Ash Wednesday
| Purple |
1st Class Feria
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Blessing of the Ashes |
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| Before the Mass, the ashes obtained by burning the branches of olive and other trees blessed the preceding year, are now blessed. When None has been said in choir, the priest, vested in alb, stole, and purple cope, stands at the epistle corner of the altar, on which is placed a vessel containing the ashes to be blessed. The choir sings the following antiphon: | |||||
| ANTIPHON ¤ Ps. 68.17 | |||||
| Exaudi nos, Domine, quoniam benigna est misericordia tua: et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum repice nos, Domine. -- Salvum me fac, Deus: quoniam intraverunt aquae usque ad animam meam. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Exaudi nos, Domine . . . | Hear us, O Lord, for Thy mercy is kind: look upon us, O Lord, according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies. -- (Ps. 68. 2). Save me, O God: for the waters are come in even unto my soul. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Hear us, O Lord, for Thy mercy is kind . . . | ||||
| Afterwards the priest, standing at the epistle side, without turning towards the people, with his hands joined, says: | |||||
| V.: Dominus vobiscum. | V.: The Lord be with you. | ||||
| R.: Et cum spiritu tuo. | R.: And with thy spirit. | ||||
| Oremus. -- Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, parce paenitentibus,
propitiare supplicantibus, et mittere digneris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui bene†dicat, et
sancti†ficet hos cineres, ut sint remedium salubre omnibus nomen sanctum tuum humiliter implorantibus, ac
semetipsos pro conscientia delictorum suorum accusantibus, ante conspectum divinae clementiae tuae facinora
sua deplorantibus, vel serenissimam pietatem tuam suppliciter, obnixeque flagitantibus: et praesta per
invocationem sanctissimi nominis tui; ut quicumque per eos aspersi fuerint, pro redemptione peccatorum suorum,
corporis sanitatem, et animae tutelam percipiant. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R.: Amen. | Let us pray. -- O almighty and everlasting God, spare those who
are penitent, be merciful to those who implore Thee; and vouchsafe to send Thy holy Angel from heaven, to
bless † and hal†low these ashes, that they may be a wholesome remedy to all who humbly implore Thy
holy Name, and who accuse themselves, conscious of their sins, deploring their crimes before Thy divine mercy,
or humbly and earnestly beseeching Thy sovereign goodness: and grant through the invocation of Thy most holy
Name that whosoever shall be sprinkled with them for the remission of their sins may receive both health of
body and safety of soul. Through Christ our Lord. R.: Amen. |
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| Oremus. -- Deus, qui non mortem, sed paenitentiam desideras
peccatorum: fragilitatem conditionis humanae benignissime respice; et hos cineres, quos causa proferendae
humilitatis, atque promerendae veniae, capitibus nostris imponi decernimus, bene†dicere pro tua pietate
dignare: ut, qui nos cinerem esse, et ob pravitatis nostrae demeritum in pulverem reversuros cognoscimus;
peccatorum omnium veniam, et praemia paenitentibus repromissa, misericorditer consequi mereamur. Per Christum
Dominum nostrum. R.: Amen. |
Let us pray. -- O God, who desirest not the death, but the
repentance of sinners, look down most graciously upon the frailty of human nature; and in Thy goodness
vouchsafe to bless † these ashes which we purpose to put opon our heads in token of our lowliness and to
obtain forgiveness: so that we who know that we are but ashes, and for the demerits of our wickedness are to
return to dust, may deserve to obtain of Thy mercy, the pardon of all our sins, and the rewards promised to
the penitent. Through Christ our Lord. R.: Amen. |
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| Oremus. -- Deus, qui humiliatione flecteris, et satisfactione
placaris: aurem tuae pietatis inclina precibus nostris; et capitibus servorum tuorum, horum cinerum aspersione
contactis, effunde propitius gratiam tuae benedictionis: ut eos et spiritu compunctionis repleas, et quae
iuste postulaverint, efficaciter tribuas; et concessa perpetuo stabilita, et intacta manere decernas. Per
Christum Dominum nostrum. R.: Amen. |
Let us pray. -- O God, who art moved by humiliation, and appeased
by satisfaction: incline the ear of Thy goodness to our prayers and mercifully pour forth upon the heads of
Thy servants sprinkled with these ashes the grace of Thy blessing: that Thou mayest both fill them with the
spirit of compunction, and effectually grant what they have justly prayed for: and ordain that what Thou hast
granted may be permanently established and remain unchanged. Through Christ
our Lord. R.: Amen. | ||||
| Oremus. -- Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui Ninivitis in cinere et
cilicio paenitentibus, indulgentiae tuae remedia praestitisti: concede propitius; ut sic eos imitemur habitu,
quatenus veniae prosequamur obtentu. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R.: Amen. | Let us pray. -- O almighty and everlasting God, who didst
vouchsafe Thy healing pardon to the Ninivites doing penance in sackcloth and ashes, mercifully grant that we
may so imitate them in our outward attitude as to follow them in obtaining forgiveness. Through Christ our
Lord .. . R.: Amen. |
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| The priest then sprinkles the ashes thrice with holy water, singing the anthem Asperges me . . . and incenses them thrice. After which, having first received the ashes on his own head, from the highest in dignity of the clergy, he proceeds to place them, in the form of across, on the heads or foreheads of the clergy and people, saying to each: | |||||
| Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris. | (Gen. 3. 19) Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return. | ||||
| Meanwhile the choir sings the following anthems and responses: | |||||
| ANTIPHON ¤ Joel 2. 13 | |||||
| Immutemur habitu, in cinere et cilicio: ieiunemus, et ploremus ante Dominum: quia multum misericors est dimittere peccata nostra Deus noster. | Let us change our garments for ashes and sackcloth: let us fast and lament before the Lord: for plenteous in mercy is our God to forgive our sins. | ||||
| ANOTHER ANTIPHON ¤ Joel 2. 17 | |||||
| Inter vestibulum et altare plorabunt sacerdotes ministri Domini, et dicent: Parce, Domine, parce populo tuo: et ne claudas ora canentium te, Domine. | Between the porch and the altar, the priests, the Lord's ministers, shall weep and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy People: and close not the mouths of them that sing to Thee, O Lord. | ||||
| RESPONSE ¤ Esther 13; Joel 2 | |||||
| R.: Emendemus in melius, quae ignoranter peccavimus: ne subito praeoccupati die mortis, quaeramus spatium poenitentiae, et invenire non possimus. * Attende, Domine, et miserere: quia peccavimus tibi. | R.: Let us amend for the better in those things in which we have sinned through ignorance; lest suddenly overtaken by the day of death, we seek space for repentance and are not able to find it. * Attend, O Lord, and have mercy: for we have sinned against Thee. | ||||
| V.: Adiuva nos, Deus salutaris noster: et propter honorem nominis tui, Domine, libera nos. * Attende, Domine. V.: Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. * Attende . . . | V.: (Ps. 78. 9). Help us, O God, our savior: and for the glory of Thy Name, O Lord, deliver us. * Attend, O Lord . . . V.: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. * Attend . . . | ||||
| When all have received the ashes, the priest says: | |||||
| V.: Dominus vobiscum. | V.: The Lord be with you. | ||||
| R.: Et cum spiritu tuo. | R.: And with thy spirit. | ||||
| Oremus. -- Concede nobis, Domine, praesidia militiae christianae
sanctis inchoare ieiuniis: ut contra spiritales nequitias pugnaturi continentiae muniamur auxiliis. Per
Christum Dominum nostrum. R.: Amen. |
Let us pray. -- Grant us, O Lord, to begin with holy fasts
the campaign of our Christian warfare: that, as we do battle
with the spirits of evil, we may be protected by the help of self-denial. Through Christ our Lord. R.: Amen. |
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Mass |
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| INTROIT ¤ Wisdom 11. 24, 25, 27 | |||||
| Misereris omnium, Domine, et nihil odisti eorum quae fecisti, dissimulans peccata hominum propter poenitentiam et parcens illis: quia tu es Dominus Deus noster. -- Miserere mei, Deus, miserere mei: quoniam inte confidit anima mea. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Misereris omnium, Domine . . . | Thou hast mercy upon all, O Lord, and hatest none of the things which Thou hast made, overlooking the sins of men for the sake of repentance, and sparing them: because Thou art the Lord our God. -- (Ps. 56. 2). Have mery on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in Thee. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Thou hast mercy upon all, O Lord . . . | ||||
| The Gloria in Excelsis is not said until Maundy Thursday. | |||||
| COLLECT | |||||
| Praesta Domine fidelibus tuis: ut ieiuniorum veneranda solemnia, et congrua pietate suscipiant, et secura devotione percurrant. Per Dominum . . . | Grant, O Lord, to Thy faithful people, that they may undertake with fitting piety the venerable solemnities of fasting, and complete them with steadfast devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . . | ||||
| EPISTLE ¤ Joel 2. 12-19 Lesson from the Prophet Joel. Lectio Ioelis Prophetae. [Almighty God is rich in mercy and clemency to those who are converted to Him in fasting, in weeping and in mourning.] |
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| Haec dicit Dominus: Convertimini ad me in toto corde vestro, in ieiunio, et in fletu, et in planctu. Et scindite corda vestra, et non vestimenta vestra, et convertimini ad Dominum Deum vestrum: quia benignus et misericors est, patiens, et multae misericordiae, et praestabilis super malitia. Quis scit, si convertatur, et ignoscat, et relinquat post se benedictionem, sacrificiam, et libamen Domino Deo vestro? Canite tuba in Sion, sanctificate ieiunium, vocate coetum, congregate populum, sanctificate Ecclesiam, coadunate senes, congregate parvulos, et sugentes ubera: egrediatur sponsus de cubili suo, et sponsa de thalamo suo. Inter vestibulum et altare plorabunt sacerdotes ministri Domini, et dicent: Parce, Domine, parce populo tuo: et ne des haereditatem tuam in opprobrium, ut dominentur eis nationes. Quare dicunt in populis: Ubi est Deus eorum? Zelatus est Dominus terram suam, et pepercit populo suo. Et respondit Dominus, et dixit populo suo: Ecce ego mittam vobis frumentum, et vinum, et oleum, et replebimini eis: et non dabo vos ultra opprobrium in gentibus: dicit Dominus omnipotens. | Thus saith the Lord: Be converted to Me with all your heart, in fasting and in weeping and in mourning. And rend your heats and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. Who knoweth but He will return and forgive and leave a blessing behind Him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather together the people, sanctify the Church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed and the bride out of her bride chamber. Between the porch and the altar the priests, the Lord's ministers, shall weep and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people; and give not Thine inheritance to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God? The Lord hath been zealous for His land, and hath spared His people. And the Lord answered and said to His people: behold I will send you corn and wine and oil, and you shall be filled with them: and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations: saith the Lord almighty. | ||||
| GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 56. 2, 4 | |||||
| Miserere mei, Deus, miserere mei: quoniam in te confidit anima mea. V.: Misit de coelo, et liberavit me: dedit in opprobrium conculcantes me. | Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in Thee. V.: He hath sent from heaven and delivered me: He hath made them a reproach that trod upon me. | ||||
| TRACT ¤ Ps. 102, 10 | |||||
| Domine, non secundum peccata nostra, quae fecimus nos: neque secundum iniquitates nostras retribuas nobis. V.: Domine, ne memineris iniquitatum nostrarum antiquarum, cito anticipent nos misericordiae tuae: quia pauperes facti sumus nimis. | O Lord, repay us not according to the sins we have committed, nor according to our iniquities. V.: (Ps. 78. 8, 9) O Lord, remember not our former iniquities, let Thy mercies speedily prevent us: for we are become exceeding poor. | ||||
| V.: Adiuva nos, Deus salutaris noster: et propter gloriam nominis tui, Domine, libera nos: et propitius esto peccatis nostris, propter nomen tuum. | [Here kneel.] V.: Help us, O God, our Savior: and for the glory of Thy Name, O Lord, deliver us: and forgive us our sins for Thy Name's sake1 | ||||
| GOSPEL ¤ Matth. 6. 16-21 † Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. † Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum. [It is not our garments that we shuld rend as a sign of sorrow, as the Pharisees did, but rather our hearts, for it is not to men that we should appear to fast, but to our Father, who sees into the secret place of our souls, and who will repay us.] |
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| In illo tempore: Dixit Iesus discipulis suis: Cum ieiunatis, nolite fieri sicut hypocritae, tristes. Exterminant enim facies suas, ut appareant hominibus ieiunantes. Amen dico vobis, quia receperunt mercedem suam. Tu autem, cum ieiunas, unge caput tuum, et faciem tuam lava, ne videaris hominibus ieiunans, sed Patri tuo, qui est in abscondito: et Pater tuus, qui videt in abscondito, reddet tibi. Nolite thesaurizare vobis thesauros in erra: ubi aerugo, et tinea demolitur: et ubi fures effodiunt, et furantur. Thesaurizate autem vobis thesauros in caelo: ubi neque aurugo, neque tinea demolitur; et ubi fures non effodiunt, nec furantur. Ubi enim est thesaurus tuus, ibi est et cor tuum. | At that time Jesus said to His disciples: When you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their face, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head and wash thy face, that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay Thee. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also. | ||||
| OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 29. 2, 3 | |||||
| Exaltabo te, Domine, quoniam suscepisti me, nec delectasti inimicos meos super me: Domine, clamavi ad te, et sanasti me. | I will extol Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast upheld me, and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me: O Lord, I have cried to Thee, and Thou hast healed me. | ||||
| SECRET | |||||
| Fac nos, quaesumus Domine, his muneribus offerendis convenienter aptari: quibus ipsius venerabilis sacramenti celebramus exordium. Per Dominum . . . | Fit us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to offer worthily these gifts, by which we celebrate the opening of this venerable Mystery. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . . | ||||
| PREFACE Preface for Lent | |||||
| Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui corporali ieiunio vitia comprimis, mentem elevas, virtutem largiris et praemia: per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti iubeas deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes: | It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who by this bodily fast, dost curb our vices, dost lift up our minds and bestow on us strength and rewards; through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: | ||||
| COMMUNION ¤ Ps. 77. 29, 30 | |||||
| Qui meditabitur in lege Domini die ad nocte, davit fructum suum in tempore suo. | He that shall meditate day and night on the law of the Lord, shall bring forth his fruit in due season. | ||||
| POSTCOMMUNION | |||||
| Percepta nobis, Domine, praebeant sacramenta subsidium: ut tibi grata sint nostra ieiunia, et nobis proficiant ad medelam. Per Dominum . . . | May the Sacraments we have received afford us help, O Lord, that our fasts may be pleasing unto Thee, and profitable unto us for healing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth . . . | ||||
| PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE | |||||
| Oremus. Humiliate capita vestra Deo. -- Inclinantes se, Domine, maiestati tuae, propitiatus intende: ut qui divino munere sunt refecti, caelestibus semper nutriantur auxiliis. Per Dominum . . . | Let us pray. Bow down your heads before God. -- Look graciously, O Lord, upon us who bow down before Thy majesty: that we who have been refreshed by Thy divine Gift may ever be sustained by Thy heavenly aids. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son . . . | ||||
1Indulgence of 500 days. -- Plenary, under the usual conditions, if this invocation is daily recited during a month. -- P.P.O., n. 23