Rev. F. X. Lasance — Benziger Brothers, 1937
Of the many ways of assisting at Mass, the best way is that in which each person, by saying the words of the Missal more closely, allies and associates himself with the priest who is celebrating. To identify one’s self thus with him is to unite with our divine Lord Himself, Who is there and then acting as the Priest according to the order of Melchisedech. When the faithful thus act with the celebrant, and with the High Priest, Jesus Christ, then, indeed, is it true that they are, as St. Peter says, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. All books of devotion are good at Mass; it is quite right to say the rosary at Mass; but the Missal is preferable, being pre-eminently the product of the mind and heart of the Church, filled and expressed with reverence and love for the divine Victim, Who day by day, in every part of the world, sacrifices Himself again for the glory of His Father, and for the salvation of souls. Gladly, therefore, would I see the Missal more frequently in the hands of the faithful.
— Bishop Riddell of Northampton
There are, indeed, many excellent Mass-books, but the Mass-book par excellence is the Mass-book of the Church, the Roman Missal. Its regular use is to be recommended for this reason also, that we are thereby made familiar with and almost imperceptibly led to make devout reflections upon the inspired writings, notably the Psalms, of which it contains so many apt and beautiful citations. The prayers and canticles of the Church are prompted by the Holy Spirit. The Divine Spirit dwells in the Church ever since the day of Pentecost, and He it is that prompts her prayers and her canticles. The prayer of the Church is, therefore, the most pleasing to the ear and heart of God, and consequently the most efficacious of all prayers. Happy, then, is he who prays with the Church, and unites his own petitions with those of this Bride, who is so dear to her Lord that He gives her all she asks.
I declare, to me nothing is so consoling, so piercing, so thrilling, so overcoming, as the Mass, said as it is among us. I could attend Masses forever and not be tired. It is not a mere form of words, it is a great ACTION — the greatest action that can be on earth. He becomes present on the altar in flesh and blood, before Whom angels bow and devils tremble. Like a concert of musical instruments, each differing but concurring in a sweet harmony, we take our part with God’s priest, supporting him, yet guided by him. There are little children there, and old men, and simple laborers, and students in seminaries, priests preparing for Mass, priests making their thanksgiving; there are innocent maidens, and there are penitent sinners; but out of these many minds rises one eucharistic hymn, and the great Action is the measure and the scope of it.
— Cardinal Newman
It is not an exaggeration to say that the Mass is offered somewhere in the world at every moment of the twenty-four hours of the day. The offering of the Mass travels with the sun, and seems like one continuous and uninterrupted act of worship, which the devout Catholic at any moment by day or by night can join in spirit. When midnight sounds again in New York the silver bells are tinkling again in every chancel in Rome. And so it goes on; the divine host is constantly rising like the sun in its course around the earth. Thus are fulfilled the words of the prophet Malachias: “From the rising of the sun even to the going down thereof, My name is great among the Gentiles; and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to My name a clean oblation.”
The ecclesiastical year begins on the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30). The sacred Liturgy is not only the rule of prayer; it is the rule of faith. Through the liturgical cycle the Church unfolds before the faithful the whole series of the dogmas concerning our holy redemption. The year is organized around two principal cycles: the Proper of the Time, which follows the mysteries of Christ’s life from Advent through Pentecost; and the Proper of the Saints, which adorns the temporal cycle with the feasts of the martyrs and saints throughout the fixed calendar.
Advent comprises the four weeks before Christmas. The Church gathers from the Scriptures passages expressing the longing with which the holy patriarchs, prophets, and just men of the Old Testament hastened the coming of the Son of God. The Gloria is omitted from ferial Masses. Violet vestments are worn, though rose may be used on the third Sunday (Gaudete).
The Christmas season celebrates the Word made Flesh. Three Masses are offered: a midnight Mass representing the eternal birth of the Word in the bosom of the Father, a dawn Mass representing His appearance in time in the humility of the flesh, and a daytime Mass representing His birth in our souls. The Epiphany (January 6) celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. The Sundays after Epiphany, with green vestments, continue until Septuagesima.
Septuagesima Sunday, nine weeks before Easter, opens the pre-Lenten season of preparation. Ash Wednesday begins Lent, a forty-day fast recalling Our Lord’s fasting in the desert and the ancient practice of public penance. The Alleluia is replaced by the Tract; violet vestments are worn; the Gloria is omitted. Passion Sunday (the fifth Sunday of Lent) begins the commemoration of Christ’s sufferings; Psalm 42 is omitted from the prayers at the foot of the altar from this day through Holy Saturday. Palm Sunday opens Holy Week with the blessing of palms and the full reading of the Passion. Good Friday has no Mass; its solemn liturgy includes the reading of the Passion and the veneration of the Cross. Holy Saturday is the ancient vigil with the blessing of new fire and the baptism of catechumens.
Easter Sunday, the greatest feast of the year, falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following March 20, between March 22 and April 25. White vestments are worn and the Alleluia is restored with great solemnity. The Ascension falls forty days after Easter (always a Thursday). Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost; red vestments signify the fire of divine love. Trinity Sunday follows Pentecost week, and Corpus Christi falls on the Thursday after Trinity.
From twenty-three to twenty-eight Sundays, depending on the date of Easter, round out the year. Green vestments symbolize hope. Any Sundays omitted after Epiphany are inserted before the final Sunday after Pentecost, which always closes the liturgical year.
The Church employs five colors to express the spiritual character of each celebration:
• White — Feasts of Our Lord (except His Passion), Our Lady, and non-martyr saints. Symbol of purity.
• Red — Martyrs, Apostles, Pentecost, and feasts of the Passion. Figure of blood and fire.
• Green — Sundays after Epiphany and after Pentecost. Symbol of hope.
• Violet — Advent, Lent, and Vigils. The penitential color. Rose may replace it on Gaudete and Laetare Sundays.
• Black — Good Friday and Masses for the Dead. Sign of mourning.
The Mass consists of two kinds of prayers: the Ordinary, which does not change, and the Proper, which varies according to the feast or season. The Ordinary forms the fixed framework of every Mass; the Proper — Introit, Collect, Epistle, Gradual, Gospel, Offertory, Secret, Communion, and Postcommunion — gives each Mass its distinctive character. The Mass is further divided into two principal parts: the Mass of the Catechumens, devoted to instruction and preparation, and the Mass of the Faithful, the sacrificial and sacramental act itself.
The form of the Catholic altar recalls both a table and a tomb: the table of the Last Supper and the sepulcher of Our Lord. Set into the mensa (altar table) is the altar stone, consecrated by the bishop and containing relics of saints and martyrs. Five crosses are carved into it, signifying the five wounds of Christ. Above the altar stand the crucifix, candlesticks (two for Low Mass, six for High Mass), and the altar cards bearing the Ordinary prayers. The tabernacle houses the Blessed Sacrament, before which the sanctuary lamp burns perpetually. The chalice (holding the wine to be consecrated) and the paten (holding the large host) are the principal sacred vessels, both of gold or gold-plated silver.
Each vestment is donned with a prayer expressing the interior disposition required for the sacrifice. The amice (linen on the head and shoulders) is the helmet of salvation. The alb (white linen robe) signifies purity and recalls the garment Herod placed on Our Lord. The cincture (cord at the waist) recalls the rope that bound Christ. The maniple (silk strip on the left arm) represents the cords that bound His hands and is an emblem of priestly labor and tears. The stole (long band crossed on the breast) recalls the cords by which Jesus was led. The chasuble, the proper Mass vestment, envelops the priest and symbolizes the purple cloak placed on Our Lord before Pilate — the emblem of charity.
• Prayers at the Foot of the Altar — Psalm 42 and the Confiteor. Psalm 42 is omitted from Passion Sunday to Holy Saturday and in Masses for the Dead.
• Introit — A psalm verse sung while the priest ascends to the altar, setting the keynote of the Mass.
• Kyrie Eleison — “Lord, have mercy.” Nine-fold invocation in Greek, alternating Lord and Christ.
• Gloria in Excelsis — The great hymn of praise. Omitted in Advent, Lent, and Masses for the Dead.
• Collect — The prayer of the day. Additional Collects called Commemorations may follow on days of lower rank.
• Epistle or Lesson — A reading from the New Testament Epistles or, on some feasts, the Old Testament.
• Gradual and Alleluia (or Tract) — Psalm verses sung between the readings. The Alleluia is replaced by the Tract in penitential seasons.
• Gospel — Read at the north side of the altar after the priest prays for purity of heart and lips.
• Creed — The Nicene Creed, recited on Sundays and certain greater feasts.
• Offertory — The priest offers the bread and wine with prayers of oblation.
• Secret — A variable prayer over the offerings, said inaudibly, completing the preparation before the Preface.
• Preface and Sanctus — A variable introduction giving the reason for thanksgiving, concluding with the three-fold “Holy, holy, holy.”
• Canon — The fixed and most solemn part of the Mass, unchanged since St. Gregory the Great. Contains the Consecration, at which bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, and commemorations of the Church, the living, the saints, and the dead.
• Pater Noster — The Our Father, preparing the faithful for Holy Communion.
• Agnus Dei — “Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,” invoked three times.
• Communion — The priest receives the Body and Blood under both species; the faithful receive the Blessed Sacrament.
• Postcommunion — A variable prayer of thanksgiving.
• Dismissal — Ite, Missa Est (“Go, the Mass is ended”); Benedicamus Domino when the Gloria was omitted; Requiescant in pace in Masses for the Dead.
• Last Gospel — Usually the Prologue of St. John (“In the beginning was the Word”), read at the Epistle side.
• Abbot — The superior of a monastery for men, constituted by episcopal blessing; uses mitre and crozier.
• Ablution — (Latin: ablutio, washing) The purifying of the priest's fingers after Communion in the Mass.
• Abstinence Days — Days when meat is forbidden. All Fridays of the year.
• Acolyte — Highest of the Minor Orders. Office is to light candles and serve wine and water at Mass.
• Advent — The coming of Christ in grace. The penitential season preparatory for His coming at Christmas.
• Agape — A feast of charity in the primitive church, originally observed in remembrance of the Last Supper.
• Agnus Dei — The triple prayer in the Mass immediately preceding the Communion Prayers.
• Alb — A vestment of white linen reaching to the feet; symbolical of innocence of life and hope for eternity.
• Alleluia — Hebrew: "Praise the Lord." Used in the Liturgy during joyful seasons. Omitted in penitential seasons.
• Amen — Hebrew: "so be it." Expresses assent to the prayer it follows.
• Amice — A rectangular piece of fine linen worn upon the priest's shoulders at Mass; symbolizes the helmet of salvation.
• Antependium — A rich fabric hanging in front of the altar, varying with the color of the season.
• Antiphon — A verse sung before and after each psalm or division in the Divine Office; varies with each feast and season.
• Antiphonary — A book containing the chants for the Mass and Office, used by the chanters.
• Apostle — One of the twelve men chosen personally by Jesus to continue His work and given a special mission.
• Asperges — A verse from Psalm 50 recited while the priest sprinkles the congregation with holy water before Sunday Mass. The entire ceremony is so called.
• Baptistery — A building or section of a church set aside for the baptismal font.
• Basilica — From Greek: "a palace or royal building." A style of church architecture and a title of distinction given by the Pope.
• Biretta — An official ecclesiastical cap worn by Western clergy; color varies by rank.
• Burse — A square case for the corporal, made of the same material and color as the vestments.
• Calvary — The hill outside the walls of Jerusalem; scene of Christ's crucifixion.
• Canon — The fixed and unchanging part of the Mass, between the Sanctus and the Pater Noster.
• Canticle — A hymn taken from Holy Scripture, arranged for chanting and used in Divine Service.
• Catechumen — A person not yet baptized but taking instructions for Baptism.
• Chalice — A vessel of precious metal in the form of a cup, consecrated by a bishop to contain the Precious Blood at Mass.
• Chalice Veil — A cloth covering the chalice until the Offertory and after Communion; made of the same material and color as the vestments.
• Chasuble — The outer chief vestment worn by the priest at Mass; a symbol of charity, described as "a little house."
• Chrism — Oil mixed with balm used in Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and other Consecrations.
• Ciborium — A vessel of precious metal for containing the consecrated Hosts, similar to the Chalice but with a covered lid.
• Cincture — A cord of linen worn about the waist to confine the Alb; symbol of faith and chastity.
• Collect — The prayer of the day. In early times the bishop summed up the petitions of the people in this short prayer.
• Commemoration — When two feasts of unequal rank fall on the same day, a commemoration of the lesser feast is made in the Office and Mass.
• Common — Masses and Prayers in honor of a particular class of Saints: Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, etc.
• Communion — A vestige of a chant formerly rendered while Holy Communion was being distributed to the faithful.
• Confessor — One who suffered for the faith or practiced virtue in a heroic degree.
• Confiteor — "I confess to Almighty God..." The act of contrition said at the foot of the altar before Mass.
• Consecration — The words of the priest which change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Our Lord.
• Cope — An ample vestment reaching to the feet, worn in solemn ceremonies but not at Mass.
• Corporal — A square linen cloth upon which the chalice and the consecrated Host are placed during Mass.
• Corpus Christi — Latin: "Body of Christ." A feast in honor of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Credence — A small table to the right of the altar upon which the cruets, basin, finger-towel, and other requisites are placed.
• Creed — The public profession of Faith said or sung before the Offertory. The Nicene Creed is used at Mass.
• Cruets — Small vessels of glass or metal for the wine and water used at Holy Mass.
• Cultus — Latin: "worship or veneration."
• Dalmatic — The distinctive vestment of the Deacon at High Mass.
• Deacon — The second of the Major Orders. At High Mass the deacon sings the Gospel and assists the priest.
• Doctor — One singled out for his defense or exposition of the teachings of the Church.
• Double — A feast rank. On a Double, the Antiphons in the Office are intoned in their entirety.
• Doxology — A formula of praise to the Blessed Trinity: "Glory be to the Father, etc."
• Elevation — The raising of the Host and Chalice after Consecration for the adoration of the faithful.
• Ember Days — The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following the first Sunday of Lent, Whitsunday, September 14, and the third Sunday of Advent. Days of fasting and prayer for the ordination of clergy.
• Epiphany — Greek: "manifestation." Feast on January 6 commemorating the finding of Our Lord by the Magi at Bethlehem.
• Epistle — The selection of Holy Scriptures read between the Collect and the Gospel of the Mass.
• Feria — A weekday to which no feast or vigil of a feast is assigned.
• Gloria — The Church's greatest hymn of praise. The first words are from the hymn the Angels sang at Christ's birth. Omitted in Advent, Lent, and Masses for the Dead.
• Golgotha — Hebrew: "skull." Name for Mount Calvary, scene of Christ's death.
• Gospel — (Latin: evangelium, "good news") The selection from the Holy Gospels read at Mass.
• Gradual — Select verses of Scripture said or sung after the Epistle at Mass.
• Hosanna — Hebrew from Psalm 118: "God save him." The acclamation of joy with which the Jews greeted Our Lord entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
• Host — The unleavened bread offered and consecrated at Mass. Christ present under the appearance of bread after the Consecration.
• Incense — A mixture of spices and gums burned during ceremonies; symbolic of prayer ascending to the throne of God.
• Introit — (Latin: "he enters") The first part of Mass read from the Missal; originally a psalm verse chanted while the priest processed to the altar.
• Kyrie Eleison — Greek: "Lord, have mercy upon us." The original Greek is retained in the Mass and in Litanies.
• Lavabo — (Latin: "I will wash") The washing of the priest's hands before the Secret and Preface; named from the first word of Psalm 25.
• Lectionary — A collection of readings from Scripture, the Fathers, or lives of Saints used in public and private services.
• Lent — The forty days fast before Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday (Sundays excluded).
• Lesson — Extracts from Scripture read after the Collect of the Mass; used especially on feasts with no Epistle.
• Levite — A deacon in the early church. In the Old Testament, one of the priestly tribe of Levi.
• Limbo — Where the souls of unbaptized infants remain in natural happiness without the beatific vision. The saints of the Old Testament were detained there until the Ascension.
• Liturgy — (Greek: leiton — public, ergon — work) The official public worship of the Church.
• Magi — The Wise Men who came from the East to worship the Infant Jesus at Bethlehem.
• Magnificat — The Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, sung at Vespers. (Luke 1:46-55)
• Maniple — A vestment worn on the left arm of the priest at Mass; signifies labor and the fruit thereof.
• Martyrology — A catalogue of Martyrs and Saints arranged by date of feasts. Originated in the early Church.
• Mass — From the words of dismissal: "Ite, Missa est" — "go, the Mass is finished."
• Maundy Thursday — Thursday in Holy Week. The day on which Our Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist.
• Missal — A liturgical book containing the Ordinary and Proper parts of the Mass.
• Mitre — The headdress worn by Bishops, Abbots, and some others.
• Natalis — The day of death marking a saint's entrance into heaven; their heavenly "birthday."
• Neophyte — One recently admitted to the Church by Baptism; a convert not long in the Church.
• Oblation — The act of offering in a sacrifice; also the object offered.
• Octave — The continuous celebration of a feast for eight days.
• Offertory — The offering of the bread and wine after the Gospel; also the psalm verse sung during this offering.
• Oration — (Latin: oratio) A prayer.
• Ordinary — That part of the Missal containing the unchanging parts of the Mass.
• Pall — A square stiffened piece of linen placed over the chalice to keep dust from falling in.
• Palm — The emblem of martyrdom and of heavenly reward.
• Paraclete — (Latin: paraclitus — consoler) A title of the Holy Spirit.
• Parousia — The last coming of Christ to judge all men.
• Paschal Time — From Easter Sunday to the Octave of Pentecost (Trinity Sunday).
• Passiontide — The time between Passion Sunday and Holy Saturday.
• Paten — A plate of gold or silver on which the altar bread for consecration rests until the Offertory.
• Pater Noster — The opening words of the Our Father, said or sung at the end of the Canon.
• Pax — Latin: "Peace." The ceremony called the Kiss of Peace in High Mass.
• Pentecost — The Sunday 50 days after Easter, commemorating the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles in fiery tongues.
• Pontifical — Relating to bishops; a book containing the ritual of Episcopal ceremonies.
• Postcommunion — A variable prayer of thanksgiving said immediately after Communion.
• Preface — The prayer introducing the Canon of the Mass, giving the reason for thanksgiving; terminates with the Sanctus.
• Presbyter — Greek word for priest.
• Proper — The changing parts of the Mass assigned to a particular Sunday or feast.
• Proto-martyr — "The first" martyr. St. Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian Church.
• Psalm — One of the 150 inspired songs of the Psalter; a sacred song of praise, thanksgiving, or petition.
• Purificator — A linen cloth used for wiping the chalice and the lips of the celebrant after Communion.
• Quadragesima — Lent; the forty-day fast before Easter.
• Quinquagesima — The Sunday before the beginning of Lent; about fifty days before Easter.
• Reader (Lector) — The second Minor Order, ranking below Exorcist.
• Repository — A tabernacle; the altar of repose for the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday.
• Rogation Days — Three days of solemn penitential processions preceding Ascension Thursday.
• Rubrics — Directions for the procedure of ceremonies; called rubrics because printed in red in liturgical books.
• Sanctus — Words of the Seraphim sung at the end of the Preface: "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God," followed by the Hosanna.
• Schola Cantorum — A select body of trained chanters.
• Scrutinies — Examinations of catechumens in Lent who were to receive Baptism at Easter.
• Secret — A variable prayer over the offerings said silently by the priest; said inaudibly since only the baptized were permitted to remain for this part of Mass.
• Semi-double — A designation of feast rank, below Double.
• Septuagesima — The third Sunday before Lent; about seventy days before Easter.
• Sequence — Measured verse set to chant melodies following the Gradual. Five remain in the liturgical year.
• Sexagesima — The Sunday about sixty days before Easter.
• Simple — The lowest rank in the designation of feasts.
• Station (Statio) — The church to which Christians went in procession to join the Mass celebrated by the bishop, especially in Advent and Lent.
• Stole — A long narrow band worn around the neck; made of the same material and color as the corresponding vestments.
• Sub-deacon — The lowest of the Major Orders; serves the deacon at the altar and sings the Epistle.
• Tabernacle — (Latin: tabernaculum, a tent) The receptacle on the center of the altar for reservation of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Tenebrae — Latin: "darkness." The public recitation of Matins and Lauds on the evenings of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Holy Week.
• Thurible — The vessel in which incense is burned during solemn ceremonies of the Church.
• Tonsure — The crown formed by shaving the top of the head; the distinctive mark of clerics; the ceremony by which a bishop admits a candidate to the clerical state.
• Tract — Verses from the Psalms sung in place of the Gradual from Septuagesima to Easter.
• Versicle — An abbreviated verse, usually followed by a Response.
• Vespers — One of the canonical hours of the Divine Office; evensong, "the hour of the lamps."
• Vigil — Watching; the eve of a festival.
• Votive Mass — A Mass other than that of the day, in honor of some mystery or saint.
• Whitsunday — Same as Pentecost.
The following describes the symbolic headpieces, tailpieces, and full-page pictures in this missal, as explained by Fr. Lasance.
• Frontispiece: The Crucifixion — A picture of the crucifixion, the most fitting frontispiece for a missal. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the continuation of Calvary — the same sacrifice offered on our altars in an unbloody manner.
• Advent: The Root of Jesse — Illustrates the prophecy of Isaias: "There shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse." Mary is the sweet stem which bore that Rose, Christ.
• Christmas: The Nativity of Our Lord — The shepherds on the hills of Bethlehem, guided by an Angel and a star. The Wise Men came from afar following the star to adore their God.
• The Holy Name of Jesus — The monogram IHC (from Greek IHCOYC) encircled by rays of glory. Angels represent eternal adoration; flaming torches signify the ardor of the Church Militant. The drops of blood recall the first shedding at the Circumcision.
• Prayer: A Smoking Thurible — As incense smoke ascends, so ought prayer rise to the throne of God, filling the soul with the sweet odor of sanctity.
• Septuagesima: I Am the Resurrection — The empty crib marks the close of the Christmas cycle. The nails, crown of thorns, cross, and winding sheet prepare us for Passiontide. The phoenix rising from the flames is an apt figure of Christ's resurrection.
• Ash Wednesday: By the Disobedience of One Man — Illustrates St. Paul's contrast: by Adam's disobedience all were made sinners; by Christ's obedience all are made just. The Angel and flaming sword at Paradise recall: "Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return."
• Passion Sunday: O Blest Tree — The contradiction between the tree of forbidden fruit and the Cross, the "Blest Tree" of redemption. "The fruit of the tree led us from God; the Faithful Cross led us back again."
• Palm Sunday — The cross draped with the winding sheet; the palm of victory. The Chi-Rho monogram (XP) is an ancient symbol of Christ. Each branch of palm is a pledge of fidelity: "We would rather die than betray Him Who died for us."
• The Last Supper (Holy Thursday) — "Taking bread, He gave thanks and broke it, saying: This is My body which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of Me." (Lk. 22:19)
• Holy Thursday Headpiece: The Great Love-Feast of Christ — The sheaf of wheat and cluster of grapes symbolize the Eucharist. The fish (IXTHUC) recalls the miracle of the loaves and the early Christian symbol of Christ: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
• Good Friday: My People, What Have I Done to Thee — The instruments of Christ's Passion portray His sufferings for love of us, fulfilling Isaias: "Despised and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows."
• Easter: Peace Be With You — The Lamb with cross and banner, bearing "Pax" (peace). The Lamb of God restored man to peace with God and opened the floodgates of grace.
• Easter Picture: Hail, Thou King of Victory — Christ's own enemies testified to the Resurrection. The terror-stricken soldiers had to be bribed into silence. "We know that Christ indeed has risen from the grave."
• Ascension Eve: The Victory of Christ — The I and X monogram (Greek initials for Jesus Christ) with a palm announcing His absolute victory over sin, the devil, and death.
• Ascension: The Ascension of Our Lord — "Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking up to heaven? He shall so come as you have seen Him going up into heaven."
• Pentecost: Descent of the Holy Ghost — The Holy Ghost came with a roaring wind and appeared in twelve fiery flames over each of the Apostles, confirming their faith and giving them the gift of tongues.
• Pentecost Octave: The Seven Gifts — Seven burning lamps symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost prayed for during the octave. "I have come to cast fire upon the earth."
• Trinity Sunday — A triangle with equal sides enclosed in a circle: three equal lines form one perfect triangle, the circle signifying eternity. "One God, one Lord, not in the singleness of one Person, but in the Trinity of one substance."
• Blessed Trinity Tailpiece — Three equal interlocking circles enclosed in one greater circle: three equal Persons in one God. "Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided unity."
• Corpus Christi: The Sacrament of the Altar — From Raphael's fresco in the Vatican, showing the representative Doctors of the Church gathered around the Sacrament. Christ is the center of the Church Triumphant, Militant, and Suffering.
• Sacred Heart of Jesus — The chalice and host represent the Sacrament and Sacrifice of His love. Spear, ladder, pillar, crown of thorns, and nails recall Calvary. The two palms announce His victory over death and sin.
• The Asperges Me — Extended hands of God shedding a dew of benediction upon the faithful through the ministration of His priests. This sacramental cleanses from venial sin all who assist with contrite hearts.
• The Eternal Sacrifice — Jesus Christ, since His Ascension, stands glorious before His eternal Father bearing the wounds of the Eternal Sacrifice. In every Mass this Sacrifice is presented in time.
• The Saviour's Fountains — Stags drinking from streams flowing from the foot of the Cross. "You shall draw waters with joy out of the Saviour's fountains." (Isaias 12:3) Calvary is the source; through the Mass these waters continue to flow.
• Immaculate Conception — "A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Apoc. 12:1) Mary was exempted from original sin to be the Mother of God, the beloved daughter of the Father and Spouse of the Holy Ghost.
• Purification: The Light of the World — The lighted candle symbolizes Our Lord Who called Himself "the light of the world." The candle flame dispels darkness as Christ dispels the darkness of sin by His grace and of ignorance by His truth.
• St. Joseph — Joseph is always represented with a lily because he was "the chaste guardian of the Virgin." The two scenes portray him as the dutiful foster father of the Son of God.
• Annunciation — The Archangel Gabriel brings God's message to the pure maiden: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee... The Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Lk. 1:35)
• St. John the Baptist — He prepared the way for Christ and announced the Lamb of God. Like a morning star preceding the sun, he preceded the Light of the world; born without original sin, preserved by his austere life in the desert.
• Sts. Peter and Paul — The keys of the kingdom and the papal chair symbolize Peter; the sword against the inverted cross, quill and papyrus symbolize Paul, the Vessel of Election and Doctor of the Gentiles, beheaded on the same day Peter was crucified.
• Assumption of Our Lady — The common belief of the faithful that Our Lady was taken up into heaven before her body could corrupt. "The branches of roses and pot of lilies are a beautiful tribute to the Queen of Martyrs and of Virgins."
• Nativity of Our Lady — A crescent moon receiving light from the sun: Mary, destined from her nativity to be the Mother of God. "Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun." (Cant. 6:9)
• Our Lady of Sorrows: Thy Soul a Sword Shall Pierce — One sorrow encompassing all sorrows. Simeon foretold: "And thy soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed." (Lk. 2:35) The garland of roses and thorns symbolizes the Rosa mystica.
• Christ the King — "He shall rule from sea to sea... All kings shall adore Him, all nations shall serve Him." Christ holds the globe and scepter-cross, wearing now a crown of glory; robed as a priest, for He is always the Eternal High Priest.
• All Saints — From a painting of Albrecht Durer. God the Father, His Beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit (as dove) surrounded by Angels, Virgins, Martyrs, Patriarchs, Prophets, and Saints of every age, all gazing up to Christ their Redeemer.
• All Souls: Forget Me Not at the Daily Sacrifice — At every Mass the heavens are opened to receive souls liberated from Purgatory. The anchor and monogram mean salvation. The Lamb of God, slain yet living, accepts the daily sacrifice for the poor souls.
• The Mediatrix of All Graces — Our Lady stands at the portals of heaven, Queen and Gate of Heaven. Her four titles: Mystic Rose (she suffered), Fleur-de-lis (free from sin), Morning Star (her glory in her Divine Child), Star of the Sea (our guide). Her posture is that of the orantes, like the priest during the Canon.
• Sts. Isaac Jogues and Companions — The eight Jesuit martyrs of North America in heaven, close to Jesus Whom they served even unto martyrdom. Left to right standing: Gabriel Lalemant, Rene Goupil, Isaac Jogues, John Lalande, John de Brebeuf; kneeling: John Garnier, Anthony Daniel, Noel Chabanel.
On these days the faithful are bound to hear Mass and to abstain from servile work.
• All Sundays of the year
• January 1 — The Circumcision of Our Lord
• Ascension Thursday
• August 15 — The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• November 1 — All Saints
• December 8 — The Immaculate Conception
• December 25 — Christmas Day
• January 6 — The Epiphany
• The Law of Abstinence forbids the use of flesh meat and its juices. Eggs, cheese, butter, and seasonings are permitted.
• The Law of Fasting forbids more than one full meal a day, but does not forbid a small amount of food morning and evening.
• All Catholics seven years old and over are obliged to abstain. All from age 21 to 59, unless lawfully excused, are bound to fast.
• Abstinence is prescribed every Friday, unless a holyday falls thereon.
• Fasting and abstinence are prescribed: the Fridays of Lent, Holy Saturday forenoon, the Ember Days (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday following the first Sunday of Lent, Pentecost, September 14, and the third Sunday of Advent), and the vigils of Pentecost, All Saints, the Immaculate Conception, and Christmas.
• There is no fast or abstinence if a vigil falls on a Sunday. A dispensation is granted to the laboring classes on all days except Fridays, Ash Wednesday, Wednesday in Holy Week, Holy Saturday forenoon, and the Vigil of Christmas.
In general the faithful should pay close attention to the Lenten regulations read out each year to learn the modifications made for their particular diocese.
The same rite of Mass exists in three forms distinguished by the degree of solemnity and the number of sacred ministers present.
The ordinary form celebrated by one priest with a single server. All parts are spoken, not sung. The priest reads all the texts himself, including those normally sung by the choir (Introit, Gradual, Offertory, Communion). This is the most common form of daily Mass.
Celebrated by one priest without a deacon or subdeacon, but with the principal texts sung. The Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Gradual, Alleluia or Tract, Offertory, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Communion are sung by the choir or schola. Incense is used. Also called a High Mass when sung by one priest.
The fullest form, celebrated by a priest (celebrant) assisted by a deacon and subdeacon. All the principal texts are sung. Incense is used at the Introit, Gospel, Offertory, and Consecration. The deacon sings the Gospel; the subdeacon sings the Epistle. This is the normative form of the Roman Rite — Low and Sung Mass are celebrated in the manner of Solemn Mass, with parts omitted for want of ministers.
The Mass for the Dead, offered for the repose of souls. Vestments are black. The Gloria and Alleluia are omitted; the Tract replaces the Alleluia throughout the year. The dismissal is "Requiescant in pace" instead of "Ite, Missa est." A Sequence, the Dies Irae, is sung after the Gradual. The Psalm 42 (Judica me) at the foot of the altar is omitted.
A Votive Mass (Missa Votiva) is a Mass other than that of the day — celebrated not because the liturgical calendar requires it, but out of special devotion or necessity. The word "votive" comes from the Latin votum, a vow or wish.
• By order of the Pope or bishop — in times of public need, to implore God's help. The Nicene Creed is sung, and the Gloria is sung if the occasion is not penitential. All commemorations are omitted.
• By individual priests — to satisfy their own devotion or that of others, offered "in moderation."
A Votive Mass of devotion may not be said on: feasts of double rite; all Sundays; during the Octaves of Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, and Corpus Christi; during Lent; on Rogation Monday; on all Vigils; or on days when a Sunday Mass is anticipated or postponed.
• The Credo is omitted.
• The Gloria is omitted, except in the Votive Mass of the Holy Angels and the Saturday Votive Masses of Our Blessed Lady.
• A commemoration is made of the Mass of the day.
• Additional occasional prayers are added; the total number of prayers, secrets, and postcommunions may never be fewer than three.
• Whenever a Votive Mass is allowed, a Mass for the Dead in black vestments may also be said.
• Monday — The Most Holy Trinity (white)
• Tuesday — The Holy Angels (white)
• Wednesday — St. Joseph, or the Holy Apostles
• Thursday — The Holy Ghost, or the Blessed Sacrament
• Friday — The Holy Cross (red), or the Passion of Our Lord (purple)
• Saturday — Our Blessed Lady (white)
• Our Lord Jesus Christ, Most High and Eternal Priest (white) — may be celebrated on the first Thursday of the month in churches with special devotions for the sanctification of the clergy.
• The Most Holy Trinity (white)
• The Holy Angels (white)
• The Holy Ghost (red) — to obtain the grace of the Holy Ghost
• The Blessed Sacrament / Most Holy Eucharist (white)
• The Holy Cross (red)
• The Passion of Our Lord (purple)
• Sts. Peter and Paul (red)
• All Holy Apostles (red)
• Nuptial Mass (white)
• Our Blessed Lady (white) — five seasonal forms: Advent, Christmastide, Ordinary Time, Lent, Paschaltide
• Mass to Beg for Peace (purple)
• Mass in Time of War (purple)
• Mass in Time of Pestilence (purple)
• Mass for the Sick (purple)
• Mass for Pilgrims and Travelers (purple)
• Mass for the Remission of Sins (purple)
• Mass for Any Need (purple)
• Mass for Propagation of the Faith (purple)
• Mass for the Healing of Schism (purple)
• Mass to Beg a Happy Death (purple)
• Mass Against the Heathen (purple)
• Votive Mass for the Election of a Pope (red)
Masses for the Dead (Missae pro Defunctis) are a special category, offered for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. Black vestments are worn. The rubrics are identical to those for a Requiem Mass. Several forms are provided: on the day of death or burial; on the day of final burial; on the third, seventh, and thirtieth day; on the anniversary; and a Common Daily Mass for the Dead (Missa Quotidiana).