy on all sinners, &c, _as in page_ 493.

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The Rosary Of The Blessed Name Of Jesus.

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

Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips, and my tongue shall declare thy praise.

Incline unto my aid, O God.

O 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 for ever. Amen.

The Five Mysteries Of The First Part.

I.--_The Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ._

The Meditation.

The Son of God assumes human flesh, of the pure blood of the blessed Mary ever virgin, and is made man in her womb.

O Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. [_Ten times_.] Glory be to the Father, &c.

II.--_The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ_.

The Meditation.

The Saviour of the world is born for our redemption; his mother remaining a virgin.

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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.

O 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 very 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 baptised by St. John. The eternal Father declares him to be his Son.

O Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. [_Ten times_.] Glory, &c.

{505} 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; who, at the time appointed by the eternal wisdom, assumedst flesh in the womb of the blessed Mary, ever virgin, and thus became the Son of David, whose birth gladdened men and angels; who began so early to suffer for us, and to shed, on our account, that blood that washeth away the sins of the world; whose eternal wisdom appeared at the age of twelve years; to whose baptism all heaven was attentive; grant to us to celebrate those mysteries to thy honour 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 Second Part.

I.--_Our Saviour washeth his Disciples' feet_.

The Meditation.

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 times_.] Glory, &c.

II.--_The Prayer of our Lord Jesus 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 from him.

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O Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, have mercy on us. [_Ten times._] Glory, &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, &c.

IV.--_Our Saviour carries his Cross._

The Meditation.

Our Saviour, being torn with scourges, and pierced with thorns, to expiate our sins, is compelled to carry the cross on which he is to die, and moves on in anguish and sorrow towards the place of his execution.

O Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, have mercy on us. [_Ten times_.] Glory, &c.

V.--_The Descent of our Saviour into Hell_.

The Meditation.

The soul of our Saviour being separated by death from the body, descends to that place where the saints were expecting their redemption.

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O Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, have mercy on us. [_Ten times_.] Glory, &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, and in hell; whose mysterious humiliation and sorrows, appointed for thee on account of our sins, appeared in the washing of the feet of thy servants and creatures, in thy distress, and prayer, and bloody sweat; in thy being secured and brought before tribunals 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 these mysteries to thy honour 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.--_The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ_.

The Meditation.

The soul of our Lord Jesus Christ, which had been separated from the body, is re-united 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 times_.] Glory, &c.

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II.--_The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ._

The Meditation.

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ ascends to the highest heaven, where the Saviour of mankind sitteth at the right hand of God, the almighty Father.

O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. [_Ten times_.] Glory, &c.

III.--_Our Lord Jesus Christ sends down the Holy 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 times_.] Glory, &c.

IV.--_Our Lord Jesus Christ crowning the blessed Virgin and Saints_.

The Meditation.

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, bestows on his Mother and his saints a crown of immortal glory.

O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. [_Ten times_.] Glory, &c.

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V.--_Our Lord Jesus Christ coming to Judge Mankind._

The Meditation.

Our Saviour will come in power and majesty, to judge the living and the dead, and to return to every one according to his works.

O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. [_Ten times_.] Glory, &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, and in hell; whose body, that was murdered by mankind, the Almighty raised from death, glorious and immortal; who, by thy ascension, triumphed over death, and led 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 neither eye hath 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 to us to celebrate these mysteries to thy honour, and our own salvation; who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest one God for all eternity. Amen.

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"N.B.--The repeating of the above prayers or meditations, is not absolutely necessary. Those who cannot read or meditate on the mysteries, let them say the Creed beforehand in this Rosary, and in that of the blessed Virgin.

"The devotions belonging to this Rosary, or the Rosary of the blessed Virgin, do not bind under sin.

"N.B.--Those who are in the Society of the Rosary of the name of Jesus, may have the same plenary indulgence on New Year's Day, that is granted in the year of the Jubilee.

"On every second Sunday in the month,

"At the time of being received into the Society,

"At the article of death,

"And on each day of the fifteen mysteries."

The Rosary Of The Blessed Virgin.

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

_Vers_. Hail, Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee:

_Resp_. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

_Vers_. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips.

_Resp_. And my tongue shall announce thy praise.

_Vers_. Incline unto mine aid, O God.

_Resp_. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:

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As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. _Alleluia_.

[_From the Septuagesima to Easter, instead of_ Alleluia, _say:_ Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.]

Part The First.

The Five Joyful Mysteries,

To be said on all Mondays and Thursdays, the Sundays of Advent, and after Epiphany till Lent.

I.--_The Annunciation._

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how the angel Gabriel saluted our blessed Lady with the title of "_Full of Grace_," and declared unto her the incarnation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

_Then say_, Our Father, &c. _once; and_ Hail Mary, &c. _ten times_.

[When the "Hail Mary" is repeated a tenth time, the Decade finishes with, "Glory be to the Father." &c.; then follows the Prayer. Which method is to be observed in beginning, and saying each part of the Rosary.]

Let Us Pray.

O holy Mary, Queen of virgins, through the most high mystery of the incarnation of thy beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ, by means of which the work of our salvation was so happily begun, obtain for us, by thine intercession, light to be sensible of so great a benefit, which he hath bestowed upon as; vouchsafing thereby to make himself our brother, and thee, his only beloved mother, our mother also. Amen.

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II.--_The Visitation_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how the blessed Virgin Mary, understanding from the angel that her cousin, St. Elizabeth, had conceived, went with haste into the mountains of Judea, to visit her, and remained with her three months.

Our Father, &c.

Let Us Pray.

O holy Virgin, most spotless mirror of humility, by that exceeding charity which moved thee to visit thy holy cousin, St. Elizabeth, obtain for us, by thine intercession, that our hearts may be visited by thy most holy Son, that being free from all sin, we may praise and give him thanks for ever. Amen.

III.--_The Birth of our Lord Jesus 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.

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Let Us Pray.

O most pure Mother of God, by thy virginal and most joyful delivery, in which thou gavest unto the world thine only Son, our Saviour, we beseech thee obtain for us, by thine intercession, grace to lead such pure and holy lives in this world, that we may worthily sing without ceasing, both day and night, the mercies of thy Son, and his benefits to us by thee. Amen.

IV.--_The Oblation of our blessed Lord in the Temple._

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how the most 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.

Let Us Pray.

O holy Virgin, most admirable mistress, and pattern of obedience, who didst present in the temple the Lord of the temple, obtain for us of thy beloved Son, that, with holy Simeon and devout Anna, we may praise and glorify him for ever. Amen.

V.--_The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how the blessed Virgin Mary having lost, without any fault of hers, her beloved Son in Jerusalem, she sought him for the space of three days, and at length found him the fourth day in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, being of the age of twelve years. Our Father, &c.

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Let Us Pray.

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 ravished, at finding thy beloved Son in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, obtain of him for us, so to seek him and find him in the holy Catholic Church, that we may never be separated from him. Amen.

The Salve Regina.

Hail! holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished sons of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mournings, and weepings, in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile ended, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary.

_Vers_. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

_Resp_. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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Let Us Pray.

O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant we beseech thee, that meditating upon those mysteries, in the most holy Rosary of the most blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise: through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Part The Second.

The Five Dolorous Mysteries,

To be said on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the Year, and on Sundays in Lent.

I.--_The Prayer and Bloody Sweat of our Blessed Saviour in the Garden_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus was so afflicted for us in the Garden of Gethsemani, that his body was bathed in a bloody sweat, which ran trickling down in great drops to the ground.

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. Glory, &c. _as before_.

Let Us Pray.

Most holy Virgin, more than martyr, by that ardent prayer which thy most beloved Son poured forth unto his 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 will of God. Amen.

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II.--_The Scourging 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 above five thousand. [As it was revealed to St. Bridget.] Our Father, &c.

Let Us Pray.

O Mother of God, overflowing fountain of patience, by those stripes thine only and most beloved Son vouchsafed to suffer for us, obtain of him for us grace, that we may know how to mortify our rebellious senses, and cut off all occasions of sinning, with that sword of grief and compassion which pierced thy most tender soul. Amen.

III.--_The Crowning of our Blessed Saviour with Thorns_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how those cruel ministers of Satan platted a crown of sharp thorns, and most cruelly pressed it on the most sacred head of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Father, &c.

Let Us Pray.

O Mother of our eternal Prince and King of Glory, by those sharp thorns wherewith his holy head was pierced, we beseech thee, that by thine intercession we may be delivered here from all motions of pride, and in the day of judgment from that confusion which our sins deserve. Amen.

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IV.--_Jesus carrying the Cross_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ being sentenced to die, bore, with the most amazing patience, the cross which was laid upon him for his greater torment and ignominy. Our Father, &c.

Let Us Pray.

O holy Virgin, example of patience, by the most painful carrying the cross, on which thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ bore the heavy weight of our sins, obtain of him for us by thine intercession, courage and strength to follow his steps, and bear our cross after him to the end of our lives. Amen.

V.--_The Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, having arrived at Mount Calvary, was stripped of his clothes, and his hands and feet most cruelly nailed to the cross, in the presence of his most afflicted mother.

Our Father, &c.

Let Us Pray.

O holy Mary, mother of God, as the body of thy beloved Son was for us extended on the cross, so may our desires be daily more and more stretched out in his service, and our hearts wounded with compassion for his most bitter passion. And thou, O most blessed Virgin, graciously vouchsafe to help us to accomplish the work of our salvation, by thy powerful intercession. Amen.

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Hail, holy Queen, &c. _with the verse and prayer as before_.

Part The Third.

The Five Glorious Mysteries,

Assigned for Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the Year, and Sundays from Easter until Advent.

I.--_The Resurrection of Christ from the Dead_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, triumphing gloriously over death, rose again the third day, immortal and impassable.

Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. Glory, &c, _as before_.

Let Us Pray.

O glorious Virgin Mary, by that unspeakable joy thou receivedst in the resurrection of thine only Son, we beseech thee to obtain of him for us, that our hearts may never go astray after the false joys of this world; but may be ever and wholly employed in the pursuit of the only true and solid joys of heaven. Amen.

II.--_The Ascension of Christ into Heaven_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, forty days after his resurrection, ascended into heaven, attended by angels, in the sight of his most holy Mother, his holy apostles and disciples, to the great admiration of them all.

Our Father, &c.

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Let Us Pray.

O mother of God, comfort of the afflicted, as thy beloved Son, when he ascended into heaven, lifted up his hands and blessed his apostles, so vouchsafe, most holy Mother, to lift up thy pure hands to him for us, that we may enjoy the benefits of his blessing and thine, here on earth, and hereafter in heaven. Amen.

III.--_The coming of the Holy Ghost to the Disciples_.

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how our Lord Jesus Christ, being seated at the right hand of God, sent, as he had promised, the Holy Ghost upon the 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.

Let Us Pray.

O sacred Virgin, tabernacle of the Holy Ghost, we beseech thee, obtain by thine intercession, that this most sweet Comforter, whom thy beloved Son sent down upon his apostles, filling them thereby with spiritual joy, may teach us in this world the true way of salvation, and make us walk in the paths of virtue and good works. Amen.

IV.--_The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven_.

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 taken into heaven, accompanied by the holy angels.

Our Father, &c.

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Let Us Pray.

O most prudent Virgin, who entering into the heavenly palace, didst fill the holy angels with joy, and man with hope, vouchsafe to intercede for us at the hour of death, that free from the illusions and temptations of the devil, we may joyfully and successfully pass out of this temporal state, to enjoy the happiness of eternal life. Amen.

V.--_The Coronation of the B.V.M, in Heaven._

Let us contemplate in this mystery, how the glorious Virgin Mary was, with great jubilee, and exultation of the whole court of heaven, and the particular glory of all the saints, crowned by her Son with the brightest diadem of Glory.

Our Father, &c.

Let Us Pray.

O glorious Queen of all the heavenly citizens, we beseech thee to accept this Rosary, which, as a crown of roses, we offer at thy feet; and grant, most gracious Lady, that by thine intercession, our souls may be inflamed with so ardent a desire of seeing thee so gloriously crowned, that it may never die in us, until it be changed into the happy fruition of thy blessed sight. Amen.

Hail, holy Queen, &c, _with the verse and prayer as before_.

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Te Deum;

_A Hymn which may be said after Mass, or on occasion of any public or private Thanksgiving._

Thee, sovereign God, our grateful accents praise, We own thee Lord, and bless thy wondrous ways; To thee, eternal Father, earth's whole frame With loudest trumpet sounds immortal fame. Lord God of hosts! to thee the heavenly pow'rs With sounding anthems, fill thy vaulted tow'rs; The Cherubim thrice holy, holy, cry, Thrice holy, all the Seraphim reply, And thrice returning echoes endless songs supply. Both heaven and earth thy majesty display; They owe their beauty to thy glorious ray. Thy praises fill the loud apostles' choir; The train of prophets in the song conspire; Legions of martyrs in the chorus shine; And vocal blood with vocal music join. By these thy church, inspir'd with heavenly art, Around the world maintains a second part. And tunes her sweetest notes, O God, to thee. The Father of unbounded majesty, The Son, ador'd co-partner of thy seat, And equal everlasting Paraclete. Thou King of glory. Christ; of the Most High, Thou co-eternal filial Deity. Thou who, to save the world's impending doom, Vouchsafedst to dwell within a virgin's womb; Old tyrant death disarmed, before thee flew The bolts of heav'n, and back the foldings drew, To give access, and make the faithful way; From God's right hand thy filial beams display. Thou art to judge the living and the dead; Then spare those souls for whom thy veins have bled.

O take us then among the blest above, To share with them thy everlasting love. Preserve, O Lord, thy people, and enhance Thy blessing on thine own inheritance: For ever raise their hearts, and rule their ways: Each day we bless thee, and proclaim thy praise. No age shall fail to celebrate thy name, Nor hour neglect thy everlasting fame.

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Preserve our souls, O Lord, this day from ill, Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy still. As we have hop'd, do thou reward our pain. We've hop'd in thee, let not our hope be vain.

V. Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

R. Let us praise and extol him for ever.

The Prayer, _Deus cujus._

O God, of whose mercies there is no number, and of whose goodness the treasure is infinite, we humbly thank thy most gracious majesty for the favours thou hast bestowed on us; ever beseeching thy clemency, that as thou grantest our requests when we humbly ask thee, so thou wouldst not forsake us, but dispose us for the rewards of the life to come. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

The Thirty Days' Prayer

To The Blessed Virgin Mary, In Honour Of The Sacred Passion Of Our Lord Jesus Christ;

By the devout recital of which for the above space of time, we may mercifully hope to obtain our lawful request.--It is particularly recommended as a proper devotion for every day in Lent, and all the Fridays throughout the Year.

Ever glorious and blessed Mary, Queen of Virgins, Mother of Mercy, hope and comfort of dejected and desolate souls; through that sword of sorrow which pierced thy tender heart, whilst thine only son, Christ Jesus our Lord, suffered death and ignominy on the cross; through that filial tenderness and pure love he had for thee, grieving in thy grief, whilst from his cross he recommended thee to the care and protection of his beloved disciple St. John; take pity, I beseech thee, on my poverty and necessities; have compassion on my anxieties and cares; assist and comfort me in all my infirmities and miseries, of what kind soever. {523} Thou art the mother of mercies, the sweet consolatrix and only refuge of the needy and the orphan, of the desolate and the afflicted. Cast, therefore, an eye of pity on a miserable, forlorn child of Eve, and hear my prayer; for since, in just punishment for my sins, I find myself encompassed by a multitude of evils, and oppressed with much anguish of spirit, whither can I fly for more secure shelter, O amiable Mother of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, than under the wings of thy maternal protection? Attend, therefore, I beseech thee, with an ear of pity and compassion, to my humble and earnest request. I ask it through the bowels of mercy of thy dear Son, through that love and condescension wherewith he embraced our nature, when, in compliance with the divine will, thou gavest thy consent, and whom, after the expiration of nine months, thou didst bring forth from the chaste enclosure of thy womb, to visit this world, and bless it with his presence. I ask it through that anguish of mind wherewith thy beloved Son, our dear Saviour, was overwhelmed on Mount Olivet, when he besought his eternal Father _to remove from him_, if possible, _the bitter chalice_ of his future passion. I ask it through the threefold repetition of his prayers in the garden, from whence afterwards with dolorous steps and mournful tears, thou didst accompany him to the doleful theatre of his death and sufferings. {524} I ask it through the welts and sores of his virginal flesh, occasioned by the cords and whips wherewith he was bound and scourged, when stripped of his seamless garment, for which his executioners afterwards cast lots. I ask it through the scoffs and ignominies by which he was insulted; the false accusation and unjust sentence by which he was condemned to death, and which he bore with heavenly patience. I ask it through his bitter tears and bloody sweat, his silence and resignation, his sadness and grief of heart. I ask it through the blood which trickled from his royal and sacred head, when struck with a sceptre of a reed, and pierced with his crown of thorns. I ask it through the excruciating torments he suffered when his hands and feet were fastened with gross nails to the tree of the cross. I ask it through his vehement thirst, and bitter potion of vinegar and gall. I ask it through his dereliction on the cross, when he exclaimed: "My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" I ask it through his mercy extended to the good thief, and through his recommending his precious soul and spirit into the hands of his eternal Father before he expired, saying: "All is finished." I ask it through the blood mixed with water, which issued from his sacred side, when pierced with a lance, and whence a flood of grace and mercy has flowed to us. I ask it through his immaculate life, bitter passion, and ignominious death on the cross, at which nature itself was thrown into convulsions, by the bursting of rocks, rending of the veil of the temple, the earthquake, and darkness of the sun and moon. {525} I ask it through his descent into hell, where he comforted the saints of the old law with his presence, and led captivity captive. I ask it through his glorious victory over death, when he arose again to life on the third day; and through the joy which his appearance for forty days after, gave thee, his blessed Mother, his apostles, and the rest of his disciples, when, in thine and their presence, he miraculously ascended into heaven. I ask it through the grace of the Holy Ghost, infused into the hearts of the disciples, when he descended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, and by which they were inspired with zeal in the conversion of the world, when they went to preach the gospel. I ask it through the awful appearance of thy Son at the last dreadful day, when he shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world, by fire. I ask it through the compassion he bore thee in this life, and the ineffable joy thou didst feel at thine assumption into heaven, where thou art eternally absorbed in the sweet contemplation of his divine perfections. O glorious and ever blessed Virgin! comfort the heart of thy suppliant, by obtaining it for me.[Footnote 5]

[Footnote 5: Here mention, or reflect on your lawful request, under the reservation of its being agreeable to the will of God, who sees whether it will contribute towards your spiritual good.]

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And as I am persuaded my divine Saviour doth honour thee as his beloved Mother, to whom he can refuse nothing; so let me speedily experience the efficacy of thy powerful intercession, according to the tenderness of thy maternal affection, and his filial, loving heart, who mercifully granteth the requests, and complieth with the desires of those that love and fear him. Wherefore, O most blessed Virgin, besides the object of my present petition, and whatever else I may stand in need of, obtain for me also, of thy dear Son, our Lord and our God, a lively faith, firm hope, perfect charity, true contrition of heart, unfeigned tears of compunction, sincere confession, condign satisfaction, abstinence from sin, love of God, and my neighbour, contempt of the world, patience to suffer affronts and ignominies, nay, even, if necessary, an opprobrious death itself, for the love of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.--Obtain likewise for me, O Sacred Mother of God! perseverance in good works, performance of good resolutions, mortification of self will, a pious conversation through life, and at my last moments, strong and sincere repentance, accompanied by such a lively and attentive presence of mind, as may enable me to receive the last sacrament of the Church worthily, and die in thy friendship and favour. Lastly, obtain, I beseech thee, for the souls of my parents, brethren, relations, and benefactors, both living and dead, life everlasting. Amen.

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Hymns For Festivals.

Hymn _for Advent_.

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quæ pervia cœli porta manes,

Mother of Jesus, heaven's open gate,

Et stella maris, succurre cadenti;

Star of the Sea, support the falling state

Surgere qui curat populo; tu quæ genuisti,

Of mortals: thou, whose womb thy maker bore,

Natura mirante tuum sanctum genitorem:

And yet, strange thing! a virgin as before;

Virgo priùs ac posteriús, Gabrielis ab ore

Who didst from _Gabriel's_ hail! the news receive,

Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

Repenting sinners by thy prayers relieve.

V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ.

V. The angel of the Lord declared to _Mary_,

R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.

B. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.

Hymn _for Christmas._

Adeste fidelis, Læti triumph antes,

Ye faithful souls, rejoice and sing;

Venite, venite in Bethlehem:

To Bethlehem your trophies bring,

Natem videte Regem Angelorum:

Before the new-born Angel's King:

Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus Dominum.

Come let us him adore, Come, &c.

Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine,

True God of God, true Light of Light,

Gestant puellæ viscera; Deum verum,

Born in womb of Virgin bright;

Genitum non factum:

Begot, not made; true God of might:

Venite adoremus, Venite, &c.

Come let us him adore, Come, &c.

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Cantet nunc Io, Chorus angelorum;

Angelic choirs with joy now sing,

Cantet nunc aula cœlestium,

The heavenly courts with echoes ring.

Gloria In excelsis Deo:

Glory on high to God our king:

Venite adoremus, Venite, &c.

Come, let us him adore, Come, &c.

Ergo qui natus Die hodierna,

Jesus, whose life this day begun,

Jesu tibi sit gloria: Patris æterni _Verbum caro factum:_

The Father's co-eternal Son: Glory to him be ever sung:

Venite adoremus, Venite, &c.

Come, let us him adore, Come, &c.

Hymn _for Passion-Sunday, and Palm-Sunday_.

Vexilla regis prodeunt,

Behold the royal ensigns fly,

Fulget crucis mysterium:

Bearing the cross' mystery:

Quâ vita mortem protulit,

Where life itself did death endure,

Et morte vitam protulit.

And by that death did life procure.

Quæ vulnerata lanceæ

A cruel spear let out a flood

Mucrone diro, criminum

Of water, mixed with saving blood:

Ut nos lavaret fordibus,

Which, gushing from the Saviour's side,

Manavit undâ et sanguine.

Drown'd our offences in the tide.

Impleta sunt quæ concinit,

The mystery we now unfold,

David fideli carmine,

Which David's faithful verse foretold.

Dicendo nationibus:

Of our Lord's kingdom; whilst we see

Regnavit â ligno Deus.

God ruling nations from a tree.

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Arbor decora et fulgida,

O lovely tree, whose branches wore

Ornata regis purpura!

The royal purple of his gore!

Electa digno stipite,

How glorious does thy body shine?

Tam sancta membra tangere!

Supporting members so divine!

Beata, cujus brachiis,

The world's blest balance thou wast made,

Pretiùm pependit sæculi,

Thy happy beam its purchase weigh'd,

Statera facta corporis,

And bore his limbs, who snatch'd away

Tulitque prædam tartari.

Devouring hell's expected prey.

O Crux, ave spes unica,

Hail Cross, our hope! on thee we call,

Hoc passionis tempore!

Who keep this mournful festival:

Piis ad auge gratiam,

Grant to the just increase of grace,

Reisque dele crimina.

And ev'ry sinner's crimes efface.

Te, fons salutis Trinitas, Collaudit omnis spiritus.

Blest Trinity, we praises sing To thee, from whom all graces spring,

Quibus crucis victoriam,

Celestial crowns on those bestow,

Largiris, adde præmium. Amen.

Who conquer by the cross below. Amen.

V. Eripe me, Domine, ab homine malo.

V. Deliver me, O Lord, from the wicked man.

R. A viro iniquo eripe me.

R. And from the unjust man deliver me.

Hymn _for Good-Friday_, (Plaint of the Blessed Virgin.)

Stabat mater dolorosa

Beneath the world's redeeming wood,

Juxta crucem lacrymosa,

The most afflicted Mother stood,

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Dum pendebat filius.

Mingling her tears with her Son's blood.

Cujus animara gementem

As that flow'd down from every part,

Contristatam et dolentem

Of all his wounds she felt the smart;

Pertransivit gladius.

What pierc'd his body, pierc'd her heart.

O quam tristis et afflicta,

Who can with tearless eyes look on,

Fuit illa benedicta

When Mary does, alas! bemoan

Mater unigeniti.

Wounded and faint, her only Son.

Quæ merebat, et dolebat,

O worse than _Jewish_ heart, that could,

Pia mater dum videbat,

Unmov'd, behold the double flood

Nati pœnas inclyti.

Of _Mary's_ tears, and _Jesu's_ blood.

Quis est homo, qui non fleret,

Alas! our sins, they were not his

Christi matrem si videret In tanto supplicio?

In this atoning sacrifice, For which he bleeds, for which he dies.

Quis non posset contristari,

When graves were open'd rocks were rent,

Piam matrim contemplari

When nature and each element

Dolentem cum filio?

His torments and her grief resent.

Pro peccatis suæ gentis

Shall man, the cause of all his pain

Vidit Jesum in tormentis,

And all his grief, shall sinful man

Et flagellis subditum.

Alone insensible remain?

Vidit suum dulcem natum

Ah, pious mother, teach my heart,

Morientem, desolatum,

Of sighs and tears the holy art,

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Dum emisit spiritum.

And in thy grief to bear a part.

Eia, mater fons amoris,

The sword of grief, which did pass through

Me sentire vim doloris Fac ut tecum lugeam,

Thy very soul, O may it now Upon my heart a wound bestow.

Fac ut ardeat cor meum,

Great Queen of sorrows, in thy train

In amando Christum Deum,

Let me a mourner's place obtain,

Ut sibi complaceam.

Let me thy Jesus love again.

Sancta mater istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas,

To heal the leprosy of sin, We must the cure with tears begin.

Cordi meo valide.

All flesh's corrupt without their brine.

Tui nati vulnerari,

Refuge of sinners, grant that we

Tam dignati pro me pati

May tread thy steps, and let it be

Pœnas mecum divide.

Our sorrow not to grieve like thee.

Fec me vere tecum flere,

O may the wounds of thy dear Son,

Crucifixo condolere,

Our contrite hearts possess alone.

Donec ego vixero.

And all terrene affections drown.

Juxta crucem tecum stare,

Those wounds, which now the stars outshine,

Te libenter sociare,

Those furnaces of love divine.

In planctu desidero.

May they our drossy souls refine;

Virgo virginum præclara,

And on us such impressions make,

Mihi jam non sis amara,

That we of suff'ring for his sake,

Fac me tecum plangere.

May joyfully our portion take.

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Fac ut portem Christi mortem,

Let us his proper badge put on,

Passionis fac consortem,

Let's glory in the cross alone,

Et plagas recolere.

By which he marks us for his own.

Fac me plagis vulnerari,

That when the dreadful trial's come,

Cruce hac inebriari,

For every man to hear his doom,

Ob amorem filii.

On his right hand we may find room.

Inflammatus et accensus,

O hear us, _Mary! Jesus_, hear!

Per te virgo aim defensus

Our humble pray'rs; secure our fear,

In die judicii.

When thou in judgment shalt appear.

Fac me cruce custodiri,

Now give us sorrow, give us love,

Morte Christi præmuniri Confoveri gratia.

That so prepar'd we may remove,

Quando corpus morietur

When call'd to seats of bliss above. Amen.

Fac ut animæ donetur Paradisi gloria.

V. Tuam ipsius animam pertransivit gladius.

V. A sword has pierced thy own soul.

R. Ut revelentur ex multis cordibus cogitationes.

R. That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Hymn _for Easter_.

O filii et filiæ,

Praise by mortals now be given,

Rex cœlestis, Rex gloriæ,

On this day from death hath risen

Morte surrexit hodie, Alleluia.

The King of Glory, King of Heaven, Alleluia,

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Et mane prima Sabbati,

The morn of Sabbath scarce did beam,

Ad ostium monumenti

When to his monument there came

Accesserant discipuli, Alleluia.

Disciples who ador'd his name, Alleluia.

Et Maria Magdalene,

There _Mary Magdalen_ anxious stood.

Et Jacobi, et Salome,

And _James_, and _Salome_ the good

Venerunt corpus ungere, Alleluia.

His body fain embalm they would, Alleluia.

In albis sedens angelus

The angel sat in white all rob'd,

Prædixit mulieribus,

And to the women he foretold:

In Galilea est Dominus, Alleluia.

In _Galilee_ you'll see the Lord, Alleluia.

Et Joannes apostolus

The message scarce did greet his ear,

Cucurrit Petro citùs,

Swifter than _Peter, John_ drew near

Monumento venit priùs, Alleluia.

To the Lord's tomb, with hope, with fear, Alleluia.

Discipulis astantibus,

The disciples all assembled were;

In medio stetit Christus,

Among them Jesus did appear,

Dicens, pax vobis omnibus, Alleluia.

His peace he gave, remov'd their fear, Alleluia.

Ut intellexit Didymus

_Thomas_ believed not, when 'twas said

Quia surrexerat Jesus,

That Christ had risen from the dead,

Remansit fere dubius, Alleluia.

Until he saw the wounds that bled, Alleluia.

Vide Thoma, vide latus,

My hands, my side, my feet, O see!

Vide pedes, vide manus:

_Thomas_, wounds that bled for thee:

Noli esse incrodulus, Alleluia.

Renounce thine incredulity, Alleluia.

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Quando Thomas vidit Christum

When _Thomas_, Jesus had survey'd,

Pedes, manus, latus suum,

And on his wounds his fingers laid,

Dixit: Tu es Deus meus, Alleluia.

Thou art my Lord and God, he said, Alleluia.

Beati qui non viderunt,

Blessed are they who have not seen,

Et firmiter crediderunt,

And yet, whose faith entire hath been,

Vitam æternam habebunt, Alleluia.

Them endless joy from pain shall screen, Alleluia.

In hoc festo sanctissimo

On this most solemn feast let's raise

Sit laus et jubilatio:

Our hearts to God in hymns of praise.

Benedicamus Domino, Alleluia.

And bless the Lord in all his ways, Alleluia,

Ex quibus nos humillimas

Our grateful thanks to God let's give,

Devotas atque debitas

In humblest manner, whilst we live,

Deo dicamus gratias, Alleluia.

For all the favours we receive, Alleluia.

[Transcriber's note: This is a better translation (with music) from St. Gregory's Hymnal. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23673/23673-h/English.html#No._28]

Ye sons and daughters of the Lord! The King of glory, King adored, This day Himself from death restored. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

All in the early morning grey, Went holy women on their way, To see the tomb where Jesus lay. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Of spices pure a precious store, In their pure hands those women bore, To anoint the Sacred Body o'er. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Then straightway One in white they see, Who saith, "Ye seek the Lord; but He Is ris'n, and gone to Galilee." Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

This told they Peter, told they John, Who forthwith to the tomb are gone; But Peter is by John outrun. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

That selfsame night, while out of fear, The doors were shut, their Lord most dear, To His Apostles did appear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

But Thomas when of this He heard, Was doubtful of his brethren's word; Wherefore again there comes the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

"Thomas, behold My Side" saith He; "My Hands, My Feet, My Body see, And doubt not, but believe in Me." Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

When Thomas saw that wounded Side, The truth no longer he denied; "Thou art my Lord and God," he cried. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, blest are they who have not seen Their Lord, and yet believe in Him: Eternal life awaiteth them. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Now let us praise the Lord most high, And strive His Name to magnify, On this great day through earth and sky: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Whose mercy ever runneth o'er, Whom men and Angel Hosts adore, To Him be glory ever more. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Hymns _for Whit-Sunday_.

Veni Creator Spiritus,

Creating Spirit, come possess

Mentes tuorum visita,

Our souls, and with thy presence bless:

Imple superna gratia,

And in our hearts, fram'd by thy hand,

Quæ tu creasti, pectora.

Let thy celestial grace command.

Qui diceris Paraclitus,

Thou who art call'd the _Paraclete_,

Altissimi donum Dei;

The Almighty Father's gift complete:

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Fons vivus, ignis, charitas,

The living fountain, fire, and love,

Et spiritalis unction.

And sacred unction from above.

Tu septiformis munere,

Thou finger of the Father's hand,

Digitus pateræ dexteræ,

Who dost a sev'nfold grace command:

Tu rite promissum Patris,

Thou promis'd from the Highest sent,

Sermone ditans guttura.

In various language eloquent

Accende lumen sensibus:

Purge with thy light our earthly parts.

Infunde amorem cordibus:

And with thy love inflame our hearts:

Infirma nostri corporis

Thus human weakness fortify

Virtute firmans perpeti.

With everlasting constancy.

Hostem repellas longiùs,

Far from us drive the infernal foe,

Pacemque dones protinùs,

And peace, the fruit of love, bestow:

Ductore sic te prævio

Thus having thee, our safest guide,

Vitemus omne noxium.

Let not our feet to evil slide.

Per te sciamus da Patrem

Let us by thee the Father own,

Noscamus atque Filium:

And to us let thy Son be known:

Te utriusque Spiritum

Let us believe in thee, who dost

Credamus omni tempore.

From both proceed the Holy Ghost.

Deo Patri, sit gloria,

To God the Father, and the Son,

Et Filio, qui a mortuis

Who rose from death, be glory done:

Surrexit, ac Paraclito,

This praise for ever let's repeat,

In sæculorum sæcula. Amen.

To God the holy Paraclete, Amen.

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V. Loquebantur variis linguis Apostoli, _Alleluia_.

V. The Apostles spoke in various tongues. _Alleluia_.

R. Magnalia Dei, _Alleluia_,

R. The wonders of God, _Alleluia_.

The Prayer.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Ghost, didst instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the direction of the same Holy Spirit, we may relish what is right, and always rejoice in his consolations: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

_Sequence for Whit-Sunday_.

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Ghost, send down those beams,

Et emitte cælitus

Which sweetly flow in silent streams,

Lucis tuæ radium.

From thy bright throne above.

Veni Pater pauperum:

O come thou Father of the poor,

Veni dator munerum:

Thou bounteous source of all our store,

Veni lumen cordium.

Come fire our hearts with love.

Consolator optime,

Come thou of comforters the best,

Dulcis hospes animæ,

Come thou the soul's delicious guest,

Dulce refrigerium.

The pilgrim's sweet relief.

In labore requies,

Thou art our rest in toil and sweat,

In æstu temperies,

Refreshment in excessive heat

In fletu solatium.

And solace in our grief.

O lux beatissima,

O sacred light, shoot home thy darts,

Reple cordis intima

O pierce the centre of those hearts,

Tuorura fideliam.

Whose faith aspires to thee.

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Sine tuo numine,

Without thy Godhead no thing can

Nihil est in homine,

Have any price or worth in man:

Nihil est innoxium.

Nothing can harmless be.

Lava quod est sordidum,

Lord, wash our sinful stains away,

Riga quod est aridum,

Water from heaven our barren clay,

Sana quod est saucium.

Our wounds and bruises heal.

Flecte quod est rigidum,

To thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bow,

Fove quod est frigidum,

Warm with thy fire our hearts of snow,

Rege quod est devium.

Our wand'ring feet repel.

Da tuis fidelibus,

O grant thy faithful, dearest Lord,

In te confitentibus,

Whose only hope is thy sure word,

Sacrum septenarium.

The seven gifts of thy spirit.

Da virtutis meritum,

Grant us in life to obey thy grace,

Da salutis exitum,

Grant us in death to see thy face,

Da perenne gaudium. Amen.

And endless joys inherit. Amen.

The Prayer.

O God, to whom every heart lies open, every will speaks its desire, and from whom no secret is concealed; purify the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, in order that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily praise thee: through our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who with thee and the same Holy Ghost liveth, &c. Amen.

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Hymns For Festivals.

Hymns _for Corpus Christi, and for the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, on Holy Thursday_.

Pange lingua gloriosi

Sing, O my tongue, adore and praise

Corporis mysterium,

The depth of God's mysterious ways:

Sanguinisque pretiosi

How Christ, the world's great King, bestow'd

Quem in mundi pretium,

His flesh conceal'd in human food,

Fructus ventris generosi,

And left mankind the blood that paid

Rex effudit gentium.

The ransom for the souls he made.

Nobis datis, nobus natus,

Given from above, and born for man,

Ex intacta virgine;

From virgin chaste his life began:

Et in mundo conversatus

He liv'd on earth, and preached to sow

Sparso verbi semine,

The seeds of heavenly love below;

Sui notas incolatus

Then seal'd his mission from above

Miro clausit ordine!

With strange effects of power and love!

In supremæ nocte cœnæ,

'Twas on that ev'ning when the last

Recumbens cum fratribus,

And most mysterious supper past;

Observata lege plene

When Christ with his disciples sat,

Cibis in legalibus,

To close the law with legal meat;

Cibum turbæ duodense

Then to the twelve himself bestow'd

Se dat suis manibus.

With his own hands to be their food.

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Verbum caro, panem verum,

The Word made flesh for love of man,

Verbo carnem efficit:

His word turns bread to flesh again,

Fitque sanguis Christi merum,

And wine to blood, unseen by sense,

Et si sensus deficit,

By virtue of omnipotence:

Ad firmandum cor sincerum

And here the faithful rest secure,

Sola fides sufficit.

Whilst God can vouch and faith insure.

Tantum ergo sacramentum

To this mysterious table now,

Veneremur cernui;

Our knees, our hearts, and sense we bow:

Et antiquum documentum,

Let ancient rites resign their place

Novo cedat ritui,

To nobler elements of grace:

Præstet fides supplementum

And faith for all defects supply,

Sensuum defectui.

Whilst sense is lost in mystery.

Genitori, Genitoque,

To God the Father, born of none,

Laus et jubilatio,

To Christ his co-eternal Son,

Salus, honor, virtus, quoque,

And Holy Ghost, whose equal rays,

Sit et benedictio:

From both proceed, be equal praise:

Procedenti ab utroque,

One honour, jubilee, and fame,

Compar sit laudatio. Amen.

For ever bless his glorious name. Amen.

V. Panem de cœlo præstitisti eis. _Alleluia_.

V. Thou hast given them bread from heaven. _Alleluia_.

R. Omne delectamentum in se habentum. _Alleluia_.

R. Abounding with whatever is delicious. _Alleluia_.

[Transcriber's note: This is a better translation (with music) from St. Gregory's Hymnal. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23673/23673-h/English.html#No._52]

1. Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory, Of His Flesh the myst'ry sing; Of the Blood all price exceeding Shed by our immortal King, Destined, for the world's redemption, From a noble womb to spring,

2. Of a pure and spotless Virgin Born for us on earth below, He, as Man, with man conversing, Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow; Then He closed in solemn order Wonderously His Life of Woe.

3. On the night of that Last Supper, Seated with His chosen band, He the Paschal victim eating, First fulfills the law's command; Then, as Food to His Apostles Gives Himself with His own Hand.

4. Word made Flesh, the bread of nature By His word to Flesh He turns; Wine into His Blood He changes: What through sense no change discerns? Only be the heart in earnest, Faith her lesson quickly learns.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum

5. 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.

6. To the Everlasting Father, And the Son Who reigns on high, With the Holy Ghost proceeding Forth from Each eternally, Be salvation, honor, blessing, Might, and endless majesty. Amen.

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The Prayer.

Deus, qui nobis sub Sacramento mirabili passionis tuæ memoriam reliquisti; tribue, quæsumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuæ fructum in nobis jugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis, &c.

O God, who in this wonderful sacrament hast left us a memorial of thy passion: grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries of thy body and blood, that our souls may be always sensible of the fruit of thy redemption. Who livest, &c.

Hymn _at the Elevation_.

O salutaris hostia,

O saving host, that heaven's gate,

Quæ cœli pandis ostium;

Laidst open at so dear a rate;

Bella premunt hostilia,

Intestine wars invade our breast;

Da robur, fer auxilium.

Be thou our strength, support, and rest.

Uni trinoque Domino,

To God the Father, and the Son,

Sit sempiterna gloria:

And Holy Spirit, three in one,

Qui vitam sine termino,

Be endless praise: may He above.

Nobis donet in patria.

With life eternal crown our love.

Finis.