Holy Week Proper (Anglican Missal)
Work in progress: Holy Week Proper (text and Plainchant words), scan PDF pp. 307–498
The Sunday Next Before Easter, Commonly Called Palm Sunday
¶ The Office being ended, and the Aspersion of holy water performed as is customary, the Priest, vested in a purple Cope or without a Chasuble, and attended by the Ministers vested in a like manner, proceeds to bless the branches of palm and olive or other trees; such branches being laid before the middle of the Altar or at the Epistle corner, and first the choir shall sing the Antiphon:
St. Matt. 21.
HOSANNA to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. O King of Israel: Hosanna in the highest.
¶ Then standing at the Epistle corner and not turning to the people, the Priest shall sing in the ferial tone of the Mass Collect:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
O GOD, whose love and service is our righteousness, increase, we pray thee, and multiply upon us the gifts of thy unspeakable grace: that like as by the death of thy Son thou hast given unto us the hope of our faith; so by his resurrection we may be brought unto the country which we seek. Who liveth and reigneth with thee.
¶ Afterward the Subdeacon, standing in the customary place, shall sing the Lesson following in the tone of the Epistle, and at the end he shall kiss the hand of the Priest.
The LESSON from the Book of Exodus. Exod. 15. 27.
IN those days: The children of Israel came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai: on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said unto them: Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, and when we did eat bread to the full: for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. Then said the Lord unto Moses: Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you: and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day: that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in: and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel: At even, then ye shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: and in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord.
¶ Then shall be sung for the Gradual:
℟. St. John 11. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said: What do we, for this man doeth many miracles? If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: *And the Romans shall come, and take away both our place and nation. ℣. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them: It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. From that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death, saying: And the Romans shall come.
Or this ℟. St. Matt. 26. On the Mount of Olives he prayed to his Father: O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. *The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. ℣. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed.
¶ While the ℟. is in singing the Deacon shall place the book of the Gospels upon the Altar: and the Priest, the Deacon ministering the incense-boat, shall place incense in the censer. Then shall the Deacon say the prayer: Cleanse my heart, and taking the book from the Altar ask a blessing of the Priest. Afterward, the Subdeacon holding the book between two Acolytes holding lighted candles, the Deacon shall sign and cense the book, and sing the Gospel in the customary manner: whereafter the Subdeacon shall bear the book to be kissed by the Priest, who is also censed by the Deacon.
✠ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Matthew. St. Matt. 21. 1.
AT that time: When they drew nigh unto Jerusalem and were come to Bethphage unto the Mount of Olives: then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them: Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them and bring them unto me: and if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say: The Lord hath need of them, and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet, saying: Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy King cometh unto thee, meek and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them: and brought the ass, and the colt: and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way: others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way: and the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
¶ Then shall the branches be blessed. And the Priest standing at the Epistle corner shall say in the tone of the ferial Collect:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
INCREASE, O Lord, we pray thee, the faith of them that put their trust in thee, and graciously hear the prayers of thy humble servants: send down upon us the manifold gifts of thy mercy and vouchsafe to bl✠ess these branches of palm or olive; that like as in a figure of thy Church thou didst bless Noah going forth from the ark, and Moses going forth out of Egypt with the children of Israel, so we bearing palms and olive-branches may go forth with all good works to meet Christ, our Saviour, and through him enter into everlasting gladness: Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost. Ever one God world without end. ℟. Amen.
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. ℣. Lift up your hearts. ℟. We lift them up unto the Lord. ℣. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. ℟. It is meet and right so to do.
IT is very meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord holy, Father almighty, everlasting God: Who art glorified in the Council of thy Saints, being acknowledged by all thy creatures their only Maker and their God: all thy works do praise thee and thy Saints give thanks unto thee: confessing without fear before the kings and rulers of this world the great Name of thy only-begotten Son. Before thee Angels and Archangels, Thrones and Dominations, and all the multitude of the heavenly host, do sing the majesty of thy glory, evermore praising thee and saying:
And the Sanctus is sung by the Choir.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most High. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Then shall he say: ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
WE beseech thee, O Lord holy, Father almighty, everlasting God: that thou wouldest vouchsafe to bl✠ess and sanct✠ify these thy creatures, which thou hast bidden to spring from the wood of the olive tree: which likewise the dove, returning to the ark, did bear in her mouth: granting unto all them that shall receive the same that they may obtain thereby protection both in body and soul: and that, by thy grace which in a figure is shewn forth herein, we may effectually be healed unto everlasting salvation. Through. ℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
O GOD, who gatherest together the outcasts, and preservest them whom thou hast gathered: who didst bless the people when they went forth bearing branches to meet Jesus: vouchsafe likewise to bl✠ess these branches of palm and olive which thy faithful servants shall here receive in honour of thy Name; granting that into whatsoever place they shall bear the same, the dwellers therein may obtain thy blessing: that being delivered from all adversity, they may ever be defended by thy mighty power, who are redeemed by Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee. ℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
O GOD, whose wonderful providence hath ordained even lifeless things to shew forth the dispensation of our redemption: grant, we beseech thee; that the devout hearts of thy faithful people may understand aright the mystery which is this day shewn forth. For, as at this time, the multitude by the inspiration of thy heavenly light went forth to meet their Redeemer, and strawed branches of palm and olive in his way, thereby in the branches of palm foreshadowing his triumph over the prince of death and by the boughs of olive proclaiming that the anointing of the Spirit was come. For the multitude rejoiced to know that even then was it prefigured: that our Redeemer, having compassion on the misery of mankind, was making ready to fight against the prince of death for the life of the whole world and by his death to conquer. And therefore obediently they laid before him offerings to signify both the triumph of his victory and the abundance of his mercy. Wherefore we likewise, with sure faith having in memory their deeds and the signification of the same, humbly beseech thee, O Lord holy, Father almighty, everlasting God, that like as thou hast vouchsafed to make us members of the same Jesus Christ our Lord: so in him and through him, we may win the victory over the powers of death, and be made partakers of his glorious Resurrection: Who liveth and reigneth with thee. ℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
O GOD, who by an olive-branch didst command the dove to proclaim peace on earth: vouchsafe, we beseech thee; to sanctify with thy heavenly bless✠ing these branches of olive and other trees: that for all thy people they may be profitable unto the attainment of everlasting salvation. Through Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
BL✠ESS, O Lord, we pray thee, these branches of palm and olive: and grant; that as thy people outwardly with their bodies do worship thee, so inwardly in their souls they may serve thee with pure devotion, that they may be victorious over the assaults of the enemy and cleave steadfastly unto all good works. Through.
¶ Then shall the Priest set incense in the censer, and sprinkle the branches three times with holy water, saying without note and without the Psalm the Antiphon Thou shalt purge me; then shall he cense them three times and afterwards he shall say:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O GOD, who didst send forth thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, into the world for our salvation, that he might humble himself to be made like unto us and call us back unto thee: before whom, at his coming to Jerusalem for the fulfilling of the Scriptures, the multitude of them that believed with fruitful devotion strawed their raiment and palm branches in the way: grant, we beseech thee; that we may so prepare for him the way of faith, that, every stone of stumbling and rock of offence being done away, our works may blossom before thee with branches of righteousness: and that we may be found worthy to follow in his footsteps: Who liveth and reigneth with thee.
¶ The blessing being thus ended, the first of the Clergy that are present shall approach the Altar and give one of the branches that have been blessed to the Priest, who shall neither genuflect nor kiss the hand of him that giveth it. And thereafter, the Priest standing before the Altar shall turn himself to the people and distribute the branches, first to the first of the Clergy from whom he received his branch, then to the Deacon and Subdeacon, wearing their vestments, and then to the rest of the Clergy singly, according to their order, and lastly, to the people. And all shall genuflect and kiss the hand of the Priest, except a Bishop, if there be any present. And as he beginneth to make distribution, the Choir shall sing the Antiphons here set forth:
The children of the Hebrews, bearing branches of olive, went out to meet the Lord, crying out and saying: Hosanna in the highest.
And this Antiphon. The children of the Hebrews strawed their raiment in the way and cried out saying: Hosanna to the son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
¶ And if these be not sufficient, they shall be repeated until all the branches have been distributed.
Then shall the Priest say:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst ordain that Jesus Christ our Lord should ride upon a colt, the foal of an ass, and didst teach the multitudes to straw in his way their raiment and branches of trees, and likewise to sing Hosanna in his praise: grant, we beseech thee; that we may by thee be enabled to follow them in all inno- cency of life, and be made like unto them in rendering unto thee our true and worthy service. Through the same Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.
¶ Then shall they make the Procession. And first the Priest shall set incense in the censer, and the Deacon turning himself about to the people, shall say: Let us go forth in peace. And the clerks shall answer: In the Name of Christ. Amen.
And the Thurifer shall go first with smoking censer: then the Subdeacon apparelled, bearing the Cross between two Acolytes with lighted candles. Then shall follow the Clergy after their order, and last of all the Priest with the Deacon at his left hand, all having branches in their hands: and the Antiphons here following shall be sung, so many as shall suffice for the time of the Procession.
Antiphon. St. Matt. 21. When the Lord drew nigh unto Jerusalem he sent two of his disciples, saying unto them: Go into the village over against you: and straightway ye shall find an ass's colt tied, whereon never man sat: loose him and bring him unto me. If any man say aught unto you, ye shall say: The Lord hath need of him. They loose him and bring him to Jesus and put on him their clothes, and set him thereon: and some spread their garments in the way, others strawed branches from the trees: and they that followed cried: Hosanna: blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: blessed is the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest: Thou Son of David, have mercy upon us.
Another Antiphon. St. John 12. When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took branches of palm trees: and went forth to meet him, and the children cried, saying: This is he that should come for the salvation of the people. This is our salvation and the redemption of Israel. How mighty is he whom Thrones and Dominations go forth to meet. Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt, as it is written. Hail, King, creator of the world, who hast come to redeem us.
Another Antiphon. Six days before the feast of the Passover, when the Lord came to the city of Jerusalem, the children went forth to meet him: and in their hands they took branches of palm-trees and cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna in the highest: blessed art thou who hast come in the multitude of thy mercies: Hosanna in the highest.
Another Antiphon. The multitudes with flowers and branches go forth to meet their Redeemer: and render worthy homage to the triumphant conqueror: the Gentiles with their lips proclaim the Son of God: and in the praise of Christ their voices thunder through the sky: Hosanna in the highest.
Another Antiphon. With the Angels and the children may we be found faithful, crying unto the vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest.
Another Antiphon. Much people that were come to the feast cried unto the Lord: Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
¶ As the Procession turneth back, two or four clerks shall enter into the church, and shutting the door, shall stand with their faces towards the Procession and begin the hymn All glory, laud, and honour. So shall they sing the first verse and the Priest with the others shall repeat the same, standing without the church.
Thereafter they that are within shall sing the other verses that follow: either all or as many as seemeth good: and after every verse, they that are without shall sing in answer the first verse.
ALL glory, laud, and honour to thee, Redeemer, King: To whom the lips of children made sweet Hosannas ring. ℟. All glory, laud, and honour.
Thou art the King of Israel, thou David's royal Son: Who in the Lord's Name comest, the King and Blessèd One. ℟. All glory, laud, and honour.
The company of Angels are praising thee on high, And mortal men and all things created make reply. ℟. All glory, laud, and honour.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went: Our praise and prayer and anthems before thee we present. ℟. All glory, laud, and honour.
To thee before thy passion they sang their hymns of praise: To thee now high exalted our melody we raise. ℟. All glory, laud, and honour.
Thou didst accept their praises, accept the prayers we bring: Who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King. ℟. All glory, laud, and honour.
This ended, the Subdeacon with the shaft of the Cross shall strike the door: which being forthwith opened, the Procession shall enter the church, singing:
℟. When the Lord entered the holy city, the children of the Hebrews foretold the Resurrection of Life, *And bearing branches of palms, cried out: Hosanna in the highest.
℣. When the people heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they went forth to meet him. And bearing branches. And Glory be to the Father shall not be said.
Then shall the Mass be said; and all shall hold the branches in their hands while the Passion and Gospel are sung, but not at any other time.
At the Mass
Station at St. John Lateran.
INTROIT. Domine, ne longe. Ps. 22.
BE not thou far from me, O Lord, thou art my succour, haste thee to help me: save me from the lion's mouth, thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns. Ps. ibid. My God, my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me: and art so far from my health, and from the words of my complaint? Be not thou.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: mercifully grant; that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection: Through the same.
And this Prayer only is said.
The Lesson from the EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. Phil. 2. 5.
BRETHREN: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him: and given him a Name which is above every name: (Here genuflect) that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
GRADUAL. Ps. 73. Thou hast holden me by my right hand: thou shalt guide me with thy counsel: and after that receive me with glory. ℣. Truly God is loving unto Israel, even unto such as are of a clean heart: nevertheless, my feet were almost gone: my treadings had well-nigh slipt: and why? I was grieved at the wicked, I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.
TRACT. Ps. 22. My God, my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? ℣. And art so far from my health; and from the words of my complaint? ℣. O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not: and in the night season also I take no rest. ℣. But thou continuest holy, O thou worship of Israel. ℣. Our fathers hoped in thee: they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them. ℣. They called upon thee, and were holpen: they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded. ℣. But as for me, I am a worm, and no man: a very scorn of men, and the outcast of the people. ℣. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying: ℣. He trusted in God, that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, if he will have him. ℣. They stand staring and looking upon me: they part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. ℣. Save me from the lion's mouth: thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns. ℣. O praise the Lord, ye that fear him: magnify him, all ye seed of Jacob. ℣. They shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation: they shall come, and the heavens shall declare his righteousness. ℣. Unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.
¶ The Passion shall be begun immediately: Cleanse my heart is not said, nor is a blessing asked, nor are lights carried, nor incense: The Lord be with you is not said, nor Glory be to thee, O Lord, and the Celebrant, or Deacon, when he announces The Passion of our Lord, does not sign the book, nor himself. And this is to be observed on the other days also, when the Passion is read.
The PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. St. Matt. 27. 1.
WHEN the morning was come: All the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, to put him to death. And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying: 𝔖. I have sinned, in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. ℭ. And they said: 𝔖. What is that to us? see thou to that. ℭ. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed: and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said: 𝔖. It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury: because it is the price of blood. ℭ. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value: and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying: 𝔖. Art thou the King of the Jews? ℭ. And Jesus said unto him: ✠ Thou sayest. ℭ. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders: he answered nothing. Then saith Pilate unto him: 𝔖. Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? ℭ. And he answered him to never a word, insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them: 𝔖. Whom will ye that I release unto you: Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? ℭ. For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying: 𝔖. Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. ℭ. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them: 𝔖. Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? ℭ. They said: 𝔖. Barabbas. ℭ. Pilate saith unto them: 𝔖. What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ? ℭ. They all say unto him: 𝔖. Let him be crucified. ℭ. And the governor said: 𝔖. Why, what evil hath he done? ℭ. But they cried out the more, saying: 𝔖. Let him be crucified. ℭ. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made: he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying: 𝔖. I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. ℭ. Then answered all the people, and said: 𝔖. His blood be on us, and on our children. ℭ. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers: and they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe: and when they had platted a crown of thorns they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying: 𝔖. Hail, King of the Jews. ℭ. And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull: they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall. And when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet: They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there. And set up over his head his accusation written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him: one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him: wagging their heads, and saying: 𝔖. Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days: save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. ℭ. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said: 𝔖. He saved others, himself he cannot save: if he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him: he trusted in God: let him deliver him now, if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God. ℭ. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: ✠ Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? ℭ. That is to say: ✠ My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? ℭ. Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said: 𝔖. This man calleth for Elias. ℭ. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said: 𝔖. Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. ℭ. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice: yielded up the ghost.
Here shall he genuflect and pause for a space. Then shall he say Cleanse my heart and ask a blessing; and incense shall be brought (but not candles) and the book shall be censed; but The Lord be with you shall not be said. Then shall the Priest or the Deacon (not signing himself nor the book) sing that which followeth in the tone of the Gospel: at the end whereof the Priest shall kiss the book: and he shall be censed: and this order shall be observed on all other days when the Passion is read, save on Good Friday.
AND behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom: and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened: and many bodies of saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying: Truly this was the Son of God.
The Creed is said.
OFFERTORY. Ps. 69. Thy rebuke hath broken my heart, I am full of heaviness: I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man: neither found I any to comfort me: they gave me gall to eat, and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
SECRET.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that these gifts which we offer in the sight of thy divine majesty, may obtain for us grace to serve thee in this life with all godliness, and bring us in the end to everlasting felicity. Through.
PREFACE of the Cross.
COMMUNION. St. Matt. 26. O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it: thy will be done.
POSTCOMMUNION.
GRANT, O Lord, that by the operation of these thy mysteries, we may be cleansed from all our sins: and obtain that which we have asked according to thy will. Through.
¶ At low Masses the last Gospel is When they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, St. Matt. 21, as above in the blessing of Palms.
Monday Before Easter
Station at St. Prassede.
INTROIT. Judica Domine. Ps. 35.
PLEAD thou my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me; and fight thou against them that fight against me: lay hand upon the shield and buckler, and stand up to help me, O Lord, the strength of my salvation. Ps. ibid. Bring forth the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul: I am thy Salvation. Plead thou.
COLLECT.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that, whereas by reason of the frailty of our nature we are oppressed by the assaults of our enemies; the meritorious passion of thy only-begotten Son may speedily help and deliver us: Who liveth and reigneth with thee.
For the Church. COLLECT.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to hear the prayers of thy people: that, being delivered from all adversities and all false doctrines, thy Church may serve thee in freedom and quietness. Through.
Or for the Chief Bishop.
The Lesson for the EPISTLE from Isaiah the Prophet. Is. 63. 1.
IN those days: Said Isaiah: Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel? And thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury: and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help: and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me, and my fury it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness towards the house of Israel. Which he hath bestowed on them, according to his mercies: and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said: Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted: and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them: and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. Then he remembered the days of old: Moses and his people, saying: Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he that put his Holy Spirit within him? That led them by the right hand of Moses, with his glorious arm? Dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting Name? That led them through the deep as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble? As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious Name. Look down from heaven, and behold: from the habitation of thy holiness, and of thy glory. Where is thy zeal, and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels, and of thy mercies towards me? Are they restrained? Doubtless thou art our Father. Though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer, thy Name is from everlasting. O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary. We are thine, thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy Name.
GRADUAL. Ps. 35. Awake, O Lord, and stand up to judge my quarrel, avenge thou my cause, my God, and my Lord. ℣. Bring forth the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me.
TRACT. Ps. 103. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins: nor reward us according to our wickednesses. ℣. Ps. 79. Lord, remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon: for we are come to great misery. (Here genuflect.) ℣. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy Name, O Lord: O deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins, for thy Name's sake.
The PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark. St. Mark 14. 1.
AFTER two days: Was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Jesus by craft, and put him to death. But they said: 𝔖. Not on the feast-day, lest there be an uproar of the people. ℭ. And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat: there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious, and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said: 𝔖. Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. ℭ. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said: ✠ Let her alone: why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always: and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you: Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. ℭ. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests to betray him unto them. And when they heard it they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him: 𝔖. Where wilt thou that we go and prepare, that thou mayest eat the passover? ℭ. And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them: ✠ Go ye into the city: and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water, follow him: and wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the good-man of the house: The Master saith: Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper-room furnished, and prepared: there make ready for us. ℭ. And his disciples went forth, and came into the city: and found as he had said unto them, and they made ready the passover. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. And as they sat, and did eat, Jesus said: ✠ Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. ℭ. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one: 𝔖. Is it I? ℭ. And another said: 𝔖. Is it I? ℭ. And he answered and said unto them: ✠ It is one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish. The Son of Man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. Good were it for that man if he had never been born. ℭ. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread: and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said: ✠ Take, eat, this is my body. ℭ. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them: ✠ This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God. ℭ. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them: ✠ All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But, after that I am risen: I will go before you into Galilee. ℭ. But Peter said unto him: 𝔖. Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. ℭ. And Jesus saith unto him: ✠ Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. ℭ. But he spake the more vehemently: 𝔖. If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. ℭ. Likewise also said they all. And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane. And he saith to his disciples: ✠ Sit ye here, while I shall pray. ℭ. And he taketh with him Peter, and James, and John: and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy. And saith unto them: ✠ My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. ℭ. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground: and prayed, that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him: and he said: ✠ Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee, take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt. ℭ. And he cometh and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter: ✠ Simon, sleepest thou? Couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. ℭ. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them: ✠ Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough: the hour is come: behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go: lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. ℭ. And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying: 𝔖. Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he, take him, and lead him away safely. ℭ. And as soon as he was come he goeth straightway to him, and saith: 𝔖. Master, master. ℭ. And kissed him. And they laid their hands on him, and took him. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest: and cut off his ear. And Jesus answered, and said unto them: ✠ Are ye come out as against a thief, with swords and with staves, to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled. ℭ. And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body: and the young men laid hold on him. And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death, and found none. For many bare false witness against him: but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying: 𝔖. We heard him say: I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. ℭ. But neither so did their witness agree together. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying: 𝔖. Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee? ℭ. But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him: 𝔖. Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? ℭ. And Jesus said: ✠ I am: and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. ℭ. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith: 𝔖. What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? ℭ. And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him: 𝔖. Prophesy. ℭ. And the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
That which follows is sung in the tone of the Gospel: and the rest is done as on the previous Sunday.
AND as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: and when she saw Peter warming himself she looked upon him, and said: And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying: I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch, and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by: This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter: Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean: and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying: I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him: Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
OFFERTORY. Ps. 143. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: for I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee: for thou art my God.
SECRET.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that the effectual power of this sacrifice may in such wise cleanse us from all our iniquities, that we may in all purity attain unto him who is the author of the same, even Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord: Who liveth.
For the Church. SECRET.
DEFEND, O Lord, we pray thee, us thy servants: that we, cleaving fast to things heavenly, may faithfully serve thee both in body and soul. Through.
Or for the Chief Bishop.
PREFACE of the Cross.
COMMUNION. Ps. 35. Let them be put to confusion and shame together, that rejoice at my trouble: let them be clothed with rebuke and dishonour, that boast themselves against me.
POSTCOMMUNION.
GRANT, O Lord, we pray thee, that thy holy mysteries may kindle our hearts with heavenly fire: that we may evermore have our delight in the performance of the same, and in bringing forth the fruits thereof. Through.
For the Church. POSTCOMMUNION.
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord our God: that we, whom thou hast made partakers of heavenly gladness, may by thee be defended from all earthly perils. Through.
Or for the Chief Bishop.
Over the people. Let us pray. Bow down before the Lord:
COLLECT.
HELP us, O God of our salvation: and grant that we whom thou hast vouchsafed to redeem by thine inestimable benefits, may come with gladness to commemorate the same. Through.
Tuesday Before Easter
Station at St. Prisca.
INTROIT. Nos autem gloriari. Gal. 6.
BUT as for us, it behoveth us to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: in whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection: by whom we were saved and obtained our freedom. Ps. 67. God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us. But as for us.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God: grant that we may so celebrate the mysteries of the passion of our Saviour; that we may be worthy to obtain thy pardon. Through the same.
COLLECT 2 for the Church, as on the day preceding, or for the Chief Bishop.
The Lesson for the EPISTLE from Isaiah the Prophet. Is. 50. 5.
IN those days: Said Isaiah: The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious: neither turned away my back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? Let us stand together; who is mine adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God will help me: who is he that shall condemn me? Lo, they all shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? That walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow.
GRADUAL. Ps. 35. Nevertheless, when they were sick, I put on sackcloth, and humbled myself with fasting: and my prayers shall turn into mine own bosom. ℣. Plead thou my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me, and fight thou against them that fight against me: lay hand upon the shield and buckler, and stand up to help me.
The PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark. St. Mark 15. 4.
AT that time: Straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders, and scribes, and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him: 𝔖. Art thou the King of the Jews? ℭ. And he answering said unto him: ✠ Thou sayest it. ℭ. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying: 𝔖. Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. ℭ. But Jesus yet answered nothing, so that Pilate marvelled. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude, crying aloud, began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying: 𝔖. Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? ℭ. For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered, and said again unto them: 𝔖. What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? ℭ. And they cried out again: 𝔖. Crucify him. ℭ. Then Pilate said unto them: 𝔖. Why, what evil hath he done? ℭ. And they cried out the more exceedingly: 𝔖. Crucify him. ℭ. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium, and they call together the whole band, and they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head. And began to salute him: Hail, King of the Jews. And they smote him on the head with a reed: and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him: and led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. And when they had crucified him they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour: and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over: THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves: the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the Scripture was fulfilled, which saith: And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying: 𝔖. Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days: save thyself, and come down from the cross. ℭ. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves, with the scribes: 𝔖. He saved others, himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. ℭ. And they that were crucified with him, reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: ✠ Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? ℭ. Which is, being interpreted: ✠ My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? ℭ. And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said: 𝔖. Behold, he calleth Elias. ℭ. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying: 𝔖. Let alone, let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. ℭ. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
(Here genuflect and pause awhile.) That which follows is sung in the tone of the Gospel: and the rest is done as above on the previous Sunday.
AND the veil of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said: Truly this man was the Son of God.
OFFERTORY. Ps. 140. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly: preserve me from the wicked men.
SECRET.
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord, that this sacrifice which we offer unto thee in this time of fasting ordained for the healing of our souls, may powerfully avail for our salvation. Through.
SECRET 2 for the Church or for the Chief Bishop.
PREFACE of the Cross.
COMMUNION. Ps. 69. They that sit in the gate speak against me: and the drunkards make songs upon me: but, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee: in an acceptable time, hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy.
POSTCOMMUNION.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that thy sanctifying power may effectually cleanse us from all our sins, and be profitable for our healing unto life everlasting. Through.
POSTCOMMUNION 2 for the Church or for the Chief Bishop, as on the day preceding.
Over the people. Let us pray. Bow down before the Lord.
COLLECT.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, that we being cleansed by thy mercy from the corruption of our former sins, may be renewed in all holiness of living. Through.
Wednesday Before Easter
Station at St. Mary Major.
INTROIT. In Nomine Jesu. Phil. 2.
AT the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth: for that the Lord became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross: wherefore Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Ps. 102. Hear my prayer, O Lord: and let my crying come unto thee. At the Name.
After the Kyries, the Priest shall say: Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that we, who are continually afflicted by reason of our transgressions, may be delivered by the passion of thine only-begotten Son: Who liveth and reigneth with thee.
The LESSON from Isaiah the Prophet. Is. 62. 11 and 63.
THUS saith the Lord God: Say ye to the daughter of Zion: Behold thy Salvation cometh; behold his reward is with him, and work before him. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury: and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help: and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me, and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us.
GRADUAL. Ps. 69. Hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble: O haste thee, and hear me. ℣. Save me, O God, for the waters are come in, even unto my soul: I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is.
Then shall he say: ℣. The Lord be with you, and not Let us bow the knee.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who for our sakes didst send thy Son to suffer death upon the Cross, that thou mightest deliver us from the power of the enemy: mercifully grant to us thy servants, that we may attain unto the grace of his resurrection. Through the same.
COLLECT 2 for the Church, as on Monday in this week, or for the Chief Bishop.
The Lesson from the EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews. Heb. 9. 16.
BRETHREN: Where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator: for a testament is of force after men are dead, otherwise it is of no strength at all whilst the testator liveth. Whereupon, neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to the people, according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, saying: This is the blood of the testament, which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover, he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood: and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these: but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true: but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others: for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world. But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
TRACT. Ps. 102. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come unto thee. ℣. Hide not thy face from me: in the time of my trouble incline thine ear unto me. ℣. When I call; O hear me, and that right soon. ℣. For my days are consumed away like smoke: and my bones are burnt up as it were a fire-brand. ℣. My heart is smitten down, and withered like grass: so that I forget to eat my bread. ℣. Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion: for it is time that thou have mercy upon her, yea, the time is come.
The PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke. St. Luke 22. 1.
AT that time: The feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover: and the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him: for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised. And sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying: ✠ Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. ℭ. And they said unto him: 𝔖. Where wilt thou that we prepare? ℭ. And he said unto them: ✠ Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water: follow him into the house where he entereth in, and ye shall say unto the good-man of the house: The Master saith unto thee: Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper-room furnished, and prepared: there make ready. ℭ. And they went, and found as he had said unto them, and they made ready the passover. And when the hour was come he sat down, and the twelve Apostles with him. And he said unto them: ✠ With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. For I say unto you: I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. ℭ. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: ✠ Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come. ℭ. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying: ✠ This is my Body, which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. ℭ. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying: ✠ This cup is the new testament in my Blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of Man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed. ℭ. And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them: ✠ The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them: and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger: and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth: ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me, that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom: and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ℭ. And the Lord said: ✠ Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ℭ. And he said unto him: 𝔖. Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death. ℭ. And he said: ✠ I tell thee, Peter: The cock shall not crow this day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. ℭ. And he said unto them: ✠ When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? ℭ. And they said: 𝔖. Nothing. ℭ. Then said he unto them: ✠ But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me: And he was reckoned among the transgressors. For the things concerning me have an end. ℭ. And they said: 𝔖. Lord, behold, here are two swords. ℭ. And he said unto them: ✠ It is enough. ℭ. And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them: ✠ Pray, that ye enter not into temptation. ℭ. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down and prayed, saying: ✠ Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. ℭ. And there appeared an Angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly. And his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow; and said unto them: ✠ Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. ℭ. And while he yet spake, behold, a multitude: and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them: and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him: ✠ Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss? ℭ. When they who were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him: 𝔖. Lord, shall we smite with the sword? ℭ. And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said: ✠ Suffer ye thus far. ℭ. And he touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders who were come to him: ✠ Be ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. ℭ. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house: and Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him, as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said: 𝔖. This man was also with him. ℭ. And he denied him, saying: 𝔖. Woman, I know him not. ℭ. And after a little while another saw him, and said: 𝔖. Thou art also of them. ℭ. And Peter said: 𝔖. Man, I am not. ℭ. And about the space of one hour after, another confidently affirmed, saying: 𝔖. Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. ℭ. And Peter said: 𝔖. Man, I know not what thou sayest. ℭ. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
That which follows is sung in the tone of the Gospel: and the rest is done as above on the preceding Sunday.
AND the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face: and asked him, saying: Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and the chief priests, and the scribes, came together, and led him into their council, saying: Art thou the Christ? Tell us. And he said unto them: If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of Man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all: Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them: Ye say that I am. And they said: What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
OFFERTORY. Ps. 102. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come unto thee: hide not thy face from me.
SECRET.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, to accept these our oblations: and vouchsafe so to work in us, who shew forth in a mystery the passion of thy Son our Lord, that we may by our devout affections receive the benefit of his redemption. Through the same.
SECRET 2 for the Church or Chief Bishop.
PREFACE of the Cross.
COMMUNION. Ps. 102. I have mingled my drink with weeping: for thou hast taken me up and cast me down: and I am withered like grass: but thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever: thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Sion, for it is time that thou have mercy upon her, yea the time is come.
POSTCOMMUNION.
ALMIGHTY GOD, we beseech thee, so to enlighten our understandings: that we, testifying in these wondrous mysteries to the temporal death of thy Son, may learn thereby to believe that thou hast bestowed upon us life eternal. Through the same.
POSTCOMMUNION 2 for Church or Chief Bishop.
Over the people. Let us pray. Bow down before the Lord.
PRAYER.
ALMIGHTY GOD, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and suffer death upon the Cross: Who liveth and reigneth with thee. ℟. Amen.
¶ On following 3 days private Masses are forbidden.
Thursday Before Easter, Commonly Called Maundy Thursday
Station at St. John Lateran.
[Engraving of the Last Supper at the head of the page; no text in the engraving.]
INTROIT. Nos autem gloriari. Gal. 6.
BUT as for us, it behoveth us to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: in whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection: by whom we were saved and obtained our freedom. Ps. 67. God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us. But as for us.
And on this day shall be said, Glory be to God on high, and then shall the bells be rung: and after that shall they cease until Easter Even.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who gavest unto Judas the punishment of his sin, and unto the thief the reward of his confession, grant us, we beseech thee, the effectual help of thy mercy: that as in his passion thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, gave unto either the just reward of his merits; so he may cleanse us from the sins of our old nature, and bestow upon us the grace of his Resurrection: Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost.
And this Collect only shall be said.
The Lesson from the former EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. 1 Cor. 11. 17.
BRETHREN: In this that I declare unto you, I praise you not; that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you, and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating everyone taketh before other his own supper. And one is hungry: and another is drunken. What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said: Take, eat: this is my Body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying: This cup is the new testament in my Blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup: ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself: not discerning the Lord's Body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home: that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
GRADUAL. Phil. 2. Christ became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. ℣. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him: and given him a Name which is above every name.
The PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. St. Luke 23. 1.
AT that time: The whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying: 𝔖. We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying, that he himself is Christ a King. ℭ. And Pilate asked him, saying: 𝔖. Art thou the King of the Jews? ℭ. And he answered him, and said: ✠ Thou sayest it. ℭ. Then said Pilate to the chief priests, and to the people: 𝔖. I find no fault in this man. ℭ. And they were the more fierce, saying: 𝔖. He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. ℭ. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself was also at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus he was exceeding glad. For he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him, and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned him in many words. But he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought: and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people, said unto them: 𝔖. Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people, and behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him. No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him, and lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. ℭ. For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast. And they cried out all at once, saying: 𝔖. Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas. ℭ. Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison. Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying: 𝔖. Crucify him, crucify him. ℭ. And he said unto them the third time: 𝔖. Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. ℭ. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired: but he delivered Jesus to their will. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon a Cyrenian, coming out of the country: and on him they laid the Cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus, turning unto them, said: ✠ Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall on us; and to the hills: Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? ℭ. And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him: and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus: ✠ Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do. ℭ. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding, and the rulers also with them derided him, saying: 𝔖. He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. ℭ. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying: 𝔖. If thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself. ℭ. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged, railed on him, saying: 𝔖. If thou be Christ, save thyself, and us. ℭ. But the other answering rebuked him, saying: 𝔖. Dost not thou fear God? Seeing thou art in the same condemnation. And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. ℭ. And he said unto Jesus: 𝔖. Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. ℭ. And Jesus said unto him: ✠ Verily I say unto thee: To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. ℭ. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said: ✠ Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. ℭ. And having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
(Here genuflect and pause awhile.) That which follows is sung in the tone of the Gospel: and the rest is done as above on the preceding Sunday.
NOW when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying: Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things that were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
And the Creed shall be said.
OFFERTORY. Ps. 118. The right hand of the Lord hath the pre-eminence, the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass: I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
SECRET.
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord holy, Father almighty, everlasting God: that he may render our sacrifice acceptable in thy sight, who as on this day commanded his disciples, saying: Do this in remembrance of me, even Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee.
PREFACE of the Cross.
WITHIN THE ACTION.
AND here we do give unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks: On this most holy day whereon Jesus Christ our Lord was betrayed for us: For the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all thy Saints, from the beginning of the world: And chiefly in the glorious and most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and in the holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, whose examples, O Lord, and steadfastness in thy faith, and keeping thy holy commandments, grant us to follow.
ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption, who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world, and as on this day did institute and hand down to his disciples the mysteries of his Body and Blood, and in his holy Gospel did command us to celebrate a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again; Hear us, O merciful Father, we beseech thee: and with thy Holy Spirit and Word vouchsafe to bl✠ess and sanct✠ify these thy gi✠fts, and creatures of Bread and Wine, that they may be unto us the Bo✠dy and Bl✠ood of thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ:
WHO in the same night, in which he was betrayed, even to-day, took bread, and when he had bl✠essed and given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat:
This is my Body which is given for you.
And the rest, as in the Canon.
O Lamb of God is said after the customary manner, but the Kiss of Peace shall not be given.
But the three accustomed prayers before the Communion shall be said.
¶ On this day the Priest shall consecrate two Hosts, whereof he shall consume the one; but the other he shall reserve for the day following whereon the Sacrament is not consecrated: and he shall likewise reserve some part of that which hath been consecrated in case it be needed for the sick. But he shall consume the whole of the precious Blood, and before the washing of his fingers he shall place the reserved Host in another chalice, which the Deacon shall set in the midst of the Altar, covering it with the pall and paten and spreading a veil thereon. Then he shall receive the Communion, and the Mass be finished. But the Priest shall genuflect, whensoever he approacheth or departeth from the middle of the Altar, or passeth before the Sacrament that hath been reserved in the chalice. And when he shall say The Lord be with you, he shall turn himself towards the people, not in the midst of the Altar, that he may not turn his back on the Sacrament, but at the north side: and at the end he shall give the blessing in the same place, and he shall not complete the circle.
COMMUNION. St. John 13. The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples, and washed their feet, said unto them: Know ye what I your Lord and Master have done to you? I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you.
POSTCOMMUNION.
O LORD our God, who hast refreshed us with this life-giving sustenance, we beseech thee: that we, who observe this institution in the time of our mortal life, may obtain the benefit thereof in thy gift of immortality. Through.
Then shall he say Depart in peace and give the blessing; and the Gospel of St. John shall be read: at the beginning whereof the Priest shall not sign the Altar, but himself alone.
The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to John. St. John 13. 1.
AT that time: Before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that the time was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him: Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come forth from God, and went to God: he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments: and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter. And Peter saith unto him: Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him: What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him: Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him: Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him: He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit. And ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he: Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them: Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well: for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet: ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
¶ On this day a fit place shall be made ready in some Chapel within the Church or on an Altar, and it shall be adorned as decently as may be with veils and lights, where the chalice with the Host reserved therein shall be set. And when Mass is finished, torches being lighted, a Procession shall be formed after the customary fashion, but another Subdeacon, properly vested, shall carry the Cross. The Celebrant, wearing a white cope, shall stand afore the Altar, and set incense in two censers without blessing it: then genuflecting in the midst of the Altar, he shall with the one cense the Sacrament thrice. Then the Deacon standing shall deliver to him the chalice, which he shall cover with the ends of the veil which shall be laid on his shoulders. Then shall he go in midst with the Deacon on his right and the Subdeacon on his left hand, to the place made ready for the Sacrament to be reserved until the morrow; and a canopy shall be held over him, and two acolytes shall cense the Sacrament continually. Meanwhile during the Procession shall be sung:
HYMN. Pange, lingua, gloriosi.
OF the glorious Body telling, O my tongue, its mysteries sing, And the Blood, all price excelling, which the world's eternal King, In a noble womb once dwelling, shed for this world's ransoming.
Given for us, for us descending, of a Virgin to proceed, Man with man in converse blending, scattered he the Gospel seed, Till his sojourn drew to ending, which he closed in wondrous deed.
At the last great Supper lying, circled by his brethren's band, Meekly with the law complying, first he finished its command, Then, immortal Food supplying, gave himself with his own hand.
Word made Flesh, by word he maketh, very bread his Flesh to be: Man in wine Christ's Blood partaketh, and if senses fail to see, Faith alone the true heart waketh, to behold the mystery.
Therefore we before him bending, this great Sacrament revere: Types and shadows have their ending, for the newer Rite is here: Faith, our outward sense befriending, makes the inward vision clear.
Glory, let us give, and blessing, to the Father and the Son; Honour, might, and praise addressing, while eternal ages run: Ever too love confessing, who from both, with both, is one. Amen.
And when he shall be come to the place prepared, the Deacon kneeling shall receive the chalice with the Sacrament from the Priest, standing upright: and at first he shall set it on the Altar, where the Priest kneeling shall cense it after the former manner; then he shall set it in the place prepared. And thereafter shall Evensong be said in the choir without singing.
And the Priest with the Ministers shall lay bare the Altars, reading the Antiphon: Ps. 22. They parted my garments among them: and cast lots upon my vesture, and the whole of the Psalm My God, my God, look upon me, as at Mattins for Good Friday (sung as "Tenebrae" this evening).
¶ The Altars being laid bare, at a convenient time the signal is given with a wooden instrument, and the Priests shall come together to perform the Maundy. And the Prelate or Superior among the Clergy, being vested in amice and alb with purple stole and cope, shall stand in the place appointed, with the Deacon to assist him: and the Deacon with the Subdeacon shall wear white vestments as at the Mass. Then shall he set incense in the censer, and the Deacon holding the book of the Gospels before his breast shall kneel before the Superior and ask a blessing. And the blessing being given, he shall stand with the two acolytes holding lighted candles, one on either hand, and the Subdeacon holding the book. Then shall he sign the book and cense it, and sing in the customary manner the Gospel Before the feast of the Passover, as in end of the Mass above. Then shall the Subdeacon bear the open book to be kissed by the Superior, and the Deacon shall cense him in the customary manner. And thereafter the Superior shall put off his cope, and the Deacon and Subdeacon shall gird him with a towel. Being so girded, with the Deacon and Subdeacon ministering unto him, he shall come forward for the washing of feet. And they that are to be washed shall be set in order, and clerks shall carry a bason of water. And while the Subdeacon holds the right foot of each one, the Superior shall genuflect to him, and wash his feet and wipe and kiss them. And the Deacon shall give him the towel to wipe them. And at the same time shall be sung these sentences of Scripture that follow.
Antiphon. St. John 13. A new commandment give I unto you: that ye love one another as I have loved you, saith the Lord.
Ps. 119. Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way: and walk in the law of the Lord.
Then forthwith shall the Antiphon A new commandment be repeated. And in like manner shall each Antiphon be repeated after its Psalm or verse. And of each Psalm the first verse only shall be said.
Antiphon. St. John 13. After the Lord had risen from supper he put water in a bason and began to wash his disciples' feet: this example left he unto them. Ps. 48. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised: in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill. After.
Antiphon. St. John 13. The Lord Jesus after he had supped with his disciples washed their feet, and said unto them: Know ye what I your Lord and Master have done unto you? I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Ps. 85. Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. The Lord Jesus.
Antiphon. St. John 13. Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him: If I wash not thy feet, thou hast no part in me. ℣. He came therefore unto Simon Peter, and Peter said unto him.
Then shall be repeated the Antiphon Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him: If I wash not thy feet, thou hast no part in me.
℣. What I do, thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter.
And the Antiphon is repeated a third time. Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him: If I wash not thy feet, thou hast no part in me.
Antiphon. If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet: how much more ought ye to wash one another's feet? Ps. 49. O hear ye this, all ye people: ponder it with your ears, all ye that dwell in the world. If I, your Lord.
Antiphon. St. John 13. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ℣. Jesus said unto his disciples. By this shall all men know.
Antiphon. 1 Cor. 13. Let these three abide in you, faith, hope, and charity: but the greatest of these is charity. ℣. Now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity. Let these three.
Antiphon. Blessed be the holy Trinity and the undivided Unity: we will confess him, because he hath shewed his mercy upon us. ℣. Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Ghost. Ps. 84. O how amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of Hosts! My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord. Blessed be.
Antiphon. 1 St. John 2, 3, 4. Where charity and love are, there is God. ℣. The love of Christ joined us in one. ℣. Let us rejoice and be glad in him. ℣. Let us fear and love the living God. ℣. And love one another in sincerity of heart.
Then is repeated the Antiphon Where charity and love are, there is God. ℣. When, therefore, we are joined together. ℣. Let us see that we be not divided in spirit. ℣. Let all malicious wranglings and contentions cease. ℣. And let Christ our God be in the midst of us.
Then is repeated the Antiphon Where charity and love are, there is God. ℣. So may we with the blessed see. ℣. In glory thy countenance, Christ our God. ℣. Joy that is infinite and undefiled. ℣. For ever and for evermore. Amen.
After the washing, the Superior, or he that hath washed the feet, shall wash his hands and wipe them with another towel: then returning to his former place, he shall receive the cope and say, with head uncovered,
Our Father, secretly.
℣. And lead us not into temptation. ℟. But deliver us from evil. ℣. Thou hast charged, O Lord, ℟. That we should diligently keep thy commandments. ℣. Thou didst wash the feet of thy disciples. ℟. Despise not thou the works of thine own hands. ℣. Lord, hear my prayer. ℟. And let my cry come unto thee. ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to assist this our bounden duty and service: and forasmuch as thou didst vouchsafe to wash the feet of thy disciples, despise not thou the works of thine own hands, which thou hast bidden us to follow: and mercifully grant that as we have this day washed away our outward defilements, so by thee we may inwardly be cleansed from all our offences: Who livest and reignest God: world without end. ℟. Amen.
Good Friday
Station at St. Cross in Jerusalem.
[Engraving of Christ bearing the Cross at the head of the page; no text in the engraving.]
¶ The Office being ended, the Priest and Ministers, in black vestments, and without candles and incense, shall go unto the Altar; and prostrating themselves before it, shall pray for a while. And the Acolytes shall spread one cloth and no more upon the Altar. His prayer being finished, the Priest, with the Ministers, shall go up to the Altar, and kiss it in the middle: and thereafter the Reader, going to the place where the Epistle is read, shall read the Prophecy, beginning it without any announcement, and the Priest shall read it at the same time in a low voice, standing at the Epistle corner.
Hosea 6.
THUS saith the Lord: In their affliction they will seek me early: Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us: he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning, and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud: and as the early dew it goeth away. Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
TRACT. Hab. 3. O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: I have considered thy works, and was confounded. ℣. O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years: in the midst of the years make it known. ℣. In the time of confusion of my soul: in wrath, remember mercy. ℣. God came from Teman, and his Holy One from the thick woods of the mountains. ℣. His glory covered the heavens: and the earth was full of his praise.
¶ The Tract being ended, the Priest at the Epistle horn shall say: Let us pray. Then shall the Deacon say: Let us bow the knee. And the Subdeacon: Arise.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY GOD, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and suffer death upon the Cross: Who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church; that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee. Through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ℟. Amen.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor wouldest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live: have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Hereticks, and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.
Then shall the Subdeacon, without any announcement, sing the EPISTLE following. Heb. 10. 1.
BRETHREN: The law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect: for then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith: Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I: Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Above, when he said: Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offerings, and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the Law: then said he: Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering, and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his foot-stool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before: This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh: and having an High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love, and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
TRACT. Ps. 140. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: and preserve me from the wicked man. ℣. Who imagine mischief in their hearts: and stir up strife all the day long. ℣. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adder's poison is under their lips. ℣. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly: and preserve me from the wicked men. ℣. Who are purposed to overthrow my goings: the proud have laid a snare for me. ℣. And spread a net abroad with cords: yea, and set traps in my way. ℣. I said unto the Lord: Thou art my God: hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord. ℣. O Lord God, thou strength of my health: thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. ℣. Let not the ungodly have his desire, O Lord: let not his mischievous imagination prosper: lest they be too proud. ℣. Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them: that compass me about. ℣. The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name: and the just shall continue in thy sight.
¶ The Tract ended, the Passion is read from a bare desk: and the Celebrant shall read it also at the Epistle horn of the Altar in a low voice.
The PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John. St. John 19. 1.
AT that time: Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head: and they put on him a purple robe, and said: 𝔖. Hail, King of the Jews. ℭ. And they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them: 𝔖. Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. ℭ. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them: 𝔖. Behold the man. ℭ. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying: 𝔖. Crucify him, crucify him. ℭ. Pilate saith unto them: 𝔖. Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. ℭ. The Jews answered him: 𝔖. We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. ℭ. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid. And went again into the judgment-hall: and saith unto Jesus: 𝔖. Whence art thou? ℭ. But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him: 𝔖. Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? ℭ. Jesus answered: ✠ Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above. Therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. ℭ. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him. But the Jews cried out, saying: 𝔖. If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend. Whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. ℭ. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat, in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the Preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour, and he saith unto the Jews: 𝔖. Behold your King. ℭ. But they cried out: 𝔖. Away with him, away with him, crucify him. ℭ. Pilate saith unto them: 𝔖. Shall I crucify your King? ℭ. The chief priests answered: 𝔖. We have no king but Caesar. ℭ. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he, bearing his cross, went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha: where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city. And it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate: 𝔖. Write not, The King of the Jews: but that he said: I am the King of the Jews. ℭ. Pilate answered: 𝔖. What I have written, I have written. ℭ. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts: to every soldier a part, and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves: 𝔖. Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be. ℭ. That the Scripture might be fulfilled, which saith: They parted my raiment among them: and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother: ✠ Woman, behold thy son. ℭ. Then saith he to the disciple: ✠ Behold thy mother. ℭ. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith: ✠ I thirst. ℭ. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar. And they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said: ✠ It is finished. ℭ. And he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
(Here genuflect and pause awhile.) The rest is sung in the tone of the Gospel: Cleanse my heart is said, but the blessing is not asked, nor are lights carried nor incense, and at the end the Celebrant does not kiss the book.
THE Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers: and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record: and his record is true. And he knoweth that he saith true: that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled: A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another Scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced.
Then the Priest, standing at the Epistle horn of the Altar, shall begin immediately with joined hands:
DEARLY beloved brethren, let us pray for the holy Church of God: that the Lord our God may vouchsafe to preserve it throughout all the world in unity, peace and safety: making subject unto it all principalities and powers: and that he may grant unto us to dwell in such quiet and tranquillity that we may duly shew forth the glory of God the Father Almighty.
Let us pray. Deacon: Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon: ℟. Arise.
The Prayer is chanted in the ferial tone of the Collect at Mass, with hands extended. Which method shall serve for all the Prayers that follow.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast in Christ made manifest thy glory unto all mankind: we beseech thee that thou wouldest preserve those things which of thy mercy thou hast created; that thy Church being spread abroad through all the world may steadfastly abide in the confession of thy holy Name. Through the same. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for N. the chief Bishop: that like as the Lord our God hath appointed him to the office of a bishoprick, so he may preserve him in all peace and safety for the governance of the holy people of God.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, whose judgment upholdeth all things both in heaven and earth: we beseech thee mercifully to have respect unto our prayers, that like as thou hast appointed this thy servant to be our Bishop so thou wouldest of thy mercy defend him against all adversities; and that all Christian peoples, acknowledging thee alone to be their author and governour, may so prosper by his care that they may duly increase in bringing forth the fruits of their profession. Through. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, for all Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers, Doorkeepers, Confessors, Virgins and Widows: and for all the elect people of God.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church; that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry may truly and godly serve thee. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for our most Christian Sovereign (if he be not crowned is said: elect) N.: that the Lord our God may make subject unto him all the peoples that delight in war to the preservation of our perpetual peace.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whose hand is the dominion of all things, and the governance of all kingdoms: look down in mercy on this Empire; that the nations which trust in the fury of their violence, may be quelled by the defence of thine almighty power. Through. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for all them that are catechumens: that the Lord our God may open the ears of their hearts that they may enter in at the gate of his mercy; that by the washing of regeneration they may obtain the remission of all their sins, and be found faithful servants of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost ever increase thy Church with an abundance of new generation: we beseech thee that thou wouldest multiply in faith and understanding them that are being taught in thy holy word; that being renewed in the water of Baptism they may be numbered among the sons of thine adoption. Through. ℟. Amen.
DEARLY beloved brethren, let us pray likewise to God the Father Almighty, that he would vouchsafe to cleanse the world from all false doctrine: to deliver it from pestilence and famine: to open all prisons: and to set free them that are in captivity: granting unto pilgrims a safe return: to the sick healing: and to them that travel by sea to attain unto the haven that they desire.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the comforter of them that mourn, the strength of them that travail: we beseech thee to hear the prayers of them that in any necessity make their supplications unto thee; that in all their troubles and adversities they may rejoice in the present succour of thy loving-kindness. Through. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for all them that are in heresy and schism: that the Lord our God may deliver them from all false doctrines, and vouchsafe to restore them to their holy mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who wouldest not that any should perish, but rather that they should be saved: we beseech thee mercifully to look upon them that are deceived by the crafts of the devil; that the hearts of them which have gone astray may be delivered from their perversities and restored to the way of truth and to the unity of thy holy Church. Through. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for the Jews: that the Lord our God may remove from their hearts the veil of unbelief; and that they may come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. No ℟. is made, but immediately is said:
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who extendest even to the falsehood of the Jews the abundance of thy mercy: graciously hear the prayers which we offer unto thee for the blindness of the hearts of this people; that acknowledging Christ Jesus, the light of thy truth, they may yet be delivered from the darkness of their ignorance. Through the same. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for the heathen: that God Almighty may take away the iniquity of their hearts; that they may turn away from their idols to the true and living God and to his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live: mercifully accept our prayers; that the heathen being delivered from the worship of idols may be united to thy holy Church to the honour and glory of thy Name. Through. ℟. Amen.
¶ Having finished the Prayers, the Priest lays aside his chasuble and goes to the Epistle horn of the Altar, where, standing at the back corner, he takes from the Deacon a Cross which has been previously made ready on the Altar. Turning towards the people, he partly uncovers it from the top, and begins alone the Antiphon Behold the wood of the Cross, after which the Ministers join in singing the rest as far as O come, let us worship. And when the Choir sings O come, let us worship, all bow down except the Celebrant. Then he goes to the front corner of the Epistle horn of the Altar: he uncovers the right arm of the Cross, and lifting it up a little, he begins at a slightly higher pitch: Behold the wood of the Cross, the others singing and worshipping as before. Lastly, the Priest goes to the middle of the Altar: and uncovering it entirely and lifting it up, he begins for the third time at a still higher pitch: Behold the wood of the Cross, the others singing and worshipping as before.
Behold the wood of the Cross, whereon was hung the world's Salvation.
Choir: ℟. O come, let us worship.
¶ And afterward the Cross is carried by the Priest alone to the place made ready for it before the holy Table, and, genuflecting there, he sets it in place: next he lays aside his shoes, and approaches to worship the Cross, genuflecting thrice before he kisses it. Which done, he returns and takes again his shoes and the chasuble. Afterward the Ministers at the Altar, and then in order the rest of the Clerics and Laics, two by two proceed to worship the Cross, making three genuflections, as is noted above. Meantime, while the worship is performed, the Reproaches are sung, and the rest that follows, either all or in part, according to the many or few that come to worship the Cross: and the Priest, sitting at his seat, also reads them with the Ministers, after this manner:
Celebrant: ℣. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
℣. Because I brought thee forth from the land of Egypt: thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
Deacon: ℟. Agios o Theós. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy God. Deacon: ℟. Agios ischyros. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy mighty. Deacon: ℟. Agios athánatos, eléison imas. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Celebrant: ℣. Because I led thee through the desert forty years, and fed thee with manna, and brought thee into a land exceeding good: thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
Deacon: ℟. Agios o Theós. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy God. Deacon: ℟. Agios ischyros. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy mighty. Deacon: ℟. Agios athánatos, eléison imas. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Celebrant: ℣. What more could I have done unto thee that I have not done? I indeed did plant thee, O my vineyard, with exceeding fair fruit: and thou art become very bitter unto me: for vinegar, mingled with gall, thou gavest me when thirsty: and hast pierced with a spear the side of thy Saviour.
Deacon: ℟. Agios o Theós. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy God. Deacon: ℟. Agios ischyros. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy mighty. Deacon: ℟. Agios athánatos, eléison imas. Subdeacon: ℟. Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Celebrant: ℣. I did scourge Egypt with her first-born for thy sake: and thou hast scourged me and delivered me up.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. I led thee forth out of Egypt, drowning Pharaoh in the Red Sea: and thou hast delivered me up unto the chief priests.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. I did open the sea before thee: and thou hast opened my side with a spear.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. I did go before thee in the pillar of cloud: and thou hast led me unto the judgment-hall of Pilate.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. I did feed thee with manna in the desert: and thou hast stricken me with blows and scourges.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. I did give thee to drink the water of life from the rock: and thou hast given me to drink but gall and vinegar.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. I did smite the kings of the Canaanites for thy sake: and thou hast smitten my head with a reed.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. I did give thee a royal sceptre: and thou hast given unto my head a crown of thorns.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. I did raise thee on high with great power: and thou hast hanged me upon the gibbet of the Cross.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: ℣. We venerate thy Cross, O Lord: and praise and glorify thy holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy hath come to the whole world.
Ps. 67. God be merciful unto us and bless us:
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. And shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us.
Celebrant: ℣. We venerate thy Cross, O Lord: and praise and glorify thy holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy hath come to the whole world.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be. Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight is hung on thee.
Celebrant: HYMN: ℣. Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle, sing the ending of the fray; now above the Cross, the trophy, sound the loud triumphant lay: tell how Christ, the world's Redeemer, as a Victim won the day.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be.
Celebrant: ℣. God in pity saw man fallen, shamed and sunk in misery, when he fell on death by tasting fruit of the forbidden tree: then another Tree was chosen which the world from death should free.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight is hung on thee.
Celebrant: ℣. Thus the scheme of our salvation was of old in order laid: that the manifold deceiver's art by art might be outweighed: and the lure the foe put forward into means of healing made.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Faithful Cross.
Celebrant: ℣. Therefore when the appointed fullness of the holy time was come, he was sent, who maketh all things, forth from God's eternal home: thus he came to earth, incarnate, offspring of a maiden's womb.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Sweetest wood.
Celebrant: ℣. Lo! he lies an infant weeping, where the narrow manger stands: while the Mother-maid his members wraps in mean and lowly bands: and the swaddling clothes is winding round his helpless feet and hands.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Faithful Cross.
Celebrant: ℣. Thirty years among us dwelling, his appointed time fulfilled, born for this, he meets his passion, for that this he freely willed; on the Cross the Lamb is lifted where his life-Blood shall be spilled.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Sweetest wood.
Celebrant: ℣. He endured the nails, the spitting, vinegar, and spear, and reed; from that holy Body broken Blood and Water forth proceed: earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean by that flood from stain are freed.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Faithful Cross.
Celebrant: ℣. Bend thy boughs, O Tree of glory! thy relaxing sinews bend; for a while the ancient rigour that thy birth bestowed, suspend: and the King of heavenly beauty on thy bosom gently tend.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Sweetest wood.
Celebrant: ℣. Thou alone wast counted worthy this world's ransom to uphold: for a shipwrecked race preparing harbour, like the Ark of old: with the sacred Blood anointed from the smitten Lamb that rolled.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Faithful Cross.
Celebrant: ℣. To the Trinity be glory everlasting, as is meet: equal to the Father, equal to the Son, and Paraclete: Trinal Unity, whose praises all created things repeat. Amen.
Deacon & Subdeacon: ℟. Sweetest wood.
¶ Toward the end of the Worship of the Cross the Altar candles are lighted: and the Deacon, taking the burse, spreads the corporal in the customary way, and near by sets the vase for the purification: and when the worship is finished, he takes the Cross with reverence and carries it back to the Altar. Afterward a Procession is made to the place where the Sacrament was laid yesterday. The Subdeacon goes first bearing the Cross between two Acolytes with lighted candles, and then the Clergy in due order, and last the Priest with the Ministers. When they have come to the place of the Sacrament, torches are lighted which shall not be extinguished until the Sacrament shall have been consumed. The Priest kneels before the Sacrament and prays awhile: in the meantime the Deacon opens the casket in which the Body of the Lord lies hidden: and afterward the Priest, rising, puts incense into two censers without any blessing, and the Deacon presents to him the boat. Then he kneels and censes the Sacrament. And the Deacon, taking the chalice with the Sacrament out of the casket, gives it into the hands of the Priest, and covers it with the ends of the veil which is about his shoulders, and they go back in the same order as they came: and a canopy is carried over the Sacrament, and the two Acolytes with censers continually cense it: meanwhile is sung:
HYMN. Vexilla Regis prodeunt.
THE royal banners forward go: The Cross shines forth in mystic glow, Where he in flesh, our flesh who made, Our sentence bore, our ransom paid.
Where deep for us the spear was dyed, Life's torrent rushing from his side, To wash us in that precious flood, Where mingled Water flowed and Blood.
Fulfilled is all that David told, In true prophetic song of old: Amidst the nations, God, saith he, Hath reigned and triumphed from the Tree.
O Tree of beauty, Tree of light, O Tree with royal purple dight, Elect on whose triumphal breast Those holy limbs should find their rest.
On whose dear arms so widely flung The weight of this world's ransom hung, The price of humankind to pay, And spoil the spoiler of his prey.
¶ The following verse is sung kneeling.
O Cross, our one reliance hail, So may thy power with us avail To give new virtue to the saint And pardon to the penitent.
To thee, eternal Three in One, Let homage meet by all be done, Whom by the Cross thou dost restore Preserve and govern evermore. Amen.
¶ When the Priest has come to the Altar, he places the chalice upon it, and kneeling again censes the Sacrament: then going up to the Altar he places the Host from the chalice on the paten, which the Deacon holds: and again taking the paten from the Deacon lays the Host upon the corporal, saying nothing. If he should have touched the Sacrament he washes his fingers in a vase. Meanwhile the Deacon puts wine into the chalice, and the Subdeacon water, which the Priest does not bless, nor say over it the usual prayer: taking the chalice from the Deacon, he sets it on the Altar, saying nothing: and the Deacon covers it with the pall: then he sets incense in the censer without blessing it, and censes the oblations and the Altar in the usual manner, genuflecting before and after, and whensoever he passes in front of the Sacrament.
When he censes the oblation, he says:
BLESS this incense, and take it up to thee, O Lord: and so let thy mercy come down upon us.
When he censes the Altar, he says:
Psalm 141.
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 with the men that work wickedness.
As he gives back the censer to the Deacon, he says:
MAY the Lord kindle in us the fire of his love, and the flame of his everlasting charity. Amen.
He is not censed himself. Afterward he washes his hands a little away from the Altar at the Epistle horn, saying nothing: then bowing down in the middle of the Altar, with hands joined, he says:
WITH humble spirits and contrite souls let us enter now thy presence, O Lord: and so offer our sacrifice to thee, that it may this day be precious in thy sight, O Lord our God.
Then turning towards the people, on the Gospel side, he says:
PRAY, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
He turns back by the same way, not completing the circle: and omitting all else, says immediately:
Let us pray.
AS our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us, we are bold to say: Our Father, which art in heaven: Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done in 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.
Then the Priest shall say silently Amen, and afterward, in the same voice as he said Our Father, immediately and without Let us pray, he shall begin this prayer following, and say it in the ferial tone used for the Collect at Mass.
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 thy Saints (he does not sign himself with the paten), graciously grant us peace in all our days: that by thine availing mercy, we may ever both be free from sin and safe from all distress. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.
¶ Then the Celebrant, having made a reverence down to the ground, slides the paten beneath the Sacrament: and taking the Host in his right hand, he lifts it up so that it may be seen by the people: and immediately dividing it into three parts over the chalice, he shall place the last part into the chalice in the usual way, but saying nothing. The Peace of the Lord is not said, nor O Lamb of God, nor is the kiss of peace given. And afterward, having omitted the first two prayers, he shall say this one only:
O LORD JESU CHRIST, I, thine unworthy servant, do presume to take thy Body, but let not this act be to my judgment and damnation: rather, of thy mercy let it ward me in body and soul, and shew thy healing forth in me: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Then shall he genuflect, and take the paten with Christ's Body: and with great reverence and humility say:
I will receive the Bread of heaven, and call upon the Name of the Lord.
Then he beats his breast thrice, and says at each:
Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.
Afterward he signs himself with the Sacrament, saying:
The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.
And reverently receives the Body. Then omitting all else which is wont to be said before taking the Sacrament of the Precious Blood, he forthwith consumes with reverence the particle of the Host with the wine. Then he washes his fingers in the accustomed manner; and takes the purification. Afterward, bowing down in the midst of the Altar, he says:
GRANT, O Lord, that what our mouths have taken, our minds may receive unalloyed: and what comes to us in time may be our healing in the endless years.
And nothing further is said, nor the Postcommunion, nor is the blessing given: but making a reverence to the Altar, the Priest and Ministers depart: and Evensong is said without chant: and the Altar is laid bare.
Saturday in Holy Week, Commonly Called Holy Saturday or Easter Even
Station at St. John Lateran.
The Priest, wearing a purple cope or without a chasuble (the Ministers being vested in like manner), shall proceed, as usual, to the Altar, but without lights or incense. After the due reverence, they shall go to the Epistle corner, and the Choir shall begin the
INTROIT. Repleta est. Ps. 88.
MY soul is full of trouble: and my life draweth nigh unto hell. Ps. ibid. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee. Then at once is repeated My soul.
Then shall the Priest say, his hands being joined: Let us pray. The Deacon shall say: Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
GRANT, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ: so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: Who liveth.
The Lesson from the former EPISTLE of blessed Peter the Apostle. 1 Peter 3. 17.
DEARLY beloved: It is better, if the will of God be so: that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God: being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing: wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God, Angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
After which the Subdeacon does not ask a blessing, nor does he kiss the Priest's hand. Then is sung for the
GRADUAL. Ps. 18. The sorrows of death compassed me: and the snares of death overtook me. ℣. Ps. 4. I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest.
At the Gospel lights shall not be carried, nor incense, nor shall the Deacon ask a blessing.
✠ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Matthew. St. Matt. 27. 57.
AT that time: When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph: who also himself was Jesus' disciple. He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus: then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying: Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day: lest his disciples come by night and steal him away, and say unto the people: He is risen from the dead. So the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them: Ye have a watch, go your way: make it as sure as you can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure: sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
After which the Priest shall not be censed, nor shall he kiss the Book, but having made the due reverence to the Holy Table, he shall depart with his Ministers. And going to the door of the Church, he shall proceed to bless the new fire and do that which followeth, except in places where these things be done in the night-time.
Easter Even
At a suitable hour the Altars are covered, and the Offices said, but the candles on the Altar are not lighted until the beginning of Mass. In the meantime fire is struck from a flint without the Church, and coals are kindled from the fire.
The Office being finished, the Priest, vested in amice, alb, girdle, stole, and purple cope, or without the chasuble, accompanied by the Ministers with Cross, holy water, and incense, proceeds to the porch of the Church, if it may conveniently be done, or in the entrance of the Church itself, and blesses the new fire, saying:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
O GOD, who through thy Son, who is the true corner-stone, hast bestowed upon thy faithful people the fire of thy brightness: we beseech thee that thou wouldest sanct✠ify this new fire, now struck by us from the flint-stone, to be profitable to our service: and grant unto us that by this paschal feast we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires; that we may with pure hearts and minds attain unto the feast of thy eternal brightness. Through the same Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
O LORD GOD, Father Almighty, who art light unfailing and the father of all lights: we beseech thee so to bl✠ess this light which hath here been sanctified and blessed in thy Name, who hast enlightened the whole world: that we may be enkindled by thy light and enlightened with the fire of thy brightness: and like as thou didst enlighten Moses going forth from the land of Egypt, so do thou at this time enlighten our hearts and understandings, that we may be found worthy to attain unto the light of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
O LORD holy, Father Almighty, everlasting God: we pray thee that thou wouldest vouchsafe to assist us who here do bless this fire in thy Name, and in the Name of thy only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, and of the Holy Ghost; and we beseech thee likewise to assist us against all the fiery darts of the enemy, and to enlighten us with thy heavenly grace: Who livest and reignest with the same thy only-begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.
Then shall he bless the five grains of incense that shall be put in the candle, saying, without any preface, this prayer following.
WE beseech thee, Almighty God, to pour down on this incense the abundance of thy bless✠ing: and as thou, thyself unseen, art the regenerator of all mankind, so now we pray thee kindle a light to lighten our darkness; that both our sacrifice to be offered on this night may be made bright by the inward presence of thy holy light, and that all places wheresoever light shall be brought from this mystery here sanctified by us, may by the same be relieved from the crafts and assaults of the devil, and filled with the mighty power of thy heavenly majesty. Through Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.
¶ And while he is blessing the grains of incense, an Acolyte takes some of the blessed coals and places them in the censer: and the above Prayer ended, the Priest sets incense in the censer from the boat, and blesses it in the customary manner. Then he thrice sprinkles with holy water the aforementioned grains of incense and the fire, saying: Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, without intoning it, nor adding the Psalm, and he censes them thrice.
Meanwhile all the lights in the Church are extinguished, so that they may be presently lighted afresh from the New Fire. Then the Deacon, vesting himself in a white dalmatic, takes the reed upon the top of which are set three candles in the shape of a triangle. And the Thurifer goes first with an Acolyte, bearing in a basin the five grains of incense: the Subdeacon follows with the Cross, afterward the Clergy in due order: next the Deacon with the reed, and after him the Celebrant. When the Deacon has come into the Church, he lowers the reed, and an Acolyte bringing a taper lighted from the New Fire lights one of the three candles on the reed: and the Deacon lifting up the reed, genuflects (all likewise genuflecting with him, save the Subdeacon who bears the Cross) and sings alone:
The Light of Christ. ℟. Thanks be to God.
And going on to the middle of the Church, there another candle is lighted: and again genuflecting as before, he sings at a higher pitch:
The Light of Christ. ℟. Thanks be to God.
The third time he goes up before the Altar, where the third candle is lighted: and genuflecting again as before, he sings at a pitch still higher:
The Light of Christ. ℟. Thanks be to God.
Then the Celebrant goes up to the Lord's Table, at the Epistle horn: and the Deacon gives the reed to one of the Acolytes: and taking the book, asks a blessing from the Celebrant, as at the Gospel, the Priest saying:
The Lord be in thy heart and lips: that rightly and meetly thou mayest proclaim his paschal praise: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, ✠ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Afterward he goes to the desk, and placing thereon the book, he censes it. Upon the right hand of the Deacon stand the Subdeacon with the Cross, and the Thurifer: upon his left hand stand two Acolytes, the one who holds the reed, and another having in a basin the five grains of blessed incense which are to be fixed in the candle. Then all rising and standing, as if for the Gospel, the Deacon sings:
REJOICE now, all ye heavenly legions of Angels: all high things that pass understanding: for the King that cometh with victory, let the trumpet proclaim salvation. Sing with joy, O earth, illumined with this celestial radiancy: and enlightened by the eternal God, thy glory, believe and know thou hast put away all the darkness of all mankind. So likewise let our Mother, his holy Church, welcome the bright beams of light shed on her: and let his holy courts be filled with the praises of his people. I pray and beseech you therefore, dearly beloved, that all ye who here are present seeking this heavenly brightness, make your supplication with me to the Almighty, that he would shew forth his mercy toward me. That he who in my unworthiness numbered me among his Ministers and called me to do him service: so also may vouchsafe to lighten my darkness, making me meet to praise this gift of fire with thankfulness. Through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer: who liveth and reigneth with him in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God. World without end. ℟. Amen.
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. ℣. Lift up your hearts. ℟. We lift them up to the Lord. ℣. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. ℟. It is meet and right so to do.
IT is very meet and right, that with the service of our lips we should glorify and should praise with heart and soul God the Invisible and Almighty, and likewise his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Who paid for us to the eternal Father the debt of Adam's transgression: and with his dear Blood wiped away the reproach of our former offences. Now therefore we sacrifice our Passover, wherein for us the very Lamb of God is slain, by whose Blood the doors of his faithful people are made holy. The night is come, wherein, when our fathers, the children of Israel, were led forth out of Egypt, thou dividest the sea and madest them to pass over as on dry land. Yea, the night is come, that with the fiery pillar hath purged away the darkness of our condemnation. The night is come, whereby all that believe in Christ upon the face of all the earth, delivered from this naughty world and out of the shadow of death, are renewed unto grace, and are made partakers of eternal life. The night is come, wherein the bonds of death were loosed, and Christ harrowing hell rose again in triumph. For wherefore should man be born into this world, save that being born he might be redeemed? How wonderful then, O God, is thy loving-kindness unto us thy children! Behold, what manner of love he hath bestowed upon us: who to redeem a servant, delivered up his only Son! O wonderful providence of Adam's transgression, that by such a death sin might be done away! O blessed iniquity, for whose redemption such a price was paid by such a Saviour! O night verily blessed, to thee alone that time and that hour were made manifest, when our Saviour Christ rose again from death unto life! The night is come, whereof David said: Behold the night is as clear as the day: Then shall my night be turned into day. The mystery therefore of this most holy night putteth to flight the deeds of darkness, purgeth away sin: restoreth innocence to the fallen, and gladness unto all them that mourn. Casteth out all hatred, bringeth peace to all mankind, and boweth down mighty princes.
Here the Deacon fixes the five grains of blessed incense into the candle in the form of a Cross, on this wise:
1 4 2 5 3
THEREFORE, in this thy favourable time, accept, O holy Father, this our evening sacrifice of incense: which as at this time thy holy Church maketh before thee, and offereth to thee by the hands of thy servants, the works of the creatures which thou hast made. Ye hear, brethren, the meaning of this pillar we have set up, whereunto in God's honour the bright flame of fire doth set light.
Here the Deacon lights the candle from one of the three tapers on the reed.
Which though it be so much divided, yet knoweth not variableness nor loseth ought of its splendour. For the wax that melteth doth but feed the flame, for thereunto have the creatures of God's hand brought it forth, that it should give light in darkness. Here the lamps are lighted.
O NIGHT, verily blessed, which did spoil the people of Egypt and magnified the Hebrews! O night, wherein heaven and earth are joined, and mankind partaketh with the Godhead. We pray thee, therefore, O most Merciful: that this candle which we have lighted and consecrated before thee in thine own Name, may continue to shine forth without ceasing, and may vanquish all the shades of darkness. That being accepted before thee as a sweet savour, it may be numbered with the lights that thou hast kindled. May the day-star find it burning when he dawneth into day. The day-star that riseth and knoweth not his going down. But coming forth from the places of darkness gladly giveth forth light unto all creation. We beseech thee, therefore, O most Merciful: that thou wouldest direct and guide us thy servants, and the hearts of all thy faithful family: and all those also that minister in thy service: especially N. our Chief Bishop and thy servant N. our Bishop, so helping us with continual grace, that we may pass our time in rest and quietness, in the glad solemnity of our Redemption.
Through the same Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer: Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.
¶ The blessing of the candle ended, the Deacon, laying aside his white vestments, arrays himself in purple and goes to the Celebrant. And the Priest puts off his cope, and takes a maniple and chasuble of purple. Afterward are read the Prophecies, without any announcement, and at the end is not said, Thanks be to God. And, meanwhile, the Celebrant reads them in a low voice at the Epistle horn of the Altar. At the end of each Prophecy is said the Prayer that followeth. And while the Prophecies are in reading, or before the reading, the Priests put the questions to those that come to be baptized, and prepare them for the Baptism.
Prophecy the First.
Gen. 1. 1–31 and 2. 1–2.
IN the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said: Let there be light. And there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night: and the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said: Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven: and the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said: Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place: and let the dry land appear. And it was so. And God called the dry land Earth: and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas. And God saw that it was good. And God said: Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth. And it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. And God said: Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day: and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God said: Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying: Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas: and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said: Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind. And it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind. And God saw that it was good, and God said: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image: in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them: Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said: Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree, yielding seed, to you it shall be for meat: and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat. And it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made: and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made: and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Which ended, the Priest says: Let us pray. Deacon: Let us bow the knee, and Subdeacon: Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who in a wondrous manner didst create the race of man, and still more wondrously hast redeemed the same: grant us, we beseech thee; so steadfastly to withstand all the crafts and devices of sin; that we may be found worthy to attain to everlasting felicity. Through.
Prophecy the Second.
Gen. 5, 6, 7 and 8.
AND Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the Lord said: My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days. And also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually, and it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth. And it grieved him at his heart, and the Lord said: I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air: for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt, (for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth) and God said unto Noah: The end of all flesh is come before me: for the earth is filled with violence through them, and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood: rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above: and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof: with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven. And every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant: and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark to keep them alive with thee: they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind: two of every sort shall come unto thee to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee: and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him, so did he. And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. The same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened: and the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark: they, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth: and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail, and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. And Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days. And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark, and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged. The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped: and the rain from heaven was restrained. And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made, and he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark: for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; And the dove came in to him in the evening, and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off. So Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days: and sent forth the dove, which returned not again unto him any more. And God spake unto Noah, saying: Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth: that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him. Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord: and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who art strength unchanging and eternal light: look down, we pray thee, in mercy on thy holy Church, which thou hast so marvellously ordained, that by the effectual operation of thy continual providence, the work of man's salvation may be accomplished in all tranquillity; and that, all mankind seeing the restoration of such things as are cast down, and the renewal of such things as are grown old, may understand aright, that like as through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord all things were created, so through him they do now return to their perfection: Who liveth and reigneth.
Prophecy the Third.
Gen. 22. 1–19.
IN those days: God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him: Abraham. And he said: Behold, here I am. And he said: Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah: and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass: and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. And clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off: and Abraham said unto his young men: Abide ye here with the ass: and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife. And they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said: My father. And he said: Here am I, my son. And he said: Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said: My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering. So they went both of them together: and they came to the place which God had told him of, and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order: and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son. And the Angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said: Abraham, Abraham: And he said: Here am I. And he said: Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh. As it is said to this day: In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said: By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord: for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore: and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies: And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba, and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, Almighty Father of them that put their trust in thee, who hast spread abroad throughout all the world the grace of adoption to the increasing of thy children of promise: who dost likewise, through this Paschal Sacrament, fulfil the oath which thou didst swear unto Abraham thy servant, to make him the father of all nations; grant, we pray thee, unto all thy peoples that they may rightly and worthily enter upon the grace of thy calling. Through.
Prophecy the Fourth.
Exod. 14. 24–31 and 15. 1.
IN those days: It came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians: and took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily. So that the Egyptians said: Let us flee from the face of Israel: for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the Lord said unto Moses: Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength: and the Egyptians fled against it, and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them: there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left: thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore, and Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying:
TRACT. Exod. 15. We will sing unto the Lord: for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea: the Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation. ℣. He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation: my father's God, and I will exalt him. ℣. The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who hast ordained that thy mighty works of old should enlighten even this our present generation: who didst by the mighty defence of thy right hand deliver one people from persecution in the land of Egypt to be a figure of the salvation of all nations by the washing of regeneration: grant, we pray thee; that the fullness of all mankind, being delivered from its present bondage, may be made sons of Abraham and worthy members of thy true Israel. Through.
Prophecy the Fifth.
Is. 54. 17 and 55. 1–11.
THIS is the heritage of the servants of the Lord: and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters: and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat: yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not: and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found: call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God: for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts: neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it: saith the Lord Almighty.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst swear unto the faith of our forefathers that they should by thy holy adoption be made fathers of many: increase and multiply, we pray thee, to the honour of thy Name, the sons of promise; that, like as they of old doubted not thine oath, so thy Church in our time may see in due measure the fulfilment of the same. Through.
Prophecy the Sixth.
Baruch 3. 9–38.
HEAR, Israel, the commandments of life: give ear to understand wisdom. How happeneth it, Israel, that thou art in thine enemies' land, that thou art waxen old in a strange country, that thou art defiled with the dead, that thou art counted with them that go down into the grave? Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom. For if thou hadst walked in the way of God, thou shouldest have dwelled in peace for ever. Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding: that thou mayest know also where is length of days, and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace. Who hath found out her place? or who hath come into her treasures? Where are the princes of the heathen become, and such as ruled the beasts upon the earth; they that had their pastime with the fowls of the air, and they that hoarded up silver and gold, wherein men trust, and made no end of their getting? For they that wrought in silver, and were so careful, and whose works are unsearchable. They are vanished and gone down to the grave, and others are come up in their steads. Young men have seen light, and dwelt upon the earth: but the way of knowledge have they not known, nor understood the paths thereof, nor laid hold of it: their children were far off from that way. It hath not been heard of in Chanaan, neither hath it been seen in Theman. The Agarenes that seek wisdom upon earth, the merchants of Meran and of Theman, the authors of fables, and searchers out of understanding; none of these have known the way of wisdom, or remember her paths. O Israel, how great is the house of God! and how large is the place of his possession! Great, and hath none end; high, and unmeasurable. There were the giants famous from the beginning, that were of so great stature, and so expert in war. Those did not the Lord choose, neither gave he the way of knowledge unto them: but they were destroyed, because they had no wisdom, and perished through their own foolishness. Who hath gone up into heaven, and taken her, and brought her down from the clouds? Who hath gone over the sea, and found her, and will bring her for pure gold? No man knoweth her way, nor thinketh of her path. But he that knoweth all things knoweth her, and hath found her out with his understanding: he that prepared the earth for evermore hath filled it with fourfooted beasts: He that sendeth forth light, and it goeth, calleth it again, and it obeyeth him with fear. The stars shined in their watches, and rejoiced: when he called them, they say: Here we be; and so with cheerfulness they shewed light unto him that made them. This is our God, and there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of him. He hath found out all the way of knowledge, and hath given it unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved. Afterward did he shew himself upon earth, and conversed with men.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who by the calling of the nations dost ever multiply thy holy Church: mercifully grant; that they whom thou dost cleanse by the waters of baptism may be defended by thy perpetual and ready help. Through.
Prophecy the Seventh.
Ezek. 37. 1–14.
IN those days: The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord: and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones: and caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley, and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me: Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered: O Lord God, thou knowest. Again he said unto me: Prophesy upon these bones: and say unto them: O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin: and put breath in you, and ye shall live, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking: and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them: and the skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me: Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind: Thus saith the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me: and the breath came into them, and they lived: and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me: Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say: Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost; we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves: and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves: and shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: saith the Lord Almighty.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who both in thy former and in thy latter Covenant hast taught us to observe the Sacrament of thy passover: grant unto us, so to understand aright the designs of thy mercy; that we receiving these thy present gifts may be stablished in the steadfast expectation of those that are to come. Through.
Prophecy the Eighth.
Is. 4. 1–6.
IN that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass: That he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
TRACT. Is. 5. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: ℣. And he fenced it and gathered out the stones thereof: and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it. ℣. And also made a winepress therein: for the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who by the mouth of thy holy prophets hast manifested thyself before all the children of the Church, to be in all places of thy dominion, to be the sower of good seed and the husbandman of thine elect branches: grant unto thy peoples, that, the vineyard of thy planting and the harvest of thy sowing being purged of all thorns and briars, they may be made to bring forth worthy fruit in abundance. Through.
Prophecy the Ninth.
Exod. 12. 1–11.
IN those days: The Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying: In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house. And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls, every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats. And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread, and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire: his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning. And that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it: With your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand, and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's Passover.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art wondrous in the governance of all thy works: grant unto thy people a right understanding; that like as in the beginning thou didst of thy excellent wisdom create the world, so thou didst in the end yet more wondrously redeem the same by suffering Christ our Passover to be sacrificed for us: Who liveth and reigneth.
Prophecy the Tenth.
Jonah 3. 1–10.
IN those days: The word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying: Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city: and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey: and he cried, and said: Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God: and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh: and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God, yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent: and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way: and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who hast united the diversity of nations in the confession of thy Name: grant unto us that we may both desire the things that thou commandest, and by thy merciful guidance perform the same; that all thy people whom thou hast called to everlasting life may agree in unity of faith and in righteousness of conversation. Through.
Prophecy the Eleventh.
Deut. 31. 22–30.
IN those days: Moses wrote this song, and taught it the children of Israel. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said: Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them, and I will be with thee. And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished: That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God: that it may be there for a witness against thee. For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you: and evil will befall you in the latter days, because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
TRACT. Deut. 32. Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak: and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. ℣. My doctrine shall drop as the rain: my speech shall distil as the dew. ℣. As the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: because I will publish the Name of the Lord: ℣. Ascribe ye greatness unto our God: he is the rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are judgment: ℣. A God of truth and without iniquity: just and right is he.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.
COLLECT.
O GOD, who dost exalt them that are of low estate, and dost stablish them that stand upright: who didst likewise by thy holy servant Moses so vouchsafe to teach thy people to sing praises to thy honour, that thy law by them repeated might be profitable for our guidance: raise up, we pray thee, thy power among the fullness of the nations whom thou hast justified; that they, being delivered from the fear of thy wrath, may rejoice in the plenteous remission of all their sins, and being warned to flee from the judgment of thy vengeance may be delivered from the same unto everlasting salvation. Through.
Prophecy the Twelfth.
Dan. 3. 1–24.
IN those days: Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits, he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud: To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages: That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick: all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar: O king, live for ever: thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them: Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made: well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace: and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king: O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury: and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. And they walked in the midst of the flame praising God, and blessing the Lord.
Let us bow the knee is not said here, but only:
Let us pray. COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the only hope of all mankind, who by the preaching of thy holy Prophets hast prefigured the mysteries of these our generations: mercifully grant; that, forasmuch as without thy inspiration thy faithful people cannot increase in godliness, they may obtain of thee the abundant fulfilment of all their desires. Through.
And these ended, if there be a Font for Baptism in the Church, the Priest who is to bless the Font vests himself in a purple cope, and preceded by the Cross, with candles and the Paschal Candle lighted, comes to the Font with the Clergy and the Ministers, ready vested: meanwhile is sung the following:
TRACT. Ps. 42. Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks: so longeth my soul after thee, O God. ℣. My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? ℣. My tears have been my meat day and night, while they daily say unto me: Where is now thy God?
Then the Priest before he goes in to bless the Font, says this Prayer near by:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon the devout prayers of thy servants now seeking regeneration and desiring the fountain of thy waters, even as the hart desireth the water-brooks: and of thy goodness grant that they who thirst after thy faith may in this mystery of thy holy Baptism obtain sanctification both of body and soul. Through. ℟. Amen.
Afterward he proceeds to bless the Font, saying:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, assist, we pray thee, this mystery and Sacrament of thy infinite loving-kindness: and for the regeneration of these persons now seeking to be born again in the waters of Baptism send forth upon them the spirit of adoption; that this office and ministry of us thy unworthy servants may effectually be fulfilled in them by thy mighty power. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost.
Raising his voice to the tone of the Preface, he proceeds with joined hands:
Ever one God, World without end. ℟. Amen. ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. ℣. Lift up your hearts. ℟. We lift them up unto the Lord. ℣. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. ℟. It is meet and right so to do.
IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord holy, Father almighty, Everlasting God. Who, working by thy invisible power, dost wonderfully bestow upon thy servants effectual means of grace: And though we be unworthy to be partakers of these holy mysteries: Thou leavest us not destitute of the gifts of thy grace, but mercifully inclinest thine ear to these our supplications. O God, whose Spirit moved over the waters, when the earth was without form and void at its creation: that even then the face of the waters might receive the virtue of purging all defilement: O God, who for the destruction of sinners didst once drown all the world, and by the saving of eight persons didst shew forth in a figure our regeneration: that by the mystery of this one element of water thou mightest make an end of sin, and give birth unto righteousness. Regard favourably, O Lord, the prayers of this thy family, and make the grace of thy regeneration to abound in us, for thou dost with the rivers of thy plenteous mercy make glad the city of thy redeemed: and openest unto us fountains of blessing through the whole world for the healing of nations: that, at the Word of thy majesty, grace may be bestowed on it from thine only Son, through the Holy Ghost.
Here the Priest divides with his open hand the water in the form of a Cross, and forthwith wiping his hand with a napkin, says:
May he sanctify by the secret operation of his power this water to the mystical washing away of sin: that having received sanctification, and being born again without spot of defilement, it may be found a new creature, that springeth from the living water: That young and old, both men and women, that henceforth shall be baptized herein, may all become thy children and heirs of thy heavenly promises. Speak the word, O Lord, and drive away speedily unclean spirits and all things that may hurt us: banish from us by thy Name all the snares and assaults of the devil. And may our ghostly enemy have no power at all to encompass us: to deceive our hearts by his subtilty: to waylay us in secret: and spread abroad the leaven of malice.
He touches the water with his hand.
May this holy, and undefiled creation, seeing that the son of wickedness may not approach it, nor the stain of iniquity come near to defile it, be a fountain that doth regenerate, streams that do purify: may all they that by this means shall be dedicated before thee, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, receive the grace of redemption and remission of their offences.
He makes three crosses over the Font, saying:
Therefore do I hallow thee, O thou gift of water, by God ✠ that liveth, by God ✠ the faithful, by God ✠ the holy: by God, who in the beginning by his word divided the land from thee: by whose Spirit the waters were overshadowed.
Here he divides the water with his hand, and scatters it towards the four corners of the earth, saying:
Who did ordain that thou shouldst issue out of Eden and be parted from thence diversely, giving plenty to all his creation. Likewise in the desert of Marah he did turn thy bitterness into sweetness, and made thee to come forth out of the rock for his people. In the Name of his only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ do I hal✠low thee, Gift of water: for he did change thee into wine in proof of his omnipotence, when he was bidden to the wedding at Cana. Who walked upon thee to his disciples: and was baptized in thee in Jordan, making John his minister. Who moreover did mingle thee with Blood from his side at his passion: and commanded his faithful servants, that believing they should be washed in thee, saying: Go ye, and teach all nations, and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Changing his voice, he proceeds in the tone of the Lesson: ALMIGHTY GOD, mercifully assist our prayers, who here observe these thy commandments: and of thy great goodness prosper our petitions.
He breathes thrice on to the water in the form of a cross, saying:
Enable by thy word and power the weakness of this water: that like as by nature it doeth service unto the purifying of the body, so by thy grace it may effectually cleanse our souls.
Here the Priest lowers the Candle into the water a little way: and going back to the tone of the Preface, says:
May the power of the Holy Ghost be poured out on this Font we have filled.
Then taking the Candle out of the water, he dips it again more deeply, repeating: May the power. Afterward the Candle is again taken out of the water and the third time is dipped to the bottom of the Font, the Priest repeating at a still higher pitch: May the power, as above. And then breathing thrice on the water in this form Ψ, he proceeds:
And make this water to be effectual unto the washing away of transgression.
The Candle is taken out of the water, and he continues:
May every stain of our iniquity here be cleansed: may our nature be restored to its perfect fashioning, and be conformed again to thine own image of righteousness, may it be redeemed from the old sins of its conversation: that every person, being born again by the sacrament he hath here received, may be restored verily unto the innocence of thy children. And the rest he reads: Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and the world by fire. ℟. Amen.
Then the water that has been blessed is sprinkled over the people by the assisting Priests. And meantime, one of the ministers of the Church takes out a quantity of the water in a large vessel, so that it may be kept for blessing houses and other places. Which done, the Priest who is blessing the Font pours into the water in the form of a cross some of the oil of the Catechumens, saying with an audible voice:
May this Oil of salvation make this font holy, and cause it to multiply that those who find herein their new birth may come to life everlasting. ℟. Amen.
Then he pours in some of the Chrism in the same manner as before, saying:
May this mingling of the Chrism of Jesus Christ our Lord, and of the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, be wrought in the Name of the most holy Trinity. ℟. Amen.
Lastly he takes both phials of these oils and pours them both together in the form of a cross, saying:
May this commingling of the Chrism of salvation and of the Oil of unction and of the Water of Baptism likewise be wrought in the Name of the Fa✠ther, and of the S✠on, and of the Holy ✠ Ghost. ℟. Amen.
Then he mingles the Oil and water, and scatters it over the Font with his hand. If there are any to be baptized, he baptizes them after the usual manner. Then the Priest and Ministers return to the Altar and the Litany is sung by two Cantors, and the Choir repeat it also together, as is directed below.
¶ But where there is no baptismal Font, when the last Prophecy and Collect is ended, the Celebrant lays aside his chasuble, and with the Ministers lies prostrate before the Altar: and all kneeling, the Litany is chanted by two Cantors in the midst of the Quire, and both sides of the Choir make the responses together. But when they come to ℣. We sinners beseech thee to hear us, the Priest and Ministers arise, and go to the Sacristy to array themselves in white vestments for the solemn Mass: and meanwhile the Altar candles are lighted. At the end of the Litany Kýrie eléison is solemnly intoned, and repeated as in the Mass on ordinary days.
KÝRIE eléison. Christe eléison. Kýrie eléison. O Christ hear us. O Christ graciously hear us. O God the Father of heaven, have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy upon us. O God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy upon us. Holy St. Mary, pray for us sinners.
Holy Mother of God, pray. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray. Holy St. Michael, pray. Holy St. Gabriel, pray. Holy St. Raphael, pray. All ye holy Angels and Archangels, pray. All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, pray. Holy St. John the Baptist, pray. Holy St. Joseph, pray. All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray. Holy St. Peter, pray. Holy St. Paul, pray. Holy St. Andrew, pray. Holy St. John, pray. All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray. All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, pray. Holy St. Stephen, pray. Holy St. Lawrence, pray. Holy St. Vincent, pray. All ye holy Martyrs, pray. Holy St. Sylvester, pray. Holy St. Gregory, pray. Holy St. Augustine, pray. All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, pray. All ye holy Doctors, pray. Holy St. Anthony, pray. Holy St. Benedict, pray. Holy St. Dominic, pray. Holy St. Francis, pray. All ye holy Priests and Levites, pray. All ye holy Monks and Hermits, pray. Holy St. Mary Magdalene, pray. Holy St. Agnes, pray. Holy St. Cecilia, pray. Holy St. Agatha, pray. Holy St. Anastasia, pray. All ye holy Virgins and Widows, pray. All ye holy Saints of God, intercede for us sinners.
Be thou merciful, Spare us, good Lord. Be thou merciful, Hear us, good Lord. From all evil, good Lord deliver us. From all deadly sin, good Lord. From everlasting damnation, good Lord. By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation, good Lord. By thine Advent and Nativity, good Lord. By thy Baptism and holy Fasting, good Lord. By thy Cross and Passion, good Lord. By thy precious Death and Burial, good Lord. By thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, good Lord. By the coming of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, good Lord. In the hour of death and in the day of judgment, good Lord.
We sinners, beseech thee to hear us. That it may please thee to spare us, we beseech thee to hear us. That it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church, we beseech thee to hear us. That it may please thee to preserve the household of thine Apostles, and all orders in the Church in thy true religion, we beseech. That it may please thee to overthrow the enemies of thy holy Church, we beseech. That it may please thee to bestow on all Christian kings and princes true peace and concord, we beseech. That it may please thee to strengthen and preserve us in true worshipping of thee, we beseech. That it may please thee to bestow on all our benefactors thine everlasting benefits, we beseech. That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, we beseech. That it may please thee to bestow upon all thy faithful rest eternal, we beseech. That it may please thee graciously to hear our prayer, we beseech.
O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, good Lord. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, good Lord. O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. O Christ hear us. O Christ graciously hear us.
And here the Cantors solemnly intone Kýrie eléison, Christe eléison, Kýrie eléison, and repeat each invocation thrice. Meanwhile the Priest with his Ministers all in white vestments approach the Altar: and having said the Psalm Give sentence, with Glory be, he makes the Confession, as he is accustomed, in the appointed place: then going up, he kisses the Altar, censes it in the usual manner, and as soon as the Choir shall have finished the Kýrie eléison, he begins with solemnity Glory be to God on high, and the bells are set ringing.
Afterward the Priest says:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
O GOD, who as on this most holy night hast sent forth the glorious light of the Resurrection of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: preserve, we pray thee, in these persons, now made incorporate in thy family, the spirit of adoption which thou hast given them; that they being regenerate both in body and soul may in all sincerity obey thy holy will. Through the same.
The Lesson from the EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Colossians. Col. 3. 1.
BRETHREN: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God: set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear: then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
The Epistle ended, the Celebrant begins: Alleluia.
And he sings the chant through thrice, in a pitch a little higher each time: and the Choir after each time repeat it in the same manner. Afterward the Choir proceeds:
℣. Ps. 118. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Then is said the TRACT. Ps. 117. O praise the Lord, all ye heathen: praise him, all ye nations. ℣. For his merciful kindness is ever more and more towards us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
At the Gospel lights are not carried, but incense only: a blessing is asked, and the rest is done as usual.
✠ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Matthew. St. Matt. 28. 1.
IN the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven: and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it: his countenance was like lightning: and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the Angel answered and said unto the women: Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified: he is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead: and behold he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him. Lo, I have told you.
The Creed is not said, but the Gospel finished, the Priest says: The Lord be with you, and afterwards: Let us pray. The Offertory is not said, and at the end of the Psalm, at the Lavabo, is said Glory be.
SECRET.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to accept the prayers and oblations of thy people: that this beginning of thy Paschal Mysteries may by the operation of thy grace be unto us a wholesome medicine unto everlasting life. Through.
PREFACE of Easter. But chiefly on this night are we bound to praise thee.
WITHIN THE ACTION.
AND here we do give unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks: On this most holy night, whereon Jesus Christ our Lord did rise again in his own flesh: For the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all thy Saints, from the beginning of the world: And chiefly in the glorious and most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and in the holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, and Martyrs, whose examples, O Lord, and steadfastness in thy faith, and keeping thy holy commandments, grant us to follow.
Holding his hands spread out over the Oblation, he says:
ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption: who made there by his one oblation, of himself once offered, on behalf also of those whom thou hast been pleased to regenerate by water and the Holy Ghost, granting unto them remission of all their sins, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, etc., and the rest as in the Canon.
The Peace of the Lord be alway with you is said, but the Kiss of Peace is not given. O Lamb of God is not said, nor the Postcommunion: but the customary Prayers before Communion are said.
After the reception of the Sacrament, in place of Evensong in Quire is chanted this Antiphon:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, and Ps. 117.
O PRAISE the Lord, all ye heathen: * praise him, all ye nations. For his merciful kindness is ever more and more toward us: * and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise the Lord. 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. Antiphon: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The Lesson, Hymn and Versicle are not said, but at once the Celebrant starts to intone the Antiphon to the Magnificat.
In the end of the sabbath.
And the Choir continues: As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week: came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre, alleluia.
Then is sung the Magnificat with Glory be at the end, and the censing is done as at other times at Evensong.
Afterward the Antiphon is repeated, and (the Lesson and Nunc Dimittis read) at the end the Celebrant says:
℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. COLLECT.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour into our hearts thy spirit of charity: that as thou hast now fulfilled us with this Paschal Sacrament, so we may by thy mercy be enabled to dwell together in unity and concord. Through Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Spirit.
Then he says: The Lord be with you.
And the Deacon turning himself to the people, sings:
Depart in peace, alleluia, alleluia. ℟. Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.
And the Priest, having said May it please thee, O holy Trinity, gives the blessing in the accustomed manner.
[End of the text Holy Week, printed B 131. The next leaves in the scan are the Plainchant Part I, transcribed below.]
[Scan PDF 438 — full-page engraving: a priest communicating children at the altar rail; no printed text on the page.]
The Plainchant of the Missal, Part I: The Music of Holy Week
[Scan PDF 439 — title leaf. The border panels carry small engraved scenes; the lettered text reads:]
The Plainchant of The Missal Part I. THE MUSIC OF HOLY WEEK Edited by Francis Burgess. LONDON THE SOCIETY OF SS. PETER AND PAUL Ltd. 32 George Street, Hanover Square, W. MCMXXII
[Scan PDF 440 — full-page engraving: the Entry into Jerusalem, Christ on the ass before the city gate; no printed text on the page.]
In the Plainchant section that follows, plainsong staves are never transcribed as text: only the underlaid words and the printed rubrics are given. The notation itself stays in the scan images; the thumbnail for each page is the record of the notation. Syllabified chant words are joined in the transcription.
Plainchant: Palm Sunday
[Printed B i. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
EVER one God, world without end. ℟. Amen. ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. ℣. Lift up your hearts. ℟. We lift them up unto the Lord. ℣. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. ℟. It is meet and right so to do. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord holy, Father almighty, everlasting God: Who art glorified in the Council of thy Saints, being acknowledged by all thy creatures, their only Maker and their God: all thy works do praise thee and thy Saints give thanks unto thee: confessing without fear before the kings and rulers of this world the great Name of thy only-begotten Son. Before thee Angels and Archangels, Thrones and Dominations and all the multitude of the heavenly host, do sing the majesty of thy glory, evermore praising thee and saying: And the Sanctus is sung by the Choir.
Plainchant: Good Friday
[Printed B iv. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
DEARLY beloved brethren, let us pray for the holy Church of God: that the Lord our God may vouchsafe to preserve it throughout all the world in unity, peace and safety: making subject unto it all principalities and powers: and that he may grant unto us to dwell in such quiet and tranquillity that we may duly shew forth the glory of God the Father Almighty. Let us pray. Deacon. Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon. ℟. Arise.
¶ The Prayer following is chanted in the ferial tone of the Collect at Mass.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast in Christ made manifest thy glory unto all mankind: we beseech thee that thou wouldest preserve those things which of thy mercy thou hast created; that thy Church being spread abroad through all the world may steadfastly abide in the confession of thy holy Name. Through the same. ℟. Amen.
[Printed B vi. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
LET us pray likewise for N. the chief Bishop: that like as the Lord our God hath appointed him to the office of a bishoprick, so he may preserve him in all peace and safety for the governance of the holy people of God. Let us pray. Deacon. Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon. ℟. Arise.
[Printed B vii. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, whose judgment upholdeth all things both in heaven and earth: we beseech thee mercifully to have respect unto our prayers, that like as thou hast appointed this thy servant to be our Bishop so thou wouldest of thy mercy defend him against all adversities; and that all Christian peoples, acknowledging thee alone to be their author and governour, may so prosper by his care that they may duly increase in bringing forth the fruits of their profession. Through. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, for all Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers, Doorkeepers, Confessors, Virgins and Widows: and for all the elect people of God. Let us pray. Deacon. Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church; that every member of the same in his vocation and ministry may truly and godly serve thee. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for our most Christian Sovereign N.: that the Lord our God may make subject unto him all the peoples that delight in war to the preservation of our perpetual peace. Let us pray. Deacon. Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon. ℟. Arise.
(* If he be not crowned is said: elect.)
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whose hand is the dominion of all things, and the governance of all kingdoms: look down in mercy on this Empire; that the nations which trust in the fury of their violence, may be quelled by the defence of thine almighty power. Through. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for all them that are catechumens: that the Lord our God may open the ears of their hearts that they may enter in at the gate of his mercy; that by the washing of regeneration they may obtain the remission of all their sins, and be found faithful servants of Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us pray. Deacon. Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost ever increase thy Church with the abundance of a new generation: we beseech thee that thou wouldest multiply in faith and understanding them that are being taught in thy holy word; that being renewed in the water of Baptism they may be numbered among the sons of thine adoption. Through. ℟. Amen.
DEARLY beloved brethren, let us pray likewise to God the Father Almighty, that he would vouchsafe to cleanse the world from all false doctrine: to deliver it from pestilence and famine: to open all prisons: and to set free them that are in captivity: granting unto pilgrims a safe return: to the sick healing: and to them that travel by sea to attain unto the haven that they desire. Let us pray. Deacon. Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the comforter of them that mourn, the strength of them that travail: we beseech thee to hear the prayers of them that in any necessity make their supplications unto thee; that in all their troubles and adversities they may rejoice in the present succour of thy loving-kindness. Through. ℟. Amen.
[Printed B xiii. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
LET us pray likewise for all them that are in heresy and schism: that the Lord our God may deliver them from all false doctrines, and vouchsafe to restore them to their holy mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church. Let us pray. Deacon. Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who wouldest not that any should perish, but rather that they should be saved: we beseech thee mercifully to look upon them that are deceived by the crafts of the devil; that the hearts of them which have gone astray may be delivered from their perversities and restored to the way of truth and to the unity of thy holy Church. Through. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for the Jews: that the Lord our God may remove from their hearts the veil of unbelief; and that they may come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.
¶ No ℟. is made, but immediately is said:
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who extendest even to the falsehood of the Jews the abundance of thy mercy: graciously hear the prayers which we offer unto thee for the blindness of the hearts of this people; that acknowledging Christ Jesus, the light of thy truth, they may yet be delivered from the darkness of their ignorance. Through the same. ℟. Amen.
LET us pray likewise for the heathen: that God Almighty may take away the iniquity of their hearts; that they may turn away from their idols to the true and living God and to his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God. Let us pray. Deacon. Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon. ℟. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live: mercifully accept our prayers; that the heathen being delivered from the worship of idols may be united to thy holy Church to the honour and glory of thy Name. Through. ℟. Amen.
BEHOLD, the Wood of the Cross, whereon was hung the world's Salvation. Choir. ℟. O come, let us worship.
LET us pray: As our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us, we are bold to say: OUR Father, which art in heaven: Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done, in 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.
Plainchant: Holy Saturday
[Printed B xviii. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
THE Light of Christ. ℟. Thanks be to God.
REJOICE now, all ye heavenly legions of Angels: all high things that pass understanding: for the King that cometh with victory, let the trumpet proclaim salvation. Sing with joy, O earth, illumined with this
celestial radiancy: and enlightened by the eternal God, thy glory, believe and know thou hast put away the darkness of all mankind. So likewise let our Mother, his holy Church, welcome the bright beams of light shed upon her: and let his holy courts be filled with the praises of his people. I pray and beseech you therefore, dearly beloved, that all ye who here are present seeking this heavenly brightness, make your supplication with me to the Almighty, that he would shew forth his mercy toward me. That he who in my unworthiness numbered me among his Ministers and called me to do him service: so also may vouchsafe to lighten my darkness, making me meet to praise this gift of fire with thankfulness. Through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer: who liveth and reigneth with him in the unity of the Holy Ghost. Ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen. ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. ℣. Lift up your hearts. ℟. We lift them up unto the Lord. ℣. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. ℟. It is meet and right so to do. It is very meet and right, that with the service of our lips we should glorify and should praise with heart and soul God the Invisible and Almighty, and likewise his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Who paid for us to the eternal Father the debt of Adam's transgression: and with his dear Blood wiped away the reproach of our former offences. Now therefore we sacrifice our Passover, wherein for us the very Lamb of God is slain, by whose Blood the doors of his faithful people are made holy. The night is come, wherein, when our fathers, the children of Israel, were led forth out of Egypt, thou dividest the sea and madest them to pass over as on dry land. Yea, the night is come, that with the fiery pillar hath purged away the darkness of our condemna- tion. The night is come, whereby all that believe in Christ upon the face of all the earth, delivered from this naughty world and out of the shadow of death, are renewed unto grace, and are made partakers of eternal life. The night is come, wherein the bonds of death, were loosed, and Christ harrowing hell rose again in triumph. For wherefore should man be born into this world, save that being born he might be redeemed? How wonderful then, O God, is thy loving-kindness unto us thy children! Behold, what manner of love he hath bestowed upon us: who to redeem a servant, delivered up his only Son! O wonderful providence of Adam's transgression, that by such a death sin might be done away! O blessed iniquity, for whose redemption such a price was paid by such a Saviour! O night verily blessed, to thee alone that time and that hour were made manifest, when our Saviour Christ rose again from death unto life! The night is come whereof David said: Behold the night is as clear as the day: Then shall my night be turned into day. The mystery therefore of this most holy night putteth to flight the deeds of darkness, purgeth away sin: restoreth innocence to the fallen, and gladness unto them that mourn: casteth out hatred, bringeth peace to all mankind, and boweth down mighty princes.
¶ Here the Deacon fixes the five grains of blessed incense into the candle in the form of a Cross, on this wise:
1 4 2 5 3
THEREFORE, in this thy favourable time, accept, O holy Father, this our evening sacrifice of incense: which as at this time thy holy Church maketh before thee, and offereth to thee by the hands of thy servants, the works of the creatures which thou hast made. Ye hear, brethren, the meaning of this pillar we have set up, whereunto in God's honour the bright flame of fire doth set light.
¶ Here the Deacon lights the candle from one of the three tapers on the reed.
Which though it be never so much divided, yet knoweth not variableness nor loseth ought of its splendour. For the wax that melteth doth but feed the flame, for thereunto have the creatures of God's hand brought it forth, that it should give light in darkness.
¶ Here the lamps are lighted.
O NIGHT, verily blessed, which did spoil the people of Egypt and magnified the Hebrews! O night, wherein heaven and earth are joined, and mankind partaketh with the Godhead. We pray thee, therefore, O most Merciful: that this candle which we have lighted and consecrated before thee in thine own Name, may continue to shine forth without ceasing, and may vanquish all the shades of darkness. That being accepted before thee as a sweet savour, it may be numbered with the lights that thou hast kindled. May the day-star find it burning when he dawneth into day. The day-star that riseth and knoweth not his going down. But coming forth from the places of darkness gladly giveth forth light unto all creation. We beseech thee, therefore, O most Merciful: that thou wouldest direct and guide us thy servants, and the hearts of all thy faithful family: and all those also that minister in thy service: especially N. our Chief Bishop, and thy servant N. our Bishop, so helping us with continual grace, that we may pass our time in rest and quietness, in the glad solemnity of our Redemption. Through the same Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer: Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.
[End of the Exsultet chant, printed B xxxv. The contents map's "PDF 475 Blessing of the Paschal Candle" is this chant setting's final page; the full text of the blessing stands in the text section at B 87–B 92.]
Plainchant: Blessing of the Font
[Printed B xxxvi. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
EVER one God, world without end. ℟. Amen. ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit. ℣. Lift up your hearts. ℟. We lift them up unto the Lord. ℣. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. ℟. It is meet and right so to do. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord holy, Father almighty, Everlasting God. Who, working by thy invisible power, dost wonderfully bestow upon thy servants effectual means of grace: And though we be unworthy to be partakers of these holy mysteries: Thou leavest us not destitute of the gifts of thy grace, but mercifully inclinest thine ear to these our supplications. O God, whose Spirit moved over the waters, when the earth was without form and void at its creation: that even then the face of the waters might receive the virtue of purging all defilement: O God, who for the destruction of sinners didst once drown all the world, and by the saving of eight persons didst shew forth in a figure our regeneration: that by the mystery of this one element of water thou mightest make an end of sin, and give birth unto righteousness. Regard favourably, O Lord, the prayers of this thy family, and make the grace of thy regeneration to abound in us, for thou dost with the rivers of thy plenteous mercy make glad the city of thy redeemed: and openest unto us fountains of blessing through the whole world for the healing of nations: that, at the Word of thy majesty, grace may be bestowed on it from thine only Son, through the Holy Ghost.
¶ Here the Priest divides with his open hand the water in the form of a Cross, and forthwith wiping his hand with a napkin, says:
May he sanctify by the secret operation of his power this water to the mystical washing away of sin: that having received sanctification, and being born again without spot of defilement, it may be found a new creature, that springeth from the living water: That young and old, both men and women, that henceforth shall be baptized herein, may all become thy children and heirs of thy heavenly promises. Speak the word, O Lord, and drive away speedily unclean spirits and all things that may hurt us: banish from us by thy Name all the snares and assaults of the devil. And may our ghostly enemy have no power at all to encompass us: to deceive our hearts by his subtilty: to waylay us in secret and spread abroad the leaven of malice.
¶ He touches the water with his hand.
May this holy, and undefiled creation, seeing that the son of wickedness may not approach it, nor the stain of iniquity come near to defile it, be a fountain that doth regenerate, streams that do purify: may all they that by this means shall be dedicated before thee, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, receive the grace of redemption and remission of their offences.
¶ He makes three crosses over the Font, saying:
Therefore do I hallow thee, O thou gift of water, by God ✠ that liveth, by God ✠ the faithful, by God ✠ the holy: by God, who in the beginning by his word divided the land from thee: by whose Spirit the waters were overshadowed.
¶ Here he divides the water with his hand, and scatters it towards the four corners of the earth, saying:
Who did ordain that thou shouldst issue out of Eden and be parted from thence diversely, giving plenty to all his creation. Likewise in the desert of Marah he did turn thy bitterness into sweetness, and made thee to come forth out of the rock for his people. In the Name of his only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ do I hal✠low thee, Gift of water: for he did change thee into wine in proof of his omnipotence, when he was bidden to the wedding at Cana. Who walked upon thee to his disciples: and was baptized in thee in Jordan, making John his minister. Who moreover did mingle thee with Blood from his side at his Passion: and commanded his faithful servants, that believing they should be washed in thee, saying: Go ye, and teach all nations, and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
¶ Changing his voice, he proceeds in the tone of the Lesson:
ALMIGHTY GOD, mercifully assist our prayers, who here observe these thy commandments: and of thy great goodness prosper our petitions.
¶ He breathes thrice on the water in the form of a cross, saying:
Enable by thy word and power the weakness of this water: that like as by nature it doeth service unto the purifying of the body, so by thy grace it may effectually cleanse our souls.
¶ Here the Priest lowers the Candle into the water a little way: and going back to the tone of the Preface, says:
May the power of the Holy Ghost be poured out on this Font we have filled.
¶ Then taking the Candle out of the water, he dips it again more deeply, repeating at a higher pitch: May the power, as above. Afterwards the Candle is again taken out of the water and the third time is dipped to the bottom of the Font, the Priest repeating at a still higher pitch: May the power, as above. And then breathing thrice on the water in this form Ψ, he proceeds:
And make this water to be effectual unto the washing away of transgression.
¶ The Candle is taken out of the water, and he continues:
May every stain of our iniquity here be cleansed: may our nature be restored to its perfect fashioning, and be conformed again to thine own image of righteousness, may it be redeemed from the old sins of its conversation: that every person, being born again by the sacrament he hath here received, may be restored verily unto the innocence of thy children.
¶ And the rest he reads:
Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and the world by fire. ℟. Amen.
¶ Then the water that has been blessed is sprinkled over the people by the assisting Priests. Pouring Oil into the Font, in the form of a Cross, the Priest says:
May this Oil of salvation make this font holy, and cause it to multiply that those who find herein their new birth may come to life everlasting. ℟. Amen.
¶ Pouring the Chrism, he says:
May this mingling of the Chrism of Jesus Christ our Lord, and of the Holy Ghost the Paraclete, be wrought in the Name of the most holy Trinity. ℟. Amen.
¶ Pouring both together, he says:
May this commingling of the Chrism of salvation and of the Oil of unction and of the Water of Baptism likewise be wrought in the Name of the Fa✠ther, and of the S✠on, and of the Holy ✠ Ghost. ℟. Amen.
¶ Then he mingles the Oil and water, and scatters it over the font with his hand. If there be any to be baptized, he baptizes them.
[End of the Blessing of the Font chant. The chant pagination restarts here at printed B l.]
Plainchant: The Litany of the Saints
[Printed B liii. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
KYRIE eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. O Christ hear us. O Christ graciously hear us. O God the Father of heaven, have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us. O God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy upon us. Holy Saint Mary, pray for us sinners.
[Printed B liv. The saint invocations are set in two columns without notation; transcribed in column order, left column then right column.]
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us sinners. Holy Virgin of virgins, Holy St. Michael, Holy St. Gabriel, Holy St. Raphael, All ye holy Angels and Archangels, All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, Holy St. John the Baptist, Holy St. Joseph, All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, Holy St. Peter, Holy St. Paul, Holy St. Andrew, Holy St. John, All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, Holy St. Stephen, Holy St. Lawrence, Holy St. Vincent, All ye holy Martyrs, Holy St. Sylvester, Holy St. Gregory, Holy St. Augustine, All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, All ye holy Doctors, Holy St. Anthony, Holy St. Benedict, Holy St. Dominic, Holy St. Francis, All ye holy Priests and Levites, All ye holy Monks and Hermits, Holy St. M. Magdalene, Holy St. Agnes, Holy St. Cecilia, Holy St. Agatha, Holy St. Anastasia,
[Printed B lv. Two columns, transcribed left column then right column, with the chanted lines in order.]
All ye Holy Virgins and Widows, Pray for us sinners. All ye holy Saints of God, Intercede for us sinners.
Be thou merciful, Spare us, good Lord. Be thou merciful, Hear us, good Lord. From all evil, Good Lord deliver us. From all deadly sin, From everlasting damnation, By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation, By thine Advent and Nativity, By thy Baptism and holy Fasting, By thy Cross and Passion, By thy precious Death and Burial, By thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, By the coming of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, In the hour of death and in the day of judgment, Good Lord deliver us.
¶ Here the Priests and Ministers arise and go to the Sacristy.
We sinners, beseech thee to hear us. That it may please thee to spare us, we beseech thee to hear us.
[Printed B lvi. Two columns, transcribed left column then right column.]
That it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church, We beseech thee to hear us. That it may please thee to preserve the household of thine Apostles, and all orders in the Church in thy true religion, That it may please thee to overthrow the enemies of thy holy Church, That it may please thee to bestow on all Christian kings and princes true peace and concord, That it may please thee to strengthen and preserve us in true worshipping of thee, That it may please thee to bestow on all our benefactors thine everlasting benefits, That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, That it may please thee to bestow upon all thy faithful rest eternal, That it may please thee graciously to hear our prayer,
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, spare us good Lord. O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, good Lord. O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. O Christ hear us. O Christ graciously hear us.
¶ Then follows the Kyrie eleison.
¶ After the Epistle the Celebrant begins: Alleluia.
[Printed B lviii, the last page of the Plainchant section. Chant words only; notation in the scan image.]
¶ At the Magnificat: In the end of the Sabbath.
¶ The Deacon turning himself to the people, sings: Depart in peace, alleluia, alleluia.
AT PROCESSIONS On Palm Sunday, and on other Occasions, when it is to be said.
¶ The Deacon, turning himself about to the people, shall say: Let us go forth in peace.
¶ And the Clerks shall answer: ℟. In the Name of Christ. Amen.
[End of the Plainchant of the Missal, Part I: The Music of Holy Week, printed B lviii. End of this block's range, scan PDF 498. The next scan page, PDF 499, begins the Order of the Mass, outside this block.]
Source pages
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