MASS
At Rome, the Station is
in the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the walls. It is around
the tomb of the Doctor of the Gentiles, - the zealous sower of the divine Seed,
- the Father by his preaching, of so many nations, - that the Roman Church
assembles her children on this Sunday, whereon she is about to announce to
them, how God spared the earth on the condition that it should be peopled with
true believers and with faithful adorers of his Name.
The Introit, which is
taken from the Psalms, cries out to our Lord for help. The human race is all
but extinct after the Deluge, and is here represented as beseeching its Creator
to bless and increase it. The Church adopts the same prayer, and asks her
Saviour to multiply the children of the Word, as he did in former days.
INTROIT
Exsurge, quare obdormis, Domine?
Exsurge, et ne repellas in finem; quare faciem tuam avertis, oblivisceris
tribulationem nostram? Adhaesit in terra venter noster: exsurge, Do mine,
adjuva nos, et libera nos.
Ps. Deus, auribus nostris audivimus: patres nostri annuntiaverunt nobis. V. Gloria Patri. Exsurge. |
Arise, why sleepest thou, O Lord?
Arise, and cast us not off to the end. Why turnest thou thy face away? and
forgettest our tribulation? Our belly cleaveth to the earth. Arise, O Lord,
help us, and deliver us.
Ps. We have heard, O God, with our ears: our fathers have declared to us thy wonders. V. Glory. Arise. |
In the Collect, the
Church expresses the confidence she puts in the prayers of the great Apostle
St. Paul, that zealous sower of the divine Seed, who laboured more than the
other Apostles in preaching the Word to the Gentiles.
COLLECT
Deus, qui conspicis quia ex nulla
nostra actione confidimus: concede propitius, ut contra adversa omnia,
Doctoris gentium protectione, muniamur. Per Dominum.
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O God, who seest that we place no
confidence in anything we do: mercifully grant that, by the protection of the
Doctor of the Gentiles, we may be defended against all adversity. Through,
&c.
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Then are added two other
Collects, as in the Mass of Septuagesima Sunday, above.
The Epistle is that
admirable passage from one of St. Paul’s Epistles, in which the Great Apostle,
for the honour and interest of his sacred ministry, is necessitated to write
his defence against the calumnies of his enemies. We learn from this his
apology, what labours the Apostles had to go through, in order to sow the Word
of God in the barren soil of the Gentile world, and make it Christian.
EPISTLE
Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli
Apostoli ad Corinthios.
II. Cap. XI.
Fratres, libenter suffertis insipientes, cum sitis ipsi sapientes. Sustinetis enim si quis vos in servitutem re digit, si quis devorat, si quis accipit, si quis extollitur, si quis in faciem vos caedit. Secundum ignobilitatem dico, quasi nos infirmi fuerimus in hac parte. In quo quis audet (in insipientia dico), audeo et ego. Hebraei sunt? et ego. Israelitae sunt? et ego. Semen Abrahae sunt? et ego. Ministri Christi sunt? (ut minus sapiens dico,) plus ego: in laboribus plurimis, in carceribus abundantibus, in plagis supra modum, in mortibus frequenter. A Judaeis quinquies quadragenas, una minus, accepi. Ter virgis caesus sum, semel lapidatus sum, ter naufragium feci, nocte et die in profundo maris fui; in itineribus saepe, periculis fluminum, periculis latronum, periculis ex genere, periculis ex gemitibus, periculis in civitate, periculis in solitudine, periculis in mari, periculis in falsis fratribus; in labore et aerumna, in vigiliis multis, in fame et siti, in jejuniis multis, in frigore et nuditate; praeter illa, quae extrinsecus sunt, instantia mea quotidiana, sollicitudo omnium Ecelesiarum. Quis infirmatur, et ego non infirmor? Quis scandalizatur, et ego non uror? Si gloriari oportet, quae infirmitatis mea sunt, gloriabor. Deus et Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi, qui est benedictus in saecula, scit quod non mentior. Damasci praeposmtus gentis, Aretrae regis, custodiebat civitatem Damascenorum, ut me comprehenderet; et per fenestram in sporta dimissus sum per murum, et sic effugi manus ejus. Si gloriari oportet, (non expedit quidem,) veniam autem ad visiones et revelationes Domini. Scio hominem in Christo ante annos quatuordecim, (sive in corpore nescio. sive extra corpus nescia, Deus scit,) raptum hujusmodi usque ad tertium coelum. Et scio hujusmodi hominem, (sive in corpore nescio, sive extra corpus nescio, Deus scit,) quoniam raptus est in paradisum, et audivit arcana verba quae non licet homini loqui. Pro hujusmodi glariabor: pro me autem nihil gloriabor, nisi in infirmitatibus meis. Nam, etsi voluero gloriari, non ero insipiens; veritatem enim dicam: parco autem, ne quis me existimet supra id quod videt in me, aut aliquid audit ex me. Et ne magnitudo revelationum extollat me, datus est mihi stimulus carnis meae, angelus Satanae, qui me colaphizet. Propter quod ter Dominum rogavi ut discederet a me: et dixit mihi: Sufficit tibi gratia mea; nam virtus in infirmitate perficitur. Libenter igitur gloriabor in infirmitatibus meis, ut inhabitet in me virtus Christi. |
Lesson of the Epistle of Saint
Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.
II. Cor. XI.
Brethren, you gladly suffer the foolish, whereas yourselves are wise. For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you on the face. I speak according to dishonour, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak foolishly) I dare also. They are Hebrews: so am I. They are Israelites: so am I. They are the seed of Abraham; so am I. They are the ministers of Christ: (I speak as one less wise), I am more: in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes, save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea. In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren. In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides these things which are without; my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalised, and I am not on fire? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for ever, knoweth that I lie not. At Damascus the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, to apprehend me; and through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and so escaped his hands. If I must glory, (it is not expedient indeed,) but I will come to the visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ about fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body. I know not, God knoweth,) such a one rapt even to the third heaven. And I know such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth,) how he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter. For such a one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities. For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or anything he heareth from me. And lest the greatness of the revelations should lift me up, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me. For which thing I thrice besought the Lard that it might depart from me: and he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. |
In the Gradual, the
Church beseeches her Lord to give her strength against those who oppose the
mission he has entrusted to her, of gaining for him a new people, adorers of
his sovereign Majesty.
GRADUAL
Sciant gentes, quoniam nomen tibi
Deus: tu solus Altissimus super omnem terram.
V. Deus meus, pone illos ut rotam, et sicut stipulam ante faciem venti. |
Let the Gentiles know that God is
thy name: thou alone art the Most High over all the earth.
V. My God, make them like a wheel, and as stubble before the wind. |
Whilst the earth is
being moved, and is suffering those terrible revolutions,
which, deluge-like, come first on one nation and then on another, - the Church
prays for her Faithful Children, in order that they may be spared, for they are
the elect, and the hope of the world. It is thus she prays in
the following Tract which precedes the Gospel of the Word.
TRACT
Commovisti, Domine, terram, et
conturbasti eam.
V. Sana contritiones ejus, quia mota est. V. Ut fugiant a facie arcis: ut libereutur electi tui. |
Thou hast moved time earth, O
Lord, and hast troubled it.
V. Heal the breaches thereof, for it is moved. V. That they may flee from before the bow: that thy elect may be delivered. |
GOSPEL
Sequentia sancti Evangelii
secundum Lucam.
Cap. VIII.
In illo tempore, cum turba plurima convenirent, et de civitatibus properarent ad Jesum, dixit per similitudinem. Exiit, qui seminat, seminare semen suum: et, dum seminat, aliud cecidit secus viam, et conculcatum est, et volucres coeli comederunt illud. Et aliud cecidit supra petram: Et natum, aruit; quia non habebat humorem. Et aliud cecidit inter spines, et simul exortae spinae suffoeaverunt illud. Et aliud cecidit in terram bonam: et ortum fecit fructum centuplum. Haec dicens clamabat: Qui habet aures audiendi, audiat. Interrogabant autem eum discipuli ejus, quae esset haec parabola. Quibus ipse dixit: Vobis datum est nosse mysterium regni Dei, caeteris autem in parabolis; ut videntes non videant, et audientes non intelligant. Est autem haec parabola. Semen est verbum Dei. Qui autem secus viam, hi suit qui audiunt: deinde venit diabolus, et tollit verbum de corde eorum, ne credentes salvi fiant. Nam qui supra petram: qui cum audierint, cum gaudio suscipiunt verbum: et hi radices non habent: qui ad tempus credunt, et in tempore tentationis recedunt. Quod autem in spinas cecidit; hi sunt, qui audie runt, et a solicitudinibus, et divitiis, et voluptatibus vitae, euntes, suffocantur, et non referunt fructum. Quod autem in bonam terram: hi sunt, qui in corde bono et optimo audientes verbum retinet, et fructum afferunt in patientia. |
Sequel of the holy Gospel
according to Luke.
Ch. VIII.
At that time, when a very great multitude was gathered together, and hastened out of the cities to meet Jesus, he spoke by a similitude. A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the way-side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns; and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground, and sprung up, and yielded fruit a hundred-fold. Saying these things he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables: that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And, they by the wayside, are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their hearts, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and the riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground, are they who, in a good and perfect heart hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience. |
St. Gregory the Great
justly remarks, that this Parable needs no explanation. since Eternal Wisdom
himself has told us its meaning. All that we have to do, is to profit by this
divine teaching, and become the good soil, wherein the heavenly Seed may yield a
rich harvest. How often have we not, hitherto, allowed it to be trampled on by
them that passed by, or to be torn up by the birds of the air? How often has it
not found our heart like a stone, that could give no moisture, or like a thorn
plot, that could but choke? We listened to the Word of God; we
took pleasure in hearing it; and from this we argued well for ourselves. Nay,
we have often received this Word with joy and eagerness.
Sometimes, even, it took root within us. But, alas! something always came to
stop its growth. Henceforth, it must both grow and yield fruit. The Seed given
to us is of such quality, that the Divine Sower has a right to expect a hundred-fold. If
the soil, that is, if our heart, be good;- if we
take the trouble to prepare it, by profiting of the means afforded us by the
Church;- we shall have an abundant harvest to show our Lord on that grand Day,
when, rising triumphant from his Tomb, he shall come to share with his faithful
people the glory of his Resurrection.
Inspirited by this hope,
and full of confidence in Him, who has once more thrown his Seed in this long
ungrateful soil, let us sing with the Church, in her Offertory, these beautiful
words of the Royal Psalmist:- they are a prayer for holy resolution and
perseverance.
OFFERTORY
Perfice gressus meos in semitis
tuis, ut non moveantur vestigia mea: inclina aurem tuam et exaudi verba mea:
mirifica misericordias tuas, ut salvos facis sperantes in te, Domine.
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Perfect thou my goings in thy
paths; that my footsteps be not moved. O incline thy ear unto me and
hear my words. Show forth thy wonderful mercies; who saveth them that
hope in thee, O Lord.
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SECRET
Oblatum tibi, Domine, sacrificium
vivificet nos semper, et muniat. Per Dominum.
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May the sacrifice we have offered
to thee, O Lord, always enliven us and defend us. Through, &c.
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To this are added the
other Secrets, as on Septuagesima Sunday, above.
The visit, which our
Lord makes to us in the Sacrament of his Love, is the grand means whereby he
gives fertility to our souls. Hence it is, that the Church invites us, in the
Communion-antiphon, to draw nigh to the Altar of our God; there, our heart
shall regain all the youthful fervour of its best days.
COMMUNION
Introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum
qui laetificat juventutem meam.
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I will go up to the altar of God;
to God, who rejoiceth my youth.
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POSTCOMMUNION
Supplices te rogamus, omnipotens
Deus; in quos tuis reficis sacramentis, tibi etiam placitis moribus dignanter
deservire concedas. Per Dominum.
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Grant, we humbly beseech thee, O
Almighty God, that those whom thou refreshest with thy sacraments, may, by a life
well pleasing to thee, worthily serve thee. Through &c.
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Two other Postcommunions
are said after this, as on Septuagesima Sunday, above.
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