EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Confessor 

DOUBLE / GREEN
INTROIT Eccli. 36:18
Grant peace, O Lord, to those who wait for You, that Your prophets may be found faithful. Hear the prayers of Your servant of Your people Israel.
Ps. 121.1. I rejoice at the tidings which were told me, "We shall go into the house of the Lord."
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O Lord, let Your mercy direct our hearts, for without You we can do nothing to please You. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT FRANCIS

Born at Assisi, Italy, and Christened John (Giovanni) di Bernadone, Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was a serviceman in his youth. His vocation -- that of counteracting the growing spirit of riches infecting Europe -- made itself known almost simultaneously with the young Spanish priest Dominic's call to combat the doctrinal ignorance and heretical evil of that day. Each in his own way, they revolutionized the Christian life with the creation of their two orders of mendicant friars. In 1207 Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), a group of laymen dedicated to poverty of life and Christlike charity toward all men. Two years later, with the blessing of Pope Innocent III, he and his band set out to preach. During a crusade he penetrated to the camp of the Egyptian sultan. Following his return from the Holy land, Francis relinquished the rule of his by now immensely expanded order, and received the Stigmata in its stead. His love for poverty, for the cross, and for all creation, brought new vitality and holiness to the whole Church.

O God, You increased the membership of the Church through the merits of blessed Francis. Grant that we may follow his example and spurn the things of earth to find our continual happiness in Your gifts from heaven. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Cor. 1:4-8
Brethren: I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus: That in all things you are made rich in him, in all utterance and in all knowledge; As the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, So that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the days of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL Ps. 121:1, 7
I rejoiced at the tidings which were told me, "We shall go into the house of the Lord."
V. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your towers.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.
The nations shall revere Your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth shall reverence Your glory. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 9:1-8
At that time, Jesus entering into a boat, passed over the water and came into his own city. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy:"Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee." And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: "He blasphemeth." And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said:"Why do you think evil in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins," (then said he to the man sick of the palsy,) "Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house." And he arose, and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ex. 24:4, 5
Moses consecrated an altar to the Lord, offering holocausts on it, and sacrificing victims. He made an evening sacrifice to the Lord God for an odor of sweetness, in the sight of the children of Israel.

SECRET 
O God, who allows us to share in Your own divine nature by partaking of this sacrifice, grant that our conduct may be guided by Your revealed truth. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT FRANCIS

Bless the gifts we offer to You, O Lord, and cleanse us from all stain of sin through the intercession of blessed Francis. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 95:8-9
Bring offerings, and enter his courts; worship the Lord in His holy temple.

POSTCOMMUNION 
We thank You, O Lord, for nourishing us with Your Sacred Gift. In Your mercy, make us worthy of the Sacrament we have received. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT FRANCIS

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