The Society of Saint Pius X
District of Great Britain
Standing, the Priest continues the Canon of the Mass with the following prayers:
During the "Unde et memores" ("Mindful, therefore, O Lord, not only of the blessed passion...") the sign of the cross is made over the Blessed Sacrament five times as it is referred to as a "pure", "holy" and "all-perfect victim", "the bread of eternal life" and "the chalice of unending salvation".
The Prayer "Supra quæ" ("And this do Thou deign to regard with gracious and kindly attention...") asks God to look favourably upon the Sacrifice as He did to the offerings of Abel, Abraham and Melchisedech of the Old Testament. The prayer concludes with "Supplices te rogamus" ("Most humbly we implore Thee, almighty God, bid these offerings to be brought by the hands of Thy holy Angel unto Thy altar...")
Mindful that the saving action of the Mass helps the souls of the faithful departed as well as the living, the Priest prays the prayer "Memento etiam" ("Be mindful, O Lord, also of Thy servants... who have gone before us with the sign of faith..")
As the Canon of the Mass reaches its conclusion, the Priest strikes his breast with his right hand and adds the prayer "Nobis quoque" ("And to us sinners also...") asking for a share in the fellowship of the Holy Apostles, martyrs and saints and the great mercy of God on behalf of himself and all the faithful present. The words "Nobis quoque" are spoken in a slightly raised voice.
The Canon finishes after the Priest raises the Host and Chalice, making five signs of the cross with the words "Per ipsum, et cum ipso..." ("Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, is to Thee, God the Father almighty, in the union of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory...").
The silence of the Canon is broken by the conclusion of this prayer with the words "... Per omnia sæcula sæculorum." ("... World without end") to which the faithful indicate their full consent the prayer and their belief in the reality of the Mysteries present on the altar with the response "Amen." ("So be it").
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June 2004: The Chelmsford Mass Centre has been discontinued. Click here for Father Morgan's note of appreciation for those who generously contributed to the work of this centre.
March 2004: Masses at Chulmleigh Manor Chapel in Devon will replace those previously held at the University of Plymouth. Click here for details.