The Complete Manual of Catholic Piety / Containing a Selection of Fervent Prayers, Pious Reflection, and Solid Instructions, Adapted to Every State of Life. To Which is Annexed a Supplement, Containing Excellent and Approved Devotions, With the Epistles and Gospels for All the Sundays and Festivals of the Year.

by William Gahan

At the end of the Epistle, the Clerk answers,

R. Deo gratias.

R. Thanks be to God.

Whilst the Priest reads the Gradual, or the Tract, which differs every day, the following may be said:

How wonderful, O Lord, is thy name throughout the whole earth: I will bless our Lord at all times; his praise shall be always in my mouth. Be thou my God and my protector. In thee alone will I put my trust; O let me never be confounded.

The Prayer Before The Gospel.

Cleanse my heart and my lips, O almighty God, who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet Isaiah 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.

Bless me, O Lord.

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. Dominus vobiscum: