Saint Praxidis.
Attributed to Johannes Vermeer (ca. 1655).

SAINT PRAXEDES
Virgin

SIMPLE / WHITE
Praxedes, the daughter of wealthy parents in Rome, consecrated her virginity to God in the second century. Later she renounced her considerable wealth in favor of the poor and of the Church. When Emperor Marcus Antoninus was hunting down the Christians, Praxedes aided the victims of persecution in every way possible. At length she begged Christ that she might be spared from witnessing any longer the fearful sufferings inflicted on her fellow Christians. Her plea was heard, and she was called to the reward of her charity.

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 118:46-47
I spoke of Your testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed; I meditated on Your commandments, which I love dearly.
Ps. 118:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

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

READING I Cor. 7:25-34
Brethren: Concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy. I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none; and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL Ps. 44:8
You loved justice and hated wickedness.
V. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 44:5
In your splendor and your beauty make ready, ride on triumphant, and rule. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 13:44-52
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away. So shall it be in the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the righteous, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. "Have ye understood all these things?" They say unto him, "Yea." And he said unto them, "Therefore every scribe who hath been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 44:3
Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever and for all ages.

SECRET PRAYER
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 . . .

COMMUNION HYMN Matt. 13:45-46
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he finds asingle pearl of great price, he gives all that he has and buys it.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
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 . . .