The Holy Cross Missal
Propers and Commons of Various Feasts and Fasts Not Included in the Book of Common Prayer together with the Ordinary and Canon of the Mass, Requiems, and Other Votive Masses.
West Park, New York: Holy Cross Press, 1920.
VOTIVE MASSES
VOTIVE MASS OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
(Colour White)
The Collect
Almighty and Everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true Faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: we beseech thee, that thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this Faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities. Who livest.
The Epistle, 2 Cor. xiii: 11
Brethren, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
The Gospel, St. John xv: 26
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.
The Post Communion
May the partaking of this Sacrament, O Lord our God, together with the confession of our faith in the eternal Trinity and the undivided Unity, profit us for health of body and mind. Through.
When the Votive Mass of the Blessed Trinity or any other is celebrated in thanksgiving to Almighty God, for a deliverance from danger, or for a favour received, the following Collect and Post Communion are said after those proper to the Mass.
The Collect
O God, whose mercies are without number, and the store of whose goodness is infinite: we give thanks to thy most gracious majesty for the gifts conferred upon us, ever praying thy clemency; that, as thou dost grant their petitions to them that ask, thou forsake them not, but dispose them for the rewards of the life to come. Through.
The Post Communion
O God, who dost suffer none of them that hope in thee to be afflicted beyond measure, but lendest a loving ear to their prayers, we give thee thanks that thou hast received our petitions and desires, beseeching thee of thy great tenderness that through these things which we have received we may be worthy to be delivered from all adversities. Through.
VOTIVE MASS OF THE HOLY GHOST
(Colour Red)
The Collect
O God, who didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through.
For the Epistle, Acts viii: 14
In those days, when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
The Gospel, S. John xiv: 23
At that time Jesus said to his disciples, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away and come again unto you. If ye loved me ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.
The Post Communion
May our hearts be cleansed, O Lord, by the inpouring of the Holy Spirit; and may he render them fruitful by watering them with his heavenly dew. Through.
VOTIVE MASS OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
The Mass of Corpus Christi
VOTIVE MASS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
The Mass of the Sacred Heart
VOTIVE MASS OF THE HOLY CROSS
(Colour Red)
The Collect
O God, who was pleased to sanctify the standard of the life-giving Cross with the Precious Blood of thy Only-begotten Son: grant, we beseech thee; that those who rejoice in honouring the Holy Cross may also evermore rejoice in thy protection. Through.
The Epistle, Phil. ii: 8
Brethren, Christ became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Gospel, St. Matthew xx: 17
At that time, Jesus took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
The Post Communion
Be thou with us, O Lord our God, and, as thou dost make us joyful in honour of the Holy Cross, defend us also by its perpetual aid. Through.
VOTIVE MASS OF THE PASSION OF OUR BLESSED LORD
(Colour Violet)
The Collect
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst descend from heaven to earth from the bosom of the Father, and hast poured out thy Precious Blood for the remission of our sins: we humbly beseech thee; that at the last day we may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive thy gracious invitation: Come ye blessed of my Father. Who livest.
For the Epistle, Zech. xii: 10
Thus said the Lord: I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem. And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered, saith the Lord Almighty.
The Gospel, St. John xix: 28
At that time, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus, therefore, had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. The Jews, therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true.
The Post Communion
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who didst ascend the gibbet of the cross for the redemption of the world, and didst shed thy Precious Blood for the remission of our sins, grant we beseech thee, that, this earthly life ended, we may joyfully enter the gates of paradise. Who livest.
VOTIVE MASS OF THE B. V. M. IN ADVENT
(Colour White)
The Collect
O God, who didst will that at the message of an angel thy Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary: grant that we, thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession. Through the same.
For the Epistle, Isa. vii: 10
In those days the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
The Gospel, St. Luke i: 26
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named 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 came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and, cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
The Post Communion
We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts: that, as we have known the Incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his Cross and Passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection. Through the same.
VOTIVE MASS OF THE B. V. M. FROM CHRISTMAS TO PURIFICATION
(Colour White)
The Collect
O God, who hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of everlasting salvation by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary: grant, we beseech thee; that we may know that we are aided by the intercession of her, by whom we have been counted worthy to receive the Author of our Life, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord. Who liveth.
The Epistle, St. Titus iii: 4
Dearly beloved, after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified. by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The Gospel, St. Luke ii: 15
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,-which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The Post Communion
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from sin, and, by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, make us to be partakers of thy heavenly aid. Through.
VOTIVE MASS OF THE B. V. M. PURIFICATION TO ADVENT
(Colour White)
The Collect
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we, thy servants, may rejoice in continual health of body and mind: and that, the glorious and blessed ever-Virgin Mary praying for us, we may be delivered from this present heaviness, and have the fruition of everlasting gladness. Through.
For the Epistle, Ecclus. xxiv: 9
He created me from the beginning before the world, and I shall never fail. In the holy tabernacle I served before him; and so was I established in Sion. Likewise in the beloved city he gave me rest, and in Jerusalem was my power. And I took root in an honourable people, even in the portion of the Lord’s inheritance.
The Gospel, St. Luke xi: 27
In those days, as Jesus spake to the multitude, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
But in Easter-tide the following Gospel is read
St. John xix: 25
At that time there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
The Post Communion
Having received the aids of our everlasting salvation, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may be everywhere protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever-Virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to thy majesty. Through.
VOTIVE MASS OF THE COMPASSION OF THE B. V. M.
as on the FeastO God, who, in thy gracious providence, didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of thy most holy Mother: grant, we beseech thee; that we may be worthy to have as our intercessor in heaven him whom we venerate as our protector on earth. Who livest.
For the Epistle, Gen. xlix: 22
Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: the archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: but his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) even, by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: the blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
The Gospel, St. Luke iii: 21
At that time it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph.
The Post Communion
Refreshed at the fountain of the divine Gift, we beseech thee, O Lord, our God, that, as thou dost make us to rejoice in the protection of blessed Joseph, so by his merits and intercession, we may become partakers of his heavenly glory. Through.
VOTIVE MASS OF THE HOLY ANGELS
(Colour White)
The Collect
O Everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of angels and men in u a wonderful order: mercifully grant; that as thy holy angels always do thee service in heaven, so by thy appointment they may succour and defend us on earth. Through.
For the Epistle, Rev. v: 11
In those days, I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
The Gospel, St. John i: 47
At that time, Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
The Post Communion
Filled with heavenly blessing we humbly beseech thee, O Lord, that what we celebrate with our feeble service may be made profitable to us by the assistance of the holy Angels and Archangels. Through.
VOTIVE MASS IN THE TIME OF ANY NEED
(Colour Violet)
The Collect
Mercifully show us thy pity, O Lord, that thou mayest pardon us for all our sins and deliver us from the punishment which we most justly have deserved. Through.
For the Epistle, Jer. xiv: 7
O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
The Gospel, St. Mark xi: 22
At that time, Jesus saith unto his disciples, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
The Post Communion
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that being purified from all earthly affections, we may proceed to the fulness of the grace of the heavenly Sacrament of whose holiness we have partaken. Through.
VOTIVE MASS FOR USE IN TIME OF WAR
(Colour Violet)
The Collect
O God, who makest wars to cease, and dost vanquish by the might of thy strong defence, the foes of those who put their trust in thee: succour us, thy servants, who entreat thy mercy; and break down the cruel power of our enemies, that with unceasing thankfulness we may give praise unto thee. Through.
For the Epistle, Jeremiah xlii: 1
In those days, all the captains of the forces came near and said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Pray for us unto the Lord thy God. And it came to pass after ten days that the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah. Then called he all the captains of the forces that were with him, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him; If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you. Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand. And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.
The Gospel, St. Matt. xxiv: 3
At that time, the disciples came unto Jesus privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world? And Jesus. answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name; saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
The Post Communion
O God, the Sovereign Lord of kingdoms and of kings, who in chastising dost heal, and in forgiving dost save: show forth thy mercy, and restore to us the quiet times of peace, that we may serve thee in holiness and amendment of life. Through.
VOTIVE MASS FOR PEACE
(Colour Violet)
The Collect
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness. Through.
For the Epistle, 2 Maccabees i: 1
The brethren, the Jews that be at Jerusalem and in the land of Judea, wish unto the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt, health and peace: God be gracious unto you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants; and give you all an heart to serve him, and to do his will, with a good courage and a willing mind; and open your hearts in his law and commandments, and send you peace, and hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in time of trouble.
The Gospel, St. John xx: 19
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples, glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
The Post Communion
O God, the author and lover of peace, whom to know is to live, and to serve is to reign, protect thy suppliants from all assaults, that we, who trust in thy defence, may fear no armed hostility. Through.
VOTIVE MASS IN TIME OF PESTILENCE
(Colour Violet)
The Collect
O God, who desirest not the death of sinners, but their repentance: look mercifully upon thy people when they turn unto thee; that, while they show devotion to thee, thou mayest turn away from them the scourges of thine anger. Through.
For the Epistle, 2 Samuel xxiv: 15
In those days, the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. And David spake unto the Lord when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house. And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the Lord in the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite. And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the Lord commanded. And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
The Gospel, St. Luke iv: 38
In those days Jesus arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
The Post Communion
Hearken unto us, O God, our Saviour, and, freeing thy people from the terrors of thy wrath, secure them evermore in the gift of thy mercy. Through.
VOTIVE MASS FOR THE SICK
(Colour Violet)
The Collect
O Almighty and everlasting God, the eternal salvation of them that believe: hear our prayers for thy sick servants for whom we implore thy mercy; that with restored health they may render thee thanks in thy Church. Through.
The Epistle, St. James v: 13
Dearly beloved, is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The Gospel, St. Matthew viii: 5
At that time, when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
The Post Communion
O God, the sole defence of human infirmity, show forth thy power upon thy sick servants that, being assisted by the help of thy mercy, they may be found worthy to be brought back in health to thy holy Church. Through.
But if the Mass is offered up for a sick person who is near death, the Collect, and the Post Communion are as follows:
The Collect
Almighty and merciful God, who hast given to mankind both the remedies of salvation and the rewards of everlasting life: mercifully look upon thy servant who is suffering from bodily infirmity, and strengthen the soul thou hast created, that in the hour of its going forth it may be counted worthy to be presented without stain of sin to thee, its Creator, by the hands of the holy angels. Through.
The Post Communion
We beseech thy clemency, O almighty God, that by the virtue of this Sacrament thou wouldest vouchsafe to confirm thy servant with thy grace, that in the hour of his death the adversary may not prevail against him, but that he may be found worthy to enjoy the companionship of thy blessed angels in his passage to eternal life. Through.
THE NUPTIAL MASS
(Colour White)
The Collect
Graciously hear us, almighty and merciful God, that what is accomplished by our ministry may be perfected by thy blessing. Through.
The Epistle, Eph. v: 22
Brethren, let wives submit themselves unto their own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
The Gospel, St. Matt. xix: 3
At that time, the Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
After the secret Our Father after the Consecration the priest, before continuing the Mass, proceeds one step to the Epistle side of the altar, and turning toward the bridegroom and bride, who are kneeling at the altar steps, says over them the following prayers:
Mercifully hear our prayers, O Lord, and graciously protect thine ordinance, whereby thou hast provided for the propagation of mankind, that this union made by thy authority may be preserved by thy help. Through.
O God, who by thy mighty power hast made all things out of nothing; who, in the beginning having set up the world, didst bestow on man, whom thou hadst created in thine own likeness, the inseparable help of woman, fashioning her body from his very flesh, and thereby teaching us that it is never lawful to put asunder what it has pleased thee to make of one substance; who hast consecrated wedlock by a surpassing mystery, since in the marriage-bond thou didst foreshow the union of Christ with the Church; by whom woman is joined to man, and that alliance which thou didst ordain from the beginning is endowed with a blessing, which alone was not taken away, either in punishment of original sin or by the sentence of the flood; look down in mercy upon this thy handmaid who, being about to enter upon wedded life, seeks to be strengthened by thy protection; may the yoke she has to bear be one of love and peace; true and chaste may she marry in Christ, and be a follower of holy women; may she be pleasing to her husband like, Rachel; prudent like Rebecca; long-lived and faithful like Sara; may the author of sin have no share in any of her actions; may she remain attached to the Faith and Commandments; may she fortify her weakness by strong discipline; may she be respected for her seriousness and venerated for her modesty; may she be well versed in heavenly lore; may she be fruitful in offspring. May her life be pure and blameless; and may she attain to the rest of the blessed in the kingdom of heaven. May they both arriving at a happy old age see their children’s children even to the third and fourth generation. Through.
The Post Communion
We beseech thee, almighty God, in thy great goodness, to show favour to that order of things which thou thyself hast established, and to keep in abiding peace those whom thou hast joined together in lawful bond. Through.
Before blessing the people, the priest again turns to the bridegroom and bride, and blesses them in particular, saying:
May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, be with you, and may he fulfil his blessing in you: that you may see your children’s children even to the third and fourth generation, and may afterwards have life everlasting, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.