PROPER MASSES FOR THE SUNDAYS AND FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

ADVENT.

The Church employs the four weeks that precede Christmas in preparing the faithful for that great solemnity; hence the beginning of the ecclesiastical year is called Advent, from the Latin word Adventus, which signifies the coming, viz., of Jesus Christ. Our first parents, soon after their fall, were comforted with the prediction of this great event, when God assured them that the time would come when "the seed of the woman should crush the head of the serpent." This promise was renewed to Abraham, confirmed to Isaac, determined to the tribe of Judah, fixed in the house of David; and, lastly, the time of its perfect accomplishment was exactly calculated by the prophet Daniel.

But the Church of Christ contents not herself with the bare contemplation of this early and comfortable promise, and the exact accomplishment thereof; she wishes moreover to prepare her children to receive the happy effects of the coming of Jesus Christ in their souls. Hence, for several ages, this holy time was spent in an almost general fast; and the Church still points it out to her children as a time of penance, by reciting in Advent those prayers which are usually said only on Vigils and Fastingdays.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT.

Introit. Ps. xxiv.

To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. In thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed; neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on thee shall be confounded. Ps. Show, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths. V. Glory, &c. To thee, &c., to Ps. And thus the Introit is always repeated.

I. COLLECT. Exert, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy power, and come; that by thy protection we may be freed from the imminent dangers of our sins, and saved by thy mercy, who livest and reignest, &c. Amen.

II. COLL. Deus qui. O God, who wast pleased that thy Word, when the angel delivered his message, should take flesh in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, give ear to our humble petitions, and grant that we who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her prayers.

III. COLL. FOR THE CHURCH. Ecclesiæ tuæ. Mercifully hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers of thy church, that all oppositions and errors being removed, she may serve thee with a secure and undisturbed devotion. Through, &c. Amen.

Or following:

COLL. FOR THE PATRIARCH. Deus omnium. O God, the pastor and governor of all the faithful, look down in thy mercy on thy servant N. whom thou hast appointed Pastor over thy Church; and grant, we beseech thee, that, both by word and example, he may edify all those that are under his charge, and, with the flock entrusted to him, arrive, at length, at eternal happiness. Through.

EPISTLE. Rom. 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 passed, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast

Let us walk

off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. 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.

GRADUAL. Ps. xxiv. None of them that wait on thee, O Lord, shall be confounded. V. Show, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Show us, O Lord, thy mercy, and grant us thy salvation. Alleluia.

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 heaven 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.

OFFERTORY. Ps. xxiv. To thee have I lifted up my soul. In thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed, neither let my enemies laugh at me for none of them that wait on thee shall be confounded.

I. SECRET. Grant, O Lord, that these sacred mysteries may cleanse us by their powerful virtue, and bring us with greater purity to him, who was the author and institutor of them. Through.

II. SECRET. Strengthen, we beseech thee, O Lord, in our souls the mysteries of the true faith; that we who confess him, that was conceived of a Virgin, to be true God and true man, may, by the power of his saving resurrection, deserve to come to eternal joys. Through the same, &c.

III. SECRET. FOR THE CHURCH. Protect us, O Lord, while we assist at thy sacred mysteries, that being employed in acts of religion, we may serve thee both in body and mind. Through.

Instead of the foregoing, may be said the following:

SECRET. FOR THE PATRIARCH. Be appeased, O Lord, with the offering we have made, and cease not to protect thy servant N., whom thou hast been pleased to appoint Pastor over thy Church. Through.

COMMUNION. Ps. lxxxiv. The Lord will give goodness; and our earth shall yield her fruit.

I. POŠTCOMMUNION. May we receive, O Lord, thy mercy in the midst of thy temple, that with due honour we may prepare for the approaching solemnity of our reparation. Through.

II. P. COMM. Gratiam tuam. Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, who by the message of an angel, have known the incarnation of thy Son, the Christ, may by his passion and cross come to the glory of his resurrection. Through.

III. P. COMM. FOR THE CHURCH.

Quæsumus. We beseech thee,

O Almighty God, not to leave exposed to the dangers of human life, those whom thou hast permitted to partake of these divine mysteries. Through.

Instead of the foregoing, may be said the following:

P. COMM. FOR THE PATRIARCH. Hæc nos. May the participation of this divine sacrament protect us, we beseech thee, O Lord; and always procure safety and defence to thy servant N., whom thou hast appointed Pastor over thy Church, together with the flock committed to his charge. Through. On the week days in Advent, the Mass of the foregoing Sunday is said, unless there be a proper Mass for the day, but the Alleluias and V. following the Gradual are omitted.

2nd Sunday

Introit. Is. XXX.

People of Sion, behold the Lord will come to save the Gentiles; and the Lord will make the glory of his voice to be heard, to the joy of your hearts. Ps. lxxix. Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel; thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. V. Glory.

I. COLL. Stir up, O Lord, our hearts to prepare the ways of thy onlybegotten Son; that by his coming we may be enabled to serve thee with pure minds. Who livest.

For the II. and III. Collects, see Mass for First Sunday.

EPISTLE. Rom. 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.

GRAD. Ps. xlix. Out of Sion the loveliness of his beauty; God shall come manifestly. V. Gather ye together his saints to him, who have set his covenant before sacrifices. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: we shall go into the house of the Lord. Alleluia.

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. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes, concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went you out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, they that are clothed in soft garments are in the

houses of kings. But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. CREDO. OFFERT. Ps. lxxxiv. Thou wilt turn, O God, and bring us to life, and thy people shall rejoice in thee. Show us, O Lord, thy mercy, and grant us thy salvation.

I. SECRET. Be appeased, O Lord, we beseech thee, by our humble prayers and sacrifices; and although we can allege no deserts on our part, grant us thy protection. Through.

COMM. Bar. iv. Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high, and behold the joy that cometh to thee from thy God.

I. P. COMM. Being filled, O Lord, with this spiritual food, we humbly beseech thee to teach us, by partaking of this mystery, to despise earthly things, and to love such as are heavenly.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT.

Introit. Phil. iv. Ps. lxxxiv.

Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men; for the Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous; but in everything by prayer let your petitions be made known to God. Ps. O Lord, thou hast blessed thy land; thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. V. Glory.

I. COLL. Bend thine ear, O Lord, we beseech thee, to our prayers, and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of thy visitation. Who livest.

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, our Lord.

GRAD. Ps. lxxix. Thou, O Lord, that sittest on the Cherubim, stir up thy might and come. V. Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel; thou that leadest Joseph as a sheep. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Stir up, O Lord, thy might, and come to save us. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. John 1. 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 the 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.

OFFERT. Ps. lxxxv. Lord, thou hast blessed thy land; thou hast

24

turned away the captivity of Jacob; thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people.

I. SECRET. May we always, O Lord, offer thee this sacrifice of our devotion, both to comply with the institution of these sacred mysteries, and wonderfully to procure ourselves that salvation which thou designest for us. Through.

COMM. Is. XXXV. Say Ye faint-hearted, Take courage, and fear not; behold our God will come and will save us.

I. P. COMM. We implore, O Lord, thy mercy, that these divine helps having cleansed us from sin, may prepare us for the ensuing solemnity. Through,

&c.

QUATUOR TEMPORA, OR EMBER DAYS.

The Ember Days (so called from our forefathers fasting on those days in sackcloth and ashes, or from their eating nothing but cakes baked under the embers) are the The spirit of the Church Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the first week of Lent, of Whitsun Week, of the third week in September, and of the third week in Advent

is to engage her children at these stated times to pray, fast, and perform such other good works as may prevail with God to furnish his Church with good Pastors: Saturday in Ember Week being the appointed day for ordaining and consecrating persons to the sacred ministry. We are likewise to beg God's blessing on the fruits of the earth and give him thanks for those we have already received.

WEDNESDAY IN EMBER WEEK.

Introit. Is. xlv. Rorate, cæli.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: Ps. xviii. The heavens let the earth be opened and bud forth a Saviour. show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands. V. Glory.

After Kyrie Eleison is said, Let us pray.

P. Let us kneel down.

R. Arise.

COLL. Grant, we beseech thee, O almighty God, that the approaching solemnity of our redemption may afford us the succours of this present life, and heap on us the rewards of eternal happiness. Through.

I. LESSON. Is. ii. 2. 5. In those days the prophet Isaias said: In the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto ways, it. And many people shall go, and say: Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall come forth from Sion, and the And he shall judge the Gentiles, and word of the Lord from Jerusalem. rebuke many people; and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither O house of Jacob, come ye, and let shall they be exercised any more to war.

us walk in the light of the Lord our God.

GRAD. Ps. xxiii. Lift up your gates, O you princes; and be ye lifted Who shall ascend up, O eternal gates, and the King of Glory shall enter in. into the mountain of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place! innocent in hands, and clean of heart.

The