Fourth Sunday of Lent
Lætare Sunday
First Class
Station at the Holy Cross in Jerusalem

Latin Mass Text

Introit: Isaias lxvi: 10,11

Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and come together, all you that love her. Rejoice with joy, all you that have been in sorrow, that you may exult and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. [Ps. cxxi: 2] I rejoiced at the things they said to me; we shall go into the house of the Lord. Glory be.... Rejoice....

Collect:

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who for our evil deeds justly deserve to be punished, may, by the comfort of Thy grace, mercifully be relieved.

Orations for Lent (Quadragesima)

Epistle: Galatians iv: 22-31

A reading from the epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Galatians. 
Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a slave girl, and the other by a free woman. And the son of the slave girl was born according to the flesh, but the son of the free woman in virtue of the promise. This is said by way of alle gory. For these are the two covenants: one indeed from Mount Sinai, bringing forth children into bondage, which is Agar. For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, which corresponds to the present Jerusalem, and is in slavery with her children. But that Jerusa lem which is above is free, which is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice thou barren, that does not bear; break forth and cry, thou that doest not travail; for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that has a husband." Now, we, bre thren, are the children of promise, as Isaac was. But, as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the spirit -- so also it is now. But what does the scripture say? "Cast out the slave girl, for the son of a slave girl shall not be heir with the son of a free woman." Therefore, brethren, we are not children of a slave girl, but of the free woman -- in virtue of the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.

Gradual: Ps. cxxi: 1,7.

I rejoiced at the things they said to me: we shall go into the house of the Lord. Let peace be in thy strength, and abundance be in thy towers.

Tract: Ps. cxxiv: 1-2.

They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion. He shall not be moved forever, that dwelleth in Jerusalem. Mountains are round about it, so the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth, now and forever.

Gospel: John vi: 1-15.
+   The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John.

At that time, Jesus went to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias. And there followed Him, a great crowd, because they witnessed the signs He worked on those who were sick. Jesus, therefore, went up the mountain, and sat there with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. When, therefore, Jesus had lifted up His eyes, and had seen that a very great crowd had come to Him, He said to Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" But He said this to try Him, for He knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, that each one may receive even a little." One of His disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to Him, "There is a young boy here who had five barley loaves and two fishes; but what are these among so many?" Jesus then said, "Make the people recline." Now, there was much grass in the place. The men, therefore, reclined, in number about five thousand. Jesus then to ok the loaves, and when He had given thanks, distributed them to those reclining; and likewise the fishes, as much as they wished. But, when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather the fragments that are left over, lest they be wasted." They therefore gathered them up; and they filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. When the people, therefore, had seen the sign that Jesus worked, they said, "This is, indeed, the Prophet, who is to come into the world." So when Jesus perceived that they would come to take Him by force and make Him king, He fled to the mountain, Himself alone.

Credo.

Offertory: Ps. cxxxiv: 3,6

Praise ye the Lord, for He is good. Sing ye to His name, for He is sweet. Whatsoever He pleased, He has done in heaven and in earth.

Secret:

Look down mercifully upon these sacrifices, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that they may lead to our devotion and salvation.

Orations for Lent (Quadragesima)

Preface of Lent:

Communion: Ps. cxi: 3-4

Jerusalem, which is built as a city; a compact unity -- there did the tribes go up; the tribes of the Lord, to praise His name.

Postcommunion:

Grant, we beseech Thee, O merciful God, ever to celebrate with sincere worship, and receive with faithful hearts Thy holy mysteries, of which we continually partake.

Orations for Lent (Quadragesima)

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.