TRACT. Ps. lxxviii.-They have spilt the blood of the saints, like water about Jerusalem. V. And there were none to bury them. V. Revenge, O Lord, the blood of thy saints, which hath been spilt on the earth.

GOSPEL. Matt. ii. 13. 18.-At the same time: An angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying Arise, and take the Child and his Mother, and fly into Egypt; and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the Child to destroy him. Who arose, and took the Child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt : and he was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: "Out of Egypt have. I called my Son." Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise Men, was exceeding angry: and sending killed all the men-children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was ful

filled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: "A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning: Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.' "CREDO.

ÖFFERT. Ps. cxxiii.-Our soul hath been delivered, as a Sparrow out of the snares of the fowlers. The snare is broken and we are delivered.

SECRET. May the pious prayers of thy saints, O Lord, be never wanting to us, both to make our offerings acceptable, and to obtain for us thy mercy. Thro'.

COMM. Matt. ii.-A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning: Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

P COMM.

Votiva. Now we have partaken, C

Lord, of the votive offerings, grant, we beseech thee, that by the prayers of thy saints, they may procure us the helps of this present life, and those of that which is to come. Thro'.

St. T. of CANTERBURY, Bp. and M.

INTROIT. Let us all rejoice in the Lord, and celebrate this festival in honour of blessed Thomas the martyr, for whose martyrdom the angels rejoice, and praise the Son of God. Ps. Rejoice in the Lord O ye just: praise becometh the upright. V. Glory.

COLLECT. Deus, pro cujus.—O God, in defence of whose Church, the glorious prelate THOMAS, fell by the swords of wicked men: grant, we beseech thee, that all who implore his assistance, may find comfort in the grant of their petition. Thro'. In this Mass, Commems. of Christmas, St. Stephen, St. John, and H. Innocents, are made by their Collects, &c. as above, from p. 77 to 84 inclusively. EPISTLE. Heb. v. 1. 6.-Brethren: Every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because he himself also is compassed with infirmity: and therefore he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. Neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself that he might be made a high priest: but he that said to him, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." As he saith also in another place: "Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech."

GRAD. Ecclus. 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. I am the good shepH

herd, and 1 know my sheep, and my sheep know me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. John x. 11. 16.-As on the Second Sunday after Easter.

OFFERT. Ps. xx.-Thou hast set, O Lord, on his head, a crown of precious stones; he asked life of thee: and thou didst give it him. Alleluia.

SECRET. Sanctify O Lord, the offerings consecrated to thee: and being appeased thereby, mercifully look upon us, by the intercession of blessed T. thy Martyr and Bishop. Thro'.

COMM. John x.-I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and my sheep know me.

P. COMM. Hæc nos com.-May this communion, O Lord, cleanse us from sin, and, by the intercession of blessed Thomas, thy martyr and bishop, make us effectually partakers of this heavenly remedy. Thro'.

SUNDAY within the Octave of Christmas.

INTROIT. Wisdom xviii. Ps. xcii.

HILE all

UM medium silen

WHI things Dum tenerunt omnia,

were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course, thy Almighty Word, O Lord, came down from thy royal throne.

Ps. The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself. V. Glory

et nox in suo cursu medium iter haberet, Omnipotens Sermo tuus, Domine, de cœlis a regalibus sedibus venit.

Ps. xcii. Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est: indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et præcinxit

se.

V. Gloria.

COLLECT. Omnipotens.-O almighty and eternal God, regulate our actions according to thy divine

will, that, in the name of thy beloved Son, we may abound in good works. Thro'.

Commems. of Christmas, St. Thomas, &c. by their respective Collects, &c. pp. 77. and 85.

EPISTLE. Gal. iv. 1. 7.—Brethren: As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all: but is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed by the father: So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law: that he might redeem them who were under the law; that he might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore now he is not a servant, but a Son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

GRAD. Ps. xliv. and xcii.-Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in thy lips. V. My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak my works to the King. My tongue is the pen of a scrivener that writeth swiftly. Alleluia, Alleluia.

V. The Lord hath reigned, he clothed himself with beauty: he hath clothed himself with strength, and armed himself with might. Alleluia.

Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Dominus regnavit, decorem induit: induit Dominus fortitudinem et præcinxit se virtute. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke ii. 33. 40.-At that time: Joseph, and Mary the mother of Jesus, were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simon blessed them, and said to Mary his Mother: Benold the child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.

And there was one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asar; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years: who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving day and night. Now she at the same hour coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord they returned into Galilee, to their city, Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.

OFFERT. Ps. xcii.-God hath established the world which shall not be moved; thy throne O God, is prepared from of old; thou art from everlasting.

SECRET.-Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that this sacrifice offered to thy Divine Majesty, may obtain for us the grace of true devotion, and a happy eternity. Thro'.

COMM. Matt. ii.-Take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead who sought the life of the child.

P. COMM. Per hujus.-May the efficacy of this sacrament, O Lord, cleanse us from our sins, and obtain for us the accomplishment of our just desires. Thro'.

THE CIRCUMCISION..

INTROIT. Isaias. ix.-Puer natus est, p. 76. COLLECT. Deus, qui salutis.-O God, who by the fruitful virginity of the blessed Mary, hast given mankind the rewards of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we deserved to receive the Author of Life, our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who,