The Roman Catholic Mass (1570) Part Iii

Although the Roman Mass, standardized by directives of the Council of Trent (1570), is technically a post-Reformation document, it is not an innovation but rather the summation of the medieval development of western Catholic worship. Consequently the mass below is presented as part of the pre-Reformation liturgies as an example of ancient Catholic worship. Text: Bowing low over the altar, he says: Humbly we ask it of thee, God almighty: bid these things be carried by the hands of thy holy angel up to thy altar on high, into the presence of thy divine majesty. And may those of us who by taking part in the sacrifice of this altar shall have received the sacred Body and Blood of thy Son, be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing: through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Remember also, Lord, thy servants (N. ) and (N. ), who have gone before us with the sign of faith and sleep the sleep of peace. Here the celebrant makes silent mention of those dead for whom he wishes to pray.…