INTROIT, Statuit, as in Mass I. p. 461.

COLLECT. Da, quæsumus.-Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that the venerable solemnity of blessed N. thy Confessor and Bishop, may improve our devotion, and strengthen in us the hopes of salvation. Thro'.

LESSON. Eccles. xliv. and xlv.-Behold a great priest, who in his time pleased God, and was found just and in the time of wrath became an atonement. There were none found like him in observing the law of the Most High. Therefore, by an oath did the Lord make him great amongst his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and established his covenant on his head. He acknowledged him in his blessings: he stored up his mercy for him: and he found favour in the eyes of the Lord. (Chap. xlv.) He exalted him in the sight of kings: and gave him a crown of glory. He made with him an eternal covenant: and bestowed on him a great priesthood: and rendered him blessed in glory. To perform the priestly office, to sing praises to the name of God; and to offer him precious incense for an odour of sweetness.

GRAD. Eccles. xliv.- -Behold a great prelate, who in his days pleased God. V. There was none found like him in keeping the law of the Most High. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Tu es sacerdos in æternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech. Alleluia. V. Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.

After Septuag. instead of Alleluia and V. is said TRACT, Beatus, p. 465.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxv. 14. 23.—At that me: 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 telents 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.

OFFERT. Ps. 88.-I have found David, my servant with my holy oil I have anointed him: For my hand shall help him, and my arm shall strengthen him.

SECRET.-May thy saints, O Lord, we beseech thee, cause joy to all thy people: that while we celebrate their merits, we may experience their patrouage. Thro'.

COMM. Luke xii.-This is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the Lord placed over his family, to give them in due season their measure of wheat.

P. COMM. Præsta.—Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that while we return thee thanks for what we have partaken of, we may, by the intercession of blessed N. thy Confessor and Bishop, receive still greater favours. Thro'.

LE

MASS XI. Sacerdotes tui, of the same.

INTROIT.

ET' thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with justice; and let thy saints rejoice. For thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of thine anointed.

ACERDOTES Domine, induant justitiam, et sancti tui exultent. Propter David servum tuum, non avertas faciem Christi tui.

Ps. Memento, Domine, David, et omnis mansuetudinis ejus. V. Gloria.

Ps. Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness. V. Glory. COLLECT. Exaudi.-Hear, O Lord, we beseech thee, the prayers we offer on this solemnity of blessed N. thy Confessor and Bishop: and by his intercession, who worthily served thee, deliver us from all our sins. Thro'.

EPISTLE. Heb. vii. 23. 27.—Brethren: There were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue. But Jesus, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood. Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him: always living to make intercession for us. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens: who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifice first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this Jesus our Lord did once in offering himself.

GRAD. Ps. cxxx.-I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice exceedingly V. There will I bring forth a horn to David: I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Juravit Dominus et non pænitebit eum: Tu es sacerdos in æternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech. Alleluia. V. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent: thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.

After Septuag. instead of Alleluia and V. is said
TRACT. Beatus, p. 465.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxiv 42. 47. At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: Watch ye therefore, because ye know not at what hour your Lord will come. But this know ye, that if the good man of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Wherefore be you also ready, be cause at what hour you know not, the Son of Man will come. Who thinkest thou is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has appointed over his family to give them meat in season? * Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come, he shall find so doing. Amen, I say to you, he shall place him over all his goods f.

OFFERT.-My truth and my mercy shall be with him; and in my name shall his be exalted.

SECRET.-May the annual solemnity, we beseech thee, O Lord, of holy N. thy Confessor and Bishop, render us acceptable to thy mercy that by this sacrifice of propitiation, he may both receive a happy reward, and obtain for us the gifts of thy mercy. Thro'.

COMM.

* Blessed, &c. as above, from * to t. P. COMM. Deus fidelium. -O God, the rewarder of faithful souls, grant that we may obtain forgiveness by the prayers of blessed N. thy Confessor and Bishop, whose venerable feast we celebrate. Thro'.

MASS XII. In medio, of DOCTORS.
INTROIT. Eccles. xv.

Hin the midst of the
E opened his mouth

Church, and the Lord

IN

medio Ecclesiæ aperuit os ejus, et implevit eum Dominus spi

filled him with the spirit ritu sapientiæ et intel

of wisdom: he clad him with a robe of glory.

Ps. It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to thy name, O Most High. V. Glory.

lectus: stolam gloriæ induit eum.

Ps. Bonum est confiteri Domino, et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime V. Gloria.

COLLECT. Deus qui.-O God, who didst give Blessed N. to thy people for a minister of eternal salvation: grant we beseech thee, that he who was the instructor of our life here on earth, may become our intercessor in heaven. Thro'.

LESSON. 2 Tim. iv. 1. 8.-Most dearly beloved: I charge thee before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom: preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, intreat, rebuke, in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine: but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And will indeed turn away their hearing from the. truth, but will be turned into fables. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day and not only to me but to them also who love his coming.

GRAD. Ps. xxxvi.-The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom: and his tongue shall speak judgment. V. The law of his God is in his heart: and his steps shall not be supplanted, O Lord. Allel. Allel. V. Amavit eum Dominus, et ornavit eum; stolam gloriæ induit eum. V. The Lord loved him, and adorned him, and hath clothed him with a robe of glory.