Good Friday (Exeter Book)

by the Society of SS. Peter and Paul

For works with similar titles, see Good Friday.

Good
Friday

Exeter Books: No. 6

LONDON
SOCIETY OF SS. PETER AND PAUL
22 George St., Hanover Square, W.

A. D. MCMXX

 

 

GOOD FRIDAY.

[Note.—In the Liturgy following it will be noted that the Editors have now added the great Intercessions for the Chief Bishop, Bishops, Catechumens, Jews, etc., prescribed in the Latin Rite. Further, all the Reproaches from the Latin Rite have not been included, to save space. No special number is prescribed to be sung, and probably not all will be needed; but if more are required than are here set forth, they may be had with musical notation from many publishers and in many forms. The Reproaches as printed here are taken from the English Hymnal.]

 

 

GOOD FRIDAY

¶ The Office being ended, the Priest and Ministers, in black vestments, and without candles and incense, shall go unto the Altar; and prostrating themselves before it, shall pray for a while. And the Acolytes shall spread one cloth and no more upon the Altar. His prayer being finished, the Priest, with the Ministers, shall go up to the Altar, and kiss it in the middle: and thereafter the Reader, going to the place where the Epistle is read, shall read the Prophecy, beginning it without any announcement, and the Priest shall read it at the same time in a low voice, standing at the Epistle corner.

Hosea 6.

THUS saith the Lord: In their affliction they will seek me early. Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

TRACT. Hab. 3. O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: I have considered thy works, and was confounded.

℣. O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years: in the midst of the years make it known ℣. In the time of confusion of my soul: in wrath, remember mercy. ℣. God came from Teman, and his Holy One from the thick woods of the mountains. ℣. His glory covered the heavens: and the earth was full of his praise.

The Tract being ended, the Priest at the Epistle corner shall say: Let us pray. Then shall the Deacon say: Let us bow the knee. And the Subdeacon: Arise.

COLLECT.

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the Cross: Who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

COLLECT.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church; that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee. Through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

COLLECT.

O MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor wouldest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live: have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Hereticks, and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.

Then shall the Subdeacon, without any announcement, sing the Epistle following. Heb. 10. 1.

BRETHREN: The law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect: for then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith: Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I: Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Above, when he said: Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offerings, and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the Law: then said he: Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering, and offering often times the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his foot-stool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before: This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; and having an High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love, and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

TRACT. Ps. 140. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: and preserve me from the wicked man. ℣. Who imagine mischief in their hearts: and stir up strife all the day long. ℣. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adder's poison is under their lips. ℣. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly: and preserve me from the wicked men. ℣. Who are purposed to overthrow my goings: the proud have laid a snare for me. ℣. And spread a net abroad with cords: yea, and set traps in my way. ℣. I said unto the Lord: Thou art my God: hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord. ℣. O Lord God, thou strength of my health: thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. ℣. Let not the ungodly have his desire, O Lord: let not his mischievous imagination prosper, lest they be too proud. ℣. Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them: that compass me about. ℣. The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name: and the just shall continue in thy sight.

The Tract ended, the Passion is read from a bare desk: and the Celebrant shall read it also at the Epistle horn of the Altar in a low voice.

The PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John. St. John 19. 1.

AT that time: Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said: S. Hail, King of the Jews. C. And they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them: S. Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. C. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them: S. Behold the man! C. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying: S. Crucify him, crucify him. C. Pilate saith unto them: S. Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. C. The Jews answered him; S. We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. C. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid: and went again into the judgement-hall, and saith unto Jesus: S. Whence art thou? C. But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him: S. Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? C. Jesus answered: ✠ Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. C. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying: S. If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cæsar. C. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat, in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour, and he saith unto the Jews: S. Behold your King! C. But they cried out: S. Away with him, away with him, crucify him. C. Pilate saith unto them: S. Shall I crucify your King? C. The chief priests answered: S. We have no king but Cæsar. C. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified: and they took Jesus, and led him away. And he, bearing his cross, went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha: where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross, and the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate: S. Write not, The King of the Jews: but that he said: I am the King of the Jews. C. Pilate answered: S. What I have written, I have written. C. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves: S. Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be. C. That the Scripture might be fulfilled, which saith: They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother: ✠ Woman, behold thy son. C. Then saith he to the disciple: ✠ Behold thy mother. C. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished: that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith: ✠ I thirst. C. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said: ✠ It is finished. C. And he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (Here genuflect, and a pause is made.)

The rest is sung in the tone of the Gospel: Cleanse my heart is said, but the blessing is not asked, nor are lights carried nor incense, and at the end the Celebrant does not kiss the book.

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled: A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another Scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Then the Priest, standing at the Epistle horn of the Altar, shall begin immediately with joined hands:

DEARLY beloved brethren, let us pray for the holy Catholic Church: that the Lord our God may vouchsafe to preserve it throughout all the world in unity, peace and safety: making subject unto it all principalities and powers: and that he may grant unto us to dwell in such quiet and tranquillity that we may duly shew forth the glory of God the Father Almighty.

Let us pray. Deacon: Let us bow the knee. Subdeacon: ℟. Arise.

The Prayer is chanted in the ferial tone of the Collect at Mass, with hands extended. Which method shall serve for all the Prayers that follow.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast in Christ made manifest thy glory unto all mankind: we beseech thee that thou wouldest preserve those things which of thy mercy thou hast created: that thy Church being spread abroad through all the world may steadfastly abide in the confession of thy holy Name. Through the same. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray likewise for N. the chief Bishop: that like as the Lord our God hath appointed him to the office of a bishoprick, so he may preserve him in all peace and safety for the governance of the holy people of God.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, whose judgement upholdeth all things both in heaven and earth: we beseech thee mercifully to have respect unto our prayers, that like as thou hast appointed this thy servant to be our Bishop so thou wouldest of thy mercy defend him against all adversities: and that all Christian peoples, acknowledging thee alone to be their author and governour, may so prosper by his care that they may duly increase in bringing forth the fruits of their profession. Through. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray likewise for all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, for all Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers, Doorkeepers, Confessors, Virgins and Widows: and for all the elect people of God.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church; that every member of the same in his vocation and ministry may truly and godly serve thee. Through. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray likewise for our most Christian Sovereign (if he is not crowned is said: elect) N.: that the Lord our God may make subject unto him all the peoples that delight in war to the preservation of our perpetual peace.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whose hand is the dominion of all things, and the governance of all kingdoms: look down in mercy on this Empire; that the nations which trust in the fury of their violence, may be quelled by the defence of thine almighty power. Through. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray likewise for all them that are catechumens: that the Lord our God may open the ears of their hearts that they may enter in at the gate of his mercy; that by the washing of regeneration they may obtain the remission of all their sins, and be found faithful servants of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost ever increase thy Church with the abundance of a new generation: we beseech thee that thou wouldest multiply in faith and understanding them that are being taught in thy holy word: that being renewed in the water of Baptism they may be numbered among the sons of thine adoption. Through. ℟. Amen.

DEARLY beloved brethren, let us pray likewise to God the Father Almighty, that he would vouchsafe to cleanse the world from all false doctrine, to deliver it from pestilence and famine: to open all prisons: and to set free them that are in captivity: granting unto pilgrims a safe return: to the sick healing: and to them that travel by sea to attain unto the haven that they desire.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the comforter of them that mourn, the strength of them that travail: we beseech thee to hear the prayers of them that in any necessity make their supplications unto thee: that in all their troubles and adversities they may rejoice in the present succour of thy loving-kindness. Through. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray likewise for all them that are in heresy and schism: that the Lord our God may deliver them from all false doctrines, and vouchsafe to restore them to their holy mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who wouldest not that any should perish, but rather that they should be saved: we beseech thee mercifully to look upon them that are deceived by the crafts of the devil: that the hearts of them which have gone astray may be delivered from their perversities and restored to the way of truth and to the unity of thy holy Church. Through. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray likewise for the Jews: that the Lord our God may remove from their hearts the veil of unbelief; and that they may come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. No ℟ is made, but immediately is said:

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who extendest even to the falsehood of the Jews the abundance of thy mercy: graciously hear the prayers which we offer unto thee for the blindness of the hearts of this people: that acknowledging Christ Jesus, the light of thy truth, they may yet be delivered from the darkness of their ignorance. Through the same. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray likewise for the heathen: that God Almighty may take away the iniquity of their hearts; that they may turn away from their idols to the true and living God and to his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God. Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who desirest A not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live: mercifully accept our prayers: that the heathen being delivered from the worship of idols may be united to thy holy Church to the honour and glory of thy Name. Through. ℟. Amen.

¶ Having finished the Prayers, the Priest lays aside his chasuble and goes to the Epistle horn of the Altar, where, standing at the back corner, he takes from the Deacon a Cross which has been previously made ready on the Altar. Turning towards the people, he partly uncovers it from the top, and begins alone the Antiphon Behold the wood of the Cross, after which the Ministers join in singing the rest as far as Come, let us worship. And when the Choir sings Come, let us worship, all bow down except the Celebrant. Then he goes to the front corner of the Epistle horn of the Altar: he uncovers the right arm of the Cross, and lifting it up a little, he begins at a slightly higher pitch: Behold the wood of the Cross, the others singing and worshipping as before. Lastly, the Priest goes to the middle of the Altar: and uncovering it entirely and lifting it up, he begins for the third time at a still higher pitch: Behold the wood of the Cross, the others singing and worshipping as before.

Behold the wood of the Cross, whereon was hung the world's Salvation.

℟. Come, let us worship..

And afterwards the Cross is carried by the Priest alone to the place made ready for it before the holy Table, and, genuflecting there, he sets it in place: next he lays aside his shoes, and approaches to worship the Cross, genuflecting thrice before he kisses it. Which done, he returns and takes again his shoes and the chasuble. Afterwards the Ministers at the Altar, and then in order the rest of the Clerics and Laics, two by two proceed to worship the Cross, making three genuflections, as is noted above. Meantime, while the worship is performed, the Reproaches are sung, and the rest that follows, either all or in part, according to the many or few that come to worship the Cross, after this manner:

Two Cantors in the midst of the Choir sing: ℣. O my people, as far as Holy God. ℣. O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.

℣. Because I brought thee forth from the land of Egypt, thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.

The first Choir sings: Holy God.

Another Choir answers: Holy, mighty.

Both Choirs: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

Two Cantors of the Second Choir: Because I led thee through the desert forty years, and fed thee with manna, and brought thee into a land exceeding good, thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.

First Choir: Holy God. Second Choir: Holy, Mighty. Both Choirs: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

Two Cantors of the First Choir. What more could I have done unto thee that I have not done? I indeed did plant thee, O my vineyard, with exceeding fair fruit, and thou art become very bitter unto me: for vinegar, mingled with gall, thou gavest me when thirsty, and hast pierced with a spear the side of thy Saviour.

The Choirs answer as above: Holy God, holy, mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.

¶ And more of the Reproaches may be sung by the Cantors and Choir after the same fashion as the time shall serve.

Then is sung in full this Antiphon: We venerate thy Cross, O Lord; and praise and glorify thy holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy hath come to the whole world.

Ps. 67. Deus misereatur. God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us. And immediately the Antiphon is repeated: We venerate thy Cross.

Afterward is sung the Verse Faithful Cross, with the Hymn Now my tongue the mystery telling, and after each verse is repeated Faithful Cross, or Sweetest wood, in the manner set forth below.

Faithful Cross! above all other,
One and only noble Tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peer may be;
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron!
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.

Hymn.

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle,
Sing the ending of the fray;
Now above the Cross, the trophy,
Sound the loud triumphant lay:
Tell how Christ, the world's Redeemer,
As a Victim won the day.

Then is repeated Faithful Cross, as far as Sweetest wood.

God in pity saw man fallen,
Shamed and sunk in misery,
When he fell on death by tasting
Fruit of the forbidden tree;
Then another tree was chosen
Which the world from death should free.

Repeat: Sweetest wood.

Thus the scheme of our salvation
Was of old in order laid,
That the manifold deceiver's
Art by art might be outweighed,
And the lure the foe put forward
Into means of healing made.

Repeat: Faithful Cross.

Therefore when the appointed fullness
Of the holy time was come,
He was sent, who maketh all things,
Forth from God's eternal home;
Thus he came to earth, incarnate,
Offspring of a maiden's womb.

Repeat: Sweetest wood.

Lo! He lies an infant weeping,
Where the narrow manger stands,
While the Mother-maid his members
Wraps in mean and lowly bands;
And the swaddling clothes is winding
Round his helpless feet and hands.

Repeat: Faithful Cross.

Thirty years among us dwelling,
His appointed time fulfilled,
Born for this, he meets his Passion,
For that this he freely willed.
On the Cross the Lamb is lifted
Where his life-blood shall be spilled.

Repeat: Sweetest wood.

He endured the nails, the spitting,
Vinegar, and spear, and reed;
From that holy body broken
Blood and water forth proceed:
Earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean
By that flood from stain are freed.

Repeat: Faithful Cross.

Bend thy boughs, O Tree of glory!
Thy relaxing sinews bend;
For a while the ancient rigour
That thy birth bestowed, suspend;
And the King of heavenly beauty
On thy bosom gently tend.

Repeat: Sweetest wood.

Thou alone wast counted worthy
This world's ransom to uphold;
For a shipwrecked race preparing
Harbour, like the Ark of old;
With the sacred Blood anointed
From the smitten Lamb that rolled.

Repeat: Faithful Cross.

To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet:
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete:
Trinal Unity, whose praises
All created things repeat. Amen.

Repeat: Sweetest wood.

Towards the end of the Worship of the Cross the Altar candles are lighted: and the Deacon, taking the burse, spreads the corporal in the customary way, and near by sets the vase for the purification: and when the worship is finished, he takes the Cross with reverence and carries it back to the Altar. Afterwards a Procession is made to the place where the Sacrament was laid yesterday. The Subdeacon goes first bearing the Cross between two Acolytes with lighted candles, and then the Clergy in due order, and last the Priest with the Ministers. When they have come to the place of the Sacrament, torches are lighted which shall not be extinguished until the Sacrament shall have been consumed. The Priest kneels before the Sacrament and prays awhile: in the meantime the Deacon opens the casket in which the Body of the Lord lies hidden: and afterward the Priest, rising, puts incense into two censers without any blessing, and the Deacon presents to him the boat. Then he kneels and censes the Sacrament. And the Deacon, taking the chalice with the Sacrament out of the casket, gives it into the hands of the Priest, and covers it with the ends of the veil which is about his shoulders, and they go back in the same order as they came: and a canopy is carried over the Sacrament, and the two Acolytes with censers continually cense it: meanwhile is sung the hymn The royal banners forward go.

When the Priest has come to the Altar, he places the chalice upon it, and kneeling again censes the Sacrament: then going up to the Altar he places the Host from the chalice on the paten, which the Deacon holds: and again taking the paten from the Deacon lays the Host upon the corporal, saying nothing. If he should have touched the Sacrament he washes his fingers in a vase. Meanwhile the Deacon puts wine into the chalice, and the Subdeacon water, which the Priest does not bless, nor say over it the usual prayer: taking the chalice from the Deacon, he sets it on the Altar, saying nothing: and the Deacon covers it with the pall: then he sets incense in the censer without blessing it, and censes the oblations and the Altar in the usual manner, genuflecting before and after, and whensoever he passes in front of the Sacrament.

When he censes the oblation, he says:

Bless this incense, and take it up to thee, O Lord, and so let thy mercy come down upon us.

When he censes the Altar, he says:

Ps. 141. Let my prayer, O Lord, be set forth in thy sight as the incense: and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and keep the door of my lips. O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing: let me not be occupied in ungodly works.

As he gives back the censer to the Deacon, he says:

May the Lord kindle in us the fire of his love, and the flame of his everlasting charity. Amen.

He is not censed himself.

Afterward he washes his hands a little away from the Altar at the Epistle horn, saying nothing: then bowing down in the middle of the Altar, with hands joined, he says:

With humble spirits and contrite souls let us enter now thy presence, O Lord, and so offer our sacrifice to thee, that it may this day be precious in thy sight, O Lord our God.

Then turning towards the people, on the Gospel side, he says:

Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.

He turns back by the same way, not completing the circle: and omitting all else, says immediately:

Let us pray.

AS our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us, we are bold to say: Our Father, which art in heaven: Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. ℟. But deliver us from evil.

Then the Priest shall say silently Amen, and afterward, in the same voice as he said Our Father, immediately and without Let us pray, he shall begin this prayer following, and say it in the ferial tone used for the Collect at Mass.

DELIVER us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all evils, past, present, and to come: and at the intercession of the blessed and glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and with Andrew, and all thy Saints (he does not sign himself with the paten), graciously grant us peace in all our days, that by thine availing mercy, we may ever both be free from sin and safe from all distress. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.

¶ Then the Celebrant, having made a reverence down to the ground, slides the paten beneath the Sacrament: and taking the Host in his right hand, he lifts it up so that it may be seen by the people: and immediately dividing it into three parts over the chalice, he shall place the last part into the chalice in the usual way, but saying nothing. The Peace of the Lord is not said, nor O Lamb of God, nor is the kiss of peace given. And afterward, having omitted the first two prayers, he shall say this one only:

O LORD Jesu Christ, I, thine unworthy servant, do presume to take thy Body: but let not this act be to my judgment and damnation; rather, of thy mercy let it ward me in body and soul, and shew thy healing forth in me: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Then shall he genuflect, and take the paten with Christ's Body: and with great reverence and humility say:

I will receive the Bread of heaven and call upon the Name of the Lord.

Then he beats his breasts thrice, and says at each:

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.

Afterward he signs himself with the Sacrament, saying:

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.

And reverently receives the Body.

Then omitting all else which is wont to be said before taking the Sacrament of the Precious Blood, he forth with consumes with reverence the particle of the Host with the wine. Then he washes his fingers in the accustomed manner, and takes the purification. Afterward, bowing down in the midst of the Altar, he says:

GRANT, O Lord, that what our mouths have taken, our minds may receive unalloyed, and what comes to us in time may be our healing in the endless years.

And nothing further is said, nor the Postcommunion, nor is the blessing given: but making a reverence to the Altar, the Priest and Ministers depart: and Evensong is said without the chant: and the Altar is laid bare.

 

 

NOTE ON THE EXETER BOOKS

The Society of SS. Peter and Paul in printing this latest series of diocesan booklets, hopes to prepare the way for the production of an English Missal which will be generally accepted by all who care for sound liturgical principles. Eventually it is hoped to print both a Missal for the Altar and another for the Laity in suitable sizes, but containing the same matter. The cost of such productions will considerably exceed £1,000. It is vital, therefore, that what is finally printed should prove generally acceptable. The Exeter series is produced for practical use, and to show what can be done. They can be freely criticized and altered before taking permanent shape. Some of them, notably those for Holy Week, are palpably tentative, and issued to meet the present stage of development in our liturgical worship.

The Society issues these booklets, not as perfect or final efforts, but in the hope of leading to that end. It is claimed that the English is the English of the Book of Common Prayer, and the rights of these translations are strictly reserved. It is hoped that the liturgical principles upon which the rites are based will prove sound. Criticism will be welcomed.

Any special Masses or series of Masses can be produced in the same style at request, and the Society confidently expects a welcome to these books, and will be most grateful for donations made towards the cost of their continued issue.

 

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The Society of SS. Peter and Paul Limited.

 

 

EXETER BOOKS

1. CANDLEMAS: the blessing, distribution, and procession of candles, and the Mass. 3d.
2. ASH WEDNESDAY: the blessing and distribution of ashes, and the Mass. 3d.
3. PALM SUNDAY: the blessing, distribution, and procession of palms, and the Mass. 6d.
4. MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK: the Masses for these days. 4d.
5. MAUNDY THURSDAY: the Mass and procession, and the Maundy. 4d.
6. GOOD FRIDAY: the Reproaches, worship of the Cross, and Mass of the Presanctified. 6d.
7. HOLY SATURDAY: the blessing of the Fire, the Prophecies, blessing of the Font, Litanies, and the Mass. 6d.
8. TENEBRAE: Mattins for last three days of Holy Week. 6d.
9. THE MASSES OF MARY: Votive Masses of our Lady. 6d.
10. CORPUS CHRISTI, the Sacred Heart, and Precious Blood. 6d.
11. MASSES OF JUNE. 6d.
12. ALL SOULS DAY. 6d.
13. CHRISTMAS. 1s.
14. ORDER AND CANON OF ENGLISH MASS. 1s.
15. MASSES OF ADVENT. 8d.
16. MASSES OF EPIPHANY. 8d.
17. COMMON OF SAINTS. 2s.
22. LITURGY OF 1549. 6d.
23. MASS FOR BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM. 6d.

In preparation.

• THE ASSUMPTION, and other Feasts of Mary.
• THE MASSES FOR THE DEAD.
• THE ORDINARY AND CANON OF THE MASS, in red and black, with full prefaces and prayers.

  I. THE RITE OF 1549.

  II. THE ROMAN RITE IN ENGLISH.

  III. THE RITE OF 1918.

  IV. THE SARUM RITE.

• THE EMBER MASSES AT FOUR SEASONS.
• THE GENERAL RUBRICS.

AND MANY OTHERS.

CATALOGUE 2d.