PREFACE
(Taken from Notes Made at the Conferences of Dom Prosper Guéranger).
Although the Priest has been making his petitions in a low voice, yet he terminates this his Prayer aloud, exclaiming: Per omnia saecula saeculorum; to which the Faithful respond Amen, that is to say, we ask also, for what thou hast been asking. In fact, the Priest never says anything in the Holy Sacrifice without the assent of the Faithful, who, as we have already noticed, participate in the Priesthood. They have not heard what the Priest has been saying, nevertheless they join therein and approve heartily of all, by answering their Amen, yea, our Prayer is one with thine! The dialogue here begun between Priest and people is maintained for a while, at length leaving the final word to the Priest alone, who gives thanks solemnly, in the name of all there assembled. The Priest then salutes the people, but this time without turning to them, saying: Dominus vobiscum, the Lord be with you: Lo! now is the most solemn moment of Prayer! And the Faithful respond: Et cum Spiritu tuo, may He be with thy Spirit, may He aid thee, lo! we are one with thee! Then the Priest says: Sursum Corda! lift up your hearts! The Priest requires that their hearts be detached from earthly thoughts, so that they may be directed on God alone; for the Prayer he is about to make is that of Thanksgiving. Admire how well placed is this Prayer here, for the Priest is on the point of accomplishing the Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Our Lord, and this Sacrifice is verily for us the Instrument of Thanksgiving; it is the means whereby we are enabled to render back to God that which we owe him. So Holy Mother Church, delighting with most intense relish in this magnificent Prayer, would fain arouse her faithful children with this cry: Sursum Corda! [Lift up your hearts] in order that they too may appreciate, as she does, this great Act of Thanksgiving, whereby she offers unto God a Something that is Great and worthy of Him. And now the Faithful hasten to express their reassurances to the Priest: Habemus ad Dominum! we have our hearts raised up unto the Lord! Then, replies the Priest, if indeed it is so, let us all unitedly give thanks unto the Lord: Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro. And the Faithful at once add: Dignum et justum est!
Thus do they unite themselves wholly with the Thanksgiving of the Preface which the Priest is about to speak. This dialogue is as old as the Church herself; and there is every reason to believe that the Apostles themselves arranged it, because it is to be found in the most ancient Churches and in all Liturgies. As far as possible, the Faithful should make an effort never to be seated on any account during these acclamations.
Note: The abuse is almost universal in the United States to remain seated during this dialog as well as the preface, only to kneel at the Sanctus at Low Masses. Correction of this has again and again been attempted at various times and in various places, so no legitimate custom can be said to have developed. The proper posture is either to stand or to kneel, but never to remain seated during this most sacred moment in the liturgy. Thus the signal to change one’s posture would be at the conclusion of the silent offertory prayers, when the priest raises his voice and says “Per Omnia Saecula Saeculorum.”
MASS INTENTIONS
FOR THE WEEK |
- Sunday, September 10 - 14th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 a.m. John & Phyllis† Kuhn Family Living & Deceased 10:00 a.m. Pro Populo
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- Monday, September 11 - Feria 7:30 a.m. John & Kathleen Blake
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- Tuesday, September 12 - The Most Holy Name of Mary 7:00 a.m. Rudolph Surach Jr
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- Wednesday, September 13 - Feria 6:00 p.m. Dorothy M Heiny†
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- Thursday, September 14 - The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 7:30 a.m. Victor Schrand
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- Friday, September 15 - Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:00 p.m. Rick & Jayne Meyers
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- Saturday, September 16 - St. Cornelius, Pope & St. Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs 9:00 a.m. Nicholas L. Heiny†
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- Sunday, September 17 - 15th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 a.m. Sr. Catherine of Christ 10:00 a.m. Pro Populo
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