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CHAPTER XXIII
Ember Saturday in September.
Station at Saint Peter s. Sources of the liturgy .- Introit, Ps. xciv,
6-7 and 1. 1st Lesson, Levit., xxm, 27-32. 1st Gradual,
Ps. Lxxvm,9-10. 2nd Lesson, Levit., xxm, 34-43. 2nd Gra
dual, Ps. LXXXIII, 9-10. 3rd Lesson, Micheas, vn, 14-20.
3rd Gradual, Ps. LXXXIX, 13 and 1. 4th Lesson, Zacharias,
vni, 14-19. 4th Gradual, Ps. CXL, 2. 5th Lesson, Daniel, in,
49-51 . Hymn, Daniel, in, 54 and the next. Epistle, Hebr., ix,
1-12. Tract, Ps. cxvi, 1-2. Gospel, St. Luke, xin, 6-17.
Offertory, Ps. LXXXVII, 2-3. Communion, Levit., xxm, 42.
In the Lessons and Collects of the Mass for this
Saturday, the principal idea seems to be that
PENANCE and abstinence are AS SEED which we sow on
earth that we may reap in heaven a rich harvest of
merit. The first Collect teaches us that God draws
from our fasts and abstinence the remedy for our cor
poral and spiritual ills. May his infinite Majesty deign
to come to our aid, both for this life and for eternity.
The first Lesson recalls the ordinances of the Mosaic
Law concerning the seventh month of the year when
there was to be for the people a day of rest and expia
tion ; on this condition the Lord will permit Himself
to be moved. The first Gradual asks that this divine
promise may be fulfilled in favour of sinners.
cond Collect prays that the souls of those
The se
who fast
and chastise the body may be filled with grace and re
ceive an increase of strength which will enable them
to triumph over all their enemies. The second Lesson