TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST
SAINTS HILARION
Abbot
SAINT URSULA
AND HER COMPANIONS
Virgins & Martyrs
DOUBLE / GREEN
ENTRANCE HYMN Esth. 13:9, 10-11
All things depend on Your will, O Lord, and there is no one who can resist Your will. For You have made all things, heaven and earth, and all things that are under the canopy of heaven. You are the Lord of all.
Ps. 118:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .
PRAYER
Keep Your family under Your continual care, O Lord. Shelter it with Your protection from all adversity, that it may be zealous in doing good for the honor of Your name. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT HILARION
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.
Let the Blessed Abbot Hilarion intercede for us, O Lord. May his prayers win us Your help, since our own actions cannot merit it.
Commemoration of SAINT URSULA AND HER COMPANIONS
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.
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 . . .
READING Eph. 6:10-17
Brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his power. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.
Therefore, take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of justice: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).
GRADUAL Ps. 89:1-2
O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generation.
V. Before the mountains were made, or the earth was formed, from eternity to eternity You are God.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 113:1.
When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob fled from a barbarous people. Alleluia!
GOSPEL Matt. 18:23-35
At that time, Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one as brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt.
"But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: 'Pay what thou owest.' And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him, saying: 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt.
"Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came, and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him: and said to him: 'Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee?' And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts."
OFFERTORY HYMN Job 1:2
There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, simple and upright, and fearing God. Satan asked that he might tempt him, and power was given Satan from the Lord over Job's possessions and his flesh; and Satan destroyed all his substance and his children, and afflicted his body with a grievous ulcer.
SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, graciously accept this offering which You in Your boundless mercy instituted to atone for our sins and to restore salvation to us. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT HILARION
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.
Commemoration of SAINT URSULA AND HER COMPANIONS
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 . . .
COMMUNION HYMN Ps. 118:81, 84, 86
My soul looks to Your salvation, and in Your word have I hoped. When will You come in judgment for those who persecute me? The wicked have persecuted me; help me, O Lord my God.
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We have eaten at the banquet of immortality, O Lord. May we cherish with a pure heart this Food which we have received through our lips. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT HILARION
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.
Commemoration of SAINT URSULA AND HER COMPANIONS
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.