PPP -- TORCs are NOT "Old Catholics"

EXTRA, EXTRA -- READ ALL ABOUT IT... At the request of several correspondents over the years, I will be releasing a special Lenten web log series of articles next week regarding the Traditional Old Roman Catholic Church. Ours is the vanguard of all the various Utrechtian faith communions.

There are too many misconceptions about this Roman Catholic ultrajectine tradition. For one thing: we are NOT "Old Catholic", nor a "Rite"! Neither are we "sede vacantists" or "museum curators" as our detractors allege. It's time that I explained the differences between these two non-papal denominations and the motives behind the latest nuances emerging within some of the various ORC judicatories. I'll also expose the compromises with modernism which has crept into the autocephalous ("Independent") movement.

Although lengthy and detailed, I'll keep them "cut and dried." Each blog will separately examine our background, theology, beliefs, etc. The histrionics will be kept in concise, chronological order. However, I will NOT cite demographics or enumerate statistics of any particular jurisdiction. Each diocese is accountable for their own data.

I will run a short, concise synopsis on each subject under the graphic heading of "Padre's Pastoral Points". (This archpriest used to publish his prelate's pastoral letters in that column.) These will be excerpted from a manuscript I have compiled. Because they might be sporadically interspersed with unrelated yet topical blogs, the title of each article in this series will begin with the acronym [PPP --] as per the above, indicating that it's part of this feature column. That will also facilitate and expedite your easier reference and archiving. This registered logo button BELOW will indicate that each monograph is aside from usual blogs and a part of this special Lenten Series. Please watch for it.

You are invited to post your own inter-active questions, requests, suggestions and remarks, etc. in the "comments" box (under each blog) -- which will be moderated by this editor. Together, let's make this Lenten Series a cooperative work-in-progress.

The Blessing and Imposition of ASHES

Ashes had great meaning to God’s people in the Old Testament. Job sat in ashes and in Esther 4:1-2, ashes were used as a sign of mourning. Jesus alludes to them when He condemns the cities of Bethsaida and Chorazin for not doing penance. "If the miracles performed in you had taken place in Trye and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes" (Matthew 11:21). The imposition of ashes on the forehead of communicants began in early Christianity as a symbol of purification, based upon the practice described in the book of Numbers and Hebrews. The practice had become obsolete until the 11th century when it was revived and practiced on the first day of Lent.

The priest vested in alb, stole and purple cope, stands at the Epistle side of the Altar, on which is placed a vessel containing the ashes to be blessed. The Choir first sings the following Antiphon:

Antiphon. (Ps. 68, 17.) Hear us, O Lord, for Thy mercy is kind: look upon us, O Lord, according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies. (Ps. 68, 2.) Save me, O God: for the waters are come in even unto my soul. V. Glory be…

Afterwards the Priest, standing at the Epistle side, without turning towards the people, with his hands joined, says:

P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. O almighty and everlasting God, spare those who are penitent, be merciful to those who implore Thee, and deign to send Thy holy Angel from heaven to bless + and sanctify + these ashes, that they may be a wholesome remedy to all who, in humility, implore Thy Holy Name, and who accuse themselves, conscious of their sins, deploring their crimes before Thy divine mercy, or humbly and earnestly beseeching Thy sovereign goodness; and grant, by the invocation of Thy Most Holy Name, that whosoever shall be sprinkled with these ashes for the remission of their sins may receive both health of body and safety of soul. Through Christ our Lord. S. Amen.

Let us pray. O God, Who desirest not the death, but the repentance of sinners, look down most graciously upon our frail human nature; and in Thy goodness deign to bless + these ashes which we purpose to put upon our heads in token of our lowliness and to obtain forgiveness, so that we who know that we are bus ashes, and for the demerits of our wickedness are to return to dust, may deserve to obtain of Thy mercy the pardon of all our sins, and the rewards promised to those who repent. Through Christ our Lord. S. Amen.

Let us pray. O God, Who art moved by humiliation, and appeased by satisfaction, incline the ear of Thy goodness to our prayers and mercifully pour forth upon the heads of Thy servants sprinkled with these ashes, the grace of Thy blessing; that Thou mayest both fill them with the spirit of compunction, and effectually grant what they have justly asked; and ordain that what Thou hast granted may be permanently established and remain unchanged. Through Christ our Lord. S. Amen.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, Who didst grant Thy healing pardon upon the Ninivites doing penance in sackcloth and ashes, mercifully grant that we may so imitate them in behavior as to follow the in obtaining forgiveness. Through our Lord. S. Amen.

The Priest then sprinkles the ashes three times with holy water, saying the Anthem “Asperges me” and incenses them three times; after which, having first received the ashes on his own head, from the highest in dignity of the clergy, he proceeds to place them, in the form of a cross, on the heads of the clergy and people, saying to each:

“Remember, man, that thou are dust, and into dust thou shalt return.” (Genesis 3, 19.)

Meanwhile, the Choir sings (or the Priest recites) the following Antiphons and Responses:

Antiphon. (Joel 2, 13.) Let us change our garments for ashes and sackcloth; let us fast and lament before the Lord; for plenteous in mercy is our God to forgive our sins.

Antiphon. (Joel 2, 17; Esther 13, 17.) Between the porch and the Altar, the priests, the Lord’s ministers, shall weep and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people; and close not the mouths of those who sing to Thee, O Lord.

Response. (Esther 13; Joel 2.) Let us amend for the better in those things in which we have sinned through ignorance, lest suddenly, overtaken by the day of death, we seek time for repentance and are not able to find it. Attend, O Lord, and have mercy; for we have sinned against Thee. V. (Ps. 78, 9.) Help us, O God, our Savior; and let for the glory of Thy Holy Name, O Lord, deliver us. Attend, O Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Attend.

When all have received the ashes, the Priest says:

P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. Grant us, O Lord, to begin with holy fasts the duties of our Christian warfare, that, as we do battle with the spirits of evil. We may be protected by the help of self-denial. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

FEAST and FAST this Lent!

Today is Ash Wednesday which begins our LENT. It should be more than a time of fasting. -- It should also be a joyous season of feasting. LENT is a time to FAST from certain things and FEAST on others.

FAST from judging others -- FEAST on the Christ within them.
FAST from emphasis on differences -- FEAST on the unity of life.
FAST from apparent darkness -- FEAST on the reality of light.
FAST from thoughts of illness -- FEAST on the healing power of God.
FAST from words that pollute -- FEAST on phrases that purify.
FAST from discontent -- FEAST on gratitude.
FAST from anger -- FEAST on patience.
FAST from pessimism -- FEAST on optimism.
FAST from worry -- FEAST on the divine order.
FAST from complaining -- FEAST on appreciation.
FAST from negatives -- FEAST on affirmatives.
FAST from unrelenting pressures -- FEAST on prayer.
FAST from hostility -- FEAST on non-resistance.
FAST from bitterness -- FEAST on forgiveness.
FAST from self-concern -- FEAST on compassion for others.
FAST from personal anxiety -- FEAST on eternal truth.
FAST from discouragement -- FEAST on hope.
FAST from lethargy -- FEAST on enthusiasm.
FAST from sluggishness -- FEAST on discipline.
FAST from isolation -- FEAST on friendship.
FAST from tyranny -- FEAST on liberation.
FAST from diminishment -- FEAST on growth.

Let us pray for the gift of growth this Lenten Season.

O Jesus, You place on my forehead
the sign of my sister Death:
"Remember you are dust,
and to dust you shall return."

How not hear her wise advice?
One day my life on earth will end;
the limits on my years are set,
though I know not the day or hour
Shall I be ready to go to meet You?

Let this holy season be a time of grace
for me and all this world.

"Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart."

O Jesus, You place on my forehead
the sign of Your Saving Cross:
"Turn from sin and be faithful
to the Gospel."

How can I turn from sin
unless I turn to You?

You speak, You raise Your hand,
You touch my mind and call my name,
"Turn to the Lord your God again."

These days of Your favor
leave a blessing as You pass
on me and all Your people.
Turn to us, Lord God,
and we shall turn to You.

Lenten Rules of Fast and Abstinence

I'm well aware that most of you already know these laws of the Catholic Church, but seasonal reminders are a good thing. So please consider this a refresher course. Here follows both the Traditional Catholic Lenten laws of Fast & Abstinence and the Catholic New Rite Lenten laws (which are blue within parenthesis.)

The most important Lenten rule is a Prayerful spirit! Fasting is all about remembering -- to pray. Fasting is NOT a Lenten sacrifice. We fast ONLY to pray better. "Hunger pains" help purify our spirits and make it better attuned to God rather then ourselves.

To gauge the sincerity and spiritual value of your Lent, make an examination of conscience. Then ask God to give you the strength to do that which would be most pleasing to Him and best for you. It's like tuning your spark plugs which gets you back on track again.

Even the devil's demons and minions fast. Many do. Some make a big display of keeping all the laws of the Church while they "secretly" sin or debase themselves. They look impressive and religious in their finery and sound quite holy with their prayerful words -- all while fasting and abstaining during Lent. Yes, even devil's fast. They do so to their own condemnation. And many good people fast while distracting themselves from the effort by indulging in favorite activities. So it's HOW one fasts that matters. Fasting from food while feasting on mortal lusts is counter-indicated, contradictory -- and a waste of time.

Fasting and abstaining is null, void and empty UNLESS it prompts us to pray more. It's intended to remind us to humble ourselves, to serve others and to forgive. Unless fasting leads us to Church and the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist more often then it is a waste of time.

It must be a secret thing between you and God. Don't brag about or even mention your fasting. How you do it and even IF you do it is a personal matter between you and God.

Fasting impels us to give alms to the poor and to wash their feet. Did you hug a "leper" today (for him or her, not for your sake)? Would you? Can you? Can you recognize Christ in the very least of our brothers? -- the ones we skeeve and would sooner spit on; the ones in lock-ups, the ones who hurt us. Fasting reminds us to pray for them -- ALL of them -- and then to pray for ourselves that God will perfect our own inner flaws and failings.

If we fast and abstain only because it is Church Law then you are wasting your time. Unless these laws are helping you grow in your dialogue with God and relationship with His Church -- then they are not working for you or Him. If you need guidance or advice then seek professional spiritual help. Your clergy are physicians of souls. Get yours cleaned and healed this Lent for the sake of your eternity.

ABSTINENCE:

1. Everyone over seven years of age (all over 14 in the New Rite) is bound to observe the law of Abstinence which affects only the kind of food, and has no reference to its quantity unless it is also a day of Fast. Catholics are also to perform penance on all Fridays of the year.

2. Complete Abstinence, which forbids the eating of any flesh meat (the meat from warm blooded land animals which includes birds and fowl), and soup or gravy made from meat, is required on all Fridays -- not including Holy Days (ONLY on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday in the New Rite), Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, the Vigil of the Assumption, and the Vigil of Christmas*. Fish, snails, frogs, oysters, shrimp, crabs, turtles, etc. may be eaten on days of abstinence. Abstinence does NOT (as it had in former times and still does in Orthodoxy) forbid the taking of eggs or milk products for nourishment.

3. Partial Abstinence, which permits meat, to be eaten only once a day, at the principal meal, is required on Ember Wednesdays, Ember Saturdays, and the Vigil of Pentecost.

FASTING:

1. Everyone ages 21-59, having completed their twenty-first (18th in the New Rite) to the beginning of their sixtieth year inclusive, is also bound to observe the laws of Fast unless health or other sufficient reasons allow for a dispensation.

2. The days of Fast are all the weekdays of Lent (except Sundays and the Wednesday of Holy Week), the Ember Days, the Vigil of Pentecost, the Vigil of the Assumption, and the Vigil of Christmas.

(Lenten Fridays in the Novus Ordo are days of abstinence -- not fast. Their only days of fast are Ash Wednesday & Good Friday. The late John Cardinal O'Connor wanted to reinstitute ALL Fridays of the year as day of abstinence from meat to do collective penance for the sins of abortion. Cardinal Egan supported that proposal but it has not officially gone anywhere.)

3. On the days of Fast only one full meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating “snacks” between meals is forbidden on days of Fast

4. Meat MAY be taken at the principal meal on a day of Fast except on those of Abstinence.

5. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids which are not nourishing (i.e., wine, soda, milk, tea, lemonade and black coffee, etc.) is permitted. (Fruit Juice is also allowed in the New Rite.)

6. When health, a necessary long journey or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does NOT oblige. In doubts concerning Fast or Abstinence, a Traditional Catholic priest or confessor should be consulted.

7. There is no obligation of Fast or Abstinence on any Holy Day of Obligation, even though it may fall on a Friday.

* Marriages are NOT solemnized from the First Sunday in Advent until Christmas, and from Ash Wednesday until Holy Pascha (Easter Sunday).

FAST AND ABSTINENCE: The days of Fast and Abstinence are Ash Wednesday, the Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent (except Wednesday of Holy Week), the forenoon of Holy Saturday, the vigils of Christmas, Pentecost, Assumption, and All Saints; and the various Ember Days.

EMBER DAYS: The Ember Days (a.k.a. Quarter Tenses, from the Latin Quatuor Tempora, meaning the four times) occur at intervals of about three months. They are the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following the 1.) First Sunday of Lent, 2.) Pentecost Sunday, 3.) the Third Sunday in September, and 4.) the Third Sunday of Advent. The Ember Days are days of fasting for the special sanctification of the four seasons and for obtaining God’s blessing on the clergy, for whose ordination the Ember Saturdays are especially set apart. The Propers of the Masses reflect the Season in which they occur and include additional Lessons said before the Epistle.

The Seven Penitential Psalms

THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS
FOR ASH WEDNESDAY
(RITUALE ROMANUM - 1964)

The distribution of ashes comes from an ancient ceremony. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins-- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution.

By order of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216), these prayers are to be prayed during the days of Lent. If they can't be said on each day of the Season, they can at least be prayed on Lenten Fridays (or one could pray one prayer on each of the 7 Fridays of Lent). One kneels when praying these Psalms, begins and ends with a short antiphon, and recites a Gloria in between.

PSALM 6:

Antiphon: Do not call to mind, Lord, our offenses or those of our parents;
* nor take retribution on our sins.

V: Lord, reprove me not in Your anger,
* nor chastise me in Your wrath.
R: Have pity on me, Lord, for I am languishing;
* heal me, Lord, for my body is in terror;
V: My soul, too, is utterly terrified;
* but You, O Lord, how long
R: Return, O Lord, save my life;
* rescue me because of Your Kindness,
V: For among the dead no one remembers You;
* in the nether world who gives You thanks?
R: I am wearied with sighing; every night I flood my bed with weeping;
* I drench my couch with my tears.
V: My eyes are dimmed with sorrow;
* they have aged because of all my foes.
R: Depart from me, all evildoers,
* for The Lord has heard the sound of my weeping;
V: The Lord has heard my plea;
* The Lord has accepted my prayer.
R: All my enemies shall be put to shame in utter terror;
* they shall fall back in sudden shame.
V: Glory be to The Father.
R: As it was in the beginning.

V: Happy is he whose fault is taken away,
* whose sin is covered.
R: Happy the man to whom The Lord imputes no guilt,
* in whose spirit there is no guile.
V: As long as I would not speak, my bones wasted away
* with my groaning all the day.
R: For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
* my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
V: Then I acknowledged my sin to You,
* I did not conceal my guilt.
R: I said, "I confess my faults to The Lord,"
* and You took away the guilt of my sin.
V: For this shall every faithful man pray to You
* in time of stress.
R: Though deep waters overflow,
* they shall not reach him.
V: You are my Shelter; from distress You will preserve me;
* with glad cries of freedom You will ring me round.

All: "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk;
* I will counsel you, keeping my eye on you."

V: Be not senseless like horses or mules; with bit and bridle their
temper must be curbed,
* else they will not come near you.
R: Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
* but kindness surrounds him who trusts in The Lord.
V: Be glad in The Lord and rejoice, you just;
* exult, all you upright of heart.
R: Glory be to The Father.
V: As it was in the beginning.

PSALM 37:

V: Lord, in Your Anger punish me not,
* in Your Wrath chastise me not;
R: For Your arrows have sunk deep in me,
* and Your hand has come down upon me.
V: There is no health in my flesh because of Your indignation;
* there is no wholeness in my bones because of my sin,
R: For my iniquities have overwhelmed me;
* they are like a heavy burden, beyond my strength.
V: Noisome and festering are my sores
* because of my folly,
R: I am stooped and bowed down profoundly;
* I go all day in mourning,
V: For my loins are filled with burning pains;
* there is no health in my flesh.
R: I am numbed and severely crushed;
* I roar with anguish of heart.
V: O Lord, all my desire is before You;
* my groaning is not hid from You.
R: My heart throbs; my strength forsakes me;
* the very light of my eyes has failed me.
V: My friends and my companions stand back
because of my affliction;
* my neighbors stand afar off.
R: Men lay snares for me seeking my life;
they look to my misfortune, they speak of ruin,
* treachery they talk of all the day.
V: But I am like a deaf man, hearing not,
* like a dumb man who opens not his mouth.
R: I am become like a man who neither hears
* nor has in his mouth a retort.
V: Because for You, Lord, I wait;
* You, Lord my God, will answer.
R: When I say, "Let them not be glad on my account
* who, when my foot slips, glory over me."
V: For I am very near to falling,
* and my grief is with me always.
R: Indeed, I acknowledge my guilt;
* I grieve over my sin.
V: But my undeserved enemies are strong;
* many are my foes without cause.
R: Those who repay evil for good
* harass me for pursuing good.
V: Forsake me not, Lord;
* my God, be not far from me.
R: Make haste to help me,
* O Lord, my Salvation!
V: Glory be to The Father.
R: As it was in the beginning.

PSALM 50: Miserére

V: Have mercy on me, O God, in Your Goodness;
* in the greatness of Your Compassion wipe out my offense.
R: Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
* and cleanse me of my sin.
V: For I acknowledge my offense,
* and my sin is before me always:
R: "Against You only have I sinned,
* and done what is evil in Your sight,"
V: That You may be justified in Your sentence,
* vindicated when You condemn.
R: Indeed, in guilt was I born,
* and in sin my mother conceived me;
V: See, You are pleased with sincerity of heart,
* and in my inmost being You teach me wisdom.
R: Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified;
* wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
V: Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
* the bones You have crushed shall rejoice.
R: Turn away Your Face from my sins,
* and blot out all my guilt.
V: A clean heart create for me, O God,
* and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
R: Cast me not out from Your presence,
* and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
V: Give me back the joy of Your salvation,
* and sustain a willing spirit within me.
R: I will teach transgressors Your ways,
* and sinners shall return to You.
V: Free me from blood guilt, God, my saving God;
* then my tongue shall revel in Your Justice.
R: Lord, open my lips,
* and my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.
V: For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
* should I offer a holocaust, You would not accept it.
R: My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
* a heart contrite and humbled, O God, You will not spurn.
V: Be bountiful, Lord, to Sion in Your kindness
* rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem;
R: Then shall You be pleased with due sacrifices,
burnt offerings and holocausts;
* then shall they offer up bullocks on Your Altar.
V: Glory be to The Father.
R: As it was in the beginning.

PSALM 101:

V: O Lord, hear my prayer,
* and let my cry come to You.
R: Hide not Your face from me
* in the day of my distress.
V: Incline Your ear to me;
* in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
R: For my days vanish like smoke,
* and my bones burn like fire.
V: Withered and dried up like grass is my heart;
* I forget to eat my bread.
R: Because of my insistent sighing
* I am reduced to skin and bones.
V: I am like a desert pelican;
* I have become like an owl among the ruins.
R: I am sleepless, and I moan;
* I am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
V: All the day my enemies revile me;
* in their rage against me they make a curse of me.
R: For I eat ashes like bread
* and mingle my drink with tears.
V: Because of Your fury and Your wrath;
* for You lifted me up only to cast me down.
R: My days are like a lengthening shadow,
* and I wither like grass.
V: But You, Lord, abide forever,
* and Your Name through all generations.
R: You will arise and have mercy on Sion,
* for it is time to pity her, for the appointed time has come.
V: For her stones are dear to Your servants,
* and her dust moves them to pity.
R: And the nations shall revere Your Name, O Lord,
* and all the kings of the earth Your Glory.
V: When The Lord has rebuilt Sion
* and appeared in His Glory;
R: When He has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
* and not despised their prayer.
V: Let this be written for the generation to come,
* and let His future creatures praise The Lord:
R: "The Lord looked down from His holy height,
* from heaven He beheld the earth;
V: To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
* to release those doomed to die,"
R: That The Name of The Lord may be declared in Sion;
* and His Praise in Jerusalem,
V: When the peoples gather together,
* and the kingdoms, to serve The Lord.
R: He has broken down my strength in the way;
* He has cut short my days.
V: I say: O my God, take me not hence in the midst of my days;
* through all generations Your years endure.
R: Of old You established the earth,
* and the heavens are the work of Your Hands.
V: They shall perish, but You remain
* though all of them grow old like a garment.
R: Like clothing You change them, and they are changed,
* but You are the same, and Your years have no end.
V: The children of Your servants shall abide,
* and their posterity shall continue in Your Presence.
R: Glory be to The Father.
V: As it was in the beginning.

PSALM 129: De Profundis

V: Out of the depths I cry to You, Lord;
* Lord, hear my voice!
R: Let Your Ears be attentive
* to my voice in supplication:
V: If You, Lord, mark iniquities,
* Lord, who can stand?
R: But with You is forgiveness,
* that You may be revered.
V: I trust in The Lord;
* my soul trusts in His Word.
R: My soul waits for The Lord
* more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
V: More than sentinels wait for the dawn,
* let Israel wait for The Lord,
R: For with The Lord is kindness
* and with Him is plenteous redemption;
V: And He will redeem Israel
* from all their iniquities.
R: Glory be to The Father.
V: As it was in the beginning.

PSALM 142:

V: Lord, hear my prayer; hearken to my pleading in Your Faithfulness;
* in Your Justice answer me.
R: And enter not into judgment with your servant,
* for before You no living man is just.
V: For the enemy pursues me; he has crushed my life to the ground;
* he has left me dwelling in the dark, like those long dead.
R: And my spirit is faint within me,
* my heart within me is appalled.
V: I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your Doings,
* the work of Your Hands I ponder.
R: I stretch out my hands to You;
* my soul thirsts for You like parched land.
V: Hasten to answer me, Lord,
* for my spirit fails me.
R: Hide not Your Face from me
* lest I become like those who go down into the pit.
V: Let me feel Your Kindness without delay,
* for in You I trust.
R: Show me the way in which I should walk,
* for to You I lift up my soul.
V: Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
* for in You I hope.
R: Teach me to do Your Will,
* for You are my God.
V: Your Spirit is good;
* may it guide me on level ground.
R: For Your Name's Sake, Lord, preserve me;
* in Your Mercy free me from distress.
V: And in Your Kindness destroy my enemies;
bring to nought all my foes,
* for I am Your servant.
R: Glory be to The Father.
V: As it was in the beginning.

Antiphon: Do not call to mind, Lord, our offenses
or those of our parents;
* nor take retribution on our sins.

PSALM 69:

V: Deign, O God, to rescue me;
* O Lord, make haste to help me.
R: Let them be put to shame and confounded
* who seek my life.
V: Let them be turned back in disgrace
* who desire my ruin.
R: Let them retire in their shame
* who say to me, "Aha, aha!"
V: But may all who seek You
* exult and be glad in You,
R: And may those who love Your Salvation
* say ever, "God be glorified!"
V: But I am afflicted and poor;
* O God, hasten to me!
R: You are my Help and my Deliverer;
* O Lord, hold not back!
V: Glory be to The Father.
R: As it was in the beginning.

After the psalm the celebrant (still kneeling) sings the following prayers in the ferial tone:

V: Save Your servants.
R: Who trust in You, my God.
V: Let us find in You, Lord, a fortified tower.
R: In the face of the enemy.
V: Let the enemy have no power over us.
R: And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm us.
V: Lord, deal not with us as our sins deserve.
R: Nor take retribution on us on account of our sins.
V: Let us pray for our sovereign Pontiff John Paul The Great.
R: The Lord preserve him and renew his life, make him happy on earth, and deliver him from the ill will of his enemies.
V: Let us pray for our benefactors.
R: Lord, for the glory of Your Name, reward with everlasting life
all those who do good to us.
V: Let us pray for the faithful departed.
R: Lord, grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
V: May they rest in peace.
R: Amen.

V: For our absent brethren.
R: Save your servants who trust in You, my God.
V: Lord, send them aid from Your holy place.
R: And watch over them from Sion.
V: Lord, heed my prayer.
R: And let my cry be heard by You.
V: The Lord be with you.
R: May He also be with you.

The Collects for Forty Hours' are given in their proper place (see Forty Hours' Adoration).

Let us pray.
God, Whose Nature is ever merciful and forgiving, accept our prayer that we and all Your servants, bound by the fetters of sin, may be pardoned by Your loving kindness.

We beg You, Lord, hear the plea of Your suppliants, pardon the sins of Your penitents, and kindly grant us Your tender forgiveness along with Your peace.

Show us, O Lord, Your indescribable mercy, blot out our transgressions, and graciously deliver us from the condemnation they deserve.

God, who are offended by our sins but appeased by our penances, may it please You to hear the entreaties of Your people and to turn away the stripes that our transgressions rightly deserve.

Almighty everlasting God, be gracious to your servant, John Paul the Great, our sovereign Pontiff, and in Your kindness lead him on the path of everlasting salvation; may he by your grace seek only that which pleases You and carry it out with all his might.

God, from whom come holy desires, right counsels, and good works, give to Your servants that peace which the world cannot give; so that our hearts may be dedicated to the observance of Your law, freed from fear of our enemies, and tranquil in the knowledge of Your protection.

Lord, inflame our affections and our understanding with the fire of The Holy Spirit, that we may serve You with a chaste body and please You with a pure heart.

God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Your departed servants remission of all sins; and by our fervent prayers may they obtain the pardon they have always desired.

We beg You, Lord, let a breath of Your grace prompt our undertakings and guide them along their course, so that our least prayer and work may ever begin in You and end in You.

Almighty everlasting God, Lord of both the living and the dead; deal mercifully with all whom You foresee shall be Yours by faith and good works. Hear us, Your lowly servants, and grant that those for whom we earnestly offer our prayers, whether this present world still detains them in the flesh or the world to come has already claimed their souls, may obtain pardon of all their sins, through Your Mercy and Goodness and through the intercession of Your saints. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of The Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. R: Amen.

V: The Lord be with you.
R: May He also be with you.
V: May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us.
R: Amen.
V: May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
R: Amen.