The Ordinary: Offertory, Prefaces, and Sanctus
Printed pages 31–41 · the preparation of the gifts and Eucharistic prefaces
Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation, which I an unworthy sinner offer in thy honour, and in that of blessed Mary and all thy saints, for my sins and offences, and for the salvation of the living, and for the repose of all the faithful departed.
May this new sacrifice be acceptable to almighty God, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
When this prayer has been said, the priest shall replace the chalice, and cover it with the corporals, and shall place the bread upon the corporals, decently, before the chalice containing wine and water; and he shall kiss the paten, and replace it on the right of the sacrifice on the Altar, covering it somewhat under the corporals. This done, he shall take the censer from the deacon, and shall cense the sacrifice, that is to say, thrice in the form of a cross over [the paten], and [thrice] in a circle, and on both sides of the paten and sacrifice, and thrice the space between himself and the altar. And while he is censing, he shall say this verse following:
Let my prayer be set forth, O Lord, in thy sight as the incense.1
After this the priest himself shall be censed by the deacon, and the subdeacon shall bring to him the Text to be kissed. Then the acolyte shall cense the quire, beginning with the rulers of the quire; next the upper grade on the decani side, beginning with the dean himself, or, in the dean's absence, with the stall nearest to him; next, the upper grade on the cantoris side; then the second grades, then the lowest grades, in the same order. The boy is to bow to the clerks, one by one, as he censes them, the subdeacon following him with the Text for all to kiss.
If a bishop be celebrant, and if it be a double feast, two boys shall come with censers, and two subdeacons with two Texts, or with relics. But if it be a double feast, and a bishop be not celebrant, one acolyte shall carry the Text on the cantoris side.
The precentor is to be censed first, who stands in the midst
1 Psalm cxli. 2.
Warren, Part I, printed p. 32 · open scanof the quire with the other rulers of the quire, that is to say, on greater double feasts only; then the principal rulers of the quire on each side of him; then the two secondary rulers; afterwards the quire in the usual manner; and the Texts shall follow in the same order.
When, however, the Creed is not said, then immediately after “Let us pray” and the Offertory the deacon shall advance, and offer the chalice with the paten to the priest. The rest shall be done in the accustomed manner, and the priest shall cense the sacrifice as usual; but the quire shall not be censed. For the quire is never censed after the Gospel at mass except when the Creed is said, and then always.
This done, the priest shall go to the right side of the Altar, and wash his hands, saying:
Cleanse me, O Lord, from all pollution of mind and body, that being cleansed I may be able to perform the holy work of the Lord.
The deacon in the meantime will cense the Altar itself on the left side, and the relics, round about them, in the accustomed manner.
After he has washed his hands the priest shall return to the Altar to execute the divine office, and the deacon and subdeacon shall dispose themselves in order on their own steps, in the manner previously described.
Then having returned, and standing before the Altar, with head and body inclined, and with joined hands the priest shall say this Prayer:
In the spirit of humility and with a contrite heart may we be accepted, O Lord, of thee; and may our sacrifice be in such wise in thy sight, that it may be accepted of thee this day, and be pleasing unto thee, O Lord my God.
Then raising himself he shall kiss the Altar on the right of the sacrifice; and giving the blessing over the sacrifice he shall afterwards sign himself, saying:
In the name of the Father, etc.
Then shall the priest turn to the people, and say in a low voice:
Brethren and sisters, pray for me, that my and your sacrifice may be alike acceptable to the Lord our God.
Response to be made by a clerk privately:
May the grace of the Holy Ghost illuminate thy heart and thy lips, that the Lord may deign to accept this sacrifice of praise at thy hands, for our sins and offences.
In masses for the dead, after he has washed his hands, the priest with hands joined in the midst of the Altar and facing the Altar, shall begin to say:
We offer to thee, O Lord, sacrifices and prayers.
And the quire shall chant in reply:
Do thou receive them for those souls whose memory we keep this day; make them, O Lord, to pass from death unto life.
And meanwhile the priest shall say:
In the spirit of humility.
Then shall he say forthwith, turning to the people, in a low voice:
Brethren and sisters, pray for the faithful departed.
Response to be sung by a clerk:
Grant them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them, which thou didst promise to Abraham and to his seed of old.1
It is to be noted that the words “We offer to thee, O Lord,” etc., with the verse “Grant them eternal rest,” etc., and “Which thou didst promise . . . of old,” etc. are to be said in all masses for the dead when the body is present, and in all anniversaries and trentals; but at other masses for the dead they are not to be said, nor on All Souls' day.
Then returning to the Altar, the priest shall say the Secrets,
1 4 Esdras (Authorized Version, 2 Esdras) ii. 34, 35.
Warren, Part I, printed p. 34 · open scanin number and order corresponding to the Collects said before the Epistle, commencing thus:
Let us pray.
This done, the priest shall say with a loud voice [at the end], “World without end”; not raising his hands till he come to the words “Lift up your hearts.” Then shall the subdeacon take the offertory-veil1 and the paten from the hand of the deacon, and give the paten covered with the offertory-veil to the acolyte to hold until Our Father, etc., is said, the acolyte standing the while on the step behind the deacon. This order is to be observed at every mass which is celebrated at the high altar2 throughout the whole year, except only in masses for the dead. Nevertheless it shall be observed on All Souls' day.
Here follow the Prefaces. First of all, the Preface for Christmas Day. This Preface is said at all masses on Christmas Day, and daily throughout the week, and on the day of the Circumcision; and at all masses of St. Mary, from this day until the Purification, and also on the day of the Purification itself. It is also to be said at masses of Corpus Christi, and on the feast of Corpus Christi, and on its octave, and within the octave, when the service is of that feast, and in commemorations of the same. But “In communion with,” etc., is said only up to the Circumcision, and on the day of the Circumcision.
[1] Christmas Day.
. . . everlasting God. Because by the mystery of the incarnate Word the new light of thy brightness hath shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge him to be God visibly, we may by him be caught up into the love of things invisible. And therefore with Angels, etc.
Note, that within the Canon, at the first mass in the night of Christmas Day, the words to be used are “In communion with and celebrating the most holy night,” etc., whereas at all other masses the words are “the most holy day,” etc.
1 Offertorium. 2 Autenticum altare.
Warren, Part I, printed p. 35 · open scanWithin the Canon.
In communion with and celebrating the most holy day on which the immaculate virginity of the blessed Mary, brought forth a Saviour for this world; and reverencing etc.
The following Preface is said on the day of the Epiphany, and throughout its octave, and on the octave day thereof; and “In communion with” etc., is said in a similar way.
[2] The Epiphany.
. . . everlasting God. Because when thy only-begotten One appeared in substance of our flesh, he restored us into the new light of his immortality. And therefore with angels etc.
Within the Canon.
In communion with and celebrating the most holy day, on which thy only-begotten One, co-eternal with thee in thy glory, was visibly made manifest in the body in the verity of our flesh; and reverencing etc.
The following Preface is said on Ash Wednesday, and at every mass of the fast from that day till Maundy Thursday, Sundays excepted.
[3] Ash Wednesday.
. . . everlasting God. Who by the fasting of the body restrainest vice, liftest up the understanding, bestowest virtue and its rewards. Through Christ our Lord, By whom etc.
Note, that on Sundays throughout Lent, and on Maundy Thursday the ferial Preface is said.
On Maundy Thursday the following are also said:
Within the Canon.
In communion with and celebrating the most holy day, in which our Lord Jesus Christ was betrayed for us; and reverencing etc.
Also,
This oblation, therefore, of our service, and that of thy whole family, which we offer unto thee because of the day on which our Lord Jesus Christ delivered unto his disciples the celebration of the mystery of his body and blood, We beseech thee, O Lord, etc.
Also,
Who the day before he suffered for our salvation, and for that of all men, that is, to-day took bread into his holy and adorable hands, and lifting up his eyes to heaven unto thee his God and Father, etc.
The following Preface is said on [Easter Even] Easter Day, and throughout the whole week, up to Ascension Day, whenever the mass is of the Sunday or of Easter. On Easter Even only, the words in the Preface are “But most chiefly on this night”; at every other time “But most chiefly on this day”; but “In communion with,” etc., and “This oblation, therefore,” etc., are only said throughout Easter week, and on the octave of Easter. In the former, the expression “the most holy night” will be employed on Easter Even only; on Easter Day, and at other times the expression will be “the most holy day.”
[4] Easter Day.
. . . everlasting God. And thee indeed at all seasons, but most chiefly on this day ought we to praise more gloriously, since Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. For he is the very lamb which hath taken away the sins of the world, who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising again hath restored life [to us]. And therefore with angels, etc.
Within the Canon.
In communion with and celebrating the most holy day (or most holy night) of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh; and reverencing etc.
Also,
This oblation, therefore, of our service, and that of thy whole family which we offer unto thee, on behalf of those also whom thou hast deigned to regenerate by water and the Holy Ghost, granting unto them the remission of all their sins, We beseech thee, O Lord, etc.
The following Preface is said on Ascension Day, and throughout the octave, and on the octave, and on the Sunday within the octave, when the mass is of the Sunday; also the “In communion with” etc.
[5] Ascension Day.
. . . everlasting God. Through Christ our Lord Who after his resurrection manifestly appeared to all his disciples, and in their sight was taken up into heaven that he might make us partakers of his divinity. And therefore with angels, etc.
Within the Canon.
In communion with and celebrating the most holy day, on which our Lord Jesus Christ, thy only begotten Son, set upon the right hand of thy glory our frail substance, which he had united unto himself, and reverencing etc.
The following Preface is said on Whitsunday and throughout the week and at all masses of the Holy Ghost. “In communion with” etc., and “This oblation, therefore,” etc., are said only on Whitsunday, and from that day onward till Trinity Sunday.
[6] Whitsunday.
. . . everlasting God. Through Christ our Lord, Who ascending above all heavens, and sitting at thy right hand, shed forth to-day the promised Holy Ghost on the children of adoption. Wherefore the whole world rejoiceth with exceeding joy and both the heavenly hosts and the angelic powers unite in hymning thy glory, evermore saying,
Within the Canon.
In communion with and celebrating the most holy day of Pentecost, on which the Holy Ghost appeared to the apostles in likeness of fiery tongues, and reverencing etc.
Also,
This oblation, therefore, of our service and that of thy whole family, which we offer unto thee on behalf of those also, whom thou hast deigned to regenerate by water and the Holy Ghost, granting unto them forgiveness of all their sins. We beseech thee, O Lord, etc.
[7] Trinity Sunday.
The following Preface is said on Trinity Sunday, and on all the Sundays following up to Advent, when the mass is of the Sunday, although it is said in chapter,1 and on all commemorations of the Holy Trinity throughout the year, and at every nuptial mass.
. . . everlasting God. Who with thy only-begotten Son and the Holy Ghost art one God, art one Lord, not one only Person, but three Persons in one substance. For that which we believe of thy glory, which thou hast revealed, the same do we think of thy Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality; that in the confession of a true and everlasting Godhead, both distinction in Persons, and unity in essence, and equality in majesty might be adored. Which Angels and Archangels praise, Cherubin also and Seraphin, who cease not to cry with one voice, saying:
[8] Apostles and Evangelists.
The following Preface is said on all feasts of apostles and evangelists and through the octaves of the apostles Peter and Paul, and Andrew, when the mass is of the octave; except on the feast of saint John, apostle and evangelist, in Christmas week. It shall be said however on the octave of that feast, and on his feast in Easter-tide.2
1 In capitulo. 2 That is, May 6, St. John before Port Latin.
Warren, Part I, printed p. 39 · open scan. . . everlasting God; and humbly to beseech thee, that thou wouldest not desert thy flock, O Lord, eternal Shepherd, but that through thy blessed Apostles, thou wouldest keep it under thy continual protection; that it may be governed by the same rulers, whom thou hast made to preside over it as vicars and pastors of thy work. And therefore with angels, etc.
[9] Feasts of the Holy Cross.
The following Preface is said on both feasts of the Holy Cross,1 and on commemorations thereof throughout the whole year.
. . . everlasting God. Who hast established the salvation of mankind by the wood of the cross, that so whence death arose, from thence life might arise again, and that he who by a tree had gained a victory might by a tree be also overcome. Through Christ our Lord. By whom, etc.
[10] Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The following Preface is said on every feast of the blessed Virgin Mary, except on her Purification. It is also to be said throughout the octaves of the Assumption and Nativity of blessed Mary, and on Commemorations of her throughout the whole year, except from Christmas Day to the feast of the Purification.
. . . everlasting God. And thee on the
Conception2
Annunciation3
Assumption4
Nativity5
Visitation6
or in Veneration7
of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary ought we with exulting souls to praise, to bless, and to proclaim.
1 That is, May 3, the Invention, and September 14, the Exaltation. 2 December 8. 3 March 25. 4 August 15. 5 September 8. 6 July 2. 7 For use in daily Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Warren, Part I, printed p. 40 · open scanWho by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost did both conceive thy only-begotten One, and in the abiding glory of virginity did shed upon this world the eternal light, Jesus Christ our Lord. By whom, etc.
All Prefaces at Mass, throughout the whole year, both on ferial and festal days, shall be begun in the following manner:
. . . world without end. Amen.
Then the priest shall raise his hands, saying:
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up unto the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
R. It is meet and right so to do.
The following is the ferial Preface, and it is said daily, except on feasts, and throughout the octaves of feasts, for which proper Prefaces are assigned; provided that all Prefaces throughout the whole year, whether proper or otherwise, both on ferial days and feasts, are said under this one tone according to the use of the Church of Sarum.
[11] Ferial Preface.
It is very meet and just, right and available for our salvation,1 that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty everlasting God.
Through Christ our Lord. By whom angels praise thy majesty, dominions adore, powers tremble, the heavens, and the heavenly hosts, and the blessed Seraphin unite in one glad voice in extolling thee. Together with whom, we pray thee, that thou wouldest command that our voices should have entrance, humbly confessing thee and saying:
Here followeth the Sanctus.
While the priest is saying the Sanctus he shall raise his
1 Salutare.
Warren, Part I, printed p. 41 · open scanarms slightly, and join his hands as far as the words “In the name of the Lord.” At that point he shall always sign himself on his face.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts; heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Osanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Osanna in the highest.
When the service of St. Mary is said for the last time before Advent, and before Septuagesima, and on the octaves of the Visitation, Assumption, and Nativity of blessed Mary, then the words shall run thus:
Blessed be the son of Mary that cometh etc.
Then immediately, with hands joined and eyes raised, the priest shall begin “Therefore, O most merciful Father,” etc., inclining his body until he come to the words “and entreat.”