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sentiments and feelings, as well as an outward deportment, corresponding to the great action.

2. As to the interior sentiments, we may briefly state them as Faith, Contrition, and Confidence.

Faith is necessary, because without it we would not be enabled to penetrate the wonders which pass before our eyes on the altar. Contrition for sin is naturally to be expected from every one who considers in the Mass a lively representation and renewal of the sacrifice of the cross, which was offered for its expiation; and Confidence in the infinite mercy of God is a disposition at all times calculated to obtain great favors from the Divine goodness, but it is particularly so at Mass. Endeavor always to excite this sentiment in our hearts when we assist at the august sacrifice, by considering the greatness and infinite value of the Victim then offered to God. Had we been at the foot of the cross when Jesus Christ immolated Himself in torments for our sake, there is no favor which we would have hesitated to ask. Our confidence in God should be equally lively whenever we hear Mass, for we have the very same grounds for hope. It is the same God Who offers Himself for us-it is the same unbounded love that causes Him to do so; His sacred blood and infinite merits plead our cause just as efficaciously on the altar as they did on Mount Calvary, where, with a loud cry and tears, as St. Paul expresses it, He implored mercy and salvation for all sinners, and amongst them for us Ask, then, for any thing and every thing you need; ask with confidence, and you shall receive, for in presenting Jesus Christ to His eternal Father, you offer a Victim greater than all the favors you ask.

3. As to the profound respect, recollection, silence, and guard over the senses, which are the exterior dispositions, or rather, that which forms the comportment required for assisting at Mass, it would appear sufficient to have faith not to fail in them. "When you behold," as St. Chrysostom says, "the Lord Himself lying a Victim on the altar, and the priest attending, and praying over the sacrifice, purpled with His precious blood-when you consider that what is then done in far more awful, more astonishing, more extraordinary,

than when fire, falling from heaven, consumed the sac rifice of Elias, you cannot, without inexcusable presumption and impiety, be guilty of exterior disrespect at Mass."

If we have a proper idea of the importance of our joining in the Holy Sacrifice, we will not allow years to roll by without hearing more than the masses of strict obligation, while it is daily offered so near us.

There are, it is true, cases in which duties of obligation may prevent our assisting at Mass on week days. Such, however, will rarely occur, if the morning be profited by for discharging a duty so well calculated to draw down a blessing on the day. Whenever we are absent from Mass on week days, only to perform the more manifest will of God elsewhere, we lose nothing before God, Who, in all cases, and under all circumstances, requires the discharge of duty before the gratification of private devotion.

SECTION VII.

THE METHOD OF HEARING MASS.

1. The method to be observed in hearing Mass may vary according to each person's devotion. It is in itself of less consequence than all the rest, because those whose hearts are penetrated with the dispositions here pointed out, cannot fail to hear Mass well, whatever method they adopt.

2. Devout methods of hearing Mass are to be found In most spiritual works: among them all, none is more salutary, nor better adapted to the spirit of the Holy Sacrifice, than to consider the Passion of Jesus Christ, and to apply its various circumstances to the different parts of the sacred mysteries. The Sacrifice of the Altar being in fact a renewal of the oblation once of fered on the cross, it should therefore forcibly remind us of Calvary, and excite in our souls the sentiments we should naturally have experienced, had we witnessed the sorrows and sufferings attendant on the death of the Son of God. The best way to attain this end is

to study in the ceremonies used at the altar, the hi tory they represent, and in the movements of the priest, to follow Jesus step by step.

3. Transport yourself, then, in spirit, to Jerusalem : follow your Saviour, first, to the Garden of Olives, and afterwards to the mountain of sorrow and ignominy, uniting yourself with Mary and the holy women, who journeyed in the road marked out by the traces of His blood.

4. Like Simon of Cyrene, share with the innocent Lamb of God the burden of the heavy cross; attend to the last words of your dying Redeemer; receive His expiring sighs; strike your breast with sorrow, and shed tears of love and repentance.

5. When you are going to hear Mass, let your first care be to endeavor to recollect yourself, as well as you can, by calling home your wandering thoughts, and taking them off from all other business and concerns. Imagine that you hear within you the sweet voice of your Saviour, inviting you to come to His sacrifice, and to unite yourself to Him.

6. On your way to the church or chapel, put yourself in spirit in the company of the Blessed Virgin, and the other pious women going to Mount Calvary to be present at the passion and death of our Lord. Represent. your Saviour as carrying His cross before you to be immolated thereon for your sins, and bewail these sins of yours as the causes of all His sufferings.

7. When you enter the church or chapel, humble yourself profoundly in the presence of God, Whose house you come into; and if the blessed sacrament be kept there, adore your Saviour upon your bended knees. At taking the holy water, make the sign of the cross upon yourself, beg pardon for your sins, and humbly crave that you may be washed and cleansed from them by the blood of the Lamb.

8. Choose, as much as you can, a place to kneel in, where you may be most recollected, and least disturbed. There represent to yourself, by a lively faith, the majesty of God, and humbly beg His mercy and grace, that you may assist at this tremendous sacrifice in the manner you ought.

Prayers before Mass.

Going to church, meditate on these words:

"We shall go into the house of the Lord" (Ps cxxi. 1) "We will go into His tabernacle: we will adore in the place where His foot stood" (Ps. cxxxi. 7). "How terrible is this place! this is no other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven" (Gen. xxviii. 17).

On taking holy water, say:

Thou shalt wash me from my sins, O Lord, and I shall be made clean. O Lord, Thou shalt purify me with Thy blood, and I shall become whiter than snow. Create a clean heart within me, O my God, and renew a right spirit in my heart.

FRAYERS FOR THE AUTHORITIES.

We pray Thee, O Almighty and Eternal God, Who, through Jesus Christ, hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy; that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith, in the confession of Thy name.

We pray Thee, Who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief Bishop [name him],

the vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of His Church; our own Bishop [name him], all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church, and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude, the President of these United States; that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all their proceedings, and laws enacted for our rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the Governor of this State, for the members of Assembly, for all judges, magistraves, and other officers, who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend, likewise, to Thy unbounded

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