E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>THE</strong> PREFACE. 83<br />
EXPLANATION <strong>OF</strong> <strong>THE</strong> PREFACE.<br />
We now come to the Preface itself and shall select<br />
the Common Preface for explanation. The priest<br />
begins the Preface by echoing the spirit of the response<br />
and repeating it with increased force. It is truly<br />
meet and just, right and salutary; meet with<br />
respect to God whose benefits we acknowledge by<br />
thanking Him for them, while this very act proclaims<br />
our own feeling of gratitude ; just, for thanksgiving is<br />
an obligation of justice ; right<br />
other accounts ; salutary,<br />
both on these and ail<br />
for it conduces to our salva<br />
tion ; that we should always, and in all places, give<br />
thanks to Thee, that is on every conceivable occasion,<br />
laughing and weeping, living and dying we should<br />
thank God. Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal<br />
God, through Christ our Lord. These words are<br />
addressed to God the Father. Each epithet, Holy,<br />
Almighty, Eternal,<br />
is used in the strict sense here and<br />
belongs to God alone. By whom the angels praise<br />
Thy Majesty, the Dominations adore, the Powers<br />
tremble before It, the Heavens and the Heavenly<br />
Virtues and the Blessed Seraphim do celebrate<br />
with united joy.<br />
The introduction of the Angels into the Preface<br />
adds much solemnity to its words. There are nine<br />
Choirs of Angels Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers,<br />
Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim and<br />
Seraphim. It is distinctly said that the angels praise<br />
God the Father through our Lord, their Chief and<br />
Mediator. The word "<br />
"<br />
angels is not taken in a general<br />
sense, but specifically the first choir. The Dominations
Change language