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Mass of the Presanctified
Part II - The Great Intercessions


When the singing or reading of the Passion is finished, the celebrant, at the sedilia, puts on a black cope, the deacon and subdeacon a black dalmatic and tunicle.

Meanwhile, two acolytes [or two servers] spread a single linen cloth on the altar and put the book in the middle on a cushion or stand.

Then the celebrant, with the ministers [or servers], goes to the altar; he mounts the steps, and kisses the altar. Standing in the middle, by the book, he begins the solemn Collects, while the sacred ministers [or servers], one on either side of him, lift the edge of his cope.

The solemn Collects are said as follows:

The celebrant begins with an introduction which announces a particular intention; he sings it, with hands joined. He then sings Oremus; the deacon [or the celebrant] adds Flectamus genua, and all, including the celebrant, kneel and pray silently for a little while. When the deacon [or the celebrant] sings Levate, all rise, and the celebrant with hands extended sings the Collect.

1. For the Holy Church

Oremus, dilectissimi nobis, pro Ecclesia sancta Dei: ut eam Deus et Dominus noster pacificare, adunare et custodire dignetur toto orbe terrarum: subjiciens ei principatus et potestates: detque nobis, quietam et tranquillam vitam degentibus, glorificare Deum Patrem omnipotentem.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui gloriam tuam omnibus in Christo gentibus revelasti: custodi opera misericoriæ tuæ; ut Ecclesia tua, toto orbe diffusa, stabili fide in confessione tui nominis perseverat. Per eumdem Dominum... R. Amen.

1. For the Holy Church

Let us pray, dearly beloved, for the holy Church of God - that our Lord and God may deign to give it peace, keep it in unity, and guard it throughout the world, subjecting to it principalities and powers: and may grant unto us that, leading a peaceful and quiet life, we may glorify God, the Father almighty.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, who in Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations: guard the works of Thy mercy; that Thy Church, spread over the whole world, may with the steadfast faith persevere in the confession of Thy Name. Through the same Jesus Christ ... R. Amen.

2. For the Pope

Oremus et pro beatissimo Papa nostro N.: ut Deus et Dominus noster, qui elegit eum in ordine episcopatus, salvum atque incolumem custodiat Ecclesiæ suæ sanctæ, ad regendum popolum sanctum Dei.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, cujus judicio universa fundantur: respice propitius ad preces nostras, et electum nobis Antistitem tua pietate conserva; ut christiana plebs, quæ te gubernatur auctore, sub tanto pontifice, credulitatis suæ meritis augeatur... Per Dominum. R. Amen.

2. For the Pope

Let us pray also for our most holy Father Pope N ... (John Paul) that our Lord and God, who chose him to the order of the Episcopate, may keep him in health and safety for His holy Church to govern the holy people of God.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose judgment all things are established, mercifully regard our prayers, and in Thy goodness preserve the Bishop chosen for us: that the Christian people who are ruled by Thine authority, may under so great a Pontiff, be increased in the merits of their faith. Through our Lord... R. Amen.

3. For the Clergy and the Faithful

Oremus et pro omnibus episcopis, presbyteris, diaconibus, subdeaconibus, acolythis, exorcistis, lectoribus, ostiariis, confessoribus, virginibus, viduis: et pro omni populo sancto Dei.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, cujus spiritu totum corpus Eccesiæ sanctificatur et regitur: exaudi nos pro universis ordinibus supplicantes: ut gratiæ tuæ munere, ab omnibus tibi gradibus fideliter serviatur. Per Dominum... R. Amen.

3. For the Clergy and the Faithful

Let us pray also for all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers, Porters, Confessors, Virgins, Widows, and for all the holy people of God.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and ruled, hear our humble pleading for all the orders thereof; that by the gift of Thy grace all in their several degrees may faithfully serve Thee. Through our Lord... R. Amen.

4. For Rulers

Oremus et pro omnibus res publicas moderantibus, eorumque ministeriis et potestatibus: ut Deus et Dominus noster mentes et corda eorum secundum voluntatem suam dirigat ad nostram perpetuam pacem.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, in cujus manu sunt omnium potestates et omnium jura populorum: respice benignus ad eos, qui nos in potestate regunt; ut ubique terrarum, dextera tua protegente, et religionis integritas, et patriæ securitas indesinenter consistat. Per Dominum... R. Amen.

4. For Rulers

Let us pray too for all engaged in affairs of state and for all their ministries and powers: that our God and Lord may guide according to His will their minds and hearts, to our lasting peace.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, in whose hands dwell all might and the rights of every people: look favorably on those who wield power over us; and let Thy right hand protect us, that, all the world through, both religious integrity and our country's security may be firmly based and abide. Through our Lord... R. Amen.

5. For the Catechumens

Oremus et pro catechumenis nostris: ut Deus et Dominus noster adaperiat aures præcordiorum ipsorum, januamque misericordiæ; ut, per lavacrum regenerationis accepta remissione omnium peccatorum, et ipsi inveniantur in Christo Jesu Domino nostro.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui Ecclesiam tuam nova semper prole fecundas: auge fidem et intellectum catechumenis nostris; ut, renati fonte baptismatis, adoptionis tuæ filiis aggregentur. Per Dominum... R. Amen.

5. For the Catechumens

Let us pray also for our Catechumens: that our Lord and God would open the ears of their hearts, and the gate of mercy; that, having received by the font of regeneration the remission of all their sins, they also may be found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost ever make Thy Church fruitful with new offspring: increase the faith and understanding of our Catechumens; that being born again in the font of Baptism, they may be associated with the children of Thine adoption. Through our Lord... R. Amen.

6. For the Necessity of the Faithful

Oremus, dilectissimi nobis, Deum Patrem omnipotentem, ut cunctis mundum purget erroribus: morbos auferat: famem depellat: aperiat carceres: vincula dissolvat: peregrinantibus reditum: infirmantibus sanitatem: navigantibus portum salutis indulgeat.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, mæstrorum consolatio, laborantium fortitudo: perveniant ad te preces de quacumque tribulatione clamantium; ut omnes sibi in necessitatibus suis misericordiam tuam gaudeant affuisse. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum... R. Amen.

6. For the Necessity of the Faithful

Let us pray, dearly beloved, to God the Father almighty, that He would cleanse the world of all errors: take away diseases, drive away famine, open prisons, break chains, grant a sure return to travelers, health to the sick, and a safe haven to those at sea.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, the comfort of the sorrowful, and the strength of those that labor: let the prayers of those that call upon Thee in any trouble reach Thee; that all may rejoice that in their necessities Thy mercy has helped them. Through our Lord... R. Amen.

7. For the Unity of the Church

Oremus et pro hæreticis et schismaticis: ut Deus et Dominus noster eruat eos ab erroribus universis; et ad sanctam matrem Eclesiam catholicam atque apostolicam revocare dignetur.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui salvas omnes, et neminem vis perire: respice ad animas diabolica fraude deceptas; ut, omni hæretica pravitate deposita, errantium corda resipiscant, et ad veritatis tuæ redeant unitatem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum... R. Amen.

7. For the Unity of the Church

Let us pray also for heretics and schismatics: that our Lord God would be pleased to rescue them from all their errors; and recall them to our holy mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, who savest all, and wouldst that no one should perish: look on the souls that are led astray by the deceit of the devil: that having set aside all heretical evil, the hearts of those that err may repent, and return to the unity of Thy truth. Through our Lord... R. Amen.

8. For the Conversion of the Jews

Oremus et pro Judæis: ut Deus et Dominus noster auferat velamen de cordibus eorum; ut et ipsi agnoscant Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui Judæos etiam a tua misericordia non repellis: exaudi preces nostras, quas pro illius populi obcæcatione deferimus; ut, agnita veritatis tuæ luce, quæ Christus est, a suis tenebris eruantur. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum... R. Amen.

8. For the Conversion of the Jews

Let us pray also for the Jews: that our God and Lord would remove the veil from their hearts: that they also may acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, who drivest not away from Thy mercy even the Jews: hear our prayers, which we offer for the blindness of that people: that acknowledging the light of Thy truth, which is Christ, they may be rescued from their dark- ness. Through the same Lord ... R. Amen.

9. For the Conversion of the Heathen

Oremus et pro paganis: ut Deus omnipotens auferat iniquitatem a cordibus eorum;ut, relictis idolis suis, convertantur ad Deum vivum et verum, et unicum Filium ejus Jesum Christum, Deum et Dominum nostrum.

Oremus. Flectamus genua… Levate.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui non mortem peccatorum, sed vitam semper inquiris suscipe propitius orationem nostram, et lbera eos ab idolorum cultura; et aggrega Ecclesiæ tuæ sanctæ, ad laudem et gloriam nominis tui, Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum... R. Amen.

9. For the Conversion of the Heathen

Let us pray also for the pagans: that almighty God would remove iniquity from their hearts: that, putting aside their idols, they may be converted to the true and living God, and His only Son, Jesus Christ our God and Lord.

Let us pray. Let us kneel. Arise.

Almighty and everlasting God, who ever seekest not the death, but the life of sinners: mercifully hear our prayer, and deliver them from the worship of idols: and join them to Thy holy Church for the praise and glory of Thy Name. Through our Lord... R. Amen.

Intro
Part I
Part III
Part IV

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