Classic Poem

The Great Mysteries of Religion, as represented by their Liturgical Rites, begin invariably with invocation of the Divine Names, by the way of that substitution which signifies, in a summary, the whole mission of the Church, being the reverent and orderly communication of great auguries and tokens which stand for things not manifest: e.g. the In Nomine which opens the Mass .

The S ECRET N AME

The letters of the Name we long to learn
Are found in sacred books at every turn,
Yet we in vain those characters may trace.
And with our eyes their outward sense discern;
For the Great Name itself, our saving grace,
Is utter'd only in the Holy Place.
The atmosphere of the Divine Secret abides in a great disinterest, and yet that secret is nearest of all things .