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.