St. Mary Major

Altar Canopy and Apse

TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

THE DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH
OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOW

DOUBLE / GREEN 

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 54:17, 18, 20, 23 

When I called upon the Lord, He heard my voice and delived me from those who war against me. He humbled them, He who is from eternity and remains forever. Cast your care upon the Lord, and He will support you. 

Ps. 54:2. Hearken, O God, to my prayer and turn not from my pleading; give heed to me, and answer me. 

V. Glory be . . . 

PRAYER 

O God, Your almighty power is made most evident in Your mercy and pity. Be even more merciful toward us, that we may aspire after Your promises and come to share Your heavenly rewards. Through our Lord . . . 

Commemoration of THE DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOW 

This church is also called St. Mary Major because it is, both in antiquity and dignity, the most eminent among churches in Rome dedicated to God in honor of the Blessed Virgin. A popular legend relates that the Mother of God herself chose the site of this church, indicating it by a miraculous fall of snow on this spot in summer. By the generosity of the devout Spanish sovereigns, the ceiling of the great nave of the church is covered with the first gold brought from the New World. 

Grant Your servants continual health of mind and body, O Lord God, and let the intercession of the blessed ever-Virgin Mary gain for us freedom from our present sorrow so that we may enjoy everlasting happiness. Through our Lord . . .

READING I Cor. 12:2-11 

Brethren: You know that when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols, according as you were led. Wherefore, I give you to understand that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus. And no man can say "The Lord Jesus," but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministries. but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: To another, faith in the same spirit: to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit: To another the working of miracles: to another, prophecy: to another, the discerning of spirits: to another, diverse kinds of tongues: to another, interpretation of speeches. But all these things, one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as he will. 

GRADUAL Ps. 16:8, 2 

Keep me as the apple of Your eye, O Lord; protect me under the shadow of Your wings. 

V. Let my judgment come from You; let Your eyes behold what is right. 

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 64:2. 

It is fitting to praise You in Sion, O God, and to fulfill our vow to You in Jerusalem. Alleluia! 

GOSPEL Luke 18:9-14 

At that time, Jesus spoke this parable also to some who trusted in themselves as just and despised others. "Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: 'O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." 

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 24:1-3 

I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord; I place my trust in You, O my God. Let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies exult over me. No one who waits for You shall be left in confusion. 

SECRET PRAYER 

This Sacrifice was instituted by You, O Lord, to give glory to Your name. May we offer it in such a manner that we may find in it healing for our weaknesses. Through our Lord . . . 

Commemoration of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 

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

COMMUNION HYMN Ps. 50:21 

You shall be pleased with sacrifices which are Your due; with oblations and holocausts offered upon Your altar, O Lord. 

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER 

O Lord our God, do not withhold Your gracious assistance from us, for by Your heavenly Sacrament we are ever made new. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the BLESSES VIRGIN MARY 

O Lord, grant that we who have received the Sacrament of our salvation may be protected through the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, in whose honor we have offered this Sacrifice to Your majesty. Through our Lord . . .