which the Lord hath prepared for thee from ever. lasting. Alleluia. JESU, Son of the Virgin, King and Spouse of Virgins, I admire and venerate the glorious company of unspotted Virgins who follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest: some shed their blood and endured bitter torments with more than manly courage for Thee, their Bridegroom: others for Thy dear sake left all and went after Thee in fasting, in mortification, and in all the counsels of perfection: oh, how fair is this undefiled generation in its glory! the remembrance thereof is immortal, for it is known both to God and to men : I beseech Thee, Thou Who feedest among these fairest lilies, to grant my defiled soul some part and lot in their unstained intercessions, so that Thou, graciously hearkening to their supplications, mayest wash me thoroughly from my wickedness in Thine own Blood, and mayest make me whiter than snow, for Thine own merits' sake. Amen. FEAST OF ANY SAINT. Thy Saints, O Lord, give thanks unto Thee; they show the glory of Thy kingdom and talk of Thy power. Wonderful art Thou, O God, in Thy Saints. Alleluia. LORD JESU CHRIST, Who numberest among Thy blessed Saints a great multitude both of men and women who in every state of life have served Thee faithfully, hear us as we call to mind Thy servant N.; grant that we may be a follower of him [her] and so by faith and patience at length attain Thy gracious promises; and in every peril and adversity, may we be aided by his [her] prayers: for Thy mercy's sake. Amen. THE HOLY ANGELS. The Lord give His Angels charge concerning us to keep us in all our ways; let them bear us in their hands; let the Angel of the Lord tarry round about us who fear Him, and deliver us. The Angel of the Lord keep us from all evil. and bless us. Let Michael be my guard; let Gabriel enlighten me; let Raphael console me. Amen. GOD, Who in the beginning didst create divers orders of blessed spirits to know Thine everlasting Godhead, and after the fall of Satan didst, by Thy Son, wonderfully redeem mankind, whom that same evil one had deceived grant unto us so to be fulfilled with the gifts of Thy grace by Thy Holy Spirit, that going on from strength to strength we may be worthy to attain to the happy society of the quires of Thy · blessed Angels. O God, Who in Thine unspeakable providence hast been pleased to send Thy Holy Angels to be our keepers; grant unto Thy humble servants who call upon Thee, that we may be evermore defended by their protection, and at length rejoice in their everlasting company. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. Forgive the sins of Thy people, O Lord, when they pray in this place; show them the right way by which they should walk, and give glory in this place. Let us pray. GOD, Who makest us glad by the yearly uication of this holy house, we praise and thank Thee for all the sacraments and means of grace we have here received ; forgive the little use we have made of Thy grace so freely given, and grant that for the time to come we may more faithfully serve Thee in Thy Holy Church. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. TO THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD. A VE Maria! Blessed Maid! Lily of Eden's fragrant shade! That nurtured thee so pure and sweet, Ave Maria! Mother blest, Ave Maria! thou whose name Yet may we reach thy shrine ; For He, thy Son and Saviour, vows With love and joy like thine. Amen. Omnes mei sensus ei. WOW let all my heart and sensez Oh, how blessèd! O'er creation O rejoice, thou mighty Virgin! Christ thy Son will hear thy pleadings, Amen. HOLY leaders, quires supernal, royal princes of the sky, Now we join our earthly anthems to the songs ye raise on high. First of all, with heavenly brightness, see the Virgin Mother glow, Pledge that in Her Son, our Saviour, we a gracious Judge shall know. Next the throne, our prayers presenting, wait the countless Angel bands; And the Baptist, plunged in torrents of the light eternal, stands. They whose voices, Christ proclaiming, over every land were poured, Those twelve Preachers here are seated with the Prophets of the Lord. Martyrs purpled in their life-blood, Virgins purer than the snow, Lilies white, and ruddy roses, on the Lamb's glad pathway throw. Fed by God Himself are prelates, who their sheepfolds truly kept; Iere the gracious Father wipeth all the tears of them that wept. Praise the Father, Source of all things; praise the Son, Who earth restored; Be the Spirit, Who inflames us with His fiery Breath, adored. Amen. TO ALL ANGELS. Christe sanctorum Decus Angelorum. "HRIST, of the Angels Praise and Adoration, CHRIST, rols every nation, Graciously grant us all to gain a station In Heaven's high glory. K |