The Irish standard., 1907-12-21
The Catholic Church To-Day Offers Up the
Sacrifice of the Mass in Nine
Different Languages.
Names of All Are Given by the Writer,
Together With Lucid, Skillful
Explanation Of Each.

two churches to say Mass in each
church on Sunday, SO that the people
can comply with the command to- hear
Mass. There is an exception made for
Christmas Day, on which great feast
every priest may celebrate the Holy
Sacrifice three times. This privilege
was granted by Pope Telesphorus,
A. d. 142. The mystical meaning as
signed to this triple celebration by
liturgfcal writer's, is as follows: First,
the eternal birth of the Son of God
i'll the bosom of His Father; secondly,
His birth in time in the womb Of His
Immaculate Mother; thirdly, His spir-
itual birth in the hearts of the faith
full by a worthy reception Of His sac
raments, but, above all, by the recep-
ton of Himself In the adorable sacri-
flee Of the altar.
In parts Of spain-Aragon, valen-
tia, Catalonfa, III the kingdom OF Ma
jorica, and at Parnpeluna-@each- seou.
lar priest is allowed to say two Masses
on All Souls Day;safhtd saahd each regular
priest has the privilege of offering up
three Masses ON this day. This prfyi.
lege was accorded by Pope Julius or
Pope Paul III. and though often asked
for, was never granted to any other
country, or to any place in Spain ex-
cept those mentioned.
The various circumstances attending
the celebration of Mass, the cere-
monies employed, and the purpose for
which it is offered, necessitate the use
of different names to qualify it-such
as Solemn High Mass, Low Mass, Con-
ventual Mass, Nuptial Mass, Golden
Mass, Votive Mass, Dry Mass, Mid.
night Mass, Mass Of the Pre-s -sancti.
fled, Mass of Requiem, and Mass Of
Judgment.
The Nuptial Mass, according to the
sarum rite, was celebrated with Pc
culiarly interesting ceremonies. The
marriage itself was performed at tho
church door, that all might witness it.
and the married couple were then led
to the altar steps by the priest, VIII,
prayed over them, and begged also the
prayers Of the people in their behalf.
Mass was then begun. and when the
Sanctus bell sounded the newly mar
ried knelt at the foot of the altar,
while some Of the clerics of the sane
tuary held over them a. large pail,
called a care CLOTH" which was not
removed until little before the Pax.
The bride was required to wear her
hair flowing upon her. shoulders. and
to adorn it with a wreath Of jewels,
IL she were wealthy, or at least with
q wreath of flowers. It was said of
| Margaret, daughter Of Henry VII,
King of England, that on the day of
her marriage to King James Of. Scot
land "she had verey richie collier of
gold, Of pyerrery and perles round her
neck, and the crone upon hyr he'd, her
hayre hanging" ....
Just before the Pax the priest i'm
parted the marriage blessing and the
care cloth was removed According to
the rites followed at. York the nuptial
blessing was: generally given by. the
priest with the chahce on account OF
the great dignity Of the sacrament OF
matr1nlony: =. :~s ...7....
:. The Golden Mass was one that was
celebrated on the Wednesdays Of the
quarter lenses Of Advent, in honor Of
the Mother Of God. The, solemn High
Mass was often protracted. three o,
four hours to. give, full sway to. the
ceremonies and music. The bishop and
all his canons assisted at It,, and also
the members Of the different religion,
communities established. in the place
Gifts, often Of the costlisst kind, were
distributed among the people who at.
tended, and from the nature and excel.
lence Of the mystery in honor Of which
lit was offered is used to bs written IL