PRAYER BEFORE MASS.

MERCIFUL Father! who didst so love the world as to give up for our redemption thy

beloved Son, who, in obedience to Thee, and for us sinners, humbled Himself even unto the death of the cross, and continues to offer Himself daily, by the ministry of his priests, for the living and the dead: we humbly beseech Thee that, penetrated with a lively faith, we may always assist with the utmost devotion and reverence at the oblation of His most precious Body and Blood, which is made at Mass, and thereby be made partakers of the sacrifice which He consummated on Calvary.

In union with thy holy Church and its minister, and invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and all the angels and saints, we now offer the adorable 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 total dependence on thy gracious providence, and in thanksgiving for all thy benefits, and for the remission of our sins.

We offer it for the propagation of the Catholic faith; for our most Holy Father the Pope; and for our Archbishop (or Bishop); and for all the Pastors and Clergy of thy Holy Church, that they may direct the faithful in the way of salvation; for all that are in high station, that we may lead quiet and holy lives; for peace and good will among all states and people; for the necessities of mankind, and particularly for the congregation here present; to obtain all blessings we stand in need of in this life, everlasting happiness in the next, and eternal rest to the faithful departed.

Prayers at Mass.*

The beginning of Mass.

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

Tis 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 to that bloody sacrifice.

At the Confiteor, say:

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.

The following Prayers at Mass are interspersed with indulgenced ejaculations, so that a person gains over six years indulgence while assisting at Mass.

Yes, Lord, I have sinned; I acknowledge it 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 mayst justly refuse to the coldness of mine, and to their services that pardon to which my offences can have no claim.

"Eternal Father! I offer thee the Precious Blood of Jesus, in satisfaction for my sins, and for the wants of Holy Church." (100 days indulgence each time.)

When the Priest is going up to the Altar.

UNITE, O Lord, our hearts and wills, and remove from us everything 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.

WE

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 dis

pleasing 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.

"My Jesus, mercy." (100 days.)

Gloria in Excelsis.

LORY be to God on high, and peace

on earth to men of good will. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we give Thee thanks for thy great glory, O Lord God! O heavenly King! O God the Father Almighty! O Lord Jesus Christ! the only-begotten Son; O Lord God! O Lamb of God! O Son of the Father! Oh, Thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Oh,

Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayers. Oh, Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us; for Thou alone art holy, Thou alone art Lord, Thou alone art most high, O Jesus Christ! together with the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

BE

At the Dominus Vobiscum.

E thou always with us, O my God! and let thy grace never depart from us.

"At the Collects.

we

ALMIGHTY and Eternal God! 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 everything else conducive to thy glory and our own salvation: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O

At the Epistle.

ETERNAL God! who never ceasest to excite us to the worship and love of thy holy name, or to arm us against the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil by the public ministry of thy Church, by the doctrines of thy prophets and apostles, and by many other holy admonitions; grant that we may faithfully attend to these lessons of salvation, that