Saint Apollinaris

SAINT APOLLINARIS
Bishop and Martyr

SAINT LIBORIUS
Bishop and Confessor

DOUBLE / RED
As first bishop and only known martyr of Ravenna, Italy, Apollinaris evangelized that region and laid down his life for his flock about A.D. 200 after a succession of banishments and harassments from the pagans. Many miracles were ascribed to his intercession. He had perfectly fulfilled the command of St. Peter to those ordained to the ministry of souls: "Tend the flock of God which is among you . . . becoming from the heart a pattern to the flock" (Reading).

INTROIT Dan. 3:84, 87
You priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; you holy and humble of heart, praise God. Dan. 3:57. All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, rewarder of the faithful, pardon our sins through the intercession of Your blessed confessor bishop Apollinaris, whom we honor this day. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT LIBORIUS
Liborius was bishop of Le Mans in France and friend of St. Martin of Tours, who was present at his death in A.D. 397.

O Almighty God, grant that our solemn celebration of the feast of Your confessor bishop Liborius may increase our devotion and bring us closer to our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Peter 5:1-11
Beloved: The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

GRADUAL Ps. 88:21-23
I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him, that My hand may help him and My arm strengthen him.
V. The enemy shall have no advantage over him, nor shall the son of iniquity have power to hurt him.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 109:4
The Lord has sworn, and He will not repent: "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedech." Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 22:24-30
At that time, there was also a strife amongst the disciples, which of them should seem to be the greater. And Jesus said to them: "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that have power over them are called beneficent. But you not so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger: and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at table or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at table? But I am in the midst of you, as he that serveth. And you are they who have continued with me in my temptations: And I dispose to you, as my Father hath disposed to me, a kingdom; That you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom: and may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

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

SECRET
O God, look kindly upon these gifts which we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyr priest Apollinaris and in satisfaction for our sins. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT LIBORIUS
O Lord, may Your saints everywhere be a source of joy for us, and may we feel the power of their intercession with You as we solemnly recall the deeds of their lives. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 25:20, 21
Master, thou didst hand over to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others in addition. Well done, good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many; enter into the joy of thy master.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We have received Your Holy Sacrament, O Lord. We now ask to be comforted by the protection of blessed Apollinaris, for You will always be merciful to those who are helped by Your saints. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT LIBORIUS
O Almighty God, may the expression of our gratitude to You for all Your Gifts bring us even greater benefits through the intercession of Your blessed confessor Liborius. Through our Lord . . .