The Ars Brevis instructs the reader to perform votive masses as part of the magical experiment(s). There are two versions of the Ars Brevis, which describe what and how the magical experiment(s) are conducted. In one version, there is an understanding that there may only be a single magical experiment which is related to a single magical figure which takes place over the course of one week. The second version indicates that there may be up to four magical experiments and that the text presents the basic template of any one of these experiments which occurs over the course of four days. The number and frequency of votive masses depends upon which version is followed. The ritual procedures of the Ars Brevis is detailed in my book, Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon (Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, 2023).
Here I have translated the votive Mass of All the Saints from the 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal for those interested in experimenting with the Ars Brevis. According to one version, the votive Mass of All the Saints is to be offered on Saturday. The Roman Missal, of course, was originally composed in Latin. Keep in mind that this is a Latin-to-English translation. Such translation work is another step away from the original biblical Hebrew and koine Greek. That is to say, this is not a Hebrew-to-English or a Greek-to-English translation. A NRSV or NRSV updated version will suffice to ensure accuracy and reliability of the following votive mass to meet modern day standards. For the general practitioner who is not concerned with the minutiae of language translation, the following English translation will suffice.
This blog entry is intended to supplement the work published in my book, and so the reader is directed to it for a proper introduction and English translation of the Ars Brevis.
Mass of All the Saints
(Outside the time of the Passover)
Introductory Rites
Antiphon for the Entrance
The saints will judge the nations, and they rule over the people, and the Lord God of those people will reign forever. (Wisdom of Solomon 3:8)
Rejoice in the Lord, O righteous ones! Commendation befits the virtuous. (Psalms 33:1)
Versicle. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (The Minor Doxology)
(Or the time of Passover)
Antiphon for the Entrance
O Lord, your holy ones bless you, they speak the glory of your kingdom, alleluia, alleluia. (Psalms 145:10-11)
I will exalt you, O my God, the King, and bless your name in the age, and in the age of ages. (Psalms 145:1)
Versicle. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (The Minor Doxology)
Prayer
O all-powerful God, we ask that you allow intercession, for example, of the holy Mother God, Mary, the holy ones, all the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, and also the Virgins, and all your elect, who give joy to us everywhere, so that while we reflect upon our merits, we may feel [their] protection. Through the Lord our Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in unity.
The Reading of the Book of the Apocalypse of the Blessed Apostle John (Apocalypse 7:2-12)
In those days, behold, I John, saw another angel ascending from the risen sun, having the seal of the living God, and he shouted with a great voice to the four angels who had been given [power] to damage the earth and sea, saying, “Do not damage the earth and sea, nor the trees until we mark the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads!” And I heard the number of those who would be sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed from every tribe of Israeli sons: From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Nephtali, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Zabulun, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand sealed,
From the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand sealed.
After this, I saw a great multitude that no one could be able to count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne, and in the sight of the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches in their hands, and they were shouting with a great voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God and the Lamb who sits upon the throne! And all the angels, elders, and the four animals were standing around the throne, and they fell down on their faces at the sight of the throne, and they were worshipping God, saying, “Amen! The blessing, clarity, wisdom, the act of grace, honor, virtue, and fortitude belongs to our God in the age of ages, amen!”
Gradual (Psalms 34:9)
Fear the Lord, [and] all his holy ones, since those who fear him lack nothing.
Versicle. And inquiring the Lord, they will not lack any good thing. Alleluia, alleluia.
Versicle. Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will make you strong again. Alleluia. (Matt. 11:28)
(After Septuagesima Sunday, you omit ‘Alleluia’ and the following verse is to be said)
Tract
They who sow in tears, will reap in joy. (Psalms 126:5-6)
Versicle. Those who were going out and weeping, casting their seeds.
Versicle. But coming, they come with exultation, bringing their maniple of soldiers. Alleluia, alleluia.
(The gradual is to be omitted during the time of Passover, and at its place, the following is to be said:)
Versicle. O Lord, your holy ones will flower just like lilies, and they will be like the odor of balsam before you.
Versicle. Precious in the sight of the Lord, the death of his holy ones. Alleluia. (Psalms 116:15)
The Following of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matt. 5:1-12)
In that time, seeing the multitudes, Jesus ascended onto a mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples went to him, and opening his mouth, he was teaching them, saying, “Blessed be the poor in spirit, since the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed be the gentle, since they alone will abide on the earth. Blessed be those who mourn, since they alone will be consoled. Blessed be they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, since they alone will be satisfied. Blessed be the merciful ones, since they alone will receive mercy. Blessed be the pure in heart, since they alone will see God. Blessed be the peacemakers, since they will be called sons of God. Blessed be they who suffer persecution on account of justice, since the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed be are you when people curse you, and persecute you, and say all evil things against you, deceiving, on account of me. Rejoice and be glad, since your abundant reward is in the heavens.
[Sing] the Credo.
(After Septuagesima Sunday, ‘Alleluia’ is to be omitted at the end of the following antiphon)
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Antiphon at the Offertory
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and the wicked ones will not touch those of torment. They are seen in the eyes of the foolish to have died […], but they are at peace, alleluia. (Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-3)
(The following is to be said at the time of Passover)
Antiphon at the Offertory
We rejoice in the Lord and we exalt the righteous ones, and we all give glory to the ones virtuous in the heart (Psalms 32:11)
The Secret
O Lord, be placated, having been offered gifts, and defend us from all dangers by the interceding blessed Mary always Virgin with all your holy ones. Through the Lord our Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in unity.
Antiphon to the Communion
Blessed be the pure in heart, since they alone will see God. Blessed be the peacemakers, since they will be called sons of God. Blessed be they who suffer persecution on account of justice, since the kingdom of heaven is theirs. (Matt 5:8-10)
(The following is to be said at the time of Passover)
Antiphon to the Communion
Rejoice in the Lord, O righteous ones, alleluia! Commendation befits the virtuous, alleluia! (Psalms 33:1)
After Communion
O Lord, we receive the blessed Mary always Virgin, and contemplating the memory of all your holy ones, we ask you, present the heavenly sacraments just as we conduct our affairs temporarily, we might pursue the joys of eternity. Through the Lord our Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in unity.
This blog entry's image of Christ enthroned surrounded by choruses of confessors, virgins, and martyrs comes from the Aethelstan Psalter dated to the 9th century and held at the British Library. [This article is an expansion upon a passage from my Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon (Inner Traditions, 2023).] This digital edition by Matthias Castle, Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Please do not copy this text to your website, or for any purpose other than private use. Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon translated by Matthias Castle, published by Inner Traditions International and Bear & Company, © 2023. All rights reserved. http://www.Innertraditions.com Reprinted with permission of publisher.