A Method of Hearing Mass Spiritually,

WHICH MAY BE USED BY THOSE WHO ARE PREVENTED FROM GOING TO CHURCH.

A Good Intention Before Mass.

    I BELIEVE, Lord Jesus, that in the Last Supper Thou didst offer up a true sacrifice; I believe it because Thou hast made it known to us through the Catholic Church, which from the apostles' times has constantly taught it to us. Since Thou didst command the apostles and the priests ordained by them, to do the same till the end of time, I therefore offer to Thee, with the priest, this holy sacrifice of the Mass (which I believe to be one with that offered on Mount Calvary), to Thy honor and glory, in acknowledgment of my most bounden service, in thanksgiving for the innumerable benefits which Thou hast conferred upon me and upon the whole world, in satisfaction for my sins and the sins of all mankind, and for obtaining the grace of perfect contrition for my sins. I also offer to Thee this holy Mass for my friends, benefactors, for those for whom I am bound, and for whom Thou wiliest me to pray. I also offer it for my enemies, that they may be converted, for all the faithful departed, particularly for my parents and relatives, and for the welfare of all Christendom.

I. Heartfelt Desire to Participate in the Holy Sacrifice.

    Most Holy Trinity, God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, almighty source of all things; my best Father, my merciful Redeemer, the Fountain of my sanctification and happiness, I, Thy most unworthy creature, venture to appear before Thee, to show Thee, my true God and Creator, all honor, adoration, and trustful submission; to thank Thee for the innumerable benefits which I have received from Thee; to praise Thee for Thy glory (for I am created for Thy praise); to implore Thy mercies, and to appease Thy justice, because I have so often and so grievously sinned against Thee. All this I cannot do in a worthier and more perfect manner than by hearing, with faith and devotion, holy Mass. For in that holy sacrifice is offered to Thee the most sublime sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, the most efficacious sacrifice of supplication and propitiation, the most worthy sacrifice of salvation for the living and the dead. But because I cannot this day be present bodily at the holy Mass, I will, at least in spirit, place myself before the altar where Jesus Christ in an unbloody manner offers Himself, O heavenly Father, to Thee. With this glorious sacrifice I unite my present prayer; I fervently desire, united with the Son of God, in the strongest manner to praise, love, supplicate Thee, O heavenly Father, to repair all the wrong and shame that I have wrought, and completely to accomplish all that can be accomplished by the holy sacrifice of the Mass. To this end give me Thy divine grace, and grant that I may perform all this with sincere devotion. Amen.

II. Contrition for Sins, with Faith and Confidence in Jesus Christ, and an Offering of His Precious Merits.

    Holy Father, I confess with sorrow that I have seldom served Thee with an undivided heart, but rather have often offended Thee, and by my slothfulness and neglect have brought upon myself infinitely great guilt before Thee. I therefore take refuge in the merits of Thy beloved Son, now present upon the altar, Who so freely commends and imparts to us His grace and favor. In the holy sacrifice of the Mass Jesus offers to Thee, for me, the highest veneration and love, the most perfect praise, the most hearty thanksgiving, and the most kind expiation. For the perfect forgiveness of my sins, O heavenly Father, I offer to Thee the whole suffering and death of Jesus Christ, which now, in an unbloody manner, is renewed upon the altar. O most benign Father, Thy Son has suffered and died even for me, a poor sinner. With thankful love I bring before Thee as a precious and pleasing offering, the infinite merits of His suffering and death. I firmly trust that, on account of this inestimable sacrifice of Thy Son, Thou wilt not regard my guilt, and that Thou wilt increase in me Thy graces. Amen.

    O Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, to Thee I turn for help and grace. Graciously look upon my misery and wretchedness, and let my supplications come before Thee. That I may the more surely be heard by Thee, I appear before the throne of Thy grace, which for our salvation, is set up in the holy sacrifice of the Mass, where the innocent Lamb of God is mysteriously offered up to Thee, holy Father, Almighty God, for the remission of our sins. Regard, I beseech Thee, the innocence of this holy sacrifice, and for the sake thereof extend to me Thy mercy. O my Saviour, how great is Thy love for me which, to make satisfaction for my sins, and to gain me the grace of Thy Father, impelled Thee to endure for me such bitter pains, and even death itself. Oh, how great is yet Thy love for me, which causes Thee, in every holy Mass to renew, in an unbloody manner, Thy death of propitiation, in order to apply and communicate to me Thy merits. With my whole heart I thank Thee for Thy great love, and from the depths of my soul I beseech Thee to make me a partaker of the fruits of it, and to strengthen and confirm me by the grace of the Holy Ghost, that I may detest sin and all unholy living, that I may crucify my flesh, with all its passions, deny myself, and follow in Thy footsteps, that all my thoughts and words, all that I do or leave undone, may be a living service of God, and a sacrifice well pleasing to Him.

    As Thou hast offered up Thyself to Thy heavenly Father, so take me also in the arms of Thy love and mercy, and present me, a poor erring sinner, as an offering to Thy Father, and let me no more be separated from His love. Amen.

III. Adoration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Under the Appearances of Bread and Wine.

    O most holy Jesus, before Thee the heavenly choirs kneel and adore; with them I lift up my voice and cry, Holy, holy, holy, art Thou, O Lord of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy grace and glory. Thou art present, O Jesus, under the appearances of bread and wine. Hear, O hear my prayer. I strike my breast and confess my unworthiness; but with firm confidence I implore Thee, O Jesus, be merciful to me. O most benign Jesus, forgive me my sins. O holy blood, wash me from my sins. O precious blood of Jesus, O blood of Jesus, rich in grace, cry out to Heaven for mercy upon me. Most holy God, receive this precious blood, together with the love through which it was shed; receive it as an offering of my love and thankfulness, for the greatest glory of Thy name; for the forgiveness of my sins; in satisfaction of the punishments which I have deserved; for the washing away of the stains of my guilt, as reparation for all my neglects, and as amends for all the sins which I have committed through ignorance or frailty; receive it also as a sacrifice for the consolation of the afflicted; for the conversion of sinners; for the recovery of the sick and suffering; for the strengthening of those who draw near to death; for the refreshment, purification, and deliverance of the souls of the departed in purgatory. Amen.

IV. Unshaken Confidence in Jesus Christ.

    To Thee, O most benign Jesus, I lift up my eyes and my heart. Oh, turn upon me Thy gracious countenance, and Thy true love. Behold, O Lord, my manifest need, and the great danger of my soul. Oh, receive me, Thou Who art my only true mediator and helper. Be Thou, through the holy sacrifice of the Mass, my salvation, and obtain for me the entire remission of my sins. Oh, represent to Thy Father how cruelly Thou wast scourged, crowned, crucified, and put to death for us, and thereby reconcile with the strict justice of God me, a miserable sinner. Amen.

    Our Father. Hail Mary.

V. He Who Asks in the Name of Jesus Shall Receive.

    O Lamb of God, Who suffered for us miserable sinners, have mercy upon me, and offer up to the Father Thy passion for the forgiveness of my sins. O Lamb of God, Who died for us miserable sinners, have mercy upon me, and offer up to God Thy death in satisfaction for my sins! O Lamb of God, Who didst sacrifice Thyself for us miserable sinners, have mercy upon me, and offer up Thy holy blood to the Father for the cleansing of my soul.

    Heavenly Father, I offer to Thee this precious and most worthy oblation. My sins are more in number than the hairs of my head, but, O just and merciful God, lay this precious offering in the one scale and my sins in the other, and that will far outweigh my guilt. O merciful, O holy God, give me Thy blessing before I end my prayer, and through this blessing let me obtain grace at once to begin to amend my life, and to renounce whatever is sinful and displeasing to thee. Support me in my weakness; strengthen me when temptations assail me, and let me never forget that Thou art near me.

    O precious day! but perhaps the last of my life. O happy day! if it shall make me better. Holy Mother of God, Mary, holy angels and friends of God, pray for me and lead me in the way of truth. O God, grant Thy love to the living, and Thy peace to the dead. Amen.

    

A Method of Hearing Mass

FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO UNITE THEIR PRAYERS WITH THOSE OF THE PRIEST.

Prayer before Mass.

    ETERNAL FATHER, I offer to Thee the sacrifice which Jesus ✝ Christ, Thy beloved Son, offered to Thee by the oblation of Himself upon the cross, and which He is now about to renew upon the altar. I offer it to Thee as a just tribute of adoration and praise, in thanksgiving for the innumerable benefits Thou dost bestow on me, to propitiate Thy justice, which I have outraged, to make due atonement for my sins, to plead for myself, for holy Church, for all mankind, and for the souls of the just suffering in purgatory.

At the Commencement of the Mass.

    How can I venture, O my God, to appear before Thy face, and take part in the sublime and spotless sacrifice which is soon to be offered to Thy divine majesty? I am but dust and ashes, a poor and miserable mortal. Nay, more, I have often and grievously offended against Thee, the infinite God; my soul is burdened with many sins and stained with guilt. But if in Thy justice Thou art angry with me, I take refuge in Thy merciful loving-kindness, trusting that for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord, my sinful soul can and shall be cleansed in His precious blood. Behold me prostrate before Thee, in deep compunction for my sins, because I have thereby offended against Thee, Who art my strict judge, and also my loving Father, my greatest benefactor, the highest good, most perfect, most worthy of my love. I confess before Thee, O infinite and eternal God, and before the whole company of heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the glorious archangel Michael, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the angels and saints, that I have sinned through my fault, my grievous fault; but I beseech Thee to pardon me for Christ's sake, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the angels and saints of heaven, that with a joyful heart I may offer to Thee this holy sacrifice in union with the priest. I am fully resolved never again to offend against Thee, but, with the assistance of Thy grace, to serve Thee faithfully unto my life's end.

Join with the Priest in Reciting Three Times:

    Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

At the Gloria.

    Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will. With all the angelic choirs we praise Thee, we adore Thee for Thy great glory and majesty. We bless Thee, we thank Thee, Eternal Father, for the decree of Thy mercy and charity, whereby Thou hast given Thy only-begotten Son for our salvation. We bless Thee, we thank Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Saviour, for Thy infinite condescension in becoming man for us, in suffering and dying for us, and now renewing upon the altar the mystery of our redemption. We bless Thee, we thank Thee, O life-giving Spirit, for the plenteousness of grace wherewith, for the sake of Christ's merits, Thou dost live and operate in the holy Catholic Church, and in all her faithful children. Manifest in our souls the power of Thy grace; cleanse and sanctify them, that they may form a diadem of glory for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that we may honor Him to all eternity, and in His presence praise and magnify God with all angels and saints in the courts of heaven. Amen.

At the Collects.

    Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast given to Thy servants, in the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and to adore the unity in the power of Thy majesty: grant that by steadfastness in this faith we may ever be defended from all adversities. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

    Lord Jesus Christ, Who wert subject to Mary and Joseph, and by Thy sublime virtues didst sanctify family life, grant that, by the intercession of the parents who watched over Thee, we may be imitators of the Holy Trinity on earth and be admitted to their blessed company in heaven. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

For the Epistle. (Col. iii. 12-17.)

Brethren: Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another; even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom. Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do, in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

At the Gospel.

    Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. To whom shall we go: Thou hast the words of eternal life. Purify, O Lord, my heart; enlighten my understanding, animate my will, that Thy divine word may be to me a seed which shall strike root, spring up, and bear fruit a hundredfold,—the fruit of virtue and holiness—to Thy glory and my eternal salvation.

    (Luke ii. 42-52.) When Jesus was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not. And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And seeing Him, they wondered. And His Mother said to Him: Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said to them: How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business? And they understood not the word that He spoke unto them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And His Mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men.

At the Credo.

    When the Creed is read, repeat it silently, with reverence and faith.

At the Offertory.

    Accept, O Lord, this offering of bread and wine, which we make to Thee by the hands of Thy priest. It will soon be changed, as Thy well-beloved Son has ordained, into His true flesh and blood, and so it becomes a real sacrifice, the only sacrifice worthy to be offered to Thy divine majesty. Grant that 'these gifts as coming from us may find acceptance in Thy sight; grant that they may avail to wipe out our countless sins and shortcomings, that they may ascend as an odor of sweetness to the throne of Thy grace, and may thence descend in a copious shower of blessings for our health and salvation, and that of the whole world.

    With this oblation we lay our heart and our whole self upon the altar in union with Thy beloved Son. Purify us, sanctify us, dispose of us and of all we have according to Thy good pleasure. From Thy divine hand we will take whatever Thy wise providence shall appoint: toil and weariness, trial and sorrow, sickness and death, for we know that Thou dost guide and direct all things for our greater good and our eternal welfare, and dost only afflict and chastise us for our ultimate advantage. Give us patience and pious resignation to Thy holy will, and the grace to persevere unto the end in the way of Thy commandments.

    In this solemn moment we will put far from us all earthly thoughts and desires, and ascend in spirit to heaven, and there take our stand among the blessed company of angels and saints by whom, and for whom, this sacrifice of praise is offered to Thee, O Lord, in thanksgiving for all the favors Thou hast bestowed on them, for the merits they have gained, the heroic acts of virtue they have performed through the help of Thy grace, for the unspeakable glory and felicity which Thou hast given to them as their portion forever. May all these happy denizens of heaven, especially the one whose memory the Church celebrates to-day, or whose relics repose upon this altar, vouchsafe to intercede for us before Thy throne, that what we do to their honor may avail for our profit and salvation.

At the Preface.

    With recollection of mind we lift up our hearts to Thee, O Lord✝ and render thanks anew to Thy divine majesty. For it is meet and just, right and salutary, that we should always and in all places give thanks to Thee. There is no time, no place, wherein we are not recipients of Thy bounteous gifts; there is no time, no place, wherein Thou, O merciful Father, dost not look upon us, ready to pour out upon us the riches of Thy grace, desirous to make us partakers in the infinite treasure of the merits of Thy Son. May we ever have a lively sense of Thy watchful care over us, of Thy ever-present majesty, for in Thee we live, and move, and are. May we never grow weary of Thy praise here on earth, and hereafter may we continue to laud and magnify Thee with the blessed company of heaven, who cease not to cry: " Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."

At the Canon.

    The nearer the solemn moment approaches, my God, when Thy only-begotten Son in His divinity and humanity becomes present upon this altar under the form of bread and wine, the deeper is the awe and reverence I feel. Following the example of the priest, I enter into myself, and in silent supplication lay before Thee my desires and my necessities.

    By the infinite merits of this Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech Thee, O merciful Father, look down upon Thy holy Church, protect her, extend her, govern her; bless and guide her visible head, our holy Father the Pope, our prelate, and all her faithful children. Have mercy upon all our parents and friends, all for whom it is our desire or our duty to pray, especially [NN."\ Keep all evil far from us, preserve us all that is good, and, above all, grant to us Thy blessing and Thy love, and grace to persevere unto the end.

    Be mindful, O Lord, of the bitter sufferings and death of Thy Son, our Lord, of the merits and virtues of the Blessed Virgin, of the holy apostles and martyrs and other saints, who during their earthly pilgrimage served Thee faithfully and found favor in Thy sight. All these, our brethren in glory, now plead on our behalf. Grant that by their intercession and the power of Christ's blood we may be delivered from eternal damnation and admitted to the company of the elect in heaven. The same Saviour Who redeemed them and purchased for them everlasting felicity shed His blood for us also. The sacrifice of atonement once offered on Calvary is now about to be renewed in an unbloody manner upon the altar in our sight. Look down, O heavenly Father, upon the face of Thy Christ, upon His wounds and precious blood, and grant us help in time of need.

At the Consecration.

    At the elevation of the host: Jesus, to Thee I live; to Thee I die. Jesus, in life and in death I am Thine.

    At the elevation of the chalice: Jesus, have pity upon me; Jesus, be merciful to me. Jesus, grant me forgiveness of sin, and bring me to life eternal.

After the Consecration.

    And now, my God, in accordance with His own command, we call to mind the bitter passion, the glorious resurrection and ascension, of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord; we present Him to Thee, as the victim of the New Testament, veiled under the lowly form of bread and wine. Vouchsafe to look upon it propitiously, and for the sake of this sublime sacrifice look also upon us, Thy unworthy children, and accept our gift, as Thou wert graciously pleased to accept the sacrifice of Thy just servant Abel, of the faithful patriarch Abraham, and of Melchisedech, the high priest.

    We humbly beseech Thee that, together with this holy sacrifice, our hearts may be lifted up to Thy throne on high; admit them, with Thy beloved Son, to Thy paternal love; grant that we may be filled with all heavenly benediction, for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord, Who has made us to be His brethren, and members of His mystical body.

    Be mindful also, O Lord, of the souls of those who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and who sleep the sleep of peace. To these and to all that rest in Christ grant for His sake refreshment, light, and eternal rest.

    And to us sinners, Thy servants, grant in the time to come, through the intercession of Thy holy martyrs and saints, some share in their felicity, not considering our merits, but pardoning us according to Thy mercy and clemency. Through Christ, and with Him, may we praise and glorify Thee in time and in eternity. Following His divine command and precept, we venture to approach Thee with filial confidence, and say: " Our Father, " etc.

At the Agnus Dei.

    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Before Communion.

    (If you do not intend to receive holy communion endeavor to awaken within your heart the desire to receive it as soon and as worthily as possible, and ask this grace of God.)

    My God and my Redeemer, Thou hast enjoined upon us, under pain of eternal perdition, to receive the adorable sacrament of Thy body and blood, saying: "Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you." But Thou hast also taught us by the mouth of Thy apostle: "Whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. . . . He eatetli and drinketh judgment to himself." Never, O my Saviour, let me so far forget the debt of love I owe Thee as to incur the guilt of profaning the adorable sacrament of Thy love. Grant me grace to approach this heavenly banquet of Thy body and blood with a heart purified by confession and penance, so that I may worthily participate in the rich fruits of grace and sanctity of which it is the source.

At the Communion of the Priest.

    Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed. (Three times.)

    Since, O my Saviour, I cannot actually receive Thee as the food of my soul in the Adorable Sacrament, I will at least communicate spiritually, and thus gain some measure of profit.

    Prostrate before Thee in spirit, I declare my firm and steadfast belief that Thou art really and actually here present in the Most Holy Sacrament under the form of bread—present in Thy flesh and blood, Thy body and soul, Thy divinity and humanity, living, glorified, immortal. I believe this because Thou hast said it, and Thou, the Eternal Truth, hast commanded us to believe it.

    Who am I that I should venture to draw nigh to Thee? I am poor and weak, a wretched sinner who has often offended against Thee, the infinite God. Thou hast done all that Thy omnipotence, Thy wisdom, Thy love could devise to load me with benefits, and I have returned them with ingratitude. But now from the bottom of my heart I repent of my base unthank-fulness and many sins, because they have displeased Thee, my merciful Father, Who art the Supreme Good, beautiful in Thy perfection. I love Thee, O my God, I love Thee above all; I will never forsake Thy love, nor offend against Thee again.

    Would that I could now clinch my resolution by receiving the sacrament of Thy love. I long for the blissful moment when I shall be permitted to receive Thee. But now at least let me approach in spirit to kiss the sacred wounds Thou didst receive for my sake; in spirit hide myself in Thy pierced side, Thy divine heart, that I may live not only by what Thou hast done for me, but may live with Thee and for Thee, as Thy child, Thy brother, as a member of that mystical body of which Thou art the head. Thy infinite goodness and power, Thy gracious invitation, Thy unfailing promise, encourage me to hope that Thou wilt not despise Thy poor suppliant, but wilt receive me in mercy, and enrich me with Thy grace and Thy love.

Prayer after the Communion of the Priest.

    We humbly beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that we, whom Thou hast called to the participation of the heavenly banquet of Thy body and blood, may by Thee be fashioned after Thy divine heart, that we may be made meek and humble of heart, and learn to abhor the vain frivolities of the world.

    Grant, O Lord, that the effect of this Most Holy Sacrament may so operate in our soul and our body that in all our actions we may no longer follow the natural impulses of our heart, but may in all things obey the inspirations of Thy grace, and ever give thanks to Thee for this celestial gift. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc. Amen.

At the Ite, Missa Est, and the Blessing.

    O Holy Trinity, may this sacrifice be pleasing to Thee. Look not upon my unworthiness, but upon the merits of Christ, and make us through Him to find mercy and forgiveness. May God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless us and all whom we love. Amen.

At the Last Gospel and the Conclusion of Mass.

    I give Thee thanks, Eternal Father, that Thou hast permitted me to assist once more at this sublime sacrifice, enabling me thereby to pay the homage that is meet to Thy infinite majesty, to render Thee adequate thanks for the countless benefits Thou hast bestowed on me, and to offer Thee abundant satisfaction for my manifold sins, as well as for the transgressions of the whole world. It is only through Thy grace and bounty that I have been capable of doing this; and for this I offer Thee my heartfelt thanks. I thank Thee also for all the gifts and graces which, in virtue of this holy sacrifice of the Mass, Thou hast bestowed and will yet bestow upon me for the profit of my soul, and for all the benefits Thou hast conferred upon others in answer to my prayers. Forgive the wandering thoughts, the inattention of which I have been guilty during the celebration of the holy mysteries. And I ask of Thee this one grace: May we never fall away from Thy love, but increase in it more and more, and frequently unite ourselves in all we do or suffer to the intentions of Thy only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.