E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

CHAPTER the THIRTEENTH.
PART THE FOURTH.
From the Pater Noster to the end of Mass.
THE OUR FATHER AND ITS SEQUEL
THE LIBERA.
THE priest after the Amen of the server, who
answers for the congregation, says Oremus, the solemn
invitation to prayer, and begins the introduction to
the Pater Noster. The Pater Noster is contained in
all the old Liturgies and it is generally thought to
have been introduced into the Mass by the Apostles,
at the command, so says St. Jerome, of our Lord
Himself.
Its present place immediately after the Canon is due
to St. Gregory the Great. In the Ambrosian and
Mozarabic rite the Pater is said after the Breaking of
the Host.
The introduction runs thus : Instructed by Thy
saving precepts, and following Thy divine institu
tion, we presume to say.
St. Luke (xi. i) tells us that the disciples said to
our Lord one day :
" Teach
us to pray as John also
taught his disciples." Hence the Church says that,