Transcription
\·,flanual of !Catbolf t Worsbip· \Based on theBook of Co1nmon PrayerMOREHOUSE-GORHAM CO.NEW YORK
ref aceThis little book has been compiled andCOPYRIGHT BYMOREHOUSE PUBLISHING CO.1934PRINTEDIN U.S.A.arranged in the ·nope that it might be useful to devout Churchmen who desire amore intelligent understanding of their par in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and in, the extra-liturgical services allowed in\Catholic parishes and, as a consequence ofthis understanding, a deeper appreciationof, and an increasing love for, these services. The clergy and laity of many of ourchurches have expressed their long-felt needof such a manual; and it is hoped that thisbook will. be helpful in meeting that need.In compiling this MANUAL, much of thematerial has been taken from Catholic Prayers, for which grateful acknow1edgment ,issubscribed.This manual is designed to be used as asupplement to, and not in place of, TheBook of Common Prayer.
ContentsPAGE1MY DUTIESPRAYERS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW3BY HEART .7THE SEVEN SACRAMENTSCHURCHl\1ANNERSANDCERE-9MONIALDoN'Ts .16WHAT EvERY CATHOLIC SHOULD Do17THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE19PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION HowTHETHEMAssREPRESENTSPASSION OF OuR LORDTHE AsPERGEs323542THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS45PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION72
CONTENTS. , 75DEVOTIONS BENEDICTIONOF THEMosTI-IoLY79SACRAMENT88THE HOLY WAY OF THE CROSS . ITHE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE:THE ABSOLUTION FOR THE DEAD 106LET ALL THE EARTH KEEP SILENCEPRAYERS112BEFORE HIM. . . . LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH, AND TH.fMEDITATION OF MY HEART,BE ALWAY ACCEPTABLE IN THY SIGHT,0 LORD,MY STRENGTH AND MY REDEEMER.I WILL GO UNTO THE ALTAR OF GOD:EVEN UNTO THE GOD OF MY JOY1AND GLADNESS.
:fflp t!luttesMy Duty Towards God"My duty towards God is To believein him, to. fear him, And to love him with.all my heart, with all my mind, with allmy soul, and with all my strength: Toworship him, to give him thanks: To ,putmy whole trust in him, to call upon him :To honour his· holy Name and his Word:And to serve him truly all the days of myl i'f e. "My Duty Towards My Neighbour"My duty towards my Neighbour is Tolo e him as myself, and to do to all menas I would they should do1 unto me: Tolove, honour, and succour my father and·mother: To honour and obey the civilauthority: To submit myself to all mygovernors, teachers, spiritual pastors andmasters: To order. myself lowly and rev
2MY DUTIESerently to all my betters: To hurt nobodyby word or deed : 1'o be true and j u,st in allmy dealings : 1 o bear no malice nor hatredin my heart: To keep my hands from picking and stealing, and my tongue from evilspeaking, lying, and slandering: To keepmy body in temperance, soberness, and chastity: Not to covet nor desire ·other men'sgoods; But to learn and labour truly toget mine own living, And to do my dutyin that· state of life unto which it shallplease God to call me."My Duty as a Member of the Church"My bounden duty is to follow Christ,to worship God every Sunday in hisChurch; and to work and pray and give forthe spread of his kingdom." tapers !Eberpone boulbl{nob.1 hp J} eart INTHE NAME of the Father, and ofthe Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.Our FatherOuR FATHER, who art 'in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done, On .earth as it is inheaven. Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses, As we for give those who trespass· against us. Andlead us not into temptation,But deliverus from evil. Fo.r thine is the kingdom, andthe power, and the glory, for ever and ever.Amen. Hail MaryHAIL, MARY, full of grace, the Lord iswith thee. Blessed art thou among women,and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, JESUS.
PRAYERSPRAYERSHoly l\1ary, lVIother of God, pray for ussinners, now and at the hour of our death.Amen.Glory Be4I BelieveI BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty,Maker of heaven and earth:And in JESUS CHRIST his only Son ourLord: Who was · conceived by the HolyGhost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Sufferedunder Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead,and buried: He descended into hell; Thethird day he rose again from the dead: Heascended into heaven, And sitteth on theright hand of God the Father Almighty:From thence he shall· come to judge thequick and the dead.I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holyCatholic Church; The Communion ofSaints: The Forgiveness of sins: TheResurrection of the body:And the Lifeeverlasting. Amen. 5GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son;and to the Holy Ghost;As it was in the beginning, is now, andever shall be, world without end. Am .!1·I ConfessI CONFESS to Almighty God, to blessedMary, Ever-Virgin, and to all the Saints.'that I have sinned exceedingly in thought,word, and deed, by my fault, by my ownfault, by my own most grievous fault.Wherefore I beg blessed Mary and all theSaints to pray to the Lord our God for me.ALMIGHTY GoD have mercy upon me,forgive me my sins, and bring me to ever- ,lasting life.THE ALMIGHTY and ·merciful Lordgrant to us pardon, absolution; and remis sion of all our sins. Amen.I
6PRAYERS.The Grace1"'HE GRACE of our' Lord JES us CHRIST,and the love of God, and the fellowship of .the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore.Amen.Grace at MealsBLESS us, 0 Lord, and these Thy gifts, .which Thou hast given for our food ;through JEs us CHRIST. Amen.'./tEbe3;tl1tn acraments1. Baptism: by which we are . madeChristians.·2. The Holy Eucharist: .which is verilyand indeed the Body and Blood, the Souland the Divinity, of }Esus CHRIST, underthe forms of bread and wine. The HolyEucharist is not only a Sacranient, in whichwe receive our Divine Lord for the foodand nourishment of our souls, and in whichHe is really present to be adored upon theAltar: it is also a Sacrifice, the Sacrifice ofthe Holy Mass, in which, at the time ofConsecration, the bread and wine becomethe Body and Blood of JESUS CHRIST, andin which He is offered up for us to His ·Eternal Father.3. Confirmation: by which we receivethe Holy Ghost to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Christ.
SEVEN SACRAMENTS84. Penance: by which the sins committedafter Baptism are forgiven by God.5. Holy Order: by which Bishops, Priests,and Deacons of the Church are consecrated or ordained. !Cburcb -annerit anb !Ceremonial6. Matrimony: which is the Sacramentof Christian marriag .Enter the church a few minutes before theservice begins. Genuflect in the aisle at theentrance to your pew. Kneel and sign yourselfwith the sign of the Cross from forehead tobreast, saying:IN THE NAME of the Father,and of the So·n, and of the Holy Ghost. A men.Then say the following Prayer:7.Unction of the Sick: which in dangerous illness comforts the soul, brings God'spardon, and restores heal th, if God wills. 0 BLESSED LORD, who hast promisedto meet ine in Thy church, help me to worship 1'hee heartily, joining in all the service. Keep me from vain and wanderingthoughts, that I may concentrate my mindon Thy message of pardon, duty, and love;for JES Us' sake. Amen.Other prayers helpful fo worship may be said.also.·When to Sign Yourself With the· Signof the CrossSign yourself with the sign of the Cross
10CHURCH MANNERSCHURCH MANNERS11whenever the Priest signs himself, duringthe Mass or at any other service:words "Rest eternal grant unto them, .0Lord."( 1) At the 'vords "INthe Father," etc.( 10) During Benediction of the BlessedSacrament, when the Priest turns towardsyou with the monstrance containing theSacrament and makes the sign of the Cross.( 11) When the Priest announces theHoly Gospel (make the sign of the Crosson your forehead, lips, and breast) ( 12) At the A sperges, whe.n you aresprinkled with holy wate'r.( 13) Wpen you are censed during Massor at Evensong.THE NAMEof( 2) In the Creed, at· the words ". . And the Life of the world to come."( 3) In the Absolution, when the Priestsays, " . . . pardon and deliver you," etc.( 4) When the Priest says, ". . . this ismy Body," and again when he says, ". . .this is my Blood," etc.( 5) While kneeling at the altar rail, asthe Priest approaches to give you the Bodyand Blood of our Lord. '( 6) In the Lord's Prayer, at the words". . . deliver us from evil."( 7) In the Gloria in Excelsis, at thewords " . . . in the glory of God the .Father."( 8) When the Priest says, ". . . theBlessing of God Almighty," etc.( 9) In prayers for the dead, at theWhen to Bow the Head( 1) At "Glory be to the Father," etc.( 2) 'Each time the Priest says, "Let uspray."( 3) At the word "God" in the begin-.ning of the Creed, and also at the words''. . . together is ·worshipped," etc.( 4) At the commemoration .of the living and the dead.
.12QHURCH MANNERS( 5) At the words ". . . and when hehad given thanks," before each consecrati on.(6) At 'the Agnus Dei (''O Lamb ofGod," etc.).( 7) In the Gloria in Excel is, at theword "God" in the beginning, and at thewords ". . . we worship thee," the words" . . . receive our prayer," and the words"O Christ."( 8) Each time the SACRED NAME OFJESUS. is mentioned, if you ar sitting orkneeling (if standing bow the knee) .Bow the body (incline the head andshoulders) when you say or sing, "Holy,holy, holy," etc., and also when the Priest· . wor th y, " et c.says, "I am notWhen to Smite the BreastSmite the breast three times when yousay, ". . . I have sinned exceedingly, inthought, word, and deed," in the ,Con/es-,sion ,· and three times when you say, "I amnot wort hy, " etc.CHURCH MANNERS .13When to Gei1ufie,ctA genuflection ,is made hy bringing the rightknee dorv:n to the ground near the left foot, thehead being held -erect.( 1) On entering the church, before youtake your seat.( 2) In the Creed, at the words ". . .And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost ofthe Virgin Mary, And was mad man."( 3) When you go up to the altar rail toreceive Holy Communion, and again onleav.ing the rail after Communion.( 4) Jn the Last Gospel, at the words"And the Word was . madeflesh.",.I( 5) Each time you pass an al tar wherethe Blessed Sacrament is reserved.Bow profoundly or genuflect ( 1) Whensprinkled with holy water at the A sperges.(2) When censed by the thurifer.( 3) At a procession, when the crossbearer approaches your pew.( 4) When the Bishop, in procession,makes the sign of the Cross towards youas he approaches your pew.
14CHURCH MANNERSCHURCH MANNERSWhen ,to Stand( 4) After you have communicated andreturned to your seat.(5) For the Blessing.(6) Throughout the entire service ofBenediction of the Most Holy Sacrament(except when the Te Deum is sung, whenyou stand).( 1) At the Creed.( 2) During -the singing of hymns (except at a Jow mass) .( 3) At the Gloria in Excelsis.( 4) At· the ascriptions before and afterthe Sermon.(5) During the singing of the Canticles.( 6) When the Holy Gospel is said orsung.When to Sit( 1)(2)(3)( ging of the Psalms.reading of the Lessons.Sermon'.When to Kneel( 1) Throughout a low mass (but standfor the Gospel the Creed and the Gloriain Excelsis).(2) For alLprayers.( 3) When waiting for service to begin.15
llon ts1. Do not engage in conversation withfriends in the. vestibule of the church, whengoing to Holy Communion.2. Do not talk or laugh in church.3. Do not chew gum in church.4. Do not receive Holy Communion ifyou are late and enter the church after theHoly Gospel has been announced., 5. Do not leave your seat" until after thelights on the altar have been put out.6. Do not leave the church until afterthe service is concluded. If you have toleave, do so quietly and during the singingof a hymn. berp boulb'Wbat tatbolic1!loL Attend Mass every Sunday and HolyDay. ,2. Receive Holy Communion .at leastonce a moi:ith, and on all the chief festivalsof the Church, especially Easter, Christmas,and patronal feasts.3 .·.When your conscience is troubled bygrievous or mortal sin, do not tell yourfriends, but go to confession.4. Keep the Fasts of the Church, especially Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.Abstain from flesh meat on all the· Fridaysin the Year, except Christmas Day, andThe Epiphany, or any Friday which mayintervene between these Feasts.5. Be loyal. Do not engage in adverse· criticism of your Church or your Priest withanyone, especially not with sectarians.
18CATHOLIC DUTIES6. Say morQing and evening prayersdaily, and grace before meals.7. Do not marry outside the Churcp. Ifyou do, see that your children are baptizedand confirmed in the Church.8. "Remember the words of the Lord]Esus how he said, It is more blessed togive than to receive." (A els 20: 35.)SinSin is twofold-Original and Actual.Actual Sin may be ( 1) Mortal, i.e., D adly,or ( 2) Venial. The sins called mortal ordeadly with the contrary virtues are: ( 1)Pride; ( 2) Covetousness; ( 3) Lust; ( 4)Anger; (5) Gluttony; {6) Envy; (7)Sloth.'The Opposite Virtues are: ( 1 ) H umility; ( 2) Liberality; ( 3) Chastity; ( 4)Meekness; ( 5) Temperance; ( 6) BrotherlyLove; ( 7) Diligence.-acbe acramentof enancePenance is divided into three parts: contrition, confession, and satisfaction. Contri- .tion consists of sorrow for past sins becauseof the love of God, and a determination to.avoid for the future both sin and the occasions of sin. Confession stresses both sorrowfor, and grievousness of remembrance ofsin, a sense of its intolerable burden, andprayer for absolution. Satisfaction is thecareful performance of the penance whichhas been given by the Priest.In the Sacrament of Penance we seekGod's pardon and forgiveness by confession of our sins to His Priest. It is God,and not the Priest, who alone can for give.In this there should be a rule, which w ,ought to follow religiously. One should goto confession at least once a year-this maybe Advent, Lent, Christmas, Easter, orWhitsunday. It is more or less a practice in
20SACRAMENT OF PENANCEthe -Church, however, to make the annualconfession at Easter time, and. to confess atany time when one is conscious of mortalsin. It is wise to confess venial sins also.They may quickly become mortal and destroy the soul.If your confession is to be a good one,you should not hurry over your preparation.In order that God may forgive us our sins,. \Ve must be truly sorry for having offendedGod and make a firm resolve to avoid alloccasions of sin in the future. And we mustconfess our mortal sins. We must also beready to do anything to show God we aresorry for our sins, such as saying theprayers, etc., enjoined by the Priest whohears the confession, or performing otherpenitential works.SACRAMENT OF PENANCE 1PREPARATION FOR.CONFESSION IN THENAME of the Father, etc.OuR FATHER,etc.0 Gon, ,v-ho hast told us that, if wesay that 'v-e nave no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; and hastalso promised us that, if we confess-our sins,Thou art. faithful and just to forgive u and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness:grant me the grace to see my sins as Thouseest them and faith to believe in Thy forgiveness of them; through JESUS CHRISTour Lord. Amen.Now read over this form of self-examination,which may help you to find out the sins youlzave committed.Sins. Against GodUnbelief-not caring to know· the truth-contradicting the Church-separatingfrom her-attending a wrong place of worship to please others-loving anything more.than God-not obeying conscience-mur·
SACRAMENT OF PENANCESACRAMENT OF PENANCEmuring-using charms/ table-turning, etc.Swearing-cursing-laughing at blasphemy-talking lightly about holy things. Despair-indifference to life-·-p tting off repentance-.-going into temptation-·-neglectof prayer and the Sacraments, or of selfexamination-careless prayer-not prayingwhen in temptation-not living to pleaseGod-shame of religion-ingratitude toGod.·Sins of Scandal22SacrilegeCommitting any grave sin in a churchprofaning it by common business-stealinganything belonging to God-reading the 'Bible for amusement-receiving the BlessedSacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood,or any other sacrament, unworthily-anuntrue confession-going to Communionto keep up appearances.Sins Against the Church's. PreceptsUnnecessary servile work on Sundaynot attending church-not observing thefasts of the Church.23Bad companions - improper entertainments or dances or plays-keeping immoralpictures or books.Sins Against Self and Fellow-menPride: boasting -vanity -contempt -mim.icry self-will-tyranny-hypocrisy making excuses-disrespect-not acknowledging when you were wrong-jestingabout grave things.Envy: speaking evil of others-listeningto it-laughing at sin-not helping othersin difficulty-rejoicing at their misfortunes.Anger: ing to be friendscalling bad names-trying to commit suicide-cruelty to animals-intimidationrage-unkind words-bullying.Covetousness: stealing.,,.-cheating-exorbitant charges-false weights-adulteration-two prices-gambling-extravagancepassing bad money-borrowing and not returning-receiving stolen goods-·-stinginess
24ISACRAMENT OF PENANCESACRAMENT OF PENANCE-not giving alms-not making restitution-discontent.care of the household-disobedience to lawful commands.Untruth: deceit - exaggeration -·mischief-making - breaking p omises - notmaking amends.Sins of Parents-Sloth: not rising in time \\raste of time-carelessness.Gluttony: eating and drinking too much-spending too n1uch on food and drinknot saying grace-not thinking of those inwant.25\Not taking care of a child-neglecting topray for it-neglecting its education-notpresenting it for baptism-punishing it intemper-not teaching it to love God andthe Church-letting it have bad companions or read bad books-harshn ss-,spoiling it with fondness-favo ritism-sendingit to school where religion or virtue is indanger-.allowing it to be out late at night-hindering a vocation of God.'Lust: impure thoughts. and desires-indecent curiosity-delight in reading or writing unclean things-improper conversation,jokes, songs, pictures, dangerous dancesimproper liberties - immodest . touch ofyourself or another.Sins of Married PeopleMarrying from un,vorthy motives -·jealousy or giving cause for it-unkind.ness(of husbands), hindering your wife fromher religious duties-. (of wives) not taking\Sins of ChildrenDisobedience or unkindness to parentsdoi.ng things . on the sly-.making engagements without their knowledge-stealingfrom them.Sins of Young WomenGiving too much time or 'money to dress-immodest fashion·s-false ornaments-1
26SACRAMENT OF PENANCESACRAMENT OF PENANCEtrifling with the affections of men-exciting their passions.sorrow, for past sins, because of the love ofGod, and a determination to avoid, for thefuture, both sin and the occasions of sin.Sins .of Employe,rsOverworking servants-not caring fortheir souls--exposing them to temptatioribeing hard on them.Sins ofTh seEmployedDisobedience - disrespect - idleness waste-not exposing dishonesty of fellowservan ts-prying into secrets-doing wrongto please your employer-taking a placywhere you cannot fulfil the duties of religion .After the self-examination say. 0 MY Gon, how great are my sins !Would that I had neve offended Thee.May I never offend any more. If by carelessness or ignorance I have forgotten any'""thing in my self-examination, show it tome, that I may· make a good confession;through JESUS CHRIST· our Lord. Amen.Contrition or sorrow for sin is absolutelynecessiiry for a {!Ood confession. It consists of27Another Prayer0 Gon, .for the sake of Thy sovereigngoodness and infinite perfections, which Ilove above all things, I am heartily sorryand grieved for having by my sins offendedThee: and I firmly resolve, by the helpof Thy grate, nevermore. to offend Theefor the time to come, and carefully to avoidthe occasions of sin. Amen.Affections and Resolutions ·FATHER, I have sinned against heavenand in Thy sight and am no more worthyto be called Thy son. Oh,. receive me as oneof the least of Thy servants and never suffer me to go astray from Thee any more !LORD, Thou hast said there is joy inheaven over one sinner that repenteth. Oh,r;ive me grace to be a true penitent indeed,so that heaven may rejoice at my conversion!
28SACRAMENT OF PENANCE \SACRAMENT OF PENANCEI l(NoW Thou willest not the death·· ofa sinner, but rather that he should· be con"'.verted and live: Oh, let me no longer remain dead to my sins! Oh, let me now atleast begin to live to Thee !I.·'When the Priest is ready, go up to the confessional, in your ';furn, kne·el down, and say:.THOU hast made me, 0 God, and redeemed me by Thy precious Blood; Oh,despise not the work of Thy hands! Oh,let not Thy Blood be shed for me in vain !I AM resolved. by Thy grace nevermoreto return to my sins; I am resolved to avoid. ap evil company and occasions of temptation and to take proper i;neasures for athorough amendment of life for the future.All this I resolve; but , Thou, 0 God,knowest my weakness ; therefore do Thouassist m in these and all other good resolutions.HOW TO MAKE A CONFESSIONGo into church, and whilst yo·u are diting,kneel; and you may say:0 LORD, grant that this Corife s.ion''. maybe accepted by Thee, for JES.us' . sake.Amen.29BLESSme, Father, for I have sinned.Here the Priest will give the usual .blessing.Then say:'I CONFESS t'o Almighty God, to blessedMary; Ever-Virgin, to all the Saints; and toyou, Fathe , that I have sinned exceedingly,in thought, word, and deed, by my fa ult, bymy own fault, by my own most grievousfault. Since my last confession, which was·(say how long ago) I remember the following sins:Here make the Confession. When you canremember no more, say:·For these and for all my other sins,which I cannot now remember, I am heartily sorry and firmly purpose amendment;and most humbly ask pardon of God, andpenance, counsel, and absolution of you, myFather.,,.Wherefore I beg blessed Mary, all theSaints, and you 1 my Father, to pray to theLord our God for me.1
SACRAMENT OF PENANCESACRAMENT OF PENANCETlzen listen to rwlzat the Priest says to you.·.W hi/st he. says the Absolution, try to realizethat God is forgiving you if you are trulysorry.,, Then go back to your place, kneel down,· say your penance, and thank God for His mercy.hast reconciled me to Thyself. To Theeand to 'f hy Precious Blood I desire to offerall the love of my heart, just cleansed fromsin. Humbled before Thee I cried out like'David, "Have mercy /upon me, 0 God,after Thy great goodness," and Thou hastheard my prayer and hast forgiven me· mysins. Thou hast restored unto me the joyof Thy salvation.·Join with me, 0 my dear Mother Mary,and you, my angel Guardian, and my holyPatron, in giving thanks to the Lord forHis goodness and mercy to me.30'Prayeir After Confession0 MY Gon, I offer Thee my confession ;accept it for J Es us' sake: pardon all thatThou hast seen amiss in it, and supply allthat is wanting in me. Help my weaknessin the future, and suffer me not again tofall into my past sins; through JESUSCHRIST our Saviour. Amen.0 SAVIOUR of the World, who by ThyCross and precious Blood hast redeemed us,save us and help us we humbly beseechThee, 0 Lord.How shall I thank Thee, 0 Lord J Es us,for Thy great goodness to me? When Iwas faithless to Thy loving-kindness Thouhast had patience with me, and even whenI offended Thee, Thy grace waited for me.It is . to Thy infinite grace and goodnessthat I owe this Sacrament, in whi.ch Thou31
PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION, 33A Praye r for Pardon1WE do not presume to come to this thyTable,. 0 merciful" Lord, trusting in ourown righteousness, but in thy manifold andgreat mercies. We- are not worthy so muchas to gather up the crumbs under thy Table.But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant ustherefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the fleshof thy dear Son JESUS CH IST, and todrink his blood, that our sinful bodies. maybe made, clean by his body, and our soulswashed through his· most precious blood,and that we may evermore dwell in him,and he in us. Amen .our consciences, we beseechThee, 0 Lord, by Thy visitation: that ourLord ]Esus CHRIST, Thy Son, when Hecometh, may find in us a mansion preparedfor Himself; who liveth and reigneth withThee in the' unity of the Holy Ghos , everone God, world with.out end. Amen.'PURIFYIJEs us,who art about to cometo us Thy unworthy ervants in the BlessedSacrament of Thy Body and Blood, prepare our hearts, we beseech Thee, for Thyself. Grant us that repentance for our pastsins, that faith in the Atonement made forthem by Thee upon the Cross, that fullpurpose of amendment of life, that perfectlove to Thee and ,to all men, which shall ,fit us to receive Thee. Lord, we are notworthy that Thou shouldest come unqerour roof-much less that we should receiveThee into ourselves; but since Thou didstnot disdain to be laid in a manger amidstunclean beasts, so vouchsafe to enter intoour souls and bodies, uqclean though theybe through many sins and defilements.Lord, come to us that Thou mayestcleanse us.Lord, come to us that Thou mayestheal us.Lord, come to us that Thou mayeststrengthen us.BLESSEDt}rapers TJjef ort !Communion
34PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNIONAnd grant that, having received Thee,we may never be separated from Thee byour sins, but may continµe Thine for ever,till we see Thee face to face in Thyheavenly Kingdom, where, with the Fatherand the Holy Ghost, Thou livest andreignest, ever one God, world without end.Amen.Direct your intention.0 LORD JESUS CHRIST, King of everlasting glory, behold, I desire to come untoThee and to receive Thy Body and Bloodin this Heavenly Sacrament, to Thy honourand glory and for the good of my soul; Idesire to receive Thee because it is Thydesire, and Thou hast so ordained; I desire to come to Thee that I may be happilyunited to Thee, that I may henceforth abidein Thee and Thou in me, and that nothingin lite or death may ever separate me· fromThee. ow tbe -ass l\epresentstbt assion of l&ur JLorbThe Passion of our Lord began on that HolyThursday night in the Garden of Gethsema ewhen He took with Him His three chosen disciples, Peter, James, and John. Going littl.edistance from them, our Lord prayed wzth Hzsface bowed to the earth. And so, .at the e ginning of the Mass, we see the Priest bowingdown for the Confiteor, e'Ven as our Lordbowed Himself down during His Agony inthe Garden. Now follow the 'Various acts ofthe Priest throughput the Mass and what thoseacts represent.At the Confiteor, or "I confess," etc., th.ePriest bows down in the Preparationfor Mass. This represents Christ's bowing down in the Garden of Gethsemane. ·The Introit, or first prayer read by thePriest, reminds us of those holy men of 'the Old Law who looked forward tothe coming of the Saviour.
36THE MASS AND THE PASSIONThe Kyrie Eleison is our cry for mercy. Itis repeated thrice to God the Father,thrice to God the Son, and thrice to God the Holy Ghost.The Gloria in Excelsis, sometimes sung at· this point, begins with the hymn of theangels and promises the peace for whichwe cry in the Kyrie.The Collect means "gathered together." Itis so called because it summarizes thefundamental thoughts set forth in the. Epistle and t e Gospel, as well as theunited prayers of the faithful.The Epistle means a "letter " It is normally taken from the letters of the Apos- .tles to the faithful in different places,and occasionally from the Prophets, orfrom other parts of Holy Scripture. Asa part of the Mass it remind us of the·Old Law.IThe Book or Missal is here carried to the ·left or Gospel side. of the Altar. Thisact reminds us that, when the . Jewsrefused to listen to the teachings of ourTHE MASS AND THE PASS ION37Lord, the Apostles preached the true. faith to the Gentiles in their stead.The Gospel. No ·longer do Prophets andApostles speak to us, but JESUS CHRISTHimself speaks We stand out of reverence for the words of Christ and tosignify that we should always be readyto obey Him. When the Priest announces the· Gospel, make the sign ofthe Cross on your forehead to show thatyou believe the Gospel.Canon ·of the Mass. The word"C a on " here means " ru1e, " an d 1t. 1s.used for this part of the Mass becausethe prayers said in it are seldomchanged. Kneel in awe and reverenceand be perfectly quiet and still, for the. great moment is fast approaching whenour Lord JESUS. CHRIST will comedown upon the Altar. The Priest kissesthe Altar to show that he is united toChrist.T e C9 secration and the Elevation. Thebell is rung once to ·1et us know thatThe
38THE MASS AND THE PASSIONthe solemn moment has arrived. ThePriest takes the bread in his hands and,lifting his eyes to heaven to show t atthis great wonder is wrought by thepower of God, he breaks it and says. My· our Lord ' s own wor ds : "Th"Is ISBo,dy." Here the bread becomes theBody of JESUS CHRIST now presentupon the Altar. The Priest falls on hisknees in deepest reverence and thenholds up the Sacred Host 0 for the people to adore. Look for a moment on theSacred Host, then bow down and adore.The bell is rung three times. The sameis done after the consecration of thewine, which becomes our Lord's Precious Blood. The bell rings again three' times.'"fhe 0 blation and the Invocation In theOblation we offer to God His HolyGifts, and the Invocation completes theconsecration of the Memorial of theHoly Sacrifice.IThe Commemoration of the Dead. As soonTHE MASS AND THE PASS ION39as our Lord died, His Blessed Soul descended 'into Hades to comfort the saintsof the Old Law who were waiting tobe set free. Let us here remember thesouls of the faithful . departed in ourintercessions.The Acceptance and Dedication. This isthe last section' of the Canon, in whichwe pray for the acceptance of our Sacrifice of praise. and thanksgiving, for thegift of remission of our sins, and for allother benefits of His Passion. Thenfollows the Dedicatory Sacrifice of ourselves.1"he Pater Noster or Our Father. In thisprayer the Priest speaks to God in ourLord's own words Sign yourself withthe Cross at' the words, ". . . But deliver us from evil."The A gnus Dei. Here we pray unto our .·Lord, who comes mild and gentle as alamb, to tak
of such a manual; and it is hoped that this book will. be helpful in meeting that need. In compiling this MANUAL, much of the material has been taken from Catholic Pray ers, for which grateful acknow1edgment ,is subscribed. This manual is designed to be used as a supplement to, and not
