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I could not help being struck once again at Mass this morning by the richness of the lex orandi available to us in the old rite, with its gentle development over the ages, enriched by one pontiff after another like a royal crown on which now this, now that new gem or peral is carefully placed, in honor of the King of Kings who reigns in His saints.
A quick glance at the Novus Ordo’s “optional memorial” of St. Margaret Mary, vying for space with the optional memorial of St. Hedwig on October 16, will indicate what a pathetic stepchild it is. All that is proper has (as usual) been utterly stripped away. The only distinctive feature that remains is a Collect, orthodox in content but fitted into the mold of Patricentrism and stiffly fashioned on Ephesians, as if the Church’s own prayers need to wear the corset of Scripture so as not to offend any ecumenists:
Pour out on us, we pray, O Lord, the spirit with which you so remarkably endowed Saint Margaret Mary, so that we may come to know that love of Christ which surpasses all understanding and be utterly filled with your fullness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…
The traditional Collect, on the other hand (see below), fittingly addresses the Lord Jesus, who revealed Himself to Margaret Mary, and tastes of the particular “flavor” of the message He communicated to her.
Moreover, the traditional Mass Propers make a felicitious use of the Canticle of Canticles, quoting from chapters 2, 6, 7, and 8, even as the Masses of Our Lady and other female saints will sometimes do. The Song of Songs was nearly obliterated from the new liturgy thanks to the squeamish attitude of scholars averse to what they perceived as sticky medieval nuptial mysticism.
Propers for the Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (October 17)
INTROIT (Cant. 2:3; Ps. 83:2-3)
Under the shadow of Him Whom I had desired, did I sit: and His fruit was sweet to my taste. Ps. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst in a wondrous manner reveal to the blessed virgin Margaret the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart, grant us, by her merits and our imitation of her, that, loving Thee in all things and above all things, we may become worthy of making our continual dwelling in that same Heart of Thine. Who livest and reignest with God the Father…
EPISTLE (Ephesians 3:8-9, 14-19)
Brethren: To me, the least of all the Saints, is given the grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ: and to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, Who created all things: For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened by His Spirit with might unto the inward man, that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts: that being rooted and grounded in charity, you may be able to comprehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth and length, and height and depth: to know also the charity of Christ which surpasseth all knowledge. That you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.
GRADUAL (Cant. 8:7; Ps. 72:26)
Many waters cannot quench charity: neither shall floods drown it. My flesh and my heart have fainted away: thou art the God of my heart, and my portion forever.
ALLELUIA (Cant. 7:10)
Alleluia, alleluia. I to my Beloved: and His turning is toward me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL (Matt. 11:25-30)
At that time, Jesus answered, and said: I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father; for so it hath seemed good in Thy sight. All things are delivered to Me by My Father; and no one knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and He to Whom it shall please the Son to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you that labour, and are burdened; and I will refresh you. Take up My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because I am meek, and humble of heart; and you shall find rest to your souls: for My yoke is sweet, and my burden light.
OFFERTORY (Zach. 9:17)
For what is the good thing of Him, and what the beautiful thing of His, but the corn of the elect, and the wine springing forth virgins?
SECRET
May the offerings of Thy people be received by Thee, O Lord, and grant that our hearts may burn with that same divine fire which, going forth from the Heart of Thy Son, ardently inflamed the blessed Mary. Through the same Lord…
COMMUNION (Cant. 6:2)
I unto my Beloved, and my Beloved unto me: He that feedeth among the lilies.
POSTCOMMUNION
By the intercession of the blessed virgin Margaret Mary, grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus, that we who have received the mysteries of Thy Body and Blood may put off the proud vanities of the world and be found worthy to put on the meekness and humility of Thy Heart: Who livest and reignest…
* * *
As we recite thrice at the end of every Low Mass:
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
