PERSONAL PIETY

The Holy Sacrifice and the sacraments, being Christ's own actions, are capable in themselves of conveying and dispensing grace to the members of His Mystical Body. But to produce their proper effect our hearts must be rightly disposed to receive them. Emphatically therefore the work of redemption, which in itself is independent of our will, requires a serious interior effort on our part if we are to gain eternal salvation.
The possession of divine truths must bear practical fruit. It must impel us to subject our senses to reason as enlightened by the Catholic Faith. It must purify our hearts, uniting us daily more intimately with Christ, drawing from Him the inspiration and strength that we need. The result is that we grow more and more into His likeness. Everything we do is God-centered. "You are Christ's and Christ is God's" (I Cor. 3:13). [Excerpted from 'Mediator Dei', Pius XII]

WORSHIP OF GOD

The worship rendered to God by the Church must be in its entirety, interior as well as exterior. It is exterior because the nature of man as a composite of body and soul requires it; besides, as the Preface of Christmas states, "while we recognize God visibly we may be drawn by Him to love of things invisible." As the worship of God is the concern of the whole community of mankind as well as of the individual, that worship should be a social act. This calls for outward expression. God cannot be honored worthily unless the mind and heart turn to Him seeking holiness. The worship given to God by the Church in union with her divine Head is the most effective means of attaining holiness.

In regard to the Eucharistic Sacrifice and the sacraments this effectiveness comes from the act itself. But if we consider the part the Church takes in the action, embellishing it with prayer and sacred ceremonies, then the effectiveness is due to the action of the Church. For the Church is holy and acts always in union with her Head. This is also true of the sacramentals and other rites instituted by the Church.

[Excerpted from 'Mediator Dei', Pius XII]

FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING

Christ is fully the spiritual King of all mankind, for He is the giver of life, the maker of law, the supreme judge and ruling authority, in the minds and wills and hearts of human beings. He is King of mankind by natural right, because He is the divine maker and sustainer of the universe and He took human nature unto His divine Person. He is King by acquired right, because He redeemed mankind by the sacrifice of His body and blood. The Lamb of God from the throne of His Cross, reunited all peoples. Although formerly separated by sin, they became one kingdom, one family, and prospective members of one Mystical Body.

ENTRANCE HYMN (Apoc. 5:12, 1:6) Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive powers and divinity and wisdom and strength and honor. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Ps. O God, with Your judgment endow the king, and with Your justice, the king's son. V. Glory be . . .


PRAYER
Almighty and eternal God, You have renewed all creation through Your beloved Son, the King of the whole universe. May all the peoples of the earth, who are now torn asunder from one another because of sin, come once again under the gentle rule of Your only-begotten Son; who lives and rules with You . . .


READING (Col. 1:12-20)
Brethren: Giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For in him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by him and in him. And he is before all: and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may hold the primacy: Because in him, it hath well pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell: And through him to reconcile all things unto himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, both as to the things that are on earth and the things that are in heaven.


GRADUAL (Ps. 71:8, 11) He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. V. All kings shall adore Him, and all nations shall serve Him.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Dan. 7:14) His power is an everlasting power which shall not be taken away; and His kingdom a kingdom that shall not decay. Alleluia!


GOSPEL (St. John 18:33-37)
At that time, Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to him: "Art thou the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered: "Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me?" Pilate answered: "Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done?" Jesus answered: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence." Pilate therefore said to him: "Art thou a king then?" Jesus answered: "Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."


OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 2:8)
Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.

SECRET PRAYER
We offer You, O Lord, this Victim who was sacrificed to atone for the sins of mankind. May Jesus Christ, Your Son and Our Lord, whom we offer up again in sacrifice today, grant unity and peace to all nations; who lives and rules with You . . .

COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 28:10, 11)
The Lord is enthroned as King forever; the Lord will bless His people with peace.


POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We have just received the Food of everlasting life, O Lord. We are honored to serve under the standard of Christ the King; may we come to rule with Him forever in His heavenly Kingdom; who lives and rules with You . . .

SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE
Apostles

Simon is called in the Gospels "the zealous one." Jude was the brother of St. James the Less and therefore related to Christ. He is the author of one of the seven Catholic (i.e., addressed to all the faithful) Epistles in the New Testament. It is not known for certain where Simon and Jude preached the Gospel after Pentecost; but according to tradition they finally went to evangelize Persia and were martyred together there.

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 138:17)
Your friends are greatly honored by me, O God; their pre-eminence is definitely established. Ps. O Lord, you have proved me and You know me; You know when I sit and when I stand. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, Your blessed apostles Simon and Jude brought us the knowledge of Your Holy Name. May our progress in virtue add honor to their eternal glory, and may the honor we pay them make us even more holy. Through Christ Our Lord.


READING (Eph. 4: 7-13)
Brethren: But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ. Wherefore he saith: "Ascending on high, he led captivity captive: he gave gifts to men." Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens: that he might fill all things. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors: For the perfecting of the saints, for the word of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Until we all meet into the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ.


GRADUAL (pS. 44:17-18)
You shall make them princes through all the land; they shall remember Your Name, O Lord. V. To take the place of your fathers, sons shall be born to you; therefore peoples shall praise you.


Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Ps. 138:17)
Your friends are greatly honored by me, O God; their pre-eminence is definitely established. Alleluia!


GOSPEL (St. John 15:17-25)
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hate you, know ye that it hath hated me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake: because they know not him that sent me.
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no other man hath done, they would not have sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. But that the word may be fulfilled which is written in their law: 'They hated me without cause.' "


OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 18:5)
Their voice has gone forth through all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.


SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, we pay homage to the everlasting glory of Your holy apostles Simon and Jude. May these sacred mysteries atone for our sins so that we may be more worthy to honor them. Through Christ Our Lord.


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


POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We who received Your Sacraments, O Lord, humbly pray that this sacred rite which we offer in honor of the sufferings of Your blessed apostles Simon and Jude may heal our own infirmities through their intercession. Through Christ Our Lord.

THE CHURCH WITH CHRIST

The Church like Christ has the aim, obligation, and function of teaching all men God's truth, of governing and directing them according to God's law, and of offering to God the pleasing and acceptable sacrifice. In this way the Church re-established unity and harmony between God and man. Her one goal is ever to increase in unity and strength.
This result is achieved when Christ lives and thrives in the hearts of men, and when men's hearts are fashioned and expanded by Christ. This is how the Church increases and grows. Christ therefore is present in the Holy Sacrifice, the sacraments, and in the prayer of praise, the Divine Office. The sacred liturgy is consequently the public worship which our Redeemer as Head of the Church renders to the Father, as well as the worship which the community of the faithful renders to its Founder, and through Him to the heavenly Father. It is the worship rendered by the Mystical Body of Christ in the entirety of its Head and members.
[From 'Mediator Dei', Pius XII]

LITURGICAL REVIVAL

With more widespread and frequent reception of the sacraments, the Eucharist came to be known for what it is, the fountainhead of real piety. The truth of the Mystical Body was brought into bolder relief, and the Christian community became more aware that it is in duty bound to share in the liturgical rites according to each member's position in the Mystical Body.
The Holy See has always provided for the training of the people in the spirit and practice of the liturgy, and has insisted that the sacred rites should be performed with due external dignity. We call upon all Christians to heed Our voice, and unite with Us around the altar, professing the same faith and law, and sharing in the same sacrifice to the glory of God. Such union in prayer will bring about that peace longed for by all men of good will.
It is the basic duty of man to direct his person and his life toward God. He does this by practicing the virtue of religion, thus rendering due worship to the One True God. This duty binds man as an individual and it binds the whole community of men grouped together by mutual social ties.
[Excerpted from 'Mediator Dei', Pius XII]

OCTOBER 25
SAINTS CHRYSANTHUS AND DARIA
Martyrs

Chrysanthus and his wife Daria carried on an active apostolate among the noble families of Rome during the third century. When they were denounced as Christians, they underwent various tortures with great constancy, and they were buried alive in a sandpit in the year 283.

MASS OF SEVERAL MARTYRS

PRAYER
May the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria be with us, O Lord, so that we who devoutly honor them may always experience their kind assistance. Through our Lord.

READING (II Cor. 6:4-10)
Brethren: But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, In the word of truth, in the power of God: by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left: By honour and dishonour: by evil report and good report: as deceivers and yet true: as unknown and yet known: As dying and behold we live: as chastised and not killed: As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing and possessing all things.

GOSPEL (St. Luke 11:47-51)
At that time Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees: "Woe to you who build the monuments of the prophets: and your fathers killed them. Truly you bear witness that you consent to the doings of your fathers. For they indeed killed them: and you build their sepulchres. For this cause also the wisdom of God said: I will send to them prophets and apostles: and some of them they will kill and persecute. That the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, who was slain between the altar and the temple. Yea I say to you: It shall be required of this generation."

SECRET PRAYER
Be pleased, O Lord, by this sacrificial offering that Your people solemnly present to You on the feast of Your holy martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria. Through Christ, our Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We have been filled with spiritual gifts and joy, O Lord. May we always profit spiritually from the service we perform here on earth, through the intercession of Your holy martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria. Through Christ our Lord.

OCTOBER 24
SAINT RAPHAEL
ARCHANGEL

Archangel Raphael is known through the Book of Tobias in the Old Testament. He there appeared in human form as a gracious young man called Azarias, to protect the younger Tobias on his journey from Ninive to a city of the Medes. In the process he found a wife for Tobias, and later delivered her from an evil spirit; he also healed the elder Tobias of blindness. Raphael is "one of the seven who stand before the Lord" (tob. 12:15). Today's Prayer speaks of him as a companion in journeys. The Reading shows him as presenting our prayers to God. The Gospel is a reminder of Raphael's healing powers, for his name means "God has healed."

ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 102:20)
Bless the Lord all you His angels, you mighty in strength who do His bidding, obeying the voice of His commands. Ps. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all my being bless His holy Name. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, who sent the blessed Archangel Raphael to accompany Your servant Tobias on his journey, grant that we, Your servants, may also be guarded by him always and strengthened by his assistance. Through our Lord.

READING (Tob. 12:7-15)
In those days, the angel Raphael said to Tobias: "For it is good to hide the secret of a king: to reveal and confess the works of God. Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold. For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. But they that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies to their own soul. I discover then the truth unto you, and I will not hide the secret from you.
" When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them by night, I offered thy prayer to the Lord. And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should prove thee. And now the Lord hath sent me to heal thee, and to deliver Sara thy son's wife from the devil. For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord."

GRADUAL (Tob. 8:3; pS. 146:5)
Raphael, the angel of the Lord, took the devil and bound him. V. Great is our Lord, and great His power!

Alleluia, alleluia! V. I will sing Your praise in the sight of the angels; I will worshp in Your holy temple and give glory to Your Name, O Lord. Alleluia!

GOSPEL (St. John 5:1-4)
After these things was a festival day of the Jews: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem a pond, called Probatica, which in Hebrew is named Bethsaida, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered: waiting for the moving of the water. And an angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pond and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water was made whole of whatsoever infirmity he lay under.

OFFERTORY HYMN (Apoc. 8:3, 4)
An Angel stood before the altar of the temple, having in his hand a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, and the smoke of the incense went up before God.

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, graciously accept the sacrifice of praise we offer You. May it bring us closer to our salvation through the angel's prayers of intercession. Through Christ, our Lord.

COMMUNION HYMN (Dan. 3:58)
All you Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord; sing a hymn of praise and exalt Him above all forever.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord God, send the holy Archangel Raphael to help us, so that he, who we believe stands always before Your Throne, may present our humble prayers for Your blessing. Through our Lord.

THE APOSTLES CREED &

THE NICENE CREED

The relation of the Nicene Creed to the Apostles' Creed may be seen from the following table:

The Apostles' Creed; Received Text.	The Nicene Creed, as Enlarged A.D. 381.
(The clauses in brackets are the later additions.)	(The words in brackets are Western changes.)
1. I believe in God the Father Almighty,	1. We [I] believe [The Greek reads the plural (πιστεύομεν), but the Latin and English versions have substituted for it the singular ( credo , I believe), in accordance with the Apostles' Creed and the more subjective character of the Western churches.] in one God the Father Almighty,
[Maker of heaven and earth].	Maker of heaven and earth,
	And of all things visible and invisible.
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;	2. And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
	the only-begotten Son of God,
	Begotten of the Father before all worlds;
	[God of God],
	Light of Light.
	Very God of very God,

	Begotten, not made,
	Being of one substance with the Father;
	By whom all things were made;
3. Who was [conceived] by the Holy Ghost,	3. Who, for us men, and for our salvation,
Born of the Virgin Mary;	came down from heaven,
	And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of
	the Virgin Mary,
	And was made man
4. [Suffered] under Pontius Pilate, was crucified [dead], and buried;	4. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
	And suffered and was buried;
[He descended into Hades];	* * * * *
5. The third day he rose again from the dead;	5. And the third day he rose again,
	According to the Scriptures;
6. He ascended into heaven,	6. And ascended into heaven,
And sitteth on the right hand of [God] the Father [Almighty];	And sitteth on the right hand of the Father;
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.	7. And he shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead;
	Whose kingdom shall have no end.
8. And [I believe] in the Holy Ghost;	8. And [I believe] in the Holy Ghost,
	The Lord, and Giver of life;
	Who proceedeth from the Father [and the Son];
	Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
	Who spake by the Prophets.
9. The holy [catholic] Church;	9. And [I believe] in [The Greek reads εἰς μίαν . . . ἐκκλησίαν, but the Latin and English versions, in conformity with the Apostles' Creed, mostly omit in before ecclesiam.] one holy catholic and apostolic Church;
[The communion of saints];	* * * * *
10. The forgiveness of sins;	10. We [I] acknowledge [Here and in art. 11 the singular is substituted in Western translations for ὁμολογοῦμεν and προςδοκῶμεν .] one baptism for the remission of sins;
11. The resurrection of the flesh [body];	11. And we [I] look for the resurrection of the dead;
12. [And the life everlasting].	12. And the life of the world to come.

Creeds of Christendom Volume I by Schaff, Philip
Public Domain

TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

ENTRANCE HYMN (Dan 3:31, 29, 33)
All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done in just judgment, because we have disobeyed Your Commandments; but give glory to Your own name and deal with us in accord with Your bounteous mercy. Ps. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
Forget Your anger, O Lord, and grant Your faithful pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from their sins and serve You without fear. Through our Lord.

READING (Eph. 5:15-21)
See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise, But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore, become not unwise: but understanding what is the will of God. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury: but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord: Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father: Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.

GRADUAL (Ps. 144:15-16)
The eyes of all look hopefully to You, O Lord, and You give them food in due season. V. You open Your hand, and fill every living creature with blessing.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing and praise You, my glory. Alleluia!

GOSPEL (St. John 4:46-53)
He came again therefore into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capharnaum. He having heard that Jesus was come from Judea into Galilee, sent to him and prayed him to come down and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not. The ruler saith to him: Lord, come down before that my son die. Jesus saith to him: Go thy way. Thy son liveth. The man believed the word which Jesus said to him and went his way. And as he was going down, his servants met him: and they brought word, saying, that his son lived. He asked therefore of them the hour wherein he grew better. And they said to him: Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him. The father therefore knew that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him: Thy son liveth. And himself believed, and his whole house.

OFFERTORY HYMN (Ps. 136:1)
By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept, when we remembered you, O Sion. SECRET PRAYER O Lord, let this sacred rite bring us healing from heaven and cleanse our hearts of all sinfulness. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 118:49-50)
Remember Your promise to Your servant, O Lord, by which You have given me hope. This is my solace in my affliction.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, make us ever obedient to Your Commandments, that we may be deserving of Your heavenly Gifts. 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.

OCTOBER 21

SAINTS HILARION & URSULA

AND HER COMPANIONS

Hilarion was born of pagan parents near Gaza in Palestine toward the close of the third century. He studied at Alexandria and there he became a Christian at the age of 15. Following the example of St. Anthony in Egypt, Hilarion resolved to become a hermit in the desert, and Anthony himself trained the youth. He gave all his possessions to the poor, and became the father of monasticism in Palestine and Syria, famous for his miracles and sanctity. He lived to be over 80, dying on the island of Cyprus in 372.

In all the much-embroided legend of St. Ursula, there persists the statement that she was a native of Britain (ancient Wales) who was martyred at Cologne. One version has it that she was the daughter of a Christian king of Wales, and that she escaped marriage to a pagan prince by setting out, with a vast company of ladies-in-waiting, on a long voyage to Rome. On their return via the Rhine, they met martyrdom at the hands of Huns.

PRAYER

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

Commemoration of SAINT URSULA AND HER COMPANIONS

O Lord our God, grant that we may always honor the victories of Your blessed virgin martyrs Ursula and her companions. Although we are unable to pay them the honor that is due, may we at least offer them our humble tribute. Through our Lord.

SECRET PRAYER

May the offerings we lay upon Your sacred altar, O Lord, bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of the blessed abbot Hilarion. Through our Lord.

Commemoration

O Lord, see the gifts we offer at Your altar in honor of the feast of Your holy virgin martyrs Ursula and her companions. May this sacred rite, which honors them, forgive us our sins. Through our Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER

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

Commemoration

May the intercession of Your holy virgin martyrs Ursula and her companions help us to cherish with pure hearts the Sacrament we have received upon our lips. Through our Lord.

For my first post on this Blog, here is the propers for October 20 with two Feasts being celebrated:

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY,

"MATER ADMIRABILIS"

&

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS

Humble manual labor was forever sanctified by Mary, "the handmaid of the Lord," the Mother of Christ and of all mankind. By her prayers, she renders the toil of her adopted human children fruitful and pleasing to God. A fresco (above) in the convent of the Trinita dei Monti in Rome depicts our "Mother most admirable" spinning in a court of the temple. This painting, blessed by Pope Pius IX, is venerated by pilgrims from all parts of the world, and among them extraordinary conversions and cures continually occur.

ENTRANCE HYMN

Hail, holy Mother, who brought forth the King who rules heaven and earth forever and ever. Ps. 44:2 My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king. V. Glory Be . . .

PRAYER

O God, you wonderously exalted the humble Virgin Mary in the Incarnation of Your only-begotten Son. May we be adopted as sons into Your divine family through the intercession of Your most Admirable Mother. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN CANTIUS

O Almighty God, grant that the example of the holy confessor John may help us to advance in the science of the saints and in mercy towards others, so that we may obtain forgiveness for ourselves through his merits. Through our Lord.

READING

Behold my beloved speaketh to me: "Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land: The fig tree hath put forth her green figs: the vines in flower yield their sweet smell. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come: My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, shew me thy face, let thy voice sound in my ears: for thy voice is sweet, and thy face comely." (Cant. 2:10-14)

GRADUAL

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. V. My beloved to me, and I to him who feeds among the lilies. (Cant. 2:2, 16)

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Who is she who comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array? Alleluia! (Cant. 6:9)

GOSPEL

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. (Luke 1:26-35)

OFFERTORY HYMN

You bore a child, O Virgin, and remained a virgin still. Mother of God, intercede for us.

SECRET PRAYER

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

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN CANTIUS

May the merits of the holy confessor John make these offerings acceptable to You, O Lord. Grant that we may love You above all and love all men for Your sake, so that we may please You by every thought and deed. Through Christ our Lord.

COMMUNION HYMN

You are blessed and venerable, O Virgin Mary, for without loss of your virginity you becane the Mother of our Saviour.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER

May we who have partaken of these helps toward our salvation, O Lord, be protected everywhere by the prayers of the most pure Virgin Mary, in whose honor we have offered this sacrifice to Your majesty. Through Christ our Lord.

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN CANTIUS

O Lord, You have fed us with the food of Your own precious Body and Blood. We humbly ask that we may be led by the merits and example of Your holy confessor John to imitate his charity and to share in his glory; who lives and rules with God in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.