SAINTS MARCELLINUS, PETER, AND ERASMUS
Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED
Marcellinus and Peter were Roman citizens, martyred during the reign of Diocletian about the year A.D. 303. Both were in the service of Christ and His Church: Marcellinus was a priest and Peter an exorcist. At the same period Erasmus, or Elmo, Bishop of Formiae in Campania, gave his life for His Master. St. Elmo was widely venerated during the Middle Ages as rge patron of sailors, and as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in time of need.

INTROIT Ps. 33:18
The just cried out, and the Lord has answered them and recued them from all their distress.
Ps. 33:2. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall ever be in my mouth.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly festival of Thy holy Martyrs Marcellinus, Peter and Erasmus, grant, we beseech Thee, that, as we rejoice in their merits, so our fervor may be kindled by their example. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Rom. 8:18-23
Brethren: I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body; in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL Ps. 33:18-19
The just have cried out, and the Lord has answered them and rescued them from all their distress.
V. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and He will save those who are humble in spirit.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Jo. 15:16
I have chosen you out of the world that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 21:9-19
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "When you shall hear of wars and seditions, be not terrified. These things must first come to pass: but the end is not yet presently." Then He said to them: "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be great earthquakes in divers places and pestilences and famines and terrors from heaven: and there shall be great signs. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for my name's sake. And it shall happen unto you for a testimony. Lay it up therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay. And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren and kinsmen and friends: and some of you they will put to death. And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake. But a hair of your head shall not perish. In your patience you shall possess your souls."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 31:11
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; shout for joy, all you upright of heart.

SECRET
May this Sacrifice, O Lord, which we offer in remembrance of the birthdays of Your Saints, free us from the slavery of sin and win us Your mercy. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Sap. 3:1, 2, 3
The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they appeared to perish, but they are in peace.

POSTCOMMUNION
Nourished by Your sacred gift, O Lord, we humbly ask that through this worship we may receive an increase of Your saving grace. Through our Lord . . .