Mass book for children Father Mondolfo Pedrinazzi MASS BOOK for CHILDREN Edited by Soc. AMBROSIANA - Ripr. Sacre MILANO for THE EDWARD O’TOOLE COMPANY Inc. NEW YORK Imprimatur: In Curia Arch. Mediolani die 21/V/60 t J.Schiavini Vic. Gen. Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here; Ever this day be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. 2 DAILY PRAYERS Every morning and evening you should turn your heart to our Lord. First of all, thank Him for keeping you alive, well and happy. Secondly , pray to Him for your parents, re- latives and friends. Morning Prayers 0 my God! I adore You. I love You with all my heart. I thank You be- cause You have given to me two wonderful gifts — the gift of life and the gift of becoming by grace a child of Your holy Church. I thank You, too, for having watched over me all the night long. 1 offer to You all my actions of to- day. Grant that everything I do, will be according to Your holy will and for Your greater glory. Keep me from all evil. May Your graces be always in me and in my dear ones. Amen. Recite fervently the Our Father, the Hail Mary and acts of faith, hope and charity. 3 Evening Prayers 0 my God! I adore You. I love You with all my heart. I thank You be- cause You have given to me two wonderful gifts — the gift of life and the gift of becoming by grace a child of Your holy Church. I thank You, too, for having watched over me all the day long. Forgive me if I have done anything today to displease You. I am heart- ily sorry. Accept, all the good things 1 have done today. I give them to You to please You. Watch over me and keep me from danger. May Your grace be always in me and in my dear ones. Amen. Recite fervently the Our Father, the Hail Mary , the Apostles Creed and acts of Faith, Hope, Charity and Contrition. 4 Good children of holy Mother Church pray the Rosary every day. This they do because they love Mary, the Mother of God. For Her sake carry your Rosary beads with you always. 5 The Five Joyful Mysteries (They are used on Monday and Thursday of each week, and on Sundays, from the first Sunday in Advent to the first Sun- day in Lent). 6 In the first joyful mystery, THE AN- NUNCIATION, the Archangel Ga- briel announces to the Blessed Virgin that She is to be the Mother of God. In the second joyful mystery, THE VISITATION, the Blessed Virgin visits Her cousin, Elizabeth. In the third joyful mystery, THE NATIVITY, the Son of God is born in a stable at Bethlehem. In the fourth joyful mystery, THE PRESENTATION, the Mother of God brings the Son of God to the Temple for the first time. In the fifth joyful mystery, THE FIND- ING IN THE TEMPLE, the Mother of God and the Foster-Father of God find the Son of God in the Temple among the doctors and teachers. 7 The Five Sorrowful Mysteries i (They are used on Tuesday and Friday of each weekend on all Sundays of Lent). 8 I . In the first sorrowful mystery, THE-' AGONY IN THE GARDEN, Jesus suffers so much before He goes to the cross that « his sweat became as drops of blood, running down upon the ground ». In the second sorrowful mystery, THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR, Jesus is cruelly whipped by the sold- iers of Pontius Pilate. In the third sorrowful mystery, THE CROWNING WITH THORNS, the soldiers press down a crown of thorns upon the sacred head of Jesus. . In the fourth sorrowful mystery, THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS, Jesus painfully carries the heavy cross to Mount Calvary. In the fifth sorrowful mystery, THE CRUCIFIXION, Jesus is nailed to the cross on Mount Calvary and dies upon it. 9 The Five Glorious Mysteries (They are used on Wednesday and Sat- urday of each week, and on all Sundays from Easter to the first Sunday of Advent). 10 In the first glorious mystery, THE RESURRECTION, Jesus rises from the dead after three days in the tomb. In the second glorious mystery, THE ASCENSION, Jesus ascends into heaven, forty days after His resur- rection from the dead. In the third glorious mystery, THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST, the Holy Spirit descends upon the Mother of God and then upon the Apostles, gathered together in one place. In the fourth glorious mystery, THE ASSUMPTION, the holy body of the Mother of God is assumed into heaven. In the fifth glorious mystery, THE CORONATION, the Mother of God is crowned Queen of heaven and earth. 11 The Sacrament of Penance We are all sinners. Confession is the sacrament of pardon. Therefore, make a worthy confession often. 12 CONFESSION Five conditions must be present for a good confession: 1. Examination of conscience. 2. Sorrow for sins. 3. A firm resolve never to sin again. 4. Confession of sins. 5. Satisfaction and penance. O Jesus! Look upon me as I kneel before You. I am a sinner. Grant to me the grace to remember all my sins, to have sincere sorrow for them and to confess them without fear. Blessed Mother of God and my Guardian Angel! Help me to make a good confession. 13 Examination of Conscience Examine your conscience in the light of the ten commandments, the six precepts of the Church and the seven deadly sins. Let us take these in- stances: Did you disobey either your parents or teachers? Were you impure either in word or thought or action? Did you miss Mass either on a Sun- day or on a holyday of obligation through your own fault? Were you angry or untruthful or spiteful? In the Confessional Begin your confession by saying to the priest: « Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (state the length of time) since my last wor- thy confession ». 14 After confessing all your sins, say: « For these sins and for all the sins of my past life, I am heartily sorry ». The priest then gives a penance to you and absolves you while you are making an act of contrition. Act of Contrition O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen. After confession say your penance without delay and thank our Lord for His forgiveness. 15 THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST In holy Communion Jesus comes into our hearts and dwells there. What an honor for us! Jesus desires so much to be in innocent hearts. 16 Preparation for Holy Communion Dear Jesus! I believe that You are really present in the Sacrament of the Altar. I adore You as my Creator and my Lord. Dear Jesus! I believe that when You come to me, You will show Your mercy by giving to me all the graces that I need. Dear Jesus! I love You with all my heart; You are my infinitely good God. Because of Your love, I love my neighbor and forgive all who have hurt me in any way. Dear Jesus! I detest all my sins and I promise You never to sin again. Dear Jesus! I want so much to keep You in my heart. 17 Thanksgiving after Holy Communion Dear Jesus! I believe that You are really in my heart. I adore You as my God and my Lord. Dear Jesus! I believe that You are willing to remain always in my heart. Dear Jesus! I love You as much as I can and I want to love You more and more above everything, in time and eternity. Dear Jesus! I offer my heart and soul to You. I want to be Yours for all eternity. Dear Jesus! I now ask You for all the graces which are needed for myself, my parents and friends. May the souls of all the faithful de- parted through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 18 I shall go unto the altar of God and confess all my sins. 20 At the Foot of the Altar O Lord! I offer to You the holy sacrifice of the Mass; first, to adore You; secondly, to thank You; thirdly, to obtain pardon from You for all my sins; and finally, to receive from You all the graces I need. The Confession O almighty God! I humbly confess to You, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin and to all the Saints that I have sinned in thought, word and deed; and I humbly implore You to pardon me. 21 Through the merits of Thy Saints. O Lord, I ask pardon for all my sins. 22 Kissing the Altar Through the merits of Jesus and of Thy Saints whose relics are kept in this altar, O Lord, take away my sins, so that, with a pure soul I may be made worthy to approach Thy altar and to offer this holy sacrifice. Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie eleison) God the Father! Have mercy. God the Son! Have mercy. God the Holy Spirit! Have mercy. 23 « Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among men of good will ». 24 Glory to God (Gloria) Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth among men of good will. We praise Thee. We bless Thee. We adore Thee. We glorify Thee. We give thanks to Thee, O Jesus, Son of God. Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us and re- ceive our prayer; who sittest at the right hand of God the Rather, have mercy on us. For Thou only art holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art the most high, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of the Father. Amen. 25 The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. 26 Let us Pray O Lord Jesus Christ! In this Mass You renew Your sacrifice of the cross and give Yourself to us as food for our souls. Grant that we all may be- come more and more holy by being sanctified with this infinite gift of Yourself. O Lord! Grant to me and my dear ones that we may continue to live in Your grace and to die in the lov- ing arms of holy Mother Church. For the Souls in Purgatory Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. 27 Readings from spired writers. the books of the in- Thanks be to God! 28 The Epistle The Lord Jesus Christ, on the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke and said: « This is my body which shall be given up for you; do this in re- membrance of me ». In like manner also the cup, after he had supped, saying: « This cup is the new coven- ant in my blood; do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes ». I Cor. II: 23-26. Every Mass has its own Epistle. The Epistle just read, belongs to the Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi. 29 Make clean my heart and my lips, almighty God, that I may worthily proclaim Thy Gospel. Amen. 30 The Gospel At that time Jesus said to the crowds of the Jews: « My flesh is food in- deed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats of my flesh and drinks of my blood, abides in me and I in him. This is the bread that has come down from heaven. He who eats this bread, shall live forever ». (John 6: 56-60). Every Mass has its own Gospel. The Gospel just read, belongs to the Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi. 31 I believe in one God, the Father almighty. 32 The Creed (Credo) « I believe in one God, the Father al- mighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father al- mighty; from thence He shall come to judge both the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the com- munion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. 33 Accept, O holy Father, this host which I offer to Thee for all the faithful, living and dead. 34 The Offering of the Bread The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Accept, O holy Father, this spotless host which I, Thy unworthy servant, offer to Thee, O my God, for all my numerous sins, offenses and acts of neglect, for all here present, as well as, for all Christians, both living and dead. May it be a means of eternal salvation for me and for them. Amen. O God, our Creator and Redeemer! Grant that we may share in your divinity- Amen. 35 We offer to Thee, 0 Lord, the chalice of salvation for ourselves and for the whole world. 36 The Offering of the Chalice We offer to Thee ,0 Lord, the chalice of salvation, imploring Thy good- ness that it may ascend in the sight of Thy divine majesty with the odor of sweetness for our salvation and for that of the whole world. In humble spirit and with a contrite heart may we be received by Thee, O Lord; and let our sacrifice be so made in Thy sight this day, that it may please Thee, O Lord God. May the Lord enkindle in us the fire of His love and the flame of ever- lasting charity. Amen. 37 I wash my hands clean that I may be able to come to Thy altar, O God. 38 The Washing of the Fingers I wash my hands clean that I may be able to come to Thy altar, O God. I love Thy house. I do not want to live with sinners. I want to walk on the holy road of Thy will and to sing Thy praises all my life long. The Offering of the Bread and Wine O Blessed Trinity! Accept this offer- ing which we make to Thee in memory of the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints. 39 Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts! 40 Pray, Brethren (Orate, fratres) The priest turns to the congregation and says: « Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be accept* able to God, the Father almighty ». Secret Prayer O Lord! Give to Thy Church the blessings of unity and peace which these gifts are intended to mean. The Preface It is truly fitting and just that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, O Lord. For this reason do we praise Thee together with the Angels and the Saints. 41 O Lord! Be mindful of Thy servants who offer this sacrifice to Thee. 42 Holy, Holy, Holy (The Sanctus) Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to Him in the highest. Prayer for the Living O Lord! Accept the sacrifice we offer to Thee for Thy Church, the Pope, our Bishop, for our civil government and all the faithful. In particular, be mindful of our parents, relatives, teachers and all who have been good to us in any way. 43 Accept, O Lord, this offering and grant that our days may be spent in Thy peace. 44 Hands over the Offerings Graciously accept this offering, O Lord, which Thy priest and the whole Church present to Thee. Bestow on all the faithful the grace of the Holy Spirit and grant that our days may be spent in Thy peace. Grant also that we may be saved from the danger of eternal damnation and that we may be numbered among the flock of Thy elect. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. O God! Bless these offerings of bread and wine that they may be- come the Body and Blood of Thy dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. With the Angels and Saints who surround this altar, I prostrate my- self and adore Thee. 45 Jesus took bread and said: « THIS IS MY BODY ». 46 The Consecration of the Bread On the day before He suffered death, Jesus took bread into His holy hands and with eyes lifted up toward heaven, to Thee, O God, His almighty Father, giving thanks to Thee, He blessed it, broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying: « All of you, take and eat of this. For THIS IS MY BODY ». The Elevation of the Host My Lord and my God! I adore Thee every moment. O liv- ing Bread from heaven! Sublime Sacrament! 47 Jesus took the chalice and said: « THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD ». 48 The Consecration of the Wine In like manner, after supper was done. He took the chalice into His t 9 holy hands, and giving thanks to Thee, He blessed it and gave it to His disciples, saying: For THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT: the mystery of faith: which shall be shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. As often as you do these things, you shall do them in remembrance of me ». The Elevation of the Chalice My Lord and my God! In Thee do I believe; in Thee do I hope. 49 Through Him, and with Him, and in Him are all honor and glory to Thee, O God, the Father almighty. 50 After the Consecration In memory of the Passion, Resur- rection and Ascension of Jesus, we offer to Thee, O God, this pure, holy and spotless Victim, this holy Bread of eternal life and this Chalice of everlasting salvation. Remembrance of the Dead Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and who sleep the sleep of peace. Remember us also. Thy sinful serv- ants; we hope for Thy pardon through Christ, our Lord. Through Him, and with Him, and in Him are all honor and glory to Thee, O God, the Father almighty. 51 Taught by our Lord Himself and urg- ed on by Him# we dare to say: « OUR FATHER ». 52 The Prayer: Our Father I Taught by our Lord Himself and urg- ed on by Him, we dare to say: « Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name; Thy king- dom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and for- give us our trespasses, as we for- give those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temp- tation, but deliver us from evil ». Amen. 53 May the peace of the Lord be with you always! 54 The Breaking of the Host O Lord! Free us from all evils, past, present and future. Through the in- tercession of the blessed and glorious Mary ever Virgin, Mother of God, to- gether with all the Saints, grant us peace in our time, so that we may be ever free from sin, safe from all trouble and kept strong by the help of Thy grace. May the peace of the Lord be with you always, and with thy spirit Grant these graces to us through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen. 55 Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world! Give us peace. 56 The Prayer: Lamb of God Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world! Give us peace. Prayer for Peace Lord Jesus Christ who hast said to Thy Apostles: « Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you », look not upon my sins but upon the faith of Thy Church. Grant to Her peace and unity according to Thy will. 57 May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep my soul for life ever- lasting. 58 At Communion Lord Jesus Christ! By Thy death Thou hast given life to the world. By Thy most holy Body and Blood keep me from sin and from every evil. Make me always live in obedience to Thy commandments, and never allow me to be separated from Thee who with the same God the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God, world without end. Amen. May Thy sacred Body which I receive in holy Communion keep my soul for life everlasting. O Lord! I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof, but say only the word, and my soul will be healed. 59 May the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ keep my soul for life everlast- ing. 60 After Communion May the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ keep my soul for life everlast- ing. What return shall I make to the Lord for all that He has given to me? I shall praise Him and call upon His holy name, and I shall be saved. O Lord! May that which my mouth has received, purify my soul and take away every stain of sin. May it be medicine and strength to me against the dangers of life. O Most Blessed Trinity! May the sacrifice which I have offered to Thee, be acceptable to Thee. Grant that it may bring forgiveness to. me and to all, for whom I pray. Amen. 61 62 The Blessing May almighty God bless you; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. AFTER THE MASS Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! 63 Prayer before the Crucifix Look upon me, O good and sweetest Jesus! I cast myself upon my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fervent de- sire of my soul I pray and im- plore Thee to impress upon my heart strong feelings of faith, hope and charity, along with true repentance for my sins and a most firm intention of doing better. All the while with deep affection and grief of soul I think within myself and recall to mind Thy five most pre- cious wounds. I remember what David, the prophet, said about Thee, my Jesus. « They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones ». Recite fervently the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory be to the Father. 64 CONTENTS Part 1 Daily Prayers p. 3 Part II The Sacrament of Penance p. 12 Part III The Sacrament of the Eucharist p. 16 Part IV The Sacrifice of the Mass Os•a.