Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Saint Eusebius (357 A.D.) Martyr

  

 

Coreggio's famed Assumption fresco

VIGIL OF THE ASSUMPTION OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

SAINT EUSEBIUS

Confessor

SIMPLE / PURPLE
Our Lady was acclaimed as Mother of God at the Council of Ephesus in 431. Shortly before Bernadette's vision at Lourdes, the Immaculate Conception was defined. And now her glorious assumption into heaven has been revealed to us as a dogma. In her Immaculate Conception, Mary was the sole human being who perfectly fulfilled God's will. As Mother of God, Mary became the co-redeemer of the human race. At the Assumption she was the first to enter, body and soul united, into the final glory awaiting redeemed mankind after the general resurrection. Thus, all through her temporal life, Mary was the expressed ideal of God's plan of creation.

INTROIT Ps. 44:13, 15-16
All the rich among the people shall seek your favor. Behind her the virgins shall be led to the king; her friends shall be brought to you with gladness and joy.
Ps. 44:2. My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, You willed to choose the womb of Blessed Mary as Your dwelling place. Grant that we may joyfully celebrate her feast under the shield of her protection; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT EUSEBIUS, CONFESSOR
Eusebius, a Roman priest, was imprisoned for having opposed heretics favored by Emperor Constantius. He persisted in his defense of the true Faith until his death in about the middle of the fourth century.

O God, our hearts are overjoyed at the annual feast of Your blessed confessor Eusebuis. Grant that we who celebrate his birthday may draw near You by following his example. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccli. 24:23-31 [Sirach]
As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL
You are blessed and venerable, O Virgin Mary, for without the loss of your virginity you became the Mother of our Saviour.
V. O Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world cannot contain enclosed Himself in your womb and was made man.

GOSPEL Luke 11:27-28
At that time, as Jesus spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: "Blessed is the womb that bore thee and the paps that gave thee suck." But he said: "Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. "

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who bore the Creator of all things. You brought forth your own Creator, and yet you remain a virgin forever.

SECRET 
O Lord, may the intercession of the Mother of God bring our offerings to Your merciful attention, for You took her out of this world that she might plead with confidence before Your throne for the forgiveness of our sins. Through the same Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Commemoration of SAINT EUSEBIUS
We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal God.

POSTCOMMUNION 
Support us in our weakness, O merciful God. May we rise again from our sins through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, whose feast we are preparing to celebrate. Through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Commemoration of SAINT EUSEBIUS
Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink we humbly pray You, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of Your saint, in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through our Lord . . .

Saints Hippolytus (235 A.D.) and Cassian (320 A.D.), Martyrs

 

The Torture of St. Hippolyte
Dieric Bouts the Elder
after 1468
Oil on wood, 90 x 89.2 cm
St Salvator Cathedral, Bruges

SAINTS HIPPOLYTUS AND CASSIAN
Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED
Hippolytus was a prominent priest of the church of Rome at the beginning of the third century and guardian of St. Laurence. Together with the Pope St. Pontian he was exiled to Sardinia, and his sufferings ended in martyrdom A.D. 235.
In about the year 320, officials at Imola, Italy, arrested Cassian, a Christian schoolmaster. The governor ordered him to be tortured by his own pagan pupils. After making barbarous sport of Cassian in various ways, the pagan boys stabbed their former teacher to death with their stilettos.

Mass of SEVERAL MARTYRS, except

INTROIT Ps. 36, 39

But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, and He is their protection in the time of trouble. Be not emulous of evildoers, nor envy them that work iniquity. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT
O Almighty God, grant that our solemn celebration of the feast of your holy martyrs Hippolytus and Cassian may increase our devotion and bring us closer to our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson

Hebrews 10: 32-38

³² Brethren, call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions.

³³ And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were made a gazing-stock; and on the other, became companions of them that were used in such sort.

³⁴ For you both had compassion on them that were in bands, and took with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a better and a lasting substance.

³⁵ Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward.

³⁶ For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.

³⁷ For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come, will come, and will not delay.

³⁸ But my just man liveth by faith; but if he withdraw himself, he shall not please my soul.

Gradual
Ps 33, 18, 19

The just cried, and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and He will save the humble of spirit.

Alleluia, alleluia. The white robed army of Martyrs praises Thee, O Lord. Alleluia. 

Gospel
Luke 12: 1-8

And when great multitudes stood about him, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

² For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: nor hidden, that shall not be known.

³ For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops.

⁴ And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

⁵ But I will shew you whom you shall fear: fear ye him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him.

⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

⁷ Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.

⁸ And I say to you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.

OFFERTORY Wisdom 3: 1-3

The souls of the just are in the hand of
God, and the torment of malice shall
not touch them: in the sight of the

unwise they seemed to die, but they
are in peace, alleluia

SECRET
Look kindly upon the gifts Your people offer on this feast day of Your saints. May the testimony that these saints gave to the truth help us toward salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Communion Matt: 10:27

That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light, saith the Lord, and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the house-tops. 
 
POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacraments save us and confirm us in the light of Your truth. Through our Lord . . .

Saint Clare of Assisi (1253 A.D.)

  

 

SAINT CLARE 
Virgin

DOUBLE / WHITE  
The Lady Clare was born in Assisi, Italy, about the year 1193. After having heard St. Francis preach, the wealthy and beautiful young girl left home to embrace a life of poverty, and thus became the first member of the Franciscan Second Order, since called the "Poor Clares." Soon other aristocratic women adopted the cloistered penitential life of the Poor Clares. When the Saracen soldiers of Emperor Fredrick II threatened to force their way into her Assisi convent during his campaigns against the Pope, Clare held the ciborium before the assailants, and they fled at once. After long illness, she died in the year 1253, as the Passion of Christ was being read to her.

Mass of a VIRGIN, except

Introit
Ps 44:8
Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Ps 44:2
My heart hath uttered a good word I speak my works to the king;
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.
Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

GLORIA

COLLECT
Hear our prayer, O God our Saviour, and let us learn the spirit of true devotion from Your blessed virgin Clare, as we joyfully celebrate her feast. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the second letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Cor. 10:17-18; 11:1-2
Brethren: He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord. For he is not approved who commends himself, but he whom the Lord commends. Would to God that you could bear with a little of my foolishness! Nay, do bear with me! For I am jealous for you with a divine jealousy. For I betrothed you to one spouse, that I might present you a chaste virgin to Christ.
R. Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Ps 44:5
In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign.
V. In the cause of truth and mercy and for the sake of justice: may your right hand show you wondrous deeds. 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."
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.  

Offertory
Ps 44:10
The daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory. The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety. 

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 . . .

Communion
Matt 25:4; 25:6
The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him.

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 . . .

[ Saint Clare and sisters of her order, San Damiano, Assisi - wikimedia.org image] 

Saints Tiburtius and Susanna, (288 A.D.); Saint Philomena (304 A.D.) Martyrs

    

 

 
Tiburtius en Suzanna
Roma Crypte van de Santa Suzanna.

SAINTS TIBURTIUS AND SUSANNA
Martyrs

SAINT PHILOMENA

Virgin and Martyr

[In some places]

SIMPLE / RED
Tiburtius was the son of the prefect of Rome, a convert to the Faith. Shortly after being ordained subdeacon, the young man was betrayed to the persecutors by an apostate. Like St. Lawrence, Tiburtius was tortured by fire. He was then beheaded, about A.D. 288.
On the same day, a noble Christian virgin by the name of Susanna suffered a similar death. Because of her vow of virginity she had refused to marry the son of Emperor Diocletian; so she was beheaded in her own home by that ruler's orders.

INTROIT Ps. 36:39

The salvation of the just is from the
Lord: and He is their protector in the
time of trouble. (Ps. 36: 1) Be not
emulous of evil-doers: nor envy them
that work iniquity. 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. The salvation of
the just is from the Lord: and He is
their protector in the time of trouble.
Mass of SEVERAL MARTYRS except

GLORIA

 
COLLECT
Comfort us, O Lord, with the unfailing protection of Your holy martyrs Tiburtius and Susanna, for You are always merciful to those who are helped by Your saints. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PHILOMENA
Little is known of her life, and the information was received by private revelation from her. Martyred at about age 14 in the early days of the Church.

In 1802 the remains of a young woman were found in the catacomb of Saint Priscilla on the Via Salaria. It was covered by stones, the symbols on which indicated that the body was a martyr named Saint Philomena. The bones were exhumed, cataloged, and effectively forgotten since there was so little known about the person.

In 1805 Canon Francis de Lucia of Mugnano, Italy was in the Treasury of the Rare Collection of Christian Antiquity (Treasury of Relics) in the Vatican. When he reached the relics of Saint Philomena he was suddenly struck with a spiritual joy, and requested that he be allowed to enshrine them in a chapel in Mugnano. After some disagreements, settled by the cure of Canon Francis following prayers to Philomena, he was allowed to translate the relics to Mugnano. Miracles began to be reported at the shrine including cures of cancer, healing of wounds, and the Miracle of Mugnano in which Venerable Pauline Jaricot was cured a severe heart ailment overnight. Philomena became the only person recognized as a Saint solely on the basis of miraculous intercession as nothing historical was known of her except her name and the evidence of her martyrdom.

Pope Leo XII granted permission for the erection of altars and churches in her honor. Pope Gregory XVI authorized her public veneration, and named her patroness of the Living Rosary. The cure of Pope Pius IX, while archbishop of Imola, was attributed to Philomena; in 1849, he named her patroness of the Children of Mary. Pope Leo XIII approved the Confraternity of Saint Philomena, and raised it to an Archconfraternity. Pope Pius X raised the Archconfraternity to a Universal Archconfraternity, and named Saint John Vianney its patron. Saint John Vianney himself called Philomena the New Light of the Church Militant, and had a strong and well-known devotion to her. Others with known devotion to her include Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Saint Euphrasia Pelletier, Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini, Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, Saint Madeline Sophie Barat, Saint Peter Chanel, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, and Venerable Pauline Jaricot.

Addition Info:

In 1802, the bones of a female between the ages of 13 and 15 were discovered in the catacomb of St. Priscilia. An inscription near her tomb read "Peace be with thee, Philomena", along with drawings of 2 anchors, 3 arrows and a palm. Near her bones was discovered a small glass vial, containing the remains of blood. Because it was a popular custom of the early martyrs to leave symbols and signs such as these, it was easily determined that St. Philomena was a virgin and a martyr. Her popularity soon became widespread, with her most memorable devotees being St. John Vianney, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, St. Peter Eymard, and St. Peter Chanel. After being miraculously cured, Ven. Pauline Jaricot insisted that Pope Gregory XVI begin an examination for the beatification of St. Philomena, who was to become known as the "wonder worker". After hundreds of other miraculous cures, she was beatified in 1837. St. Philomena, who the pope named as the Patroness of the Living Rosary and the Patroness of the Children of Mary, is the only person recognized as a saint solely on the basis of her powerful intercession, although pertinent revelations regarding her life have been recorded. Her relics are now preserved in Mugnano, Italy.

O God, who among the other marvels of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom, mercifully grant, that we who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Philomena, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may by her example draw nearer to Thee. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Heb. 11:33-39
Brethren: The saints by faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

GRADUAL (Ps. 33, 18, 19)
The just cried, and the Lord heard them and delivered them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart and He will save the humble of spirit.

Alleluia, alleluia. The white robed army of Martyrs praises Thee, O Lord. Alleluia.

 
GOSPEL Luke 12:1-8
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. "Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows. And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God." 
 

OFFERTORY (Wisdom 3. 1, 2, 3)

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of malice shall not touch them, in the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are in peace, alleluia.
 

SECRET 
Hear the prayers of Your people and look kindly upon their gifts, O Lord. may the offering of these sacred mysteries please You through the intercession of Your saints. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PHILOMENA
Receive, O Lord, the gifts which we bring Thee on the feast of blessed Philomena, Thy Virgin and Martyr, by whose patronage we hope to be delivered. Through our Lord . . . 

 

COMMUNION (Matt. 10, 27)

That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light, saith the Lord, and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops.

POSTCOMMUNION 
We have received in Holy Communion the pledge of eternal salvation, O Lord. May it help us in this life and in the life to come through the prayers of Your holy martyrs. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PHILOMENA
May the Mysteries which we have received, help us, O Lord; and by the intercession of blessed Philomena, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may we ever enjoy Thy protection. Through our Lord . . .

[wikimedia.org image Saint Filomena (c. 1844), by Amaury-Duval. Église Saint-Merri, Paris]

Saint Lawrence, Deacon, Martyr (258 A.D.)

     

SAINT LAWRENCE
Martyr

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / RED
Lawrence was chief among the seven deacons who served the Roman Church during the mid-third century. The young cleric held a position of great trust, caring for the goods of the Church and distributing its alms among the poor. He was arrested under the Emperor Valerian, in 258, laid upon a gridiron and slowly roasted to death. Lawrence rejoiced in his awful martyrdom and died praying for the conversion of the city of Rome, in the hope that from it the faith of Christ might spread throughout the world. From that time idolatry began to decline in Rome.

INTROIT Ps. 95:6
Praise and beauty go before him; holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.
Ps. 95:1. Sing to the Lord a new canticle; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

COLLECT
O Almighty God, strengthen us that we may extinguish in ourselves the flames of sin, just as Lawrence was enabled to withstand his fiery torments. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Cor. 9:6-10
Brethren: He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for "God loveth a cheerful giver." And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: as it is written, "He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever." And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

GRADUAL Ps. 16:3
You have put my heart to test, O Lord, and searched it by night.
V. You have tried me by fire, but no sin has been found in me.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.
The levite Lawrence has done a good work; by the sign of the cross he restored sight to the blind. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 12:24-26
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will the Father honor."

CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 95:6
Praise and beauty go before him; holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.

SECRET 
O Lord, accept the gifts which we offer with honor to You. May we be aided by the meritorious prayer of Your blessed martyr Lawrence, that these offerings may help us towards our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also shall My servant be.

POSTCOMMUNION 
Nourished by Your Sacred Gift, O Lord, we humbly ask that through this worship we may receive an increase of Your saving grace by the intercession of Your blessed martyr Lawrence. Through our Lord . . .

    

SAINT LAWRENCE
Martyr

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / RED
Lawrence was chief among the seven deacons who served the Roman Church during the mid-third century. The young cleric held a position of great trust, caring for the goods of the Church and distributing its alms among the poor. He was arrested under the Emperor Valerian, in 258, laid upon a gridiron and slowly roasted to death. Lawrence rejoiced in his awful martyrdom and died praying for the conversion of the city of Rome, in the hope that from it the faith of Christ might spread throughout the world. From that time idolatry began to decline in Rome.

INTROIT Ps. 95:6
Praise and beauty go before him; holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.
Ps. 95:1. Sing to the Lord a new canticle; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

COLLECT
O Almighty God, strengthen us that we may extinguish in ourselves the flames of sin, just as Lawrence was enabled to withstand his fiery torments. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Cor. 9:6-10
Brethren: He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for "God loveth a cheerful giver." And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work: as it is written, "He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever." And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

GRADUAL Ps. 16:3
You have put my heart to test, O Lord, and searched it by night.
V. You have tried me by fire, but no sin has been found in me.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.
The Levite

Lawrence has done a good work; by the sign of the cross he restored sight to the blind. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 12:24-26
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will the Father honor."

CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 95:6
Praise and beauty go before him; holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.

SECRET 
O Lord, accept the gifts which we offer with honor to You. May we be aided by the meritorious prayer of Your blessed martyr Lawrence, that these offerings may help us towards our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also shall My servant be.

POSTCOMMUNION 
Nourished by Your Sacred Gift, O Lord, we humbly ask that through this worship we may receive an increase of Your saving grace by the intercession of Your blessed martyr Lawrence. Through our Lord . . .

Unknown painter of XV century, The Emperor Valerian orders Lawrence to give him the treasure of the Church, 1450 ca, Oratorio di San Lorenzo all'Alpe Seccio, Boccioleto (Italy) [wikimedia.org]