The Collect for the Third Sunday of Lent in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite is found in the ancient Veronese and Gelasian Sacramentaries.
The Mass formulary for this third Sunday is one of the oldest that has come down to us. On this day in ancient Rome the catechumens who sought to enter Holy Church and be baptised at Easter would be led in a great procession to the Basilica of St Lawrence Outside the Walls to be “scrutinised”.
Catechumens were tested during Lent about their faith seven times, usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the climax of which came during the fourth week. This Sunday the catechumens were exorcised of the evil Enemy of the soul. The Gospel recounts how Jesus expelled a demon from a man who could not speak: “Quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, vota humilium respice: atque ad defensionem nostram, dexteram tuae maiestatis extende.”
A votum can be a “prayer” as well as “praise”, something due. Respicio here means “to look at with solicitude, ie to have a care for, regard, respect”. Maiestas can be used like a title, as in “Your Majesty”, but it is also a divine characteristic, much like gloria, in the presence of which we will be transformed for all eternity.
Literal translation: “We beseech You, God Almighty, regard with solicitude the prayers of the humble: and extend the right hand of Your majesty unto our defence.” As I hear about the mighty “right hand of God’s majesty”, I remember that soon, on Good Friday, both of Christ’s hands will be pierced with nails for my sins.
Speaking of hands, God’s majestic right hand symbolises power and authority. In ancient times, a soldier of the Legions who committed a crime could be flogged to death with the fearsome many-thonged scourge. The Imperator, the commander-in-chief, could remit the legionary’s punishment by extending his right hand over him in a sign of forgiveness. Extending a hand over a slave was also the sign of manumission, a formal symbol of setting a slave free: extending the right hand had juridical effect.
Christ gave His own right hand of power and authority to the Catholic Church, which He founded, to teach, govern and sanctify. In the confessional the priest extends his hand, Christ’s own right hand, over you. That hand shelters you from the attacks of hell, frees you from eternal bondage to the diabolical Enemy. Go to Confession.
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