Thursday, March 20, 2003

From the Mass in Time of War (Tridentine).

A little over a year ago, I purchased a Second World War missal issued to Catholics in all branches of the armed forces. It contains the order for several different Masses, including the "Mass in Time of War." It seems fitting to post selections from it, as the Mass offers plenty for careful reflection . That, and my hidebound side is certain that if it was good enough for our grandfathers and grandmothers, it should be good enough for us. As a note, the Missal uses the Douay-Confraternity revision, but I don't know of a site that offers that version (as opposed to the "regular" Douay-Challoner revision).

The Opening Prayer:

O God, who bringest wars to naught and shieldest by Thy Power all who hope in Thee, overthrowing those that assail them, help Thy servants who implore Thy Mercy; so that the fierce might of their enemies might be brought low and we may never cease to praise and thank Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle is Jeremiah, 42:1-2, 7-12 (the "king of Babylon" reference seems especially fitting):

42:1 Then all the captains of the warriors, and Johanan the son of Caree, and Jezonias the son of Osaias, and the rest of the people from the least to the greatest came near:
42:2 And they said to Jeremias the prophet: Let our supplication fall before thee: and pray thou for us to the Lord thy God for all this remnant, for we are left but a few of many, as thy eyes do behold us.

42:7 Now after ten days, the word of the Lord came to Jeremias.
42:8 And he called Johanan the son of Caree, and all the captains of the fighting men that were with him, and all the people from the least to the greatest.
42:9 And he said to them: Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, to whom you sent me, to present your supplications before him:
42:10 If you will be quiet and remain in this land, I will build you up, and not pull you down: I will plane you, and not pluck you up: for now I am appeased for the evil that I have done to you.
42:11 Fear not because of the king of Babylon, of whom you are greatly afraid: fear him not, saith the Lord: for I am with you, to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
42:12 And I will shew mercies to you, and will take pity on you, and will cause you to dwell in your own land.


The Gradual is Psalm 76 (Douay numbering):

Thou art the God that alone dost wonders: Thou has made Thy Power known among the nations. With Thy arm Thou hast redeemed Thy people, the children of Israel and of Joseph. Alleluia, alleluia. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God, and defend me from them that rise up against me. Alleluia.

The Gospel is Matthew 24: 3-8:

24:3 And when he was sitting on mount Olivet, the disciples came to him privately, saying: Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the consummation of the world?
24:4 And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you:
24:5 For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ: and they will seduce many.
24:6 And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in places:
24:8 Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows.


Finally, from the Secret:

Be appeased, O Lord, and look upon the Sacrifice which we offer: that it may deliver us from all the evils of war, and establish us under Thy sure protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

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Be reasonably civil. Ire alloyed with reason is fine. But slagging the host gets you the banhammer.

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