The Holy Mass

(photo of Padre Pio elevating the chalice)

The Holy Mass

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For almost 2000 years, The Mass grew from a core of rituals that didn't change and that, for whatever else was varied from place to place, evoked reverence because it was offered as and understood to be the ceremony of the Unbloody Sacrifice. A new version, promulgated officially in 1969, seems to lack the reverence, and for some seems to suggest no Sacrifice.

Such 'abuses' as some would see this, with a limited view, seem almost encouraged by what can be called the 'new order', or Novus Ordo. But while other abuses were always possible, the scope and type found today would be foreign to The Mass, and so some are even led to say that the beginning of the end is near for this 'new order', and that The Latin Mass, the Mass of millenia, the Mass of the generations, is that for the future.

Therefore, here is an effort to provide the text of The Mass, in Latin, and with English translation – as was the practice in the old missals Catholics could buy. It comes from the 1958 Marian version (of Fr. Juergens), also from the 1945 missal (of Fr. Lasance), which will differ slightly from the 1962 version typically found in the later St. Joseph's Missal, and as in the little red Latin-English Mass booklet published in 1995 by the Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei; which Holy Mass is presently offered, many hope only temporarily as just a limited 'indult'; i.e. rather that The Mass, without such qualification; offered only in a few places by bishops and priests particularly dedicated to their Church – and mine.

The Eucharist lies at the very core, and as the very purpose, of The Mass; which itself lies at the very heart of The Church.
Here are the thoughts, then, of another on The Eucharist. And then there's this text of The Holy Mass, only in Latin (without the English), but beautifully done, I think. And here's a version with a French translation.

From p. 609 of the Marian missal, the page just before the "Asperges" and the "Vidi Aquam":

The late Pope Pius X has put it in these words: Don't pray at Holy Mass, but pray the Holy Mass.

Explaining himself further, his Holiness set forth: The Holy Mass is a prayer itself, even the highest prayer that exists.

Try to be present in church some moments before the beginning of the Holy Mass, to prepare yourself for the sublime Sacrifice of the altar, and pray:

Prayer before beginning of Mass

Eternal Father, I unite myself with the intentions and affections of our Lady of Sorrows on Calvary, and I offer Thee the Sacrifice which Thy beloved Son, Jesus, made of Himself on The Cross and which He now renews on this holy altar:

To adore Thee and give Thee the honor which is due to Thee, confessing Thy supreme dominion over all things, and the absolute dependence of everything upon Thee, Who art our one and last End.
To thank Thee for innumerable benefits received.
To appease Thy justice, aroused against us by so many sins, and to make satisfaction for them.
To implore grace and mercy for myself, for ____, for Thy Holy Church, for all afflicted and sorrowing, for poor sinners, for all the world, and for the holy souls in Purgatory.

The Asperges
(this prayer sung by the choir before the high (main Sunday) Mass)

Before the high Mass, and with a server on his left bearing the holy water, the priest, wearing a cope, comes to the foot of the altar, intoning the anthem, below, and sprinkles holy water on the altar 3 times, then on himself, then on the servers, and finally on the faithful.

Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.		Thou shalt sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.
`[Ps. 50:3]` Misere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.		Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.		As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.		Thou shalt sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.		Show us, Lord, Thy mercy.
Et salutare tuum da nobis.		And grant us Thy salvation.
Domine, exaudi orationem meam.		O Lord, hear my prayer.
Et clamor meus ad te veniat.		And let my cry come unto Thee.
Dominus vobiscum.		The Lord be with you.
Et cum spiritu tuo.		And with thy spirit.
Oremus. Exaudi nos, Domine, sanctae Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus et mittere digneris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui custodiat, foveat, protegat, vistet, atque defendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen		Let us pray. Graciously, hear us, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God; and vouchsafe to send down from Heaven Thy holy angel, that he may watch over, foster, safeguard, abide with and defend all who dwell in this house. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The Vide Aquam
(the prayer is sung, instead of the Asperges, from Easter to WhitSunday (Paschaltime) )

Vidi aquam egredientum de templo, a latere dextro, alleluia: et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista salvifactci dunt, et dicent: Alleluia, alleluia.		I saw water coming forth from the Temple on the right side, alleluia: and all those were saved to whom that water came, and they shall say: alleluia, alleluia.
Confitemini Domino, quoniam bouns: quoniam in seculum misericordia ejus.		Give praise to the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in secula seculorum. Amen		As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Vidi aquam egredientum de templo, a latere dextro, alleluia: et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista salvifactci dunt, et dicent: Alleluia, alleluia.		I saw water coming forth from the Temple on the right side, alleluia: and all those were saved to whom that water came, and they shall say alleluia, alleluia.
Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.		Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
Et salutare tuum da nobis.		And grant us Thy salvation.
Domine, exaudi orationem meam.		O Lord, hear my prayer.
Et clamor meus ad te veniat.		And let my cry come unto Thee.
Dominus vobiscum.		May the Lord be with you.
Et cum spiritu tuo.		And with thy spirit.
Oremus. Exaudi nos, Domine, sanctae Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus et mittere digneris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui custdiat, foveat, protegat, vistet, atque defendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen		Let us pray. Hear us Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God; and graciously send Thy holy angel from Heaven to watch over, foster, safeguard, abide with and defend all who dwell in this house. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

(the priest then retires to put on the vestments for the start of Mass)

The Ordinary of The Mass

The Mass of the Catechumens

^{Sacerdos (Priest) says}(P): In nomine Patris, (makes Sign of the Cross) † et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

P: In the Name of the Father, † and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

^{Minister (Server) replies}(S): Amen

S: Amen

(P): Introibo ad altare Dei.

P: I will go unto the altar of God.

(S): Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.

S: To God, Who gives joy to my youth.

The Judica Me

[Psalm 42]

(Omitted from Masses for the dead, and from Passion Sunday until Holy Saturday)

The priest genuflects at the foot of the altar, joins his hands, and the faithful kneel down.

(P): Judica me, Deus, et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta: ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me.

P: Judge me, O God, and discern my cause from the unholy nation, rescue me from the unjust and deceitful man.

(S): Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea: quare me repulisti, et quare tristis incedo, dum affligit me inimicus?

S: For Thou, O God, art my strength, why hast Thou forsaken me? And why do I go about in sadness, while the enemy afflicts me?

(P): Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam: ipsa me deduxerunt et adduxerunt in montem sanctum tuum, et in tabernacula tua.

P: Send forth Thy light and Thy truth: for they have led me and brought me to Thy holy mount, and into Thy tabernacles.

(S): Et introibo ad altare Dei: ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.

S: And I will go into the altar of God: to God, Who gives joy to my youth.

(P): Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, Deus meus: quare tristis es anima mea, et quare conturbas me?

P: I shall yet praise Thee upon the harp, O God, my God. Why art Thou sad, O my soul, and why dost Thou disquiet me?

(S): Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi: salutare vultus mei, et Deus meus.

S: Hope in God, for I will still praise Him, The Salvation of my countenance, and my God.

(P): Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

P: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

(S): Sicut erat in principo, et nunc, et semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

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

(P): Introibo ad altare Dei.

P: I will go unto the altar of God.

(S): Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.

S: To God, Who gives joy to my youth.

(P): Adjutorium nostrum † in nomine Domini.

P: Our help † is in the Name of the Lord.

(S): Qui fecit coelum et terram.

S: Who made heaven and earth.

The Confiteor

[Confession of the priest]

(P): Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et vobis fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione verbo, et opere: (strikes his breast three times) mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et vos fratres, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.

P: I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the angels and Saints, and to you, brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, brethren, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

(S): Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeternam.

S: Almighty God have mercy on you, and forgiving you your sins, bring you to life everlasting.

(P): Amen.

P: Amen.

The Confession of the Faithful

(S): Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi pater: quia peccavi nimis cogitatione verbo, et opere: (strikes his breast three times) mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te Pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum Nostrum.

S: I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the angels and Saints, and to you father: that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, Father, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

(P): Misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis vestris, perducat vos ad vitam aeternam.

P: Almighty God have mercy on you, and forgiving you your sins, bring you to life everlasting.

(S): Amen.

S: Amen

The faithful make the Sign of The Cross as the priest here gives absolution:

(P): Indulgentiam † absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum, tributat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.

P: † Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.

(S): Amen.

S: Amen.

(P): Deus, tu conversus vivificabis nos.

P: Thou wilt turn again, O God, and quicken us.

(S): Et plebs tua laetabitur in te.

S: And Thy people will rejoice in Thee.

(P): Ostende nobis Domine, misericordiam tuam.

P: Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.

(S): Et salutare tuum da nobis.

S: And grant us Thy salvation.

(P): Domine, exuadi orationem meam.

P: O Lord, hear my prayer.

(S): Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

S: And let my cry come unto Thee.

(P): Dominus vobiscum.

P: The Lord be with you.

(S): Et cum spiritu tuo.

S: And with thy spirit.

(P): Oremus.

P: Let us pray.

The priest ascends the altar while praying, silently:

Aufer a nobis, quaesumus Domine, iniquitates nostras: ut ad Sancta Sanctorum puris mereamur mentibus introire. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Take away from us our iniquities, we beseech Thee, O Lord; that being made pure in heart we may be worthy to enter into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kissing the altar at the place where the saint's relics are enclosed, at the middle of the altar, he says:

Oramus te. Domine, per merita Sanctorum tuorum, quorum reliquiae hic sunt et omnium Sanctorum: ut indulgere digneris omnia peccata mea. Amen

We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy Saints whose relics lie here, and of all the Saints: that Thou would vouchsafe to pardon me all my sins. Amen.

(At high Mass)

The priest blesses the incense:

Ab illo benedicaris, in cujus honore cremaberis. Amen.

Be blessed by Him in Whose honour thou art burnt. Amen.

He then incenses the altar, swinging the thurible or censer, containing the incense, away from himself. Then he gives it to the server/deacon who blesses him with the incense.

The Introit

The priest make the Sign of The Cross and reads the day's Introit, from the right, or 'Epistle', side of the altar.

The Kyrie Eleison

(P): Kyrie eleison.

(S): Kyrie eleison.

(P): Kyrie eleison.

(S): Christe eleison.

(P): Christe eleison.

(S): Christe eleison.

(P): Kyrie eleison.

(S): Kyrie eleison.

(P): Kyrie eleison.

P: Lord, have mercy

S: Lord, have mercy

P: Lord, have mercy

S: Christ, have mercy

P: Christ, have mercy

S: Christ, have mercy

P: Lord, have mercy

S: Lord, have mercy

P: Lord, have mercy

The Gloria in Excelsis

[The Greater Doxology]

(omitted during Lent, Advent and Mass for the dead)

The priest stands at the middle of the altar, and says:

Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris,

Glory to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee; we bless Thee; we adore Thee; we glorify Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory, O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.

Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.

Who sits at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu † , in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

For Thou alone art holy; Thou alone art The Lord; Thou alone art most high, O Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Spirit, † in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The priest kisses the altar, turns and says:

(P): Dominus Vobiscum.

P: The Lord be with you.

(S): Et cum spiritu tuo.

S: And with thy Spirit.

The Collect

(P): Oremus.

P: Let us pray.

When the priest finishes the collect, the server says:

(S): Amen.

S: Amen.

The Epistle

When the priest finishes the Epistle, the server says:

(S): Deo gratias.

S: Thanks be to God.

The Gradual

(Gradual, Tract or Alleluia; and the following sequence may be added)

Paschale victimae		Easter Vigil
Veni, Sancte Spiritus		Pentecost
Lauda Sion		Corpus Christi
Stabat Mater		Our Lady of Sorrows
Dies Irae		All Souls, in Requiem, Funeral Masses; except in Lent and in Masses for the dead when the Alleluia is omitted and a Tract sung instead.

The Munda cor Meum

The server takes the altar missal from the right side of the altar and places it on the left, or Gospel, side, as the priest, bowing at the center of the altar, says silently:

Munda cor meum ac labia mea, omnipotens Deus, qui labia Isaiae Prophetae calculo mundasti ignito: ita me tua grata miseratione dignare mundare, ut sanctum Evangelium tuum digne valeam nuntiare. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Cleanse my heart and my lips, O Almighty God, Who cleansed the lips of the Prophet Isaiah with a burning coal. In Thy gracious mercy deign so to purify me that I may worthily proclaim Thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jube, Domine benedicere.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to bless me.

Dominus sit in corde meo et in labiis meis: ut digne et competenter annuntiem Evangelium suum.

The Lord be in my heart and on my lips that I may worthily and fittingly proclaim His holy Gospel.

At high Mass, where the deacon sings the Gospel, this is said rather than that just above:

(S) Jube, domne, benedicere.

S: Pray, sir, a blessing.

(P) Dominus sit in corde tuo et in labiis tuis: ut digne et competenter annunties Evangelium suum. In nomine Patris, et Filii, † et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

P: The Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily and fittingly proclaim His holy Gospel. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, † and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Gospel

The faithful stand for the Holy Gospel.

(P) Dominus vobiscum.

P: The Lord be with you.

(S) Et cum spiritu tuo.

S: And with thy spirit.

(P) † Sequentia (or Initium) sancti Evangelii secundum N.

P: † A continuation (or the beginning) of The Holy Gospel according to St. ____.

(S) Gloria tibi, Domine.

S: Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

When the Gospel is finished, the server says:

(S): Laus tibi, Christe.

S: Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

The priest kisses the Bible and replies:

(P): Per evangelica dicta deleantur nostra delicta.

P: May our sins be blotted out by the words of the Gospel.

The Homily

The Nicene Creed

After the Homily, the faithful stand, and the priest says:

Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum. Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri: per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de coelis.

I believe in one God, The Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven.

Everyone genuflects during these words.

ET INCARNATUS EST DE SPIRITU SANCTO EX MARIA VIRGINE: ET HOMO FACTUS EST.

AND WAS INCARNATE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, OF THE VIRGIN MARY: AND WAS MADE MAN.

Crucifixus etiam pro nobis; sub Pontio Pilato passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in coelum: sedet ad desteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est com gloria judicare vivos et mortuos: cujus regni non erit finis.

He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven. He sits at the right hand of the Father, whence He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead. And of His kingdom there shall be no end.

Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre, et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per Prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum. † Et vitam ventura saeculi. Amem.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son; Who together with the Father and the Son is no less adored and glorified, and Who spoke by the prophets. And in one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I expect the resurrection of the dead. † And the life of the world to come. Amen.

The priest kisses the altar, turns toward the faithful, and says:

(P): Dominus vobiscum.

P: The Lord be with you.

(S): Et cum spiritu tuo.

S: And with thy spirit.

(P): Oremus.

P: Let us pray.

The Catechumens are dismissed

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