SOME GENERAL NOTIONS ON
THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

OFFERING CHRIST TO THE FATHER

We have seen that Christ is the center of religion and the universe. The creation, over which Christ reigns, is willed by God for His glory. We are beings created solely for the praise and glory of God.

8--How can such a frail, feeble creature as man offer acceptable praise to the Blessed trinity?

In this way. The Word of God--the second Person of the Blessed Trinity--was incarnated, became one of us, and to each one of us gave something of Himself; in such a way that we are enabled through Him, with Him, and in Him, to fulfill our religious duties toward God--duties that may be summarized in two acts, as follows:

1. Our continual offering of Jesus Christ to God the Father.
2. Our offering of ourselves with Him and like Him in complete self-surrender and self-sacrifice, so as to become one with Jesus Christ.

For Christ alone can glorify God as He deserves. Christ, equal to the Father by His Godhead, lowered Himself to our level by the Incarnation. As man, Christ is able to bow before God and render Him true adoration in humility, submission, and obedience. As God, Christ offers His Father homage of infinite worth.

It is the Incarnation that empowers us to offer God to God in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Hence, the grandeur and incomparable superiority of the Mass over all other acts of religion. How many Catholics painfully seek for some way of thanking God as He deserves, or of offering Him fitting adoration! They make novenas, they give themselves over to numerous pious exercises; they make sacrifices, and sometimes painful sacrifices; yet they always suffer from spiritual indigence and powerlessness. Their distress will persist for just so long as they seek to glorify God by their own merits.

It is in His Beloved Son that the Father is "well pleased."
Why go elsewhere in search of a more "pleasing" offering?

[From 'Your Mass and Your Life'; to be continued]

SAINT PATRICK
Bishop and Confessor

Toward the close of the fourth century, the pagan Irish captured during a slave-hunting raid the Christian youth who would become St. Patrick. The lad was put to work in Ireland as a pigherd for six years. Then he escaped, but with the intension of returning to th eland of his captivity as an apostle. The former pigherd was ordained to the priesthood, and in 432 was made a bishop. The Pope himself commissioned Patrick to carry the Faith to Ireland. In his apostolic travels St. Patrick covered the length and breathe of the island. He overcame heartbreaking difficulties and sorrows, because he made Christ his sole changeless friend and helper.

Mass of a CONFESSOR BISHOP, except

PRAYER
O God, You sent Your blessed confessor bishop Patrick to preach Your glory among the nations. May we fulfill all the duties commanded of us through his merits and intercession. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT
O Almighty God, while Your servants mortify their bodies by fasting, may they also follow after righteousness and avoid sin. Through Our Lord . . .

Lorica of Saint Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

St. Patrick (ca. 377)

SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT
Pope and Doctor of the Church

Pope Gregory I (c. 540-604) had founded seven Benedictine monasteries on his ancestral estates, and he himself had become a monk in one of them -- St. Andrew's on the Coelian Hill. In the sixth year of his pontificate, he sent to England forty Benedictine monks of St. Andrew's, with St. Augustine, their prior, as leader of the pioneer mission band. Gregory also dealt courageously with the conquering Lombards, enlightened the whole Church by his teaching, governed both East and West with vigorous humility, and gave to the world a perfect pattern of pastoral rule.

Mass of a Pope, except

PRAYER
O God, You rewarded the soul of Your servant Gregory with eternal happiness. Mercifully relieve us from the oppressive weight of our sins through the intercession of this saint. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT
O Lord, mercifully fill our hearts with Your grace. We mortify our bodies by abstaining from food; may we also guard our senses from the danger of unbridled pleasures. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET PRAYER
May this sacrifice, which You offered to wash away the sins of the whole world, O Lord, help us through the intercession of blessed Gregory. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT
O Lord, transform this gift we offer You in worship into the Sacrament of our salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O God, You bestowed the merits of the saints upon the blessed Pope Gregory. May we who celebrate this feast in his memory also follow the example of his life. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT
Almighty and merciful God, may we cherish with our hearts the Sacrament we have received with our lips. Through Our Lord . . .

THE PLACE OF THE MASS IN THE DIVINE PLAN
Continued . . .

Some two thousand years ago, the drama of Calvary took place.
"The Mass is not just a symbolic commemoration of the Sacrifice of the cross. The Sacrifice of Golgotha has a grandeur all its own; situated in an immediate present, yet for all time--independent of time and space. It is the same Christ who died on the Cross, who is present. The whole assembly is united with His will to sacrifice; and, through Christ present, offers itself as a living victim. Holy Mass is thus a living, breathing reality--the reality of Golgotha." (Karl Adam, The Spirit of Catholicism.)
The Mass is therefore, the means whereby we may become the prolongation of Christ.

Through the offering of ourselves with Christ
Through the consecration of ourselves through Christ
Through our communion in Christ

to the greater glory of the Blessed trinity and the sanctification of our souls.

As Fr. J. Blondel so aptly puts it, the Mass reminds us at one and the same time of God's CONdescension toward man, and of man's AScension toward God!
For the Mass sums up the twin mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption, at the same time that it applies to us their fruits. Crib and Cross manifest to mankind God's love for all: whereas the Mass stresses His love for the individual.
One ought, then, to look on the Mass as the sum total of man;s ascensions toward God, because it presupposes and completes them. The sinner derives from it abundant graces for conversion. the just man finds fervor in it--outstripping himself from one Consecration to another. Through the Mass, man offers to God praise that is worthy of him.
This, then, is the place that the Mass occupies in God's plan. Like Christ, it is at the center: as a sun to bring light and warmth, to transform and uplift all creation and bring it back to its Creator in a hymn of thanksgiving.
The Mass ought to occupy, not the first place in our lives (as if the Mass were some great personage), but ALL the place. We ought to:

* Offer ourselves up, like Christ on the Cross.
* Consecrate ourselves, "transubstantiate" ourselves--dying to our life of sin; to live, henceforth, the life of Christ.
* Unite ourselves to Someone stronger than ourselves, communicating with Christ through reception of His Sacred Body, in order to identify ourselves ever more closely with Him, so that--our bodily members belonging more to Him than to us--we may be able to accomplish divine and supernatural works.
* Render--through Christ--perfect praise to the august Trinity.

Such should be the constant concern of our earthly existence, and the prelude to our heavenly life in a blessed eternity.

"A single Mass heard by a person during his lifetime, is more advantageous to him than a great number of Masses celebrated for him after death." (St. Ambrose)

[From 'Your Mass and Your Life', to be continued]

SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT
THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 18:8)
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting souls. The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. Ps. 18:2. The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O Lord, may our fasting attain its saving effect so that the mortification of our bodies may bring a new life to our souls. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS
The Forty Martyrs were soldiers belonging to various nationalities, who were quartered at Sebaste, Armenia, in A.D. 320. According to tradition, these Christians were condemned to lie naked on the frozen surface of a pond until they should die of exposure. The forty witnesses to Christ united in prayer, asking God that all of them might persevere to the end. Then one soldier weakened. But a pagan guard was inspired to confess Christ and take the place of the apostate, and again the number of forty martyrs was complete.

We pay honor to the bravery of Your glorious martyrs in bearing witness to You, O Almighty God. Grant that we may feel the power of their intercession with You. Through Our Lord . . .

READING (Gen. 27:6-40)
In those days, Rebecca said to her son Jacob: "I heard thy father talking with Esau, thy brother, and saying to him: 'Bring me of thy hunting, and make me meats that I may eat, and bless thee in the sight of the Lord, before I die.' Now therefore, my son, follow my counsel: And go thy way to the flock, bring me two kids of the best, that I may make of them meat for thy father, such as he gladly eateth. Which when thou hast brought in, and he hath eaten, he may bless thee before he die." And he answered her: "Thou knowest that Esau, my brother, is a hairy man, and I am smooth: If my father should feel me, and perceive it, I fear lest he will think I would have mocked him, and I shall bring upon me a curse instead of a blessing." And his mother said to him: "Upon me be this curse, my son: only hear thou my voice, and go, fetch me the things which I have said."
He went, and brought, and gave them to his mother. She dressed meats, such as she knew his father liked. And she put on him very good garments of Esau, which she had at home with her: And the little skins of the kids she put about his hands, and covered the bare of his neck. And she gave him the savoury meat, and delivered him bread that she had baked. Which when he had carried in, he said: "My father?" But he answered: "I hear. Who art thou, my son?" And Jacob said: "I am Esau, thy firstborn: I have done as thou didst command me: arise, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me." And Isaac said to his son: "How couldst thou find it so quickly, my son?" He answered: "It was the will of God, that what I sought came quickly in my way:" And Isaac said: "Come hither, that I may feel thee, my son, and may prove whether thou be my son Esau, or no." He came near to his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: "The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob; but the hands, are the hands of Esau." And he knew him not, because his hairy hands made him like to the elder.
Then blessing him, He said: "Art thou my son Esau?" He answered: "I am." Then he said: "Bring me the meats of thy hunting, my son, that my soul may bless thee." And when they were brought, and he had eaten, he offered him wine also, which after he had drunk, He said to him: "Come near me, and give me a kiss, my son." He came near, and kissed him. And immediately as he smelled the fragrant smell of his garments, blessing him, he said: "Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a plentiful field, which the Lord hath blessed. God give thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, abundance of corn and wine. And let peoples serve thee, and tribes worship thee: be thou lord of thy brethren, and let thy mother's children bow down before thee. Cursed be he that curseth thee: and let him that blesseth thee be filled with blessings."
Isaac had scarce ended his words, when, Jacob being now gone out abroad, Esau came, And brought in to his father meats, made of what he had taken in hunting, saying: "Arise, my father, and eat of thy son's venison; that thy soul may bless me." And Isaac said to him: "Why! who art thou?" He answered: "I am thy firstborn son, Esau." Isaac was struck with fear, and astonished exceedingly; and wondering beyond what can be believed, said: "Who is he then that even now brought me venison that he had taken, and I ate of all before thou camest? and I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed."
Esau having heard his father's words, roared out with a great cry; and, being in a consternation, said: "Bless me also, my father." And he said: "Thy brother came deceitfully and got thy blessing." But he said again: "Rightly is his name called Jacob; for he hath supplanted me lo this second time: My birthright he took away before, and now this second time he hath stolen away my blessing." And again he said to his father: "Hast thou not reserved me also a blessing?" Isaac answered: "I have appointed him thy lord, and have made all his brethren his servants: I have established him with corn and wine, and after this, what shall I do more for thee, my son?" And Esau said to him: "Hast thou only one blessing, father? I beseech thee bless me also." And when he wept with a loud cry, Isaac being moved, said to him: "In the fat of the earth, and in the dew of heaven from above, Shall thy blessing be."

GRADUAL (Ps. 91:2-3)
It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High. V. To proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth throughout the night.

GOSPEL (Luke 15:11-32)
At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and Scribes this parable: "A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father: 'Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me.' And he divided unto them his substance. "And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously. And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country: and he began to be in want. And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And returning to himself, he said: 'How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger! I will arise and will go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee. I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.' And rising up, he came to his father. "And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion and running to him fell upon his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him: 'Father: I have sinned against heaven and before thee I am not now worthy to be called thy son.' And the father said to his servants: 'Bring forth quickly the first robe and put it on him: and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it: and let us eat and make merry: Because this my son was dead and is come to life again, was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said to him: 'Thy brother is come and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe.' And he was angry and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him. And he answering, said to his father: 'Behold, for so many years do I serve thee and I have never transgressed thy commandment: and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends. But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.' But he said to him: 'Son, thou art always with me; and all I have is thine. But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.' "

OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 12:4-5)
Give light to my eyes that I may never sleep in death, that my enemy may never say, "I have overcome him."

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, be appeased by this sacrifice. We seek forgiveness for our own sins; let us not be burdened with the sins of others. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of THE FORTY MARTYRS
Look favorably on the prayers and offerings of Your people, O Lord. May this celebration of the feast of Your saints please You and bring us Your merciful help. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN (Luke 15:32)
You ought to rejoice, my son, for your brother was dead, and has come to life; he was lost, and is found.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
May this sacramental libation of Your Sacrament fill our hearts, O Lord, and impart its own strength to us. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of THE FORTY MARTYRS
May the prayers of Your saints win forgiveness for us, O Lord. Grant that the Sacrifice we offer in this life may be our everlasting possession in the life to come. Through Our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O Lord, watch over Your household with constant, loving care. Let Your protection forever shield those who place their trust solely upon the hope of Your heavenly grace. Through Our Lord . . .

THE PLACE OF THE MASS IN THE DIVINE PLAN
Continued . . .

THE INCARNATION
"One day, in the long procession of men groping in the shadow of death, Christ appeared. To this poor, purblind race of ours, He revealed the Father's wondrous plan. 'The Father Himself loves you. . . . He has not abandoned you. . . . I am your Savior. . . . I am Life!' "

THE REDEMPTION
It was bearing His Cross that He came--weighted down under the burden of our sins. He climbed Calvary's hill and reddened it with His blood. He was barbarously crucified on a Cross, and died between two thieves.

Let us look for a moment at our suffering Savior. Taking place before our horrified gaze, is the drama that dominates the world. Christ was "made sin" for us, writes St. Paul!
The prophet Isaias paints for us a poignant portrait of Christ--His flesh torn and mangled because of us, and for love of us:
"So many there be that stand gazing in horror. was ever a human form so mishandled, human beauty ever so defaced? . . . No stateliness here, no majesty, no beauty, as we gaze upon him, to win our hearts. Nay here is one despised, left out of all human reckoning; bowed with misery, and no stranger to weakness; how should we recognize that face? How should we take any account of him, a man so despised? . . . and all the while it was for our sins he was wounded, it was guilt of ours crushed him down; on him the punishment fell that brought us peace, by his bruises we were healed." {Knox.}

"On the high hill of Calvary, overlooking the world, a terrible struggle is taking place between Love and Hate--a struggle of unheard of force. As a result of this fearsome combat, Hate dies in the blood of his immolated Victim. The last words of Christ are a shout of triumph: 'Father, it is consummated!' "
Love has conquered Hate!
"Life is now mistress of the world. from the height of the Cross, she dominates it. From this eminence, she will descend upon it as a refreshing shower. This is to be brought about through the instrumentality of the centurion, the blow from whose lance opened Jesus' heart: just as Magdalene's repentance broke an alabaster vase of precious nard over the Master's feet. And just as the whole house was filled with the fragrance of that perfume, so is the whole world enlivened by the life that escapes from this poor, torn body. From the opened side of this 'sleeping Man' the whole Church springs; just as several centuries before, Eve, the 'Mother of all living,' came forth from the opened side of the 'sleeping Adam.' "

Sin in now in full flight. A moment ago, an enormous tidal wave, made up of all the crimes of earth, had sought to engulf within its corrupt depths, Him who offered Himself as the Life of the World. Now, Life descends victorious from Calvary--an impetuous torrent of life--sweeping along with it everything in its path, driving back Sin to its ultimate retrenchments.

God's plan now unfolds in all its majesty--the return to the Father, to the Father's House.
How may we bring about this return?

By following Christ the Way, in what is to be henceforth His sorrowful way. "If anyone wishes to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." Integrated into Christ by baptism, I (and not somebody else) ought to die to self, and live the life of Christ. "Christ died for all, in order that they who are alive may live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." (2 Cor. 5:15.)

With St, Paul we should say, "What is lacking of the sufferings of Christ, I fill up in my flesh for His body,which is the Church." (Col. 1:24.)

If our good works, sacrifices, and sufferings are to count for eternity and be pleasing to God, it is necessary for us (as we have seen above) to be united to Christ. It is through Him, and with Him, and in Him that we become recipients of God's loving-kindness and mercy.
Our union with Christ, our integration into His Mystical Body, is effected by the Sacraments. It is by Baptism that we are introduced into Christ's mystical family. It is through Baptism that we receive divine life; become adopted sons of God the Father; brothers of Jesus Christ; temples of the Holy Spirit, and heirs of Heaven!
But how should we offer up--following our Lord's example--our adorations, thanksgivings, satisfactions, and petitions to God? How nourish the divine life within us?
By means of the Mass--the Sacrifice of the Mystical Body.

[From 'Your Mass and Your Life', to be continued.]

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME

Frances was born in Rome in 1384. When she was thirteen years of age, her parents married her to Lorenzo Ponziano, a man of outstanding virtue. Frances brought up her children in the love and fear of God. She was zealous in the performance of every household duty, saying, "A married woman must often leave God at the altar to find Him in her domestic cares." While her husband was still living, she founded an order of Oblates affiliated with the Benedictines; and when she became a widow she was elected superior of those religious women. Frances died on March 9, 1440, her face radiant with an unearthly glory.

Mass of a HOLY WOMAN, except

PRAYER
O God, among the many gifts of grace You bestowed on Your blessed servant Frances, You granted her an intimate friendship with an angel. May we be worthy of fellowship with the angels through her intercession. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT
O Almighty God, cleanse us by this holy fast, so that we may celebrate the coming feast with pure hearts. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT JOHN OF GOD
Confessor

At the age of 40, John of God (1495-1550) reformed his undisciplined life, obtained alms for the erection of two large hospitals at Granada, and staffed them with a new order, the Brothers Hospitallers. Successors of the first Brothers have continued to the present time their apostolic work of healing bodies and souls. The Prayer recalls how when a neighboring hospital was on fire, John of God passed miraculously through the flames until he had rescued all the poor sufferers. Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

PRAYER
O God, You brought blessed John unharmed through fire, burning only with love of You. You also enriched Your Church by his establishment of a new religious order. May the fire of Your love burn away our sins and heal us for eternal life through his merits. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT
O God, help us by Your grace to be diligent in fasting and prayer, that we may be shielded against the enemies of our soul and body. Through Our Lord . . .

GOSPEL (Matt. 22:34-46)
At that time, the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together. And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets."
And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying: "What think you of Christ? Whose son is he?" They say to him: "David's." He saith to them: "How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying: 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool?' If David then call him 'Lord,' how is he his son?" And no man was able to answer him a word: neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Thomas Aquinas (1226-74), a child of noble lineage, was educated at the Abbey of Monte Cassino and as a youth entered the new Dominican Order at the University of Naples, to become one of the greatest philosophers and theologians of all times, and in his day one of Europe's most popular preachers and teachers. To extraordinary gifts of mind he added a prodigious capacity for work, complete singleness of purpose, and a profoundly mystical holiness of life. His Summa Theologica and Summa contra Gentiles constitute the most reasonable and comprehensive defense of Christian doctrine ever produced, and his Eucharistic prayers and poetry are enshrined in the Church's liturgy. He is the patron of Catholic education.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

PRAYER
O God, the wondrous learning of Your blessed confessor Thomas enlightened Your Church and still makes her fruitful because of his holy efforts. Grant that we may understand his teachings and put them into practice. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT
O Lord, look mercifully upon Your people. We abstain from food at Your command; may we also turn away from the spiritual poison of sin. Through Our Lord . . .

READING (Wisdom 7:7-14)
Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me: And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold, in comparison of her, is as a little sand; and silver, in respect to her, shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out. Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands, And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all. Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not. For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline.

SAINTS PERPETUA AND FELICITAS
Martyrs

Vivia Perpetua, a young wife and mother of noble birth, and Felicitas, a slave girl who was with child, were among the Christians arrested in Carthage (Africa) during the year 203. Felicitas gave birth to a daughter in prison, and the baby was adopted by a fellow Christian. Three days later the martyrs were exposed to wild beasts in the arena. The people soon tired of seeing the young mothers tortured and demanded that they should be slain by the sword. Greater devotion no human beings can have than to prefer Christ to the children of their love.

Mass of a HOLY WOMAN MARTYR, except

PRAYER
O Lord Our God, grant that we may always honor the victories of Your blessed martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas. Although we are unable to pay them the honor that is due, may we at least offer them our humble tribute. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT
O Lord, help us keep the holy lenten fast. Teach us our duties and assist us with Your grace to perform them. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, see the gifts we offer at Your altar in honor of the feast of Your holy martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas. May this sacred rite, which honors them, forgive us our sins. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT
O Lord, sanctify us by this sacred rite so that we may be cleansed from earthly sinfulness and come to our eternal reward. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We have been filled with spiritual gifts and joy, O Lord. May we always profit spiritually from the service we perform here on earth, through the intercession of Your holy martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT
O Lord, make us ever obedient to Your commandments so that we may be deserving of Your heavenly gifts. Through Our Lord . . .

Here is an interesting article on some of my strong ideas about better Liturgy! I've hi-lighted the elements that bother ne so much in today's celebrations of the Novus Ordo Mass. My comments are in the brackets in bold. This story is from Agenzia Fides News in Rome, Italy.

VATICAN - WORDS OF DOCTRINE - Fundamental elements of the Roman Liturgy (3)
Gregorian Chant, silence and … the Altar Bell
Rev. Nicola Bux and Rev. Salvatore Vitiello

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Gregorian Chant, also because of the fact that the cantors are not the centre of attention, [At one of the churches I attend, the cantor practically does the whole Mass by herself and acts like an MC, i.e., "sit, stand, etc."!] is in keeping with the spirit of the Roman Liturgy, as Icons are for Byzantine Liturgy. Father Jacques-Marie Guilmard Benedictine monk from Solesmes, stresses the need to keep in mind the meaning of the text, the musical form and overall melodic development, the type of ornamentation, the same mode and musical sense of the whole. Not last: the choir’s grade of competence, the acoustics of the place of worship, the number of choristers, not to mention the voices. [The choir is so off key that the faithful can't follow along.]

Gregorian Chant which achieves harmony of body and soul was composed by contemplatives rather than great artists; so it inspired Palestrina and can inspire religious music of the future. Certainly Gregorian Chant, John Paul II wrote in the Breve Iubilari feliciter dated 1980, remains the unifying musical bond for Catholics helping them to experience, as Pope Benedict XVI said, the unity of the Church.

The Liturgical Celebration must have a homogeneous phonic balance and therefore in chant and prayer a soft voice is best, [How I miss the soft chant!] it is consonant to the attitude of humility and discretion which we should have before God. Hence the need to avoid tones which are «shouted» and to use instead quieter tones proper to prayer in ‘secret’ (cfr. Mt 6,5). In this sense Benedictine Liturgical prayer can be considered a model for our inspiration. Therefore, beginning with the priest who leads the people of God, it would be good, especially on solemnities, to return to the use of Gregorian Chant for the Ordinary, by now familiar in the local language, and perhaps even parts of the Proper of Mass.

There is then silence in the Liturgy, [which is never practiced here, we need silence, especially after receiving Holy Communion!] fundamental to allow our heart to listen to God who speaks. The soul is made for recollection rather than noise and discussion; a symptom is that we find noise disturbing. First of all we must restore to the church building the dignity of a holy temple, [The church is God's House, and Jesus is enthroned there. It is heaven on earth! Where is the respect for God's Temple in these days?] where no one raises his voice, beginning with the priest and other ministers who set the example. The church is the place where we speak to God in humble silence or in a soft voice.

This is what constitutes the Rite, a term which means reiteration and which we should not fear because the believer needs to remember Christ. The Rite helps the faithful become familiar with the Liturgical language, thanks to its repetitive gestures and chants: a choice of style which is constant and homogenous and constitutes our identity as worshippers of the Majesty of God, so different from the deafening din of daily life, from fragmentation of languages and styles which distract attention from the centrality of the mystery.

I will give one example. A certain Italian diocese issued a series of quite erroneous and misleading Guidelines and Norms for Acolytes and Readers. Article 49 p. 15, with regard to the moment of the consecration, after recalling the possible incensing of the consecrated host and chalice, with zeal worthy of the best of causes affirms: «At this point candles, altar bells, masters of ceremonies and other ministers should not appear since they would only function like the old altar rails which prevented the people from seeing and participating in the Mystery being celebrated on the altar. With regard to the use of the altar bell, in actual fact, the Coerimoniale Episcoporum [Ceremonial of Bishops] at point 150 states, according to local use, but in our diocesan Church the altar bell is no longer in use». [How sad.]
Apart from the equalling of persons and things, and ignorance with regard to the significance and function of the Altar Rails in the West (Iconostasis in the East) which in Judaism and in early Christian times distinguished the sanctuary or presbyterium from the nave or hall, it would seem, for the author of the norms, that the Mystery is better seen without this “area”, “presbyterial or ministerial” as it is called today - and therefore better participated. Poor Torchères and Altar Rails guilty of not allowing the faithful to participate! - we will not include Iconostasis, because it is not right to criticise Eastern Christians - Where the rails have been dismantled faith would not seem to have increased. [If anything, it has decreased in respect to the sanctuary.] We will save the patrimony of the faith precisely by leaving it in its own habitat which is the Liturgy, not relegating it to diocesan museums and church concerts.

As far as the Altar Bell is concerned, resolutely, as in many cases, one person decides for all that “the bell is no longer in use”. But in many of our churches the bell is still heard because, so I am told, despite much effort on the part of the ministers, the faithful tend to be distracted [Not in sync with the Mass.] and the bell, much more discreetly than any verbal reminder, fosters devotion at the most solemn moment. [Calls the faithful to worship God, truly present on the Altar. Sorry to wake you, folks, Christ is present!] With its sound the little altar bell - like the great church bells - stirs our eternal memory of God. Or do we intend to abolish church bells too? At least, the end of the Guidelines and Norms for Acolytes and Readers in question conclude: «…the Church does not provide us with intangible Liturgies regulated everywhere with strict rules. She offers a choice and opportunity for adaptation». In other words forget about “guidelines and norms” … it’s up to each to do what he thinks best. Is this the spirit of the Liturgy described by Romano Guardini and Joseph Ratzinger and, in between these two great theologians, by the Council? If the Liturgy is not opus Dei, for His praise and glory, where is the foundation of the ars celebrandi? Urgent attention must be given to formation for future priests, education of the faithful and “liturgists” in primis.[Amen to that!]
(Agenzia Fides 1/3/2007; righe 57, parole 863)

MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 25:11-12)
Redeem me, O Lord, and have pity on me, for my foot stands on the right path. In the assemblies I will bless the Lord. Ps. 25:1. Do me justice, O Lord, for I have walked in innocence, and in the Lord I trust without wavering. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O Almighty God, while Your servants mortify their bodies by fasting, may they also follow after righteousness and avoid sin. Through Our Lord . . .

READING (Dan. 9:15-19)
In those days, Daniel prayed to the Lord, saying, "O Lord, our God, who hast brought forth thy people out of the land of Egypt, with a strong hand, and hast made thee a name as at this day: we have sinned, we have committed iniquity, O Lord, against all thy justice: let thy wrath and thy indignation be turned away, I beseech thee, from thy city, Jerusalem, and from thy holy mountain. For by reason of our sins, and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem, and thy people, are a reproach to all that are round about us.
"Now, therefore, O our God, hear the supplication of thy servant, and his prayers: and shew thy face upon thy sanctuary, which is desolate, for thy own sake. Incline, O my God, thy ear, and hear: open thy eyes, and see our desolation, and the city upon which thy name is called: for it is not for our justifications that we present our prayers before thy face, but for the multitude of thy tender mercies. O Lord, hear: O Lord, be appeased: hearken, and do: delay not, for thy own sake, O my God: because thy name is invocated upon thy city, and upon thy people."

GRADUAL (Ps. 69:6, 3)
Help me and deliver me, O Lord, make no delay! V. Let my enemies who seek my life be put to shame and confounded.

TRACT (Ps. 102:10; 78:8-9)
O Lord, repay us not according to the sins we have committed, nor according to our iniquities. V. O Lord, remember not our iniquities of the past; let Your mercy come quickly to us, for we are being brought very low. (All kneel.) V. Help us, O God our Savior, and for the glory of Your name. O Lord, deliver us; and pardon us our sins for Your name's sake.

GOSPEL (John 8:21-29)
At that time, Jesus said to them: "I go: and you shall seek me. And you shall die in your sin. Whither I go, you cannot come." The Jews therefore said: "Will he kill himself, because he said: Whither I go you cannot come?"
And he said to them: "You are from beneath: I am from above. You are of this world: I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you shall die in your sins. For if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sin." They said therefore to him: "Who art thou?" Jesus said to them: "The beginning, who also speak unto you. Many things I have to speak and to judge of you. But he that sent me, is true: and the things I have heard of him, these same I speak in the world." And they understood not that he called God his Father.
Jesus therefore said to them: "When you shall have lifted up, the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he and that I do nothing of myself. But as the Father hath taught me, these things I speak. And he that sent me is with me: and he hath not left me alone. For I do always the things that please him."

OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 15:7, 8)
I bless the Lord, who has given me understanding. I set the Lord ever before me; with Him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, protect us through this sacrifice which we offer to atone for our sins and to give glory to You. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 8:2)
O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your name over all the earth!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, may this Communion cleanse us from sin, and bestow upon us spiritual health from heaven. Through Our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
Hear our petitions, O Almighty God. Your love has given us hope; let Your unfailing mercy protect us. Through Our Lord . . .

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

Knowing what Christ taught and lived, we perceive the contrast between what we are and what we are meant to be. What we are, if patiently accepted, is a help toward that Christian humility which is the foundation of personal holiness. Original sin and personal sins have upset our inner harmony. Still, even though appetites are greedy, they are not our masters.
"God has called us unto holiness" -- that is, to be mature, balanced, happy Christians who share the responsibility of bringing persons of every race to holiness in Christ. Inner transformation ought to shine outwardly in apostolic zeal. resurrection to glory is life's reward.

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 24:6, 3, 22)

Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your mercy are from of old, that my enemies may never rule over us. Deliver us from all our distress, O God of Israel. Ps. 24:1-2. I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord; in You, O my God, I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, You see that we are completely powerless of ourselves. Protect us from bodily and spiritual dangers, so that we may not be harmed by physical misfortunes and evil thoughts. Through our Lord . . .

READING (I Thess. 4:1-7)
Brethren: For the rest therefore, brethren, pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus that, as you have received from us, how you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.
For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: That you should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God: And that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification, in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

GRADUAL (Ps. 24:17-18)
The cares of my heart are multiplied; deliver me from my distress, O Lord. V. See my wretchedness and my suffering, and forgive all my sins.

TRACT (Ps. 105:1-4)
Give glory to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. V. Who shall tell the mighty deeds of the Lord; who shall proclaim all His praises? V. Blessed are they who keep the precepts, who do what is just at all times. V. Remember us, O Lord, in Your benevolence towards Your people; visit us with Your saving help.

GOSPEL (Matt. 17: 1-9)
At that time, Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him." And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: "Arise, and fear not." And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus.
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: "Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead."

OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 118:47, 48)
I will meditate on Your commandments, which I love dearly; and I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I cherish.

SECRET PRAYER
Look with favor upon these offerings, O Lord, that they may be an aid to our devotion and to our salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 5:2-4)
Hear my call for help and hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God; for to You I pray, O Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Almighty God, we humbly ask that those who are nourished with Your Sacrament may live a life of worthy service pleasing to You. Through Our Lord . . .

EMBER SATURDAY IN SPRING

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 87:3)

Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my call for help, O Lord. Ps. 87:2. O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and by night in Your presence. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
V. Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise!

Look with mercy upon Your people,O Lord, and in Your pity spare them from the punishment they deserve. Through our Lord . . .

FIRST LESSON (Deut. 26:12-19)

In those days, Moses spoke to the people, saying, "When thou hast made an end of tithing all thy fruits, in the third year of tithes thou shalt give it to the Levite, and to the stanger, and to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled: And thou shalt speak thus in the sight of the Lord thy God: 'I have taken that which was sanctified out of my house, and I have given it to the Levite, and to the stranger, and to the fatherless, and to the widow, as thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments nor forgotten thy precepts. I have not eaten of them in my mourning, nor separated them for any uncleanness, nor spent any thing of them in funerals. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, and have done all things as thou hast commanded me. Look from thy sanctuary, and thy high habitation of heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou didst swear to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.'
" This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these commandments and judgments: and to keep and fulfil them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast chosen the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways and keep his ceremonies, and precepts, and judgments, and obey his command. And the Lord hath chosen thee this day, to be his peculiar people, as he hath spoken to thee, and to keep all his commandments: And to make thee higher than all nations which he hath created, to his own praise, and name, and glory: that thou mayst be a holy people of the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken."

GRADUAL (Ps. 78:9, 10)

Pardon us our sins, O Lord, lest the nations ever say, "Where is their God?" V. Help us, O God our Savior; and for the glory of Your name, O Lord, deliver us.

PRAYER

V. Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise!

Look with kindness upon us, O God our Protector. remove the burden of sin that oppresses us, so that we may serve you with untroubled minds. Through our Lord . . .

SECOND LESSON (Deut. 11:22-25)

In those days, Moses said to the children of Israel, "For if you keep the commandments which I command you, and do them, to love the Lord your God, and walk in all his ways, cleaving unto him, The Lord will destroy all these nations before your face, and you shall possess them, which are greater and stronger than you. Every place, that your foot shall tread upon, shall be yours. From the desert, and from Libanus, from the great river Euphrates unto the western sea shall be your borders. None shall stand against you: the Lord your God shall lay the dread and fear of you upon all the land that you shall tread upon, as he hath spoken to you."

GRADUAL (Ps. 83:10, 9)

O God our Protector, look, and gaze upon Your servants. V. O Lord, God of hosts, hear the prayers of Your servants.

PRAYER

V. Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise!

O Lord, hear our pleas and grant that we may be humble in prosperity and untroubled in misfortune. Through our Lord . . .

THIRD LESSON (II Mach. 1:23-26, 27)

In those days, all the priests made prayer, while the sacrifice was consuming, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering. And the prayer of Nehemias was after this manner: "O Lord God, Creator of all things, dreadful and strong, just and merciful, who alone art the good king, Who alone art gracious, who alone art just, and almighty, and eternal, who deliverest Israel from all evil, who didst choose the fathers, and didst sanctify them: Receive the sacrifice for all thy people Israel, and preserve thy own portion, and sanctify it. Gather together our scattered people, deliver them that are slaves to the Gentiles, that the Gentiles may know that thou art our God."

GRADUAL (Ps. 89:13, 1)

Turn a little, O Lord, and be moved by the entreaties for Your servants. V. O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generations.

PRAYER

V. Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise!

O Lord, we beg You, kindly hear the prayers of Your people. We are being justly punished for our sins, but be merciful and free us for the glory of Your name. Through our Lord . . .

FOURTH LESSON (Eccli. 36:1-10)

Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and shew us the light of thy mercies: And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that they may shew forth thy wonders. Lift up thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see thy power. For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence, That they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there is no God beside thee, O Lord. Renew thy signs, and work new miracles.
Glorify thy hand, and thy right arm. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath. Take away the adversary, and crush the enemy. Hasten the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy wonderful works.

GRADUAL (Ps. 140:2)

Let my prayer come like incense before Your sight, O Lord. V. The lifting up of my hands, like an evening sacrifice.

PRAYER

V. Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise!

O Lord, let our actions be promoted by Your inspiration and accompanied by Your help, so that every prayer and work of ours may begin from You, and through You be completed. Through our Lord . . .

FIFTH LESSON (Dan. 3:47-56)

In those days, the angel of the Lord went down with Azarias and his companions into the furnace: and he drove the flame of the fire out of the furnace, And made the midst of the furnace like the blowing of a wind bringing dew, and the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them, nor did them any harm. Then these three, as with one mouth, praised and glorified and blessed God, in the furnace, saying:
Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers; and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever: and blessed is the holy name of thy glory: and worthy to be praised and exalted above all, in all ages.
Blessed art thou in the holy temple of thy glory: and exceedingly to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and worthy to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.
All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
O ye heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

who is worthy to be praised and glorified forever.

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

Who is worthy to be praised and glorified forever.

Blessed are You, O Lord the God of our fathers:

and worthy to be praised and glorified forever.

PRAYER

O God, who protected the three young men from the flames of fire, grant that the flames of sin may not consume us, Your servants. Through our Lord . . .

READING (I Thess. 5:14-23)

Brethren: And we beseech you, rebuke the unquiet: comfort the feeble minded: support the weak: be patient towards all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other and towards all men. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all. Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

TRACT (Ps. 116:1-2)

Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise Him in unison, all you peoples! V. For His mercy is steadfast towards us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

GOSPEL (Matt. 17:1-9)

At that time, Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: "Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."
And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him." And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: "Arise, and fear not." And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus.

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: "Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead."

OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 87:2-3)

O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and by night in Your presence. let my prayer come before You, O Lord.

SECRET PRAYER

O Lord, sanctify our fasting by these offerings, so that our acts of penance may interiorly accomplish in us the effect that they outwardly signify. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 7:2)

O Lord, my God, in You have I placed my trust; save me from all my persecutors, and rescue me.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER

Almighty God, may the grace of this Sacrament cure our sinfulness and be an everlasting remedy for our weakness. Through our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O God, strengthen Your people with the blessing they ask, so that they may always be obedient to Your will and rejoice in Your gifts. Through our Lord . . .

EMBER FRIDAY IN SPRING

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 24:17-18)
Deliver me from my distress, O Lord. See my affliction and my suffering, and forgive all my sins. Ps. 24:1-2. I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord; in You, O my God, I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O Lord, be merciful towards Your people. Comfort them with Your loving help, as You have kept them loyal to You. Through our Lord . . .

READING (Ezech. 18:20-28)
The soul that sinneth, the same shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, and the father shall not bear the iniquity of the son: the justice of the just shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked do penance for all his sins which he hath committed, and keep all my commandments, and do judgment, and justice, living he shall live, and shall not die. I will not remember all his iniquities that he hath done: in his justice which he hath wrought, he shall live. Is it my will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways, and live? But if the just man turn himself away from his justice, and do iniquity according to all the abominations which the wicked man useth to work, shall he live? all his justices which he hath done, shall not be remembered: in the prevarication, by which he hath prevaricated, and in his sin, which he hath committed, in them he shall die. And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear ye, therefore, O house of Israel: Is it my way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse? For when the just turneth himself away from his justice, and comitteth iniquity, he shall die therein: in the injustice that he hath wrought he shall die. And when the wicked turneth himself away from his wickedness, which he hath wrought, and doeth judgment, and justice: he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth and turneth away himself from all his iniquities which he hath wrought, he shall surely live, and not die.

GRADUAL (Ps. 85:2, 6)
Save Your servant who trusts in You, O my God. V. Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer.

TRACT (Ps. 102:10; 78:8-9)
O Lord, repay us not according to the sins we have committed, nor according to our iniquities. V. O Lord, remember not our iniquities of the past; let Your mercy come quickly to us, for we are being brought very low. (All kneel.) V. Help us, O God our Savior, and for the glory of Your name, O Lord, deliver us; and pardon us our sins for Your name's sake.

GOSPEL (John 5:1-15)
At that time, there was a festival day of the Jews: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem a pond, called Probatica, which in Hebrew is named Bethsaida, having five porches.
In these lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered: waiting for the moving of the water. And an angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pond and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water was made whole of whatsoever infirmity he lay under.
And there was a certain man there that had been eight and thirty years under his infirmity. Him when Jesus had seen lying, and knew that he had been now a long time, he saith to him: "Wilt thou be made whole?" The infirm man answered him: "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pond. For whilst I am coming, another goeth down before me." Jesus saith to him: "Arise, take up thy bed and walk." And immediately the man was made whole: and he took up his bed and walked. And it was the sabbath that day.
The Jews therefore said to him that was healed: "It is the sabbath. It is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed." He answered them: "He that made me whole, he said to me: Take up thy bed and walk." They asked him therefore: "Who is that man who said to thee: Take up thy bed and walk?" But he who was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus went aside from the multitude standing in the place. Afterwards, Jesus findeth him in the temple and saith to him: "Behold thou art made whole: sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee." The man went his way and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.

OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 102:2, 5)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; and your youth shall be renewed like that of the eagle.

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, accept our offering as a mark of our worship, and in Your mercy sanctify the gifts we bring You. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 6:11)
Let all my enemies be put to shame in utter terror; let them be turned back in sudden shame.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, may this sacred rite wash away our sins and fulfill our reasonable desires. Through our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O God of Mercy, hear us and enlighten our minds with Your grace. Through our Lord . . .

THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN LENT

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 95:6)
Praise and beauty go before him; holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary. Ps. 95:1. Sing to the Lord a new canticle; sing to the Lord, all the earth. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O Lord, look with favor upon the devotion of Your people. As we mortify our bodies through abstinence, may our minds be refreshed by this good work. Through our Lord . . .

READING (Ezech. 18:1-9)
In those days, the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "What is the meaning? That you use among you this parable as a proverb in the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge.' As I live", saith the Lord God, "this parable shall be no more to you a proverb in Israel."
"Behold all souls are mine: as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, the same shall die. And if a man be just, and do judgment and justice, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel: and hath not defiled his neighbour's wife, nor come near to a menstruous woman: And hath not wronged any man: but hath restored the pledge to the debtor, hath taken nothing away by violence: hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment: Hath not lent upon usury, nor taken any increase: hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, and hath executed true judgment between man and man: Hath walked in my commandments, and kept my judgments, to do truth: he is just, he shall surely live," saith the Lord God.

GRADUAL (Ps. 16:8, 2)
Keep me as the apple of Your eye, O Lord; protect me under the shadow of Your wings. V. Let my judgment come from You; let my eyes behold what is right.

GOSPEL (Matt. 15:21-28)
At that time, Jesus went from thence, and retired into the coast of Tyre and Sidon. And behold a woman of Canaan who came out of those coasts, crying out, said to him: "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is grievously troubled by a devil." Who answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying: "Send her away, for she crieth after us": And he answering, said: "I was not sent but to the sheep, that are lost of the house of Israel." But she came and adored him, saying: "Lord, help me." Who answering, said: "It is not good to take the bread of the children, and to cast it to the dogs." But she said: "Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus answering, said to her: "O woman, great is thy faith: be it done to thee as thou wilt": and her daughter was cured from that hour.

OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 33:8-9)
The angel of the Lord shall encamp around those who fear Him, and shall deliver them. Taste and see how good is the Lord.

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, may we be brought even closer to our salvation through this sacrifice by uniting our lenten fast with it. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN (John 6:52)
The Bread that I will give is My Flesh for the life of the world.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, support us in this life with Your grace and bring us to a new life in the world to come. Through our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O Lord, grant all Your Christians an understanding of the faith they profess, and a deep love of the heavenly Sacrament they receive. Through our Lord . . .