Renew your faith in all those articles which the church proposes to your belief, because they are founded on God's own word, revealed in the scriptures, announced by the prophets, supported by miracles, confirmed by the blood of the martyrs, verified by the establishment of our faith, and obvious by the sanctity of our religion.
I return thee infinite thanks, O Lord, for having given me birth in the bosom of the holy Catholic Church. The precious gift of faith is much more dear to me than any advantage of birth or fortune. Grant me a perfect docility for all it teaches, as well for what I understand, as for what is above my conception. It is neither just nor possible that I should fully comprehend an infinite God, who cannot even comprehend myself. By thy grace I am firmly convinced of the wisdom and sincerity of thy apostles, by whom thou hast announced these mysteries to the world. By them the world was converted; it submitted, and believed them; which, if done without a miracle, must be in itself the greatest of all miracles. What more then can I desire? What surer grounds can I have? On these principles I rest my belief. Here is the faith which to my last breath I shall profess:—I firmly believe that thou art one God in three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who of nothing hast created all things. I believe, O heavenly Father, that thy only Son, who is perfectly equal to thee, holy, powerful, and eternal, as thou art, became man for love of us; suffered, died on the cross, rose again, and ascended into heaven; from whence he shall come at the last day to judge the world; and that of his blessed kingdom there shall be no end. I believe in the Holy Ghost, who is also true God as thou art, proceeding from thee and thy Son: I believe that he spoke by the prophets, and that by him we are sanctified, I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the body, and the life of the world to come, where I firmly hope to possess thee, Lord, for ever and ever. Amen.
At The Offertory.
Consider what an advantage it is to have in this sacrifice, wherewithal to honour God perfectly; to thank him in a manner equal to his gifts; to blot out entirely your past sins; and to obtain, both for yourself and others, all those graces you stand most in need of.
O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, how unworthy soever I may appear in thy presence, yet I presume to offer thee this Host, by the hands of the priest, with the same intention which Christ my Saviour had, when he first instituted this august sacrifice, and which he now has at this very instant that he immolates himself for us. I offer it in acknowledgment of thy supreme dominion over me and all creatures. I offer it in expiation of my crimes; in thanksgiving for all thy benefits. I offer it to obtain from thy infinite goodness, for my parents, benefactors, friends, and enemies, all those precious gifts and graces which only through him can be obtained, who is Just by excellence, and who became a victim for the sins of men. I earnestly entreat thee to bless and protect the holy Catholic Church, our chief pastor the Pope, our Bishops and Clergy, the Queen and Royal Family, and all our fellow-subjects of every denomination. Remember also, O Lord, the souls of the faithful departed, and grant them, through the merits of thy Son, eternal light and peace. Have mercy upon all heretics, infidels and sinners. Bless and preserve all mine enemies; and as I freely forgive them the injuries they have done, or mean to do me, so do thou, in thy mercy, forgive me mine offences. Amen.
At The Preface.
Raise up your thoughts to heaven, even to the very throne of the Divinity, and there with most holy and respectful awe, pay homage to his glorious majesty, mixing your own praises with those sacred hymns with which the heavenly spirits are ever praising him.
Do thou thyself, O Lord, raise up my heart; inflame it with thy love, and free it from all earthly affections; let it rest in heaven, where thou my treasure art, and on this altar also, where thou art going to present thyself to thy eternal Father for our sake. As my life, O Lord, is a continual succession of thy favours, so let my thanksgivings be also uninterupted. And since thou art going to renew the greatest of all sacrifices, should not I also break forth into the most lively acknowledgments? Permit me then, O Lord, to join my feeble voice with the host of heavenly spirits, and to exclaim with them, in transports of joy and admiration: "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth: The heavens and the earth are filled with thy glory. Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."