E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

THE VENI SANCTIFICATOR. 75
golden statue set up by Nabuchadonosor. They offered
their bodies as victims to obtain mercy for themselves
and others. The priest with contrite heart offers the
Sacrifice for the sins of the world. Next, the priest
raising his eyes and stretching out his hands, which he
afterwards joins, makes the sign of the Cross over the
Host and Chalice while he says :
Veni Sanctificator omni- Come, O Sanctifier, almighty
potens aeterne Deus : et be- eternal God, and blessJ-this
ne^dic hoc sacrificium tuo Sacrifice, prepared to Thy
sancto nomine praeparatum. holy Name.
EXPLANATION OF THE PRAYER VENI SANCTIFICATOR.
This invocation is addressed to the Holy Ghost. In
the language of the Church, the Holy Ghost is called
the Sanctifier, and to Him the work of sanctification is
specially attributed. Thus we speak of the seven gifts
not of the Father and Son, but of the Holy Ghost : all
meant for our sanctification. The word "bless" has
various meanings. It may mean a prayer as of a
father over his child God bless you, which may not
take effect. God s blessing carries infallibly virtue with
it. The priest in blessing and in sanctifying by the sign
of the Cross the bread and wine on the altar begs the
presence in them of the Lamb of God, and implores
of the Holy Ghost transubstantiation, which is God s
greatest work.
The priest with his hands joined goes to the Epistle
side of the altar, where he washes his fingers, and
recites a portion of the 25th Psalm.
The washing of the fingers is the sign of the perfect
cleansing of the heart required for the worthy celebra
tion of the Holy Mass.
The tips of the fingers, the thumb and forefinger,