Our Lady Virgin and Queen

The Burial of Saint Petronilla by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (1623)

MARY, OUR QUEEN

SAINT PETRONILLA
Virgin

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / WHITE
In his prayer to Our Queen Mother, Pope Pius XII recognized Her Queenship as due to the sovereign excellence of Her entire being: "O most sweet Mother of Him who is King by right, by inheritance, and by conquest." The Holy Father hailed the reign of Mary over the angels, the saints, and the entire human race. He asked the special aid of the Queen of Heaven and earth for those who do not yet know Her divine Son, and for the persecuted members of the Church that they may never yield under unjust compulsion. "Reign over the minds of men, that they may seek only what is true; over their wills, that they may follow only what is good; over their hearts, that they may love only what You yourself love."

INTROIT
Let us all rejoice in the Lord as we celebrate the feast in honor of our Queen, the Blessed Virgin, upon which the angels rejoice and praise the Son of God.
Ps. 44:2. My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Lord, bestow peace in this life and glory in the life to come upon all who celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Queen. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PETRONILLA
Aurelia Petronilla was guided in the Faith by St. Peter, the first pope. She died three days after refusing to marry a pagan nobleman, Flaccus, in A.D. 60. There is no historical proof that she was martyred, but an early fresco clearly represents her as a martyr. St. Petronilla is especially honored in France.

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

LESSON Eccli. 24:5, 7, 9-11, 30-31
I came out of the mouth of the Most High, the firstborn before all creatures; I dwelt in the highest places, and my throne is in a pillar of a cloud. I have stood in all the earth and in every people, and in every nation I have had the chief rule; and by my power I have trodden under my feet the hearts of all the high and low. He who hearkens to me, shall not be confounded, and they who work by me, shall not sin; they who explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL Apoc. 19:16; Ps. 44:10
Upon His cloak and upon His thigh He has written the name: King of kings and Lord of lords.
V. The queen stands at His right hand, clad in robes of gold from Ophir.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.
Hail, O Queen of mercy. Shield us from our enemy, and receive us at the hour of death. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 1:26-33
At that time, And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
Mary has come forth from a royal race and is crowned with glory. We earnestly plead with heart and soul for the assistance of Her prayers.

SECRET
O Lord, receive the gifts of Your jubilant Church and let them assist us toward salvation through the merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Queen. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PETRONILLA
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 ANTIPHON
O Ever-Virgin Mary, the most royal Queen of the world who gave birth to Christ the Lord, the Savior of all men, obtain peace and salvation for us.

POSTCOMMUNION
We have celebrated the Sacred Mysteries with joy, O Lord, on this feast of Holy Mary, our Queen. may the Sacrifice that we have jubilantly offered in Mary's honor bring us to our eternal salvation through Her intercession. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PETRONILLA
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 . . .

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
The heart stands for love. The human heart of Jesus stands both for His human love and for the infinite love of His divine Person. His love was not just a shimmering, dreamy softness; it was wisely strong and true to its eternal purposes. Despite the anguish of Gethsemane, His love yielded His human life to crucifixion. His love had all the majesty and fullness of God, a height and a depth that make paltry the wisdom of men. Every mystery of His life, every miracle, sermon, and kindness, was a new revelation of divine love that enlightens and warms mankind.

INTROIT Ps. 32:11, 19
The thoughts of His heart stand through all generations, to deliver their souls from death, and keep them alive in spite of famine.
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, through Your mercy we possess the treasures of Your love in the Sacred Heart of Your Son, the same Sacred Heart which we wounded by our sins. May our honor, devotion, and love make reparation to Him for our faults. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Eph. 3:8-12, 14-19
Brethren: To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

GRADUAL Ps. 24:8-9
The Lord is kind and just, therefore He shows even the erring the way.
V. He guides the humble in justice, He teaches the meek His way.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Matt. 11:29
Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 19:31-37
At that time, the Jews, since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth--that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 68:21
My heart dreaded reproach and misery, and I looked for someone to sympathize with Me, but there was none. I sought for someone to comfort Me, and I found none.

SECRET
O Lord, behold the love in the heart of Your beloved Son, which no tongue can describe. Because of that love, accept our gift as an offering in atonement for our sins. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 19:34
One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord Jesus, let the Blessed Sacrament fire us with a holy fervor, that we may experience the sweetness of Your loving Heart and learn to prefer the things of Heaven to those of earth; who lives and reigns with God the Father . . .

SAINT MARY MAGDALEN OF PAZZI
Virgin

SIMPLE / WHITE
Mary Magdalen of Pazzi (1566-1607) was born of an illustrious family in Florence. When she was ten years of age, she made a vow of virginity. After she had become a Carmelite nun, she entered upon a life of extraordinary penance for the sins of others. There was nothing forbidding, however, in the character of this great penitent. On the contrary, her heart was so suffused with the love of God that her sister religious felt in it her love of themselves. She was also famous for her visions. Her motto was "To suffer and not to die."

Mass of a VIRGIN, except

COLLECT
O God, lover of chastity, who didst inflame the blessed Virgin, Mary Magdalen, with love for Thee and didst adorn her with heavenly gifts, grant that as we honor her on this festal day, so may we follow her in purity and love. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY
Bishop and Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
St. Augustine, sent by St. Gregory the Great to the Anglo-Saxons, is the great Apostle of England and the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He died A.D. 604.

Mass of a CONFESSOR BISHOP, except

COLLECT
O God, who by the preaching and miracles of blessed Augustine, Thy Confessor and Bishop, didst vouchsafe to shed upon the English people the light of the true faith, grant that, through his intercession, the hearts of the straying may return to the unity of Thy truth, and that we may do Thy will with one accord. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Thess. 2:2-9
Brethren: We had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit. But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proveth our hearts. For neither have we used at any time the speech of flattery, as you know: nor taken an occasion of covetousness (God is witness): Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others. Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children: So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us. For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God.

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."

SECRET
We offer Thee this Sacrifice, O Lord, on the solemn feast of blessed Augustine, Thy Bishop and Confessor, humbly entreating that the sheep which are lost may return to the one fold, and be nourished by this food of salvation. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
We who are refreshed by this Saving Victim, humbly entreat Thee, O Lord, that through the intercession of blessed Augustine pleading for us, it may continually be offered in every place to the glory of Thy name. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE
Confessor and Doctor of the Church

SAINT JOHN I
Pope and Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
Venerable Bede (673-735), the first English historian, was consecrated to God from childhood. He became a Benedictine monk in the monastery of Jarrow in Northumberland, and trained there some six hundred scholars. His Ecclesiastical History of England is a treasure to scholars and lovers of spiritual life alike; but his principal study was ever the Bible. When this great Englishman died, on Ascension Day, 735, he had just finished dictating the final sentence of a translation of the Gospel of St. John.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

COLLECT
O God, who dost enlighten Thy Church by the learning of blessed Bede, Thy Confessor and Doctor, mercifully grant to Thy servants ever to be enlightened by his wisdom and helped by his merits. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN I
Pope John I (525-26) was imprisoned by the heretical ravager of Italy, King Theodoric, and died in a dungeon from the hardships he had to endure.

O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed John 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 . . .

SECRET
O Lord, let the blessed Confessor and Doctor Bede always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN I
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. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may this Sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed Confessor and illustrious Doctor Bede. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN I
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. Through our Lord . . .

PRESS RELEASE FROM YOUNG CATHOLIC ADULTS
(NOW AFFILIATED TO THE
INTERNATIONAL
JUVENTUTEM FEDERATION)
For Immediate Release

25th May 2008

Traditional Young Catholic Adult Groups Obtain the Backing of the Vatican as they merge in wake of Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum

Benedict XVI wrote on 7th July 2007: “Immediately after the Second Vatican Council, it might have been imagined that the demand for the use of the 1962 Missal would have been limited to the older generation, which had grown up with it, but it has since become clear that young people were also discovering this liturgical form, feeling attracted to it and finding in it a type of contact with the Most Holy Eucharist which suited them particularly well” (Letter to the Bishops, accompanying the Motu Proprio “Summorum Pontificum“.

Since this groundbreaking document the various groups of younger Catholics attached to the Traditional form of Mass have merged. Young Catholic Adults is one such organisation. It was founded in February 2004 at Oxford in the UK it uses the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite and the traditional devotions of the Church. Juventutem, which was also founded in 2004, is an international lay movement, which also uses the Extraordinary form of Mass and the traditional practices of the Church as a means of bringing people to Christ .

The Support of the Vatican

In January 2008 the International Juventutem Federation obtained the backing of no other than Cardinal Castrillion Hoyos a close friend and confidant of Pope Benedict himself. In a frank letter he wrote:-

`You are young Catholics, loyal to the hierarchy of the Church and attracted by the “forma extraordinaria” of the Roman liturgy, in particular by the Missal of the Blessed John XXIII. I encourage you in your aim, that is to say your sanctification through the Roman traditions of the Church…..The presence of your little groups in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and Oceania demonstrates the universal attraction of the most ancient forms of the Roman liturgy, whose particular transcendence serves to connect the most diverse cultures. From this liturgy, you will receive special help in coming better to know and love Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church….I therefore wish to renew my encouragement of your progress in Christian piety and friendship via the Roman traditions of the Church. May you continue to obtain ever deeper sanctification, which will make you warm witnesses of the love of Christ in communion with His Church.’

As from 2008 Young Catholic Adults (or YCA) affiliated itself to the international Juventutem Federation (Fœderatio Internationalis Juventutem); which in effect means that for the first time Juventutem has a local presence in the UK. Conversely it means that Young Catholic Adults were able to send a delegate to the first International Gathering in Berne (Switzerland) in February 2008.

A Range of Events all over the World

YCA and Juventutem are organising a range of events this Spring and Summer. At Pentecost this year there will be a Juventutem group marching with the British Chapter of the Chartres Pilgrimage. This event is the largest of its kind in the world, which attracts anything upto 6,000-10,000 people from all over the world – almost all of them young Catholics. In June Juventutem will be sending a delegation to the International Eucharistic Congress in Canada. As members of the “Summorum Pontificum generation”, Juventutem members will travel to Québec and take part in Eucharistic events (liturgical and doctrinal) as encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI:

Young Catholic Adult Retreat at Douai Abbey in Berkshire - England 4th-6th July

During the weekend of the 4th- 6th July 2008 Young Catholic Adults will be running a Traditional Retreat at Douai Abbey, the retreat will be led by Br. Christopher Greener who will give a series of talks on St. Benedict. Among a number of activities there will be a Marian procession on Saturday 5th July and a Traditional Latin Mass celebrated by Monsignor Conlon who is Chaplain to the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales and to the Oratory School in Reading. For more details please see http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk/

Young Catholic Adult Events Open to the Public

Both the Marian procession (which commences from outside the main Abbey Church at 2.30pm) and the Traditional Mass Celebrated at 11am at St. Mary’s Church (adjacent to the main Abbey Church) will be open to everyone. This will be only the second public Traditional Mass celebrated at Douai since 1970.

The most surprising aspect is that three of four years ago there were no organisations for youths/young adults using the Traditional Mass of the Catholic Church – in fact, the growth of these groups has surprised many. There are now international events, highly successful online discussion forums, prayernetworks and websites, pilgrimages and retreats, local groups and national meetings. In short it proves that the gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church and that even when almost all younger Catholics have lapsed and forgotten about Our Lord and His Church, small but convinced communities have appeared, proving that the Church is forever young and that God is still present in the lives of the younger people. As Psalm 42 says, Deum Qui lætificat juventutem meam’ or in English, it is God who gives joy to my youth.

Please forward this message on and kindly translate it whenever needed.

For further information, please contact Damian Barker Co-ordinator for Young Catholic Adults on 07908 105787.

Email: damianbarker@hotmail.com

SAINT PHILIP NERI
Confessor

SAINT ELEUTHERIUS
Pope and Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
Philip Neri (1515-95), a native of Florence, settled in Rome. He thought of offering himself for the foreign missions, but a Benedictine friend told him that his apostolate was in Rome. Philip gathered some companions into a group that later became the renowned Congregation of the Oratory. In 1551 he was ordained to the priesthood. Philip's Oratory soon constituted the center of religious life in the Eternal City, and its founder fully deserved the title by which he was called: "Second Apostle of Rome." This lovable saint attracted the trust and affection of people in every walk of life by his abounding joy in the Lord.

INTROIT Rom. 5:5
The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by His Spirit dwelling within us.
Ps. 102:1. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and let all that is within me bless His holy name.
Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, who didst exalt blessed Philip, Thy Confessor, with Thy Saints in glory, mercifully grant, that we who rejoice in his festival may profit by the example of his virtues. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ELEUTHERIUS
This pope, a Greek by origin, became a deacon in Rome. He succeeded St. Soter as Vicar of Christ, ruling from A.D. 175 to A.D. 189, when he was executed.

O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Eleutherius 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 . . .

EPISTLE Wisd. 7:7-14
Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me: And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold, in comparison of her, is as a little sand; and silver, in respect to her, shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out. Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands, And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all. Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not. For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline.

GRADUAL Ps. 33:12, 6
Come, children, hearken to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
V. Come ye to Him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be confounded.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Lam. 1:13.
From above He had sent a fire into my bones, and hath instructed me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands. And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you that he will gird himself and make them sit down to meat and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third watch and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not the Son of man will come."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 118:32
I have run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou didst enlarge my heart.

SECRET
We beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously regard these present Sacrifices; and grant that the Holy Spirit may inflame us with that fire which miraculously pierced the heart of blessed Philip. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ELEUTHERIUS
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 trully pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 83:3
My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.

POSTCOMMUNION
Do Thou, O Lord, who hast filled our souls with heavenly delights, grant that through the merits and example of blessed Philip, Thy Confessor, we may ever hunger for that food by which we truly live. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ELEUTHERIUS
O Lord, govern Thy 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. Through our Lord . . .

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

SAINT GREGORY VII
Pope and Confessor

SAINT URBAN I
Pope and Martyr

SEMI-DOUBLE / WHITE
INTROIT Ps. 17:19-20
The Lord came to my protection, and He led me out into freedom; He saved me, because He loves me.
Ps. 17:2-3. I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my support, my refuge, and my Deliverer.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Lord, grant that we may always have a reverential fear and love of Your holy name, for those who are firmly founded in Your love will ever be guided and governed by Your grace. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT GREGORY VII
Born in Tuscany, Italy, Hildebrand became a Benedictine monk in the famous monastery of Cluny in France. At the death of Alexander II, Hildebrand was elected pope and took the name of Gregory VII. In the eleventh century the bishops were virtually the dependents of secular princes. Gregory, therefore, fought with constancy and courage for the independence of the Church. His fearlessness stands out strikingly in his conflict with Henry IV, Emperor of Germany. At length the aged pope was obliged to flee. As Gregory was dying in 1085, he said, "I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile."

O God, the strength of all who trust in You, it was from You that blessed confessor bishop Gregory drew courage and perseverance in defending the freedom of Your Church. May his example and intercession help us to face all adversity bravely.

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN I, POPE AND MARTYR
Pope Urban I, one of the glorious early pontiffs of the Church, was martyred in A.D. 230.

O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Urban 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 . . .

EPISTLE I John 3:13-18 Beloved: Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

GRADUAL Ps. 119:1-2
In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me.
V. O Lord, deliver me from lying lips and from a treacherous tongue.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 7:2
O Lord, my God, in You have I placed my trust; save me from all my persecutors, and rescue me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 14:16-24
At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.' "

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 6:5
Turn to me, O Lord, and save my life; in Your mercy rescue me.

SECRET
O Lord, may this Sacrifice, which we are about to offer in Your name, cleanse us from sin and bring us each day closer to the realization of a heavenly life. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT GREGORY VII
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.

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN I
O Lord, graciously accept the gifts that we joyfully offer to You. May Your Church, through the prayers of blessed Urban, always live in peace and rejoice in the security of her faith. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 12:6
I will sing to the Lord, who has given me all good; I will sing to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may we, who have received Your Gifts, be brought closer to our salvation by each performance of this sacred rite. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT GREGORY VII
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.

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN I
O Lord, increase the spirit of grace which You have bestowed upon Your Church. let the prayers of Your martyr and supreme pontiff Urban 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 . . .

Pope Benedict XVI celebrating Corpus Christi Mass

SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2008

WITHIN THE OCTAVE
OF CORPUS CHRISTI

OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

(Historical)

In the Paschal Season, the first reading is from the 12th chapter of the Apocalypse; the rest of the year it is from the 3rd chapter of Genesis. Both texts prophesy the victory of "the Woman" over the Serpent or the Dragon. One occurs at the beginning of the Bible, the other at the end. This Woman, whose offspring or son is the instrument of victory, is understood to be the image of the New Sion, the Church, the holy people of messianic times. Yet at the same time she can be considered the image of Mary, daughter of Sion, type of the Church and mother of the redeemed people. In these readings, Mary is the New Eve; she is the Mother of the Living. In both cases she faces conflict and this conflict continues for "the rest of her children" who are also menaced. However, the Woman is always there to assist them.


The assistance of the Woman is especially helpful to those engaged in "new wars" and who keep the commandments of God."

Saint Pius V gave Mary the title: "Help of Christians," after the victory of the Christian fleet over the Turks at Lepanto on October 7, 1571, and he added this invocation to her litany. When Pius VII returned to Rome on May 24, 1814, after spending five years of exile and captivity, he established the Feast of Our Lady, Helper of the Papal States.


The invocation of Mary as Help of Christians is part of the oldest prayer addressed directly to Mary, the "Sub tuum praesidium," which was found on a papyrus dating, at the latest, from the end of the third century. This prayer was composed at a time of great danger for Christians and for the Church. "Praesidium" is translated as "an assistance given in time of war by fresh troops in a strong manner."


Yet, Mary help of all Christians is not only helpful to those engaged in new wars, as the Gospel shows quite clearly. She is the bearer of joy, readying all Christians of good will to receive God's grace and the many gifts of life. Yes, ultimately, it is the caring woman of Cana who makes victory over dragon and serpent possible -- in letting Christ act on his own terms and at his own hour. Anthony de Mello writes in conclusion to the introduction of his last book:

"I dedicate this book to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who has always been for me a model of contemplation. She has been more: I am convinced that it is her intercession that has obtained for me, and for many of the people I have guided, graces in prayer that we should never have acquired otherwise. There, then, is my first piece of advice to you if you would make progress in the art of contemplation: Seek her patronage and ask for her intercession before you start out on this way. She has been given the charisma of drawing down the Holy Spirit on the Church, as she did at the Annunciation and at Pentecost, when she prayed with the Apostles. If you get her to pray with you and for you, you will be very fortunate indeed."

This, then, is Mary, the help of all Christians and as such, she is the star that prepares the coming of the rising sun, Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrating Corpus Christi

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2008

WITHIN THE OCTAVE
OF CORPUS CHRISTI

THURSDAY AFTER TRINITY SUNDAY

FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
The Body of Christ which centers our worship in this feast is a Sacrificed, Crucified Body. The Eucharist is always first of all a Sacrifice that is offered again and again by Christ in each Mass, through His ordained ministers.
Out of the broken body of the God-Man was born the Church that channels His life to men. The main channel of divine life is the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Jesus gives His own Body and Blood to preserve and increase the Christ-life in Christians and to make them all divinely one in Himself.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Ps. 80:17
He fed them with the finest wheat, alleluia! and filled them with honey from the rock, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 80:2. Sing joyfully to God, our helper, sing aloud to the God of Jacob.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, we possess a lasting memorial of Your Passion in this wondrous Sacrament. Grant that we may so venerate the mysteries of Your Body and Blood that we may always feel within ourselves the effects of Your redemption; who lives and rules with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

EPISTLE I Cor. 11:23-29
Breathren: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, And giving thanks, broke and said: "Take ye and eat: This is my body, which shall be delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of me." In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: "This chalice is the new testament in my blood. This do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come." Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh judgment to himself.

GRADUAL Ps. 144:15-16
The eyes of all look hopefully to You, O Lord, and You give them food in due season.
V. You open Your hand and fill every living creature with blessing.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. John 6:56-57
My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him, alleluia!

SEQUENCE

Sion, lift thy voice and sing:
Praise thy Savior and thy King;
Praise with hymns thy Shepherd true:
Dare thy most to praise Him well;
For He doth all praise excel;
None can ever reach His due.

Special theme of praise is thine,
That true living Bread divine,
That life-giving flesh adored,
Which the brethren twelve received,
As most faithfully believed,
At the Supper of the Lord.

Let the chant be loud and high;
Sweet and tranquil be the joy
Felt to-day in every breast;
On this festival divine
Which recounts the origin
Of the glorious Eucharist.

At this table of the King,
Our new Paschal offering
Brings to end the olden rite;
Here, for empty shadows fled,
Is reality instead;
Here, instead of darkness, light.

His own act, at supper seated,
Christ ordained to be repeated,
In His memory divine;
Wherefore now, with adoration,
We the Host of our salvation
Consecrate from bread and wine.

Hear what holy Church maintaineth,
That the bread its substance changeth
Into Flesh, the wine to Blood.
Doth it pass thy comprehending?
Faith, the law of sight transcending,
Leaps to things not understood.

Here in outward signs are hidden
Priceless things, to sense forbidden;
Signs, not things, are all we see:-
Flesh from bread, and Blood from wine;
Yet is Christ, in either sign,
All entire confessed to be.

They too who of Him partake
Sever not, nor rend, nor break,
But entire their Lord receive.
Whether one or thousands eat,
All receive the selfsame meat,
Nor the less for others leave.

Both the wicked and the good
Eat of this celestial Food;
But with ends how opposite!
Here 'tis life; and there 'tis death;
The same, yet issuing to each
In a difference infinite.

Nor a single doubt retain,
When they break the Host in twain,
But that in each part remains
What was in the whole before;
Since the simple sign alone
Suffers change in state or form,
The Signified remaining One
And the Same forevermore

Lo! upon the Altar lies,
Hidden deep from human eyes,
Angels' Bread from Paradise
Made the food of mortal man:
Children's meat to dogs denied;
In old types foresignified;
In the manna from the skies,
In Isaac, and the Paschal Lamb.

Jesu! Shepherd of the sheep!
Thy true flock in safety keep.
Living Bread! Thy life supply;
Strengthen us, or else we die;
Fill us with celestial grace:
Thou, who feedest us below!
Source of all we have or know!
Grant that with Thy Saints above,
Sitting at the Feast of Love,
We may see Thee face to face.
Amen. Alleluia.

GOSPEL John 6:56-59
At that time, Jesus said to the crowds of the Jews: "For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me: and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Lev. 21:6
The priests of the Lord offer incense and loaves to God; therefore they shall be sacred to their God and shall not profane His name, alleluia!

SECRET
O Lord, graciously bestow upon Your Church the gifts of unity and peace, which are symbolized in this Sacrifice we offer You. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON I Cor. 11:26-27
As often as you shall eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, grant that we may enjoy the eternal presence of Your divinity, which is foreshadowed by our earthly reception of Your Precious Body and Blood; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

THE PROCESSION

The procession usually takes place immediately after high Mass. Sometimes, however, it is held as a separate ceremony in the afternoon.

FERIAL DAY
Mass from the preceding Sunday

[Saint Andrew Bobola (1657) Historical]

Jesuit missionary and martyr. He was born a member of a noble Polish family in 1590. Entering the Society of Jesus at Vilna in 1622, he preached in the church of St. Casimir there. He took solemn vows in 1630 and was made superior of the Jesuits in Brobuisk. There he preached and distinguished himself by his work of mercy during a plague. In 1636, Andrew was sent to the Lithuanian missions. A house was provided for him in Pinsk, Belarus, by Prince Radziwell, and he worked there despite attacks by Protestants and schismatics. On May 10, 1657, Andrew was kidnapped by two Cossacks who beat him and tied him to the saddles of their horses so they could drag him to a place of torture. He was partially flayed alive and finally decapitated. His remains were buried in Pinsk and then moved to Polosk. St. Bobola was canonized by Pius XI on April 17, 1938.

[Saint Godric of Finchale (1170) Historical]

Oldest three children born to a freedman Anglo-Saxon farmer. An adventurous seafaring man, he spent his youth in travel both on land and sea as a peddler and merchant mariner first along the coast of the British Isles, then throughout Europe. Sometime sailor, sometime ship's captain, he lived a seafarer's life of the day, and it was hardly a religious one. He was known to drink, fight, chase women, con customers, and in a contemporary manuscript, was referred to as a "pirate". Converted upon visiting Lindisfarne during a voyage, and being touched by the life of Saint Cuthbert.

Pilgrim to Jerusalem and the holy lands, Saintiago de Compostela, the shrine of Saint Gaul in Provence, and to Rome. As a self-imposed austerity, and a way to always remember Christ's lowering himself to become human, Godric never wore shoes, regardless of the season. Lived as a hermit in the holy lands, and worked in a hospital near Jerusalem. Hermit for nearly sixty years at Finchale, County Durham, England, first in a cave, then later in a more formal hermitage; he was led to its site by a vision of Saint Cuthbert. It was a rough life, living barefoot in mud and wattle hut, wearing a hair shirt under a metal breastplate, standing in icy waters to control his lust, living for a while off berries and roots, and being badly beaten by Scottish raiders who strangely thought he had a hidden treasure.

Noted for his close familiarity with wild animals, his supernatural visions, his gift of prophecy, and ability to know of events occurring hundreds or thousands of miles away. Counseled Saint Aelred, Saint Robert of Newminster, Saint Thomas Beckett, and Pope Alexander III. Wrote poetry in Medieval English. The brief song Sainte nicholaes by Godric is one of the oldest in the English language, and is believed to be the earliest surviving example of lyric poetry. He was said to have received his songs, lyrics and music, complete during his miraculous visions. He died of natural causes on May 11, 1170.

Saint Bernardino of Siena by El Greco.

SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA
Confessor

SIMPLE / WHITE
Bernardine (1380–1444), Italian preacher. Born of noble parentage, left all and was a Franciscan of the Observant congregation and one of the most effective and most widely known preachers of his day. His popular, lively sermons still make good reading. He was vicar general of his congregation, and he repeatedly refused ecclesiastical preferment. St. Bernardine was one of the great promoters of devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

COLLECT
O Lord Jesus Christ, You didst grant to blessed Bernardine, Thy Confessor, a surpassing love for Thy holy name: we beseech Thee, by his merits and intercession, graciously pour into our hearts the spirit of Thy love: Who livest and reignest . . .

GOSPEL Matt. 19:27-29
At that time, Peter answering, said to Jesus: "Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have?" And Jesus said to them: "Amen I say to you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting."

Saint Celestine renouncing the Papacy

Saint Pudentiana

SAINT PETER CELESTINE
Pope and Confessor

SAINT PUDENTIANA
Virgin

DOUBLE / WHITE
Peter Celestine (1221-96) left his Italian home at the age of 20, and went to a mountain to live in solitude. Disciples soon grouped themselves around him, and the rule of life that Peter gave them formed the foundation of the Celestine Order. When Peter was 72 years old, he was elected Pope and chose the name of Celestine. It soon became evident that the former hermit's life had not in any way fitted him for the government of the Church; so Pope Celestine V had the supreme humility to resign his trust after a reign of five months.

Mass of a POPE, except

COLLECT
O God, You raised blessed Peter Celestine to the dignity of Pope, and taught him also to renounce the honor in all humility. May we follow his example and despise the things of this world, so that we may win the rewards You promised to the humble of heart. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PUDENTIANA
Pudentiana, a daughter of a Roman senator, consecrated herself wholly to Christ and gave away her goods to the poor. She died in the year 160, when she was 16 years of age.

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

Commemoration of SAINT PUDENTIANA
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 . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, govern Your 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. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PUDENTIANA
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 . . .

TRINITY SUNDAY


SAINT VENANTIUS
Martyr

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
All life begins in the Trinity, comes from the Trinity, and is destined to seek eternal rest in the Trinity. Even damned souls, by suffering punishment for having rejected love, finally do glorify God's justice. The life of Father, son, and Holy Spirit, mystery of divine mysteries, is a mutual giving so complete that the Divine Persons do not exist except in relation to one another. The divine life They share with Christ's members through Baptism is meant to be shared with all peoples through the apostolic zeal of Christians.

INTROIT Tobit 12:6 Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity. We will give glory to Him, because He has shown mercy to us.
Ps. 8:2. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your name over all the earth!
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Almighty and ever-living God, to You we owe the grace of our true faith, which enables us to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and to adore the blessed Unity through the power of Your majesty. Grant that by holding fast to that faith we may always be guarded against all afflictions. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
O God, the strength of all who place their trust in You, graciously hear our prayers. Because of our weak human nature, we can do nothing without You. Help us by Your grace that we may fulfill Your commands and please You in will and action.

Commemoration of SAINT VENANTIUS
Venantius was born at Camerino in Italy. In the year 250, when he was 15 years of age, he was arrested because of his Christian faith and was condemned by a Roman judge to suffer cruel torments. The steadfastness of the young saint touched even hardened hearts, and many pagans were converted. On hearing of this the governor had Venantius beheaded.

O God, You sanctified this day by the triumph of Your blessed martyr Venantius. May we imitate the fortitude of his faith as we venerate his merits. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Rom. 11:33-36
O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him? For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen.

GRADUAL Dan. 3:55-56
Blessed are You, O Lord, who behold the depths and are enthroned upon the Cherubim.
V. Blessed are You, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven, and worthy of praise forever.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Dan. 3:52
Blessed are You, O Lord the God of our fathers, and worthy of praise forever. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 28:18-20
At that time, Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: "All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Tob. 12:6
Blessed be God the Father, and the only-begotten Son of God, and the Holy Spirit, because He has shown mercy to us.

SECRET
Bless this Sacrificial Offering as we call upon Your holy name, O Lord our God, and through it let us too become an eternal offering to You. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Graciously accept the offerings we dedicate to You, O Lord, and let them win for us Your unending assistance.


Commemoration of SAINT VENANTIUS
O Almighty God, may the merits of blessed Venantius make our offering acceptable to You, and may we come one day to share in the glory of Your saint through the help of his prayers. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Tob. 12:6
We bless the God of heaven, and we will praise him before all men, because He has shown mercy to us.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, our God, let us be made strong in body and soul by the reception of this Sacrament and by acknowledging the Holy, Eternal Trinity and its undivided Unity. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
We have received Your exceedingly great Gifts in all their fullness, O Lord. Grant that we may use these graces for our salvation and never cease to sing Your praises.

Commemoration of SAINT VENANTIUS
We have been fed with the Sacrament of everlasting life, O Lord. May it obtain Your pardon and grace for us through the prayers of Your blessed martyr Venantius. Through Our Lord . . .

EMBER SATURDAY

SAINT PASCHAL BAYLON
Confessor

DOUBLE / RED
Pentecost is the climax of Easter, and this is the last day of the Easter season. The extra lessons in today's Mass allow for the conferring of one of the four minor orders or one of the three major orders after each lesson. Priesthood is conferred before the last verse of the Sequence. The ordained priest combines in himself the powers and the responsibilities of each distinct order.

INTROIT Rom. 5:5
The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, alleluia! by His Spirit dwelling within us, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 102:1. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all my being bless His holy name.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Lord, graciously fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit, who wisely created us and so carefully governs us. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PASCHAL BAYLON Until the age of 20, Paschal (1540-92) tended flocks on the hills of Aragon. He then became a Franciscan Brother and spent the rest of his years mainly as doorkeeper in various friaries of Spain. All through his life he was animated with a burning love for the Holy Eucharist, a love so intense that it enabled him to speak triumphantly to heretics about the most obscure mysteries of the Faith. Pope Leo XIII declared him patron of all Eucharistic confraternities and congresses.

O God, who didst adorn blessed Paschal Thy Confessor with a wonderful love for the holy Mysteries of Thy Body and Blood: mercifully grant that we too may be worthy to receive the rich spiritual graces which he received from this divine banquet; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

FIRST LESSON Joel 2:28-32
Thus says the Lord God: "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Moreover, upon my servants and handmaids in those days I will pour forth my spirit. And I will shew wonders in heaven; and in earth, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood: before the great and dreadful day of the Lord doth come. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."

ALLELUIA! V. John 6:64
It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing.

May the Holy Spirit, O Lord, influence us with that same fire which Our Lord Jesus Christ sent upon the earth to burn brightly; who lives and rules with You, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit.

SECOND LESSON Lev. 23:9-11, 15-17, 21
In those days, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: 'When you shall have entered into the land which I will give you, and shall reap your corn, you shall bring sheaves of ears, the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. Who shall lift up the sheaf before the Lord, the next day after the sabbath, that it may be acceptable for you, and shall sanctify it. You shall count therefore from the morrow after the sabbath, wherein you offered the sheaf of firstfruits, seven full weeks. Even unto the morrow after the seventh week be expired, that is to say, fifty days: and so you shall offer a new sacrifice to the Lord. Out of all your dwellings, two loaves of the firstfruits, of two tenths of flour leavened, which you shall bake for the firstfruits of the Lord. And you shall call this day most solemn, and most holy. You shall do no servile work therein. It shall be an everlasting ordinance in all your dwellings and generations.' " says the Lord Almighty.

ALLELUIA! V. Job 26:13
His Spirit has adorned the heavens.

O God, who commanded us to discipline our bodies by fasting in order to heal our souls, grant that we may always be ardently attached to You in body and soul. Through our Lord . . .

THIRD LESSON Deut. 26:1-3, 7-11
In those days, Moses said to the children of Israel: "Hear, O Israel, the things that I command you today. When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God will give thee to possess, and hast conquered it, and dwellest in it: Thou shalt take the first of all thy fruits, and put them in a basket, and shalt go to the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, that his name may be invocated there: And thou shalt go to the priest that shall be in those days, and say to him: 'I profess this day before the Lord thy God, who heard us, and looked down upon our affliction, and labour, and distress: And brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand, and a stretched out arm, with great terror, with signs and wonders: And brought us into this place, and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. And therefore now I offer the firstfruits of the land which the Lord hath given me.' And thou shalt leave them in the sight of the Lord thy God, adoring the Lord thy God. And thou shalt feast in all the good things which the Lord thy God hath given thee."

ALLELUIA! V. Acts 2:1
When the days of Pentecost were drawing to a close, they were all sitting together.

FOURTH LESSON Lev. 26:3-12
In those days, the Lord said to Moses: "Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them from Me 'If you walk in my precepts, and keep my commandments, and do them, I will give you rain in due seasons. And the ground shall bring forth its increase: and the trees shall be filled with fruit. The threshing of your harvest shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land without fear. I will give peace in your coasts: you shall sleep, and there shall be none to make you afraid. I will take away evil beasts: and the sword shall not pass through your quarters. You shall pursue your enemies: and they shall fall before you. Five of yours shall pursue a hundred others: and a hundred of you ten thousand. Your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. I will look on you, and make you increase: you shall be multiplied, and I will establish my covenant with you. You shall eat the oldest of the old store: and, new coming on, you shall cast away the old. I will set my tabernacle in the midst of you: and my soul shall not cast you off. I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be My people,' " says the Lord Almighty.

ALLELUIA! (All kneel.) V.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

O Almighty God, grant that by abstaining from food we may also abstain from sin that surrounds us. Through our Lord . . .

FIFTH LESSON Dan. 3:47-51
In those days, the angel of the Lord went down with Azarias and his companions into the furnace: and he drove the flame of the fire out of the furnace, And made the midst of the furnace like the blowing of a wind bringing dew. And the flame mounted up above the furnace nine and forty cubits; and it broke forth, and burnt such of the Chaldeans as it found near the furnace, the servants of the king, who were heating it and the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them, nor did them any harm. Then these three, as with one mouth, praised and glorified and blessed God, in the furnace, saying:
The response Deo gratis is not made.

ALLELUIA! V. Dan. 3:52
Blessed are You, O Lord the God of our fathers, and worthy of praise forever.

O God, who protected the three young men from the flames of fire, grant that the flames of sin may not consume us, Your servants. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Rom. 5:1-5
Brethren: Having been justified therefore by faith, let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access through faith into this grace wherein we stand: and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God. And not only so: but we glory also in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience trial; and trial hope; And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost who is given to us.

TRACT Ps. 116:1-2
Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise Him in unison, all you peoples!
V. For His mercy is steadfast toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.

SEQUENCE
Holy Spirit, come and shine
On our souls with beams divine
Issuing from your radiance bright.

Come, O Father of the poor,
Ever bounteous of your store,
Come, our heart's unfailing light.

Come, Consoler, kindest, best,
Come our bosom's dearest guest,
Sweet refreshment, sweet repose.

Rest in labor, coolness sweet,
Tempering the burning heat,
Truest comfort of our woes.

O divinest light, impart
Unto every faithful heart
Plenteous streams from love's bright flood.

But for your blest Deity,
Nothing pure in man could be;
Nothing harmless, nothing good.

Wash away each sinful stain;
Gently shed your gracious rain
On the dry and fruitless soul.

Heal each wound and bend each will,
Warm our hearts benumbed and chill,
All our wayward steps control.

Unto all your faithful just,
Who in you confide and trust,
Deign the sevenfold gift to send.

Grant us virtue's blest increase,
Grant a death of hope and peace,
Grant the joys that never end.
Amen.

GOSPEL Luke 4:38-44
At that time, Jesus rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever: and they besought him for her. And standing over her, he commanded the fever: and it left her. And immediately rising, she ministered to them. And when the sun was down, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to him. But he, laying his hands on every one of them, healed them. And devils went out from many, crying out and saying: "Thou art the son of God." And rebuking them he suffered them not to speak; for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him. And they stayed him that should not depart from them. To whom he said: "To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God: for therefore am I sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 87:2-3
O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and by night in Your presence. Let my prayer come before You, O Lord, alleluia!

SECRET
May our hearts, which we offer You, O Lord, be made clean by this sacred rite, so that our fasting may also become acceptable to You. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PASCHAL
In memory of Thy Saints, O Lord, we offer Thee the sacrifice of praise, by which we trust to be freed from both present and future evils. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 3:8
The wind blows where it will, and you hear its sound, alleluia, alleluia! but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION O Lord, may Your Sacrament fill us with holy fervor so that we may delight in the celebration and grace of this Sacred Rite. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PASCHAL
Refreshed by meat and drink from heaven, O God, we humbly entreat Thee, that we may be protected by the prayers of him whose memory we have partaken. Through our Lord . . .