Purgatorian Consoler/Devotions for Mass
Devotions at Mass.
PRAYERS BEFORE MASS.
In the name of the ✝ Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Receive, holy Trinity, one God, the holy sacrifice of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which I, Thy unworthy servant, desire now to offer unto Thy divine Majesty by the hands of this Thy-minister, with all the sacrifices which have ever been or are to be offered unto Thee, in union with that most holy sacrifice offered by the same our Lord at the last supper, and on the altar of the cross. I offer it unto Thee with the utmost affection of devotion, out of pure love for thine infinite goodness, and according to the most holy intention of the same our Lord, and of our holy mother Church :
1. To the great and eternal glory and love of Thy divine Majesty.
2. In acknowledgment of Thy sovereign excellence and supreme dominion over us, and our subjection to Thee, and dependence upon Thee.
3. In perpetual commemoration of the passion and death of the same Christ our Lord.
4. For the honor and increase of glory of the blessed Virgin, and of all the saints triumphant. 5. In eternal thanksgiving for all Thy benefits, conferred upon the most sacred humanity of our Lord, upon the blessed Virgin His mother, upon the saints my patrons; and for all the benefits hitherto or yet to be conferred upon all the blessed and predestinated, and upon me, the most unworthy of all.
6. In satisfaction for my sins, and for the sins of all the faithful, living or dead.
7. In particular, I offer it for the attainment of these (N N,) or for this (N) grace or blessing, for these (N N) persons particularly recommended to me, and for all for whom I am accustomed or bound to pray ; that Thou wouldst grant to the departed rest, and to the living grace, to know, and love, and glorify Thee perfectly now in this life, and hereafter blissfully in heaven. Accept and perfect this my desire, and vouchsafe Thy abundant grace and blessing for its accomplishment.
AT THE CONFITEOR.
O divine Jesus, Thou art the victim charged with all the iniquities of the world ; Thou didst weep for them bitter tears ; Thou didst expiate them by the most dreadful torments and by the most cruel of deaths. I come to mingle my tears with Thine; I confess to Thee, in the presence of Mary ever Virgin and of all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly ; that it is my ingratitude that pierced Thy heart, and put Thee to a cruel death. God, ray Saviour, through Thy tears, through Thy agony in the garden, and through Thy precious blood and the wound in Thy Sacred Heart, I beseech Thee to accept this my confession, and mercifully pardon all my deficiencies, that, according to the greatness of Thy mercy, I may be fully and perfectly absolved in heaven ; Who livest and reignest, &c.
AT THE INTROIT.
Let us adore the heart of Jesus, which has loved us so much ; let us prostrate ourselves before Him, and bewail the sins of which we have been guilty. Grant us, Lord, a contrite and humble heart ; let the homage of our adorations be as acceptable to Thee as if we offered Thee thousands of victims.
AT THE KYRIE.
O Father of infinite mercy, have pity on Thy children ; Jesus, sacrificed for us, apply to us the merits of Thy precious blood ; Holy Ghost, the sanctifier, descend into our hearts, and inflame them with Thy love.
AT THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS.
What happiness for us that the Son of the Most High should have been pleased to dwell amongst us, and have vouchsafed to offer us a dwelling in His Divine Heart ! Suffer us, O Lord, to mingle our voices with those of the angelic choir, to thank Thee for so great a favor; and let us say with them, " Glory to God in the highest heavens." almighty Father, we praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee ; we give Thee thanks for all the benefits which Thou hast lavished upon us without ceasing. Jesus, lamb without spot, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us ; Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Who reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost in glory, and meritest all our homage on earth.
AT THE COLLECTS.
O Lord, vouchsafe favorably to hear the prayers which Thy priest offers to Thee for the Church and for me.
I earnestly beseech Thee to grant me those graces and virtues of which I have need, in order to deserve Thy love. Fill my heart with eternal gratitude for all the blessings which Thou hast conferred upon me, with a lively horror of sin, and with perfect charity towards my neighbor. Make my whole life worthy of one who is Thy child. I deserve not to be heard for my own sake, my God, but I beseech Thy mercy through the infinite merits of Thy divine Son. O divine Jesus, inexhaustible fountain of all good things, open to us, we beseech Thee, the interior of Thy heart ; that having entered, by pious meditation, into this august sanctuary of divine love, we may fix for ever there our hearts, as the place wherein are found the treasure, the repose, and the happiness of holy souls.
AT THE EPISTLE.
Thou hast vouchsafed, Lord, to teach us Thy sacred truths by the prophets and apostles : oh, grant that we may so improve by their doctrine and examples in the love of Thy holy name and of Thy holy law, that we may shew forth by our lives whose disciples we are ; that we may no longer follow the corrupt inclinations of flesh and blood, but master all our passions ; that we may be ever directed by Thy light, and strengthened by Thy grace to walk in the way of Thy commandments, and to serve Thee with clean hearts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
AT THE GOSPEL.
Lord Jesus, Who, according to Thy Father's will, hast declared unto the world the message of the Gospel ; grant that we may receive it into our minds, embrace it with our wills, preserve it in our memory, and practise it in our lives ; and being united here with those elect sheep who hear Thy voice, may be numbered with them also at the last day at Thy right hand, and hear Thee say, " Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." O Jesus, give holy pastors to thy Church.
PRAYER AT THE SERMON.
I will hear what the Lord will say unto me.
Jesus, light of the world, enlighten my understanding, that I may understand Thy word ; and cleanse my heart, that it may bring forth the fruits of the same.
AT THE CREED.
I firmly believe — because God Who is Infallible Truth hath so revealed it to the Holy Catholic Church, and through the Church to us — I firmly believe that there is one only God, in three divine persons, equal and distinct, whose names are Father, Son, and Holy Ghost : that the Son became man, and through the operation of the Holy Spirit took flesh and a human soul in the womb of the most pure Virgin Mary, died for us upon the cross, rose again, ascended into heaven, and will come from thence at the end of the world to judge all the living and the dead, to give paradise to the good, and hell to the wicked, for ever ; and furthermore, upon the same motive, I believe every thing that the holy Church believes and teaches. In this faith and for this faith I desire to live and die. Grant, O Lord, that my life may be conformable with my faith, that my faith may be animated by good works, that I may never be ashamed to declare myself a Catholic, and may constantly maintain the interests of Thy holy religion. Draw closer to me, Lord, the bonds that bind me to Thy holy Church ; put into my heart a spirit of perfect obedience to its lawful pastors. In its bosom I became Thy child, and in its bosom I desire to live and die. Amen.
DURING THE OFFERTORY.
I adore Thee, O my God ; and, in union with the priest, offer Thee this sacrifice, for Thy honor and glory, in thanksgiving for all the benefits conferred upon myself and upon the whole world; and in satisfaction for my many sins, and the sins of other men. Accept, Lord, of this holocaust, which is no other than Thy divine Son, at once made priest and victim, offering and offerer, and apply his saving merits to my needy soul. — Be comforted, my heart, Jesus sacrifices Himself for thee.
my Lord Jesus Christ, in remembrance and praise of Thy boundless love, with which Thou didst give Thyself wholly to us upon the altar of the cross, behold I offer unto Thee this day this present sacrifice of the Mass, together with all those which are celebrated throughout the world, by the hands of Thy priests, to be presented to Thy eternal Father, in union with, and in the virtue of, that oblation in which Thou Thyself, dying on the cross, didst offer Thy sacred body and blood for the salvation of the world.
Grant that the oblation of the same Thy body and blood, which here is renewed in mystery, and is made under the form of bread and wine, may effectually obtain its proper fruit ; that thereby the living may receive grace, and the faithful departed, everlasting rest.
Accept, also, Lord, this same sacrifice, which contains in itself the fruit of Thy passion and death, as an act of thanksgiving for the innumerable benefits Thou hast conferred upon us, and a propitiation and satisfaction for the countless sins we have committed, the good we have omitted to do, and the punishments we have deserved. Who livest, &c.
AT THE PREFACE.
Lift up, Lord, do Thou Thyself lift up my heart to Thee. Take from it all unholy thoughts, all earthly affections. Lift it wholly up to heaven, where Thou art worthily adored, and to the altar, where Thou art about to manifest Thyself to me. My life is but one continual succession of Thy mercies; let it be one continual succession of thanksgivings : and as Thou art now about to renew the greatest of all sacrifices, is it not meet that I should burst forth in expressions of heartfelt gratitude ? Suffer me then, to join my feeble voice with the voices of all the heavenly spirits, and in union with them to say, in a transport of joy and admiration:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
AT THE CANON.
O eternal and most merciful Father, behold, we come to offer Thee our homage this day : we desire to adore, praise, and glorify Thee, and to give Thee thanks for Thy great glory, joining our hearts and voices with all Thy blessed in heaven, and with Thy whole Church upon earth. But acknowledging our great unworthiness and innumerable sins, for which we are heartily sorry and humbly beg Thy pardon, we dare not venture to approach Thee otherwise than in company of Thy Son, our advocate and mediator, Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast given us to be both our High Priest and Sacrifice. With Him, therefore, and through Him, we venture to offer Thee this sacrifice ; to His most sacred intentions we desire to unite ours; and with this offering which He makes of Himself, we desire to make an offering of our whole being to Thee. With Him, and through Him, we beseech Thee to exalt Thy holy Catholic Church throughout the whole world ; to maintain her in peace, unity, holiness, and truth ; to have mercy on Thy servant N., our chief bishop, N., our prelate, and on all that truly fear Thee ; on our pastor, (parents, children,) friends, and benefactors, &c; on all those whom we have in any way scandalised, injured or offended, or for whom we are in any other way bound to pray ; on all that are in their agony, or under violent temptations, or other necessities, corporal or spiritual ; on all our enemies ; and, in a word, on all poor sinners ; that we may all be converted to Thee, and find mercy, through Jesus Christ Thy Son; through Whom we hope one day to be admitted into the company of all Thy saints and elect, Whose memory we here celebrate, Whose prayers we desire, and with Whom we communicate in these holy mysteries.
When the Priest spreads his hands over the oblation:
(Here the bell is rung.)
Give ear, we beseech Thee, to the prayers of Thy servant, who is here appointed to make this oblation in our behalf; and grant it may be effectual for the obtaining of all those blessings which he asks for us.
Behold, Lord, we all here present to Thee, in this bread and wine, the symbols of our perfect union. Grant, Lord, that they may be made for us the true body and blood of Thy dear Son; that, being consecrated to Thee by this holy victim, we may live in Thy service, and depart this life in Thy grace.
AT THE CONSECRATION.
Bow down your body and soul in solemn adoration; make an act of faith in the real presence of your Saviour's body and blood, soul and divinity, under the sacramental veils. Offer your whole self to Him, and through Him to His Father : beg that your heart and soul may be happily changed into Him.
AT THE ELEVATION OF THE HOST.
(Here the bell is rang thrice.)
Hail, true body, born of the Virgin Mary, which didst truly suffer and wast immolated on the cross for man, whose side was pierced, and flowed with water and with blood ; may we have a foretaste of Thee in the last agony of death. kind, loving one, Jesus, Son of Mary, have
mercy on me ! Amen. At the elevation of the chalice.
(Here also the bell is rung thrice.)
Saviour of the world, save us; for by Thy cross and by Thy blood Thou hast redeemed us ; help us, we beseech Thee, our God. Amen.
Have mercy on me, dear Jesus, and grant that Thy blood may not be shed in vain for me, I most humbly beseech Thee. Amen.
AFTER CONSECRATION.
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and firm purpose of amendment ; the while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five wounds, pondering over them within me, whilst I call to mind the words which David, Thy prophet, said of Thee, my Jesus : " Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos ; dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea." "They pierced my hands and my feet; they numbered all my bones," (Ps. xxi. 17, 18.)
Jesus, give holy pastors to Thy Church.
Pope Pius VII, by a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, dated April 10, 1821, granted— The Plenary Indulgence to all who shall devoutly say the prayer, p. 477, before a crucifix, with contrite hearts, praying for the wants of Holy Church, after having confessed and communicated, and, by a recent decision, praying according to the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. At the memento for the dead.
I offer Thee again, Lord, this holy sacrifice of the body and blood of Thy only Son, in behalf of the faithful departed, and in particular for the souls of (here name whom you chiefly propose to pray for) my parents, (if dead,) relatives, benefactors, neighbors, &c. Likewise of such as I have any ways injured, or been the occasion of their sins ; of such as have injured me, and been my enemies ; of such as die in war, or have none to pray for them. To these, Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we. beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and peace, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
AT THE NOBIS QUOQUE PECCATORIBUS.
Vouchsafe to grant the same to us, poor and miserable sinners: judge us not according to our demerits ; but through the infinite multitude of Thy mercies, in which we hope, liberally extend to us Thy grace and pardon.
We ask it of Thee in the name of Thy dear Son, Who liveth and reigneth eternally with Thee, and in that form of prayer which He
Himself hath taught us. At the pater noster.
O our Father, Who reignest in heaven, come and reign in my soul, come and sanctify it by Thy presence ; come and subject it to Thy holy will, and render it obedient to the inspirations of Thy grace. Extinguish in my heart every feeling of hatred and revenge ; forgive me as I forgive. Grant to me such wisdom and such strength that I may triumph over all temptations. Deliver me from all those evils which oppress me, and under which I groan, being burdened. I come to Thee, as a child to his father, to be fed ; as a subject to his prince, to be protected ; as one afflicted to his only succor, to be consoled and comforted.
AT THE LIBERA NOS.
Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come ; and by the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, and of all the saints, mercifully grant peace in our days, that by the assistance of Thy holy grace we may be always free from sin and secure from all disturbance.
AT THE PAX DOMINI.
Thy body was broken, and Thy blood shed for us : grant that the commemoration of this holy mystery may obtain for us peace ; and that those who receive it may find everlasting rest. Lamb of God, pure and spotless victim, Who only canst satisfy the justice of an offended God, vouchsafe to make me partaker of the merits of Thy sacrifice. What lessons of humility, meekness, charity, and patience dost Thou not give me ! Impress these virtues upon my heart, that it may be to Thee a pleasant habitation, wherein Thou mayest repose as in an abode of peace.
AFTER THE AGNUS DEI.
In saying to Thy apostles, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you ; Thou hast promised, Lord, to all Thy Church, that peace which the world cannot give — peace with Thee, and peace with ourselves.
Let nothing, Lord, ever interrupt this holy peace ; let nothing separate us from Thee, to Whom we heartily desire to be united, through the blessed sacrament of peace and reconciliation. Let this food of angels strengthen us in every Christian duty, so as never more to yield under temptations, or fall into our common weaknesses.
my good God, and sweet Saviour Jesus, Who art present here for my sake, and givest Thyself to me for daily food, and for the supply of all my necessities ; since without Thee, Who art the true food of my soul, I cannot live, I humbly beseech Thee to refresh me spiritually, and make me partaker of that grace which they experience who devoutly receive Thee. O good Jesus, despise me not, but vouchsafe to visit Thy servant, and by Thy grace to work and perfect all the effects and virtues of Thy holy sacrament in me, to Thy honor, my God, and the eternal salvation of my soul. Amen.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me ; Body of Christ, save me ; Blood of Christ, inebriate me ; Water out of the side of Christ, wash me ; passion of Christ, strenghten me. good Jesus, hear me, hide me within Thy wounds; suffer me not to be separated from Thee; defend me from the malignant enemy ; at the hour of my death call me, and bid me come unto Thee, that with Thy saints I may praise Thee for all eternity. Amen.
AT THE DOMINE, NON SUM DIGNUS.
God only can be worthy of receiving God ; how, then, can a soul so sinful as mine merit so great a happiness I But Thou, Lord, regardest not Thy greatness, but Thy mercy. Thou wiliest that I come to Thee, as one sick to the physician who can heal him, as one poor to the rich lord who can assist him. God of love, behold at Thy feet the poorest, the most infirm of Thy creatures. Unite me to Thyself, and I shall become rich and whole in Thy sight — Work, I beseech Thee, this miracle, worthy of
Thy omnipotence and charity. While the priest communicates.
O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of His passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us !
Grant, Lord Jesus, that we may so reverence the sacred mysteries of Thy body and blood, that we may ever find in ourselves the fruits of Thy redemption. Amen.
ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT INTEND TO COMMUNICATE.
O my most loving Saviour, since I cannot have the happiness of receiving Thee this day, suffer me to gather up the precious crumbs that fall from Thy table, and to unite myself to Thy divine heart by faith, hope, and charity. I confess I do not deserve the children's bread ; but I venture humbly to declare that, away from Thee, my soul is dried up with thirst, and my heart cast down with faintness. Come, then, into me, O my divine Jesus, come into my mind, to illuminate it with Thy light ; come into my heart, to enkindle in it the fire of Thy love, and to unite it so intimately with Thy own, that it may be no more I that live, but Thou that livest in me, and
reignest in me for ever. at the communion.
Let it be now, Lord, the effect of Thy mercy, that we, who have been present at this holy mystery, may find the benefit of it in our souls.
Oh, how sweet, Lord, is Thy spirit ; Who, to shew Thy sweetness towards Thy children, givest them the most delicious bread from heaven, and sendest the proud away empty.
AT THE POST-COMMUNIONS.
Pour forth upon us, Lord, the spirit of Thy love, that, by Thy mercy, Thou mayest make those of one mind whom Thou hast fed with one celestial food. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the same unity of the holy spirit, &c.
We give Thee thanks, God, for Thy mercy, in admitting us to have a part in offering this sacrifice to Thy holy name: accept it now to Thy glory, and be ever mindful of our weakness.
For a Saint's Day.
We have received heavenly mysteries, O Lord, in the commemoration of the blessed Mary ever Virgin, N., and all Thy saints; grant, we beseech Thee, that what we celebrate in time, we may obtain in the joys of eternity. Through our Lord, &c. {{c|at the last gospel.
Eternal Word, speak to my soul, which adores Thee in profound silence; Thou Who art the great creator of all things, abandon not, I beseech Thee, Thy own creature : be Thou my life, my light, and my all.
Light Eternal, enlighten me as to this present life, and in the life to come.
Reign in me as in Thine own inheritance ; for Thou, Lord, hast made me ; Thou hast redeemed me. May I be ever Thine !
PRAYER AFTER MASS.
I return Thee humble thanks, Lord, that Thou hast permitted me, the most unworthy of Thy creatures, to bear a part in this great sacrifice. Pardon, Lord, all my distractions ; and may Thy merits enable me to enter the august temple of that heavenly country, where the great sacrifice of Thy love is fulfilled, and where the soul lives eternally in God, and God in the soul.