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tecost we adore the Holy Giiost in His work for the sano
tiftcation of our souls. The long series of the Sundays
following Pentecost is connected with the mission and
the reign of God the Holy Ghost.
It was fitting that the remembrance of these great
mysteries should be commemorated in one and the same
solemnity and that the Sunday which ends the Paschal
season and begins the time after Pentecost should be
appointed for the celebration of this Feast.
The Introit, Offertory and Communion of the Mass
for Trinity Sunday are not taken literally from holy
of the words
Scripture, but the formula is an adaptation
of the Archangel Raphael to Tobias. We make use of
them to glorify the Holy Trinity as the divine source
of all the mercies shown to men. The Gradual and
the Alleluia, two verses from prophet Daniel, express
joy and admiration in presence of the divine Majesty
who deigns to enlighten our darkness. In the Epistle,
Saint Paul shows us how we ought to humble our feeble
understanding before the most incomprehensible of
mysteries ; at the same time he impresses on us our duty
of love and gratitude to God. The Gospel reminds us
that on the day of our Baptism the adorable Trinity
took possession of our being, to raise it to unspeakable
heights. The Collect asks for us constancy in faith that
we may confess the Unity and the Trinity in God, by
which faith we shall triumph over our enemies. In
the Secret we express our desire that by our admis
sion into the happiness of heaven we may render eter
nal homage to the Trinity. The Postcommunion prays
that by the light of faith and the strength of the
divine food we may be led to the contemplation of the
three divine Persons in the indivisible Unity.