SAINT GABRIEL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT

DOUBLE / WHITE

Gabriel Possenti (1838-62), the son of a distinguished Italian lawyer, entered the novitiate of the Passionist Fathers, receiving in religion the name of Brother Gabriel of Our lady of Sorrows. The story of the remaining six years of this young saint's life is largely a record of an extraordinary effort to attain spiritual perfection in small things, but his devotion to Mary was exceptional. Pope Leo XIII said of him: "Because of his filial love for Mary at the foot of the cross, he deserves to take his place by St. John, the beloved disciple, to whom Jesus in His dying hour commended His Mother."

INTROIT (Eccli. 11:13)

The eye of God has looked upon him for good, and He has lifted him up from his low estate and has exalted his head; and many have been in admiration of him and have glorified God.
Ps. 72:1. How good is God to Israel, to those whose heart is upright!
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, You taught blessed Gabriel to meditate constantly on the sorrows of Your most sweet Mother, and You exalted him by glorious virtues and miracles. Through his prayers and example may we share the sorrows of Your Mother and come to eternal life under Her motherly care; who lives and rules with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Commemoration of THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT
Saints Cosmas and Damian, were martyred physicians in whose honor the "stational church" of today's liturgy was built.

We honor You, O Lord, in the celebration of the feast of Your blessed Cosmas and Damian. Help us through these saints upon whom, in Your wondrous providence, You have bestowed eternal glory. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE (I John 2:14-17)

Beloved, I write unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. If any man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world is the concupiscence of the flesh and the concupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life, which is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passeth away and the concupiscence thereof: but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever.

GRADUAL (Ps. 30:20)

How great and manifold are the delights, O Lord, which You have stored up for those who fear You!
V. Which You show to them who hope in You, in the sight of the children of men.

TRACT (Ps. 83:6-7, 11, 13)

Blessed is the man whose help is from You; who has determined in his heart to make the journey through the vale of tears to the place he seeks.
V. I had rather to be one of the lowest in the house of my God than to live in the dwelling place of sinners.
V. He will not withhold good things from those who walk in innocence. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!

GOSPEL (Mark 10:13-21)

At that time, they brought to him young children, that he might touch them. And the disciples rebuked them that brought them. Whom when Jesus saw, he was much displeased and saith to them: "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Amen I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter into it." And embracing them and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them.
And when he was gone forth into the way, a certain man, running up and kneeling before him, asked him: "Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting?" And Jesus said to him: "Why callest thou me good? None is good but one, that is God. Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honour thy father and mother."
But he answering, said to him: "Master, all these things I have observed from my youth." And Jesus, looking on him, loved him and said to him: "One thing is wanting unto thee. Go, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor: and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 115:16-17)

O Lord, I am Your servant, and the son of Your handmaiden. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You a sacrifice of praise.

SECRET

We offer You, O Lord, this life-giving sacrifice in memory of blessed Gabriel. make us always remember the sacrifice of Your death, and let us share in the abundant effects of that sacrifice through the merits of the sorrowing Virgin; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT

We honor the glorious death of Your saints, O Lord, in the offering of this sacrifice which has given meaning to all martyrdom. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Apoc. 3:20)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man listens to My voice and opens the door to Me, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, on this feast of Your holy confessor Gabriel, we give thanks for all we have received from You. Graciously accept our gratitude through the hands of the glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, from whom You took flesh--the same flesh that we have received in this Banquet of Salvation; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT

We beg You, O Lord, through the merits of Your blessed martyrs Cosmas and Damian, to let this Sacrament be a sure promise of our salvation. Through Our Lord . . .