In those days God tempted Abraham, and said to him: Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am. He said to him: Take thine only-begotten son, Isaac, whom thou lovest, and go into the land of vision: and there thou shalt offer him for a holocaust upon one of the mountains which I will show thee. So Abraham, rising up in the night, saddled his ass: and took with him two young men, and Isaac his son. And when he had cut wood for the holocaust, he went his way to the place which God had commanded him. And on the third day, lifting up his eyes, he saw the place afar off; and he said to his young men: Stay you here with the ass: I and the boy will go with speed as far as yonder, and after we have worshipped will return to you. And he took the wood for the holocaust and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands fire and a sword. And as they two were on together, Isaac said to his father: My father. And he answered: What wilt thou, son? Behold, saith he, fire and wood: where is the victim for the holocaust? And Abraham said: God will provide Himself a victim for a holocaust, my son. So they went on together; and they came to the place which God had shown him, where he built an altar and laid the wood in order upon it; and when he had bound Isaac, his son, he laid him upon the altar upon the pile of wood. And he put forth his hand, and took the sword to sacrifice his son. And behold an angel of the Lord from heaven called to him, saying: Abraham, Abraham. And he answered: Here I am. And he said to him: Lay not thy hand upon the boy, neither do thou any thing to him: now I know that thou fearest God, and hast not spared thine only-begotten son for My sake. Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw behind his back a ram amongst the briers, sticking fast by the horns, which he took and offered for a holocaust instead of his son. And he called the name of that place, the Lord seeth. Whereupon even to this day it is said: In the mountain the Lord will see. And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, saying: By My own self have I sworn, saith the Lord: because Thou hast done this thing, and hast not spared thine only-begotten son for My sake; I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the sea shore: thy seed shall possess the gates of their enemies, and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice. Abraham returned to his young men, and they went to Bersabee together, and he dwelt there.

In those days, it came to pass in the morning watch, and behold the Lord looking upon the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire, and of the cloud, slew their host: and overthrew the wheels of the chariots, and they were carried into the deep. And the Egyptians said: Let us flee from Israel: for the Lord fighteth for them against us. And the Lord said to Moses: Stretch forth thy hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and horsemen. And when Moses had stretched forth his hand towards the sea, it returned at the first break of day to the former place: and as the Egyptians were fleeing away the waters came upon them, and the Lord shut them up in the middle of the waves. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all the army of Pharao, who had come into the sea after them: neither did there so much as one of them remain. But the children of Israel marched through the midst of the sea upon dry land, and the waters were to them as a wall on the right hand and the left: and the Lord delivered Israel on that day out of the hand of the Egyptians. And they saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore, and the mighty hand of the Lord had used against them: and the people feared the Lord, and they believed the Lord, and Moses His servant. Then Moses and the children of Israel sung this canticle to the Lord, and said:

Let us sing to the Lord, for He is gloriously honored: the horse and the rider He hath thrown into the sea: He has become my Helper and Protector unto salvation.

He is my God, and I will honor Him: the God of my father, and I will extol Him.

He is the Lord that destroys wars: the Lord is His Name.

Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life: give ear, that thou mayst learn wisdom. How happeneth it, O Israel, that thou art in thy enemies' land? Thou art grown old in a strange country, thou art defiled with the dead: thou art counted with them that go down into hell. Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom: For if thou hadst walked in the way of God, thou hadst surely dwelt in peace for ever. Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding: that thou mayst know also where is length of days and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace. Who hath found out her place? and who hath gone in to her treasures? Where are the princes of the nations, and they that rule over the beasts that are upon the earth? That take their diversion with the birds of the air. That hoard up silver and gold, wherein men trust, and there is no end of their getting? who work in silver and are solicitous, and their works are unsearchable. They are cut off, and are gone down to hell, and others are risen up in their place. Young men have seen the light, and dwelt upon the earth: but the way of knowledge they have not known, Nor have they understood the paths thereof, neither have their children received it, it is far from their face. It hath not been heard of in the land of Chanaan, neither hath it been seen in Theman. The children of Agar also, that search after the wisdom that is of the earth, the merchants of Merrha, and of Theman, and the tellers of fables, and searchers of prudence and understanding: but the way of wisdom they have not known, neither have they remembered her paths. O Israel, how great is the house of God, and how vast is the place of his possession! It is great, and hath no end: it is high and immense. There were the giants, those renowned men that were from the beginning, of great stature, expert in war. The Lord chose not them, neither did they find the way of knowledge: therefore did they perish. And because they had not wisdom, they perished through their folly. Who hath gone up into heaven, and taken her, and brought her down from the clouds? Who hath passed over the sea, and found her, and brought her preferably to chosen gold? here is none that is able to know her ways, nor that can search out her paths: But he that knoweth all things, knoweth her, and hath found her out with his understanding: he that prepared the earth for evermore, and filled it with cattle and fourfooted beasts: He that sendeth forth light, and it goeth: and hath called it, and it obeyeth him with trembling. And the stars have given light in their watches, and rejoiced: They were called, and they said: Here we are: and with cheerfulness they have shined forth to him that made them. This is our God, and there shall no other be accounted of in comparison of him. He found out all the way of knowledge, and gave it to Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved. Afterwards he was seen upon earth, and conversed with men.

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and brought me forth in the spirit of the Lord: and set me down in the midst of a plain that was full of bones. And he led me about through them on every side: now they were very many upon the face of the plain, and they were exceeding dry. And he said to me: Son of man, dost thou think these bones shall live? And I answered: O Lord God, thou knowest. And he said to me: Prophesy concerning these bones; and say to them: Ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will send spirit into you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to grow over you, and will cover you with skin: and I will give you spirit and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord. And I prophesied as he had commanded me: and as I prophesied there was a noise, and behold a commotion: and the bones came together, each one to its joint. And I saw, and behold the sinews, and the flesh came up upon them: and the skin was stretched out over them, but there was no spirit in them. And he said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, O son of man, and say to the spirit: Thus saith the Lord God: Come, spirit, from the four winds, and blow upon these slain, and let them live again. And I prophesied as he had commanded me: and the spirit came into them, and they lived: and they stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. And he said to me: Son of man: All these bones are the house of Israel: they say: Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost, and we are cut off. Therefore prophesy, and say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will open your graves, and will bring you out of your sepulchres, O my people: and will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have opened your sepulchres, and shall have brought you out of your graves, O my people: And shall have put my spirit in you, and you shall live, and I shall make you rest upon your own land: and you shall know that I the Lord have spoken, and done it, saith the Lord God.

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, take away our reproach. In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem. If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection.And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.

My beloved had a vineyard on a hill in a fruitful place.

And he fenced it in, and picked the stones out of it, and planted it with the choicest vines, and built a tower in the midst thereof,

and set up a winepress therein: for the vineyard of the Lord of host is the house of Israel.

Moses therefore wrote the canticle and taught it to the children of Israel. And the Lord commanded Josue the son of Nun, and said: Take courage, and be valiant: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I have promised, and I will be with thee. Therefore after Moses wrote the words of this law in a volume, and finished it: He commanded the Levites, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord. saying: Take this book, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God: that it may be there for a testimony against thee. For I know thy obstinacy, and thy most stiff neck, While I am yet living, and going in with you, you have always been rebellious against the Lord: how much more when I shall be dead? Gather unto me all the ancients of your tribes, and your doctors, and I will speak these words in their hearing, and will call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that, after my death, you will do wickedly, and will quickly turn aside from the way that I have commanded you: and evils shall come upon you in the latter times, when you shall do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him by the works of your hands. Moses therefore spoke, in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel, the words of this canticle, and finished it even to the end.

Hear, O ye heavens, the things I speak, let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth.

Let my doctrine gather as the rain, let my speech distil as the dew,

As a shower upon the herb, and as drops upon the grass. Because I will invoke the name of the Lord:

Give ye magnificence to our God. The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments:

God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right.

As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God.

My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?

My tears have been my bread day and night, whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?

_`

The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O Almighty and everlasting God, look mercifully on the devotion of Thy people about to be reborn, who like the hart pant after the fountain of Thy waters: and mercifully grant that the thirst of their faith may, by the Sacrament of Baptism, hallow their souls and bodies.

The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O Almighty and eternal God, be present at these mysteries, be present at these sacraments of thy great goodness: and send forth the spirit of thy adoption to regenerate the new people, whom the font of baptism bringeth forth: that what is to be done by the ministry of us thy servants, may be accomplished by the effect of thy power. Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,

World without end.

R. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Lift up thy hearts.

R. We have them lifted up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

R. It is meet and just.

It is meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, to give Thee thanks always and in all places, O holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, Who, by Thine ineffable power dost wonderfully produce the effect of Thy Sacraments: and though we are unworthy to perform such great mysteries: yet, as Thou dost not abandon the gifts of Thy grace, so Thou inclinest the ears of Thy goodness, even to our prayers. O God, Whose Spirit in the very beginning of the world moved over the waters, that even then the nature of water might receive the virtue of sanctification. O God, Who by water didst wash away the crimes of the guilty world, and by the pouring out of the deluge didst give a figure of regeneration, that one and the same element might in a mystery be the end of vice and the beginning of virtue. Look, O Lord, on the face of Thy Church, and multiply in her Thy regenerations, who by the streams of Thine abundant grace fillest Thy city with joy, and openest the font of Baptism all over the world for the renewal of the Gentiles: that by the command of Thy Majesty she may receive the grace of Thine only Son from the Holy Ghost.

May He by a secret mixture of His divine virtue render this water fruitful for the regeneration of men, to the end that a heavenly offspring, conceived by sanctification, may emerge from the immaculate womb of this divine font, reborn a new creature: and may all, however distinguished either by sex in body, or by age in time, be brought forth to the same infancy by grace, their mother. Therefore may all unclean spirits, by Thy command, O Lord, depart far from hence: may the whole malice of diabolical deceit be entirely banished: may no power of the enemy prevail here: let him not fly about to lay his snares; may he not creep in by stealth: may he not corrupt with his poison.

May this holy and innocent creature be free from all the assaults of the enemy, and purified by the destruction of all his wickedness. May it be a living fountain, a regenerating water, a purifying stream: that all those that are to be washed in this saving bath may obtain, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, the grace of a perfect cleansing.

_`

Therefore, I bless thee, O creature of water, by the living + God, by the true + God, by the holy + God: by that God Who, in the beginning, separated thee by His Word from the dry land, Whose Spirit moved over thee.

_`

Who made thee flow from the fountain of paradise and commanded thee to water the whole earth with thy four rivers. Who, changing thy bitterness in the desert into sweetness made thee fit to drink, and produced thee out of a rock to quench the thirsty people. I bless + thee also by our Lord Jesus Christ, His only Son: Who in Cana of Galilee changed thee into wine by a wonderful miracle of His power. Who walked upon thee with dry foot, and was baptized in thee by John in the Jordan. Who made thee flow out of His side together with His Blood, and commanded His disciples that such as believed should be baptised in thee, saying: Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Do thou, almighty God, mercifully assist us who observe this commandment: do Thou graciously inspire us.

Do Thou with Thy mouth bless these clear waters: that besides their natural virtue of cleansing the body, they may also prove efficacious for the purifying of the soul.

May the virtue of the Holy Ghost descend into all the water of this font.

And make the whole substance of this water fruitful for regeneration.

Here may the stains of all sins be washed out; here may human nature, created in Thine image, and reformed to the honor of its Author, be cleansed from all the filth of the old man: that all who receive the Sacrament of regeneration, may be born again new children of true innocence.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son: Who shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire.

R. Amen.

May this font be sanctified and made fruitful with the oil of salvation for all them who shall be born anew of its waters unto life everlasting.

R. Amen.

May this pouring in the chrism of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the comforter, be made in the name of the Holy Trinity.

R. Amen.

Let this mindling of the chrism of santification, with the oil of unction, and of the water of Baptism, be likewise made in the name of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy + Ghost.

R. Amen.

r. Lord, have mercy.

r. Christ, have mercy.

r. Lord, have mercy.

r. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.

r. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

r. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

r. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

r. Holy Mary, pray for us.

r. Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

r. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

r. Saint Michael, pray for us.

r. Saint Gabriel, pray for us.

r. Saint Raphael, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us.

r. All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, pray for us.

r. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.

r. Saint Joseph, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us.

r. Saint Peter, pray for us.

r. Saint Paul, pray for us.

r. Saint Andrew, pray for us.

r. Saint John, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, pray for us.

r. Saint Stephen, pray for us.

r. Saint Lawrence, pray for us.

r. Saint Vincent, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Martyrs, pray for us.

r. Saint Silvester, pray for us.

r. Saint Gregory, pray for us.

r. Saint Augustine, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Doctors, pray for us.

r. Saint Anthony, pray for us.

r. Saint Benedict, pray for us.

r. Saint Dominic, pray for us.

r. Saint Francis, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Priests and Deacons, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.

r. Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us.

r. Saint Agnes, pray for us.

r. Saint Cecilia, pray for us.

r. Saint Agatha, pray for us.

r. Saint Anastasia, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us.

r. All ye holy Saints of God, intercede for us.

r. Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.

r. Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.

r. From all evil, deliver us, O Lord.

r. From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.

r. From everlasting death, deliver us, O Lord.

r. Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.

r. Through Thy coming, deliver us, O Lord. Through Thy Nativity, deliver us, O Lord.

r. Through Thy Baptism and holy fasting, deliver us, O Lord.

r. Through Thy Cross and Passion, deliver us, O Lord.

r. Through Thy Death and Burial, deliver us, O Lord.

r. Through Thy holy Resurrection, deliver us, O Lord.

r. Through Thy wonderful Ascension, deliver us, O Lord.

r. Through the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, deliver us, O Lord.

r. In the day of judgement, deliver us, O Lord.

r. We sinners, beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst spare us, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate, and all orders of the Church in holy religion, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy Church, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to hear us, we beseech Thee to hear us.

r. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

r. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

r. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

r. Christ, hear us.

r. Christ, graciously hear us.

The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O God, Who hast bestowed on the faithful the fire of Thy brightness by Thy Son, Who is the Corner-stone, hallow + this new fire produced from a flint that it may be profitable to us: and grant that during this Paschal festival we may be so inflamed with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may come to the solemnity of perpetual light. Through the same Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Let us pray.

O Lord God, almighty Father, never-failing Light, Who art the Creator of all lights, bless this light that is blessed + and sanctified by Thee, Who hast enlightened the whole world: that we may be inflamed with that light and englithened by the fire of Thy brightness: and as Thou didst give light to Moses when he went out of Egypt, so nlighten our hearts and senses, that we may be found worthy to arrive at light and life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Let us pray.

O holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God: vouchsafe to co-operate with us, who bless this fire in Thy Name, and in that of Thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and of the Holy Ghost: help us against the fiery darts of the enemy, and illumine us with Thy heavenly grace. Who livest and reignest with the same Thine only-begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

May the abundant outpouring of Thy + blessing, we beseech Thee, almighty God, descend upon this incense: and do Thou, O invisible Regenerator, lighten this nocturnal brightness, that not only the sacrifice that is offered this night may shine by the secret mixture of Thy light: but also into whatever place anything of this mysterious sanctification shall be brought, there the power of Thy Majesty may be present and all the malicious artifices of Satan may be defeated. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

The light of Christ.

R. Thanks be to God.

The light of Christ.

R. Thanks be to God.

The light of Christ.

R. Thanks be to God.

May the Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips, that thou mayest worthily and fitly proclaim His Paschal praise. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let the angelic choirs of Heaven now rejoice; let the divine Mysteries rejoice; and let the trumpet of salvation sound forth the victory of so great a King. Let the earth also rejoice, made radiant by such splendor; and, enlightened with the brightness of the eternal King, let it know that the darkness of the whole world is scattered. Let our mother the Church also rejoice, adorned with the brightness of so great a light; and let this temple resound with the loud acclamations of the people. Wherefore I beseech you, most beloved brethren, who are here present in the wondrous brightness of this holy light, to invoke with me the mercy of almighty God. That He who has vouchsafed to admit me among the Levites, without any merits of mine, would pour forth the brightness of His light upon me, and enable me to perfect the praise of this wax candle. Through our Lord Jesus Christ His Son, Who with Him and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

R. We have them lifted up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

R. It is meet and just.

It is truly meet and right to proclaim with all our heart and all the affection of our mind, and with the ministry of our voices, the invisible God, the Father almighty, and His only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who repaid for us to His eternal Father the debt of Adam, and by the merciful shedding of His Blood, cancelled the debt incurred by original sin. For this is the Paschal Festival; in which that true Lamb is slain, with Whose Blood the doorposts of the faithful are consecrated. This is the night in which Thou didst formerly cause our forefathers, the children of Israel, when brought out of Egypt, to pass through the Red Sea with dry foot. This, therefore, is the night which dissipated the darkness of sinners by the light of the pillar. This is the night which at this time throughout the world restores to grace and unites in sanctity those that believe in Christ, and are separated from the vices of the world and the darkness of sinners. This is the night in which, destroying the chains of death, Christ arose victorious from the grave. For it would have profited us nothing to have been born, unless redemption had also been bestowed upon us. O wondrous condescension of Thy mercy towards us! O inestimable affection of love: that Thou mightest redeem a slave, Thou didst deliver up Thy Son! O truly needful sin of Adam, which was blotted out by the death of Christ! O happy fault, that merited to possess such and so great a Redeemer! O truly blessed night, which alone deserved to know the time and hour when Christ rose again from hell! This is the night of which it is written: And the night shall be as clear as the day; and the night is my light in my delights. Therefore the hallowing of this night puts to flight all wickedness, cleanses sins, and restores innocence to the fallen, and gladness to the sorrowful. It drives forth hatreds, it prepares concord, and brings down haughtiness.

Wherefore, in this sacred night, receive, O holy Father, the evening sacrifice of this incense, which holy Church renders to Thee by the hands of Thy ministers in the solemn offering of this wax candle, made out the work of bees. Now also we know the praises of this pillar, which the shining fire enkindles to the honor of God.

Which fire, although divided into parts, suffers no loss from its light being borrowed. For it is nourished by the melting wax, which the mother bee produced for the substance of this precious light.

O truly blessed night, which plundered the Egyptians and enriched the Hebrews! A night in which heavenly things are united to those of earth, and things divine to those which are of man. We beseech Thee, therefore, O Lord, that this wax candle hallowed in honor of Thy Name, may continue to burn to dissipate the darkness of this night. And being accepted as a sweet savor, may be united with the heavenly lights. Let the morning star find its flame alight. That star, I mean, which knows no setting. He Who returning from hell, serenely shone forth upon mankind. We beseech Thee therefore, O Lord, that Thou wouldst grant peaceful times during this Paschal Festival, and vouchsafe to rule, govern, and keep with Thy constant protection us Thy servants, and all the clergy, and the devout people, together with our most holy Father, Pope N...., and our Bishop N.... Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. And the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved over the water. And God said: Be light made. And light was made. And God saw the light that it was good: and He divided the light from the darkness. And He called the light Day, and the darkness Night: and there was evening and morning, one day. And God said: Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament from those that were above the firmament. And it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven: and the evening and morning were the second day. God also said: Let the waters that are under the heaven be gathered together into one place; and let the dry land appear. And it was so done. And God called the dry land Earth: and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And He said: Let the earth bring forth the green herb, after its kind, which may have seed in itself upon the earth. And it was so done. And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as yieldeth seed according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and morning were the third day. And God said: Let there be lights made in the firmament of heaven to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years: to shine in the firmament of heaven. and to give light to the earth. And it was so done. And God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night: and the stars. And He set them in the firmament of heaven, to shine upon the earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to divide the earth, and to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And the evening and morning were the fourth day. God also said: Let the waters bring forth the creeping creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven. And God created the great whales, and every living thing and moving creature which the waters brought forth, according to their kinds, and every winged fowl according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And He blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said: Let the earth bring forth the living creature in its kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so done. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and cattle, and every thing that creepeth on the earth after its kind. And God saw that it was good. And He said: Let us make man to Our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. And God created man to His own image: to the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth. And God said: Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind to be your meat: and to all the beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done. And God saw all the things that He had made, and they were very good. And the evening and morning were the sixth day. So the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the furniture of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made: and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, who hast wonderfully created man, and more wonderfully restored him: grant us, we beseech Thee, to stand firm with strong minds against the allurements of sin, that we may deserve to arrive at everlasting joys.

Noe, when he was five hundred years old, begot Sem, Cham, and Japheth. And after that men began to be multiplied upon the earth, and daughters were born to them, the sons of God seeing the daughters of men, that they were fair, took to themselves wives of all, which they chose. And God said: My Spirit shall not remain in man for ever, because he is flesh: and his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. Now giants were upon the earth in those days. For after the sons of God went in to the daughters of men, and they brought forth children, thse are the mighty men of old, men of renown. And God seeing that the wickedness of men was great on the earth, and that all the thought of their heart was bent upon evil at all times, it repented Him that He had made man on the earth. And being touched inwardly with sorrow of heart, He said: I will destroy man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth, from man even to beasts, from the creeping thing even to the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them. But Noe found grace before the Lord. These are the generations of Noe: Noe was a just and perfect man in his generations, he walked with God. And he begot three sons, Sem, Cham, and Japheth. And the earth was corrupted before God, and was filled with iniquity. And when God had seen that the earth was corrupted (for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth), He said to Noe: The end of all flesh is come before Me: the earth is filled with iniquity through them, and I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of timber planks: thou shalt make little rooms in the ark, and thou shalt pitch it within and without. And thus shalt thou make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. Thou shalt make a window in the ark, and in a cubit shall thou finish the top of it: and the door of the ark thou shalt set in the side; with lower, middle chambers and third stories shalt thou make it. Behold I will bring the waters of a great flood upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, under heaven. All things that are in the earth shall be consumed, and I will establish My covenant with thee: and thou shalt enter into the ark, thou and thy sons, and thy wife, and the wives of thy sons with thee. And of every living creature of all flesh, thou shalt bring two of a sort into the ark, that they may live with thee: of the male sex, and the female. Of fowls according to their kind: two of every sort shall go in with thee, that they may live. Thou shalt take unto thee of all food that may be eaten, and thou shalt lay it up with thee: and it shall be food for thee and them. And Noe did all things which God commanded Him. And he was six hundred years old when the waters of the flood overflowed the earth. All the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the flood-gates of heaven were opened; and the rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. In the self-same day, Noe, and Shem, and Cham, and Japheth, his sons, his wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, went into the ark: they and every beast according to its kind, and all the cattle in their kind, and every thing that moveth upon the earth according to its kind. And the ark was carried upon the waters. And the waters prevailed beyond measure upon the earth: and all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The water was fiften cubits higher than the mountains which it covered. And all flesh was destroyed that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beasts, and of all creeping things that creep upon the earth. And Noe only remained, and they that were with him in th eark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days. And God remembered Noe, and all the living creaturs and all the cattle which were with him in the ark, and brought a wind upon the earth, and the waters were abated. The fountains also of the deep, and the flood-gates of heaven were shut up: and the rain from heaven was restrained. And the waters returned from off the earth, going and coming: and they begam to be abated after a hundred and fifty days. And after that forty days were passed, Noe, opening the window of the ark which he had made, sent forth a raven, which went forth and did not return, till the waters were dried up upon the earth. He sent forth also a dove after him, to see if the waters had now ceased upon the face of the earth. But she not finding where her foot might rest, returned to him into the ark: for the waters were upon the whole earth: and he put forth his hand, and caught her, and brought her into the ark. And having waited yet seven other days, he again sent forth the dove out of the ark. And she came to him in the evening, carrying a bough of an olive tree with green leaves in her mouth. Noe therefore understood that the waters were ceased upon the earth. And he stayed yet another seven days: and he sent forth the dove, which returned not any more unto him. And God spoke to Noe, saying: Go out of the ark, thou and thy wife, thy sons, and the wives of thy sons with thee. All living things that are with thee of all flesh, as well in fowls as in beasts, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, bring out with thee, and go ye upon the earth: increase and multiply upon it. So Noe went out, he and his sons, his wife, and the wives of his sons with him. And all living things, and cattle, and creeping things that creep upon the earth, according to their kinds, went out of the ark. And Noe built an altar unto the Lord, and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, offered holocausts upon the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savor.

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, unchangable power and light everlasting: mercifully regard the wonderful Mystery of Thy whole Church, and peacefully effect by Thine everlasting decree the work of man's salvation: and may the whole world experience and see that what was cast down is raised up, what was old is renewed, and all things are returning to perfection, through Him from whom they received their first being, our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son:

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, the supreme Father of all the faithful, who all over the world dost multiply the children of Thy promise by diffusing the grace of Thine adoption: and by this Paschal Sacrament dost make Thy servant Abraham, according to Thine oath, the father of all nations: grant that Thy people may worthily enter into the grace of Thy vocation.

_`

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, Whose ancient miracles we see shining also in our days, whilst by the water of regeneration Thou dost operate for the salvation of the Gentiles, that which by the power of Thy right hand Thou didst confer upon one people, by delivering them from the Egyptian persecution: grant that all the nations of the world may become the children of Abraham, and partake of the dignity of the people of Israel.

This is the inheritance of the servants of the Lord, and their justice with me, saith the Lord. All you that thirst, come to the waters: and you that have no money make haste, buy, and eat: come ye, buy wine and milk without money, and without any price. Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which doth not satisfy you? Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be delighted in fatness. Incline your ear and come to me: hear and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the faithful mercies of David. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, for a leader and a master to the Gentiles. Behold thou shalt call a nation, which thou knewest not: and the nations that knew not thee shall run to thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call upon him, while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive. For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts. And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it.

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O almighty and everlasting God, for the glory of thy name, enlarge the promise which thou madest to the faith of our forefathers, and by the grace of thy adoption, multiply the children of promise, that what the saints of the old without doubt to foreknew, as yet to come, thy Church may find even now in great part fulfilled.

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, who by thy calling of the nations dost increase thy Church, mercifully grant, that all those whom thou cleansest in the waters of baptism may have thy continual protection.

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, who teaches us by the pages of both testaments to celebrate the paschal mystery, grant us such understanding, of thy mercy, that we, receiving thy gifts of this present time, may have a firm hope for those that are to come.

_`

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, who by the voice of Thy holy prophets hast made manifest to all the children of Thy Church, that through the whole extent of Thy empire Thou art the sower of good seed, and the cultivator of chosen branches : grant to Thy people who are called by the name of the vines and harvests, that they may root out all thorns and briers, and bring forth good fruit in abundance.

And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall be to you the beginning of months: it shall be the first in the months of the year. Speak ye to the whole assembly of the children of Israel, and say to them: On the tenth day of this month let every man take a lamb by their families and houses. But if the number be less than may suffice to eat the lamb, he shall take unto him his neighbour that joineth to his house, according to the number of souls which may be enough to eat the lamb. And it shall be a lamb without blemish, a male, of one year: according to which rite also you shall take a kid. And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month: and the whole multitude of the children of Israel shall sacrifice it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood thereof, and put it upon both the side posts, and on the upper door posts of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh that night roasted at the fire, and unleavened bread with wild lettuce. You shall not eat thereof any thing raw, nor boiled in water, but only roasted at the fire: you shall eat the head with the feet and entrails thereof. Neither shall there remain any thing of it until morning. If there be any thing left, you shall burn it with fire. And thus you shall eat it: you shall gird your reins, and you shall have shoes on your feet, holding staves in your hands, and you shall eat in haste: for it is the Phase (that is the Passage) of the Lord.

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O almighty everlasting God, who art wonderful in the ordering of all thy works, let thy redeemed understand that the creation of the world at the beginning was not a greater work, than the immolation, in the fullness of time of Christ, our passover.

And the word of the Lord came to Jonas the second time, saying: Arise, and go to Ninive the great city: and preach in it the preaching that I bid thee. And Jonas arose, and went to Ninive, according to the word of the Lord: now Ninive was a great city of three days' journey. And Jonas began to enter into the city one day's journey: and he cried, and said: Yet forty days, and Ninive shall be destroyed. And the men of Ninive believed in God: and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least. And the word came to the king of Ninive; and he rose up out of his throne, and cast away his robe from him, and was clothed with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published in Ninive from the mouth of the king and of his princes, saying: Let neither men nor beasts, oxen nor sheep, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water. And let men and beasts be covered with sackcloth, and cry to the Lord with all their strength, and let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the iniquity that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn, and forgive: and will turn away from his fierce anger, and we shall not perish? And God saw their works, that they were turned from their evil way: and God had mercy with regard to the evil which he had said that he would do to them, and he did it not.

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, who hast gathered together the divers nations of earth in the confession of thy name, grant us both the will and the power to keep thy commandments, that all those whom thou hast called to everlasting life, may be one in faith of mind and in goodness of conduct.

_`

Let us pray.

Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, greatness of the humble and the strength of the righteous, who was pleased by thy holy servant Moses so to instruct thy people with the singing of thy sacred canticle that his repeating of the law should be also for our guiding, stir up thy might uppon all the multitude of peoples that are justified before thee, quiet their fear and make them to rejoice; that the sins of our being blotted out by thy remission, the threatenings of thy vengeance may turn to their salvation.

King Nabuchodonosor made a statue of gold, of sixty cubits high, and six cubits broad, and he set it up in the plain of Dura of the province of Babylon. Then Nabuchodonosor the king sent to call together the nobles, the magistrates, and the judges, the captains, the rulers, and governors, and all the chief men of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. Then the nobles, the magistrates, and the judges, the captains, and rulers, and the great men that were placed in authority, and all the princes of the provinces, were gathered together to come to the dedication of the statue, which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. And they stood before the statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. Then a herald cried with a strong voice: To you it is commanded, O nations, tribes, and languages: That in the hour that you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, and of the flute, and of the harp, of the sackbut, and of the psaltery, and of the symphony, and of all kind of music; ye fall down and adore the golden statue which king Nabuchodonosor hath set up. But if any man shall not fall down and adore, he shall the same hour be cast into a furnace of burning fire. Upon this therefore, at the time when all the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind of music: all the nations, tribes, and languages fell down and adored the golden statue which king Nabuchodonosor had set up. And presently at that very time some Chaldeans came and accused the Jews, And said to king Nabuchodonosor: O king, live for ever: Thou, O king, hast made a decree that every man that shall hear the sound of the trumpet, the flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind of music, shall prostrate himself, and adore the golden statue: And that if any man shall not fall down and adore, he should be cast into a furnace of burning fire. Now there are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the works of the province of Babylon, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago: these men, O king, have slighted thy decree: they worship not thy gods, nor do they adore the golden statue which thou hast set up. Then Nabuchodonosor in fury, and in wrath, commanded that Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago should be brought: who immediately were brought before the king. And Nabuchodonosor the king spoke to them, and said: Is it true, O Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, that you do not worship my gods, nor adore the golden statue that I have set up? Now therefore if you be ready at what hour soever you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, harp, sackbut, and psaltery, and symphony, and of all kind of music, prostrate yourselves, and adore the statue which I have made: but if you do not adore, you shall be cast the same hour into the furnace of burning fire: and who is the God that shall deliver you out of my hand? Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago answered and said to king Nabuchodonosor: We have no occasion to answer thee concerning this matter. For behold our God, whom we worship, is able to save us from the furnace of burning fire, and to deliver us out of thy hands, O king. But if he will not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou hast set up. Then was Nabuchodonosor filled with fury: and the countenance of his face was changed against Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and he commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times more than it had been accustomed to be heated. And he commanded the strongest men that were in his army, to bind the feet of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the furnace of burning fire. And immediately these men were bound and were cast into the furnace of burning fire, with their coats, and their caps, and their shoes, and their garments. For the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace was heated exceedingly. And the flame of the fire slew those men that had cast in Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago. But these three men, that is, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, fell down bound in the midst of the furnace of burning fire. And they walked in the midst of the flame, praising God and blessing the Lord.

Let us pray

O almighty and everlasting God, the only hope of the world who by the voice of thy prophets didst foretell the mysteries of this present time, graciously strengthen the desires of thy people : for no increase of virtue shall be given to any of them save only by thy holy inspiration.

P. In the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. I will go in to the altar of God.

S. To God who giveth joy to my youth.

P. Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation which is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.

S. For Thou, O God, art my strength: why hast Thou cast me off? and why go I sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?

P. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth: they have conducted me and brought me unto Thy holy mount, and into Thy tabernacles.

S. And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth.

P. To Thee, O God, my God, I will give praise upon the harp; why art thou sad, O my soul, and why dost thou disquiet me?

S. Hope in God, for I will still give praise to Him: the salvation of my countenance and my God.

P. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

S. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

P. I will go in to the altar of God.

S. To God who giveth joy to my youth.

P. Our help + is in the Name of the Lord.

S. Who made heaven and earth.

P. I confess to almighty God, to the blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, brothers, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, (Here he strikes his breast thrice.) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, brothers, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

P. May almighty God be merciful to you, and forgiving your sins, bring you to everlasting life.

S. Amen.

P. May the + almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.

S. Amen.

P. O God, Thou wilt turn again and quicken us.

S. And thy people shall rejoice in Thee.

P. Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.

S. And grant us Thy salvation.

P. O Lord, hear my prayer.

S. And let my cry come before Thee.

P. The Lord be with you.

S. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Take away from us our iniquities, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy Saints, (He kisses the sacred stone) whose relics are here, and of all the Saints, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to forgive me all my sins. Amen.

P. Lord, have mercy.

S. Lord, have mercy.

P. Lord, have mercy.

S. Christ, have mercy.

P. Christ, have mercy.

S. Christ, have mercy.

P. Lord, have mercy.

S. Lord, have mercy.

P. Lord, have mercy.

Be blessed + by Him in whose honor thou art burnt. Amen.

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee. We bless Thee. We adore Thee. We glorify Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou only are holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art most high, O Jesus Christ. Together with the Holy Ghost + in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray

O God, who dost illuminate this most holy night by the glory of the Lord's Resurrection, preserve in the new children of Thy family the spirit of adoption which Thou hast given; that renewed in body and mind, they may render to Thee a pure service.

Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Colossians.

Brethren, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God: mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ should appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with Him in glory.

Allleuia

Allleuia

Alleluia.

Give praise to the Lord for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.

O praise the Lord, all ye nations, and praise Him all ye people.

For His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever.

Cleanse my heart and my lips, O almighty God, who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet Isaias with a burning coal, and vouchsafe, through Thy gracious mercy, so to purify me, that I may worthily announce Thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

D. Sir, give me thy blessing.

P. The Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips, that thou mayest worthily and in a becoming manner, proclaim His holy Gospel. In the Name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

P. The Lord be with you.

S. And with thy spirit.

Continuation ++ of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

And in the end of the Sabbath, when it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone and sat upon it: and his countenance was as lightening and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him the guards were struck with terror and became as dead men. And the Angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you: for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified: He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come and see the place where the Lord was laid. And going quickly, tell ye His disciples that He is risen: and behold He will go before you into Galilee: there you shall see Him. Lo, I have foretold it to you.

Let us pray.

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, offenses, 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 for salvation unto life everlasting. Amen.

O God, who, in creating human nature, didst wonderfully dignify it, and still more wonderfully restore it, grant that, by the Mystery of this water and wine, we may be made partakers of His divine nature, who vouchsafed to be made partaker of our human nature, even Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son, who with Thee, liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God: world without end. 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 savor, for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen.

Accept us, O Lord, in the spirit of humility and contrition of heart, and grant that the sacrifice which 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.

May the Lord, by the intercession of blessed Michael the Archangel, who standeth at the right side of the altar of incense, and of all His Elect, vouchsafe to bless + this incense and receive it as an odor of sweetness: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May this incense, which Thou hast blessed, O Lord, ascend to Thee, and may Thy mercy descend upon us.

Let my prayer, O Lord, be directed as incense in Thy sight: the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door round about my lips. May my heart not incline to evil words, to make excuses for sins.

May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of His love, and the flame of everlasting charity. Amen.

I will wash my hands among the innocent: and I will compass Thine altar, O Lord That I may hear the voice of praise: and tell of all Thy wonderous works. I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with blood-thirsty men. In whose hands are iniquities, their right hand is filled with gifts. But I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me. My foot hath stood in the direct way, in the churches I will bless Thee, O Lord.

Receive, O holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee, in memory of the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, that it may avail unto their honor 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.

P. Brethren, pray that my Sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father almighty.

S. May the Lord receive the Sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and glory of His Name, to our benefit and that of all His holy Church.

P. Amen.

Accept, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy people together with the sacrifice they offer: that what has begun by the Paschal Mysteries, may by Thine arrangement result in our eternal healing.

P. The Lord be with you.

S. And with thy spirit.

P. Lift up your hearts.

S. We have lifted them up to the Lord.

P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

S. It is meet and just.

It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, at all times to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously especially this night when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the Lamb Who hath taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying hath destroyed our death: and by rising again hath restored us to life. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

We therefore, humbly pray and beseech Thee, most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ; Thy Son, our Lord, (He kisses the altar) that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to accept and bless (He joins his hands and signs the oblation thrice with the Sign of the Cross.) these + gifts, these + presents, these + holy unspotted Sacrifices, (Then extending his hands, he proceeds:) which in the first place we offer Thee for Thy holy Catholic Church to which vouchsafe to grant peace, as also to preserve, unite, and govern it throughout the world, together with Thy servant N.p our Pope, and N.b our Bishop, and all orthodox believers and professors of the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.

Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaidens, N. and N. wait10 (The priest joins his hands and prays silently for those for whom he intends to pray. Then extending his hands, he proceeds:) and of all here present, whose faith and devotion are known unto Thee, for whom we offer, or who offer up to Thee, this sacrifice of praise for themselves, their families and friends, for the redemption of their souls, for the health and salvation they hope for; and who now pay their vows to Thee, the everlasting, living and true God.

Communicating, and keeping this most holy night of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh; and also reverencing the memory, first, of the glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints, through whose merits and prayers, grant that we may in all things be defended by the help of Thy protection. (He joins his hands.) Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

We therefore beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously to accept this oblation of our service, as also of Thy whole family, which we make unto Thee on behalf of these whom Thou hast vouchsafed to bring to a new birth by water and the Holy Ghost, granting them remission of all their sins: and to dispose our days in Thy peace, preserve us from final damnation and rank us in the number of Thine Elect. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Which oblation do Thou, O God, vouchsafe in all respects, (He signs thrice the oblation with the Sign of the Cross.) to bless, + approve, + ratify, + make worthy and acceptable; (He signs again the Host and chalice with the Sign of the Cross.) that it may be made for us the Body + and Blood + of Thy most beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who, the day before He suffered, (He takes the host.) took bread into His holy and venerable hands, (He raises his eyes to heaven.) and with His eyes lifted up towards heaven unto Thee, God, His almighty Father, giving thanks to Thee, (He signs the host with the Sign of the Cross) He blessed + it, broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: Take and eat ye all of this,

wait5

~(Consecration of the Wine Then, uncovering the chalice, the priest says:) ~

In like manner, after He had supped, (He takes the chalice with both his hands.) taking also this excellent chalice into His holy and venerable hands (He takes the chalice in his left hand, and with his right he signs it with the Sign of the Cross.) He blessed + , and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take and drink ye all of this,

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As often as ye do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of Me.

~(With his hands held apart, he then proceeds)

Wherefore, O Lord, we Thy servants, as also Thy holy people, calling to mind the blessed Passion of the same Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, and also His Resurrection from the dead and His glorious Ascension into heaven: do offer unto Thy most excellent Majesty of Thine own gifts, bestowed upon us, (He joins his hands and signs thrice the Host and Chalice with the Sign of the Cross.) a pure + Host, a holy + Host, an unspotted + Host, (He signs the Host and the Chalice, with the Sign of the Cross.) the holy + Bread of eternal life, and the Chalice + of everlasting salvation.

~(Extending his hands, he proceeds)

Upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, as Thou wert graciously pleased to accept the gifts of Thy just servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our patriarch Abraham, and that which Thy high priest Melchisedech offered to Thee, a holy sacrifice, and unspotted victim.

We most humbly beseech Thee, almighty God, command these offerings to be borne by the hands of Thy holy Angels to Thine altar on high, in the sight of Thy divine majesty, that as many (He kisses the altar.) as shall partake of the most holy (He joins his hand, and signs the Host and the Chalice with the Sign of the Cross.) Body + and Blood + of Thy Son (He signs himself with the Sign of the Cross.) at this altar, may be filled with every heavenly grace and blessing. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remember also, O Lord, Thy servants and handmaids N. and N., who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace.wait10 (He joins his hands and prays for such of the dead as he intends to pray for, then extending his hands he proceeds:) To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and peace; (He joins his hands, and bows his head:) Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

To us also, Thy sinful servants, confiding in the multitude of Thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with Thy holy Apostles and Martyrs, with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and with all Thy Saints, into whose company we beseech Thee to admit us, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses. (He joins his hands.) Through Christ our Lord.

By Whom, O Lord, Thou dost ever create, (He signs thrice the Host and the Chalice, saying:) sanctify, + quicken, + bless, + and give unto us all these good things.

By Him, + and with Him, + and in Him + (He signs twice between the Chalice and his breast.) is to Thee, God the Father + almighty, in the unity of the Holy + Ghost,

all honor and glory.

World without end.

R. Amen.

Let us pray. Instructed by Thy saving precepts, and following Thy divine institution, we are bold to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation.

M. But deliver us from evil.

P. Amen.

Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come; and by the intercession of the Blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and of the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of Andrew, and of all the Saints, (He signs himself with the paten, and then kisses it.) mercifully grant peace in our days, that through the assistance of Thy mercy we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance.

Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.

Who with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth God,

P. World without end.

S. Amen.

P. The peace + of the Lord be + always with + you.

S. And with thy spirit.

May this mixture and consecration of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to us who receive it effectual unto eternal life. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to the will of Thy Father, with the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, hast by Thy death given life to the world; deliver me by this Thy most sacred Body and Blood, from all my iniquities and from all evils; and make me always cleave to Thy commandments, and suffer me never to be separated from Thee, Who livest and reignest, with the same God the Father and the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Let not the partaking of Thy Body, O Lord, Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, presume to receive, turn to my judgment and condemnation; but let it, through Thy mercy, become a safeguard and remedy, both for soul and body; Who with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.

I will take the Bread of heaven, and will call upon the Name of the Lord.

Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting. Amen.

What return shall I make to the Lord for all He has given to me? I will take the chalice of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. Praising I will call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from my enemies.

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting. Amen.

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{ Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from Christ's side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. From the malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me. And bid me come unto Thee. That I may praise Thee with Thy saints. and with Thy angels, Forever and ever. Amen. }

Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our mouth, we may receive with a pure mind; and from a temporal gift may it become to us an eternal remedy.

May Thy Body, O Lord, which I have received, and Thy Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my bowels; and grant that no stain of sin may remain in me, who have been fed with this pure and holy Sacrament; Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

Ant. Alleluia, * Alleluia, Alleluia

r. Praise the Lord all ye nations: * praise him, all ye people.

r. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: * and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever

r. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

r. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. Alleluia, * Alleluia, Alleluia

Ant. And in the end of the sabbath * when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre, alleluia.

r. My soul * doth magnify the Lord.

r. And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Saviour.

r. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

r. Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; * and holy is his name.

r. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear him.

r. He hath shewed might in his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

r. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble.

r. He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.

r. He hath received Israel his servant, * being mindful of his mercy:

r. As he spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

r. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

r. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. And in the end of the sabbath * when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre, alleluia.

The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Pour forth, O Lord, we beseech thee, the Spirit of thy love into our hearts, and by thy mercy make all them to be of one mind to whom Thou hast given to eat of thy mystic Passover.

The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Go, the Mass is ended. allelúja, allelúja.

R. Thanks be to God. allelúja, allelúja.

May the performance of my homage be pleasing to Thee, O holy Trinity: and grant that the Sacrifice which I, though unworthy, have offered up in the sight of Thy Majesty, may be acceptable to Thee, and through Thy mercy, be a propitiation for me, and for all those for whom I have offered it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May almighty God the Father, Son, + and Holy Ghost,

bless you.

r. Amen.