I am unworthy to draw near to thy sacred Mystery, yet may I be made meet for everlasting joy.
When putting on the Chasuble
O Lord, who hast said, My yoke is easy and my burden is light, enable me so to bear it that I may obtain thy favour. Amen.
Before leaving the Sacristy
In the multitude of thy mercies, O Lord, I go unto thine altar. O save and deliver me for thy tender mercies' sake. Amen.
Preparation at the foot of the Altar-Steps
Signing himself with the sign of the cross, the priest says, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Ant. I will go unto the altar of God. R. Even unto the God of my joy and gladness. Priest. Give sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people: O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man. Server. For thou art the God of my strength, why hast thou put me from thee; and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me? P. O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me: and bring me unto thy holy hill and to thy dwelling. S. And that I may go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness: and upon the harp will I give thanks to thee, O God, my God. P. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me? S. O put thy trust in God; for I will yet give him thanks, which is the help of my countenance and my God. P. Glory be, etc. S. As it was, etc. Ant. I will go unto the altar of God. R. Even unto the God of my joy and Gladness. Signing himself, the priest says, Our help is in the Name of the Lord. R. Who hath made heaven and earth. Bowing profoundly, the priest says, I confess to God Almighty, to Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, and to you brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and deed, by my fault, by my own fault, by my most grievous fault.
