* At these words the assistants kneel down to adore God for the ineffable mystery of the incarnation.

Oremus.

Let us pray.

Here follows the OFFERTORY, which may in its proper place. OBLATION of the HOST.

Suscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens æterne Deus, hanc immaculatam Hostiam, quam ego indignus famulus tuus offero tibi Deo meo vivo et vero, pro innumerabilibus peccatis, offensionibus et negligentiis meis, et pro omnibus circumstantibus; sed et pro omnibus fidelibus Christianis, vivis atque defunctis; ut mihi et illis proficiat ad salutem in vitam æternam. Amen.

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Accept, O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, this unspotted Host, which I thy unworthy servant offer unto thee, my living and true God, for my innumerable sins, offences, and negligences, and for all here present; as also for all faithful Christians, both living and dead; that it may avail both me and them unto life everlasting. Amen.

When the Priest puts the Wine and Water into the Chalice, he says,

Deus qui humanæ substantiæ dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti, et mirabilius reformasti; da nobis per hujus Aquæ et Vini Mysterium, ejus divinitatis esse consortes, qui humanitatis nostræ fieri dignatus est particeps, Jesus Christus Filius tuus Dominus noster: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus sancti Deus; per omnia sæcula sæculorum. Amen.

O God, who, in creating human nature, hast wonderfully dignified it, and still more wonderfully reformed it: grant that by the mystery of this Water and Wine, we may be made partakers of his divine nature, who vouchsafed to become partaker of our human nature, namely, Jesus Christ our Lord thy Son, who with thee, in the unity of, &c. Amen.

OBLATION of the CHALICE.

Offerimus tibi, Domine, calicem, salutaris, tiam deprecantes clementiam: ut in conspectu divinæ Majestatis tuæ, pro nostra et totius mundi salute cum odore sua vitatis ascendat.

Amen.

We offer unto thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, beseeching thy clemency: that it may ascend before thy divine Majesty, as a sweet odour, for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen.

When the Priest bows before the Altar, he says, In spiritu humilitatis, et in animo contrito suscipiamur a te, Domine: et sic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspectu tuo nodie, ut placeat tibi, Domine Deus. When he blesses the Bread and Wine, he says,

Veni, sanctificator, omnipotens æterne Deus, et benedic hoc sacrificium tuo sancto nomini præparatum.

Here, in solemn Masses, he

Per intercessionem heati Michaelis archangeli stantis a dexteris Altaris Incensi, et omnium electorum suorum, incensum istud dignetur Dominus benedicere, et in odorem suavitatis accipere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Accept us, O Lord, in the spirit of humility, and contrition of heart: and grant that the sacrifice we offer this day in thy sight, may be pleasing to thee, O Lord God.

Come, O almighty and eternal God, the sanctifier, and bless this sacrifice, prepared for the glory of thy holy name.

blesses the Incense, saying,

May the Lord, by the intercession of blessed Michael the archangel, standing at the right hand of the Altar of Incense, and of all his elect, vouchsafe to bless this incense, and receive it as an odour of sweetness. Through, Amen.

At incensing the Bread and Wine, he says, Incensum istud a te benedictum, ascendat ad te Domine, et descendat super nos misericordia

May this Incense which thou hast blest, O Lord ascend to thee, and may thy mercy descend upon us.

At incensing the Altar, he says, Ps. cxl. Dirigatur, Domine, Let my prayer

oratio mea, sicut incensum, in conspectu tuo: elevatio manuum mearum sacrificium vespertinum. Pone Domine custodiam ori meo, et ostium circumstantiæ labiis meis: ut non declinet cor meum in verba malitiæ, ad excusandas excusationes in peccatis.

Lord, be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door of prudence around my lips; that my heart incline not to evil words to make excuses in sins.

On giving the Censer to the Deacon, he says, May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of his love, and the flame of everlasting charity.

Washing his Hands, he says, Ps. xxv. 6. Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas: et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine.

Ut audiam vocem laudis: et enarrem universa mirabilia tua.

Domine dilexi decotem domus tuæ, et locum habitationis gloriæ tuæ.

Ne perdas cum impiis aniram meam; et cum

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I will wash my hands among the innocent: and will compass thy altar, O Lord.

That I may hear the voice of thy praise: and tell all thy wondrous works.

I have loved O Lord, the beauty of thy house, and the place where thy glory dwelleth.

Take not away my soul, with the wicked;

Bowing before the middle of the Altar, he says, Suscipe sancta Trinitas hanc oblationem, quam tibi offerimus ob memoriam Passionis, Resurrectionis, et Ascensionis Jesu Christi Domini nostri et in honorem beatæ Mariæ semper Virginis, et beati Joannis Baptistæ, et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, et istorum, et omnium Sanctorum: ut illis proficiat ad honorem, nobis autem ad salutem: et illi pro nobis intercedere dignentur in cœlis, quorum memoriam agimus in teris. Per eumdem, &. Amen.

Receive O holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to thee in mnemory of the Passion, Re surrection, and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honour of the blessed Mary ever a virgin, of blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints: that it may be available to their honour, and our salvation: and may they vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven, whose memory we celebrate on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.