OFFERT. Ps. xx. Thou hast set, O Lord, on his head a crown of precious stones: he asked life of thee and thou hast given it to him. Alleluia.

SECRET. Sanctify, O Lord, the offerings consecrated to thee: and being appeased thereby, mercifully look upon us, by the intercession of blessed Thomas thy martyr and bishop. Through. COMM. John x. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me.

P. COMM. May this communion, O Lord, cleanse us from sin, and by the intercession of blessed Thomas, thy martyr and bishop, make us effectually partakers of this heavenly remedy. Through.

On the 30th of December, if it falls on a Saturday, the Mass is the same as the third Mass of Christmas Day, except the Epistle and Gospel which are taken from the second Mass: in other years the following Mass of the Sunday within the Octave is said.

SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF

CHRISTMAS.

Introit. Wisd. xviii. Ps. xcii.

DUM medium silen

tium tenerunt omnia, et nox in suo cursu medium iter haberet, omnipotens sermo tuus, Domine, de cœlis a regalibus sedibus, venit. Ps. xcii. Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est: indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et præcinxit se. V. Gloria.

WHILE all things

were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course, thy almighty Word, O Lord, came down from heaven from thy royal throne. Ps. The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself. V. Glory.

COLL. O almighty and eternal God, regulate our actions according to thy divine will, that, in the name of thy beloved Son, we may abound in good works. Through.

The Commems. of Christmas, St. Thomas, &c., by their respective Collects, &c., as above.

EPISTLE. Gal. iv. 1. 7. Brethren: As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all: but is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed by the father. So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law: that he might redeem them who were under the law; that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

GRAD. Ps. xliv. and xcii. Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in thy lips. V. My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak my works to the king. My tongue is the pen of a scrivener that writeth swiftly. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. The Lord hath reigned, he hath clothed himself with beauty: he hath clothed himself with strength, and hath girded himself with might. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke ii. 33. 40. At that time: Joseph, and Mary the mother of Jesus, were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed. And

there was one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving day and night. Now she at the same hour coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.

OFFERT. Ps. xcii. God hath established the world, which shall not be moved: thy throne, O God, is prepared from of old; thou art from everlasting.

SECRET. Grant, we beseech thee, O almighty God, that this sacrifice, offered to thy divine Majesty, may obtain for us the grace of true devotion, and a happy eternity. Through.

COMM. Matt. ii. Take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead who sought the life of the child.

P. COMM. May the efficacy of this sacrament, O Lord, cleanse us from our sins, and obtain for us the accomplishment of our just desires. Through.

XXXI. ST. SYLVESTER, P. C. Introit. Sacerdotes. Mass XI.

Collect, Offertory, Secret, and P. Comm. as in Mass X.

Commemorations of all the Festivals from Christmas Day are made. EPISTLE. 2 Tim. iv. 1. 8. as in Mass xii.

GRAD. Behold a great pricst, who in his

days pleased God. V. There was none found like him in keeping the law of the Most High. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Ps. I have found my servant Dávid: I have anointed him with my holy oil. Alleluia.

GOSPEL and COMM. As in Mass xiii.

THE CIRCUMCISION.

Introit. Isaias ix. Puer natus est page 113. COLL. Deus, qui salutis. O God, who by the fruitful virginity of the blessed Mary, hast given mankind the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we deserved to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son. Who.

EPISTLE. Tit. ii. as in page 109.

GRAD. Ps. xcvii. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God: sing joyfully to God, all the earth. V. The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. God, who at sundry times spoke in times.past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days hath spoken to us by his Son. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke ii. 21. At that time: After eight days were accomplished that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb. CREDO.

OFFERT. Ps. lxxxviii. Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth. The world and the fulness thereof thou hast founded: justice and judgment are the preparation of thy throne.

SECRET. Receive, O Lord, our offerings and prayers: cleanse us by these heavenly mysteries, and mercifully hear us. Through.

COMM. Ps. xcvii. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

P. COMM. May this communion, O Lord, cleanse us from sin, and by the intercession of blessed Mary, the virgin-mother of God, make us partakers of thy heavenly remedy. Through.

JANUARY II. OCTAVE DAY OF ST.
STEPHEN.

All as on the Feast itself, page 115, except

COLL. O Almighty and eternal God, who didst consecrate the first fruits of martyrdom in the blood of blessed Stephen the Levite: grant, we beseech thee, that he may intercede for us, who begged mercy, even for his persecutors, of our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son. Who liveth.

Commems, are made of St. Thomas, St. John, and H. Innocents.

III. OCTAVE DAY OF ST. JOHN.
All as on the Feast itself, page 118.
Commems. of St. Thomas and H. Innocents.

PREFACE. Of the Apostles.

IV. OCTAVE DAY OF HOLY INNOCENTS.

All as on the Feast itself, page 119.
Commem, of St. Thomas.

V. OCTAVE DAY OF ST. THOMAS.

Mass as on the Feast itself, page 122, with Commemorations as below.

COLL. OF THE VIGIL OF THE EPIPHA. NY. O Almighty, &c. page 124.

COLL. OF ST. TELÉSPHORUS. O God, &c. as in Mass II.