EMBER SATURDAY IN LENT - MASS PROPERS

     EMBER SATURDAY IN LENT

            STATION AT ST. PETER’S

(Indulgence of 10 years and quarantines)

                Violet vestments

The Station is in the basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, where the people would assemble towards evening, that they might be present at the Ordination of the priests and sacred ministers. This day was called Twelve-Lesson-Saturday, because, formerly, twelve passages from the holy Scriptures were read, as upon Holy Saturday. The Mass, during which the Ordinations were given, was celebrated during the night; so that by the time it was over, the Sunday had begun. Later on, the Ordination Mass was said early on the Saturday, as we now have it; but in memory of the ancient practice, the Gospel for Saturday is repeated on the Sunday. The same is observed on the Saturday in the Advent Ember week; because the Ordination Mass of that season was also anticipated.

INTROIT - Psalm 87: 3, 2

Intret oratio mea in conspectu tuo: inclina aurem tuam ad precem meam, Domine. Ps. Domine Deus salutis meæ: in die clamavi, et nocte coram te. Gloria Patri.

Let my prayers come in before Thee: incline Thine ear to my petition, O Lord. Ps. O Lord, the God of my salvation: I have cried in the day and in the night before Thee. Glory to the Father.

COLLECT

Let us pray.  Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

Look down graciously upon Thy people, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and mercifully turn away from them the scourge of Thy wrath. Through our Lord.

FIRST LESSON - Deuteronomy 26:12, 13, 14-19

In those days Moses spoke to the people, saying: When thou hast made an end of tithing all thy fruits, in the third year of tithes thou shalt give it to the Levite, and to the stranger, and to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled: And thou shalt speak thus in the sight of the Lord thy God: I have taken that which was sanctified out of my house, and I have given it to the Levite, and to the stranger, and to the fatherless, and to the widow, as Thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments nor forgotten thy precepts. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, and have done all things as Thou hast commanded me. Look from Thy sanctuary, and Thy high habitation of heaven, and bless Thy people Israel, and the land which Thou hast given us, as Thou didst swear to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey. This day the Lord thy God hath commanded Thee to do these commandments and judgments: and to keep and fulfil them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast chosen the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in His ways and keep his ceremonies, and precepts, and judgments, and obey His command. And the Lord hath chosen Thee this day, to be His particular people, as he hath spoken to Thee, and to keep all his commandments: and to make Thee higher than all nations which He hath created, to His own praise, and name, and glory: that thou mayst be a holy people of the Lord thy God, as He hath spoken.

(Ordination of the doorkeepers)

GRADUAL - Psalm 78:9, 10

Forgive us our sins, O Lord lest the Gentiles should say: Where is their God? Help us, O God, our Saviour: and for the honour of Thy name: O Lord, deliver us.

COLLECT

Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

O God, our Protector, look down upon us: that we who are oppressed by the weight of our evils, may, through Thy mercy, serve Thee with a free mind. Through our Lord.

SECOND - LESSON Deuteronomy 11: 22-25

In those days Moses said to the children of Israel: If you keep the commandments which I command you, and do them, to love the Lord your God, and walk in all His ways, cleaving unto Him, the Lord will destroy all these nations before your face, and shall possess them, which are greater and stronger than you. Every place that your foot shall tread upon be yours. From the desert, and from Libanus, from the great river Euphrates unto the western sea shall be your borders. None shall stand against you: the Lord your God shall lay the dread and fear of you upon all the land that you shall tread upon, as He hath spoken to you, the Lord your God.

God here assures us that a nation, which is faithful in observing the laws regarding the divine service, shall be blessed above other nations. History is one long illustration of the truth of this promise. Of all the nations which have fallen, there is not one that has not brought the chastisement upon itself by its neglect of the Law of God. At times, the Almighty delays to strike; but it is only that the chastisement may be the more evident and produce a more salutary effect upon mankind. When we would know the future of a country, we need only observe how it comports itself with regard to the laws of the Church. If its own laws are based on the principles and practices of Christianity, that country is sound, in spite of certain weaknesses here and there: revolutions may disturb its peace, but it will triumph over all. If the bulk of its people is faithful in the observance of external practices prescribed by the Church: for example, if they observe the Lord’s day, and the holy fast of Lent; there is a fund of morality in that country, which is sure to draw down upon it the blessings of heaven. Irreligious men will scoff at all this, and call it superstition, prejudice of weak minds, and out of date for an age of progress like ours, but if their theories were to rule, and a country, which up to this time had been practically Catholic, were to seek progress by infringing the law of Christian ritual, it would, in less than a hundred years, find that public and private morality had lost ground, and its own security would be menaced. Man may talk and write as he likes: God wishes to be served and honoured by His people, and it is for Him to prescribe what are to be the forms of this service and, adoration. Every injury offered to external worship, which is the great social link, is an injury to the interests of mankind. Even were there not the word of God for it, it is but just that such a consequence should follow.

(Ordination of the readers)  

GRADUAL Psalm 83:10, 9

Behold, O God, our Protector, and look down upon Thy servants. O Lord God of hosts, graciously hear the prayers of Thy servants.

COLLECT

Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

Hear our supplications, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that by Thy goodness we may both deserve to be humble in prosperity and secure in adversity. Through our Lord.

THIRD LESSON - II Maccabees 1: 23-26, 27

In those days all the priests made prayer, while the sacrifice was consuming, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering. And the prayer of Nehemias was after this manner: O Lord God, Creator of all things, dreadful and strong, just and merciful, Who alone art the good king, Who alone art gracious, Who alone art just, and almighty, and eternal, who deliverest Israel from all evil, Who didst choose the fathers and didst sanctify them: receive the sacrifice for all Thy people Israel, and preserve Thine own portion, and sanctify it; that the Gentiles may know that thou art our God.

(Ordination of exorcists)

GRADUAL - Psalm 89: 13, 1

Be turned somewhat, O Lord, and be entreated in favour of Thy servants. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.

COLLECT

Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

Graciously hear the prayers of Thy people, we beseech Thee, O Lord: that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may for the glory of Thy name be mercifully delivered. Through our Lord.

FOURTH LESSON - Ecclesiasticus 36:1-10

Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and shew us the light of Thy mercies: And send Thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that they may shew forth Thy wonders. Lift up Thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see Thy power. For as Thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so Thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence, That they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there is no God beside thee, O Lord. Renew Thy signs, and work new miracles. Glorify Thy hand, and Thy right arm. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath. Take away the adversary, and crush the enemy. Hasten the time, and remember the end, that they may declare Thy wonderful works, O Lord, our God.

(Ordination of acolytes)    

GRADUAL - Psalm 140: 2

Let my prayer be directed as incense in Thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.

COLLECT

Let us pray. Let us kneel.

R. Arise.

Direct our actions, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with Thine inspirations and further them by Thine assistance; that every word and work of ours may begin always from Thee and by Thee be likewise ended. Through our Lord.

FIFTH LESSON - Daniel 3:47-51

In those days the Angel of the Lord went down with Azarias and his companions into the furnace: and he drove the flame of the fire out of the furnace, and made the midst of the furnace like the blowing of a wind bringing dew. And the flame mounted up above the furnace nine and forty cubits: and it broke forth, and burnt such of the Chaldeans as it found near the furnace, the king's servants that heated it. And the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them, nor did them any harm. Then these three as with one mouth praised and glorified and blessed God in the furnace, saying:

(Ordination of Subdeacons)

HYMN - Daniel 3:52-56

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. 

And blessed is the name of Thy glory, which is holy: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. 

Blessed art Thou in the holy temple of Thy glory: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever.  Blessed art Thou on the holy throne of Thy kingdom: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever.

Blessed art Thou upon the sceptre of Thy divinity: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. 

Blessed art Thou that sittest upon the Cherubims, beholding the depths: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever.

COLLECT

O God, Who didst allay the flames of fire for the three young men: grant in Thy mercy that the flame of vice may not consume us Thy servants. Through our Lord.

COLLECT FOR THE INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS

 Defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all dangers of mind and body: and through the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary, ever Virgin, mother of God, of Saint Joseph, of Thy holy apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy loving kindness grant us safety and peace; that, all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom.

COLLECT PRAYER FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

O Almighty and Eternal God, Who hast dominion over both the living and the dead, and hast mercy on all Whom Thou knowest shall be Thine by faith and good works: we humbly beseech Thee that all for whom we have resolved to make supplication whether the present world still holds them in the flesh, or the world to come has already received them out of the body, may, through the intercession of all Thy saints, obtain of Thy goodness and clemency pardon for all their sins, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost; One God; forever and ever, Amen.

EPISTLE I - Thess. 5:14-23

Brethren: we beseech you, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow that which is good towards each other, and towards all men. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all. Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things; hold fast that which is good. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things; that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Ordination of deacons) 

TRACT - Psalm 116:1, 2

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

(Ordination of the priests)

V. For His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.

GOSPEL - Matthew 17:1-9

At that time Jesus took Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and He was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the  sun: and His garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with Him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus:  Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him. And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man till the Son of Man be risen from the dead.

This Gospel, which, as we have already explained, is to be repeated tomorrow, is the one that is read in the Mass of today’s Ordinations. The following is the interpretation given by the ancient liturgists, among whom we may especially mention the learned abbot Rupert. The Church would have us think upon the sublime dignity which has been conferred upon the newly ordained priests. They are represented by the three apostles, who were taken by Jesus to the high mountain, and favoured with the sight of His glory. The rest of the disciples were left below; Peter, James, and John were the only ones permitted to ascend to Thabor, and they, when the time should come, were to tell their fellow-apostles, and the whole world, how they had seen the glory of their Master, and heard the words of the Father declaring the Divinity of the Son of Man. 

‘This voice,’ says St. Peter, ‘coming down to Him from the excellent glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I have pleased Myself; hear ye Him. And this voice we heard, brought from heaven, when we were with Him in the holy mount.’ In like manner, these priests who have just been ordained, and for whom you have been offering up your prayers and fast, will enter into the cloud with the Lord. They will offer up the Sacrifice of your salvation in the silence of the sacred Canon. God will descend into their hands, for your sake; and though they are mortal and sinners, yet will they, each day, be in closest communication with the Divinity. The forgiveness of your sins, which you are now preparing to receive from your heavenly Father, is to come to you through their hands; their superhuman power will bring it down from heaven upon your souls. It is thus that God has cured our pride. The serpent said to us, through our first parents: ‘Eat of this fruit, and you shall be as gods.’ We unfortunately believed the tempter, and the fruit of our transgression was death. God took pity on us, and resolved to save us; but it is by the hands of men that He would save us, and this in order to humble our haughtiness. His own eternal Son became Man, and He left other men after Him, to whom He said: ‘As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you.’ Let us, then, show honour to these men, who have, this very day, been raised to so high a dignity. One of the duties imposed on us by our holy religion is respect to the priesthood

OFFERTORY - Psalm 87: 2, 3

O Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried in the day and in the night before Thee: let my prayer come in before Thee, O Lord.

SECRET

We beseech Thee, O Lord, sanctify our fast by these present rites: that what our observance shows forth outwardly, it may effect inwardly. Through our Lord.

SECRET – FOR THE INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS

Graciously hear us, O God our Savior, and by the virtue of this sacrament protect us from all enemies of soul and body, bestowing on us both grace in this life and glory hereafter. Through our Lord.

SECRET PRAYER FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

O Almighty and Eternal God, O God, Who alone knowest the number of the elect to be admitted to the happiness of Heaven, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of all Thy saints, the names of all who have been recommended to our prayers and of all the faithful, may be inscribed in the book of blessed predestination. Through our Lord. 

PREFACE FOR LENT

It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God. Who by the fasting of the body dost curb our vices, elevate our minds and bestow virtue and reward; through Christ our Lord. Through whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominions worship it, and the powers stand in awe. The heavens and the heavenly hosts, with the blessed seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With these we pray Thee join our voices also, while we say with lowly praise:

COMMUNION - Psalm 7: 2

O Lord my God, in Thee have I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Almighty God, may our vices be cured by these holy mysteries and may everlasting Remedies be bestowed upon us. Through our Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION – FOR THE INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS

May the oblation of this divine sacrament which we have offered, cleanse us and defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God, of St. Joseph, of Thy holy apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, free us from all iniquity and deliver us from all adversity. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

May the sacraments which we have received purify us, we beseech Thee, O almighty and merciful Lord; and through the intercession of all Thy saints, grant that this Thy sacrament may not be unto us a condemnation, but a salutary intercession for pardon; may it be the washing away of sin, the strength of the weak, a protection against all dangers of the world, and a remission of all the sins of the faithful, whether living or dead, through our Lord.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE 

Let us pray. Bow down your heads before God.

May the blessing so desired confirm Thy faithful, O God, causing them never to depart from Thy will and ever to rejoice in Thy benefits. Through our Lord.

This is Saturday; let us have recourse to Mary, the refuge of sinners. Let us put under her maternal protection the humble penances we are now going through; for this end we may make use of the following sequence, taken from the Cluny missal:

         SEQUENCE

Hail Mary, full of grace! dear Mother of Jesus, and hope of the world! O gate of heaven! O temple of God! O haven of the sea, where sinners confidently seek shelter and repose. 

Thou art the worthy bride of the great King, and, by thy powerful prayers, thou art kind and loving to all.

Thou art light to the blind, and a sure path to such as are lame. Thou art, by thy loving affection, both Martha and Mary to the needy. 

Thou wast the flower among the thorns; the flower that, by its rich graces, bloomed to the divine Flower, thy Jesus. 

Thou didst speak thy word, and then conceivedst the Word; thou didst give birth to the King of kings, thou that wast a pure Virgin.

Thou wast ever faithful to this King, thy Child; and, using a mother’s privilege, thou didst feed him at thy breast. 

Now, thou art united with him, and in reward for thy merits, thou art made the Queen of heaven and earth. 

Then pray for us, O Queen, to him that is our King, beseeching him to pardon us poor fallen sinners. 

Show us thy wonted clemency, and, having obtained us the new life of remission of our sins, bring us to the kingdom, there to reign for ever. Amen.