THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS IN UNION WITH THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM Our Lady of Walsingham Patroness of the Wexford Jurisdiction Please note that this Mass is used only on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Walsingham October 15th. THE OFFERING OF THE MASS When all have reached the sanctuary and having made the due reverence to the Altar, the Celebrant shall say the following: My God, we offer you, through Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham, this holy Sacrifice of the Mass to praise and honour Your infinite Majesty, in acknowledgment of Your supreme dominion over us, to thank You for all blessings, to make satisfaction for our sins and for the sins of the whole world, and to beg Your help for the Church, for our relatives and friends, for poor sinners and the suffering souls in purgatory. We also offer this Holy Mass in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham. We thank you for all the graces and perogatives you have bestowed on the most Blessed Virgin Mary so abundantly, especially for having loved her from all eternity and for having destined her to be the Mother of the Redeemer. We thank you for having prepared the Virgin Mary to be the most worthy Mother of Your only-begotten Son, and for having imparted to her a fullness of grace far surpassing that of all angels and men. We thank you for having made her Queen of heaven and earth. Grant, we beg of you, through your infinite goodness, that all men may know, honour, and love her more, in order that Your most Holy Name may be praised. Give us the grace also to be inflamed with the fire of Divine love, and to love Mary ardently, as her most devoted children have ever loved her. THE ORDER OF THE MASS THE PRAYERS AT THE FOOT OF THE ALTAR The Celebrant, signing himself with the sign of the cross, commences the Mass: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then with hands joined before his breast he begins the Antiphon: I will go unto the altar of God. People: Even unto the God of my joy and gladness. Then alternately with the People he says the following: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; for behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name; and His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. People: He has shown might with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. Celebrant: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. People: He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. Celebrant: He has given help to Israel, His servant, mindful of His mercy - even as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. People: As it was in the beginning; is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The Celebrant repeats the Antiphon: I will go unto the altar of God. People: Even unto the God of my joy and gladness. The Celebrant signs himself, saying: + Our help is in the name of the Lord. People: Who hath made heaven and earth. Then with hands joined, bowing profoundly, the Celebrant makes the Confession: I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, brethren: that I have sinned exceedingly in though, word and deed: [he strikes his breast thrice, saying] through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beg blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, brethren, to pray for me to the Lord our God. People: Almighty God have mercy upon thee, forgive thee thy sins, and bring thee to everlasting life. Celebrant: Amen. People: I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, Father: that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed: [each strikes his breast thrice, saying] through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beg Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, Father, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Then the Celebrant, with joined hands, makes the absolution, saying: Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life. People: Amen. He signs himself with the sign of the cross, saying: The almighty and merciful Lord grant unto us + pardon, absolution and remission of our sins. People: Amen. And bowing he proceeds: Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us, O God? People: That thy people may rejoice in thee. Celebrant: O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us. People: And grant us thy salvation. Celebrant: O Lord, hear my prayer. People: And let my cry come unto thee. Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. And extending and joining his hands, he says in a clear voice: Let us pray. And ascending to the Altar, says secretly: Take away from us, we beseech thee, O Lord, our iniquities: that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Then, with hands joined upon the Altar, bowing, he says: We pray thee, O Lord, through the merits of thy Saints, [he kisses the Altar in the middle] whose relics are here, and of all thy Saints, that thou wouldest vouchsafe to pardon all my sins. Amen. THE INTROIT The Celebrant blesses incense, saying: Be thou blessed by Him in whose honour thou shalt be burnt. Amen. And receiving the thurible from the Deacon, he censes the altar saying nothing. Then the Deacon takes the thurible from the Celebrant and censes him only. Then the Celebrant, signing himself with the sign of the cross, and with hands extended begins the Introit. + Hail, holy Mother: You have brought forth the King Who reigns supreme over heaven and earth. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. People: As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Celebrant: Hail, holy Mother: You have brought forth the King Who reigns supreme over heaven and earth. Then with joined hands the Celebrant says or sings alternately with the Ministers and People: Lord Heavenly Father, my sins make me unworthy to appear before You to ask for mercy. I am a servant and a child of Your beloved Daughter, Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham. Through her and in union with her, I beg of You, have mercy on me and on all sinners. People: Jesus, only-begotten of God, I am a servant and a child of Your most holy Mother, Our Lady of Walsingham. Through her and in union with her, I beg of You, have mercy on me and on all sinners. Celebrant: Divine Spirit, I am a servant and a child of Your Spouse. Through her and in union with her, I beg of You, have mercy on me and on all sinners. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS Then in the middle of the Altar he extends and joins his hands, and bowing his head a little the Celebrant solemnly intones Glory be to God on High which is continued by the Choir and People: Glory be to God on high, Celebrant and People: and on earth, peace good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty: O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only O Christ, with the Holy + Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Then he kisses the Altar in the midst, and turning to the people, says: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Celebrant: Let us pray. COLLECT, EPISTLE, GRADUAL We beg of You, O Lord, may we be helped by the merciful intercession of Your glorious Mother, the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham, that we, who have been enriched by her continual blessings, may be delivered from all dangers, and through her loving kindness be of one heart and mind: Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. People: Amen. The Celebrant or Subdeacon reads the Lesson: The Lesson from the Book of Proverbs. “I am the Mother of fair love, of fear of the Lord, of knowledge and of holy hope. In me is all the grace of the way and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come to me, all you who want me, and be filled with my blessings, for my spirit is sweeter than honey. am remembered through everlasting generation ... He who listens to me shall not be lost, and they who work together with me shall not sin. They who explain me shall have life everlasting” Amen. People: Thanks be to God. Celebrant: You are blessed and worthy of veneration, Virgin Mary, who, while remaining a Virgin, has become the Mother of the Saviour. Blessed Virgin and Mother of God, you have carried in your womb Him Whom the heavens cannot contain. Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us. THE HOLY GOSPEL The Deacon places the book of the Gospels on the Altar in the middle, and the Celebrant blesses incense as above: then the Deacon, kneeling before the Altar, says with joined hands: Cleanse my heart and my lips, O Almighty God, who didst purge the lips of the Prophet Isaiah with a live coal: and of thy gracious mercy, vouchsafe so to purify me, that I may worthily proclaim thy holy Gospel, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Then he receives the book from the Altar, and again kneeling askes a blessing from the Celebrant, saying: Bid, sir, a blessing. The Celebrant answers: The Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips: that thou mayest worthily and fitly proclaim his Gospel: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And having received the blessing, and going with the other Ministers, the incense and the lights, to the place of the Gospel, he stands with joined hands and says: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Deacon: + The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke. He signs the book with the thumb of his right hand at the beginning of the Gospel which he is to read, then himself on the forehead, the mouth, and the breast: and while the People respond, he censes the book thrice, then proceeds with the Gospels with joined hands. People: Glory be to thee, O Lord. Deacon: Luke i: 26-38 At that time the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And when the angel had come to her, he said: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.” When she had seen him she was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be. And the Angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shall bring forth a son; and thou shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He shall be king over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How shall this happen, since I do not know man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee, and, therefore, the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God.” But Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” And the angel departed from her. People: Praise be to thee, O Christ. The Gospel being finished, the Subdeacon carries the book to the Celebrant, who kisses the Gospel, saying: May our sins be blotted out by the words of the Holy Gospel. THE NICENE CREED Then at the midst of the Altar, extending, raising and joining his hands, he says, I believe in one God, and proceeds with joined hands. When he says God, he bows his head to the Cross: which he does likewise when he says Jesus Christ, and together is worshipped. But at the words And was incarnate he genuflects until And was made man is said. At the end of the words And the life of the world to come he signs himself with the sign of the cross from forehead to breast. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, light of light, very God of very God. Begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven. [here genuflect] And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man. [here rise] And was crucified also for us: under Pontius Pilate he suffered, and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and giver of life: who proceedeth from the Father. Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified: who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead. + And the life of the world to come. Amen. THE OFFERTORY OF THE MASS Then he kisses the Altar, and turning to the people says: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Celebrant: Hail Mary, Virgin and Mother of God through the power of the Father and the love of the Holy Spirit, you are raised above all creatures in heaven and on earth. You are full of grace. You brought forth the Author of all holiness; grace is continually poured out upon us through your hands. The Lord is with you. The Father Who gave you His only-begotten Son, the Word Who received His human nature from you, the Holy Spirit Who overshadowed you with His almighty power. You are blessed among women, chosen above all others to be the Mother of God and yet remain a Virgin. Here the people sit and the offering of the people is to be collected. The Offertory Prayer having been said, if the Mass be solemn, the Deacon presents the Paten with the Host to the celebrant: if it be private, the Celebrant himself takes the Paten with the Host, which he offers, saying: Receive, O holy Father, almighty everlasting God, this spotless host, which I, thine unworthy servant, offer unto thee, my living and true God, for my numberless sins, offences, and negligences, and for all who stand here around, as also for all faithful christians, both living and departed: that to me and to them it may avail for salvation unto life eternal. Amen. Then making a cross with the same Paten, he places the Host upon the Corporal. The Deacon ministers the wine, the Subdeacon the water in the Chalice: or if it be a private Mass, the Celebrant pours in both, and blesses with the sign of the Cross the water to be mixed in the Chalice, saying: O God, who didst wondrously create, and yet more wondrously renew the dignity of human nature: grant that by the mystery of this + water and wine we may be made co-heirs of his divinity, who vouchsafed to be made partaker of our humanity, even Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God: world without end. Amen. Then he receives the Chalice, and offers it, saying: We offer unto thee, O Lord, the cup of salvation, humbly beseeching thy mercy: that in the sight of thy divine majesty it may ascend as a sweet-smelling savour for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen. Then he makes the sign of the cross with the Chalice, and places it upon the Corporal, and covers it with the Pall: then with hands joined upon the Altar, he says, bowing slightly: Accept, holy Father, almighty, eternal God, this pure and holy offering. They are to be changed into the body and Blood of Your Divine Son. He will soon descend upon this altar to pay homage to You just as He did on the Cross. We wish to offer ourselves with Jesus as a sacrifice to You in order that our offering may be in some way worthy of Your Divine Majesty. We offer ourselves with Jesus through the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham, just as she offered Him in the Temple forty days after His birth. By this offering we acknowledge our entire dependence as a creature on You, our Creator. We express our humble obedience as children to You, our Heavenly Father. We reverently submit as subjects to You, our Supreme Lord and King. Let this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass be a sign of our complete devotion to You, our God. Standing erect, he extends his hands, raises them and joins them, and lifting his eyes to heaven and strait way lowering them, he says: Come, O thou Font of holiness, almighty, eternal God: [He blesses the Oblations, proceeding] and + bless this sacrifice, made ready for thy holy name. THE CENSING Then, if he is celebrating solemnly, he blesses incense, saying: Through the intercession of blessed Michael the Archangel standing at the right hand of the altar of incense, and of all his elect, may the Lord vouchsafe to + bless this incense, and to receive it for a sweet smelling savour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. And receiving the thurible from the Deacon, he censes the Oblation, in the manner prescribed in the general Rubrics, saying: May this incense, which thou hast blessed, ascend unto thee, O Lord: and may thy mercy descend upon us. Then he censes the Altar, saying: Ps. cxli, 1-3 Let my prayer, O Lord, be set forth in thy sight as the incense: and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips: O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing, let me not be occupied in ungodly works. While he returns the thurible to the Deacon, he says: The Lord kindly in us the fire of his love, and the flame of eternal charity. Amen. Then the Celebrant is censed by the Deacon, and afterwards the others in order. THE LAVABO Meanwhile the Celebrant washes his hands, saying: Ps. xxvi, 6-12 I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to thine altar: That I may shew the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth. O shut not up my soul with the sinners, nor my life with the blood-thirsty: In whose hands is wickedness: and their right hand is full of gifts. But as for me, I will walk innocently: O deliver me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth right: I will praise the Lord in the congregations. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Then bowing slightly in the middle of the Altar, with hands joined upon it, he says: Receive, O holy Trinity, this oblation which we offer unto thee in memory of the passion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ: and to the honour of blessed Mary ever Virgin, of blessed John Baptist, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of these and of all thy Saints: that it may avail for their honour, and for our salvation: and may they vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven, whose memory we keep on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. People: Amen. Celebrant: Divine Jesus, Who through the intercession of Your most holy Mother once changed water into wine and Who now by the power of Your Divinity will soon change bread and wine into Your Sacred Body and Blood, I beg of You, change our hearts, too, which we offer You through the Blessed Virgin Mary, and make it pleasing to You. Mary, our Mother, in this supreme moment when the heavens are about to open and your Divine Son will descend upon this altar, we entrust to you our bodies and souls, our labours, joys and sorrows, all our prayers and good works. Offer all to your loving Son for the glory of God, and the salvation of souls, especially our own. Blessed Mother, pray for the Holy Church, for our Bishops, priests and religious. Pray for sinners, infidels and heretics; for the oppressed, the tempted, the sick and the dying. We beg you, by your loving Heart which is filled with compassion for the miseries of the world, pray that we all may have a share in the infinite merits of this Holy Sacrifice. THE ORATE FRATRES Then the Celebrant kisses the Altar, and turning to the people, he extends and joins his hands, and says, raising his voice a little: Pray, brethren: that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father almighty. People: The Lord receive the sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of his name, to our benefit also, and that of all his holy Church. Celebrant: Amen. THE SECRET PRAYERS Then with hands extended, immediately without Let us pray, he adds the Secret Prayers. When he has come to the conclusion he says in a clear voice: Throughout all ages, world without end. Mary our Mother, your whole life resembles a Mass. The presentation of your Son in the Temple is like the Offertory of the Mass of your life. It was in your arms that Jesus offered Himself to His Heavenly Father as Mediator and Victim for the redemption of the world. You offered yourself as a sacrifice with Jesus, for your whole life was to be spent sharing His sufferings. The aged Simeon foretold this when he said to you: “And thy own soul a sword shall pierce.” How pleasing to God was your offering. You did not offer Him animals as people did in the Old Testament, but you offered the eternal Son of God, clothed in the flesh He took from your virginal body. You offered the Infant Who is the most beautiful of the children of men, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, the Beloved Son of the Father in Whom He is well pleased. Like Jesus, we want you to offer us to God in this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Make us in some way more like the Victim Jesus, that our whole life may be a living, holy sacrifice, pleasing to God. We abandon ourselves completely to your motherly guidance, that you may lead us to Jesus. As you are the way by which God came to us, so be the way by which we go back to God. Throughout all ages, world without end. People: Amen. THE PREFACE He begins the Preface with both hands placed apart on the Altar: and he raises them a little, when he says Lift up your hearts. He joins them before his breast, and bows his head, when he says Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. Then he separates his hands, and holds them separated till the end of the Preface: which being finished, he again joins them, and says, bowing: Holy. The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up unto the Lord. Celebrant: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. People: It is meet and right so to do. Celebrant: It is truly fitting and just, right and helpful to salvation, that we should always and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, and glorify Your Holy Name while venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham. Every grace and privilege she ever received, came from You. We thank You for her greatest privilege of conceiving Your only-begotten Son, by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and of bringing Him forth while her virginity remained. He is the Eternal Light of the world, the Saviour of mankind, by whom the angels praise and adore Your Majesty. May our humble voices be joined with theirs. THE SANCTUS The Sanctus is said or sung by the Celebrant and People together: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. + Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Celebrant: With all our hearts and voices we acknowledge, we praise, and we thank you, God the unbegotten Father, God the only-begotten Son, God the Holy Ghost the Comforter, O holy and undivided Trinity. People: Amen. Celebrant and People: Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, honour, might and power be to our God forever and ever. Amen. THE CANON OF THE MASS The Preface being ended, the Priest, extending, raising somewhat and joining his hands, raising his eyes towards heaven, and immediately lowering them, bowed profoundly before the Altar with his hands placed thereon kisses it, and then says with hands extended. Most merciful Father, we humbly pray thee, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, and we ask, [he kisses the Altar, and with hands joined before his breast, says] that thou accept and bless [he signs thrice over the Host and Chalice together, saying] these + gifts, these + presents, these + holy and unspoiled sacrifices. We offer them unto thee, first, for thy holy catholic Church: that thou vouchsafe to keep it in peace, to guard, unite, and govern it throughout the whole world: together with thy servants, N., Patriarch of the West, the Eastern Patriarchs, N., our Primate, N., our Bishop,and all the faithful guardians of the catholic and apostolic faith. Remember, O Lord, thy servants and handmaids [he joins his hands and prays awhile, for those for whom he intends to pray; then with extended hands proceeds] and all who here around us stand, whose faith is known unto thee and their steadfastness manifest, on whose behalf we offer unto thee: or who themselves offer unto thee this sacrifice of praise, for themselves, and for all who are theirs: for the redemption of their souls, for the hope of their salvation and safety: and who offer their prayers unto thee, the eternal God, the living and the true. United in one communion, we venerate the memory, first, of the glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also of thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddaeus: Linus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian: and of all thy Saints; grant that by their merits and prayers we may in all things be defended with the help of thy protection. [he joins his hands] Through the same Christ our Lord. People: Amen. Holding his hands spread out over the Oblations, he says: We beseech thee then, O Lord, graciously to accept this oblation from us thy servants, and from thy whole family: order thou our days in thy peace and bid us to be delivered from eternal damnation, and to be numbered in the fold of thine elect. [he joins his hands] Through Christ our Lord. People: Amen. Vouchsafe, O God, we beseech thee, in all things [he signs thrice over the Oblations] to make this oblation + blessed, + approved, and + accepted, a perfect and worthy offering: [he signs once over the Host] that it may become for us the + Body [and once over the Chalice] and + Blood of thy dearly beloved Son, [he joins his hands] our Lord Jesus Christ. Who the day before he suffered, [he takes the Host] took bread into his holy and venerable hands, [he lifts up his eyes to heaven] and with eyes lifted up to heaven, unto thee, God, his almighty Father, [he bows his head] giving thanks to thee, [he signs over the Host] he + blessed, brake and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, and eat ye all of this. Holding the Host with both hands between the thumbs and forefingers, he utters, the words of consecration secretly, distinctly, and attentively over the Host, and at the same time over all, if more are to be consecrated FOR THIS IS MY BODY Having uttered these words, he immediately genuflects, and adores the consecrated Host: rises, shews it to the people, replaces it upon the Corporal, and again genuflects and adores. And does not disjoin, his forefingers and thumbs henceforth, except when the Host is to be handled, till after ablution of his fingers. Then, having uncovered the Chalice, he says: Likewise after supper, [he takes the Chalice in both hands] taking also this goodly Chalice into his holy and venerable hands: again [he bows his head] giving thanks to thee, [holding the Chalice in his left hand, he signs over it with his right] he + blessed, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and drink ye all of it. He utters the words of consecration over the Chalice, attentively, continuously and secretly, holding it slightly raised FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT: THE MYSTERY OF FAITH: WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSIONS OF SINS. Having uttered these words, he sets down the Chalice upon the Corporal, and saying secretly: As oft as ye shall do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me. He genuflects and adores: rises, shews it to the people, sets it down, covers it, and again adores. Then with hands extended he says: Wherefore, O Lord, we thy servants, and thy holy people also, remembering the blessed passion of the same Christ thy Son our Lord, as also his resurrection from the dead, and his glorious ascension into heaven: do offer unto thine excellent majesty of thine own gifts and bounty, [he joins his hands and signs, thrice over the Host and Chalice together, saying] the pure + victim, the holy + victim, the immaculate + victim, [he signs once over the Host] the holy + Bread of eternal life, [and once over the Chalice, saying] and the Chalice + of everlasting salvation. With extended hands he proceeds: Vouchsafe to look upon them with a merciful and pleasant countenance: and to accept them, even as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of thy servant Abel the Righteous, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham: and the holy sacrifice, the immaculate victim, which thy high priest Melchisedech offered unto thee. Bowing profoundly, he says with hands joined and placed upon the Altar: We humbly beseech thee, almighty God: command these offerings to be brought by the hands of thy holy Angel to thine altar on high, in sight of thy divine majesty: that all we, [he kisses the Altar] who at this partaking of the altar shall receive the most sacred [he joins his hands, and signs once over the Host, and once over the Chalice] + Body and + Blood of thy Son, [he signs himself, saying] may be fulfilled with all heavenly benediction and grace. [he joins his hands] Through the same Christ our Lord. People: Amen. Remember also, O Lord, thy servants and handmaids, N. and N., who have gone before us, sealed with the seal of faith, and who sleep the sleep of peace. [he joins his hands and prays awhile for those departed for whom he intends to pray, then with extended hands proceeds] To them, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, we beseech thee to grant the abode of refreshing, of light, and of peace. [he joins his hands, and bows his head, saying] Through the same Christ our Lord. People: Amen. To us sinners also, [with hands extended as before, he proceeds secretly] thy servants, who hope in the multitude of thy mercy vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs: with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecillia, Anastasia, and with all thy Saints: within whose fellowship, we beseech thee, admit us, not weighing our merits, but granting us forgiveness. [he joins his hands] Through Christ our Lord. Through whom, O Lord, thou dost ever create all these good things, [he signs thrice over the Host and Chalice together saying] dost + sanctify, + quicken, + bless, and bestow them upon us. He uncovers the Chalice, genuflects, and takes the Host between the thumb and first finger of his right hand; and holding the Chalice with his left, he signs with the Host thrice from lip to lip of the Chalice, saying: Through + him, and with + him, and in + him, [he signs twice with the Host itself between himself and the Chalice, saying] O God the Father + almighty, in the unity of the Holy + Ghost [elevating the Chalice a little with the Host, he says] all honour and glory are thine. He replaces the Host, covers the Chalice with the Pall, genuflects, rises and says in an audible voice: Throughout all ages, world without end. People: Amen. THE LORD’S PRAYER Let us pray: Commanded by saving precepts, and taught by divine institution, we are bold to say: He extends his hands: Celebrant and People: Our Father, who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. Then he takes the Paten between the fore and middle fingers of his right hand, and holding it upright upon the Altar, says secretly: Deliver us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all evils, past, present, and to come: and at the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and with Andrew and all the Saints, [he signs himself with the Paten from forehead to breast] favourably grant peace in our days: [he kisses the Paten] that by the help of thine unavailing mercy we may ever both be free from sin and safe from all distress. He puts the Paten under the Host, uncovers the Chalice, genuflects, rises, takes the Host, and holding it with both hands over the Chalice, breaks it in the middle, saying: Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. He places the half which he holds in his right hand on the Paten. Then from the part which remains in his left hand, he breaks a particle, saying: Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, He joins the other half, which he holds in his left hand, to the half laid upon the Paten, and retaining the small particle in his right hand over the Chalice, which he holds with his left by the knop below the cup, he says in an audible voice: Throughout all ages, world without end. People: Amen. With the particle itself he signs thrice over the Chalice, saying The peace + of the Lord be + always with + you. People: And with thy spirit. He puts the particle into the Chalice, saying secretly: May this mingling and hallowing of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ avail us who receive it unto everlasting life. People: Amen. THE AGNUS DEI He covers the Chalice, genuflects, rises, and bowing to the Sacrament, joins his hands, and beating his breast thrice, says in an audible voice with the people: O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: grant us peace. THE PRAYER FOR PEACE Then bowing with hands joined upon the Altar, he says secretly the following prayers: O Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst to thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church: and vouchsafe to grant her peace and unity according to thy will: Who lives and reigns God, throughout all ages; world without end. People: Amen. Peace be with you. People: And with thy spirit. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who by the will of the Father, and the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, hast through thy death given life unto the world: deliver us by this thy most sacred Body and Blood from all our iniquities, and from every evil: and make us ever to cleave unto thy commandments, and suffer us never to be separated from thee: Who with the same God the Father and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns God, world without end. People: Amen. Let the partaking of thy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which we, unworthy, presume to receive, turn not to our judgment and condemnation: but of thy goodness let it avail unto us for protection of soul and of body, that we may receive thy healing: Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, throughout all ages, world without end. People: Amen. THE COMMUNION He genuflects, rises, and says: I will receive the bread of heaven, and call upon the name of the Lord. Then bowing slightly, he takes both parts of the Host between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand, and places the Paten between the same forefinger and the middle finger, and beating his breast three times with his right hand, he says thrice, devoutly and humbly, raising his voice a little: Lord, I am not worthy, [and he proceeds secretly] that thou should enter under my roof: but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed. Afterwards signing himself with his right hand with the Host over the Paten, he says: The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto everlasting life. Amen. And bowing himself, he reverently takes both parts of the Host: which having been consumed, he puts the Paten down upon the Corporal, and raising himself, joins his hands, and is still for a little space in meditation on the Most Holy Sacrament. Then he uncovers the Chalice, genuflects, collects the fragments, if there be any, and cleanses the Paten over the Chalice, meanwhile saying: What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me? I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will call upon the Lord which is worthy to be praised, so shall I be safe from mine enemies. He takes the Chalice in his right hand and signing himself with it, says: The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto everlasting life. Amen. Holding the Paten under the Chalice with his left hand, he reverently receives the Blood with the particle. Having received it, if there be any to be communicated, let him communicate them, before he purify himself. Holding a Host in his right hand, the Celebrant faces the People and says: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sins of the world. People [thrice]: Lord, I am not worthy that thou should enter under my roof, but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed. Placing a Host on the tongue of the people, the Celebrant says: The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul unto everlasting life. People: Amen. THE ABULTIONS Afterwards, he says: Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our mouths we may receive in purity of heart: and let this temporal gift avail for our healing unto life eternal. Meanwhile he presents the Chalice to the minister who pours into it a little wine, wherewith he purifies himself; then he continues: Let the partaking of thy Body O Lord, and the Blood which I have drunk cleave unto my members and grant that no stain of sin may remain within me whom thou hast refreshed with these pure and holy Sacraments. Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen. He goes to the Epistle side of the altar and the minister pours wine and water over his fingers. He then returns to the centre of the Altar and takes the abultion: he wipes his mouth and the Chalice, which, having folded the Corporal, he covers and places on the Altar as before: then he proceeds with the Mass. THE COMMUNION ANTIPHON At the Epistle side, he reads the Communion Antiphon. Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, that bare the Son of the everlasting Father. THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER Kissing the Altar in the midst, he says: The Lord be with you. People: Celebrant: Let us pray. O Lord, let this holy Communion cleanse us from every guilty stain: that at the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham, we may be made partakers thereby of thy healing unto life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. People: Amen. Returning to the centre of the Altar, he kisses it in the midst and says: The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. Celebrant: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: Gladly. THE BLESSING He bows himself before the midst of the Altar, and with hands joined thereon, says secretly: Let this my bounden duty and service be pleasing to thee, O holy Trinity: and grant, that the sacrifice, which I, unworthy, have offered before the eyes of thy majesty, may be acceptable to thee, and may through thy mercy obtain thy gracious favour for me and all for whom I have offered it. Through Christ our Lord. People: Amen. Then he kisses the Altar, and raising his eyes, extending, raising, and joining his hands, and bowing his head to the Cross, blesses the people, saying: May God almighty, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless you. People: Amen. In Pontifical Mass the blessing is three-fold, as is ordered in the Pontifical. If a Bishop is the celebrant, he may use the following blessing. Go forth into the world in peace; loving one another; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, + the Father, and the Son + and the Holy + Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you forever. People: Amen. THE LAST GOSPEL Then the celebrant at the Gospel corner says with hands joined. The Lord be with you. People: And with thy spirit. And signing with the sign of the Cross first the Altar or book, then himself on the forehead, mouth and breast, he says: + The Beginning of the holy Gospel according to John. People: Glory be to thee, O Lord. He proceeds with joined hands: John i. 1-14 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 not anything made that was made: in him was life, and the life was the light of men: and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [he genuflects, saying] And the Word was made flesh, [and rising proceeds] and dwelt among us: and we behold his glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. People: Thanks be to God. The Gospel of Saint John being ended, he says for thanksgiving as he goes from the Altar the Antiphon Let us sing, with the rest. Return to Home Page