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 Holy Spirit 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 Holy Spirit is to be offered on Tuesday. 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 Holy Spirit
<A>Mass of the Holy Spirit
<B>Introductory Rites
<C>Antiphon for the Entrance
The Spirit of the Lord filled the whole world. And this which contains all things, has knowledge of the voice. (Wisdom of Solomon 1:7)
Alleluia, alleluia.
May God rise up, and may his enemies be dispersed, and may they, who hate him, flee from his face. (Psalm 67:2)
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)
<C>Prayer
O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, give us the right wisdom in the Holy Spirit, and always to rejoice in respect to its consolation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the same unity.
(Asking for the grace of the Holy Spirit)
<C>Prayer (asking for the grace of the Holy Spirit, also offered upon rising every morning)
O God, to whom every heart is open, and every desire is to be uttered, and which no secret is concealed. Purify the thoughts of our hearts through the infusion of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be deserving to praise worthily and to love you perfectly. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the same unity.
<B>Liturgy of the Word
<C>The Reading of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:14-17, NRSV)
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
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<C>Gradual (Psalm 33:12, and 33:6)
Blessed is the nation, whose Lord is our God! The people, whom the Lord has chosen as his heritage. (Psalm 33:12)
Versicle. By the word of the Lord the heavens are fortified, and all their virtue by the Spirit of his mouth. (Psalm 33:6)
Alleluia, alleluia. (This is to be genuflected)
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle within them the fire of your love.
Alleluia.
(After Septuagesima Sunday, you omit ‘Alleluia’ and the following verse is to be said:)
<C>Tract
Send forth your spirit, and they will be created; and you will renew the face of the earth. (Psalms 104:30 KJV)
Versicle. O how good and sweet is your spirit in us, O Lord! (Wisdom of Solomon 12:1; This is to be genuflected)
Versicle. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle within them the fire of your love. Alleluia, alleluia.
(However, the gradual is to be omitted during the time of Passover, and at its place the following is to be said:)
Versicle. Send forth your spirit, and they will be created; and you will renew the face of the earth. (Psalms 104:30 KJV) Alleluia. (This is to be genuflected)
Versicle. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle within them the fire of your love. Alleluia.
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<C>Following the Holy Gospel according to John (John 14:23-31; NRSV)
Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
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I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.”
(After Septuagesima Sunday, “alleluia” is to be omitted following the antiphon at the end.)
<B>Liturgy of the Eucharist
<C>Antiphon at the Offertory
Strengthen this, O God, because you are working in us. From your temple, that is in Jerusalem, kings offer gifts to you, alleluia. (Psalm 68:28-29)
<C>The Secret
Having offered, we ask [of you], O Lord, reward, consecrate, and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Spirit. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the same unity.
(Asking for the grace of the Holy Spirit)
<C>The Secret
May this offering, we ask, O Lord, cleanse the stains from our hearts, so that the worthy may be affected by the dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the same unity.
<C>Preface of the Holy Spirit
The sending of the Spirit by the Lord upon the Church (confirm)
The Priest: The Lord be with you.
The people’s response: And also with you.
The Priest: Lift up your hearts.
The people’s response: We lift them up to the Lord.
The Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
The people’s response: It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
To give you thanks always and everywhere,
O Lord, holy Father, all-powerful eternal God,
Through Christ our Lord.
Ascending above all the heavens
And sitting at your right hand,
He poured out the promised Holy Spirit
On your adopted children.
Therefore, now and for ages unending,
With all the host of Angels,
We sign to you with all our hearts,
Crying out as we acclaim:
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
(After Septuagesima Sunday, ‘Alleluia’ is to be omitted following the antiphon at the end.)
<C>Antiphon to the Communion (Act 2:2 and 2:4; NRSV)
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability, alleluia.
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<C>After Communion
O Holy Spirit, O Lord, cleanse our hearts by infusion, and make abundant your secret dew by aspersion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the same unity.
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<C>After Communion (asking for the grace of the Holy Spirit)
Grant, we ask, O all-powerful God, our votive to be deserving to the sedulous Holy Spirit, to what extent her grace, and we are to be freed from every temptation, and may we be deserving to earn the indulgence of our sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the same unity.
This blog entry's image of the Holy Spirit as symbolized by the dove is found in a book of hours from Loire, France, ca. 1475, MS G.1.II, f. 227r which is held at the Morgan Library & Museum.
[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.
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