(The History, Mystery and Practice of Septuagesima, Chapters I, II, & III, was posted here.)
During the season of Septuagesima, the Christian, on waking in the morning, will unite himself with the Church, who, at the first dawn of the day, begins her Psalms of Lauds with these words of the Royal Prophet:
| Miserere mei Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. | Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. |
He should, after this, profoundly adore that great God, before whom the sinner should tremble, but yet fears not to offend him, as though he deserved neither reverence nor love. It is with this deep sentiment of holy fear, that he must perform the first acts of religion, both interior and exterior, wherewith he begins each day of this present Season. The time for Morning Prayer being come, he may use the following method, which is formed upon the very prayers of the Church:-
MORNING PRAYERS
First, praise and adoration of the most holy Trinity:-
| V. Benedicamus Patrem, et Filium, cum Sancto Spiritu. R. Laudemus et superexaltemus eum in saecula. V. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. | V. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. R. Let us praise him and extol him above all for ever. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
Then, praise to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ:-
| V. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi. R. Quia per Crucem tuam redemisti mundum. | V. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee. R. Because by thy cross thou hast redeemed the world. |
Thirdly, invocation of the Holy Ghost:-
| Veni, sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis ignem accende. | Come, O holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle within them the fire of thy love. |
After these fundamental acts of religion, you will recite the Lord’s Prayer, begging your heavenly Father to be mindful of his infinite mercy and goodness, - to forgive you your trespasses, - to come to your assistance in the temptations and dangers which so thickly beset the path of this life, - and finally, to deliver you from evil, by removing from you every remnant of sin, which is the great evil, the evil that offends God, and entails the sovereign evil of man himself.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
| Pater noster, qui es in coelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum: adveniat regnum tuum: fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie: et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris: et ne nos inducas in tentationem: sed libera nos a malo. Amen. | Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us: and lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. Amen. |
Then address our Blessed Lady, using the words of the Angelical Salutation. Pray to her with confidence and love, for she is the Refuge of Sinners.
THE ANGELICAL SALUTATION
| Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. | Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. |
After this, recite the Creed, that is, the Symbol of Faith. It contains the dogmas we are to believe; and during this season, you should dwell with loving attention on that Article, which is so full of hope, - the Forgiveness of sins. Let us do our utmost to merit, by our sincere conversion and amendment of our lives, that our Saviour, after the coming penitential Forty Days are over, may say to each of us those words, which are so sweet to a penitent sinner: Go, thy sins are forgiven!
THE APOSTLES’ CREED.
| Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem coeli et terrae. Et in Jesum Christurn Filium ejus unicum Dominum nostrum: qui conceptus est de Spiritu sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus: descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis: ascendit ad coelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotontis: inde venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen. | I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. |
Having thus made the Profession of your Faith, endeavour to excite yourself to sorrow for the sins you have committed. For this purposes, recite one of the Penitential Psalms; the first on Sunday, the second on Monday, and so on with the rest. These admirable Psalms, whereby David expressed his grief after he had fallen into sin, are most appropriate for the Season of Septuagesima. The reader will find them at the end of this volume.
Then make a humble confession of your sins, reciting the general formula made use of by the Church.
THE CONFESSION OF SINS
| Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis apostolis Petro et Paulo, et omnibus sanctis, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos apostolos Petrum et Paulum, et omnes sanctos, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum. Misereatur nostri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis nostris, perducat nos ad vitam aeternam. Amen. Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. Amen. | I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me. May almighty God have mercy on us, and, our sins being forgiven, bring us to life everlasting. Amen. May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins. Amen. |
This is the proper place for making your Meditation, as no doubt you practise this holy exercise. During Septuagesima, the subject of our Meditation ought mainly to be on the evils brought on man by Original sin; on the necessity of an untiring resistance against our corrupt nature, whose tendencies and inclinations would lead us to destruction; on the grievousness of Actual sin, how it robs us of countless blessings, and exposes us to punishments both here and hereafter; on the ineffable goodness of God, who comes himself to offer reconciliation to the sinner, and who, after the salutary mournfulness and the works of penance of the weeks of Septuagesima and Lent, will give all the joy, peace, and blessing of a new life in our Risen Jesus.
The next part of your morning prayer must be to ask of God, by the following prayers, grace to avoid every kind of sin during the day you are just beginning. Say, then, with the Church, whose prayers must always be preferred to all others:
| V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. Oremus Domine, Deus omnipotens, qui ad principium hujus diei nos pervenire fecisti, tua nos hodie salva virtute, ut in hac die ad nullum declinemus peccatum, sed semper ad tuam justitiam faciendam nostra procedant eloquia, dirigantur cogitationes et opera. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. | V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee. Let us Pray Almighty Lord and God, who hast brought us to the beginning of this day, let thy powerful grace so conduct us through it, that we may not fall into any sin, but that all our thoughts, words, and actions may be regulated according to the rules of thy heavenly justice, and tend to the observance of thy holy law. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Then beg the divine assistance for the actions of the day, that you may do them well; and say thrice:
| V. Deus, in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina. V. Deus, in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina. V. Deus, in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina. Oremus | V. Incline unto my aid, O God. R. Lord, make haste to help me. V. Incline unto my aid, O God. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Incline unto my aid, O God. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. Let us pray |
During the day, you will do well to use the instructions and prayers which you will find in this volume for each day of the Season, both for the Proper of the Time, and the Proper of the Saints. In the evening, you may use the following prayers.
NIGHT PRAYERS
After having made the sign of the Cross, let us adore that Sovereign Lord, who has so mercifully preserved us during this day, and blessed us, every hour, with his grace and protection. for this end, let us recite the following Hymn, which the Church sings in her Vespers of Saturday:
HYMN
| Jam sol recedit igneus: Tu, lux perennis, Unitas, Nostris, beata Trinitas, Infunde lumen cordibus. Te mane laudum carmine, Patri, simulque Filio, V. Vespertina oratio ascendat ad te, Domine. | The radiant sun hath set: do thou, O Light unfading, O Unity and Trinity divine, pour thy rays into our hearts. Our morning hymns give thee praise; our even song implores thy mercy: Oh! grant us to be one day companions with the blessed in heaven, to give thee ceaseless praise. To thee, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! may glory be, as it hath ever been, for ever and for endless ages. V. May our evening prayer ascend to thee, O Lord. |
After this hymn, say the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed, as in the morning.
Then make the Examination of Conscience, going over in your mind all the faults you may have committed during the day. Think, how great is the obstacle put by sin to the merciful designs your God would work in you; and make a firm resolution to avoid it for the time to come, to do penance for it, and to shun the occasions which might again lead you into it.
The Examination of Conscience concluded, recite the Confiteor (or I confess) with heartfelt contrition, and then give expression to your sorrow by the following act, which we have taken from the Venerable Cardinal Bellarmine’s Catechism:
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God, I am exceedingly grieved for having offended thee, and with my whole heart I repent of the sins I have committed: I hate and abhor them above every other evil, not only because, by so sinning, I have lost heaven and deserved hell, but still more because I have offended thee. O infinite Goodness, who art worthy to be loved above all things. I most firmly resolve, by the assistance of thy grace, never more to offend thee for the time to come, and to avoid those occasions which might lead me into sin.
You may then add the acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, to the recitation of which Pope Benedict the Fourteenth has granted an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines for each time.
ACT OF FAITH
O my God, I firmly believe whatsoever the holy, Catholic, apostolic, Roman Church requires me to believe: I believe it because thou hast revealed it to her, thou who art the very truth.
ACT OF HOPE
O my God, knowing thy almighty power, and thy infinite goodness and mercy, I hope in thee that, by the merits of the Passion and death of our Saviour Jesus Christ, thou wilt grant me eternal life, which thou hast promised to all such as shall do the works of a good Christian; and these I resolve to do with the help of thy grace.
ACT OF CHARITY
O my God, I love thee with my whole heart and above all things, because thou art the sovereign Good: I would rather lose all things than offend thee. For thy love also, I love, and desire to love, my neighbour as myself.
Then say to our blessed Lady the following anthem, which the Church uses from the Feast of the Purification to Easter:
ANTHEM OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
| Ave Regina coelorum, Ave Domina Angelorum: Salve radix, salve porta, Ex qua mundo lux est orta; Gaude, Virgo gloriosa, Super omnes speciosa: Vale, O valde decora, Et pro nobis Christum exora. V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata. OREMUS | Hail, Queen of Heaven! Hail, Queen of Angels! Hail blest Root and Gate, from which came Light upon the world! Rejoice, O glorious Virgin, that surpassest all in beauty! Hail, most lovely Queen! and pray to Christ for us. V. Vouchsafe, O Holy Virgin, that I may praise thee. LET US PRAY |
You would do well to add the litany of our Lady. An indulgence of three hundred days, for each time it is recited, has been granted by the Church.
THE LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
| Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. Pater de coelis, Deus, miserere nobis. Fili, Redemptor mundi Deus, miserere nobis. Spiritus sancte, Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis. Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis. Sancta Dei Genitrix, ora, &c. Sancta Virgo virginum, Mater Christi, Mater divinae gratiae, Mater purissima, Mater castissima, Mater inviolata, Mater intemerata, Mater amabilis, Mater admirabilis, Mater boni consilii, Mater Creatoris, Mater Salvatoris, Virgo prudentissima, Virgo veneranda, Virgo praedicanda, Virgo potens, Virgo clemens. Virgo fidelis, Speculum justitiae, Sedes sapientiae, Causa nostrae laetitiae, Vas spirituale, Vas honorabile, Vas insigne devotionis, Rosa mystica, Turris Davidica, Turris eburnea, Domus aurea, Foederis area, Janua coeli, Stella matutina, Salus infirmorum, Refugium peccatorum, Consolatrix afflictorum, Auxilium Christianorum, Regina angelorum, Regina patriarcharum, Regina prophetarum, Regina apostolorum, Regina martyrum, Regina confessorum, Regina virginum, Regina sanctorum omnium, Regina sine labe originali concepta, Regina sacratissimi rosarii, Regina pacis, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Do mine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Do mine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. Oremus. | Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Redeemer, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honour, Singular vessel of devotion, Mystical rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Health of the weak, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of angels, Queen of patriarchs, Queen of prophets, Queen of apostles, Queen of martyrs, Queen of confessors, Queen of virgins, Queen of all saints, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen of the most holy rosary, Queen of peace, Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. Let us pray. |
Here invoke the holy angels, whose protection is indeed, always so much needed by us, but never so much as during the hours of night. Say with the Church:
| Sancti angeli, custodes nostri, defendite nos in praelio, ut non pereamus in tremendo judicio. V. Angelis suis Deus mandavit de te. OREMUS. | Holy angels, our loving guardians, defend us in the hour of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful judgement. V. God hath given his angels charge of thee. LET US PRAY. |
Then beg the assistance of the Saints by the following antiphon and prayer of the Church:
| ANT. Sancti Dei omnes, intercedere dignemini pro nostra omniumque salute. V. Laetamini in Domino et exsultate, justi. OREMUS | ANT. All ye Saints of God, vouchsafe to intercede for us and for all men, that we may be saved. V. Rejoice in the Lord, ye just, and be glad. LET US PRAY |
And here you may add a special mention of the Saints to whom you bear a particular devotion, either as your patrons or otherwise; as also of those whose feast is kept in the Church that day, or who have been at least commemorated in the Divine Office.
This done, remember the necessities of the Church Suffering, and beg of God that He will give to the souls in Purgatory a place of refreshment, light, and peace. For this intention recite the usual prayers.
PSALM 129
| De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine: Domine, exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuae intendentes: in vocem deprecationis meae. Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine: Domine, quis sustinebit? Quia apud te propitiatio est: et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus: speravit anima mea in Domino. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: speret Israel in Domino. Quia apud Dominum misericordia: et copiosa apud eum redemptio. Et ipse redimet Israel: ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine. Et lux perpetua luceat eis. V. A porta inferi. R. Erue, Domine, animas eorum. V. Requiescant in pace. R. Amen. V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. Oremus. | From the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou wilt observe iniquities, O Lord: Lord, who shall endure it? For with thee there is merciful forgiveness; and by reason of thy law I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word; my soul hath hoped In the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with him plentiful redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. V. From the gate of hell. R. Deliver their souls, O Lord. V. May they rest in peace. R. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee. Let us pray. |
Here make a special memento of such of the Faithful departed as have a particular claim upon your charity; after which, ask of God to give you His assistance, whereby you may pass the night free from danger. Say, then, still keeping to the words of the Church:
| ANT. Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes, custodi nos dormientes: Ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace. V. Dignare, Domine, nocte ista. R. Sine peccato nos custo dire. V. Miserere nostri, Domino. R. Miserere nostri. V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos. R. Quemadmodum speravimus in te. V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. Oremus. | ANT. Save us, O Lord, while awake, and watch us as we sleep: that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace. V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night. R. To keep us without sin. V. Have mercy on us, O Lord. R. Have mercy on us. V. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us. R. As we have hoped in thee. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee. Let us pray. |
And that you may end the day in the same sentiments with which you began it, say once more to your God these words of the Royal Prophet:
| Miserere mei Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. | Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. |
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