ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST; SAINT ROMANUS, Martyr (258 A.D.)

 

 

ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

[Commemoration]

 

SAINT ROMANUS

Martyr

DOUBLE / GREEN
All men tend to seek God in proportion to their conscious needs. Before pagans can be drawn to the Church they must be convinced that they need to seek the rich doctrine, worship, and ethics Christ deposited in Christianity. It is not a sign of weakness to acknowledge one's own blindness and ignorance. It requires instead the strength of truth and the vitality of humility to come to God asking for the light of faith. For only God can reveal the sweep of His own power. Only God, through His apostles, can help the world's millions penetrate the meaning of the Gospel's, of Christ's death and resurrection. Through Christian truth, all peoples can learn the truth  of their own worth and dignity.
 
INTROIT Ps. 67:6-7, 36
God is in His holy place. It is God who makes men dwell in unity in his house; it is He who gives power and strength to His people.
Ps. 67:2. Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT
Almighty and eternal God, Your bounteous kindness exceeds the merits and fondest hopes of our prayers. Shower Your mercy upon us, forgive us the sins that strike fear in our consciences, and grant us the blessings we dare not presume to ask for. Through our Lord . . .

 

Commemoration of SAINT ROMANUS, MARTYR
Romanus, a soldier, was drawn to Christ by the ardent charity of St. Lawrence. He was baptized by St. Lawrence, and in his turn obtained the everlasting crown of martyrdom.

O Almighty God, through the intercession of Your blessed martyr Romanus, shield us from bodily harm and purify our minds from evil thoughts. Through our Lord . . .

 EPISTLE I Cor. 15:1-10
Brethren: Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve; then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain.

GRADUAL Ps. 27:7, 1
My heart has trusted in God, and I have found help. I have thrived once again, and with all my will I shall give praise to Him.
V. To You, O Lord my God, I cry; be not deaf to me, nor depart from me.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 80:2-3
Sing joyfully to God our helper, sing aloud to the God of Jacob. Play a pleasant psalm upon the harp. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Mark 7:31-37
At that time, Jesus went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to lay his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."And his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, "He hath done all things well; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak."

 

CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 29:2-3
I will extol You, O Lord, for You have upheld me, and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord, I cried out to You, and You have healed me.

SECRET 
O Lord, look mercifully upon this service of ours that our gift may be acceptable to You and worthy of winning Your assistance for our weakness. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ROMANUS
Accept our offerings and prayers, O Lord. Cleanse us by this heavenly rite, and in Your mercy hear our petitions. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Prov. 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first of all your fruits; and your barns shall be filled with abundance, and your presses shall run over with wine.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, may we experience strength of mind and body from the Sacrament we have received. Let it restore health to both that we may glory in Your heavenly healing. Through our Lord . . .

 

Commemoration of SAINT ROMANUS
Almighty God, we pray that the reception of this Bread of Heaven may strengthen us against all adversity through the intercession of Your blessed martyr Romanus. Through our Lord . . .

Saint John Vianney (1859 A.D.); Saint Cyriacus, Dcn., Largus & Smaragdus, Martyrs (304 A.D.); 14 Holy Helpers (Historical)

  

 

SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY
Confessor

SAINTS CYRIACUS, LARGUS, 

AND SMARAGDUS
Martyrs

DOUBLE / WHITE
For forty years in his poor, uninspiring parish of Ars, France, Father John Mary Vianney (1786-1859) spent himself to snatch souls from sin. The "saint of the confessional" often passed as many as 18 hours daily at his arduous task, with never a break in the line of sin-laden penitents who came to him for healing.

Introit
Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
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 mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.

 

GLORIA
 
COLLECT
Almighty and merciful God, You blessed John Mary with admirable priestly zeal and unflagging fervor in prayer and penance. May his intercession and example enable us to gain the souls of our brothers for Christ and with them attain everlasting glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT CYRIACUS AND COMPANIONS
Cyriacus, a Roman deacon, gave help to Christians forced to labor on the Baths of Diocletian. He was arrested together with 22 other witnesses to Christ, among whom were Largus and Smaragdus. These martyrs were beheaded about A.D. 304. "They overcame . . . through the Blood of the Lamb and through the word of their witness, for they did not love their lives even in the face of death" (Apoc. 12:11).

O God, we are made happy by the annual feast of Your holy martyrs Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus. May we imitate the fortitude under suffering of these saints whose birthday we celebrate today. Through our Lord . . . 

 
Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 31:8-11
Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall recount his alms.
R. Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual
Ps 91:13, 14.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
James 1:12
V. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia.

 

GOSPEL

Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straight-way open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third, and fins them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming. 
 
Offertory
Ps 88:25
My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his horn be exalted.

 

SECRET
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 . . .

Commemoration of SAINT CYRIACUS AND COMPANIONS
O Lord, let the prayers of Your saints whom we honor by this sacred rite make our offering acceptable to You so that it may aid our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

 

Communion
Matt 24:46-47
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.
 
POSTCOMMUNION
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 . . .

Commemoration of SAINT CYRIACUS AND COMPANIONS
We are refreshed by the reception of Your Sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Cyriacus, Largus and Smaragdus make us feel the benefit of the Sacred Rite we have performed. Through our Lord . . .

 

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FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS

A group of saints invoked with special confidence because they have proven themselves efficacious helpers in adversity and difficulties, known and venerated under the name Fourteen Holy Helpers. Though each has a seperate feast or memorial day, the group was collectively venerated on 8 August.

They are invoked as a group because of the Black Plague which devastated Europe from 1346 to 1349. Among its symptoms were the tongue turning black, a parched throat, violent headache, fever, and boils on the abdomen. It attacked without warning, robbed its victims of reason, and killed within a few hours; many died without the last Sacraments. Brigands roamed the roads, people suspected of contagion were attacked, animals died, people starved, whole villages vanished into the grave, social order and family ties broke down, and the disease appeared incurable. The pious turned to Heaven, begging the intervention of the saints, praying to be spared or cured. This group devotion began in Germany, and the tradition has remained strong there.

Achatius

against headaches

Barbara

against fever against sudden death

Blaise

against ills of the throat

Catherine of Alexandria

against sudden death

Christopher

against plagues against sudden death

Cyriacus

against temptations, especially at time of death

Denis

against headaches

Erasmus

against abdominal maladies for protection of domestic animals

Eustachius

against family trouble

George

for protection of domestic animals

Giles

against plagues for a good confession

Margaret of Antioch

for safe childbirth

Pantaleon

for physicians for protection of domestic animals

Vitus

against epilepsy for protection of domestic animals

As devotion spread, Pope Nicholas V attached indulgences to devotion of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the 16th century.

---

INVOCATION OF THE HOLY HELPERS

Fourteen Holy Helpers, who served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific vision in Heaven; because thou persevered till death thou gained the crown of eternal life. Remember the dangers that surround us in this vale of tears, and intercede for us in all our needs and adversities. Amen.

Fourteen Holy Helpers, select friends of God, I honor thee as mighty intercessors, and come with filial confidence to thee in my needs, for the relief of which I have undertaken to make this novena. Help me by thy intercession to placate God's wrath, which I have provoked by my sins, and aid me in amending my life and doing penance. Obtain for me the grace to serve God with a willing heart, to be resigned to His holy will, to be patient in adversity and to persevere unto the end, so that, having finished my earthly course, I may join thee in Heaven, there to praise for ever God, who is wonderful in His Saints. Amen.

---

The Litany of the Fourteen Holy Helpers

LORD, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Martyrs,
pray for us.
Saint Joseph, helper in all needs, etc.
Fourteen Holy Helpers,
Saint George, valiant Martyr of Christ,
Saint Blase, zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor,
Saint Erasmus, mighty protector of the oppressed,
Saint Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity,
Saint Vitus, special protector of chastity,
Saint Christophorus, mighty intercessor in dangers,
Saint Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence,
Saint Cyriacus, terror of Hell,
Saint Achatius, helpful advocate in death,
Saint Eustachius, exemplar of patience in adversity,
Saint Giles, despiser of the world,
Saint Margaret, valiant champion of the Faith,
Saint Catherine, victorious defender of the Faith and of purity,
Saint Barbara, mighty patroness of the dying,

All ye Holy Helpers, etc.
All ye Saints of God,
In temptations against faith,
In adversity and trials,
In anxiety and want,
In every combat,
In every temptation,
In sickness,
In all needs,
In fear and terror,
In dangers of salvation,
In dangers of honor,
In dangers of reputation,
In dangers of property,
In dangers by fire and water,
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord!
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord!

From all sin,
deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, etc.
From the scourge of earthquake,
From plague, famine, and war,
From lightning and storms,
From a sudden and unprovided death,
From eternal damnation,

Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, etc.
Through Thy birth and Thy life,
Through Thy Cross and Passion,
Through Thy death and burial,
Through the merits of Thy blessed Mother Mary,
Through the merits of the Fourteen Holy Helpers,
On the Day of Judgment, deliver us, O Lord!

We sinners, beseech Thee hear us.
That Thou spare us,
We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou pardon us, etc.
That Thou convert us to true penance,
That Thou give and preserve the fruits of the earth,
That Thou protect and propagate Thy holy Church,
That Thou preserve peace and concord among the nations,
That Thou give eternal rest to the souls of the departed,
That Thou come to our aid through the intercession of the Holy Helpers,
That through the intercession of Saint George Thou preserve us in the Faith,
That through the intercession of Saint Blase Thou confirm us in hope,
That through the intercession of Saint Erasmus Thou enkindle in us Thy holy love,
That through the intercession of Saint Pantaleon Thou give us charity for our neighbor,
That through the intercession of Saint Vitus Thou teach us the value of our soul,
That through the intercession of Saint Christophorus Thou preserve us from sin,
That through the intercession of Saint Dionysius Thou give us tranquillity of conscience,
That through the intercession of Saint Cyriacus Thou grant us resignation to Thy holy will,
That through the intercession of Saint Eustachius Thou give us patience in adversity,
That through the intercession of Saint Achatius Thou grant us a happy death,
That through the intercession of Saint Giles Thou grant us a merciful judgment,
That through the intercession of Saint Margaret Thou preserve us from Hell,
That through the intercession of Saint Catherine Thou shorten our Purgatory,
That through the intercession of Saint Barbara Thou receive us in Heaven,
That through the intercession of all the Holy Helpers Thou wilt grant our prayers,

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Pray for us, ye Fourteen Holy Helpers.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ.

Let us Pray.

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast bestowed extraordinary graces and gifts on Thy saints George, Blase, Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, Christophorus, Dionysius, Cyriacus, Eustachius, Achatius, Giles, Margaret, Catherine, and Barbara, and hast illustrated them by miracles; we beseech Thee to graciously hear the petitions of all who invoke their intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, who didst miraculously fortify the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the confession of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, to imitate their fortitude in overcoming all temptations against it, and protect us through their irttercession in all dangers of soul and body, so that we may serve Thee in purity of heart and chastity of body. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT CAJETAN (1547 A.D.); SAINT DONATUS (362 A.D.)

     

 

Saint Cajetan

 

Saint Donatus

SAINT CAJETAN
Confessor

SAINT DONATUS
Bishop and Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
The son of noble and wealthy parents, Cajetan (1480-1547) practiced law for some time, but later spent his considerable fortune in building hospitals in which he himself nursed the plague-stricken. After his ordination to the priesthood, he founded the first community of Regular Clerks, known as Theatines. They imitated the manner of life of the early Christians, trusting entirely in God for their daily bread. Cajetan's tireless zeal for the salvation of his fellow men caused him to be called the "hunter of souls."

INTROIT Ps. 36:30-31
The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment: the law of God is in his heart.
Be not emulous of evildoers: nor envy them that work iniquity.
Glory be . . .

GLORIA

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

COLLECT
O God, you blessed the holy confessor Cajetan with the grace to lead the life of an apostle. may the prayers and intercession of this saint help us to trust in you always and desire only the things of heaven. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT DONATUS
Donatus, bishop of Arezzo in Tuscany, was arrested and beheaded during the rule of Julian the Apostate about the year 362.

O God, You are the glory of all Your priests. May we sensibly feel the help of Your martyr bishop Donatus whose feast we celebrate today. through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 31:8-11
Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall recount his alms.
R. Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Ps 91:12, 14.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
James
1:12
V. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL Matt. 6:24-33
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment? Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit? And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. And if the grass of the field, which is to day, and to morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith? Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you."

SECRET 
Accept this offering which we humbly present in honor of Your saints, O God, and through it purify our bodies and our souls. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT DONATUS
We dedicate these offerings to Your holy name, O Lord, in honor of Your blessed martyr bishop Donatus; may they increase the fruits of our piety and devotion through the intercession of this saint. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION 
Almighty God, we pray that the reception of this Bread of Heaven may strengthen us against all adversity through the intercession of Your blessed confessor Cajetan. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT DONATUS
O Almighty and merciful God, You have made us both partakers and ministers of Your Sacraments. May the intercession of Your martyr bishop Donatus help us profit from the fact that we share his faith and his apostolate. Through our Lord . . .

The Transfiguration of Our Lord; Saint Sixtus II and Companions, Martyrs (258 A.D.)

     

TRANSFIGURATION

 

St. Sixtus II ordains St. Lawrence.
By Fra Angelico.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

SAINTS SIXTUS II, POPE,
FELICISSIMUS AND AGAPITUS
MARTYRS

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / WHITE
It was in order to strengthen the faith of Peter, James, and John for the approaching ordeal of the Passion that Jesus led them up Mount Tabor and was transfigured before them. Beholding Christ as the brightness of the Father and the figure of God's substance, Peter cried out, "Lord, it is good for us to be here!" Yet only a short while later, the same Peter would deny his master during the agonizing darkness of the Passion. "Jesus has now many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few that are willing to bear His cross," says the author of The Imitation of Christ. "But they that love Jesus for Jesus' sake and not for any comfort of their own, bless Him no less in tribulation and anguish of heart than in the greatest consolation."

INTROIT Ps. 76:19
Your lightning lighted the world; the earth quivered and trembled.
Ps. 83:2-3. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns and faints for the courts of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

Gloria
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee. We bless Thee. We adore Thee. We glorify Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou only are holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art most high, O Jesus Christ. Together with the Holy Ghost ☩ in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 

COLLECT
O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your only-begotten Son You confirmed the truths of faith by the testimony of the prophets, and you wondrously foreshadowed the fact of our adoption as Your sons by the voice speaking through the resplendent cloud. Grant us in Your mercy that we may be co-heirs with the King of glory and sharers in that very glory that is His. through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS SIXTUS AND HIS COMPANIONS
Pope Sixtus II and Felicissimus and Agapitus, his deacons, were martyred at Rome on the same day, in the year 258. Pope Sixtus' archdeacon Lawrence met his death three days later, as he had prophesied to the younger man.

O God, who has granted us the grace to celebrate the birthday of Your blessed martyrs Sixtus II, Felicissimus, and Agapitus, grant that we may also share their eternal happiness in heaven. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Peter 1:16-19
Beloved: For we have not by following artificial fables made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ: but we were eyewitnesses of his greatness. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, this voice coming down to him from the excellent glory: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him." And this voice, we heard brought from heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.

GRADUAL Ps. 44:3, 2
You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured out upon your lips.
V. My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king.

Alleluia, alleluia! Sap. 7:26
He is the brightness of eternal light, the unspotted mirror, and the image of his goodness. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 17:1-9
At that time, And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: "Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him." And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: "Arise, and fear not." And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: "Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead."

Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things, visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. And born of the Father, before all ages. God of God: Light of Light: true God of true God. Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. And became incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man. He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, of whose kingdom there shall be no end.
And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, proceeding from the Father and the Son. Who together, with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified: Who spoke by the prophets. And in one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the world to come. Amen. 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 111:3
Glory and wealth shall be in his house, and his righteousness shall endure forever, alleluia!

SECRET 
Bless these gifts we offer You, O Lord, by the glorious Transfiguration of Your only-begotten Son. May they cleanse us from the stain of our sins by the brightness of His glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT SIXTUS AND HIS COMPANIONS
We offer these gifts to You in sacrifice, O Lord. may the honor we pay to Your saints please You, and may these offerings, through Your mercy, bring us closer to our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 17:9
Tell the vision thou hast seen to no one, till the Son of Man has risen from the dead.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Almighty God, grant that we with pure minds may understand the most sacred mystery of the Transfiguration of Your Son, which we here solemnly commemorate. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT SIXTUS AND HIS COMPANIONS
May the intercession of Your holy martyrs Sixtus, Felicissimus, and Agapitus help us to cherish with pure hearts the Sacrament we have received upon our lips. Through our Lord . . .

THE DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS (ST. MARY MAJOR); SAINT OSWALD (A.D. 642) King, Martyr; SAINT EMYGDIUS (303 A.D.) Martyr

   

St. Mary Major

Altar Canopy and Apse

THE DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH
OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS

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SAINT OSWALD 
King, Martyr 

GREATER DOUBLE / WHITE

This church is also called St. Mary Major because it is, both in antiquity and dignity, the most eminent among churches in Rome dedicated to God in honor of the Blessed Virgin. A popular legend relates that the Mother of God herself chose the site of this church, indicating it by a miraculous fall of snow on this spot in summer. By the generosity of the devout Spanish sovereigns, the ceiling of the great nave of the church is covered with the first gold brought from the New World.

INTROIT

Hail, holy Parent, that didst bring forth the King who ruleth Heaven and earth for ever and ever.

Ps. 44:2. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak of my works to the King.

V. Glory be . . . 

 

GLORIA 

COLLECT

Grant Your servants continual health of mind and body, O Lord God, and let the intercession of the blessed ever-Virgin Mary gain for us freedom from our present sorrow so that we may enjoy everlasting happiness. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT OSWALD
St. Oswald, king of Northumbria, assisted St. Aidan in spreading the Faith of Christ among his people. He died on the battlefield, when his country was invaded by the pagan Mercians, A.D. 642.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast made holy the sweet and blessed happiness of this day by the martyrdom of the blessed king Oswald, grant to our hearts an increase of Thy love, so that we may imitate his steadfastness unto death, whose glorious struggle for the faith we admire. Through our Lord . . . 

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

GRADUAL

Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary, who without loss of purity wert found to be the Mother of our Savior. Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world cannot hold enclosed Himself in thy womb, and became man.

Alleluia, alleluia!

After His birth a Virgin entire thou didst remain, O Mother of God, intercede for us. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 11:27-28

And it came to pass, as he 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 Luke 1:28, 42

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

SECRET PRAYER

O Lord, through Your mercy and the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, let this offering bring us prosperity and peace now and forever. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT OSWALD
Receive our gifts and our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, cleanse us by the heavenly Mysteries and mercifully hear us. Through our Lord . . .  

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

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

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, grant that we who have received the Sacrament of our salvation may be protected through the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, in whose honor we have offered this Sacrifice to Your majesty. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT OSWALD
Grant, we beseech Thee, o Lord, our God, that as we rejoice on earth in keeping the memory of Thy saints, so also we may enjoy their company for evermore. Through our Lord . . . 

 

 

 SAINT EMYGDIUS

(304 A.D.)

Bishop, Martyr

[Historical]

SAINT EMYGDIUS

St. Emygdius, was consecrated bishop by Pope St. Marcellus, and sent thither to preach the Gospel.  He received the crown of martyrdom for the confession of Christ under Emperor Diocletian.
Emygdius was a very successful missionary to Trier, Germany. However, when he started smashing pagan idols, the non-converts revolted, and he had to flee to Rome for safety. When he returned to his mission, he was martyred by pagans before he could convert anyone else.
He died beheaded in the year c.303. Emygdius’ relics are at Ascoli Piceno, Italy.
He is a patron against earthquakes.

SAINT DOMINIC (1221 A.D.)

    

St Dominic and the Albigenses:
A 1480 painting by Pedro Berruguete of St Dominic checking for heresy by burning books
(Museo del Prado).

SAINT DOMINIC

Confessor

GREATER DOUBLE / WHITE
During the first years of the 13th century, Dominic de Guzman, a young Spanish priest of noble birth, won the permission of Pope Innocent III to labor among the Albigensian heretics in France. He brought thousands of heretics back to the Faith, and nine of his women converts became the first Dominican nuns of the Second Order. In 1210 Dominic obtained papal sanction for his preaching order of men, thus originating the revolutionary "mixed" vocation, at once monastic and active. With inspired boldness he dispersed his Friars Preachers to centers of civilization in Spain, France, Italy, and Central Europe. He died at Bologna in 1221, leaving to his religious family a strong theological character and the great ideal of leading souls to the freedom of God by instructing them in truth. Tradition records a beautiful spiritual friendship with his contemporary apostle-founder St. Francis of Assisi.

INTROIT Ps. 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justly. The law of God is in his heart.

Ps. 36:1. Be not envious of evil doers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.

V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

 

COLLECT

O God, You have enlightened Your Church through the teaching and merits of the blessed confessor Dominic. May the Church never be deprived of help on earth, but always advance in spiritual growth through the intercession of Your saint. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Tim. 4:1-8

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

GRADUAL Ps. 91:13, 14, 3

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon in the house of the Lord.

V. That he may show forth Your mercy in the morning and Your truth throughout the night.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Osee 14:6

The just man shall blossom as the lily, and shall flourish forever before the Lord. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 12:35-40

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands. And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you that he will gird himself and make them sit down to meat and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third watch and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not the Son of man will come."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 88:25

My truth and My mercy shall be with him; and in My name shall his power be exalted.

SECRET

Sanctify the offering we have dedicated to You, O Lord, so that it may restore us to health through the merits of Your blessed confessor Dominic. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 12:42

A faithful and prudent steward, whom the master has set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due time.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Almighty God, may the intercession of Your blessed confessor Dominic sustain us who are weighed down by our sins. Through our Lord . . .

THE FINDING OF THE BODY OF SAINT STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR; SAINT LYDIA (1st C.)

   

 

Saint Stephen, depicted by Carlo Crivelli in 1476
with three stones and the martyrs' palm.

THE FINDING OF THE BODY OF
SAINT STEPHEN, THE FIRST
MARTYR

SAINT LYDIA

(1st Century)

[See below]

DOUBLE/RED
In the year 415 the precious relics of St. Stephen, the first martyr, were miraculously discovered by a priest near the city of Jerusalem. The Church commemorates this event by celebrating a second feast in honor of Stephen, a man aflame with the charity of the Holy Spirit. In our efforts to follow after Christ in loving our enemies, we can turn to this martyr who died praying for his murderers and crying out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not lay this sin against them" (Acts 7:60).

INTROIT (Ps. 118:23, 86, 23)
Princes met and spoke against me, and the wicked persecuted me. Help me, O Lord my God, because Your servant has followed Your commandments.
Ps. 118:1.Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory Be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT
O Lord, we celebrate the finding of his body, Stephen, who prayed for his persecutors. May we imitate this saint, whom we revere, and learn from him to love even our enemies. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son . . .

LESSON (Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60)
In those days, Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people. Now there arose some, of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke. Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart: and they gnashed with their teeth at him. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." And they, crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears and with one accord ran violently upon him. And casting him forth without the city. they stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: "Lord, lay not his sin to their charge": And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord.

GRADUAL (Ps. 118:23, 86; 6:5)
Princes met and spoke against me, and the wicked persecuted me. V. Help me, O Lord my God! Save me for Your mercy's sake.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Acts 7:56)
I see the heavens opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of the power of God.
Alleluia!

GOSPEL (Matt. 23:34-39)
At that time, Jesus said to the scribes and pharisees,"Therefore behold I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes: and some of them you will put to death and crucify: and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. That upon you may come all the just blood that hath been shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just, even unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered together thy children, as the hen doth gather her chickens under her wings, and thou wouldst not? Behold, your house shall be left to you, desolate. For I say to you, you shall not see me henceforth till you say: 'Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.' "

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Acts 6:5; 7:59)
The Apostles chose Stephen, a Levite, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, whom the Jews stoned while he prayed and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Alleluia!

SECRET
O Lord, receive our offerings in memory of Your saints; and as they were made glorious by their suffering, may we be made sinless by our devotion. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Acts 7:56, 59, 60)
I see the heavens opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of the power of God. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and lay not this sin against them.

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

THE FINDING OF ST. STEPHEN'S RELICS.

FEAST DAY: AUGUST 3RD

THIS second festival, in honor of the holy protomartyr St. Stephen, was instituted by the Church on the occasion of the discovery of his precious remains. His body lay long concealed, under the ruins of an old tomb, in a place twenty miles from Jerusalem, called Caphargamala, where stood a church which was served by a venerable priest named Lucian. In the year 415, on Friday, the 3d of December, about nine o'clock at night, Lucian was sleeping in his bed in the baptistery, where he commonly lay in order to guard the sacred vessels of the church. Being half awake, he saw a tall, comely old man of a venerable aspect, who approached Lucian, and, calling him thrice by his name, bid him go to Jerusalem and tell Bishop John to come and open the tombs in which his remains and those of certain other servants of Christ lay, that through their means God might open to many the gates of His clemency. This vision was repeated twice. After the second time, Lucian went to Jerusalem and laid the whole affair before Bishop John who bade him go and search for the relics, which, the Bishop concluded, would be found under a heap of small stones which lay in a field near his church. In digging up the earth here, three coffins or chests were found. Lucian sent immediately to acquaint Bishop John with this. He was then at the Council of Diospolis, and, taking along with him Eutonius, Bishop of Sebaste, and Eleutherius, Bishop of Jericho, came to the place. Upon the opening of St. Stephen's coffin, the earth shook, and there came out of the coffin such an agreeable odor that no one remembered to have ever smelled any thing like it. There was a vast multitude of people assembled in that place, among whom were many persons afflicted with divers distempers, of whom seventy-three recovered their health upon the spot. They kissed the holy relics, and then shut them up. The Bishop consented to leave a small portion of them at Caphargamala; the rest were carried in the coffin, with singing of psalms and hymns, to the Church of Sion at Jerusalem. The translation was performed on the 26th of December, on which day the Church hath ever since honored the memory of St. Stephen, commemorating the discovery of his relics on the 3d of August probably on account of the dedication of some church in his honor.

REFLECTION.-St. Austin, speaking of the miracles of St. Stephen, addresses himself to his flock as follows : "Let us so desire to obtain temporal blessings by his intercession that we may merit, in imitating him, those which are eternal."

 

The next morning the saints were again brought before their persecutor, who threatened them with many tortures. Then he ordered his servants to boil oil and sulphur in a huge copper pot, and to throw the holy martyrs into it. But when they were thrown in, right away the pot cooled off. Astonished at such a miracle, Amphilochius himself believed in Christ and, deciding to enter the pot, cried out: “O Lord, Jesus Christ, help me.” Straightaway a voice was heard, saying to him: “Thy prayer has been heard, enter fearlessly.” After learning of all this, the Emperor Hadrian, breathing wrath and fury, came from Rome to Illyria and ordered a pot filled with oil to be boiled for seven days and then the holy martyrs to be thrown into it. However, when the saints were thrown in, they remained whole and unharmed. After that the disgraced emperor returned to Rome, while the holy martyrs began to pray and thank God, and amid their prayers they gave up their souls to the Lord.

Reading from The Acts of the Apostles:

On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home," and she prevailed on us.
-Acts 16:13-15

Holy Martyr Lydia [Historical] Saint Lydia, together with her husband, Philetas the Senator, and her two sons, Macedon and Theoprepius, were Christians from the city of Rome and lived during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 A.D.), a cruel persecutor of Christians. During one such persecution, Saint Lydia and her family members were seized and taken for interrogation by Hadrian. Unable to contradict the holy martyrs’ wise answers to his interrogation, Hadrian sent them to Illyria, to be tried by Amphilochius the Captain. The latter immediately ordered them to be hanged on a tree and their bodies scraped with knives, and afterwards to be thrown into prison. During the night, when the holy martyrs prayed and sang sacred hymns, an angel appeared before them and strengthened them for their forthcoming martyrdom.