E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

SUSCIPE SANCTA TRIN1TAS. 77
Such verses as I will wash my hands among
the innocent, and as for me, I have walked in my
innocence (v. 6), in no sense deny that the priest is
a sinner. These words have no boastful tone for the
priest adds, redeem me and have mercy on me.
There is a true sense in which every priest striving to
serve God may use the "
words, I have walked in my
innocence." The priesthood is a state of innocence
secured by its obligations against many forms of evil.
The priest speaks more or less in the name of his order.
The priesthood has a multitude of graces to secure
it from sin, and the language of David, a penitent
sinner, in the mouth of the priest from the knowledge
it implies of the priestly state and of what a priest
ought to be, fills any priest with a humbling sense
of his unworthiness for such an exalted position.
Returning to the middle of the altar and bowing
slightly with hands joined, to imitate, as St. Thomas
says, the humility and obedience of Jesus Christ, the
priest says :
Suscipe sancta Trinitas Receive, O holy Trinity, this
hanc oblationem, quam tibi oblation, which we make to
offerimus ob memoriam pas- Thee, in memory of the Passionis,
resurrectionis, et as- sion. Resurrection, and Ascencensionis
Jesu Christi Domini sion of our Lord Jesus Christ,
nostri : et in honorem beatae and in honour of the blessed
Mariae semper Virginis, et Mary ever a Virgin, of blessed
beati Joannis Baptistae, et John Baptist, the holy Apossanctorum
Apostolorum Petri ties Peter and Paul, of these
et Pauli, et istorum, et om- and of all the Saints : that it
nium Sanctorum : ut illis may be available to their
proficiat ad honorem, nobis honour and our salvation: and
autem ad salutem : et illi pro that they may vouchsafe to
nobis intercedere dignentur intercede for us in heaven,
in coelis, quorum memoriam whose memory we celebrate
agimus in terris. Per eumdem on earth. Through the same
Christum Dominum nostrum. Christ our Lord. Amen.
Amen.