Domine Jesu Christe, qui per Apostolum tuum docuisti, ut mulieres in ecclesia sancta tua velato capite starent, ad ostendendum, quod amator es illibatissimæ castitatis et honestatis: benedic +, et sanctifica velum istud, et concede, ut, sicut exterius sanctitatis et honestatis est signum, ita hanc ancillam tuam (has ancillas tuas), quæ debet (debent) ipsum gestare, sine macula semper custodias, et bonis operibus abundare facias, et tandem in cœlo Sanctorum consortio feliciter jungos. Qui vivis et regnas, Deus, in sæcula sæculorum. R. Amen. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, who by Thy Apostle hast taught that women should stand with veiled heads in Thy holy church, to show that Thou art a lover of the most unblemished chastity and purity; bless + and sanctify this veil, and grant that as it is a sign of exterior sanctity and purity, so Thou mayest ever keep without spot this Thy servant, who is bound to wear it, and make her abound in good works, and at last happily unite her to the company of the Saints in heaven. Who livest and reignest, &c. R. Amen. VOL. II. BLESSING OF THE ROSARY. Oremus. Omnipotens et miserecors Deus, qui propter nos Filium tuum unigenitum Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum de cœlis in terram descendere, et de beatissimæ Virginis Mariæ utero, angelo nuntiante, carnem suscipere voluisti, ut nos eriperes de potestate diaboli: obsecramus immensam clementiam tuam, ut hæc signa psalterii in honorem et laudem ejusdem Genetricis Filii tui ab Ecclesia tua fideli dicata bene- + dicas, et sancti +fices, eisque sanctam infundas virtutem Spiritus sancti, ut quicumque horum quodlibet secum portaverit, atque in domo sua reverenter habuerit, sancta abundet devotione, et ab omni hoste visibili et invisibili semper et ubique in sæculo liberetur, et in exitu suo a beatissima semper Virgine Maria tibi plena bonis operibus præsentari mereatur. Per eundem Chrismm Dominum nostrum. Amen. Let us pray. Almighty and merciful God, who for our sakes hast made Thine only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ come down from heaven upon earth, taking flesh from the ever-blessed Virgin Mary's womb, at the announcement of an angel, to rescue us from the power of the devil; we beseech Thee in Thine infinite mercy to bless this rosary, which is dedicated by Thy Church to the honour and praise of the same blessed Mother of Thy Son, to sanctify it, and to bestow the power of the Holy Ghost upon it, that whoever wears it upon or about him, or keeps it reverently in his house, may be filled with holy devotion, be protected against all visible and invisible enemies in this world, and at his death be presented to Thee by the ever-blessed Virgin Mary full of good works. Through the same, &c. R. Amen. The Director next sprinkles the habit, scapular, cord, and rosary with holy water; and turning towards the novice, says: Exuat te Dominus veterem hominem cum actibus suis, et induat te novum, qui secundum Deum creatus est. R. Amen. May the Lord take from thee the old man with his actions, and clothe thee with a new one made according to God. R. Amen. Then approaching the novice, he places the scapular upon him (or her), Induat te Dominus indumento salutis, et vestimento justitiæ circumdet te semper. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. saying: May the Lord clothe thee with the garment of salvation, and surround thee always with the vesture of justice. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. R. Amen. He then gives him (or her) the cord, which the recipient places round his (or her) loins, whilst the Director says: Præcingat te Dominus, Frater carissime (carissima Soror), cingulo Ordinis hujus, ad invocationem sanctissimi nominis sui, et beatissimi Patris nostri Francisci, quo possis recordari vinculorum passionis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, et servire ad opera pœnitentiæ et charitatis. May the Lord gird thee, dearest Brother (or Sister), with the girdle of this Order, under the invocation of His most holy name and of our most blessed Father Francis, that thou mayest be mindful of the bonds of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and do works of penance and charity. Giving him (or her) the Hours of the Blessed Virgin, or the Rosary, he says: Accipe hoc psalterii genus, seu horarias preces, in signum devotionis et contemplationis, ut discas terrena despicere, et amare cœlestia. Presenting the Rule, Accipe regulam, quam tibi servandam tradimus; quod si ejus præcepta servaveris, ipsa custodient te, et addet Dominus vitæ tuæ benedictionem. R. Amen. Receive this office (or rosary) as a sign of devotion and contemplation, that thou mayest learn to despise what is earthly, and to love what is heavenly. the Director says: Receive the Rule, which we give thee to observe; if thou keep its precepts they will protect thee, and the Lord will fill thee with blessings. R. Amen. Giving the veil to the Sisters, he says: Operiat vultum tuum modestia, humilitas, et pudicitia; tegat te Dominus velo, et clypeo pœnitentiæ, ut non prævaleat inimicus adversum te. R. Amen. May modesty, humility, and chastity cover thy face; may the Lord defend thee with the veil and shield of penance, so that the enemy may not prevail against thee. R. Amen. He next gives a lighted candle, saying: Accipe, Frater carissime (Soror carissima), lumen in manibus tuis, ut hoc signo discas opera tenebrarum fugere, et per Receive, dearest Brother (or dearest Sister), the light into thy hands, that with this sign thou mayest learn to shun the works of dark The Director next prepares the novice for the general absolution, inspiring him (or her) with sentiments of contrition and confidence towards God. The postulant or one of the assistants says the Confiteor, which, for the Franciscan Order, is as follows: M. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatæ Mariæ semper Virgini, beato Joanni Baptistæ, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, S. Francisco, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi, pater, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, R. I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to St. Francis, to all the Saints, and to you, |