COMMEMORATION FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

 

COMMEMORATION FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

Remembrance of the departed, and prayers for them, are tokens of true affection.  And since the faithful are moved thereto by filial piety, doubt not that this same remembrance and prayer is profitable unto everyone that so lived in this world, as to attain profit from such things after death.  But even if some necessity permitteth not the body to be buried, or from lack of proper facilities giveth no opportunity for burial in a sacred place, yet should not prayers for the soul of the departed be omitted.  The duty of such prayers is taught us by the Church, which hath undertaken, as an obligation, to offer them for all the departed.

Spare me, O Lord, for my days are as a breath.  What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?  And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?  

How long wilt thou refuse me respite from thy visitation, and suffer me not even to swallow down my spittle?  If I have sinned, what can I do unto thee, O thou Watcher of men? why hast thou set me over against thee as a mark for thy buffetings, so that I am a burden to myself?  And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for soon shall I sleep in the dust; and if then thou dost seek for me, I shall not be.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand in the latter day upon the earth. And in my flesh shall I see God my Savior.

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. 

And in my flesh shall I see God my Savior.

Remember not my sins, O Lord. When thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.

Make thy way plain, O Lord my God, before my face.

When thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

When thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.

NOVEMBER 2  

COMMEMORATION FOR ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED 

Monday within the Octave of All Saints  Twenty-Third Week after Pentecost

FIRST MASS – REQUIEM – Missa – Requiem aeternam

Double / First Class / Black Vestments

INTROIT

4 Esdr 2: 34, 35 Psalm 64: 2-3

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Psalm 64 

Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem: exaudi orationem mean,

ad te omnis caro veniet. Requiem aeternam…

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

(Psalm) A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Sion; and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem: hear my prayer; all flesh shall come to Thee.

Eternal rest give unto them…

COLLECT

Fidelium, Deus, omnium conditor et redemptor: animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum; ut indulgentiam, quam semper optaaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur: Qui vivis et regnas.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer for all the faithful: grant to the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens the remission of all their sins: that through pious supplications, they may obtain pardon which they always desired.

EPISTLE

I Cor. 15:51-57

Fratres: Ecce mysterium vobis dico: Omnes quidem resurgemus, se non omnes immutabimur. In momento, in ictu oculi, in novissima tuba: canet enim tuba, et mortui resurgent incorruupti et nos immutabimur. Oportet enim corruptibile hoc induere incorrunptionem: et mortale hoc induere immortalitatem. Cum atuem mortale hoc induerit immortalitatem, tunc fiet sermo, qui scriptus ets: Absorpta est mros in victoria. Ebi est mors, victoria. Ubi est, mors, victoria tua? Ubi est. mors, stimulus tuss? Simulus autem mortis peccatum est: virtus vero peccati lex. Deo autem mortis peccatum est: virtus vero peccati lex. Deo autem gratias, qui dedit nobis victoriam per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum.

Brethren: Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible: and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL

IV Esdr. 2:34, 35  Psalms  111:7

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.

In meoria aeterna erit justus: ab auditione mala non timebit.

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

The just be in everlasting remembrance; he shall not fear the evil hearing.

TRACT

Absolve, Domine, animas omnium fidelium defunctorum ab omni vinculo delictorum. Et gratia tua illis succentre, mereantur ecadere judicium ultionis. Et lucis aeternae beatitudine perfrui.

Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from every bond of sin. And by the help of Thy grace my they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment. And enjoy the bliss of everlasting light.

SEQUENCE

Dies irae

Dies irae, die illa, Solvet saeclum in favilla: Teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus termore st futurus, Quando Judex est venturus, Cuncta stricte discussurus.

Tuba, mirum spargens sonum, Pe sepulchra regionum, Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit, et natura, Cum resurget creatura, Judicanti responsura.

Liber sciptus proferetur, In quo totum continetur, Unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit, Quidquid latet, apparebit: Nil inultum remanebit: Nil inumltum remanebit

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, Cumvix justus sit securus?

Rex temendae majestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis.

Recordare, Jesu pie, Quod sum causa tuae viae: Ne me perdas illa die.

Quaerens me, sedisti lassus: Redemisti, crucem passus: Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Juste Judex ultionis, Donum fac remissionis, Ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco tamquam reus: Culpa rubet vultus meus: Supplicanti parce Deus.

Qui Mariam absolvisti, Et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces meae non sunt dignae; Sed tu bonus fac benigne, Ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter oves locum praesta. Et ab haedis me sequestra, Statuen in parte dextra.

Confutatis maledictis, Flammis acribus addictis, Voca me cum benedictis.

Oro supplex et accinis, Corcontritum quassi cinis Gere curam mei finis.

Lacrimosa dies illa, Qua resurget ex favilla.

Judicandus homo reus.  Huic ergo, parce Deus:

Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. Amen.

Day of Wrath

Day of Wrath and doom impending, David’s word with Sibyl’s blending. Heaven and earth in ashes ending.

O what fear man’s bosom rendeth When from heaven the Judge descendeth, On Whose sentence all dependeth.

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth, Through earth’s sepulchers it ringeth, All before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck, and nature quaking, All creation is awaking, To it’s Judge an answer making.

Lo, the book exactly worded, Wherein all hath been recorded, Thence shall judgment be awarded.

When the Judge His seat attaineth, And each hidden deed arraigneth, Nothing unavenged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man, be pleading? Who for me be interceding, When the just are mercy needing?

King of majesty tremendous, Who dost free salvation send us, Fount of pity, then befriend us.

Think, kind Jesus, my salvation Caused Thy wondrous  Incarnation, Leave me not to reprobation.

Faith and weary Thou hast sought me, On the cross of suffering bought me,  Shall such grace be vainly brought to me?

Righteous Judge, for sin’s pollution Grant Thy gift of absolution, Ere that day of retribution.

Guilty now I pour my moaning, All my shame with anguish owning, Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning.

Through the sinful woman shriven, Through the dying their forgiven, Thou to me a hope hast given.

Worthless are my prayers and sighing, Yet, good Lord, in grace complying, Rescue me from fires undying.

With Thy sheep a place provide me, From the goats afar divide me, To Thy right had do Thou guide me.

When the wicked are confounded, Doomed to flames of woe unbounded, Call me with Thy Saints surrounded.

Low I kneel with heart’s submission, See, like ashes, my contrition, Help me in my last condition.

Ah! That day of tears and morning, From the dust of earth returning.

Man for judgment must prepare him, Spare, O God, in mercy spare him.

Lord all pitying, Jesus blest, Grant them Thine eternal rest. Amen.

GOSPEL

John 5:25-29

In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum: Amen, amen dico vobis, quia venit hora, et nunc est, quando mortui audient vocem Filii Dei: et qui audierint, vinit hora, et nunc est, quando mortui audient vocem Filii Dei: et qui audierint, vivent. Sicut enim Pater, havet vitar habet vitam in semetipso, sic dedit et Filio havere vitam in semetipso: et potestatem dedit ei judicium facere, qui Filius homins est. Nolite mirari hoc, qui in monumentis sutn, audient vocem Filii Dei: et procedent, qui bona fecerunt, in resurretionem vitae: qui vero mala egerunt in resurrectionem judicii.

At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews: Amen, amen I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, so he hath given the Son also to have life in himself: And he hath given him power to do judgment, because he is the Son of man. Wonder not at this; for the hour cometh, wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they that have done good things, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

 OFFERTORY

Psalm 18:5

Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni et de profundo lacu: libera eas de ore leonis ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in ovscurum: sed signifer sanctus Michael repaesent eas in lucem sanctam: Quam olim abrahae promisisti, et semini ejus. Hostias etr preces tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus: tuo suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam facimus fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam. * Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls for all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit: deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell swallow them not up, that they fall no into darkness, but let the standard bearer holy Michael lead them into that light: Which Thou didst promise of old Abraham and to his seed. We offer to Thee, O Lord, sacrifices and prayers: do Thou receive them in behalf of those souls for who we make memorial this day. Grant them, O Lord, to pass from death to that life, Which Thou didst promise to old to Abraham and his seed.

SECRET

Hostias, quaesumus, Domine, quas tibi proanimabus famulorum famularunque tuarum offerimus propitiatus intende: ut, quibus fidei christianae meritum contulisti, dones et pramium. Per Dominum nostrum.

Mercifully regard, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the Sacrifice which we offer Thee for the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens: that to those to whom Thou didst grant the favor of the Christian Faith Thou wouldst also grant due reward. Through our Lord.

 PREFACE

Preface of the Dead

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: per Christum Dominum nostrum. In quo nobis spes beatae resurrectionis effulsit: ut quos contristat certa moriendi conditio eosdem consoletur futurae immortalitatis promissio. Tuis enim fidelibus, Domine, vita mutatur, non tollitur: et dissoluta terrestris hujus incolatus domo, aeterna in coelis habitatio comparatur. Et ideo Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, comque omni militia coelestis exeritus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes.

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, through Christ our Lord: in Whom the hope of a blessed resurrections heath beamed upon us: so that those who are saddened by the certainty of dying to Thy faithful people, Lord, life is changed, not taken away; and when the home of this earthly sojourn is dissolved, an eternal dwelling is made ready in heaven. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing a hymn to Thy praise, evermore saying:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini.Hosánna in excélsis.

COMMUNION

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine  Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum: quia pius es. Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis: Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum: quia pius es.

May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord, with Thy Saints for evermore; for Thou art gracious. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them: With Thy Saints for evermore, for Thou art gracious.

POSTCOMMUNION 

Animabus, quaesumus, Domine, famulorum, famularumque tuaerum oratio proficiat supplicantium: ut eas et a peccatis omnibus exuas, et tuae redemptionis facias esse participes: Quivivis et regnas.

May the prayer for Thy suppliant people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, avail the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens: that Thou mayest deliver them from all their sins and make them partakers of Thy redemption. Who livest and reignest.

POSTCOMMUNION

May the prayer of Thy servants, O Lord, benefit the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens, that Thou mayest deliver them from all their sins and make them partakers of Thy redemption. Who livest and reignest.

Deliver me, O Lord, from death eternal on that fearful day, When the heavens and the earth shall be moved, when thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. I am made to tremble, and I fear, till the judgment be upon us, and the coming wrath, when the heavens and the earth shall be moved. That day, day of wrath, calamity and misery, day of great and exceeding bitterness, when thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them.

 

 

Solemnity of All Saints - Mass Propers

 

Solemnity of All Saints

Double of the First Class with an Octave - White Vestments

Commemoration for Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

Missa ‘Gaudeamus omnes’

INTROITUS

Gaudeamus omnes in Dómino, diem festum celebrántes sub honóre Sanctórum ómnium: de quorum solemnitáte gaudent Angeli, et colláudant Fílium Dei.

Ps. 32: 1 Exsultáte, justi, in Dómino: rectos decet collaudátio. 

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.

Gaudeamus omnes in Dómino, diem festum celebrántes sub honóre Sanctórum ómnium...

INTROIT

Let us all rejoice in the Lord celebrating a festival day in honor of all the Saints: at whose solemnity the Angels rejoice, and give praise to the Son of God.

Ps. Rejoice in the Lord, ye just; praise becometh the upright.

Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Let us all rejoice in the Lord celebrating a festival day in honor of all the Saints...

COLLECT

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given us in one feast to venerate the merits of all Thy saints; we beseech Thee through the multitude of intercessors to grant us the desired abundance of Thy mercy. Through our Lord.

COLLECT – Commemoration for Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the sins of Thy people; that we may be delivered by Thy goodness from the bonds of sins, which by our frailty we have committed. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE – Apocalypse 1: 1- 5  

Lesson from the book of the Apocalypse of blessed John the Apostle.

In those days, behold, I, John, saw another Angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth nor the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed: a hundred and forty-four thousand were signed out of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Ruben twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Aser twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Nephthali twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Manasses twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Zabulon twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand signed. After this, I saw a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and they cried with a loud voice saying: Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the Angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen. 

GRADUAL - Psalm 33: 10-11

Fear the Lord, all ye His Saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him. V. But they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.

ALLELUIA - Matthew 11: 28 

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Come to Me all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Alleluia.

GOSPEL - Matthew 5: 1-12 

The continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

At that time, Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain; and when He was sat down, His disciples came unto Him. And opening His mouth, He taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall pos­sess the land. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake: be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.

OFFERTORY - Wisdom 3: 1, 2, 3  

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of malice shall not touch them: in the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are in peace. Alleluia.

SECRET

We offer to Thee, O Lord, the Gifts of our devotion; may they be pleasing to Thee in honour of all Thy saints; and of Thy mercy let them avail for our salvation. Through our Lord.

SECRET – Commemoration for Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

We offer to Thee, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise to increase our zeal in Thy service: that what Thou hast begun in us Thy unworthy servants, Thou wouldst mercifully bring to completion. Through our Lord.

COMMON PREFACE

It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the dominations worship it, the powers stand in awe. The heavens, and the heavenly hosts, and the blessed Seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With whom we pray Thee join our voices also, while we say in lowly praise:

SANCTUS

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

COMMUNION - Matthew 5: 8-10

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God: blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God: blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

POST COMMUNION

May the outpouring of the Holy Spirit purify our hearts, O Lord, and by the inward sprinkling of His heavenly dew may they be made fruitful. Through our Lord... in the unity of the same.

POST COMMUNION – Commemoration for Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

We beseech Thee, almighty God, that Thou wouldst not permit us to be subject to human dangers, to whom Thou givest to rejoice in the participation of divine mysteries. Through our Lord.

Ferial Friday - October 30

 

Mass Propers October 30 

Twenty-Second Week after Pentecost

Ferial Day (Mass from preceding Sunday)

Green vestments

Commentary from The Liturgical Year

Dom Guéranger

According to Honorius of Autun, the Mass of today has reference to the days of Antichrist. The Church, foreseeing the reign of the man of sin, and as though she were actually undergoing the persecution, which is to surpass all others, she takes her Introit for this Twenty-Second Sunday from the Psalm De profundis.

     If, unitedly with this prophetic sense, we would apply these words practically to our own personal miseries, we must remember the Gospel we had eight days ago, and which, formerly, was the one appointed for the present Sunday. Each one of us will recognise himself in the person of the insolvent debtor, who has nothing to trust to, but his master’s goodness; and, in our deep humiliation, we shall exclaim: Thou, O Lord, mark iniquities; who shall endure it?

INTROIT – Psalm 129: 3-4

Si iniquitátes observáveris, Dómine, Dómìne, quis sustinébit? quía apud te propitátio est, Deus Israël. Ps. 129: 1, 2. De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómíne: Dómine, exáudì vocem meam. V. Gloria Patri.

Si iniquitates…

If Thou shalt observe iniquities, O Lord, Lord, who shall endure it? For with Thee is propitiation, O God of Israel. Ps. From the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. V. Glory be to the Father.

If Thou…

We have just been rousing our confidence by singing that with God there is merciful forgiveness. It is He himself who gives that loving unction to the prayers of the Church, which proves that he wishes to grant them. But we shall not be thus graciously heard, as she is, unless, like her, we ask with faith, that is to say, conformably with the teachings of the Gospel. To ask with faith is to forgive our fellow-creatures their trespasses against us; on that condition, we may confidently beseech our common Lord and Master to forgive us.

COLLECT

O God, our refuge and our strength, give ear to the holy prayers of Thy Church, and grant, that what we ask with faith, we may effectually obtain. Through our Lord.

 EPISTLE – Philippians 1: 6-11

Brethren, we are confident of this very thing: that He Who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all—for that I have you in my heart, and that, in my bands, and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, you are all partakers of my joy. For God is my witness; how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding, that you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offense unto the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

St. Paul, in the Church’s name, again invites our attention to the near approach of the Last Day. But, what, on the previous Sunday, he called the evil day, he now, in the short passage taken from his Epistle to the Philippians, which has just been read to us, calls, and twice over, the day of Christ Jesus. The Epistle to the Philippians is full of loving confidence; its tone is decidedly one of joy; and yet, it plainly shows us that persecution was raging against the Church, and that the old enemy was making capital of the storm, to stir up evil passions, even amidst the very flock of Christ. The Apostle is in chains; the envy and treachery of false brethren intensify his sufferings; still, joy predominates in his heart over everything else, because he is come to that perfection of love, wherein divine charity is enkindled by suffering more even than by the sweetest spiritual caresses. To him, to live is Christ, and to die is gain; he cannot make up his mind which of the two to choose—death, which would give him the bliss of being with his Jesus, or life, which will add to his merits and his labours for the salvation of men. What are all personal considerations to him? His one joy, for both the present and the future, is that Christ may be known and glorified, no matter how! As to his hopes and expectations, he cannot be disappointed, for, Christ is sure to be glorified in his body, by its life and by its death.

     Hence, in Paul’s soul, that sublime indifference, which is the climax of the Christian life; it is, of course, a totally different thing from that fatal apathy, to which the false Mystics of the 17th century pretended to reduce the love of man’s heart. What tender affection has not this convert of Damascus for his brethren, once he has reached this point of perfection! God, says he, is my witness, how I long after you all, in the bowels of Jesus Christ!  The one ambition which rules and absorbs him, is that God, who has begun in them the work which is good by excellence—the work of Christian perfection (such as we know had been wrought in the Apostle himself)—may be continued and perfected in them all, by the day when Christ is to appear in his glory. This is what he prays for: that the wedding garment of those whom he has betrothed to the one Spouse—in other words, that charity may beautify them with all its splendour for the grand Day of the eternal nuptials.

     Now, what is the sure means, whereby charity is to be perfected in them? It must abound, more and more, in knowledge and in all understanding of salvation—that is, in Faith. It is Faith that constitutes the basis of all supernatural virtue. A restricted, a diminished Faith, could never support a large and high-minded charity. Those men, therefore, are deceiving themselves, whose love for revealed truth does not keep pace with their charity! Such Christianity as that believes as little as it may; it has a nervous dread of new definitions; and, out of respect for error, it cleverly and continually narrows the supernatural horizon. Charity, they say, is the queen of virtues; it makes them take everything easily, even lies against Truth; to give the same rights to error as to Truth, is, in their estimation, the highest point of Christian civilisation grounded on love! They quite forget, that the first object of charity being God, who is substantial Truth, he has no greater enemy than a lie; they cannot understand how it is, that a Christian does not do a work of love, by putting on the same footing, the Object beloved, and His mortal enemy!

    The Apostles had very different ideas: in order to make charity grow in the world, they gave it a rich sowing of truth. Every new ray of Light they put into their disciples’ hearts, was an intensifying of their love; and these disciples, having, by Baptism, become themselves light, they were most determined to have nothing to do with darkness. In those days, to deny the truth, was the greatest of crimes; to expose themselves, by a want of vigilance, to infringe on the rights of truth, even in the slightest degree, was the height of imprudence. When Christianity first shone upon mankind, it found error supreme mistress of the world; having, then, to deal with a universe that was rooted in death, Christianity adopted no other plan for giving it salvation, than that of making the Light as bright as could be; its only policy was to proclaim the power which truth alone has for saving man, and to assert its exclusive right to reign over this world. The triumph of the Gospel was the result: it came after three centuries of struggle; a struggle, intense and violent, on the side of darkness, which declared itself to be supreme and was resolved to keep so, but, a struggle, most patient and glorious on the side of the Christians, the torrents of whose blood did but add fresh joy to the brave army, for it became the strongest possible foundation of the united Kingdom of Love and Truth.

    But now, with the connivance of those, whose Baptism made them, too, be Children of Light, error has regained its pretended Rights; as a natural consequence, the charity of an immense number has grown cold in proportion; darkness is again thickening over the world, as though it were in the chill of its last agony. The children of light? who would live up to their dignity, must behave exactly as did the early Christians. They must not fear, nor be troubled; but, like their forefathers and the Apostles, they must be proud to suffer for Jesus’s sake, and prize the word of life’ as quite the dearest thing they possess; for they are convinced, that, so long as truth is kept up in the world, so long is there hope for it. As their only care is, to make their manner of life worthy of the Gospel of Christ,” they go on, with all the simplicity of children of God, faithfully fulfilling the duties of their state of life, in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation, as stars of the firmament do in the night. The stars shine in ‘the night,’ says St. John Chrysostom, ‘they glitter’ in the dark; so far from growing dim amidst the gloom that surrounds them, they seem all the more brilliant. So will it be with thee, if thou art virtuous amidst the wicked; thy light will shine so much the clearer. As the stars, says St. Augustine, keep on their course in the track marked out for them by God, and grow not tired of sending forth their light in the midst of darkness, neither  heed they the calamities which may be happening on earth, so should do those holy ones whose ” conversation is truly in heaven;  they should pay  no more notice as to what is said or done against them, than the stars do.

 GRADUAL

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. V. It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron.

The Gradual hymns the praise of the sweet and strong unity, maintained, in the Church, even to the end; she has done this, by the charity, in which the Epistle urged us to be making fresh progress, and which the ancient Gospel of this same Sunday put before us as the one means for finding a favourable sentence passed on us, at the Day of Judgment.                

 ALLELUIA

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Let them that fear the Lord, hope in Him; He is their helper and their protector. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

At that time, the Pharisees went and consulted among themselves, how to ensnare Jesus in His speech. And they sent to Him their disciples, with the Herodians, Saying: Master, we know that Thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man, for Thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us therefore, what dost Thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin of the tribute. And they offered Him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and superscription is this? They say to Him: Caesar’s. Then He saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

The diminution of truth is, evidently, to be a leading peril of the latter times, for, during these weeks which represent the last days of the world, the Church is continually urging us to a sound and solid understanding of truth, as though she considered that to be the great preservative for her children. Last Sunday, she gave them, as defensive armour, the shield of faith, and, as an offensive weapon, the word of God. On the previous Sunday, it was circumspection of mind and intelligence that she recommended to them, with a view to their preserving, during the approaching evil days, the holiness which is founded on truth; for, as she told them, the previous week, their riches in all knowledge are of paramount necessity. Today, in the Epistle, she implored of them to be ever progressing in knowledge and all understanding, as being the essential means for abounding in charity, and for having the work of their sanctification perfected for the day of Christ Jesus. The Gospel comes with an appropriate finish to these instructions given us by the Apostle: it relates an event in our Lord’s life, which stamps those counsels with the weightiest possible authority, the authority of the example of Him, who is our divine Model. He gives his disciples the example they should follow, when, like himself, they have snares laid, by the world, for their destruction.

    It was the last day of Jesus’s public teaching; it was almost the eve of his departure from this earth. His enemies had failed in every attempt hitherto made to ensnare him; this last plot was to be unusually deep-laid. The Pharisees, who refused to recognise Caesar’s authority, and denied his claim to tribute, joined issue with their adversaries, the partisans of Herod and Rome, to propose this insidious question to Jesus: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? If our Lord’s answer was negative, he in cured the displeasure of the government; if he took the affirmative side, he would lose the estimation of the people. With his divine prudence, he disconcerted their plans. The two parties, so strangely made friends by partnership in one common intrigue, heard the magnificent answer, which was divine enough to make even Pharisees and Herodians one in the Truth: but, Truth was not what they were in search of; so they both skulked back again into their old party squabbles. The league formed against our Jesus was broken; the effort made by error, recoiled on its own self, as must ever be the case; and the answer it had elicited, passed, from the lips of our Incarnate Lord, to those of his Bride, the Church, who would be ever repeating it to this world of ours, for it contains the first principle of all governments on earth.

     Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are God’s: it was the dictum most dear to the Apostles. If they boldly asserted, that we must obey God, rather than men, they explained the whole truth, and added: Let every soul be subject to the higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained, of God. Therefore, he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation. Wherefore, be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For, therefore, also ye pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God serving unto this purpose.

     The will of God! there is the origin, there is the real greatness of all authority amongst men! Of himself, man has no right to command his fellow- man. The number, however imposing it may be, makes no difference with this powerlessness of men over my conscience; for, whether they be one, or five hundred, I, by nature, am equal to each one among them; and, by adding the number of their so-called rights over me, they are only adding to the number of nothingnesses. But, God, wishing that men should live one with the other, has thereby wished, that there exist amongst them a power which should rule over the rest; that is, should direct the thousands or millions of different wills to the unity of one social end. God leaves to circumstances, though it is his providence that regulates those circumstances, he leaves to men themselves, at the beginning of any mere human society, a great latitude as to the choice of the form, under which is to be exercised, both the civil power itself, and the mode of its transmission. But, once regularly invested with the power, its depositories its possessors, are responsible to God alone, as far, that is as the legitimate exercise of their authority goes, because it is from God alone that that power comes to them; it does not come to them from their people, who, not having that power themselves, cannot give it to another. So long as those rulers comply with the compact, or do not turn to the ruin of their people the power they received for its well-being, so long their right to the obedience of their subjects is the right of God himself, whether they exercise their authority in exacting the subsidies needed for government; or in passing laws, which, for the general good of the people, restrain the liberty otherwise theirs, by natural right; or, again, by bidding their soldiers defend their country, at the risk of life. In all such cases, it is God himself that commands, and insists on being obeyed: in this world, he puts the sword into the hands of representatives, that they may punish the disobedient; and, in the next, he himself will eternally punish them, unless they have made amends.

How great, then, is not the dignity of human Law! It makes the legislator a representative of God, and, at the same time, spares the subject the humiliation of feeling himself debased before a fellow-man! But, in order that the law oblige, that is, be truly a law, it is evident, that it must be, first and foremost, conformable to the commands and the prohibitions of that God, whose will alone can give it a sacred character, by making it enter into the domain of man’s conscience. It is for this reason, that there cannot be a law against God, or his Christ, or his Church. When God is not with him who governs, the power he exercises is nothing better than brute force. The sovereign, or the parliament, that pretends to govern a country in opposition to the laws of God, has no right to aught but revolt and contempt from every upright man; to give the sacred name of law to tyrannical enactments of that kind, is a profanation, unworthy, not only of Christian, but of every man who is not a slave.

OFFERTORY

The Offertory Anthem, as also the Verses which used to be joined to it, refers, like the Introit, to the period of the last persecution. The words are taken from the prayer addressed to God by Esther, when about to enter into the presence of Assuerus, that she might plead with him against Aman, who is a figure of Antichrist. Esther is a type of the Church; and we could not better show the spirit in which we ought to sing our Offertory, than by quoting the inspired words which preface this sublime prayer. Queen Esther, fearing the danger that was at hand, had recourse to the Lord. And when she had laid away her royal apparel, she put on garments suitable for weeping and mourning; instead of divers precious ointments, she covered her head with ashes and filth, and she humbled her body with fasts: and all the places, in which before she was accustomed to rejoice, she filled with her torn hair! And she prayed to the Lord the God of Israel, saying: O my Lord! who alone art our King, help me a desolate woman, and who have no other helper but thee!

Remember me, O Lord, Thou Who rulest above all power; and give a well-ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing in the sight of the prince.

SECRET

The surest guarantee a Christian can have against adversity, is freedom from sin. It is sin that stirs up the anger of God, and cries upon him for vengeance. Let us unite in the following prayer of the Church.

Grant unto us, O merciful God, that this saving oblation may unceasingly free us from our own guilty deeds, and keep us from all things that may hurt us. Through our Lord.

COMMON PREFACE

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, ever-lasting God: Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, are one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out with one voice saying:

SANCTUS 

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

COMMUNION

The Communion- Anthem shows us with what per severance and earnestness, the Church prays to her divine Lord. We must imitate her.

I have cried, for Thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my words.

POSTCOMMUNION

Whilst offering the sacred mysteries in memory of our Jesus, as he commanded us to do, we must not forget, that these same are, also, our refuge in all our miseries. It would be presumption, or folly, to neglect to pray, that they may thus protect us. The Church, here again, is our model, in utilizing these most powerful of all means for help.

We have received, O Lord, the gifts of this sacred Mystery, and humbly beseech Thee: that what Thou hast bidden us to do in memory of Thee may avail us in our weakness. Who livest and reignest.