38. What do you think of the ceremonies which the Church has added to the Sacrifice of the Mass?
The ceremonies of the Mass have all been handed down to us from the most ancient times, many from the times of the Apostles themselves, and their sublime and mysterious signification is intended to fill our hearts with devotion and reverence.
1. The Priest first prays with heartfelt sorrow, and profoundly bowing, at the foot of the altar; then having ascended the steps, he kisses it reverently, reads the Introit, and prays again in the spirit of humility to God, by reciting alternately with the server the 'Kyrie eleison' (Lord, have mercy on us). 2. He intones joyfully the Hymn of the Angels (Gloria), and turns then towards the people, to wish them the Divine Blessing. 3. He prays at the side of the altar, in the name of all who are present, to God for the necessities of all. After that, he reads two portions of the Holy Scripture, the Epistle and the Gospel, the latter, however, at the other side of the altar, to intimate that the Evangelical doctrine, rejected by the Jews, passed over to the Heathens. 4. The Gospel is followed, on certain days, by the Nicene Creed. This is the preparation for the Sacrifice. It was anciently called the Mass of the Catechumens — i.e., of those who were still in the first rudiments of Christianity, because they were permitted to assist at it thus far before they were baptized. Next begins, 5. The Sacrifice itself by the Offertory: the Priest, united with the people, offers bread and wine, and then washes his hands, to show the purity of heart with which we should assist at the Holy Sacrifice. 6. He invites all to fervent prayer, and, praising God, he joins with the Choirs of Angels, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy,' etc. 7. Next follow prayers, said in a low voice, for the Church, her Rulers, and all the faithful, under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints. 8. Then he pronounces the mysterious words of Consecration, adores, making a genuflection, and elevates the Sacred Body and the Sacred Blood above his head. At the ringing of the bell the people adore on their knees, and strike their breasts in token of repentance for their sins. 9. The Priest begs of God graciously to accept the Sacrifice, to have mercy on all mankind, also on the souls in Purgatory, and concludes with the Lord's Prayer, which contains the substance of all petitions. 10. After a preparatory prayer, during which, at Solemn Masses, the Kiss of Peace is given, follows the Holy Communion, of which all those who are present should partake, at least spiritually. 11. The Communion being over, the whole
