Episode 3146 The Mass of the Ages: Step-by-Step Commentary on the Traditional Mass - Part 1 - Prayers at the Foot of the Altar

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Book Recommendation of the Day
On the Deeds of St. Henry
A faithful English translation of the medieval chronicle by Adalbold II of Utrecht, detailing the life, miracles, and piety of St. Henry II. Originally compiled soon after his death, this work is prized for its firsthand insights into Henry’s devotion—his reforms, battles to protect the Church, and his legendary chastity. A marvelous read for anyone seeking a direct, historical narrative from the saint’s contemporaries.
The Mass of the Ages: A Step-by-Step Commentary on the Traditional Latin Mass (Part I)”
Covering the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar and the Introductory Rites
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Tradition & Triumph. In this multi-part series, we will walk through the entire Traditional Latin Mass (TLM)—a liturgy organically developed over centuries, rooted in apostolic tradition, and safeguarded by the Church until the revolutionary reforms of the 20th century.
Today in Part I, we explore the Introductory Prayers, sometimes called the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar. Though not technically part of the Mass proper (they precede the Introit), they are indispensable for understanding the Catholic spirit of worship.
As St. John Chrysostom said:
“When you see the priest ascending the altar, think no longer that he is among men. He is surrounded by angels.”
SECTION I: UNDERSTANDING LITURGICAL STRUCTURE
The Latin Mass is constructed like a sacred temple:
1. The Prayers at the Foot of the Altar = The outer court (purification)
2. The Mass of the Catechumens = The Holy Place (instruction)
3. The Offertory, Canon, and Communion = The Holy of Holies (sacrifice and union)
Each stage reflects a movement upward—from earth to heaven, from sin to sanctity.
The Novus Ordo begins “at the altar.” The TLM begins at the bottom of the steps—as we all must, in humility and fear of the Lord.
SECTION II: PRAYERS AT THE FOOT OF THE ALTAR
1. The Priest and Server Descend in Reverence
• The priest enters in silence, wearing vestments that signify Christ’s Passion (alb, amice, cincture, stole, chasuble).
• He stands centered before the lowest step, with his back to the people, and begins with:
"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen."
(In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.)
This ancient invocation reminds us: we do not act on our own. All that follows is done in the name and power of God.
2. “Introibo ad Altare Dei”
Priest: “Introibo ad altare Dei.”
I will go unto the altar of God.
Server: “Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.”
To God, who gives joy to my youth.
This exchange comes from Psalm 42, and it is prayed with the psalm itself, line by line. The Latin evokes a poetic rhythm and spiritual ascent.
Psalm 42 (selected lines):
Judge me, O God… deliver me from the unjust…
Send forth Thy light and Thy truth…
And I will go unto the altar of God…
To God who gives joy to my youth.
Meaning:
• The priest, representing Christ and the Church, is like a penitent exile returning home.
• The people, through the server, echo his longing to ascend the altar.
• Youth here refers not to age, but to spiritual vigor—a soul made young by grace.
SECTION III: THE DOUBLE CONFITEOR – LITURGICAL CONFESSION
Unlike modern liturgies that use a short “Lord have mercy,” the TLM includes a full public confession of sins.
1. The Priest Confesses:
“Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini…”
*I confess to Almighty God, to the Blessed Mary ever Virgin… to all the Saints… and to you, brethren… that I have sinned exceedingly…”
Note the elements:
• Personal accountability
• Invocation of the Blessed Virgin, St. Michael, St. John the Baptist, Sts. Peter & Paul
• Appeal to the congregation (represented by the server)
Then follows the priest’s non-sacramental absolution:
“Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus…”
May Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to life everlasting.

2. The Server (on behalf of the faithful) now confesses:
“Confiteor Deo omnipotenti… et tibi, Pater…”
(and to you, Father…)
This is significant: the faithful confess to the priest, recognizing him as mediator in the liturgy.
Then the priest pronounces:
“Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum…”
May Almighty God grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.
This formula is more solemn than any found in the Novus Ordo’s Penitential Act.
SECTION IV: ASCENDING THE ALTAR
After absolution, the priest bows low and prays silently:
“Aufer a nobis, quaesumus Domine, iniquitates nostras…”
Take away from us our iniquities, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies.
This is a direct reference to the Jewish Temple, where only the High Priest could enter.
Note: The altar steps = the ascent into the divine mystery
The altar = Calvary, the tomb, and the throne of God, all at once
1. Kissing the Altar
The priest ascends the altar, places his hands upon it, and kisses it reverently.
“Oramus te, Domine…”
We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of the Saints whose relics are here… that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to forgive me all my sins.
Why the relics?
• Every altar contains relics of martyrs—a custom dating to the catacombs
• The Church teaches that we never worship alone—we are in communion with the saints
SECTION V: THEOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS
A. Liturgy begins with penance
• The TLM begins at the base of the altar: we are not worthy to enter.
• Modern man demands God’s love without repentance.
• The Latin Mass insists: first confess, then approach.
B. Worship is God-directed, not people-centered
• The priest does not face the people. He leads them toward God, facing the altar.
• The first words are not “Good morning”, but sacred Scripture in sacred language.
C. The priest is not a “presider”
• He is a mediator, in persona Christi
• His first act is not to instruct, but to humble himself before God
CONCLUSION: BEGINNING IN HUMILITY
The Prayers at the Foot of the Altar reflect the entire Catholic Faith:
• Man is fallen
• God is holy
• We must be purified to approach Him
• Christ is our Priest and Victim
• The Mass is not a dialogue—it is a mystery
To skip these prayers, or to abbreviate them into a feel-good greeting, is to deny the spiritual battle at the heart of the Mass.
The Traditional Latin Mass invites us to begin not in comfort, but in contrition.
“The saints did not approach the altar lightly. Why should we?”
“The Reward of Watchfulness and Virtue”
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
July 15th is also the feast day of St. Henry II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and Confessor of the Faith. His life of political power, tempered by deep humility and commitment to Christ’s kingship, is a fitting complement to today’s Scripture readings.
Epistle – Ecclesiasticus 31:8–11
"Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms."
Reflection on the Epistle:
This passage from Ecclesiasticus exalts the man who—despite opportunity—has remained faithful to God’s law. He is rich not only in earthly goods, but more importantly in virtue and self-control.
This reading challenges our modern assumptions: power and wealth are not evil in themselves—but they are trials. The holy man is the one who resists the temptation to make idols of wealth or pride of success. He gives alms, not for recognition, but because his heart is ordered toward God.
This “rich man without blemish” reflects the spiritual nobility we see in saints like St. Henry II, who wielded great authority yet remained a humble servant of Christ and protector of the Church.
In a world that worships wealth and power, today’s epistle calls us to holiness through restraint, generosity, and quiet virtue.
Gospel – Luke 12:35–40
"Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands. And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding… Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh, shall find watching... Be you also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come."
Reflection on the Gospel:
Our Lord speaks with urgency and clarity—be ready! This isn’t a message of fear but of loving vigilance. The faithful soul should be like a servant waiting for his master—not idle or distracted, but dressed and prepared with lamps lit.
“Lamps burning” signifies our interior life: alive with grace, kindled by prayer and sacraments. To “gird your loins” is to live with spiritual discipline—not sloth or complacency.
Christ’s warning is not empty. His coming—whether at the end of time, the end of our life, or even sacramentally in the moment of grace—must find us ready. This is the call to daily conversion, to vigilance in confession, to fervor in prayer.
The watchful servant is the soul who lives each day as though it were his last, not in dread but in hope—because he knows that the Master returns in glory.
Saint of the Day – St. Henry II, Emperor and Confessor
St. Henry II (†1024) was Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and used his power not for self-glorification but to defend the Church, reform monasteries, and uphold justice. Despite his status, he lived a life of penitence and devotion, even embracing celibacy with his holy wife, St. Cunegunda.
Canonized in 1146, St. Henry reminds us that sanctity is possible in every state of life—even in positions of great power—if one remains vigilant and obedient to Christ.
Quotes & Themes for Meditation:
• “He that could have transgressed and hath not transgressed...” (Ecclus. 31:10)
→ Virtue is tested when temptation is near—and rejected.
• “Let your loins be girt and lamps burning...” (Luke 12:35)
→ Preparedness is not passive—it is active, sacramental, and continual.
• St. Henry II: “A holy emperor is a rare jewel—but rarer still is one who lives for Christ alone.”
Themes:
1. Interior Strength: The just man avoids sin even when it is within his grasp.
2. Vigilance: True faith lives in daily awareness of Christ’s return.
3. Sanctified Authority: Even rulers and the wealthy are called to radical holiness.
Conclusionary Prayer:
Let us close in prayer.
O Lord, who didst grant Thy servant St. Henry II the grace to govern with justice and humility, grant us, through his intercession, a spirit of detachment from worldly gain and a vigilant heart, ever ready for Thy coming.
May we, like the wise servants, keep our lamps burning with the oil of charity and grace, and may we resist all temptations that would turn our eyes from Thee.
Grant that our lives may reflect Thy glory and that our words, actions, and desires may be conformed to Thy holy will.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. Henry II, may we walk faithfully and finish the race You have set before us.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Henry II, pray for us.
Our Lady, Tower of David, protect us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Thank you for joining today’s podcast. May you walk through this day vigilant, joyful, and rooted in the unchanging truth of the Catholic Faith. Until next time, keep your lamps burning.