The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-09-18
ON PRAYER AND PRAYER BOOKS

We have not been surprised, writes
Cardinal Wiseman in his Essays on
Various Subjects" that, in later
years, there should have prevailed a
much greater use than formerly, of
the missal as a prayer book, sand that
even it should be found expedient to
print, in other books of devotion, the
Ordinary of the Mass" This feel
ing. on the part of the faithful, shows
their sense of the superiority of the
Church prayers over any substitutes
for them.
Nor in fact, can any human genius
hope to attain their beauty and sub
| Unity. In these two qualities, the
Mass differs from all other Offices in a
remarkable manner. 1t has not mere
| ly flights of eloquence and poetry,
strikingly displayed in particular pray
ers, but it is sustained throughout in
the higher sphere, to which it's divine
purpose naturally raises it.
If we examine each prayer separate
ly, it is perfect; perfect in construc-
ton, perfect in thought, and perfect
! in expression. If we consider the
manner in which they are brought to-
gether, we are struck with the brevity
of each, with the sudden but beautiful
transitions, and the almost stanza-like
effect with which they succeed one
another, forming a lyrical composition
of surprising beauty.
If we take the entire service, as a
whole, it is constructed with the most
admirable symmetry, proportional in
it's parts with perfect judgment, and
so exquisitely arranged, as to excite
and preserve an unbroken interest in
the sacred action.
No doubt, to give full force and value
to this sacred rite, it's entire cere-
monial is to be considered. The as,
sistants, with their noble vestments
the chant, the incense, the more varied
ceremonies which belong to solemn
Mass, are all calculated to increase
veneration and admiration, But still
the essential beauties remain, wheth
er the holy rite be performed under
the golden vault of st. Peters, with al
the pomp and circumstance BETTING
it's celebration by the sovereign pontiff
or in wretched wigwam, erected IN
haste by some poor savages for theil
missionary.
1 What can be more appropriate thar
the opening psalm and humble comics
sion of sin by priest and people, the
former yet standing at distance from
the altar, feeling himself unworthy tC
! approach! Then comes the Introit
/ which seems intended to be the key
note to the whole service; which, be
ing one in it's essence, yet adapts it
self to all our wants, whether Of
precipitation or of thanksgiving, wheth
er of evils to be averted or blessing:
to be gained Sometimes this intro
ductory verse is loud and joyous
"Gaudeamus omnes in Domino" (Le
US all rejoice in the Lord): some
times low and plaintive "Miserert
mihi, Domino, quoniam tribulor,'
(Have mercy on me, o Lord, in m!
distress) in the Paschal solemnity, thu
Alleluja rings through it all, like /;
lpeal of cheerful bells; in Passion-tide
even the "Gloria Patri" is silent, ant
it falls melancholy and dull; when :
saint is commemorated, the nature o
. his virtues and his triumphs is at onct
proclaimed; if it be a festival of GU
Lord, the mystery which it celebrates
is solemnly announced.
The chord, thus struck, at the open
ing of the service, returns at given in
; tervals, as if to keep up the ton,
Throughout. AT the Gradual, the Offer
tory, and the Communion, the verse
read are in perfect harmony with it
!. and having, moreover, a correspond
! ing, and even deeper echo in the Col
: lects, Gospel and Preface, one feeling
is preserved, suited to the devotion
: which the liturgy, in its essence an,
main purposes invariable, is intended
secondarily to excite.
Il The eKyrie Eleison'' cry To-
mercy, which is to be found in ever,
liturgy of East and West-seems in
PRODUCED as if to give grander effec
to the outburst of joy and praise which
succeeds it in the Gloria in excelsis;
it is deepening of our humiliation
81 that our triumph may be better felt
That hymn itself is full of beauties
! the best demonstration of which is
that no composition ever lent itsel
+ more perfectly to the musicians skill
: none ever afforded better play to tn,
!, rich and rapid succession of ever,
mode, gay and grave; none better sup
piled the slow and entreating cadence
or the full and powerful chorus. Ii
the simple Gregorian chant, or in thu
pure religious harmonies of Pales
trina, it is truly the Hymn of Angels
) We should feel ourselves wholly I'm
equal to the task of pointing out tn,
excellence of the prayers which oc
. cupy the essential portion of the fitur
gy, from the Offertory to the end. I
j has often struck us, that one single
J word could not be changed to advan
tage in any one of them; that there Ii
more meaning compressed into a small
u space than in almost any other com
: position which we know; and tina
! everything is said which could be re
qufred or desired
All the prayers connected with tn.
: 0ffertory are remarkably short; bu
] they are full of vigour and of feeling
j there is in them most heavenly AM
/ sublime simplicity, mild and tendel
; pathos. When the priest, having com
pleted his oblation. bows himself (1owI