Gueranger would be Prouder

As the title suggests, I have been called a student of the famous liturgist of Solemnes in France, Dom Prosper Gueranger. His monumental work is The Liturgical Year, which I highly recommend for those interested in meditating upon the Sacred Liturgy, (of course I also recommend myself and the work of this blog). I have studied that work, as well as a few of his other workings, but I have also read many other meditations on the Liturgy, and this has allowed me to develop not only a deep appreciation for, but also a sense of wonder, at its awesomeness.

I would compare it to the Scriptures, in that the depths of the mysteries contained in it are inexhaustible. And I don't mean because of the Sacred Mysteries it celebrates, because of course those are inexhaustible, but the various nuances, words, and gestures of it all contain unfathomable depth in their development and significance.

This love and respect for the Liturgy is one of the things I hope to convey through these meditations, which are the product of my studies in liturgy, philosophy, and my own personal meditations, thoughts, and observations.

And now, let us continue with the affections of adoration one should bring to the Holy Mass. We pick up at the "Orate Fratres:"

The priest has ascended to the altar has prepared himself to make present the offering of the Divine Victim, but before he does so, he begs for our prayers that the sacrifice may be found acceptable. But this is not because of the nature of the sacrifice, for it is Divine and therefore, most acceptable, but because of our own weakness and imperfections. Therefore, we must have faith in the grace of God, that he will give us the power to offer ourselves in such a perfect manner that we will be found, "acceptable to God, the almighty Father."

In your heart, then, join the priest in the Prayer over the Offerings, with that faith, but also with the adoration that God will deign to give you grace through this Sacrament so that you may attain your salvation.

With this knowledge that it is God's Spirit Who will accomplish this sacrifice of yourself to Himself, and the Sacrifice of the Son to the Father, respond with the "Et cum spiritu tuo," of the Preface Dialogue.

Then let your heart pour forth adoration, as ponders the greatness, mercy, and love of God during the "Sursum Corda," and "Habemus ad Dominum."

Mindful of all of this, respond with all the thanksgiving you can muster to the "Gratias ad Dominum Deo nostro," for it is truly right and just to give God your thanks, adoration, and love, for He is sole-deserving of it. 

The priest shall then begin the great adoration prayer of the Preface. Listen attentively to these words, for these powerful words contain both words of adoration and catechesis. At this time, not only are you going to God to offer the sacrifice of yourself, but God is coming to you in the Sacrament and by His grace to enlighten your soul and mind. 

This great gift of God inspires us to join with the angels in their "song of praise." But the Sanctus is not like the Gloria, for we do not join the angels in their song, but our praise is joined to their's. In Heaven they sing, "Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts," but the song of earth was, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Realize this, and as the angels veil their faces, bend your knee, for the Great Prayer of the Church is about to begin!

For this meditation, we shall use Eucharistic Prayer I, although all of its separate parts we will meditate upon can be found in the other Eucharistic Prayers, albeit in different arrangements. 

The priest will begin the prayer by begging God's grace and assistance, for only a gift blessed by Him can be found acceptable in His sight. Beg the same graces for your soul. 

But realize this offering is not a singular offering; pray also for all of those whom you are indebted to pray for and for those for whom the Church prays. In this way you will truly unite both the sacrifice of yourself and the Sacrifice of the Cross. 

Pray for the leaders of the Church, the Pope and your bishop, as well as your pastor and any priests you have a particular connection to - the priest who baptized you, the priest or bishop who confirmed you, a spiritual director or confessor. 

Then, offer prayers for all of the living who you have a special connection to - parents and children, dear friends, godchildren or sponsors, enemies - and for the entire Church militant, that they may both offer themselves to God, but may gain graces to be drawn to Him even further through the Holy Sacraments. 

But do not be content simply with offering your own intentions and prayers to God, but join them with the Church Triumphant, especially Mary, the Mother of God, St. Joseph, Sts. Peter and Paul, and particularly the saint of the day and your own patrons. In this way, you will realize that you are present at the heavenly liturgy and seeing the true Sacrifice to the Father. 

With profound adoration at this great mystery, beg God once more to make both the offering of yourself, and the offering of the priest acceptable by His grace. Draw your intentions to your final end, which is God Himself, and pray that you may be brought to It. Remind yourself of the holy mystery about to take place. God Himself is about to become really present! Focus all your attention on the actions of the priest, for He has ceased to act as man, but now is making present the Last Supper, Calvary, and the Resurrection! 

No adoration of man is sufficient for the adoration deserved by God at the moment of the Consecration! What can we miserable creatures offer to God. But God in His mercy is pleased simply with our adoration and offering of ourselves in union with the Divine Victim now present on the altar. Adore your Lord and God!

Let your expressions of gratitude and adoration pour forth in the Mystery of Faith. God has deigned to do this for your salvation! Know that your are present at the Death and Resurrection of Christ whenever you attend the Mass. You experience here veiled what your will experience unveiled when Christ comes again. 

Recall how all of the offerings of the Old Testament were not sufficient to merit salvation for sinful mankind, but God found them acceptable. How much more acceptable must be the Offering of His Divine Son? Christ is the Priest and Victim. By joining yourself to the Sacrifice of the Mass, you are offered with the Son to the Father, by the Son to the Father! Pray that this may be sufficient to fill you, "with every grace and heavenly blessing." 

But this Sacrifice is not just for the salvation of those on earth and the adoration of Heaven, it can profit the dead, who still long to see God face to face! Pray then, for all of the deceased who you are once again indebted to - ancestors and benefactors, priests with whom you had a special relationship, as well as all those who have no one to pray for them. This gift of the Eucharist must make your heart overflow with gratitude. Give this gratitude to others, by offering your prayers for them, especially the dead, who cannot pray for themselves. 

With knowledge of the souls in purgatory, pray that you may be able to avoid that fate, and enter straight into the Heavenly Liturgy. This can only be done through suffering on earth though. Thus, pray that you may be given the grace to suffer perfectly as St. John the Baptist and the Apostles and Martyrs suffered. Pray that you may suffer, not with a bloody martyrdom, but as a saint! In this way you will assure your instant entrance to the Beatific Vision at the moment of death.

End these prayers, as the priest shall do, in union with Jesus Christ! Adore your King, present on the altar and pray that your offering of yourself may be purely to His glory!


The "Our Father" through the end of Mass will be the next blog post, and the final one in this meditation upon the Mass.