Saint Monica, Widow (387 A.D.)

    

SAINT MONICA

Widow

DOUBLE / WHITE
In North Africa during the fourth century, Monica converted her pagan husband by the power of her prayers and her holy life. After her husband's death, she suffered intense grief when her brilliant son Augustine went astray in morals and faith. A saintly bishop consoled her with the words, "It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." Augustine crossed over into Italy, but his mother followed him. There, by St. Augustine's marvelous conversion, Monica's sorrow was turned into joy.

Mass of a holy WOMAN, except


Introit
Ps 118:75; 118:120
I know, O Lord, that Your ordinances are just, and in Your faithfulness You have afflicted me. Pierce my flesh with Your fear; I fear Your ordinances. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 118:1
Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
I know, O Lord, that Your ordinances are just, and in Your faithfulness You have afflicted me. Pierce my flesh with Your fear; I fear Your ordinances. Alleluia, alleluia.

GLORIA
 
COLLECT
O God, You are the comfort of those who mourn and the Saviour of all who trust in You. Blessed Monica's loving tears moved You to convert her son Augustine. may we also grieve for our sins and win the grace of Your pardon through the intercession of these two saints. Through Our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the first letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timotheus
1 Tim. 5:3-10.
Beloved: Honor widows who are truly widowed. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to provide for their own household and make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing to God. But she who is truly a widow, and left solitary, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. For she who gives herself up to pleasures is dead while she is still alive. And command them to be blameless. But if anyone does not take care of his own, and especially of his household, he has denied the Faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow who is selected be not less than sixty years old, having been married but once, with a reputation for her good works in bringing up children, in practicing hospitality, in washing the saints’ feet, in helping those in trouble, in carefully pursuing every good work.

Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 44:5
In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign. Alleluia.
V. In the cause of truth and mercy and for the sake of justice: may your right hand show you wondrous deeds. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL Luke 7:11-16
At that time, And it came to pass afterwards that Jesus went into a city that is called Naim: and there went with him his disciples and a great multitude. And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother: and she was a widow. And a great multitude of the city was with her. Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, he said to her: "Weep not." And he came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it stood still. And he said: "Young man, I say to thee, arise." And he that was dead sat up and begun to speak. And he gave him to his mother. And there came a fear upon them all: and they glorified God saying: "A great prophet is risen up among us:" and, "God hath visited his people."

SECRET
Accept this gift, O Lord, from a people dedicated to You. We offer it in honor of Your Saints for the help we have received from them when we were in trouble. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, You have feasted Your family with the Food of Heaven. May we always be refreshed through the intercession of Your Saint whose feast we celebrate this day. Through our Lord . . .