An Explanation of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. INTBOIT.1 rpHE priest goes to the book, and reads the Introit, or entrance upon the Mass. He signs himself again with the sign of the Cross, to make profession of his faith, and arm himself in virtue of Christ's passion. The Introit is a short sentence, generally from the Psalms, and suited to the office of the day, with the " Glory be to the Father," etc. The primitive Church used here longer Psalms and prayers. St. Chrysostom, St. Basil, and others, shortened them to avoid prolixity, and suit the office to the declining devotion of the people. The Kvpis EAe?CToi (Kyrie Eleison), "Lord have mercy on us," was used from the highest antiquity. It is a most devout prayer, and is frequently found in Scripture, especially in the Psalms. For its frequent repetition, we have a good precedent in our Saviour's prayer in the Garden of Olives. It is recited in Greek, as having a peculiar energy in that language. So we retain many other words from the Greek, which cannot be so aptly expressed in our language, such as Bible, Epistle, Canon, Baptism, Eucharist, Christ, Angel, Prophet, Patriarch, Apostle, Martyr, etc. It is also to show that the Greeks and Latins make but one Church. 1 A Latin word, meaning " He enters, or goes in." THE GLORIA. The Gloria In Excels is is called the Angelical Hymn, because it was sung at our Saviour's natal hour by the celestial choir. The angel who addressed the shepherds assigns the reason: "Behold I announce to you. great joy; because this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ our Lord." "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will," or, as it is in the Greek, "on earth peace and good will among ...