The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-08-27
THE EPlsTLE.

come TO the Ep1Stie. Inc EplSJlG Is a
reading or lesson from scripture. 1t
is called Epistle, or letter, because
generally it is taken from the letters
written by the Apostles to various
congregations they had formerly con-
verified and organized, in order to an
swer their questions, confirm them in
the faith, refute new errors, uproot
abuses which had crept in. These let
tiers were read when the early Chris
tians met for 1.-The breaking of bread"
Hence it may be stated that the read
ing of the Epistle at Mass dates back
to the time of the Apostles, and was
introduced by them: Il charge you by
the Lord that this epistle be read to
all the holy brethren" Chess. V, -
From Other Books of Bible.
The Epistle is sometimes taken from
other books of the Old and New Tesla
ments. That many of the Epistles
should be taken from the Old Tesla
rnent is most appropriate, since the
Old Testament foreshadows and fore
tells the great events and personages
of the new dispensation, Christ and
the church, through which and in
which His spirit was to work. There
fore, whenever the church found in
the Old Testament a telling type, a
striking prophecy of an event cele-
brated on certain days, she used them
as the Epistle of the Mass, as an in
PRODUCTION to the Gospel of the day
Thus several of the Epistles of Advent,
time of preparation for Christmas,
are taken from the prophetic books of
the Old Testament, expressing long
ing for the coming of the Redeemer.
Thus, again, the Epistle of the Epiph-
any, or manifestation of the Savior
to the Gentiles, gives that grand
prophecy of Isaias' foretelling the com
ing of the heathens from afar to Jeru-
salem bringing gold and frankincense
and showing forth praise to the Lord,
whilst the gospel of the same feast
shows the fulfilment of Isaias' won
derful prophecy.
For instruction.
The Epistle and the gospel are
given for the instruction not only of
the priest but of the people as we'll.
Hence, when not sung, they are read
in a loud tone of voice. In the
Epistle we are instructed by the
Apostles and the prophets, whilst in
the gospel we are taught by the Son of
God Himself. For this reason, in the
solemn Mass, the Epistle is sung by
the subdeacon, whilst the gospel is
chanted by the higher minister, or the
deacon of the Mass. And again, the
Epistle is always read or sung before
the gospel.
Should Inspire Gratitude.
We can imagine how happy the
early Christians felt when at theil
gatherings they listened to the read
ing of an Epistle sent them by the
Apostle who had brought them to the
faith of Christ and who then wa:
preaching to other nations, and how
ioyfully they thanked God for the
letter received by exclaiming, "Det
Gratias," or Thanks be to God" TIL
church, fond lover of holy traditions
has preserved the ancient custom
Hence, at Mass, the people through
the server respond, "Deo gratias," a
the conclusion of the Epistle. Let III
always say it in a spirit of heartfelt
gratitude for the instructions given III
through the Apostles and the prophets
The Epistle is read from the left
hand side of the altar, to signify tina
the word of God was first entrusted tt
the Jews. The Mass-book is thei
taken to the righthand side of thu
altar to signify that when many o
the Jews rejected the gospel mes
sage. it was given to the Gentil,
world.
The Gradual.
After the Epistle comes the Grad
ual The Gradual is response gener
ally taken from the Psalms or from
some other part of the Scripture. |
received it's name from the fact tina
formerly it was intoned from a pulpi
assembled by the steps, the word grad
us" meaning step.
Occasionally the Gradual occur
alone, but it is usually followed by tn
Alleluia. The Hebrew word 'Alleluia'
means Praise the Lord" However
its meaning in Hebrew is so forcefu
that we do not translate it, but use
in the original. In Masses for TIL
dead and on days of penance, iron
Septuagesima to Easter, the Alleluia il
omitted. In its stead the Tract
sung.
The Tract.
The word Tract" means DRAWN
out or slow movement of words. /
is generally composed of one or NOR
verses of the Psalms. The Tract is il
sharp contrast to the Alleluia. TIL
latter expresses unbounded joy il
praise of God, while the former is use
to express sorrow or penance. To e4
press the mournful solemhity of Goo
Friday, there is sung a double Tract
consisting of almost an entire psalm.
The Sequence.
On some days the notes of prais
indicated by the Alleluia or the sub
dued sorrow expressed in the Tract ar
prolonged and intensified in what |
called the Sequence, or Following.
At first the Sequence consisted of note
without words, but in the course o
time words were adapted to the me
ody. At present we have five Sc
quences, those of Easter, Pentecost