Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (251 A.D.) Patron of Nurses; Saint Philip of Jesus, Martyr (1597 A.D.)

  

The Martyrdom of Saint Agatha
c. 1755; Oil on canvas,
Gemaeldegalerie, Staatliche Museen Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin

SAINT AGATHA
Virgin and Martyr

A statue of St. Philip of Jesus at the  
Museo de Virreinato, Tepotzotlán [Wikipedia.org}
 

[Commemoration]
SAINT PHILIP OF JESUS
Martyr
 

DOUBLE / RED 

The remarkable beauty of Agatha, a Sicilian, attracted the attention of the Roman governor. She was horribly tortured for resisting his offers; but she stood firm, saying, "Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, You know my desires. Do you alone possess all that I am." On the day of her martyrdom in 251, she was rolled over live coals. As she was being carried back to prison she died while praying, "Lord, my Creator, receive now my soul."

INTROIT
Let us all rejoice in the Lord as we celebrate the feast in honor of the blessed virgin martyr Agatha, at whose sufferings the angels rejoiced and praised the Son of God.
Ps. 44:2. My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king.
V. Glory be . . .

 
COLLECT
O God, one of the marvelous examples of Your power was granting the victory of martyrdom even to delicate womanhood. May the example of the blessed virgin martyr Agatha, whose birthday we celebrate today, draw us closer to You. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PHILIP OF JESUS

Philip was born in Mexico City in 1572. Though unusually frivolous as a boy, he joined the Reformed Franciscans of the Province of St. Didacus, founded in Mexico by St. Peter Baptista, with whom he suffered martyrdom later. After some months in the Order, Philip grew tired of religious life, left the Franciscans in 1589, took up a mercantile career, and went to the Philippines, another Spanish colony, where he led a life of pleasure. Later he desired to re-enter the Franciscans and was again admitted at Manila in 1590.^[2]
After some years it was determined that he was ready for ordination and sent to Mexico for this, since the episcopal see of Manila was vacant at that time, and thus no bishop was available locally to ordain him. He sailed on the San Felipe on 12 July 1596, but a storm drove the vessel upon the coast of Japan. The governor of the province confiscated the ship and imprisoned its crew and passengers, among whom were another Franciscan friar, Juan de Zamorra, as well as three other friars, two Augustinians and a Dominican. The discovery of soldiers, cannon and ammunition on the ship led to the suspicion that it was intended for the conquest of Japan, and that the missionaries were merely to prepare the way for the soldiers. This was also said, falsely and unwarrantably, by one of the crew and enraged the Japanese Taikō, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, generally called Taicosama by Europeans. In consequence, he commanded on December 8, 1596, the arrest of the Franciscans in the friary at Miako, now Kyoto, whither St. Philip had gone.^[2]
The friars were all kept prisoners in the friary until December 30, when they were transferred to the city prison. There were six Franciscan friars, seventeen Japanese Franciscan tertiaries and the Japanese Jesuit Paul Miki, with his two native servants. The ears of the prisoners were cropped on January 3, 1597, and they were paraded through the streets of Kyoto; on January 21 they were taken to Osaka, and thence to Nagasaki, which they reached on February 5, 1597. They were taken to a mountain near Nagasaki city, "Mount of the Martyrs", bound upon crosses, after which they were pierced with spears.^[2]
Philip was beatified in 1627 by Urban VIII, and, with his companions, canonized 8 June, 1862, by Pius IX. He is the patron saint of the city of Mexico.[Wikipedia.org]

O God, Who, when the first martyrs of Japan were put to death, wast pleased that, among them all, blessed Philip, bound to a cross and thrice pierced by a lance, should be the first to receive from Thee the crown of martyrdom, do Thou graciously grant that, supported by his patronage, we may attain to be likewise crowned with him in heaven. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Cor. 1:26-31
Brethren: For see your vocation, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong. And the base things of the world and the things that are contemptible, hath God chosen: and things that are not, that he might bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his sight. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and justice and sanctification and redemption: That, as it is written: "He that glorieth may glory in the Lord."

GRADUAL Ps. 45:6.5
God will help her by His presence. God is within her, she shall not be disturbed.
V. The flowing stream gladdens the city of God, where the Most High has sanctified His own dwelling place.

Alleluia, alleluia Ps. 118:46

V. I spoke of your testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 19:3-12
At that time, there came to Jesus some Pharisees tempting him, saying: "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?" Who answering, said to them: "Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, made them male and female?" And he said: "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." They say to him: "Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away?" He saith to them: "Because Moses by reason of the hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery." His disciples say unto him: "If the case of a man with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry." Who said to them: "All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mothers womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:15
Behind her the virgins shall be led to the king; her friends shall be brought to you.

SECRET
O Lord, accept the gifts we bring You on the feast of Your blessed virgin martyr Agatha, through whose intercession we hope to be set free. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PHILIP OF JESUS
Do Thou, O Lord, we beseech Thee, sanctify the gifts which we dedicate unto Thee, and by the intercession of blessed Philip Thy martyr, grant that they may turn to our perpetual support. Through our Lord . . . 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
I call upon the living God Himself, who was pleased to heal all my wounds and restore my breast to my body.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Agatha may we be aided by the reception of the Blessed Sacrament and rejoice in Your everlasting protection. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PHILIP OF JESUS
We who have been satisfied by the sacred Body and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, suppliantly beseech Thee, O Lord, that by the intercession of blessed Philip, Thy martyr, we may be delivered from every adversity. Through our Lord . . .  

Saint Peter Healing Agatha, by the Caravaggio-follower Giovanni Lanfranco, ca 1614 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SAINT ANDREW CORSINI (1373 A.D.); BLESSED THOMAS PLUMTREE & COMPANIONS (1582 A.D.) Martyrs

 

  

SAINT ANDREW CORSINI
Bishop and Confessor

BLESSED THOMAS PLUMTREE

AND COMPANIONS

DOUBLE / WHITE
Andrew Corsini was born in the fourteenth century in Florence, Italy. He fell into bad company; but soon, touched by the grief of his mother, the young nobleman entered the Carmelite Order. Having served as prior of his convent, he was chosen to fill the vacant bishopric of Fiesole. He continually helped the poor, doing so in secret in the case of those who were ashamed to make known their distress. By showing his people the true nature of Christian peace, Bishop Andrew put an end to a number of troublesome disturbances in the city. He died on the feast of the Epiphany, 1373.

Introit
Sir 45:30
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever.
Ps 131:1
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness.
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.
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever.  

Mass of a CONFESSOR BISHOP, except

COLLECT
O God, You continually provide Your Church with new examples of virtue. May Your people follow in the footsteps of the blessed Confessor Bishop Andrew and obtain the same reward he now enjoys. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of BLESSED THOMAS PLUMTREE & COMPANIONS [Luke Kirby, Richard Kirkman, and Richard Thirkill, Priests]

BORN in the Diocese of Lincoln, a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, in 1546, he was made Rector of Stubton in his native county. He resigned his benefice on the change of religion under Elizabeth, and became a schoolmaster at Lincoln, but was obliged to resign the post on account of his faith. But it is as chief chaplain and priest of the army of the Northern Rising that he won the martyr's palm. His voice seems to have been like the Baptist's and to have stirred high and low alike. His call to abandon heresy and to rally to the standard of the faith ran through the northern counties, and hundreds came in response to his summons. He appears to have been celebrant of the Mass in Durham Cathedral immediately preceding F. Holmes' sermon and the public Absolution which followed. On his capture after the failure of the Rising, he was singled out as a notable example of the priests who had officiated. On the gibbet in the market-place at Durham 

O God, who didst gladden us by the annual feast of Thy holy Martyrs Thomas Plumtree and Companions, mercifully grant that we who rejoice in their merits may be inspired by their example. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 44:16-27: 45:3-20
Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God, and was found just; and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Therefore, by an oath, the Lord made him to increase among his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in His blessings; He preserved for him His mercy; and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him a great priesthood; and made him blessed in glory. To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him a worthy incense for an odor of sweetness.

Gradual
Sir 44:16
Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God.
Sir 44:20
V. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 109:4
You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedec. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 25:14-23
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A man going abroad, called his servants and handed over his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his particular ability, and then he went on his journey. And he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more. In like manner, he who had received the two gained two more. But he who had received the one went away and dug in the earth and hid his master’s money. Then after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others in addition.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over man; enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had received the two talents came, and said, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; behold, I have gained two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master.’
   

OFFERTORY Psalms 88: 21-22

I have found David My servant, with
My holy oil I have anointed him: for
My hand shall help him, and My arm
shall strengthen him.

 

SECRET

May Thy Saints, we beseech Thee, O Lord, in all places bring us joy; that while we recall their merits, we may experience their patronage. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of BLESSED THOMAS PLUMTREE & COMPANIONS 
Be appeased, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the gifts now offered, and by the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs Thomas Plumtree and Companions, defend us from all dangers. Through our Lord . . . 

Communion
Luke 12:42
The faithful and prudent servant whom the master will set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due time.

POSTCOMMUNION

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that, we who give thanks for the gifts which we have received, may through the intercession of blessed Andrew, Thy Confessor and Bishop, obtain still greater blessings. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of BLESSED THOMAS PLUMTREE & COMPANIONS
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from guilt, and through the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs Thomas Plumtree and Companions, make us share in the heavenly healing. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT BLAISE (316 A.D.) Bishop, Martyr; SAINT LAURENCE (619 A.D.) Bishop, Confessor

 

SAINT BLAISE

Bishop and Martyr

SAINT LAURENCE 

Bishop, Confessor

 

SIMPLE /RED

Blaise, a physician in Armenia, perceived that the ills of the soul are infinitely more grievious than those of the body. He was ordained a priest and later appointed bishop, but God permitted this healer of souls to retain the power of healing bodies. St. Blaise became known far and wide for his miraculous cures, and he is still invoked for protection against diseases of the throat. He was martyred in 316, during a persecution under Emperor Licinius.

Introit
Ps 17:5-7
The terrors of death surged round me, the cords of the nether world enmeshed me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; from His holy temple He heard my voice.
Ps 17:2-3
I love You, O Lord, my strength, O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
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.
The terrors of death surged round me, the cords of the nether world enmeshed me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; from His holy temple He heard my voice.

Mass of a Martyr Bishop

 

COLLECT

O God, who gladdens us each year by the feast of Your blessed martyr bishop Blaise, mercifully grant that we who celebrate his birthday may also enjoy his protection. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the 4th SUNDAY AFTER  EPIPHANY

O God, You Who know that our human frailty cannot stand fast against the great dangers that beset us, grant us health of mind and body, that with your help we may overcome what we suffer on account of our sins.

 

Commemoration of SAINT LAURENCE

St. Laurence, Bishop of Canterbury, was a companion of Saint Augustine. He spent his life traveling throughout the south of England preaching the Faith and gaining souls to the service of God. After a fruitful apostolate he died A.D. 619.

On this feastday of blessed Laurence Thy Confessor and Bishop hear our prayers to Thee, O Lord, and since he gave Thee such worthy service, be mindful of his merits and blot out all our sins. Through Our Lord . . .

 
Lesson
Lesson from the first letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
1 Cor. 9:24-27; 10:1-5
Brethren: Do you not know that those who run in a race, all indeed run, but one receives the prize? So run as to obtain it. And everyone in a contest abstains from all things - and they indeed to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable. I, therefore, so run as not without a purpose; I so fight as not beating the air; but I chastise my body and bring it into subjection, lest perhaps after preaching to others I myself should be rejected. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, all were baptized in Moses, in the cloud and in the sea. And all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink for they drank from the spiritual rock which followed them, and the rock was Christ. Yet with most of them God was not well pleased.

Gradual
Ps 9:10-11; 9:19-20
A helper in due time in tribulation. Let them trust in thee who know thy name: for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee, O Lord.
For the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end: the patience of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O Lord, let not man be strengthened.
Ps 129:1-4
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!
V. Let Your ears be attentive to the prayer of Your servant.
V. If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand it?
V. But with You is forgiveness, and by reason of Your law I have waited for You, O Lord.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 20:1-16
At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. And having agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And about the third hour, he went out and saw others standing in the market place idle; and he said to them, ‘Go you also into the vineyard, and I will give you whatever is just.’ So they went. And again he went out about the sixth, and about the ninth hour, and did as before. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing about and he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’ They said to him, ‘Because no man has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘Go you also into the vineyard.’ But when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers, and pay them their wages, beginning from the last even to the first.’ Now when they of the eleventh hour came, they received each a denarius. And when the first in their term came, they thought that they would receive more; but they also received each his denarius. And on receiving it, they began to murmur against the householder, saying, ‘These last have worked a single hour, and you have put them on a level with us, who have borne the burden of the day’s heat.’ But answering one of them, he said, ‘Friend, I do you no injustice; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go; I choose to give to this last even as to you. Have I not a right to do what I choose? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ Even so the last shall be first, and the first last; for many are called, but few are chosen.  

 

OFFERTORY Psalms 88: 21-22
I have found David My servant, with
My holy oil I have anointed him: for 

My hand shall help him, and My arm
shall strengthen him.

 

SECRET

Bless the gifts we have set apart for You, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Blaise help these offerings to win Your mercy for us. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the 4th SUNDAY AFTER  EPIPHANY
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the offering of this sacrifice may always cleanse and strengthen the weakness of our nature.

 

Commemoration of SAINT LAURENCE

May the annual feast of Saint Laurence Thy Confessor and Bishop make us in Thy kindness acceptable to Thee, O Lord, and may this present rite duly appease Thee, bring happy recompense to him, and assure gifts of Thy grace to us. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 20:4
Thou hast set on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones.
 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may this Communion cleanse us from sin, and bestow on us spiritual health from heaven through the intercession of Your martyr bishop Blaise. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the 4th SUNDAY AFTER  EPIPHANY
May Your gifts, O God, free us from the attraction of earthly pleasures and give us new strength through Your heavenly nourishment.
 

Commemoration of SAINT LAURENCE

O God, the Rewarder of faithful souls, grant, that by the prayers of blessed Laurence Thy  Confessor and Bishop, whose venerable feast we celebrate, we may obtain pardon. Through our Lord . . .

The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Presentation of the Lord; Candlemas Day

   

THE PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Candlemas Day

II. Class

Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple on this day. The Holy Spirit had revealed to the just and devout Simeon that he should not die before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. In the temple the old man glimpsed Jesus in Mary's arms and blessed God, knowing that at last he had seen the Savior, "a light of revelation to the Gentiles and a glory of Thy people Israel."

But only after the Savior's Passion and Crucifixion would the light win for men the final victory over bodily and spiritual death. Simeon therefore said to Mary, the co-redeemer of mankind, "Thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:35). May we, too, after having shared the redemptive sufferings of Christ attain the final grace of presentation in the holy temple of God's glory.

THE BLESSING OF THE CANDLES

PURPLE

PRAYER

Let us pray. O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God who created all things out of nothing, at Your creative command this honey was transformed into wax by the industry of the bees. On this day on which You granted just Simeon his request, we invoke Your most holy name and ask You through the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary -- whose feast we reverently observe today -- and through the prayers of all Your saints, graciously to bless and sanctify these candles for the use of men, and for the health of bodies and souls of all on land and on the sea. From Your throne of majesty in heaven, hear the voices of Your people who hold these lights in their hands to honor You and praise You with song. Be merciful to all who call upon You, all those whom You have redeemed with the Precious Blood of Your Son, who lives and rules with You. Amen.

The celebrant sprinkles the candles three times with holy water and then incenses them three times. While sprinkling holy water, he says:

You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be clean; You shall wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE CANDLES

The celebrant distributes the candles to the congregation, who in receiving them kiss first the candle, then the hand of the celebrant.

THE PROCESSION

The deacon turns to the congregation.

V. Let us go forth in peace.

R. In the name of Christ.

V. Amen.

THE MASS

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / WHITE
INTROIT Ps. 47:10-11

We have received Your kindness, O Lord, within Your temple. As Your name, O God, is known to the ends of the earth, so also shall Your praise be voiced to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is just in all things.
Ps. 47:2. Great is the Lord, and worthy of all praise in the city of our God, upon His holy mountain.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Almighty and Eternal God, we humbly ask that we may be presented to You with purified souls just as Your only-begotten Son was presented this day in the temple after He had taken on the substance of our flesh. Through Our Lord . . .

 

GLORIA

LESSON Mal. 3:1-4

Thus says the Lord God: Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold, he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts. And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb: And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years, says the Lord almighty.

GRADUAL Ps. 47:10-11, 9

We have received Your kindness, O Lord, within Your temple. As Your name, O God, is known to the ends of the earth, so also shall Your praise be voiced to the ends of the earth.
V. As we had heard, so we have seen in the city of our God, upon His holy mountain.

V. The old man bore the Child, but the Child was the old man's King; Allelúja.

The candles are held lighted during the Gospel, and from the Sanctus to the Communion.

GOSPEL Luke 2:22-32

At that time, when the days of Mary's purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: As it is written in the law of the Lord: "Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord": And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons"

And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon: and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, He also took him into his arms and blessed God and said, "Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace: Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel."

 

CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:3

Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever and for all ages.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously hear our prayers and in Your mercy help us so that our offering may be worthy of Your majesty. Through Our Lord . . .

The Preface for Christmas is said.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 2:26

Simeon received an answer from the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord Our God, may this sacred rite, which You instituted to protect us in our new life of grace, bring us healing now and forever through the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary. Through Our Lord . . .

Candlemas (russian icon) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY: ST IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (107 A.D.); ST BRIGID OF IRELAND (525 A.D.)

SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY

[Commemoration]

SAINT IGNATIUS
OF ANTIOCH

Bishop and Martyr

 DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / PURPLE

The emphasis today has ceased to be upon the joys of Christ's coming or upon the peace and wonder of possessing Him. Now the stress is on what it cost Our Lord to atone for the sins of men, on how much everyone needs His atoning death, and on what everyone can do to have a part in atoning for sin.

Every Christian without exception must enter into the warfare between Christ and Satan -- the warfare that begins to be dramatized and lived anew in these weeks.

INTROIT Ps. 17:5, 6, 7

The moaning of death surrounded me, the sorrows of hell enveloped me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and from His holy temple He heard my voice.
Ps. 17:2, 3. I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my support, my refuge, and my deliverer.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O Lord, we beg You to kindly hear the prayers of Your people. We are being justly punished for our sins, but be merciful and free us for the glory of Your name. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IGNATIUS 
Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch after St. Peter. When Emperor Trajan tried to force the Christians of that region to worship the Roman gods, the greatest obstacle to his purpose proved to be the aged bishop of Antioch. Trajan ordered that the intrepid prelate be taken to Rome in the year 107 and then thrown to the lions in the arena. The magnificent letters Ignatius sent to several Christian communities during his journey recall the mysticism of St. Paul's Epistles. "My yearning is for death. My love has been crucified, and I am not on fire with the love of earthly things. I desire incorruptible love," he wrote.

Almight God, look upon our weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our own deeds. Let the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Ignatius in heaven be our protection. Through Our Lord . . .

 

EPISTLE I Cor. 9:24-27; 10:1-5

Brethren: Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize. So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things. And they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air. But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud: and all passed through the sea. And all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud and in the sea: And did all eat the same spiritual food: And all drank the same spiritual drink: (And they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.) But with most of them God was not well pleased.

GRADUAL Ps. 9:10-11, 19-20

You are a helper to those in need, in time of distress. Let those who know You trust in You, O Lord, for You do not forsake those who seek You. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor shall the patience of the poor forever perish. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail.

TRACT Ps. 129:1-4

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the prayer of Your servant. 
V. If You, O Lord, shall mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?
V. But with You there is merciful forgiveness, and because of Your law I have waited for You, O Lord.

GOSPEL Matt. 20:1-16

At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable:"The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the marketplace idle. And he said to them: 'Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just.' And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: 'Why stand you here all the day idle?' They say to him: 'Because no man hath hired us.' He saith to them: 'Go ye also into my vineyard.' And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: 'Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.' When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: And they also received every man a penny. And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, Saying: 'These last have worked but one hour. and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.' But he answering said to one of them: 'friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil, because I am good?' So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 91:2

It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.

SECRET
Accept our offerings and prayers, O Lord. Cleanse us by this heavenly rite, and in Your mercy hear our petitions. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IGNATIUS
 O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyr bishop Ignatius and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 30:17-18

Let Your face shine upon Your servant, and save me in Your kindness. Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call upon You.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may the faithful be strengthened by the reception of Your Sacramental Gifts. And having received them, may they hunger after them still; and through hungering may they come constantly to be nourished by them. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IGNATIUS
We are refreshed by the reception of Your Sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Ignatius make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through Our Lord . . .

Other Saints: St Brigid (451? - 525)
Virgin

She was born in 451 or 452 at Faughart, near Dundalk, in Ireland. Her name is that of the pagan goddess of fire. She converted to Christianity, inspired by the preaching of St Patrick. She founded a double monastery, of monks and nuns, at Kildare, the first women’s monastic community in Ireland, and she died there in 525. See the articles in Wikipedia and the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Saint John Bosco (1888 A.D.)

    

 

By Attributed to Carlo Felice Deasti - Transferred from ro.wikipedia to Commons by Gikü using CommonsHelper. (Original text: Unknown), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29536567

SAINT JOHN BOSCO

Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
John Bosco (1815-88) grew up on a Piedmont farm in Italy. While still a student-priest at Turin, he began his mission for the abandoned boy apprentices of the early industrial era, who roamed uncared for on the streets of the city. Priests and Brothers gathered about John Bosco as his work developed, and formed the Salesian Order, named in honor of St. Francis of Sales. He also founded a community of Sisters to aid needy girls. Today, the missioners of John Bosco carry on his ideals of gentleness and charity among poor children in Asia, Africa, and South America, as well as in Europe and North America.

INTROIT III Reg. 4:29

God gave him wisdom and understanding exceedingly great, and a heart as wide as the sands on the seashore.
Ps. 112:1. Praise the Lord, you His children, praise the name of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT

O God, You made Your confessor St. John a father and teacher for the young and willed that he should found in Your Church flourishing new communities under the protection of the Virgin Mary. Enkindle in us the same fire of love to seek after souls and serve You alone. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Philipp. 4:4-9

Brethren: Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline: think on these things. The things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do ye: and the God of peace shall be with you.

GRADUAL Ps. 36:3-5

Put your trust in the Lord and do good; and you shall dwell in the land and feast on its abundance.
V. Take delight in the Lord, and He will grant you your heart's desires. Commit your life to the Lord and trust in Him, and He will provide. Alleluia, alleluia.

Ps 73:21
V. The afflicted and the poor shall praise Your name. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Matt. 18:1-5

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: "Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. And said: "Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 33:12

Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

SECRET

Accept, O Lord, our offering of this perfect host of salvation. May we love You in all things and above all things so that our lives may praise and glorify You. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Rom. 4:18

Hoping against hope he believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was said to him.

POSTCOMMUNION

We have partaken of the sacred mystery of Your Body and Blood, O Lord. remind us always of our obligation of gratitude through the intercession of Your blessed confessor saint John; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

SAINT MARTINA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR (228 A,D.)

  

 

Martina of Rome (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SAINT MARTINA

Virgin and Martyr

SIMPLE / RED
According to tradition, Martina was a young Roman who after her parents' death gave all her possessions to the poor and consecrated her virginity to Christ. When arrested by Emperor Alexander  Severus, she steadfastly refused to deny her Lord. In spite of atrocious torments, Martina professed her love for Christ: "I love my Lord Jesus Christ who strengthens me." She was beheaded for that love in 228 A. D.

Introit 
Ps 118:46-47
I will speak of Your decrees before kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.
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 will speak of Your decrees before kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.

 

GLORIA

Mass of a VIRGIN MARTYR, except

COLLECT

O God, one of the marvelous examples of Your power was granting the victory of martyrdom even to delicate womanhood. May the example of the blessed virgin martyr Martina, whose birthday we celebrate today, draw us closer to You. Through Our Lord . . .

Lesson 
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 51:1-8, 12.
I will give You thanks, O Lord, O King; I will praise You, O God my Savior! I will make known Your name; for You have preserved my body from destruction, from the scourge of a slanderous tongue, and from lips that went over to falsehood; and in the sight of those who stood by, You have been my helper. And You have delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of Your name, from those who did roar, prepared to devour; from the power of those who sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions which compassed me about; from the oppression of the flames which hemmed me in on every side, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt; from the deep belly of the nether world, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from dishonest tongues. My soul shall praise the Lord even to death; because You, O Lord, our God, save those who take refuge in You, and rescue them out of the hands of the nations.
 11
Gradual 
Ps 44:8
You love justice and hate wickedness.
V. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 44:15-16
V. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King. They are borne in to You with gladness. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 25:1-13
At that time Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: "Then will the kingdom of heaven be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom and the bride. Five of them were foolish and five wise. But the five foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, while the wise did take oil in their vessels with the lamps. Then as the bridegroom was long in coming, they all became drowsy and slept. And at midnight a cry arose, 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' The wise answered, saying, 'Lest there may not be enough for us and for you, go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.' Now while they were gone to buy it, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Finally there came also the other virgins, who said, 'Sir, sir, open the door for us!' But he answered and said, 'Amen I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

 

OFFERTORY Ps. 44: 15, 16

After her shall virgins be brought to
the King: her neighbors shall be
brought to Thee with gladness and
rejoicing: they shall be brought into the
temple of the King, the Lord. 
  

SECRET

O Lord, accept the gifts we bring You on the feast of Your blessed virgin Martina, through whose intercession we hope to be set free. Through our Lord . . .

Communion 
Ps 118:78, 80.
Let the proud be put to shame for oppressing me unjustly; I will meditate on Your precepts, on Your statutes, that I be not put to shame.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, through the intercession of Your blessed virgin Martyr Martina, may we be aided by the reception of the Blessed Sacrament and rejoice in Your everlasting protection. Through our Lord . . .