SAINT ANSELM (1109 A.D.) Bishop and Doctor of the Church; Saint Conrad of Parzham (1894 A.D.)

  

SAINT ANSELM
Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Saint Conrad of Parzham 

[Historical]

(Youtube image) 

DOUBLE / WHITE
Anselm (c. 1033-1109), an Italian, studied at the Abbey of Bec in Normandy, and there became a Benedictine monk. Anselm was an original and profound thinker and because of his writings he is considered the father of Scholasticism. He later became Archbishop of Canterbury in England. He suffered much at the hands of Kings William II and Henry I, who persisted in encroaching on the spiritual jurisdiction belonging to the Church alone.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

6

Introit
Sir 15:5
And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. Allelúja, allelúja.
Ps 91:2
It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy name, O most High.
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.
And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. Allelúja, allelúja.

 
GLORIA

COLLECT
O God, may blessed Anselm intercede for us in heaven as he once instructed Your faithful on earth and directed them in the way of eternal salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the second letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timotheus
2 Tim 4:1-8
Dearly beloved: I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom: Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming.

Alleluia
Allelúja, allelúja
Sir 45:9
And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory.
Hos 14:6
I will be as the dew, Israel shall spring as the lily, and his root shall shoot forth as that of Libanus 

GOSPEL
Matt 5:13-19
In that time Jesus said to His disciples: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Offertory
Ps 91:13
The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. T.P.Allelúja.

SECRET

O Lord, let the blessed bishop and doctor Anselm always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .

 Communion
Luke 12:42
The faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family: to give them their measure of wheat in due season. Allelúja.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may this sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed bishop and illustrious doctor Anselm. Through our Lord . . .

 

  

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Saint Conrad of Parzham’s Story

Conrad spent most of his life as porter in Altoetting, Bavaria, letting people into the friary and indirectly encouraging them to let God into their lives.

His parents, Bartholomew and Gertrude Birndorfer, lived near Parzham, Bavaria. In those days, this region was recovering from the Napoleonic wars. A lover of solitary prayer and a peacemaker as a young man, Conrad joined the Capuchins as a brother. He made his profession in 1852 and was assigned to the friary in Altoetting. That city’s shrine to Mary was very popular; at the nearby Capuchin friary there was a lot of work for the porter, a job Conrad held for 41 years.

At first, some of the other friars were jealous that such a young friar held this important job. Conrad’s patience and holy life overcame their doubts. As porter, he dealt with many people, obtaining many of the friary supplies and generously providing for the poor who came to the door. He treated them all with the courtesy Francis expected of his followers.

Conrad’s helpfulness was sometimes unnerving. Once Father Vincent, seeking quiet to prepare a sermon, went up the belltower of the church. Conrad tracked him down when someone wanting to go to confession specifically requested Father Vincent.

Saint Conrad of Parzham also developed a special rapport with the children of the area. He enthusiastically promoted the Seraphic Work of Charity, which aided neglected children.

Saint Conrad of Parzham spent hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. He regularly asked the Blessed Mother to intercede for him and for the many people he included in his prayers. The ever-patient Conrad was canonized in 1934. His liturgical feast is celebrated on April 21.

 

April 20th Ferial Day; St. Agnes of Montepulciano; Saint Marcellinus

April 20

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

 

INTROIT 
Ps. 32:5-6 

The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory Be . . .

 
GLORIA

COLLECT
You raised up our fallen world, O God, by the humiliation of Your own Son. May we, Your faithful people, be always joyful on earth, and, by being rescued from the danger of eternal death, come to everlasting happiness in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Peter 2:21-25
Beloved: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 24:33
The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia!
V. John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 10:11-16.
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 62:2, 5
O God, my God, for You do I watch at the break of day; and I lift up my hands in Your name, alleluia!

SECRET
May this holy offering bring us the blessing of salvation, O Lord, and may the mystery of the sacrifice which we here perform, work its effect in us. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, alleluia!
And I Know my sheep, and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty God, may we always proudly rejoice in Your Gift of grace, which has brought us back to life again. Through Our Lord . . . 

 

 

 

By Sailko - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147825788

St. Agnes of Montepulciano

Born in the neighbourhood of Montepulciano in Tuscany about 1268; died there 1317. At the age of nine years she entered a monastery. Four years later she was commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV to assist in the foundation of a monastery at Proceno, and became its prioress at the age of fifteen. At the entreaty of the citizens of her native town, she established (1298) the celebrated convent of Dominican nuns at Montepulciano which she governed until the time of her death. She was canonized by Benedict XIII in 1726. Her feast is celebrated on 20 April.

(Taken from Catholic Encyclopedia)

 

 

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Saint Marcellinus
Bishop of Embrun
(† 374)

Saint Marcellinus was born in Africa of a noble family; with two other Christians desiring to evangelize Gaul, Vincent and Domninus, he went to Pope Saint Damasus. The young men were sent to Eusebius, bishop of Verceil, who encouraged them for their mission and announced to them that they would have much to suffer. The three were ordained, and Marcellinus was consecrated bishop of Embrun by Eusebius and the bishop of Valencia. The gift of miracles fortified the preaching of Marcellinus at Embrun, in a region bordering on the Alps, while his companions continued their labors at Digne. Saint Domninus was later consecrated bishop of Digne by Saint Marcellinus, and energetically protected his flock from the errors of Arius; eventually Saint Vincent succeeded him there.

Marcellinus built at Embrun a chapel in which he passed his nights in prayer, after laboring all day in the exercise of his sacred calling. By his pious example, as well as by his earnest words and his miracles, he converted many of the pagans among whom he lived. A striking miracle, added to these influences, brought the entire population of Embrun into the church, with the exception of one idolater, who later also abandoned his gods. The waters in the nearby baptistry were increased, without the human intervention which had been proposed, to accommodate great numbers of catechumens who, during the feast of Christmas, would be baptized. The same event occurred again at Easter, and the sick were healed by the waters. For as long as the ancient baptistry remained standing, the miracle was renewed, as Saint Gregory of Tours and Saint Adon of Vienne attest — that is, for more than five hundred years.

Saint Marcellinus died at Embrun about the year 374, and was interred there. Saint Gregory of Tours, who speaks of him in terms of highest praise, narrates some of the countless miracles which multiplied at his tomb.

Reflection. Though you may not be called upon to preach, endeavor to give good example, remembering that deeds often speak louder than words.

Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894)

 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

DOUBLE / WHITE
With the memory of Christ's death still vivid in our minds and daily renewed with the renewal of His death in each Mass, we know the price of shepherding souls. That divine and dangerous leadership began with Christ. By His command, it must reach across the world to embrace all men, until there shall be but one flock and one shepherd. The inspiring leadership of each successive Pope is the living voice and power of Jesus to each generation. The Pope's commands and admonitions require reverent acceptance. The closer men are to the mind and will of the Vicar of Christ, the closer they are to Christ Himself.

INTROIT 
Ps. 32:5-6The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory Be . . .

 
GLORIA

COLLECT
You raised up our fallen world, O God, by the humiliation of Your own Son. May we, Your faithful people, be always joyful on earth, and, by being rescued from the danger of eternal death, come to everlasting happiness in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Peter 2:21-25
Beloved: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 24:33
The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia!
V. John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 10:11-16.
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

CREED

 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 62:2, 5
O God, my God, for You do I watch at the break of day; and I lift up my hands in Your name, alleluia!

SECRET
May this holy offering bring us the blessing of salvation, O Lord, and may the mystery of the sacrifice which we here perform, work its effect in us. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, alleluia!
And I Know my sheep, and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty God, may we always proudly rejoice in Your Gift of grace, which has brought us back to life again. Through Our Lord . . .

April 18 Sanctae Mariae Sabbato OUR LADY'S SATURDAY; SAINT APOLLONIUS, MARTYR (185 A.D.)

 

Sanctae Mariae Sabbato

OUR LADY'S SATURDAY 

SAINT APOLLONIUS

Martyr 
(Historical)

 

IV. classis

Introit
Sedelius
Hail Holy Parent, who didst bring forth the King, who rules heaven and earth forever, allelúja, allelúja.
Ps 44:2
My heart hath uttered a good word I speak my works to the king; My tongue is the pen of a scrivener that writeth swiftly.
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.
Hail Holy Parent, who didst bring forth the King, who rules heaven and earth forever, allelúja, allelúja.

 

GLORIA

 

Collect
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, unto all thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness both of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of thine eternal gladness.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 24:14-16
From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.

 

Alleluia
Allelúja, allelúja.
Num 17:8
The rod of Jesse had blossomed, virgin hath brought forth God and man: God hath restored peace, reconciling in himself the lowest with the highest, alleluia.
Luke 1:28
Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Allelúja.

 

Gospel
Continuation +︎ of the Holy Gospel according to John
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
John 19:25-27
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. 

 

Offertory
Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Creator of all things, thou didst bring forth who made thee, and remainest a virgin forever. Alleluia. 

 

Communion
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of Eternal Father, alleluia. 

 

Post Communion
Grant, O Lord, that we who have partaken of aids of salvation, may be everywhere defended by the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, in whose honor we have offered these gifts to thy majesty.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen. 

 

St. Apollonius the Apologist

Martyr whose Apologia or defense of the faith, is called one of the most priceless documents of the early Church. Apollonius was a Roman senator who was denounced as a Christian by one of his slaves. The Praetorian prefect, Sextus Tigidius Perenis, arrested him, also putting the slave to death as an informer. Perennis demanded that Apollonius denounce the faith, and when he refused, the case was remanded to the Roman senate. There a debate took place between Perennis and Apollonius that clearly outlines the beauty and the value of Christianity. Despite his eloquent defense, Apollonius was condemned and beheaded.

(Taken from Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints)

 

SAINT ANICETUS (175 A.D.) Pope and Martyr; SAINT DONAN AND COMPANIONS (617 A.D.) Martyrs

 

SAINT ANICETUS
Pope and Martyr

 

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SAINT DONAN 

AND COMPANIONS

Martyrs 

 

SIMPLE / RED
Anicetus, who was of Syrian ancestry, was pope from about the year 152 to the year 160. He took a firm stand against contemporary heresies. Although he did not actually shed his blood for the Faith, he merited the title of Martyr through the sufferings he endured in the government of the persecuted Church.

 

INTROIT John 21: 15-17

Simon Peter, if thou lovest Me, feed
My lambs, feed My sheep. [P.T.
Alleluia, alleluia.] (Ps. 29: 1) I will
extol Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast
upheld me: and hast not made my
enemies to rejoice over me. Glory be
to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Simon
Peter, if thou lovest Me, feed My
lambs, feed My sheep. Alleluia,
alleluia.

 

COLLECT

O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Anicetus shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this Martyr and Supreme Pontiff move you to look with favor upon Your flock and to keep it under Your continual protection.

 

Commemoration of SAINT DONAN

Saint Donan, also known as Saint Donnán of Eigg, lived from about 550 to 17 April 617. He was probably Irish in origin, and probably of noble birth. He is known for his efforts to introduce Christianity to the Picts of north-west Scotland. Very little remains of him in the written record, but he is remembered in the quite remarkable number of places named after him across large parts of modern Scotland. The only part of his life to have made it into the annals in any detail was his death, when he and 52 of his monks were murdered at their monastery on the Isle of Eigg.

 

We who elevate our souls unto Thee, O Almighty and everlasting God, beseech Thee to forget the faults of  our youth and if, through carelessness, we are delinquent, do Thou, at the intercession of Thy blessed Martyrs Donan and his Companions, vouchsafe mercifully to forgive us. Through our Lord . . .  

 

EPISTLE 1 Peter 5: 1-4, 10-11

Dearly beloved brethren: The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre's sake, but voluntarily: Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory. But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen. 

Alleluia
Allelúja, allelúja
Matt 16:18
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church.
Ps 44:17-18.
Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth. They shall remember thy name throughout all generations. Therefore shall people praise thee for ever; yea, for ever and ever. Allelúja.

 

GOSPEL

Matt 16:13-19
In that time: Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. 

 

OFFERTORY Jeremias 1: 9-10

Behold I have given my words in thy mouth: Lo, I have set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root up, and pull down, and to waste, and to destroy, and to build, and to plant. Allelúja.

SECRET

We have offered our gifts to You, O Lord. Let Your light graciously shine upon Your Church, so that this flock may everywhere prosper, and its pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You. 

 

Commemoration of SAINT DONAN

Be appeased, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the gifts now offered, and by the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs blessed Donan and Companions, defend us from all dangers. Through our Lord . . .

 

Communion
Matt 16:18
Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Allelúja.

 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, govern Your Church, which You have been pleased to nourish with Your heavenly Food. Guide her by Your powerful direction, so that she may enjoy greater freedom and remain unshaken in the fullness of faith. 

Commemoration of SAINT DONAN
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from guilt and through the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs blessed Donan and Companions, make us share in the heavenly healing. Through our Lord . . . 

SAINT BENEDICT JOSEPH LABRE (1783 A.D.); Saint Bernadette Soubirous (1879 A.D.)SAINT MAGNUS OF ORKNEY (1104 A.D.) Martyr

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SAINT BENEDICT JOSEPH LABRE

Confessor

  

 

 

 

St. Bernadette Soubirous

Virgin

[In some places]

 SAINT MAGNUS OF ORKNEY

Martyr

WHITE

St. Benedict Joseph Labre, born in France (1748) devoted himself from his youth to penance and prayer. Obeying the inspiration from on high he became a pilgrim. With no resources he journeyed to Loreto, Assisi and Rome. The populace treated him as a fool. He spent the last twelve years of his life praying in the sanctuaries of Rome and died on April 16 A.D. 1783.

INTROIT (Jer. 12, 7, Ps. 85)

I have forsaken my home, I have cast off mine inheritance, I am poor and nedy, but the Lord hath taken m up. Alleluia, alleluia. (Ps. 41, 2.) As the hart panteth after the fontains of water, so my soul panteth after Thee, O God. Glory be to the Fasther ...--I have forsaken ...

COLLECT

O God, who didst make Thy holy Confessor Benedict Joseph, by the pursuit of humility and by the love of poverty, cleave unto Thee alone, grant us by the help of his merits, to dispise all earthly things, and ever to seek after those of heaven. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT BERNADETTE
Bernadette Soubirous, in religion Sister Mary Bernard, was born at Lourdes, 7th January 1844. Died at Nevers, in the odour of sanctity, 16th April 1879. She was declared venerable 13th August 1913 and canonised 8th December 1933. The eighteen apparitions of the Immaculate Virgin took place between the 11th of February and 16th July 1858, when Bernadette was in her fifteenth year.

O God, protector and friend of the humble, who filled Thy servant, Mary Bernard, with joy by the apparition and the conversation of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, that by the simple way of faith we may be counted worthy to see Thee face to face in heaven.  
 

Commemoration of SAINT MAGNUS

St. Magnus, Earl of the Orkney Isles, was a Saint famed for his heroic humility and charity. He was martyred in the Orkneys by pagan Norsemen on April 18, A.D. 1104.

May the excellent merits of holy Magnus, Thy Martyr, defend us, O Lord, and may we, who in those merits proclaim the works of Thy Majesty, obtain through them both present and future help. Through our Lord . . . 

EPISTLE 

(Timothy 6:6-12)

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world: and certainly we can carry nothing out.

⁸ But having food, and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content.

⁹ For they that will become rich, fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction and perdition.

¹⁰ For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.

¹¹ But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.

¹² Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses.

Alleluia, alleluia. (Ps. 112, 5, 6) Who is as the Lord our God, who dweleth on high, and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth? Alleluia. (Ps. 112, 7) Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill. That he may place him with princes, with the princes of His people. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew (16:24-27)

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

²⁵ For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.

²⁶ For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?

²⁷ For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.

OFFERTORY (Heb. 13, 14, 15)

For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. Let us therefore always offer to God, the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips confessing to His name. Alleluia.

SECRET

Most merciful God, graciously look down  upon the gifts we bring  and, giving ear to the prayers of St. Benedict Joseph, Thy Confessor, grant that our offerings may avail us unto salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT BERNADETTE 
O Lord, by Thy Sacrifice inflame our souls with that heavenly ardour by which blessed Mary Bernard, Thy Virgin, presented herself as a praise-offering agreeable to Thee.  
 

Commemoration of SAINT MAGNUS

Behold graciously, we beseech Thee, O Lord, these our offerings, that they may be infused with the blessing of the Holy Ghost, and may pour into our hearts that vigorous love which enabled the holy Martyr Magnus to overcome all bodily tortures. Through our Lord . . . 

COMMUNION (Matt. 5, 4, 8)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Alleluia.

POSTCOMMUNION

We have been refreshed, O Lord, by Thy sacred gifts, and beg of Thee the grace to imitate the virtues of Thy holy Confessor Benedict Joseph, on whose merits we rely while we entreat Thy help. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT BERNADETTE 
We, who are renewed by those holy Mysteries, beseech Thee, O Lord, that imitating the marvelous constancy of the blessed Mary Bernard, we may obtain the eternal reward of our patience. 
 

Commemoration of SAINT MAGNUS

O Lord, we have received this heavenly Sacrament, while solemnising Thy holy Martyr Magnus, grant, we beseech Thee, through his prayers that what we now perform in this time we may receive in everlasting joys. Through our Lord . . . 

 

St. Bernadette Soubirous

 

Image via Wikipedia

Feastday: April 16 [Traditional Calendar]
Died: 1879

Famed visionary of Lourdes, baptized Mary Bernard. She was born in Lourdes, France, on January 7, 1844, the daughter of Francis and Louise Soubirous. Bernadette, a severe asthma sufferer, lived in abject poverty. On February 11, 1858, she was granted a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a cave on the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes. She was placed in consider able jeopardy when she reported the vision, and crowds gathered when she had futher visits from the Virgin, from February 18 of that year through March 4.The civil authorities tried to frighten Bernadette into recanting her accounts, but she remained faithful to the vision. On February 25, a spring emerged from the cave and the waters were discovered to be of a miraculous nature, capable of healing the sick and lame. On March 25, Bernadette announced that the vision stated that she was the Immaculate Conception, and that a church should be erected on the site. Many authorities tried to shut down the spring and delay the construction of the chapel, but the influence and fame of the visions reached Empress Eugenie of France, wife of Napoleon Ill, and construction went forward. Crowds gathered, free of harassment from the anticlerical and antireligious officials. In 1866, Bernadette was sent to the Sisters of Notre Dame in Nevers. There she became a member of the community, and faced some rather harsh treatment from the mistress of novices. This oppression ended when it was discovered that she suffered from a painful, incurable illness. She died in Nevers on April 16,1879, still giving the same account of her visions. Lourdes became one of the major pilgrimage destinations in the world, and the spring has produced 27,000 gallons of water each week since emerging during Bernadette's visions. She was not involved in the building of the shrine, as she remained hidden at Nevers. Bernadette was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI. 

From http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1757  

 

 

April 15th Ferial Day

 

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)
[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

INTROIT I Peter 2:2

Crave, as newborn babes, alleluia! pure spiritual milk, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Ps. 80:2. Sing joyfully to God, our helper; sing aloud to God of Jacob.

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O Almighty God, let our conduct and our lives always be guided by the Easter feast we have just celebrated. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I John 5:4-10.

Beloved: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. And this is the victory which overcameth the world: Our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth that Christ is the truth. And there are Three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. And there are three that give testimony on earth: the spirit and the water and the blood. And these three are one. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth in the Son of God hath the testimony of God in himself.

Alleluia, alleluia!

V. Matt. 28:7. "On the day of My resurrection," said the Lord, "I will go before you into Galilee." Alleluia!

V. John 20:26. After eight days, the doors being closed, Jesus stood in the midst of His disciples, and said, "Peace be to you." Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 20:19-31.

At that time, when it was late the same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them: "Peace be to you." And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: "Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: "Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said: "Peace be to you." Then he said to Thomas: "Put in thy finger hither and see my hands. And bring hither the hand and put it into my side. And be not faithless, but believing." Thomas answered and said to him: "My Lord and my God."
Jesus saith to him: "Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and have believed."
Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book.
But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Matt. 28:2, 5, 6

An Angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and said to the women, "He whom you seek has risen, as He said." Alleluia!

SECRET

Accept the gifts of Your joyous Church, O Lord. You have given her such cause for joy; grant that she may attain that unending happiness. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 20:27

Put in your hand, and feel the place of the nails, alleluia! and be not unbelieving, but believing, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord our God, may we be healed now and forever by these sacred rites which You instituted to protect us in our new life of grace. Through Our Lord . . .