Through the coming of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, In the day of Judgment, We sinners, we beseech thee, hear us. That thou spare us, we be seech thee, hear us. That thou vouchsafe to govern and preserve thy holy Church, That thou vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate, and all Ecclesiastical Orders, in holy religion, sionem tuam, libera nos Domine. Per adventum Spiritus Sancti Paracliti, libera nos In die Judicii, libera nos Peccatores, te rogamus audi nos. Ut nobis parcas, te rogamus audi nos. Ut Ecclesiam tuam sanctam regere et conservare digneris, te rogamus audi nos. Utdomnum Apostolicum, et omnes Ecclesiasticos Órdines, in sancta religione conservare digneris, te rogamus audi nos. Ut inimicos sanctæ Ecclesiæ humiliare digneris, te rogamus audi nos. Ut regibus et principibus christianis pacem et veram concordiam donare digneris, te rogamus audi nos. Ut nosmetipsos in tuo sancto servitio confortare et conservare digneris, te rogamus audi nos. Ut omnibus benefactoribus nostris sempiterna bona retribuas, te rogamus audi nos. Ut fructus terræ dare et conservare digneris, te rogamus audi nos. Ut omnibus fidelibus defunctis requiem æternam donare digneris, te rogamus audi nos. Ut nos exaudire digneris, te rogamus audi nos. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Christe audi nos. That thou vouchsafe to humble the enemies of thy holy Church, That thou vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian Kings and Prin ces, That thou vouchsafe to strengthen and preserve us in thy holy service, That thou render eternal good things to all our benefactors, That thou vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, That thou vouchsafe to give eternal rest to all the Faithful departed, That thou vouchsafe graciously to hear us, O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. MASS. The solemn Litany is drawing to its end, and the Choir has already begun its closing invocation, the Kyrie eleison! The Pontiff comes forth from the Secretarium, with all the pomp that marks the principal Feasts of the Church. The chant becomes more majestic, and lingers on the brief words of supplication. Kyrie eleison !-thrice to the Father: Christe eleison !-thrice to the Son: Kyrie eleison! -thrice to the Holy Ghost. During this time, the Bishop is reciting, at the foot of the Altar, the usual Psalm and Prayers; and then, ascending to the Altar, he offers the homage of Incense to the Most High. Hence, an Introit, which, on other occasions, is sung by the Choir during the Procession from the Secretarium to the Altar, is not needed. The Morning-star has blended its rays with those of our Paschal Candle, as the Deacon prayed might be; but now, the Morning-star itself begins to pale, for the Star of Day,-the figure of our Jesus, the Sun of Justice,-is soon to rise. The assembly of the Faithful people,—the men on the right, the women on the left,—is now greater than it was at first. The space near the doors, for Catechumens, is vacant. In a prominent part of the aisles, we see the Neophytes, with their White Robe, and Bandlet, and lighted taper in their hands. The censing of the Altar is finished: and then,— O glorious triumph of our Risen Jesus!-the Pontiff sings forth, in a transport of joy: Gloria in excelsis Deo! The hitherto silent Bells peal to the glad Angelic Hymn. The enthusiasm of our holy Faith has mastered every heart, making it beat with emotion. The people take up the heavenly Canticle, and continue it to the end; and then the Bishop sings the following Prayer for the newly Baptised : COLLECT. O God, who enlightenest this most sacred night, by the glory of the Resurrection of the Lord; preserve in the new offspring of thy family the spirit of adoption thou hast Deus, qui hanc sacratissimam noctem gloria Dominicæ Resurrectionis illustras conserva in nova familiæ tuæ progenie adoptionis Spiritum quem dedisti: ut corpore et mente renovati, puram tibi exhibeant servitutem. Per eumdem Domi num. given them; that being renewed in body and soul, they may serve thee with purity of heart. Through the same, &c. After the Collect, the Subdeacon ascends the Epistle Ambo, and chants these impressive words, that are addressed by the great Apostle to the Neophytes, who have just risen, by Baptism, with Christ. Having chanted these few, but telling, words, the Subdeacon comes down from the Ambo, and goes to the Bishop's throne. He bows before the Pontiff, and thus addresses him; and as he speaks, the souls of the Faithful, yea, the very walls of the Church, echo with the joyful tidings: "Venerable Father! I bring you tidings of great joy: it is the Alleluia!" The Bishop rises, and, filled with holy ardour, intones the Alleluia to the well known melody. The Choir repeats it after him. Thrice, (and, each time, with an increase of joy,) is the heavenly word interchanged between the Pontiff and the Choir. At One this moment, all mournfulness is at an end. feels that God has accepted the expiatory works of our Lent; and that, by the merits of his Son now Risen from the Grave, he pardons our earth, since he permits us to hear once more the Song of Heaven. The Choir subjoins this verse of the Psalm, which celebrates the mercy of Jehovah. Praise the Lord, for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever. : Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus: quoniam in sæculum misericordia ejus. But there is still wanting something to the joy of our Easter. Jesus has risen from the Tomb; but, so far, he has not shown himself to all. His Blessed Mother, Magdalene, and the other holy women, are the only ones who have as yet seen him: it is not till the evening, that he will appear to his Apostles. We have but just begun the Day. Therefore it is, that the Church once more offers her praise to her God, under the Lenten formula of the Tract. TRACT. Praise the Lord all ye nations; join in his praise, all ye people. V. For his mercy is confirmed upon us; and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever. Laudate Dominum omnes gentes: et collaudate eum omnes populi. V. Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus et veritas Domini manet in æternum. : Whilst the Choir is singing this Psalm to a melody, which has something of mournfulness about it, the Deacon goes to the Ambo, from which he is to chant the Gospel. The Acolytes do not accompany him with their torches, but the Thurifer goes with him, as usual, with the Incense. Here again we have an allusion to the events which took place on this great morning: the Women -the Women went to the Sepulchre, carrying sweet spices with them, but the light of PASSIONTIDE. 2 s |
