The mass, or liturgy, contained on the following pages is possibly the very first English language version of the old Tridentine actually used in modern times. It bears the "imprimatur" of Bishop Arnold H. Mathew, the first Old Catholic bishop for Great Britain, and the "nihil obstat" of the man who consecrated him to the episcopacy, Gerardus Gul, Archbishop of Utrecht. If you are interested in more about the history of the Old Catholic Church in Great Britain or the history of the independent Catholic movement please click here: Independent Catholicism.

When the Christian Catholic ( Old Catholic ) Churches of France, Germany and Switzerland, and the Polish Churches joined in union with the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, masses in the local language, or vernacular, were added to the Latin version of the approved Tridentine mass. Hence the Old Catholic Masses were also said or sung in French, German, Polish, Italian, as well as Dutch. With the consecration of Arnold H. Mathew as Old Catholic bishop for Great Britain, in 1909, English was added. The following Mass is the translation of the Tridentine Mass.

NIHIL OBSTAT: + Arnoldus H. Mathew, first Old Catholic bishop for Great Britain

IMPRIMATUR: + Gerardus Gul 1909, Old Catholic Archbishop of Utrecht

THE CHRISTIAN CATHOLIC MASS

THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS

 

 

 

The Priest standing at the foot of the Altar, says:

 

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen

 

Antiphon.

 

Priest. I will go unto the Altar of God

 

Server. Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

 

PSALM XLIII

 

(In Mass for the Dead, and from Passion Sunday until Easter Eve inclusive [unless a Festival occur], the Psalm, Glory be, etc., and repetition of the Antiphon are left out.

 

P. Give sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against ungodly people: O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man.

 

S. For Thou art the God of my strength; why hast Thou put me from Thee: and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me ?

 

P. O send out Thy light, and Thy truth that they may lead me: and bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling.

 

S. And that I may go unto the Altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness, and upon the harp I will give thanks unto Thee, O God, my God.

 

P. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul: and why art thou so disquieted within me ?

 

S. O put thy trust in God; for I will yet give Him thanks: Who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

 

P. Glory be, etc, S. As it was, etc

 

P. I will go unto the Altar of God

 

S. Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

 

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord,

 

R. Who made heaven and earth

 

---

 

P. I confess etc., as below

 

C. May Almighty God be merciful to thee, and , forgiving thy sins, bring thee to everlasting life.

 

P. Amen

 

C. I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever a Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, Father, that I have sinned

exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievious fault. Therefore I beseech the Blessed Mary, ever a Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, and you, Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

 

P. May Almighty God be merciful unto you, and forgiving your sins bring you to life everlasting

 

R. Amen.

 

P. May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon + absolution, and remission of our sins.

 

R. Amen.

 

V. Thou, O Lord, being turned towards us, wilt enliven us.

 

R. And thy people will rejoice in Thee.

 

V. Shew us, O Lord, Thy mercy.

 

R. And grant us Thy salvation.

 

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

 

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

 

V. The Lord be with you.

 

R. And with Thy spirit.

 

Let us pray

 

When the Priest goes up to the altar, he says:

 

Take away from us our iniquities, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into Thy Holy of Holies. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

 

When he bows before the altar, he says:

 

We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of ......... ( here he kisses the altar + stone).......all the saints, that thou wouldst vouchsafe to forgive me all my sins, Amen.

 

---

 

Here, at Solemn Masses, the Priest, before he reads the INTROIT, blesses the incense, saying: Mayest thou be blessed by Him, in whose honour thou shalt be burnt. Amen. And receiving the thurible from the deacon, he incenses the altar. He then reads the INTROIT, which , being variable, must be sought for

in its proper place.

 

INTROIT tob XII

 

Blessed be the Holy Trinity, and undivided Unity; we will praise Him because He hath shown his mercy to us. Psalm viii. O Lord, our God, how wonderful is Thy name; even to the utmost boundaries of the earth.

 

V. Glory be to the Father

 

---

KYRIE

 

 

P. Lord, have mercy on us

 

C. Lord, have mercy on us

 

P. Lord, have mercy on us

 

C. Christ, have mercy on us

 

P. Christ, have mercy on us

 

C. Christ, have mercy on us

 

P. Lord, have mercy on us

 

C. Lord, have mercy on us

 

P. Lord, have mercy on us

 

---

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

 

(omitted in Masses for the Dead, also in Lent, Advent, etc unless the Mass be of a saint. As in all parts of the Mass, Latin may be used.)

 

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, Son of the Father, who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayers. Who

sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art Lord, Thou only art most high, O Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father. Amen

 

P. The Lord be with you

 

R. And with thy spirit.

 

Then are said the COLLECT, EPISTLE, GRADUAL, AND TRACT, which seek in their proper places.

 

At the end of the COLLECT the Clerk answers, Amen; and at the end of the Epistle; R. Thanks be to God.

 

---

The prayer, Munda cor meum, before the GOSPEL

 

Cleanse my heart and my lips, O Almighty God, who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet Isaias with a burning coal, and vouchsafe, through Thy gracious mercy, so to purify me, that I may worthily attend to Thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

 

May the Lord be in my heart, and on my lips, that I may worthily, and in a becoming manner, attend to His holy Gospel, Amen.

 

P. The Lord be with you

 

R. And with thy spirit

 

P. The continuation (or beginning) of the holy Gospel according to.........

 

R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord

 

Seek the GOSPEL in its proper place, at the end of which is answered.

 

R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

 

Then the Priest says in a low voice:

 

May our sins be blotted out by the words of the Gospel.

 

---

THE NICENE CREED

 

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages; God of God, light of light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven; + (HERE KNEEL IN REVERENCE FOR OUR LORD'S INCARNATION) and became incarnate by the Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary; AND WAS MADE MAN. He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of the Father; and He is to come again with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; of whose kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified; who spoke by the Prophets. And in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

---

 

P. The Lord be with you

 

R. And with thy spirit

 

P. Let us pray

 

Here follows the OFFERTORY, which may be found in its proper place

 

OBLATION OF THE HOST

 

Accept, O Holy Father, Almighty and eternal God, this unspotted Host, which I thy unworthy servant offer unto Thee, my living and true God; for my innumerable sins, offences and negligences and for all here present; as also for all faithful Christians, both living and dead; that it may avail both me and them unto life everlasting, Amen.

 

When the Priest puts the Wine and Water into the Chalice, he says:

 

O God + who, in creating human nature, hast wonderfully dignified it, and still more wonderfully reformed it; grant that by the mystery of this Water and Wine, we may be made partakers of His divine nature, who vouchsafed to become partaker of our nature, namely, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Thy Son, who

with Thee, in the unity of,etc... Amen

 

OBLATION OF THE CHALICE

 

We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the Chalice of Salvation, beseeching Thy clemency that it may ascend before Thy divine Majesty, as a sweet odour, for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen

 

When the Priest bows before the altar:

 

Accept us O Lord, in the spirit of humility, and contrition of heart; and grant that the sacrifice we offer this day in Thy sight, may be pleasing to Thee, O Lord God.

 

When he blesses the Bread and Wine:

 

Come, O Almighty and eternal God, the sanctifier, and bless + this sacrifice prepared for the glory of Thy holy name.

 

Here, in Solemn Masses, he blesses the incense, saying:

 

May the Lord, by the intercession of blessed Michael the archangel, standing at the right hand of the Altar of Incensem and of all his elect vouchsafe to bless + this incense, and receive it as an odour of sweetness. Through. Amen.

 

And incensing the Bread and Wine, he says:

 

May this incense which Thou hast blest, O Lord, ascend to Thee, and may Thy mercy descend upon us.

 

At incensing the altar, he says Ps cxl.

 

Let my prayer, O Lord, be directed as incense in Thy sight: the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door round my lips. Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sins.

 

On giving the censor to the Deacon, he says:

 

May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of His love, and the flame of everlasting charity. Amen.

 

---

LAVABO, washing his hands, he says PS xxvi 6:

 

I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord, and so will I go to Thine altar. That I may shew the voice of thanksgiving; and tell of all thy wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house: and the place where Thine honour dwelleth. O shut not up my soul with the sinners: nor my life with the bloodthirsty; In whose hands is wickedness: and their right hand is full of gifts, But as for me, I will walk innocently: O deliver me and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth right, I will praise the Lord in the congregations.

 

Glory be, etc..

 

---

Bowing in the middle of the altar, he says:

 

Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee in memory of the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honour of the blessed Mary ever a Virgin, of blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul; and all the saints; that it may be available to their honour, and our salvation; and that they may vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven, whose memory we celebrate on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Then turning himself towards the people, he says:

 

Brethren, pray that my sacrifice, and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty

 

R. May the Lord receive the sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and glory of His own name, and to our benefit, and that of all His holy church.

 

He then reads in a low voice the SECRETA, which may be found in the proper place, and concludes by saying aloud:

 

P. World without end.

 

R. Amen

 

P. The Lord be with you

 

R. And with thy spirit

 

P. Lift up your hearts

 

R. We lift them up to the Lord.

 

P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

 

R. It is meet and just

 

---

THE PREFACE

 

(There are many prefaces for various seasons and feasts. I will produce the daily preface in this text.)

 

It is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we should always and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty eternal God. Through Christ, our Lord; by whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominations adore, the powers tremble before it, the heavens, the heavenly virtues, and blessed seraphim, with common jubilee glorify it. Together with whom we beseech Thee that we may be admitted to join our humble voices, saying

 

---

SANCTUS

 

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

 

---

 

THE CANON OF THE MASS

 

We therefore humbly pray and beseech Thee, most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to accept and + bless these gifts, these + presents, these + holy unspotted sacrifices, which in the first place we offer Thee for Thy holy Catholic Church, to

which vouchsafe to grant peace, as also to preserve, unite and govern it througout the world; together with Thy servant N., our Patriarch, all our Bishops, as also all orthodox believers and professors of the Catholic and Apostolic faith.

 

Commemoration of the Living

 

Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants, men and women N and N ( Here he prays silently for those for whom he intends to pray) And of all here present whose faith and devotion are known unto Thee, from whom we offerm or who offer up to Thee this sacrifice of praise, for themselves, their families and friends, for the redemption of their souls, for the health and salvation they hope for, and for which they now pay their vows to Thee, the eternal, living, and true God. Communicating with, and honouring in the first place, the memory of the ever-glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ; as also of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus, Linus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysognous, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy saints, through whose merits and prayers grant that we may be always defended by the help of Thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Spreading his hands over the oblation, he says:

 

We therefore beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously to accept this oblation of our servitude, as also of Thy whole family; and to dispose our days in Thy peace, to preserve us from eternal damnation, and rank us in the number of Thine elect. Through Christ our Lord., Amen. Which oblation do Thou, O God, vouchsafe in all respects to bless + approve + ratify + and accept; that it may be made for us the + body and blood + of Thy most beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Who the day before He sufferedm took bread in His holy and venerable hands, and with His eyes lifted up towards heaven to Thee, Almighty God His Father, giving thanks to Thee, he bles+sed, brake and gave to His disciples saying:

 

Take and eat ye all of this

 

FOR THIS IS MY BODY

 

Kneeling, the Priest adores and then elevates the sacred Host

 

In like manner, after He had supped, taking also this excellent chalice into His holy and venerable hands, giving Thee also thanks, He bles+sed and gave it to His disciples, saying : Take and drink ye all of this,

 

FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT, THE

MYSTERY OF FAITH; WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY, UNTO THE

REMISSION OF SINS.

 

As often as ye do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of Me

 

---

EPICLESIS

 

We offer unto you, Father, this acceptable and unbloody sacrifice, and we call upon you to send down your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts. Make this Bread the Precious Body of Christ. (+ make the sign of the Cross above the consecrated host), and make this chalice the Precious Blood of Christ (+ and make the sign of the cross over the chalice. Amen, Amen, Amen.

 

Here, also kneeling, he rises, elevates the Chalice.

 

Wherefore, O Lord, we Thy servants, as also Thy holy people, calling to mind the blessed Passion of the same Christ Thy Son our Lord, His resurrection from the dead, and admirable ascension into heaven, offer unto Thy most excellent Majesty of Thy gifts bestowed upon us, a pure + Host, a + holy Host, an unspotted + Host, the Holy + Bread of eternal life, and Chalice + of everlasting salvation. Upon which vouchsafe to look, with a propitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, as Thou wert graciously pleased to accept the gifts of Thy just servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and that which Thy high-priest Melchisedech offered to Thee, a holy sacrifice and unspotted victim.

 

Here, bowing profoundly, he says:

 

We most humbly beseech Thee, Almighty God, to command these things to be carried by the hands of Thy holy angel to Thy altar on high, in the sight of Thy divine Majesty; that as many as shall partake (Here he kisses the altar) of the most sacred Body + and Blood+ of Thy Son at this altar, may be filled with every heavenly grace + and blessing. Through the same Christ our Lord.

 

Amen.

 

Commemoration of the Dead

 

Extending and closing his hands, he says:

 

Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants, N, and N, who are gone before us in the sign of Faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. ( Here particular mention is silently made of such of the dead as he wishes to pray for ) To these, O Lord, and to all that sleep in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light and peace, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Here, striking his breast, the Priest says:

 

Also,to us sinners, Thy servants, confiding in the multitude of Thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with Thy holy Apostles and Martyrs; with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabus, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecily, Anastasia and with all Thy saints: into whose company we beseech Thee to admit us, not in consideration of our merit, but of Thy gratuitous pardon.

 

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

 

For whom, O Lord, thou dost always create, sanctify +, quicken +, bless+ and give us all these good things. ( Here he uncovers the Chalice, genuflects, and, taking the Host, signs the Cross with it over the Chalice, saying : By + Him, and with + Him, is to Thee, God the Father, Almighty, in the unity of

the Holy+Ghost ( Here he slightly elevates the Chalice, holding the Host over it, as he says:) all honour and glory.

 

P. For ever and ever

 

R Amen

 

Here he covers the Chalice, genuflects, and says:

 

Let us pray

 

Instructed by Thy saving precepts, and following Thy divine directions, we presume to say:

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses; as we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation.

 

R.But deliver us from evil People: Amen

 

Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past , present, and to come; and by the intercession of the blessed and ever glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and of the holy apostles Peter and Paul and of Andrew and all the Saints + ( Here he makes the sign of the cross with the paten, the places the Host upon it) mercifully grant peace in our days, that through the assistance of Thy mercy, we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance. (Here he breaks the Host). Through the same Jesus Christ,

Thy Son Our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God

 

P. World without end. R. Amen

 

P. The peace + of the +Lord be + always with you.

 

R. And with thy spirit

 

He puts a particle of the Host into the Chalice, saying:

 

May this mixture and consecration of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to us that receive it effectual to eternal life. Amen

 

Then genuflecting, bowing, and striking his breast, he says:

 

---

AGNUS DEI

 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, * have mercy on us

 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, * have mercy on us

 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, * give us peace

 

( in Masses for the Dead * give them rest twice, and last, give them eternal rest.)

 

O Lord, Jesus Christ, who saidst to Thy apostles, peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you, regard not my sins, but the faith of Thy Church; and grant her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy will, who livest and reignest for ever and ever, Amen.

 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who, according to the will of the Father, hast by Thy death, through the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, given life to the world, deliver me by this Thy most sacred Body and Blood from all my iniquities, and from all evils; and make me always adhere to Thy

commandments, and never suffer me to be separated from Thee; who livest and reignest with God the Father, etc,,,Amen.

 

Let not the participation of Thy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, presume to receive, turn to my judgement and condemnation; but through Thy mercy, may it be a safeguard and remedy, both to soul and body: who with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, God, for ever and ever. Amen

 

Here he genuflects then,

 

Taking the Host in his left hand , he says:

 

I will take the bread of heaven, and call upon the name of the Lord.

 

Striking his breast with humility and devotion, he says thrice:

 

Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

 

Receiving reverently both parts of the Host he says:

 

May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.

 

Before taking the Chalice, he says:

 

What shall I render to the Lord for all the things that He hath rendered to me ? I will take the Chalice of salvation, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Praisisng, I will call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from my enemies.

 

Receiving the Chalice, he says:

 

May the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting, Amen,

 

HERE THE HOLY COMMUNION, IN ONE OR IN THE TWO SPECIES, AS IS THE PARISH

CUSTOM, IS ADMINISTERED.

 

Then, taking the first ablution, the Priest says:

 

Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our mouth, we may receive with a pure mind, that of a temporal gift it may become to us an eternal remedy.

 

Taking the second ablution, he says:

 

May Thy body, O Lord, which I have received, and Thy Blood which I have drunk, cleave unto my heart; and grant that no stain of sin may remain in me who have been fed with this pure and holy sacrament, Who livest, etc.,

 

He then says the COMMUNION, which seek in the proper place

 

P. The Lord be with you

 

R. And with thy spirit

 

P. Let us pray

 

He then reads the POST COMMUNION, which may also be found in the proper place.

 

P. The Lord be with you

 

R. And with thy spirit

 

P. Go, you are dismissed; or Let us bless the Lord,

 

R Thanks be to God

 

In Masses for the Dead: May they rest in peace. Amen

 

Bowing before the altar, the Priest says:

 

Let the performance of my homage be pleasing to Thee, O holy Trinitym and grant that the sacrifice which I, though unworthy, have offered up in the sight of Thy majesty, may be acceptable to Thee, and through Thy mercy be a propitiation for me, and for all those for whom it has been offered.

 

Through, etc.

 

Turning himself towards the people, he gives them his blessing, saying:

 

May Almighty God + the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost bless you.

 

R. Amen

 

The Lord be with you

 

And with thy spirit

 

The beginning of the Gospel according to St. John.

 

Glory be to Thee, O Lord

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men; and the light shineth in darkness, and the

darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through Him. He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received him not. But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in His name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, as it were the glory of the only - begotten of the Father, full of grace and

truth.

 

R. Thanks be to God.