SAINT JOHN BOSCO

Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
John Bosco (1815-88) grew up on a Piedmont farm in Italy. While still a student-priest at Turin, he began his mission for the abandoned boy apprentices of the early industrial era, who roamed uncared for on the streets of the city. Priests and Brothers gathered about John Bosco as his work developed, and formed the Salesian Order, named in honor of St. Francis of Sales. He also founded a community of Sisters to aid needy girls. Today, the missioners of John Bosco carry on his ideals of gentleness and charity among poor children in Asia, Africa, and South America, as well as in Europe and North America.

INTROIT III Reg. 4:29

God gave him wisdom and understanding exceedingly great, and a heart as wide as the sands on the seashore.
Ps. 112:1. Praise the Lord, you His children, praise the name of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, You made Your confessor St. John a father and teacher for the young and willed that he should found in Your Church flourishing new communities under the protection of the Virgin Mary. Enkindle in us the same fire of love to seek after souls and serve You alone. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Philipp. 4:4-9

Brethren: Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline: think on these things. The things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do ye: and the God of peace shall be with you.

GRADUAL Ps. 36:3-5

Put your trust in the Lord and do good; and you shall dwell in the land and feast on its abundance.
V. Take delight in the Lord, and He will grant you your heart's desires. Commit your life to the Lord and trust in Him, and He will provide.

TRACT Ps. 60:4-6

You have been my hope, O Lord, a tower of strength against the enemy. V. In Your dwelling place I shall abide forever; I shall be protected under the shelter of Your wings. V. For You, my God, have heard my prayers; You will grant and inheritance to those who fear Your name.

GOSPEL Matt. 18:1-5

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: "Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. And said: "Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 33:12

Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

SECRET

Accept, O Lord, our offering of this perfect host of salvation. May we love You in all things and above all things so that our lives may praise and glorify You. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Rom. 4:18

Hoping against hope he believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was said to him.

POSTCOMMUNION

We have partaken of the sacred mystery of Your Body and Blood, O Lord. remind us always of our obligation of gratitude through the intercession of Your blessed confessor saint John; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

FROM http://www.tridentine.tv/

Summorum Pontificum
Gregorian Chant TV
Contact

Tridentine Mini Sites

Chino Hills, California

Tridentine Mass News

Chino Hills, California, January 26, 2009: With permission of the pastor, Fr. Patrick O'Hagan, SS. CC., a group of parishoners will be polling the parish to determine interest in a local Tridentine Mass. Please see CH.Tridentine.TV. for more information.

The Tridentine Mass Today

With the release of the Summorum Pontificum, our blessed Pope Benedict XVI has clarified that the Tridentine Mass (the mass codified by Pius V at Trent, and undergoing minor revisions up to 1962) is still a valid mass, and is available to any Priest who wishes to celebrate it. It puts forth guidelines for establishing a regularly celebrated Tridentine mass, as well as permitting its celebration by any Priest at any time.

At Tridentine Mass TV, we wish to promote the beautiful, unchanging, reverent Holy Tridentine Mass per the 1962 Roman missal, and per the guidelines of Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum. Tridentine Mass TV is intended to be a resource for the United States (and if wished it can be extended to Canada and elsewhere) for local groups attempting to establish the celebration of the Tridentine Mass in their parishes. Tridentine Mass TV has subdomains for local groups in various geographical regions to post news, information, etc. An example for Chino Hills, California is CH.Tridentine.TV .

The Tridentine Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal.

Revocation of excommunication: an act of real ecumenism.

VATICAN - WORDS OF DOCTRINE: Rev Nicola Bux and Rev Salvatore Vitiello -

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI expressed a wish in a Letter which accompanied the Motu proprio “Summorum Pontificum”, addressed to the Catholic bishops of the world, on 7 July 2007:

“ It is a matter of coming to an interior reconciliation in the heart of the Church. Looking back over the past, to the divisions which in the course of the centuries have rent the Body of Christ, one continually has the impression that, at critical moments when divisions were coming about, not enough was done by the Church’s leaders to maintain or regain reconciliation and unity. One has the impression that omissions on the part of the Church have had their share of blame for the fact that these divisions were able to harden. This glance at the past imposes an obligation on us today: to make every effort to enable for all those who truly desire unity to remain in that unity or to attain it anew. ”

Now, following various meetings between the Pope and officials of the Roman Curia, and Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Pius X Society, we have the result: the revocation of the excommunication on the four bishops ordained by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1988 without pontifical mandate.

The Holy Father Benedict XVI did this with the authority to bind and to loose, - the “power of the keys ” – which the Lord gave to Saint Peter and his Successors in the Church. This is part of the Church's mission or “oikonomia”. Therefore this gesture towards the Saint Pius X Fraternity of priests, was analogous to the gesture Paul VI made towards Orthodox Christians on 7 December 1965: excommunication is revoked to foster reconciliation in charity.
The presupposition is given by the fundamental unity of faith, which persisted despite the schismatic ordination of bishops. Moreover, it was agreed that there are no substantial doctrinal differences and that Vatican II, and its decrees signed also by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, cannot be separated from the whole of Church Tradition. Marginal errors must be tolerated and corrected with a spirit of understanding. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, old or more recent divergences must be healed by means of purification of hearts, the ability to forgive and the will to overcome these divergences once and for all.

Very often in the past, anathema were revoked without any formal act, but simply with reciprocal acceptance of the parties in conflict. Today this step is clearly indispensable on the path towards Christian unity. The abrogation of excommunication is therefore, an “act of charity”.
In a letter to the S. Pius X Society, the Society's superior general Bishop Bernard Fellay wrote that the gesture was a fruit of ardent praying of the Rosary to Our Lady of Lourdes, and he reaffirmed faith in the Roman Catholic Church and obedience to the Pope.

Above all it is necessary to reflect on the fact that the itinerary which led to the revocation of the excommunication is pleasing to God who forgives us when we forgive one another; in this Gospel spirit, it cannot fail to be appreciated by all true Catholics all over the world as an expression of reconciliation and a call to continue, in reciprocal charity, dialogue which will lead, with God's grace, to the full communion of faith, fraternal harmony and sacramental life which existed before the schism.

May 'political' interpretations of the ecclesial community which aim only to divide the Body of Christ into traditional and progressive be put aside once and for all. Let us leave this to the world. We belong to Christ. Do we not seek dialogue and reconciliation? Or are we only ecumenical on alternate current?

(Agenzia Fides 29/1/2009; righe 49, parole 598)

El Greco

SAINT MARTINA

Virgin and Martyr

SIMPLE / RED
According to tradition, Martina was a young Roman who after her parents' death gave all her possessions to the poor and consecrated her virginity to Christ. When arrested by Emperor Alexander Severus, she steadfastly refused to deny her Lord. In spite of atrocious torments, Martina professed her love for Christ: "I love my Lord Jesus Christ who strengthens me." She was beheaded for that love in 228 A. D.

Mass of a VIRGIN MARTYR, except

COLLECT

O God, one of the marvelous examples of Your power was granting the victory of martyrdom even to delicate womanhood. May the example of the blessed virgin martyr Martina, whose birthday we celebrate today, draw us closer to You. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT FRANCIS OF SALES

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE
Born on the border of Switzerland, into an old aristocratic family of Savoy, Francis of Sales became one of the foremost missioners of the Catholic Restoration. He drew Calvinists to the Church by his Christlike kindness; but after the winning of the heretics, the saint was very exacting in the direction of his converts. His writings are Christian classics in which he emphasizes the importance of a staunch Catholic laity, holding that it is an error to believe that piety is incompatible with any state of life. Francis of Sales was appointed bishop of Geneva in 1603. Seven years later, together with St. Jane de Chantal, he founded the Order of the Visitation. This holy and gentle apostle died in 1622.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH except

COLLECT

O God, You willed that the blessed confessor bishop Francis should become all things to all men to save their souls. Fill us with the spirit of Your love, so that guided by the counsels of Your saint and aided by his merits we may come to the happiness of eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

SAINT PETER NOLASCO
Confessor

Saint Agnes
Virgin and Martyr
[2nd Mass]

DOUBLE / WHITE
Peter (1182-1258) was born in southern France. After the death of his wealthy parents, he spent his inheritance in Barcelona to rescue Christians enslaved by the Moors. He formed a lay confraternity, which later developed into the religious order of the Mercedarians, and led his fellow workers into Moorish territory to purchase the freedom of Christian captives, and to make numerous conversions among the non-Christians. Later Peter's Mercedarians labored among the Indians of the far-flung Spanish American Empire.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

COLLECT
O God, St. Peter was divinely guided by the example of Your won love to enrich Your Church with a new community dedicated to the ransoming of imprisoned Christians. Release us from the slavery of sin through his intercession so that we may enjoy the eternal freedom of our home in heaven; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

We are made happy, O God, by the annual feast of Your blessed virgin martyr Agnes. May we be inspired by the example of Your saint, as we honor her in this Mass. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET

We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT AGNES

Pour out Your rich blessings, O Lord, upon this sacrifice, so that through it we may come closer to our sanctification and be made joyful on the feast of Your martyrs. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION

Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink, we humbly pray You, our God, to strengthen us through the prayers of Your saints, in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT AGNES

We have partaken of Your Sacrament, O Lord, with which we yearly celebrate this feast.May it help us in this life and in the life to come. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Archbishop of Constantinople in the fourth century, John was surnamed Chrysostom, "the golden-mouthed," because of his moving eloquence. His gifted pen, as well as his sermons drew many to christ. The saint's courageous condemnation of sinfulness brought him exile and all manner of ill-usage from his persecutors. Solicitous for the poor of Constantinople, St. John also looked beyond the boundaries of his episcopal see, and sent out missioners among the Scythians, Persians, and Goths. With the praise of God on his lips, this great Doctor of the Eastern Church died in exile on September 14, 407.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

COLLECT

O Lord, the merits and teachings of the blessed confessor bishop John Chrysostom reflected glory on Your Church. May she flourish and increase through Your divine grace. Through Our Lord . . .

GRADUAL (Eccli. 44:20)

Behold a great priest, who pleased God in his life. V. There was none found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High.

Alleluia, alleluia! (V. Jac. 1:12)

Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life.

Alleluia!

SECRET
O Lord, let the blessed bishop and doctor John Chrysostom always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may this Sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed bishop and illustrious doctor John Chrysostom. Through our Lord .

FROM http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com:

FROM http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com:

Fellay: the first interview
"I am confident"

The Swiss daily Le Temps published today the first interview granted by Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX), after the remission of excommunications made public last Saturday.

The full text:

- [Patricia Briel, Le Temps:] Do you condemn the negationist declarations of Bishop Williamson?

- [Fellay:] It does not belong to me to condemn them. I do not have the competence for this. But I deplore that a Bishop may have given the impression of involving the Fraternity with a view that is not ours.

- According to observers, the Pope's decision could create divisions within the Fraternity. All the faithful and priests would not be ready for unity.

- [Fellay:] I do not fear it. There may always be a dissonant voice here or there. But the zeal with which the faithful prayed the Rosary to ask for the removal of the excommunications says a lot about our union; 1 700 000 rosaries were said in two and a half months.

- In your letter to the faithful of January 24 [PDF], you display your desire to examine, with Rome, the deeper causes of the "unprecedented crisis which afflicts the Church today". What are these causes?

- [Fellay:] In the essence, this crisis is caused by a new approach to the world, a new view of man, that is, an anthropocentrism which consists of an exaltation of man and a forgetfulness of God. The arrival of modern philosophies, with their less precise language, has led to confusion in theology.

- Is the Second Vatican Council also responsible for the Church crisis, in your opinion?

- [Fellay:] Not all comes from the Church. But it is true that we reject a part of the Council. Benedict XVI himself condemned those who claim the Spirit of Vatican II to demand an evolution of the Church in a break with its past.

- Ecumenism and religious liberty are at the center of the criticisms you make of Vatican II

- [Fellay:] The quest for unity of all in the Mystical Body of the Church is our dearest desire. Nonetheless, the method that is used is not appropriate. Today, there is such a focus on the points which unite us to other Christian confessions that those which separate us are forgotten. We believe that those who have left the Catholic Church, that is, the Orthodox and the Protestants, should come back to it. We conceive ecumenism as a return to the unity of Truth.

Regarding religious liberty, it is necessary to distinguish two situations: the religious liberty of the person, and the relations between Church and State. Religious liberty implies liberty of conscience. We agree with the fact that there is not a right to force anyone to accept a religion. As for our reflection on the relations between Church and State, it is based on the principle of tolerance. It seems clear to us that there where there are multiple religions, the State should be watchful of their good coexistence and peace. Nevertheless, there is but one religion that is true, and the others are not. But we tolerate this situation for the good of all.

- What will happen if the negotiations fail?

- [Fellay:] I am confident. If the Church says today anything that is in contradiction with what it taught yesterday, and if it forced us to accept this change, then it must explain the reason for it. I believe in the infallibility of the Church, and I think that we will reach a true solution.

Image via Wikipedia

VATICAN - Remission of the excommunication “Latae sententiae” of Bishops of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, “following a process of dialogue between the Fraternity of St. Pius X and the Holy See,” has accepted the request made once again by the Superior General of the Fraternity, Bishop Bernard Fellay, as well as in the name of the other three Bishops of the Fraternity (Bishops Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta), to lift the excommunication imposed on them upon their episcopal ordination on June 30, 1988 without pontifical mandate.

As a press release from the Holy See Press Office states, Bishop Bernard Fellay, in his letter on December 15, 2008, clearly expressed to the Holy Father that “We are always fervently determined in the will to be and to remain Catholics and to place all of our strength at the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Roman Catholic Church. We accept all of her teachings with a filial spirit. We firmly believe in the primacy of Peter and in his prerogatives and because of this, the present situation makes us suffer so much.”

His Holiness Benedict XVI, who has followed the process closely from its beginning, has always sought to mend the break with the Fraternity, even meeting personally with Bishop Bernard Fellay on August 29, 2005. On that occasion, the Pontiff expressed his desire to gradually proceed on the path and now, it is with great pastoral solicitude and paternal compassion, through a Decree issued by the Congregation of Bishops on January 21, 2009, that he lifts the censure of excommunication from the above mentioned Prelates. The Holy Father was inspired to make this decision by his desire for a complete reconciliation and full communion as soon as possible.

In the Decree from the Congregation of Bishops, with which the censure of the excommunication latae sententiae, which was declared by the same Congregation on July 1, 1988, it mentions that

“This gift of peace, at the end of the celebrations of Christmas, also aims to be a sign for the promotion of unity in charity of the universal Church, and with this means, come to remove the scandal of division. It is desired that this step be followed by the solicitous fulfillment of full communion with the Church of the Society of St. Pius X, thereby witnessing to authentic fidelity and a true recognition of the magisterium and the authority of the Pope, with the proof of visible unity.”

(SL) (Agenzia Fides 26/1/2009)

Links:
Complete text of the Decree, in Italian
http://www.fides.org/ita/vita_chiesa/2009/ss_sanpiox_240109.html

SAINT POLYCARP

Bishop and Martyr

DOUBLE / RED

A disciple of St. John the Beloved, Polycarp received from the Apostle himself his appointment as bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp served his master ardently during a long episcopate. In his old age he refused to flee persecution and faced martyrdom with supreme peace of soul. When ordered to deny Christ, Polycarp replied, "For 86 years I have served Him; how then can I blaspheme my Savior and my King?" The last of the bishops chosen by the Apostles, he was martyred in the year 156.

Mass of a MARTYR BISHOP, except the following:

COLLECT

O God, who gladdens us each year by the feast of Your blessed martyr bishop Polycarp, mercifully grant that we who celebrate his birthday may also enjoy his protection. through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I John 3:10-16

Beloved: Whosoever is not just is not of God, or he that loveth not his brother. For this is the declaration which you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one and killed his brother. And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked: and his brother's just. Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

GOSPEL Matt. 10:26-32

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, " Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven."

POSTCOMMUNION

We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Polycarp make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through Our Lord . . .

Breaking: Pope lifts excommunications of Lefebvrite bishops

Breaking: Pope lifts excommunications of Lefebvrite bishops

CNS:

Pope Benedict XVI has lifted the excommunication of four bishops ordained against papal orders in 1988 by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The move was considered a major concession to the archbishop's traditionalist followers.

The Vatican said the decree removing the excommunication, signed Jan. 21 and made public three days later, marked an important step toward full communion with the Society of St. Pius X, founded by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1970.

It said some questions remain unresolved with the society, including its future status and that of its priests, and that these issues would be the subject of further talks.

The entire CNS article is worth the read. See also:

• CNA: Pope Benedict lifts excommunication of Bishops ordained by Lefebvre
• UK Telegraph: Bishop Fellay salutes 'benevolent and courageous' Pope Benedict
• UK Holy Smoke blog: Pope Benedict is taking a huge risk in lifting the SSPX excommunications
• Associated Press

From http://www.americanpapist.com/2009/01/breaking-pope-lifts-excommunications-of.html

SAINT TIMOTHY

Bishop and Martyr

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Conversion of the Jews

DOUBLE / RED

Timothy, born in Galatia in Asia Minor, was baptized and later ordained to the priesthood by St. Paul. The young Galatian became Paul's missionary companion and his most beloved spiritual son. Paul showed his trust in this disciple by consecrating him bishop of the great city of Ephesus. During his last imprisonment in Rome, Paul wrote to Timothy to make haste and come from Asia minor. But St. Paul was martyred before an earthly reunion with his son in Christ was possible. Thirty years later, Timothy was stoned to death at Ephesus for having denounced the worship of the goddess Diana.

Mass of a MARTYR BISHOP, except

COLLECT

Almighty God, look upon our weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our own deeds. Let the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Timothy in heaven be our protection. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Tim. 6:11-16

Beloved: Pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called and be it confessed a good confession before many witnesses. I charge thee before God who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good confession: That thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Which in his times he shall shew, who is the Blessed and only Mighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality and inhabiteth light inaccessible: whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.

Saint Emerentiana

SAINT RAYMUND OF PENNAFORT

Confessor

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Return of Lapsed Catholics

SIMPLE / WHITE
Raymund of Pennafort (1175-1275), a native of Catalonia, Spain, was outstanding in the direction of souls and is revered as a patron saint of confessors. A learned professor of philosophy and law, he was entrusted by the Holy Father with the codification of canon law. When he was nearly fifty years of age, Raymund entered the Dominican Order. He converted thousands of Moors, Jews, and Albigensian heretics, and pioneered in founding language schools for aspirant missioners. Raymund performed numerous miracles. The Prayer alludes to his miraculous journey from Barcelona to the Island of Majorca on his cloak spread on the sea.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

COLLECT

O God, You chose blessed Raymund to be an example of the true minister of the Sacrament of penance and marked his life by the miraculous trip across the sea. May his intercession make us worthy of the forgiveness and grace of penance and help us toward the shore of our eternal salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT EMERENTIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

Tradition holds that Emerentiana, a foster-sister of St. Agnes, was stoned to death by a pagan mob while she was praying at the martytr's tomb.

O Lord, pardon our sins through the intercession of the blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana, who pleased You by her purity and her faith. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET

We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT EMERENTIANA

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana, and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION

Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink we humbly pray you, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of Your saint, in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT EMERENTIANA

We have been nourished by Your Divine Gift, O Lord our God. May the reception of this Bread of Heaven bring us eternal life through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINTS VINCENT AND ANASTASIUS

Martyrs

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Catholic Unity for American Christians

SIMPLE / RED

During the early years of the fourth century, Vincent, a young deacon, was inhumanly tortured by Dacian, Roman governor of Valencia in Spain. Vincent rejoiced in his sufferings until he drew his last breath. More than three hundred years later, Anastasius the Persian, a convert from the priestly caste of Magi, endured a similar martyrdom in distant Assyria. Through all the Christian centuries martyrs of the West and of the East have united their sacrifices to that of Calvary for the salvation of every man born into the world.

Mass of SEVERAL MARTYRS, except

COLLECT

O Lord, hear our humble prayers. May the intercession of Your blessed martyrs Vincent and Anastasius free us from the guilt of sin which troubles us. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET

We offer these gifts to You in sacrifice, O Lord. May the honor we pay to Your saints please You, and may these offerings. through Your mercy, bring us closer to our salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION

Almighty God, we pray that the reception of this Bread of Heaven may strengthen us against all adversity through the intercession of Your blessed martyrs Vincent and Anastasius. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

SAINT AGNES
Virgin and Martyr

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Return of European Protestants

DOUBLE / RED

Agnes is the archetype of the virgins who throughout the Christian centuries have followed the Lamb wherever He goes, "first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb" (Apoc. 14:4). She was twelve years old when she was commanded to offer incense before the pagan altar of Minerva at Rome, soon after Emperor Diocletian began his persecution of the Christians in the year 303. The persecutors tried in vain to overcome the virgin's refusal by flattery and offers of marriage. "Christ is my Spouse," she answered. "He chose me first and His I will be." Her sentence of death was passed and the child martyr died by the sword.

INTROIT Ps. 118:95-96

The wicked have lain in wait to destroy me, but I have understood Your testimonies, O Lord. I have seen that all things are finite, but Your commandment is indeed perfect.
Ps. 95:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

Almighty and eternal God, you choose the weak things of the world to confound the strong. May the virgin martyr Agnes intercede for us who celebrate her feast. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccli. 51:1-8, 12 [Sirach]

I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me. And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue: My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.

GRADUAL Ps. 44:3, 5
Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever and for all ages.
V. For the sake of truth and meekness and justice may your right hand lead you on wonderfully.

TRACT Ps. 44:8, 5
Come, O spouse of Christ, receive the crown that has been prepared for you forever by the Lord, for whose love you did shed your blood.
V. You loved justice and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellow creatures.
V. In your splendor and your beauty, make ready, ride on triumphant, and rule.

GOSPEL Matthew 25: 1-13)

At that time, Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable, "The kingdom of heaven will be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: 'Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet him.' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: 'Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.' The wise answered, saying: 'Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves.' Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he answering said: 'Amen I say to you, I know you not.' Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:13, 16

Behind her the virgins shall be led to the king; her friends shall be brought to you with gladness and joy, they shall be led into the temple of the king, the Lord.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the sacrifices we offer You, and free us from the slavery of sin through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Agnes. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 25:4, 6

The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And at midnight a cry arose, "Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Christ the Lord."

POSTCOMMUNION

Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink we humbly pray You, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of Your saint, in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Saint Sebastian and Saint Fabian

Artist: Anonymous (Spanish)

Date: 1475-1500

Medium: Oil and tempera on panel. 141.4x89.5 cm.

Location: The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia

SAINTS FABIAN AND SEBASTIAN

Martyrs

Chair of Unity Intention: Submission of Anglicans

DOUBLE / RED

Ancient tradition has coupled together the veneration of these glorious martyrs. Fabian was responsible for sending St. Dionysius and other missioners to Gaul. From there, missionary priests journeyed to Britain. This pope was slain during the year 250, during the persecution of Decius. Sebastian was a Christian Roman officer of the fourth century, who by his devotion and fervor converted many of his soldier companions. He fearlessly pleaded with Emperor Diocletian to cease persecuting the Church. For this Sebastian was arrested, sentenced to death, and mercilessly beaten with clubs.

INTROIT (Ps. 78:11, 12, 10)

Let the sighs of the imprisoned come before You, O Lord. Pay back to our neighbors seven times over into their bosoms, and avenge the shedding of the blood of Your saints. Ps. 78:1. O God, strangers have come into Your inheritance, they have defiled Your holy temple, they have made Jerusalem desolate as an orchard watchtower. V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

Almighty God, look upon our weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our deeds. Let the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian in heaven be our protection. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE (Heb. 11:33-39)

Brethren: The saints by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners. Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection. And others had trial of mockeries and stripes: moreover also of bands and prisons. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted: Of whom the world was not worthy: wandering in deserts, in mountains and in dens and in caves of the earth. And all these, being approved by the testimony of faith, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL (Ex. 15:11, 6)

Glorious is God in His saints, marvelous in majesty, worker of wonders! V. Your right hand, O Lord, is magnificent in power, Your right hand has slain the enemy.

Alleluia, alleluia! (V. Ps. 144:10, 11)

Let Your saints bless You, O Lord; let them tell of the glory of Your kingdom.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL (Luke 6:17-23)

At that time, Jesus coming down with them, he stood in a plain place: and the company of his disciples and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast, both of Tyre and Sidon, Who were come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch him: for virtue went out from him and healed all.
And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: "Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice: for behold, your reward is great in heaven, For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 31:11)

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; shout for joy, all you upright of heart.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian, and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Luke 6:18, 19)

A multitude of sick and those who were troubled with unclean spirits came to Him, for power went forth from Him and healed all.

POSTCOMMUNION

We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. may the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Fabian and Sebastian make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

SAINTS MARIUS, MARTHA, AUDIFAX,

AND ABACHUM

Martyrs

SAINT CANUTE
Martyr

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Return of Oriental Separatists

SIMPLE / RED

These saints -- a family of father, mother, and two sons -- were Persians. In the year 270 they made a pilgrimage to Rome, one of the many proofs that the faithful, even at that early date, held the Holy See to be the center of Christendom. Emperor Claudius was then persecuting the Church, and these holy Persians gave Christian burial to the remains of martyrs. God rewarded the veneration they paid His saints by granting them in their turn the supreme gift of martyrdom. After their arrest, Marius and his two sons were beheaded, and Martha was drowned.

INTROIT Ps. 67:4

Let the just feast and rejoice before God; let them rejoice with gladness.
Ps. 67:2. Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

Hear, O Lord, the prayers of Your people and Your saints who intercede for them. Grant us peace in this life and Your assistance to attain eternal life. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT CANUTE, MARTYR

During the eleventh century King St. Canute of Denmark was one of the missionary rulers who spread the Faith of Scandinavia. Rebels rose against him and murdered him at Odense in 1086.

O God, You have added glory to Your Church by granting to the blessed king Canute the gift of miracles and the crown of martyrdom. May we walk in the footsteps of Your saint and follow our Lord's own path of suffering, so that we too may enter into everlasting happiness. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Heb. 10:32-38

Brethren, call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions. And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were made a gazingstock; and on the other, became companions of them that were used in such sort. For you both had compassion on them that were in bands and took with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a better and a lasting substance. Do not therefore lose your confidence which hath a great reward. For patience is necessary for you: that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise. "For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come will come and will not delay. But my just man liveth by faith."

GRADUAL 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. V. In the sight of the unwise they appeared to perish, but they are in peace.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 67:36

Our God is wonderful in His saints.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 24:3-13

At that time, as Jesus was sitting on mount Olivet, the disciples came to him privately, saying: "Tell us when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the consummation of the world?" And Jesus answering, said to them: "Take heed that no man seduce you. For many will come in my name saying, 'I am Christ.' And they will seduce many. And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass: but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And there shall be pestilences and famines and earthquakes in places.
"Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be scandalized and shall betray one another and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise and shall seduce many. And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold. But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 123:7

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken and we are free.

SECRET
Look favorably on the prayers and offerings of Your people, O Lord. may this celebration of the feast of Your saints please You and bring us Your merciful help. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT CANUTE

O Lord, let the prayers of Your saints whom we honor by this sacred rite make our offering acceptable to You, so that it may aid our salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 12:4

But I say to you, my friends, "Do not be afraid of those who persecute you."

POSTCOMMUNION

May the prayers of Your saints win forgiveness for us, O Lord. Grant that the Sacrifice we offer in this life may be our everlasting possession in the life to come. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT CANUTE

We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr Canute make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT ANTHONY

Abbot

DOUBLE / WHITE

Anthony was born in Egypt of wealthy Christian parents at about the middle of the third century. After the death of his parents, he left the world and sought the solitude of the desert. Although Anthony undertook severe mortifications to overcome the ceaseless temptations he endured, yet he saw the secret of Christian sanctity not in bodily chastisement but in love of God. So many disciples followed him that he founded two monasteries on the bank of the Nile, and directed the lives of his monks according to the Gospel precept of perfection. This patriarch of all monks died in the year 356 in a cave near the Red Sea, at the age of 105.

Mass of an Abbot, except

COLLECT

Let the Blessed Abbot Anthony intercede for us, O Lord. May his prayers win us Your help, since our own actions cannot merit it. Through Our Lord . . .

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."

SECRET

May the offerings we lay upon Your sacred altar, O Lord, bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of the blessed abbot Anthony. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

POSTCOMMUNION

May the Sacrament we have received and the prayers of the blessed abbot Anthony protect us, O Lord. Grant also that we may imitate the virtues of this saint who is our intercessor with You in Heaven. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT MARCELLUS

Pope and Martyr

SIMPLE / RED
Marcellus was elected pope in the year 308, when the early Church was combating the effects of the devastating persecution under Emperor Diocletian. Pope Marcellus received back into the Church those apostates who gave indications of repentance for having denied the Christian Faith during the reign of terror. A group revolted against the Papal penances imposed upon them and used their influence with Emperor Maxentius to have the Pope exiled from Rome. Pope Marcellus died during the first year of his banishment, safeguarding the integrity of Church discipline even at the sacrifice of his own freedom and life.

Mass of a POPE, except

COLLECT

O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your people. may the merits of the martyred pope Marcellus help us, just as his sufferings have given us cause for spiritual joy. Through Our Lord . . .

OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR

SAINT PAUL
Hermit

SAINT MAURUS
Abbot

DOUBLE / WHITE

The original statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor was brought from France to the pioneer Ursuline convent in New Orleans. When the British Army threatened New Orleans in 1815, the Urslines and the relatives of the American soldiers implored the help of Our Lady of prompt Succor. The subsequent American victory caused General Andrew Jackson to visit the convent to thank the Sisters for their prayers. Our Lady of Prompt Succor was later designated by Papal degree as special patroness of the State of Louisiana.

INTROIT

Let us all rejoice in the Lord as we celebrate the feast in honor of the blessed ever-Virgin Mary, 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 most gentle Jesus, You have entrusted the treasury of Your mercy to Your Mother Mary. May she shield us from all evil of body and soul; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PAUL
An affluent family and an excellent early education offered Paul of Egypt promise of a distinguished life in the world. He chose instead a life of renunciation alone with Christ. During 90 years he remained in the desert, absorbed in contemplation and adoration of God. Toward the close of his long dedication, he was visited by another hermit, St. Anthony of the Desert. His abiding concern for souls was expressed in an eager question to Anthony, "Does idolatry still reign in the world?" Death came to him in his 113th year, about 341, while he was on his knees.

O God, it is a joy for us to celebrate yearly the feast of Your blessed confessor Paul. May we who commemorate his birthday also imitate his example.

Commemoration of SAINT MAURUS
Maurus, sixth-century disciple of St. Benedict, helped to introduce monastic life in France, and was rewarded by God with the gift of miracles because of his heroic spirit of obedience.

Let the blessed Abbot Maurus intercede for us, O Lord. May his prayers win us Your help, since our own actions cannot merit it. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccli. 24: 23-31

As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL Cant. 6:3; Judith 13:22

You are all-beautiful and sweet, O daughter of Sion; fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army in battle array.
V. The Lord has blessed you by His power, because by you He has brought our enemies to nought.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Luke 1:28

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 2:1-11

At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: "They have no wine." And Jesus saith to her: "Woman, what is that to me and to thee? My hour is not yet come." His mother saith to the waiters: "Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: "Draw out now and carry to the chief steward of the feast." And they carried it.

And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: "Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now." This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Jer. 18:20

Remember, O Virgin Mother, to speak good things in our behalf before the face of God, so that He may turn away His anger from us.

SECRET

O Lord, through Your mercy and the intercession of the Blessed ever-Virgin Mary, let this offering bring us prosperity and peace now and forever. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PAUL
We offer You, O Lord, this Sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession.

Commemoration of SAINT MAURUS
May the offering we lay upon Your sacred altar, O Lord, bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of the blessed abbot Maurus. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

Ever-Virgin Mary, most worthy Queen of the world, you who brought forth Christ, the Lord and Savior of all mankind, pray for our peace and safety.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, help us by the prayers of Your Immaculate ever-Virgin Mother Mary. Her loving care has already brought us lasting blessings; may she shield us from all dangers and unite us in heart and mind; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PAUL
Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink, we humbly pray You, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of the saint in whose memory we have received this Sacrament.

Commemoration of SAINT MAURUS
May the Sacrament we have received and the prayers of the blessed abbot Maurus protect us, O Lord. Grant also that we may imitate the virtues of this saint, who is our intercessor with You in heaven. Through our Lord . . .