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and without him was made nothing that was made: in him was life, and the life was the light of men: and the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to give testimony of the light. He was the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this 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 he gave power to become the sons of God: to those that believe in his name, who are 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 saw his glory, as it were the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.

Prapers after Mass.

ALMIGHTY everlasting God, we humbly beseech thee graciously to look down from thy high and holy place upon this congregation, and mercifully hear and accept the prayers of thy Church. Of thine infinite mercy be pleased to grant us pardon of all our sins, soundness of mind, health of body, and all the necessaries of life: grant also peace in our days, freedom from tempests, and fruitful seasons. Grant also to our prayers the unity of the Catholic faith, the extirpation of heresies, the destruction of wicked counsels, the increase of orthodox religion, fervour of love and piety, sincere devotion, patience, and long-suffering in affliction, and joy in hope. Finally, grant us all things needful for the welfare of our souls

and bodies, but, above all, whatever may promote the increase of thy glory. Through our Lord, &c.

I give thee all possible praise and thanks, O Sovereign Creator, that thou hast permitted me this day to be present, and to assist at this holy sacrifice. Receive, O Lord, my unworthy prayers, supply all my defects, pardon all my distractions and indevotions; and grant that by the strength and virtue of those divine mysteries, I may go on cheerfully in the path of thy commandments, love, and service, amidst all the temptations, troubles, and dangers of my life's pilgrimage, till I shall one day happily arrive at thy heavenly kingdom, where, with the blessed angels and saints, I shall more clearly contemplate thee, more perfectly enjoy thee, and more worthily celebrate thy infinite goodness and mercy, with uninterrupted canticles of eternal praise, admiration, and gratitude.

Happy are they who dwell in thy house, O Lord: for ever and ever they will praise thee.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive honour, glory, and power.

Praise the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is everlasting.

Who shall relate the wonders of the Lord? who shall publish his praises?

O divine Saviour of our souls, who hast graciously been pleased to leave us thy precious body and blood in the most holy sacrament of the altar; we here adore thee with the most profound respect, and return thee our most humble thanks for all the graces which, by this mystery, thou hast communicated to us. Thou art the great source of every good gift: shower down then this day, we beseech thee, thy benediction upon all who are here present, and upon thy whole Church; and, that nothing may put a stop to the course of thy graces, take from our hearts whatever is displeasing to thee; pardon our sins, which for the love of thee we sincerely detest:

Bless us,

purify our hearts, and sanctify our souls. O Jesus! with a blessing like to that with which thou didst bless thy disciples, when leaving this earth thou didst ascend into heaven. Bless us with a blessing which may change us, purify us, and unite us perfectly to thee which may fill us with thy spirit, and may be to us, even in this life, an assured pledge of that benediction which thou hast prepared for thy elect in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.

O God, of whose mercies there is no number, and the treasure of whose goodness is infinite; we humbly thank thy most gracious Majesty for the favours thou hast bestowed on us; ever beseeching thy clemency, that as thou grantest our requests when we humbly ask thee, so thou wilt not forsake us, but dispose us for the rewards of the time to come: through, &c.

Amen.

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Method of Hearing Mass by way of
Meditation;

WITH DEVOUT AFFECTIONS ON THE PASSION AND

DEATH OF OUR LORD.

Before the service begins, while waiting for the priest to come in. Call to mind the last Supper, in which Christ instituted the Sacrifice of the Mass, and gave himself to us all to be our food. Oughtest thou not to acknowledge and give him thanks for this excess of love?

AFFECTIONS.

I acknowledge, O Lord Jesus, that having loved thine own, thou didst truly love them even unto the end. John xiii. 1.

For, behold, thou hast prepared a table before me, against them that afflict me. Ps. xxii. 6.

I will offer also unto thee now the sacrifice of praise, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Ps. cxv. 7.

When the priest is descending from the altar before commencing the Mass. Consider Christ after Supper going from Mount Sion (where the Supper had been held) to the Garden of Gethsemane. And his disciples followed him. Luke xxii. 39. And wilt thou forsake thy God in the time of temptation and trial?

AFFECTIONS.

In whatsoever place thou shalt be, O my Lord, there will thy servant be. 2 Kings xv. 21.

It is good for me to adhere to my God, to put my hope in the Lord God. Ps. lxxii. 28.

Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death. Luke xxii. 33.

At the Confession. Contemplate Christ praying in his agony, when his sweat became as drops of blood trickling down upon the ground. Luke xxii. 44. Thy sins forced out his blood; and wilt thou not grieve on account of them?

AFFECTIONS.

Who will give water to my head, and a fountain of tears to my eyes, and I will weep day and night? Jer. ix. 1.

Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee; I am not now worthy to be called thy son. xv. 21.

Luke

O God, be merciful to me a sinner. Luke xviii. 13.

When the priest kisses the altar, and at the Introit.

Con

sider Judas betraying Christ with a kiss. And art not thou also a traitor, while thou rejectest thy Saviour to embrace some trifling pleasure?

AFFECTIONS.

Impute not to me, my Lord, the iniquity, nor remember the injuries of thy servant. 2 Kings xix. 19.

me.

I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before

Ps. 1. 4.

Lord, have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me.

At the Kyrie eleïson. Reflect on the threefold denial of Peter, who did not repent until the Lord looked upon him. Luke xxii. 61. How often art thou ashamed of thy Lord Jesus, and deniest him before men! When wilt thou repent?

16.

AFFECTIONS.

I have sinned, O Lord. 2 Kings xii. 13.
Cast me not away from thy presence. Ps. 1. 12.
Look upon me, and have mercy upon me.

Ps. xxiv.

At the Gloria. Think of the exultation of the Jews at the mocking and sufferings of Christ. And art not thou as one of them, if thou takest pleasure in wicked things?

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