Carthusian Missa Privata
A traditional language translation of the contemporary Carthusian rite for private celebration
The approach to the altar.
The priest stands a bit before the middle of the altar, raising his mind to God. Then he kisses the altar, and makes the sign of the cross, saying secretly :
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then, having turned around to any people present, extending and joining his hands, he says :
The Lord be with you.
Those present respond :
And with thy spirit.
The priest receives this answer bowing, and goes down to the lower step, where, standing at the left side, he makes his confession.
The Confiteor
First an examination of conscience is made in silence. Then :
Priest. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Server. Who hath made heaven and earth.
Then the priest and the people present say together :
I confess to Almighty God and to you brethren that I have sinned exceedingly by my fault, through pride: in thought, word, deed and omission and I ask Blessed Mary and all the saints and you, brethren, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Through the intercession of Blessed Mary and all the saints may Almighty God have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. R. Amen.
In a solitary Mass is said :
I confess to Almighty God that I have sinned exceedingly by my fault, through pride: in thought, word, deed and omission and I ask Blessed Mary and all the saints to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May Almighty God have mercy upon me and through thine intercession, O most loving Mother of God, and all the saints, may my sins be forgiven and may I be led to everlasting life. Amen.
The priest, having bowed profoundly before the altar, prays in silence. Then he approaches the altar, in the middle of which, as a rule, he will stand through the whole mass.
The altar may be censed - First Censing
He says the Introit (Opening Antiphon)
Kyrie.
Said back and forth by the priest and server, or by the celebrant alone. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Christe, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.
Gloria in excelsis.
may be said except in Lent and Advent.
GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect.
The priest, joining his hands, says :
Let us pray.
And, having bowed slightly, he prays in silence. Then, standing straight, he says the collect (Opening Prayer).
The Epistle, etc.
The priest may read the the reading or readings turned toward the listeners, as also the Gospel.
The Gospel.
Before the Gospel, the priest, having bowed slightly, having joined his hands, says secretly :
May the Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may rightly pronounce the Gospel of peace.
Priest. The Lord be with you.
Server . And with thy spirit.
Priest. The continuation of the holy Gospel . . .
And the priest with those present makes the sign of the cross at the response :
Glory be to thee, O Lord.
The Gospel having been read, the priest venerates the book with a kiss.
The Creed may be said on Sundays, major feasts and at the discretion of the celebrant
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
At the words that follow, up to and including “and became man”, all bow.
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Offertory.
In a low Mass, the antiphon of the Offertory is omitted. After a deep bow has been made, the priest approaches the altar. He unfolds the corporal. Wine is in the chalice. When water is added the priest says:
From the side of our Lord Jesus Christ came out blood and water unto the remission of sins.
When he washes his hands, he says :
I shall wash my hands among the innocent, and encompass thine altar, O Lord.
And these two verses :
That I may hear the voice of thy praise: and tell of all thy wondrous works.
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
Standing at the middle of the altar, the priest, holding the chalice with the paten placed on top, offers it, saying secretly :
In a spirit of humility and with a contrite heart may we be taken up by thee, O Lord, and may our sacrifice be made in thy sight today in such a way as to please thee, O Lord God.
And he makes the sign of the cross with the chalice itself, saying :
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
He puts the chalice back on the corporal, and in front of it the paten, holding the bread to be consecrated. He covers the chalice with the top part of the corporal.
Censing
If incense is to be used, the priest, having performed the Offertory above, puts incense into the thurible and holds this raised above the offerings, saying :
May my prayer, O Lord, be directed like incense in your sight
Then he censes once over the offered things in the form of a cross, with these words :
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
And once, in the form of a crown, and then : to the cross, to the right side, to the left side, and thrice below in front of the front of the altar. The censing finished having washed his hands (as above) he turns himself to the people and says :
Pray, brothers.
Prayer over the offerings.
The priest, having turned again to the altar, prays a bit in silence, with hands joind. Then he says the prayer without « let us pray, »
THE CANON
C: The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
Sursum Corda
C: Lift up your hearts.
A. We lift them up unto the Lord.
C: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
A. It is meet and right so to do.
Preface
C: It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty everlasting God.
Therefore, with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee and saying:
Sanctus & Benedictus
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory; glory be to thee, O Lord most high. + Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Roman Canon.
Having bowed deeply, with joined hands :
Most merciful Father, we humbly pray thee through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, and we ask that thou accept and bless (straightening himself he makes the sign of the cross over the bread and chalice together) These gifts, these presents, these holy and unspoiled sacrifices. ( arms extended in the form of a cross)
We offer them unto thee, first, for thy holy catholic Church: that thou vouchsafe to keep it in peace, to guard, unite, and govern it throughout the whole world: together with thy servant N. our Presiding Bishop and N. our Bishop and all the faithful guardians of the catholic and apostolic faith.
Remember, O Lord, thy servants and handmaids N. and N and all who here around us stand, whose faith is known unto thee and their steadfastness manifest, on whose behalf we offer unto thee: or who themselves offer unto thee this sacrifice of praise, for themselves, and for all who are theirs; for the redemption of their souls, for hope of their salvation and safety; and who offer their prayers unto thee, the eternal God, the living and the true.
United in one communion, we venerate the memory, first, of the glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also of blessed Joseph, her most chaste spouse, and thy 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, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian: and of all thy Saints; grant that by their merits and prayers we may in all things be defended with the help of thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Hands spread over the offerings)
Which oblation, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, in all things to make blessed, appointed, ratified, reasonable and acceptable, that unto us it may be the Body and Blood of thy most dearly beloved Son, our Lord (he joins his hands and bows) Jesus Christ.
Who the next day before he suffered, took bread (he takes bread and holds it raised) into his holy and reverend hands, and (he raises his eyes) his eyes being lifted into heaven unto thee, God Almighty his Father, rendering thanks unto thee, he blessed, he brake, and gave unto his disciples, saying: Take and eat this, ye all.
(Bowing slightly)
FOR THIS IS MY BODY.
He makes a profound bow, elevates the host, and bows again. Then taking the chalice with both hands and again bowing slightly he says:
Likewise after they had supped, he taking this excellent Cup into his holy and reverend hands, rendering thanks also unto thee, blessed, and gave unto his disciples, saying, Take and drink of this, ye all.
FOR THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING TESTAMENT:
THE MYSTERY OF FAITH:
WHICH FOR YOU AND FOR MANY SHALL BE SHED
TO THE REMISSION OF SINS.
As oft as ye do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me.
He makes a profound bow, elevates the host, and bows again.
(Arms extended in the form of a cross)
Wherefore, O Lord, we also, thy servants, and thy holy people, being mindful as well of the blessed passion and resurrection, as of the glorious ascension of the same Christ thy Son, our Lord God, do offer unto thy excellent Majesty of thy own rewards and gifts, a pure host, a holy host, an undefiled host, the holy bread of eternal life, and the cup of eternal salvation.
Vouchsafe thou also, with a merciful and pleasant countenance, to have respect hereunto: and to accept the same, as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and the holy sacrifice, the undefiled host, that the high priest Melchisedek did offer unto thee.
(Bowing profoundly, hands joined)
We humbly beseech thee, O Almighty God, command thou these to be brought by the hand of thy holy Angel unto thy high altar in the presence of thy Divine Majesty, that as many of us as of this partaking of the Altar shall receive thy Son’s holy Body and Blood may be replenished with all heavenly benediction and grace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Arms extended in the form of a cross)
Remember, Lord, also the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, N. and N.,
which are gone before us with the mark of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. [The priest prays for them briefly with joined hands.] We beseech thee, O Lord, that unto them, and unto all such as rest in Christ, thou wilt grant a place of refreshing, of light, and of peace. Through the same Christ our Lord.
(He touches his chest once with his right hand.)
Unto us sinners also, thy servants, hoping of the multitude of thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some portion and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs; with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and with all thy Saints, within whose fellowship we beseech thee to admit us, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses. Through Christ our Lord.
By whom, O Lord, all these good things thou dost ever create, thou sanctifiest, thou quickenest, thou blessest, and givest unto us;
Through him, and with him, and in him, is unto thee, God the Father Almighty, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory. World without end. (elevation) Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer. (Hands joined)
Commanded by saving precepts, and taught by divine example, we are bold to say:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will be done , as it is in heaven, so also on earth. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors ; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The priest, arms extended in the form of a cross, goes on secretly :
Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and future: and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, mother of God, and of thy holy Apostles Peter, and Paul, and Andrew, and all saints graciously grant peace in our days: that assisted with the help of thy mercy, we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance as we await the blessed hope and coming of Our Saviour Jesus Christ….. O Lord Jesus Christ, give us that peace, which the world cannot give.
Having turned to the people present, and extending his hands and joining them he says :
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
R/And with thy spirit.
Fraction
He unconvers the chalice, bows deeply, breaks the eucharistic bread and puts a particle into the chalice while he says :
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Communion
Bowed deeply, the priest rests a little while in meditation, or says one of the following prayers :
O Lord Jesu Christ, Son of the living God, who by the will of the Father, and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, hast through thy death given life unto the world: deliver me by this thy most sacred Body and Blood from all mine iniquities and from every evil: and make me ever to cleave unto thy commandments, and suffer me never to be separated from thee: Who with the same God the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.
Let the partaking of thy Body, O Lord Jesu Christ, which I, unworthy presume to receive, turn not to my judgment and condemnation: but of thy goodness let it avail unto me for protection of soul and body, that I may receive thy healing: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit God, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Bowing slightly the priest receives the holy body of Christ, the paten having been put under his chin. Then holding the chalice in his right hand, and putting the purificator or patena under with his left, he receives the Blood of the Lord.
Having bowed deeply, with joined hands :
Most merciful Father, we humbly pray thee through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, and we ask that thou accept and bless (straightening himself he makes the sign of the cross over the bread and chalice together) These gifts, these presents, these holy and unspoiled sacrifices. ( arms extended in the form of a cross)
We offer them unto thee, first, for thy holy catholic Church: that thou vouchsafe to keep it in peace, to guard, unite, and govern it throughout the whole world: together with thy servant N. our Presiding Bishop and N. our Bishop and all the faithful guardians of the catholic and apostolic faith.
Remember, O Lord, thy servants and handmaids N. and N and all who here around us stand, whose faith is known unto thee and their steadfastness manifest, on whose behalf we offer unto thee: or who themselves offer unto thee this sacrifice of praise, for themselves, and for all who are theirs; for the redemption of their souls, for hope of their salvation and safety; and who offer their prayers unto thee, the eternal God, the living and the true.
United in one communion, we venerate the memory, first, of the glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also of blessed Joseph, her most chaste spouse, and thy 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, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian: and of all thy Saints; grant that by their merits and prayers we may in all things be defended with the help of thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Hands spread over the offerings)
Which oblation, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, in all things to make blessed, appointed, ratified, reasonable and acceptable, that unto us it may be the Body and Blood of thy most dearly beloved Son, our Lord (he joins his hands and bows) Jesus Christ.
Who the next day before he suffered, took bread (he takes bread and holds it raised) into his holy and reverend hands, and (he raises his eyes) his eyes being lifted into heaven unto thee, God Almighty his Father, rendering thanks unto thee, he blessed, he brake, and gave unto his disciples, saying: Take and eat this, ye all.
(Bowing slightly)
FOR THIS IS MY BODY.
He makes a profound bow, elevates the host, and bows again. Then taking the chalice with both hands and again bowing slightly he says:
Likewise after they had supped, he taking this excellent Cup into his holy and reverend hands, rendering thanks also unto thee, blessed, and gave unto his disciples, saying, Take and drink of this, ye all.
FOR THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING TESTAMENT:
THE MYSTERY OF FAITH:
WHICH FOR YOU AND FOR MANY SHALL BE SHED
TO THE REMISSION OF SINS.
As oft as ye do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of me.
He makes a profound bow, elevates the host, and bows again.
(Arms extended in the form of a cross)
Wherefore, O Lord, we also, thy servants, and thy holy people, being mindful as well of the blessed passion and resurrection, as of the glorious ascension of the same Christ thy Son, our Lord God, do offer unto thy excellent Majesty of thy own rewards and gifts, a pure host, a holy host, an undefiled host, the holy bread of eternal life, and the cup of eternal salvation.
Vouchsafe thou also, with a merciful and pleasant countenance, to have respect hereunto: and to accept the same, as thou didst vouchsafe to accept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and the holy sacrifice, the undefiled host, that the high priest Melchisedek did offer unto thee.
(Bowing profoundly, hands joined)
We humbly beseech thee, O Almighty God, command thou these to be brought by the hand of thy holy Angel unto thy high altar in the presence of thy Divine Majesty, that as many of us as of this partaking of the Altar shall receive thy Son’s holy Body and Blood may be replenished with all heavenly benediction and grace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Arms extended in the form of a cross)
Remember, Lord, also the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, N. and N.,
which are gone before us with the mark of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. [The priest prays for them briefly with joined hands.] We beseech thee, O Lord, that unto them, and unto all such as rest in Christ, thou wilt grant a place of refreshing, of light, and of peace. Through the same Christ our Lord.
(He touches his chest once with his right hand.)
Unto us sinners also, thy servants, hoping of the multitude of thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some portion and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs; with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and with all thy Saints, within whose fellowship we beseech thee to admit us, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses. Through Christ our Lord.
By whom, O Lord, all these good things thou dost ever create, thou sanctifiest, thou quickenest, thou blessest, and givest unto us;
Through him, and with him, and in him, is unto thee, God the Father Almighty, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory. World without end. (elevation) Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer. (Hands joined)
Commanded by saving precepts, and taught by divine example, we are bold to say:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will be done , as it is in heaven, so also on earth. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors ; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The priest, arms extended in the form of a cross, goes on secretly :
Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and future: and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, mother of God, and of thy holy Apostles Peter, and Paul, and Andrew, and all saints graciously grant peace in our days: that assisted with the help of thy mercy, we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance as we await the blessed hope and coming of Our Saviour Jesus Christ….. O Lord Jesus Christ, give us that peace, which the world cannot give.
Having turned to the people present, and extending his hands and joining them he says :
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
R/And with thy spirit.
Fraction
He unconvers the chalice, bows deeply, breaks the eucharistic bread and puts a particle into the chalice while he says :
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Communion
Bowed deeply, the priest rests a little while in meditation, or says one of the following prayers :
O Lord Jesu Christ, Son of the living God, who by the will of the Father, and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, hast through thy death given life unto the world: deliver me by this thy most sacred Body and Blood from all mine iniquities and from every evil: and make me ever to cleave unto thy commandments, and suffer me never to be separated from thee: Who with the same God the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.
Let the partaking of thy Body, O Lord Jesu Christ, which I, unworthy presume to receive, turn not to my judgment and condemnation: but of thy goodness let it avail unto me for protection of soul and body, that I may receive thy healing: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit God, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Bowing slightly the priest receives the holy body of Christ, the paten having been put under his chin. Then holding the chalice in his right hand, and putting the purificator or patena under with his left, he receives the Blood of the Lord.
Communicating any others he says : The Body of Christ.
R/ Amen.
Serving the Chalice he says : The Blood of Christ.
R/ Amen.
After that, silence is kept for some time.
When the ablutions are completed he says the Communion Antiphon
Postcommunion.
The priest, joining his hands, says
Let us pray.
Bowing briefly he prays in silence. Then, straightening up, he says the post communion collect
Then turned to any people present, the priest says :
The Lord be with you.
R/ And with thy spirit.
But in Paschaltide is said :
Let us bless the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.
Having turned to the altar and bowing profoundly the priest says secretly :
Holy Trinity, one God, may the offering of my servitude be pleasing to you : and grant that this sacrifice of praise, which I, an unworthy man, have offered in the signt of thy divine majesty, be pleasing unto thee : and that it be profitable for me and for all for whom I offered it unto eternal life, by thy mercy. Amen.
He kisses the altar makes the sign of the cross with any persons present.
An anthem of Our Lady may be said or sung.
R/ Amen.
Serving the Chalice he says : The Blood of Christ.
R/ Amen.
After that, silence is kept for some time.
When the ablutions are completed he says the Communion Antiphon
Postcommunion.
The priest, joining his hands, says
Let us pray.
Bowing briefly he prays in silence. Then, straightening up, he says the post communion collect
Then turned to any people present, the priest says :
The Lord be with you.
R/ And with thy spirit.
But in Paschaltide is said :
Let us bless the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.
Having turned to the altar and bowing profoundly the priest says secretly :
Holy Trinity, one God, may the offering of my servitude be pleasing to you : and grant that this sacrifice of praise, which I, an unworthy man, have offered in the signt of thy divine majesty, be pleasing unto thee : and that it be profitable for me and for all for whom I offered it unto eternal life, by thy mercy. Amen.
He kisses the altar makes the sign of the cross with any persons present.
An anthem of Our Lady may be said or sung.