Prayers at the Foot of the
Altar
Júdica
Me and the Confiteor
|
The priest returns
to the foot of the Altar. |
Stand |
The priest genuflects
at the foot of the Altar and recites the "Júdica Me," a part of Psalm
42 written by an Israelite priest 800 years before our Lord was born and
which speaks of his yearning to worship on the holy hill of Jerusalem. The
Júdica Me is omitted from Passion Sunday to Holy Saturday inclusive
and in Masses for the Dead.
Then he will say the Confiteor, confessing and begging God's forgiveness
for his sins. The server, speaking for the people -- the unordained royal
priesthood -- then says the Confiteor on our behalf as we mentally accuse
ourselves of our sins and ask the Saints to pray for us. The priest then
absolves us (this does not obviate private Confession). |
Kneel |
In nómine
Patris, et Fílii, + et Spíritus Sancti. Amen. |
In the Name of
the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. |
Introíbo
ad altáre Dei. S.Ad Deum qui lætíficat juventútem
meam. |
I will go in unto
the Altar of God. S.To God, Who giveth joy to my youth. |
Júdica
me (Psalm 42): |
The priest joins
hands and says: |
Júdica me,
Deus, et discérne causam meam de gente non sancta: ab hómine
iníquo, et dolóso érue me. |
Judge me, O God,
and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from
the unjust and deceitful man. |
S.Quia tu
es, Deus,
fortitúdo mea: quare me repulísti, et quare tristis incédo,
dum afflígit me inimícus? |
S.For Thou, O God,
art my strength: why hast Thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst
the enemy afflictech me? |
P.Emítte
lucem tuam, et veritátem tuam: ipsa me deduxérunt, et
aduxérunt in montem sanctum tuum, et in tabernácula
tua. |
P.Send forth Thy
light and Thy truth: they have led me and brought me unto Thy holy hill,
and into Thy tabernacles. |
S.Et introíbo
ad altáre Dei: ad Deum qui lætíficat juventútem
meam. |
S.And I will go
in unto the Altar of God: unto God, Who giveth joy to my youth. |
P.Confitébor
tibi in cíthara, Deus, Deus meus: quare tristis es, ánima mea,
et quare contúrbas me? |
P.I will praise
Thee upon the harp, O God, my God: why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost
thou disquiet me? |
S.Spera in
Deo,
quóniam adhuc confitébor illi: salutáre vultus
mei,
et Deus meus. |
S.Hope thou in
God, for I will yet praise Him: Who is the salvation of my countenance, and
my God. |
P.Glória
Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. |
P.Glory be to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. |
S.Sicut erat in
princípio et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum.
Amen. |
S.As it was in
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
P.Introíbo
ad altáre Dei. |
P.I will go in
unto the Altar of God. |
S.Ad Deum qui
lætíficat juventútem meam. |
S.Unto God, Who
giveth joy to my youth. |
Adjutórium
nostrum + in nómine Dómini. |
Our help + is in
the Name of the Lord. |
S.Qui fecit cælum
et terram. |
S.Who hath made
heaven and earth. |
Confiteor: |
The priest enters
the Throne Room of God. He humbles himself and makes a public confession,
bowing down to say the Confiteor for his own sins: |
Confíteor
Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper
Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto
Joanni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo,
ómnibus Sanctis: quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo
et ópere: He strikes his breast three times mea culpa, mea culpa,
mea máxima culpa. Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper
Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum
Joánnem Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum,
omnes Sanctos, et te, Pater, oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum. |
I confess to Almighty
God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael
the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and
Paul, to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word
and deed: He strikes his breast three times through my fault, through my
fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever
Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy
Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you Father, to pray to the Lord
our God for me. |
S.Misereátur
tui omnípotens Deus, et dimíssis peccátis
tuis,
perdúcat te ad vitam ætérnam. |
S.May Almighty
God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to life
everlasting. . |
| P.Amen. |
P.Amen |
We enter the Throne
Room of God and, standing before Him, accuse ourselves of our sins.
The server
says the Confiteor on our behalf: |
Confíteor
Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper
Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto
Joanni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo,
ómnibus Sanctis, et tibi, Pater: quia peccávi nimis
cogitatióne, verbo et ópere: mea culpa [strike breast] , mea culpa [strike breast] , mea máxima
culpa [strike
breast]. Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem,
beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem
Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos,
et te, Pater, oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum. |
I confess to Almighty
God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael
the Archangel, to blessed John the 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: through my fault [strike
breast], through my fault [strike breast], through my most
grievous fault [strike
breast]. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the
Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all
the Saints, and you Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me. |
The priest joins
hands and grants us absolution of our venial sins: |
P.Misereátur
vestri omnípotens Deus, et dimíssis peccátis
vestris,
perdúcat vos ad vitam ætérnam. |
P.May Almighty
God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins and bring you to life everlasting. |
S. Amen. |
S. Amen. |
P.Indulgéntiam
+, [cross yourself] absolutiónem,
et remissiónem peccatórum nostrórum tríbuat nobis
omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus. |
P.May the Almighty
and merciful God grant us pardon +, [cross
yourself] absolution, and remission of our sins. |
| S.Amen. |
S.Amen. |
Deus, tu
convérsus vivificábis nos. |
Thou wilt turn,
O God, and bring us to life. |
S.Et plebs tua
lætábitur in te. |
S.And Thy people
shall rejoice in Thee. |
P.Osténde
nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam. |
P.Show us, O Lord,
Thy mercy. |
| S.Et salutáre
tuum da nobis. |
S.And grant
us Thy salvation. |
| P.Dómine,
exáudi oratiónem meam. |
P.O Lord, hear
my prayer. |
S.Et clamor meus
ad te véniat. |
S.And let my cry
come unto Thee. |
| P.Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P.The Lord
be with you. |
| S.Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S.And with
thy spirit. |
| P.Orémus. |
S.Amen. |
The Priest Ascends the
Altar |
He goes to the
Altar and prays silently for purity: |
[Aufer a nobis,
quæsumus, Dómine, iniquitátes nostras: ut ad Sancta
sanctórum puris mereámur méntibus introíre. Per
Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.] |
[Take away from
us our iniquities, we entreat Thee, O Lord, that with pure minds we may worthily
enter into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.] |
[Orámus
te, Dómine, per mérita Sanctórum tuórum...] |
[We beseech Thee,
O Lord, by the merits of Thy Saints, whose relics are here...] |
[Here, he bows
and kisses the Altar where a Saint's relics are enclosed] |
[...quorum
relíquiæ hic sunt, et ómnium Sanctórum: ut
indulgére dignéris ómnia peccáta mea. Amen.] |
[...and of all
the Saints, that Thou wilt deign to pardon me all my sins. Amen.] |
At a high Mass
the priest will bless the Altar after blessing the incense with these
words: |
[Ab ilio +
benedicáris, in cujus honóre cremáberis. Amen.] |
[Be blessed + by
Him in whose honour thou art burnt. Amen.] |
Introit
- (Proper)
 |
The Introit, along
with the Collects, Epistle, Gradual, Gospel, Offertory, Secrets, Communion
Verse, and Postcommunions change from Mass to Mass depending on the Sunday
or the Feast Day being celebrated. These parts of the Mass that change are
called the "Proper Prayers" or simply the "Propers." These prayers will be
contained in your Missal. Some churches print them out and make them available
either in the pews or in the Narthex when you enter the church.
"Introit" means "Entrance" and it marks the time when the priest enters the
sanctuary to begin Mass. The priest will go to the Epistle Side of the Altar
(the right side), make the Sign of the Cross and chant the verse from
the Psalms which constitutes today's Introit. |
Kyrie |
The Kyrie is the
only part of the Mass that is in Greek. It is a prayer of mercy repeated
9 times, 3 each in honor first of the Father Monarch, then of the Son, and
then of the Holy Ghost, a symbol within a symbol of the Most Holy Trinity.
The priest moves to the middle of the Altar, joins his hands and says alternately
with the server (or else the choir will sing) the following: |
| P.Kýrie,
eléison. |
P.Lord, have
mercy. |
| S.Kýrie,
eléison. |
S.Lord, have
mercy. |
| P.Kýrie,
eléison. |
P.Lord, have
mercy. |
| S.Christe,
eléison. |
S.Christ, have
mercy. |
| P.Christe,
eléison. |
P.Christ, have
mercy. |
| S.Christe,
eléison. |
S.Christ, have
mercy. |
| P.Kýrie,
eléison. |
P.Lord, have
mercy. |
| S.Kýrie,
eléison. |
S.Lord, have
mercy. |
| P.Kýrie,
eléison. |
P.Lord, have
mercy. |
Gloria |
Stand
if it's a High Mass (i.e., a Sung Mass, or "Missa Cantata").
You may sit again when the priest sits while the choir
sings. |
The Gloria, also
known as the "hymnus angelicus," is the Church's greatest hymn of praise,
adoration, and thanksgiving addressed to each Person of the Most Holy Trinity.
It begins with the words the angels sang when Jesus was born [Luke 2]. It
is omitted during Advent, Septuagesima, Lent, and for Masses for the Dead.
The priest stands at the middle of the Altar, extends and then joins his
hands, makes a slight bow, and says: |
Glória in
excélsis Deo, et in terra pax homínibus bonæ
voluntátis. Laudámus te. Benedícimus te. Adorámus
te. Glorificámus te. Grátias ágimus tibi propter
magnam glóriam tuam. Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis,
Deus Pater omnípotens. Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe [Bow
head]. Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris. Qui tollis
peccáta mundi, miserére nobis. Qui tollis peccáta mundi,
súscipe deprecatiónem nostram. Qui sedes ad déxteram
Patris, miserére nobis. Quóniam tu solus Sanctus. Tu solus
Dóminus. Tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe [Bow
head]. Cum Sancto Spíritu, + in glória Dei Patris. Amen. |
Glory be to God
on high. And on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee. We bless
Thee We adore Thee. We glorify Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory.
Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. Lord Jesus Christ [Bow
head], Only-begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Thou
Who takest away the sins of the world have mercy on us. Thou who takest away
the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou Who sittest at the right
hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou alone art holy. Thou alone,
O Jesus Christ [Bow
head], art most high. With the Holy Ghost, + in the glory of God the Father.
Amen. |
The priest kisses
the Altar and, turning toward the people, says: |
| P.Dóminus
vobíscum |
P.The Lord
be with you. |
| S.Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S.And with
thy spirit. |
The priest turns
back to the Missal to begin the Collect. |
| P.Orémus. |
P.Let us
pray |
The Collect
- (Proper)
 |
The Collect is
the "collected prayers" of petition for all of the faithful at Mass. They
are recited in honor of a Saint or Mystery of the day or for specific Mass
intentions. Sometimes more than one Collect is prayed (but never more than
three). At the end of this prayer, the server responds: |
| S.Amen |
S.Amen |
Sit |
The Epistle
- (Proper)
 |
The Epistle is
a Bible reading, usually taken from one of the Pauline letters, but often
from those from another Apostle or even from the Old Testament. After the
reading, the server responds:. |
| S.Deo
grátias. |
S.Thanks be
to God. |
The Gradual and Alleluia
- (Proper)
 |
The Gradual consists
of a short thanksgiving verse(s), usually from a Psalm, that relates to the
Epistle reading. The Gradual is so called because it used to be intoned by
a cantor standing on the steps of the pulpit or altar.
The Gradual is followed by the joyous Alleluia acclamation. In times of penance,
a "Tract" -- i.e., a Psalm or part of a Psalm -- replaces the Alleluia.
After the Gradual and Alleluia, the Missal is moved to the Gospel side (the
left side) of the Altar to symbolize the passing of Faith from the Jews to
the Gentiles. The priest then returns to the middle of the Altar and bows
with his hands joined. He then says the Munda Cor Meum: |
Munda Cor
Meum |
Munda cor meum
ac lábia mea, omnípotens Deus, qui lábia Isaíæ
Prophétæ cálculo mundásti igníto: ita me
tua grata miseratióne dignáre mundáre, ut sanctum
Evangélium tuum digne váleam nuntiáre. Per Christum
Dóminum nostrum. Amen. |
Cleanse my heart
and my lips, O Almighty God, Who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet Isaias
with a burning coal; through Thy gracious mercy so purify me that I may worthily
proclaim Thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
The Gospel
- (Proper)
 |
Stand |
Now the priest prepares to read to us from one of the Books written
by either St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, or St. John. |
| P.Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P.The Lord be
with you. |
| S.Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S.And with
thy spirit. |
As the priest says
the following words, he signs the Book and then, with his thumb, makes 3
small Crosses on his forehead, lips, and breast to signify keeping the Gospel
in his mind, on his lips, and in his heart. The people make these signs with
him. |
[Sign
forehead, lips and breast] Sequéntia sancti Evangélii
secúndum N.+ |
[Sign
forehead, lips and breast] The continuation of the Holy Gospel
according to N.+ |
| S.Glória
tibi, Dómine. |
S.Glory be
to Thee, O Lord. |
The Gospel is read
with the people still standing. When the reading is over, the server
says: |
| S.Laus
tibi, Christe. |
S.Praise be
to Thee, O Christ. |
Unless it is a
Mass for the Dead, the priest kisses the Book. Then he says: |
Per evangélica
dicta, deleántur nostra delícta. |
By the words of
the Gospel may our sins be blotted out. |
Sermon |
Sit |
Some priests will
now read the Epistle and Gospel in English at this point; others won't.
Then
the priest will now give a sermon, usually having something to do with the
Gospel reading. |
Credo |
Stand |
The Credo -- the
Nicene Creed -- is our public and solemn declaration of Faith.
It was drawn
up at the Councils of Nicaea (A.D. 325) and Constantinople (A.D. 381).
In honor of the Incarnation, the incredible expression of God's love manifest
in His taking on flesh in order to die for us and become the perfect Sacrifice,
we kneel at the words that describe His being born of the Virgin Mary. |
Credo in unum Deum,
Patrem omnipoténtem, factórem cæli et terræ,
visibílium ómnium et invisibílium. Et in unum Dóminum
Jesum [Bow head] Christum, Fílium
Dei unigénitum. Et ex Patre natum ante ómnia sæcula.
Deum de Deo, lumen de lúmine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Génitum,
non factum, consubstantiálem Patri: per quem ómnia facta sunt.
Qui propter nos hómines et propter nostram salútem descéndit
de cælis |
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 [Bow
head] Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all
ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made:
consubstantial with the Father; by Whom all things were made. Who for us
men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. |
[Kneel]
Et incarnátus
est de Spíritu Sancto ex María Vírgine: Et homo factus
est.
[Stand] |
[Kneel]
And was incarnate
by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man.
[Stand] |
Crucifíxus
étiam pro nobis: sub Póntio Piláto passus, et sepúltus
est. Et resurréxit tértia die, secúndum Scriptúras.
Et ascéndit in cælum: sedet ad déxteram Patris. Et
íterum ventúrus est cum glória judicáre vivos
et mórtuos: cujus regni non erit finis. |
He was crucified
also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third
day He rose again according to the Scriptures. And He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with
glory to judge the living and the dead: of Whose kingdom there shall be no
end. |
Et in Spíritum
Sanctum, Dóminum et vivificántem: qui ex Patre, Filióque
procédit. Qui cum Patre, et Fílio simul adorátur [Bow
head], et conglorifícatur: qui locútus est per Prophétas.
Et unam, sanctam, cathólicam et apostólicam Ecclésiam.
Confíteor unum baptísma in remissiónem peccatorum. Et
expecto resurrectionem mortuorum. Et vitam + ventúri sæculi.
Amen. |
And in the Holy
Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life: Who proceedeth from the Father and the
Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is adored [Bow head] and glorified:
Who spoke through the Prophets. And in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
Church. I confess 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 Mass of the
Catechumens is ended and now the Mass of the Faithful begins. |
The Mass of the
Faithful is in 4 main sections:
I.
The Offertory
The priest presents the bread and wine
Offertory
Verse - Offertory
Prayers - Lavabo
Prayer
to the Holy
Trinity - Orate
Fratres - Secret -Preface - Sanctus
II. The Canon
The Holy Ghost, through His priest acting in Persona Christi, changes the
bread and wine
into the Body and Blood of Christ, Who is offered to the Father
for the remission of sins
Prayers Before Consecration - Prayers
at
Consecration - Consecration
Prayers
After
Consecration - Final
Doxology and Minor Elevation
III. Communion
We receive the the Body of Christ
Pater
Noster - Breaking
of the Sacred
Host
Agnus
Dei - Prayers
for
Communion - Communion
IV. Prayers after Communion
Ablutions - Communion
Verse - Postcommunions - Blessing - Last
Gospel
At this point, the offering basket is brought around by the ushers for us
to place our financial gifts in.
They will move from the front of the church
toward the back, away from the Altar.
Now the priest kisses the Altar, then turns to the people and says:
|
Stand |
| P.Dóminus
vobíscum |
P.The
Lord be with you. |
| S.Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S.And with
thy spirit. |
| P.Orémus. |
P.Let us
pray |
Offertory |
Offertory Verse - (Proper)
 |
Sit |
After the priest reads the Offertory, he moves to the middle of the
Altar and reads the Offertory Verse: |
 |
Offertory
Prayers |
The priest uncovers
the chalice. Then he places the unconsecrated host on the paten, and offers
it. "Host" comes from the Latin "hostia," which means "victim." This bread
must be a baked wheat bread with no flavorings, sugars, etc. -- only wheat
and water (in the Eastern ritual churches, leavening may be used, though
this is not the oldest practice): |
[Súscipe,
sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus, hanc immaculátam
hóstiam, quam ego indígnus fámulus tuus óffero
tibi Deo meo vivo et vero, pro innumerabílibus peccátis, et
offensiónibus, et negligéntiis meis, et pro ómnibus
circumstántibus, sed et pro ómnibus fidélibus
christiánis vivis atque defúunctis: ut mihi et illis
profíciat ad salútem in vitam ætérnam. Amen.] |
[Accept, O Holy
father, Almighty and Eternal God, this spotless host, which I, Your unworthy
servant, offer to You, my living and true God, to atone for my numberless
sins, offences, and negligences; on behalf of all here present and likewise
for all faithful Christians living and dead, that it may profit me and them
as a means of salvation to life everlasting. Amen.] |
He makes the Sign
of the Cross with the paten and places it on the corporal. He goes to the
right side of the Altar
(the Epistle side) and pours the wine into the chalice
(only a true grape wine may be used).
He blesses water (except in Masses
for the Dead), representing the water that flowed from the wound in His side,
and mixes a few drops into the chalice: |
[Deus, + qui
humánæ substántiæ dignitátem mirabíliter
condidísti et mirabílius reformásti: da nobis, per hujus
aquæ et vini mystérium, ejus divinitátis esse
consórtes, qui humanitátis nostræ fíeri dignátus
est párticeps, Jesus Christus, Fílius
tuus, Dóminus noster: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte
Spíritus Sancti Deus: per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.
Amen.] |
[O God, + Who in
creating man didst exalt his nature very wonderfully and yet more wonderfully
didst establish it anew; by the Mystery signified in the mingling of this
water and wine, grant us to have part in the Godhead of Him Who hath deigned
to become a partaker of our humanity, Jesus ]Christ, Thy Son our Lord; Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God. World
without end. Amen.] |
He returns to the
middle of the Altar and offers the chalice to God. |
[Offérimus
tibí, Dómine, cálicem salutáris, tuam
deprecántes cleméntiam: ut in conspéctu divínæ
majestátis tuæ, pro nostra et totíus mundi salúte,
cum odóre suavitátis ascéndat. Amen.] |
[We offer unto
Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, entreating Thy mercy that our offering
may ascend with a sweet fragrance in the sight of Thy divine Majesty, for
our own salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen.] |
He makes the Sign
of the Cross with the chalice and places it, too, on the corporal.
He covers
it with a pall and, bowing down, says: |
[In spíritu
humilitátis, et in ánimo contríto suscipiámur
a te, Dómine: et sic fiat sacrifícium nostrum in conspéctu
tuo hódie, ut pláceat tibi, Dómine Deus.] |
[Humbled in spirit
and contrite of heart, may we find favor with Thee, O Lord: and may our sacrifice
be so offered this day in Thy sight as to be pleasing to Thee, O Lord
God.] |
Now the priest
calls on the Holy Ghost. He extends his hands and raises his eyes toward
Heaven,
asking the Holy Ghost to bless the bread and wine: |
[Veni,
Sanctificátor omnípotens ætérne Deus: et bénedic
+ hoc sacrifícium, tuo sancto nómini
præparátum.] |
[Come Thou, the
Sanctifier, Almighty and Everlasting God, and bless + this sacrifice which
is prepared for the glory of Thy holy Name.] |
Now the priest
will bless the incense and then use it to bless the bread and wine, then
the Crucifix and Altar,
and then himself and us so that we will be be made
a more pure offering to God.
First he blesses the incense, calling on the
intercession of St. Michael: |
[Per
intercessiónem beáti Michaélis Archángeli, stantis
a dextris altáris incénsi, et ómnium electórum
suórum, incénsum istud dignétur Dóminus bene
+ dícere, et in odórem suavitátis accípere. Per
Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.] |
[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 in the odor of sweetness. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.] |
Now he incenses
the bread and wine: |
[Incénsum
istud a te benedíctum, ascéndat ad te, Dómine: et
descéndat super nos misericórdia tua.] |
[May this incense
blessed by You, arise before You, O Lord, and may Your mercy come down upon
us.] |
Now he incenses
the Crucifix and Altar: |
[Dirigátur,
Dómine, orátio mea, sicut incénsum, in conspéctu
tuo: elevátio mánuum meárum sacrifícium
vespertínum. Pone, Dómine, custódiam ori meo, et
óstium circumstántiæ lábiis meis: ut non
declínet cor meum in verba malítiæ, ad excusándas
excusatiónes in peccátis.] [Psalm 140] |
[Let my prayer,
O Lord, like incense before You; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening
sacrifice. O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, a guard at the door of my
lips. Let not my heart incline to the evil of engaging in deeds of wickedness.]
[Psalm 140] |
Now the priest
and we of the royal priesthood are blessed with incense: |
Stand.
Make a profound bow toward the acolyte after he blesses you with
incense. |
[Accéndat
in nobis Dóminus ignem sui amóris, et flámmam
ætérnæ caritátis. Amen.] |
[May the Lord enkindle
in us the fire of His love and the flame of everlasting charity. Amen.] |
Lavabo |
Sit |
Now the priest
recites Psalm 25 and washes his fingers to symbolize the purity of those
taking part in this Sacrifice: |
[Lavábo
inter innocéntes manus meas: et circúmdabo altáre tuum,
Dómine. Ut áudiam vocem laudis: et enárrem univérsa
mirabília tua. Dómine, diléxi decórem domus
tuæ: et locum habitatiónis glóriæ tuæ. Ne
perdas cum ímpiis, Deus: ánimam meam, et cum viris sánguinum
vitam meam. In quorum mánibus iniquitátes sunt: déxtera
eórum repléta est munéribus] |
[I will wash my
hands among the innocent, and I will encompass Thine Altar, O Lord. That
I may hear the voice of praise, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. I have
loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth.
Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked, nor my life with men of blood.
In whose hands are iniquities, their right hand is filled with gifts.] |
[Ego autem in
innocéntia mea ingréssus sum: rédime me, et miserére
mei. Pes meus stetit in dirécto: in ecclésiis benedícam
te, Dómine.] |
[But as for me,
I have walked in my innocence; redeem me, and have mercy on me. My foot hath
stood in the right way; in the churches I will bless Thee, O Lord.] |
The following
concluding Gloria is omitted during Passiontide and in Masses for the
Dead: |
[Glória
Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio,
et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen]. |
[Glory be to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.] |
Prayer to the Most Holy
Trinity |
Now he goes to
the middle of the Altar and bows, with hands joined,
praying to the Holy
Trinity to accept our offering and asking the greatest Saints to intercede
for us. |
[Súscipe,
Sancta Trínitas, hanc oblatiónem, quam tibi offérimus
ob memóriam passiónis, resurrectiónis, et ascensiónis
Jesu Christi Dómini nostri, et in honórem beátæ
Maríæ semper Vírginis, et beáti Joánnis
Baptístæ, et sanctórum Apostolórum Petri et Pauli,
et istórum, et ómnium Sanctórum: ut illis profíciat
ad honórem, nobis autem ad salútem: et illi pro nobis
intercédere dignéntur in cælis, quorum memóriam
ágimus in terris. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum.]
Amen. |
[Receive, O Holy
Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee in memory of the Passion,
Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ; and in honor of Blessed
Mary ever Virgin, of blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and
Paul, of these and of all the Saints. To them let it bring honor, and to
us salvation, and may they whom we are commemorating here on earth deign
to plead for us in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.] |
Orate
Fratres |
Now he kisses the
Altar and, turning toward the people, extends and joins his hands.
He asks
us to "Pray, brothers" that the Sacrifice will be acceptable.
Only the first
two words, "Orate, Fratres" are said aloud; the rest the priest prays
inaudibly. |
Oráte fratres:
[ut meum ac vestrum sacrifícium acceptábile fiat apud Deum
Patrem omnipoténtem.] |
Pray, brethren,
[that my Sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father
Almighty.] |
S.
[Suscípiat
Dóminus sacrifícium de mánibus tuis ad laudem et
glóriam nóminis sui, ad utilitátem quoque
nostram,
totiúsque Ecclésiæ suæ sanctæ.] |
S. [May the Lord
accept the Sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and glory of His Name,
for our benefit and for that of all His holy Church.] |
| [P. Amen.] |
[P. Amen.] |
The Secret
- (Proper)
 |
The Secret is another
prayer that is prayed inaudibly except for the "per omnia saecula
saeculorum."
It is a prayer of petition, similar to the Collect, and its name comes from
the Latin word "secernere,"
meaning "to set apart," as the prayer sets apart
the offerings to be consecrated. |
| Per ómnia
sæcula sæculórum. |
World without
end. |
| S. Amen. |
S. Amen. |
Stand |
| P. Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P. The Lord
be with you. |
| S. Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S. And with
thy spirit. |
| P. Sursum
corda. |
P. Lift up
your hearts. |
| S. Habémus
ad Dóminum |
S. We have
lifted them up to the Lord. |
| P. Grátias
agámus Dómino Deo nostro. |
P. Let us give
thanks to the Lord our God. |
| S. Dignum et
justum est. |
S. It is right
and just. |
Preface
- (Proper)
 |
The preface (it
will be different during Lent, Paschaltide, Ascension, and for Feasts that
have their own Preface) is a prayer of thanksgiving and total praise. It
leads right into the Sanctus, or "Trisagion" ("Thrice Holy"), the words
of Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 117, Matthew 21:9, and of the Angels in the Apocalypse
who sing it day and night without ceasing and who sing with us now: |
Vere dignum et
justum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper, et ubíque
grátias ágere: Dómine sancte, Pater omnípotens,
ætérne Deus: Qui cum unigénito Fílio tuo, et
Spíritu Sancto, unus es Deus, unus es Dóminus: non in uníus
singularitáte persónæ, sed in uníus Trinitáte
substántiæ. Quod enim de tua glória, revelánte
te, crédimus, hoc de Fílio tuo, hoc de Spíritu Sancto,
sine differéntia discretiónis sentímus. Ut in
confessióne veræ sempiternæque Deitátis, et in
persónis propríetas, et in esséntia ùnitas, et
in majestáte adorétur æquálitas. Quam laudant
Angeli atque Archángeli, Chérubim quoque ac Séraphim:
qui non cessant clamáre quotídie, una voce dicéntes... |
It is truly meet
and just, right for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all
places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting
God; Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art
one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity
of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the
same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference
or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead,
distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be
adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and the Seraphim
do praise: who cease not daily to cry out, with one voice saying... |
Sanctus
(Trisagion) |
 |
...Sanctus, Sanctus,
Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra
glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. + Benedíctus
qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in
excélsis. |
...Holy, holy,
holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy Glory. Hosanna
in the highest. + Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna
in the highest. |
Kneel |
The
Canon |
Prayers Before
Consecration |
Now begin a series
of prayers, one for the Church (Te Igitur), one for the living (Meménto),
and one to invoke the Saints (Communicantes). These prayers, and all up to
the Pater Noster, will be inaudible.. (In Easter Week, on the Ascension and
in the Week of Pentecost, the Communicantes prayer will be slightly
different) |
Te Igitur: For
the Church
[Te ígitur, clementíssime Pater, per Jesum Christum Fílium
tuum, Dóminum nostrum, súpplices rogámus, ac pétimus,
uti accépta hábeas, et benedícas, hæc + dona,
hæc + múnera, hæc + sancta sacrifícia illibáta,
in primis, quæ tibi offérimus pro Ecclésia tua sancta
cathólica: quam pacificáre, custodíre, adunáre,
et régere dignéris toto orbe terrárum: una cum fámulo
tuo Papa nostro N . . . et Antístite nostro N . . . et ómnibus
orthodóxis, atque cathólicæ et apostólicæ
fídei cultóribus.] |
Te Igitur: For
the Church
[Most merciful Father, we humbly pray and beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ
Thy Son, Our Lord, to accept and to bless these + gifts, these + presents,
these + holy unspotted Sacrifices, which we offer up to Thee, in the first
place, for Thy Holy Catholic Church, that it may please Thee to grant her
peace, to preserve, unite, and govern her throughout the world; as also for
Thy servant N . . . our Pope, and N . . . our Bishop, and for all orthodox
believers and all who profess the Catholic and Apostolic faith.] |
For the
Living
[Meménto, Dómine, famulórum famularúmque tuárum
N . . . et N . . . et ómnium circumstántium, quorum tibi fides
cógnita est, et nota devótio, pro quibus tibi offérimus:
vel qui tibi ófferunt hoc sacrifícium laudis, pro se, suísque
ómnibus: pro redemtióne et incolumitátis suæ:
tibíque reddunt vota sua ætérno Deo, vivo et vero.] |
For the
Living
[Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaids N . . . and N . . . and
of all here present, whose faith and devotion are known to Thee, for whom
we offer, or who offer up to Thee this Sacrifice of praise for themselves
and all those dear to them, for the redemption of their souls and the hope
of their safety and salvation: who now pay their vows to Thee, the everlasting,
living and true God.] |
Communicantes:
To invoke the Saints
[Communicántes, et memóriam venerántes, in primis
gloriósæ semper Vírginis Maríæ, Genitrícis
Dei et Dómini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et beáti Joseph
ejúsdem Vírginis Sponsi, et beatórum Apostolórum
ac Mártyrum tuórum, Petri et Pauli, André æ,
Jacóbi, Joánnis, Thomæ, Jacóbi, Philíppi,
Bartholomæi, Matthæi, Simónis et Thaddæi: Lini,
Cleti, Cleméntis, Xysti, Cornélii, Cypriáni,
Lauréntii, Chrysógoni, Joánnis et Pauli, Cosmæ
et Damiáni: et ómnium Sanctórum tuórum; quorum
méritis precibúsque concédas, ut in ómnibus
protectiónis tuæ muniámur auxílio. Per eúndem
Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.] |
Communicantes:
To Invoke the Saints
[In communion with, and honoring the memory in the first place of the glorious
ever Virgin Mary Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ; also of blessed
Joseph, her Spouse; and likewise of Thy blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter
and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Simon and Thaddeus, Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence,
Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints. Grant
for the sake of their merits and prayers that in all things we may be guarded
and helped by Thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.] |
Prayers at
Consecration |
 |
The priest spreads
his hands out over the oblation and asks God to accept our Sacrifice.
(In
Easter Week, on the Ascension and in the Week of Pentecost, the Hanc Igitur
prayer will be slightly different) |
Hanc Igitur:
Oblation of the Victim to God
[Hanc ígitur oblatiónem servitútis nostræ, sed
et cunctæ famíliæ tuæ, quæsumus, Dómine,
ut placátus accípias: diésque nostros in tua pace
dispónas, atque ab ætérna damnatióne nos éripi,
et in electórum tuórum júbeas grege numerári.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.] |
Hanc Igitur:
Oblation of the Victim to God
[O Lord, we beseech Thee, graciously to accept this oblation of our service
and that of Thy whole household. Order our days in Thy peace, and command
that we be rescued from eternal damnation and numbered in the flock of Thine
elect. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.] |
He blesses the
offering once again, making a last plea to God that He be pleased
and that
our offering be good enough to become the Body and Blood of Christ. |
[Quam oblatiónem
tu, Deus, in ómnibus, Qæsumus, bene+díctam,
adscríp+tam, ra+tam, rationábilem, acceptabilémque
fácere dignéris: ut nobis Cor+pus, et San+guis fiat
dilectíssimi Fílii tui Dómini nostri Jesu Christi.] |
[Humbly we pray
The, O God, be pleased to make this same offering wholly blessed +, to consecrate
+ it and approve + it, making it reasonable and acceptable, so that it may
become for us the Body + and Blood + of Thy dearly beloved Son, our Lord
Jesus Christ.] |
Consecration |
Now is the moment
of the miracle! The priest takes the host into his hands and says: |
[Qui prídie
quam paterétur, accépit panem in sanctus ac venerábiles
manus suas, et elevátis óculis in cælum ad te Deum Patrem
suum omnipoténtem, tibi grátias agens, bene+díxit, fregit,
dedítque discípulis suis, dicens: Accípite, et
manducáte ex hoc omnes.] |
[Who, the day before
He suffered , took bread into His Holy and venerable hands, and having lifted
up His eyes to heaven, to Thee, God, His Almighty Father, giving thanks to
Thee, blessed it +, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take
and eat ye all of this.] |
|