The Church rejoices because Christ is risen and has delivered us. So she sends up cries of joy and sings the praises of God (Offertory). A little while and now you shall not see Me said our Lord in the Cenacle, and you shall lament and weep and again a little while you shall see Me and your heart will rejoice. When the apostles beheld our Lord again they experienced the this joy which still overflows into the Easter Liturgy. And just as Easter is the type of external Pasch so this is the same joy which will be felt by the church when having with sorrow begotten souls to God, she sees her Lord once more triumphant in Heaven, at the end of time ; but a short season compared with eternity. He will change our sorrow into joy which no man can take from us.
This holy joy begins here below for our Lord has not left us orphans, but comes to us by the Holy Ghost, whose grace fills us with the hope of future bliss. As strangers and pilgrims journeying to heaven in the train of our risen Lord, we should not cling to the vain pleasures of the world but rather as St. Peter tells us, we should follow the precepts, positive and negative of the Gospel that professing ourselves Christians, we may” reject those things which are contrary to that name, and follow such things, as are agreeable to the same ” (Collect). So may we come to the heavenly kingdom whose joy and glory are described for us by St. John.
“One of the seven angels said to me : Come and I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And I saw the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Alleluia. How beautiful is she become, this bride from Lebanon” (Response). Let us eat the Lord’s Passover, that this nourishment of our souls may protect also our bodies (Postcommunion), and that subduing our worldly desires, it may make us love the things of heaven (Secret),
|
Introit |
|
|
Jubilate Deo, omnis terra, alleluia: psalmum dicite nomini ejus, alleluia: date gloriam laudi ejus, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. Ixv. 3. Dicite Deo, quam terribilia sunt opera tua, Domine. In multitudine virtutis tuae mentientur tibi inimici tui. Gloria |
Shout with joy to God, all the earth, alleluia: sing ye a psalm to His name, alleluia.give glory to His praise, alleluia, Say unto God: How terrible are Thy works, O Lord! In the multitude of Thy strength Thy enemies shall lie to Thee. Glory be to the Father. |
|
Collect |
|
|
Deus, qui errantibus, ut in viam possint redire justitiae, veritatis tuae lumen ostendis: da cunctis qui Christiana professione censentur, et ilia respuere, quae huic inimica sunt nomini; et ea quae sunt apta, sectari. Per Dominum. |
O God, who dost show to them that are in error the light of Thy truth, that they may return into the way of righteousness; grant to all those who profess themselves Christians to reject those things which are contrary to that name, and follow such things as are agreeable to the same. Through our Lord |
|
Second Collect |
|
|
Deus, qui ad christianam pauperum eruditidnem, et ad juventam in via veritatis firmandam, sanctum Joan-nem Baptistam Confessorem excitasti, et novam per eum in Ecclesia familiam collegisti: concede propitius; ut ejus intercessione et exemplo, studio gloriae tuae in animarurn salute ferventes, ejus in caelis coronae participes fieri valeamus. Per Dominum. |
O God, who didst raise up the holy confessor John Baptist, for the Christian education of the poor, and the strengthening of youth in the way of truth, and through him hast gathered together a new family within Thy Church, grant, we beseech Thee, that helped by his prayers and example, we may burn with zeal for Thy glory in the salvation of souls, and become worthy to share his crown in heaven. Through our Lord. |
|
Epistle |
|
|
Our true country is not here below, so let us be total strangers to the world and its pleasures. Made free in Christ let us obey those in authority; for that is God’s will and to obey God is to be free. This Christian obedience and charity are pleasing to God. |
|
|
Le’ctio Epistolae beati Petri Apostoli. Carissimi : Obsecro vos tamquam advenas et peregrines abstinere vos a carnalibus desideriis, quae militant adversus animam ; conversatidnem vestram inter gentes habentes bonam : ut in eo, quod dette’ctant de vobis tamquam de malefactoribus, ex bonis operibus vos considerintes, glorificent Deum in die visitationis. Subjecti igitur estote omni humanae creaturae propter Deum : sive regi, quasi praecellenti : sive diicibus, tamquam ab eo missis ad vindictam malefactorum, laudem vero bonorum : quia sic est voluntas Dei, ut benefacientes obmutescere faciatis imprudentium hominum ignorantiam quasi liberi, et non quasi velamen habentes malitiae libertatem, sed sicut servi Dei. Omnes honorate: fraternitatern diligite: Deum timete: regem honorificate. Servi, siibditi estote in omni timore dominis, non tantum bonis et modestis, sed etiam dyscolis. Haec est enim gratia: in Christo Jesu Domino nostro. |
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Peter the Apostle. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires, which war against the soul, having your conversation good among the Gentiles : that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation. Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God’s sake: whether it be to the king as excelling, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good : for so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God. Honour all men: love the brotherhood: fear God: honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thanksworthy before God: in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
|
Let us rejoice because Christ has freed us |
|
|
Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. Redem ptionem misit Dominus populo suo. Alleluia. Luc. xxiv. 46. Oportebat pati Christum, et resurgere a mortuis: et ita intrare in gloriam suam. Alleluia. |
Alleluia, alleluia, The Lord hath sent redemption to His people. Alleluia. It behoved Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead, andso to enter into His glory.Alleluia. |
|
Gospel |
|
|
St. Augustine comments: “When He said: A little while and now you shall not see me, our Lord is speaking to those who at that moment saw Him bodily present, and He spoke in this way because He had to go to His Father, and because after His ascension His disciples would see Him no more as a mortal man, such as they saw Him to be while He was saying these things to them. This ” little time ” seems long to us because it is still going on; but when it is finished we shall realize how short it was. Therefore let not our joy be like the world’s. While the desire of eternity is being born within us, let not our sadness be without joy In the words of the apostle let us show ourselves ” rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation |
|
|
Seque’ntia sancti Evangelii secundum Jpannem. In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus discipulis suis: Modicum, et jam non videbitis me : et iterum modicum, et videbitis: quia vado ad Pattern. Dixerunt ergo ex discipulis ejus ad inyicem : Quid est hoc, quod dicit nobis: Modicum, et non videbitis me: et iterum modicum, et videbitis me, et: quia vado ad Patrerm? Dicebant ergo: Quid est hoc quod dicit: Modicum? Nescimus quid loquitur. Cognovit autem Jesus, quia volebant eum interrogare, et dixit eis: De hoc quae’ritis inter vos, quia dixi: Modicum, et non videbids me: et iterum modicum,et videbitis me. Amen, amen dico vobis : quia plorabitis, et flebitis vos, mundus autem gaudebit: vos autem contristabimini, sed tristitia vestra vertetur in gaudium. Mulier cum parit, tristitiam habet, quia venit hora ejus : cum autem pepererit piierum, jam non meminit pressiirae propter gaudium, quia natus est homo in mundum. Et vos igitur nunc quidem tristitiam habetis, iterum autem videbo vos, et gaudebit cor vestrum: et gaudium vestrum nemo tollet a vobis. |
Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John. At that time Jesus said to His disciples : A little while, and now you shall not see Me : and again a little while, and you shall see Me : because I go to the Father. Then some of His disciples said one to another: What is this that He saith to us: A little while, and you shall not see Me; and again a little while, and you shall see Me, and because I go to the Father? They said therefore : What is this that He saith, A little while? We know not what He speaketh. And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask Him. And He said to them: Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said : A little while, and you shall not see Me; and again a little while, and you shall see Me? Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice : and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice: and your joy no man shall take from you. |
|
Offertory |
|
|
Lauda, anima mea, Dominum: laudabo Dominum in vita mea: psallam Deo meo, quamdiu ero, alleluia |
Praise the Lord, O my soul; while I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have being, alleluia. |
|
Secret |
|
|
His nobis, Domine, mysteriis conferatur, quo terrena desideria mitigantes, discamus amare caelestia. Per Dominum. |
Grant, O Lord, that by these mysteries it may be given us to subdue our worldly desires, and learn to love the things of heaven. Through our Lord. |
|
Second Secret |
|
|
Tua, Domine, propitiatione, et beatae Mariae semper Virginis interces-sione, ad perpetuam atque praesentem haec oblatio nobis proficiat prosperitatem et pacem. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. |
Through Thy clemency, O Lord, and by the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may this offering avail unto our prosperity and peace, now and for evermore. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. |
|
Preface for Easter |
|
|
Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutáre: Te quidem, Dómine, omni témpore, sed in hac potíssimum die gloriósius prædicáre, cum Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus. Ipse enim verus est Agnus, qui ábstulit peccáta mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit, et vitam resurgéndo reparávit. Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et Dominatiónibus, cumque omni milítia caeléstis exércitus, hymnum glóriae tuae cánimus, sine fine dicéntes: |
It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that at all times, but more especially on this day we should extol Thy glory, O Lord, when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the true Lamb that hath taken away the sins of the world. Who by dying hath overcome our death, and by rising again hath restored our life. And therefore with angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions, and with all the heavenly hosts, we sing a hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing |
|
Communion |
|
|
Modicum, et non videbitis me, alleluia; iterum modicum, et videbitis me, quia vado ad Patrem, alleluia, alleluia. |
A little while, and you shall not see Me, alleluia; and again a little while, and you shall see Me, because I go to the Father, alleluia, alleluia. |
|
Postcommunion |
|
|
Sacramenta quae sumpsimus quaesumus, Domine, et spiritualibus nos instaurent alimentis, et corporalibus tueantur auxlliis. Per Dominum. |
May the sacraments which I have received, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be a life-giving food for our souls and a safeguard to our bodies. Through our Lord. |
|
Second Postcommunion |
|
|
Sumptis, Dómine, salútis nostrae subsídiis: da, quaésumus, beátae Maríae semper Vírginis patrocíniis nos ubíque prótegi; in cujus veneratióne haec tuae obtúlimus majestáti. Per Dóminum. |
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that having received these helps unto salvation we may everywhere be protected by the patronage of blessed Mary ever Virgin, in veneration of whom we have offered this sacrifice to Thy majesty. Through our Lord. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exáudi, quæsumus, Dómine, preces nostras, quas in beáti Athanásii Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis solemnitáte deférimus: et, qui tibi digne méruit famulári, ejus intercedéntibus méritis, ab omnibus nos absolve peccátis. Per Dóminum |
Graciously hear our Prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, which we offer in solemn commemoration of blessed Athanasius, Thy confessor and bishop, and, by the merits of him who worthily served Thee absolve us from all our sins. Through our Lord.. |
|
Epistle |
|
|
Caríssimi: Omne datum óptimum et omne donum perféctum desúrsum est, descéndens a Patre lúminum, apud quem non est transmutátio, nec vicissitúdinis obumbrátio. Voluntárie enim génuit nos verbo veritátis, ut simus inítium áliquod creatúræ ejus. Scitis, fratres mei dilectíssimi. Sit autem omnis homo velox ad audiéndum: tardus autem ad loquéndum, et tardus ad iram. Ira enim viri justítiam Dei non operátur. Propter quod abjiciéntes omnem immundítiam et abundántiam malítiæ, in mansuetúdine suscípite ínsitum verbum, quod potest salváre ánima vestras. |
Dearly beloved, every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration. For of His own will hath He begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of His creature. You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God. Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.. |
|
Alleluia |
|
|
Allelúia, allelúia. ℣. Déxtera Dómini fecit virtútem: déxtera Dómini exaltávit me. Christus resúrgens ex mórtuis, jam non móritur: mors illi ultra non dominábitur. Allelúia. |
Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength, the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me. Alleluia. ℣. Christ, rising again from the dead, dieth now no more: death shall no more have dominion over Him. Alleluia. |
|
Gospel |
||
|
In illo témpore: Dixit Jesus discípulis suis: Vado ad eum, qui misit me: et nemo ex vobis intérrogat me: Quo vadis? Sed quia hæc locútus sum vobis, tristítia implévit cor vestrum. Sed ego veritátem dico vobis: éxpedit vobis ut ego vadam: si enim non abíero, Paráclitus non véniet ad vos: si autem abíero, mittam eum ad vos. Et cum vénerit ille, árguet mundum de peccáto, et de justítia et de judício. De peccáto quidem, quia non credidérunt in me: de justítia vero, quia ad Patrem vado, et jam non vidébitis me: de judício autem, quia princeps hujus mundi jam judicátus est. Adhuc multa hábeo vobis dícere: sed non potéstis portáre modo. Cum autem vénerit ille Spíritus veritátis, docébit vos omnem veritátem. Non enim loquétur a semetípso: sed quæcúmque áudiet, loquétur, et quæ ventúra sunt, annuntiábit vobis. Ille me clarificábit: quia de meo accípiet et annuntiábit vobis. |
At that time Jesus said to His disciples: I go to Him that sent Me; and none of you asketh Me: Whither goest Thou? But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go; for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go I will send Him to you. And when He is come, He will convince the world of sin, and of justice and of judgment. Of sin, because they believed not in Me; and of justice, because I go to the Father, and you shall see Me no longer; and of judgment, because the prince of this world is already judged. I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will teach you all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself: but what things soever He shall hear He shall speak, and the things that are to come He shall show you. He shall glorify Me: because He shall receive of Mine and shall show it to you. |
|
|
Offertory |
||
|
Jubiláte Deo, univérsa terra, psalmum dícite nómini ejus: veníte, et audíte, et narrábo vobis, omnes qui timétis Deum, quanta fecit Dóminus ánimæ meæ, allelúia. |
Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His name: come and hear, and I will tell you, all ye that fear God, what great things the Lord hath done for my soul, alleluia. |
|
|
Secret |
||
|
Deus, qui nos per hujus sacrifícii veneránda commércia, uníus summæ divinitátis partícipes effecísti: præsta, quǽsumus: ut, sicut tuam cognóscimus veritátem, sic eam dignis móribus assequámur. Per Dóminum. |
O God, who by the sacred commun ion of this sacrifice hast made us partakers of the one supreme divine nature: grant, we beseech Thee, that as we know Thy truth, so we may follow it by a worthy life. Through our Lord. |
|
|
2nd Secret |
||
|
Tua, Domine, propitiatione, et beatae Mariae semper Virginis interces-sione, ad perpetuam atque praesentem haec oblatio nobis proficiat prosperitatem et pacem. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. |
Through Thy clemency, O Lord, and by the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may this offering avail unto our prosperity and peace, now and for evermore. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. |
|
|
Preface for Easter |
|
Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutáre: Te quidem, Dómine, omni témpore, sed in hac potíssimum die gloriósius prædicáre, cum Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus. Ipse enim verus est Agnus, qui ábstulit peccáta mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit, et vitam resurgéndo reparávit. Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et Dominatiónibus, cumque omni milítia caeléstis exércitus, hymnum glóriae tuae cánimus, sine fine dicéntes:. |
It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that at all times, but more especially on this day we should extol Thy glory, O Lord, when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the true Lamb that hath taken away the sins of the world. Who by dying hath overcome our death, and by rising again hath restored our life. And therefore with angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions, and with all the heavenly hosts, we sing a hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing: |
|
Communion |
|
|
Cum vénerit Paráclitus Spíritus veritátis, ille árguet mundum de peccáto, et de justítia, et de judício, allelúia, allelúia. |
When the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will convince the world of sin, and of justice and of judgment, alleluia, alleluia. |