Ode on the Mass from the Preface to the Doxology

At the priest’s invitation, the people arise to lift up their hearts
And with worthy and just thanksgiving, the preface he does start
Giving praise to the holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting deity
For proclaiming the feast which we now celebrate with sobriety
Then joining Angels and Archangels, Seraphim and Dominations
He takes up the prophet's words and the holy city's acclamations
As the threefold Sanctus is chanted, the little bell is rung
For the torch bearers to enter and the Roman Canon to be begun
On behalf of the Church, pope and bishop, so too all who believe
The priest entreats the Father these gifts be pleased to receive
But mindful too of those present and all who ask for our prayer
This sacrifice is offered that its graces, all of them may share
Now since we are so unworthy, for the Father to hear our plaints
We unite them to our Lady's and the communion of saints
With hand placed over the oblation, the server rings the bell
A prayer is made for our peace and delivery from fiery hell
Once more the oblation is blessed, with five crosses this time
That they may become the body and blood of our Lord divine
Who on the day before he suffered took bread in his holy hands
Looked up and gave thanks to the Father, who in heaven stands
Then breaking it gave to his disciples, saying take you and eat
For this is my body, the bread of angels, which you see as wheat
Likewise he took the chalice, gave thanks and passed it around
Saying this is my blood shed for sins n eternal covenant to found
After each of these words the priest in humble adoration kneels
The thurifer swings the censor and the bell an acolyte peals
Rising the priest elevates the host and chalice for all to adore
As incense rises to heaven and the bell rings out once more
Setting the host on the corporal, covering the chalice with the pall
One final censing and tolling, as the priest to the ground does fall
Mindful of the blessed Passion, Resurrection from the grave
Ascension into heaven, we offer these gifts God first gave
A pure and holy victim, bread of life, chalice of salvation
That God may be pleased to accept them without any reservation
Like he did the sheep of Abel and the first born of Abraham
The bread and wine of Melchisedech, royal priest of Jerusalem
Then humbly beseeching God by the hands of his angel to take
These offerings that in return every grace we may now partake
Silently the dead are remembered, all who wait for release
From the flames of purgatory, to enter God's own light and peace
To us sinful servants we ask society with apostles and martyrs
So we too may be crowned by being among the race's starters[1]
Uncovering the chalice, the priest signs the cross with the host
Honouring the Father, through the Son, in union with the Ghost

[1] See 1 Cor 9:24-27, Phil 3:11-14

© Lactantius 2006