Page:Low Mass Ceremonial (Burnett).djvu/24



The priest who is about to celebrate the holy mysteries ought to be prepared for this exercise of his office. He is bound not only to see that all things needful for the celebration of the holy Eucharist are in readiness, but also to exercise due care that he himself has the right dispositions and has fulfilled the conditions which traditional rules require. For example, he should have said the matin (Prayer Book) office, and have observed a natural fast from the preceding midnight. If he have opportunity he should say the preparatory form which is set forth elsewhere in this book, and should have some special intention of applying the fruit of the mass to some person, or number of persons, or for the furtherance of some special object.

Having finished his devotions, the priest should preserve a recollected mind, and refrain as far as possible from all conversation. He will do well to read over the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel which he is to use in the mass, and the Preface if a proper one is appointed. He should determine the prayer, or prayers, which he will use as the post-communion, note the last Gospel (if he intends to read it) if another than that for Christmas Day should be read, and see to it, either personally or by a trusty server, that the altar lights are kindled and the altar is in readiness for the mass, and that the cruets containing wine and water, the box of altar-breads and whatever else be needed are in their proper places.

The priest, having washed and dried his hands, prepares the chalice, in the following order: Over the cup he places a clean purificator, folded lengthwise, so that the ends hang down on two sides; upon the purificator he places the paten; on the paten he places a priest's altar-bread; then he lays the pall on the paten, and then covers all with the silk veil so arranged that it hides in front the whole chalice. Lastly Rh