Ceremonial for the use of the Catholic churches in the United States of America

Front matter

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Preface To The Fourth Edition

In presenting to the public this edition of the Ceremonial, for the use of Catholic Churches in the United States, it has been our duty simply to correct the various mistakes found in the former editions ; and it will appear evident that many corrections, some of them quite important, have been made in the present revision, and the whole plan of the book has been rendered much more convenient and natural.

This we have endeavored to perform with great care, having consulted very many of the best and most recent authors, and taken the advice of those whose knowledge and experience rendered them thoroughly capable of giving proper directions.

Despite our best efforts, something may be found wanting to the completeness of the work, yet we place it before our brethren of the clergy with the

X PREFACE.

declaration that we know of nothing more complete in the English language on the subject treated, nor do we think that greater uniformity can be obtained than by following closely the directions here given, all of which we take from Roman sources, and submit entirely to the Sacred Congregation of Rites.

We have not deemed it advisable to alter the arrangement of this edition, since the clergy having become accustomed to the former ones, might experience some difficulty in finding the subjects treated of. The corrections in this edition mainly refer to the ceremonies connected with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Forty Hours' Devotion, and some few regarding . High Mass. We have thought it well to add an Appendix on the " Defects which may occur in the celebration of Mass," and, whilst alluding to these, we would like to take this opportunity of impressing on the minds of all the importance of exactitude in carrying out ceremonies, even the most minute. This care and exactitude can very well be observed without displaying any affectation.

The ceremonies of the Church have a meaning

PREFACE. XI

and are well calculated to inspire respect and devotion in the faithful, provided they are properly carried out. If, however, Ecclesiastics are not well versed in the ceremonies of any sacred rite, the impression produced is far from being religious or edifying, and the intention of the Church is, in this respect, frustrated. As a rule too little attention is paid to certain ceremonies which are esteemed by some as of such slight importance as not to merit care in their preparation ; as, for instance, genuflecting, boiuing and incensing. It would take too much time and space to enumerate the almost endless varieties introduced in the performance of these simple movements.

Let the young Levites then be well grounded in ceremonies during their Seminary career ; let them convince themselves that by zeal and fidelity to the prescriptions of the Rubrics, they are contributing to the " decency " and "order" of Divine Service, and let them remember that a carelessness in trifling matters once acquired easily and surely leads to a disregard of important Rubrics.

As we have disclaimed perfection in getting out

Xll

Preface

this edition, we subjoin a few typographical errors which have escaped the proof-reader :

27, pro Oramuste lege Oramus tc.

" Pax vobis " Dominus vobiscum.

" particles " particle.

« No. 6 " No. 5.

" Timit » Timet.

" cords " cards.

omit " in an audible voice." 11, pro cross lege crosier.

deacon " assistant deacon.

first deacon u assistant deacon.

Procedamus " Eecedamus.

semipterne " sempiterne.

incovenient " inconvenient.

before amen insert et custodiat nos semper g. io, \

27,

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" 93, «

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" 125, '

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" 139, «

1 3,

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PART I. Ceremonies of Low Mass

I. — Art. I. What is to be prepared, 1

II. On the Preparation for Mass by the Priest, . 3

III. On Leaving the Sacristy, 6

IV. On approaching the Altar, .... 7

V. From the Commencement of the Mass to the

Introit, 9

VI. From the Introit to the Epistle, . . .11

VII. Prom the Epistle to the Offertory, ... 13

VIII. From the Offertory to the Canon, ... 15

IX. From the Canon to the Consecration, . . 19

X. From the Consecration to the Pater Foster, . 23

XL From the Pater Noster to the Communion, . 25

XII. From the Communion to the End of Mass, . 31

XIII. On Votive Masses, .33

II. — Order to be observed in celebrating two Masses on the

same day, 37

III. — Low Mass for the Dead, 39

IV. — Low Mass when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, . 41 V. — Of Low Mass in the presence of Prelates, ... .43

VI. — Giving Communion, ....... 45

Art. I. Giving Communion during Mass, . . .45 II. Purification of the Ciborium, . . . .48

III. On giving Communion at other times, . . 48

CONTENTS.

VII. — Manner of Serving a Priest at Low Mass, . . .51

Art. I. General Remarks, 51

II. Of the Vesting of the Priest, . . . .52

III. From the beginning of the Mass to the end of it, 53

VIII. — Manner of Serving a Bishop at Low Mass, . . .57

II. Of the Preparation and Vesting of the Bishop, 57

' III. When there is but one Chaplain, . .62

IX. — Manner of Celebrating High Mass without Deacon or

II. Vesting of the Celebrant, . . . . .65

III. Ceremonies of the Mass, 65

X. — Vespers sung without Cope-bearers, . . . .68

II 70

PABT II.

Ceremonies for Holy Week and other Festivals.

I. — Blessing of Candles on Candlemas Day,

Art. I. Of what is to be prepared, . .

II. Ceremonies to be performed on Candlemas Day II. — Of the Benediction of Ashes on Ash Wednesday, . Art. I. Things to be prepared, ....

II. Of the Sacred Rites to be performed, III.— Of Palm Sunday, .

Art. I. What is to be prepared

' II. Of the Ceremonies to be performed IV.— Of Maundy Thursday, .

Art. I. What is to be prepared, II. Of the Sacred Rites, V.— Of Good Friday, .

Art. I. Of what is to be prepared II. Of the Sacred Rites, VL— Of Holy Saturday,

Art. I. What is to be prepared II. Of the Sacred Rites, VII. — The Asperges, when there is but one Priest,

CONTENTS. 7

VIII. — Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament, . . . 326

Art. I. "What is to be prepared, 126

II. Ceremonies (one Priest), ..... 127

III. V/hen the officiating Priest is assisted by

another Priest, etc., ..... 131

IV. "When the Bishop gives Benediction, . . 133

PAKT III.

Ceremonies of High Mass.

I. — Rules to be observed by the Clergy in Choir, Art. I. The order of going to the Choir, II. The order to be observed in Choir, .

III. Internal dispositions, ....

IV. The order to be observed in receiving Holy

Communion, . . . .

V. The order in going from the Choir, II. — Instructions for the Officers, ...

Art. I. Things to be prepared, . . .

II. Instruction for the Censer-bearer, .

III. Instruction for the Acolytes, .

IV. Duty of the Master of Ceremonies, V. Instruction for the Sub-deacon,

VI. Instruction for the Deacon, VII. Instruction for the Celebrant, .

III. — High Mass for the Dead,

Art. I. Things to be prepared, ....

II. What is to be particularly observed,

IV. — Solemn Vespers,

Art. I. Things to be prepared, .... ■ II. General Rules to be observed, .

III. Instruction for the Acolytes, .

IV. Instruction for the Censer-bearer, .

V. Instruction for the Master of Ceremonies, VI. Instruction for the Cope-bearers, VII. Instruction for the Celebrant, .

V. — Of Solemn Vespers, and of the Procession on Corpui

Christi,

Art. I. Of solemn Vespers, the Blessed Sacrament exposed, ......

II. Of the Procession on Corpus Christi,

135 135 136 138

139 140

196 200

8 CONTENTS.

VI. — Vespers for the Dead on the 1st of N/ovember, . . 202

II. Ceremonies peculiar to these Vespers, . . 202

PAKT IV.

Ceremonies for the Principal Festivals.

I.— Feast of the Purification, 204

Art. I. Necessary Preparations, 204

II. From the Vesting of the Ministers to the Distribution of the Candles, .... 205

III. From the Distribution of the Candles to the

IV. The Procession, 208

II.— Ash Wednesday, .210

Art. I. Necessary Preparations, 210

IT. Of the Blessing and Distribution of the Ashes, 211 III. Of the Mass, . . . . . . .214

III. — Sundays Laetare and Gaudete, . . . . . 215

IV.— Palm Sunday, .215

Art. I. Preparations, 215

II. From the Beginning of the Ceremony to the

Distribution of the Palms, .... 216

III. Of the Distribution of the Palms, . . .218

IV. Of the Procession, 220

V. Of the Mass and Passion, . . . .222

V.— Office of the Tenebra?, 225

Art. I. Preparations, ....... 225

II. From the Commencement to the End of the

Office, 225

VI.— Maundy Thursday, . . 227

Art. I. Preparations, 227

II. Of the Mass, 228

III. Of the Procession, 281

IV. Of Vespers, and of the Stripping of the Altars, 233 VII.— Of Good Friday, . 235

Art. 1. Preparations, ....... 235

II. From the Vesting of the Ministers to the Un- .

covering of the Cross, ..... 236

CONTENTS. • 9

III. From the Uncovering of the Cross to the Pro-

IV. Of the Procession, 242

V. Of the remaining Part of the Office, . . 244

VIII.— Holy Saturday, ........ 247

Art. I. Things to he prepared, 247

II. From the Benediction of the New Fire to the

Exultet, 249

III. From the Exultet to the Prophecies, . . 252

IV. From the Prophecies to the Benediction of the

Baptismal Font. 254

V. From the Benediction of the Font to the Beginning of Mass, 255

VI. The Mass, .258

PAET V.

Ceremonies for Mass and Vespers, Solemnly Celebrated by the Bishop, or in His Presence.

I. Solemn Pontifical Vespers, 261

Art. I. Things to be prepared, ..... 261 II. From the entrance of the Bishop and Clergy

to the beginning of Vespers, .... 262

III. From the beginning to the end of Vespers, . 262

II. Solemn Vespers, in the presence of the Bishop, . . 265

III. Complins, when the Bishop officiates, .... 266

IV. Matins, when the Bishop officiates, .... 267 V. Lauds, when the Bishop officiates, ..... 269

VI. Solemn Pontifical Mass, 269

II. Of the Vesting of the Clergy and of the Bishop, 273

III. The Pontifical Mass, 277

VII. Solemn Mass, celebrated in presence of the Bishop,

dressed in Cope, ........ 288

VIII. Solemn Mass in presence of the Bishop, in Kochet and

IX. Vespers for the Dead, celebrated by the Bishop, . . 292 X. Matins and Lauds for the Dead, celebrated by the

Bishop, 293

CONTENTS.

XI. Solemn Pontifical Mass for the Dead, . . . .294

II. From the beginning to the end of Mass, . . 295

III. The Absolution after Mass, . . . .297

XII. Solemn Mass for the Dead, in the presence of the Bishop, 299

XIII. Particular Instructions for the Officers who attend the

Bishop, 300

Art. I. Instruction for the assistant Priest, . . . 300 II. Instructions for the two assistant Deacons, . 304

III. Instruction for the officiating Deacon, . . 308

IV. Instruction for the Sub-deacon, . . . 314 V. Instruction for the inferior Ministers, . -. 318

PART VI.

Other Different Solemnities at which the Bishop Officiates or is Present.

I. Commemoration of all the Faithful departed, . . 323

II. Sundays in Advent, 324

III. Christmas, 324

IV. Festivals between Christmas and Candlemas, . . 326

V. Candlemas, 326

VI. Ash Wednesday, 329

VII. Sundays in Lent, . 332

VIII. Palm Sunday, 332

IX. Matins of the Tenebrse, 336

X. Maundy Thursday, 336

XI. Good Friday, 346

XII. Holy Saturday, 354

XIII. Ceremonies to be observed in Provincial Councils, . 361 Art. I. "What is to be done before it opens, . . . 361

II. How the Metropolitan Church is to be adorned

and arranged, 362

III. The opening of the Council, . . . . 363

IV. Mode of Procedure of the Council, . . .368

V. Second Solemn Session, ..... 370

VI. Third Solemn Session, 372

XIV. Ceremonies to be observed in Diocesan Synods, . . 375

CONTENTS. 11

XV. Solemn administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, ......... 380

II. The administration of the Sacrament, . . 381 XYI. Episcopal Visitation of Parishes, . . . . .383 Art. I. The Bishop's Eeception when he visits the

Parishes, .383