Be like little children

In recent days, owing to good circumstances, I have had the following passage in my mind:

The disciples came to Jesus at this time and said, Tell us, who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Whereupon Jesus called to his side a little child, to whom he gave a place in the midst of them, and said, Believe me, unless you become like little children again, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. He is greatest in the kingdom of heaven who will abase himself like this little child. He who gives welcome to such a child as this in my name, gives welcome to me. (Matthew 18:1-5, R. Knox version)

Be like little children. Trust, hope, and have faith in God, His Church, His Saints, and His Lovely Sacraments. He loves us more than we know - indeed, as a father loves His children. He kisses each and every one of us on the forehead daily with Love and Compassion. He wants us to be with Him, and He eagerly waits each day for our yes to Him.  He does not need it, but wants it nonetheless because He loves us just for the sake of Loving us.

A child loves her parents because they are her parents. So it is to be in our relationship with God and All That He Is. He is Our Father and wants nothing nothing else but to be Our Father.

Let us welcome such children by first welcoming ourselves as such children. It is not an easy thing to do. But it is so worth it. 

God love you all.

Banks and Military Industrial Complex PROFIT from the Ukraine-Russia War

The US, EU, and their "allies" (Canada, Australia) have ensured that the war over the Donbas will make handsome profits for their masters, the international banksters. And indeed massive profits are being made; by banks and the ever present military industrial complex. The involvement of BIG globalist money also explains the MSM dutifully spewing out the war-mongering agitprop. This is a war about Russia, not about "democracy", "human rights", etc. Otherwise, for example, the US would not have reduced Raqqa to rubble through carpet bombing, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths. Or the 78 days of non-stop bombing of Belgrade by the imperial forces of the globalists, NATO. 

Perhaps the saddest thing in all this is that the churchmen are silent. Or, if not silent, dutifully joining their paymasters (Caesar) and pushing the propaganda. 

 

Contrary to the lies spread by the war mongers, the people of the Donbas have suffered horribly over the last 8 years. You never hear about them. But you will if you watch this... 

 

 

 

 

 

Litany of the Saints

Jesus and the Soul

Isn't God so wonderful? O happy fault, that merited so great a Redeemer!

(Alleluia.)

1

 

Give praise to the Lord in heaven; praise him, all that dwells on high.

2

 

Praise him, all you angels of his, praise him, all his armies.

3

 

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, every star that shines.

4

 

Praise him, you highest heavens, you waters beyond the heavens.

5

 

Let all these praise the Lord; it was his command that created them.

6

 

He has set them there unageing for ever, given them a law which cannot be altered.

7

 

Give praise to the Lord on earth, monsters of the sea and all its depths;

8

 

fire and hail, snow and mist, and the storm-wind that executes his decree;

9

 

all you mountains and hills, all you fruit trees and cedars;

10

 

all you wild beasts and cattle, creeping things and birds that fly in air;

11

 

all you kings and peoples of the world, all you that are princes and judges on earth;

12

 

young men and maids, old men and boys together; let them all give praise to the Lord’s name.

13

 

His name is exalted as no other,

14

 

his praise reaches beyond heaven and earth; and now he has given fresh strength to his people. Shall not his faithful servants praise him, the sons of Israel, the people that draw near to him? Alleluia.

Hearts of the Holy Family

Jesus and Mary

 

Victimae paschali laudes

A Most Blessed Eastertide to all of our readers!

The most Solemn of Solemnities - Easter - has come and gone, but the celebration continues! Today is Easter Monday, only the second day in a week-long celebration of the Resurrection, the triumph over death and sin by Our Lord Jesus Christ (may His Name be Blessed forever and ever)!

It is amazing to consider how much this event - and the preceding Passion - was anticipated by the prophets of the Old Testament and the good Jewish people as a whole. Indeed, since Scripture is one long love letter from God to us, the Passion and the Resurrection is God's signature at the end. Oh, what a flourish that signature has! Oh, what love He has for us!

With that in mind, Toronto Catholic Witness wishes all of its readers a Most Blessed Eastertide. 2022 may be challenging thus far, but God's love remains unchanging - even and especially when we are beset by numerous difficulties. He loves us more than we can comprehend.

Happy Easter - and may the Glory of the Resurrection never cease to lose its wonder in your eyes.

Christ has risen! Indeed, He has risen! Alleluia, alleluia!

LIVE: Easter Vigil (pre-1955 Traditional Liturgy)

LIVE: Mass of the Presanctified

Good Friday

FIRST LESSON: Osee 6:1-6

In their affliction they will rise early to me: Come, and let us return to the Lord: 

For he hath taken us, and he will heal us: he will strike, and he will cure us. He will revive us after two days: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. We shall know, and we shall follow on, that we may know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning light, and he will come to us as the early and the latter rain to the earth. What shall I do to thee, O Ephraim? what shall I do to thee, O Juda? your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth away in the morning. For this reason have I hewed them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments shall go forth as the light. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God more than holocausts.

SECOND LESSON: Exodus 12: 1-11

And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 

This month shall be to you the beginning of months: it shall be the first in the months of the year.

 

Speak ye to the whole assembly of the children of Israel, and say to them: On the tenth day of this month let every man take a lamb by their families and houses. 

But if the number be less than may suffice to eat the lamb, he shall take unto him his neighbour that joineth to his house, according to the number of souls which may be enough to eat the lamb. 

And it shall be a lamb without blemish, a male, of one year: according to which rite also you shall take a kid. 

And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month: and the whole multitude of the children of Israel shall sacrifice it in the evening. 

And they shall take of the blood thereof, and put it upon both the side posts, and on the upper door posts of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 

And they shall eat the flesh that night roasted at the fire, and unleavened bread with wild lettuce. 

You shall not eat thereof any thing raw, nor boiled in water, but only roasted at the fire: you shall eat the head with the feet and entrails thereof. 

Neither shall there remain any thing of it until morning. If there be any thing left, you shall burn it with fire.

 

And thus you shall eat it: you shall gird your reins, and you shall have shoes on your feet, holding staves in your hands, and you shall eat in haste: for it is the Phase (that is the Passage) of the Lord.

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN

John 18:1-40; 19:1-42

The apprehension of Jesus

When Jesus had said these things, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples. 

And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place; because Jesus had often resorted thither together with his disciples. 

Judas therefore having received a band of soldiers and servants from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said to them: Whom seek ye? 

They answered him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them: I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them. 

As soon therefore as he had said to them: I am he; they went backward, and fell to the ground. 

Again therefore he asked them: Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 

Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way, 

That the word might be fulfilled which he said: Of them whom thou hast given me, I have not lost any one. 

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And the name of the servant was Malchus. 

Jesus therefore said to Peter: Put up thy sword into the scabbard. The chalice which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? 

Then the band and the tribune, and the servants of the Jews, took Jesus, and bound him: 

And they led him away to Annas first, for he was father in law to Caiphas, who was the high priest of that year. 

Jesus at the palace of the High Priest

Now Caiphas was he who had given the counsel to the Jews: That it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest. 

But Peter stood at the door without. The other disciple therefore, who was known to the high priest, went out, and spoke to the portress, and brought in Peter. 

The maid therefore that was portress, saith to Peter: Art not thou also one of this man’s disciple? He saith: I am not. 

Now the servants and ministers stood at a fire of coals, because it was cold, and warmed themselves. And with them was Peter also, standing, and warming himself. 

The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 

Jesus answered him: I have spoken openly to the world: I have always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither all the Jews resort; and in secret I have spoken nothing. 

Why askest thou me? ask them who have heard what I have spoken unto them: behold they know what things I have said. 

And when he had said these things, one of the servants standing by, gave Jesus a blow, saying: Answerest thou the high priest so? 

Jesus answered him: If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if well, why strikest thou me? 

And Annas sent him bound to Caiphas the high priest. 

And Simon Peter was standing, and warming himself. They said therefore to him: Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said: I am not. 

One of the servants of the high priest (a kinsman to him whose ear Peter cut off) saith to him: Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 

Again therefore Peter denied; and immediately the cock crew. 

Jesus before Pilate

Then they led Jesus from Caiphas to the governor’s hall. And it was morning; and they went not into the hall, that they might not be defiled, but that they might eat the pasch. 

Pilate therefore went out to them, and said: What accusation bring you against this man? 

They answered, and said to him: If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee. 

Pilate therefore said to them: Take him you, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death; 

That the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he said, signifying what death he should die. 

Pilate therefore went into the hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him: Art thou the king of the Jews? 

Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me?

 

Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation, and the chief priests, have delivered thee up to me: what hast thou done? 

Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence. 

Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice. 

Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith to them: I find no cause in him. 

But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the pasch: will you, therefore, that I release unto you the king of the Jews? 

Then cried they all again, saying: Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. 

Then therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. 

And the soldiers platting a crown of thorns, put it upon his head; and they put on him a purple garments. 

And they came to him, and said: Hail, king of the Jews; and they gave him blows. 

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith to them: Behold, I bring him forth unto you, that you may know that I find no cause in him. 

(Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) And he saith to them: Behold the Man. 

When the chief priests, therefore, and the servants, had seen him, they cried out, saying: Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith to them: Take him you, and crucify him: for I find no cause in him. 

The Jews answered him: We have a law; and according to the law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. 

When Pilate therefore had heard this saying, he feared the more. 

And he entered into the hall again, and he said to Jesus: Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 

Pilate therefore saith to him: Speakest thou not to me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee? 

Jesus answered: Thou shouldst not have any power against me, unless it were given thee from above. Therefore, he that hath delivered me to thee, hath the greater sin. 

And from henceforth Pilate sought to release him. But the Jews cried out, saying: If thou release this man, thou art not Cæsar’s friend. For whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Cæsar. 

Now when Pilate had heard these words, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat, in the place that is called Lithostrotos, and in Hebrew Gabbatha. 

And it was the parasceve of the pasch, about the sixth hour, and he saith to the Jews: Behold your king. 

But they cried out: Away with him; away with him; crucify him. Pilate saith to them: Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered: We have no king but Cæsar. 

Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. 

The Crucifixion

And they took Jesus, and led him forth. 

And bearing his own cross, he went forth to the place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha. 

Where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst. 

And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

This title therefore many of the Jews did read: because the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin. 

Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews. 

Pilate answered: What I have written, I have written. 

The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments, (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part,) and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 

They said then one to another: Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled, saying: They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lot. And the soldiers indeed did these things. 

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. 

When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. 

After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. 

The Death of Jesus

Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. 

Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to his mouth. J

esus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost. 

(Here all kneel and pause for a few moments.)

Then the Jews, (because it was the parasceve,) that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that was a great sabbath day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 

The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. 

But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 

But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. 

And he that saw it, hath given testimony; and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true; that you also may believe. 

For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of him. 

And again another scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced. 

Here the Munda cor meum is said and the remainder is sung in the Gospel tone. No incense nor candles are used, and the book is not kissed.

And after these things, Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore, and took away the body of Jesus. 

And Nicodemus also came, (he who at the first came to Jesus by night,) bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 

They took therefore the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths, with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 

Now there was in the place where he was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein no man yet had been laid. 

There, therefore, because of the parasceve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

There is no Credo.

Maundy Thursday

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 11:20-32

Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord’s supper. 

For every one taketh before his own supper to eat. And one indeed is hungry and another is drunk.

 

What, have you not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God; and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not. 

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, 

And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. 

In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. 

For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. 

Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. 

 

But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. 

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. 

Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep. 

But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 

But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we be not condemned with this world.

GOSPEL: John 13:1-15

Before the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 

And when supper was done, (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray him,) 

Knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and goeth to God; 

He riseth from supper, and layeth aside his garments, and having taken a towel, girded himself. 

After that, he putteth water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 

He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to him: Lord, dost thou wash my feet 

Jesus answered, and said to him: What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 

Peter saith to him: Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me. 

Simon Peter saith to him: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. 

Jesus saith to him: He that is washed, needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all. 

For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: You are not all clean. 

Then after he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: Know you what I have done to you? 

You call me Master, and Lord; and you say well, for so I am. 

f then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.

CREDO.

Monday in Holy Week

EPISTLE (Is. 50:5-10)

The Lord God hath opened my ear, and I do not resist: I have not gone back. 

I have given my body to the strikers, and my cheeks to them that plucked them: I have not turned away my face from them that rebuked me, and spit upon me. 

The Lord God is my helper, therefore am I not confounded: therefore have I set my face as a most hard rock, and I know that I shall not be confounded. 

He is near that justifieth me, who will contend with me? let us stand together, who is my adversary? let him come near to me. 

Behold the Lord God is my helper: who is he that shall condemn me? Lo, they shall all be destroyed as a garment, the moth shall eat them up.

 

Who is there among you that feareth the Lord, that heareth the voice of his servant, that hath walked in darkness, and hath no light? let him hope in the name of the Lord, and lean upon his God.

GOSPEL (John 12:1-9)

Jesus therefore, six days before the Pasch, came to Bethania, where Lazarus had been dead, whom Jesus raised to life. 

And they made him a supper there: and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that were at table with him.

 

Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

 

Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said: 

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 

Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the purse, carried the things that were put therein.

 

Jesus therefore said: Let her alone, that she may keep it against the day of my burial. 

For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always. 

A great multitude therefore of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

LIVE: Palm Sunday Liturgy according to the Traditional (pre-1955) Roman Rite

 

Palm Sunday

THE PROCESSION WITH PALMS

EPISTLE (Exod. 15:27; 16:1-7)

Lesson from the Book of Exodus. In those days the children of Israel came into Elim, where there were twelve fountains of water, and seventy palm trees: and they encamped by the waters.  

And they set forward from Elim, and all the multitude of the children of Israel came into the desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai: the fifteenth day of the second month, after they came out of the land of Egypt.

 

And all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.

 

And the children of Israel said to them: Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat over the flesh pots, and ate bread to the full. Why have you brought us into this desert, that you might destroy all the multitude with famine? 

And the Lord said to Moses: Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you: let the people go forth, and gather what is sufficient for every day: that I may prove them whether they will walk in my law, or not.

 

But the sixth day let them provide for to bring in: and let it be double to that they were wont to gather every day. 

And Moses and Aaron said to the children of Israel: In the evening you shall know that the Lord hath brought you forth out of the land of Egypt:

 a

nd in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord.

PROCESSION - OPENING ANTIPHON

Matth. 21:1-3, 7, 8, 9

And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto mount Olivet, then Jesus sent two disciples, s

aying to them: Go ye into the village that is over against you, and immediately you shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them and bring them to me. And if any man shall say anything to you, say ye, that the Lord hath need of them: and forthwith he will let them go. And they brought the ass and the colt, and laid their garments upon them, and made him sit thereon. 

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way: and others cut boughs from the trees, and strewed them in the way: a

nd the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest! O Son of David, have mercy on us!

MASS 

EPISTLE (Philipp. 2:5-11)

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians.  

For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: w

ho being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names: that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW

Matth. 26:1-75; 27:1-66

Judas the traitor

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended all these words, he said to his disciples: 

You know that after two days shall be the pasch, and the Son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified: 

Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people into the court of the high priest, who was called Caiphas: 

And they consulted together, that by subtilty they might apprehend Jesus, and put him to death. 

But they said: Not on the festival day, lest perhaps there should be a tumult among the people. 

And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper, 

There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he was at table. 

And the disciples seeing it, had indignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste? 

For this might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 

And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 

For the poor you have always with you: but me you have not always. 

For she in pouring this ointment upon my body, hath done it for my burial. 

Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memory of her. 

Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests, 

And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver. 

And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him. 

The Last Supper

And on the first day of the Azymes, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch? 

But Jesus said: Go ye into the city to a certain man, and say to him: The master saith, My time is near at hand, with thee I make the pasch with my disciples. 

And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them, and they prepared the pasch.

 

But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples. 

And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me. 

And they being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I, Lord? 

But he answering, said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me. 

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed: it were better for him, if that man had not been born. 

And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it. 

And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. 

And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. 

For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins. 

And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. 

And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount Olivet. 

 

Then Jesus saith to them: All you shall be scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed. 

But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 

 

And Peter answering, said to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, I will never be scandalized. 

Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, that in this night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. 

Peter saith to him: Yea, though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner said all the disciples. 

Gethsemani

Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.

 

And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. 

Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me. 

And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 

And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? 

Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak. 

Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done. 

And he cometh again, and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. 

And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. 

Then he cometh to his disciples, and said to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 

Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me. 

The apprehension of Jesus

As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people. 

And he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, hold him fast. 

And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed him. 

And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up, and laid hands on Jesus, and held him. 

And behold one of them that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. 

Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 

Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels? 

How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done? 

In that same hour Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out as it were to a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you laid not hands on me.

 

Now all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples all leaving him, fled.

 

Jesus at the palace of the High Priest

But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled. 

And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court of the high priest. And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end. 

And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death:

 

And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses: 

And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after three days to rebuild it.

 

And the high priest rising up, said to him: Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee? 

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said to him: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God. 

Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 

Then the high priest rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy: 

What think you? But they answering, said: He is guilty of death. 

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him: and others struck his face with the palms of their hands, s

aying: Prophesy unto us, O Christ, who is he that struck thee? 

The denial of Peter

But Peter sat without in the court: and there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean.

 

But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thou sayest.

 

And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him, and she saith to them that were there: This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. 

And again he denied with an oath: I know not the man. 

And after a little while they came that stood by, and said to Peter: Surely thou also art one of them; for even thy speech doth discover thee.

 

Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly. 

And when morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus, that they might put him to death. 

And they brought him bound, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 

The despair of Judas

Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, 

Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? look thou to it. 

And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed: and went and hanged himself with an halter. 

But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood. 

And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter’s field, to be a burying place for strangers. 

For this cause that field was called Haceldama, that is, The field of blood, even to this day. 

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel. 

And they gave them unto the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed to me. 

Jesus before Pilate

And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it. 

And when he was accused by the chief priests and ancients, he answered nothing. 

Then Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how great testimonies they allege against thee?

 

And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor wondered exceedingly. 

 

Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would.

 

And he had then a notorious prisoner, that was called Barabbas. 

They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ? 

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 

And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 

But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people, that they should ask Barabbas, and make Jesus away. 

And the governor answering, said to them: Whether will you of the two to be released unto you? But they said, Barabbas. 

Pilate saith to them: What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified. 

The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified. 

And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made; taking water washed his hands before the people, saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just man; look you to it. 

And the whole people answering, said: His blood be upon us and upon our children. 

Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified. 

Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band; 

And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him. 

And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews. 

And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head. 

And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to crucify him. 

The Way of the Cross and the Crucifixion

And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross.

 

And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary. 

And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he had tasted, he would not drink.

 

And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots. 

And they sat and watched him. 

 

And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand, and one on the left. 

And they that passed by, blasphemed him, wagging their heads, 

 

And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self: if thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 

In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking, said: 

He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 

He trusted in God; let him now deliver him if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God. 

And the selfsame thing the thieves also, that were crucified with him, reproached him with. 

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour. 

Death of Christ

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 

And some that stood there and heard, said: This man calleth Elias. 

And immediately one of them running took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar; and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 

And the others said: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to deliver him. 

And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 

(Here all kneel and pause for a few moments.)

And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent. 

And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose, 

And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to many. 

Now the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God. 

And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 

Among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. 

Burial of Jesus

And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. 

He went to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. 

And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth. 

And laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way. 

And there was there Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre. 

(Here is said the Munda cor meum, and the book is incensed. The deacon then sings the following in the Gospel tone.)

And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together to Pilate,

 

Saying: Sir, we have remembered, that that seducer said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise again. 

Command therefore the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day: lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and say to the people: He is risen from the dead; and the last error shall be worse than the first. 

Pilate saith to them: You have a guard; go, guard it as you know. 

And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards.

CREDO.