Gozzoli, Benozzo. “Angels Worshipping (Left Side of the Chancel).” 1459-60.

About

It has been a common practice to say the votive Mass of the Holy Angels for the loss of a child. The Latin text below is from the Missale Romanum.¹

The Mass is available in a variety of formats elsewhere online:

My own version as a PDF here

Usus Antiquior²

Vultus Christi³

Missa de Angelis

Introit

Psalm 102. 20

Benedicite Dominum, omnes Angeli ejus: potentes virtute, qui facitis verbum ejus, ad audiendam vocem sermonum ejus. (T.P. Alleluia, alleluia.) Psalm. Benedic, anima mea, Domino: et omnia, quae intra me sunt, nomini sancto ejus. R: Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. — Benedicite Dominum…

Collect

Deus, qui, miro ordine, Angelorum ministerial hominumque dispensas: concede propitius; ut, a quibus tibi ministrantibus in cælo semper assistitur, ab his in terra vita nostra muniatur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Epistle

Lectio libri Apocalypsis beati Joannis Apostoli. Apoc. 5, 11-14.

In diebus illis: Audivi vocem Angelorum multorum in circuitu throni, et animalium, et seniorum, et erat numerus eorum milia milium, dicentium voce magna: Dignus est Agnus, qui occisus est, accipere virtutem, et divinitatem, et sapientiam, et fortitudinem, et honorem, et gloriam, et benedictionem. Et omnem creaturam, quae in coelo est, et super terram, et sub terra, et quae sunt in mari, et quae in eo: omnes audivi dicentes: Sedenti in throno, et Agno: benedictio, et honor, et gloria, et potestas in saecula saeculorum. Et quatuor animalia dicebant: Amen. Et viginti quatuor seniors ceciderunt in facies suas: et adoraverunt viventem in saecula saeculorum.

Gradual

Psalm 148. 1-2

Laudate Dominum de coelis: laudate eum in excelsis. R: Laudate eum, omnes Angeli ejus: laudate eum, omnes virtutes ejus. Alleluia, alleluia. R: In conspectu Angelorum psallam tibi: adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum, et confitebor nomini tuo. Alleluia.

After Septuagesima, the following TRACT is prayed in place of the Alleluia and R: In conspectu… :

Tract

Psalm 102. 20, 21-22.

Benedicite Dominum, omnes Angeli ejus: potentes virtute, qui facitis verbum ejus. R: Benedicite Domino, omnes virtutes ejus: ministry ejus, qui facitis voluntatem ejus. R: Benedicite Domino, omnia opera ejus: in omni loco dominationis ejus, benedic, anima mea, Domino.

During Eastertide the Gradual and Tract are omitted and the following is prayed:

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. R: In conspectu Angelorum psallam tibi: adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum, et confitebor nomini tuo. Alleluia. R: Angelus Domini descendit de coelo, et accedens revolvit lapidem, et sedebat super eum. Alleluia.

Gospel

Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem. P Joann. I, 47-51.

In illo tempore: Vidit Jesus Nathanaël venientem ad se, et dicit de eo: Ecce vere Israëlita, in quo dolus non est. Dicit ei athanaël: Unde me nosti? Respondit Jesus, et dixit ei: Priusquam te Philippus vocaret, cum esses sub ficu, vidi te. Respondit ei Nathanaël, et ait: Rabbi, tu es Filius Dei, tu es Rex Israël. Respondit Jesus, et dixit ei: Quia dixi tibi: Vidi te sub ficu, credis: majus his videbis. Et dicit ei: Amen, amen dico vobis, videbitis coelum pertum, et Angelos Dei ascendentes, et descendentes supra Filium hominis.

Offertory

Apoc. 8. 3, 4

Stetit Angelus juxta aram templi, habens thuribulum aureum in manu sua: et data sunt ei incensa multa: et ascendit fumus aromatum in conspectu Dei. (T.P. Alleluia.)

Secret

Hostias tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus, suppliciter deprecantes: ut easdem, angelico pro nobis interveniente suffragio, et placatus accipias, et ad salute nostram provenire concedas. Per Dominum nostrum…

Preface

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, æterne Deus: per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Cœli, coelorumque Virtutes ac beata celebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes: — Sanctus

Communion

Angeli, Archangeli, Throni et Dominationes, Principatus et Potestates, Virtutes cœlorum, Cherubim atque Seraphim, Dominum benedicite in aeternum. (T.P. Alleluia.)

Postcommunion

Repleti, Domine, benedictione coelesti, suppliciter imploramus: ut, quod fragili celebramus officio, sanctorum Angelorum atque Archangelorum nobis prodesse sentiamus auxilio. Per Dominum nostrum…

Mass of the Holy Angels

Introit

Psalm 102. 20

Bless the Lord, all ye His Angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute His word, hearkening to the voice of His orders. (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. ibid. 1. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless His holy Name. R: 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. — Bless the Lord …

Collect

O God, who hast constituted the services of Angels and of men in a wonderful order, mercifully grant, that they who ever stand before Thy face to do Thee service in heaven, may also defend our life upon earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Epistle

From the Book of the Apocalypse of Blessed John the Apostle, 5. 11-14.

In those days: I heard the voice of many Angels round about the throne, and the living creatures and the ancients; and the number of them was thousands of thou sands, saying with a loud voice: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard all saying: To Him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, benediction, and honor, and glory, and power, for ever and ever. And the four living creatures said: Amen. And the four and twenty ancients fell down on their faces, and adored Him that liveth for ever and ever.

Gradual

Psalm 148. 1-2

Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise Him, in the high places. Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Alleluia, alleluia. (Ps. 137. 1-2.) I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the Angels: I will worship towards Thy holy temple, and I will give glory to Thy name. Alleluia.

Tract

Psalm 102. 20, 21-22.

After Septuagesima, the following TRACT is prayed in place of the Alleluia and R: In conspectu… :

Bless the Lord all ye His Angels: ye that are mighty in strength, and execute His word. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts: ye ministers of His that do His will. Bless the Lord, all His works: in every place of His dominion, Oh my soul, bless thou the Lord.

Alleluia

During Eastertide the Gradual and Tract are omitted and the following is prayed:

Alleluia, alleluia. (Ps. 137. 1, 2.) I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the Angels: I will worship towards Thy holy temple, and I will give glory to Thy name. Alleluia. (Matth. 28. 2.) An Angel of the Lord descended from heaven: and coming rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. Alleluia.

Gospel

Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John, 1. 47-51.

At that time: Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him: and He saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile. Nathanael saith to Him: Whence knowest Thou me? Jesus answered, and said to him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered Him, and said: Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God, Thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered, and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see. And He said to him: Amen, amen I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

Offertory

Apoc. 8. 3, 4

An angel stood near the altar of the temple, having a golden censer in his hand: and there was given to him much incense, and the smoke of the perfumes ascended before God. (P.T. Alleluia.)

Secret

We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the Sacrifice of praise and humbly beseech Thee, that through the prayers of the Angels who plead for us, Thou wouldst graciously accept it and make it of avail to us for salvation. Through our Lord…

Preface

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, through Christ our Lord: through Whom Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the hosts of heaven with blessed Seraphim unite, exult, and celebrate; a we entreat that Thou wouldst bid our voices too be heard with theirs, singing with lowly praise: — Sanctus.

Communion

Angels, Archangels, Thrones and Dominions, Principalities, and Powers, the Virtues of the heavens, Cherubim and Seraphim, bless ye the Lord for ever. (P.T. Alleluia.)

Postcommunion

We who are filled with the heavenly blessing, humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, that the Mysteries which we celebrate with this imperfect worship of ours may be profitable to us by the help of Thy holy Angels and Archangels. Through our Lord…

Sources