[Transcriber's notes: This work is derived from https://archive.org/details/CompleteManualOfCatholicPiety/page/n5. The Author's Side notes and comments are indented. In HTML they are also in a slightly smaller font, as in the original text.]

The Complete Manual Of Catholic Piety;

Containing
A Selection Of Fervent Prayers,
Pious Reflections, And Solid Instructions,
Adapted To Every State Of Life.

To Which Is Annexed A Supplement,
Containing Excellent And Approved
Devotions, With The Epistles And
Gospels For All The Sundays And
Festivals Of The Year.

By The Rev. William Gahan, O.S.A.

DUBLIN:
Published By James Duffy,
25, Anglesea Street.
1844.

Dublin:
Printed By J. M. O'Toole,
33, Abbey-street.

Contents.

Preface.

Of all the means we can employ for our advancement in the great affair of our salvation, Prayer is certainly one of the most powerful. Saint Augustin calls it the Key of Heaven, that unlocks the treasures of God, and gives us free access to the riches of his divine bounty. It was by prayer that Elias, when he pleased, opened and shut the sluices of heaven, and caused fire to descend from above to consume his sacrifice. It was by prayer that Joshua caused the sun to stop in the midst of its course. The prayer of Moses contributed more to the signal victory obtained by Joshua over the army of the Amalekites, than all the weapons of Israel: for as long as his hands were raised up to heaven, his prayers drew down a blessing on the people of God: but no sooner did he let his hands fall, (being unable to keep them in that painful posture,) and had ceased from prayer, than the Amalekites began to prevail.

But if Prayer be so powerful, it is no less necessary: our poverty and indigence; our manifold wants, infirmities, and miseries; the various dangers to which we are continually exposed; the frequent temptations we have to encounter; our absolute insufficiency of ourselves, and inability to do the least good without the grace of God; are corroborating proofs of the indispensable necessity of Prayer.

Though every good gift comes from the Father of Lights, who knows our wants, and is always inclined to relieve us, yet he requires that we have recourse in all our necessities, corporal and spiritual, to the throne of his mercy, under the assurance that whatever we ask with confidence, humility, piety, and perseverance, in the name of Jesus, shall be granted.

However, the idea of Prayer is not to be confined to that of Petition, as frequently happens. Many Christians, indeed, pray to God; but where are they to be found, who, like David, are incessantly employed in singing the mercies of the Lord, and have the remembrance of them deeply engraven in their hearts? They call upon God, to represent to him their wants, either temporal or spiritual; they appear only in his presence with a hand lifted up to receive, as if they imagined he was indebted to them, and that he never gave them enough. They have a heart but to wish, and a tongue but to ask. Their wants are eloquent and pressing, their gratitude cold and silent; for how seldom do they think of appearing before him to bless and praise him, and to celebrate the wonders of his love for us! Alas! to recollect his benefits, to thank him for them, to feel confused at the sight of their own ingratitude, to excite themselves, from this motive, to confidence and love, to be ready to do all, to suffer all, for a God who has shown them so much goodness, is a practice which is known but to a small number of fervent souls. We are all earnest in asking; but in general so deficient in thanksgiving, that, like the Lepers in the Gospel, it is to be feared not above one in ten gives due thanks to God for the blessings received.

Nevertheless, nothing would be more pleasing to God, nor more proper to draw down upon us new graces.

To facilitate, therefore, the exercise of this important duty, certain forms of vocal prayers have always been recommended, particularly such as have been used by the Saints, and drawn from the divine Psalms, which are so full of sublime ideas, of tender sentiments of piety, of fervent aspirations, of transports and raptures in God, that all the subjects of Prayer which are suitable either to the penitent way, the illuminative way, or the unitive way, are to be met with therein.

The Manual now offered to the piety of Irish Catholics, will be found, on a diligent perusal, to have no small claim to this merit. The many editions it has gone through, the high esteem it is held in by interior souls, the constant and universal demand for it, is all we shall say in its praise.

To render it still more acceptable and more complete, the present edition has been very considerably enlarged, improved, and enriched with Instructions and Devotions for Confirmation; with an explanation of the Latin Liturgy, and of the Ceremonies used in the sacrifice of the Mass, and different pious methods of assisting thereat; with particular Devotions for every day in the Week; in short, with a great variety of Sacred Hymns of praise and thanksgiving, and of spiritual Exercises of Piety for several occasions, taken from the most approved Books of Devotion in the French and English Language. [Footnote 1]

[Footnote 1: See the Supplement attached to this Book.]

A Table Of Moveable Feasts.

DL = Dominical Letter
Year DL Ash Easter Ascension Whit Corpus 1st Sunday
of our Wed Sunday Thursday Sunday Christi in Advent.
Lord
1844 GF 21 Feb 7 Apr 16 May 26 May 6 June 1 Dec
1845 E 5 Feb 23 Mar 1 May 11 May 22 May 30 Nov
1846 D 25 Feb 12 Apr 21 May 31 May 11 June 29 Nov
1847 C 17 Feb 4 Apr 13 May 23 May 8 June 28 Nov
1848 BA 8 Mar 23 Apr 1 June 11 June 22 June 3 Dec
1849 G 21 Feb 8 Apr 17 May 27 May 7 June 2 Dec
1850 F 13 Feb 31 Mar 9 May 19 May 30 May 1 Dec
1851 E 5 Mar 20 Apr 29 May 8 June 19 June 30 Nov
1852 DC 25 Feb 11 Apr 20 May 30 May 10 June 28 Nov
1853 B 9 Feb 27 Mar 5 May 15 May 26 May 27 Nov
1854 A 1 Mar 16 Apr 25 May 4 June 15 June 3 Dec
1855 G 21 Feb 8 Apr 17 May 27 May 7 June 2 Dec
1856 FE 6 Feb 23 Mar 1 May 11 May 22 May 30 Nov
1857 D 25 Feb 12 Apr 21 May 31 May 11 June 29 Nov
1858 C 17 Feb 4 Apr 13 May 23 May 3 June 28 Nov
1859 B 9 Mar 24 Apr 2 June 12 June 23 June 27 Nov
1860 AG 22 Feb 8 Apr 17 May 27 May 7 June 2 Dec
1861 F 13 Feb 31 Mar 9 May 19 May 30 May 1 Dec
1862 E 5 Mar 20 Apr 29 May 8 June 19 June 30 Nov
1863 D 18 Feb 5 Apr 14 May 24 May 4 June 29 Nov
1864 CB 10 Feb 27 Mar 5 May 15 May 26 May 27 Nov
1865 A 1 Mar 16 Apr 25 May 4 June 15 June 3 Dec
1866 G 14 Feb 1 Apr 10 May 20 May 31 May 2 Dec
1867 F 6 Mar 21 Apr 30 May 9 June 20 June 1 Dec
1868 ED 26 Feb 12 Apr 21 May 31 May 11 June 29 Nov
1869 C 10 Feb 28 Mar 6 May 16 May 27 May 28 Nov
1870 B 2 Mar 17 Apr 26 May 5 June 16 June 27 Nov
1871 A 22 Feb 9 Apr 18 May 28 May 8 June 3 Dec
1872 GF 13 Feb 31 Mar 9 May 19 May 30 May 1 Dec
1873 E 26 Feb 13 Apr 22 May 1 June 12 June 30 Nov
1874 D 18 Feb 5 Apr 14 May 24 May 4 June 29 Nov
[Transcriber's note: The following table is from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominical_letter.
A: common year starting on Sunday (or ending on Sunday)
B: common year starting on Saturday (or ending on Saturday)
C: common year starting on Friday (or ending on Friday)
D: common year starting on Thursday (or ending on Thursday)
E: common year starting on Wednesday (or ending on Wednesday)
F: common year starting on Tuesday (or ending on Tuesday)
G: common year starting on Monday (or ending on Monday)
AG: leap year starting on Sunday (or ending on Monday)
BA: leap year starting on Saturday (or ending on Sunday)
CB: leap year starting on Friday (or ending on Saturday)
DC: leap year starting on Thursday (or ending on Friday)
ED: leap year starting on Wednesday (or ending on Thursday)
FE: leap year starting on Tuesday (or ending on Wednesday)
GF: leap year starting on Monday (or ending on Tuesday)]

Feasts And Fasts
Throughout The Year.

Holy-days On Which There Is A Strict Obligation To Hear Mass, And Refrain From Servile-works.

All Sundays in the Year.
Ascension of our Lord.
Corpus Christi.
January 1—The Circumcision of our Lord.
January 6—The Epiphany.
March 17—The Feast of St Patrick.
March 25—The Annunciation of the B.V.M.
June 29—St. Peter and St. Paul.
August 15—Assumption of the B.V.M.
November 1—Feast of All Saints.
December 25—Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[The obligation is taken away on all other days, by decrees of Popes Pius VI. and VIII.]

Fasting Days On One Meal.

All the Days in Lent, except Sundays.

The Eve of Whitsuntide.

The Quarter-tenses, or Ember-days, being the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, next after the first Sunday of Lent; after Whit-Sunday; after September 14th: and after December 13th.

The Eves of St. Peter and St. Paul; of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; of All Saints; and of Christmas-day.

The Fridays and Saturdays in Advent.

Days Of Abstinence From Flesh Meat.

All the Sundays in Lent, except when the use of meat is allowed by the Archbishop or Bishop of the diocese.

All the Fridays throughout the Year.

N. B.—Eggs are forbidden on Fridays, when a fast falls on them; and if a Fasting Day fall on a Sunday, the fast is kept on the Saturday before. If Christmas-day fall on a Friday, neither fast nor abstinence is observed.

N.B.—The Catholic Church commands all her children to be present at the great Eucharistic Sacrifice, which we call the Mass, and to rest from servile work, on Sundays and Holy-days.

Secondly—To abstain from flesh on all the days of fasting and abstinence, and on fasting days to eat but one meal.

Thirdly—To confess their sins at least once a year.

Fourthly—To receive the blessed sacrament at least once a year, and that at Easter, viz., between Palm and Low Sundays.

The time appointed in the Archdioceses of Dublin, for complying with the Easter Duty, begins an Ash-Wednesday, and terminates on Ascension Day. They who, without some reasonable cause, neglect this important duty, are liable to be excommunicated whilst living, and when they die, to be deprived of Christian burial, according to the fourth Council of Lateran, can. 21.

Marriage cannot be contracted by persons within the fourth degree of kindred without a dispensation, and if attempted is invalid. Spiritual kindred, contracted by baptism or confirmation, is an impediment.

Clandestine marriage is that which is not performed by the pastor of one of the party, with certificate, or by another priest, with his license, and in the presence of two or three witnesses.

Clandestine marriages are unlawful, and forbidden by the church; and are null or invalid in all the dioceses of Ireland, as the Decree of the Council of Trent, which annuls clandestine marriages, has duly been received in them all, 2nd December, 1827, and was in force thirty days after, or 1st January, 1828.

The solemnizing of marriage is forbidden from the first Sunday in Advent till after Twelfth-day; and from the beginning of Lent till Easter-Sunday. At all other times it may be solemnized.

Plenary Indulgences

Plenary Indulgences are granted to the faithful of this kingdom by complying with the usual conditions:—

On the feast of St. Patrick, or any day within the octave.
Item, on the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, or any day within the octave.
Item, at the hour of death, to such as devoutly invoke the sacred name of Jesus, at least with the heart.

The other Indulgences which are granted to the faithful of the Archdioceses of Dublin, on the feasts of the Nativity of our Lord, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, the Resurrection, the Ascension, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, on the five principal festivals of the Blessed Virgin, and the feast of All Saints, &c, are commonly published from the altars.

Note.—By an Indulgence is meant a relaxation or remission of the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven, both as to the guilt and eternal punishment. Some Indulgences are called plenary; because, when the full effect of them is gained, they remit all the debt of temporal punishment: others are called partial; for example, an Indulgence of forty or an hundred days, or of three, seven, ten, fifteen, or more years; because the penitent is only thereby released in part, or from such a proportion of the debt of temporal punishment as was formerly enjoined by the penitential canons, according to the enormity of the crimes committed, and as would have been remitted by God, had the penitent undergone, for such a space of time, the severe canonical penances which were in use in the Church until the twelfth century.

The direct and immediate effect, therefore, of an Indulgence is, to remit the debt of temporal punishment, and not to pardon or remit sin, as it supposes sin already forgiven. But the sinner's repentance being seldom so perfect as to release him entirely from the whole punishment he deserves, on account of the injury he has committed against the Divine Majesty, there usually remains some debt of temporal punishment to be discharged, either in this world or in the next. For though the mercy of God is moved by a true repentance, to pardon the guilt and eternal punishment due in hell for mortal sin; yet his justice often substitutes in its place, and reserves some debt of temporal punishment, to which the repenting sinner is liable on account of his past sins; as appears evidently from several remarkable instances recorded in holy writ, particularly Adam, King David, Manasses, the Israelites, &c.

It is to discharge and cancel this debt of temporal punishment, that works of penance are enjoined in the sacred tribunal of Confession; and that the Catholic Church, like a compassionate and indulging mother, opens her spiritual treasures from time to time, to supply the wants and make up the deficiency of her children. In virtue of the power given to her by Jesus Christ, and in imitation of St. Paul, (2 Cor. x.) and several other renowned doctors and pastors who flourished in the purest ages of Christianity, she grants indulgences to such of the faithful as are properly disposed, and apply with fervour to those works of piety and religion, charity and penance, that are required on their part, as conditions necessary to gain the benefit of an indulgence.

The Manner Of Lay Persons Baptizing An Infant In Danger Of Death.

Take common water, pour it on the head or face of the child, and while you are pouring it, say the following words: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

The Roman Calendar
For The Kingdom Of Ireland:

Containing

The Feasts and Fasts of the said Kingdom, the Irish Saints, and Patrons of each Diocese; all on their proper days.

Explanations.

The Festivals of the Holy-Days are in small capital Letters.

The Irish Saints are marked in Italic Letters.

The Founders of Religious Orders are marked thus, †

Note.—Ap. signifies Apostle, M. Martyr, B. Bishop, Ab. Abbot, C. Confessor, V. Virgin, D. Diocese.

Calendar.

January, 31 Days.

Feast of the most holy Name of Jesus, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany.

February, 28 Days.

In Leap-years February hath 29 days, and the Feast of St. Matthias is kept on the 25th.

March, 31 Days.

The Feast of the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Friday after Passion Sunday.

April, 30 Days.

May, 31 Days.

June, 30 Days.

July, 31 Days.

August, 31 Days.

September, 30 Days.

Festival of holy Name of Blessed Virgin Mary, Sunday within Octave of Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary.—Seven Dolors, 3rd Sunday in September.

October, 31 Days.

Feast of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1st Sunday in October. Anniversary of the Dedication of the Churches of Ireland, 2d Sunday in October.

November, 30 Days.

December, 31 Days.

Morning Prayer.

Morning Prayer is a duty which God requires as the first fruits of the day:—most religiously then should it be consecrated to him. The success of our actions for the rest of the day, depends in a great measure upon this first duty. To begin the day without imploring God's grace, and thanking him sincerely for the repose of the night, is certainly to expose ourselves to infinite danger.

But before prayer, recollect yourself a moment; think what you are, of yourself and what God is, to whom you are going to speak. You will thus conceive the importance of the action, and the sentiments of humility, of regret for your faults, of attention, respect, and modesty, of fervour, love, and confidence, with which you should address him.

Awaking in the Morning, say:

O my God, my only good, the author of my being, and my last end, I offer thee my heart. Praise, honour, and glory be to thee, for ever and ever. Amen.

At Up-rising, say:

+ In the name of the Father,
+ and of the Son,
+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

I will arise from this bed of sleep, to adore my God, and to labour for the salvation of my soul. O! may I arise on the last day to life everlasting!

While clothing yourself, say:

O my God, clothe my soul with the nuptial robe of charity, and grant that I may carry it pure and undefiled before thy judgment-seat.

When clothed, kneel down, and say:

+ In the name of the Father, &c. Amen.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for evermore. Amen.

Come, O Holy Ghost, take possession of my heart, and enkindle therein the fire of thy divine love. Amen.

Attend seriously to the presence of God; return him thanks for his benefits; and offer yourself to him without reserve.

O eternal God! most holy and adorable Trinity! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the beginning and end of all things; in whom we live, move, and have our being; I firmly believe that thou art here present; I adore thee with the most profound humility; I praise thee; I give thee thanks from the bottom of my heart, for having created me after thine own image and likeness, and redeemed me with the precious blood of thy Son; for having hitherto preserved me, and brought me safe to the beginning of this day. Behold, O Lord, I offer thee my whole being, and in particular all my thoughts, words, and actions, together with such crosses and contradictions as I may meet with in the course of this day. I consecrate them entirely to the glory of thy name, in union with those of Jesus Christ my Saviour, that, through his infinite merits, they may find acceptance in thy sight. Give them, O Lord, thy blessing. May thy divine love animate them; and may they all tend to the greater honour of thy Sovereign Majesty. Amen.

Resolve to avoid evil, and to do good.

Adorable Jesus! divine model of that perfection to which all Christians should aspire; I will endeavour this day, after thy example, to be mild, humble, chaste, zealous, patient, charitable, and resigned. Incline my heart, O Lord, to keep thy commandments. I am resolved to watch over myself with the greatest diligence and circumspection, and to live soberly, justly, and piously for the time to come. I will place a guard on my mouth, and a gate of prudence before my lips, that I may not offend with my tongue. I will turn away my eyes, that they may not see vanity; and I will be particularly attentive not to relapse into my accustomed failings; but will struggle against them, and with thy gracious assistance, correct them. Enlighten my mind, O Lord; purify my heart, and guide my steps, that I may pass this and the remaining days of my life in thy divine service. Amen.

Implore the necessary Graces.

Thou knowest, O God, my weakness; thou knowest that I am so poor and destitute, that I cannot do, or even think of any good, without thy assistance; arise, therefore, to my help, and strengthen me with thy grace, that I may fervently execute what I have firmly resolved, and not only avoid all the evil thou forbiddest; but also perform all the good thou commandest.

The Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Angelical Salutation.

Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.

The Confiteor.

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever a Virgin, to blessed Michael the archangel, to blessed John the baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary ever a Virgin, the blessed Michael the archangel, the blessed John the baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

May almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen.

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.

Invoke the blessed Virgin, your Angel guardian, and your Patron Saint.

O holy Virgin! Mother of God! my advocate and patroness! pray for thy poor servant; prove thyself a mother to me. And thou, O blessed Spirit! my Guardian Angel, whom God in his mercy hath appointed to watch over me, intercede for me this day, that I may not stray from the paths of virtue. Our glorious apostle St. Patrick, and thou also, O happy saint, whose name I bear, pray for me, that I may serve God faithfully in this life, as thou hast done, and with thee glorify him eternally in heaven. Amen.

Indulgences

To Be Obtained By The Faithful, Who Devoutly Repeat Acts Of Faith, Hope, And Charity.

A Plenary Indulgence once a month, is obtained by those who repeat Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, devoutly, once every day; and who, on any day of that month, shall confess and receive the holy Communion, and pray for peace and concord among Christian princes, for the extirpation of heresy, and the exaltation of the Catholic Church; granted by Pope Benedict XIII. the 25th of January, 1728, and confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV. the 28th of January, 1756; who further granted the application thereof for the relief of the souls in purgatory; and also an Indulgence of seven years' and seven forty days' penance, to all the faithful, as often as they devoutly repeat the same. Pope Clement XIV. the 5th of April, 1772, made this Indulgence perpetual to the Catholics of this kingdom; but requires an Act of Contrition to be made previous to the Acts of Faith. Hope, and Charity. This Indulgence may be applied also for the relief of the souls in purgatory.

Acts Of
Faith, Hope, And Charity,

A Prayer Before The Acts.

O almighty and eternal God! grant unto us an increase of Faith, Hope, and Charity; and that we may obtain what thou hast promised, make us love and practise what thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Act Of Contrition.

O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended thee; and I detest my sins most sincerely, because they are displeasing to thee, my God, whom I should have never ceased to adore and love. I now firmly purpose, by the assistance of thy holy grace, never more to offend thee; and to avoid for the future, to the utmost of my power, all dangerous occasions which might expose me to sin.

An Act Of Faith.

O my God! I firmly believe that thou art one only God, the Creator and Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, infinitely great, infinitely good, and infinitely perfect. I firmly believe that in thee, one only God, there are three Divine Persons, really distinct, and in all things equal, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I firmly believe that God the Son, the second person of the most Holy Trinity, became man; that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and was born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered and died on a cross to redeem and save us: that he arose on the third day from the dead; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father, always living to make intercession for us; that he will come at the end of the world to judge mankind, and render to every one according to his works; that he will reward the good with eternal happiness and condemn the wicked to the everlasting pains of hell. I believe these and all other articles which the Holy Roman Catholic Church proposes to our belief, because thou, my God, the infallible Truth, hast revealed them; and thou hast commanded us to hear the Church, which is the Pillar and the Ground of Truth. In this Faith I am firmly resolved, through thy holy grace, to live and die.

An Act Of Hope.

O my God! who hast graciously promised every blessing, even heaven itself, through Jesus Christ, to those who keep thy commandments: relying on thy power which is infinite, thy mercies, which are over all thy works, and thy promises, to which thou art always faithful, I confidently hope to obtain the pardon of my past sins, which I now detest; grace to serve thee faithfully in this life, by doing the good works thou hast commanded; and eternal happiness in the next, through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

An Act Of Charity.

O my God! my Creator! my Redeemer! my Sovereign Good! whose boundless charity to me has been unceasing, and whose infinite perfections adoring angels behold with unspeakable delight, I love thee with my whole heart and soul, and above all things; and for thy sake I love my neighbour as myself. Oh, teach me, my gracious God, to love thee daily more and more; and mercifully grant that having loved thee on earth, I may love and enjoy thee for ever in heaven.

A Pious Devotion.

For a perpetual glorification of the MOST HOLY TRINITY, and the INCARNATION of our Blessed Redeemer JESUS CHRIST, first instituted in France, with the approbation of Christopher Beaumont, late Archbishop of Paris, and confirmed by a decree of his Holiness Pious VI. issued the 16th May, 1784; who, in order to promote and extend the same, was pleased to grant an Indulgence for the City of Rome, and the Faithful throughout the world, who shall voluntarily associate themselves in the practice of this devotion according to the intention of his Holiness, in the following manner.

Three persons, united in our Lord by the bands of mutual charity, are to engage themselves voluntarily (though without any obligation of conscience) to practise a religious exercise, which consists in adoring the three divine Persons three times a-day, viz. morning, noon, and night, reciting seven Gloria Patris, &c. and one Ave, &c. each time, to adore the Incarnation of the Eternal Word, and in honour of the most holy Virgin Mother of God. These prayers may be said either in common or separately, according to the convenience or inclinations of the persons associated; and in order that these unions may be continued, it is necessary that the associates should be mutually acquainted, that in case of a vacancy by death or otherwise, the loss may be repaired by appointing another; by which means this pious society may be perpetuated to the end of time.

Litany Of The Holy Name Of Jesus.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity one God,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Son of the living God,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Splendour of the Father,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Brightness of Eternal Light,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, King of Glory,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Sun of Justice,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, most amiable,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, most adorable,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, the mighty God,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Father of the World to come,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Angel of the Great Council,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, most powerful,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, most patient,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, most obedient,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Lover of Chastity,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Lover of Peace,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Lover of us,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Author of Life,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Example of Virtues,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, zealous Lover of Souls,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, our God,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, our Refuge,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Father of the Poor,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, good Shepherd,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, true Light,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, eternal Wisdom,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, infinite Goodness,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Joy of Angels,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, King of Patriarchs,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, the Inspirer of the Prophets,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Master of the Apostles,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Strength of Martyrs,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Light of Confessors,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Spouse of Virgins,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Crown of all Saints,
Have mercy on us. Be merciful unto us,
Spare us, O Lord Jesus! Be merciful unto us,
Hear us, O Lord Jesus! From all sin,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From thy wrath,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From the snares of the devil,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From the spirit of uncleanness,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From everlasting death,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From the neglect of thy holy inspirations,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' the mystery of thy holy incarnation,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy nativity,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy divine infancy,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy sacred life,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy labours,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy cross and passion,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy pains and torments,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy death and burial,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy glorious resurrection,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy triumphant ascension,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy joys and glory,
Lord Jesus deliver us. In the day of judgment,
Lord Jesus deliver us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Spare us, O Lord Jesus!
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Hear us, O Lord Jesus!
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus!
Jesus, Master of the Apostles,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Strength of Martyrs,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Light of Confessors,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Spouse of Virgins,
Have mercy on us. Jesus, Crown of all Saints,
Have mercy on us. Be merciful unto us,
Spare us, O Lord Jesus! Be merciful unto us,
Hear us, O Lord Jesus! From all sin,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From thy wrath,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From the snares of the devil,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From the spirit of uncleanness,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From everlasting death,
Lord Jesus deliver us. From the neglect of thy holy inspirations,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' the mystery of thy holy incarnation,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy nativity,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy divine infancy,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy sacred life,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy labours,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy cross and passion,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy pains and torments,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy death and burial,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy glorious resurrection,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy triumphant ascension,
Lord Jesus deliver us. Thro' thy joys and glory,
Lord Jesus deliver us. In the day of judgment,
Lord Jesus deliver us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Spare us, O Lord Jesus!
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Hear us, O Lord Jesus!
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus! Lord Jesus, hear us! Lord Jesus, graciously hear us!

O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said, Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; mercifully attend to our supplications, and grant us the gift of divine charity, that we may ever love thee with our whole hearts, and never cease from praising thy holy name; who liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.

The Salve Regina.

Hail to the Queen who reigns above,
Mother of clemency and love;
Hail thou, our hope, life, sweetness; we,
Eve's banish'd children, cry to thee.
We, from this wretched vale of tears,
Send sighs and groans unto thy ears;
O then, sweet Advocate! bestow
A pitying look on us below.
After this exile let us see
Our blessed Jesus, born of thee.
O merciful, O pious Maid,
O gracious Mary, lend thy aid.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God;
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray.

O Almighty and eternal God! who didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Mary, Mother and Virgin, that by the co-operation of the Holy Ghost she might become a worthy dwelling for thy Son; grant, that as we rejoice in her commemoration, so by her pious intercession we may be delivered both from present evils and everlasting death: through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Angelus Domini.

To be said morning, noon, and night, in memory of the adorable mystery of the Incarnation of our blessed Saviour.

1. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary: and she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail, Mary, &c.

2. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: May it be done unto me according to thy word. Hail, Mary, &c.

3. And the word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail, Mary, &c.

Let Us Pray.

Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of his resurrection: through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Should the duties of your state of life afford you leisure, you may, after Morning Prayers, recite the prayer peculiar to the day, which may be found amongst the "Devotions for every Day in the Week:" meditate also on the proper Reflections of the day, which may be seen amongst the "Pious Reflections for every Day in the Month."

Aspirations And Ejaculations

Which may be secretly repeated in the heart, amidst the ordinary actions of the day.

O my God, grant me the grace never to offend thee.

O my God, teach me to love thee with my whole heart, and soul, and mind, and strength, in time and eternity.

Too late have I known thee, O infinite goodness.

Too late have I loved thee, O eternal beauty.

To thee, O God! to thee alone be all honour, and glory, and praise, and adoration, for ever.

Mortify in me, O Jesus, whatever displeaseth thee; and make me according to thine own heart.

O blessed Jesus; give me grace to learn of thee to be meek and humble of heart, that I may be united with thee, and find rest for my soul.

O my God, and my All! teach me in all things to do thy holy will.

O Lord! keep me from sin, and grant me the grace of a happy death.

O Fountain of all Goodness! have mercy on me.

O my God, grant me the grace to perform all my works with the pure intention of pleasing thee.

Let the name of the Lord be blessed and glorified for ever and ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

Thanks be to God for all his benefits.

Praise be to thee, O Christ; blessed be thy holy name, O Jesus.

O God of my heart, and my portion for ever; O let nothing in life or death ever separate me from thee.

O rather let me die a thousand deaths than offend thee mortally.

"In all thy works aim at perfection."—Ecclesiastes xxxiii. 23.

Prayers For Night.

If it be a duty of the greatest importance to begin the day well, it is, doubtless, one of no less consequence to conclude it properly. The new graces conferred on us daring the course of the day, and the protection we stand in need of against the dangers of the night, are urgent reasons why we should address ourselves to God, and pray to him with the utmost gratitude and fervour.

A daily Examination of Conscience, both in general, with regard to our whole conduct throughout the day, and in particular, with regard to our predominant vice, passion, or evil custom, and the particular virtue we want to acquire, is strongly recommended by all spiritual writers, as one of the most important duties of a Christian life, and the most profitable exercise we can apply ourselves to, both for the avoiding of sin, and the acquiring of virtue. It is a looking-glass, in which we see ourselves in our true colours, and come to the knowledge of our sins and evil inclinations. It is a sponge, by which we wipe away guilt from our souls, and become the more pure before God, the more diligently we practise it. If we do not daily weed the garden of our souls by this holy exercise, the corrupt ground of the heart will naturally produce vices and imperfections in abundance.

The nightly Examination of Conscience makes up the principal part of the last exercise of the day. The method thereof consists in the following acts, viz., of the presence of God, thanksgiving, supplication, examine, sorrow, and good resolutions.

The many single blessings which God has bestowed and does bestow on those families where prayers are regularly said in common, should alone be a sufficient inducement to establish this practice every where, and chiefly at night, when all may be assembled with greater convenience.—"Where two or three persons shall be assembled in my name, there," saith Christ, "shall I be in the midst of them." O Christians, what stronger inducement can we have to procure so great a happiness?

+ In the name of the Father, &c. Amen.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for evermore. Amen.

Come, O Holy Ghost, replenish the hearts of the faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of thy divine love. Amen.

Let us place ourselves in the presence of God,
and humbly adore him.

Impressed with the most lively sense of the presence of thy Eternal Majesty, I adore thee, O my God! I believe in thee, because thou art truth itself; I hope in thee, because thou art faithful to thy word; I love thee with my whole heart, because thou art infinitely amiable and worthy of my love; and, for thy sake, I love my neighbour as myself.

Let us return thanks to God for the favours he has conferred on us.

Enable me, O Lord, to return thee sufficient thanks for all thy inestimable blessings and favours.

Thou hast thought of me, and loved me, from all eternity; thou hast formed me from nothing; thou hast delivered up thy beloved Son to the ignominious death of the cross for my redemption; thou didst preserve me from falling into the abyss of eternal misery, when my sins had often provoked thee to cut the slender thread of my life, which thou heldest in thy all-powerful and chastising hand; and thou still continuest to preserve me, notwithstanding I still continue to offend thee. Alas! my God, what return can I make for the innumerable blessings thou hast conferred on me, during the whole course of my life, as well as for the particular favours of this day? O all ye angels and saints! unite with me in praising the God of Mercies, who is so bountiful to so unworthy a creature.

Let us beg of God to make our sins known to us.

O Eternal Source of Light! who saidst, "Let there be light," and there was light; illuminate the darkness of my understanding, and dispel those shades of ignorance and error, which conceal from me the filth and enormity of my offences. Discover to me, I beseech thee, all the sins I have committed this day, whether in thought, word, deed, or omission; grant me a lively sense of their enormity, in order that I may hold them in the utmost detestation, and dread nothing so much as ever to commit them hereafter.

Let us examine our consciences, and consider where and in what company we have been this day. Let us also call to mind the sins we have committed against God, our neighbour, and ourselves, and reflect whether we have fulfilled the duties of our state of life.

Against God: By omission or negligence in the discharge of our religious duties; irreverence in the church; wilful distractions or inattention at prayer; resistance to the divine grace; oaths; murmurings; want of confidence and resignation. Pause and examine.

Against our Neighbour: By rash judgments; hatred; jealousy; contempt; desire of revenge; quarrelling; passion; imprecations; injuries; detraction; raillery; false reports; damaging, either in goods or reputation; bad example; scandal; want of obedience, respect, charity, or fidelity. Pause and examine.

Against Ourselves: By vanity; human respect; lies; thoughts, desires, discourses, or actions contrary to purity; by intemperance, rage, or impatience; by an useless and sensual life; or by sloth, in not complying with the duties of our state. Pause and examine.

Repeat the General Confession, "I confess," &c. p. 29.

Prayer.

Penetrated with grief, and overwhelmed with confusion, at the sight of my iniquities, I acknowledge myself unworthy, O Lord, to be numbered amongst thy servants, much less to be accounted thy child. Is it possible I could repay such infinite patience and goodness with so much malice and ingratitude? Creator of heaven and earth! I have sinned against thee! I have, alas! offended thee, who are so good, so amiable, and so worthy of my love! Yet, Lord, when I consider that I am the work of thy hands, and the price of the blood of thine only Son, who expired on the cross for my salvation, I cease to despair of thy pardon. It is therefore through his infinite merits, that I implore and hope that thou wilt grant me the forgiveness of my sins. Have pity on me, O eternal Father, and spare me, for the sake of thy beloved Son. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out my iniquities. I am heartily sorry for them, because they are offensive to thee; and shall continue to repent sincerely of them to the very hour of my death. Amen.

Let us make a firm purpose of amendment.

O Almighty and eternal God, I wish from the bottom of my heart, that I had never sinned against thee; but since I have been so unhappy, O grant me now thy grace, that I may never offend thee more. Thou hast said: "I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live." Convert me therefore, and I shall be converted. "Have mercy on me according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my iniquities." I renounce all sin, firmly purposing henceforth to walk in the path of thy commandments. This fixed resolution I am determined to keep, with the assistance of thy grace, purchased for me through the infinite merits of thine only Son, Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Repeat the Lord's Prayer, the Angelical Salutation, the Creed, the Acts of the Theological Virtues, and the Angelus Domini, as in Morning Prayer.

The Litany Of The Blessed Virgin.

Anthem

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God! despise not our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O thou ever glorious and blessed Virgin.

Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary,
Pray for us. Holy Mother of God,
Pray for us. Holy Virgin of Virgins,
Pray for us. Mother^of Christ,
Pray for us. Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us. Most pure Mother,
Pray for us. Most chaste Mother,
Pray for us. Mother undefiled,
Pray for us. Mother unviolated,
Pray for us. Most amiable Mother,
Pray for us. Most admirable Mother,
Pray for us. Mother of our Creator,
Pray for us. Mother of our Redeemer,
Pray for us. Most prudent Virgin,
Pray for us. Most venerable Virgin,
Pray for us. Most renowned Virgin,
Pray for us. Most powerful Virgin,
Pray for us. Most merciful Virgin,
Pray for us. Most faithful Virgin,
Pray for us. Mirror of Justice,
Pray for us. Seat of Wisdom,
Pray for us. Cause of our Joy,
Pray for us. Spiritual Vessel,
Pray for us. Honourable Vessel,
Pray for us. Vessel of singular Devotion,
Pray for us. Mystical Rose,
Pray for us. Tower of David,
Pray for us. Tower of Ivory
Pray for us. House of Gold,
Pray for us. Ark of the Covenant,
Pray for us. Gate of Heaven,
Pray for us. Morning Star,
Pray for us. Health of the Weak,
Pray for us. Refuge of Sinners,
Pray for us. Comforter of the Afflicted,
Pray for us. Help of Christians,
Pray for us. Queen of Angels,
Pray for us. Queen of Patriarchs,
Pray for us. Queen of Prophets,
Pray for us. Queen of Apostles,
Pray for us. Queen of Martyrs,
Pray for us. Queen of Confessors,
Pray for us. Queen of Virgins,
Pray for us. Queen of All Saints,
Pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Graciously hear us, O Lord,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world:
Have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Our Father, &c.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God;
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Prayer.

Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of his resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer.

Bless, O Lord, the repose I am going to take, that by renewing my bodily strength, I may be the better enabled to serve thee. O all ye saints and angels, but especially thou, O Mother of God, intercede for me, not only during this night, and the rest of my life, but more particularly at the hour of my death. Amen.

Another Prayer.

Pour down thy blessings, O Lord, on my parents, benefactors, friends, and on my enemies too, if I have any. Protect my superiors, spiritual and temporal. Help the poor and sick, and those that are in their last agony. Convert all heretics and unbelievers. O God of mercy and goodness! have mercy on the souls of the faithful in purgatory; put an end to their sufferings; and grant to all those for whom I am particularly bound to pray, eternal light, rest, and happiness. Amen.

Hymn

Before the closing of the day,
Creator, we thee humbly pray,
That for thy wonted mercy's sake,
Thou us into protection take.
May nothing in our minds excite
Vain dreams and phantoms of the night;
Our enemy repress, that so
Our bodies no uncleanness know.
In this, most gracious Father, hear,
Through Christ thy equal Son, our prayer;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

Prayer.

Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive away from it all the snares of the enemy; let thy holy angels dwell therein to preserve us in peace; and may thy blessing be upon us for ever; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the divine assistance remain always with us. Amen.

Before you go to bed, read a chapter in some spiritual book. Resolve within yourself on the subject of the next morning's meditation, which may be found amongst the "Pious Reflections for every Day in the Month," and think upon it while you are undressing. When you compose yourself in bed, think on your grave, and how soon death, of which sleep is an image, will be with you; and what your sentiments will then be of all worldly vanities. Offer up your sleep to God, submitting it with a pure intention to his holy will; that by this repose of nature you may recover new vigour of mind and body to serve him. Wish that every breath you are to draw this night, may be so many acts of praise and love of the divine Majesty, like the happy breathings of the angels and saints, who never sleep; and so compose yourself to rest in the arms of your Saviour.

If you awake in the night, renew the offering of yourself to God, saying:

"My soul hath desired thee in the night."
Isaiah, xxvi. 9.

Into thy hands, O Lord, I recommend my spirit: Lord Jesus, receive my soul, &c.

A Prayer Before Sermon, Spiritual Reading, &c.

O incomprehensible Creator, true fountain of light, and only author of all knowledge, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to enlighten our understanding with the rays of thy wisdom, and to chase away from our minds all darkness of sin and ignorance. Thou who makest eloquent the tongues of those that want utterance, pour on our lips, and into our hearts, the grace of thy blessing; give us a diligent and obedient spirit, quickness of apprehension, capacity of retaining, and the continual assistance of thy holy grace: that we may apply whatever we hear, read, or meditate on, to thy honour, and the eternal salvation of our own souls: through, &c. Amen.

On The Mass.

Of all the duties prescribed by our holy religion, the Sacrifice of the Mass is that which is most pleasing to God, and most salutary to man. Here it is that Jesus Christ renews the great mystery of our redemption; here doth he make himself our victim in a real, though unbloody sacrifice, and in person applieth to each of us the merits of that blood, which, hanging on a cross, he was pleased to shed for mankind. This should give us the most sublime idea of the Mass, and make us desire to hear it with the utmost reverence and devotion; for to assist at it irreverently, or without putting a proper restraint on our eyes and our whole exterior, is to dishonour religion, and renew, as far as in us lies, the insults he received on Mount Calvary. To avoid then so great an evil, let us always come to this august sacrifice with the most earnest devotion; let us enter into the spirit of Christ; let us offer ourselves up with him, and as he does; let the church, as we enter it, strike us with awe; let our modesty and recollection be uninterrupted from the beginning to the end thereof; let our hearts, thoughts, and imaginations be, as it were, buried in God, and the interests of our souls.

The Practical Reflections (in small letter) at the head of each prayer, may help to excite our attention.

The Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, usually read on Sundays and Holidays, before Mass, may be found in page 30.

O merciful Father, who didst so love the world as to give up thy only Son to death, even the death of the cross, for our redemption; vouchsafe, through his infinite merits, to accept in our behalf the most holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in the offering of which we are about to participate. We approach thy throne, O Lord, with humble but firm hope, when we remember that we have the price of the world's redemption to lay before thee. That price has been paid by the death of thy ever blessed Son; and among the wondrous means which he has provided for applying the fruits thereof to our souls, we contemplate, with especial gratitude, that enduring memorial of his love, which he instituted at his last supper, whereby he enables us not only to possess within us; in the divine Communion, the very Author of grace, the Victim of propitiation, who died for us on the cross, but also to present him anew to thy acceptance, really present on our altar, as our Advocate and Mediator, through the ministry of his Priests, in the adorable Sacrifice of the Mass.

At this adorable Sacrifice we are now assembled to assist. O Lord, look upon the face of thy Christ; and grant, that while we unite with thy holy Church and its Minister, in offering him before the throne of thy mercy, for all the purposes for which he once shed his most precious blood, we may be made partakers of the one all-atoning sacrifice which he consummated on Calvary.

Bowing down, therefore, in humble adoration, before thy sovereign Majesty, we now offer the most holy Sacrifice of the Mass to thy honour and glory, to acknowledge thy infinite perfections, thy supreme dominion over all thy creatures, our entire subjection to thee, and our total dependance on thy gracious providence.

We offer it to thee in thanksgiving for having created us to thine own image, and destined us for eternal glory; for having redeemed us from the slavery of Satan by the precious blood of thy divine Son; for having called us to the true faith; assisted us by thy graces; borne with our ingratitude; watched over us by thy special providence; blessed us, notwithstanding our utter unworthiness, with the continuance of thy gracious protection; and for all the other innumerable favours which we owe to thy undeserved bounty.

We offer it to move thee to compassion for our spiritual miseries, that thou mayest grant us the gift of compunction and the pardon of our sins.

We offer it for the propagation of the Catholic Faith, that all may be brought into the one fold under the one shepherd; for our most holy Father the Pope, that the spirit of wisdom, and fortitude, and piety, may rest upon him; for our Prelate, and for all the Pastors and Clergy of thy holy Church, that they may direct the faithful in the way of salvation; for the Queen, and for all who are in high station, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life; for concord and good will among all states and people; for the necessities of mankind; for the inhabitants of this parish, particularly for the congregation here present; and to obtain all the blessings that we stand in need of in this life, the happiness of heaven in the next, and eternal rest to the faithful departed.

And as Jesus Christ so ordained, when he instituted at his last supper this wonderful mystery of his power, wisdom, and goodness, we offer the Mass in grateful remembrance of all that he has done and suffered for the love of us, making special commemoration of his bitter passion and death, and of his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven. Vouchsafe, O almighty and eternal God, to whom alone the supreme worship of sacrifice is due, graciously to accept it for these and all other purposes agreeable to thy holy will. We offer it, not confiding in any merits of our own— we offer it through the merits of the same Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son, our High Priest and Victim, and in the name of the most holy Trinity, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to whom be honour, praise, and glory, for ever and ever.

O all ye Angels and Saints who stand before the throne of God, vouchsafe to join in our humble supplications; and thou, above all, O ever blessed Virgin, immaculate mother of God our Saviour, assist us with thy prayers. We know that thou art near to that most loving Son, through whom only we can find access to the throne of grace, and who will refuse thee nothing, that through his infinite merits thou wilt deign to solicit for us. At thy suggestion he wrought the stupendous miracle of changing water into wine. Oh then, beseech him, by all that he has suffered for our salvation, that the still more wondrous prodigy which he is about to perform on our altar, may not, through our unworthiness, be unprofitable to us; that he may move us to assist at it with the deepest awe, the firmest confidence, and the most ardent love; that it may thus ascend in the odour of sweetness to the throne of mercy in our behalf, to be to us an unfailing source of grace here, and a pledge of eternal life hereafter. Amen.

Prayers At Mass. [Footnote 2]

[Footnote 2: For an explanation of the Latin liturgy, and of the sacrifice and sacred ceremonies of the Mass, the reader is referred to the commencement of the Supplement, where also will be found the Ordinary of the Mass, (in English,) as read by the priest at the altar.]

The Beginning Of The Mass.

+

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

It is in thy name, O adorable Trinity, it is to honour thee, and to do thee homage, that I assist at this most holy and august sacrifice. Permit me then, O Lord, to unite my intention with that of thy Minister now at the altar, in offering up this precious victim; and give me the same sentiments I ought to have had on Mount Calvary, had I been an eye-witness of that bloody sacrifice.

At The Confiteor.

Think, in the bitterness of your heart, on all your past sins, and recollect, in a general manner, such of them as are most humiliating. Lay your weaknesses before God, and beg of him to pardon them. Implore his assistance in all your necessities, through the infinite efficacy of this great sacrifice.

I confess, O my God, not only in thy presence, who seest the secrets of hearts, but also in the presence of all the blessed in heaven, and faithful on earth, that I have often and grievously offended thee in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Yes, Lord, I have sinned; I acknowledge to my shame, and with the most bitter regret, that I have ungratefully abused all thy gifts; and therefore I humbly beseech thee, O blessed Virgin Mary, and all ye saints and angels, to intercede for me. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to listen to them; grant to the ardour of their prayers, what thou mayest justly refuse to the coldness of mine; and to their services, that pardon to which my offences can have no claim.

When The Priest Is Going Up To The Altar.

Unite, O Lord, our hearts and wills, and remove from us every thing that may any way make us unfit for appearing in thy sanctuary. Of ourselves we are unworthy to appear in thy presence: therefore we implore the intercession of the saints in our behalf. Grant to their prayers the pardon of all our sins: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

At The Introit.

We beseech thee, O Lord, that we may be truly prepared for the offering of this great sacrifice to thee this day. Our sins alone can render us displeasing to thee, we therefore call aloud to thee for mercy.

At The Kyrie Eleison.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, and forgive us all our sins; and though we have nothing of our own to move thy goodness, let our importunity prevail: have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

At The Gloria In Excelsis.

Conceive a vehement desire of promoting the glory of God, and your neighbour's good. Rejoice with the angels, at the share you nave in these holy mysteries; and form to yourself the highest idea of the majesty of God; and of his Son Jesus Christ.

Who is like unto thee, O almighty God! To whom can the most unlimited tribute of honour, praise, and glory be due, either in heaven or on earth, if not to thee, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and beneficent Creator of the universe! The angels and saints, with unceasing rapture, sing forth thy praises, and glorify thy name in heaven; and shall not I, the work of thy hands, praise thee also on earth? Yes, O Lord! Graciously vouchsafe to accept the homage I now pay thee, and which I purpose fervently to offer thee all the days of my life.

At The Collect.

So called, because the priest lays before God the necessities of all his people; their vows and desires collected, as it were, together; whence, turning to the congregation, he invites them to unite with him in the petition, saying: Oremus, or Let us Pray.

Almighty and eternal God, we humbly beseech thee to look down from thy heavenly sanctuary upon this congregation, and graciously hear these prayers, which thy church addresses to thee for us by the ministry of thy priest.

Grant us, in thy infinite mercy, pardon of our sins, health of mind and body, peace in our days, unity and increase of Catholic faith, fervent charity, sincere devotion, patience in suffering, and every thing else conducive to thy glory and our own salvation: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.