Gospel.Matthewxxv. 14, 23.At that time:Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: A man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability; and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents, coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Lesson.Isaiahvii. 10. 16.In those days:The Lord spoke unto Achaz, saying: Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above.And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear ye, therefore, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.
Gospel.Lukei. 26, 38.At that time:The angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.
Lesson.Actsxii. 1, 11.In those days:Herod the king stretched forth his hand to afflict some of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of Azymes. And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending after the pasch to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him: and a light shined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side raised him up, saying: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said to him: Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said to him: Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And going out he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first and second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through one street: and immediately the angel departed from him. And Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Gospel.Matthewxvi. 13, 19.At that time:Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some, John the Baptist, and other some, Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona; because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. Credo.
Lesson.Ecclesiastesxxiv. 11, 20.I sought rest every where, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. Then the Creator of all things gave his orders, and said to me: and he that made me, rested in my tabernacle, and he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect. From the beginning, and before the world was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. And I was so established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my powerwasin Jerusalem. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints. I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress-tree on mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm-tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho: as a fair olive-tree in the plains, and as a plane-tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon, and aromatical balm: like the myrrh I yielded a sweet odour.
Gospel.Lukex. 38, 42.At that time:Jesus entered into a certain town; and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary. Who sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? Speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things. But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken from her. Credo.
Lesson.Revelationvii. 2, 12.In those days:Behold I, John, saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying: Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we have signed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Judah, were twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Nephtali, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Zebulon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand signed.After this I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and tribes, and peoples and tongues; standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honour, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Gospel.Matthewv. 1, 12.At that time:Jesus seeing the multitude, went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth he taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace makers; for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you untruly, for my sake; be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. Credo.
Epistle.1Corinthiansxv. 51, 57.Brethren:Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall all indeed rise again; but we shall not all be changed.In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible; and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:Death is swallowed up in victory, O grave, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?Now the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel.Johnv. 25, 29.At that time:Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: Amen, amen, I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so he hath given to the Son also to have life in himself: and he hath given him power to do judgment, because he is the Son of man. Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the grave shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life: but they that have done evil unto the resurrection of judgment.
Lesson.Ecclesiastesxliv.andxlv.The blessing of the Lord is on the head of the righteous man. Therefore did the Lord give him an inheritance, and assign him a part among the twelve tribes; and he found grace in the sight of all flesh. And he made him great to the terror of his enemies, and by his words he tamed monsters. He rendered him glorious in the presence of kings, and gave him his commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him his glory. For his faith and meekness he sanctified him, and made choice of him among all flesh: and publicly gave him his precepts, and the law of life and discipline, and highly exalted him. He settled with him an eternal covenant, and encompassed him with the girdle of righteousness: and the Lord hath put on him a crown of glory.
Gospel.Johnxv. 12, 16.At that time:Jesus said to his disciples: This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. I will not now call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth. But I have called you friends: because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you that you should go, and should bring forth fruit: and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Epistle.Jamesi. 12, 18.Dearly beloved:Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life which God hath promised to them that love him.Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man. But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death. Do not err therefore, my dearest brethren. Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creatures.
Gospel.Lukexiv. 26, 33.At that time:Jesus said to his disciples: If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it: lest, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, saying: This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or, what king about to go and make war against another king, doth not first sit down and think whether he be able with ten thousand, to meet him that with twenty thousand cometh out against him. Or else, whilst the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace. So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.
Lesson.Wisdomx. 10, 14.The Lord conducted the just man through the right ways, and showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things: made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours.In the deceit of them that over-reached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable. She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all. She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit, and in bands she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and showed them to be liars that accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.
Gospel.Matthewx. 34, 42.At that time:Jesus said to his disciples: Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's enemies against they of his own household. He that loveth his father and mother more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it. He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.
Epistle.1Peteri. 3, 7.Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his great mercy hath regenerated us into a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that cannot fade, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are kept by faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations; that the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise, and glory, and honour, at the appearing of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gospel.Johnxv. 5, 11.At that time:Jesus said to his disciples: I am the vine, you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth. If you abide in me, and my word abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. In this is my Father glorified; that you bring forth very much fruit, and become my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father's commandments, and do abide in his love. These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled.
LessonandGospel,as in page79.
Lesson.Ecclesiastesxxxi. 8. 11.Blessed is the man that is found without blemish; and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him, for he hath done wonderful things in his life. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting, He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.
Gospel.Lukexii. 35, 40.At that time:Jesus said to his disciples: Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands, and you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from their wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord, when he cometh, shall find watching: Amen, I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broke open. Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.
Lesson.Ecclesiastesli. 1, 8.I will give glory to thee, O Lord, my King, and I will praise thee, O God, my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name, for thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. And thou hast delivered: me according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from the roaringlions, that were ready to devour me. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: from the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue: my soul shall praise the Lord even to death, because thou succourest those that trust in thee, and deliverest them from the hands of the Gentiles, O Lord our God.
Gospel.Matthewxxv. 1, 13.At that time:Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven shall be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered, saying: Amen, I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
Epistle.1Corinthiansvii. 25, 34.Brethren:Concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I think therefore, that this is good for the present necessity, for a man so to be. Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of the flesh.But I spare you. This therefore I say, brethren: the time is short: it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not: and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife; and he is divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord: that she may be holy both in body and spirit, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gospel.Matthewxxv. 1, 13,as in page92.
Epistle.2Corinthiansx. 17; xi. 1, 2.Brethren:Let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord: for not he that commendeth himself is approved; but he whom God commendeth. [Chap. xi.] Would to God you could bear with some little of my folly: but do bear with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Gospel.Matthewxxv. 1, 13,as in page92.
Lesson.Proverbsxxxi. 10.Who shall find a valiant woman? the price of her isas of things broughtfrom afar off, and from the uttermost coasts. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. She will render him good and not evil, all the days of her life. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands. She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar. And she hath risen in the night, and given prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens. She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm. She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night. She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor. She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow, for all her domestics are clothed with double garments. She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry; fine linen and purple is her covering. Her husband is honourable in the gates, where he sitteth among the senators of the land. She made fine linen and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chananite. Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue. She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Gospel.Matthewxiii. 44, 52.At that time:Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kinds of fishes. Which, when it was filled they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just.And shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man who is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.
Lesson.Revelationxxi. 2, 5.In those days:I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people: and God himself with them shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat on the throne said: Behold I make all things new.
Gospel.Lukexix. 1, 10.At that time:Jesus entering in, he walked through Jericho. And behold there was a man named Zacheus, who was the chief of the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and he could not, for the crowd, because he was low of stature. And running before he climbed up into a sycamore tree that he might see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up he saw him, and said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down: for this day I must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received him with joy. And when all saw it, they murmured, saying: that he was gone to be a guest with a man that was a sinner. But Zacheus standing said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor: and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him four-fold. Jesus said to him: This day is salvation come to this house; because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Credo.
Epistle.1 Thessalonians iv. 12, 17.Brethren:We will not have you ignorant concerning them that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them who have slept through Jesus, will God bring with him. For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept. For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment: and with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ, shall rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. Wherefore comfort ye one another with these words.
Gospel.Johnxi. 21, 27.At that time:Martha said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith to her: Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith to him: I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live. And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this? She saith to him: Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ the Son of the living God, who art come into this world.
Confirmation is a sacrament instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, to enable us to arrive at the state of perfect Christians, and to strengthen the spiritual life of grace which we received at baptism. It is calledConfirmation, from its effect, which is toconfirmandfortifythose who receive it with the necessary dispositions, in the possession of the true faith, to arm them against their spiritual enemies, and to complete and finish in them the sanctification which baptism had begun. In baptism we receive the character of the children of God; in confirmation we receive the strength of men, and the character of the soldiers of Jesus Christ, says St. Melchiades. In baptism we are enlisted under the standard of Christ crucified; in confirmation we are armed with the shield of faith, and enabled to combat against the devil, the world, and the flesh. In baptism we are regenerated, and receive the sanctifying grace of God for the remission of sins; in confirmation we are prepared for a spiritual warfare, and receive the Holy Ghost for a force and corroboration, that we may stand firm in the divine service, for the sake of Christ, with a holy vigour of spirit and constancy of mind, amidst the terrors of the severest trials and persecutions.The effects of this sacrament appear visibly, not only in thousands of holy martyrs, but also in the apostles, who, after they had been confirmed on Whitsunday, by the Holy Ghost coming down upon them, were immediately changed into new men, and were animated by this Divine Spirit to that degree, that sufferings for the sweet name of Jesus became the subject of their glory. It is evident from Acts, viii. and xix., that the apostles practised confirmation, as a means to communicate the graces and gifts of the Holy Ghost to the faithful.It is of confirmation also that St. Paul makes mention, Hebrews vi. 1, 2, and 2 Corinthians i. 21, 22, where he expressly says:Now he who confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.The testaments of the most ancient writers plainly show, that the church of God, from the apostles' days, has always believed confirmation to be a sacrament of the new law, and administered it as such. Among the rest, St. Clement, a contemporary of the apostles, says, chap. 4, that he received this doctrine from St. Peter and other apostles; and therefore he exhorts all, without delay, to hasten to be signed by the bishop, that they may receive the seven-fold grace of the Holy Ghost, since he cannot be a perfect Christian who wilfully neglects this sacrament. Tertullian, St. Fabian, and St. Melchiades, who flourished in the second, third, and fourth centuries; St. Cyprian, St. Jerome, St. Ambrose, &c. have handed down the same doctrine: and St. Augustine, cont. lit. Petil. 2, c. 104, says in express terms, "The sacrament of chrism in the kind of visible seals, is sacred and holy, even as baptism itself." Moreover, it is plain from the 8th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, ver. 14, that thevisible signof the imposition of hands has annexed to it aninvisible grace, viz. the imparting of the Holy Ghost. Consequently, confirmation is a sacrament, as it has all things necessary to constitute a sacrament, and is avisible sign of an invisible grace, &c.The ordinary minister of this sacrament is a bishop only; and it was for this reason that St. Peter and St. John, who were both bishops, were sent to confirm the Samaritans, who had been converted and baptised by Philip, the deacon; which is an additional proof, that confirmation is a holy sacrament, and not a mere ceremony, as Calvin pretends; for were it only a ceremony that they had administered, why did not Philip, the deacon, who baptised the Samaritans, use that ceremony? Where was the necessity of sending two bishops to Samaria, as the apostles did?—Actsviii.As water is made use of in baptism, so chrism is used in confirmation.Chrismis a sacred ointment, composed ofoil of olivesandbalsam(orbalm)of Gilead, solemnly blessed by a bishop on Holy Thursday.The unction, or outward anointing withchrism, represents the inward anointing of the soul with the gifts of the Holy Ghost; as the outward ablution with water in baptism, denotes the inward washing of the soul by the sanctifying grace of God. The oil, whose properties are to assuage our pains, to fortify the limbs, and to give a certain vigour to the body, represents the spiritual effects of the grace of this sacrament in the soul; and the balm, which is of a sweet smell, and whose property is to preserve bodies from putrefaction, represents the good odour or sweet savour of Christian virtues with which we are to edify our neighbours after having received this sacrament. The form of words used in conferring this sacrament is this:I sign thee with the sign of the cross, I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Whilst the bishop pronounces the form, he makes the sign of the cross with the holy chrism, upon the forehead of each person that is to be confirmed, to give them to understand, that no worldly fear or shame is to deter them from confessing Christ crucified; but that they are openly to profess the doctrines and maxims of his gospel, and live as becomes members of his church in spite of the ill example and corrupt maxims of the world. Hence Tertullian says, lib. 1. adv. Marc. "The flesh is anointed, that the soul may be consecrated. The flesh is signed, that the soul may be fenced. The flesh, by the imposition of hands, is shadowed, that the soul, by the spirit, may be illuminated."—This is what the bishop prays for, when turning himself towards those that are to be confirmed, with his hands joined before his breast, he says,May the Holy Ghost come down upon you and the power of the Most High keep you from all sins.—Amen. A little blow is given on the cheek to the persons confirmed, to imprint in their minds, that they are to be ready to bear with meekness and patience, all crosses, persecutions, trials, affronts, and injuries, for the sake and glory of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ. At the same time the bishop says,Peace be with thee, to signify that the true peace of God, which, as St. Paul says,exceeds all understanding, is chiefly to be found in patient suffering for God and his truths. Lastly, the bishop prays for those who have been confirmed, that the Holy Ghost may ever dwell in their hearts, and make them temples of his glory. After which be dismisses them with his blessing, &c.Q. Can this sacrament of confirmation be received more than once?A. No; because, like baptism, it imprints an indelible character or spiritual mark in the soul, which always remains.Q. Is there any spiritual kindred contracted in confirmation?A. Yes; the godfather or the godmother contracts the same spiritual kindred as in the sacrament of baptism.Q. Is confirmation absolutely necessary to salvation?A. It is not so necessary but that a person may be saved without it; yet, when a favourable opportunity offers for receiving it, it would be certainly a sin to neglect so powerful a help to salvation, and deprive ourselves of the benefit of this holy sacrament, which our blessed Redeemer was mercifully pleased of his infinite goodness to institute, as the never-failing means in his church to communicate his divine spirit to his followers. It would be a still more grievous crime to neglect confirmation through contempt, disregard, or want of faith. It is to a wilful neglect of this sacrament that the holy fathers attribute the downfall of several apostates from the true religion.Q. What kind of persons stand most in need of the grace of this sacrament?A. Those who are most exposed to temptations against faith, or to persecutions upon account of their religion.Q. At what age may a person be confirmed?A. Ordinarily speaking, the church does not give confirmation to children before they are seven years old; but defers it till they come to the use of reason, and are sufficiently instructed and prepared. Fathers and mothers should take care to have them carefully instructed in the Christian doctrine, and regularly prepared to be presented to the bishop for confirmation at the proper time, before they have received the Blessed Eucharist. If their children be lost through ignorance, they shall answer for it to God.Q. What are the dispositions necessary for receiving the sacrament of confirmation worthily?A. A person must be free from the guilt of mortal sin, and in the state of grace; for theholy spirit of wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subject to sins.—Wisdom i. 4. He must also be well instructed in the principles of the Christian faith, according to his age and capacity, and have a proper sense of what he is doing.Q. In what manner then must a person prepare himself for confirmation?A. First, he must examine his conscience diligently, and if he find it charged with wilful sin, he must take care to purge it by a good sacramental confession; for it would be a grievous sacrilege to presume to receive the sacrament of confirmation, knowingly in the state of mortal sin.—Secondly, he must prepare himself some days before by devout and humble prayer, frequently and fervently calling upon God to dispose his soul for receiving the Holy Ghost, who communicates his gracious gifts and favours in proportion to the dispositions with which they are received.Q. As confirmation is ordained for the sanctification of souls, why do not all who receive it become saints?A. The fault is entirely their own. God on his part is ready to bestow all the graces necessary to enable them to become saints; but, alas! how few are disposed to improve and co-operate with them as they might and ought! How few make the proper use of them! How many on the contrary resist them, like the stiff-necked Jews! How manycontristateandextinguishthe divine spirit, as the apostle expresses it! How many banish this heavenly guest from the temple of their souls by falling into mortal sin, and thus obstruct the operation of this holy sacrament!Q. Is a person obliged to receive the sacrament of confirmation fasting?A. No. There is no strict obligation or precept for it, though to fast on the eve and day of confirmation is a laudable custom, and conformable to the practice of the primitive church.Q. Why are the fervent exercises of piety and devotion required before confirmation?A. For two reasons: First, because our Saviour has assured us that hisheavenly Father will give his good spirit to them that ask it.—Luke, xi. 13. Secondly, in imitation of the apostles, who, during the ten days between the ascension of our Lord and the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, retired from the noise and tumults of the world, and continued with one accord in prayer, with Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.—Acts, i. 14.Q. Why are we to invoke the Holy Ghost in particular?A. Not that we are to neglect praying to the Father and the Son also, as we know that all the three persons are but one and the same God; but because the work of our sanctification, the pouring down the grace of God into our souls, and all the heavenly favours and helps that are necessary for conducting us in the way of salvation, are the effects of the divine love, and are by a peculiar approbation attributed in a special manner to the operation of the Holy Ghost, as it is the love of the Father and of the Son, and as it is from God's love that all grace, all virtue and sanctification, flow and proceed.
O God of infinite goodness and bounty, who has been pleased, at my baptism, to make me a Christian, to sanctify my soul with thy grace, and to honour me with the glorious title of thy child; which, alas! for my part, I have so wretchedly corresponded with, and have even forfeited a thousand times by my sins: behold, notwithstanding all my ingratitude, and my repeated treasons, which thou hast so long and so patiently endured, thou art still pleased, not only to invite me to return to thee, and to offer me thy mercy, but also to call upon me at this time, to come and present myself, in order to receive the greatest of all thy gifts, even thine own most Holy Spirit; to be consecrated to thee by his unction; to be made a strong and perfect Christian, and a soldier of thy Son. O may all heaven and earth praise thee, bless thee, and glorify thee for ever, for all thy mercies, goodness, and bounty to me.And now, dearest Lord, I desire to come, because such is thy will and my duty, to receive this great sacrament of Confirmation; that I may like thy apostles, bebaptised with the Holy Ghost, and be endowed with power from on high;and like them be changed by divine grace, into another man, in such manner as henceforward to live up to the dignity, and to fulfil every part of the duty of asoldier of Christ!and to preserve and maintain even to death, that purity and sanctity which become the temple of the living God. But, O my God, how far am I from being worthy to approach this heavenly sacrament! How can I expect that thy Holy Spirit should come into my inward house, to make it his temple, which has been so long possessed by unclean spirits? Where are the dispositions in me, which the apostles brought, and which all Christians ought to bring along with them, to the receiving of the Holy Ghost? O! I acknowledge myself infinitely unworthy; I confess and detest from the bottom of my heart, all my past uncleanness and abominations; I humbly crave thy mercy and pardon, through Jesus Christ thy Son; and beg, through him, that thou wilt be pleased to cleanse my soul from all its filth with his precious blood, and to give me thy grace to come to this sacrament with that humility, faith, and devotion, which is most agreeable to thee.O Divine Spirit, do thou prepare my soul for thyself! Behold, I come, desiring to give up myself to thee for all time and eternity, that thou mayest ever live and reign in my soul; and O let my whole soul henceforward he perpetually subject to thee, and let nothing in me ever more rebel against thee. Amen.
Those who are preparing themselves for the sacrament of Confirmation, may likewise breathe forth, from time to time, the following short Ejaculations:
Come, Holy Ghost, who replenisheth the hearts of the faithful, descend into my soul, and make it the place of thy abode.
Come, O Divine Spirit, take full possession of my heart, and kindle in it the fire of thy divine love.
Enter into my soul and abide there for ever, to be my light, my guide, and my strength.
Come, Holy Ghost, with all thy gifts, and fill my soul; enlighten, direct, and conduct me in all my ways. Strengthen me against all the assaults of self-love, remove from me all vicious shame, and inspire me with a Christian courage.
O grant that I may make the gospel the rule of my life. Preserve me from the corruption of sin, and from the pernicious maxims of the world. Give me grace, O God, to do thy will in all things. Enlighten my eyes, O Lord, that I may never sleep in death.
O uncreated fire, when wilt thou consume whatever is imperfect in my soul.
Inebriate my soul with thy holy love, O thou sovereign beauty.