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 . . .