Gospel.

_John_ xvi. 23, 30.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, amen, I

say to you; if you ask the Father any thing in my name, he will

give it you. Hitherto you have not asked any thing in my name.

Ask and you shall receive; that your joy may be full. These

things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I

no more will speak to you in proverbs, but will show you plainly

of the Father. In that day you shall ask in my name: and I say

not to you, that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father

himself loveth you, because you have loved me, and have believed

that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am

come into the world: again I leave the world, and go to the

Father. His disciples say to him: Behold now thou speakest

plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now we know that thou knowest

all things, and thou needest not that any man should ask thee. By

this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Credo.

Ascension-Day.

Lesson.

Acts i. 1, 11.

The former treatise, I made, O Theophilus, of all things which

Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day on which, giving

commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had

chosen, he was taken up. To whom also he showed himself alive

after his passion, by many proofs, by forty days appearing to

them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together

with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from

Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which

you have heard (saith he) by my mouth: for John indeed baptized

with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not

many days hence.

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They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord,

wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel? But

he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments,

which the Father hath put in his own power; but you shall receive

the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be

witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and

even to the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had said

these things, while they looked on, he was raised up; and a cloud

received him out of their sight. And while they were beholding

him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them, in white

garments. Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking

up to heaven? This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven,

shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven.

Gospel.

_Mark_ xvi. 14, 20.

_At that time:_ Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at

table; and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness

of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him

after he was risen again. And he said to them: Go ye into the

whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that

believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth

not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that

believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak

with new tongues: they shall take up serpents: and if they shall

drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay

hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. And the Lord Jesus,

after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and

sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going, preached every

where: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with

signs that followed. Credo.

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Sunday Within The Octave Of The Ascension.

Epistle.

1 _Peter_ iv. 7, 11.

_Most dearly beloved:_ Be prudent, and watch in prayers. But

before all things have a constant mutual charity among

yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins. Using

hospitality one towards another, without murmuring. As every man

hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good

stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him

speak as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it as

of the power which God administereth; that in all things God may

be honoured through Jesus Christ; to whom is glory and empire for

ever and ever. _Amen_.

Gospel.

_John_ xv. 26. xvi. 1, 4.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: When the

Paraclete cometh whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit

of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony

of me; and you shall give testimony, because you are with me from

the beginning. These things have I spoken to you, that you may

not be scandalized. They will put you out of the synagogues; yea

the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he

doeth a service to God. And these things will they do to you,

because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things

I have told you; that when the hour shall come, you may remember

that I told you of them. Credo.

Whit-Sunday.

Lesson.

_Acts_ ii. 1, 11.

When the days of Pentecost were accomplished, they were all

together in one place: and suddenly there came a sound from

heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house

where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted

tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them:

and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to

speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them

to speak.

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Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of

every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the

multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because

that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were

all amazed and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these that

speak, Galileans; and how have we heard, every man our own tongue

wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and

inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and

Asia, Phrygia and Pamphilia, Egypt and the parts of Lybia, about

Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews also, and Proselytes, Cretes

and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the

wonderful works of God.

Gospel.

_John_ xiv. 23. 31.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: If any one love

me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we

will come to him, and will make our abode with him: he that

loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have

heard, is not mine: but the Father's who sent me. These things

have I spoken to you, abiding with you. But the Paraclete, the

Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach

you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I

shall have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give

to you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your

heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have heard that I

said to you: I go away, and I come again to you. If you loved me,

you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the

Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come

to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. I will

not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world

cometh, and in me he hath not any thing. But that the world may

know that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given me

commandment, so do I. Credo.

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Trinity Sunday.

Epistle.

_Romans_ xi. 33, 36.

O the depth of the

riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God!

How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how

unsearchable his ways! For who hath known the mind

of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? Or

who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be

made him? For of him, and by him, and in him are all

things: to him be glory for ever. Amen.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxviii. 18, 20.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: All power is

given to me in heaven and in earth. Going, therefore, teach all

nations: _Baptising them in the name op the Father, and of the

Son, and of the Holy Ghost._ Teaching them to observe all

things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you

all days, even to the consummation of the world. Credo.

Gospel of the First Sunday _after_ Pentecost.

_Luke_ vi. 30, 42.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Be ye merciful,

as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be

judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and

you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you; good

measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over,

shall be given into your bosom. For with the same measure that

you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. And he

spoke also to them a similitude: Can the blind lead the blind? do

they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his

master: but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master.

And why seest thou the mote in thy brother's eye; but the beam

that is in thy own eye thou considerest not? or how canst thou

say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye,

when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? Hypocrite,

cast first the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see

clearly to take out the mote from thy brother's eye. _Deo

gratias_.

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Corpus Christi

Epistle.

1 _Corinthians_ xi. 23, 29.

_Brethren:_ I have received of the Lord, that which also I

delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he

was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke, and said:

_Take ye, and eat: this is my body which shall be delivered for

you: this do for the commemoration of me._ In like manner also

the chalice, after he had supped, saying: _This chalice is the

New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall

drink it, for the commemoration of me._ For as often as you

shall eat this bread, and drink this chalice, you shall show the

death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore, whosoever shall eat

this bread or drink of the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall

be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man prove

himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the

chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and

drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the

Lord.

Gospel.

_John_ vi. 56, 59.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: My

flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that

eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in

him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father;

so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. This is the

bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat

manna and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for

ever. Credo.

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Second Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

1 _John_ iii. 13, 18.

_Dearly beloved:_ Wonder not if the world hate you. We know

that we have passed from death to life, because we love the

brethren. He that loveth not, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth

his brother, is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath

eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the

charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us: and we

ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. He that hath the

substance of this world, and shall see his brother in need, and

shut up his bowels from him: how doth the charity of God abide in

him? My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue,

but in deed and in truth.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xiv. 16, 24.

_At that time:_ Jesus spoke this parable to the Pharisees: A

certain man made a great supper, and invited many, and he sent

his servant at the hour of supper to say to them that were

invited, that they should come, for now all things are ready. And

they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I

have bought a farm, and must needs go out and see it: I pray

thee, hold me excused. And another said: I have bought five yoke

of oxen, and I go to try them: I pray thee hold me excused. And

another said: I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

And the servant returning told these things to his lord. Then the

master of the house being angry, said to his servant: Go out

quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in

hither the poor, and the feeble, and the blind, and the lame. And

the servant said: Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and

yet there is room. And the Lord said to the servant: Go out into

the high-ways and hedges; and compel them to come in, that my

house may be filled. But I say unto you, that none of those men

that were invited, shall taste of my supper. Credo.

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Third Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

1 _Peter_ v. 6, 11.

_Dearly beloved:_ Be you humbled under the mighty hand of

God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation. Casting all

your care upon him, for he hath care of you. Be sober and watch:

because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about,

seeking whom he may devour: whom resist ye, strong in faith;

knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in

the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his

eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little,

will himself perfect you, and confirm and stablish you. To him be

glory and empire for ever and ever. _Amen_.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xv. 1, 10.

_At that time:_ The publicans and sinners drew near unto him

to hear him. And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying: This

man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. And he spoke to them

this parable, saying: What man of you that hath a hundred sheep,

and if he shall lose one of them, doth he not leave the

ninety-nine in the desert, and go after that which was lost until

he find it? And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders

rejoicing: and coming home call together his friends and

neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found

my sheep that was lost? I say to you, that even so there shall be

joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon

ninety-nine just who need not penance. Or what woman having ten

groats, if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle, and sweep

the house, and seek diligently until she find it? And when she

hath found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying:

Rejoice with me, because I have found the groat which I had lost?

So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon

one sinner doing penance. Credo.

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Fourth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Romans_ viii. 18, 23.

_Brethren:_ I reckon that the sufferings of this time are

not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that shall be

revealed in us. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for

the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made

subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that made

it subject, in hope: Because the creature also itself shall be

delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of

the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature

groaneth and travaileth in pain even till now. And not only it,

but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even

we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of

the sons of God, the redemption of our body in Christ Jesus our

Lord.

Gospel.

_Luke_ v. 1, 11.

_At that time:_

It came to pass, that when the multitude pressed upon him to hear

the word of God, he stood by the lake of Genesareth. And he saw

two ships standing by the lake; but the fishermen were gone out

of them and were washing their nets. And going up into one of the

ships that was Simon's, he desired him to draw back a little from

the land. And sitting he taught the multitudes out of the ship.

Now when he had ceased to speak, he said to Simon: Launch out

into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon,

answering, said to him: Master, we have laboured all the night,

and have taken nothing; but at thy word I will let down the net.

And when they had done this, they enclosed a very great multitude

of fishes, and their net broke. And they beckoned to their

partners that were in the other ship, that they should come and

help them. And they came and filled both the ships, so that they

were almost sinking.

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Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus's knees,

saying: Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was

wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of

the fishes which they had taken. And so were also James and John

the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus saith

to Simon: Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And

having brought their ships to land, leaving all things they

followed him. Credo.

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

1 _Peter_ iii. 8, 15.

_Dearly beloved:_ Be ye all of one mind, having compassion

one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful,

modest, humble: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for

railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this you are

called, that you may inherit a blessing. "For he that will love

life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil,

and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him decline from evil,

and do good: let him seek after peace, and pursue it: because the

eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their

prayers; but the countenance of the Lord against them that do

evil things." And who is he that can hurt you, if you be jealous

of good? But if also you suffer any thing for justice sake,

blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not

troubled. But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ v. 20, 24.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Unless your

justice exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not

enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said

to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever hall kill,

shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that

whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the

judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, _Raca_,

shall be _in danger of_ the council. And whosoever shall

say, Thou fool, shall be _in danger of_ hell fire.

Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there shalt

remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; leave

there thy gift before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to

thy brother: and then come and offer thy gift. Credo.

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Sixth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Romans_ vi. 3, 11.

_Brethren:_ All we who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are

baptized in his death. For we are buried together with him by

baptism unto death: that as Christ is risen from the dead by the

glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. For

if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we

shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this,

that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may

be destroyed, and that we may serve sin no longer. For he that is

dead is justified from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we

believe that we shall live also together with Christ. Knowing

that Christ, rising again from the dead, dieth now no more, death

shall no more have dominion over him. For in that he died to sin,

he died once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. So do

you also reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to

God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel.

_Mark_ viii. 1, 9.

_At that time:_ When there was a great multitude with Jesus,

and had nothing to eat: calling his disciples together, he saith

to them: I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have

now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat; and if I

send them away fasting to their own home, they will faint in the

way: for some of them came afar off. And his disciples answered

him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the

wilderness?

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And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven. And

he commanded the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the

seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke, and gave to his disciples

for to set before them, and they set them before the people. And

they had a few little fishes; and he blessed them, and commanded

them to be set before them. And they did eat and were filled, and

they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets.

And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent

them away. Credo.

Seventh Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Romans_ vi. 19.

_Brethren:_ I speak a human thing, because of the infirmity

of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members to serve

uncleanness and iniquity unto iniquity; so now yield your members

to serve justice, unto sanctification. For when you were the

servants of sin, you were free from justice. What fruit therefore

had you then in those things of which you are now ashamed? For

the end of them is death. But now being made free from sin, and

become servants to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification,

and the end life everlasting. For the wages of sin is death; but

the grace of God, life everlasting in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ vii. 15, 21.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Beware of false

prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly

they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do

men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every

good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth

forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that

bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be

cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know

them. Not everyone that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the

kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father who is

in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Credo.

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Eighth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Romans_ viii. 12, 17.

_Brethren:_ We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live

according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh,

you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the

flesh, you shall live. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of

God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the

spirit of bondage again in fear; but you have received the spirit

of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba, (Father.) For the

Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the

sons of God. And if sons, heirs also: heirs indeed of God, and

joint heirs with Christ.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xvi. 1, 9.

_At that time:_ Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable:

There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was

accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods. And he called

him, and said to him; How is it that I hear this of thee? give an

account of thy stewardship: for now thou canst be steward no

longer. And the steward said within himself: What shall I do,

because my lord taketh away from me the stewardship? To dig I am

not able; to beg I am ashamed. I know what I will do, that when I

shall be removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into

their houses. Therefore calling together every one of his lord's

debtors, he said to the first: How much dost thou owe my lord?

But he said: A hundred barrels of oil. And he said to him: Take

thy bill and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then he said to

another: And how much dost thou owe? Who said: A hundred quarters

of wheat. He said to him: Take thy bill and write eighty. And the

lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done

wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their

generation, than the children of light. And I say to you: Make

unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity, that when you shall

fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings. Credo.

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Ninth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

1 _Corinthians_ x. 6, 13.

_Brethren:_ Let us not covet evil things, as they also

coveted. Neither become ye idolaters, as some of them: as it is

written: "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to

play." Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them

committed fornication, and there fell in one day three-and-twenty

thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ: as some of them tempted,

and perished by the serpents. Neither do you murmur: as some of

them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these

things happened to them in figure: and they are written for our

correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore

let him that thinketh himself to stand, take heed lest he fall.

Let no temptation take hold on you but such as is human. And God

is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that

which you are able; but will make also with temptation issue,

that you may be able to bear it.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xix. 41, 47.

_At that time:_ When he drew near to Jerusalem, seeing the

city, he wept over it, saying: If thou also hadst known, and that

in this thy day, the things that are to thy peace: but now they

are hidden from thy eyes. For the days shall come upon thee: and

thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee

round, and straiten thee on every side, and beat thee flat to the

ground, and thy children who are in thee: and they shall not

leave in thee a stone upon a stone; because thou hast not known

the time of thy visitation. And entering into the temple, he

began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought,

saying to them: It is written: "My house is the house of prayer."

But you have made it a den of thieves. And he was teaching daily

in the temple. Credo.

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Tenth Sunday After Pentecost.

_Epistle._

1 _Corinthians_ xii. 2, 11.

_Brethren:_ You know that when you were heathens, you went

to dumb idols, according as you were led. Wherefore I give you to

understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God, saith

anathema to Jesus. And no man can say the Lord Jesus, but by the

Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of graces, but the same

spirit. And there are diversities of ministries, but the same

Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but the same God

who worketh all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is

given to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is

given the word of wisdom; and to another, the word of knowledge,

according to the same spirit; to another faith in the same

spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one spirit; to

another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to

another, the discerning of spirits; to another, divers kinds of

tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches. But in all these

things, one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one

according as he will.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xviii. 9, 14.

_At that time:_ Jesus spake this parable to some who trusted

in themselves as just, and despised others. Two men went up into

the temple to pray: the one was a Pharisee, and the other a

publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God,

I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men,

extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I

fast twice in the week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And

the publican standing afar off would not so much as lift up his

eyes towards heaven: but struck his breast, saying: O God, be

merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down to his

house justified rather than the other, because every one that

exalted himself, shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself,

shall be exalted. Credo.

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Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

1 _Corinthians_ xv. 1, 10.

_Brethren:_ I make known unto you the gospel which I

preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you

stand, by which also you are saved: if you hold fast after what

manner I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For

I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received: how

that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures: and

that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day

according to the Scriptures: and that he was seen by Cephas; and

after that by the eleven. Then was he seen by more than five

hundred brethren at once; of whom many remain until this present,

and some are fallen asleep. After that he was seen by James, then

by all the apostles: and last of all, he was seen also by me, as

one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who

am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the

Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what i am; and his

grace in me hath not been void.

Gospel.

_Mark_ vii. 31, 37.

_At that time:_ Jesus going out of the coast of Tyre, he

came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the

coast of Decapolis. And they bring to him one deaf and dumb: and

they besought him that he would lay his hand upon him. And taking

him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears,

and spitting, he touched his tongue: and looking up to heaven, he

groaned and said to him: Ephpheta, that is, Be opened. And

immediately his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue

was loosed, and he spoke right. And he charged them that they

should tell no man. But the more he charged them, so much the

more a great deal did they publish it. And so much the more did

they wonder, saying: He hath done all things well; he hath made

both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. Credo.

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Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

2 _Corinthians_ iii. 4, 9.

_Brethren:_ We have confidence through Christ towards God:

not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves as of

ourselves: but our sufficiency is from God. Who also hath made us

fit ministers of the New Testament, not in the letter, but in the

spirit. For the letter killeth; but the spirit quickeneth. Now if

the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was

glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly

behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which

is made void: how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be

rather in glory? For if the ministration of condemnation be

glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.

Gospel.

_Luke_ x. 23, 37.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Blessed are the

eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you, that

many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you

see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you

hear, and have not heard them. And behold a certain lawyer stood

up, tempting him, and saying: Master, what must I do to possess

eternal life? But he said to him: What is written in the law? how

readest thou? He answering, said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy

God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all

thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as

thyself."

{448}

And he said to him: Thou hast answered right: this do and thou

shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus:

And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering, said: A certain man

went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who

had stripped him, and having wounded him, went away, leaving him

half dead. And it chanced that a certain priest went down the

same way: and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a

Levite, when he was near the place, and saw him, passed by. But a

certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him: and seeing

him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his

wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own

beast brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next

day he took out two pieces, and gave to the host, and said: Take

care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I at

my return will repay thee. Which of these three in thy opinion

was neighbour to him that fell among robbers? But he said: He

that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou

in like manner. Credo.

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Galatians_ iii. 16, 22.

_Brethren:_ To Abraham were the promises made, and to his

seed. He saith not: And to his seeds, as of many; but as of one:

And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say, that the

testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made

after four hundred and thirty years, doth not disannul, or make

the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance be of the law,

it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until

the seed should come, to whom he made the promise, being ordained

by angels in the hand of a mediator.

{449}

Now a mediator is not of one; but God is one. Was the law then

against the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a

law given which could give life, verily justice should have been

by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that

the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them

that believe.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xvii. 11, 19.

_At that time:_ As Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he passed

through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into

a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood

afar off, and lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, Master, have

mercy on us. Whom when he saw, he said: Go, show yourselves to

the priests. And it came to pass, that as they went, they were

made clean. And one of them when he saw that he was made clean,

went back, with a loud voice glorifying God. And he fell on his

face before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering, said: Were not ten made clean, and where are

the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God,

but this stranger. And he said to him: Arise, go thy way; for thy

faith hath made thee whole. Credo.

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Galatians_ v. 16, 24,

_Brethren:_ Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the

lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit; and

the spirit against the flesh: for these are contrary to one

another, so that you do not the things that you would. But if you

are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works

of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornication, uncleanness,

immodesty, luxury, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions,

emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, envy, murders,

drunkenness, revellings, and such like.

{450}

Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they

who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God. But the

fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity,

goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency,

chastity. Against such there is no law. And they that are

Christ's, have crucified their flesh with the vices and

concupiscences.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ vi. 24, 33.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: No man can

serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the

other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You

cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, be not

solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body,

what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat, and

the body more than the raiment: Behold the birds of the air, for

they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns, and

your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value

than they? And which of you, by taking thought, can add to his

stature one cubit? And for raiment why are you solicitous?

Consider the lilies of the field how they grow: they labour not,

neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in

all his glory was arrayed as one of these. And if the grass of

the field, which is to-day, and to-morrow is cast into the oven,

God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith. Be

not solicitous therefore, saying, what shall we eat, or what

shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all

these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that

you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the

kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be

added unto you. Credo.

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Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Galatians_ v. 25. vi. 1, 10.

_Brethren:_ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in

the Spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vain glory, provoking

one another, envying one another. (Chap, vi.) Brethren, if a man

be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such

a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou

also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens: and so you shall

fulfil the law of Christ. For if any man think himself to be

something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let

every one prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in

himself only, and not in another. For every one shall bear his

own burden. And let him that is instructed in the word,

communicate to him that instructed him, in all good things. Be

not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow,

those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the

flesh also shall reap corruption. But; he that soweth in the

Spirit, of the Spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing

good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not

failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all

men, but especially to those who are of the household of the

faith.

Gospel.

_Luke_ vii. 11, 16.

_At that time:_ Jesus went into a city called Naim; and

there went with him his disciples, and a great multitude. And

when he came nigh to the city, behold a dead man was carried out,

the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and much people

of the city were with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had

compassion on her, and said to her: Weep not. And he came near

and touched the bier. And they that carried it, stood still. And

he said: Young man, I say to thee, Arise. And he that was dead,

sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

And there came a fear on them all: and they glorified God,

saying: A great prophet is risen up amongst us, and God hath

visited his people.

{452}

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Ephesians_ iii. 13, 21.

Brethren: I pray you not to faint at my tribulations for you,

which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knee to the Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity in heaven and

earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches

of his glory, to be strengthened by his Spirit with might unto

the inward man. That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts:

that being rooted and founded in charity, you may be able to

comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length,

and height, and depth: to know also the clarity of Christ, which

surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the

fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do all things more

abundantly than we desire or understand, according to the power

that worketh in us: to him be glory in the church, and in Christ

Jesus, unto all generations, world without end. Amen.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xiv. 1, 11.

_At that time:_ When Jesus went into the house of one of the

chief of the Pharisees on the Sabbath-day to eat bread, they

watched him. And behold there was a certain man before him that

had the dropsy. And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and

Pharisees, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-day? But

they held their peace. But he, taking him, healed him, and sent

him away. And answering them, he said: Which of you shall have an

ass or an ox fall into a pit; and will not immediately draw him

out on the Sabbath-day? And they could not answer him to these

things.

{453}

And he spoke a parable also to them that were invited, marking

how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them: When

thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place,

lest perhaps one more honourable than thou be invited by him: and

he that invited thee and him, come and say to thee: Give this man

place; and then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place.

But when thou art invited, go, sit down in the lowest place, that

when he who invited thee cometh, he may say to thee: Friend, go

up higher. Then shalt thou have glory before them that sit at

table with thee; because every one that exalted himself, shall be

humbled; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. Credo.

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

Epistle.

_Ephesians_ iv. 1, 6.

_Brethren:_ I who am a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you

that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called.

With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one

another in charity. Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in

the bond of peace. One body and one spirit; as you are called in

one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One

God, and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in

us all, who is blessed for evermore.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxii. 35, 46.

_At that time:_ The Pharisees came to Jesus; and one of

them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: Master, which

is the great commandment of the law? Jesus said to him: _Thou

shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy

whole soul, and with thy whole mind._ This is the greatest and

the first commandment. And the second is like to this: _Thou

shalt love thy neighbour as thyself_. On these two

commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.

{454}

And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them,

saying: What think you of Christ? whose son is he? They say to

him: David's. He saith to them: How then doth David in spirit

call him Lord, saying: _The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my

right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool?_ If David

then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to

answer him a word; neither durst any man from that day forth ask

him any more questions. Credo.

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

1 _Corinthians_ i. 4, 8.

_Brethren:_ I give thanks to my God always for you, for the

grace of God, that is given you in Christ Jesus; that in all

things you are made rich in him, in all utterance, and in all

knowledge, as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. So

that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the

manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who also will confirm you

unto the end without crime, in the day of the coming of our Lord

Jesus Christ.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ ix. 1, 8.

_At that time:_ Jesus entering into a boat, he passed over

the water and came into his own city. And behold they brought to

him one sick of the palsy, lying on a bed. And Jesus seeing their

faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son,

thy sins are forgiven thee. And behold some of the Scribes said

within themselves: He blasphemeth. And Jesus seeing their

thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your heart? Whether is

it easier to say: Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say: Arise

and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on

earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of the

palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house. And he

arose and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it,

feared and glorified God that gave such power to men. Credo.

{455}

Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Ephesians_. iv. 23, 28.

_Brethren:_ Be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and put

on the new man, who, according to God, is created in Justice, and

holiness of truth. Wherefore putting away lying, speak ye the

truth every man with his neighbour: for we are members one of

another. Be angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your

anger. Give not place to the devil. He that stole, let him now

steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands

the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to

him that suffereth need.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxii. 1, 14.

_At that time:_ Jesus spoke to the scribes and Pharisees in

a parable, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king,

who made a marriage for his son. And he sent his servants, to

call them that were invited to the marriage: and they would not

come. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were

invited: Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my beeves and

fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the

marriage. But they neglected, and went their ways, one to his

farm, and another to his merchandise. And the rest laid hands on

his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to

death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and

sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their

city. Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is

ready: but they that were invited, were not worthy. Go ye

therefore into the high-ways; and as many as you shall find, call

to the marriage. And his servants going forth into the ways,

gathered together all they found, both bad and good: and the

marriage was filled with guests.

{456}

And the king went in to see the guests, and he saw there a man

who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith to him, Friend,

how camest thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment? But

he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands

and his feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness; there

shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called but

few are chosen. Credo.

Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Ephesians_. v. 15, 21.

_Brethren:_ See, therefore, how you walk circumspectly, not

as unwise, but as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are

evil. Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the

will of God. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury, but

be ye filled with the holy Spirit, speaking to yourselves in

psalms and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making

melody in your hearts to the Lord: giving thanks always for all

things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the

Father. Being subject one to another in the fear of Christ.

Gospel,

_John_ iv. 46, 53.

_At that time:_ There was a certain ruler, whose son was

sick at Capharnaum. He having heard that Jesus was come from

Judea into Galilee, went to him, and prayed him to come down and

heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore

said to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not.

The ruler saith to him: Lord, come down before that my son die.

Jesus saith to him: Go thy way, thy son liveth. The man believed

the word which Jesus said to him, and went his way. And as he was

going down, his servants met him: and they brought word, saying,

that his son lived. He asked therefore of them the hour wherein

he grew better. And they said to him: Yesterday at the seventh

hour the fever left him. The father therefore knew that it was at

the same hour that Jesus said to him: Thy son liveth; and himself

believed, and his whole house. Credo.

{457}

Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Ephesians_. vi. 10, 17.

_Brethren:_ Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of

his power. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to

stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not

against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers,

against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the

spirit of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you

the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil

day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having

your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate

of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel

of peace; in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you

may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked

one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of

the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xviii. 28, 35.

_At that time:_ Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable:

The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who would take an

account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the

account, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand

talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord

commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and

all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant falling

down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me and I will pay

thee all.

{458}

And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go,

and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he

found one of his fellow-servants that owed him a hundred pence;

and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: Pay what thou

owest. And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him, saying:

Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not:

but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. Now his

fellow-servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and

they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord

called him, and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee

all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldst not thou then

have had compassion also on thy fellow-servant, even as I had

compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to

the torturers, until he paid all the debt. So also shall my

heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his

brother from your hearts. Credo.

Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Philippians_ i. 6, 11.

_Brethren:_ We are confident of this very thing, that he who

hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of

Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all: for

that I have you in my heart; and that in my bands, and in the

defence and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of

my joy. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the

bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity may

more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding; that

you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and

without offence unto the day of Christ. Filled with the fruit of

justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

{459}

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxii. 15, 21.

_At that time:_ The Pharisees going, consulted among

themselves how to ensnare Jesus in his speech. And they sent to

him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know

that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in

truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard

the person of men. Tell us therefore what thou dost think, is it

lawful to give tribute to Cæsar or not? But Jesus knowing their

wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? Show me the

coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny. And Jesus

saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? They say to

him: Cæsar's. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Cæsar

the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are

God's. Credo.

Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost.

Should there be but 23 Sundays after Pentecost, the Mass of the

24th is said to-day, and this on the preceding Saturday, (if it

be neither a double nor semi-double,) in which case it is said

on some vacant day before it.

Epistle.

_Philippians_ iii. 17, 21; iv. 1, 3.

_Brethren:_ Be followers of me, and observe them who walk so

as you have our model. For many walk, of whom I have told you

often, (and now tell you weeping,) that they are enemies of the

cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their

belly, and whose glory is their shame: who mind earthly things.

But our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we look for

the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will reform the body of

our lowness, made like to the body of his glory, according to the

operation whereby also he is able to subdue all things unto

himself. (Chap, iv.) Therefore my dearly beloved brethren, and

most desired, my joy, and my crown: so stand fast in the Lord, my

dearly beloved. I beg of Evodia, and I beseech Syntyche, to be of

one mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, my sincere

companion, help those women that have laboured with me in the

gospel, with Clement and the rest of my fellow labourers, whose

names are in the book of life.

{460}

Gospel.

_Matthew_ ix. 18, 26.

_At that time:_ As Jesus was speaking to the multitude,

behold a certain ruler came up and adored him, saying: Lord, my

daughter is even now dead; but come, lay thy hand upon her, and

she shall live. And Jesus rising up followed him, with his

disciples. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of

blood twelve years, came behind him and touched the hem of his

garment. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only his

garment, I shall be healed. But Jesus turning and seeing her,

said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole.

And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus was

come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the

multitude making a rout, he said: Give place: for the girl is not

dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. And when the

multitude was put forth, he went in and took her by the hand. And

the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that

country. Credo.

As there cannot be less than 23, nor more than 28 Sundays after

Pentecost, it is to be observed, that the Mass of the 24th is

always said on that Sunday which immediately precedes Advent.

When, therefore, it happens that there are any intervening

Sundays between the 23rd and the last, the Epistles and Gospels

are taken from the Sundays which were omitted after Epiphany:

for instance, if but one Sunday, the Mass is of the 6th after

Epiphany; if two, of the 5th and 6th; if three, of the 4th,

5th, and 6th; and if four, of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Twenty-Fourth, Or Last Sunday After Pentecost.

Epistle.

_Ccolossians_ i. 9, 14.

_Brethren:_ We cease not to pray for you, and to beg that

you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom,

and spiritual understanding: that you may walk worthy of God, in

all things pleasing: being fruitful in every good work, and

increasing in the knowledge of God: strengthened with all might,

according to the power of his glory, in all patience and

long-suffering with joy. Giving thanks to God the Father, who

hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in

light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath

translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, in whom we

have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins.

{461}

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxiv. 15, 35.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: When you shall

see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel

the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him

understand. Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the

mountains; and he that is on the house-top, let him not come down

to take any thing out of his house; and he that is in the field,

let him not go back to take his coat. And woe to them that are

with child, and give suck in those days. But pray that your

flight be not in the winter, nor on the Sabbath. For there shall

be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the

beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. And unless

those days had been shortened, no flesh could be saved: but for

the sake of the elect, those days shall be shortened. Then if any

man shall say to you: Lo! here is Christ, or there: do not

believe him: For there shall arise false Christs, and false

prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as to

deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold I have told it you,

beforehand; if therefore they shall say to you: Behold he is in

the desert, go ye not out: Behold he is in the closets, believe

it not. For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth

even into the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man

be. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be

gathered together.

{462}

And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun

shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the

stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall

be moved: and there shall appear the sign of the Son of man in

heaven: and then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they

shall see the Son of man, coming in the clouds of heaven with

much power and majesty. And he shall send his angels with a

trumpet, and a great voice: and they shall gather together his

elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens

to the utmost bounds of them. And from the fig-tree learn a

parable: when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves

come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you

shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh even at the

doors. Amen, I say to you, that this generation shall not pass,

till these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass, but my

words shall not pass. Credo.

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The Common Of Saints.

Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

8th December.

Lesson.

_Proverbs_ viii. 22, 35.

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he

made any thing, from the beginning. I was set up from eternity,

and of old, before the earth was made. The depths were not as

yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of

water as yet sprung out: the mountains with their huge bulk had

not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought

forth: he had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the

poles of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there:

when with a certain law and compass he enclosed he depths: when

he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters:

when he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the

waters, that they should not pass their limits: when he balanced

the foundations of the earth, I was with him forming all things,

and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times,

playing in the world: and my delight is to be with the children

of men. Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they

that keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it

not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily

at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall

find me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ i. 1, 16.

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the

son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And

Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and

Zara of Thamar.

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And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot

Aminidab. And Aminidab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon.

And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And

Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the

king begot Solomon, of her who had been _the wife_ of Urias.

And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot

Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram

begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz.

And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Menasses. And

Menasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot

Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And

after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel.

And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiub. And

Abiub begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot

Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud

begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Matham. And Matham begot Jacob.

And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born

Jesus, who is called Christ.

Of St. Patrick, ap. and Patron of Ireland.

17th March.

Lesson.

_Ecclesiastes_ xliv. xlv.

Behold a great priest, who in his time pleased God, and was found

just; and in the time of wrath became an atonement. There were

none found like him in observing the law of the Most High.

Therefore by an oath did the Lord make him great amongst his

people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and established

his covenant on his head. He acknowledged him in his blessings:

he stored up his mercy for him; and he found favour in the eyes

of the Lord. (Chap, xlv.) He exalted him in the sight of kings;

and gave him a crown of glory. He made with him an eternal

covenant: and bestowed on him a great priesthood: and rendered

him blessed in glory. To perform the priestly office, to sing

praises to the name of God; and to offer him precious incense for

an odour of sweetness.

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Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxv. 14, 23.

_At that time:_ Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: A

man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered

to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to

another two, and to another one, to every one according to his

proper ability; and immediately he took his journey. And he that

had received the five talents went his way, and traded with the

same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had

received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the

one, going his way, digged into the earth, and hid his lord's

money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and

reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents,

coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst

deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over

and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful

servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I

will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy

lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and

said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have

gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and

faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few

things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the

joy of thy lord.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

25th March.

Lesson.

_Isaiah_ vii. 10. 16.

_In those days:_ The Lord spoke unto Achaz, saying: Ask thee

a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or

unto the height above.

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And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord.

And he said: Hear ye, therefore, O house of David; Is it a small

thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my

God also? Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign.

Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall

be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that he may

know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.

Gospel.

_Luke_ i. 26, 38.

_At that time:_ The angel Gabriel was sent from God into a

city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man

whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's

name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail

Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou

among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and

thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found

grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt

bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall

be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the

Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and

he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom

there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this

be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to

her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the

Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy

which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. And

behold thy cousin Elizabeth she also hath conceived a son in her

old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called

barren: because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary

said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according

to thy word.

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SS. Peter _and_ Paul.

29th June.

Lesson.

_Acts_ xii. 1, 11.

_In those days:_ Herod the king stretched forth his hand to

afflict some of the church. And he killed James the brother of

John with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he

proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of

Azymes. And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison,

delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending

after the pasch to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore

was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the

church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him

forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers,

bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the

prison. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him: and a light

shined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side raised him

up, saying: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his

hands. And the angel said to him: Gird thyself, and put on thy

sandals. And he did so. And he said to him: Cast thy garment

about thee, and follow me. And going out he followed him, and he

knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but

thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first and second

ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which

of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through

one street: and immediately the angel departed from him. And

Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed that the

Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand

of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xvi. 13, 19.

_At that time:_ Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea

Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say

that the Son of man is? But they said: Some, John the Baptist,

and other some, Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the

prophets.

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Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter

answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon

Bar-Jona; because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee,

but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art

Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates

of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the

keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind

upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou

shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. Credo.

Assumption _of the_ Blessed Virgin Mary.

15th August.

Lesson.

_Ecclesiastes_ xxiv. 11, 20.

I sought rest every where, and I shall abide in the inheritance

of the Lord. Then the Creator of all things gave his orders, and

said to me: and he that made me, rested in my tabernacle, and he

said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in

Israel, and take root in my elect. From the beginning, and before

the world was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not

cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered

before him. And I was so established in Sion, and in the holy

city likewise I rested, and my power _was_ in Jerusalem. And

I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God

his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.

I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress-tree on

mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm-tree in Cades, and as a

rose plant in Jericho: as a fair olive-tree in the plains, and as

a plane-tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted. I gave a

sweet smell like cinnamon, and aromatical balm: like the myrrh I

yielded a sweet odour.

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Gospel.

_Luke_ x. 38, 42.

_At that time:_ Jesus entered into a certain town; and a

certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And she

had a sister called Mary. Who sitting also at the Lord's feet,

heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood

and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me

alone to serve? Speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the

Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful,

and art troubled about many things. But one thing is necessary.

Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken from

her. Credo.

Feast Of All Saints.

1st November.

Lesson.

_Revelation_ vii. 2, 12.

_In those days:_ Behold

I, John, saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun,

having the sign of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice

to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and

the sea, saying: Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees,

till we have signed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred

forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children

of Israel. Of the tribe of Judah, were twelve thousand signed: Of

the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Gad,

twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand

signed: Of the tribe of Nephtali, twelve thousand signed: Of the

tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of

Simeon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Levi, twelve

thousand signed: Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand

signed: Of the tribe of Zebulon, twelve thousand signed: Of the

tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of

Benjamin, twelve thousand signed.

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After this I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of

all nations and tribes, and peoples and tongues; standing before

the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes,

and palms in their hands; and they cried with a loud voice,

saying: Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to

the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and

the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down

before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying: Amen.

Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour, and

power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ v. 1, 12.

_At that time:_ Jesus seeing the multitude, went up into a

mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.

And opening his mouth he taught them, saying: Blessed are the

poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are

the meek; for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that

mourn; for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger

and thirst after justice; for they shall have their fill. Blessed

are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the

clean of heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace

makers; for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are

they that suffer persecution for justice sake; for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and

persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you untruly,

for my sake; be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great

in heaven. Credo.

Commemoration _of the_ Faithful _departed_.

2nd November.

Epistle.

1 _Corinthians_ xv. 51, 57.

_Brethren:_ Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall all indeed

rise again; but we shall not all be changed.

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In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for

the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again

incorruptible; and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must

put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. And

when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass

the saying that is written: _Death is swallowed up in victory,

O grave, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?_

Now the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the

law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through

our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel.

_John_ v. 25, 29.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews:

Amen, amen, I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is,

when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they

that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so

he hath given to the Son also to have life in himself: and he

hath given him power to do judgment, because he is the Son of

man. Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are

in the grave shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they

that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection

of life: but they that have done evil unto the resurrection of

judgment.

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Common Of Saints.

For The Vigil Of An Apostle,

Which May Be Read On The Festival Day.

Lesson.

_Ecclesiastes_ xliv. _and_ xlv.

The blessing of the Lord is on the head of the righteous man.

Therefore did the Lord give him an inheritance, and assign him a

part among the twelve tribes; and he found grace in the sight of

all flesh. And he made him great to the terror of his enemies,

and by his words he tamed monsters. He rendered him glorious in

the presence of kings, and gave him his commandments in the sight

of his people, and showed him his glory. For his faith and

meekness he sanctified him, and made choice of him among all

flesh: and publicly gave him his precepts, and the law of life

and discipline, and highly exalted him. He settled with him an

eternal covenant, and encompassed him with the girdle of

righteousness: and the Lord hath put on him a crown of glory.

Gospel.

_John_ xv. 12, 16.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: This is my

commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life

for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I

command you. I will not now call you servants; for the servant

knoweth not what his lord doth. But I have called you friends:

because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have

made known to you. You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you;

and have appointed you that you should go, and should bring forth

fruit: and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall

ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Of a Martyr and Bishop.

Epistle.

_James_ i. 12, 18.

_Dearly beloved:_ Blessed is the man that endureth

temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the

crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him.

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Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God.

For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man. But

every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away

and allured. Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth

forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death. Do not

err therefore, my dearest brethren. Every best gift, and every

perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of

lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.

For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth,

that we might be some beginning of his creatures.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xiv. 26, 33.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: If any man come

to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and

children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also,

he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his cross

and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you having

a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the

charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish

it: lest, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to

finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, saying: This man

began to build, and was not able to finish. Or, what king about

to go and make war against another king, doth not first sit down

and think whether he be able with ten thousand, to meet him that

with twenty thousand cometh out against him. Or else, whilst the

other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions

of peace. So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all

that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.

Of a Martyr not a Bishop.

Lesson.

_Wisdom_ x. 10, 14.

The Lord conducted the just man through the right ways, and

showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the

holy things: made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished

his labours.

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In the deceit of them that over-reached him, she stood by him,

and made him honourable. She kept him safe from his enemies, and

she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict,

that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than

all. She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him

from sinners: she went down with him into the pit, and in bands

she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the

kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and showed

them to be liars that accused him, and gave him everlasting

glory.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ x. 34, 42.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Do not think

that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace,

but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his

father, and the daughter against her mother, and the

daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's enemies

against they of his own household. He that loveth his father and

mother more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son

or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh

not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me. He that

findeth his life shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life

for me, shall find it. He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and

he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. He that

receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the

reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name

of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man. And

whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup

of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen, I say to you,

he shall not lose his reward.

Of Many Martyrs.

Epistle.

1 _Peter_ i. 3, 7.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who,

according to his great mercy hath regenerated us into a lively

hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an

inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that cannot fade,

reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are kept by

faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a

little time made sorrowful in divers temptations; that the trial

of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the

fire) may be found unto praise, and glory, and honour, at the

appearing of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Gospel.

_John_ xv. 5, 11.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: I am the vine,

you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same

beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If any one

abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall

wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire,

and he burneth. If you abide in me, and my word abide in you, you

shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. In

this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much

fruit, and become my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, I

also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my

commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my

Father's commandments, and do abide in his love. These things

have I spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may

be filled.

Of A Confessor And Bishop.

Lesson _and_ Gospel, _as in page_ 79.

Of A Confessor Not A Bishop.

Lesson.

_Ecclesiastes_ xxxi. 8. 11.

Blessed is the man that is found without blemish; and that hath

not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.

Who is he, and we will praise him, for he hath done wonderful

things in his life. Who hath been tried thereby, and made

perfect, he shall have glory everlasting, He that could have

transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil

things, and hath not done them. Therefore are his goods

established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall

declare his alms.

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Gospel.

_Luke_ xii. 35, 40.

_At that time:_ Jesus said to his disciples: Let your loins

be girt, and lamps burning in your hands, and you yourselves like

to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from their

wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him

immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord, when he

cometh, shall find watching: Amen, I say to you, that he will

gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will

minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or

come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those

servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at

what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would

not suffer his house to be broke open. Be you then also ready:

for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.

Of a Virgin And Martyr.

Lesson.

_Ecclesiastes_ li. 1, 8.

I will give glory to thee, O Lord, my King, and I will praise

thee, O God, my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name, for thou

hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my

body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and

from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them

that stood by, thou hast been my helper. And thou hast delivered:

me according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from the

roaring _lions_, that were ready to devour me. Out of the

hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of

afflictions, which compassed me about: from the oppression of the

flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not

burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean

tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a

slanderous tongue: my soul shall praise the Lord even to death,

because thou succourest those that trust in thee, and deliverest

them from the hands of the Gentiles, O Lord our God.

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Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxv. 1, 13.

_At that time:_ Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable:

The kingdom of heaven shall be like to ten virgins, who taking

their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And

five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish,

having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: but the

wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom

tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was

a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet

him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And

the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps

are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be

not enough for us and for you, go you rather to them that sell,

and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the

bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to

the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last came also the

other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered,

saying: Amen, I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore,

because you know not the day nor the hour.

Of Many Virgins And Martyrs.

Epistle.

1 _Corinthians_ vii. 25, 34.

_Brethren:_ Concerning virgins I have no commandment of the

Lord: but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord to

be faithful. I think therefore, that this is good for the present

necessity, for a man so to be. Art thou bound to a wife? seek not

to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But

if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry,

she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of

the flesh.

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But I spare you. This therefore I say, brethren: the time is

short: it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they

had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they

that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not: and they that buy, as

though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as if

they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But

I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a

wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how

he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for

the things of the world, how he may please his wife; and he is

divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the

things of the Lord: that she may be holy both in body and spirit,

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxv. 1, 13,

_as in page_ 92.

Of a Virgin only.

Epistle.

2 _Corinthians_ x. 17; xi. 1, 2.

_Brethren: _Let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord: for

not he that commendeth himself is approved; but he whom God

commendeth. [_Chap_. xi.] Would to God you could bear with

some little of my folly: but do bear with me. For I am jealous of

you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one

husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xxv. 1, 13,

_as in page_ 92.

Of Holy Women.

Lesson.

_Proverbs_ xxxi. 10.

Who shall find a valiant woman? the price of her is _as of

things brought_ from afar off, and from the uttermost coasts.

The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no

need of spoils. She will render him good and not evil, all the

days of her life. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought

by the counsel of her hands. She is like the merchant's ship, she

bringeth her bread from afar. And she hath risen in the night,

and given prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens. She

hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her

hands she hath planted a vineyard.

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She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened

her arm. She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her

lamp shall not be put out in the night. She hath put out her hand

to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.

She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her

hands to the poor. She shall not fear for her house in the cold

of snow, for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.

She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry; fine linen and

purple is her covering. Her husband is honourable in the gates,

where he sitteth among the senators of the land. She made fine

linen and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chananite.

Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the

latter day. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of

clemency is on her tongue. She hath looked well to the paths of

her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. Her children rose

up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her. Many

daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them

all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that

feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of

her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Gospel.

_Matthew_ xiii. 44, 52.

_At that time:_ Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable:

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field.

Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and

selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again the

kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who

when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and

sold all that he had, and bought it. Again the kingdom of heaven

is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all

kinds of fishes. Which, when it was filled they drew out, and

sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but

the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world.

The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among

the just.

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And shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be

weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these

things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every

scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man who

is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new

things and old.

Anniversary Mass Of The Dedication Of A Church.

Lesson.

_Revelation_ xxi. 2, 5.

_In those days:_ I John saw the holy city, the new

Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, from God, prepared as a

bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the

throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and he

will dwell with them. And they shall be his people: and God

himself with them shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all

tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning,

nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things

are passed away. And he that sat on the throne said: Behold I

make all things new.

Gospel.

_Luke_ xix. 1, 10.

_At that time: _Jesus entering in, he walked through

Jericho. And behold there was a man named Zacheus, who was the

chief of the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see

Jesus, who he was, and he could not, for the crowd, because he

was low of stature. And running before he climbed up into a

sycamore tree that he might see him: for he was to pass that way.

And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up he saw him, and

said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down: for this day I

must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and

received him with joy. And when all saw it, they murmured,

saying: that he was gone to be a guest with a man that was a

sinner. But Zacheus standing said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the

half of my goods I give to the poor: and if I have wronged any

man of any thing, I restore him four-fold. Jesus said to him:

This day is salvation come to this house; because he also is a

son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save

that which was lost. Credo.

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For The Dead

_On the day of Decease or Burial._

Epistle.

1 Thessalonians iv. 12, 17.

_Brethren:_ We will not have you ignorant concerning them

that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who

have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

even so them who have slept through Jesus, will God bring with

him. For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we

who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not

prevent them who have slept. For the Lord himself shall come down

from heaven with commandment: and with the voice of an archangel,

and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ,

shall rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be

taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into

the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. Wherefore

comfort ye one another with these words.

Gospel.

_John_ xi. 21, 27.

_At that time:_ Martha said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst

been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus

saith to her: Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith to him:

I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last

day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life; he

that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live. And every

one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever.

Believest thou this? She saith to him: Yea, Lord, I have believed

that thou art Christ the Son of the living God, who art come into

this world.

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Instructions And Devotions

For Confirmation.

Confirmation is a sacrament instituted by our Lord Jesus

Christ, to enable us to arrive at the state of perfect

Christians, and to strengthen the spiritual life of grace which

we received at baptism. It is called _Confirmation_, from

its effect, which is to _confirm_ and _fortify_ those

who receive it with the necessary dispositions, in the

possession of the true faith, to arm them against their

spiritual enemies, and to complete and finish in them the

sanctification which baptism had begun. In baptism we receive

the character of the children of God; in confirmation we

receive the strength of men, and the character of the soldiers

of Jesus Christ, says St. Melchiades. In baptism we are

enlisted under the standard of Christ crucified; in

confirmation we are armed with the shield of faith, and enabled

to combat against the devil, the world, and the flesh. In baptism

we are regenerated, and receive the sanctifying grace of God for

the remission of sins; in confirmation we are prepared for a

spiritual warfare, and receive the Holy Ghost for a force and

corroboration, that we may stand firm in the divine service,

for the sake of Christ, with a holy vigour of spirit and

constancy of mind, amidst the terrors of the severest trials

and persecutions.

The effects of this sacrament appear visibly, not only in

thousands of holy martyrs, but also in the apostles, who, after

they had been confirmed on Whitsunday, by the Holy Ghost coming

down upon them, were immediately changed into new men, and were

animated by this Divine Spirit to that degree, that sufferings

for the sweet name of Jesus became the subject of their glory.

It is evident from Acts, viii. and xix., that the apostles

practised confirmation, as a means to communicate the graces

and gifts of the Holy Ghost to the faithful.

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It is of confirmation also that St. Paul makes mention, Hebrews

vi. 1, 2, and 2 Corinthians i. 21, 22, where he expressly says:

_Now he who confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath

anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given us the

earnest of the Spirit in our hearts._

The testaments of the most ancient writers plainly show, that

the church of God, from the apostles' days, has always believed

confirmation to be a sacrament of the new law, and administered

it as such. Among the rest, St. Clement, a contemporary of the

apostles, says, chap. 4, that he received this doctrine from

St. Peter and other apostles; and therefore he exhorts all,

without delay, to hasten to be signed by the bishop, that they

may receive the seven-fold grace of the Holy Ghost, since he

cannot be a perfect Christian who wilfully neglects this

sacrament. Tertullian, St. Fabian, and St. Melchiades, who

flourished in the second, third, and fourth centuries; St.

Cyprian, St. Jerome, St. Ambrose, &c. have handed down the same

doctrine: and St. Augustine, cont. lit. Petil. 2, c. 104, says

in express terms, "The sacrament of chrism in the kind of

visible seals, is sacred and holy, even as baptism itself."

Moreover, it is plain from the 8th chapter of the Acts of the

Apostles, ver. 14, that the _visible sign_ of the

imposition of hands has annexed to it an _invisible

grace_, viz. the imparting of the Holy Ghost. Consequently,

confirmation is a sacrament, as it has all things necessary to

constitute a sacrament, and is a _visible sign of an

invisible grace, &c._

The ordinary minister of this sacrament is a bishop only; and

it was for this reason that St. Peter and St. John, who were

both bishops, were sent to confirm the Samaritans, who had been

converted and baptised by Philip, the deacon; which is an

additional proof, that confirmation is a holy sacrament, and

not a mere ceremony, as Calvin pretends; for were it only a

ceremony that they had administered, why did not Philip, the

deacon, who baptised the Samaritans, use that ceremony? Where

was the necessity of sending two bishops to Samaria, as the

apostles did?--_Acts_ viii.

As water is made use of in baptism, so chrism is used in

confirmation. _Chrism_ is a sacred ointment, composed of

_oil of olives_ and _balsam_ (or _balm_) _of

Gilead_, solemnly blessed by a bishop on Holy Thursday.

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The unction, or outward anointing with _chrism_,

represents the inward anointing of the soul with the gifts of

the Holy Ghost; as the outward ablution with water in baptism,

denotes the inward washing of the soul by the sanctifying grace

of God. The oil, whose properties are to assuage our pains, to

fortify the limbs, and to give a certain vigour to the body,

represents the spiritual effects of the grace of this sacrament

in the soul; and the balm, which is of a sweet smell, and whose

property is to preserve bodies from putrefaction, represents

the good odour or sweet savour of Christian virtues with which

we are to edify our neighbours after having received this

sacrament. The form of words used in conferring this sacrament

is this: _I sign thee with the sign of the cross, I confirm

thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost._ Whilst the bishop

pronounces the form, he makes the sign of the cross with the

holy chrism, upon the forehead of each person that is to be

confirmed, to give them to understand, that no worldly fear or

shame is to deter them from confessing Christ crucified; but

that they are openly to profess the doctrines and maxims of his

gospel, and live as becomes members of his church in spite of

the ill example and corrupt maxims of the world. Hence

Tertullian says, lib. 1. adv. Marc. "The flesh is anointed,

that the soul may be consecrated. The flesh is signed, that the

soul may be fenced. The flesh, by the imposition of hands, is

shadowed, that the soul, by the spirit, may be

illuminated."--This is what the bishop prays for, when turning

himself towards those that are to be confirmed, with his hands

joined before his breast, he says, _May the Holy Ghost come

down upon you and the power of the Most High keep you from all

sins.--Amen_. A little blow is given on the cheek to the

persons confirmed, to imprint in their minds, that they are to

be ready to bear with meekness and patience, all crosses,

persecutions, trials, affronts, and injuries, for the sake and

glory of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ. At the same time

the bishop says, _Peace be with thee_, to signify that the

true peace of God, which, as St. Paul says, _exceeds all

understanding_, is chiefly to be found in patient suffering

for God and his truths. Lastly, the bishop prays for those who

have been confirmed, that the Holy Ghost may ever dwell in

their hearts, and make them temples of his glory. After which

be dismisses them with his blessing, &c.

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Q. Can this sacrament of confirmation be received more than

once?

A. No; because, like baptism, it imprints an indelible

character or spiritual mark in the soul, which always remains.

Q. Is there any spiritual kindred contracted in confirmation?

A. Yes; the godfather or the godmother contracts the same

spiritual kindred as in the sacrament of baptism.

Q. Is confirmation absolutely necessary to salvation?

A. It is not so necessary but that a person may be saved

without it; yet, when a favourable opportunity offers for

receiving it, it would be certainly a sin to neglect so

powerful a help to salvation, and deprive ourselves of the

benefit of this holy sacrament, which our blessed Redeemer was

mercifully pleased of his infinite goodness to institute, as

the never-failing means in his church to communicate his divine

spirit to his followers. It would be a still more grievous

crime to neglect confirmation through contempt, disregard, or

want of faith. It is to a wilful neglect of this sacrament that

the holy fathers attribute the downfall of several apostates

from the true religion.

Q. What kind of persons stand most in need of the grace of this

sacrament?

A. Those who are most exposed to temptations against faith, or

to persecutions upon account of their religion.

Q. At what age may a person be confirmed?

A. Ordinarily speaking, the church does not give confirmation

to children before they are seven years old; but defers it till

they come to the use of reason, and are sufficiently instructed

and prepared. Fathers and mothers should take care to have them

carefully instructed in the Christian doctrine, and regularly

prepared to be presented to the bishop for confirmation at the

proper time, before they have received the Blessed Eucharist.

If their children be lost through ignorance, they shall answer

for it to God.

Q. What are the dispositions necessary for receiving the

sacrament of confirmation worthily?

A. A person must be free from the guilt of mortal sin, and in

the state of grace; for the _holy spirit of wisdom will not

enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subject to

sins_.--Wisdom i. 4. He must also be well instructed in the

principles of the Christian faith, according to his age and

capacity, and have a proper sense of what he is doing.

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Q. In what manner then must a person prepare himself for

confirmation?

A. First, he must examine his conscience diligently, and if he

find it charged with wilful sin, he must take care to purge it

by a good sacramental confession; for it would be a grievous

sacrilege to presume to receive the sacrament of confirmation,

knowingly in the state of mortal sin.--Secondly, he must

prepare himself some days before by devout and humble prayer,

frequently and fervently calling upon God to dispose his soul

for receiving the Holy Ghost, who communicates his gracious

gifts and favours in proportion to the dispositions with which

they are received.

Q. As confirmation is ordained for the sanctification of souls,

why do not all who receive it become saints?

A. The fault is entirely their own. God on his part is ready to

bestow all the graces necessary to enable them to become saints;

but, alas! how few are disposed to improve and co-operate with

them as they might and ought! How few make the proper use of

them! How many on the contrary resist them, like the

stiff-necked Jews! How many _contristate_ and

_extinguish_ the divine spirit, as the apostle expresses

it! How many banish this heavenly guest from the temple of

their souls by falling into mortal sin, and thus obstruct the

operation of this holy sacrament!

Q. Is a person obliged to receive the sacrament of confirmation

fasting?

A. No. There is no strict obligation or precept for it, though

to fast on the eve and day of confirmation is a laudable

custom, and conformable to the practice of the primitive

church.

Q. Why are the fervent exercises of piety and devotion required

before confirmation?

A. For two reasons: First, because our Saviour has assured us

that his _heavenly Father will give his good spirit to them

that ask it._--Luke, xi. 13. Secondly, in imitation of the

apostles, who, during the ten days between the ascension of our

Lord and the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, retired from

the noise and tumults of the world, and continued with one accord

in prayer, with Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his

brethren.--_Acts_, i. 14.

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Q. Why are we to invoke the Holy Ghost in particular?

A. Not that we are to neglect praying to the Father and the Son

also, as we know that all the three persons are but one and the

same God; but because the work of our sanctification, the

pouring down the grace of God into our souls, and all the

heavenly favours and helps that are necessary for conducting us

in the way of salvation, are the effects of the divine love,

and are by a peculiar approbation attributed in a special

manner to the operation of the Holy Ghost, as it is the love of

the Father and of the Son, and as it is from God's love that

all grace, all virtue and sanctification, flow and proceed.

A Prayer Before Confirmation.

O God of infinite goodness and bounty, who has been pleased, at

my baptism, to make me a Christian, to sanctify my soul with thy

grace, and to honour me with the glorious title of thy child;

which, alas! for my part, I have so wretchedly corresponded with,

and have even forfeited a thousand times by my sins: behold,

notwithstanding all my ingratitude, and my repeated treasons,

which thou hast so long and so patiently endured, thou art still

pleased, not only to invite me to return to thee, and to offer me

thy mercy, but also to call upon me at this time, to come and

present myself, in order to receive the greatest of all thy

gifts, even thine own most Holy Spirit; to be consecrated to thee

by his unction; to be made a strong and perfect Christian, and a

soldier of thy Son. O may all heaven and earth praise thee, bless

thee, and glorify thee for ever, for all thy mercies, goodness,

and bounty to me.

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And now, dearest Lord, I desire to come, because such is thy will

and my duty, to receive this great sacrament of Confirmation;

that I may like thy apostles, be _baptised with the Holy Ghost,

and be endowed with power from on high;_ and like them be

changed by divine grace, into another man, in such manner as

henceforward to live up to the dignity, and to fulfil every part

of the duty of a _soldier of Christ!_ and to preserve and

maintain even to death, that purity and sanctity which become the

temple of the living God. But, O my God, how far am I from being

worthy to approach this heavenly sacrament! How can I expect that

thy Holy Spirit should come into my inward house, to make it his

temple, which has been so long possessed by unclean spirits?

Where are the dispositions in me, which the apostles brought, and

which all Christians ought to bring along with them, to the

receiving of the Holy Ghost? O! I acknowledge myself infinitely

unworthy; I confess and detest from the bottom of my heart, all

my past uncleanness and abominations; I humbly crave thy mercy

and pardon, through Jesus Christ thy Son; and beg, through him,

that thou wilt be pleased to cleanse my soul from all its filth

with his precious blood, and to give me thy grace to come to this

sacrament with that humility, faith, and devotion, which is most

agreeable to thee.

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O Divine Spirit, do thou prepare my soul for thyself! Behold, I

come, desiring to give up myself to thee for all time and

eternity, that thou mayest ever live and reign in my soul; and O

let my whole soul henceforward he perpetually subject to thee,

and let nothing in me ever more rebel against thee. Amen.

Those who are preparing themselves for the sacrament of

Confirmation, may likewise breathe forth, from time to time,

the following short Ejaculations:

Come, Holy Ghost, who replenisheth the hearts of the faithful,

descend into my soul, and make it the place of thy abode.

Come, O Divine Spirit, take full possession of my heart, and

kindle in it the fire of thy divine love.

Enter into my soul and abide there for ever, to be my light, my

guide, and my strength.

Come, Holy Ghost, with all thy gifts, and fill my soul;

enlighten, direct, and conduct me in all my ways. Strengthen me

against all the assaults of self-love, remove from me all vicious

shame, and inspire me with a Christian courage.

O grant that I may make the gospel the rule of my life. Preserve

me from the corruption of sin, and from the pernicious maxims of

the world. Give me grace, O God, to do thy will in all things.

Enlighten my eyes, O Lord, that I may never sleep in death.

O uncreated fire, when wilt thou consume whatever is imperfect in

my soul.

Inebriate my soul with thy holy love, O thou sovereign beauty.

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O may I never forget the obligations that are contracted, by

being enlisted a disciple of the cross, in the sacrament of

confirmation.

O grant that I may ever have before my eyes the duties thereunto

annexed, and that I may live henceforward according to the spirit

of a true and perfect Christian.

"Short ejaculations of this kind, frequently darted from an

humble and fervent heart, penetrate the clouds, pierce the

paternal heart of the Father of Mercies, and draw down an ample

benediction on those pious souls to whom they become familiar

by practice and habit; this manner of prayer is highly

commended by the saints, and was one of the principal

excercises by which the ancient solitaries arrived at the

highest perfection. It has this peculiar advantage, that one

can practise it at all times, on all occasions, and in the

midst of external employment, without being exposed to the

danger of vain glory, as it is secretly performed in the closet

of the heart. It is short and easy, does not distract or

fatigue the mind, but keeps up the fervour of the spirit, and

attention to the divine presence."

A Prayer After Confirmation.

O my God, I now desire to adore thee, bless thee, and glorify

thee, for ever, for all thou hast done for me, and for thy whole

church, both of heaven and earth. I would now gladly join both my

heart and my voice with all thy angels and saints in heaven, and

with all that fear thee and love thee on earth, in giving

perpetual praise to thee for thy infinite goodness, and in

particular for that love thou hast shown to me this day. I give

thee thanks from the bottom of my heart, for having sent down the

Holy Spirit into my soul, with all his gifts and graces.

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O let him now take full possession of my soul; let this heavenly

unction penetrate into the very centre of my interior; let his

divine _wisdom_ ever preside there, may it ever enlighten me

with his gifts of _understanding_, and dispel all my

darkness: may it direct me with his _counsel_, strengthen me

with his _fortitude_, instruct me with his _knowledge_,

make me ever fervent in all good, with his _piety_ and

_godliness_ and let his _divine fear_ ever restrain me

from _evil_. And now, dear Lord, since thou hast been

pleased, by this sacrament, to consecrate and sanctify my soul

for thyself, and to make it thy temple, be pleased also to drive

far from it, by thy grace, all that may violate or profane it, or

render it any ways disagreeable to thy eyes. O keep it for ever

for thyself, and restrain Satan from ever entering into it any

more. O let it be a _house of prayer_, in which thou mayest

be ever _worshipped, in spirit and in truth_, and suffer it

not to be made any more a _den of thieves_. Give me grace

also to fulfil, with perfection, every branch of the duty of thy

_soldier_,--which glorious title thou hast _conferred_

on me this day: arm me completely for the warfare in which I am

happily engaged, and stand by me in all my conflicts, to crown me

with victory. O make me _faithful unto death_, and bring me

safe through all the dangers of my mortal pilgrimage, to the

crown of everlasting life: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

_N. B.--Here repeat the Hymns_, "Creating Spirit, come

posses;" _and,_ "Come, Holy Ghost, send down those beams,"

_which are inserted, with the Latin, at the end, under the head

of Whit-Sunday_.

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The Psalter Of Jesus.

"There is no other name under heaven given to men

whereby we must be saved."--_Acts_. iv. 12.

This Psalter is divided into three Parts; each part consisting

of five Petitions, and each Petition prefaced by a tenfold

repetition of the sacred name of _Jesus_. As it is not to

be run over in too hasty a manner, but performed with the

utmost reverence and recollection, the whole may be said

without interruption; or, each Part at three distinct periods

of time; according to the leisure which persons may find, after

discharging the indispensable duties of their several states

and conditions of life.

First Part.

"At the name of _Jesus_ let every knee bend, both in

heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and let every tongue

acknowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God

the Father."--Philippians ii.

The First Petition.

Jesus! (_repeated ten times_) thou God of compassion, have

mercy on me, and forgive the many and great offences I have

committed in thy sight. Many have been the follies of my life,

and great are the miseries I have deserved for my ingratitude.

Have mercy on me, dear Jesus, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for

I am unable to help myself. Deliver me from an inordinate

affection for any of thy creatures, which may divert my eyes from

incessantly looking up to thee. For the love of thee, grant me

henceforth the grace to hate sin, and out of a just esteem of

thee, to despise all worldly vanities.

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Have mercy on all sinners, I beseech thee, dear Jesus; turn their

vices into virtues; and making them sincere lovers of thee, and

observers of thy law, conduct them to bliss in everlasting glory.

For the sake of thy glorious name Jesus, and through the merits

of thy bitter passion, have mercy also on the souls in purgatory.

O blessed Trinity, one eternal God, have mercy on me. Our Father.

Hail, Mary.

The Second Petition.