blood of Christ, and begs that God would accept of this oblation which he makes in the name of the whole Church, and that he would grant us peace in this life and eternal salvation in the next. After which he sol- emnly blesses the bread and wine with the sign of the cross, and invokes the Almighty that they may be made to us the body and blood of his most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And so he proceeds to the conse- cration, first of the bread into the body of our Lord, and then of the wine into his blood ; which consecration is made by Christ's own words, pronounced in his name and person by the priest, and is the most essential part of this sacrifice, because thereby the body and blood of Christ are really exhibited and presented to God, and Christ is mystically immolated. Immediately after the consecration follows the elevation, first of the host, then of the chalice, in remembrance of Christ's elevation upon the cross. At the elevation of the chalice the priest re- cites those words of Christ, 'As often as you do these things, you shall do them for a commemoration of me.' Then he goes on, making a solemn commemoration of the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, and begging of God to accept this sacrifice, as he was pleased to accept the oblation of Abel, Abraham, and ISIelchise- dek ; and to command that it may, by his holy angel, be presented upon the altar above, in presence of his di- vine Majestj', for the benefit of all those that shall par- take of these mysteries here below. Then the priest proceeds to the memento, or commemoration of the %lead, saying, ' Remember also, O Lord, thy servants N. and N., who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace ;' praying for aU the faithful departed in general, and in particular for those for whom he desires to offer this sacrifice. After this memento or commemoration of the dead, the priest, raising his voice a little, and striking his breast, says, ' Nobis quoque peccatoribus,' etc. (And to us sinners, etc.), humbly craving mercy and pardon for his sins, and to be admitted to some part and society with the apos- tles and martyrs through Jesus Christ. Then Icneeling down, and taking the sacred host in his hands, he makes the sign of the cross with it over the chalice, saying, ' Through him, and with him, and in him, is to thee, O God, the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory ;' which last words he pronounces, ele- vating a little the host and chalice from the altar, and then kneels down, saying, with a loud voice, ' Per omnia siEcula sfficidorum" (Forever and ever). Answer, Amen. After which he recites aloud the Pater Nosier, or Lord's Prayer, the clerk answering at the end, ' Sed libera nos a malo' (But deliver us from evil). After this the priest breaks the host over the chalice, in remembrance of Christ's body being broken for us upon the cross; and he puts a small particle of the host into the chalice, praying that the peace of the Lord may be always with us. Then kneeling down, and rising up again, he says, 'Agnus Dei,^ etc. (Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us). He repeats this thrice ; but at the third time, instead of 'Have mercy on us,' he says, ' Grant us peace.' After the Agnus Dei, the jjriest says three short prayers, by way of preparation for receiving the blessed sacrament ; then kneeling down, and rising again, he takes up the host, and, striking his breast, he says thrice, ' Domine, non sum dignus,' etc. (Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof; speak only the word, and my soul shall be healed). After which he makes the sign of the cross upon himself with the host, saying, ' The body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.' He so receives it. Then, after a short pause in mental prayer, he proceeds to the recei\'ing of the chal- ice, usmg the like words, ' The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserv'e my soul to life everlasting. Amen.' Then follows the communion of the people, if any are to receive. After the communion, the priest takes the lo- tions, or ablutions, of wine and water in the chalice, in order to consummate whatever may remain of the con-
MASS
866
MASS