in order not to deprive them of such an efficacious prayer in this part of the sacrifice, established for their benefit a special prayer. This is the one said last in Lent, and preceded by the words: " Humiliate capita vestra Deo" ("Bow down your heads to God"). On Sunday this is omitted, because on this day all the faithful communicating, or being about to communicate, have a part in the prayers of the Post-communion.

8. THE ITE, MISSA EST, OR THE ASCENSION.

The details of the ascension, as told in the Scriptures, are the benediction given to the disciples, the words of the angel bidding them to go back to Jerusalem, and the joyous return of these same disciples-three circum. stances reproduced in the liturgy at the end of the Mass.

The Last Dominus Vobiscum.-The priest going back to the middle of the altar represents Our Lord going to Bethany upon the Mount of Olives. Like his divine Master, he blesses the faithful, and for the last time wishes them peace. Our Saviour said to His followers in order to console them: "Behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." At the iast Dominus vobiscum let us not forget this promise; it must have been the cause of great joy to the apostles' hearts in the hour of separation. We are going back to our houses, to separate ourselves from Jesus Christ. But no; there is no more separation; God is with us, in our hearts, above all if we have had the happiness to communicate.

The Ite, Missa Est.-In Low Masses the priest, or if it is a High Mass the deacon, filling the office of the angels, dismisses the faithful with these words: "Ite, Missa

66

est" that is to say: "Go now, for Jesus Christ, our one advocate, has left this altar to enter into His glory." "Deo gratias" ("Thanks be to God"), answer the people, uniting their gratitude to the disciples', who "went back to Jerusalem with great joy, praising and blessing God." Ah, yes, let us lovingly say: Thanks be to God, ["Deo gratias"], for heaven and earth are reconciled." Thanks be to God that the august victim. awaited for four thousand years, came to immolate Himself for us. Thanks to God the Father, Who has delivered anew His Son to be sacrificed upon the altar. Thanks to the Son, Who renewed among us the mysteries of His mortal life. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, Who formed the victim in the womb of Mary, and Whose fruitful power has formed Him again upon our altar. Thanks to the Blessed Trinity for all His goodness, of Thich the sacrifice which has just been offered is the wonderful epitome:

The Benedicamus Domino.-During Advent and Lent our fathers not only assisted at Mass, but at the Canonicai Hours with which it was followed. In those days of longer and more fervent prayers, instead of dismissing the congregation with the words: "Ite, Missa est," they were invited to bless the Lord by the sacrifice of praise; "Benedicamus Domino” (“Let us bless the Lord"). These words have been preserved in the Church to remind us that it is neccssary to sanctify the holy time of penitence by prayer.

9. THE BENEDICTION, OR THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY

GHOST.

The Placeat. The prayer of the apostles assemblea in that upper room, and that of Our Saviour asking His Father to send the Consoler, are figured by the prayer Placeat, placed between the last Dominus vobiscum, the meaning of which we have already seen, and the benediction, regarded by the greatest liturgists as the symbol of the descent of the Holy Ghost on the apostles. (Inn. III., vi. 14.) Seven times during the Mass the prayer "Et cum spiritu tuo" rises from the hearts of the faithful to Our Lord, imploring the coming of the divine Paraclete. These devout aspirations are about to be answered.

The Words and Form of the Benediction. The priest first kisses the altar, the figure of Jesus Christ, to show that it is the Son of God Who sent the Holy Spirit of consolation upon the earth. Then he blesses: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," for, says Innocent III., although the Holy Spirit especially was sent, the works of the Trinity being indivisible, the three divine Persons have co-operated in this mystery: it is for this reason, he adds, that the benediction is given in the name of the august Trinity. (Inn. III., vi. 14.) The sign of the cross which accompanies this blessing recalls to Christians that the mercies of Pentecost are the fruits of the merits of the passion. Jesus Christ has said this: "It is expedient to you that I go, for if I go not the Paraclete will not come to you." (St. John xvi. 7.)

We have received the Holy Spirit in Confirmation.