SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA
Virgin

DOUBLE / WHITE
Catherine of Siena (1347-80), the daughter of an Italian tradesman, made a vow of virginity, and thereafter endured patiently the reproaches of her disappointed parents. When she was 15, she joined the lay Third Order of St. Dominic, and became one of the Church's greatest mystics and apostles of charity. Inspired by the Holy Ghost, Catherine persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from residence in Avignon and strove zealously to prevent a threatening schism within the Church. As she lay dying, at the age of 33, she recommended particularly to her grieving disciples the striving after Christlike charity. Her mystical Dialogues are widely read and quoted today.

Mass of a VIRGIN, except

COLLECT
Almighty God, we celebrate today the birthday of Your blessed virgin Catherine. May her feast fill us with joy and may we profit by the example of her great faith. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET
O Lord, let this saving victim that we offer on the feast of blessed Catherine come before You with our prayers, breathing the fragrance of spotless purity. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, confer eternal life on us through the Food we have eaten at Your heavenly banquet, from which the blessed virgin Catherine drew support even for her earthly life. Through Our Lord . . .

The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona by Bellini (1509 A.D.)

SAINT PETER OF VERONA
MARTYR

DOUBLE / RED

Peter of Verona (1205-52) entered the Dominican Order and, after his ordination to the priesthood, converted multitudes of heretics in Lombardy. To the fame of his eloquence was soon added his reputation as a wonder-worker. Pope Gregory IX appointed him Inquisitor of the Faith for the greater part of northern Italy. One day as Peter was returning to Milan, two of the heretics waylaid the saint, struck his head with an axe, and then stabbed him to death. He died writing the Creed on the ground in his own blood.

COLLECT
O Almighty God, may we pay honor to the faith of Your blessed martyr Peter with fitting devotion, for this saint was found worthy of the triumph of martyrdom in spreading the faith. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ . . .

EPISTLE II Tim. 2:8-10; 3:10-12
Dearly beloved: Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel: Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

SECRET
O Lord, look with kindness on the prayers we offer You through the intercession of Your blessed martyr Peter. Keep the defenders of the faith under Your continual protection. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
May the Sacrament that we have received safeguard the faithful, O Lord. Protect them against the attacks of their enemies through the intercession of Your blessed martyr Peter. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS
Confessor

SAINT VITALIS
Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
The central fact of the long life of Paul of the Cross (1694-1775) was his ardent sharing in the sufferings of the passion of Our Lord. Born in Piedmont of holy parents, Paul began at the age of 15 to engage in severe penitential practices. In 1720, inspired by a vision, he conceived the idea of a new religious order. Surmounting difficulties that would have finally discouraged a less humble and dedicated man, he established the Congregation of the Passion. The fame of the Passionists' missions and of their ascetical spirit soon spread far beyond the frontiers of Italy.

INTROIT Gal. 2:19-20
With Christ I am nailed to the cross. It is now no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. I liver in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 40:2. Blessed is he who has regard for the lowly and the poor; in the day of misfortune the Lord will deliver him.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Lord Jesus Christ, You endowed blessed Paul with a special love to preach the mystery of Your cross and raised up a new community in the Church through him. May his intercession make us always mindful of Your passion so that we may share in its reward in heaven; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT VITALIS
At Ravenna during the third century, under Marcus Aurelius, Vitalis was tortured for having confessed Christ, and then was buried alive.

O Almighty God, grant that we who celebrate the birthday of Your blessed martyr Vitalis may be made stronger in our love of You through his intercession. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Cor. 1:17-25
Brethren: Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void. For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise: and the prudence of the prudent I will reject. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. For both the Jews require signs: and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men: and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. II Cor. 5:15; Rom. 8:17
Christ died for all, in order that they who are alive may live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Alleluia!
V. But if we are sons, we are heirs also: heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ, provided, however, we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 10:1-9
At that time, the Lord appointed also other seventy-two. And he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come. And he said to them: "The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he send labourers into his harvest. Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein and say to them: 'The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.' "

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Eph. 5:2
Walk in love, as Christ also loved us and delivered Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God to ascend in fragrant odor, alleluia!

SECRET
O Lord, may the mysteries of Your passion and death stir up in us the same divine ardor that inspired blessed Paul to offer with the holy sacrifice of the mass his own body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT VITALIS
Accept our offerings and prayers, O Lord. Cleanse us by this heavenly rite, and in Your mercy hear our petitions. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON I Peter 4:13
Rejoice, in so far as you are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice with exultation in the revelation of His glory, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, we have received Your Sacrament which is a perpetual reminder of Your boundless love. May the merits and example of blessed Paul help us to draw from Your fountains the water that springs upward to eternal life. May they also engrave the memory of Your sacred passion on our hearts, so that it will show itself in the conduct of our lives; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT VITALIS
O Lord our God, may we who now joyfully commemorate Your saints on earth rejoice one day with them in heaven. Through Our Lord . . .

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

SAINT PETER CANISIUS
Confessor and Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE
INTROIT 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 . . .

COLLECT
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 PETER CANISIUS
Peter Canisius (1521-97) was drawn to the Society of Jesus by the preaching of Bl. Peter Faber, the first disciple of St. Ignatius. Peter Canisius realized that in the Germany where Luther had recently been preaching heresy, many Catholics had no clear knowledge of their religion. He wrote a catechism that was of incomparable value to the heroic missioners of the Catholic Counter Reformation. He was a pioneer of the Catholic press, and founder of many Catholic colleges in Germany, Austria, and Bohemia.

O God, You made the blessed confessor Peter a bulwark of virtue and learning in the defense of the Catholic Faith. May his example and teaching lead the erring back to the path of salvation and strengthen the faithful in bearing witness to the truth. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE 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 ANTIPHON 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
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 PETER CANISIUS
May the holy prayer of Saint Peter Canisius, Thy Confessor and Doctor, fail us not, O Lord: may it render our offerings acceptable, and ever obtain for us Thy pardon. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON 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
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 PETER CANISIUS
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that blessed Peter Canisius, Thy Confessor and illustrious Doctor may join his prayers to ours that this Thy Sacrifice may bring us salvation. Through our Lord . . .

SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS
Popes and Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED
Cletus was third in the succession of popes after Peter. He died a martyr about A.D. 91, during the reign of Emperor Domitian. Like Pope Cletus, Pope Marcellinus was a Roman. He was Vicar of Christ from 296 to 304, and acquired great glory during the stormy persecution of Diocletian, who ordered his beheading.

Mass of a POPE, except

COLLECT
O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Cletus 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 . . .

O God, you have founded Your Church firmly upon the rock of Your apostles and defended her against the fearful powers of hell. May the intercession of the blessed martyr and supreme pontiff Marcellinus preserve her always unwavering in Your truth and keep her safe under Your protection. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT MARK
Evangelist

THE GREATER LITANIES

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / RED
In the year 47, the young John Mark aided St. Paul and St. Barnabas (Mark's cousin) in the evangelization of the island of Cyprus. Later Mark became the beloved companion and secretary of Pope Peter in Rome. He set down in writing Peter's sermons about the sayings and the public ministry of Jesus, and so composed the second Gospel of the New Testament. Its terse, picturesque language must have been very close to the words of the former fisherman of Galilee. The writings of both St. Peter and St. Paul show that John Mark evangelized many districts of Asia Minor. Tradition claims also that St. Mark was founder of the Church of Alexandria and won the glory of martyrdom in that Egyptian city.

INTROIT Ps. 63:3
You have protected me, O God, from the throng of the evildoers, alleluia! from the multitude of malefactors, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 63:2. Hear, O God, my prayer of supplication; deliver me from the fear of the enemy.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, Your grace raised up the blessed evangelist Mark to preach the Gospel. May we always profit by his teaching and find refuge in his intercession. through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the MASS OF ROGATION
In our difficulties, O Almighty God, we rely upon Your loving mercy. Let Your protection shield us from all harm. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON Ezech. 1:10-14
And as for the likeness of their faces: there was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four: and the face of an ox, on the left side of all the four: and the face of an eagle over all the four. And their faces, and their wings were stretched upward: two wings of every one were joined, and two covered their bodies: And every one of them went straight forward: whither the impulse of the spirit was to go, thither they went: and they turned not when they went. And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This was the vision running to and fro in the midst of the living creatures, a bright fire, and lightning going forth from the fire. And the living creatures ran and returned like flashes of lightning.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 88:6; 20:4
The heavens proclaim Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the assembly of the saints. Alleluia!
V. You have placed on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 10:1-9
At that time, the Lord appointed also other seventy-two. And he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come. And he said to them: "The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he send labourers into his harvest. Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein and say to them: 'The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.' "

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 88:6
The heavens proclaim Your wonders, O Lord, and Your truth in the assembly of the saints, alleluia, alleluia!

SECRET
O Lord, we offer You these gifts on the feast of Your blessed evangelist Mark. May the intercession of this illustrious preacher make us pleasing to You in word and deed. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the MASS OF ROGATION
O Lord, may these offerings free us from the bondage of sin and win for us the gift of Your mercy. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 63:11
The just man rejoices in the Lord and trusts in Him; and all the upright of heart glory in Him, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may Your holy Sacrament always protect and shield us from all adversity through the prayers of Your blessed evangelist Mark. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the MASS OF ROGATION
Mercifully grant us our requests, O Lord, that the consolation we receive in our grievous troubles may increase our love for You. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN
Martyr

SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA PELLETIER
Virgin
(For the Religious of the Good Shepherd)

DOUBLE / RED
Fidelis (1577-1622), a native of southern Germany, became a lawyer of such noble integrity that he was known as "The Advocate of the Poor." In the year 1612 he entered the Capuchin Order and was sent as a missioner to Switzerland. He had marked success in persuading Protestant Swiss to return to the Catholic Church. Eventually Father Fidelis was waylaid by a band of ruffians. One of them felled the priest with a violent blow, and as he struggled to his knees, another of the murderers stabbed the martyr. He died after uttering the prayer, "Lord, forgive my enemies!"

Mass of a MARTYR DURING EASTERTIME, except

COLLECT
O God, You set the heart of Fidelis on fire with a seraphic love, and granted him both the triumph of martyrdom and the gift of miracles in preaching the true faith. May his merits and prayers make us strong in faith and love, so that by Your grace we may be faithful in Your service until death. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA PELLETIER

O God, by Your gift the blessed virgin Mary Euphrasia followed in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd. May we imitate her example on earth to gain the rewards of heaven promised to those who are merciful. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT GEORGE
Martyr

SIMPLE / RED
George from an illustrious family, was a Cappadocian who who fought in the Roman army during the third century. He rebuked Diocletian when that ruler began to persecute the Christians, and was in consequence tortured and beheaded. The brave and defiant cheerfulness of the young officer during his torture was so great an inspiration to Christians of succeeding centuries that both the East and the West surrounded his bright figure with clusters of beautiful legends. St. George is the patron of England, and Christian soldiers. He was especially venerated in Christian Russia.

Mass of a MARTYR DURING EASTERTIME, except

COLLECT
O God, the merits and prayers of Your blesses martyr George are a source of happiness for us. Grant us as a gift of grace the blessings we seek through him. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Tim. 2:8-10; 3:10-12
Dearly Beloved: Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel: Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

SECRET
Bless these gifts we offer You, O Lord, and through the intercession of Your blessed martyr George may they cleanse us from the stain of our sins. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
Almighty God, we humbly ask through the intercession of Your blessed martyr George that those who are nourished with Your Sacrament may live a life of worthy service pleasing to You. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINTS SOTER AND CAIUS
Popes and Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED
In 166 Soter succeeded Pope Anicetus on the Throne of St. Peter and was martyred some ten years later. Pope Soter was solicitous for the poor, and he consoled with the tenderness of a father the Christians who suffered persecution for their beliefs. Pope Caius, who died about the year 296, is said to have been a Dalmatian. Like all the Vicars of Christ in the first centuries, St. Soter and St. Caius were constant in uniting their sufferings to those of the Divine Redeemer and "in Him bore much fruit".

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

O God, You have founded Your Church firmly upon the rock of Your apostles and defended her against the fearful powers of hell. May the intercession of the blessed martyr and supreme pontiff Caius preserve her always unwavering in Your truth and keep her safe under Your protection. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET
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.

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts which we joyfully offer to You. May Your Church, through the prayers of blessed Caius, always live in peace and rejoice in the security of her faith. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
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.

O Lord, increase the spirit of grace which You have bestowed upon Your Church. Let the prayers of Your martyr and supreme pontiff 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 . . .

SAINT ANSELM
Bishop and Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE
Anselm (c. 1033-1109), an Italian, studied at the Abbey of Bec in Normandy, and there became a Benedictine monk. Anselm was an original and profound thinker and because of his writings he is considered the father of Scholasticism. He later became Archbishop of Canterbury in England. He suffered much at the hands of Kings William II and Henry I, who persisted in encroaching on the spiritual jurisdiction belonging to the Church alone.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

COLLECT
O God, may blessed Anselm intercede for us in heaven as he once instructed Your faithful on earth and directed them in the way of eternal salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

DOUBLE / WHITE
INTROIT Ps. 97:1, 2
Sing to the Lord a new canticle, alleluia! For the Lord has done wondrous deeds, alleluia! He has revealed His justice in the sight of the nations, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 97:1. His right hand has won him victory, and his holy arm has brought salvation.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, in whom all the faithful are united in one mind, let Your people everywhere love Your commandments and yearn for Your promises, so that, even amid the changes of this world, their hearts may always be fixed upon the true happiness of heaven. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE James 1:17-21
Beloved: Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creature.
You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God. Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 117:16 The right hand of the Lord has exercised power, the right hand of the Lord has lifted me up. Alleluia!
Rom. 6:9 Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death shall no longer have dominion over Him. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 16:5-14
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: 'Whither goest thou?' But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go. For if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin and of justice and of judgment. Of sin: because they believed not in me. And of justice: because I go to the Father: and you shall see me no longer. And of judgment: because the prince of this world is already judged. "I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak. And the things that are to come, he shall shew you. He shall glorify me: because he shall receive of mine and shall shew it to you."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 65:1-2, 16
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to the glory of His name. Come and hear, all you who fear God, the great things the Lord has done for me, alleluia!

SECRET
O God, who allows us to share in Your own divine nature by partaking of this sacrifice, grant that our conduct may be guided by Your revealed truth. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 16:8
When the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Help us, O Lord our God, that we may be cleansed from sin and shielded from all dangers by these Gifts which we receive with faith. Through Our Lord . . .

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

SAINT ELPHEGE
Bishop & Martyr
[Historical]

SAINT LEO IX
Pope
[Historical]

Friday, April 18, 2008

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)
[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

SAINT APOLLONIUS

Martyr (Historical)

SAINT ANICETUS
Pope and Martyr

SIMPLE / RED
Anicetus, who was of Syrian ancestry, was pope from about the year 152 to the year 160. He took a firm stand against contemporary heresies. Although he did not actually shed his blood for the Faith, he merited the title of Martyr through the sufferings he endured in the government of the persecuted Church.

Mass of a POPE

COLLECT
O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Anicetus shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this Martyr and Supreme Pontiff move you to look with favor upon Your flock and to keep it under Your continual protection. Through Our Lord . . .

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

SAINT JUSTIN
Martyr

SAINTS TIBURTIUS, VALERIAN, & MAXIMUS
Martyrs

DOUBLE / RED
Attracted by the supernatural fortitude of Christian Martyrs, Justin studied the Scriptures, was baptized at about the age of 30, and found peace in a humble acceptance of his new faith. Believing that reason is a vital auxiliary of faith, this "apologist" opened at Rome the first school of Christian philosophy and became its most eminent teacher. Emperor Marcus Aurelius had Justin scourged and put to death in the year 165.

INTROIT Ps. 118:85, 46
The wicked have told me idle tales, which are not according to Your law; but I spoke of Your testimonies before kings and I was not ashamed, Alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 118:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, who through the foolishness of the cross didst teach the blessed Martyr Justin the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ: enable us by his intercession to put away all deceits of error and obtain steadfastness of faith. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS TIBURTIUS, VALERIAN, AND MAXIMUS
About the year 229, the brothers Tiburtius and Valerian converted their executioner Maximus by the example of their courage. Then all three were martyred in the Roman arena.

Almighty God, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who keep the solemn festival of Thy holy Martyrs Tiburtius, Valerian and Maximus, may also follow the example of their virtues. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Cor. 1:18-25, 30
Brethren: For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise: and the prudence of the prudent I will reject. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. For both the Jews require signs: and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men: and the weakness of God is stronger than men. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and justice and sanctification and redemption.

ALLELUIA, alleluia! V. I Cor. 3:19, 20; Philipp. 3:8
The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it is written: The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain, Alleluia.
Furthermore, I count all things to be but loss, for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 12:2-8
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed: nor hidden that shall not be known. For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers shall be preached on the housetops. And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will shew you whom you shall fear: Fear ye him who, after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you: Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows. And I say to you: Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the Angels of God."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON I Cor. 2:2
For I judged not myself to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Alleluia!

SECRET
Graciously receive, O Lord God, these our oblations, the wondrous Mystery of which Thy holy Martyr Justin resolutely defended against the calumny of the ungodly. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT TIBURTIUS AND HIS COMPANIONS
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that this Sacrifice, which we offer in celebration of the heavenly birthday of Thy holy Martyrs, may loosen the bonds of our sins and obtain for us the gifts of Thy mercy. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON 2 Tim. 4:6
There is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just Judge, will render to me in that day. Alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
We who have been refreshed with heavenly food, humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, that following the teaching of blessed Justin, Thy Martyr, we may ever give thanks for the gifts we have received. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT TIBURTIUS AND HIS COMPANIONS
Filled with Thy sacred gifts, O Lord, we humbly beseech that this rite of dur submission which we celebrate may bring us evident increase of Thy saving grace. Through our Lord . . .

The triumph of St. Hermenegild

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

SAINT HERMENEGILD Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
INTROIT Ps. 65:1-2
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, alleluia, alleluia! Sing a psalm to the glory of His name, Alleluia, Proclaim His glorious praise, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 65:3. Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds, O Lord! because of Your great strength Your enemies cringe before You."
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Show us the light of Your truth, O God, which guides the sinner back to th epath of justice. Let those who profess to be Christians avoid whatever will endanger their faith, and follow those things which will help it. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT HERMENEGILD
In the sixth century Hermenegild, the elder son of King Leovigild, the heretical Visigothic ruler of Spain, married a French princess and was converted to the true religion by her holy example. King Leovigild regarded the converted prince as a traitor and had him put to death. But remorse worked on the royal father's heart, and he died advising his remaining son to become a Catholic and thus to bring the whole nation of the Visigoths in Spain into the Catholic Church.

O God, who didst teach blessed Hermenegild, Thy Martyr, to choose the heavenly kingdom rather than an earthly throne: grant us, we beseech Thee, that, following his example, we may despise the fleeting things of time and seek what is eternal. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Peter 2:11-19.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul, Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God's sake: whether it be to the king as excelling, Or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good. For so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle but also to the forward. For this is thankworthy: if, for conscience towards God, a man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 110:9
The Lord has sent deliverance to His people. Alleluia!
V. Luke 24:26. Thus Christ should suffer and should rise again from the dead and should enter into His glory. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 16:16-22.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "A little while, and now you shall not see Me: and again a little while, and you shall see Me: because I go to the Father." Then some of his disciples said one to another: "What is this that he saith to us: A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me, and, Because I go to the Father?" They said therefore: "What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he speaketh."
And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask him. And he said to them: "Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said: A little while, and you shall not see Me; and again a little while, and you shall see Me? Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow: but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice. And your joy no man shall take from you."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 145:2
Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live, alleluia!

SECRET
May this sacred rite help us to overcome our earthly desires, O Lord, and teach us to love the things of heaven. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT HERMENEGILD
Accept our offerings and prayers, O Lord. Cleanse us by this heavenly rite, and in Your mercy hear our petitions. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 16:16
A little while and you shall see Me no longer, alleluia! and again a little while and you shall see Me, because I go to the Father, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may the Sacrament which we have received strengthen us in spirit and comfort us in body. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT HERMENEGILD
O Lord Our God, may we who now joyfully commemorate Your Saints on earth rejoice one day with them in Heaven. Through our Lord . . .

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)
[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

SAINT LEO I
Pope, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE
Pope Leo I (440-461) governed the Church when it was being attacked from within by heretics (Nestorians and Monophysites) and from without by the northern barbarians. By his fearless holiness and learning, Pope Leo overcame the heretics. He stopped the advance of Attila, "the scourge of God," at the very gates of Rome. He attributed all the fruits of his great labors to St. Peter, the glorious Prince of the Apostles. St. Peter, he often declared, lives and governs in Peter's successors.

Mass of a POPE

COLLECT
Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Leo Thy Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ . . .

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)
[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

What's Behind Liturgical Abuses?

Interview With Leader of Traditional Mass Community

By Alexandre Ribeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, APRIL 9, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The bishop of a Brazilian community that celebrates the Mass according to the 1962 missal contends that abuses in the liturgy can be attributed to the lack of a serious spirituality.

Read this interview here: ZENIT.ORG

"Domine, Quo Vadis"
by Annibale Carracci

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)
[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

SAINT JULIA BILLIART
Virgin

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
Julia Billiart (1751-1816), a Frenchwoman, was crippled by paralysis from her 22nd to her 44th year. Miraculously cured, she founded the Institute of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, for the care and Christian education of poor girls.

Mass of a VIRGIN, except

COLLECT
O God, You willed that through blessed Julia's invincible love of Your Cross she should enrich Your Church by the establishment of a new congregation dedicated to the teaching of poor children. May her intercession help us to endure suffering courageously, so that we may attain to the happiness of eternal life. Through our Lord . . .

SECRET
Grant, O God, that the Holy Spirit may fill us with the light of faith as we celebrate these divine mysteries, even as He constantly enlightened blessed Julia in her work of promoting Your glory. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
We are refreshed by Your banquet of heaven, O Lord. May our trust in You always be firm amid the trials of earth, through the prayers of blessed Julia. Through our Lord . . .

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)
[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

Saint Isidore of Seville
Bishop, Confessor & Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE
St. Isidore was born at Cartagena, Spain, about 560. He was the son of Severianus and Theodora. His elder brother Leander was his immediate predecessor in the Metropolitan See of Seville; while a younger brother St. Fulgentius presided over the Bishopric of Astigi. His sister Florentina was a nun, and is said to have ruled over forty convents and one thousand religious.

St. Isidore received his elementary education in the Cathedral school of Seville. With such diligence did he apply himself to study that in a remarkably short time mastered Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Whether St. Isidore ever embraced monastic life or not is still an open question, but though he himself may never have been affiliated with any of the religious orders, he esteemed them highly. On his elevation to the episcopate he immediately constituted himself protector of the monks.

On the death of Leander, Isidore succeeded to the See of Seville. St. Isidore presided over the Second Council of Seville in 619. But it was the Fourth National Council of Toledo 633 that afforded him the opportunity of being of the greatest service to his county. At this council, all the bishops of Spain were in attendance. St. Isidore, though far advanced in years, presided over its deliberations, and was the originator of most of its enactments. It was at this council and through his influence that a decree was promulgated commanding all bishops to establish seminaries in their Cathedral Cities, along the lines of the school already existing at Seville. Within his own jurisdiction he had availed himself of the resources of education to counteract the growing influence of Gothic barbarism. His was the quickening spirit that animated the educational movement of which Seville was the center. The study of Greek and Hebrew as well as the liberal arts, was prescribed. Interest in law and medicine was also encouraged. Through the authority of the fourth council this policy of education was made obligatory upon all the bishops of the kingdom. Long before the Arabs had awakened to an appreciation of Greek Philosophy, he had introduced Aristotle to his countrymen. He was the first Christian writer to essay the task of compiling for his co-religionists a summa of universal knowledge. This encyclopedia epitomized all learning, ancient as well as modern. In it many fragments of classical learning are preserved which otherwise had been hopelessly lost. The fame of this work imparted a new impetus to encyclopedic writing, which bore abundant fruit in the subsequent centuries of the Middle Ages. His style, though simple and lucid, cannot be said to be classical. It discloses most of the imperfections peculiar to all ages of transition. It particularly reveals a growing Visigothic influence. Arevalo counts in all Isidore's writing 1640 Spanish words.

St. Isidore was the last of the ancient Christian Philosophers, as he was the last of the great Latin Fathers. He was undoubtedly the most learned man of his age and exercised a far-reaching and immeasurable influence on the educational life of the Middle Ages.

He died April 4, 636.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

COLLECT
O God, may blessed Isidore intercede for us in heaven as he once instructed Your faithful on earth and directed them in the way of eternal salvation. Through our Lord . . .

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)
[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

SAINT FRANCIS OF PAULA
Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
When Francis left home in 15th century Paula (Italy) to live as a hermit, disciples soon gathered round him, to form an austere religious order, the Minim Friars, or Minims. Francis had the gifts of miracles and prophecy, and led many sinners to repentance. When Louis XI, the "Spider King" of France, was dying, he sent for Francis to cure him. Francis did not save his life, but wrought a profound change of heart in him, and Louis died in his arms. In gratitude his son Charles VIII honored and consulted him, and generously supported the order.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

COLLECT
O God, you are the reward of the humble; You crowned the blessed confessor Francis with the glory of sainthood. Through his merits and prayers let us obtain the happiness You promised to those who are humble of heart. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Philipp. 3:7-12
But the things that were gain to me, the same I have counted loss for Christ. Furthermore, I count all things to be but loss for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but as dung, that I may gain Christ. And may be found in him, not having my justice, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ Jesus, which is of God: justice in faith. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings: being made conformable to his death, If by any means I may attain to the resurrection which is from the dead. Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect: but I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend, wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus.

SECRET
O Lord, may these gifts, which Your devoted people have placed upon Your altar, please You through the merits of blessed Francis. Mercifully grant that they may aid our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

The Preface for Easter is said.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may this Sacrament of Heaven which we have received help us in this life and in the life to come through the intercession of Your blessed confessor Francis. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT JOSEPH

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Confessor

Patron of the Universal Church
[Transferred from March 19]

Joseph, a member of the royal family of David, was leading the obscure life of a village carpenter when God chose him to be th espouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of the Incarnate Word. Scripture tells us that Joseph was just, pure, gentle, prudent, and a lover of holy silence. Above all, this humble guardian of the Child Jesus was unfailingly obedient to the divine will.
Joseph is not mentioned after he and Mary lost the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple and, following three days of agonized search, found their boy discoursing divinely with the learned doctors of the Law. The great task of the foster father of Christ must have been finished before the marriage feast at Cana and the beginning of the Savior's public ministry. Untold millions have since then invoked St. Joseph as the patron of a happy death.

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
INTROIT (Ps. 91:13-14)
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Ps. 91:2. It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Lord, may the merits of the spouse of Your most Holy Mother assist us, so that what we cannot obtain through our own efforts we may have through his intercession; who lives and rules with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

LESSON (Eccli. 45:1-6) [Sirac]
Beloved of God, and men: whose memory is in benediction.
He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.
He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.
He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh.
For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud.
And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction.

ALLELUIA

Alleluia, alleluia! (Eccli. 45:9; Os. 14:6)
V. The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia!
V. The just man shall blossom as the lily, and shall flourish forever before the Lord. Alleluia!

GOSPEL (Matt. 1:18-21)
When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 88:25)
My truth and My mercy shall be with him; and in My name shall his power be exalted.

SECRET
We worship You, O Lord, as it is our duty. Guard the gifts You have bestowed upon us through the prayers of blessed Joseph, the spouse of the Mother of Jesus, Your Son and our Lord. We offer You this sacrifice of praise on his feast day. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Matt. 1:20)
Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to thee Mary thy wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit.

POSTCOMMUNION
Be close to us, O merciful God, and through the prayers of Your blessed confessor Joseph, watch over the gifts You have given us. Through Our Lord . . .