THURSDAY AFTER PENTECOST

ENTRANCE HYMN Sap. 1:7
The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world, alleluia! and that which contains all things has knowledge of His voice, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 67:2. Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, who this day instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that, through the same Holy Spirit, we may always be truly wise and rejoice in His consolation. Through our Lord . . .

READING Acts 8:5-8
In those days, Philip, going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did. For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out. And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 103:30
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Alleluia! (Here all kneel.)
V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

SEQUENCE

Holy Spirit, come and shine
On our souls with beams divine
Issuing from your radiance bright.
Come, O Father of the poor,
Ever bounteous of your store,
Come, our heart's unfailing light.

Come, Consoler, kindest, best,
Come our bosom's dearest guest,
Sweet refreshment, sweet repose.
Rest in labor, coolness sweet,
Tempering the burning heat,
Truest comfort of our woes.

O divinest light, impart
Unto every faithful heart
Plenteous streams from love's bright flood.
But for your blest Deity,
Nothing pure in man could be;
Nothing harmless, nothing good.

Wash away each sinful stain;
Gently shed your gracious rain
On the dry and fruitless soul.
Heal each wound and bend each will,
Warm our hearts benumbed and chill,
All our wayward steps control.

Unto all your faithful just,
Who in you confide and trust,
Deign the sevenfold gift to send.
Grant us virtue's blest increase,
Grant a death of hope and peace,
Grant the joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 9:1-6
At that time, Then calling together the twelve apostles, he gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And he said to them: "Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And whatsoever house you shall enter into, abide there and depart not from thence. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off even the dust of your feet, for a testimony against them." And going out, they went about through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing every where.

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 67:29-30
Make lasting what You have wrought in us, O God; in Your temple in Jerusalem let the kings offer presents to You, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
Bless our offering, O Lord, and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Spirit. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN Acts 2:2, 4
Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting, alleluia! And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began speaking of the wondrous deeds of God, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
May the coming of the Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts, and, as a heavenly dew, water them to bring forth good fruit. Through our Lord . . .

EMBER WEDNESDAY IN SUMMER

During these Ember Days every Christian should beg a blessing upon the new planting and sowing of crops that will feed the earth's millions. Everyone should also offer to God the first fruits of the spring harvest. Moreover, this is a time to pray for the deacons who will be ordained to the priesthood on the coming Saturday.

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 67:8, 9
O God, when You went forth at the head of Your people, marching with them and dwelling among them, alleluia! the earth trembled and the skies dripped with rain, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 67:2. Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
May the Holy Comforter, who proceeds from You, O Lord, enlighten our minds and guide us in all truth, as Your Son has promised; who lives and rules with You in the unity of the same Holy Spirit . . .

LESSON Acts 2:14-21
In those days, Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: "Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you and with your ears receive my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day: But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass, in the last days, (saith the Lord), I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And upon my servants indeed and upon my handmaids will I pour out in those days of my spirit: and they shall prophesy. And I will shew wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and manifest day of the Lord to come. And it shalt come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "

Alleluia! V. Ps. 32:6
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all the celestial bodies thereof were created.

PRAYER
Almighty and merciful God, grant that the Holy Spirit may come and dwell in us, that we may be a temple of His glory. Through our Lord . . .

READING Acts 5:12-16
In those days, by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. But of the rest no man durst join himself unto them: but the people magnified them. And the multitude of men and women who believed in the Lord was more increased: Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that, when Peter came, his shadow at the least might overshadow any of them and they might be delivered from their infirmities. And there came also together to Jerusalem a multitude out of the neighbouring cities, bringing sick persons and such as were troubled with unclean spirits: who were all healed.

Alleluia, alleluia! (Here all kneel.)
V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

SEQUENCE
Holy Spirit, come and shine
On our souls with beams divine
Issuing from your radiance bright.
Come, O Father of the poor,
Ever bounteous of your store,
Come, our heart's unfailing light.

Come, Consoler, kindest, best,
Come our bosom's dearest guest,
Sweet refreshment, sweet repose.
Rest in labor, coolness sweet,
Tempering the burning heat,
Truest comfort of our woes.

O divinest light, impart
Unto every faithful heart
Plenteous streams from love's bright flood.
But for your blest Deity,
Nothing pure in man could be;
Nothing harmless, nothing good.

Wash away each sinful stain;
Gently shed your gracious rain
On the dry and fruitless soul.
Heal each wound and bend each will,
Warm our hearts benumbed and chill,
All our wayward steps control.

Unto all your faithful just,
Who in you confide and trust,
Deign the sevenfold gift to send.
Grant us virtue's blest increase,
Grant a death of hope and peace,
Grant the joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 6:44-52
At that time, Jesus said to the Jews: "No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him. And I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets: 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Every one that hath heard of the Father and hath learned cometh forth me. Not that any man hath seen the Father: but he who is of God, he hath seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say unto you: He that believeth in me hath everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the desert: and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven: that if any man eat of it, he may not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 118:47-48
I will meditate on Your commandments, which I love dearly; and I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I cherish, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
Accept the gifts we offer You, O Lord, and grant that the celebration of these sacred rites may be reflected in our holy lives. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, alleluia! My peace I give to you, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We have received the Sacrament of Heaven, O Lord. We now humbly beg that the sacred rite, which we have celebrated, may be our joy for all eternity. Through our Lord . . .

TUESDAY AFTER PENTECOST

ENTRANCE HYMN IV Esdr. 2:36, 37
Receive with joy the glory that is yours, alleluia! giving thanks to God, alleluia! who has called you to the heavenly kingdom, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 77:1. Hearken, My people, to My law; incline your ears to the words of My mouth.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O Lord, let the power of the Holy Spirit be with us, gently cleansing our hearts and guarding us against danger. Through our Lord . . .

READING Acts 8:14-17
Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy Ghost.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. John 14:26
The Holy Spirit will teach you whatever I have said to you. Alleluia! (Here all Kneel.)
V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

SEQUENCE
Holy Spirit, come and shine
On our souls with beams divine
Issuing from your radiance bright.
Come, O Father of the poor,
Ever bounteous of your store,
Come, our heart's unfailing light.

Come, Consoler, kindest, best,
Come our bosom's dearest guest,
Sweet refreshment, sweet repose.
Rest in labor, coolness sweet,
Tempering the burning heat,
Truest comfort of our woes.

O divinest light, impart
Unto every faithful heart
Plenteous streams from love's bright flood.
But for your blest Deity,
Nothing pure in man could be;
Nothing harmless, nothing good.

Wash away each sinful stain;
Gently shed your gracious rain
On the dry and fruitless soul.
Heal each wound and bend each will,
Warm our hearts benumbed and chill,
All our wayward steps control.

Unto all your faithful just,
Who in you confide and trust,
Deign the sevenfold gift to send.
Grant us virtue's blest increase,
Grant a death of hope and peace,
Grant the joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 10:1-10
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: "Amen, amen, I say to you: He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up another way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth: and the sheep hear his voice. And he calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out. And when he hath let out his own sheep, he goeth before them: and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. But a stranger they follow not, but fly from him, because they know not the voice of strangers."
This proverb Jesus spoke to them. But they understood not what he spoke. Jesus therefore said to them again: "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers: and the sheep heard them not. I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved: and he shall go in and go out, and shall find pastures. The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they may have life and may have it more abundantly."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 77:23-25
The Lord opened the doors of heaven, and rained down manna upon them for food. He gave them the bread of heaven, and man ate the food of angels, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, may we be cleansed by the sacrifice we offer, and made worthy to receive Your Blessed Sacrament. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN John 15:26; 16:14
The Spirit who proceeds from the Father, alleluia! He will glorify Me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, may the Holy Spirit heal our souls with this divine Sacrament, for He Himself is the forgiveness of all sins. Through our Lord . . .

MONDAY AFTER PENTECOST

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 80:17
He fed them with the finest wheat, alleluia! and filled them with honey from the rock, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 80:2. Sing joyfully to God, our Helper, sing aloud to the God of Jacob.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, who sent the Holy Spirit to Your apostles, answer the prayers of Your people. Bestow peace upon us, just as You have given us to believe. Through our Lord . . .

READING Acts 10:34, 42-48
In those days, Peter opening his mouth, said: "Men, the Lord commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the dead. To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him." While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also. For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered: "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Acts 2:4
The apostles began to speak in foreign tongues of the wondrous deeds of God. Alleluia! (Here all kneel.)
V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

SEQUENCE
Holy Spirit, come and shine
On our souls with beams divine
Issuing from your radiance bright.
Come, O Father of the poor,
Ever bounteous of your store,
Come, our heart's unfailing light.

Come, Consoler, kindest, best,
Come our bosom's dearest guest,
Sweet refreshment, sweet repose.
Rest in labor, coolness sweet,
Tempering the burning heat,
Truest comfort of our woes.

O divinest light, impart
Unto every faithful heart
Plenteous streams from love's bright flood.
But for your blest Deity,
Nothing pure in man could be;
Nothing harmless, nothing good.

Wash away each sinful stain;
Gently shed your gracious rain
On the dry and fruitless soul.
Heal each wound and bend each will,
Warm our hearts benumbed and chill,
All our wayward steps control.

Unto all your faithful just,
Who in you confide and trust,
Deign the sevenfold gift to send.
Grant us virtue's blest increase,
Grant a death of hope and peace,
Grant the joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 3:16-21
At that time, Jesus said to Nicodemus: "For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son: that whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting. For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world: but that the world may be saved by him. He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment: Because the light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil. For every one that doth evil hateth the light and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved. But he that doth truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest: because they are done in God."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 17:14, 16
The Lord thundered from heaven and the Most High gave forth His voice, and the fountains of water appeared, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
Mercifully bless this offering, O Lord. Receive the sacrifice of our spiritual victim, and may we ourselves become an eternal offering to You. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN John 14:26
The Holy Spirit will teach you, alleluia, alleluia! whatever I have said to you, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Stay close to Your people, O Lord, and assist them. Nourish them with Your Heavenly Sacrament and defend them from the rage of their enemies. Through our Lord . . .

PENTECOST SUNDAY

ENTRANCE HYMN Sap. 1:7
The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world, alleluia! and that which contains all things has knowledge of His voice, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 67:2. Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, who this day instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that through the same Holy Spirit we may always be truly wise and rejoice in His consolation. Through our Lord . . .

READING Acts 2:1-11
When the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming: and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire: and it sat upon every one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: "Behold, are not all these that speak Galilean? And how have we heard, every man our own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 103:30.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Alleluia! (Here all kneel.)
V. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

SEQUENCE
Holy Spirit, come and shine
On our souls with beams divine
Issuing from your radiance bright.
Come, O Father of the poor,
Ever bounteous of your store,
Come, our heart's unfailing light.

Come, Consoler, kindest, best,
Come our bosom's dearest guest,
Sweet refreshment, sweet repose.
Rest in labor, coolness sweet,
Tempering the burning heat,
Truest comfort of our woes.

O divinest light, impart
Unto every faithful heart
Plenteous streams from love's bright flood.
But for your blest Deity,
Nothing pure in man could be;
Nothing harmless, nothing good.

Wash away each sinful stain;
Gently shed your gracious rain
On the dry and fruitless soul.
Heal each wound and bend each will,
Warm our hearts benumbed and chill,
All our wayward steps control.

Unto all your faithful just,
Who in you confide and trust,
Deign the sevenfold gift to send.
Grant us virtue's blest increase,
Grant a death of hope and peace,
Grant the joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 14:23-31
At that time, Jesus answered and said to him: "If any one love me, he will keep my word. And my Father will love him and we will come to him and will make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard is not mine; but the Father's who sent me. "These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you. But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you. Peace I leave with you: my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled: nor let it be afraid. You have heard that I said to you: 'I go away, and I come unto you.' If you loved me you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world: cometh: and in me he hath not any thing. But that the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father hath given me commandments, so do I. Arise, let us go hence."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 67:29-30
Make lasting what You have wrought in us, O God; in Your temple in Jerusalem let the kings offer presents to You, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
Bless our offering, O Lord, and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Spirit. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN Acts 2:2, 4
Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting, alleluia! And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began speaking of the wondrous deeds of God, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
May the coming of the Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts, and, as a heavenly dew, water them to bring forth good fruit. Through our Lord . . .

VIGIL OF PENTECOST

ENTRANCE HYMN Ezech. 36:23-24, 25-26
When I shall be sanctified in you, I will gather you together out of all the countries; and I will pour upon you clean water and you shall be cleansed from all your filthiness, and I will give you a new spirit, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 33:2. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall ever be in my mouth.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
Let the brightness of Your glory shine upon us, Almighty God, so that the Holy Spirit, light of Your light, may strengthen the hearts of those who are reborn in Your grace. Through Our Lord . . .

READING Acts 19:1-8
Now it was while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples. And he said to them: "Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" But they said to him: "We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost." And he said: "In what then were you baptized?" Who said: "In John's baptism." Then Paul said: "John baptized the people with the baptism of penance saying: That they should believe in him, who was to come after him, that is to say, in Jesus." Having heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them: and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God.

Alleluia! V. Ps. 106:1.
Praise the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.

TRACT Ps. 116:1-2
Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise Him in unison, all you peoples!
V. For His mercy is steadfast towards us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

GOSPEL John 14:15-21
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father: and He shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever: The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, nor knoweth Him. But you shall know Him; because He shall abide with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world seeth Me no more. But you see Me: because I live, and you shall live. In that day you shall know that I am in my Father: and you in Me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments and keepeth them; he it is that loveth Me. And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father: and I will love him and will manifest myself to him."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 103:30-31
Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
Bless our offering, O Lord, and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Spirit. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN John 7:37-39
On the last day of the feast, Jesus said, "He who believes in Me, from within him there shall flow rivers of living water." He said this of the Spirit, whom they who believed in Him were to receive, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
May the coming of the Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts, and, as a heavenly dew, water them to bring forth good fruit. Through Our Lord . . .

ST. GREGORY VII

ST. URBAN

SAINT GREGORY VII
Pope and Confessor

Born in Tuscany, Italy, Hildebrand became a Benedictine monk in the famous monastery of Cluny in France. At the death of Alexander II, Hildebrand was elected pope and took the name of Gregory VII. In the eleventh century the bishops were virtually the dependents of secular princes. Gregory, therefore, fought with constancy and courage for the independence of the Church. His fearlessness stands out strikingly in his conflict with Henry IV, Emperor of Germany. At length the aged pope was obliged to flee. As Gregory was dying in 1085, he said, "I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile."


Mass of a POPE, except


PRAYER
O God, the strength of all who trust in You, it was from You that blessed confessor bishop Gregory drew courage and perseverance in defending the freedom of Your Church. May his example and intercession help us to face all adversity bravely. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN I, POPE AND MARTYR

Pope Urban I, one of the glorious early pontiffs of the Church, was martyred in A.D. 230.

O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Urban shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this martyr and supreme pontiff move You to look with favor upon Your flock and keep it under Your continual protection. Through our Lord . . .

SECRET PRAYER
We have offered our gifts to You, O Lord. Let Your light graciously shine upon Your Church, so that this flock may everywhere prosper, and its pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN
O Lord, graciously accept the gifts that we joyfully offer to You. May Your Church, through the prayers of blessed Urban, always live in peace and rejoice in the security of her faith. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, govern the Church, which You have been pleased to nourish with Your Heavenly Food. Guide her by Your powerful direction, so that she may enjoy greater freedom and remain unshaken in the fullness of faith. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN
O Lord, increase the spirit of grace which You have bestowed upon Your Church. let the prayers of Your martyr and supreme pontiff Urban aid her so that she may never fail in obedience to her shepherd, and the shepherd may never be wanting in his care of the flock. Through our Lord . . .

THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
Continued . . .

26--For whom may Mass be celebrated?

God always receives infinite praise from the Mass, even should the celebrant be unworthy of his high office; for it is Christ, who--in the Mass, as once on Calvary--is both Priest and Victim.

The Mass is offered to God alone; but for the advantage, profit, utility, and benefit of the Mystical Body of Christ.

The beneficiaries of the Mass are thus the members of the Mystical Body. As we shall see farther on in taking up the various parts of the Mass, the Mass includes the "Memento of the Living" and the "Memento of the Dead." We shall find there indicated the persons for whom Mass may be celebrated.

1. The living. These are the members of Christ's Mystical Body still on earth: consequently, each one of us. Incidentally, a beautiful prayer formular for offering prayer for dying sinners is the following:
"My God, I offer You all the Masses that are being celebrated today for those sinners who are in their agony now and are to die today. may the Precious Blood of Jesus obtain mercy for them!"

2. The dead. In other words, the souls in Purgatory.
Charity demands that those members of the Mystical Body who have access to Christ's oblation, should not forget those members no longer able to offer the Holy Sacrifice. It devolves on us to see that the Church Suffering is not deprived of its greatest good: the Mass, which applies to it Christ's merits. If we would have Christians still on earth think of us, when we in our turn shall be in Purgatory; let us not forget the departed, who implore our prayers and masses!

The merit of a charitable work depends on three factors: (1) The value of the work in question; (2) the effort involved; (3) the amount of charity with which the work is accomplished.
No work of mercy surpasses in value the gift of a Mass. If the cup of cold water is rewarded, of how much greater merit is Christ's infinite oblation applied to a human soul! No other offering or riches is comparable. If material or spiritual aid to a neighbor in need, draws down upon us Heaven's blessings, how much more meritorious still, the offering to a suffering member of the Mystical Body of the very immolation of Christ!
[From 'Your Mass and Your Life', to be continued . . .]

THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
Continued . . .

25--What do we read in paragraph 97-100 of the encyclical Mediator Dei, with regard to the infinite value of the Mass?

"The Apostle to the Gentiles", says His Holiness, "in proclaiming the superabundant fullness and perfection of the Sacrifice of the Cross, declared that Christ, by one offering, had perfected forever those who are sanctified. {Heb. 10:4.} For the merits of this infinite and immeasurable Sacrifice are limitless; they extend universally to men of all time and of all places, because the God-Man is both Priest and Victim; because His immolation, like His obedience to God the Father, was perfect; and because He willed to die as the Head of the human race. 'Behold in what manner our Redemption--Christ hanged upon the tree. Behold at what a price it was purchased--He shed His Blood. Our Redemption was bought with the Blood of the Immaculate Lamb, with the Blood of God's only Son. . . . The purchaser is Christ; the purchase price, His Blood; the purchase, the universe'. {St. Augustine, Discourse on Psalm 147, No. 16.}

"The full effect of this purchase, however, was not attained at once. It was needful that Christ, after having redeemed the world at the costly price of Himself, should enter into full and undisputed possession of men's souls. In a manner of speaking, one may say that Christ established on Calvary a pool of atonement and salvation, which He filled with His shed Blood; but if men do not plunge into its depths and there cleanse their sin-stained souls, they can neither be purified nor saved.

"In order, then, for each sinner to be made white in the Blood of the Lamb, it is necessary for Christians to associate their labors with those of Christ. If, generally speaking, one may say that Christ reconciled all mankind with His father by means of His bloody death; He has nevertheless willed that in order to obtain the salutary fruits produced by Him on the Cross, all should be led and brought to His Cross by the Sacraments; and chiefly, by the Eucharistic Sacrifice."

[From 'Your Mass and Your Life', to be continued . . .]

THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
Continued . . .

24--Does the Sacrifice of the Mass possess infinite value?

Yes and no! Considered as Christ's Sacrifice, the Mass always achieves its full effect. For the merits of Christ, the Divine Victim, are infinite. But the Mass is not Christ's Sacrifice alone. It is also that of the Church, of the whole Mystical Body; consequently of each one of us. As the Sacrifice of the Church--in the application of the fruits--the Mass is finite, limited. The merits of Christ are distributed to us in accordance with our dispositions, our sacrifices, and the glory we give to God. From this, may be seen the importance of making our own personal oblation with the best possible dispositions.

[From 'Your Mass and Your Life', to be continued . . .]

THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
Continued . . .

23--What does Pope Pius XII have to say about the fourfold end of the Mass in his encyclical, Mediator Dei, paragraphs 92-96?

"The first end of the Mass," says the Holy Father, "is to glorify God. From the cradle to the grave, Jesus Christ was inflamed with zeal for God's glory. the offering of His Blood ascended to Heaven from the Cross as a pleasing perfume; and in order that the chorus of praise may be unceasing, the members are joined to their Divine Head in the Eucharistic Sacrifice; and with Him, united with the Angels and Archangels, 'cease not to repeat day by day,' crying out with one voice. . . {Roman Missal, Preface.} ascribing to God the Father Almighty. . . all honor and glory'. {Canon.}

"The second end is to show fitting gratitude toward God. The Divine Redeemer alone, as the Beloved Son of the Father, whose immense love He knows, can offer Him a worthy hymn of thanksgiving. Such was His aim and purpose in 'giving thanks' {Mark 14:23.} at the Last Supper. And this aim and purpose did not cease when Christ hung on the Cross, nor does it cease in the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar; whose very meaning is 'giving thanks' or Eucharistic Action; for to do so is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation'. {Roman Missal, Preface.}

"In the third place, the Sacrifice proposes the purpose of expiation, of propitiation, and of reconciliation. Assuredly, none other than Christ could offer satisfaction to God for the sins of the human race. Hence, He desired to be immolated on the Cross; for 'He in His own person is the atonement made for our sins, and not only for ours, but for the sins of the whole world'. {! John 2:2 (Knox).} In the same way, He offers Himself daily on our altars for our redemption, that having been snatched from eternal damnation, we may be numbered among the flock of His elect. And this not only for these who are in this mortal life, but also for all those 'who have gone before us with the sign of faith and who sleep the sleep of peace'. {Roman Missal, Canon.} So that whether we live or die, 'we may not depart from the one and only Christ'. {St. Augustine, On the Trinity, Vol. XIII, c. 19.}

"Finally, in the fourth place, there is the end of impetration. Man, the prodigal son, has made but ill use of the substance received from his Heavenly Father, and has wasted it. Hence, he finds himself reduced to a state of deepest degradation and poverty. But Christ, from the summit of the Cross, 'not without a piercing cry, not without tears. . . offered prayer and entreaty. . . with such piety as won Him a hearing'. {Heb. 5:7 (Knox).} In like manner, He exercises the same efficacious mediation on our holy altars, to the end that we may be filled with every blessing and grace."
[From 'Your Mass and Your Life', to be continued . . .]

SUNDAY AFTER THE ASCENSION

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 26:7, 8, 9
Hear, O Lord, my voice as I cry to You, alleluia! my heart has spoken to You; I have sought You. Your presence, O Lord, I will seek; hide not Your face from me, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 26:1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O Almighty and Eternal God, make our wills devoted to You so that our hearts may sincerely serve Your majesty. Through Our Lord . . .

READING I Peter 4:7-11
Beloved: Be prudent therefore and watch in prayers. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring, As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any minister, let him do it, as of the power which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 46:9
God reigns over all the nations, God sits on His holy throne. Alleluia!
V. John 14:18. I will not leave you orphans; I go away, but I will come to you, and your heart shall rejoice. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 15:26-27; 16:1-4
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "When the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me. And you shall give testimony, because you are with me from the beginning. "These things have I spoken to you things have I spoken to you that you may not be scandalized. They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth a service to God. And these things will they do to you; because they have not known the Father nor me. But these things I have told you, that when the hour shall come, you may remember that I told you of them."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 46:6
God ascends His throne amid shouts of joy, the Lord is taken up with the sound of trumpets, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
Cleanse us through this spotless offering, O Lord, and let our souls be made strong by Your heavenly grace. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN John 17:12-13, 15
Father, while I was with them, I kept them whom You gave Me, alleluia! but now I am coming to You; I do not pray that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from evil, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Grant, O Lord, that we may always be grateful for the Sacramental Gift that we have just received. Through Our Lord . . .

SATURDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION

OUR LADY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES
IN SOME PLACES BY SPECIAL INDULT

Mary, the regal Mother of Christ's Apostles and their successors, watches over missioners' souls and persons and fortunes. She is, besides, their special Protectress and support in all that pertains to their work, because they are particularly dedicated to the cause nearest Her Heart -- the salvation of the world by and through Her divine Son. Apostles accordingly have a great and double claim on their heavenly Queen; they know it and are certain that by staying close to Her, they will be kept in every way close to God. Continuing through all the ages and over all the world, this special benevolence of Mary towards Her Son's apostles is something lavish, endless, and boundlessly maternal.

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 86:1-3
Her foundation is upon the holy mountain. The Lord loves the gates of Sion more than any of the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God. Alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 133:1. Behold, now bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, You sent Your Holy Spirit upon the Apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us serve Your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your name by word and example. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . . in the unity of the same Holy Spirit.

READING Acts 1:1-14
The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, "which you have heard" (saith he) "by my mouth. For John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence."
They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?" But he said to them: "It is not for you to know the time or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power: But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth."
And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments. Who also said: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven."
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is nigh Jerusalem, within a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Jude the brother of James. All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Num. 17:8; Judith 13:17-18
The rod of Jesse has blossomed. A Virgin has brought forth the God-man. God has restored peace to us, reconciling in Himself the lowness of earth and the highness of heaven. Alleluia!
V. Praise the Lord our God, who has not forsaken those who hope in Him, and who by me, His handmaid, has fulfilled His mercy which He promised to the house of Israel; He has killed the enemy of His people by my hand. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 19:25-27
At that time, there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: "Woman, behold thy son." After that, he saith to the disciple: "Behold thy mother." And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

OFFERTORY HYMN Judith 5:3, 7-8
It is I, it is I who will sing to the Lord. I will sing to the Lord, the God of Israel. The valiant men ceased and rested in Israel, until a mother arose in Israel. The Lord chose new wars, and He Himself overthrew the gates of the enemies. Alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
May our offering, O Lord, hasten the growth of Your Church and add to the splendor of the virtues of her members through Your mercy and the intercession of the blessed ever-Virgin Mary. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN
Blessed Mother and spotless Virgin, glorious Queen of the world, intercede for us with the Lord, for you are the glory of Israel, the honor of our people. Alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, the Sacrament we have received will help us towards salvation. May we persevere in doing Your holy Will so that Your Church may always increase under the protection of the blessed ever-Virgin Mary, the Queen of Apostles. Through Our Lord . . .

Saint Celestine renouncing the Papacy

Saint Pudentiana

SAINT PETER CELESTINE
Pope and Confessor

Peter Celestine (1221-96) left his Italian home at the age of 20, and went to a mountain to live in solitude. Disciples soon grouped themselves around him, and the rule of life that Peter gave them formed the foundation of the Celestine Order. When Peter was 72 years old, he was elected Pope and chose the name of Celestine. It soon became evident that the former hermit's life had not in any way fitted him for the government of the Church; so Pope Celestine V had the supreme humility to resign his trust after a reign of five months.

Mass of a POPE, except

PRAYER O God, You raised blessed Peter Celestine to the dignity of Pope, and taught him also to renounce the honor in all humility. May we follow his example and despise the things of this world, so that we may win the rewards You promised to the humble of heart. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PUDENTIANA, VIRGIN
Pudentiana, a daughter of a Roman senator, consecrated herself wholly to Christ and gave away her goods to the poor. She died in the year 160, when she was 16 years of age.

Hear our prayer, O God our Saviour, and let us learn the spirit of true devotion from Your blessed virgin Pudentiana, as we joyfully celebrate her feast. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET PRAYER
We have offered our gifts to You, O Lord. Let Your light graciously shine upon Your Church, so that this flock may everywhere prosper, and its pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PUDENTIANA
Accept this gift, O Lord, from a people dedicated to You. We offer it in honor of Your saints for the help we have received from them when we were in trouble. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER O Lord, govern Your Church, which You have been pleased to nourish with Your Heavenly Food. Guide her by Your powerful direction, so that she may enjoy greater freedom and remain unshaken in the fullness of faith. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PUDENTIANA
O Lord, You have feasted Your family with the Food of Heaven. May we always be refreshed through the intercession of Your saint whose feast we celebrate this day. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT VENANTIUS Martyr

Venantius was born at Camerino in Italy. In the year 250, when he was 15 years of age, he was arrested because of his Christian faith and was condemned by a Roman judge to suffer cruel torments. The steadfastness of the young saint touched even hardened hearts, and many pagans were converted. On hearing of this the governor had Venantius beheaded.

Mass of a MARTYR DURING EASTERTIME, except

PRAYER O God, You sanctified this day by the triumph of Your blessed martyr Venantius. May we imitate the fortitude of his faith as we venerate his merits. Through Our Lord . . . SECRET PRAYER O Almighty God, may the merits of blessed Venantius make our offering acceptable to You, and may we come one day to share in the glory of Your saint through the help of his prayers. Through Our Lord . . . POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER We have been fed with the Sacrament of everlasting life, O Lord. May it obtain Your pardon and grace for us through the prayers of Your blessed martyr Venantius. Through Our Lord . . .

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

ENTRANCE HYMN Acts 1:11
Me of Galilee, why d you stand looking up to heaven? Alleluia! He shall come in the same way as you have seen him going up to heaven, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 46:2. O, clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with the voice of exultation.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O Almighty God, we firmly believe that Your only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, ascended this day into heaven. May our minds dwell always on this heavenly home. Through Our Lord . . .

READING Acts 1:1-11
In the former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach,
Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, "which you have heard" (saith he) "by my mouth. For John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence."
They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?" But he said to them: "It is not for you to know the time or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power: But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth."
And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments. Who also said: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven."

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 46:6
God ascends His throne amid shouts of joy, the Lord is taken up with the sound of trumpets. Alleluia!
V. Ps. 67:18-19. The Lord is in Sinai, in the holy place; ascending on high, He has led captivity captive. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Mark 16:14-20
At that time, Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. And he said to them: "Go ye into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall he condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents: and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick: and they shall recover."
And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God. But they going forth preached every where: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 46:6
God ascends His throne amid shouts of joy, the Lord is taken up with the sound of trumpets, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
Accept, O Lord, the gifts we offer to celebrate the glorious ascension of Your Son. May Your mercy free us from our present dangers and lead us to eternal life. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN Ps. 67:33-34
Sing to the Lord, who ascends above the heaven of heavens to the East, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Almighty and merciful God, grant that this Sacrament, which we have received in this visible sacred Rite, may bring us Your invisible help. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT UBALDUS
Bishop and Confessor

After being consecrated bishop of Gubbio, Italy, in 1129, Ubaldus Baldassini served his flock for more than 30 years with the firm justice, the mildness, and the patience of a true father in Christ. He was revered especially as a peacemaker. On an occasion when rival factions were rioting in the streets of Gubbio, Ubaldus threw himself between the combatants and they laid down their arms at once, for fear of wounding their bishop. At another time, when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was about to sack Gubbio, Bishop Ubaldus met the Emperor on the road and persuaded him to spare the city.

Mass of a CONFESSOR BISHOP, except

PRAYER
Help us, O Lord, and stretch out Your right hand in compassion to save us from the wickedness of the devil, through the intercession of Your blessed confessor bishop Ubaldus. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE

John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719) was born of a titled family in Rheims. Although a private fortune and a high order of talent promised a brilliant secular career, John Baptist studied for the priesthood (at St. Sulpice), offering his first Mass with an intensity of devotion that never afterward left him. Gradually the heretical mood of the times and the abysmal ignorance of the poor disclosed a special vocation to him" "to teach the poor and to lead the young in the path of truth" (Prayer). Weathering the reverses and heartbreaks that beleaguer every creative spirit, John baptist established the Brothers of the Christian Schools, whose vocation would be to teach and only to teach.
Although good teaching was important to John Baptist, spiritual formation was more so; and, in the face of a rampant Jansenism, he was advocating frequent and even daily Communion. When his foundation was firmly rooted and oriented, he resigned as superior, living thereafter as the humblest of his subjects. He died two years later, on Good Friday.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

PRAYER
O God, You inspired the holy confessor John Baptist to teach the poor and to lead the young in the path of truth, and then founded a new congregation in Your Church through him. May his intercession and example fill us with zeal to glorify You by the saving of souls, so that we may also share his reward in Heaven. Through Our Lord . . .

GOSPEL Matt. 18: 1-5
At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in their midst, and said, "Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whoever, therefore, humbles himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such little child for My sake, receives Me."

SAINT BONIFACE
Martyr

Boniface, a young Roman who lived the early years of the fourth century, was notorious for his dissipated life. But there was much good in Boniface, too; He was always extremely kind to the poor. The hour of grace struck for him when he was asked to journey to Asia Minor to recover the bodies of certain martyrs. At Tarsus Boniface rushed to join a group of Christians being tortured for their Faith, and then he himself was put to death with savage cruelty.

Mass of a MARTYR DURING EASTERTIME, except

PRAYER
O Almighty God, may the prayers of Your blessed martyr Boniface aid us as we celebrate his feast today. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET PRAYER
Accept our offerings and prayers, O Lord. Cleanse us by this heavenly rite, and in Your mercy hear our petitions. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We are refreshed by the reception of Your Sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr Boniface make us feel the benefit of the Sacred Rite we have performed. Through Our Lord . . .

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

ENTRANCE HYMN Isa. 48:20
Declare it with the voice of joy and let it be heard, alleluia! Announce it to th eends of the earth: the Lord has delivered His people, alleluia, alleluia!
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 . . .

PRAYER
O God, the source of all good, grant us Your inspiration that we may have proper thoughts, and Your guidance that we may carry them into practice. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE,
Bishop and Doctor of the Church When the great Italian Jesuit, Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621), was made a cardinal, Pope Clement VIII said of him: "We elect this man because he has not his equal for learning in the Church of God." Untiring in his powerful opposition to the Protestant enemies of the Church, St. Robert wrote masterpieces of apologetic literature, as well as two famous catechisms. He also won souls through his sermons and lectures, but above all through his ardent prayer and the example of his holy life.

O God, You fortified Your blessed bishop and doctor Robert with remarkable learning and courage to expose the dangers of error and defend the rights of the Holy See. May we grow in love of truth, and may they who have been led astray by falsehood come back to the unity of Your Church through the intercession of Your saint. Through Our Lord . . .

READING James 1:22-27
Beloved: But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass. For he beheld himself and went his way and presently forgot what manner of man he was. But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work: this man shall be blessed in his deed. And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation and to keep one's self unspotted from this world.

Alleluia, alleluia!
V. Christ has risen and has given light to us, whom He redeemed with His Blood. Alleluia!
V. John 16:28. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again I leave the world and go to the Father. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 16:23-30
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you: if you ask the Father any thing in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto, you have not asked any thing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive; that your joy may be full. "These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs, but will shew you plainly of the Father. In that day, you shall ask in my name: and I say not to you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loveth you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world: again I leave the world and I go to the Father."
His disciples say to him: "Behold, now thou speakest plainly and speakest no proverb. Now we know that thou knowest all things and thou needest not that any man should ask thee. By this we believe that thou camest forth from God."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 65:8-9, 20
Bless the Lord our God, you nations; loudly sound His praise. he has given life to my soul, and has not let my feet falter. Blessed be the Lord who has not refused my prayer nor His mercy to me, alleluia!

SECRET PRAYER
Accept the prayers and offering of the faithful, O Lord, and let our love and devotion lead us to the glory of heaven. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE
We offer these gifts, O Lord, as a sweet fragrance before You. May the teaching and example of blessed Robert lead us to obey Your commandments with joyous hearts. Through Our Lord . . .


COMMUNION HYMN Ps. 95:2
Sing to the Lord, alleluia! Sing to the Lord, and bless His name; announce His salvation day after day, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Grant that we, who have been fed at Your Heavenly Banquet, O Lord, may desire only what is right and that we may fulfill these holy desires. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE
O Lord Our God, may the Sacrament we have received fire us with the same burning love that consumed blessed Robert and made him spend himself ceaselessly in the service of Your Church. Through Our Lord . . .