Of Omissions to be Made on Certain Days and Occasions
From Passion Sunday until Maundy Thursday inclusive, the psalm in the devotions said by the priest and his server, at the foot of the altar-steps, immediately before the beginning of the mass, should be omitted. At such times, the priest, having said, "In the Name," etc., and the antiphon, "I will go" etc., at once says, "Our help," etc.
During Advent, and from Septuagesima until Easter, and on all days, out of Easter-tide, that are not festivals, the Gloria in excelsis should be omitted, and some metrical hymn, suitable for the occasion, should be used in lieu thereof. Inasmuch as, according to usage in Western Christendom, the Creed (in the mass-rite) as well as the Gloria in excelsis, is associated with festivals rather than fasting days and others of non-festal character, it is fitting that both Creed and Gloria in excelsis be omitted in masses said on days that are not festivals.
Of Masses for the Dead
In a mass celebrated especially in behalf of the faithful departed, the priest omits the psalm Judica me in the preparation at the foot of the altar-steps. He makes the sign of the Cross, before saying the Lord's Prayer, over the book and not upon himself. Before the Gospel, he does not say the prayers, "Let thy blessing, etc." and "The Lord be in my heart," etc., nor does he kiss the book after he has read the Gospel. The Creed is not said, nor the water blessed, nor the Gloria Patri said at end of the psalm Lavabo. The priest does not strike his breast while saying the Agnus Dei; and instead of the words,—"have mercy upon us" and "grant us thy peace," he says "grant them rest," and "grant them rest eternal." The (private) prayer for the unity and the peace of the Church, and the Gloria in excelsis are omitted.
Of the Last Gospel
The late mediaeval custom of reading the opening words of the Gospel according to St. John (Verses 1 to 14, inclusive) has much in its favour, but should not be regarded by us as
