THE MOST PURE HEART OF OUR LADY; SAINTS VITUS, MODESTUS AND CRESCENTIA (303 A.D.) Martyrs

 

THE MOST PURE HEART OF OUR LADY  

Second Saturday after Corpus Christi

from maternalheart.org 

 

 

The martyrdom of Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia.
From a 14th century manuscript.

SAINTS VITUS, MODESTUS AND 
CRESCENTIA
Martyrs 

 

Mary began her journey along the road to perfection at a height to which other Saints arrived only at the end of a long life of saintliness. In all other children of Adam original sin prevented the divine generosity from having a free course. But Mary was created immaculate, and therefore the grace of God streamed into her soul without check or hindrance. Her sinlessness, her heavenly purity, directed every action, every movement to God. Her Heart was the pattern and model of all virtues, of all purity! "Blessed are the pure in heart!".

INTROIT Ps. 44. 14-15

All the glory of the King's Daughter is within, in golden borders, clothed round about with variety: after her shall virgins be brought to the King, her neighbours shall be brought unto thee. (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia). Ps. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak of my works to the King. Glory be to the Father . . .

GLORIA 

COLLECT  
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Heart of Blessed Mary the Virgin didst prepare a dwelling worthy of the Holy Ghost: mercifully grant, that we who with devout minds celebrate the festival of that most pure Heart, may be enabled to live according to Thine own Heart. Through our Lord.

Commemoration of SAINT VITUS AND COMPANIONS
Vitus, born of an illustrious Sicilian family, was arrested with his tutor and his nurse. After many sufferings, they were martyred A.D. 303. In the Middle Ages St. Vitus was declared one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, and came to be considered as the special patron of those inflicted with nervous disorders.

Grant to Thy Church, O Lord, we beseech Thee, through the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, not to be highminded, but to advance in that humility which is pleasing in Thy sight, that despising such things as be evil, she may practice with overflowing charity whatsoever things are right. Through our Lord . . .    


 EPISTLE Canticles, 8. 6-7.
Put me as a seal upon thy heart; as a seal upon thine arms; for love is strong as death; jealousy is hard as hell; the lamps thereof are lamps of fire and flames. Many waters cannot quench charity, nor shall the floods drown it; if a man have given all the substance of his house for love, he shall despise it as nothing. 

 GRADUAL Wisdom 7:25-26
Naught that is defied cometh into her: she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's Majesty; and the image of His goodness. (Cant. 6. 2). I to my beloved, and my beloved to me, who feedeth among the lilies.

Alleluia, alleluia. Luke 1:46,47
My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL Luke 2:48-51
At that time: The Mother of Jesus said to Him: Son, why hast Thou done so to us? behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the word that He spoke unto them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And His Mother kept all these words in her heart.

 OFFERTORY Jud 15:11
Because thou hast done manfully, and hast strengthened thy heart: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and thou shalt be blessed for ever.

SECRET  
To Thy majesty, O Lord, we offer up the Lamb without blemish, beseeching Thee that in our hearts may be enkindled that divine fire, which so ineffably consumed the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through the same Lord. 

Commemoration of SAINT VITUS AND COMPANIONS 
As the gifts we lay before Thee, O Lord, in honor of Thy Saints, bear witness to the glory of Thy divine power, so may they win for us the fruit of Thy salvation. Through our Lord . . . 

 
COMMUNION Canticles. 2. 3 
(T.P. Allelúja). Under the shadow of Him whom I desired have I sat down, and His fruit is sweet to my taste. (P.T. Alleluia).

POSTCOMMUNION
Refreshed by Thy divine gifts, we humbly entreat Thee, O Lord, that by the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary whose most pure Heart we now solemnly celebrate, we may be delivered from present dangers, and obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through our Lord.

Commemoration of SAINT VITUS AND COMPANIONS 
We who are filled with Thy solemn blessing, beseech Thee, O Lord, that through the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, the healing virtue of the Sacrament may benefit both body and soul. Through our Lord . . .