Saint Barnabas, Apostle

 

SAINT BARNABAS

Apostle

GREATER DOUBLE / RED
Barnabas was one of the 72 disciples called by Jesus. Because Barnabas was innately good and "full of the Holy Spirit," he was much esteemed by the Twelve Apostles. They sent him to Antioch and there the greathearted Barnabas invited Paul, the former persecutor of God's elect, to be his co-worker. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the clergy of Antioch dedicated Barnabas and Paul to the work of converting the Gentiles. The two pioneers labored together for a number of years on the island of Cyprus and in Asia Minor. According to an old tradition, the lovable Barnabas later died a martyr on Cyprus, his native land.

INTROIT Ps. 138:17 

Your friends are greatly honored by me, O God; their pre-eminence is definitely established.
Ps. 138:1, 2. O Lord, You have proved me and You know me; You know when I sit and when I stand.
V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

COLLECT
O God, we are made happy by the merits and intercession of Your blessed apostle Barnabas. May the prayers we offer through him bring us the gift of Your grace. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3
In those days, a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

GRADUAL Ps. 18:5, 2
Their voice has gone forth through all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
V. The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. John 15:16
I have chosen you out of the world that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit shall remain. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 10:16-22
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

CREED

 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:17-18
You shall make them princes through all the land; they shall remember Your name in every generation and age.

SECRET
Bless these gifts we offer You, O Lord. May they cleanse us from the stain of sin through the prayers of Your blessed apostle Barnabas. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 19:28
You who have followed Me shall sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Almighty God, we humbly ask that those who are nourished with Your Sacrament may by the intercession of blessed Barnabas, Your apostle, have a life of worthy service pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT MARGARET QUEEN OF SCOTLAND (1093 A.D.) Widow; SAINT LANDRY OF PARIS (661 A.D.)

  

SAINT MARGARET

QUEEN OF SCOTLAND

Widow

Within the Octave

 

SAINT LANDRY OF PARIS

(Historical)  

SIMPLE / WHITE
The granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside of England, Margaret (c. 1050-93) married King Malcolm III of Scotland. Malcolm perceived that Christ dwelt in the heart of his queen and he was always ready to follow her advice. The royal couple's chief aims in life were to serve the Church, to maintain justice and to make their subjects happy. Queen Margaret was known as the mother of orphans and the treasurer of the poor of Jesus Christ. Her private life was most austere, and she carefully educated her eight children in the fear and love of God.

Mass of a HOLY WOMAN, except

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

 
GLORIA

 
COLLECT
O God, who didst make the blessed Queen Margaret wonderful for her surpassing charity to the poor, grant that by her intercession and example, Thy love may ever grow in our hearts. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Proverbs
Prov 31:10-31
When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands. Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar. She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household. She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. she is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms. She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed. She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing. Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land. She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel. She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness. Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her: Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Gradual
Ps. 44:3; 44:5
Grace is poured out upon your lips; thus God has blessed you forever.
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 44:5
In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 13:44-52
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it hides it, and in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he finds a single pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea that gathered in fish of every kind. When it was filled, they hauled it out, and sitting down on the beach, they gathered the good fish into vessels, but threw away the bad. So will it be at the end of the world. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the just, and will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to Him, Yes. And He said to them, So then, every Scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth from his storeroom things new and old.

Offertory
Ps 44:3
Grace is poured out upon your lips; thus God has blessed you forever, and for ages of ages.
   

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
Ps 44:8
You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

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 . . .

English: Saint Margaret of Scotland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

By Thesupermat - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28663944 

St. Landry, Bishop of Paris, is remembered as a model of Christian charity and pastoral care, especially for the poor and the suffering. Living in the seventh century, he served during a time beset by famine, disease, and widespread hardship. In the face of these challenges, Landry demonstrated a deep commitment to the Gospel through acts of mercy and generosity.

As a bishop, Landry placed his people’s needs first, taking extraordinary measures to feed the hungry. Tradition holds that he sold valuable church items, including sacred vessels and Church treasures, to provide food for starving people. While such actions were unusual, they reflected his conviction that the care of human life took precedence in times of crisis.

He is also credited with founding the Hôtel-Dieu (Hostel of God) in Paris, the city’s first hospital. This institution provided care for the sick, the poor, and the abandoned. Becoming a lasting symbol of the Church’s mission of compassion and service, the Hôtel-Dieu hospitals were the only hospitals serving the people of Paris for centuries and remain in operation today.

In addition to his charitable works, Landry guided his diocese with wisdom and humility. Though little is known about the details of his life, his legacy endures through the impact of his actions and the institutions he helped establish.

St. Landry died around the year 661. He is remembered as a shepherd who placed love of neighbor at the center of his ministry.

 

 

SAINTS PRIMUS AND FELICIAN (297 A.D.) Martyrs; SAINT COLUMBA (597 A.D.) Abbot

  

 

SAINTS PRIMUS AND FELICIAN

Martyrs

 

 

 

[By J. R. Skelton (Joseph Ratcliffe Skelton; 1865–1927) (illustrator), erroneously credited as John R. Skelton - Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall, Scotland's Story, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2546243 

 SAINT COLUMBA

Abbot 

 

Within the Octave

  

SIMPLE / RED
The aged Primus and Felician were Roman citizens and blood brothers who suffered martyrdom under Emperor Diocletian. By their death they entered into a more perfect union than that of human kinship, becoming for all eternity glorified members of the Mystical Body of Christ.

INTROIT Eccli. 44:15. 14
Let the people show forth the wisdom of the saints, and let the Church declare their praise; and their names shall live for all generations.
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
May we always be worthy to celebrate the feast of Your holy martyrs, Primus and Felician, O Lord, so that through their intercession we may be sheltered under Your gracious protection. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT COLUMBA
St. Columba of illustrious Irish birth, was trained in monastic discipline by St. Finian of Moville and St. Finian of Clonard. Having founded many monasteries in Ireland, he went to Scotland, where he converted many Picts to the true Faith and founded the famous Abbey of Iona. He died at the foot of the altar, while blessing his people, A.D. 597, and was buried, like St. Brigid, beside St. Patrick.

Infuse into our hearts, we pray Thee, O Lord, a longing for heavenly splendor, that, holding in our right hands the sheaves of justice, we may go thither where the holy Abbot Columba shineth brilliantly with Thee. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Wisdom 5:16-20
But the just shall live for evermore: and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High. Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord: for with his right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he will defend them. And his zeal will take armour, and he will arm the creature for the revenge of his enemies.
He will put on justice as a breastplate, and will take true judgment instead of a helmet: He will take equity for an invincible shield.

GRADUAL Ps. 88:6, 2
The heavens proclaim Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the assembly of the saints.
V. The mercies of the Lord I will sing forever through all generations.

Alleluia, alleluia!
V. Here was true brotherliness which overcame the sinfulness of the world and followed Christ to attain the glorious kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 11:25-30
At that time, Jesus answered and said: "I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father: for so hath it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him. Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 67:36
God is wonderful in His saints. The God of Israel Himself gives power and strength to His people. Blessed be God! Alleluia!

SECRET 
We consecrate this Sacrifice to You, O Lord, in memory of Your glorious martyrs. May our offering make amends for our sins, that we may be forgiven and that the prayers of Your servants may be pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT COLUMBA 
We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully receive our gifts, and in order that we may worthily minister at Thine altars, defend us ever by the intercession of St. Columba the Abbot. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 15:16
I have chosen you out of the world that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.

POSTCOMMUNION 
We ask, Almighty God, that the celebration of this heavenly Sacrifice on the feast of Your martyrs Primus and Felician, may bring us Your merciful pardon. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT COLUMBA

Nourished in this time by the reception of Thy Body and Blood, we beseech Thee, O Lord, may we, by the intercession of blessed Coilumba, ever be fillede wih the eternal enjoyment of Thy Godhead, Who livest and reignest . . . 

June 8th FERIAL DAY; Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, Saints Medard and Gildard (560 A.D.)

 

WITHIN THE OCTAVE

DOUBLE / GREEN

When Jesus said, "To him who strikes thee on the one cheek, offer the other also" (Luke 6:29), it was a way of telling anyone worthy of the name of Christian that he must be ready to be imposed upon. It is a hard saying, but inescapable. Meekness is essential to thoroughgoing charity. When Jesus, the all-holy God, gave His very life for the world's sinners -- and that means all human beings -- He gave the supreme example of willingness to suffer imposition. After that, there can be no complaint on our part. 

INTROIT Ps. 17:19-20
The Lord came to my protection, and He led me out into freedom; He saved me, because He loves me.
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, grant that we may always have a reverential fear and love of Your holy name, for those who are firmly founded in Your love will ever be guided and governed by Your grace. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE  I John 3:13-18

Beloved: Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

GRADUAL Ps. 119:1-2
In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me.
V. O Lord, deliver me from lying lips and from a treacherous tongue.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 7:2
O Lord, my God, in You have I placed my trust; save me from all my persecutors, and rescue me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 14:16-24
At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.' "

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 6:5
Turn to me, O Lord, and save my life; in Your mercy rescue me.

SECRET 
O Lord, may this Sacrifice, which we are about to offer in Your name, cleanse us from sin and bring us each day closer to the realization of a heavenly life. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 12:6

I will sing to the Lord, who has given me all good; I will sing to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, may we, who have received Your Gifts, be brought closer to our salvation by each performance of this sacred rite. Through our Lord . . .

MARY, MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACES

[Some places]

 O Lord Jesus Christ, our Mediator with the Father, Who hast deigned to appoint the Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, to be our Mother also and our Mediatrix with Thee, graciously grant that whosoever goes to Thee in quest of blessings may be gladdened by obtaining them all through her, Thou Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.

SAINTS MEDARD & GILDARD

(Bishops, 560 A.D.)

[Historical]

These two saints of France were, as we are told in the Roman Martyrology, twin brothers. They were born on the same day, consecrated bishops on the same day, and on the same day they died. Saint Medard was Bishop of Noyon. Saint Gildard was Bishop of Rouen. Their memories are most loving ones in northern France. Saint Medard began the custom of crowning each year as the Rose Queen the most virtuous and holy young Catholic girl of his diocese. If it rains on the feast of Saint Medard, the loving Catholic peasants of northern France take it as a sign that it will rain for forty days more.

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

   

 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

WITHIN THE OCTAVE

 

   

 

DOUBLE / GREEN

When Jesus said, "To him who strikes thee on the one cheek, offer the other also" (Luke 6:29), it was a way of telling anyone worthy of the name of Christian that he must be ready to be imposed upon. It is a hard saying, but inescapable. Meekness is essential to thoroughgoing charity. When Jesus, the all-holy God, gave His very life for the world's sinners -- and that means all human beings -- He gave the supreme example of willingness to suffer imposition. After that, there can be no complaint on our part. 

INTROIT Ps. 17:19-20
The Lord came to my protection, and He led me out into freedom; He saved me, because He loves me.
Ps. 17:2-3. I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my support, my refuge, and my Deliverer.
V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA 

COLLECT

O Lord, grant that we may always have a reverential fear and love of Your holy name, for those who are firmly founded in Your love will ever be guided and governed by Your grace. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE  I John 3:13-18

Beloved: Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

GRADUAL Ps. 119:1-2
In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me.
V. O Lord, deliver me from lying lips and from a treacherous tongue.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 7:2
O Lord, my God, in You have I placed my trust; save me from all my persecutors, and rescue me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 14:16-24
At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.' "

CREED 

 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 6:5
Turn to me, O Lord, and save my life; in Your mercy rescue me.

SECRET 
O Lord, may this Sacrifice, which we are about to offer in Your name, cleanse us from sin and bring us each day closer to the realization of a heavenly life. Through our Lord . . .

 COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 12:6
I will sing to the Lord, who has given me all good; I will sing to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, may we, who have received Your Gifts, be brought closer to our salvation by each performance of this sacred rite. Through our Lord . . .

 

SAINT NORBERT (1134 A.D.)

    

Saint Norbert
Marten Pepijn
1637

SAINT NORBERT 

Bishop and Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
Norbert was born in the Rhineland, about 1080, and educated at the imperial court. In 1115 a narrow escape from death turned him wholly to God. He took Holy Orders, gave all his possessions to the poor, and journeyed about the Rhineland as an itinerant preacher. Later, guided by the Holy Spirit, he founded near Soissons the Premonstratensian Order, which soon spread over Western Europe. The canons regular of this institute fostered devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and intensified Christian life among the faithful and the clergy.

Mass of a CONFESSOR BISHOP, except

INTROIT Rom. 5:5
The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, alleluia! by His Spirit dwelling within us, alleluia, alleluia! 
Ps. 102:1. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all my being bless His holy name.
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT
You made Your blessed confessor Bishop Norbert a great preacher of the Gospel, O God, and through him founded a new religious congregation in Your Church. May his merits and prayers win Your help for us so that we may follow his teaching and example. Through our Lord . . .

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

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 many; 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
Ps 88:21-22
I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him, that My hand may be always with him, and that My arm may make him strong.
 
SECRET
O Lord, may Your Saints everywhere be a source of joy for us, and may we feel the power of their intercession with You as we solemnly recall the deeds of their lives. Through our Lord . . .

49

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
O Almighty God, may the expression of our gratitude to You for all Your gifts bring us even greater benefits, through the intercession of Your blessed Confessor Bishop Norbert. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT BONIFACE (755 A.D.) Bishop and Martyr

   

 

Pope Gregory II Commissions Saint Boniface

Saint Boniface is Martyred

SAINT BONIFACE
Bishop and Martyr

 WITHIN THE OCTAVE 

DOUBLE / RED
The apostle of Germany, St. Boniface (c. 679-755), was an Englishman of strong, serene character who entered the Benedictine Order at an early age. When he was 40, Boniface led a little band of English missioners to the Continent. During his mighty apostolic work of the following 35 years, he was undeviating in his obedience to the directives of the Holy See. He had the gift of inspiring others with the fire of his apostolic zeal, so that many English monks and nuns came eagerly to his aid. In addition to Christianizing and civilizing a great part of Germany and Holland, he regenerated the Church in neighboring Frankland, at the request of the Pope. At the age of 75, Archbishop Boniface converted and baptized thousands of pagans in Holland. There, on June 5, 755, he and his companions were attacked by a band of fanatical idolaters and brutally martyred.

INTROIT Isa. 65:19, 23
I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be happy in my people, and the voice of weeping shall no more be heard in the city, nor the voice of crying. My chosen ones shall not labor in vain nor bring forth in distress, for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their posterity with them.
Ps. 43:2. God, our ears have heard, our fathers have spoken to us of the deeds you performed in their days.
V. Glory be . . .

 
GLORIA

COLLECT
O God, by the zeal of Your holy martyr, Bishop Boniface, You have brought many nations to know and bow to Your holy name. May we, in honoring his feast, know the benefits of his powerful intercession with You. Through our Lord . . .

READING Eccli. 44:1-15 [Sirach]
Let us now praise men of renown and our fathers in their generation. The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning. Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets, And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words. Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures. Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses. All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days. They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:
And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them. But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed: Good things continue with their seed, Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants. And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken. Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation. Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.

GRADUAL I Peter 4:13-14
Rejoice, in so far as you are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice with exultation in the revelation of His glory.
V. If you are upbraided for the name of Christ, blessed will you be, because the honor, the glory, and the power of God and His Spirit rest upon you.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Isa. 66:12
I will bring upon him, as it were, a river of peace, and glory, as an overflowing torrent. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 5:1-12
At that time, Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth he taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 15:7, 8
I bless the Lord, who has given me understanding. I set the Lord ever before me; with Him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

SECRET 
Pour out Your rich blessings, O Lord, upon this Sacrifice, that through it we may come closer to our sanctification and be made joyful on the feast of Your holy martyr, Bishop Boniface. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Apoc. 3:21
He who overcomes, I will permit him to sit with Me upon My throne; as I also have overcome and have sat with My Father on His throne.

POSTCOMMUNION 
We have been made holy by this life-giving Sacrifice, O Lord. May we always be aided by the prayers of Your holy martyr, Bishop Boniface, whom You gave us as a protector and a guide. Through our Lord . . .