The Espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Saint Joseph; Saint Raymond of Pennafort (1275 A.D,); Saint Emerentiana (304 A.D.)

 

The Espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 with Saint Joseph

SAINT RAYMOND OF PENNAFORT

Confessor

Saint Emerentiana

SAINT  EMERENTIANA

VIRGIN AND MARTYR

When Mary arrived at the age when it was the custom for Jewish maidens to leave the service of the Temple, the high priest told her that a husband would be chosen for her. But Mary had already made a vow of virginity to God and God did not fail to fulfill the desires of His handmaid. She found, on being espoused, that Joseph her spouse had, like her, made a vow of chastity, and that she could therefore dwell with him in perfect security.

INTROIT Ps. xliv: 2

Hail, holy Mother! giving birth to thy Child, thou didst bring forth the King, who ruleth the heavens and the earth for ever and ever. [Ps.] My heart hath uttered a good word. I speak my works to the King. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Hail..

GLORIA

COLLECT
Imbue Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with the gift of heavenly grace: that having been exhorted to salvation in the childbearing of the Blessed Virgin; in celebrating the solemnity of her espousal we may be granted an increase of peace.  Through our Lord.

COLLECT OF SAINT JOSEPH
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of the Spouse of Thy most holy Mother, so that what we cannot obtain of ourselves may be given to us through his intercession,
who lives and rules with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

 Commemoration of SAINT RAYMOND OF PENNAFORT

Raymund of Pennafort (1175-1275), a native of Catalonia, Spain, was outstanding in the direction of souls and is revered as a patron saint of confessors. A learned professor of philosophy and law, he was entrusted by the Holy Father with the codification of canon law. When he was nearly fifty years of age, Raymund entered the Dominican Order. He converted thousands of Moors, Jews, and Albigensian heretics, and pioneered in founding language schools for aspirant missioners. Raymund performed numerous miracles. The Prayer alludes to his miraculous journey from Barcelona to the Island of Majorca on his cloak spread on the sea.

O God, You chose blessed Raymund to be an example of the true minister of the Sacrament of penance and marked his life by the miraculous trip across the sea. May his intercession make us worthy of the forgiveness and grace of penance and help us toward the shore of our eternal salvation. 

Commemoration of SAINT EMERENTIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

Tradition holds that Emerentiana, a foster-sister of St. Agnes, was stoned to death by a pagan mob while she was praying at the martytr's tomb.

O Lord, pardon our sins through the intercession of the blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana, who pleased You by her purity and her faith. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON  Prov. 8:22-35 
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out. The mountains, with their huge bulk, had not as yet been established: before the hills, I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world.
When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law, and compass, he enclosed the depths: When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when he balanced the foundations of the earth; I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times; Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men.
Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.

GRADUAL
You are Blessed and venerable, O Virgin Mary, for without lost 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.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.
Happy are you indeed, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise, for out of you arose the sun of justice, Christ our Lord. Alleluia!
 
GOSPEL

Matthew 1:18-21 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

¹⁸ Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.

¹⁹ Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.

²⁰ But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.

²¹ And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins.

 

OFFERTORY

For thou art happy, O holy Virgin Mary,
and most worthy of all praise: because
from thee arose the sun of justice,
Christ, our God.

SECRET 
Rescue us, O Lord, through the Incarnation of Your Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who by His birth did not impair the virgin purity of His Mother, but rather sanctified it. May He free us from our sins and make us acceptable to You on this feast of Mary's Espousal who lives and rules with You . . .

 Commemoration of SAINT JOSEPH
We worship You, O Lord, as it is our duty. Guard the gifts You have bestowed upon us through the prayers of blessed Joseph, the spouse of the Mother of Jesus, Your Son and our Lord. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

 Commemoration of SAINT RAYMOND OF PENNAFORT

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.

 

Commemoration of SAINT EMERENTIANA

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana, and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through Our Lord . . .

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

POSTCOMMUNION 
We have partaken of Your Sacrament, O Lord, with which we yearly celebrate this feast. May it help us in this life and in the life to come. Through our Lord . . .

 Commemoration of SAINT JOSEPH
  Be close to us, O merciful God, and through the prayers of Your blessed confessor Joseph, watch over the gifts You have given us. Through Our Lord . . .

 Commemoration of SAINT RAYMOND OF PENNAFORT

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 EMERENTIANA

We have been nourished by Your Divine Gift, O Lord our God. May the reception of this Bread of Heaven bring us eternal life through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINTS VINCENT (304 A.D.) & ANASTASIUS, (628 A.D.) Martyrs

  

Anastasius of Persia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SAINTS VINCENT AND ANASTASIUS

Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED

During the early years of the fourth century, Vincent, a young deacon, was inhumanly tortured by Dacian, Roman governor of Valencia in Spain. Vincent rejoiced in his sufferings until he drew his last breath. More than three hundred years later, Anastasius the Persian, a convert from the priestly caste of Magi, endured a similar martyrdom in distant Assyria. Through all the Christian centuries martyrs of the West and of the East have united their sacrifices to that of Calvary for the salvation of every man born into the world.

Introit
Ps 78:11, 2, 10.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before You, O Lord; repay our neighbors sevenfold into their bosoms; avenge the shedding of Your servants’ blood.
Ps 78:1
O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple, they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.
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.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before You, O Lord; repay our neighbors sevenfold into their bosoms; avenge the shedding of Your servants’ blood.

 

GLORIA

Mass of SEVERAL MARTYRS, except

COLLECT

O Lord, hear our humble prayers. May the intercession of Your blessed martyrs Vincent and Anastasius free us from the guilt of sin which troubles us. Through Our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Wisdom
Wis 3:1-8
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment of death shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was judged an affliction, and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself. As gold in the furnace, He proved them, and as sacrificial offerings He took them to Himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever.

Gradual
Ex 15:11, 6.
God is glorious in His Saints, wonderful in majesty, a worker of wonders.
V. Your right hand, O Lord, is magnificent in power; Your right hand has shattered the enemy. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. Ecclus. 44:14 The bodies of the Saints are buried in peace, but their name lives on and on. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 21:9-19
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; these things must first come to pass, but the end will not be at once. Then He said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be great earthquakes in various places, and pestilences and famines, and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all these things they will arrest you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, dragging you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. It shall lead to your bearing witness. Resolve therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how you are to make your defense. For I Myself will give you utterance and wisdom, which all your adversaries will not be able to resist or gainsay. But you will be delivered up by your parents and brothers and relatives and friends; and some of you they will put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake; yet not a hair of your head shall perish. By your patience you will win your souls.  

Offertory
Ps 67:36
God is wonderful in His Saints; the God of Israel is He Who gives power and strength to His people. Blessed be God! Alleluia.

 

SECRET

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
Wis 3:4-6
For if before men they be punished, God tried them; as gold in the furnace, He proved them, and as sacrificial offerings He took them to Himself.

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 martyrs Vincent and Anastasius. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

SAINT AGNES, Virgin & Martyr (304 A.D.)

   

SAINT AGNES
Virgin and Martyr

DOUBLE / RED

Agnes is the archetype of the virgins who throughout the Christian centuries have followed the Lamb wherever He goes, "first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb" (Apoc. 14:4). She was twelve years old when she was commanded to offer incense before the pagan altar of Minerva at Rome, soon after Emperor Diocletian began his persecution of the Christians in the year 303. The persecutors tried in vain to overcome the virgin's refusal by flattery and offers of marriage. "Christ is my Spouse," she answered. "He chose me first and His I will be." Her sentence of death was passed and the child martyr died by the sword.

INTROIT Ps. 118:95-96

The wicked have lain in wait to destroy me, but I have understood Your testimonies, O Lord. I have seen that all things are finite, but Your commandment is indeed perfect.
Ps. 95:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

COLLECT

Almighty and eternal God, you choose the weak things of the world to confound the strong. May the virgin martyr Agnes intercede for us who celebrate her feast. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccli. 51:1-8, 12 [Sirach]

I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me. And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue: My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.

GRADUAL Ps. 44:3, 5
Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever and for all ages.
V. For the sake of truth and meekness and justice may your right hand lead you on wonderfully. Alleluia, alleluia

Matt 25:4; 25:6
The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps; and at midnight a cry arose, Behold the bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Matthew 25: 1-13)

At that time, Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable,"The kingdom of heaven will be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: 'Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet him.' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: 'Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.' The wise answered, saying: 'Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves.' Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he answering said: 'Amen I say to you, I know you not.' Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour." 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:13, 16

Behind her the virgins shall be led to the king; her friends shall be brought to you with gladness and joy, they shall be led into the temple of the king, the Lord.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the sacrifices we offer You, and free us from the slavery of sin through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Agnes. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 25:4, 6

The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And at midnight a cry arose, "Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Christ the Lord."

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 Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

SAINTS FABIAN AND SEBASTIAN, Martyrs

   

Saint Sebastian and Saint Fabian

Artist: Anonymous (Spanish)

Date: 1475-1500

Medium: Oil and tempera on panel. 141.4x89.5 cm.

Location: The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

SAINTS FABIAN AND SEBASTIAN

Martyrs

DOUBLE / RED

Ancient tradition has coupled together the veneration of these glorious martyrs. Fabian was responsible for sending St. Dionysius and other missioners to Gaul. From there, missionary priests journeyed to Britain. This pope was slain during the year 250, during the persecution of Decius. Sebastian was a Christian Roman officer of the fourth century, who by his devotion and fervor converted many of his soldier companions. He fearlessly pleaded with Emperor Diocletian to cease persecuting the Church. For this Sebastian was arrested, sentenced to death, and mercilessly beaten with clubs.

INTROIT (Ps. 78:11, 12, 10)

Let the sighs of the imprisoned come before You, O Lord. Pay back to our neighbors seven times over into their bosoms, and avenge the shedding of the blood of Your saints. Ps. 78:1. O God, strangers have come into Your inheritance, they have defiled Your holy temple, they have made Jerusalem desolate as an orchard watchtower. V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

COLLECT

Almighty God, look upon our weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our deeds. Let the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian in heaven be our protection. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE (Heb. 11:33-39)

Brethren: The saints by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners. Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection. And others had trial of mockeries and stripes: moreover also of bands and prisons. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted: Of whom the world was not worthy: wandering in deserts, in mountains and in dens and in caves of the earth. And all these, being approved by the testimony of faith, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL (Ex. 15:11, 6)

Glorious is God in His saints, marvelous in majesty, worker of wonders! V. Your right hand, O Lord, is magnificent in power, Your right hand has slain the enemy.

Alleluia, alleluia! (V. Ps. 144:10, 11)

Let Your saints bless You, O Lord; let them tell of the glory of Your kingdom.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL (Luke 6:17-23)

At that time, Jesus coming down with them, he stood in a plain place: and the company of his disciples and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast, both of Tyre and Sidon, Who were come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch him: for virtue went out from him and healed all.
And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: "Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice: for behold, your reward is great in heaven, For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 31:11)

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; shout for joy, all you upright of heart.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian, and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Luke 6:18, 19)

A multitude of sick and those who were troubled with unclean spirits came to Him, for power went forth from Him and healed all.

POSTCOMMUNION

We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. may the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

2nd SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY; SAINTS MARIUS, MARTHA, AUDIFAX AND ABACHUM (270 A.D.); SAINT CANUTE (1086 A.D.)

 

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY







[Commemoration]

SAINTS MARIUS, MARTHA, AUDIFAX,

AND ABACHUM

Martyrs

SAINT CANUTE
Martyr

DOUBLE / GREEN
At the wedding in Cana, Mary knew the embarrassment of the young couple over the wine shortage, at once sympathized with them, and quite naturally went to her Son about the problem. With the delicacy of perfect prayer, she simply told Him the need. 
Power at the disposal of love, serving immediate needs, is also the point of the Reading. Power without love corrupts and destroys. Love keeps power flowing outward in a purifying stream, for it demands both self-forgetfulness and a respect for those in want.
 
INTROIT (Ps. 65:4)

Let all on earth worship You, O God, and sing praise to You; let them sing a psalm to Your name, O Most High.
Ps. 65:1-2. Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to the glory of His name; proclaim His glorious praise.
V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

COLLECT

Almighty and Eternal God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace in our days. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT MARIUS AND COMPANIONS 
These saints -- a family of father, mother, and two sons -- were Persians. In the year 270 they made a pilgrimage to Rome, one of the many proofs that the faithful, even at that early date, held the Holy See to be the center of Christendom. Emperor Claudius was then persecuting the Church, and these holy Persians gave Christian burial to the remains of martyrs. God rewarded the veneration they paid His saints by granting them in their turn the supreme gift of martyrdom. After their arrest, Marius and his two sons were beheaded, and Martha was drowned.

Hear, O Lord, the prayers of Your people and Your saints who intercede for them. Grant us peace in this life and Your assistance to attain eternal life.

Commemoration of SAINT CANUTE, MARTYR

During the eleventh century King St. Canute of Denmark was one of the missionary rulers who spread the Faith of Scandinavia. Rebels rose against him and murdered him at Odense in 1086.

O God, You have added glory to Your Church by granting to the blessed king Canute the gift of miracles and the crown of martyrdom. May we walk in the footsteps of Your saint and follow our Lord's own path of suffering, so that we too may enter into everlasting happiness. Through Our Lord . . .

 

EPISTLE (Rom. 12:6-16)

Brethren: We having different gifts, according to the grace that is given us, either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith; or ministry, in ministering; or he that teacheth, in doctrine; he that exhorteth, in exhorting; he that giveth, with simplicity; he that ruleth, with carefulness; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good, loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honour preventing one another. In carefulness not slothful. In spirit fervent. Serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Instant in prayer. Communicating to the necessities of the saints. Pursuing hospitality. Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice: weep with them that weep. Being of one mind one towards another. Not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

GRADUAL (Ps. 106:20-21)

The Lord sent forth His word and healed them, and rescued them from destruction. V. Let them praise the Lord for His mercies, and His wondrous deeds towards the children of men.

Alleluia, alleluia! (V. Ps. 148:2)

Praise the Lord, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL (John 2:1-11)

At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: "They have no wine." And Jesus saith to her: "Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour is not yet come." His mother saith to the waiters: "Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: "Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast." And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: "Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now." This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

 

CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 65:1-2, 16)

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to the glory of His name. Come and hear, all you who fear God, while I declare what He has done for me, alleluia!

SECRET

O Lord, sanctify the gifts we offer You, and cleanse us from the stain of our sins. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT MARIUS AND COMPANIONS 
Look favorably on the prayers and offerings of Your people, O Lord. may this celebration of the feast of Your saints please You and bring us Your merciful help.
 

Commemoration of SAINT CANUTE

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 ANTIPHON (John 2:7, 8, 9, 10-11)

The Lord said, "Fill the waterpots with water, and carry them to the chief steward of the feast." When the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, he calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him: "thou hast kept the good wine until now." This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, increase Your grace within us, so that this divine Sacrament may bring us life and prepare us for the blessedness It promises. Through Our Lord . . .

 Commemoration of SAINT MARIUS AND COMPANIONS 

May the prayers of Your saints win forgiveness for us, O Lord. Grant that the Sacrifice we offer in this life may be our everlasting possession in the life to come.

Commemoration of SAINT CANUTE

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

Saint Peter's Chair at Rome; Commemoration of Saint Paul; Saint Prisca, Virgin, Martyr (270 A.D.)

    

SAINT PETER'S CHAIR AT ROME

[Commemoration]

SAINT PAUL

APOSTLE

SAINT PRISCA

VIRGIN & MARTYR

GREATER DOUBLE / WHITE
Preserved to this day at the Vatican Basilica in Rome is the chair upon which, as history tells us, Pope Peter sat enthroned to exercise his Christ-given authority over the universal Church. Our Lord founded the continuing line of visible heads of the Church with the impetuous fisherman of the Sea of Galilee. Peter, inspired by God to recognize the divinity of the Son of Man, became the guardian of the revelation of faith which was left as a heritage from Christ to all men. Today's feast commemorates the unbroken chain of successors of the bishop of Rome. Submission to that See, by Christ's own declaration, is a mark of unity with Christ Himself.

INTROIT Eccli. 45:30

The Lord established a covenant of peace with him, and made him a prince, that the dignity of priesthood should be his forever.
Ps. 131:1. O Lord, remember David and all his meekness. V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

COLLECT

O God, You have entrusted the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Your blessed apostle Peter and have given him the power of bishop to bind or to loose. May his intercession free us from the slavery of sin; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of Saint Paul

St. Paul's journeys in search of souls for Christ took him to the capital of the Roman Empire. In tradition and liturgy, he is linked with St. Peter in the founding of Christianity in Rome.

O God, you have instructed many nations through the preaching of the blessed apostle Paul. Let the power of his intercession with You help us who venerate his memory this day.

Commemoration of Saint Prisca, Virgin Martyr

A young Roman virgin, Prisca was martyred during the third century.

Almighty God, we celebrate today the birthday of Your blessed virgin Martyr Prisca. May her feast fill us with joy, and may we profit by the example of her great faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

EPISTLE I Peter 1:1-7

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers dispersed through Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, unto the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace unto you and peace be multiplied.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: Unto an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled and that cannot fade, reserved in heaven for you, Who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you shalt greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations: That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL Ps. 106:32; 31

Let them extol him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.
V. Let them praise the Lord for His mercies and for His wondrous deeds to the children of men.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Matt. 16:18

Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 16:13-19

At that time, Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: "Whom do men say that the Son of man is?" But they said: "Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Jesus saith to them: "But whom do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said: "Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God."

And Jesus answering said to him: "Blessed art thou, Simon BarJona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven."

CREED

 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Matt. 16:18-19

Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

SECRET

O Lord, we offer You the prayers and sacrifice of Your Church through the intercession of Your apostle Peter. May this Mass, which we celebrate in his honor, win pardon for us. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of Saint Paul

O Lord, sanctify the offerings of Your people through the intercession of the blessed apostle Paul. The sacrifice we offer is already acceptable to You because You instituted it; may it become even more pleasing to You through the prayers of Your saint.

Commemoration of Saint Prisca

May this sacrifice, O Lord, which we offer in remembrance of the birthdays of Your saints, free us from the slavery of sin and win for us the gift of Your mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 16:18

Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church.

POSTCOMMUNION

May our offering bring us happiness, O Lord. We praise You for the wondrous things You accomplished through Your apostle Peter and ask forgiveness through his intercession. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of Saint Paul

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

Commemoration of Saint Prisca

We have been nourished by the Sacrament of salvation, O Lord. Help us also through the prayers of Your saint whom we honor this day. Through Our Lord . . .

Saint Antony the Abbot (356 A.D.)

   

SAINT ANTONY

Abbot

DOUBLE / WHITE

Antony was born in Egypt of wealthy Christian parents at about the middle of the third century. After the death of his parents, he left the world and sought the solitude of the desert. Although Antony undertook severe mortifications to overcome the ceaseless temptations he endured, yet he saw the secret of Christian sanctity not in bodily chastisement but in love of God. So many disciples followed him that he founded two monasteries on the bank of the Nile, and directed the lives of his monks according to the Gospel precept of perfection. This patriarch of all monks died in the year 356 in a cave near the Red Sea, at the age of 105.

Mass of an Abbot, except

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

Let the Blessed Abbot Antony intercede for us, O Lord. May his prayers win us Your help, since our own actions cannot merit it. Through Our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 45:1-6
Beloved of God and men, whose memory is held in benediction. He made him like the Saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words He made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him Commandments in the sight of his people, and revealed to him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For He heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And, face to face, He gave him the Commandments, the law of life and understanding.

Gradual
Ps 20:4-5
O Lord, You welcomed him with goodly blessings, You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
V. He asked life of You: You gave him length of days forever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 91:13
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. 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
Ps 20:3-4
You have granted him his heart’s desire, O Lord; You refused not the wish of his lips. You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.

 

SECRET

May the offerings we lay upon Your sacred altar, O Lord, bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of the blessed abbot Antony. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Communion
Luke 12:42
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

May the Sacrament we have received and the prayers of the blessed abbot Antony protect us, O Lord. Grant also that we may imitate the virtues of this saint who is our intercessor with You in Heaven. Through Our Lord . . .