The Catholic Rite.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 25, 19 June 1902, Page 1

The Catholic Rite.

' But,' he continues, ' perhaps I had better first give the outline of the " Benediction and Coronation of a King," as it is in the present Roman pontifical. The king is to fast three days in the week preceding his coronation, which will take place on a Sunday. The ceremony is to be performed, if possible by the metropolitan, and (as usual with such ceremonies) is a kind of interlude in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The pontiff addresses a beautiful exhortation to the king, who makes the following profession .—. — I, who, by the providence of God, am about to bo kingf, profess and promise before God and His angels that henceforth, according to my knowledge and power I will do and keep jußtice and peace to the (Jhurch of God and to the people Bubject to me, with due regard to the mercy of God, according as I Bhall be able to ascertain by the counsel of my faithful [advisers]. Also to pay due and canonical honor to the bishops of God's churches, and observe inviolably whatever has been granted to the churches by emperors and kings. Also to pay due honor to my abbots, counts, vassals, according to faithful counsel. 'The king then kneels,' says Father Bridgett, 'and places both hands on the Gospels held open by the bishop, saying : "So help me God and His holy Gospels,' and kisses the bishop's hand. Then follow prayers and litanies, and the bishop, with the oil called that of the catechumens (the same which is used in Baptism), anoints in the sign of the cross the forearm and the neck between the shoulders. The Mass begins, and the king, having been clothed with royal vestments, kneels at the faldstool. Before the Gospel he receives the sword, with appropriate exhortations and prayers, and the crown and sceptre, and is placed upon his throne. The Te Deuni is sung and the Gospel, and the Mass proceeds, the king makes his offering, and is expected to receive Holy Communion after the celebrant. 9 The Roman pontifical was never used in England before the Reformation, but the ceremonies and prayers of our old

English pontificals are substantially the same. I have no intention of dwelling in detail on the various parts of the ceremonial. I will merely observe regarding the unctions, that formerly chrism was used as well as oil of catechumens. The king was first anointed with the oil on the palms of the hands, the breast, between the shoulders, on the forearm, and on the crown of the head ; and then with chrism on the forehead.'