Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
At Low Mass, the priest and servers say the prayers at the foot of the altar. An opening hymn does not make it a High Mass.
The priest and servers recite Psalm 42, Judica me, expressing the desire to approach the altar of God.
KNEEL
In the Name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Ant. I will go in unto the Altar of God. To God, Who giveth joy to my youth.
Ps 42, 1-5℣. Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.℟. For Thou, O God, art my strength: why hast Thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflictech me?℣. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth: they have led me and brought me unto Thy holy hill, and into Thy tabernacles.℟. And I will go in unto the Altar of God: unto God, Who giveth joy to my youth.℣. I will praise Thee upon the harp, O God, my God: why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me?℟. Hope thou in God, for I will yet praise Him: Who is the salvation of my countenance, and my God.℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. I will go in unto the Altar of God. Unto God, Who giveth joy to my youth.
℣. Our help ✠ is in the Name of the Lord.℟. Who hath made heaven and earth.
The priest and servers confess their sins in the Confiteor and pray for pardon. These prayers do not replace sacramental confession.
℣. 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 all the Saints, and to you, brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word and deed: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, brethren, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
℟. May Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to life everlasting.
℟. Amen.
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 all the Saints, and to you Father, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word and deed: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and Thee Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
℣. May Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins and bring you to life everlasting.℟. Amen.℣. May the Almighty and merciful God grant us pardon, ✠ absolution, and remission of our sins.℟. Amen.
℣. Thou wilt turn, O God, and bring us to life.℟. And Thy people shall rejoice in Thee.℣. Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.℟. And grant us Thy salvation.℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.℟. And let my cry come unto Thee.℣. The Lord be with you.℟. And with thy spirit.Let us pray.
The Priest Ascends the Altar and prays silently for purity
Take away from us our iniquities, we entreat Thee, O Lord, that with pure minds we may worthily enter into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here, he bows and kisses the Altar where a Saint's relics are enclosed.
We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy Saints, whose relics are here and of all the Saints, that Thou wilt deign to pardon me all my sins. Amen.