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 the Angels from the 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal for those interested in experimenting with the Ars Brevis. According to one version, the votive Mass of the Angels is to be offered on Friday. 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 the Angels
Introductory Rites
Antiphon for the Entrance
Bless the Lord, bless all his angels, the Powers with virtue, you who carry out his word, the voice of his speech, to be heard. Alleluia, alleluia. Bless my soul, O Lord, and everything which is within me, his holy name. (Psalms 103:20-22)
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 God, who dispenses a ministry of angels and men by a marvelous order, grant propitiously, just as the ministers in heaven assist you, [then also] that our life on earth may be defended by these. 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 5:11-14)
In those days, I heard the voice of many angels in circumlocution at the throne, and animals, and the elders, and the number of them was a thousand of a thousand, speaking with a great voice, “Worthy is the Lamb, who is slaughtered, to accept the virtue, divinity, wisdom, fortitude, honor, glory, and benediction. And I heard every creature who is in heaven, and above the earth, and under the earth, and who are in the sea, and who are in [the world], speaking, “[Let there be] the blessing, honor, glory, and power in the age of ages to the one seated on the throne and the Lamb.” And four animals said, “Amen.” And twenty-four elders fell down on their faces, and they adored the living one in the age of ages.
Gradual
Praise the Lord of the heavens! Praise him on high! (Psalms 149:1-2)
Versicle. Praise him, [and] all his angels! Praise him, [and] all his virtues! Alleluia, alleluia.
Versicle. In sight of the angels, I will sing a song to you in your holy temple, and I will confess your name. Alleluia. (Psalms 138:1-2)
(After Septuagesima Sunday, you omit “Alleluia”, and the following verse is to be said)
Tract
Bless the Lord, [and] all his angels, the Powers with virtue, you who carry out his word. (Psalms 103:20)
Versicle. Bless the Lord, [and] all his virtues, his ministers, you who carry out his will. (Psalms 103:21-22)
Versicle. Bless the Lord, [and] all his works, bless my soul in every place of his dominion, O Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
(But the Gradual is to be omitted during the time of Passover, and [the following] is to be said in its place)
Versicle. In sight of the angels, I will sing a song to you in your holy temple, and I will confess your name. Alleluia. (Psalms 138:1-2)
Versicle. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and approaching, he rolled back the stone, and he was seated upon it. Alleluia. (Matt 28:2)
Following the Holy Gospel according to John (John 1:47-51)
In that time, Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and he said to him, “Behold, truly an Israelite in who there is no deceit.” Nathanael said to him, “From where do you know me?” Jesus responded, and said to him, “Before Philip was calling you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael responded to him, and said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.” Jesus responded, and said to him, “Because I spoke to you, I saw you under the fig tree, you believed, you will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending above the Son of man.”
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Antiphon at the Offertory
The angel stood near the altar of the temple, holding a golden thurible in his hand, and he was given a great amount of incense, and the smoke of the aromas rose in the sight of God. (Apocalypse of John 8:3-4)
The Secret
O Lord, we offer the hosts and praises to you, deprecating suppliantly, just the same, may you receive a prayer of intercession from an angel intervening for us, and having been appeased, and may you grant our salvation to come forth. Through the Lord our Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in unity.
Antiphon to the Communion
O angels, archangels, Thrones, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, Virtues of the heavens, the Cherubim and the Seraphim, bless the Lord in eternity. Alleluia.
After Communion
O Lord, we implore you suppliantly, having restored the benediction of the heavens, as we celebrate the office of the holy angels and archangels, we know to use the remedy for the meek. Through the Lord our Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in unity.
This blog entry's image of the angels comes from Gustave Doré's drawing of the angels in heaven, illustrating Dante's Divine Comedy.
[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.