FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

SAINT ATHANASIUS
Bishop and Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE

INTROIT Ps. 97:1, 2
Sing to the Lord a new canticle, alleluia! For the Lord has done wondrous deeds, alleluia! He has revealed His justice in the sight of the nations, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 97:1. His right hand has won him victory, and his holy arm has brought salvation.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, in whom all the faithful are united in one mind, let Your people everywhere love Your commandments and yearn for Your promises, so that, even amid the changes of this world, their hearts may always be fixed upon the true happiness of heaven. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ATHANASIUS
While he was still a deacon, Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 298-373) was present at the Council of Nicaea, during which the true doctrine of the Church concerning the divinity of Christ was defined; and the rest of his life was an heroic testimony to the profession of the Nicene Fathers. After Athanasius had become bishop of Alexandria, he resisted during long years the pressure put upon him to compromise in essentials of the Faith. five times he endured exile, and in consequence composed most of his great writings from his see city.


O Lord, graciously hear the prayers we offer on the feast of Your blessed confessor bishop Athanasius. Forgive us all our sins through the merits and intercession of this saint who served You so well on earth. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE James 1:17-21
Beloved: Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creature.
You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God. Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 117:16 The right hand of the Lord has exercised power, the right hand of the Lord has lifted me up. Alleluia!
Rom. 6:9 Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death shall no longer have dominion over Him. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 16:5-14
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: 'Whither goest thou?' But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go. For if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin and of justice and of judgment. Of sin: because they believed not in me. And of justice: because I go to the Father: and you shall see me no longer. And of judgment: because the prince of this world is already judged. "I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak. And the things that are to come, he shall shew you. He shall glorify me: because he shall receive of mine and shall shew it to you."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 65:1-2, 16
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to the glory of His name. Come and hear, all you who fear God, the great things the Lord has done for me, alleluia!

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 ATHANASIUS
Let our annual commemoration of Your blessed confessor bishop Athanasius please You, O Lord. Grant that this sacrifice of atonement which we offer on his feast may bring him greater honor and fill us with Your grace. Through Our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 16:8
When the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Help us, O Lord our God, that we may be cleansed from sin and shielded from all dangers by these Gifts which we receive with faith. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ATHANASIUS
O God, rewarder of the faithful, pardon our sins through the intercession of Your blessed confessor bishop Athanasius, whom we honor this day. Through Our Lord . . .