Epistle.
O most pure Mary, who knowest so well how to penetrate and comprehend Jesus, open my soul, dilate it, so that it may be replenished with that abundance of gifts which it will receive from heaven through thy intercession. Amen.
Gospel.
Ah, to whom shall we go, O Jesus, if not to Thee, since Thou hast the words of eternal life? Thou, O Jesus, my Lord and my God, art the true light, for Whose dawn the saints of the Old Law watched with longing eyes, looking to Thee for grace and salvation. O Mary immaculate, Virgin always faithful! lead us to Jesus, help us to find Jesus, and attach us to Him forever by the bonds of perfect charity, which, uniting us to His sacrifice during time, will associate us to His glory in eternity. Amen.
Credo.
O my God, I firmly believe in one God in three divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost! I believe in Jesus Christ, the true and only Son of God, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, and died on the cross for our salvation. I also believe all the sacred truths the Catholic Church believes and teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. O sweet Jesus, [pg 230] give me knowledge and understanding that I may live and die in this faith! Amen.
Offertory.
Accept, O eternal Father, this offering which is here made to Thee by Thy minister, in the name of all here present and of Thy whole Church. It is yet only bread and wine, but by a miracle of Thy power and grace it will shortly become the body and blood of Thy divine Son. Now the august sacrifice begins, everything recalls the sorrows of our dear Jesus; His bitter agony, accompanied by a most heroic act of perfect submission when He consents to expiate every crime. O Jesus, Jesus! It is I who have bound Thee! it is I who have had the misfortune to lead Thee out to death! From this instant, O Jesus, I give myself to Thee! O Mary, my powerful protectress, purify us in the ardors of thy pure love, and do thou thyself place us on the paten with the bread, and in the chalice with the wine. Amen.
Lavabo.
Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me! Oh, wash me, dear Lord, from all the stains of sin, in the blood of the Lamb, that I may be worthy to be present at these heavenly mysteries. O Mary immaculate, may thy sorrows heal the wounds of my soul. Amen.