AN ANCIENT CUSTOM

After the recital of the embolismus, or sequence of the “Pater noster,” the archdeacon who assisted at Episcopal Mass was accustomed, in early days, to turn round to the congregation and intone “Humiliate vos ad benedictionem”—“Bow down for the benediction”; to which the rest of the clergy would respond, “Deo gratias.” Then the bishop, before he said “Pax Domini,” would turn to the people and impart his solemn blessing.

According to the Mozarabic Rite, this custom was also observed in Low Mass, and that by priests as well as by bishops. The fourth Council of Toledo, however, decreed that the custom should be abolished. The reason assigned by Mabillon (De Liturgiis Gallicanis, lib. i. cap. iv. Nos. 13 et 14) for this ceremony was that those who did not intend to communicate might leave the church. Hence the meaning of that invitation to depart mentioned by Pope Gregory the Great: “Si quis non communicat det locum”—“If any one does not intend to communicate let him make way.”