sleepless on Christmas

I have resolved to walk to work as a sacrifice for Thomas Michael. It is about a mile and a half one way, so it will be three miles a day. Now I am regularly working six days a week, so it will be three miles six days a week which will be 18 mile a week, so in ten weeks I will have walked 180 miles. In 20 weeks I will have walked 360 miles. In 28 weeks I will have walked 504 miles which is just about what Mom walked across Northern Spain on El Camino de Compostela de Santiago. It took her about 8 weeks at 80 years old.

Sunday morning from midnight until 7.00 my body felt very run down, but I have recovered. Yesterday I walked and jogged to work because I was up all day until about 7.00. I arose at about 21.75 and got to work by 22.61, .11 late.

I have played chess with Misha, my daughter Katie's boyfriend. We played four-way chess on Christmas day. It has been a lovely Christmas besides the lack of sleep. I made it to Mass on Christmas day at 9.50.

I will get some sleep early today and get my mind back into my spiritual journey.

Let us sow while we can

So Thomas Michael had a bad fall. There is internal bleeding. He will be flown to Philadelphia for possible surgery (which was scheduled on January 2nd). God bless him. Pray for him. Pray for him.
This family of six is looking death in the face, but there is hope. God bless them all. God help them in this difficult time. In my family in 1964, my family of six met death when my father was killed in a car accident. I am just now recovering from that trauma. I did not handle the death of my father well. I could not handle it at 14. Now I am facing it, again, as a 57 year old. I realize that I have to handle the loss of my father, though I am not handling it face on yet. Still my heart is feeling the tremors. With Thomas Michael squarely facing death, I am brought more fully before death. Now all I can do for his family is make myself available. I have little to say. I just hope that I can listen and be there, if they need me, want me.
How fragile and temporary life on earth is. May we pray for God's help all the days of our lives.

Giving the heart

I am learning about love in a family. Friends of mine are dealing with a brain tumor of their 42 year old, youngest son, Thoams Michael. His three siblings have gathered around to support him. His parents are there, as parents should be to support their children. His wife and two children are there.
I realize in my own case that I did not know how to protect my own four children. I had been in a boarding school in eighth grade in Africa, then a four year boarding school outside of Philadelphia within four months of my father's death. It was not a good thing, but I accepted it and dealt with it. I lost my desire to learn and I just survived. Oh, the premium on institutionalized education is far too great. I needed my family. I needed love, not facts.
I wanted my own children at home. I was able to home school them through sixth grade--we did have help in the beginning from a very caring woman, Mary C., who was meticulous in her preparation. Anyway, I liked the atmosphere and the way the kids learned from each other, but as the kids neared 14, the age at which I had lost my father to a car accident I struggle. I had no ground to stand on and I let my children out into the wild, as I had been. My wife was much more protective of them. She nurtured them more than I could. I guess that I did not know that my role was to protect. I did not know how to do it. I had never protected anyone before and I had had a lack of protection, and, probably, felt that I did not need it. Now, unfortunately, I could not give it.
Now I sit here wondering if my scarred heart will shed its scales and let out the tears and if I will be able to be truly there for those whom I love and have a chance to help. All four of my children will be home for Christmas. I hope that I can give them me and not an image or a shell with little content. This is a matter of the heart. This is a matter of caring and loving. I have not done a good job as a father, though I made a point of being around, a lot. I, still, could not get my heart around anyone. I was too scared, too scarred, too beaten from tending to my mere survival that I had no heart to give.
Now I hope to open up for my friends. I will offer prayers and make sacrifices for the recovery of the youngest son and, perhaps, God will work on this oldest son. Oh God is always working in so many directions. No issue is small and all issues include love which He wants us all to have. Laus tibi Christe.

Italian joys

I have watched 'Il Postino' many times over the last month. I could have, should have, watched it much more, but it is a blessing. Oh, the power of poetry. Oh, the joy of love. The back of the tape (which I bought in a Video King, which is moving, for 3.99) has the most devastating written review on the back. It calls the movie a comedy in which the postino use word tricks to gain the hand of the most beautiful woman on the island. No, he uses poetry to win her hand and the poetry allows him to see his island as he never has before. and beautiful women need love as much as plodding men. It may be a comedy in the sense that the hero wins the woman, but it could be a tragedy because the hero is killed before he could read his poetry at a political rally.
Anyway, I love this movie. It is so interesting the way il postino's attitude towards Neruda changes and how he usurps Neruda's poetry for his own without shame. He claims, in a discussion with Neruda, that poetry belongs to the one who needs it. Neruda doesn't push, but looks amazed and just says, 'How democratic of you.' This movie shows the power of poetry, of art. As a poet wrote:

It is difficult
To get the news from poems,
But men die miserably
Every day for lack
Of what is found there.

Something like that.
For our Italian club we were going to sing 'Tu Scendi dalle Stelle...', but the snow stopped the festivities scheduled for today. I have almost memorized the first two stanzas. It is a beautiful song by St. Alphonsus Di Liguori. Oh, the power of love:

Quanto questa poverta piu m'innamora:
Giacche ti fece amor povero ancora.

St. Alphonsus' Stations of the Cross have the same powerful, simple love in them.
I may never learn Italian, so never be able to read Dante in the original, but I will try. In Italian club on Tuesday digo: 'Mi chiamo Dante Aligheri.' Signore wanted me to be Dante, so I played along. (I felt like il postino when I said it. I tried to say Dante's name as he said it in the movie.) I probably couldn't have done this last year, but this year I don't mind pressure or taking an impossible position. I am ready to give what I have and love doing it. Arrividecci, A dios,

Feast of the Most Holy Rosary

Holy Mother help all Catholics to use this great gift of you Holy Rosary for the spiritual growth of souls and for the salvation of souls.
Today there was a banner by the Sanctuary with a quote from Mother Teresa which said that a country that accepts abortion is the poorest of the poor. Lord, if it is Thy Will, I would like to help the unborn and the institution of marriage. I just read about Eleanor Rude who spent her last years serving the unborn and their mothers on Dawn Eden's blog. Falling Sparrow said that she just died. Bless her and her example.
I am elated that I got a comment on this blog. It is fitting that it is from a Portuguese speaker because I have a sister-in-law who married an Azorean and lives in the Azores with her family and a brother-in-law who married a Portuguese lady and lives in the Azores with two children.
I am attempting to learn Espaniol (I have two daughters who are fluent in Spanish.) as preparation for learning Italian so that I can read Dante, but I will add Portuguese to my list. I may fail in all three goals, but I can and will appreciate the speakers of all three languages with a greater love.
Thank you, mi amigo, from Brazil, the Azores or Portugal. You have blessed me. Now I have an audience and a reason to try to be more consistent (and to learn Portuguese).

marriage

Marriage is such a great institution. It gives security and it gives growth. God should be right in the middle of this union. I have seen some marriages where one spouse is devoted to God and the other is lukewarm. I have not seen many marriages where both people let God be in the middle of their relationship. Now I have not been in the middle of many relationships. Perhaps, none, but I would love to have a model relationship to look at, to learn from. I don't. I am ready to learn from a couple younger. Then, again, God is working on my marriage. Maybe my wife and I could be an example to others. But we are not there. God is still not in the middle of our marriage.
It is amazing how much stuff a person has to get through to really be in touch with himself. I am sure that some people can get there quickly and are ready and open vessels for God, but most of us struggle through pride and prejudices to get to a point where we are ready to do God's Will. Let alone let God be in the middle of a marriage.

control

How much should we hide? How much should try to control others' questions? How secretive should we be? I believe that I can be discrete, but , perhaps, I am too open at times and too closed at other times. We are not perfect vessels. We are human. What is most important? The salvation of souls for all Eternity. It is an honor to be Catholic. May I hold that honor with discretion and love. I guess that I have to die more to myself. I have to let go. God will carry me. I am weak and frail. I am nothing without God.

poetry

This is a time of year when I learn about tennis by the play and commentary from the US Open in Flushing Meadows. It is enjoyable watching people compete. It is often sad to see overly involved parents over reacting to their children's performances in a game, but often the kids rise up and show great maturity, both on and off the court, for those who don't they miss the great opportunities that tennis offer a person to grow up. I know about this. I have laid down my racket for a few years to try to grow up, to realize that hitting good shots is not always possible, winning is not always possible, but learning is, even as an old man. There is great joy in being able to share competition, in being able to play. May God bless play. It is play and should lead to laughter, not rage. As I have learned recently from 'The Thrill of the Chaste' frustration shows lack of control and the urge to take something that you don't deserve. I want to earn my play and deserve the ability to enjoy play and laugh at myself and with others.

So life is poetry. I think that poetry is so important, physically and spiritually and emotionally. I have learned and been cured by poetry, especially Dante's, but other poets have helped me to enjoy poetry more and more and be able to get more and more from it. My mother just sent me a poem by William Carlos Williams which she says is holds the best definition in words that she knows:

It is difficult
To get the news from poems
Yet men die miserably every day
For lack
Of what is found there.

Yes, poetry is worth the effort it takes to read it and worth the effort it takes to write it. It is not fluff that is nonessential to life. God is poetry and, of course, the best poet ever- poet just comes from the Greek word for creator, one who makes (God is the Creator.). May God continue to teach and heal me through poetry. May I learn to play games with love and with humor that is unifying, not the frustration of separation that I have known in my desire to win (to win what? Loneliness, darkness and isolation? Competition is great and enjoyable. It is all in the ability to be involved as Dante learned when he was grilled by St Peter, St James and St John in the heights of Heaven.)

extraction

I'll have a tooth pulled on Tuesday. It has been up and down with the pain, but for my financial, as well as my physical health, I will have it pulled. I can't think root canals, caps, implants. I have to think extractions and, perhaps, eventually false teeth. It is a race for Heaven. I need a million dollar heart, not necessarily a million dollar smile. I need to eat spiritual food. I have to dig deeper and deeper spiritually and mentally. I don't want to live with the flaws and imperfections that I have accepted in myself. I want to open myself up, more and more, to God's Love, so that I can show more charity and be an instrument of God's Grace. This is the effort which I must make now.

Lord Help me. It is hard for me to die to myself. I want to keep these things which keep me away from God because they are 'part of me', but I can open up and get rid of these shadows. I will be happier and more useful to God. I want to push to become a more useful instrument in God's Hands. I need to get my teeth into God's Food for His Love.

prayer

Prayer is such a lovely activity. I think that it can also be draining, but it is so active and so giving. It is an activity that touches people so deeply. We need prayer in and for all of our activities. I am just beginning to make room for prayer, for Rosaries in my life again (and the Mass has come into my life again, the greatest of prayers.)

Climbing the ladder

I have watched some people at work climb the workplace ladder. It is a scary thing to me.: They get blinders on. They lose sight of all of the people around them. They grab what they can from more skilled people: then when they realize those 'mentors'' limitations they downgrade them and seem to forget that they sat at their feet learning for awhile. It is a world about ME and ME is a sad world.

A friend just told me today about moving through the ranks of the Boy Scouts. There, one is expected to share and help while he is moving up.

Then, of course, there is the spiritual ladder. Here the ultimate goal is charity. So the higher up the ladder one gets, the more loving one gets, the more Godlike, the more Christlike. This life is the happiest life on earth for neighbor and self and, yes, the only True life after death. May we all climb Jacob's Ladder to the Emporium where the Trinity is present to all and the Blessed Mother worships the Trinity with the rest of the Saints.

The Assumption

So it is written in the church bulletin:

The 5:30PM Mass will be celebrated according to the
Latin Tridentine Rite for
which Pope Benedict XVIth has given world wide
approval for all priests to
celebrate the Liturgy of St. Gregory the Great codified
by the Council of Trent.

This is heart warming and hopeful, but there is no doubt the battle waged against this Mass will begin again; The battle that was waged in the Council of Vatican II; The battle that Paul VI pushed from Rome and Catholic followed through on on the parish level. The battle that successfully banished the Tridentine Mass from most Latin Rite Catholic Churches until this year when Pope Benedict reopened the doors for the Mass, again. Christ is the Center of the Church. He can never be removed from the Heart of His Church, but that doesn't mean that people will not try to dispose him, consciously or unconsciously. Of course, Satan is continuously, desperately spurring all to turn on Christ.

Still on this feast of the Blessed Mother Mother's Assumption there is much to be thankful for and to take hope in. It is nice for me to have a parish to fulfill my obligation to attend Mass on this Holy Day. I look to St Pius V to St. Gregory the Great to St John to St. Joseph and to the Blessed Mother to nourish me an prepare me for what lies ahead. Laus tibi Christe!

Objectivifying

How many things let human beings objectivify? Of course, sex outside of marriage, but, too, sex within marriage. (Marriage is not just a 'ticket' to sex. If love is not foremost and God is not part of a tripartnership in marriage, then it is easy to objective one's spouse; put sex first and lose love being the driving force in marriage. Making love can be part of every activity in marriage. Unfortunately, in American society 'making love' has become solely attached to sex.). Then there is the workplace where often other workers become competition and mere objects to 'beat' up or down as people strive for the 'top' ( The stories that I've heard about the cutthroat competitions on news programs is scary. These friendly faces that bring many trivial things into people's homes appear to be tramping over each others to be one of the friendly face); Also, people's lives become filled with real objects which take the place of human relationships--'He who has the most objects when he dies wins.' Wins what a place in the depths of Hell?

Relationships with God and people are most important in our short lives. We all have gifts from God, but how easy it is to focus on what our neighbors have or don't have and lose sight of the beating heart and desperate soul, first, of ourselves and, then, of our neighbor. Love God and your neighbor and all things will be added onto you. It is our recipe for peace in our lives. Thank you, God.

'Thrill of the Chaste'

It is time for me to tip my hat to the book 'The Thrill of the Chaste' by Dawn Eden. I was at the Chesterton Conference and the book and its author were on the program. I gazed at the book for about 15 minutes wondering if I should buy it, thinking 'What could I get from it?' Then I bought it for my daughter, Katie, 25. She is a single woman, if not singular. She fit the reader which the book seemed to be aiming at. I thought I might read it before I sent it to Katie. I brought my cousin and her husband to hear Dawn Eden speak. It was rather a typical conversion talk except that Ms. Eden laughed a lot and many members of the audience seemed to be part of a cheering section and in the question period asked leading question to get Ms. Eden to instruct the audience. I was a bit disappointed, but quizzical.

A man at the book table when I had bought 'The Thrill of the Chaste' said to me. 'It is a great book. I read it, but was very disappointed that my daughters would not.' I happened to see Ms Eden in the lobby later and waited for her to be free. She signed my book to my daughter and in a quick exchanged said that I should get spiritual guidance. I had been a rather isolated Catholic for quite awhile, but I left Ms. Eden with a Miraculous Medal and my signed book and a tortured hunger. The Conference was what I needed. I have read Chesterton's 'Lepanto' and some great sketches on famous people, but it is 'The Thrill of the Chaste' which has become my spiritual guide. It is one of the few books that I have read more than once. I am on my fourth reading and beginning to get it, a little. I have underlined many parts, written on the covers and recommended it to others. It is no longer suitable for a gift for my daughter. It has been God's Gift to me and has put me firmly on Mi Camino to God, again. It is because of this book and 'The Dawn Patrol' blog that I started this blog with my son's help.

Over the past six years I have traveled through Dante's 'Divine Comedy about six times, knowing each time that I finished that I was a bit more prepared to read this great work. This book will be on my reading list for the rest of my life. Now beside this classic is 'The Thrill of the Chaste'. It is a spiritual journey like that of Dante's. Dante said that he would write the greatest love story ever well before he wrote it. Beatrice is suppose to be his love, but really it is God to Whom he goes to place his love. In a way Ms. Eden's book is a love story to her husband, but, ultimately, it is a love story like Dante's about her journey to God. It is God's Love that lasts forever. It is God's love that can fill our hunger like the woman at the well which Ms. Eden writes about. I am slowly beginning to drink at this well.

I suppose that people only 'objectify' others when they have objectified themselves (a term used in Ms. Eden's book). This is what it is like in the depths of Dante's Hell, though sins of incontinence, which includes sexual sins, are in the circle of lust in upper Hell. Still 'objectifying', making all beings objects which are for the feeding of self, is clearly seen in Lower Hell. In these depths it is a place where everything is heavy, where the pressure from Upper Hell can be felt in the Italian words of Dante and in the surrounding landscape of monsters, rock cliffs and ice which contains sinners frozen totally and in varying degrees of exposure. There is little sacred here outside of the souls created by God who have chosen to turn from God and His Love and God's order and Justice. This is close to life on earth of the those who have chosen to freeze themselves and others in Ms. Eden's world often with the drug of sex, though that is not the real reason, which is the need to break through loneliness to love. Ms. Eden's book shows people how to unfreeze their hearts. It is interlaced with spiritual guidance and wisdom gained from agonizing failures to fine love in the world and from the flesh.

This is a book for anyone looking to fill that God-shaped vacuum inside. It is a book that can be studied by the pilgrim to God. It is a book that can replace agony with humor. Remember all love is Divine Comedy. I hope to learn more of the laughter of Ms. Eden (and GK Chesterton) which was a large part of her talk. May we all laugh with God for the salvation of souls.

I will continue walking through this book until it falls apart (or comes totally together) in content or pages. So far journeying through it has only given me a deeper understanding of myself, others (men and women in different ways) and a life closer to God. Now I weave towards a life closer to my wife and four children. My children are adults, so my relationship with them is changing. My life has changed emotionally since realizing my inability to deal with my father's death at age 14,. I have received much help dealing with his death over the last two plus years, so I am changing and, so, my way of relating changes, and, thus, my relationships. But one thing is that as I change others change, too, or put me behind them. Change causes change, insight leads to insight, growth leads to growth. This is not often pleasant or easy for people, but burying pain is far more destructive. All things are possible with God. May the Saints and the Blessed Mother bless us all.

I suppose, ultimately, that 'The Thrill of the Chaste' has grabbed me and led me is because it is about a spiritual journey with thrilling spiritual messages. It puts men and women on equal footing in this spiritual journey to God and gives insight into a woman's struggles in this journey. It is about spiritual union with God and giving thanks for all that God has given to us and, at the same time, trying always to just do His Will while having hope that certain things will happen. Oh, love and paradoxes. God bless us.

Christ's Church is here 'til the End of Time

In Dante's 'Divine Comedy' there is a procession at the top of Mount Purgatory which is the natural Paradise where Man was to live without sin, but with Original Sin it is the Garden from which Man was cast out. In this procession the Chariot, pulled by the Griffin (Christ), represents the Church. The Chariot is surrounded by the Cardinal virtues and the Theological virtues. Dante wrote his masterpiece in Italian, so instead of trusting to a translation I will kneel before a commentary by my friends professors Aldo Bernardo and Anthony Pelligrini from their recently reissued work 'Companion to Dante's DIVINE COMEDY'. These excerpts come from canots 32 and 33 of Purgatory:

Canto XXXII (commentary): By asking Dante not to stare too fixedly at Beatrice, the Virtues remind him that Revelation cannot be grasped directly, but must be seen through its manifestation in the Church. The procession now begins to march back toward the East, from which it had come. Thus would the Church have peacefully returned to its abode, were it not for the drama of the Fall. The several tableaux following the outcry of Adam's name seek to portay the ramifications of man's original sin. The temporal tree of Law (or knowledge of good and evil) provides the focus for all the tableaux. The bare tree does not give signs of life until the chariot is securely fastened to it by the griffin. Only in the alliance of Church and State can the human race enjoy perfect peace, symbolized by Dante's dropping into a tranquil sleep.

When the sleeper awakens, Christ and the Scriptures are no longer on earth, having left behind as official representative the Church, with Revelation as guide accompanied by her handmaidens, the seven Virtues. The tableaux that follow epitomize the vicissitudes of the Church, which Beatrice asks Dante to record for the benefit of mankind. The attack upon the tree and the chariot by the eagle represents the persecution of the Christians by the early Roman emperors. The repulsed attack by the fox symbolized the attempts of heresy to undermine the Church from within and the role of Revelation in warding off such inroads. The eagle's subsequent return and covering of the chariot with its feathers recalls the Emperor Constantine's so-called donation to the Church, which for Dante marked the beginning of the Church's usurping temporal powers. The attack upon the chariot by the dragon stands for Satan's success in producing the great schism which divided the Church, Wast and West. With the assumption of temporal possessions by the Church, corruption followed, as symbolized by the further covering of feathers which finally engulfed the entire chariot. The seven monstrous heads that sprout at key points on the chariot represent the seven captial vices which infected the Church following its assumption of temporal powers. the closing scene of the unbridled harlot and the passionate giant dramatizes the illicit relations, in Dante's own day, between the Papacy and the House of France.

The soul on its way to salvation has thus been shown how seriously mankind has thwarted God's plan. Had man not been so proud, he could have enjoyed full membership in the original procession. Confusing temporal and spiritual values, he perversely chooses rather to test his own powers of self-reliance.

Canto XXXIII (commentary): the symbolic words and actions of Beatrice at the beginning of this canto define even more clearly her role as Revelation. In the hands of sinners and heathens, the Church, like Christ, may seem to depart for short periods of time, but it is destined always to return in ever greater glory. Thus, even while the Church is in the worst possible state, as was portrayed at the end of the previous canto, Revelation attended by the seven Virutes is still capable of escorting a soul on the road to salvation.

If the Mass is the Heart of the Church, which it must be since it is the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ as given to His Church by Christ, and if the Tridentine Mass was/is the True Mass in the Latin Rite and was exiled from the Church for about 40 years, still the Church could not be destroyed, for She is here for all time and still 'Revelation attended by the seven Virtues is still capable of escorting a soul on the road to salvation.' Souls have still been put on this road to salvation even during the time of the exile of the True Mass. Now we celebrate the return of the Sacrifice of Christ on the Altar. Christ Rose from the Dead for our salvation. The Sacrifice of the Mass is brought back for our salvation. Deo Gratias. As imperfect as man is God never seems to give up on us. May we continually take advantage of God's Mercy, even to our own salvation and everlasting glory with God in heaven.

Christ's Church is here 'til the End of Time

recovering and covering

A week ago tomorrow, Sunday, at 2:00 AM I awoke with a terrible headache. This had not been the first headache that I'd had. I had been having headaches every weekend since I had taken my trip out to Minneapolis for the Chesterton Conference, June 10th. I'd had a headache in Minneapolis for a couple of days when I'd arrived out there before things became all right. I had resolved before I left Minneapolis to do go to the doctor's when I returned to discover the reason for these headaches, but I hadn't done anything about them yet, as of Sunday. July 29th.

That headache on July 29th got very bad. I didn't want to take aspirin because I was going to receive Holy Communion and I didn't like to take anything, but water after midnight Saturday (This was the way that I was taught to prepare for Holy Communion.). But at about 5:00 AM I took some aspirin without gaining any relief. I left for Mass at 8:00 AM. As I cross the Chenango River I realized that I wasn't going to make it anywhere without vomiting, so I parked along the River after I had crossed the River, walked down to the River's shore and threw up the aspirin and water that I had taken. My head was still throbbing, but I knew that I could hold down Holy Communion now, at least go to Mass, so I went to Mass. I was in great pain, but I received Holy Communion. Jesus could only help me. After Church I cancelled by Wendy's Sunday luncheon and tried to rest. I called in sick to work at about 6:00 PM.

I made a doctor's appointment on Monday for Wednesday. On Monday evening I was talking with my second daughter. She looked at me and said, 'Oh, you are getting those caffeine withdraw headaches.'

I responded, "What?'

'I have gotten them. I don't like to drink coffee, but I have to drink it now with my job, four cups a day. Yeah, Gran, has gotten those bad headaches when she has stopped drinking coffee, too.'

That was it!!! My daughter had diagnosed my problem in such an offhanded way that it was startling. I had been trying to think what I had been doing differently on weekends: It was not drinking coffee. I had not been a coffee drinker until several months ago. I had drunk coffee for short periods at times and, perhaps, I had gotten headaches when I stopped at times, but I never associated them with coffee intake or notake. I had become a working coffee taker several months ago. I made no bones about it. I was drinking coffee for the caffeine, two or three cups a night when I was working, and it gave me a boost. I didn't care if I drained the dregs of a pot that most people would toss. I was not a tasteful drinker, I was a caffeine desirer. Coffee with some sugar was great. Now I realized that I was a user and that I was going through withdraw every weekend. The mystery had been solve. Thank you, Libby. Deo Gratias!! Diagnosis in passing, so simple, so obvious, so thankful was I to have an answer to my problem of weekend headaches, weekend agony.

I have been watching a friend's dog, Zoe, during this last week. She has become my shadow, so loyal, so watchful. It has been nice to have another being be so concern about my whereabouts, if not my well being, but a little oppressive at times. Still, this little dog has taught me a lot. God make her. God has blessed me with her. She leaves today. She has been a constant companion over the last week. I have daily tossed sticks and rocks which she has swum after in the river to try to pay her back for her loyalty. My goal was to get her tired, but her energy is greater than mine. Well, Welcome to August.

prayer

I am beginning to enjoy prayer. I have been saying five decade novenas of the Rosary. I had a false start when I omitted a day, so I began again. Now I am wrapping up my second novena. I am looking forward to my prayer time. I do need prayer. I will begin to read Scripture, too. Little baby steps are my way.

St. Augustine: 'the greatest sin of man is that he enjoys the things he should use and uses the things he should enjoy.'

I hope to get my using and enjoying entirely right this time. Missteps can be overcome and, with God's Grace, will be. Eutreya!!!(forward with courage- a cry associated with El Camino de Compostela de Santiago, a pilgrims' route to the Church of St James across Northern
Spain though, I am told, not used much on that pilgrimage in present day. Still a great rallying cry- 'Forward with courage!"-EUTREYA!!!)

'Once' and Natalie Cole

I watched an autobiographical movie on Natalie Cole the other morning. She narrates part of the movie and then takes over the lead role (as herself) after the drug rehab which helps her to grief for the death of her father at about the age of 14. (She wrote the movie.) It was a touching journey and remarkably close to, in many ways, mine: She began college in 1968, so did I; She was in boarding school when her father died, me, too; Her father's death was a shock to her (she did not know the severity of his illness,- I was shocked, though my father was killed in a car crash; She was 14 or 15. I was 14; She continued to go to boarding school, though she did not want to. I went to another boarding school. I didn't want to, but voiced no opinion, just did it. She got way off track in college far from her true pain, me, too.
There the similarities end. She had talent, got fame and money, but we both found depth in rehab, though she was there for cocaine, we were both there for surpressed grief. I was touched by her tale. I got a bit closer to letting the depth of my grief out. She apparently released her great grief.

I enjoyed the movie 'Once'. It is a rock musical filmed in Dublin, Ireland. It shows a deep love between a young man and a young woman. Both help each other fulfill their dreams and they don't have sex, though the guy wants to initially, then he backs off and enjoys the relationship. They respect each other and reach a depth of intimacy through music and chastity that they would not have attained through sex.
There are some great characters in the movie which makes a movie good in my eyes: the father of the boy is very good, hard working and supportive of his son; the drummer in the studio band is so good; the studio tech shows respect through his expected boredom. He is very sharp. The piano is great, as is the guitar with the hole in its body from all of the late night therapy seesions with the boy. I love compositions and this movie filled a hole nicely in me. I would love to mix something, but what!!?? (waffle batter?)

Movies are therapy. There is nothing like a good story and autobiographies are sooooo interesting.

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic

It is hard to get people from Faith in Christ to the Catholic Church, but God can do that. We can only plant a seed. Last night Van, a self proclaimed Christian in his own rite, claimed to believe in the Word of God. I proceeded to say that if that were the case then he would believe in the Church because Christ established the Church and this is clearly written about in the Gospel. He was not convinced. He talked of the faults and falls of Man and I answered with the Divine and the human elements of the Church: the Divine always True, the human always in need of reform, but, still, the miracle that the Church was still around, despite Man. Butting heads doesn't lead to conversion, for the most part, but trying to lead with reason does, though usually what seems like reason from my perspective looks like self righteousness from the non Catholic's perspective. Still, it is worth the energy for the clarity and for the other soul, as well as my soul.

I am not sure where I would send a man interested in the Catholic Church at this point. I sit in the Tridentine Mass and reflect and absorb. I am getting a prayer life, again. I was told from the pulp Sunday to read Scripture. I will. I have the Rosary. I have the Mass, again. It seems like a new day, though I am well aware that the winds can change in a harsh manner. I know that Faith is beyond consolation. I know that Hope is always present and I am learning more and more about Charity each day.

spiritual warfare

I realize the importance of prayer, again, as I read 'Lepanto' edited by Dale Ahlquist. Pope Pius V knew how important prayer was in the naval battle at Lepanto. Many Catholics were praying for the Catholic warriors as they faced the Moslem aggressors before they could make a direct attack on Rome, the Red Apple. This Battle was spiritual, as well as bloody.

I was reminded of what happened in the movie 'Cinderella Man' when Jim Braddock, Russell Crowe, went in to fight for the Heavyweight Championship of the world. It was the time of the depression and he was a ray of hope to many people. Many Catholics were in Churches praying for him in this fight. Braddock was an underdog whom many thought would lose his life in this fight. It didn't happen. He won just as the Catholic fleet won, as the underdog, at Lepanto. Deo Gratias.

Now Catholics face their own battles in the 21st century and so does the church. the power of prayer is still Man's greatest gift in times of crisis. This is a time for prayer. There is Faith on earth. There are big battles lurking.

Time doesn't change substance

The Tridentine Mass had been around for well over a thousand years, probably more than 1,500, when it began to be discontinued in the Latin Rite in 1967 by Paul VI. It was the Mass of St Anselm, St Dominic, St Francis, St. Thomas Aquinas, Dante, St Joan of Arc, St Thomas Moore, St Ignatius, St Francis Xavier, St Isaac Jogues, St Theresa. Then, suddenly, it was not good enough. As a matter of fact it was disallowed in a majority of Churches. Those who loved this Mass were scoffed at and, eventually, pushed out of the church doors.

I came into the Tridentine Masses after I had been slowed down in my desire to convert from the Episcopal Church, which according to a Catholic priest, 'was very close to the Catholic Church'. Later this same priest, whom I was taking catechism from, apologized for blessing a lady's Rosary with Holy Water, but, he said, 'It made her feel better.' God led me to a man who had been a convert and had remained true to the Tridentine Mass and Catholic doctrine, regardless of what the Novus Ordo church was preaching. He instructed me in Catholic doctrine and explained the Mass to me. Then I found a priest who had been forced out of his parish because he wanted the Tridentine Mass and he said the Tridentine Mass. He took early retirement and abuse from parishioners over the Mass, over the Catholic school dress code, over the Baltimore catechism, etc.

Now the Tridentine Mass is being allowed back into the Church after 40 years of the Novus Ordo. There was a conflict. There is a conflict between the two and this conflict will not go away. It will continue to cause a division which will eventually be a gulf. We are meant to seek God's Guidance. I have to stand with the Mass which St Pius V tried to preserve until the End of Time.

Dale Ahlquist writes in his edition of GK Chesterton's 'Lepanto': 'The Sultan and the writer both smile. Cervantes, however, smiles 'not as Sultans smile' because the Sultan's smile is a sneer, and the writer's smile is a laugh, which for Chesterton sums up the whole difference between fate and free will. Chesterton, the jolly journalist, is never far from laughter.' This, to my mind, is the difference between the consecration of the Wine in the Novus Ordo and in the Tridentine Mass. The Novus Ordo promotes fate, the Tridentine Mass promotes free will.

The Council of Trent expressed clearly why 'for you and for many' was used in the Consecration. It was for the Apostles and for all others who accepted this Sacrifice, for the many who used their free will to accept God's Sacrifice. The Novus Ordo uses 'for all' which takes out free will and means that we are all to be saved. Will is not involved here. It is just Man's fate to be saved. How convenient. How unCatholic.

This, to my mind, is enough to make the Novus Ordo invalid, no Mass. The Consecration is the Heart of the Sacrament of the Mass and the Novus Ordo has it just wrong. It is invalid. I go with the many Saints who received Christ in the Tridentine Mass and with St Pius V who has protected it. I hope with free will to be able to laugh with Chesterton. I hope to be able to fight like St Pius V. Laus tibi Christe.

Sense of loss

I feel a sense of loss today. It is in my heart, so I try to face it. I felt a bit humiliated because I made a comment on a blog in which I just repeated what the author had already written. I did this without realizing it. Later I thought: 'How stupid.' but I pushed on: 'At least I am getting involved.' A year ago I would not have, could not have written a comment on a blog.

A friend's son was dying of cancer and he had a blog where he, his wife and his mom made comments. I considered commenting a few times, but did not, could not. I thought: 'It is family. It is personal. What can I add?' Well, I have gone beyond that now. (I might even be able to write or talk with someone who has just lost a loved one. This I was not able to do. It was too imaginary for me.) I put down comments and some foolish ones. I feel bad, but this is living. I had buried my mind and heart with the death of my father in 1963, though I became Catholic in 1976 much of my life, especially my emotional life, was gone. Jesus choose a visit to my brother, who is a Scientologist in LA, to open my mind and heart up in April of 2005 to show me that life had gone on, that my 'little brother' had grown up and that I had, too.

In April of 2005 I toured the drug rehabs that my brother ran and at the last one it hit me that my brother was in charge of this, that he was helping others restore their lives. This had a great deal to do with his efforts. I realized that I needed rehab for grieve and that at that moment I was getting rehab for grief. I wound up, a year later spending 31/2 weeks at a Narconon rehab center where I saw that my drug was grief and where I fought through some of the walls that I had set up to preserve my life as a fourteen year old. I got to know my brother better through my time at this rehab center, though he was not there. God did bless me.

Now I struggle to put my heart and mind on the line. It often isn't easy, but it isn't death, either. Deo Gratias

olio for the Bread

I just watched 'Long, Hot Summer' with Orson Welles, Joan Woodward and Paul Newman. What a beautiful movie. The characters find interior beauty in each other that is not apparent initially. The father, Pa Varna, is particularly wise and kind under his redneck facade. Yes, we are all creatures of God meant for God. Oh, let us choose this end and love Our Lord. Let God light our insides.

It does seem that there will be a deep spiritual battle over the Tridentine Mass which St. Pius V preserved to be said for All Time, but this is how it should be. Spiritual gifts from God are worth living for and fighting for. If we can't argue about words, then what can we argue about GK Chesterton writes. The Mass is a set of words with definite meaning that is worth fighting for. These words become The Word and the Most Holy Sacrifice.

There are no secrets with God. Let all things come out into the open for all to examine. I just read a letter to 'Inside the Vatican' by a priest. His dislike, need I say hatred, for the Tridentine Mass in the April issue was clear and direct. God Bless Pope Benedict XVI. I am sure that he knows and has been warned by God about the ensuing battles, but we as Catholics are not here for leisure and ease. We are here to grow spiritually: to know, love and serve God. We bow at the Foot of the Cross and offer ourselves in service.

Sunday at Mass

I am being to feel like part of the present day Church. I have always felt united to the Catholic Church which is outside of time. A Church which has produced Saints throughout the ages and protected the Faithful with encyclicals, dogma, the Sacraments, etc, but I have felt isolated from a most churches which are in buildings today. When I would pass by a Roman Catholic Church I would bless myself because Our Lord use to be present on the altar, but, for me, this was no longer the case. Now the Tridentine Mass is once again allowed in these churches. May we all stand up for this Mass protected by St Pius V.
I first started going to the Tridentine Mass in at St Margaret Mary's in Homer. The priest said the Novus Ordo, but he had been a seminarian with Father Hatala many years before and he allowed Father Hatala to offer up the Tridentine Mass between Masses on Sunday. This may not have lasted even a Sunday after my conversion. People were directed to Father Hatala's house. The Tridentine Mass was no longer allowed In St Margaret Mary's. The word was that the Bishop did not want the Tridentine Mass in one of his churches, so we retreated to Father Hatala's little chapel. This was to be my life as a Catholic: little private chapels, other non Latin Rites (Slovac, Ukranian). It was like being an outsider.
I was baptized in St Margaret Mary's. I received my first Holy Communion there, too, but when I was married in 1980 it was in Father Hatala's little chapel. St Margaret Mary's was no longer open to Catholics who wanted to offer the Tridentine Mass.
After Mass today I bought the Vatican magazine, 'Inside the Vatican', which pictured Pope Benedict on the front. On the last page was a column by a Washington lawyer entitled, 'Return to the Baltimore Catechism'. It reminded me that when I began going for instruction with Father Hatala in late winter that he had begun instructing me out of one of the new catechisms, but it was unclear, vague and, I would say, not Catholic, so I suggested that we use the Baltimore Catechism. Father Hatala was very agreeable. He said that he did not like the new catechisms, but hadn't known how I felt, so we began instruction, again, with the Baltimore catechism. I often made it to his house three times a week, so by July I was ready to be received into the Church. Now, once again, I am ready to be part of the Church in a new way that I have not experienced before. May God and His Holy Mother, along with St Pius V help me help beyond my many faults.

celebrations

My son turns 21 today. He just went out in 'birthday' car (decorated by his sister, Maria) with his sister for breakfast. I had gotten up at 5:00 AM and seen the celebration of the Tridentine Mass in what looked to be the Mass' official reentrance into Rome on television. I had no intention of watching this, nor any idea that EWTN had it on, but there was the Mass being celebrated with Catholics from all over the world there to enjoy the mystical Gifts and the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. The was great joy and devotion. Deo Gratias!
So this is a birthday for my son and a special rebirthday for me. May the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church feed the souls of the world and get them beyond this world, beyond GPAs to the wonders of God and the Glories of Heaven. Laus tibi Christe!

reflections

So Wednesday, July 11th, I celebrated my 31st year as a Catholic. I was raised Quaker, so I was never baptized until a Pentecostal woman baptized me in her bathtub in about 1972 after an attempt to peddle my songs in NYC from where I left with a cult, The Children of God, and went to her house in Belmar, New Jersey. She believed in total emersion and I insisted on being totally naked. When she submerged me I did not care if I ever came up. I felt the water going down my nose. I was relaxed. She lifted my head and said that she had expected that to happen.
I had just returned from a hitchhiking trip from her house to the headquarters of the Children of God in New york State somewhere (I never made it.). They had basically kicked me out of Sister Joan's house because I had somehow separated myself from the group. I had got into a Scripture quoting struggle with one of the young leaders with my eyes closed before I got out of bed. I had shaken physically as I sat at a table and the words, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.' came out of my mouth. No way I could shake like that, but to them it was all a sham. And I had wound up in Sister Joan's bedroom, protected by her from the angry 'elders' who wanted me gone and agreed to letting me hitchhike to their headquarters.
Anyway, I traveled many miles in many different cars. It was like I was in the middle of a battle between God and Satan. When I got near to those headquarters I was moved to reverse my direction. I stopped and decided to return to Sister Joan's house. Somehow I made it back and when I returned the Children of God were gone. They'd been kicked out by Sister Joan's renegade son, Jack.
When I was accepted into the Episcopal Church in about 1974--after a time of living outside of wedlock with a woman who was a Bhahi (sp)--I was accepted without baptizm. My previous baptism in Sister Joan's bathtub was accepted as valid, but when I was ready to enter in Catholic Church in July 11, 1976 I was baptized conditionally by Father Hatala. My confession a week later only had to go from the time of my baptism, but I wanted to confess everything. I had no secrets from God and the priest was God's representative. I needed to confess before a man given authority by God. I needed ablution. God forgave me. Now my work as a Catholic began.
Years mean nothing, so much can and did happen in minutes, in days after years, but journey within the Church began with my baptism. Thanks be to God. Deo Gratias.

words, words, words

GK: 'What is the good of words if they aren't important enough to quarrel over? Why do we choose one word more than another if there isn't any difference between them? If you called a woman a chimpanzee instead of an angel, wouldn't there be a quarrel about a word? If you're not going to argue about words, what are you going to argue about? Are you going to convey your meaning to me by moving your ears? The Church and the heresies always used to fight about words, because they are the only things worth fighting about.('The Ball and the Cross 96 from 'Chesterton University').
Hilaire: GK, I know that 'many' and 'all' are completely different words. Of course the use of 'all' in the consecration of the wine takes away the free will that God gave to us, so that we could choose Him freely and love Him because He is Love.
GK: 'When you break the big laws, you do not get liberty; you do not evenget anarchy. You get the small laws.'('The Man Who Was Orthodox 119, 'Chesterton University')
Hil: It's true. Take away free will there is chaos. Everyone is saved. No one is responsible. There is only Mercy. There is no Justice, but God in His Infinite Goodness; Became Man; Died for us and lifted us beyond death and beyond earth to Heaven with Mercy and Justice.. 'Oh, happy sin!" But we must will to love God, as He willed to Die for us. God now allows us to choose His Love.
GK: 'There never was anything so perilous or so exciting as orthodoxy.' ('Orthodoxy CW 1:305)
Hil: GK, you have me so excited that I can't wait to offer up the Mass with Father Brown. Oh, the Mass that is outside of time and was to be said until the End of Time. It is always new. It is always beyond the world and the ways of man. We don't need a 'Novus Ordo'. We need the Divine Sacrifice that St Pius V preserved for us for all time. Enough of words. Let us ride the Cross to Heaven.

foggy English day

GK: Hilaire, you know I heard that laymen were receiving the Host in their hands. I just have to shake my head, my good friend.
Hil: Ah, it is the Modern World breaking into the Sacred Realm. I would throw a few pews around if I had the strength, but those days are over. I'd walk to Rome, again. Only this times on my knees, but I only have the strength to pray my Rosary. Perhaps, that is best.
GK: If only our Faith were stronger-just the Faith of a child. We could go to Our Father and appease Him.
Hil: This democracy affair has just gone too far, too far. The priests are actually letting laymen take Holy Communion to the sick. Such a Sacred duty for consecrated hands. Remember the Frenchman Isaac Jogues who had his thumbs cut off by the Indians and had to get special permission from the Pope to offer up the Mass because he could no longer follow the rubric which declared that the priest must lift up the Host between his thumb and forefinger?
GK: I do. How many priests have I seen walking through the town carrying Holy Communion to the sick without saying a word. Oh the solemnity. Oh, the sacredness of that stroll.
Hil: Priests' work is priests work: the Mass, the Host, the confessional. We have always needed priests, but God worked miracles through them and with them. He seemed to multiply their slightest efforts a hundred fold.
GK: I marvel at priests. The temptations, the demonic attacks must be dreadful, but the priesthood is a Sacrament and they receive all that they need to perform their duties.
Hil: Until recently. Now it seems that their sacred duties are secondary, an aside.
GK: Yes, yes. I need a little mystery.
Hil: I had all the mystery that I wanted in the Mass. Now I'm given a meal without real fellowship.
GK: Father Brown has both mysteries. Let us receive Our Lord from his hands.
Hil: Yes, take me back to the Cross, the Foot of the Cross, before breakfast. You are fasting, aren't you GK?
GK: Of course, I am always ready to receive Jesus before 8:00 in the morning. Come on.

Hilaire and GK chatting

Hil: What is this Novus Ordo of Paul VI all about? It sounds so whimisical. It sounds so American- trying to keep up with the times and such. Christ is always new and so is His Mass.
GK: Ah, didn't you know that people are kinder and gentler now. They probably don't want to see Jesus Sacrificed upon the Altar. Oh, these modern people. There is nothing like a good handshake and little chatter with your neighbor to brighten your day. God's Sacrifice is just too cruel and too spiritual for this materialistic, communistic/capitalistic world. And all of this makes Man fallen and in need of God's Justice and Mercy. Down right terrible in the modern world.
Hil: GK, before you know it the priest will be facing the people and Man will be dictating to Man, not God. The people will not be behind the priest offering up Christ for their sins, but in front of the priest listening to comforting words. The Tabernacle will be put off to the side and man will be facing man. It will all be so symbolically man-centered.
GK: Oh, haven't we seen this before in England. There is nothing new under the sun. Fads and fancies, you know. And, I do believe, when the Church and the world unite that that is the end of the church.
Hil: Yes, except that Christ said that He will be with us until the End of Time.
GK: Yes, that is exactly why St Pius V put his warning in the front of the missal to protect the Mass for us. God bless him.
Hil: Well, what can we do? Christ gave us the Mass. People rebelled. St Pius V protected the Mass for us after the Council of Trent. Now the people rebel. God's Sacrifice is always old and always new and always for our redemption. I would think that there would be people willing to preserve the Mass with their lives.
GK: Spot on, my good friend, spot on. Still we have given our lifeblood in writing to show the wonders and mercies of God and His Hand in history. God has allowed this to happen, but I have faith that Catholics will again be filled with the Wonder of God and that the Mass will be returned to them and that they will cherish this new and old Gift of the Cross with a new and marvelous love.
Hil: GK, you are always so trusting. I mean you are with God, but you are with fallen people, too. You just can't see that everyone doesn't have your wonder.
GK: Well, we do have Father Brown, you know. He told me that he will say the Tridentine Mass until the End of Time just as St. Pius demanded.
Hil: Ah, there is reason to have good cheer and hasn't the Church suffered through hard times before.
GK: She has and we have, too. Yet Faith is all we have. After we have tried everything else we will always return to Faith and to the Church and to the Mass.
Hil: Wonder, oh wonder. You are wonderfilled my dear man, wonderfilled, wonderfilled. Amen.

Pope Benedict XVI allows Tridentine Mass

On July 8th I was sitting in a Catholic Church helping offer up the Tridentine Mass when the priest mentioned during his sermon that Pope Benedict XVI had officially allowed the Tridentine Mass to be offered up in Catholic Churches. It was a paradoxical comment, but a welcome one to me. On SAturday, the 7th the Pope had given a Motu Proprio three pages long with a four page.
Will this cause grave problems? No doubt there will be fights and battles over this, but here is a chance for Catholics to take a stand for the Sacrifice of the Mass which St Pius V defended, the Mass which is to be offered up in the Latin Rite until the End of Time.
I can see clearly that my job is to always be ready to receive Holy Communion. I remember reading about St John Bosco offering up Mass. When it came time for Catholics to receive there were no boys in the school ready to receive. St John's sorrow showed on his face, so St Dominic Savio and others formed a group, so that there would always be someone or many ready to receive Holy Communion. Should we not try to always be ready to receive Our Lord?
May Catholics be ready to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion.

The Mass is there for the Faithful

I was thinking that God knows all. Nothing, whether good or evil, is done in the shadows. If Vatican II was used to destroy the Mass, God permitted it. He knew about it. Satan was behind it and some men willed it, but God has all veto power. He has all power. The only problem for the promoters of evil is if there are God's servants who are willing to stand up and die for God's Sacrifice on the Cross.
I believe that the Sacrifice of the Mass will be here until the End of Time. I believe that if there is only one priest on earth offering the Mass that it will be here on earth until the End of Time. Ultimately, I think that this Great Sacrifice of God will be here on earth somewhere. It will never be ultimately destroyed because there will be Faith in the heart of at least one person who desires it and, so, God through His Love will offer this Sacrifice. All believers will benefit from the Sacrifice of the Mass and they can spiritually participate in It. It cannot be taken from them. Perhaps they would all congregate where that Mass is being offered, with that priest who is offering it in the Last Days. So in reality the Church cannot be destroyed in Time and the Mass will always be there in the Center of the Church. Christ will be Sacrificed daily on earth somewhere.
I never received Holy Communion for the first 26 years of my life, but I benefited from the Sacrifice. I was born in Germany where my parents ran an orphanage. There must have been many Catholics in that home. There must have been many who went to confession and who received Holy Communion. I benefited.
My grandmother came over to visit us in Germany after my birth. She got a beautiful wooden statue of the Blessed Mother at the Passion Play which is given every ten years. Later her hairdresser said that her family would become Catholic- my grandmother was raised Lutheran, but went to the Methodist Church with my grandfather (his father, who died at 94, was a Christian Scientist when he died.). Perhaps my grandmother's hairdresser offered a Mass up to God for my family, for me. Perhaps she prayed at Mass for me. She was not surprised when my Grandmother told herof my conversion.
When I was about 12 I went on an all star baseball trip with a team coached by Mr. Van Gorder. There were many Catholics on the team. We slept over Saturday night and on Sunday several Catholics rose to go to Mass. I went with them. I had no idea what was going on. I didn't understand the Latin. I couldn't follow the Missal. I looked to others to know when to stand and kneel, but I was there and I was impressed by the Faith and confidence of my teammates who followed the Mass and received Holy Communion.
Yes, I would say that I benefited from the Mass before I became Catholic.
After I became Catholic I was able to go to the Tridentine Mass. I received instruction from a priest almost daily before I went to my community college. Then I received communion in the Latin Rite with the Tridentine Mass. Later I went to an Eastern Rite Catholic Church where the Mass had not been changed, though sometimes it was said in an accurate English translation . (There we received under the appearance of Bread and Wine.)
But then I had a long period when I did not go to Mass. There was no Latin Rite Tridentine Mass available that I knew of. It seemed like going to an Eastern Rite Catholic Church was not right anymore. Though I knew the Rite and could assist the priest as a server, it seemed improper to attend since it appear that something was drastically wrong in Rome with the Papacy. John XXIII seemed to be sort of a transitional Pope. Paul VI had ushered in so many changes through Vatican II, along with the Novus Ordo Mass. Yes, Ubi Papa Ubi Ecclesia. but things were not right. People began to flee from this Novus Ordo Church. Sisters seemed to be pushed out of convents by the new beliefs. Churches were being closed. In Canada the State had to purchase Catholic Churches to save them from destruction as historical landmarks. Catecism became unCatholic. Things had changed. Though I was on a little island with the Baltimore Catecism, I was aware that I did not fit in this Novus Ordo which was being led from Rome and by Rome.
Still God has blessed me through Catholics who attend the Novus Ordo. Catholicism is not eradicated from Catholics quickly. I learned from students when I coached at a Catholic High School. I was asked by one of the parents to join a Dante group taught by two retired professors. I have learned so much as I have studied Dante over the last seven years. He attended the Tridentine Mass before the Council of Trent.
Then I was at the Chesterton Conference in June of 2007. I heard the wisdom of Belloc and Chesterton. I purchased a book entitled 'The Thrill of the Chaste...' for my daughter. I had the author sign it to her. I mentioned the Tridentine Mass to the author. She said that I should get get a spiritual guide. Little did I know that her book would become my spiritual guide and lead me closer to myself and to God. (She is a Catholic who probably has never been to a Tridentine Mass, but still she has Faith.)
I have read how the new Pope wants the Tridentine Mass in the Churches again. Will there be priests to offer it? There are many questions, but I conclude that God is still working in the hearts of many. If we show ourselves faithful enough the Mass will be returned to the alters of the churches. There Church will be here to the End of Time and the Mass will be somewhere ready to be everywhere if we, God's Children, show ourselves faithful. May our faith increase, even unto death. As DAwn Eden prepares herself for her future husband through a chaste life, so I can prepare myself for Mass and to receive Holy Communion and I can receive Holy Communion spiritual daily. God is present. We just have to turn to Him.

How was the Mass in the Latin Rite destroyed?

GK Chesterton said that when the world and the Church unite that that is the end of the Church. It seems to me that Vatican II, as a pastoral council, was a place where enemies of the Church were able to attack the Mass under the guise of compassion and ecumenism and unite the world and the church (an impossibility, actually)
Every sacrament has its heart, its essential part. In the Mass it is the words of consecration, the Words of Christ, where bread and wine are turned into the Body and Blood of Christ. These Sacred Words are embedded in the cannon of the Mass. The cannon is unchangeable. Through the centuries there were pious sentiments to put the name of St Joseph in the cannon, but no this was not permitted. No additions. The cannon is the cannon until the End of Time.
But somehow through Vatican II the long hand of treachery reached into the cannon, to the heart of the Mass, and changed the Words of Christ: FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT, THE MYSTERY OF FAITH: WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS.
The new words of the new christ were that His Blood was shed For you and for all.
The Council of Trent had spoken directly to this point and said that the reason the words FOR YOU AND FOR MANY were used was because although one drop of Christ's Blood could redeem the whole world His Redemption was only good for those who accepted it of their own free will. The point is clearly made. The warning is clearly written that this Mass was to be said until the End of Time, but the Tridentine Mass in the Latin Rite was not put into English it was changed and changed so drastically that it was destroyed.
This act, in my opinion, was like the attack on the Twin Towers. It was simple and deadly. It is the world uniting with the church. This act has hurt and destroyed many people spiritually. The Mass is the Heart of the Church. Martin Luther, I've heard, said that if you destroy the Mass you destroy the Church. Whether he said that or not I believe it to be true. The Church needs the Sacrifice of the Mass (the Sacrifice of Christ at Her center) which St. Pius V supported and defended and will defend from Heaven until the End of Time.

Chesterton idea

I was at the Chesterton Conference in St Paul, Minnesota in the middle of June. I enjoyed the speakers. I enjoyed riding a bike in from my cousin's house along the Mississippi to St Thomas Aquinas University. I enjoyed the book sales and the participants, but I felt funny when there was the call for a scheduled Mass.
I had just found a Tridentine Mass and I had begun going to it at the beginning of Lent. I did not receive Holy Communion because I hadn't been to confession and I needed time to get my thoughts in order for confession, but on a Sunday after Easter, the 15th I believe, I went to confession and the following Sunday I received Holy Communion for the first time in a long time. It had been at least 15 years. I had lived by praying the Rosary, saying other prayers and reading Holy books, though I had not read the Bible as much as I could have or should have.
Anyway, here I was with people talking seriously about Catholic things and about one of my favorite Catholic writers prior to my entrance into the Catholic Church in 1976 and just after my entrance, though I hadn't read him in awhile. And in this gathering I was not able to go to Mass with them because I do not believe that the 'Novus Ordo' is a Mass. Am I wrong?
The Novus Ordo is not a translation of the Tridentine Mass which St Pius V said must be said until the End of Time or the wrath of Sts. Peter and Paul will rain down. No, it is a 'new mass' and, I believe, no Mass.
This grand Chesterton Conference was not the place to make a scene or an issue out of this most important topic, so I listened and I watched. One speaker, a Norweigan, who has not converted yet, but has been at the entrance of the Church for many years and has become an expert on Chesterton, made a comment that appeared to have the wish that Vatican II had never happened. There was a noise in the crowd that seemed to want to rise to a cheer in agreement, but this cheer may have been rebutted by an equally strong boo, so in the goal of unity it died down, but I had heard that this sentiment for the Church of St Pius V was still there and, perhaps, the longing for the Tridentine Mass.
I have been dormant for many years, raising a family and just trying to get by, but now I feel that it is my duty to putout all that I know and love about the Tridentine Mass. I call upon St. Pius V to help me in my explanations, as well as Mary who appeared to St Pius in a vision to let him know that the Catholic navy had been successful at Lepanto against the Moslem navy in 1571. (I learned about this great naval battle at the Chesterton Conference where shirts were sold proclaiming this victory.).
St. Pius V had protected Catholics from a physical invasion then, and he had established the Mass as it was to be said until the End of Time for our spiritual protection now, but, somehow, Vatican II bypassed his wall of defense and the Mass has been destroyed and is not being offered in most churches or is the 'Novus Ordo" truly a viable alternative?
This is my chore: to examine what has happened and to lay out my own personal journey through these troubled times. I hope to have the help of GK Chesterton anong others. We will see. This is a time when there are many spiritual battles being waged. May the Catholics rise to meet them for the salvation of souls and for the Glory of God.

St. Pius V

Saint Pius V was the Pope whom God called upon to implement the decisions of the Council of Trent in the 1500s after the protesting of the Reformation. In his short reign he did this. Plus, he formed a European league, a true European Union, to defend Europe against the physical aggression of Islam. Again, under the leadership of Don John, this league was successful in 1571 at the naval battle of Lepanto.
So Pius V saved Europe. Now the Catholic Church is under serious attack from the inside. The Latin Rite has a new mass called the novus ordo, but is this a Mass? Not according to Pius V who is definitely a Pope for our time, true defender of the Faith. Pius the V put a warning in the front of the missals which said that this form of the Latin Mass was to be said until the end of time-other Popes verified this warning. Then through Vatican II the enemies of the Mass somehow were able to have the Tridentine Mass shoved aside and the 'Novus Ordo' installed in its place. How was this done through a pastorial council? It is difficult to understand except that defenders of the Faith like GK Chesterton, Hilaire Belloc, St Pius X et al were not around to back the simple words of St. Pius V; the words that said that this Mass was to be said until the end of time. These words did not mean until the 1960s, 70s or 80s, but until Judgement Day.
So I lean to St. Pius V to guide my hand as I try to show his wisdom and simplicity which saved the Church once and, now, can save it again. I bow to this Pope and kneel before Mary, the Mother of God, who help Pius V at Lepanto and let him know of the Don John's victory by a vision.

Tridentine Mass

Ordinary of the Mass 1962	An English Translation of the Missale Romanum
P. Priest D. Deacon S. Server/Congregation C. Choir V. Versicle R. Response	Parts are denoted as follows P. Priest D. Deacon L. Subdeacon/Lector S. Server/Congregation C. Choir V. Versicle R. Response
The Asperges On Sundays before the principal Mass the church and congregation are sprinkled with holy water.
Antiphon P. Asperges me C. Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor. Ps. 50 Misere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.	Antiphon P. Thou shalt sprinkle me, C. Lord, with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Have mercy on me, O. God, according to thy great mercy.
V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen	V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.	Antiphon Thou shalt sprinkle me, Lord, with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
or during Easter time
Antiphon P. Vidi aquam	Antiphon P. I saw water coming
C. egredientum de templo, a latere dextro, alleluia: et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista salvifactci dunt, et dicent: Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 117 Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus; quoniam in seculum misericordia ejus.	C. forth from the Temple from the right side, alleluia: and all those were saved to whom that water came, and they shall say alleluia, alleluia. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good,: for His mercy endureth forever.
V.Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen	V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon Vidi aquam egredientum de templo, a latere dextro, alleluia: et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista salvifactci dunt, et dicent: Alleluia, alleluia	Antiphon I saw water coming forth from the Temple from the right side, alleluia: and all those were saved to whom that water came, and they shall say alleluia, alleluia.
P. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam. (alleluia) S. Et salutare tuum da nobis (alleluia) P. Domine, exaudi orationem meam. S. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.	P. Show us, Lord, Your mercy. (Alleluia) S. And grant us Your salvation. (Alleluia) P. O Lord, hear my prayer. S. And let my cry come unto You.
P. Dominus vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo. P. Exaudi nos, Domine, sanctae Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus et mittere digneris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui custdiat, foveat, protegat, vistet, atque defendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. S. Amen	P. May the Lord be with you. S. And with your spirit P. Let us pray. Hear us Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God; and graciously send Your Holy Angel from heaven to watch over, to cherish, to protect, to abide with, and to defend all who dwell in this house. Through Christ our Lord. S. Amen.
The Mass
Mass of the Catechumens
P. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. S. Amen.	P. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. S. Amen
Psalm 42 (Omit during Passiontide)
P. Introibo ad altare Dei S Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam. P. Judica me, Deus, et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta: ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me.	P. I will go to the altar of God. S. To God, the joy of my youth. P. Do me justice, O God, and fight my fight against an unholy people, rescue me from the wicked and deceitful man.
S. Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea: quare me repulisti, et quare tristis incedo, dum affligit me inimicus?	S. For Thou, O God, art my strength, why hast Thou forsaken me? And why do I go about in sadness, while the enemy harasses me?
P. Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam: ipsa me deduxerunt et adduxerunt in montem sanctum tuum, et in tabernacula tua.	P. Send forth Thy light and thy truth: for they have led me and brought me to thy holy hill and Thy dwelling place.
S. Et introibo ad altare Dei: ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam. P. Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, Deus meus quare tristis es anima mea, et quare conturbas me?	S. And I will go to the altar of god, to God, the joy of my youth. P. I shall yet praise Thee upon the harp, O God, my God. Why art thou sad, my soul, and why art thou downcast?
S. Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi: salutare vultus mei, et Deus meus.	S. Trust in God, for I shall yet praise Him, my Savior, and my God.
P. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.	P. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
S. Sicut erat in principo, et nunc, et semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.	S. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
P. Introibo ad altare Dei. S. Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.	P. I will go to the altar of God. S. To God, the joy of my youth.
P. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. S. Qui fecit coelum et terram.	P. Our help + is in the Name of the Lord. S. Who made heaven and earth.
Confiteor
(Priest's Confession)
P. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi Pater: quia peccavi nimis cogitatione verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te Pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum Nostrum.	P. I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the angels and saints, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed.(here he strikes his breast three times) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault, and I ask Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Angels and Saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
S. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeternam. P. Amen.	S. May almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins, and bring you to everlasting life. P. Amen.
(People's Confession)
S. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi Pater: quia peccavi nimis cogitatione verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te Pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum Nostrum.	S. I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the angels and saints, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed.(here one strikes one's breast three times) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault, and I ask Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Angels and Saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
P. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeternam. S. Amen.	P. May Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life. S. Amen
P. Indulgentiam absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum, tributat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. S. Amen.	P. May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us pardon, + absolution, and remission of our sins. S. Amen.
P. Deus, tu conversus vivificabis nos.. S. Et plebs tua laetabitur in te. P. Ostende nobis Domine, misericordiam tuam. S. Et salutare tuum da nobis.	P. Turn to us, O God, and bring us life. S. And Your people will rejoice in You. P. Show us, Lord, Your mercy. S. And grant us Your salvation.
P. Domine, exuadi orationem meam. S. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. P. Dominus vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo.	P. O Lord, hear my prayer. S. And let my cry come to You. P. May the Lord be with you. S. And with your spirit.
P. Oremus.	P. Let us pray.
(The Priest inaudibly says the following while going to the Altar)
P. Aufer a nobis, quaesumus, Domine, iniquitates nostras ut ad Sancta sanctorum puris mereamur mentibus introire. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	P. Take away from us, O Lord, we beseech You, that we may enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(He kisses the altar at the place where the saint's relics are enclosed an says:)
P. Oramus te. Domine, per merita Sanctorum tuorum, quorum reliquiae hic sunt, et omnium Sanctorum: ut indulgere digneris omnia peccata mea. Amen.	P. We beseech You, O Lord, by the merits of Your Saints whose relics lie here, and of all the Saints, deign in your mercy to pardon me all my sins. Amen.
(At this point in a sung or high Mass the celebrant now censes the altar. He says:) P: May this incense be blessed by him in whose honour it is to be burned. Amen.
Introit Antiphon (said by Priest here, but sung by the Choir after the sign of the Cross)
Kyrie
P. Kyrie eleison. S. Kyrie eleison. P. Kyrie eleison. S. Christe eleison. P. Christe eleison. S. Christe eleison. P. Kyrie eleison. S. Kyrie eleison. P. Kyrie eleison.	P. Lord, have mercy. S. Lord, have mercy. P. Lord, have mercy. P. Christ, have mercy. S. Christ, have mercy P. Christ, have mercy. P. Lord, have mercy. S. Lord, have mercy. P. Lord, have mercy
Gloria Sung or said on all Sundays (except during penitential seasons) and on many other days, but never at Mass for the Dead.
P. Gloria in exceslis Deo.	P. Glory to God in the highest.
(The priest concludes the Gloria below and sits while the choir sings it)
C. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. Gratiam agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris,. Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.. Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus. Tu solus Dominus. To solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris.. Amen.	C. And on earth peace to people of good will. We praise You. We bless You. We worship You. We glorify You. Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. You who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.. You who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For You alone are holy. You alone are Lord. You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the Glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Prayer (Here the Priest prays the collect for the day.)
P. Dominus Vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo. P. Oremus.	P. May the Lord be with you. S. And with your Spirit. P. Let us pray.
(after having read the one or more Prayers of the day:)
P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. S. Amen.	P. For ever and ever S. Amen.
The Epistle (sit)
	P/L: A reading from the....
(The Subdeacon or Lector reads the lesson here). (The epistle for the day is read at this point, at the end of the reading, the server responds:)
P. Verbum Domini. S. Deo gratias.	P/L. The Word of the Lord. S. Thanks be to God.
Graduale Here the Gradual is sung, while the preparation for the Gospel occurs. The Alleluia, and Sequence Paschale victimae in the Easter Vigil, Veni, sancte Spiritus on Pentecost, Lauda Sion on Corpus Christi, Stabat Mater on Our Lady of Sorrows, Dies Irae on All Souls and in requiem and Funeral Masses. In Lent and at Masses for the dead the Alleluia is omitted and a tract sung instead.
Munda cor Meum
D. Munda cor meum ac labia mea, omnipotens Deus, qui labia Isaiae Prophetae calculo mundasti ignito: ita me tua grata miseratione dignare mundare, ut sanctum Evangelium tuum digne valeam nuntiare. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. Jube, Domine benedicere.	D. Cleanse my heart and my lips, O Almighty God, Who cleansed the lips of the Prophet Isaiah with a burning coal. In Your gracious mercy deign so to purify me that I may worthily proclaim Your holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Lord, grant me your blessing.
P. Dominus sit in corde meo et in labiis meis. ut digne et competenter annuntiem evangelium suum. D. Amen.	P. The Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily and fittingly proclaim His holy Gospel. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. D. Amen
TheGospel (stand)
P/D. Dominus vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo.	P/D. May the Lord be with you. S. And with your spirit.
P/D. Sequentia (or Initium) sancti Evangelii secundum N.	P/D. + A continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. (name).
(The Gospel book is incensed)
S. Gloria tibi, Domine.	S. Glory to you, O Lord.
(The Gospel is read) (at the end of the reading the Deacon says:)
S. Laus tibi, Christe.	S. Praise to you, O Christ.
(Afterwards at high Mass, the deacon takes the book to the cleebrant who kisses it, saying:)
P. Per evangelica dicta deleantur nostra delicta.	P. May the words of the gospel wipe away our sins.
Homily or Sermon (sit)
Nicene Creed (as with the Gloria, the Priest recites the Creed and then sits while the choir sings it)
Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum. Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum, not factum, consubstantialem Patri: per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de coelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine: ET HOMO FACTUS EST. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis; sub Pontio Pilato passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in coelum: sedet ad desteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est com gloria judicare vivos et mortuos. cujus regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre, et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per Prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum. Et vitam ventura saeculi. Amen.	I believe in one God, The Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father. By whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. (here all present kneel) And became incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary: AND WAS MADE MAN. (here all arise) He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, and who spoke through the prophets. And one holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I await the resurrection of the dead and the life + of the world to come. Amen.
P. Dominus vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo. P. Oremus.	P. May the Lord be with you. S. And with your spirit. P. Let us pray.
(In the early Church, at this point the learners, or catechumens were dismissed.)
Mass of the Faithful
Offertory Verse (The offertory Antiphon is sung while the Priest begins the Offertory) (sit)
Offertory Prayers (said in a low voice while choir sings Offertory verse)
P. Suscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus, hanc immaculatam hostiam, quam ego indignus famulus tuus offero tibi, Deo meo vivo et vero, pro innumerabilibus peccatis, et offensionibus, et negligentiis meis, et pro omnibus circumstantibus, sed et pro omnibus fidelibus Christianis vivis atque defunctis. ut mihi, et illis proficiat ad salutem in vitam aeternam. S.Amen.	P. Accept, O Holy Father, Almighty and eternal God, this spotless host, which I, your unworthy servant, offer to You, my living and true God, to atone for my numberless sins, offenses and negligences; on behalf of all here present and likewise for all faithful Christians living and dead, that it may profit me and them as a means of salvation to life everlasting. S. Amen.
P. Deus, qui humanae substantiae dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti, et mirabilius reformasti: da nobis per hujus aquae et vini mysterium, ejus divinitatis esse consortes, qui humanitatis nostrae fieri dignatus est particeps, Jesus Christus Filius tuus Dominus noster: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus. per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.	P. O God, + who established the nature of man in wondrous dignity, and still more admirably restored it, grant that by the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in His Divinity, who humbled himself to share in our humanity, Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
P. Offerimus tibi, Domine, calicem salutaris tuam deprecantes clementiam: ut in conspectu divinae majestatis tuae, pro nostra et totius mundi salute com odore suavitatis ascendat. Amen.	P. We offer You, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, humbly begging of Your mercy that it may arise before Your divine Majesty, with a pleasing fragrance, for our salvation and for that of the whole world. Amen.
P. In spiritu humilitatis, et in animo contrito suscipiamur a te, Domine, et sic fiat sacrificum nostrum in conspectu tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi, Domine Deus.	P. In a humble spirit and with a contrite heart, may we be accepted by You, O Lord, and may our sacrifice so be offered in Your sight this day as to please You, O Lord God.
P. Veni, Sanctificator omnipotens aeterne Deus. et bene dic hoc sacrificum tuo sancto nomini praeparatum.	P. Come, O Sanctifier, Almighty and Eternal God, and bless, + this sacrifice prepared for the glory of Your holy Name.
(When Mass is sung, the celebrant now blesses incense, saying)
P. Per intercessionem beati Michaelis Archangeli, stantis a dextris altaris incensi, et omnium electorum suorum, incensum istud dignetur Dominus bene dicere, et in odorem suavitatis accipere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	P. Through the intercession of Blessed Michael the Archangel, standing at the right hand of the altar of incense, and of all His elect may the Lord vouchsafe to bless + this incense and to receive it in the odor of sweetness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(He censes the offerings, the cross and the altar, saying:)
P. Incensum istud a te benedictum, ascendat ad re, Domine, et descendat super nos misericordia tua.	P. May this incense blessed by You, arise before You, O Lord, and may Your mercy come down upon us
(while incensing the altar)
P. Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea sicut incensum in conspectu tuo: elevatio manuum mearum sacrificium vespertinum. Pone, Domine, custodiam ori meo, et ostium circumstantiae labiis meis : ut non declinet cor meum in verba malitiae, ad excsandas excusationes in peccatis.	P. Let my prayer, O Lord, come like incense before You; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice. O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, a guard at the door of my lips. Let not my heart incline to the evil of engaging in deeds of wickedness..
(while handing the thurible back)
P. Accendat in nobis Dominus ignem sui amoris, et flammam aeterne caritatis. Amen.	P. May the Lord enkindle in us the fire of His love and the flame of everlasting charity. Amen
(Now the celebrant, the ministers, the servers, and the people are censed in order)
(The celebrant washes his fingers, saying these verses of Psalm 25:)
P. Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas. et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine. Ut audiam vocem laudis. et enarrem universa mirabila tua. Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuae: et locum habitationis gloriae tuae. Ne perdas cum impiis, Deus animam meam: et cum viris sanguinum vitam meam: in quorum manibus iniquitates sunt: dextera eorum repleta est muneribus. Ego autem in innocentia mea ingressus sum: redime me, et miserere mei. Pes meus stetit in directo: in ecclesiis benedicam te, Domine.	P. I wash my hands in innocence, and I go around Your altar, O Lord, giving voice to my thanks, and recounting all Your wondrous deeds. O Lord, I love the house in which You dwell, the tenting place of Your glory. Gather not my soul with those of sinners, nor with men of blood my life. On their hands are crimes, and their right hands are full of bribes. But I walk in integrity; redeem me, and have pity on me My foot stands on level ground; in the assemblies I will bless You, O Lord.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in proncipio, et nunc, et semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.	Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
(facing at the middle of the altar, the priest prays
P. Suscipe sancta Trinitas, hanc oblationem, quam tibi offerimus ob memoriam passionis, resurrectionis, et ascensionis Jesu Christi Domini nostri: et in monorem beatae Mariae semper Virginis, wt beati Joannis Baptistae, et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, et istorum, et monium Sanctorum: ut illis proficiat ad honorem, nobis autem ad salutem: et illi pro nobis intercedere dignentur in coelis, quorum memoriam agimus in terris. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. S. Amen.	P. Accept, most Holy Trinity, this offering which we are making to You in remembrance of the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, Our Lord; and in honor of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of (name of the Saints whose relics are in the Altar) and of all the Saints; that it may add to their honor and aid our salvation; and may they deign to intercede in heaven for us who honor their memory here on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. S. Amen.
(He turns to the congregation and calls on them to join their prayers with his:)
P. Orate fratres, et meum ac vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat apud Deum Patrem omnipotentem.	P. Pray brethren, that my Sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
S. Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus tuis ad laudem et gloriam nominis sui, ad utilitatem quoque nostram, totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctae.	S. May the Lord receive the Sacrifice from your hands to the praise and glory of His Name, for our good, and that of all His holy Church.
The Secret (The Priest here says the day's Secret prayer:) (At the end of the Secret, the Priest says audibly:)
P. ..per omnia saecula saeculorum. S. Amen.	P. ..forever and ever. S. Amen.
Canon of the Mass (Stand)
P. Dominus vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo. P. Sursum corda. S. Habemus ad Dominum. P. Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro. S. Dignum et justum est.	P. May the Lord be with you. S. And with your spirit. P. Lift up your hearts. S. We have lifted them up to the Lord. P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. S. It is right and just.
(Here the Priest says the appropriate Preface. This is the Preface of the Holy Trinity)
P. Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. qui cum unigenito Filio tuo, et Spiritu Sancto, unus es Deus, unus es Dominus. non in unius singularitate personae, sed in unius Trinitate substantiae. Quod enim de tua gloria, revelante te, credimus, hoc de filio tuo, hoc de Spiritu Sancto, sine differentia discretionis sentimus. Ut in confessione verae sempiternaeque Deitatis, et in personis proprietas, et in essentia unitas, et in majestate adoretur aequalitas. Quam laudant Angeli atque Archangeli, Cherubim quoque ac Seraphim: qui non cessant clamare quotidie, una cove discentes.	P. It is indeed fitting and right, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give thanks to You, Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God, who with Your only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, one Lord: Not in the oneness of a single person, but three persons in one single essence. For what we believe from your revelation concerning Your glory, that also we believe of Your Son and of the Holy Spirit without difference or distinction; so that when we affirm the true and everlasting Godhead we worship three distinct persons in a oneness of Being and with equality of majesty. And that God the angels praise with the archangels, cherubim, and seraphs, ceaselessly singing with one voice:
Sanctus (Sung as the Priest begins the canon. All the prayers are said in a low voice.)
S/C. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.	S/C. Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest
The Roman Canon (kneel)
P. Te igitur, clementissime Pater, per Jesum Christum Filium tuum, Dominum nostrum, supplices rogamus ac petimus uti accepta habeas, et benedicas haec dona, haec munera, haec sancta sacrificia illibata; in primis quae tibi offerimus pro Ecclesia tua sancta catholica; quam pacificare, custodire, adunare, et regere digneris toto orbe terrarum: una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro N.,et Antistite nostro N. et omnibus orthodoxis, atque catholicae et aostolicae fidei cultoribus.	P. Therefore, most gracious Father, we humbly beg of You and entreat You through Jesus Christ Your Son, Our Lord. Hold acceptable and bless + these gifts, these + offerings, these + holy and unspotted oblations which, in the first place, we offer You for your Holy Catholic Church. Grant her peace and protection, unity and guidance throughout the worlds, together with Your servant (name), our Pope, and (name), our Bishop; and all Orthodox believers who cherish the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.
P. Memento, Domine, famulorum, famularumque tuarum N. et N. et omnium circumstantium, quorum tibi fides cognita est, et nota devotio, pro quibus tibi offerimus. vel qui tibi offerunt hoc sacrificium laudis pro se, suisque omnibus, pro redemptione animarum suarum, pro spe salutis, et incolumitis suae; tibique reddunt vota sua aeterno Deo, vivo et vero.	P. Remember, O Lord, Your servants and handmaids, (name) and (name), and all here present, whose faith and devotion are known to You. On whose behalf we offer to You, or who themselves offer to You this sacrifice of praise for themselves, families and friends, for the good of their souls, for their hope of salvation and deliverance from all harm, and who offer their homage to You, eternal, living and true God.
(This next prayer has special beginnings for certain feasts. This is the usual version.)
P. Communicantes, et memoriam venerantes in primis gloriosae semper Virginis Mariae, Genitricis Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et beati Joseph ejusdem Virginis Sponsi, et beatorum Apostolorum ac Martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, Andreae, Jacobi, Joannis, Thomae, Jacobi, Philippi, Bartholomaei, Matthaei, Simonis, et Thaddaei: Lini, Cleti, Clementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Joannis et Pauli, Cosmae et Damiani, et omnium Sanctorum tuorum; quorum meritis precibusque concedas, ut in omnibus protectionis tuae muniamur auxilio. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	P. In the unity of holy fellowship we observe the memory, first of all, of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ. Next we observe the memory of Blessed Joseph, Spouse of the same Virgin, and of Your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus; of Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and all Your Saints. By their merits and prayers grant that we may be always fortified by the help of Your protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
P. Hanc igitur oblationem servitutis nostrae, sed et cunctae familiae tuae quaesumus, Domine, ut placatus accipias, diesque nostros in tua pace disponas, atque ab aeterna damnatione nos eripi, et in electorum tuorum jubeas grege numerari. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	P. Graciously accept, then, we beseech You, O Lord, this service of our worship and that of all Your household. Provide that our days be spent in Your peace, save us from everlasting damnation, and cause us to be numbered in the flock you have chosen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
P. Quam oblationem tu, Deus, in omnibus, quaesumus, benedictam, adscriptam, ratam, rationabilem, acceptabilemque facere digneris,. ut nobis Corpus, et Sanguis fiatdilectissimi Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi.	P. O God, deign to bless + what we offer, and make it approved, + effective, + right, + and wholly pleasing in every way, that it may become for our good, the Body + and Blood + of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Consecration
P. Qui pridie quam pateretur, accepit panem in sanctas ac venerabiles manus suas, et elevatis oculis in coelum ad te Deum Patrem suum omnipotentem tibi gratias agens, benedixit, fregit, diditque discipulis suis, dicens: Accipite,et manducate ex hoc omnes:	P. Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands, and having raised His eyes to heaven to you, God, His Almighty Father, giving thanks to You, He blessed, + it broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take and eat of this, all of you,
HOC EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM.	FOR THIS IS MY BODY."
(The Body of Christ is lifted up for worship).
P. Simili modo postquam coenatum est, accipiens et hunc praeclarum Calicem in sanctas ac venerabiles manus suas. item tibi gratias agens, benedixit, deditque discipulis suis, dicens. Accepite, et bibite ex eo omnes:	P. Similarly, when the supper was ended, taking also this goodly chalice into His holy and venerable hands, again giving thanks to You, He blessed it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take and drink of this, all of you,
HIC EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, NOVI ET AETERNI TESTAMENTI: MYSTERIUM FIDEI: QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MULTIS EFFUNDETUR IN REMISSIONEM PECCATORUM.	THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT: THE MYSTERY OF FAITH: WHICH IS BEING SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Haec quotiescumque feceritis, in mei memoriam facietis.	As often as you shall do these actions, do this in memory of Me."
(The Blood of Christ is lifted up for worship).
P. Unde et momores, Domine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, ejusdem Christi Filii tui Domini nostri tam beatae Passionis, nec non et ab inferis Resurrectionis, sed et in coelos gloriosae Ascensionis. offerimus praeclarae majertati tuae de tuis donis ac datis hostiam puram, hostiam sanctam, hostiam immaculatam, Panem sanctum vitae aeternae, et calicem salutis perpetuae.	P. Mindful, therefore, Lord, we, Your ministers, as also Your holy people, of the same Christ, Your Son, our Lord, remember His blessed passion, and also of His Resurrection from the dead, and finally of His glorious Ascension into heaven, offer to Your supreme Majesty, of the gifts bestowed upon us, the pure + Victim, the holy + Victim, the all-perfect + Victim: the holy + Bread of life eternal and the Chalice + of perpetual salvation.
P. Supra quae propitio ac sereno vultu respicere digneris; et accepta habere, sicuti accepta habere dignatus es munera pueri tui justi Abel, et sacrificium patriarchae nostri Abrahae, et quod tibi obtulit summus sacerdos tuus Melchisedech, sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam.	P. Deign to regard with gracious and kindly attention and hold acceptable, as You deigned to accept the offerings of Abel, Your just servant, and the sacrifice of Abraham our Patriarch, and that which Your chief priest Melchisedech offered to You, a holy Sacrifice and a spotless victim.
P. Supplices te rogamus, omnipotens Deus, jube haec perferri per manus sancti Angeli tui in sublime altare tuum, in conspectu dininae majertatis tuae: ut quoquot ex hac altaris participatione, sacrocanctum Filii tui Corpus, et Sanguinem sumpserimus, omni benedictione coelesti et gratia repleamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	P. Most humbly we implore You, Almighty God, bid these offerings to be brought by the hands of Your Holy Angel to Your altar above, before the face of Your Divine Majesty. And may those of us who by sharing in the Sacrifice of this altar shall receive the Most Sacred + Body and + Blood of Your Son, be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing, Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
P. Memento etiam, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum N. et N. qui nos praecesserunt cum signo fidei, et dormiunt in somno pacis. Ipsis, Domine, et omnibus in Christo quiescentibus, locum refrigerii, lucis et pacis, utindulgeas, deprecamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	P. Remember also, Lord, Your servants and handmaids (name) and (name) who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace. To these, Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, we beg You to grant of Your goodness a place of comfort, light, and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
P. Nobis quoque peccatoribus famulis tuis, de multitudine miserationum tuarum sperantibus, partem aliquam, et societatem donare digneris, cum tuis sanctis Apostolis et Martyribus, cum Joanne, Stephano, Matthia, Barnaba, Ignatio, Alexandro, Marcellino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Caecilia, Anastasis, et omnibus Sanctis tuis, intra quorum nos consortium, non aestimator meritim sed veniae, quaesumus, largitor admitte. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.	P. To us sinners also, Your servants, trusting in the greatness of Your mercy, deign to grant some part and fellowship with Your Holy Apostles and Martyrs with John Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and all Your Saints. Into their company we implore You to admit us, not weighing our merits, but freely granting us pardon. Through Christ our Lord.
P. Per quem haec omnia Domine, semper bona creas, sanctificas, vivificas, benedicis, et praestas nobis.	P. Through Whom, Lord, You always create, sanctify, + fill with life, + bless + and bestow upon us all good things.
The Elevation
P. Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso, est tibi Deo Patri omnipotenti, in unitate Spiritus Sancti, omnis honor et gloria, per omnia saecula saeculorum.	P. Through Him, + and with + Him, and in + Him, is to You, God the Father + Almighty, in the unity of the + Holy Spirit, all honor and glory, forever and ever.
S. AMEN!	S. AMEN!.
The Communion Rite
P. Oremus. Praeceptis salutaribus moniti, et divina institutione formati, audemus dicere:	P. Let us pray: Taught by our Savior's command and formed by the word of God, we dare to say:
S. Pater noster, qui es in coelis. sanctificetur nomen tuum: adveniat regnum tuum: fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotibianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem:	S. Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation.
S.Sed libera nos a malo. P. Amen.	S. But deliver us from evil. P. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
P. Libera nos, quaesumus, Domine, ab omnibus malis, praeteritis, praesentibus, et futuris, et intercedente beata et gloriosa semper Virgine Dei Genitrice Maria, cum beatis Apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus Sanctis, da propitius pacem in diebus nostris, ut ope misericordiae tuae adjuti, et a peccato simus semper liberi, et ab omni perturbatione securi. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. S. Amen.	P. Deliver us, we beg You, Lord, from every evil, past, present, and to come; and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever-Virgin, Mother of God, Mary, and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, of Andrew, and all Saints. Grant of Your goodness, peace in our days, that aided by the riches of Your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all disturbance. Through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. S. Amen.
The Peace
P. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo.	P. May the peace + of the Lord be + always with + you. S. And with your spirit.
(said inaudibly while a small piece of the Host is placed in the Chalice)
P. Haec commixtio et consecratio Corporis et Sanguinis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, fiat accipientibus nobis in vitam aeternam. Amen.	P. May this mingling and consecration of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ help us who receive it to eternal life. Amen.
Agnus Dei (sung during the Priest's preparation for communion)
C Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, misere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, misere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.	C. Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
P. Domine Jesu Christe, qui dixisti Apostolis tuis. Pacem relinquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis. ne respicias peccata mea, sed fidem Ecclesiae tuae: eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificare et coadunare digneris. qui vivis et regnas Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.	P. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said to Your Apostles. Peace I leave you, My peace I give you, regard not my sins but the faith of Your Church, and be pleased to give her peace and unity according to Your will. Who lives and reigns God, world without end. Amen.
P. Domine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, qui ex voluntate Patris, cooperante Spiritu Sancto, per mortem tuam mundum vivificasti: lebera me per hoc sacrosanctum Corpus et Sanguinem tuum ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis, et universis malis, et fac me tuis semper inhaerere mandatis, et a te numquam separari permittas. Qui cum eodem Deo Parte et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen.	P. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who, by the will of the Father, with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, have by Your death given life to the world, deliver me by this Your most sacred Body and Blood from all my sins and from every evil. Make me always cling to Your commandments, and never permit me to be separated from You Who with the same God the Father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, forever and ever. Amen.
P. Perceptio Corporis tui, Domine Jesu Christe, quod ego indinus sumere praesumo, non mihi proveniat in judicium et condemnationen; sed pro tua pietate prosit mihi ad tutamentum mentis et corporis, et ad medelam percipiendam. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.	P. Let not the partaking of Your Body, Lord Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, presume to receive, turn to my judgment and condemnation; but through Your goodness, may it become a safeguard and an effective remedy, with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Communion of the Priest
P. Panem coelestem accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo.	P. I will take the Bread of heaven, and call upon the Name of the Lord.
P. Domine, non sum dignus, et intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea. (3 times)	P. Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But say the word and my soul will be healed.
(said three times)
P. Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam aeternam. Amen.	P. May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.
(He reverently consumes the Host)
P. Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi? Calicem salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini invoacbo. Laudans invocabo Dominum, et ab inimicis meis salvus ero.	P. What return shall I make to the Lord for all He has given me? I will take the chalice of salvation, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord. Praising will I call upon the Lord and I shall be saved from my enemies.
P. Sanguis Domini nostri Jesu Christi custiodiat animam meam in vitam aeternam. Amen.	P. May the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.
(He reverently drinks the Precious Blood)
(Sometimes said while the priest takes communion)
S : Confiteor Deo omnipotenti beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi Pater: quia peccavi nimis cogitatione verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te Pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum Nostrum.	S. I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed.(here they strike their breast three times) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault, and I ask Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you Father, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
P. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeternam. S. Amen	P. May Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life. S. Amen
P . Indulgentiam absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum, tributat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. S : Amen	P. May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us pardon, + absolution, and remission of our sins. S. Amen.
Communion of the Faithful
P Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi:	P. Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.
All. Domine, nom sum dignus et intres sub tectum meum; sed tantum dic verbo, et anabitur anima mea.	All. Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But say the word and my soul will be healed.
(Said three times)
(communion is distributed at this point to those who wish to receive.) (The priest goes andadministers Holy Communion tothe faithful saying to each as a Host is placed on his or her tongue)
P. Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. R. Amen.	P. May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto everlasting life. R. Amen.
The Ablutions (The celebrant now cleanses the chalice)
P. Quod ore sumpsimus, Domine, pura mente capiamus.. et de munere temporali fiat nobis remedium sempiternum.	P. What has passed our lips as food, Lord, may we posses in purity of heart, that what is given to us in time, be our healing for eternity.
(and his fingers)
P..Corpus tuum, Domine, quod sumpsi, et Sanguis quem potavi, adhaereat visceribus meis.. et praesta, ut in me non remaneat scelerum macula, quem pura et sancta refererunt sacramenta. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.	P. May Your Body, Lord, which I have eaten, and Your Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my very soul, and grant that no trace of sin be found in me, whom these pure and holy mysteries have renewed. You, Who live and reign, world without end. Amen.
Communion Antiphon (sung at this point)
Postcommunion (stand)
P. Dominus vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo.	P. May the Lord be with you. S. And with you spirit.
P. Oremus..	P. Let us pray.
(Here he says the post-communion prayer)
S. Amen.	S. Amen.
Final Prayer and Dismissal
P. Dominus vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo. P. Ite, Missa est. S. Deo gratias.	P. May the Lord be with you. S. And with your spirit D. Go, you are sent forth. S. Thanks be to God.
	(or if the Gloria was omitted) D. Let us bless the Lord. S. Thanks be to God. (or in Masses for the dead) D. May they rest in peace. S. Amen.
(The celebrant prays in a low voice)
P. Placeat tibi, sancta Trinitas, obsequium servitutis meae: et praesta, ut sacrificium quod oculis tuae majestatis indignus obtuli, tibi sit acceptabile, mihique, et omnibus proquibus illud obtuli, sit te miserante propitiabile. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	P. May the tribute of my worship be pleasing to You, most Holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I, all unworthy, have offered in the presence of Your Majesty, may be acceptable to You, and through Your mercy obtain forgiveness for me and all for whom I have offered it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
P. Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. S. Amen.	P. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. S. Amen.
The Last Gospel
P. Dominus vobiscum. S. Et cum spiritu tuo.	P. The Lord be with you. S. And with your spirit.
P. Initium sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem. S. Gloria tibi, Domine.	P. + The beginning of the holy Gospel according to St. John. S. Glory be to You, O Lord.
P. In principio erat Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est; in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum; et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt.	P. (The Priest reads John 1.1-14) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Fuit homo missus a Deo cui nomen erat Joannes. Hic cenit in testimonium, et testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera quae illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum. In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est et mundus eum non cognovit. In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt. Quotquot autem receperunt eum, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri; his qui credunt in nomine eius, qui non ex sanquinibus, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex deo nati sunt. ET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST et habitabit in nobis; et vidimus gloriam eius gloiram quasi Unigenti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis.	There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth
S. Deo gratias.	S. Thanks be to God.