the Church in Scotland; for our enemies; for the priesthood of America.

CHAPTER III.

TERCE, SEXT, NONE (TITLE XVI.).

TERCE.

_Etymology._ The word Terce comes from the Latin word _tertia (hora)_,
third. Because this little Hour was said at the third hour of the Roman
day, that is, about 9 o'clock in the forenoon,

_Structure._ It consists of Pater Noster, Ave, Deus in adjutorium,
Gloria Patri ... Sicut erat ... Amen, Alleluia, Hymn, opening words of
the antiphon, the three psalms, antiphon in full, capitulum, response,
Dominus vobiscum, Et cum spiritu tuo, Oremus, collect, Dominus vobiscum,
Et cum spiritu tuo, Benedicamus ... Deo gratias, Fidelium animae....
Amen. And Pater Noster is said silently if another Hour is not begun
immediately.

Terce is called the golden Hour, _hora aurea_, because at this time of
the day, the third Hour, the Holy Ghost, who is typified by gold,
descended on the apostles. It is called sometimes the sacred Hour (_hora
sacra_) because in conventional churches it is recited immediately
before Holy Mass. It is the most solemn of all the small Hours.

_Antiquity._ The custom of praying at these three hours, terce, sext and
none, is very ancient. It was in use amongst the devout Jews, and the
early converts to Christianity retained the practice. The Apostolic
Constitutions contain the words "Preces etiam vestras facite
hora tertia."

Why does the Church wish us to pray at the third hour?

The question is asked by liturgists of olden times. Their replies are:--

1. to remind us of the hour when our Saviour was condemned (St. Mark, c.
15).

2. to remind us of the hour at which the Holy Ghost descended on the
Church.

3. as the Church's hymn tells us that at this hour of the day when men
are engrossed in worldly affairs, they especially need God's help,

"Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One,
Reignest with Father and with Son.
It is the hour, our souls possess
With Thy full flood of holiness.
Let flesh and heart and lips and mind
Sound forth our witness to mankind.
And love light up our mortal frame
Till others catch the living flame,
Now to the Father, to the Son,
And to the Spirit, Three in One,
Be praise and thanks and glory given,
By men on earth, by saints in heaven. Amen."

(Translation by Cardinal Newman of St. Ambrose's
hymn, _Nunc sancte_).

TEXTS AND INTENTIONS FOR PIOUS RE