E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

CHAPTER the EIGHTH.
THE DOMINUS VOBISCUM, COLLECT,
EPISTLE.
AT the end of the Gloria the priest kisses the altar and
turning to the people, says Dominus vobiscum,
" the
Lord be with you," and the server representing the
congregation, returns the salutation, saying and with
thy spirit may He be with your soul or spirit also,
O priest.
Whenever the priest turns round to salute the con
gregation with the Dominus vobiscum, he first kisses the
altar, or more properly the altar-stone, in which repose
the relics of the martyrs. The kiss is a mark of
veneration to the martyrs, and much more a sign of
love and reverence for Jesus Christ, who is soon to
be offered in Sacrifice on that altar for the living and
the dead.
In the earliest times, as the priest said Mass facing
the people, he did not turn round at the Dominus
vobiscum. At the Papal Mass said over the Tomb of
the Apostles the Pope faces the congregation, and
therefore
vobiscum.
does not turn to the people at Dominus
When the position of the altar was changed
the priest naturally turned to the people in saluting
them.
The salutation, "The Lord be with thee," was used