Untitled - Saints' Books

INSTR. i.] The Celebration of Mass. 225
Christ will always infuse increased knowledge and con
solation; he will encourage him, and grant him the
graces that he desires. A priest may feel assured, par
ticularly after the consecration, that he shall receive
from Jesus Christ all the graces he asks. The Venerable
Father D. Anthony de Colellis, of the Congregation of
the Pious Workers, used to say: "When I celebrate and
hold Jesus Christ in my hands I obtain whatsoever I
wish for." With regard to him who celebrates, and to
those that hear Mass, it is related in the life of St. Peter
of Alcantara that the Mass that he so devoutly cele
brated produced more fruit than all the sermons
preached in the province in which he lived. The Coun
cil of Rhodes commanded priests to show their faith
and devotion towards Jesus Christ by pronouncing the
words with piety, and performing the ceremonies with
reverence and devotion towards Jesus Christ, who is
1
present in the Mass. The external deportment, says
St. Bonaventure, is what shows the interior dispositions
of the celebrant. 2
And here let us call to mind, in pass
ing, the command of Innocent III.: "We also command
that the oratories, vases, corporals, and vestments should
be kept clean; for it seems to be absurd to neglect in so
holy actions what would be unbecoming in profane
actions." O God! 1 the Pontiff has too much reason
to speak in this manner; for some priests have no re
pugnance to celebrate with corporals, purificators, and
chalices which they could not bear to use at table.
" 1
Actio et pronuntiatio ostendat fidem et
intentionem quam (Sacerdos)
habere debet de Christi et Angelorum in Sacrificio praesentia."
2 "
3 "
Intrinsecos motus gestus exterior attestatur. Spec. disc. p. 2, c. I.
Prsecipimus quoque ut oratoria, vasa, corporalia, et vestimenta,
munda, et nitida conserventur; nimis enim videtur absurdum in sacris
sordes negligere, quae dedecerent etiam in profanis." Tit. 44, can. i,
Relinqui.
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