let perpetual light shine upon them. V. Let them rest in peace. R. Amen. our absent V. For brethren. R. Save thy servants, who hope in thee, O my God. V. Send them help, O Lord, from the sanctuary. R. And defend them out of Sion. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee. are pleasing to thee, and perform them with all his strength. O God, from whom all holy desires, all right counsels, and all just works do come, give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts being devoted to thy commandments, and the fear of our enemies being taken away, our times, by thy protection, may be peaceful. Inflame, O Lord, our reigns and heart with the fire of the Holy Ghost; that we may serve thee with a chaste body, and please thee with a clean heart. O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of thy servants departed the remission of all their sins; that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Prevent, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions by thy inspirations, and further them with thy continual help; that every prayer and work of ours may always begin from thee, and through thee be likewise ended. Almighty, everlasting God, who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all, who thou foreknowest will be thine by faith and works; we humbly beseech thee that they for whom we intend to pour forth our prayers, whether this present world still detain them in the flesh, or the world to come hath already received them stripped of their mortal bodies, may, by the grace of thy lovingkindness, and by the intercession of all the Saints, obtain the remission of all their sins. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. God, for ever and ever. R. Amen. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee. V. May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us. R. Amen. V. And may the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. THE Epistles and Gospels OR ALL THE SUNDAYS AND CHIEF FESTIVALS OF THE YEAR. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. EPISTLE. Rom. xiii. 11-14. Brethren: Know, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is past and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. GOSPEL. Luke xxi. 25-33. At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves, men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of the heavens shall be moved ; and then they shall see the Son of Man coming But in a cloud with great power and majesty. when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption is at hand. And he spoke to them a similitude. See the fig-tree and all the trees, when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh; so you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT. EPISTLE. Rom. xv. 4–13. Brethren: What things soever were written, were written for our learning, that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ; that with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honour of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore, will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name." And again, he saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people." again, "Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles, and 66 And |